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

[bigmama67]

OK, here's what we did over the weekend...

Saturday 1/29:
Groceries $4
Gas $32.83 (DH filled up)
Entertainment $5.99
Clothing $8.16
Household 99 cents
Donations $39.83 (ingredients to bake cakes, fundraiser tickets, Girl Scout cookies)

Sunday 1/30:
Groceries $8.08 (so we're OVER budget...argh!)
Gas $41.02 (my van was on EMPTY)...also over budget!
Eating out $11.29 (took DS to McDonald's since he got a GREAT report card!)
Registered DS for Little League - $85.00 (OUCH!)

So we are $6.97 over on groceries for the month (not bad!)...$65.90 over on gas! Plus I hadn't even originally had a Donations budget or a Clothing one. Clearly I need to rework the budget for next month. Well, that's what the first month is for, right...figuring it out?

On the plus side, I got the 5 no-buy days I aimed for and today should be no-buy day #6. At least I'm not planning to do anything.

There were some bills we did not have to pay this month that we usually do, because we paid off a few things with a loan and the payments aren't due yet. I also paid off the credit card and we don't intend to carry a balance on it from now on, so that will help. DH gets paid on Friday and we actually have some $ left in the bank at the moment. My plan is to transfer anything "left over" to Savings when the next check goes in. We can always move it back if something comers up but this way at least we'll have something there and growing (however slowly!)

 

[Tiggerish]

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

Auto $70 / $29 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $50 / $21 over
Giving $10 /$0 left
Groceries/Household Goods $200/ $18 left
Medical $100 /$150 over
Misc. $50/ $75 over
Set bills $420/ $16 left
Semi-Annual Neurology eval in Chicago budget is $300 / $95 left

No spend days goal of 12/15
Coupon savings $53.97
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)
1/30 Set bills $25 (church); Auto $41 (two new interior door handles but my brother got on line and installed them for me - whoopie no more having to put down the window to get out of the car!) Eating out $3 (bagels after church); Misc. $8 (shipping on my free photo book); Groceries $52 (kcups)
1/31 $0

 

[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!!

January 30 $0


January 31 $0 WOO HOOI MADE MY GOAL!! I scraped it out at the last minute!


15/15 No Buy Days

 

[Tiggerish]

MickeyMomOfThree - I think you should count your no spend streak because you have earned by enduring the pain and suffering of a particularly bout of the flu.

bigmama67 - your plan is exactly how I started my ING account 6 years ago and now I have the emergency fund and the savings cushion that Dave Ramsey and the others always say you need.

Virgderon - I also made my no spend goal and then some while ending up in the red overall but it is nice to know I am not the only one this happens to.

 

[lillygator]

I'm ready to attack feb!!

 

[ronnmel]

Thanks Virgderon! Congrats to you and everybody else who made their no-buy days goal. I agree that the most important thing is that we are keeping track of our spending. Sometimes unexpected things happen that can't be helped, but at least we are getting better at controlling the things we can.

I broke my no-buy days goal!

No Buy Days : 16/15
Gas : 98$ (2$ under)
Groceries : 237$ (13$ under)
Eating out (and snacks) : 99$ (1$ under)
Non-necessities : 222$ (22$ over)


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$
30/01 : 76$ (groceries + baby shower gift)
31/01 : 0$

 

[ronnmel]

May:
Gas : 73$
Car repairs : 390$
Groceries : 226$
Eating out (and snacks) : 250$
Non-necessities : 267$
Total spent: 1206$

June:
Gas : 47$ (26$ less)
Groceries : 140$ (86$ less)
Eating out (and snacks) : 115$ (135$ less)
Non-necessities : 204$ (63$ less)
Total : 506$.

July:
No Buy Days : 5/10
Gas : 40$ (7$ less)
Car repairs : 261$
Groceries : 189$ (49$ more)
Eating out (and snacks) : 179$ (64$ more)
Non-necessities : 865$ (661$ more )
Total: 1554$

August:
No Buy Days : 12/10
Gas :38$ (2$ less)
Groceries : 317$ (128$ more)
Eating out (and snacks) : 196$ (17$ more UGH)
Non-necessities : 657$ (208$ less)
Total : 1208$

September:
No Buy Days : 16/10 New goal 15
Gas : 85$ (47$ more, but my new job is further away)
Groceries : 264$ (53$ less )
Eating out (and snacks) : 126$ (70$ less )
Non-necessities : 503$ (154$ less, but still way too much!)
Total : 978$ (230$ less )

October:
No Buy Days : 12/15
Gas : 91$ (6$ more)
Groceries : 193$ (71$ less)
Eating out (and snacks) : 118$ (8$ less)
Non-necessities : 493$ (10$ less)
Total: 895$ (83$ less)

November:
No Buy Days : 11/15
Gas : 98$ (7$ more)
Car : 74$
Groceries : 298$ (105$ more)
Eating out (and snacks) : 164$ (46$ more)
Non-necessities : 204$ (289$ less )
Total: 838$ (57$ less)

December:
No Buy Days : 7/10
Gas : 120$ (22$ more, but gas prices went up and I did lots of shopping)
Groceries : 151$ (147$ less )
Eating out (and snacks) : 185$ (21$ more)
Non-necessities : 404$ (200$ more, but it was the month of splurging on myself and lots of activities. Hopefully January will be much calmer)
Christmas : 285$ (85$ over budget)
Salsa lessons : 280$
Total : 1420$ (Less than my worse month though, and it's December, so I guess not *that* bad )

January:
No Buy Days : 16/15
Gas : 98$ (22$ less)
Groceries : 237$ (86$ more)
Eating out (and snacks) : 99$ (86$ less )
Non-necessities : 222$ (182$ less)
Total: 656$ My second best month!

 

[#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
1/30 - Walgreens - spent $3.04 and saved $15.10 in coupons and got $1 in register rewards! Meijer - $83.58, saved $9.24 in coupons. Taste of Home magazine $8.97 for a 3 year subscription.
1/31 - $0 Home with a stomach bug!


No Spend
11/10

 

[msmama]

Congratulations to us all for making it through the month of Jan, whether we made our goals or not, lol!!

Here's to a warmer and healthier Feb!!

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 +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 - $0
1/28 - 38+7+8 (Old Navy - because of the Budget Board, lol - Target groceries and Target lunch)
1/29 - $0
1/30 - 187 (BIG grocery shop for Feb. Couting it as a Buy day but the $ is coming out of Feb's budget)
1/31 - 200+30+8 (Cash for Feb, b-day present for friend, Wendys)


17/15 No Buys!!



Bring on the next month!

 

[QVCshopper]

Month wrap-up... overall it went well. We didn't spend a lot, and it would have been a great month if we didn't have to fix one car as well as a housing leak). But, I can't complain since there are four of us and three cats. Just FYI, I do track DH's spending.

The snow days help with the no-buys. But, I really need to buy some food!

Total spent: $675 (not including gas or my car/plumbing bills)
Groceries: $325 (really impressive b/c I don't keep a big stockpile. Everything is in my fridge and small pantry)
Eating out: $75 (not bad...)
Target: $83 (my downfall, but I did get lots of toys and we have four b-days coming up)
Clothes: $55 to use up Gymbucks
Everything else: $85

17/15 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
1/22-$0, 2 miles
1/23-Haircut*: $9; Car wash: $2; Edible Arrangements: $21; Target: $44; Trader Joe's: $19; DD*: $3
1/24-$18 Chinese food; $21 Genuardis
1/25-$26 Wegmans*
1/26-$0
1/27-$0
1/28 - $0; 6 miles
1/29-$15 Trader Joes; $19 Five Below; $21.50 Panera Bread*; $2 YMCA
1/30-$8 Target; $26.50 Wegmans*
1/31-$0; 5 miles

 

[lattemomof3]

Woo hoo, I love fresh starts, and a new year is a big one! Hello No Buy friends, and welcome to the new ones. Think I will shoot for another 10 no buy days, both dd4 and dh have January birthdays, and we leave for our trip the 1st week of Feb, so I may need to buy a few things for that. Good luck everyone!

Really great to see lots of new no-buyers- welcome everyone! Dh and I went on a movie and dinner (gift card!) date yesterday, I took our budget notebook, so we had our annual budget meeting on the way to town and listed our goals for 2011.

I use the envelope system (actually mine is an small accordian file folder). Using cash for everything (started last Aug) has been a great help (that and writing down everything I spend). I would really like to get our grocery and household goods spending down, I was lumping them together but I think I'll seperate them so I can see where the leaks are. I do meal plan and we eat out once a week, usually, but I think we could be spending less . I buy a lot of fresh veggies, fruit, lean meats, greek yogurt, cheese and almond milk, but I won't compromise on that- I think I'll try to menu plan from the adds more consistently and stock up when the things we use are on sale.

Jan 1 - Movie w/ dh, popcorn

Jan 2 - clearance t-shirts for trip, shelf for ds8's finished Lego masterpieces

Jan 3 - groceries

Jan 4 - $0

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

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

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

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

Jan 9 - $0

Jan 10 - $0

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

Jan 27 - household, groceries

Jan 28 - movie rental for kids & friend, ice cream for kids & friend

Jan 29 - dh & I ate at Skeeter Barnes w/ dh's best friend & his wife, the meal was $60, I'm just not used to spending $ like that on eating out, it was good, but I was thinking I could make that meal at home for waaay less!

Jan 30 - $0, yay, I'm 1 over goal! Going to TRY not to grab meals out this week, even though it's a nutty week (pt conferences, ds starts wrestling, along w/ the usual schedule of dance, etc) and we leave on FRI! Today we taught Sun School, but are @ home for the rest of the day, cleaning & catching up on laundry & packing a few things.

Jan 31 - $0, hooray, last day of Jan! It is 7 degrees with a windshield factor of 30 below, Orlando is looking better and better!

 

[lattemomof3]

Virgdron, at your weather phenomenon! I am hoping we get our "warm money's worth", I would hope it stays chilly here while we're gone so it will REALLY feel different, but it's been so cold, I feel sorry for any people or animals that are stuck outside, and I want my cat to be warm enough in the garage while we're gone (she has a heated bed, so I should'nt worry TOO much).

 

[A.Mickey]

Not to proud of this month, but at least I am now finally reporting everything I spend money on, maybe I will finally be able to really see where my money goes. Instead of hiding part of it.

Running Total: Spent $2560.94 ~530.61 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)- $9 Next Month $297.62
Eating Out ($248-$8/day)- $7 Next Month $232.99
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($1333-$43/day) $1334.24
Gas for Tracking- 1/5 $20, 1/5 $50, 1/8 $35, 1/13 $17, 1/14 $7, 1/17 $30,1/24 $33, 1/31 $10 = $202
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- $9.14 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $725 (Fry's-Shopping-My hunny has been bugging me to get a new computer forever, his computer has 1 gig of memory and a 250 gig hard drive....it is old and starting to run slow, so I told him how about you build your own...cool thing is the one he is building is better than one that costs $1200 on Dell.com if he were to flat out buy it. So why this is kinda unplanned for I would rather it come now than later)
31- $6.35 (Dominick's-Groceries), $8.20 (Walgreens-Groceries), $29.21 (Fry's-Shopping)


Budget: $1900....98%
Month: 31/31: 100%
No Buy: 10/10: 100%

My savings from coupons and sales: $2242.69

Quite happy with my savings at the grocery/drugstores. I started tracking my spending at with a savings tracker at thecouponproject.com and my savings rate is 77.24%. I bought almost $1000 worth of groceries for $240 after rebates.

 

[A.Mickey]

Anyone start a Feb No Buy yet? I am eager for next month!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Anyone start a Feb No Buy yet? I am eager for next month!

I haven't seen one.

 

[charming23]

Was hoping to make today a $0 day but we needed gas and laundry detergent. Well I made the mistake of taking my mom to the grocery with me and we went over in the food budget. But at least we will not have to grocery shop until later in the week. Then we stopped at Jo Ann's so my mom could get some supplies to finish up a few projects. We also stopped for dinner but used a giftcard from Christmas.

Groceries/household- $300/ -$20.06 left
Pet Supplies- $30/ $0 Left
Car/gas- $50/ $3.22 left
Eating out- $50/ $3.09 left
Entertainment/Misc- $100/ $37.33 left

Total- $530/ -$6.52 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- $0
1/31- $24.30 Gas, $37.30 Marc's, and $17.49 Jo Ann's

19/15 No Buy Days

Store and coupon savings- $55.09

 

[A.Mickey]

Alright I will start one. I am too eager! I can't wait any longer

 

[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
Jan 23: $0 (though I did "buy" a mobile for the new baby's room using Amazon gift cards, yay!)
Jan 24: $0
Jan 25: $0
Jan 26: $13 on diapers (stockpiling now while there are great sales/coupons coming up before baby comes in May)
Jan 27: $29.45; gas for parking in Seattle for a meeting and bought dd an outfit on ebay to wear when I have maternity photos taken (wasn't necessary, but I've been doing well enough that I felt it was okay to have a little splurge!)
Jan 28: $0
Jan 29: $0
Jan 30: $0
Jan 31: $0

 

[A.Mickey]

Feb No Buy!

 

[Beezle2]

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

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

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

1/6 $0
1/7 $0
1/8 $0
1/9 $0
1/10 $0
1/11 $2.50 for gum and diet coke. Stopped at Aldis and spent $32 from the grocery budget so $75 left there.
1/12 $0
1/13 $1.49 for a diet pepsi
1/14 Spent $99 at the grocery store though and am now over the budget I had wanted for that. Saved $39 with coupons and sales. Also $50 for dogfood and $50 to gas up the van.
1/15 $0

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

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

1/18 $0

1/19 spent $2.00 on gum. I just love that new Key Lime Pie gum and Walgreen had it on sale for 50c. Today made the 19th day with no sugar and the gum helps after dinner when I would usually want dessert.

1/20 $2 at Wendys because I had a carb attack on the way home from school last night. Tried their new french fries -meh- didn't eat them all. Need to vow to bring a better snack for the ride home.

1/21 Carp, am I over budget on groceries! Spent another $133 to bring me up to $157 over! What was I thinking at $150 for the month?! I'm really going to try and make it the rest of the month on what is here plus some milk but this is hard! My usual monthly bills for food are around $400 for our family of 4 and I'm having a tough time getting under that. I at least "saved" $65 with coupons and sales. Also spent $54 for gas.

1/22 $0 Should be a no buy day because I'm staying home to do housework and my homework. Yes, it was a no buy day

1/23 $8.50 for dd and I to see Tangled. That was a cute one and we enjoyed it.

1/24 $0

1/25 $0

1/26 $0

1/27 $0

1/28 Continued my over budget streak on groceries. Spent $114 with a coupon sales savings of $75. Total food budget for the month was $337 for food which isn't bad for our family of 4 and $75 for beer . I usually shoot for $400 on the food. We also did not eat out much, so I am happy with our total and will be more realistic with my goals for Febuary. Also spent $55 on gas $15 on pizza and $10 for lunch.

1/29 $0
1/30 $10 in library fines
1/31 $0

no buy days 19
groceries $337 with coupon/sales savings of $177
gas $155

Not bad,