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

[wlake]

I thought it would be cool to count up the coupon savings too, but I find it more tedious than I am curious. On this thread, I also used to add up my spending by category, but that got too tedious too. I do, however, add it up by category on my personal budget sheets. I just don't post it all.

Good luck deciding on a trip! I don't know how old your kids are, but keep in mind Fantasyland is under heavy construction for this year and I think most of next. Hmmm....maybe this explains the timing of Disney's special for young kids.

Good job on the dinners out! It is so hard to cut back on that! I keep saying I am going to cut way back on eating fast food. I am not sure what happened this month, because I stopped thinking about it and I have not had a meal out all month! I HAVE had a snack (Twisted Frosty) at Wendy's, and a snoball at the local snoball stand, but no other meals out! The impact on my spending has been incredible!

Thanks for the support! Other than Goofy's Barnstormer, my boys don't care much about Fantasyland, so that doesn't bug us much. I think we've decided to skip WDW this year. We may still go to Orlando (we've got a free plane ticket!) and go to Kennedy Space Center. Good for you cutting back on fast food! I'd have a hard time with that if I lived anywhere near fast food places.


2/1:
2/2:
2/3:
2/4: $40 Lands' End (sheets for DS and pants for me), $21 after school, $4 Amazon ebooks
2/5: Target, Walmart, AC Moore, and something else?
2/6: groceries
2/7:
2/8: $41 things for school
2/9: gas, $12 bagels, $120 for Little League registration (actually paying it tomorrow, but as I'm writing the check and filling out the forms tonight so I can just drop it off tomorrow, I'm counting it for today.)
2/10: $20 pharmacy, $2.50 snacks DS needs for school for tomorrow (I thought they were due Monday and was going to roll them into the weekly grocery shopping. Good thing the pharmacy is at a grocery store!)
2/11: $39 after school, ? take out
2/12: a surprise one, but I'll take it!
2/13: ? groceries (all DH will say is that he overspent -- oh well!), $3 Amazon book
2/14: ? more groceries while DH was at the pharmacy, ? pharmacy, $150 for the furnace visit when the pipes were frozen
2/15: ? cough meds and soda for me, $1 Amazon for a Kindle book
2/16:
2/17: (although we got take out using gift cards for dinner, I'm not counting this as either -- it was my first day back at work and DH was out of town, so I knew I wouldn't have the left over energy to cook after being so sick)
2/18: (had the wrong checkbook to pay after school)
2/19: $3 thread, $6 Walmart (includes Valentines for the boys to give to their classmates next year at 61¢ a pack!)
2/20: $7 bagels, $? Trader Joe's (I love visiting there!), $25 dinner out (not really our choice, as we were driving the couple of hours home from my MIL's)

no buy days: 8/11
longest streak: 3
meals out: 2/5
days without dinner out: 0
longest no dinners out streak: 10

 

[dtr_angel]

Week 3
2/13 - $1.10 eating out, $5.30 eating out (DH)
2/14 - $84.40 misc (dentist), $36.91 - FAIL! misc (reebok easy tone shoes)
2/15 - $5.30 eating out (DH), eating out $6.16
2/16 – $55.27 (gas)
2/17 – $6.32 eating out
2/18 – $15.39 eating out
2/19 – $4.22 eating out, $9.59 misc, $150 misc (plummer emergency)
2/20 – $115.91 groceries, $13 misc

February Totals
Groceries- $250.80
Eating Out- $134.80
Misc- $397.33
Gas- $105.38
Gifts- $92.44

No buy days - Feb 2

Hoping for a good last week in February since payday is not until March 3!

 

[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!
10: $0!
11: $0!
12: $0!
13: $0!
14: $109.19 Walgreens, CVS, Exxon ($2.85/g), Rouses, RiteAid, iTunes, Work
15: $0!
16: $0!
17: $0!
18: $7.20 Winn-Dixie and a snoball (like a snow cone...yes, in February!!)
19: $0!
20: $96.69 Family Dollar, Walgreens, Winn-Dixie

$0 Days: 15
Spending: $372.67/$475= 78%
Days Passed: 20/28: 71%

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

I spent a lot but stocked up on a lot of things. I also saved $60 using my WD rewards card and coupons.

Ugh. My spending % is up above the month passed % again. I have $32 left in my gas budget for this month, and probably won't spend that much. It will probably be closer to $25 to fill up. I also might need a few more food items, but we are pretty good with that too.

 

[Tiggerish]

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

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $46 over
Giving $10 / $0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$194 left
Medical $25 / $14 left
Misc. $75 / $42 left
Set bills $335 / $54 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 / 11
Coupon savings $41.48
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
2/10 $0
2/11 Groceries $12; Eating out $13
2/12 Groceries $35
2/13 Set bills $20 (church); Giving $10 (the Gideons were at church today); Groceries $6
2/14 Eating out $38 (took my nieces and my sister out for V Day); Set bills $40 (cell phone and newpaper)
2/15 $0 (Rt. eye cataract surgery today)
2/16 $0
2/17 $0
2/18 $0
2/19 $72 Eating out
2/20 $30 set bills (church); $11 Medical
2/21 $0

I am calling today early since there is 8 inches of snow in the driveway and we seem to always be last on the plow service route. Also we live on a private road (townhomes) and the city does not do the street so have to wait for the plow service for that also.

 

[SunnieRN]

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.
Feb 10: $0
Feb 11: $92.00 groceries and Valentines Day; $90, Credit Cards (used 1 x mo. and paid off each month); $800.00 to savings; $103 to Med cushion; $142 Clothing cushion.
Feb 12: Working tonight so $0!
Feb 13: Working $0!
Feb 14: DMV $11, filed my taxes $22, but, I got a reimbursement check from my glasses purchase, so deposited $120.00! The other $40 I used to take everyone out for breakfast for Valentines day! Happy Valentines Day to everyone! Thank you for the continued inspiration!
Feb 15: $0!
Feb 16: $0!
Feb 17: Have to work again too night and am too tired to spend any money. Sleep, eat and go back to work again. This means I can call this one now!! Nighty night!
Feb 18: Pd 2 bills, not counted, Got $40 out of the bank, in case I need it, but didn't spend it, so $0!!
Feb 19: $0!
Feb 20: well, here goes, target, shampoo, lotion, dog stuff, paper products. All needed, $20! Lunch with daughter and 1 Grandmunchkin $36.00, michaels $0, best buy $0, toys r us $0!!! I feel really good about today and, had a blast!
Feb 21: $0!!

$0 Days: 14!!

 

[Debbie]

Hooray! I made another $0.

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!
Feb. 9: groceries....stocking up $83
Feb 10: gas $43, pharmacy $25
Feb 11: DD's birthday so she went wild with spending-close to $200 that Mommy forked out, but I'm not going to count that since it will come out of a different budget. Just the same, let me say it was well over (say 4 times!) what I would have sent her if she were still in Egypt. OTOH, she was excited to get her birthday wish....an end to the protests...and will likely return shortly, so I spoiled her some. I spent (for the house/family) about $50, including a trip to Tim Horton's for hot chocolate for her "birthday surprise visitor". (another wish that she got)
Feb 12: still stocking up groceries $100
Feb 13: gas $36
Feb 14: DH bought me strawberries for Valentine's Day....that and a St. Patrick's Day card $5
Feb 15: DH's shop $35 gas $39
Feb 16: FINALLY! $0
Feb 17: Had to take DD to Toronto to return to Egypt today, so ended up spending $48 in gas. Went to Costco for my staff 'store' for Cancer Research, and, for me, bought ink cartridges $70 and snack food $8. THEN DH and I went to Denny's. We had entrées gift cards, so spent less than $10 ($6 tip and $3.44 for the meal ) Maybe tomorrow.
Feb 18: $0
Feb 19: groceries and McD's biscuits (new here in SW Ontario) $20
Feb 20: DH topped up the gas....it was "only" 111.9/l at No Frills $34
Feb 21: $0 Calling this one early, since it is a holiday and no stores are open....and I will not buy online, I will not buy online, I will not buy online (if I write it out, maybe it will happen just that way )

But, my mom got to the top of the 'waitlist' and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. That will add to the expenses: parking for hospital visits, food during the waits etc. Guess I over planned the NO BUYS for this month.
No Buy days this month: 5/10

 

[wlake]

Feb 21: $0 Calling this one early, since it is a holiday and no stores are open....and I will not buy online, I will not buy online, I will not buy online (if I write it out, maybe it will happen just that way )

But, my mom got to the top of the 'waitlist' and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. That will add to the expenses: parking for hospital visits, food during the waits etc. Guess I over planned the NO BUYS for this month.

That sounds exactly like what I'm telling myself today! Hopefully it'll work for us!

It sounds like your mom having surgery is going to be a good thing in the long run, though! You could always consider those necessary expenses and not count them. Hope it goes well for her tomorrow!

 

[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!


Feb 6

Feb 7 $21 lunch, $40 dinner, $89 paperwork that need to be ordered. I feel terrible that we had lunch AND dinner out today. But, we're in the middle of crazy loan/house stuff and after dealing with that and a preschool board meeting today plus babysitting a friend's little boy, I did not have cooking dinner in me!

Feb 8 Calling it early because the roads are awful and we're staying inside!

Feb 9 It's been a pricey couple of days! $64 moving supplies, $10 Inta Juice

Feb 10 $30 Home Depot-more boxes, $40 gas, $18 medical, $22 driver's license, $33 date night with DH


Feb 11 $14 groceries, $12 car wash

Feb 12

Feb 13

Feb 14 $63 groceries, $4 lunch

Feb 15 $22 a set of vintage photos I really liked, $26 took the boys ice skating...it was a horrible experience (we skate a lot, this was just one bad time) hate that, especially when it wasn't cheap, $40 Home Depot-some fixer upper stuff for the house, $100 cleaning lady, $14 groceries

Feb 17 $40 gas, $77 errand running and lunch with DH, $66 dogs groomed.

Feb 18 $30 Target for cleaning supplies

Feb 19 $30 groceries, $75 shower gift for my brother and his wife, $40 took my MIL out to dinner-this was a big splurge, but she's lonely and bored, so I thought she could use some cheering up.

Feb 20


Feb 21 $65 DH and I both needed gas, ouch! $35 lunch on the way down to the museum.

7/12 no buy days

 

[Liberty Belle]

Starting up today.

Su20- $0
Mo21- $10.58 groceries (Coke, bread, toilet paper, salt, two frozen dinners for lunch)
Tu22-
We23-
Th24-
Fr25-
Sa26-
Su27-
Mo28-

No buy days = ?/9

 

[QVCshopper]

11/14 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
2/10-$0
2/11-$28 Wegmans, $70 Target, 1.5 miles
2/12-$22 Great Clips, $7.25 Wegmans, $25 Genuardis, $1 Borders, $6 Auntie Annes, $9.50 Chinese Food, $1.50 Sears
2/13-$0
2/14-$0
2/15-$50 deposit for DS's 5th b-day party, $27.50 Target, $18 Wegmans, $10 Five Below
2/16-$0, 6 miles
2/17-$0
2/18-$0
2/19-$22 panera, $24 target, $10 wegmans, $18 mall; $37 LLBean
2/20-$8.50 Genuardis, $24 Chinese Food, $8 Target
2/21-$6 McD, $9 CVS

 

[Virgderon]

Today was a 0 finally , but forgot to add in one receipt from the weekend ( found it in my Disney backpack ), so adding that to yesterday.

Running Total: Spent $813
$1225 budget... $412 left
$0 Days: 6
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings : 73

Groceries budget- $250-25-14-45-31-7-19= 109 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)
Feb. 9 : 0
Feb. 10 : 58 (27 Walgreens, 31 Publix - got some good bogos today!)
Feb. 11: 16 ( card and small gift for DH for Valentines day)
Feb. 12 : 93 ( 88 Ross for clothes, 5 gas - the stupid pump ran out and I did not have patience to go to another one)
Feb. 13: 70 (20 breakfast, 50 haircut, color, tip)
Feb. 14 : 0
Feb. 15: 30 ( Walgreens - cleaning supplies, 7 pop)
Feb.16 : 0
Feb. 17 : 19 (groceries)
Feb 18-20 : 102 ( Orlando weekend, food , etc.)
Feb. 21 : 0

 

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 15/16
Gas : 102$ (let's try 100$)
Groceries : 119$ (250$ max)
Eating out (and snacks) : 31$ (100$ max)
Non-necessities : 608$ (200$)

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$
10/02 : 0$
11/02 : 41$ (dinner + clothes)
12/02 : 0$
13/02 : 0$
14/02 : 0$
15/02 : 12$ (scarf, mittens + snack)
16/02 : 0$
17/02 : 0$
18/02 : 622$
19/02 : 0$
20/02 : 39$ (groceries)21/02 : 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.
February 10- This was a non-stop day. I had planned to put dinner in the crockpot early, but got a FB message from my BIO-father. It has been about 20 years since I last saw him, I have seen him 3 or 4 times in my life. He is sick, dying I guess, and wants to see me again. I am struggling with this. I am trying so hard to get over my childhood and feel this would make me regress, at the same time I know people can change and maybe he has and how do I deny someone their dying wish? Anyway, I was so flustered I left withouth putting dinner in. There was no time at all for dinner, so takeout was $16.20. I also went and got the kids a little Valentine, DH's card, some groceries, etc. That was $36.37. This also included decorations and paper goods for our GS V-day dance, it was supposed to be reinbursed but some people didn't pay.
February 11-$0
February 12- $168.10 Sam's, uggg. We needed everything! And $3 for the kids to eat there while I shopped. Then I did something crazy!!! I bought myself some new clothes. I havn't done this is forever, but told DH I would. So that was $133.92 but I am taking back one shirt, it looked OK there but not at home.And I got gas $48.08
February 13- Went on a date with hubby. We went to the movies, we saw Just Go With It and it was soooooo goooood!!! That was $10. After we went to Outback, but we used a coupon and a GC so nothing was spent there. The I went and got a few things at Walmart, all food except for $9 for a shirt to wear under a shirt I got the day before.
February 14- Lunch with Hubby . I had a coupon so our meal was $10, we tipped $3. Then I ran to Sam's and got the few things I forgot the other day, since I was there. $35 and spend $5 on flowers to take to DH at work.
February 15-$0
February 16- (groceries $23) and $4 for a snack for the kids between snowshoeing and dance. I am so annoyed cause I forgot to grab something, but I used a coupon so OK. And I won $50 today!!!
February 17-$0 (bought some groceries, need to find receipt.)
February 18- Was a no spend day till while I was making dinner, Dh's best friend called. He was having a bad day. He had been in court arguing custody of his kids. Anyway, he had the girls (they are 3 and 4) and he wanted company, so we met at Chuck E Cheese. We had tokens out the wazzoo, but we ate there. $26.
February 19- Was again supposed to be a $0 day, but it wasn't. Our friends called to meet, we said sure, so we got all ready and then they had to turn around cause of weather. Hubby and I went out instead. We went to have Thai food. I never had it, and I hated it, but hubby loves it and is always raving about it so I wanted to try. DD16 liked that I hated it cause she got my leftovers. Thaat was $22. Then we went to see The Delimma, we loved it. That was at the cheap theater, so $4. Then we went to his office and I watched him work for a while. I washed his coffe cup, and organized some papers and just chatted while he worked. The we got some groceries (about $70.) Came home and made dinner and are relaxing.
February 20- Hubby and I started our bowling league tonight, it was a blast. That was $24, then we spent $10 on snacks. Probably shouldn't have, but I don't regret it. Also today, though I don't count it I like to record it, I woke up in tremendous pain in my back. I didn't think I was going to get to go tonight, so hubby went and got me some Aleve and Icy-Hot, that was $10. On a good note, he fixed a computer today (his side job) and made $130.
February 21- UGGG!!! My plan for the week off with the kids was a day in, then a day out. Today we were in. We did a good cleaning and went though old clothes. Then hubby called. He has been doing South Beach, and is in phase 2, and doing really good with almost no carbs. But today he wanted pizza. GOOD pizza. We used to get pizza every week and he hasn't had it since the new year. He said he's be good, 2 pieces but was willing to go to the gym longer for it and I am a firm believer of enjoy8ing life too and if yo udeny yourself you will snap and eat a whole pizza so I said OK. So, $20 for pizza. After that I picked up DD16 from the mall with her friends. They were all talking about Shamrock Shakes. All my friends on FB have been talking about them too. I never had one (yeah, live in a cave) so I stopped and got one. I didn't think it was that great and not worth the calories so the kids drank it. That was $3. I wouldn't have considered it if not for the pizza, but now I know what it is when everyone talks about them. I'd say better luck tomorrow, but no can do, they worked hard with me tomorrow so I am taking them somewhere tomorrow.

Money Spent this Month-$

No Buy Days 11/18 Number of no buys is up cause I am no longer counting groceries towards no buy, my new for 2011 rule for myself.

Groceries



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

 

[charming23]

Well today has been an adventure. It started off with an ice storm late yesterday afternoon that turned into no power at home. Since the power company has no idea when they will be able to restore power we are hunkering down at my grandma's until they do. So it will be good for the budget as we will not have to buy anything.

February Budget-
Groceries/Household- $300/$30.13 left
Car/Gas- $50/$27.42 left
Eating Out- $50/$14.10 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$28.07 left

Total-$500/$94.78 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- $37.38 Grocery, $14.01 lunch, and $46.25 Fashion Bug
2/11- $0- My Birthday
2/12- $0
2/13- $22.58 Gas and $11.51 Grocery
2/14- $23.43 Grocery/meds

Week Three
2/15- $0
2/16- $0
2/17- $55.46 Groceries
2/18- $0
2/19- $0- Found $15
2/20- $0
2/21- $0- No Power

Week Four
2/22
2/23
2/24
2/25
2/26
2/27
2/28

13/14 No Buy Days

Coupon and Store Savings- $112.11

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Charming, hope it comes back on fast for you. It is hardest this time of year. Brrr!!! We lost it once for 6 days! Thanksfully it wasn't cold but it was awful! Hope yours is fast, good thing you have grandma's!

 

[charming23]

Charming, hope it comes back on fast for you. It is hardest this time of year. Brrr!!! We lost it once for 6 days! Thanksfully it wasn't cold but it was awful! Hope yours is fast, good thing you have grandma's!

Thanks. My BFF's mom is still at home on our street and texted me 20 mintues ago to tell me the trucks were there to fix the wires but left because it was too cold and windy. I am glad to have a grandma to help. I am just worried about all the food we have in our basement freezer. It will cost so much to replace.

 

[wlake]

Charming, I hope the power is back on soon. The freezer should be ok for a good 24 to 36 hours if it's not opened.

2/1:
2/2:
2/3:
2/4: $40 Lands' End (sheets for DS and pants for me), $21 after school, $4 Amazon ebooks
2/5: Target, Walmart, AC Moore, and something else?
2/6: groceries
2/7:
2/8: $41 things for school
2/9: gas, $12 bagels, $120 for Little League registration (actually paying it tomorrow, but as I'm writing the check and filling out the forms tonight so I can just drop it off tomorrow, I'm counting it for today.)
2/10: $20 pharmacy, $2.50 snacks DS needs for school for tomorrow (I thought they were due Monday and was going to roll them into the weekly grocery shopping. Good thing the pharmacy is at a grocery store!)
2/11: $39 after school, ? take out
2/12: a surprise one, but I'll take it!
2/13: ? groceries (all DH will say is that he overspent -- oh well!), $3 Amazon book
2/14: ? more groceries while DH was at the pharmacy, ? pharmacy, $150 for the furnace visit when the pipes were frozen
2/15: ? cough meds and soda for me, $1 Amazon for a Kindle book
2/16:
2/17: (although we got take out using gift cards for dinner, I'm not counting this as either -- it was my first day back at work and DH was out of town, so I knew I wouldn't have the left over energy to cook after being so sick)
2/18: (had the wrong checkbook to pay after school)
2/19: $3 thread, $6 Walmart (includes Valentines for the boys to give to their classmates next year at 61¢ a pack!)
2/20: $7 bagels, $? Trader Joe's (I love visiting there!), $25 dinner out (not really our choice, as we were driving the couple of hours home from my MIL's)
2/21:

no buy days: 9/11
longest streak: 3
meals out: 2/5
days without dinner out: 1
longest no dinners out streak: 10

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $1566.32
$0 Days:8/10

Groceries ($252-$9/day)- $188.14
Eating Out ($196-$7/day)- $157.33
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($1008-$36/day) $1044.85
Gas $200?- $25 (2/3), $48 (2/6), $28 (2/8), $30 (2/14), $45 (2/20) = $176

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- $6 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $23 (Post Office-Misc. Needed to send in a DSLR lens that broke on our trip in December, it is still under warranty though, so hopefully this will save me money in the long run, and also bought a book of stamps)
10- $0
11- $0
12- $6.82 (Jewel-Groceries), $2 (Dollar Tree-Shopping Newspapers), $9.80 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $13.15 (Eating Out-Subway)
WEEK 3 BEGIN:
13- $31 (Zoo-Eating Out, bought a refillable mug for $10 that will be good til the end of the year, now we just have to remember to bring it), $19 (Meijer-Groceries), $6.77 (Super Target-Groceries)
14- $3.81 (Joe Caputo-Groceries), $16.58 (KFC-Eating Out and Hubby's Valentine's Day present...he loves Hot wings and last week he wanted them, but he couldn't justify getting them when we have so much food in the house. He works 3rd shift so I lined them up on a pan to make them spell out I "heart" U. I can't wait til he sees it. He loves his hotwings and hasn't had them for a long time)
15- $0
16- $215 (Southwest-bought two one way tickets for our trip in Sept/October), $1.65 (Walgreens-Groceries), $7.26 (Wendy's-Eating Out)
17- $0
18- $0
19- $12 (Dollar Tree-Groceries (bought alot of stuff to start a container garden), $8 (Parking-Misc.), $27 (foodlife-Eating Out), $15 (Culver's-Eating Out), $14 (Justice-Shopping)
WEEK 4 BEGIN:
20- $9 (Meijer-Groceries), $11 (Justice-Shopping), $82 (Frys-Shopping)
21- $0
22- Target, Eating Out


Budget: $1656....95%
Month: 21/28: 75%
No Buy: 8/10: 80%

My savings from coupons and sales: $681.94

Next Month: Pictures, Ohio Hotel, two trips by train, Great America season pass installment, 2nd half of our airplane tickets for October, ink for printer, laptop...

 

[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- Big spending day! DH medicine and gas: $20, groceries: $39, Leapfrog site,,they still have some DIDJ stuff on clearance and I bought DGS a Didj for Christmas and he loves it so needed to get stuff before it totally disappears, plus a charger to save on batteries, so $53, and DH had to buy materials to replace the pad to our bedroom carpet that got ruined during the big stupid freeze/thaw we had, so $166 ACK Coupons, $2.50 (PS edited to *** $4.90 to ship Valentines stuff to out of state grandkids..forgot to yesterday)
10- $0
11- $9.00, lunch out with a friend, $9.00 grandkids to Dollar Tree after school
12- $20.45 at my second job, Hastings, for frappe, bagel, magazines for grandkids and part of a wedding shower gift, $45.75 WalMart, rest of the wedding shower gift, a few groceries and WHOOP toys on super clearance put away for future events, $30.00 Bingo night out with son and DIL
13-$0
14-$0
15-$1.74 movie rental, $10.00 gas, $4.50 berries on sale
16-$26 Walmart..groceries and did I mention the great Toys clearance?
17-Took a day off from work today. At my other job spent $1.00 for a bagel (started feeling shakey..low blood sugar issues) and rental clearance Sorcerer's Apprentice for $4.99, then went to Penny's because I had overpaid my CC and got some stuff for a baby shower and grandkids, but cost nothing, down the mall past Hallmark, who had all their left over ornaments on sale for $2.00 each, bought 2..Kmart to finish getting stuff for the baby shower, $16.96, then tacos for lunch $4.80. We also went out to dinner with friends, but used a GC
18-Dang, blew it with $6.89 at Dollar Tree with the grandkids...
19- $0
20-$66.41, Walmart groceries AND the cashier hit the process button before taking off my coupons..SO irritated... $9.00 lunch with friend
21- Disney...$116.00 gas$ 10.00 (3.08 a gallon ouch)and wine $12.69
22-
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-

9/12

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I'm back on board. Feb should be a money maker for me. I make/sell Valentine's Day candy. I'm readjusting my goals from last month

Auto 120.00/$240.00
Groceries/Household Goods $135.00 /$150.00[/COLOR]
(dropped this one because I stocked up on meats,storage and spices last month.)
Eating Out/Entertainment $33.00/$100.00[/COLOR]
(I raised this one because we are taking DD out to dinner after her theater performance).
Misc. $191.00/$125.00
(also raised this to allow for DD's performance flowers)
Money Made $73.00 Also ordered several things I bartered for on top of $$

No spend days goal is 11/12
(raised this one as well because I did so well last month. Had 17 out of 10
Coupon savings. $94.00
Gift Card savings $228.00

January coupon savings $360.00
no buy days 17/10

02/01 -0- Snowing AGAIN. stayed in and prepared and froze all the chicken breast I bought on Friday. Tomorrow I'll do all the ground beef. For $90 I got 11 different chicken dinners and will have at least 18 meals from the beef.
02/02 -0-Calling it for the day. Not leaving the house again. We're still getting storms. Today is ice and sleet :eek
02/03 -0-Made it into work today..But, still a no spend day. I cooked so much over the past 2 days that I have tons of food to eat. Plus, there was no time to spend money. Today starts my DD's theater productions for the weekend.
02/04 $68.00, $50 gas $18 at Costco's for 2 dz. Roses. These are for 2 of my DD's performances.
02/05-0-
02/06 $11.00 $8.00 at D&D's after church, $3.00 gal. of milk. And we went to Olive Garden for dinner tonight after my DD's last performance. Bill came to $78.00 but paid -0-. We had a gc we forgot about. . The only reason we spent so little this weekend was we just didn't have time to do anything. DD had 5 theater performances in 4 days. We're all exhausted. She did such an amazing job. But, sure am glad it's over.
02/07 -0-
02/08 More snow today Spent $54.00 at Super Walmart on groceries. I saved $22. in coupons I take my DBFF to do her grocery shopping. Today was her monthly BIG trip. This was our first trip to SWalmart (other than the ones in FLA). It isn't close. But, so worth it. Now that we are shopping together I am trying to teach her how to coupon. I think she's slowly getting it. We also went out to lunch. Paid -0- she and one of her friends that came with us bought my lunch for taking them.
02/09 $18.00 in hospital caf food. There was a family emergency and spent the day and night at the hospital.
02/10 By 6:00am I had already spent $6.00 on juice, bagel, and a fruit cup Hospital caf food is outrageously expensive. I'm back home to shower and to pack up food to bring back up to the hospital.
02/11-0- Not only did my DNiece get out of ICU, but, they discharged her. After receiving 18 units of blood and a 7 hr. surgery to save her life. They discharge her 2 days later. Gotta love the insurance company. But, so glad she's home.
02/12 $94.00 $40.00 Gas. Made the mistake of taking my DH to Walmart with me to drop off an RX. He bought seeds and starter soil. And we got a few other things. All food related. So, I'm listing it all as groceries. Note to self..AGAIN! Leave DH at home when shopping.
02/13 $24.00 Walmart Valentine's and Anniversary cards.(at the price), 1 small box of chocolates for DD. Only bought them just to have the heart box. I can't bring myself to buy specialty chocolates. I had already purchased her V'day things after Christmas 75% off and thoughout the last month 1/2 and held on to them. It doesn't hurt as much that way. Also go milk and produce.
02/14 -0-Happy Valentines Day!! Also our Anniversary. We don't buy gifts for each other. Just cards.
02/15 -0-Going to dinner tonight for our Anniversary with GC's we got as gifts from DInLaws.
02/16-0-
02/07 $7.00 Forgot my lunch had home today. Had to buy it. And milk and funny bones on the way home from work.
Thank you to everyone for the well wishes for my DNiece. She's doing great. So far no reaction to the multiple units of blood.
02/18 $193.00 $30.00 gas (less than my weekly amount due to the fact I really haven't been going anywhere extra)- $149.00 Prom dress for DD looks amazing BTW- $14.00 TGIF for dinner. This was the tip. Everything else was covered by either GC or coupons.
02/19 $13.00 groceries, but saved $60.00 in coupons.
02/20 -0- Went to Church and came right home. No stopping anywhere DH is starting some of our seeds for the garden today Seeds were purchased at the end of the season last year.Spring is around the corner!!
02/21 -0- More snow today. And it was nasty cold. To cold to stop anywhere on my way to and from work.