January No Buy: Let's Start the Year Right!

[jessp1021]

Ehhh no good so far :/ Need to get more motivated to make it happen!

1/1 Business Expense (Guess I could count that as a no buy for our family expenses?!)
1/2 Birthday Gift ($5 total- used up GC's to pay the rest!)
1/3 Lunch out -$23
1/4 Trip to walmart for necessities only which would fall under budget expenses
1/5
1/6
1/7
1/8
1/9
1/10
1/11
1/12
1/13
1/14
1/15
1/16
1/17
1/18
1/19
1/20
1/21
1/22
1/23
1/24
1/25
1/26
1/27
1/28
1/29
1/30
1/31

Days of No Buy 1 out of 10

 

[MapleGirl]

Running Total: $184.65 No Buy Days: 2/10


1/1: $105.58

Gas: $42.53
Fabric Store: $63.05​

1/2: $79.07

Groceries: $72.90
Dunkin' Donuts: $6.17​

1/3: $0
1/4: $0
1/5: No Buy day
1/6: 4 year anniversary - going out to dinner
1/7
1/8
1/9

1/10
1/11
1/12
1/13
1/14
1/15

1/16
1/17
1/18
1/19
1/20
1/21
1/22
1/23

1/24
1/25
1/26
1/27
1/28
1/29
1/30
1/31

 

[charming23]

Another no spend for me. My uncle is here working in our basement (he is replacing some tiles and finally putting in the sanitary sink that we have had sitting down there for a year . I was going to go grocery shopping today but we had everything we needed for dinner and I just decided to go tomorrow.


Groceries/household- $300/$285.77
Car/gas- $50
Eating out- $50
Entertainment/Misc- $100

Total- $500/ $485.77

Goal of 15 No Buy days[/QUOTE]

Week One
1/1- $14.23 Groceries
1/2- $0
1/3- $0
1/4- $0
1/5
1/6
1/7

3/15

Store and coupon savings-

 

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 3/15
Gas : 0$ (max 100$)
Groceries : 0$ (max 250$)
Eating out (and snacks) : 9$ (max 100$) (got gift cards, should use them)
Non-necessities : 0$ (max 200$) (trying a lower max, to offset what I spent in December)

01/01 : 0$
02/01 : 0$
03/01 : 0$
04/01 : 9$ (breakfast + lunch)

 

[mickeyschickie]

1/1-$0
1/2-$0
1/3-NoBuy M $0
1/4-$90 @ ShopRite stocked up on pasta/clothes soap/rice/cereal/chicken etc
1/5- NoBuy W...hope to keep the momentum going!

Btw...I'm no extreme couponer but I saved $96 today between store coupons, manf. Coupons and Cellfire!

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Auto $40/$60
Groceries/Household Goods $208/$250
(only because I need to buy my bulk meats this month)
Eating Out/Entertainment $50
Misc. $95/$100

No spend days goal of 10

Coupon savings $
(I like this one, borrowed from a previous poster)

1/01 will come back to edit.
1/02 -0- no plans on going out today.
1/03 -0- brought my breakfast and lunch to work.
1/04 $67 $20 for gas, $42. for groceries, and $5 for MegaMillions...It's up to $330million. I'm planning on winning.

 

[msmama]

Darn kid ruined my No Buy Day.

Found out Dinosaur Train is coming to the local university and he was SOOO excited and I'm a sucker and couldn't disappoint. So had to get tickets.

1/1 - $0
1/2 - $89.30 (for 2 weeks worth of groceries - this meal planning stuff really works!)
1/3 - $0
1/4 - 37.00
1/5 -
1/6 -
1/7 -


so far - 2/15

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

1/1: $0!
1/2: $0!
1/3: $11.10 Popeyes
1/4: $6.25 Subway

$0 Buy Days: 2
Total Spent: $17.35/$375=5%
Month Over: 4/31=13%

$375 breakdowns:
grocery: 200.00-0=200.00
eating out: 50.00-17.35=32.65
gas: 75.00-0=75.00

Hmnnn... so I may need to rethink the destashing, use it up, organize your house, and cook all meals at home challenges I've joined also? Seriously, some of those purchases today were to help with all these other projects I'm working on also. It really isn't a good sign that I'm cracking on the 3rd day though.

I laugh only because you remind me SO MUCH of me!

If you are cracking on the 3rd day, find a way to break down your goals to build on success. Instead of stressing about the spending and the $0 Days this month, consider focusing JUST on the habit of tracking the spending. Then next month, set the goal to spend less than this month, then by the 3rd month you should be within your ideal range. Doing too much too fast will set you up for frustration, burnout, and failure, so do what you need to do to achieve success in small bits!

I'm joining Team Turtle this year...NOT Team Rabbit!

Can you tell I am a teacher that has had training in goal setting and "scaffolding" learning?

I was thinking about the PP who posted about spending days being a free for all and I had an idea. What if you not only recorded no spend day but under a set amount days, maybe $10 or $20? That way if you did need something on a certian day it would still keep you in line for that day. You could shoot for 8 No Spend and 8 Under $X days or something, just a thought. Maybe I'll try it.

I like this idea! I had this idea cross my mind last month, but never got around to following through with it. The whole Black Friday and Holiday Shopping were just too much!

OK, I'm in! I was always confused by these "No Buy" month threads. I thought you were all not buying anything for an entire month! DH and I have a lot of credit card debt. Although we can pay each card's monthly payment plus a little extra, it still fills me worry and shame that we owe so much money. 40k! Oh, the shame!!! My cloud-goal is to have no credit card debt by January 2013. I need to run the numbers, but my gut is telling me this is not feasible without some major life-style changes that DH and I are not willing to make (sell house, sell car, get additional part-time jobs, etc). So maybe getting it down to 20K is more realistic. I will let you know. For now, we are making progress. We locked our credit cards away in a safe and have not been using them. We've done a couple of balance transfers to get lower interest rates. Now I'm going to start this No Buy club.

Our first month's goal:
10 days.

Good luck!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Well, I am back in. Not sure what exactly my plans are. My goal 365 days ago today was to do this for a year. Never thought I'd make it, sure as heck didn't think I'd write down every penny I spent for a year, but I did and while I thought this would only be a one year thing to teach myself, it not only did that but I also like so many people here so much that I don't want to leave. So I am in, will give some thought to how I want the next year to go, but will for sure be back just cause I like you all so much!!!

OK, I gave it some thought. Not to say DH wasn't supportive of this last year, cause he is the most supportive man you could ask for, but something that really bothered him last year was when we'd go without something like milk cause I was trying to strech a no buy day to the next day or something, or let my tank get low cause I didn't want to blow a day on gas. To him groceries and gas are necessities and he said he'd like to see me alter it this year not not include those things. However, I want to continue to record them to keep track cause I think seeing it helped me, so I will continue to record everything but no buy days will now be no extra buy days. We'll see how this works.

January 1-$0 Actually, not totally but good for the budget, we were going to go out today while DH worked, but the kids were having fun playing at home so that was good, but we were going to go to Cosmic Bowling tonight when he got off work but he's stuck there, it will be an all nighter, so we decided to hang out here and go with him another time. It isn't as much fun doing those things without him. So, a little bummed we are in but we are going to back some cookies here in a bit and they are having fun playing with their new games. Right now they are building forts for the kittens.
January 2-$0 Today was a wonderful day AT HOME! My DH finally didn't have to go into work. He worked till 4am so we slept in. Then we got up and snuggled on the couch and watched football. This afternoon we sampled our candies that we brought back from each country in EPCOT, we took photos for our scrapbook and the kids recorded what they thought of each one and ranked their favorites and least favorites. That was fun. Then tonight I made a nice roast for dinner. Now DH is working (but from home!) I am Dising and the kids are playing Truth or Lies on the Wii. It is a nice way to end vacation, wish it wasn't already over, but looking forward to getting the house back in order.
January 3-$0 I do need to get a few groceries, but they wouldn't count anyway, but I worked really hard today and never got out for them and now I am tired. I will have to go tomorrow. We are out of milk but have pleanty of eggs so we are good for breakfast and pleanty of bread so we are good for lunches. (One of this years resolutions is to declutter a bit (not too much, I did a huge declutter a few years ago and missed my stuff, but halfway would be nice, I worked all day on the kitchen. It isn't done but I made amazing progress!)
Now, I do have to do some shopping, we will see if I do it tonight or tomorrow. DD16 and DD11 need jeans so badly, I didn't realize how bad and I am actually a little embarassed and DD8's b-day is next week and all she wants is for me to replace The Little Mermaid 2, ours broke so I am watching a couple on eBay. Guess it doesn't matter if I do it tonight or tomorrow, but as of now it is a $ day. ETA- I am totally craving a date with my hubby, maybe I can buy jeans, a movie and meet him for lunch tomorrow...hhhmmm...
January 4-$0 I did buy a copy of The Little Mermaid 2 off eBay for DD's b-day, it was $18 but I returned the Perfect Brownie Pan and a game I had bought for DD's b-day. The game I thought was on clearance but was not and the pan, she wanted it but then after I bought it, it looked like a headache to clean and we rarely make brownies so I got back $33 so I am calling it a wash. I traded for what she really wanted and saved $15. I also bought groceries but with my DH's system I won't count it, though I am going to record it. ($66.12 groceries) I also paid for dance which I never counted against a no spend day, we consider it a bill but I record it since it is the ony bill I pay-$86

4/15 No Spend Days This Month Looking at making this number higher since I am not counting groceries at least for this month. Not sure what to set it for, this is a trial month I guess.

Total groceries for the month-$66.12
Total gas for the month- $0

My new goal for myself is to come in under the $ amount I spent last January. Here's how I'm doing.
$1278.99 spent last January
-66.12
$1212.87

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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
Back in 2011 cause I'd miss you all so much!

 

[mom0299]

Not a great day today:

Jan. 1: $38.87 (groceries for the week for a family of 4!)
Jan. 2: $0
Jan. 3: $8.92 (Sugar because I ran out and a laundry basket to replace the 12 year-old one that broke)
Jan. 4: $0.50 for crackers in the snack machine/ $10 for me, DH and DD to go to DS's basketball game/ $75 for the kids' school lunches for the month
Jan. 5
Jan. 6
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Jan. 31

 

[discorsner]

So far so good.... I just started No Buy. Today was my first No Buy day. It was exciting. My sis in law is starting it too. She is not a member of the dis but I am trying to get her over here. We are going on a trip together in August and she needs to read the Dis!!!!!

 

[growinupdisney]

Yeah I'm excited so far 2 for 2. If I keep this up I will have 15 no buy days but I'm shooting for 20!

Jan 1- $20 (groceries)
Jan 2- 0
Jan 3- $50 (dd3 tumbling class)
Jan 4- 0

 

[Debbie]

I'm in, but this month, I am tracking ONLY the $0 days. My goal is 10 days without buying gas for the car, going to the grocery store, hitting the drugstore or discount store etc. And, with a DH who can't stand a day without shopping, that will be a challenge in itself!

Jan. 1: $0
Jan. 2: $0
Jan. 3: $0
Jan. 4: gas $46; groceries $97; postage for registered letter to Cairo $15

3/10

 

[wlake]

1/1: groceries (but I forgot how much and don't want to get off the couch!)
1/2: $42 gas, $20 pharmacy, $28 JCPenney, ? Home Depot (again, don't want to get off the couch!). I also returned to Lands' End and Kohl's today, enough to cover what we spent! Edited to add: $65 on registration for open swim time. Hopefully we'll get there more often this session than last and I can get some exercise!
1/3: (although I feel a bit guilty about it -- the only reason it's a $0 is because I forgot to take the checkbook to pay for after school care.)
1/4: after school care $31.50, take out for dinner ?

I think tomorrow and Thursday are looking good for no buys!

no buy days: 1/10
meals out: 1/5
longest streak: 3!

 

[Virgderon]

DD is here to work at Disney. We will be heading to Orlando this weekend.


Running Total: Spent $162
$900 budget...$738 left
$0 Days:
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings : 60

Groceries budget- $250

January 1st: 25 (12 parking at hocky game, 5 pop at game, 8 Walgreens)
January 2nd: 11 ( groceries at Flea market)
January 3rd: 65 ( Walgreens, cleaning supplies, vitamins, etc.)
January 4th: 61 ( 16 bowling, 5 food at bowling, 20 gas , 20 to DD for an item that she picked up for me using her Disney discount)

 

[#1hoosierfan]

1/1 - $6.00 -Group On
1/2 - $141.75 Meijer Coupon Savings - $4.75
1/3 - $0
1/4 - $15 special order needle felt book character
$8.50 toothbrushes and toothpaste - donation to retirement home

No spend days
1/10

 

[lattemomof3]

You're all doing great- just starting to be more aware is a great 1st step! I too, think the key is writing down every dime I spend. I've been tracking it in a notebook since Aug, and it really is eye-opening. I've cut out a lot of the "stuff" I used to buy, things like impulse buy magazines (ok, I still get one occasionally), and clothes for the kids. How many adorable outfits does a 4 year old princess really need?

I don't, however, mind nearly as much if I spend a little $ on doing something w/ my family. I forget about the stuff a short while after I've boughten it, but memories of a fun filled afternoon at the waterpark, or renting a movie & snuggling on the couch w/ the kids, last a lot longer. I've read a few articles lately that say that happier people prioritze "doing" more than "having". A family vacation is a priority to us, & writing down my daily spending helps me keep my eye on the prize. I put my notebook right beside my laptop, with a pen, because it is obviously a priority of mine to hop on the dis daily, so as I'm starting the computer I'll jot down the days spending.

Has anyone seen the tv show "Till Debt Do Us Part"?, it's really good. I like to watch it while I'm folding laundry. Gail Vaz Oxlade has a system very similar to Dave Ramsey's, she has people put their weekly money in jars, helps them with their budget, etc. It has a lot of good info, and she is very, uh, abbrasive, she really yells at some of the couples, it's pretty entertaining, but, most of them are extremely happy with the end result. Dh and I need to pay off the rest of our car, then we'll be debt free aside from our mortgage, but I still get tips from the show, and find it to be motivating.

 

[lattemomof3]

Woo hoo, I love fresh starts, and a new year is a big one! Hello No Buy friends, and welcome to the new ones. Think I will shoot for another 10 no buy days, both dd4 and dh have January birthdays, and we leave for our trip the 1st week of Feb, so I may need to buy a few things for that. Good luck everyone!

Really great to see lots of new no-buyers- welcome everyone! Dh and I went on a movie and dinner (gift card!) date yesterday, I took our budget notebook, so we had our annual budget meeting on the way to town and listed our goals for 2011.

I use the envelope system (actually mine is an small accordian file folder). Using cash for everything (started last Aug) has been a great help (that and writing down everything I spend). I would really like to get our grocery and household goods spending down, I was lumping them together but I think I'll seperate them so I can see where the leaks are. I do meal plan and we eat out once a week, usually, but I think we could be spending less . I buy a lot of fresh veggies, fruit, lean meats, greek yogurt, cheese and almond milk, but I won't compromise on that- I think I'll try to menu plan from the adds more consistently and stock up when the things we use are on sale.

Jan 1 - Movie w/ dh, popcorn

Jan 2 - clearance t-shirts for trip, shelf for ds8's finished Lego masterpieces

Jan 3 - groceries

Jan 4 - $0

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

You're all doing great- just starting to be more aware is a great 1st step! I too, think the key is writing down every dime I spend. I've been tracking it in a notebook since Aug, and it really is eye-opening. I've cut out a lot of the "stuff" I used to buy, things like impulse buy magazines (ok, I still get one occasionally), and clothes for the kids. How many adorable outfits does a 4 year old princess really need?

I don't, however, mind nearly as much if I spend a little $ on doing something w/ my family. I forget about the stuff a short while after I've boughten it, but memories of a fun filled afternoon at the waterpark, or renting a movie & snuggling on the couch w/ the kids, last a lot longer. I've read a few articles lately that say that happier people prioritze "doing" more than "having". A family vacation is a priority to us, & writing down my daily spending helps me keep my eye on the prize. I put my notebook right beside my laptop, with a pen, because it is obviously a priority of mine to hop on the dis daily, so as I'm starting the computer I'll jot down the days spending.

Has anyone seen the tv show "Till Debt Do Us Part"?, it's really good. I like to watch it while I'm folding laundry. Gail Vaz Oxlade has a system very similar to Dave Ramsey's, she has people put their weekly money in jars, helps them with their budget, etc. It has a lot of good info, and she is very, uh, abbrasive, she really yells at some of the couples, it's pretty entertaining, but, most of them are extremely happy with the end result. Dh and I need to pay off the rest of our car, then we'll be debt free aside from our mortgage, but I still get tips from the show, and find it to be motivating.

Hi Lattemom, you know I agree with you there. Doing things I never have money guilt.

I like that show, I watch it for tips. We have no car debt but some other debt we are working off (forbidden on most BB threads but we are OK with it as long as it is going down, and it is.) Haven't used plastic for anything in...has to be 8 years. But the house needed major things and so there it is. But yeah, she is entertaining while teaching, I think that is why she has good luck with the people she works with. And she shows them results.

 

[lattemomof3]

Hi Lattemom, you know I agree with you there. Doing things I never have money guilt.

I like that show, I watch it for tips. We have no car debt but some other debt we are working off (forbidden on most BB threads but we are OK with it as long as it is going down, and it is.) Haven't used plastic for anything in...has to be 8 years. But the house needed major things and so there it is. But yeah, she is entertaining while teaching, I think that is why she has good luck with the people she works with. And she shows them results.

Hi! Yep, something you said about not having guilt for doing things months ago was what made me realize that's how we like to live, but I'd never thought about it and put it into words! 8 years with no plastic is amazing! We had some plastic debt from our wedding & a few foolish other things that we paid off before having kids (and it's amazing how much we could save before we had them, and it is SO much harder now!). I hear you about the house things, we have so many appliances that are 10 years old, that all seem to be having problems recently - fridge, dishwasher, washer, dryer - we really need to start up a home improvement savings asap, and the kids need braces, sigh, always something!