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

[ronnmel]

BRAVO, Ronmel!

Ten days and NO non-necessities. That's a target for the rest of us.

Thanks! And I'm adding yet another No Buy day! Tomorrow the streak will be broken though...

ETA. Ok, I'm all confused. At first I thought I had forgotten to add Sunday, but now I'm thinking it was Saturday. But I can't remember what I did on Saturday... I *think* I've got it all figured out now...
Nope, I was wrong, but I went back and NOW I've got it figured out. Phew.

No Buy Days : 7/15
Gas : 31$ (max 100$)
Groceries : 27$ (max 250$)
Eating out (and snacks) : 36$ (max 100$)
Non-necessities : 8$ (max 200$)


01/01 : 0$
02/01 : 0$
03/01 : 0$
04/01 : 9$ (breakfast + lunch)
05/01 : 0$
06/01 : 0$
07/01 : 48$ (gas + dinner)
08/01 : 35$ (groceries + rent game)
09/01 : 10$ (dinner)
10/01 : 0$
11/01 : 0$

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I am from upstate New york as well. I don't want to say much more as this place is public, but it's nice knowing that I am not the only upstate new york person on this forum site.

Very Wise!!!

 

[dissybroad]

I guess even though I am 17 I can do this.

Congratulations for getting an early start and forming good habits at 17!


Monthly dinner with ladies group tomorrow at Olive Garden. Will hold total bill with tip to $20. Salad & dessert, anyone?

 

[dissybroad]

I guess even though I am 17 I can do this.

Congratulations for getting an early start and forming good habits at 17!


Monthly dinner with ladies group tomorrow at Olive Garden. Will hold total bill with tip to $20. Salad & dessert, anyone?

 

[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 ?
1/5:
1/6:
1/7: $35 after school, $35 dinner, ? book orders for the boys (I haven't done them yet tonight)
1/8: $8 Lowes, $28 gas, $12 things for school
1/9: $60 groceries, $26.50 x2 for school lunches
1/10:
1/11:

no buy days: 5/10
meals out: 2/5
longest streak: 3!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

1/1: $0!
1/2: $0!
1/3: $11.10 Popeyes
1/4: $6.25 Subway
1/5: $23.16 Gas
1/6: $14.19: lunch, Rouses
1/7: $4 lunch
1/8: $102.60: CVS, lunch, Rouses, Winn-Dixie
1/9: $0!
1/10: $0!
1/11: $2.07 Rouses


$0 Buy Days: 4
Total Spent: $163.37/$395=41%
Month Over: 11/31=35%

$395 breakdowns:
grocery: 200.00-85.72=114.28
eating out: 50.00-33.59=16.41
misc: 70.00-17.15=52.85
gas: 75.00-23.16=51.84

I was hoping to spend a little more today; I went to CVS to try to get some toilet paper that was on sale. But I was told "We're sold out, won't get anymore, and NO we don't do rain checks!" Okaaaay, then.

I'll try another store on a different day. I'm not desperate....just trying to catch a good sale, but it's like Suze Orman: DENIED!

I was going to stop in the McDonald's drive through today because I was hungry and out running (only 2!) errands. I was going to just get a $1 soda and a medium fries. The total comes to something like $2.60. (No, it couldn't POSSIBLY be "my usual" :rollseyes1 ) but I was thinking "No, there's some reason I'm not supposed to go there. I can't go. I have to wait until I'm home.......oh, yeah. I don't have any money left in my Eat Out budget for this week."


#1hoosierfan: I cannot believe you ate a BLIZZARD in January! I'm freezing! My favorite blizzard is the Oreo Blizzard, and many stores will make it for you in chocolate ice cream!

 

[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

Jan 5 - dh's b-day gift from the kids

Jan 6 - Groceries @ Wal Mart, lunch w/ mom & dd4

Jan 7 - movie rental for kids, dh took kids out to dinner

Jan 8 - groc's for teaching Sunday School, Mcd's for kids

Jan 9 - $0

Jan 10 - $0

Jan 11 - groc's, ice cream cones for dd4 and her friend (they're crazy, it is 3 degrees here!), pizza - sigh, I need to do some cooking for the freezer, it helps so much on nights like tonight, parents night at dance for 2 dd's, and a cubscout meeting for ds8. I really wanted to make something quick but got outvoted by my gang- especially dh.

 

[Adey]

Loving this so far!

1/1 0

1/2 0

1/3 0

1/4 0

1/5 DH had lunch out. No biggie since it comes out of the food budget but I'm secretly sad he ruined the streak. $8.35 at Jimmy Johns.

1/6 0

1/7 $7.20 Jimmy Johns. DH again. We finally got one here and DH is in love.

1/8 Had to go to Fred Meyer. $16.32 for a Ducks tshirt for me. $32.05 for groceries (mostly ground turkey breast...on sale!) but I saved $3 in coups (just manf. coups, I don't count store card savings), returned some extension cords I thought I needed for Christmas lights but didn't so I got $10 back and turned in two winning lotto tickets worth $32 so my shirt and groceries ended up being pretty dang cheap We did grab a quick bite when we were out though, Jack In the Box $10.97.

1/9 0

1/10 $5 donation at work to wear Ducks gear and support the team. Too bad they couldn't quite pull it out Great job anyway, boys!!

1/11 0

 

[Feistygirl916]

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

1/1: $0

1/2: $0

1/3: $12 (Coffee, dinner - which we could have ate at home!)

1/4: $29 (Lunch and a DS game for DD)

1/5: $5 (Lunch - I can't learn!)

1/6: $6 headache:)

1/7: $0

1/8: $0

1/9: $0

1/10: $3 (coffee)

1/11: $0


No-buy days: 6/15
Budget: $55/$300

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $509.66
$0 Days:5/10

Groceries ($340-$11/day)- $122.82
Eating Out ($100-$3.4/day)-$37.17
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($930-$30/day) $349.67
Gas for Tracking- 1/5 $20, 1/5 $50, 1/8 $35
BIG PURCHASES: Annual DVC Dues: $494.09

WEEK 1 BEGIN:
1- $3.98 (Artscow.com-Misc.), $2 (Dollar Tree-Papers), $38.99 (Ultra Foods-Groceries-most I have spent on one grocery trip in a long long time, but got lots of stuff we eat at stock up prices!), $9.56 (Target-Clearance stuff for next years stocking and son's bday present), $30 (Walmart-balance after giftcard for 2 TB hd), $10.42 (Ikea- Eating Out kids eat free and only bought one pop-it's a start for this family)
2- $0
3- $0
4- $9.80 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $20 (Joe Caputo-Groceries), $9.55 (Dominick's-Groceries), $180 (Midas-Getting Car Fixed)
5- $1.63 (Walgreens-Groceries), $16.45 (CVS-Groceries-but got $17 back in ECB's), $20-Gas
6- $0
7- $2.05 (Walgreens-Groceries), $8.46 (Jewel-Groceries), $2.17 (McDonald's-Eating Out)
8- $0
WEEK 2 BEGIN:
9- $2 (Dollar Tree-Newspapers), $8.48 (Taco Bell-Eating Out), $20 (Target-Shopping)
10- $0
11- $6.30 (Wendy's-Eating Out), $10.13 (Foot Doctor-Misc.), $7.33 (Walgreens-Groceries), $6.18 (Dominick's-Groceries), $12 (Target-Cat Food, Groceries), $92 (Great America Season Pass-Misc.)
12- CVS, Walgreens, Jewel
13- Target hoping toys go to 75%
14- No Buy?
15- GameWorks (using restaurant.com coupon), Dave and Busters (free game play)
WEEK 3 BEGIN:
16-
17-
18- McDonald's
19- Preschool Education Night
20-
21-
22- Downtown for Ice Sculptures


Budget: $1350....38%
Month: 11/31: 35%
No Buy: 5/10: 50%

My savings from coupons and sales: $494.49

 

[Beezle2]

1/1 $0
1/2 $0
1/3 $0

1/4 $43 from grocery budget $107 left. 2 gals milk, eggs, strawberries, blackberries,pears,apples,cherries,mushrooms,avacados,coleslaw,tomatoes,
soup,diet coke,pancake mix. Almost perfect, lol (coupon/sale savings $37.52) adding this idea from another poster because I like it!

1/5 $10.50 to see True Grit with DH and $3 for a box of screws to make a play table for DD's Playmobil

1/6 $0
1/7 $0
1/8 $0
1/9 $0
1/10 $0
1/11 $2.50 for gum and diet coke. Stopped at Aldis and spent $32 from the grocery budget so $75 left there.

 

[Virgderon]

Had to get a shirt for my 2nd interview today. I did not want to wear the exact same thing I wore for the 1st interview, but don't want to invest in a bunch of clothes if I decide against the job or they don't offer it. Ended up at Steak and Shake because we were starving. This is one thing that scares me about working outside of the home- I remember lots of days where I just couldn't pull it together to cook. I'll have to dust off the crockpot.

Running Total: Spent $412
$950 budget...$538 left
$0 Days: 4
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings : 94

Groceries budget- $250 -11-36= 206 left

January 1st: 25 (12 parking at hockey 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)
January 5th: 0
January 6th: 0
January 7th: 0
January 8 & 9: 196 (35 groceries, 25 gas, 136 Disney fun)
January 10 : 0
January 11: 54 ( 21 Steak & Shake, 20 shirt, 13 Walgreens misc)

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Okkkay. . .I'm going to try.

I'm going back to the bribing myself method of weight loss. $5 every time I work out. $2 for every day I don't use any of my activity or weekly WW points.

This is money for any and all recreational shopping and includes Amazon and the Thrift store. No other money can be spent. I'm committing to do this until March 1.

I just bought my tracking calendar for this purpose.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Virgderon, GOOD LUCK TODAY!!!

Last year when I worked I had to freeze meals. Otherwise I came home too tired to cook. Maybe that would work for you. Oh and yes, LOVE my crockpot. But I use that all the time, working or not.

I love Steak and Shake, if we had one I'd be there too.

 

[wlake]

Virgderon, good luck at the interview today!

 

[QVCshopper]

We got enough snow! DS4 and I are going to stay home while DD6 goes to delayed K. And DH took my car to work... Maybe sledding and cocoa? Then work... I work at night, but when I worked during the day, I froze lots of meals.

7/12 no-buy days
* Used coupon

1/1/-$2 TRU*, $7 CFA*, $2 Coldstone*, $31 Wegmans/redbox*
1/2-$6 mcd*, $14 Dollar Store
1/3-$0; 8 miles
1/4-$0; Lego* free build
1/5-$0; 3 miles
1/6-$4 DD*; $24 Wegmans*; $14 Target; 2.5 miles
1/7-$46 Target; $29* Wegmans; 3 miles
1/8-$0
1/9-$0
1/10-$1 LL Bean dress for DD*; $4.50 DH's lunch; $22 Wegmans*; [-$36 Target returns]
1/11-$0
1/12-$0

 

[nunzia]

Jan. 1: $33.00 Walmart (groceries and 75% off Christmas)
Jan. 2: $80.00 (2 shelving units from Lowes. 1 was a facebook deal..79 down to 43)
Jan. 3: $0
Jan. 4: $0
Jan. 5: $0
Jan. 6: $22.69(groceries..stuck to the list!) $18.62 (dinner out with friends) $9.60 (Christmas pictures printed)
Jan. 7: $0
Jan. 8: 18.65 WalMart, groceries, $1.07 McDonalds sausage bisccuit, $19.75, Dh and I went to see Tron, plus got a medium popcorn.
Jan. 9 : $0 (used a $20 Staples Reward card for packing tape, travel tissue and bandaids..I've had a dilemma on if I should count what DH spends..he doesn't spend much..but still. For the sake of this experiment I will only count what I spend since I do the majority of the shopping and all the budgeting..I don't like having to tell him he can't pick up his prescription until a Buy day But I also vow I won't cheat by having him spend money so I don't have to count it )
Jan. 10: $0
Jan. 11: $0
Jan. 12
Jan. 13
Jan. 14
Jan. 15
Jan. 16
Jan. 17
Jan. 18
Jan. 19
Jan. 20
Jan. 21
Jan. 22
Jan. 23
Jan. 24
Jan. 25
Jan. 26
Jan. 27
Jan. 28
Jan. 29
Jan. 30
Jan. 31

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Totally OFF TOPIC---

Charming, Good Luck with the WISH goal. I have thought about joining, but haven't. I'd love it if it were like on here, you come and tell what you ate and how much you exercised, but I don't track pounds lost. I had some issues in HS where I got obsessed with the numbers and made a clean break from scales in the house. I like to know that I have lost based on how I feel and look (and my clothes fitting better.) I lost about 20 pounds last year, but I know those numbers because of going to the doctor. I am a healthy eater, but got out of the practice of exercise but got it back somewhat last year. I now exercise 5 days a week but haven't lost much more and it is frustrating. I was a size 4/6 when I got married, way too thin actually (I am 6'1") but would like to drop a size, or even 2.


My Dh is doing South Beach right now, I wish him luck but there is no way I could do it. I've been thinking about WW, but don't really want to commit money to it so I am just working out for an hour each morning (I am on my bike right now) and trying to cut back on what I eat.

Anyway, long story short, good luck. I'll be pulling for you!

 

[tinkarooni]

I personally don't set a goal of no-buy days.

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
Jan 2 $47.27 Groceries / $352.73 remaining
$24.00 Gas / $76 remaining
$27.91 Pet smart dog food
$50.34 Target (I bought quicken...I consider that an investment) :teacher
Jan 3 $0.00 No buy
Jan 4 $0.00 No buy.
Jan 5 $0.00

I am so far behind, I've been keeping track on my new Quicken program though. I am loving that.
Jan 6 $0.00
Jan 7 $0.00
Jan 8 $23.00 Outback - We used our gift card and this was our OOP. That's a lot of money!!!! We had a $50 GC. But as my kids get older and order adult meals it is just crazy to eat out.
$27.99 Kohls (pants for DS for christening we have to attend this weekend)
$14.99 Famous Footwear (Shoes for DS, I had a $25.00 reward I used)
Jan 9 $0.00
Jan 10 $0.00
Jan 11 Had to run to a couple of stores. The kids pack their lunches and I was all out of juice and water which meant a stop at Sam's. We're driving out of state for this christening so I bought some things to pack our lunches and snacks. Still way cheaper and healthier than buying stuff on the turnpike. Bottom line is $331 out of $400 grocery budget is gone. I don't think I am going to make my goal of $400. Still going to try to keep it as low as possible though.

Overall I'm OK with my progress. This weekend is going to be a challenge, we're staying at my brothers house and I never know what we're doing or if it will cost us money. Uggg. I took $200 cash to take with us and I am hoping to bring a lot of that home.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

MickeyMomof Three... Try www.sparkpeople.com. It has nutrition and activity trackers like WW, but it's FREE!!