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

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Virgderon, I hope you are feeling better soon! High blood pressure is a serious thing, saying some prayers for you!


Hope your back is feeling better MickeyMomofThree, I fell down our stairs a few months ago, and my shoulder still hurts, guess it might be time to see the dr. or chiropractor, guess that's what I get for running down the stairs, I'm always telling my kids not to!

Virgderon, yes. I do hope yo uare feeling better soon.

Thanks Lattemom, I am unfortunatly sick, hence not returning your PM yet. When I fell I really messed up my back and neck this time, and I still have a sore back of the head so I am thinking I hit it harder then I realized. Then last night I got the stomach bug, I have been violetly sick and was finally feeling better tonight and then I started getting a headcold. My DH and 2 of the kids stayed home today thinking they were getting sick but they never did, just felt lousy. We didn't spend anything today, but I don't have it in me to look back for my posts so I will record tomorrow. I only got on casue I am waiting for my DH to get home, the alarm went off at work and he had to go meet the cops.

Gotta get better, Disney on ice tomorrow!!! (Hopefully.)

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $848.81 ~330.65 food and groceries the rest could possibly be cut or unexpected like car and good deals on clothes.
$0 Days:5/10

Groceries ($340-$11/day)- $237.33
Eating Out ($100-$3.4/day)-$88.33
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($930-$30/day) $523.15
Gas for Tracking- 1/5 $20, 1/5 $50, 1/8 $35, 1/13 $17, 1/14 $7, 1/17 $30 = $159
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- $4.92 (CVS-Groceries), $4.98 (McDonald's-Eating Out)
13- $10.56 (CVS-prescription), $14.52- (Target-Clothes), $25.83 (GameWorks-Eating Out), $-10.00 (Dave and Busters (free game play)), $71.83 (Target hoping toys go to 75% and get my free boxes of Kashi
14- $37.81 (Target-Clothes) $16.34 (Dominick's-Groceries)
15- $34.92 (Meijer- Bought a new winter jacket for $13! and got lots of groceries), $12.24 (Jewel-Groceries), $3.10 (Dollar Tree-Newspapers and Balloon for son)
WEEK 3 BEGIN:
16- $10.35 (McDonald's-Eating Out); $16.85 (Old Navy- Awesome clothes sale 40% off clearance-bought two pairs of pants and two shirts, shelf price was $93.00!!), $5.05 (Target-two pairs of pajama pants for DH)
17- $21.94 (Walgreens-Groceries); $10 (Dominick's- Groceries), $15.30 (Jewel-Groceries), $10.76 (Old Navy-more clothes, 4 shirts and winter hat for son)
18- $10.00 (McDonald's- Eating Out), $11.85 (Walgreens-Groceries)
19- Preschool Education Night, No Buy?!?
20- Olive Garden, using gift cards and coupons perhaps a no buy
21- No Buy?
22- Meijer, Jewel, Dominick's


Budget: $1350....63%
Month: 18/31: 58%
No Buy: 5/10: 50%

My savings from coupons and sales: $1281.88

 

[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.
1/12 $0
1/13 $1.49 for a diet pepsi
1/14 Spent $99 at the grocery store though and am now over the budget I had wanted for that. Saved $39 with coupons and sales. Also $50 for dogfood and $50 to gas up the van.
1/15 $0

1/16 $27 to take the family to the movies. Dh, dd, and I saw Season of the Witch. We thought it was a stinker and wish we had the money back At least the popcorn was good, and free. I used my free coupons for that and points from the loyalty card to get sodas. My older dd and grandson saw Green Hornet and they said it was pretty good but not great.

1/17 $0 no school for me so I stayed home and did homework all day.

1/18 $0

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

 

[bigmama67]

I'm so grateful for all the encouragement I'm finding here!

Planning for today to be no-buy day #4 out of #5. I AM counting gas and groceries so if I were to take those out I would have more. I'll work on doing the daily tally as others do, but at least I've been entering everything in the spreadsheet!

DH and I had a whole big argument last night. I was feeling upset because it looks like I'll need to take this semester off (I'm working towards an M.A. in Education) and I misunderstood a comment he made and he got very mad when I got mad. Then when he came to bed at 10:15 he started in all over again so we didn't go to sleep till 11:30...now he's complaining how tired he is. Well, who started it up again?

Anyway, it turns out the class I wanted/needed is not being offered this semester so it's a moot point. I'm not as upset about it today though. I've been taking classes non-stop since summer '09 so this is just a hiccup.

I have an interview for tutoring work at 1:00. Cross fingers!

 

[charming23]

Calling today eary as it is snowy/icey here. I plan to do some bulk cooking as school starts in a week and a half and I need som quick meals so we will not resort to ordering out.

Groceries/household- $300/ $74.26 left
Pet Supplies- $30/ $0 Left
Car/gas- $50/ $27.52 left
Eating out- $50/ $17.26 left
Entertainment/Misc- $100/ $57.95 left

Total- $530/ $146.89 left

Goal of 15 No Buy days

Week One
1/1- $14.23 Groceries
1/2- $0
1/3- $0
1/4- $0
1/5- $88.96 Groceries/household and $17.63 dinner at Loco Leprechaun
1/6- $0
1/7- $0

Week Two
1/8- $0
1/9- $12.78 groceries
1/10- $0
1/11- $0
1/12- $15.11 Denny's breakfast, $54.11 Marc's, $40.50 Giant Eagle, and $26.36 Walgreens
1/13- $0
1/14- $22.48 Gas, $29.55 Giant Eagle, and $4.28 Disney Store

Week Three
1/15- $0
1/16- $0
1/17- $15.51 groceries
1/18- $11.41 Walgreen's
1/19- $0
1/20
1/21

12/15 No Buy Days

Store and coupon savings- $48.09

 

[lillygator]

I feel for all you guys in the snow and ice....guess it makes it easy no spend days - well if you don't online shop!!!!!!!!


Goals:
10 $0 Days
$100/week on groceries
$200/gas
$100 for extras

January 2011
1/1 $0
1/2 $97.37 groceries
1/3 $0
1/4 $0
1/5 $67.81 in gas but hope to last a while
1/6 $0
1/7 $0
1/8 $97.58 groceries and $58.47 for misc
1/9 $0
1/10 $75 - $66 on dd's gymnastics class, $9 on monthly rx (these are not counted in $100 for extras)
1/11 $0
1/12 $40 gas
1/13 $0
1/14 $25 - signed up for better budgeting class
1/15 $100.79 groceries
1/16 $9 fresh produce
1/17 $0
1/18 $0
1/19 $10 - amazon gift card


10/10
$296.74/$400 - $103.26
$107.81/$200 - 92.19
$102.47/$100 - ($2.47)

I thought the gift card was a good deal....DD's birthday is next month and I can use it for some stuff off amazon.

 

[charming23]

MickeyMomofThree and Virgerdon, I hope you both feel better soon.

 

[Debbie]

Updating today. Still off with no volume and a bit of the cough. Hard to teach when the kids can't hear you.

Jan. 1: $0
Jan. 2: $0
Jan. 3: $0
Jan. 4: gas $46; groceries $97; postage for registered letter to Cairo $15
Jan. 5: DH hit up the pharmacy for some iron tabs...$7
Jan. 6: $0
Jan. 7: DH hit up the local grocery. Didn't spend much but it was $12
Jan. 8: I did a Costco run for school. DS bought a pair of jeans ($100 ), but not my money. I did spend $40 on Flavour-Seal rolls but it is the first I've bought since I've had the thing. Also some chips and a magazine.....total $50 for me. I wasn't thinking, though. I need to go BACK to Costco tomorrow to pick up my ColdFX. So tomorrow will not be $0 either. Oh, and DH put gas in the car. Goodbye $41
Jan. 9: Costco...got vitamins, ColdFX, more vitamins, chips and salsa $110. DH drove DS into the city, and...thoughtfully....bought some soup for my cold. $7
Jan 10: $0
Jan 11: DH does grocery shopping.....While he spent $66, we had a gift card for $50, so we really only spent $16
Jan 12: There's that gas again! $36 And, DH bought the new winter tires that the car needed....another $421 (which includes 1 can of Pringles . Luckily, my mom gave us money for Christmas that will cover that expense.)
Jan 13: $0
Jan 14: $0
Jan 15: Costco $42 gas (again!) $43
Jan 16: prediction: $35 for brunch tip/gas/Timmies to get there (It's a theatre brunch [Joseph! And the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat--one of my fav's] and the tickets were paid for last year--just the tip today ) Actual $25
Jan 17: $0
Jan 18: DH's usual shopping was limited to $30
Jan 19: DH picked up the green tea that the store didn't have last night....$21....either that was REALLY expensive tea, or he bought more than the tea He DOES like to shop! Also, another registered letter to DD in Egypt $13; gas $28

8/10

 

[Darkfirewolfe]

Here's my update on how I'm doing:

My Goals:
1) Write Down everything - CHECK as of 1/19
2) Save at least $100 each month - CHECK as of 1/19 I have spent $100 less than Jan 2010. I just need to not spend more the next week & half to keep it
3) 10 No buy days - No so good on that one. I still only have 3 days.

I'm finding it hard - most days are very close to no-buy days. But then I'll have forgotten bread at the store on a buy day and have to go back. Or I'll have an automatic payment scheduled for a day that I thought was a no-buy day. Grrr. I'm going to keep trying - maybe I can get at least 5 by the end of the month.

 

[Virgderon]

Virgderon, I hope you are feeling better soon! High blood pressure is a serious thing, saying some prayers for you!


Hope your back is feeling better MickeyMomofThree, I fell down our stairs a few months ago, and my shoulder still hurts, guess it might be time to see the dr. or chiropractor, guess that's what I get for running down the stairs, I'm always telling my kids not to!

Thank you! I have blood tests next week and it seems like they are looking for a thyroid problem. We will see.

I'm sorry that you and Mickey Mom are hurt. I think we women rush around thinking about other things and make mistakes like that. It stinks that the recovery takes so long.

 

[Virgderon]

Finally a 0 day!

Running Total: Spent $595
$950 budget...$355 left
$0 Days: 6
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings : 96

Groceries budget- $250 -11-36-11= 195 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)
January 12: 16 ( gas)
January 13: 0
January 14 : 35 (15 gas, 20 Walgreens)
January 15: 14 ( Burger King)
January 16: 19 ( 13 Walgreens, 6 flea market)
January 17: 31 ( 20 dr. copay, 11 Publix)
January 18: 68 (48 bowling, 20 medications co pay)
January 19: 0

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Today was going to be s spend day. I forgot my lunch at home, so I was going to eat out for lunch. On my way to get BK for lunch I got into an accident instead. Not my fault and no one was hurt. Although my van and his car don't look so good. As the other driver said "his bad and he really screwed up." Well yeh. How many people do you know back up on a major rode.
When I called my DH I told him this was really going to mess up my "No Spend"..lol.
So in the end....It is a 'NO SPEND DAY AFTER ALL!!!DAY 12 OF 10.

 

[Darkfirewolfe]

Oh no! IMALOVNDISNEY that totally sucks! - Glad to hear you are okay at least.

 

[3goofyboys]

My goal for January is 15 no buy days.
Christmas is done, my DS's birthday is done. We have a few birthday parties to go to, but other than that, we don't have any big expenses coming up in January. I'm ready to get back on track after all the crazy holiday spending

January 1 $0 We're in for the day, so I'm calling it early. Hoping the $0 for today is a sign of good things in 2011!

January 2 Plans changed and I ended up going out for dinner tonight instead of tomorrow. So $50 for dinner and I went ahead and filled up with gas today $50 gas.

January 3 $0 Took the boys to the library and McDonalds, but we were given coupons this summer that allow one free Happy Meal per kiddo once a month, so we used those .

January 4 $25 got my hair cut- I haven't had it cut in over a year. I was ready for a new cut. $100 groceries. $28 DH and I went out to dinner for our date night.

January 5 $0

January 6 $80 presents for upcoming birthday parties/misc. at Target (but ONLY what I went in for, no impulse purchases), $40 gas, $15 to refill my freezer with bread, $10 local bounce place

January 7 $0

January 8 $0

January 9 $0

January 10 $106 groceries, $30 gas, $15 new wiper blades, $12 McDonalds for lunch--this is twice this month, unheard of, but I had a looooooong board meeting this morning and I didn't even have the energy to make PB&J.

January 11 $28 new winter coat for DS #1, $29 eye doctor for DS#1 (this will be reimbursed, but I'll record it anyway).

January 12 $12 prepay for preschool pancake breakfast later this month, $30 gas, $25 dinner with friends, $20 doctor for DS (this will be reimbursed as well), $13 treats after the doctor

January 13 $13 groceries

January 14 $0

January 15 $0 Calling it early because we went to a birthday party and now we're in for the day.


January 16 $0 Calling it early because we're in for the day.

January 17 $40 gas, $15 PJ party at Panera, $40 dog food, ect at Target. Plus I had to write a HUGE check for DS#2's speech therapy, but that comes out of a different account.


January 18 $8 bread outlet, $10 Starbucks date with my DS#2, $10 eye doctor, $205 groceries.

January 19 $0 I did do the Living Social Amazon deal, but I'll take that money out of my Christmas account and then stockpile the gift certificates for Christmas, so I'm not counting it.

10/15 No Buy Days

 

[bigmama67]

OK, I blew the no-buy day because I had to put gas in the car so I may as well get more groceries tonight (we're almost out of milk anyway!) This is harder than I thought...sigh...

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

1/1: $0!
1/2: $0!
1/3: $11.10 Popeyes
1/4: $6.75 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
1/12: $0!
1/13: $31.94: Rite Aid, Burger King, Winn-Dixie
1/14: $0!
1/15: $94.69: Po boy, Winn-Dixie, Target
1/16: $0!
1/17: $0!
1/18: $0!
1/19: $0!

$0 Buy Days: 10
Total Spent: $290/$395=73%
Month Over: 19/31=61%

I'm so grateful for all the encouragement I'm finding here!

Planning for today to be no-buy day #4 out of #5. I AM counting gas and groceries so if I were to take those out I would have more. I'll work on doing the daily tally as others do, but at least I've been entering everything in the spreadsheet!

DH and I had a whole big argument last night. I was feeling upset because it looks like I'll need to take this semester off (I'm working towards an M.A. in Education) and I misunderstood a comment he made and he got very mad when I got mad. Then when he came to bed at 10:15 he started in all over again so we didn't go to sleep till 11:30...now he's complaining how tired he is. Well, who started it up again?

Anyway, it turns out the class I wanted/needed is not being offered this semester so it's a moot point. I'm not as upset about it today though. I've been taking classes non-stop since summer '09 so this is just a hiccup.

I have an interview for tutoring work at 1:00. Cross fingers!

Good luck on your M.A. Is your undergrad also in education? My M.A. (in TESOL) took me 2 years, so I feel your pain. You just want to FINISH already!

I hope the interview went well!

I feel for all you guys in the snow and ice....guess it makes it easy no spend days - well if you don't online shop!!!!!!!!

I was thinking the same thing! I don't do snow!
(Really....I cannot drive in it!)

Updating today. Still off with no volume and a bit of the cough. Hard to teach when the kids can't hear you.

I didn't know you were a teacher too! What subject/grade do you teach? I hope you feel (and sound!) better soon!

Here's my update on how I'm doing:

My Goals:
1) Write Down everything - CHECK as of 1/19
2) Save at least $100 each month - CHECK as of 1/19 I have spent $100 less than Jan 2010. I just need to not spend more the next week & half to keep it
3) 10 No buy days - No so good on that one. I still only have 3 days.

I'm finding it hard - most days are very close to no-buy days. But then I'll have forgotten bread at the store on a buy day and have to go back. Or I'll have an automatic payment scheduled for a day that I thought was a no-buy day. Grrr. I'm going to keep trying - maybe I can get at least 5 by the end of the month.

You're doing well! How many days do you have that are under $5 or $10? I don't count my bills, just new spending that I have control over at this time.

Today was going to be s spend day. I forgot my lunch at home, so I was going to eat out for lunch. On my way to get BK for lunch I got into an accident instead. Not my fault and no one was hurt. Although my van and his car don't look so good. As the other driver said "his bad and he really screwed up." Well yeh. How many people do you know back up on a major rode.
When I called my DH I told him this was really going to mess up my "No Spend"..lol.
So in the end....It is a 'NO SPEND DAY AFTER ALL!!!DAY 12 OF 10.

Wow! What a rotten thing to happen! I am glad you are okay.

OK, I blew the no-buy day because I had to put gas in the car so I may as well get more groceries tonight (we're almost out of milk anyway!) This is harder than I thought...sigh...

I need to put gas in the car too. I was hoping to make it until Friday so I could have 5 $0 Days in a row, but I think tomorrow would probably be wiser. I've only gotten gas once this month so far, and it was on the 5th!

 

[dissybroad]

Couldn't talk myself out of a few lots of 3" plastic characters on eBay. DD is using them as rewards in a behavior management thing she's doing with 2-1/2 year old GD. Total with s/h $16.75.

Big savings over buying sets new, but I'm going to have to decide if I want to go commando no-buy

 

[dissybroad]

P.S. For those strrreeeeetching the gasoline, my mechanic says don't let it get below 1/4 tank 'cause it taxes the fuel pump and shortens its life so it may cost you more in the long run!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

P.S. For those strrreeeeetching the gasoline, my mechanic says don't let it get below 1/4 tank 'cause it taxes the fuel pump and shortens its life so it may cost you more in the long run!

Good to know! I'm actually just below a 1/4 of a tank. I rarely go much more than that because I get nervous! I have an 11 gallon tank and rarely put more than 8 gallons in it. The lowest I ever let it get (I thought I was going to run out of gas!) I only put in about 8.5 gallons!

 

[#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
1/5 - $0
1/6 - $5.30 for Chinese take/out
1/7 - $109 - $75 for cleaning lady, $27 for dinner and $7 pre-pay for a
luncheon next week.
1/8 - Target - $40 and Kroger $104
1/9 - $0
1/10 - $5.90 fine at the library edit to add: $3.51 on Blizzard from DQ
1/11 - $0
1/12 - hair/eyebrows $47 ; Walgreens - $12.54 received $7 in RR
1/13 - $0
1/14 - Wal-Mart $54.55. Dinner out /$51
1/15 - Ben Franklin - fabric $19.24: Kroger $98.32
1/16 - $0
1/17 - eating out - $45; Big Lots $56.11; Best Buy $180; Walgreens $17.75---- saved $10.35 in coupons and received $8 in register rewards.
1/18 $0
1/19 - $0

No Spend
8/10