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

[DirtyDiana]

I don't have any set no-buy days, but I'm going to try to force myself to give up Ebay as much as possible until my birthday in July. Let's see how well that works

 

[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: 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: Dinner out with friends $19.15..I am stuck at 9 days
Jan. 28: $7.45 lunch out with friend, $39.00 pictures printed from DL..maybe I will actually start my DS scrapbook early and not panic in November for his Chistmas gift..
Jan. 29
Jan. 30
Jan. 31

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

This month was supposed to be my first to see how much less I spent from last 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 continue 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 Actually, not totally but good for the budget, we were going to go out today while DH worked, but the kids were having fun playing at home so that was good, but we were going to go to Cosmic Bowling tonight when he got off work but he's stuck there, it will be an all nighter, so we decided to hang out here and go with him another time. It isn't as much fun doing those things without him. So, a little bummed we are in but we are going to back some cookies here in a bit and they are having fun playing with their new games. Right now they are building forts for the kittens.
January 2-$0 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 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 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 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 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 Stayed in and cleaned!!!
January 11-$0 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 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 Tomorrow won't be so lucky. It is my baby girl's 9th birthday.
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. $45.67 for burgers. 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 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 Sick in bed
January 19-$0 Sick in bed
January 20-$0 Sick in bed
January 21-$0 Sick in bed
January 22-$0 Sick in bed
January 23-$0 Sick in bed
January 24-$0 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.
January 27-$0 Still sick
January 28-$0 Still sick
January 29-$0 Still sick







23/15 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!

 

[wlake]

MickeyMomofThree, I hope you're at least beginning to feel better! Your comment about having DH grocery shop combined with not being able to compare this January to last January made me laugh -- in my house, DH grocery shopping is a real budget buster! Today he went and spent over $70 on 3 bags of groceries! He unpacked them before I got home, so I have no idea what he bought!

Take it easy and keep getting better!

 

[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


January 23 $0


January 24 $72 Target, $19 lunch, $9 to wash my horribly dirty car


January 25 $19 Beer...DH had a bunch of "honey do" items to get done today and he enjoys a beer while he's working. It's cheaper than a handy man!

January 26 $0

January 27 $39 Gas, $27 took the boys to the Butterfly Pavilion, $50 lunch after the Pavilion


January 28 $37 groceries, $20 Gas


January 29 $15 Groceries (these last minute grocery runs are killing me!!


13/15 No Buy Days

 

[Tiggerish]

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

Auto $70
Eating Out/Entertainment $50 / $18 over
Giving $10 /$0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $200/ $70 left
Medical $100 /$150 over
Misc. $50/ $60 0ver
Set bills $420/ $41 left
Semi-Annual Neurology eval in Chicago budget is $300 / $95 left

No spend days goal of 12/14
Coupon savings $43.97
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)
1/24 $0
1/25 $0
1/26 $0
1/27 $0
1/28 Groceries $55; Meidcal $34 (3 more prescriptions, this time from the eye doctor to prep for cataract surgeries next month. I have met my prescription deductible for the year in one week); Misc. $30 to do my taxes (one federal, two states and one city so not a bad price and I am getting a modest refund.)
1/29 Groceries $25; Eating out $23 (took niece to lunch)

 

[charming23]

Staying in today. We had some snow overnight and I do not feel like going anywhere in it.

Groceries/household- $300/ $17.24 left
Pet Supplies- $30/ $0 Left
Car/gas- $50/ $27.52 left
Eating out- $50/ $3.09 left
Entertainment/Misc- $100/ $54.82 left

Total- $530/ $72.57 left

Goal of 15 No Buy days--- Goal accomplished 1/23

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- $14.44 Groceries
1/21- $0

Week Four
1/22- $0
1/23- $0
1/24- $0
1/25- $17.68 Aldi's and $9.45 Jersey Mikes
1/26- $0
1/27- $3.65 Starbucks, $24.90 WalMart, and $1.07 Wendy's
1/28- $3.13 Target
1/29- $0
1/30
1/31

18/15 No Buy Days

Store and coupon savings- $49.09

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

MickeyMomofThree, I hope you're at least beginning to feel better! Your comment about having DH grocery shop combined with not being able to compare this January to last January made me laugh -- in my house, DH grocery shopping is a real budget buster! Today he went and spent over $70 on 3 bags of groceries! He unpacked them before I got home, so I have no idea what he bought!

Take it easy and keep getting better!

I am, thanks. Mostly I am very weak. I have not had any food in 12 days, but I am able to finally keep in liquids so that is a good thing!!! I know once I can eat again I will start to feel even better, but having liquids stay in was their goal for me, otherwise I was going to have to go back to the hospital, so I am very relieved to be able to drink! And today for the first time my very well meaning but not thinking grandma called. She is a baker/cooker. She likes to tell me in detail hat she made that day. Every time I try to tell her nicely that it makes me feel sick but she forgets and starts again. Today she told me about how good the pickle soup was that she made today and how the kids would have loved it cause the pickles were extra sour and then she stopped herse;f and I said "ya know, it's actually OK." I guess if I can listen about extra sour pickle soup I must be feeling better.

I have no idea how much hubby has spent, and I don't want to. I know that DD16 who loves celery asked for it and he bought it precut into sticks. I always wondered who does that??? I know the kids have been mostly buying lunch (which I never do, so you'd think they'd love this, but turned out only DD16 does, the other 2 aren't fans of it.) I know this has actually cost us quite a bit, but I also think it has taught them all a lot about what mom does and hopefully they will appreciate it more when I am back! But considering I have been a SAHM/wife since we married and he's not had to do anything on his own ever, he's doing really good so I can't complain. But boy my record for the month is good.

 

[Virgderon]

MickeyMom, I'm glad you are feeling a little better.

Just sent DD the most important box I have ever sent to Japan- I'll tell you all about it in a couple weeks, but I don't want to say anything else because she knows I post here.

Sending the box put me a tiny bit over for the month but I am okay with it. I had some unexpected expenses this month. I think I am too budgeted to the dime- I'm not ready for unexpected things. Also, it looks like my brakes might be going, which is totally going to mess up next month. :-(

Running Total: Spent $953
$950 budget...$3 over
$0 Days: 8
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings :132

Groceries budget- $250 -11-36-6-11-19-17-5-35= 113 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: 296 (35 groceries, 25 gas, 136 Disney fun, gave DH $100 for hotel room that a friend got for us)
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
January 20: 0
January 21: 13 ( random stuff at Walgreens)
January 22: 55 ( 36 haircut , 19 Publix)
January 23 : 26 ( Publix, 5 for Tylenol, 21 groceries)
January 24: 36 ( Anniversery gift and card, couple random things at Walgreens)
Janaury 25: 0
January 26: 12
January 27: 17 ( Walgreens- totally bad on me. I bought pop , cracker jacks, donuts and bread. Not a healthy thing in the whole pile. )
January 28: 24 ( 5 pop, 19 items to send to DD in Japan)
January 29: 75 ( 40 to send box to Japan, 35 for meat and food at the flea market)

 

[Virgderon]

MickeyMomofThree, I hope you're at least beginning to feel better! Your comment about having DH grocery shop combined with not being able to compare this January to last January made me laugh -- in my house, DH grocery shopping is a real budget buster! Today he went and spent over $70 on 3 bags of groceries! He unpacked them before I got home, so I have no idea what he bought!

Dh is kind of on board with my thrifty habits. He went out today and got 2 pizzas on sale, and made sure he got chips for our movie tonight that are on sale. He does like to buy the little baby carrots that you don't have to peel, but when I get a bag of carrots at the flea market for $1.00 he doesn't argue with me.

 

[bigmama67]

I'm baking a couple of cakes tonight for a fundraiser for our Sunday school which is being held tomorrow - and I am sending DH to the store to get flour, sour cream, walnuts and some hot chocolate for himself and CROSSING MY FINGERS that he doesn't see other stuff he thinks we will "NEED" before Tuesday!

 

[ronnmel]

I made my goal!


No Buy Days : 15/15
Gas : 98$ (max 100$)
Groceries : 201$ (max 250$)
Eating out (and snacks) : 99$ (max 100$)
Non-necessities : 182$ (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)
23/01 : 0$
24/01 : 66$ (books for my class)
25/01 : 0$
26/01 : 0$
27/01 : 10$ (pizza - sharing the cost)
28/01 : 14$ (lunch)
29/01 : 0$

 

[3goofyboys]

Great job Ronmel!

 

[#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.
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.
1/27 - $0
1/28 - Pacers and Racers - $60.73 (after using $50 Christmas cash) for new running shoes..... Wow do I need them. My shins were killing me in the old shoes. Walgreens - $11.89 saved $2 in coupons and got $5 in register rewards. $15 Kroger; $6.99 Kindle book.... slightly obsessed with the Sookie Stackhouse series, and there is a long wait list for the books at the library.
1/29 - $10.31 - Lunch a Chick-Fil-A


No Spend
10/10

 

[A.Mickey]

unning Total: Spent $1087.23 ~514.15 food and groceries the rest could possibly be cut or unexpected like car and good deals on clothes.
$0 Days:10/10

Groceries ($310-$10/day)- $283.07
Eating Out ($248-$8/day)-$223.86
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($620-$20/day) $580.03
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- $5.29 (Dollar Tree-Shopping), $7.88 (Dominick's-Groceries), $19.83 (Five Guys-Eating Out- I did get two waters and a veggie sandwich instead of a burger saving $6)
30- Walgreens, CVS
31- $0?!?!


Budget: $1178....92%
Month: 29/31: 94%
No Buy: 10/10: 100%

My savings from coupons and sales: $1851.63

 

[Debbie]

MickeyMomofThree, I hope you're at least beginning to feel better! Your comment about having DH grocery shop combined with not being able to compare this January to last January made me laugh -- in my house, DH grocery shopping is a real budget buster! Today he went and spent over $70 on 3 bags of groceries! He unpacked them before I got home, so I have no idea what he bought!

Take it easy and keep getting better!

DH is my problem, too.....unless it's me.

I made my goal!

Now, back to see if I can find my post. :)

 

[Debbie]

Catching up for the past couple of days. Hmmm. DH or me....right now, I think it is me.

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
Jan 23: $0 SUCCESS!
Jan 24: $0
Jan 25: prescription $1, groceries $41 Unfortunately DH didn't buy gas (he always does on Tuesday), so that will be on today's or tomorrow's. Won't add today's until I know for sure.....back to reports!
Jan 26: gas $37
Jan 27: Zuma's Revenge on sale for half price $10
Jan 28: lottery ticket $5 Haven't checked to see if I won, so hope is still alive
Jan 29: ordered a new math professional book for me $43 DH did groceries $25 and I bought some meat at the market $44
11/10 no buy days!

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Auto $160/$240
Groceries/Household Goods $340/$250
(only because I need to buy my bulk meats this month)
Eating Out/Entertainment $49/$50
Misc. $170./$100

No spend days goal is 15/10. No Spend goal met.
Coupon savings $326.00
(I like this one, borrowed from a previous poster)

1/01 $9.00 at Target on Soups on sale
1/02 -0- no plans on going out today.
1/03 -0- brought my breakfast and lunch to work.
1/04 $67 $20 for gas, $42. for groceries, and $5 for MegaMillions...It's up to $330million. I'm planning on winning.
1/05 -0-
1/06 -0-
1/07 -0- Today is going to be a spend day. Stocking up on sale items.Didn't go shopping today.But we did go out to dinner with a gift card from Christmas.
1/08 $40 Gas, $70 groceries (Target and ShopRite) this is a lot for me to spend at 1 time, but, we stocked up on a lot of sale items. Plus, bought a few things not on the list. Note to self again. Leave DH at home when shopping. He always costs me extra.
1/09 -0- Had dinner out. Should have been $60 but had a gift card and bought shelves at Home Depot should have been $40 but had another gift card.
1/10 I was really bad today. Have had a migraine since Friday night. So, today I had no energy to pack anything. I slipped off the wagon. I bought both breakfast and lunch out. Total of $7.00. Bad me Tomorrow will be a better day!!
1/11 $5.00 Milk (2 gal.)
1/12 -0- Major Snow day
01/13 -0-
01/14 -0-
01/15 $74.00 $40 gas. $11.00 Walgreens , but got $7 back.Went CVSing did 4 transactions x2 (DH and I, 1 each) Between us we spent less than $20.00 oop but got atleast $200 worth of stuff. And I still have $20 in ECB's Shout out to the CVS tread This is all out of grocery allowance.
01/16-0- Had dinner at DIn-laws.I made my goal of 10 No Spend Days
01/17 $14.00 groceries. Picked up milk and a few things before the BIG ice storm tonight.:
01/18-0- I'm calling this one now. Don't think we will be leaving the house in the ice!
01/19 -0- ACCIDENT DAY!!! STUPID DRIVER (NOT ME)
01/20 $3.00 McD's Doubles. DD had drama rehersal. No time to cook
01 21 -0-
01/22 $69 $40 for gas, $18 grocery (Arizona Ice Tea was on sale for $1.99 stocked up), $11 for CVS (but got $21 ECB back)
01/23 $55.00 $40 went out to breakfast after church and DD had a friend over for the weekend. $15 girls shopped at the flea market.
01/24 $2.00 Soup for lunch. Went home on lunch break to eat and instead I took a nap. zzzzzz
01/25 $150.00 funeral flowers and a rememberance lamp.
01/26 -0-
01/27 -0-Another snow day kind of. Spent the day at a funeral. Home now and later out to attend yet another wake.
Tomorrow will be a big spend day. I'm picking up my bulk meats at the wholesalers. But this meat will last me for a few months.
01/28 $120.00 $90 groceries 40 lbs of ground beef and 20 lbs of boneless breast chicken. $40 gas.
01/29 $65 Costcos stocked up on paper products

 

[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: 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: Dinner out with friends $19.15..I am stuck at 9 days
Jan. 28: $7.45 lunch out with friend, $39.00 pictures printed from DL..maybe I will actually start my DS scrapbook early and not panic in November for his Chistmas gift..
Jan. 29: $0
Jan. 30
Jan. 31

 

[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, $12 book orders for the boys
1/8: $8 Lowes, $28 gas, $12 things for school
1/9: $60 groceries, $26.50 x2 for school lunches
1/10:
1/11:
1/12:
1/13: $3 groceries
1/14:
1/15: soccer shoes for both boys (we've tried 5 stores with luck for only one boy and they were $30 ), $40 Target, $16 Walmart (because Target didn't carry everything I needed), $13 Dick's Sporting Goods (a sock indulgence), $29 Lands' End clearance for next winter for the boys and $34 Staples for things for school (I refuse to function any longer without working staplers and tape dispensers and there's no money in the school's budget. I hate the fact that I got everyone's broken leftovers -- including desks and chairs for the students -- when I transferred to this school.). Finally, $8 dinner out (the rest was a gc) after the headaches of the day.
1/16:
1/17: $12 lunch (owed to my friend still though!), $76 groceries, ? Walmart (as I had to call DH and give him the list to get the things on his way home tonight!)
1/18: $14 Lands' End (great clearance right now -- this is for a $50 rain jacket with a zip in liner for DS5!)
1/19: This is technically a no buy day -- we spent $6 at the craft store and $17 on dinner but it was all gc money. I'm not counting it as a no buy day, though. Edited to add: gas too!
1/20:
1/21: $7 photobook for my MIL
1/22: $3 Christmas Tree Shop (packs of Christmas shrinky-dinks were 14¢!), $150 BJ's (ouch), $11 gas, ? haircuts for the boys (DH has just taken them, do I don't know how much yet).
1/23: $ groceries (can't remember!)
1/24: (not counting the furnace bill until we get it! If the pipe is broken, we'll need another visit and it'll be one big bill.)
1/25: ? take out for dinner -- we felt like we deserved it since the pipe was still frozen!
1/26:
1/27: (waking up to a foot of snow in the driveway helps!)
1/28: (little guilty about this one, too -- I opened the checkbook at after school to discover I was out of checks! Oops!)
1/29: $70 groceries, $90 cut and color, $27 Target (party supplies and gift for a party of DS's), $3 things DH forgot at the store!, $75 birthday gifts


no buy days: 13/10 (I made it on 1/24!)
meals out: 5/5
longest streak: 3!