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

Virgderon - I forgot to thank you for the kinds words about my giving so thanks. It was a unique experience. I got to the train station very early so started looking around for some place to get coffee. There was a young lady with a little boy who approached me asking for money for food. I asked her where to get coffee and she told me where the MacDonald's was. I then asked her if she and her little boy wanted to have lunch with me and they did. We had a very interesting conversation during lunch and when I got up to leave I thought she was going to ask me for money again but instead she said thank you and not just for the meal but "because you treated me like a real person". I think because I am using a rolling walker and it is an apparent struggle for me to walk, many, many total strangers has been kind to me with opening doors, getting stuff off store shelves, etc. so I try to do what I can also.

That is very nice of you. :hug:

Today will FINALLY be no-buy day #5 though...so I'll make my goal! Hoping to get one more in before the end of the month.

:woohoo: for Day #5!


:faint: It FEELS like Jan 36th! ;)

Where'sPiglet?, thanks for the well wishes! The pipe finally thawed out last night so not only do we have heat upstairs again, the pipe is in one piece! Still, I cringe to think of how much oil we burned through keeping the downstairs at 75 for 2 days. Thank goodness we prebought our oil last summer when it was cheaper!

That is great news! Think of it this way: the oil you spent is cheaper than the cost to fix a flood.

I want to start stockpiling, but I don't have a freezer (besides the small one in the fridge), so I can't freeze too much meat. I do buy other things in bulk, like toilet paper, and buy huge bottles of shampoo. I'm hoping to finally get motivated enough to at least start making a menu for the week and sticking to it.

You sound like me! We also only have a standard freezer and it can't fit too much. I also want to get into the habit of doing menu planning. It does me little good to stock up sale items when I can't combine them into something edible.

Wow. I was looking at some of your no buy lists and some of you go weeks without buying hardly any groceries! How do you do that? I guess you have a lot stockpiled in the pantry?! Anyway, good for you! I wish I could do that!

I don't specify "groceries" on my list; I use the store name. My local grocery stores are Rouses and Winn-Dixie. I also buy some food items at Walgreens or CVS if they are on sale.

How do all you budget disers budget for things that come up during the week that you did not intend to spend or budget for. For example, pitch in at work for funeral flowers last week, $20.00 each. Someone who works for the company, her apt. building went up in flames (she lost everything), company is asking for donations but not the $20.00 range, asking all to contribute at min $150.00, pitching in for pizza at lunch, $10.00 each, etc. All of these things put a dent in the budget, however, I am trying to save and really watch my own personal budget, even buying my new clothes at thrift stores, cutting back on grocery spending. Just when I think I have a few extra bucks to put away something comes up. No just with work but with family. Going out to dinner last minute with another family. Last week we went out last minute and it cost us $80.00 which was not planned for. I am getting frustrated with the extra spending but do not want to feel cheap to other people. I just want to pad up my savings account. Any advice, especially with work. This list of chip in for this and that continues. Thanks

This would make me very upset. A minimum of $150?! Two people on my team have had house fires in November. People were welcome to donate and there was a fundraiser, but there was no minimum donation! :eek:

I couldn't give a lot of money, but I told the one I know well to let me know when she wanted help and I would come over and help out. She never did let me know; I kept asking and she just hasn't gotten to it yet. She has family next door, so it's not extremely urgent to her.

I agree with the others. If you don't want to blame money for not contributing to pizza, you could also say that you would prefer to eat healthier and eat the sandwich/salad/leftovers whatever that you brought.

Speaking of contributions.... :headache: I am going to have to blow a $0 Day tomorrow to go buy a 2L of soda to take to the school dance that is on Friday. They are asking everybody to bring at least one. I will probably also get a king cake.

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: $43.95 Pre-pay for an event next month, tax fee
1/22: $0!
1/23: $87.77 Cafe du Monde, boots, groceries
1/24: $0!
1/25: $0!
1/26: $0!

$0 Buy Days: 14
Total Spent: $443.27/$395=112% :headache:
Month Over: 26/31=84%

I realized today my teaching certificate expires in about 11 months. I need to figure out what I need to do between now and then to update it. Someone told me I have to take some more college classes. I am hoping that is not the case because that is not in the budget right now. :headache:
 
I don't write what my fiance spends, so if he's the one paying for groceries that day then it doesn't appear in here

This is my scenario too. Im just going by my own spending. Im not writing anything out but my one goal for January was to not eat out at all. So far so good! I also have had 4 no buy days in a row this week! Im so proud of myself! But my hubby doesnt count. He thinks the idea is a little nutty but whatever. I told him I resisted the urge to buy a sweet tea at Mcdonalds and he was like "as if a couple dollars makes any difference" - well, to me it does :woohoo: He is not a big spender anyway so its fine if he gets his snacks while he is at work. He is doing snow removal now and he is working up an appetite, even tho he is packing his lunch, he still likes to get some chips or something at a 7-11.
 
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.
1/23 - $0
1/24 - $30 deposit for ds's bday party at Chuck E. Cheese
1/25 - $75 for cleaning lady
1/26 - Walgreens - $15.32 - saved $15.30 in coupons and received $7 in register rewards.

No Spend
9/10
 
This month was supposed to be my first to see ho much less I spent from alst year, but being sick hasn't been fair. I haven't goen anywhere so no gas, my DH has done the grocery shopping, so I will contine to record but will start the comparing next month when it makes more sense.

Well, I am back in with a new plan. 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.

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. Also, I recorded every penny spent last year, so I have totaled up each month and my goal for this year is to come under that. Anything I have left over at the end of the month I will put into our savings account.

January 1-$0 :woohoo: Actually, not totally :woohoo: 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 :woohoo: 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 :woohoo: 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 :woohoo: 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 $32.23 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
January 5- Target (sympathy card, socks for DD8's b-day, she needed them and anframe on clearance of Kitty's first Christmas) $14.82 Dinner for the kids at Family Night $4.50 (I got a burger, fries, 2 cookies, a rootbeer float and a slush that they shared all of it.) Then we came home and had the dinner I had made, meatloaf, garlic cream cheese mashed potatoes and broccoli.) So under $20, not too bad. Dollar Tree (b-day invites) $4.32 (forgot these)
January 6-$0 :woohoo: The weekend it won't be so easy. I NEED a date with my hubby!
January 7- Dinner date with hubby. I was craving a good burger, he said Red Robin, but being budget minded we went to 5 Guys. It was still good and we sat and talked while munching on peanuts. It was nice. After we got dinner for the kids to bring home. Total $21.
January 8-$0 :woohoo: I took the kids out to Lowes for the free project, then Home Depot for their projext, then we went home for lunch and I took DD11 to her b-ball game. After I came home and cleaned/reorganized all day. It would have been easy to say yes when they asked for pizza, but I made dinner and saved the ppizza night for a day I (and dad who wasn't home) would also enjoy it.
January 9- 4 pairs of jeans for the kids 29.16, groceries-Wegman's $70.35, groceries-Sam's $129, Restaurant.com certificate $3, Movie for DD11's b-day in May (cause it was a deal) $4.50 Groceries are going to be higher I'm afriad. DH has started a new diet and it is going to be a bit more expensive. DH and I went out for a date but used a GC for the whole thing, but we did buy the kids a pizza $5
January 10-$0 :woohoo: Stayed in and cleaned!!!
January 11-$0 :woohoo: Did some cleaning and a good work out this morning, now back to sorting old clothes. I have an embarassing 9 large garbage bags to be sold/donated. And I am not done! Going to finish till I have to take DD8 to sance, but not going anywhere else so not spending anything today.
January 12-$0 :woohoo: Took the kids to Family Night after dance, but convinced them to wait for the dinner I had in the crock pot. We will proably have to eat there next time. I feel guilty when I don't for too many weeks. $62.14 groceries*
January 13-$0 :woohoo: Tomorrow won't be so lucky. It is my baby girl's 9th birthday. :lovestruc
January 14- My added bonus, surprise baby girl is now 9! Crazy! Anyway, I am lumping one thing as $10, it was just short but I threw the change in the Disney jar. It covered a happy meal for her for lunch, 2 balloons, treeat bag things for her party today and for class and a book to donate to her class. I did very well I have to say. Then we let her pick a restaurant for dinner (last time we all went out was in Disney.) She picked Red Robin. It really is YUUUMMM but I know why we don't take the family out. :eek: $45.67 for burgers. :scared1: I also went to the doctor, that was $40 but I don't count that. It's medical. But for the sake of recording I will write it down. The RX was covered 100%, love those rare times!
January 15-Her party. Spent $150 at Chuck E Cheese. It should have been way less but I am not going to worry about it. I gave my DH the stack of coupons I was going to use (as needed based on who came.) I handed them to him and said can you hold thede for me so I don't lose them? We got to CEC and I was a manic trying to get set up (it was a walk in party) and I didn't realize in his effort to help, he went and ordered all the coupons. That included 2 for buy 100 tokens for $25 get 100 free! So $50 in tokens. I had enought for over 200 free tokens so I had those just in case. He didn't realize, and his heart was in the right place so I didn't say anything. We came home with a whole pizza, 4 colectors cups unused and over 400 tokens so had I paid it would have been about $80 cheaper. BUT, we will never have to buy another CEC tokens again. And still $150 for 15 kids to have all the tokens they wanted, pizza for all the kids and parents and colector cups for everyone wasn't too bad. YEAH COUPONS!!!
January 16- Double date with friends, their turn to pick, so no coupons :( $25 and $11 for chinese for the kids
January 17-$0 :woohoo: Ran to the gas station at 6am cause I had forgotten to grab eggs and milk last night. These are the exact reasons DH wanted me to not count groceries. Anyway, they have a loaf of bread, a half gallon of milk and a dozen eggs for $.99 each, and it's right by the house. Otherwise I spent nothing. I had to cancel our day off from school plans cause DD11 is coming down with something (throat related) and I fell the other night and injured my everything, but mostly my back. I did take my DD9's Brownie troop on the field trip tonight. It was 12.50 a girl but I just didn't pay myself back as much when I paid myself back the deposit I paid. We went to Sweet and Sassy. She was tempted to buy something (with her own money) but they all got the American Girl Manners book and they got their cooke prizes tonight, she got, among other things, a PillowPet (her only one) so she saved her money. She is learning!!!
January 18-$0 :woohoo: Sick in bed
January 19-$0 :woohoo: Sick in bed
January 20-$0 :woohoo: Sick in bed
January 21-$0 :woohoo: Sick in bed
January 22-$0 :woohoo: Sick in bed
January 23-$0 :woohoo: Sick in bed
January 24-$0 :woohoo: Sick in bed, but finally starting to feel more normal!
January 25-$0 Still sick
January 26-$0 Took a turn for the worse. $40 copay, $150 ER copay (dr sent us right there) and $5 RX copay, but I don't count medical. Spent the entire day and night in the ER and feel no different. BUT, I had 2 bags of fluids in me so hoping tomorrow is a better day.






20/15 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+70.35+129+62.14*+1.98
Total gas for the month- $0
*Hate to even count this. DH sent me for a bunch of stuff for his diet. It is all for his meals, not the family, but he is the family so I am counting it but he said his fun money, which is his disability money, will be a lot lower cause he won't be going out at all so we will be saving that as well.

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 minus money spent=$709.78
*(need to redo the math)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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!
 

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 :worried:, 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 +2 (milk and half and half, and meat that was 50% off and couldn't pass up. And then an extra trip to 7-11 for eggs to make pancakes for dinner).
1/23 - $0
1/24 - $0
1/25 - $0
1/26 - $0 (So wanted take out for lunch, but wasn't about to risk life and limb on the snowy roads. But I got my goal!)
1/27 -
1/28 -
1/29 -
1/30 -
1/31 -



15/15 No Buys!!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
 
January 26-$0 Took a turn for the worse. $40 copay, $150 ER copay (dr sent us right there) and $5 RX copay, but I don't count medical. Spent the entire day and night in the ER and feel no different. BUT, I had 2 bags of fluids in me so hoping tomorrow is a better day.

Oh no! I hope you feel better VERY soon!
 
January 26-$0 Took a turn for the worse. $40 copay, $150 ER copay (dr sent us right there) and $5 RX copay, but I don't count medical. Spent the entire day and night in the ER and feel no different. BUT, I had 2 bags of fluids in me so hoping tomorrow is a better day.

:scared1: I can't believe you are STILL sick and have gotten worse! I hope you get better very quickly! :hug:

A couple years ago I had the flu that turned into "almost pneumonia". I had to go to the ER because I couldn't get an appointment at the doctors office - too many people were sick! Later they said that several people (I think about 825,000 in NYC) were misdiagnosed at the same time I was sick with regular flu when it was really H1N1. I am assuming I had H1N1.
 
January 26-$0 Took a turn for the worse. $40 copay, $150 ER copay (dr sent us right there) and $5 RX copay, but I don't count medical. Spent the entire day and night in the ER and feel no different. BUT, I had 2 bags of fluids in me so hoping tomorrow is a better day. [/COLOR]

UGH! I am SO sorry to hear this. Get well soon! :hug:
 
MickeyMomofThree, I am so sorry you got worse. I hope you get better soon and the fluids help.
 
Running Total: Spent $1054.23 ~484.44 food and groceries the rest could possibly be cut or unexpected like car and good deals on clothes.
$0 Days:8/10

Groceries ($340-$11/day)- $275.19
Eating Out ($248-$8/day)-$204.03
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($713-$23/day) $575.01
Gas for Tracking- 1/5 $20, 1/5 $50, 1/8 $35, 1/13 $17, 1/14 $7, 1/17 $30,1/24 $33 = $192
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- $0
25- $6 (Wendys-Eating Out), $5 (Restaurant.com-Eating Out)
26- $6.76 (Dominick's-Groceries)
27- $0?!?
28- $0?!?
29- Dollar Tree, Show at the Library, Dominick's, Meijer
30- Walgreens, CVS
31- $0?!?!


Budget: $1300....81%
Month: 26/31: 84%

No Buy: 8/10: 80%

My savings from coupons and sales: $1814.95
 
Hope you get on the mend soon! MickeyMom! Keep up posted on your progress.:grouphug:
 
I'm hoping to finally get motivated enough to at least start making a menu for the week and sticking to it.
I found that that was my number one thing to do when the kids were younger. It really DOES make a difference! Good luck!

:faint: It FEELS like Jan 36th! ;)
LOL, it DOES, doesn't it.....fixed now, although I was tempted to keep it like that!:rotfl:

January 26-$0 Took a turn for the worse. $40 copay, $150 ER copay (dr sent us right there) and $5 RX copay, but I don't count medical. Spent the entire day and night in the ER and feel no different. BUT, I had 2 bags of fluids in me so hoping tomorrow is a better day.
Oh, dear! MMoT, I am sending you all my good wishes and pixiedust: for feeling better soon. :grouphug:

I'm aiming for 15 No Buy Days, but hoping for 20!15/15 No Buys!!
HOORAY! You made it!
 
My goal for the month was Cold Turkey: NO impulse spending for one month.

I made it through another week.

Total impulse spending this month:
$3 McDonalds breakfast at the airport (I'd already eaten)
$18 Jeans at Costco that I hope will become necessary as I slim down.
(I have the receipt if they don't become necessary)
$6 Narnia Dawn Treader movie (no eats)

Since I get $20/week for allowance, I've still stashed a good bit towards our Feb/March adventures.

Twice this month when a friend suggested getting together I suggested mall walking. We got some exercise, had a good talk, and spent zero money other than the gas to get there.
 
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: ack...13.00 lumber for DH project, 10.00 DH gas (so now I'm tracking DH?? dunno) 25.60 Walmart (groceries and upcoming trip stuff) 14.45 (Lowes Pay and Save..small local grocery since we only have that and Walmart and since I'm trying to make a new recipe each week and needed capers which, naturally WalMart does NOT have and then also got mini wines for trip and chicken breasts on sale)
Jan. 13: Well, had planned for a no buy day. BUT..75% off stuff at my second job (Hastings) but had a $16.80 GC so only spent $2.00), then. DD asked me to join her and DGD and another DS and DDIL and another DGD..got taht? at our new IHOP for lunch...$7.49..then..I read that KMart had 75% off toys so went out there..no big sale at my KMart, but my Hallmark had 75% off Christmas so got a couple things...$9.45)
Jan. 14: 11.79 for gas and a package of Jalapeno Cheetos..love those! Then 9.00 for a book of stamps and since I picked up grandkids from school we go to Dollar Tree for toy and snack and they had my DH favorite cookies, so 9.45
Jan. 15: $0
Jan. 16: $0
Jan. 17: Took dd, dgd and dgs to IHOP for lunch $35.00 ( plus I had a 20% off coupon I took with me and forgot to use! argh), watch battery, $5.00
Jan. 18: AT
Jan. 19: DISNEYLAND
Jan. 20: DITTO
Jan. 21: DITTO
Jan. 22: DITTO
Jan. 23: DITTO
Jan. 24: $19.15 (groceries)
Jan. 25: $10.00 gas..and I should have noticed this and and bought yesterday It's clear I won't meet goal this month..birthday dinner for DD BF tomomorrow (need gift and bringing a dish) and then other planned things other days. February will be easier since we aren't going to Disney (although not near as fun)
Jan. 26: $50 Lowes gift card..for gift, 11.57 stuff to make huge salad for huge birthday party, my daughter's boyfriend comes from a family of 10 kids...wowzer
Jan. 27
Jan. 28
Jan. 29
Jan. 30
Jan. 31
 
Awww, thanks so much everyone for your wel wishes. :grouphug:

I thought I was feeling better (and was flu wise) so my DH asked me if I would please try and eat a little for him. This was Tuesday night. He made me a couple perogis. Very bland, nothing on them. Within a half hour or so they were not staying in. The stomach part was back, actually probably never left. I had not eaten anything for 8 days at that point. It was then that I realized I needed to go to the doctor. When we got there, they couldn't find a BP on me. They had me lay down and could get a weak one, but sitting up nothing and my heart would race, so they said I was dehydrated and sent us to the hospital. When we got there hey couldn't get a vein cause I was so far dehydrated. So I got 2 bags of fluids and an anti-nausea med in and IV and then came home. I still can't eat, I am taking a sip and hour to try and not get dehydrated again. So, in the end while I got the flu (or some sort of respitory thing) in the middle, it's the stomach virus that is keeping me down. I have to say I slept all night last night (they said the meds would do that, and I am so thankful they did.) I just got my youngest DD off to school and I am going to go back to bed. I am still dizzy but not nearly as much as I was before. Safe to say today will be another no spend for me. Bummer too, DH has a B1G1 dinner coupon and we havne't been on a date in a week and a half (an yo uall know how I like those dates!) But today it isn't meant to be. Hopefully soon, but staying in bed again today.

Thank you again, you are all sooooo sweet!!!
 
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 :cheer2:
$296.74/$400 - $103.26
$107.81/$200 - 92.19
$102.47/$100 - ($2.47)

ok I guess I haven't been keeping an update....today I did the groupon deal for got it for $10....
I made the 10 day goal and I have also kept up with the $100 a week for groceries as well as no eating out. Hope to do as well in Feb!!:banana:
 
MickeyMomofThree, hugs and prayers to you:grouphug:, you have really been sick! Here's hoping you are on the mend, hopefully getting fluids will start turning things around! Try not to worry about the hospital $, it was much needed, and you've saved a lot with your no-buy days. It's frustrating though, medical bills are no fun! The 3 kids are all getting their teeth cleaned at the dentist today, so there goes a few hundred $! And dd11 will get her braces started in March, and ds8 will go in for his holding wire, the pre-braces process, there really is always something, isn't there;)! But being sick really does make you realize there's very few things more important than our health - hang in there!

Tiggerish, that was such a kind thing you did, you may have given that mom hope when there was none, I bet she won't soon forget your kindness.:goodvibes
 
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.
__________________
Jan 12 - $0

Jan 13 - hoodie for dd11, and a few t-shirts for ds8 and dd11. I went through their closets & most of their shirts from last summer are too short, they're for vacation, woo hoo! It's been so cold here, I love snow, but I have to say I'm looking forward to some sun next month!

Jan 14 - ice cream for dd & her friend (do you see a pattern here?, I'm going to buy a gallon of ice cream, & some cones, so next time, I'll be ready for friends!), movie rental for kids, groceries

Jan 15 - $0

Jan 16 - bananas & sandpaper for ds's Cub Scout pinewood derby car, 2 kindle books

Jan 17 - $0

Jan 18 - Did'nt make it to town today, I'm waiting for dh's watch to be fixed, it's one he got from playing in the Orange Bowl in college, it has'nt worked in ages & I took it to a watch repairman to be fixed up. The watch guy called & is having trouble fixing it, I REALLY hope it can be fixed as this was my special gift to dh for his 40th. Dh did pick up some groceries though, and I ordered dd11 a new swimsuit & pair of jeans- It's bad that I can spend $ without even leaving the house!

Jan 19 - $0

Jan 20 - ate lunch out, got myself a jacket for DW, 2 Mickey t-shirts for dd's @ Target- man, are they cute!! Turquoise blue w/ a big Mickey sillouette, filled w/ rainbows, little sayings, etc., got dh's watch! Hooray!, household items, Valentine cards and candy (as it will be V-day 2 days after we return).

Jan 21 - $0

Jan 22 - ds8 has a friend over, so dh took all 4 kids sledding on a big hill in town, they had to buy a sled (we just had 1, our other one blew away last winter), dh picked up a few groceries, making cheeseburger soup tonight, we'll probably get some more snow today.

Jan 23 - $0, we took dh out for lunch for his b-day, but used a gift card from Christmas, we also drove thru Starbucks w/ a gift-card, dh did pick up a $5 pizza he was taking to watch football w/ a group of friends, but I don't track his spending, just mine (as he very rarely spends anything, & I buy 99% of everything that we need).

Jan 24 - On my way to Walmart, we are out of everything grocery related, it seems.

Jan 25 - $5 subway, household things at dollar general (paper towels, cleaning supplies)

Jan 26 - $0
 





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