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

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 6/12
Gas : 66$ (let's try 100$)
Groceries : 80$ (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$
06/02 : 0$
07/02 : 0$
08/02 : 111$ (gas + groceries)

 

[Virgderon]

Welcome back Sunnie! Mickey Mom, glad you are doing a bit better. I don't know how you are going so long without eating!

Running Total: Spent $425
$1200 budget... 775 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)
Feb. 6: 0
Feb. 7: 20 (dr. co-pay)
Feb. 8 : 62 (32 bowling, 6 food at bowling, 14 Walgreens pop & misc, 10 Walgreens prescription co-pay)

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $859.48
$0 Days:2/10

Groceries ($252-$9/day)- $129.09
Eating Out ($196-$7/day)- $31.54
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($1008-$36/day) $597.85 $330 Planned left= $92 Great America, Have $224 left for Ohio Hotel, $14 Metra to see Musical[/COLOR]
Gas $200?- $25 (2/3), $48 (2/6), $28 (2/8) = $101

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- $2 (Dollar Tree-Papers), $6.37 (Meijer-Groceries), $3/bag, probably got over 50 kids books (Library Book Sale-Shopping), $12.95 (Walgreens-Groceries), $13.98 (Wendy's-Eating Out), $291.60 (Hotel for 2 nights St. Louis in July, staying right next to the arch and we can walk to Busch stadium for the U2 concert), $101.25 (Car Registration-Misc.)
7- $35 (Joe Caputo-Groceries)
8- $200 (Registration for Spring Classes for our 3 year old son and preschool in the fall)
9- No Buy?
10-
11- No Buy?
12-
WEEK 3 BEGIN:


Budget: $1656....52%
Month: 8/28: 29%
No Buy: 2/10: 20%

My savings from coupons and sales: $350.66

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

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
6: $0!
7: $0!
8: $0!

$0 Days: 6
Spending: $159.59/$475= 34%
Days Passed: 8/28: 29%

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

 

[wlake]

I'm going to start keeping track of a new streak -- days without eating out. I can't stand cooking, so it's far too easy for me to call DH and have him bring home take out. Luckily, we live so far in the middle of nowhere that there isn't a single place that will deliver. We're at 8 days without eating out! That might be a record for DH and me for the entire time we've been together!

2/1:
2/2:
2/3:
2/4: $40 Lands' End (sheets for DS and pants for me), $21 after school
2/5: Target, Walmart, AC Moore, and something else?
2/6: groceries
2/7:
2/8: $41 things for school

no buy days: 4/11
meals out: 0/5
longest streak: 3
coupon/sale savings: $103
days without dinner out: 8

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I saved myself some big money this morning. I asked my neighbor about the brake light and he checked under the hood. Turns out all it needed was some brake fluid and I was good to go. He even had brake fluid and did it for me. I love my neighbors.

That's great!

I am a huge failure j/k but this "no buy" thing is hard! We spent money everyday this month. I was very proud of myself because yesterday I had to go to Target to pick something up for my sister, I went right for the item, grabbed it and headed for the cash register. No idle shopping!!! Today *should* be a $0 day, so I will probably get a flat tire on the way home

just wanted to tell everyone to keep up the good work!!!

Erica

You are making a behavior change. It does not happen overnight! Getting out of Target with only what you went in for is a HUGE challenge!

Hello everyone! I have been gone forever, but with true reasons, not excuses. My son in law ended up getting medically retired from the army. When I moved to TX I bought a house and my daughter, son in law and grandmunchkins live with me.

Well, due to their steep decrease in income, I was footing the bills. They helped when they could, but it wasn't too much or too often. My savings went from $9,00 to $1700. We made it though and had a wonderful trip to WDW and a fantastic Christmas. We also had our share of 'problems' along the way, including two hospitalizations.

Now, my son in law has his income problems worked out and my daughter got a job, working for Apple, from home. Since they are on their feet, I can get back on mine (hopefully!!), So, back to budgeting, no spend days and trying to pay off debt.

Missed all the inspiration I got from all of you every day!

Welcome back! What a difficult chain of events! I am proud of you for getting through all that without going into debt, and it sounds like your family is even strong for it.

Thank you so much!! I am blessed to have them, so it is mutual, I think. We get along pretty darn well. It is hard when plans suddenly change. Thank you to your family for serving out country also!! It is hard to have a life plan and see it float away, for sure!

My son in law was in 2 explosions in Iraq and will need to have spinal fusion within a couple of years, but I thank God every day, that he survived! I am so happy that things have worked out for your family!! Anyway, I didn't have to go in more debt during this, so that is a huge plus! Thanks to you for welcoming me back!

Wow....thank him for his service!

Aww, thanks so much. I really am taking it easy, I can't work for more then 20 minutes or so at a time still, but then I take a break and do a little more. I normally could get this whole place back in order in a day but I am taking my time, don't want to push it, but happy to smell clean in the house again. I am not a neat freak by any means, but this place needs a mother's touch. I am really, really hoping to eat something substancial tonight, I really think I will feel a lot better if I can just get over it in my head and eat.

I am glad you are feeling better. I can't believe how sick you were!

Spent $20 copay at the doctor and $23 filling the gas tank before driving in the frigid weather.

But, did NOT buy supper at the golden arches or a soda pop on the road. So, no impulse/unnecessary expenses.

That may not be a no buy, but it is a financial victory

That is a huge victory! I can totally relate!

I'm going to start keeping track of a new streak -- days without eating out. I can't stand cooking, so it's far too easy for me to call DH and have him bring home take out. Luckily, we live so far in the middle of nowhere that there isn't a single place that will deliver. We're at 8 days without eating out! That might be a record for DH and me for the entire time we've been together!

I really have a hard time with this. I have been to Wendy's once this month, but it was a snack not a meal. I almost got Popeye's or some other fast food for dinner tonight between work and an event, but I ended up stopping by my house on the way instead.

 

[Debbie]

Running behind here at home....seem to be always on the go.

Feb. 1: Groceries $30, summer conference for me....$295 (luckily, I've saved for this and it is not really a part of the budget )
Feb. 2: $0 Snow day!
Feb. 3: $20 at DD's Talent night. $10 for my admission, and $10 for draws. I won a really nice Lavender hand cream/soap/shower gel set from Crabtree and Evelyn.
Feb. 4: gas $45, 2 pair special "loop" scissors for school $7, and a renewal for Scholars Choice which nets me 10% discount, $10 in free goods, AND a huge mug/warmer + notepads $10 (seems like a deal to me ) Hmmmm. So far, I can't put the finger on DH for spending (but tomorrow is another day....one of his 'shopping days!"
Feb. 5: DH shopped in the city in the morning-groceries $45 and I shopped Costco-groceries-$32, tax software-$37 and in our village in the afternoon, another $45 on groceries. After a Church dinner that he worked at, DH brought home buns, snacks, pie etc, so we gained there
Feb. 6: DH bought some gingerale for DD who isn't feeling well $4, so I had him top up the gas $35 since we'd need it tomorrow anyway
Feb. 7: $0 Finally, another one!
Feb. 8: DH's 'shopping day' and it was only $60. That, in itself, is an accomplishment!

No Buy days this month: 2/10

 

[bigmama67]

You are making a behavior change. It does not happen overnight! Getting out of Target with only what you went in for is a HUGE challenge!

Hear, hear! I have been noticing two things:

1. I'm more reluctant to spend money on just any old thing. I find myself really considering whether I actually need it. Of course, since we always need food to survive, I think that groceries are never a waste, and I am probably over-stocking at the moment (my pantry is overflowing!) but it will all be used.

2. I find myself better able to focus on, and organize, other areas of my life. I feel like I'm developing a whole new approach to things, which is both wonderful and a bit scary...LOL.

Amazing how getting control of the budget (even in baby steps) helps with other things, isn't it?

 

[nunzia]

Feb 1- Gas $20, Walmart shopping trip during a snowstorm..ack: $106.89 (more than I expected to spend, but dogs have to eat and DH needs his beer) coupons: $8.45
2- $0 (even New Mexico was snowed in today)
3- took a friend visiting from Florida out for lunch $22.87, went to Dollar Tree for hash browns but got my DH his favorite cookies instead since they had no hash browns $5.00, ended up at Lowes for hash browns $1.99
4- $12.00..out for lunch with another friend
5- $0
6- $0
7- $0
8- $0 ( to be fair..I did buy a plane ticket for DH's trip to join me after Expo next year, but that wasn't an optional purchase and money came from trip account..I'm only counting optional things, food and gas, not things that are locked in stone)
9-
10-
11-
12-
13-
14-
15-
16-
17-
18-
19-
20-
21-
22-
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-

5/12

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Welcome back Sunnie! Mickey Mom, glad you are doing a bit better. I don't know how you are going so long without eating!

Thanks, good to be better. I am eating a little at a time now, even ate a regular dinner with the family last night, just less of it (and that wouldn't be such a bad thing to keep from this flu.) I am still weak, I don't know how to explain the feeling but when I tell my DH how it feels he says it is cause my body ate away at my muscles when I wasn't getting what I needed, but better each day, hope to feel great by the weekend. Thanks again for caring. Oh, and hey, DH and I took your lead and joined a bowking league. It starts in a couple weeks. I can't wait!!!

I'm going to start keeping track of a new streak -- days without eating out. I can't stand cooking, so it's far too easy for me to call DH and have him bring home take out. Luckily, we live so far in the middle of nowhere that there isn't a single place that will deliver. We're at 8 days without eating out! That might be a record for DH and me for the entire time we've been together!

Good for you! That is great both for you and for your wallet!

I am glad you are feeling better. I can't believe how sick you were!

:

Thanks, it was the weirdest thing, so gald no one else got it. I can't imagine if DH had missed that much work or the kids had missed that much school! But I guess it was something going around, when I went to the shower on Sunday a lady there said her DD had it, it went on for 2 weeks and same thing in their house, no one else got it. I just hope we never see it in our house again, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Thank you again.

 

[PaulaSue]

A litle update...Dh is getting mad with the eat out of the panty/freezer order but I am sticking to my order.

 

[SunnieRN]

Welcome back, SunnyRN!

MickeyMomOf3 - sounds like you are feeling a bit better. That's great! Don't wear yourself out too much...the household chores will still be there next week, and the week after that, and the week after that....

Sorry, I misread as your son, but glad your SIL and the family are doing well, it sounds very scary, I am sure you were of great support to your DD during that time. I wish him all the best with his health, and so glad he is home safe to your family.




Aww, thanks so much. I really am taking it easy, I can't work for more then 20 minutes or so at a time still, but then I take a break and do a little more. I normally could get this whole place back in order in a day but I am taking my time, don't want to push it, but happy to smell clean in the house again. I am not a neat freak by any means, but this place needs a mother's touch. I am really, really hoping to eat something substancial tonight, I really think I will feel a lot better if I can just get over it in my head and eat.

Welcome back Sunnie! Mickey Mom, glad you are doing a bit better. I don't know how you are going so long without eating!

Running Total: Spent $425
$1200 budget... 775 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)
Feb. 6: 0
Feb. 7: 20 (dr. co-pay)
Feb. 8 : 62 (32 bowling, 6 food at bowling, 14 Walgreens pop & misc, 10 Walgreens prescription co-pay)

That's great!



You are making a behavior change. It does not happen overnight! Getting out of Target with only what you went in for is a HUGE challenge!



Welcome back! What a difficult chain of events! I am proud of you for getting through all that without going into debt, and it sounds like your family is even strong for it.



Wow....thank him for his service!



I am glad you are feeling better. I can't believe how sick you were!



That is a huge victory! I can totally relate!



I really have a hard time with this. I have been to Wendy's once this month, but it was a snack not a meal. I almost got Popeye's or some other fast food for dinner tonight between work and an event, but I ended up stopping by my house on the way instead.

This, is why I find you all such an inspiration!! I have a smile on my face and tears in my eyes!! Thanks so much for understanding!!

Now on with the show...lol.

February goals: No spend days: 12
Food budget: Try for $200 for the rest of the month
Save: $800.00
Medical $150
Cash: $100 for 2 weeks, starting 2/11

Feb 1: $0
Feb 2: $62.50 Groceries
Feb 3: $0
Feb 4: $0
Fab 5: $40.00 prescription
Feb 6: $27.60 Chuck E Cheese, GM #2 birthday party
Feb 7: $0
Feb 8: $10 CEC to have lunch and use leftover tokens. (Money from spendable cash, last pay period. Payday 2/11 start over with $100/2 weeks)
Feb 9: I just got home from working 13 hours. I also have to go back to do it again in 9 1/2 hours. That is why I can post now and be 100% sure this will be a $0 day!! Sleep, eat and clean up for work.

$0 Days: 5

 

[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 / $144 left

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 / 5
Coupon savings $30.58
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)
2/6 Set bills $191 (Church, hosp., Dr. and dentist)
2/7 $0
2/8 $0

I did spend a total of $208 (train, hotel, food, taxi and incidentals) on my trip to Chicago but that is being reimbursed through the court so I am not counting it. Trip went well and successful but made me remember my former life as a trial lawyer in Chicago and how much is changed.

 

[charming23]

Did my big grocery trip of the week today. I spent a little more than normal as I had to include items for my family birthday dinner on saturday. I also had a quick lunch at Target's food cafe. I also got my car registration renewed but I count that as a normal bill since it is an every year thing.

February Budget-
Groceries/Household- $300/$157.91 left
Car/Gas- $50
Eating Out- $50/$28.11 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$74.32 left

Total-$500/$310.34 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- $0
2/7- $0

Week Two
2/8- $6.30 Walgreen's and $5.58 Drugmart
2/9- $71.96 Grocery and $4.49 lunch
2/10
2/11
2/12
2/13
2/14

5/14 No Buy Days

Coupon and Store Savings- $61.49

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

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
6: $0!
7: $0!
8: $0!
9: $0!

$0 Days: 7
Spending: $159.59/$475= 34%
Days Passed: 9/28: 32%

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

 

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 7/12
Gas : 66$ (let's try 100$)
Groceries : 80$ (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$
06/02 : 0$
07/02 : 0$
08/02 : 111$ (gas + groceries)
09/02 : 0$

 

[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
February 6-$0 I even made it to the shower today. I decided to just sit, not eat, and chat, but I made it! DH drove us cause I don't think I am ready to drive yet. After he was headed to get some groceries, not much but for tonight and tomorrow and the kids lunches, so I went with him. Didn't make it too long before I went to sit and wait for him, but it was nice to see Wegman's again. I haven't grocery shopped in almost a month! He spent almost $100 but that included premade food for tonight (usually I'd cook but not up to that.)
February 7-$0 I didn't leave the house today, but I did spend most of the day out of bed and even got some house work done. Crasy as it seems, I have missed it. Well, maybe not the work but the satisfaction of getting something done.
February 8-$0 I cooked dinner for the family today, I may even try and eat some, it smells good. (Chili and jalapeno cheddar cornbread, might skip that for tonight.) And I scrubbed the heck out of the bathroom, DH did a great job maintaining the house but things like the bathroom were not cleaned well. ICK! And I vaccumed, that wore me out but I feel very accomplished!!! Tired, but accomplished!!!
February 9-$0 Just groceries today, $88. It needed to be more, but I got worn out and gave up, so I will have to go back again soon.

Money Spent this Month-$122

No Buy Days 8/18 Number of no buys is up cause I am no longer counting groceries towards no buy, my new for 2011 rule for myself.

Groceries-$88



$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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

 

[Tiggerish]

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

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $77 left
Giving $10
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$247 left
Medical $25
Misc. $75 / $42 left
Set bills $335 / $144 left

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 / 5
Coupon savings $30.58
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)
2/6 Set bills $191 (Church, hosp., Dr. and dentist)
2/7 $0
2/8 $0
2/9 $3 Eating out

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I am going to go for 10 no-buy days. Like last month, I am not going to track gasoline or dog food. Everything else is fair game! Also hoping to top my coupon savings for February.

2/1 - $0
2/2 - 75 cents on fritos at work to go with my leftover taco salad.... highway robbery! Walgreens - $6.30, coupons $4.20 and got $6 in register rewards.
2/3 $0
2/4 - $14.51 at Jimmy Johns and 99 cents for Angry Birds on iPhone.
2/5 - $50 for oldest ds t-ball sign-ups. $53 for dinner. We got AWESOME seats to the Louisville game last night from dh's CEO. Had lots of fun, and our team won! Parking, snacks, and beer at the game.... $42. 2.32
2/6 - $2.14 McDonalds; Meijer $91.12 saved $4 in coupons; Walgreens $27.97 saved $19 in coupons and received $17 in register rewards
2/7 - $0
2/8 - $0
2/9 - $0

Goal:
3/10

 

[QVCshopper]

5/14 no-buys
* Used coupon

2/1-$0
2/2-$35 Wegmans*
2/3-$0; 1.5 miles
2/4-$5.75 Target*, $4.50 Michaels*, $4.25 PetSmart*, $22.50 Genuardis*, $18 Chinese Food, $1 Library, 2 miles
2/5-$31.75 Pottery Barn Kids, $29 Disney Store, $2.50 Chuck E Cheese
2/6-$24.50 Genuardis*, $47.50 Wegmans*
2/7-$0, 6 miles
2/8-$0
2/9-$0, 6 miles