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

[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.


Feb 22 It's DH's birthday today! So, my MIL took the boys and we went house hunting. We also went out to dinner $60 (the eating out has gotten out of control this month. I'm going to rein it in next month). $13 laundry detergent, $16 bread outlet.
7/12 no buy days

 

[Jennia]

Feb 1: $15 at Walgreens
Feb 2: $0
Feb 3: $15 on gas and parking in Seattle
Feb 4: $0
Feb 5: $0
Feb 6: $0
Feb 7: $29, Gymboree and Joann's
Feb 8: $0
Feb 9: $0
Feb 10: $0
Feb 11: $2, snack for dd
Feb 12: $0
Feb 13: $0
Feb 14: $0
Feb 15: $56, groceries
Feb 16: $0
Feb 17: $0
Feb 18: $191, professional photos (maternity and some 3.5 year photos of dd), lunch out with dd afterwards
Feb 19: $0
Feb 20: $6, Macy's (used a gift card and this is what I owed afterwards)
Feb 21: $0
Feb 22: $0

 

[mclainbarbosa]

Never joined one of these threads, hope you don't mind a newcomer. We have been on holiday, and one gets in to the habit of impulse purchasing.

 

[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 12/12 goal made
(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.
02/22 -0-

 

[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- $0
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-

10/12

 

[dtr_angel]

Week 4
2/21 – $0!
2/22 - 4 new tires for our SUV $416, airfare for May 2011 Disney Trip $539, Tax Preparation $150, CVS <$1 OOP
2/23 – Eating out $3

No buy days - Feb 2, Feb 21

February has been good for my DH & I so far! It's difficult to set spending limits for each category (especially miscellaneous) since my DH's paychecks can vary. Our goal is to put money in savings, and not spend more than we make - we don't charge anything to credit cards that we cannot immediately pay off and this plan is working out well for us. I initially set a budget of $400 for February for misc, but we're already at $422 and although it looks like I went over my budget, since there is still money left over in the checking account (more than enough to get us to next payday) I'm technically not over budget since our goal is just not to overspend. Does this make sense?

 

[wlake]

Never joined one of these threads, hope you don't mind a newcomer. We have been on holiday, and one gets in to the habit of impulse purchasing.

Glad you're here!

 

[QVCshopper]

Trying to get back on the bandwagon. Just need two more no-buys to reach my goal of half the month. Not bad... Oh, and I decided to try to lose weight (about 10-15 lbs), and already lost about 2 since Saturday. I really just need to eat better and lay off the chocolate and chips. Using the myfitnesspal app.

2/23-$0, 2 miles
(have to add $2.50 CEC to yesterday b/c DH took the kids while I went to work.)

12/14 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
2/22-$10 McD, $2 Library[/QUOTE]

 

[charming23]

Went out and did some grocery shopping. I did go over budget a little but it is stuff we really needed and I am okay with it as long as I do not go over the total budget.

February Budget-
Groceries/Household- $300/-$14.51 left
Car/Gas- $50/$27.42 left
Eating Out- $50/$14.10 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$28.07 left

Total-$500/$50.14 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- $0- No Power
2/23- $44.64 Groceries
2/24
2/25
2/26
2/27
2/28

14/14 No Buy Days

Coupon and Store Savings- $113.69

 

[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 /$189 left
Medical $25 / $8 over
Misc. $75 / $10 over
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 / 12
Coupon savings $51.48
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
2/22 $5 Groceries; $52 Misc. (haircut and stamps); $22 Medical (new prescription)
2/23 $0 Met my goal!! but there is a lot of red in my budget recording.

 

[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.


Feb 22 It's DH's birthday today! So, my MIL took the boys and we went house hunting. We also went out to dinner $60 (the eating out has gotten out of control this month. I'm going to rein it in next month). $13 laundry detergent, $16 bread outlet.

Feb 23 Finally!!!!



8/12 no buy days

 

[wlake]

Calling it early to help me resist temptation!

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), $14 after school (wrote the check tonight, dropping it off tomorrow)
2/21:
2/22: $36 Target (no great Valentine clearance, though), $78 groceries, and ? gas (I've already forgotten!)
2/23:

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

 

[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!!
Feb 22: $0. I have to work tonight and I am really happy, as otherwise I would have not had a zero day. I would have gone and bought yeast, to make Auntie Annes pretzels!
Feb 23: $0!! I almost broke my resolve and was going to use a gift card from work, for our cafeteria for dinner. Decided not to and eat here prior to going to work.

$0 Days: 16!

 

[SunnieRN]

Week 4
2/21 – $0!
2/22 - 4 new tires for our SUV $416, airfare for May 2011 Disney Trip $539, Tax Preparation $150, CVS <$1 OOP
2/23 – Eating out $3
No buy days - Feb 2, Feb 21
February has been good for my DH & I so far! It's difficult to set spending limits for each category (especially miscellaneous) since my DH's paychecks can vary. Our goal is to put money in savings, and not spend more than we make - we don't charge anything to credit cards that we cannot immediately pay off and this plan is working out well for us. I initially set a budget of $400 for February for misc, but we're already at $422 and although it looks like I went over my budget, since there is still money left over in the checking account (more than enough to get us to next payday) I'm technically not over budget since our goal is just not to overspend. Does this make sense?

Makes perfect sense and congratulations! I am also impressed with your eating out $$$ as it is a necessity since your husband travels. Great work!

Woo hoo walk, you're almost to your goal!!

Charming, is your power back on? If I missed it, I am sorry. I like your idea about sticking to the total budget, even if one category is over! What so you do with your leftover budget?

3Goofyboys, the eating out thing is very hard to me too! I am trying hard to get better about it!

Tiggerish, congratulations on meeting your 'no buy' goal!

QVC Shopper, congratulations on the weight loss!

Mmclainbarbosa, WELCOME!! Warning, this gets addictive!!

If I missed anyone, I apologize, I had a really BAD day at work last night and have to go back in a few minutes to do it all over again!

 

[ronnmel]

Has anyone else noticed this thread moves a lot slower at the end of the month than the beginning?

Yes, it does! A few are probably scared to face the truth of going over budget.

Never joined one of these threads, hope you don't mind a newcomer. We have been on holiday, and one gets in to the habit of impulse purchasing.

All newcomers are welcomed!



No Buy Days : 17/16 Not setting a new goal. Will just take whatever extra no-buy days I can get.
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$
22/02 : 0$
23/02 : 0$

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Never joined one of these threads, hope you don't mind a newcomer. We have been on holiday, and one gets in to the habit of impulse purchasing.

We always welcome newcomers!

Any lurkers out there....feel free to join in any time! The bonus about jumping in towards the end of the month is you get a week or so of a "trial period" before the next full month starts!

You decide what your goal is, post it, then post your progress towards that goal each day. Most of us will quote ourselves over and over each day. The trick is to remove the quote brackets so you will be able to quote the most recent post each time.

Week 4
2/21 – $0!
2/22 - 4 new tires for our SUV $416, airfare for May 2011 Disney Trip $539, Tax Preparation $150, CVS <$1 OOP
2/23 – Eating out $3

No buy days - Feb 2, Feb 21

February has been good for my DH & I so far! It's difficult to set spending limits for each category (especially miscellaneous) since my DH's paychecks can vary. Our goal is to put money in savings, and not spend more than we make - we don't charge anything to credit cards that we cannot immediately pay off and this plan is working out well for us. I initially set a budget of $400 for February for misc, but we're already at $422 and although it looks like I went over my budget, since there is still money left over in the checking account (more than enough to get us to next payday) I'm technically not over budget since our goal is just not to overspend. Does this make sense?

Yes, this makes sense! Good job keeping within your main goal!

If I missed anyone, I apologize, I had a really BAD day at work last night and have to go back in a few minutes to do it all over again!

Ugh....sorry to hear it was so rough!

QVCShopper - Congrats on the weight loss so far and good luck!

 

[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
21: $28.91 Banfield, Cane's
22: $0!
23: $0!

$0 Days: 17
Spending: $401.58/$475= 85%
Days Passed: 23/28: 82%

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

 

[Virgderon]

Sorry I haven't been making comments on how well you are all doing. Its been a stressful couple weeks- we are looking to list our house in Chicago, and I've been talking to realtors. I've also been negotiating with a company that wants to hire me, but I need to make more money than they want to pay. To top it off, DD can't decide if she wants to go back to Grand Rapids for college next year, or come to Florida and work and go to school part time. Lots of discussion going on there.

So.. I have been kind of into myself, and not commenting and supporting as well as I should- Im sorry. Hopefully my life will calm down a bit next month.

Today is a 0. Need one more by Monday!

Running Total: Spent $850
$1225 budget... $375 left
$0 Days: 7
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings : 85

Groceries budget- $250-25-14-45-31-7-19-16= 93 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
Feb. 22: 37 (16 bowling, 5 food at bowling, 16 groceries)
Feb, 23: 0

 

[#1hoosierfan]

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
2/10 - $0
2/11 - $20 deposit into my lunch account at work; $22.13 Walmart; $2.49 book for my Kindle
2/12- $20 basketball pictures; $5.33 Toys R Us cute Mickey shirt for Disney; $156 Chuck E Cheese party and cake
2/13 - $15.70 Walgreens saved $24.50 in coupons and received $15 in register rewards; $104.70 Kroger, saved $5 in coupons; $121 Target after $20 gift card. Save $3.25 in coupons
2/14 - $36 dinner at local Mexican restaurant ; $75 cleaning lady
2/15 - KMart - $29, they have their clearance kids clothes 40% already reduced price.... I got the boys' several sets of warm pjs for next year and fall jackets for next year.... all of it was Disney or Thomas the Train; $16Arby's dinner drive-thru.
2/16 -$5.30 lunch; $27 Meijer iXL book for ds's birthday
2/17 - $12 Mary Kay order; $132 Disneystore.com..... Free Shipping was REALLY expensive.......
2/18 - Walmart - $27; dinner out $75
2/19 - $50 - had our furnace serviced today.
2/20 - $0
2/21 - $0
2/22 - $10.45 at Dollar Tree
2/23 - $4 breakfast at McDonalds and $16 for Chinese take-out. DS (1) had his adenoids removed and ear tubes reinserted this morning, so it was bit of a wild day for us.


Goal:
8/10

January coupon savings: $58.50

 

[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.
February 22-$0 Just bought groceries. Was going to take the kids out but they played happily here, so going out tomorrow. $117.52 groceries
February 23- $10, It was a beautiful day so I took the kids ice skating at the outdoor rink. We went with friends and packed hot cocoa. Then they came home and I amde dinner whie they played Wii and then we went to Family Night at the restaurant but didn't get anything. Not bad for a fun filled day.

Money Spent this Month-$

No Buy Days 12/18 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