July 2011 No Buy Thread - Let the savings sparks fly!

[charming23]

Well we have a major budget buster around here, the air conditioner is acting up. My Uncle and his friend are coming over Saturday to see what they can do.

Today we ran a few errands. Got a few grocery items we needed and had lunch out again.

July 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $300/$180.33 Left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.82 left
Car/Gas- $70/$45.43 Left
Eating Out- $50/$32.67 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$77.67 Left

Total- $550/$350.92 Left

Goal of 15 No Buy Days

7/1- $84.72 Grocery/Household, $15.18 Cat Supplies, and $24.57 Gas
7/2- $0
7/3- $0
7/4- $18.06 Giant Eagle/Groceries
7/5- $0
7/6- $22.33 Target/Misc and $8.06 lunch at Wendy's
7/7- $16.89 Groceries and $9.27 Lunch
7/8
7/9
7/10
7/11
7/12
7/13
7/14
7/15- Kelley's Island
7/16- Kelley's Island
7/17- Kelley's Island
7/18
7/19
7/20
7/21
7/22
7/23
7/24
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/29
7/30
7/31

3/15 No Buy Days

Coupon/ Store Savings- $20.20

 

[YukiPhnx]

I made a little too much for dinner last night, so I had it for lunch today! Another $0 day baby!!!

I'm already half-way to my no buy goal! Because I did so well so far, I'm increasing my USA shopping limit to $100.

July
Overall budget: 30.07/400
Gas: 0/80
$0 days: 5/10

Misc.
Eating out: 0/5
Clothes: 0/4
The Body Shop: 0/2
Gifts: 0/2
U.S shopping: $100

1-$0 (Off to a good start!)
2-$1.05 (McDonald's iced coffee)
3-$29.02 (groceries)
___
$40-30.07=$9.93

(This will be longer cause of the "uneven-ness" of days)
4-$0
5-$0
6-$0
7-$0 (FOUR DAYS IN A ROW!!!)
___
$40-0=$40

8-
9-
10-
___
$40-

11-
12-
13-
___


14-
15-
16-
___


17-
18-
19-
___


20-
21-
22-
___


23-
24-
25-
___


26-
27-
28-
___


29-
30-
31-
___[/QUOTE][/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

 

[ronnmel]

I'm disappointed, and torn, so I thought I would turn to my no-buy friends for advice. My hairstylist of several years has gone back to school, so I need to find a new one. I LOVED her, she did great things for my hair, and even got me to try a new and very different style about 3 years ago that got me so many compliments. She also did an amazing job on my trial run for the wedding. I've had bad experiences in the past with other hairstylists so I'm really worried about finding a new one. My DH just goes to a little place that is about half the price of mine, but I'm so nervous. What should I do? Stick with the same salon, just a different stylist, or try the much cheaper place? Or try a completely different place?

Good job on so many no-buy days in a row Yuki!

I'm trying to call this day early, hoping for my first no-buy day of the month.

No Buy Days : 0/8
Gas : 41$ (max 140$)
Groceries : 0$ (max 200$)
Eating out (and snacks) : 178$ (max 100$)
Non-necessities : 146$ (max 400$)

01/07 : 5$ (greeting card)
02/07 : 113$ (DH's gift, snack)
03/07 : 16$ (movie)
04/07 : 178$ (dinner + movie)
05/07 : 41$ (gas)
06/07 : 12$
07/07 : 0$

 

[wlake]

YukiPhnx, great job on the no buy streak!
Ronnmel, as someone who drives 45 minutes back to the town I used to live in to get my hair cut, I completely understand! I would probably switch places, just to see what someone who didn't know me would do. It would be easier to leave a new place after one haircut if you didn't like it! Good luck!

Here are my goals:
no buy days: 2/10 (it's always harder when I'm home full time!)
longest no buy streak: 3 (I really want to extend this to 4!)
dinners out: 0/4 (not counting traveling)
current no dinners out streak: 5
longest no dinners out streak: 12

7/1: $35 gas
7/2: Oh my. We were visiting my MIL, so... $9 bagels, $46 Trader Joe's, $17 IKEA, $10 dinner on the road home
7/3: $27 groceries
7/4: $8 ice cream
7/5: $12 Kohl's, $19 Walmart, $130 Princess Half registration
7/6:
7/7:

 

[annsteere]

15 spools of ribbon for 50 cents each. I will need to do some math for the final number. I also went to michaels and got some stuff.

I am going to end up blowing my biz allowance out of the water. My ribbon is about 12% cheaper this week than normal and that stuff really adds up. So I will prob put in an order with them and it is always in the 400-700 range.

Neatokimmo, you know your own business and your cash flow. But, buying business supplies seems different to me than buying a book or shirt that you'd enjoy but don't need. Buying supplies at a good price and then turning them into a profit is an investment in your future. That is a very good spend.

 

[neatokimmo]

Neatokimmo, you know your own business and your cash flow. But, buying business supplies seems different to me than buying a book or shirt that you'd enjoy but don't need. Buying supplies at a good price and then turning them into a profit is an investment in your future. That is a very good spend.

Good point! I have $1600 in "found" money from the rental of my house before it closed. I've decided to go ahead and invest all of it in the biz since it doesn't affect my regular bills.

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I'm disappointed, and torn, so I thought I would turn to my no-buy friends for advice. My hairstylist of several years has gone back to school, so I need to find a new one. I LOVED her, she did great things for my hair, and even got me to try a new and very different style about 3 years ago that got me so many compliments. She also did an amazing job on my trial run for the wedding. I've had bad experiences in the past with other hairstylists so I'm really worried about finding a new one. My DH just goes to a little place that is about half the price of mine, but I'm so nervous. What should I do? Stick with the same salon, just a different stylist, or try the much cheaper place? Or try a completely different place?

Have you considered asking your stylist if she will still do your hair on the side. With going back to school she may need the extra money. Plus, she may do it cheaper then at the salon.Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[charming23]

Today is a no buy which is good since we will need some extra cash for air conditioner repair. We did have pizza out for dinner but used a gift card.

July 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $300/$180.33 Left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.82 left
Car/Gas- $70/$45.43 Left
Eating Out- $50/$32.67 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$77.67 Left

Total- $550/$350.92 Left

Goal of 15 No Buy Days

7/1- $84.72 Grocery/Household, $15.18 Cat Supplies, and $24.57 Gas
7/2- $0
7/3- $0
7/4- $18.06 Giant Eagle/Groceries
7/5- $0
7/6- $22.33 Target/Misc and $8.06 lunch at Wendy's
7/7- $16.89 Groceries and $9.27 Lunch
7/8- $0
7/9
7/10
7/11
7/12
7/13
7/14
7/15- Kelley's Island
7/16- Kelley's Island
7/17- Kelley's Island
7/18
7/19
7/20
7/21
7/22
7/23
7/24
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/29
7/30
7/31

4/15 No Buy Days

Coupon/ Store Savings- $20.20

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

My goal is $400 for food and miscellaneous and $75 for gas.

General

1 - $67.01
2 - $0!
3 - $0!
4 - $17.35
5 - $0!
6 - $5.23
7 - $99.32
8 - $0!

$400-$188.91=$211.09
$0 Buy Days: 4

Gas

$75-$0=$75

I am way ahead of pace again for this month. At least I'm doing GREAT so far with the gas budget!

 

[wlake]

Here are my goals:
no buy days: 2/10 (it's always harder when I'm home full time!)
longest no buy streak: 3 (I really want to extend this to 4!)
dinners out: 0/4 (not counting traveling)
current no dinners out streak: 6
longest no dinners out streak: 12

7/1: $35 gas
7/2: Oh my. We were visiting my MIL, so... $9 bagels, $46 Trader Joe's, $17 IKEA, $10 dinner on the road home
7/3: $27 groceries
7/4: $8 ice cream
7/5: $12 Kohl's, $19 Walmart, $130 Princess Half registration
7/6:
7/7:
7/8: errand day, so too much to remember numbers for at the moment: haircuts for the boys, lunch out, new sunglasses, fabric, gas, Target

 

[ronnmel]

Ronnmel, as someone who drives 45 minutes back to the town I used to live in to get my hair cut, I completely understand! I would probably switch places, just to see what someone who didn't know me would do. It would be easier to leave a new place after one haircut if you didn't like it! Good luck!

That's a good idea. For today I went back to the same place and just tried on a new girl. She was okay, nothing spectacular, nothing bad. I'll see in three months where else I could go.

Have you considered asking your stylist if she will still do your hair on the side. With going back to school she may need the extra money. Plus, she may do it cheaper then at the salon.Just a thought. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice, but I really have no way of reaching her. Plus, I know she moved way out of town, so it wouldn't be convenient for either of us.


No Buy Days : 0/8
Gas : 41$ (max 140$)
Groceries : 0$ (max 200$)
Eating out (and snacks) : 178$ (max 100$)
Non-necessities : 189$ (max 400$)

01/07 : 5$ (greeting card)
02/07 : 113$ (DH's gift, snack)
03/07 : 16$ (movie)
04/07 : 178$ (dinner + movie)
05/07 : 41$ (gas)
06/07 : 12$
07/07 : 0$
08/07 : 43$ (haircut)

 

[WAMUMOF4]

I'm disappointed, and torn, so I thought I would turn to my no-buy friends for advice. My hairstylist of several years has gone back to school, so I need to find a new one. I LOVED her, she did great things for my hair, and even got me to try a new and very different style about 3 years ago that got me so many compliments. She also did an amazing job on my trial run for the wedding. I've had bad experiences in the past with other hairstylists so I'm really worried about finding a new one. My DH just goes to a little place that is about half the price of mine, but I'm so nervous. What should I do? Stick with the same salon, just a different stylist, or try the much cheaper place? Or try a completely different place?

It's horrible when this happens i would try the cheaper place at least once if you have to go to an new hairdresser good luck i hope you find one you like.



21 sleeps till we hit the USA this month needs to be a big saving one

Goals VS actual spent
US Dollars $4000$1100
grocery's $500($157.58)
fuel $600($345)
Travel insurance $500
miscellaneous $100
8 no spend days
5 Under $20 days
July 1 $25 fuel $30supermarket
July 2 $260 fuel $127.58 supermarket
July 3 $0
July 4 i spent $201.07 at the Disney store on things for our trip i might have to make another category for this as i will be doing a fair bit of online shopping this month for stuff to be delivered to us during our trip
July 5
July 6
July 7 $1068 changed into $US
July 8 $101 heating gas
July 9 $50 fuel $12.85 supermarket

i will need to come back and edit this when i grab my receipts

 

[Debbie]

Made two stops this evening - Big Lots and the grocery store. I like to try to buy as many snacks as possible at Big Lots because their prices are good.

Spent $15 @ Big Lots, which included snacks, a "baby" card for a friend who just delivered today, and a new school year planner.

Grocery store - $75.

Not too bad - I wanted to stay under $100, so with both stores I am still under that!

Also cooked dinner @ home tonight - 2 days in a row! LOL

And we're still enjoying our free library movie rentals, so entertainment costs have been low.

I did not end up taking the kids to the movies today, because it is a film we already own (Wimpy Kid). Maybe we'll try the free movies next week!

You are doing fabulously well! Keep up the good work!

Thanks! I need all of the encouragement I can get! On race day, we're got a cheering squad of about 17 (the whole extended family is coming!), and I'm already grateful that they're going to be there. Now to get them spread out over the whole course....

I started training in March using Jeff Galloway's conditioning program. I was doing really well until about a month ago. I've got to get back into it! My sister and cousin are already runners and do about a 9 minute mile, but I've been training at about a 13 1/2. That pace just works for me.

Being picked up is my worst fear!

Never fear the being picked up. You do YOUR best on the race day, and that's all anyone can do! Having the extended family there.

I made a little too much for dinner last night, so I had it for lunch today! Another $0 day baby!!!

I'm already half-way to my no buy goal! Because I did so well so far, I'm increasing my USA shopping limit to $100.

You're doing fine, m'dear! Keep it up!

I'm disappointed, and torn, so I thought I would turn to my no-buy friends for advice. My hairstylist of several years has gone back to school, so I need to find a new one. I LOVED her, she did great things for my hair, and even got me to try a new and very different style about 3 years ago that got me so many compliments. She also did an amazing job on my trial run for the wedding. I've had bad experiences in the past with other hairstylists so I'm really worried about finding a new one. My DH just goes to a little place that is about half the price of mine, but I'm so nervous. What should I do? Stick with the same salon, just a different stylist, or try the much cheaper place? Or try a completely different place?

No advice, here, Mel.....I rarely get my hair cut, so I take what I can get. I did lose my favourite (read 5 minute walk to get there) hairdresser two years ago, so I've just played around trying to find someone who will do it for a reasonable amount. I've been trying to get my teens to try out the truck stop hairdresser down the road. I do understand, though, since two of my sisters have the same feelings as you. Good luck, though, whatever you decide!

Neatokimmo, you know your own business and your cash flow. But, buying business supplies seems different to me than buying a book or shirt that you'd enjoy but don't need. Buying supplies at a good price and then turning them into a profit is an investment in your future. That is a very good spend.

Agreed!

Today is a no buy which is good since we will need some extra cash for air conditioner repair. We did have pizza out for dinner but used a gift card.

You and your mom seem to have a good plan for spending!

 

[Debbie]

Well, I was right....expensive this is going to be. I added a new category today-University costs: things like fan, new bedding, new clothes (DD has been in school uniforms forms for years!) etc, and I UPPED the Misc to include Christmas gifts (ooooh, those sales!) NOW, I just need to remember to STOP buying for those that are done (clothing-wise, anyway!)

Unfortunately, this is going to be an expensive month for me.

1. DD will be home (I think) from Egypt for the last week or two.
2. I'm off for the summer, and my sanity is sending DH (SAHD) out to shop
3. Need to get the garage door replaced.
4. House needs repairs: painting, carpet, blinds etc.
5. Changing classrooms means updating some things.
6. I'm going 'over the river' to a Daily Café workshop with "The Sisters"

Oh, well, here's the budget as it stands.

Budget: Actual (last month expenses)
Gas: $600 $115 ($535) Allowing for some vacation driving
Groceries/Household: $600 $86 ($512)
Drug co-pays/medicine/lens: $40 $0 ($75)
Misc including gifts: $500 $229 ( $816 ) Not counting the garage door, or the hotel/expenses for the Daily Café workshop that I'm going to
Pool expenses: $200 $0 ($0)
Dining: $200 $74($81) Upped this for our 'vacation' mode
University incidentals expenses: $250 $120 (N/A)

July 1: $0 (Thank Heaven's for HOLIDAYS!)
July 2: gas $33, groceries $38, market (more groceries!) $15
July 3: gifts $43, household wasp spray/foam stuff $25 (really want to get rid of those suckers!)
July 4: gas $10
July 5: gas $40, groceries $33
July 6: Worked in the classroom with DD and DNephew all morning, so I bought them Subway $14, and paid DN $10, Anniversary dinner out $60
July 7: Gas $32
July 8: University stuff $120, vet $63, Christmas Shopping (great sale + $25 'gift' cards to reduce the amount to...) $74

No Buy Days: 1/10

 

[wlake]

Here are my goals:
no buy days: 2/10 (it's always harder when I'm home full time!)
longest no buy streak: 3 (I really want to extend this to 4!)
dinners out: 0/4 (not counting traveling)
current no dinners out streak: 7
longest no dinners out streak: 12

7/1: $35 gas
7/2: Oh my. We were visiting my MIL, so... $9 bagels, $46 Trader Joe's, $17 IKEA, $10 dinner on the road home
7/3: $27 groceries
7/4: $8 ice cream
7/5: $12 Kohl's, $19 Walmart, $130 Princess Half registration
7/6:
7/7:
7/8: errand day, so too much to remember numbers for at the moment: haircuts for the boys, lunch out, new sunglasses, fabric, gas, Target
7/9: $25 Lowe's, $8 blueberry picking, $200 deposit for our Feb. WDW trip!

 

[charming23]

Another no by day here. I am getting all the laundry done for next weekend. We have to take our own sheets and towels so we have sets we only use for the island so I had to find them and wash them.

July 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $300/$180.33 Left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.82 left
Car/Gas- $70/$45.43 Left
Eating Out- $50/$32.67 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$77.67 Left

Total- $550/$350.92 Left

Goal of 15 No Buy Days

7/1- $84.72 Grocery/Household, $15.18 Cat Supplies, and $24.57 Gas
7/2- $0
7/3- $0
7/4- $18.06 Giant Eagle/Groceries
7/5- $0
7/6- $22.33 Target/Misc and $8.06 lunch at Wendy's
7/7- $16.89 Groceries and $9.27 Lunch
7/8- $0
7/9- $0
7/10
7/11
7/12
7/13
7/14
7/15- Kelley's Island
7/16- Kelley's Island
7/17- Kelley's Island
7/18
7/19
7/20
7/21
7/22
7/23
7/24
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/29
7/30
7/31

5/15 No Buy Days

Coupon/ Store Savings- $20.20

 

[neatokimmo]

Ok I am playing catch up!

On 7-7 we went to Walmart for just general house stuff, $7.16 and then $9.30 for snack food for date night. I also ordered embellishments for my biz for $76.43.

On 7-8 I bought some ribbon for $373.01 and drinks for $13.13 for date night.

Today I spent $6.01 on breakfast out because we were yard sale-ing. I also got $7 of stuff from the farmers market (including 30 pounds of zucchini for $3!) and $12 at 3 other ys houses. Out of that $12, I got 10 kid's things to resell.

Whew! I stink at no buy!

Balances: Grocery (111.43/150) Eating out (47.42/75) Biz (485.32/200)

7-9 6.01 (McDs), $7 groceries, $12 yard sales
7-8 373.01 (biz), $13.13 (drinks)
7-7 $16.46 & 76.43 (biz)
7-6 zero
7-5 Chinese 14.45, $14.11 target, $5.48 target (biz), $27.13 michaels (biz)
7-4 $32.80
7-3 $21.26
7-2 $66.71
7-1 $16.27

 

[ronnmel]

Thanks WAMUMOF4 and Debbie.

I went shopping today. There were so many things I wanted, but I managed to stop myself from even looking at thigns I knew I didn't need (like tops). I did slip and tried on a dress that was NOT on sale (and when I've already bought many dresses this year), but luckily for me it did not wow me as much once I put it on.

To make things even better, I had gift cards and I managed to spend EXACTLY what was on them, not a cent less, not a cent more!

No Buy Days : 2/8
Gas : 41$ (max 140$)
Groceries : 0$ (max 200$)
Eating out (and snacks) : 178$ (max 100$)
Non-necessities : 189$ (max 400$)

01/07 : 5$ (greeting card)
02/07 : 113$ (DH's gift, snack)
03/07 : 16$ (movie)
04/07 : 178$ (dinner + movie)
05/07 : 41$ (gas)
06/07 : 12$
07/07 : 0$
08/07 : 43$ (haircut)
09/07 : 0$

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

My goal is $400 for food and miscellaneous and $75 for gas.

General

1 - $67.01
2 - $0!
3 - $0!
4 - $17.35
5 - $0!
6 - $5.23
7 - $99.32
8 - $0!
9 - $0!

$400-$188.91=$211.09
$0 Buy Days: 5

Gas

$75-$0=$75

I am way ahead of pace again for this month. At least I'm doing GREAT so far with the gas budget!


ronnmel - Amazing you spent the exact amount of the gift cards! Great job!

wlake - Being picked up is the biggest fear, because it equates to failure to finish and a smashed dream. However, if you're already training, you should have no problem! It's like Dory on land....just keep moving, just keep moving....

I have to tell you that when I signed up for the Princess, it was my first half marathon and I actually kept it a secret from most people! My fear of not finishing was so much that I didn't want to tell people ahead of time in case I couldn't finish! I didn't want to deal with both the disappointment of failure AND the embarrassment of everybody knowing!

There are some Princess threads on the WISH boards here on the DIS that you might want to check out if you haven't already.

 

[kinntj]

I'm starting today. My main focus is to keep groceries below $150.00/wk.

8/10-$0