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

[Tiggerish]

The January budget is $1200 with 12 no spend days.

Auto $70
Eating Out/Entertainment $50 / $26 left
Giving $10 /$0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $200/ $150 left
Medical $100 /$25 over
Misc. $50/ $10 left
Set bills $420/ $81 left
Semi-Annual Neurology eval in Chicago budget is $300 / $95 left

No spend days goal of 12/10
Coupon savings $30.90
Christmas '11 running total = $8
-------------------------------------------------------
1/1 $0
1/2 Set bills $25 (church)
1/3 Groceries $13; Misc. $29 (birthday present for niece)
1/4 Medical $104 (dentist)
1/5 $0
1/6 $0
1/7 $0
1/8 Eating out $18; Medical $21 (OTC drugs)
1/9 Set bills $20 (church); Misc. $10 (Mom's birthday gift) Christmas $8
1/10 $0
1/11 Set bills $186
1/12 $0
1/13 Set bills $68; Groceries $8
1/14 $0
1/15 Groceries $29; Chicago trip $166 (pre-paid for a train ticket ($51) and pre-paid hotel ($115)
1/16 $0
1/17 $0
1/18-19 Set bills $40 (newspaper and cell); Chicago trip $39 (food & taxis) Giving $10 (bought food for people begging in the train station)
1/20 Eating out $6
1/21 $0
1/22 Eating out $20 (took niece out for her birthday); Medical $91 (two new prescriptions)

Can I vent a little - does anyone believe that prescription drugs are the answer to everything? The two new prescriptions are a result of my neuro visit this week and I am already on an injectable that costs $2800 a month (for which I have a grant). But I could have more prescriptions. There are two additional drugs that I could started but I am not convinced that drugs are the answer. So we settled on a short term prescription for mega dose of Vitamin D to be followed up with OTC dose on a permanent basis and a prescription for bladder control issues. I turned down a drug for muscle spasms and a drug that may or may not improve my walking. I am holding off on the muscle drug because my spasms are bearable for now. I have a progressive disease and there is only one drug for the spasms so I want to hold off as long as possible before starting it. The walking drug I will reconsider if the physical therapy that was also prescribed does not help. But I wanted to try a non-drug solution first.

 

[msmama]

I'm aiming for 15 No Buy Days, but hoping for 20!

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 (Darn kid and the stuff he likes. I HAD to get tickets to take him to a Dinosaur Train exhibit.)
1/5 - $0
1/6 - 49.29 (saved due to Amazon Mom and Subscribe and Save, and (fingers crossed) this could be the last pack of diapers I ever buy)
1/7 - 111.41 + 10.95 (groceries and McDonalds for lunch)
1/8 - -- Alright, this may be cheating, but I'm not counting today. Money was spent, but it came from a special fund that I've been saving up for (Ikea) so it isn't money that came out of my regular budget. But I won't count it as No Buy.
1/9 - $0
1/10 - 110.59 (Big Costco shop. Feeling discouraged. I'm only $40 away from my grocery budget for the month and I know there's a handful of things I still need. Crap).
1/11 - 27 + 505 (Amazon to get the CORRECT size diapers since I bought the wrong size on 1/6 - will get a refund though whenever the snow lets up to get the UPS man here. Also had to write a check for the kids preschool tuition for NEXT YEAR already - big budget buster there).
1/12 - $0 Thank you snow!
1/13 - 33 + 5 on GC (Was doing well until the darn gas light came on! I would've waited 'til tomorow but with a couple feet of snow and a temp of 7 degrees overnight I decided it best to ruin my No Buy day).
1/14 - 95 + 15 + K cups (Books for my first class back in school after a decade , Birthday present for Dad and still to buy Kcups - waiting on my buy 2 get 2 code, lol. Would've been more buy my house and the ice and snow conspired to keep me out of Target.
1/15 - 37+13+16 (DSW, Target and Outback - so all the spending is on top of 100+ in GC's. But DSW has been my ONLY splurge so far this month - and I really did need new snow boots).
1/16 - $0
1/17 - $0
1/18 - $0
1/19 - $0
1/20 - $0
1/21 - $0
1/22 - 32 (Groceries. A few necessities, and some meat that was 50% off that I couldn't pass up. I'm way over my grocery budget which was already high for a family of 3 - one of whom is only 2!)



11/15 No Buys!!

WhooHooo!!! Even if I don't make my goal, I'm thrilled by my 6 day streak!

 

[dissybroad]

$10 Splurge today.

Took two family heirlooms to the appraisers fair I've been trying to get to for years. It was finally on my weekend off.

No, selling the family jewels won"t pay for vacation but at least I know more about them now. Besides, it was great entertainment for $10!

 

[bigmama67]

Sent DH and DD to get a few groceries at the store (also we are out of salt and there's more snow coming!) I have everything ready to finish cooking "breakfast for dinner" as soon as he comes back with my last 2 ingredients...LOL. Tomorrow will be no-buy day #5 so maybe I can make 6 or 7 this month! I know Monday I need to get a few things at Whole Foods. Also we went to a breakfast at our temple today and then to the learning store where they were having a science fair...$10.95 on cookies for the breakfast and $10.70 to get DS and DD each a little something at the learning store. It goes fast, doesn't it?

Anyway, tomorrow will be no-buy day #5 so maybe I can do 6 or 7 this month!

More good news on teaching is that I found out I do NOT have to pay $125 to get onto the substitutes' list for my town, since I already have a Certificate of Eligibility. Thinking that I had to pay that $$ was one thing holding me back so now I'm planning to go in Monday and sign up!

 

[QVCshopper]

Tomorrow should be a spend day...

1/22-$0, 2 miles

13/15 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
1/13-$4 DD*, $21 Wegmans*, $37 Target toys
1/14-$1 Goodwill, $26 Gymboree*, $1 Disney Store, $16 Borders for 4 bags of Seattle's Best Coffee!
1/15-$0
1/16-$3.75 Target*/Car Wash/Redbox; $30.50 Wegmans*, $4 Maggianos*, $28 Gymboree*
1/17-$0
1/18-$0
1/19-$60 Wegmans*/Giant; $16 Target*; 3 miles
1/20-$0; 3 miles
1/21-$0

 

[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!
1/20: $21.55 Gas
1/21: $30 Pre-pay for an event next month
1/22: $0!

$0 Buy Days: 11
Total Spent: $341.55/$395=86%
Month Over: 22/31=71%

Tomorrow is not going to be a $0 day. I think I am going to go over budget a little bit. I am going out with friends (that part should be about $5) but then I need to get boots for a field trip next month and also some groceries. I also need a power strip thing.

I decided to attempt to do the $80/week budget again next month. It's probably too tight but it makes me really consider what I'm spending on, so it's good that way. Just as long as I don't beat myself up too much if I go over a smidge.

 

[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.


January 20 $47 We went to the Museum (we're members so that was free) and dinner with some dear friends. They're moving soon, so we're trying to spend as much time as possible with them while they're still here.

January 21 $0


January 22 $55 Gas, $19 Subway

11/15 No Buy Days

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I forget who posted it, but still having half a tank of gas 2/3 of the way into the month is AWESOME! I wish!

I rotate, I have 3 different groups. Start with grade 4 in the morning, then grade 1 after.

Cool! I like changing kids throughout the day.

Love ALL the primary grades. DD is teaching JK (4 year olds) in Egypt this year, so is hoping to get back to Canada and teach ESL, eventually.

That reality check on costs is one thing I like about this thread. You really DO learn where your money is going.

I don't dislike my kindergartners, but I prefer slightly older children when working with large groups of them. What your DD is doing sounds very interesting! Is she doing TEFL there or is this some sort of special program?

In Canada do y'all have to teach in both English and French? Or is one language taught the majority/all of the day? I know all merchandise and most signs are in both languages up there. And your OTC medicines actually work.

I can't NOT track my money. I run into trouble if I don't. Recently I found some of my budget sheets from 2005.

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

My Goals:
1) Write Down everything - as of 1/22
2) Save at least $100 each month - as of 1/22
3) 10 No buy days - I got another one on 1/20 - so I'm up to 4/10 days.

Thanks Where'sPiglet! If I look at it that way, I have 3 more days that are under $10.

I can't believe how much money we've cut out of the budget by sending my DH to work with packed lunches. He works at a store that sells food, so you think it would be the same price, but no - It's really made a difference. That and cutting out my facebook game spending and only buying what's on the grocery list.

Thanks for all the support - just seeing what a good job everyone else is doing, is really helping me!

You're welcome! Yes, bringing lunch saves me a TON of money. It's so boring, but the school lunch for adults is $3.75. Some teachers buy it daily (it's actually good) but that is almost $20/week! I bring oatmeal for breakfast from home and the big jar of it is $2.50 and it lasts at least a month. I think the teacher breakfast costs that much for a day.

Can I vent a little - does anyone believe that prescription drugs are the answer to everything? The two new prescriptions are a result of my neuro visit this week and I am already on an injectable that costs $2800 a month (for which I have a grant). But I could have more prescriptions. There are two additional drugs that I could started but I am not convinced that drugs are the answer. So we settled on a short term prescription for mega dose of Vitamin D to be followed up with OTC dose on a permanent basis and a prescription for bladder control issues. I turned down a drug for muscle spasms and a drug that may or may not improve my walking. I am holding off on the muscle drug because my spasms are bearable for now. I have a progressive disease and there is only one drug for the spasms so I want to hold off as long as possible before starting it. The walking drug I will reconsider if the physical therapy that was also prescribed does not help. But I wanted to try a non-drug solution first.

I am sorry to hear this. No, they're not the answer to everything but most of the time it's an improvement over what was available in the past.

That injectable is so expensive! What do people who are poor and don't have grants do? Do they just suffer? I don't know how to fix the problem, just that there IS one. I hope the physical therapy helps.

$10 Splurge today.

Took two family heirlooms to the appraisers fair I've been trying to get to for years. It was finally on my weekend off.

No, selling the family jewels won"t pay for vacation but at least I know more about them now. Besides, it was great entertainment for $10!

Was this something like Antiques Roadshow that is on public broadcast TV? Sounds neat.

Sent DH and DD to get a few groceries at the store (also we are out of salt and there's more snow coming!) I have everything ready to finish cooking "breakfast for dinner" as soon as he comes back with my last 2 ingredients...LOL. Tomorrow will be no-buy day #5 so maybe I can make 6 or 7 this month! I know Monday I need to get a few things at Whole Foods. Also we went to a breakfast at our temple today and then to the learning store where they were having a science fair...$10.95 on cookies for the breakfast and $10.70 to get DS and DD each a little something at the learning store. It goes fast, doesn't it?

More good news on teaching is that I found out I do NOT have to pay $125 to get onto the substitutes' list for my town, since I already have a Certificate of Eligibility. Thinking that I had to pay that $$ was one thing holding me back so now I'm planning to go in Monday and sign up!

Yes, it goes fast! I had some cheese from Whole Foods at a Christmas party. Seaside Cheddar and Smoked Gouda I think they were. Ohhhh now I want some! Maybe I'll stop by Whole Paycheck tomorrow since I'll be out that way.

Seriously? More snow? This is like a weekly event now?

And that is great news on the sub fee! I hope they have the jobs available so that you get to sub on a regular basis.

 

[#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
1/20 - $7.02 lunch
1/21 - $42.96 at my friend's 31 party
1/22 - $7.42 breakfast; $115.03 Meijer/coupons $1.75; $11.48 Olive Garden; $2.99 Couch to 5K app for my iPhone
edit to add: $6.99 Amazon... bought a new book for my Kindle right before bed.

No Spend
8/10

 

[ronnmel]

In Canada do y'all have to teach in both English and French? Or is one language taught the majority/all of the day? I know all merchandise and most signs are in both languages up there.

In most provinces the majority of the classes are in English, and then you will have a French Second Language (FSL) teacher teaching several groups. I have no clue how much French these kids get.

In the province of Quebec you have the exact opposites at French schools : everything is in French, except for ESL, which is taught by a different teacher. The amount of English varies between school, between 1 hour a week to 1 hour a day. Then, again in Quebec, you have English schools, which get more FSL than anywhere else, because Quebec is a mostly French province. This varies between 1 hour a day, to 50% of the time (in these cases, other subjects like social studies and arts will be taught in French).

Except in rare cases, no single teacher will teach both in French and English. Which is actually what I would love to do myself, as then I would get to keep my own students the entire day instead of switching around all the time.

 

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 11/15
Gas : 98$ (max 100$)
Groceries : 201$ (max 250$)
Eating out (and snacks) : 75$ (max 100$)
Non-necessities : 116$ (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$
12/01 : 39$ (movie + dinner)
13/01 : 55$ (game)
14/01 : 0$
15/01 : 66$ (cat food & litter)
16/01 : 76$ (groceries + gas)
17/01 : 0$
18/01 : 0$
19/01 : 29$ (Amazon.com)
20/01 : 0$
21/01 : 56$ (gas + snack + book)
22/01 : 65$ (groceries)

 

[3goofyboys]

1/1 - 1/22 - $7.42 breakfast; $115.03 Meijer/coupons $1.75; $11.48 Olive Garden; $2.99 Couch to 5K app for my iPhone

I Love Couch to 5K! Good luck!

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $946.42 ~376.65 food and groceries the rest could possibly be cut or unexpected like car and good deals on clothes.
$0 Days:7/10

Groceries ($340-$11/day)- $258.38
Eating Out ($155-$5/day)-$113.03
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($930-$30/day) $575.01
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- $11.00 (McDonald's- Eating Out), $11.85 (Walgreens-Groceries)
19- $8.65 (Postage for Mailing out tickets to Les Mis that I sold on Ebay for a $90 profit), $6 (Wendy's-Eating Out-running to preschool night)
20- $0
21- $0
22- $35.73 (Meijer-Shopping-Dresser and pepper grinder), $21.05 (Meijer-Groceries), $7.48 (Dollar Tree-Shopping), $17.70 (Arby's-Eating Out)
WEEK 4 BEGIN:
23- Dominick's, Walgreens, CVS
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-
29-
30-
31-


Budget: $1405....67%
Month: 22/31: 71%
No Buy: 7/10: 70%

My savings from coupons and sales: $1559.98

 

[callaghan0416]

Ok, checking in. have been following the posts and everybody seems to be doing great. Good Job! I am not. I wante to have 15 no buy days. I have not had one. Have only bought housing related stuff ( and a house) but always need to go out and get shims or rollers or lunch for the workers. Will re-assess and have a plan for Feb. but I am not buying anything non-essential. If it is not a a necessity, I do not buy. So will keep up on that front.
callie

 

[Debbie]

Couldn't post this last night, but here it is, in all it $$$ glory.

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 (added this-DH gave me the receipt this morning)
Jan 20: $0
Jan 21: pop $8
Jan 22: a biggie....groceries at 3 stores (but food to last the next week or two, and with 1 teen, 1 "adult" (+GF) son, and 1 "eat anything/everything" DH, that's a GOOD thing) $127 and gas...again $37

9/10 no buy days!

 

[Jennia]

Jan 1: $0
Jan 2: $0
Jan 3: $0
Jan 4: $121 on necessary items for the new baby, all purchased at the Target baby clearance (mattress, bottles, towels, etc) plus some grocery items
Jan 5: $12 on a valance for the baby's room
Jan 6: $0
Jan 7: $12 for a day at the mall with dd (whoo hoo for free play area!)
Jan 8: $70 groceries
Jan 9: $0
Jan 10: $0
Jan 11: $0
Jan 12: $0
Jan 13: $0
Jan 14: $0
Jan 15: $0
Jan 16: $0
Jan 17: $0
Jan 18: $20 on gas (have to drive into the city for work tomorrow, wanted to make sure my tank was full using a cheaper gas station by the house vs paying 20 cents more a gallon once I got up there!)
Jan 19: $10 for the Amazon gift card deal
Jan 20: $16.33 at Motherhood Maternity (had a $100 gift card to use, so I ended up paying the shipping/tax out of pocket)
Jan 21: $0
Jan 22: $0

 

[Tiggerish]

The January budget is $1200 with 12 no spend days.

Auto $70
Eating Out/Entertainment $50 / $6 left
Giving $10 /$0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $200/ $150 left
Medical $100 /$116 over
Misc. $50/ $30 0ver
Set bills $420/ $41 left
Semi-Annual Neurology eval in Chicago budget is $300 / $95 left

No spend days goal of 12/10
Coupon savings $30.90
Christmas '11 running total = $8
-------------------------------------------------------
1/1 $0
1/2 Set bills $25 (church)
1/3 Groceries $13; Misc. $29 (birthday present for niece)
1/4 Medical $104 (dentist)
1/5 $0
1/6 $0
1/7 $0
1/8 Eating out $18; Medical $21 (OTC drugs)
1/9 Set bills $20 (church); Misc. $10 (Mom's birthday gift) Christmas $8
1/10 $0
1/11 Set bills $186
1/12 $0
1/13 Set bills $68; Groceries $8
1/14 $0
1/15 Groceries $29; Chicago trip $166 (pre-paid for a train ticket ($51) and pre-paid hotel ($115)
1/16 $0
1/17 $0
1/18-19 Set bills $40 (newspaper and cell); Chicago trip $39 (food & taxis) Giving $10 (bought food for people begging in the train station)
1/20 Eating out $6
1/21 $0
1/22 Eating out $20 (took niece out for her birthday); Medical $91 (two new prescriptions)
1/23 Set bills $40 (church); Misc. $40 (niece birthday present)

 

[Virgderon]

1/22 Eating out $20 (took niece out for her birthday); Medical $91 (two new prescriptions)
1/23 Set bills $40 (church); Misc. $40 (niece birthday present)

I just want to put it out there that you have a very good heart. You spend $10 buying food for the homeless when you have your own burdens to bear with these prescriptions and co-pays etc for your health issues.

Bravo.

 

[bigmama67]

Rats.

I spaced out on the no-buy goal for today and spent $4.14 on an Amazon order. Not much, I know, but I have to count it. Also found out our PSE&G bill for this month will be higher than expected. And DH bought more salt for the snow (well, we need that at least!) So hopefully Tuesday...because tomorrow I need to get detergent. Tuesday is supposed to be snowy anyway so maybe we'll all be home.

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $1036.47 ~466.68 food and groceries the rest could possibly be cut or unexpected like car and good deals on clothes.
$0 Days:7/10

Groceries ($340-$11/day)- $268.43
Eating Out ($155-$5/day)-$193.03
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($930-$30/day) $575.01
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- $11.00 (McDonald's- Eating Out), $11.85 (Walgreens-Groceries)
19- $8.65 (Postage for Mailing out tickets to Les Mis that I sold on Ebay for a $90 profit), $6 (Wendy's-Eating Out-running to preschool night)
20- $0
21- $0
22- $35.73 (Meijer-Shopping-Dresser and pepper grinder), $21.05 (Meijer-Groceries), $7.48 (Dollar Tree-Shopping), $17.70 (Arby's-Eating Out)
WEEK 4 BEGIN:
23- $6.86 (Dominick's-Groceries), $3.19 (Walgreens-Groceries) We will be going out to watch the Bears game at Buffalo Wild Wings..be back later to report., $80 (BWW-Eating Out- My honey got 4 margaritas, 3 appetizers and 2 meals and a $20 tip! Not Bad! And I am not hungry for dinner, so essentially was for two meals out since we were there for 5 hours!)
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-
29-
30-
31-


Budget: $1405....74%
Month: 23/31: 74%
No Buy: 7/10: 70%

My savings from coupons and sales: $1697.28