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

[bigmama67]

NEW PLAN: I’m not going to count days when I only buy groceries, either – of course I’ll keep track of what I spend on them but I consider them to be necessary spending. I end up doing a bit here and a bit there but that’s the way my schedule works, and it’s not discretionary IMHO. So…

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

2/2 - $61.98 on groceries - stocked up on meat and cereal, $516.84 left for the month.
$0

2/3 - $0

2/4 - $50.70 groceries/$466.14; $20.65 household; $6 to see a movie with my friend (didn't buy $nack$ this time, LOL!). Also paid some bills but I don't count that.

2/5 - Planned a "no-buy" day but that went out the window! $8.50 Johnny Rockets, groceries - $16.85 on Amazon and $14.41 at Stop & Shop; $8.01 for beer; $7.48 for LED lights and $40.79 for clothing at Kohls! So much for a "no-buy" day, huh? LOL.

2/6 – Groceries $62.48, coupon savings $70.20! $372.40 left for the month. Also $4.00 for DH and DS to bowl a couple of games.

2/7 - $0

2/8 – Groceries $82.11/$290.29 left for month (also tipped $5 to the delivery guy); $9.99 for Fish Oil for my cats (buy one get one free!); $16.46 on stuff for the house (new pizza pans, etc.); $28.99 for birthday gifts for DS’ (twin) friends; DH put $10 of gas in the car...Paid a few bills too.

2/9 – 50 cents to print documents at the library; $1.61 for a toothbrush, $10 for DH’s tab at a social event. So much for no-buy day #3, next chance for one will be Sunday.

2/10 – Toys R Us $11.32; Groceries $8.08/$282.21 left for month; gas $3 (to keep it going till I can get to Costco for the cheap gas!)

2/11 – DS lunch at school $4.65; Costco $88.96 groceries/$193.25 left for the month but we don’t need much more; cat litter $11.99; gas $31.35; $5.65 for a gift bag and tissue paper at CVS; Gymboree $55.68 (20% off and I'll get $25 Gymbucks!); Target $12.83 (new potty for DD and Pepsi); $9 for a My First LeapPad at the consignment store – I got it for DD because I thought her other one was broken (it turns out it isn’t, but DH said we might as well keep the second one just in case; they don’t make them any more)! Expensive day!

2/12 - Circus Science Day at the Museum (we’re members so at least admission was free): $7 parking, $16 lunch, $10 souvenirs. We had a BLAST though! Groceries $30.75/$162.50 left for month!

2/13 – $40.48 gas for my van/$168.17 left for month; $26.57 Costco groceries/$135.93 left for month; $10.00 DH’s prescription; he also bought some beer (DD already pulled the sixpack down and broke one…) and some stuff for my new tutoring assignments but that came out from a different account so I won’t count it.

2/14 – $0
(DH got me something at Bath & Body Works but I don't know how much it was and so I'm assuming it came from a different source.)

Although it's a no-buy day, it's also a no-earn day. I was supposed to start some new tutoring gigs today but that's on hold now because of some snafu with the classroom I was supposed to use. ARGH! I had already arranged for DD to go to her old daycare - canceled that for today and tomorrow, now I'll start Wednesday - and DS is going to Extended Care, which I'll leave as is. He was looking forward to it and it happens to be over 60 degrees out! Going to the park with DD soon, in fact! (Update: she fell asleep on the way, and there was still snow on the ground anyhow, so we came right home.)

2/15 – Groceries $7.89/$128.04 left for the month - saved $11.01 in coupons/discounts! Also paid some bills.
$0

2/16 – $0

2/17 – Poor little DD had a tummy bug so…$5.49 to get some ginger ale for her (also root beer for me and a strawberry milk for DS…we had to walk to the overpriced deli since I was washing her car seat…’nuff said on that )…also DH got a few grocery items at Stop & Shop - $6.27 and his protein powder (counts under health) $10.99. So $116.28 left for the month on groceries and I’m only halfway to my no-buy goal as of the 17th…sigh…not looking too hopeful.

2/18 – DS school lunch $4.65; took DD to doctor $15; also DH got some Pedia pops and crackers for DD at the grocery store $10; DH took DS out to dinner so DD could rest with me $18; out of desperation we brought DD to the E.R. (I lost count of how many times she threw up yesterday…sweetie couldn’t even keep down a tiny bit of breast milk!) They gave her an anti-nausea shot which FINALLY seems to have done the trick - $50 copay.

2/19 – DS bowling $8 and soda at the alley $2. Dunkin’ Donuts latte 99 cents (coupon) and bag of chips at the play reading I went to (75 cents). New umbrella stroller $79.99 (Britax Blink from Albee Baby…SO cute!)

2/20 – we ended up canceling our dinner out because DD was still iffy (though much better). I bought some beer & wine for the evening but that was from a different account so I won’t include it in the budget. Gas $33.12.

2/21 – Got my tires fixed and after much back-and-forth with the dealer they did it under the warranty so $0! Groceries $47.90
$0

2/22 – $21.32 for groceries and more of DH’s protein powder (BOGO!) $5 for Gatorade because DH has DD’s stomach bug. $18.18 at Staples for a printer cartridge and some lollipops. Paid a couple of bills.

2/23 - $8.68 at Shop Rite for a few more things (isn’t it always a few more things?) - $38.38 left for the month…
$0

2/24 – Took DS and DD to Liberty Science Center. $7 parking, $8(!) just for drinks at the cafeteria (we brought food), $27.25(?) for tickets (had coupon for one free child ticket), $13 for a souvenir from DS...these are estimates. We had a GREAT time! Also I found $9 in the pocket of the jacket which I hadn't worn in awhile so that covered one of the smaller expenses.

2/25 – $30 groceries (including a rotisserie chicken); $15 doctor appointment for my clogged ear; $3.20 Dunkin Donuts with DS; $72.25 to DD's daycare to cover my tutoring so far. Also I'm probably buying DD a ladybug umbrella on Amazon which will be $8.07...will update later and correct exact amounts.

2/26 - Planning to hit the Borders closing sale with DD but maybe not...we'll see!

2/27 – ?

2/28 - ?

Coupon/Discount savings so far: $355.90! (If ONLY I could bank that…sigh…)

No-buy days: 8/8

 

[ronnmel]

Having pizza delivered tonight, but DH is paying for it alone because my wallet is empty. So not sure if I should count it or not? I usually don't count what he spends, but this is for both of us.

No Buy Days : 18/16 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) : 42$ (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$
24/02 : 11$ (take-out)
25/02 : 0$

Alrighty. I have more then met my February goals. It feels good. But...

I get paid every two weeks, on Friday. My written (yep, I am old and write down my budget), goes along with and according to my pay periods. Would anyone object to my having a two week budget at a time? I know I would be 'marching to the beat of a different drummer', but it would be much easier for me to do.

Let me know what you all think please!

(I know, small things for small minds)

Of course you are entitled to do your budget whatever way you see fit.

Sunnie, My plan didn't really work, but it was fine. It was the first time they all 3 had a sleepover on the same night.

Glad the night went ok, even if it was not exactly as planned.

 

[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 made 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.
February 24-$0 Sleepover night at my house, each girl has a friend over. But I didn't have them come for dinner, so I cooked. They will have snacks and stuff, but stuff in the house. Had they come for dinner we would have ordeed pizza. Thankfully none of them could come till later so I got out of that. Tomorrow we are supposed to get a big snowstorm. We will see. I wonder if I will be snowed in with 6 kids???
February 25-$0 Wanted to do something with the kids, but we got a foot and a half of snow, so we stayed in. They had their friends here till early afternoon then after they spent the day playing Just Dance 2. Tomorrow my DH is going to the hockey game. I am a little jealous, 5th row from the glass. But they are work tickets so it is he and his friend, a co-worker going. I thought I'd take the girls out, maybe dunner and Cosmic bowling. That won't be cheap, but it has been a cheap vacation.

Money Spent this Month-$

No Buy Days 14/18 Number of no buys is up cause I am no longer counting groceries towards no buy, my new for 2011 rule for myself. Fogot about break when I set the goal. I won't make it, but doing OK.

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

 

[wlake]

SunnieRN, you should do the no buy however it works for you!

A. Mickey, msmama, and bigmama67, congratulations on meeting your goals!

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:
2/24: $5 post office, $6 groceries/laundry soap. However, I got a $120 check from the consignment shop to put towards the newly planned summer trip!
2/25: $58 Walmart, $20 pharmacy, $25 gas, $34 dinner out

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

 

[Tiggerish]

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

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $49 over
Giving $10 / $0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$164 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 $57.33
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 newspaper)
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
2/24 $3 Eating out
2/25 $25 Groceries

 

[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!
24: $0!
25: $0!

$0 Days: 19
Spending: $401.58/$475= 85%
Days Passed: 25/28: 89%

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 still need to go to the gas station and the supermarket. I am going to have to go early in the morning because the gas station I want to use is in the staging area for parades.

So many people are making their goals! Congratulations!

 

[SunnieRN]

Thank you everyone!. My feeble brain needs to be on the same track here, as on my written budget.

So, goals for this pay period, Feb. 25 until March 11:

No buy goal: 7
Groceries: $200
Meds/appts: $180
Savings: $100, already transferred from today's check.
Cash: $100
Leftover funds from February trx to savings: $614

Feb. 25: groceries $92, coupon savings $18.42. Pretty well stocked for the pay period, will only need fresh veggies and fruit. Have potluck dinner made and chilli about done!

 

[SunnieRN]

Mickey Mom of Three, I am so happy that everything went well, that a good time was had by all and I hope you get some much deserved sleep tonight!

Bowling sounds like a LOT of fun! That would be a nice vacation outing!

 

[SunnieRN]

Congratulations!!!

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

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $49 over
Giving $10 / $0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$164 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 $57.33
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 newspaper)
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
2/24 $3 Eating out
2/25 $25 Groceries

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $1637.09
$0 Days:11/10

Groceries ($252-$9/day)- $217.54
Eating Out ($196-$7/day)- $166.70
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), $32 (2/22) = $208

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- $20.34 (Target-Groceries-Awesome frozen food deal and got back $15 in Target Gift Cards), $9.37 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $9.06 (Walgreens-Groceries)
23- $0
24- $0
25- $0


Budget: $1656....99%
Month: 23/28: 82%
No Buy: 11/10: 100%

My savings from coupons and sales: $765.45

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...

 

[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!!!!

Feb 24 Did my big grocery shop today-$178, $12 home improvement stuff, $10 took the boys to a jumpy place, $35 gas.

Feb 25

9/12 no buy days

 

[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- $0
24- $15.00 groceries(great deals! Milk $1.87 a gallon) Gas $20 (figured I may as well get more since it's going nowhere but up and the same gas I pais $3.08 for 2 day is now $3.13) Dinner out with friends, $19.00
25-$ 11.48 Clearanced Valentine stuff for next year and movie rental, went out to lunch with a friend but IHOP had some issue with my ticket where it said I didn't owe anything nd no matter what they did they couldn't get the computer to accept it or over-ride it, so got that for free..very odd.
26-
27-
28-

11/12

 

[SunnieRN]

So, goals for this pay period, Feb. 25 until March 11:

No buy goal: 7
Groceries: $200
Meds/appts: $180
Savings: $100, already transferred from today's check.
Cash: $100
Leftover funds from February trx to savings: $614

Feb. 25: groceries $92, coupon savings $18.42. Pretty well stocked for the pay period, will only need fresh veggies and fruit. Have potluck dinner made and chilli about done!
Feb. 26: going to bed as I work tonight so $0!

 

[lattemomof3]

Hi everyone! I'm in for Feb. It will be a really short month for us, as I won't record next week while we're in Orlando. We are renting a house, so we don't have the dp, and even though we'll make some meals at the house, I'm sure we'll eat at least 1 meal out each day. There are only 3 fast food places & 2 restaurants in our small town, so I'm really looking forward to variety!

The rest of the month will be a little leaner, because of vacation spending, & that dh will be taking a week off of work (we're self-employed), so I really need to stay within our cash-budget. So, the goals are 10 no-buy days, and to stay on budget. Good luck everyone!

Feb 1 - Subway tonight, we have dance, wrestling, & haircuts this afternoon & evening, and no place to picnic w/ negative 10 degree weather.

Feb 2 - $0

Feb 3 - a quick trip to Walmart for snacks for the trip, camera batteries, & a leapster game for dd5.

Feb 4 - traveling
Feb 5 - traveling- and Disney for the Electric parade
Feb 6 - Harry Potter @ Universal
Feb 7 - Disney
Feb 8 - Disney
Feb 9 - Disney
Feb 10 - Disney
Feb 11 - Disney
Feb 12 - flying home
Feb 13 - few groceries

Feb 14 - groceries, $4 at Mcd's

Feb 15 - dinner out (dance & wrestling night), supplies for ds's school project

Feb 16 - groceries, $24 for arms for the Mr. Potato heads the kids got at DD. I thought the arms we had at home would work, so we did'nt put any in their box, nope, the Disney arms are different (they are made to hold the Mickey balloon, ticket, etc),so it made about half of the pieces they got unusable, so I searched on Ebay & have 3 sets of arms coming from all over the world, the things we do for our kids!

Feb 17 - $0

Feb 18 - few groceries

Feb 19 - movie w/ dh - only cost a few dollars, w/ a gift card, we saw the new one w/ Jennifer Aniston & Adam Sandler, it was very good! Also picked up a few groceries @ Walmart

Feb 20 - $0

Feb 21 - ice cream for the kids

Feb 22 - smoothies @ Mcd's for kids,in between a field trip, dance & wrestling. I really need to make a meal plan, I've been winging it since we got back. Can't believe how long it is taking to get back in the swing of things!

Feb 23 - $birthday gift

Feb 24 - groceries

Feb 25 - $0

Feb 26 - $0 snowing like crazy today, so staying in!

 

[Tiggerish]

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

Auto $70 / $40 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $85 / $49 over
Giving $10 / $0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $250 /$164 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 / 13
Coupon savings $57.33
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 newspaper)
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
2/24 $3 Eating out
2/25 $25 Groceries
2/26 $0

nunzia - did the thing with the IHOP make you feel a bit odd? Yesterday when I was checking out at the grocery store, a can of soup would not scan. After several tries, the cashier said, "I guess God meant for that to be free." and put it into my bag. I am grateful for a freebie but did feel strange.

 

[lattemomof3]

MickeyMomOfThree, "Just Go With It" was really good, probably one of the best movies we've seen in awhile, dh and I don't usually like the same kind, so that was one we both enjoyed! Sounds like you've been busy, we have too, for some reason it has been really tough to get back to normal around here, freezing meals before the trip is a great idea, that would have helped a ton!

Everyone has been doing so great on their goals, can't believe that March is just around the corner!

 

[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!!!!

Feb 24 Did my big grocery shop today-$178, $12 home improvement stuff, $10 took the boys to a jumpy place, $35 gas.

Feb 25

Feb 26 Hooray for a no buy day, but I'm not going to make my goal. I'm going out to dinner with friends tomorrow and DH needs gas. Bummer!


10/12 no buy days

 

[charming23]

Another No Buy day today. I cleaned up some of the snow and ice, and did some little projects around the house.

February Budget-
Groceries/Household- $300/-$14.51 left
Car/Gas- $50/$17.39 left
Eating Out- $50/$12.25 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$28.07 left

Total-$500/$38.26 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- $1.85 caribou coffe and $10.03 gas--- Found $21.03 in coins
2/25- $0
2/26- $0
2/27
2/28

16/14 No Buy Days

Coupon and Store Savings- $113.69

 

[Virgderon]

I actually made money today- I returned the suit I bought a couple weeks ago. I decided it was a little too "church on Sunday", and I wanted something more modern. I got some big coupons in the mail for the Limited, and I love their stuff. I'll try again with them.

So I made my goal for 0 days, but as always, I'm happier that I am coming in under budget.

Running Total: Spent $916
$1225 budget... $309 left
$0 Days: 8Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings : 106

Groceries budget- $250-25-14-45-31-7-19-16-11-26= 56 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
Feb. 24: 40 (21 Walgreens, 11 pop, 8 shipping at USPS)
Feb. 25 : 26 (Publix)
Feb. 26: 0

 

[QVCshopper]

Yay! Made my no-buy goal, and lost a total of 3 lbs in one week! That myfitnesspal app is just great for me; just 12 pounds to go. I'm not sure how we squeezed today as a no-buy, but we did. We're also changing our driving to conserve gas more; I think it's going to be higher for a while yet.

2/25-$80 wegmans, $38.50 target
2/26-$0

14/14 no-buy days

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, $2.50 CEC
2/23-$0, 2 miles
2/24-$0