Feb No Buy! Short Month! We can do this!

[Virgderon]

Ouch. It's been a long time since I spent this much in one day. Groceries and the dreaded brakes repair. Thankfully it was not too terrible because only the front brakes needed repair.

Running Total: Spent $343
$1200 budget... 857 left
$0 Days: 2
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings :32

Groceries budget- $250-25-14-45= 166 left

Feb. 1 : 45 (groceries and laundry detg, snacks for hockey game tonight, 10 for parking at hockey game tonight)
Feb. 2 : 0
Feb. 3: 24 (10 shipping DDs e-bay stuff, 14 pop and bread)
Feb. 4: 23 (Cracker Barrell)
Feb. 5: 250 (205 car repair, 45 groceries)

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Thanks! Tagalongs are Girl Scout Cookies. Apparently there are two bakeries that the GS use for their cookies, and they both carry a different line of cookies. Some of the cookies are baked by both bakeries, but they go by different names with the exception of the Thin Mints. Tagalongs are the Peanut Butter Patties in the red box. Caramel deLites are called Samoas but they are both in the purple box. Confusing, no? I've lived in 4 states and have had cookies from both bakeries over time.

My bills are budgeted, but I only have a couple on autopay. I don't count them here though because I didn't want regular bills to be a stumbling block to the spirit of this challenge, which is the same reason why I don't count most health care purchases.

I can't see my public school allowing something like the night out either. It's a really cute idea but I would never do it even if it was allowed. There is so much concern about liability these days. Also, I personally try to keep work and home life separate. I can see how something like this would probably strengthen the intangible "community" aspect in the classroom.

On the same token, I did have a Christmas party at my house with some of my friends and their kids. The kids enjoyed it, but it wasn't my school kids and I wasn't babysitting. They made holiday crafts, decorated cookies, and watched movies while my friends and I chatted.

I don't have to buy a paper for my coupons. I get a free newspaper delivered on Sundays and Thursdays - the days the coupons and ads are included! It's not the full newspaper; it's just the local section, the classifieds, and most ads. People that pay for regular delivery get all the sections and sometimes more ads than the free version, but I can't complain! And the coolest thing about the local section is that the schools will send in photos for publishing and my school usually has a photo or two each edition. I was even in a group shot one day!

I guess that I never thought about my school "not" allowing me to do it. While I never asked "permission," my principal knows that I hold them.... his step-son came to my KNO every month last year. Teachers tutor for pay in their home all of the time. I could have all of the tutoring jobs that I want (at $20 an hour) but I don't want to take that time away from my boys during the evening. For my "Kid's Night Out" I only charge the parents $20 for 3 hours ($15 each for twins) and I make the lessons relevant to what I am teaching in class. While it is not one-on-one like tutoring would be, it is still a bargain. I actually have fun coming up with the hands-on activities that would be difficult to do with a whole class.

 

[bigmama67]

Well, I blew the no-buy...I went over budget at Johnny Rockets (I will have to pay $8.50 counting tip)...ah well! I also accidentally got onto a toll road so paid $8 unnecessarily...and $1 for the parking meter! Not my cheapest day after all.

Since we're already over the top, I just ordered DD's training pants from Amazon Mom (somebody gave me a $10 coupon though so I will get 117 for $16.85 shipped! and it will extend my Amazon Prime membership for another month!)

Our laptops are on their last legs so as long as we're going down this road, DH is going to check out some stuff at Staples (not buying today though!)

So here's the tally:

2/1 - $21.13 on groceries today, $4.16 on a shirt for DS to be a Sneetch (it's Dr. Seuss week at school), $10 on Shari's Berries voucher (gift for DH).

2/2 - $61.98 on groceries - stocked up on meat and cereal, $516.84 left for the month.

2/3 - $0

2/4 - $50.70 groceries/$466.14 left for the month (crossed a bunch of things off my list for the month though); $20.65 household (salt at Home Depot - MORE SNOW COMING, ARGH!) and batteries; also paid some bills but I don't count that. $6 to see a movie with my friend (didn't buy $nack$ this time, LOL!)

2/5 - originally I planned a "no-buy" day but that went out the window! $8.50 Johnny Rockets, $16.85 training pants for DD ($10 Amazon Baby coupon!) - counts as groceries, also DH spent $14.41 at Stop & Shop without permission (LOL) so $434.88 left for the month. Then he bought some beer (I'll count that as Entertainment) - $8.01, and some LED flashlights (Household) for some reason ($7.48 at Kohls, saved $28.00). He spent $40.79 on a new pair of Dockers and a dress shirt - $5.03 left in clothing budget (but we don't plan to get any other clothes this month) - saved $10.20 with a 20% off coupon at Kohls! So much for a "no-buy" day, huh? LOL.

2/6 - I'll stock up at Shop Rite and Acme while DS and DH go bowling so Monday can be no-buy day #2...

2/7 - hope for no-buy day #2

2/8 - hope for no-buy day #3

2/9

2/10

2/11

2/12

2/13

2/14

2/15

2/16

2/17

2/18

2/19

2/20

2/21

2/22

2/23

2/24

2/25

2/26

2/27

2/28




Coupon savings so far: $127.97!

No-buy days: 1/8

 

[3goofyboys]

I'm in again this month!

Welcome new faces, hope you love the thread!

I've shooting for a goal of 12 no-buys for the shorter month. This month both DH and I have birthdays, plus v-day so that ads some extra expenses. Thankfully, we aren't having major birthdays this year so no big parties and we never do anything big for v-day. We are planning on buying a new house in March or April, so we need to do some saving to prep for the extra moving expenses.

Feb 1 I like to start the month with a no buy, but no such luck today. $70 had to register the boys for soccer and swimming, but I found out I had a big credit on my account (yay for found money!) so that took care of half the bill, $60 groceries.


Feb 2 It was errand day today, so $$$! $170 groceries, $40 gas, $25 filed my taxes. Hopefully this will take care of any spending through early next week.


Feb 3 We got caught out unexpectedly at lunch time, so we had to hit Subway. I could have waited, but DH gets very cranky if he isn't fed on schedule ! $15 Subway.

Feb 4 $6 dinner with my parents, $23 gas

Feb 5 woo hoo! Finally a no buy day!


1/12 no buy days

 

[Debbie]

Thanks! Tagalongs are Girl Scout Cookies. Apparently there are two bakeries that the GS use for their cookies, and they both carry a different line of cookies. Some of the cookies are baked by both bakeries, but they go by different names with the exception of the Thin Mints. Tagalongs are the Peanut Butter Patties in the red box. Caramel deLites are called Samoas but they are both in the purple box. Confusing, no? I've lived in 4 states and have had cookies from both bakeries over time.

Ah, I see. We don't get the variety in the Girl Guide (Scout) cookies here, and I've always been envious of y'all. We get: chocolate/vanilla standard in the spring, and the Thin Mint in the fall. I've always wanted to taste some of the other flavours! (Don't like the chocolate, but thankfully, my kids (and DH) do. Thanks for the explanation. I'll update my spending after DH gets home from Church. He's supposed to be done shopping for the day, but, if I know him. . . .

 

[A.Mickey]

No grocery store couponing here in SW Ontario. (But then, I don't have to buy a newspaper, either, so I save money that way )

Oh my gosh I couldn't imagine shopping without coupons now!
I print alot of my coupons from the internet and also save money on the Sunday paper by buying the paper for $1.00 at DollarTree, so I really only spend $104 dollars a year on Sunday papers (I buy two copies), not even since alot of the holiday weekends don't have coupon inserts, then those weekends I just don't buy the paper .

I hope your groceries are not as pricey then, since you don't get to coupon shop. How unfair! Well either way, you do awesome at grocery shopping!

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $92.33
$0 Days:2/10

Groceries ($252-$9/day)- $74.77
Eating Out ($196-$7/day)- $17.56
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($1008-$36/day) $928 Planned= $81x2 Class Registration, $60 Preschool Registration, $92 Great America, $500 Hotels Ohio and $168 St. Louis, $100 Liscense Registration, $14 Metra to see Musical, $3 Bag of Books at Library Book Sale
Gas $200?- $25 (2/3) = $25

WEEK 1 BEGIN:
1- $12.68 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $21.04 (Walgreens-Groceries), $6.34 (Meijer-Groceries)
2- As much as I would like to go out, to get a few items at Dominick's before they are off sale, it is not happening. We got 22" of snow! Only emergency and medical vehicles are allowed on the road.
$0
3- $31.43 (Meijer-Groceries), $4.88 (McDonald's-Eating Out)
4- $0
5- $9.97 (CVS-Groceries), $5.99 (Dominick's-Groceries)
WEEK 2 BEGIN:
6- Dollar Tree, Meijer, $3/bag Library Book Sale , Walgreens, Jewel, Eating Out, Gas
7-
8-



Budget: $1456....6%
Month: 5/28: 18%
No Buy: 2/10: 20%

My savings from coupons and sales: $230.87

 

[charming23]

Went out to lunch with my best friend Tiffany this afternoon. I treated us to chinese since she is graduating from massage school next week and I am so proud of her for getting her degree.
We also did a little shopping and I got a pair of my favorite jeans for $12.94 instead of $36.99. Since I have been losing weight I needed a smaller size.
I also stopped at Save-a-lot for a few grocery items we forgot yesterday.

February Budget-
Groceries/Household- $300/$241.75 left
Car/Gas- $50
Eating Out- $50/$32.60 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$74.32 left

Total-$500/$398.67 left

Goal of 14 No buy days

Week One
2/1- $0- Snow Day
2/2- $0- Snow Day
2/3- $0- Snow Day
2/4- $49.82 Grocery and $12.74 Misc
2/5- $17.40 Lunch, $12.94 Jeans, and $8.43 groceries
2/6
2/7

3/14 No Buy Days

Coupon and Store Savings- $39.05

 

[Tiggerish]

The February budget is $850 with 12 no spend days.

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $80 left
Giving $10
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$247 left
Medical $25
Misc. $75 / $42 left
Set bills $335

I have two exceptions to my budget this month - - everything related to my cataract surgeries and an over night business trip (legal stuff) to Chicago.

No spend days goal of 12 / 3
Coupon savings $11.55
Christmas '11 running total = $8
---------------------------------------------------------------------

2/1 $0
2/2 $0
2/3 Auto $30 (gas); Groceries $3; Eating out $5
2/4 $0
2/4 Misc. $33 (birthday present for my brother-in-law- I like him so got him a box of steaks, of course I am the only one with a grill)

 

[Debbie]

Oh my gosh I couldn't imagine shopping without coupons now!
I print alot of my coupons from the internet and also save money on the Sunday paper by buying the paper for $1.00 at DollarTree, so I really only spend $104 dollars a year on Sunday papers (I buy two copies), not even since alot of the holiday weekends don't have coupon inserts, then those weekends I just don't buy the paper .

I hope your groceries are not as pricey then, since you don't get to coupon shop. How unfair! Well either way, you do awesome at grocery shopping!

We can get some brand name coupons through the internet, but nothing for specific grocery stores, nor are their grocery coupons in the papers. And we wouldn't know what double coupons are, that's for sure.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I'm in, with my own twist. Recording groceries but not couting them towards no buy days, but also raising my no buy days to 18. Hoping to get a real feel for the difference from this month last year, since January was a bust.

February 1-$0 I am doing better but still not eating more then a few bites so no stregnth to go anywhere. I am going to attempt to cook dinner for the first time in over 2 weeks, but just an easy crock pot dinner. It's something.
February 2-$0 Kids had the day off. We didn't get as much snow as they called for, but they had alreayd called school. They have never done that, caled it too early, and I am sure they won't soon again.
February 3-$0 Was really hoping to be better by today and able to grocery shop. That was not the case. Maybe tomorrow.
February 4-$0 A little bummed. We had tickets (free!) to see the Globetrotters tonight. I was really hoping to be able to go, especially since we missed Disney on Ice. I am still not eating, so very weak. I feel a lot better but just too weak to go. So the family is out to dinner and the show and I am at home in bed. A little sad, but really happy they are getting to go.
February 5-I actually spent money today. $21 on a baby gift for a shower I am supposed to go to tomorrow. I probably won't make it, but I wanted to get a gift either way. My DH took me out tonight. We thought I needed some frsh air. It was nice to get out. It was snowing and so beautiful. We went to Babies R Us. I used the shopping cart as a walker and it went OK. We wern't in there long but it felt good to be out. Then he said since we were there and he needed some things at Sam's did I mind if he ran in. I got overly confident and went in with him. My legs felt like they were going to crumble under me so I went and sat down while he got what we needed. After he bought me a soft pretzel. $1

Money Spent this Month-$22

No Buy Days 4/18 Number of no buys is up cause I am no longer counting groceries towards no buy, my new for 2011 rule for myself.



$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Back in 2011 cause I'd miss you all so much!
January-25
Longest Streak-Currently 19 (but I have been sick)Joined No Buy as a New Years Resolution in 2010 and did pretty well-
January-14 Days
February-13 Days
March-17 Days
April-15 Days
May-15 Days
June-8 Days
July- 6 Days (only in town and only recorded half the month, probably had about 7-8 no buys while away)
August-15 Days
September-15 Days
October-13 Days
November-6 Days (only kept track till November 16th cause we were in Disney the rest of the month)
December-10
Longest Streak-4 Days in a Row

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I'll be back later with a total. It's going to be a lot of math today. I shopped at:
Walgreens
Rite Aid
CVS
Save A Lot
Rouses
Winn-Dixie
Wendy's



I biffed a little bit at CVS. They had already pulled this week's sale prices and updated with next week's, and some of the prices were labeled in the wrong spot. I had $14 dollars of the "buy $15 and get $5 ECB" but I thought I had $16 but a Ritz rang up at $3.49 and not the $2 as listed in the ad and the correct box for the special promotion. Also, there was no line when I got there and then about 6 people behind me, all with one thing. The cashier was trying to bag, but all the bags were tearing and I got flustered at the crowd and I forgot to use a prior $5 ECB. I didn't notice it until too late and I wasn't about to go back in there.

Then at Winn-Dixie, the computer went crazy 3 times and I was so embarrassed at how long the transaction was taking. First, it rang up the hot dogs 7 times. Then, it wouldn't let her void them without a manager. Well, the manager was dealing with a contrary turkey on another checkout, so it was a long wait. Then, there was supposed to be free charcoal with the hot dog. ANOTHER manager override, since the cost wasn't coming off. Then, the computer wouldn't accept my payment without yet ANOTHER manager override! At least I saved over $53 and only spent $50.

 

[Virgderon]

I biffed a little bit at CVS. They had already pulled this week's sale prices and updated with next week's, and some of the prices were labeled in the wrong spot. I had $14 dollars of the "buy $15 and get $5 ECB" but I thought I had $16 but a Ritz rang up at $3.49 and not the $2 as listed in the ad and the correct box for the special promotion. Also, there was no line when I got there and then about 6 people behind me, all with one thing. The cashier was trying to bag, but all the bags were tearing and I got flustered at the crowd and I forgot to use a prior $5 ECB. I didn't notice it until too late and I wasn't about to go back in there.

Then at Winn-Dixie, the computer went crazy 3 times and I was so embarrassed at how long the transaction was taking. First, it rang up the hot dogs 7 times. Then, it wouldn't let her void them without a manager. Well, the manager was dealing with a contrary turkey on another checkout, so it was a long wait. Then, there was supposed to be free charcoal with the hot dog. ANOTHER manager override, since the cost wasn't coming off. Then, the computer wouldn't accept my payment without yet ANOTHER manager override! At least I saved over $53 and only spent $50.

I hate when I get more than a couple people behind me when I am doing a lot of couponing. I tend to apologize to the people behind me, and try to rush through the whole thing. It never fails that when I get home and look at my receipt, something did not ring up the way it should have, or something I thought was on sale rings up at full price. Of course I did not catch it, because I just wanted to get out of the store so that total strangers won't hate me.

I try to go to Walgreens really early in the morning ( they open at 7 am here) but I still get anxious when people get behind me and get that "look"- complete with shifting of their feet and the occasional sighing.

Good job on saving the $53!!!

MickeyMom - sorry you are still so weak. This is not the way to go on a diet!

 

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 4/12
Gas : 35$ (let's try 100$)
Groceries : 0$ (250$ is a good max)
Eating out (and snacks) : 0$ (100$ is a tough max, but I want to try keeping it again. This is really my big weakness)
Non-necessities : 0$ (200$ max I guess...)

01/02 : 0$
02/02 : 0$
03/02 : 35$ (gas)
04/02 : 0$
05/02 : 0$

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I hate when I get more than a couple people behind me when I am doing a lot of couponing. I tend to apologize to the people behind me, and try to rush through the whole thing. It never fails that when I get home and look at my receipt, something did not ring up the way it should have, or something I thought was on sale rings up at full price. Of course I did not catch it, because I just wanted to get out of the store so that total strangers won't hate me.

I try to go to Walgreens really early in the morning ( they open at 7 am here) but I still get anxious when people get behind me and get that "look"- complete with shifting of their feet and the occasional sighing.

Good job on saving the $53!!!

I totally hear you on that. It wasn't even the coupons that were the problem today.

Thanks! The $53 was just at Winn-Dixie. Their receipt tells you how much you saved. The others aren't as clear, which is why I don't bother adding up all my coupon/sales savings. It would drive me crazy with all the extra math.

1: $20.89 gas ($2.86/gallon)
2: $0!
3: $0!
4: $0!
5: $138.70 Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, SaveALot, Rouses, Winn-Dixie, Wendy's

$0 Days: 3
Spending: $159.59/$475= 34%
Days Passed: 5/28: 18%

Goal: To keep spending to within $475 for food, gas, and miscellaneous. I do not track bills; I only track "point of sale" transactions.

Ugh. Now I'm way ahead on the spending percent again. At least we should be good for a while on a lot of things. I stocked up today!

 

[QVCshopper]

I bought a twin quilt at Pottery Barn Kids, definitely not a need, but it was $100 off and I like it. Also, preordered Tangled and got a V-day gift for the inlaws at the Disney Store.

2/14 no-buys
* Used coupon

2/1-$0
2/2-$35 Wegmans*
2/3-$0; 1.5 miles
2/4-$5.75 Target* (shorts, chips, and sponges), $4.50 Michaels*, $4.25 PetSmart*, $22.50 Genuardis*, $18 Chinese Food, $1 Library (for used Alladin and Beauty & the Beast CDs), 2 miles
2/5-$31.75 Pottery Barn Kids, $29 Disney Store, $2.50 Chuck E Cheese

 

[weluvdizne]

1. $43.00 toiletries and medicine
2. 0
3. $28.00 groceries to go with what we already had in the house.
4. $8.00 check order $63.00 printer ink
5. $30.00 lunch out for entire family $2.50 groceries

no buy days 1/18

I really need to get with the program or I will be no where near my no buy day goal!!! HELP! Even the days I stay home, I'm shopping online. HELP!

 

[weluvdizne]

I bought a twin quilt at Pottery Barn Kids, definitely not a need, but it was $100 off and I like it. Also, preordered Tangled and got a V-day gift for the inlaws at the Disney Store.

2/14 no-buys
* Used coupon

2/1-$0
2/2-$35 Wegmans*
2/3-$0; 1.5 miles
2/4-$5.75 Target* (shorts, chips, and sponges), $4.50 Michaels*, $4.25 PetSmart*, $22.50 Genuardis*, $18 Chinese Food, $1 Library (for used Alladin and Beauty & the Beast CDs), 2 miles
2/5-$31.75 Pottery Barn Kids, $29 Disney Store, $2.50 Chuck E Cheese

How do you get out of Chuck E Cheese's for only $2.50??? Please tell your secrets!

 

[annsteere]

2/5 $9 groceries for Super Bowl party

$5 impulse/non essential toys at the Dollar Tree. They had glow stick
baseball caps and I will be with my DS and son-in-love at Disney
later this month. Also got some "super balls" with Mickey on them.

When they were kids my DS and DD loved to drop these off a tower
and see them bounce. I'm imagining DS and son-in-love doing that
from our room at PoP Century. That kind of fun is what my allowance
is for.

 

[QVCshopper]

How do you get out of Chuck E Cheese's for only $2.50??? Please tell your secrets!

I bought tokens on our last trip, so that's covered. Then I let each of my kids get an ice cream out of the machine for $1 or $1.50. The ice cream is really cheap. I still have more tokens because it was crowded and we left after about an hour. MickeyMomOfThree is really good about going to CEC for cheap.