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

[ronnmel]

Also, would people mind mentioning their family size for us newbies?

We are just the two of us most of the time, though we have his 11yo daughter with us on weekends.

 

[julirina]

Count me in as another first-timer. I have very little discretionary spending money, but I've got to get my grocery budget under control. Twice this month (twice!) I bought a big value pack of ground beef ($10-12) and then forgot to do anything with it and ended up throwing it away. It made me so mad!

I need to have no-drive days as well as no-buy days. We live 12 miles from town, so every time I get in the car it costs me at least $5.00 in gas. Probably more now that gas prices have skyrocketed. I need to plan my errand days better so I get more done at once and don't end up spending >$300/month on gas.

So my January goal is 15 no-spend days and 15 no-drive days. These are completely random goals, so we'll see how it goes. Thanks for helping me to stay accountable!

 

[Mom21]

I'd like to join in. I'll set a goal of 15 no buy days. That is going to be tough but I think I can do it. I do have a question about how you count things. For example I have a Sunpass for tolls. At $10 it auto fills with $25. So would I only count it on the day it resets ($25) or do I put $3 each Thursday which is the only day I use it?

I really need to eat out of the freezer and save money. DD has a competition at the end of the month in Tampa. I have to save money for that. The competition fee is paid as are the coach fees, but I have hotel, gas and food. Hoping to get a day in at Busch Gardens as we already have tickets. It will entail an extra night hotel and more food though.

Not starting out well:
Jan 1 grocery 38.59
Lowes for bird netting for my tomatoes (stupid birds) 15.69

 

[jessica52877]

I'll join in too! I sometimes follow along but seldomly post over here. I am going to go with 18 no buy days for this month. I am starting out high, but I never leave the house. I work from home and any work related expenses I won't count (as in supplies & postage).

 

[billwendy]

I'll join in too! I sometimes follow along but seldomly post over here. I am going to go with 18 no buy days for this month. I am starting out high, but I never leave the house. I work from home and any work related expenses I won't count (as in supplies & postage).

Hi Jessica!!!!! Oooohhhhh 18!!! you are killin me!!!! That almost challenges me more!!!!!!!!! I was wondering about postage for Big Give packages too - I guess that'd come out of my "allowance".....I know I need to really go through my fabric stash and use what I have instead of running to Joann's to get something when Im sewing for a give as well....although I REALLY want some Handy Manny fabric!!! Anyone see that anywhere???

 

[3girlsfun]

I'm joining in!
I joined in a couple of times last year, but got distracted. I am hoping for 15 no buys this month. It is going to be a rough, long month financially for us, but, I know we can do it!

Today will be our first no buy of the month!

1/1-$0

 

[tinkarooni]

Welcome to everyone just starting out. I personally don't set a goal of no-buy days....I was getting a little defeated so I have decided to try for as many as possible and really stick to my budgets most of all.

I also have a new mantra for shopping..."Do I need it, where will I put it, do I have something else that will do the same thing?"

1. My goal for January is $400. in groceries.
2. No clothing purchases except, need one outfit for DS for a christening we are attending. (Khaki pants, brown shoes should suffice)
3. Gas $100.00
4. My Allowance $100. for all extras.
5. No eating out this month unless it is utilizing a gift card we received as gifts.

We are a family of four, DH, me, DS12, DD10, one dog, two cats and 12 chickens.

Jan 1 $0.00

 

[Mermaid02]

Welcome to everyone just starting out. I personally don't set a goal of no-buy days....I was getting a little defeated so I have decided to try for as many as possible and really stick to my budgets most of all.

I also have a new mantra for shopping..."Do I need it, where will I put it, do I have something else that will do the same thing?"

1. My goal for January is $400. in groceries.
2. No clothing purchases except, need one outfit for DS for a christening we are attending. (Khaki pants, brown shoes should suffice)
3. Gas $100.00
4. My Allowance $100. for all extras.
5. No eating out this month unless it is utilizing a gift card we received as gifts.

We are a family of four, DH, me, DS12, DD10, one dog, two cats and 12 chickens.

Jan 1 $0.00

I like your goals and if you don't mind I'm borrowing them!

 

[Ava]

I am IN this month! I've decided to try a new budgeting method that I think will be easier for me to keep track of. I'm allowed to spend $100 per week (not including set bills). That's it. I'll still keep track of my spending per category (or try to) but the goal is to spend a max of $100 per week.

Let's start...

1/1 - $17 groceries

 

[jessica52877]

Hi Jessica!!!!! Oooohhhhh 18!!! you are killin me!!!! That almost challenges me more!!!!!!!!! I was wondering about postage for Big Give packages too - I guess that'd come out of my "allowance".....I know I need to really go through my fabric stash and use what I have instead of running to Joann's to get something when Im sewing for a give as well....although I REALLY want some Handy Manny fabric!!! Anyone see that anywhere???

This is where I kind of slide on the no buy thing. To me, the big give is charitable and I don't think much of the $ I spend doing it. Of course, it is $ and comes out of the budget so I should probably work it in better. I should work out better the details of no buy since in reality postage for big gives should count I guess.

 

[Feistygirl916]

I'm in! Last month was a little crazy, so I am hoping to get back on track this month... No big-spending holidays or birthdays (or Disney trips! ) so I should meet my goals.



Budget (for items that are "wanted" vs. "needed"): $300
Goal for "no-buy days": 15

1/1:

 

[disneydreamersx4]

I hope to have 15 days of no-buy. We are a family of 4.

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

I'm so in. I spent way to much on Christmas and found out the first of December that DD's high school cheer squad was going to nationals at WDW in Feb. Well I can't let her go without me. So I really need to spend as little as possible this month. I just made a menu for the whole month to keep me on track grocery wise. I'm hoping for 14 no buys. Thats pretty much the only days we don't have basketball games.

Starting on on the right track.
Jan 1= $0

 

[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.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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!

 

[mom2cinderella]

I'm in. I've done this thread in the past and it really helped deter me from impulse purchases. My financial mini-goals for the week are no scrapbooking purchases, and no fast-food/coffee stops.

Jan 1 $0.00
Jan 2 $0.00
Jan 3 $9 for a planner - would have put it as a need, but since it is now Friday and I haven't touched the dang thing.....
Jan 4 $10 Wendy's: 45 minutes to kill + driving home wasn't worth it = spent money
Jan 5 $0.00
Jan 6 $8 McD's: It took an hour and 45 minutes to get from Soccer to Gymnastics (stupid Winter! ) Poor kiddo was starving so I caved.
Jan 7 $5 Cappucino & Milk: justification - throat hurt.
Jan 8
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[charming23]

Well 2011 is off to a rough start. I got real sick when we came home from dropping my Grandma off. So mom ran out today to get me ginger ale and stuff to make chicken noodle soup.

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
1/3
1/4
1/5
1/6
1/7

0/15

Store and coupon savings-

 

[Acctingchick]

Okay so I started this last year and didnt do so hot so Im making a new goal this year to save, save, save. Not gonna set many specific goals just try to be thrifty and put some money in the savings this year I mean you never know when Disney fever might set in. LOL

January 1-0
January 2-Church 25.00, Prescription 15.00, Groceries 17.00. Total 57.00
January 3-15.00 Groceries Monthly Total: 72.00
January 4-0
January 5-0
January 6-0
January 7-33.00 (Movies/Snacks for me and my family) Monthly Total: 105.00
January 8-5.00 (Lunch), 57.00 (Groceries), 40.00 (Gas), 5.00 (Cupcakes-I caved) Monthly Total: 212.00 (ouch today really hurt)
January 9-20.00 (Snow supplies at the cupcake store-lol) Ive got to stop going in there. Monthly Total: 232.00

 

[mom0299]

I'm in! I've never been in on a No Buy month before. DH and I decided this morning that for one month we would not buy anything that was not a need. That means we'll be packing our lunches, avoiding impulse buys, and not running to the snack machine. So, since this is my first attempt I don't know how many days of "no buys" I'll have, but I'm going to set the goal of only buying NEEDS.
Today I took stock of what I had in the pantry and freezer then made a menu for the week. From that I made a grocery list and only spent $38.

Jan. 1: $38.87
Jan. 2: $0

 

[AnninIowa]

Hello! This is my first time jumping in on the No Buy bandwagon, so I am hoping I can do it! I bought a new house this year but have yet to sell my old one, so looks like will be a rental. I also want to get a home equity loan to remodel the bathrooms in my new house. So, needless to say, money is tight.

I have already made a budge for the necessities and know how much cash is left over. My goal is to spend as little of the cash as possible so that I can pay more on my credit card balance at the end of the month. I want the credit card paid off before I get a home equity loan.

So far I made it through today, Day 1, without spending any money!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Good to see so many new people here. Welcome to everyone!

Charming, so sorry you aren't feeling good. I completly believe in the power of chicken soup (and gingerale is good too!) Hope that helps you and you are feeling better very quicky. I imagine classes start back up Monday? Hope you are 100% back in time for them.