March No Buy..Rolling Into Spring!

[QVCshopper]

Wow! My DH sure spent the cash yesterday! I just went through all of the receipts. That's what happens when I stop buying stuff for a while.

8/15 no-buy days

3/1-$45 Wegmans, $6.50 Acme, $24.50 CVS prescrip, $17.50 Kid's Trips/Girl Scout Cookies
3/2-$0
3/3-$0
3/4-$0
3/5-$14 Sears, $23 Costco, $26 Hallmark, $25 VS (but got a $10 coupon), $5 Build A Bear
3/6-$18 Wegmans, $20 birthday gift
3/7-$0
3/8-$0
3/9-$0
3/10-$3 Dunkin Donuts, $55 Wegmans
3/11-$3 Dunkin Donut, $31.50 Train tix, food for flower show
3/12-$0
3/13-$18.50 Chinese food; $55 Various Food Stores; $13 Michaels; $5 Five Below; $23 Target; $3 Costco; $10 Haircut
3/14-$0

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

So sorry about your kitty, Debbie! I have three myself and love them all. Our kitten has extra toes (he's a polydactyl). Anyway, very sorry; we lost a kitten once and it's very sad.

Also, Virgderon, glad your DD and her fiance are ok. I heard the entire island of Japan shifted 8 feet and moved the earth's axis 4 feet. That's crazy to think about! Good luck getting your house ready to sell.

One of our kitties is like that. He had 27 toes when we got him. His front paws are HUGE and look like oven mits. But he had 2 removed, one off each the back paws cause unlike the ones on the front, they had no bone and no nails and bothered him. He'd chew at them so last month when we got them fixed they removed the bacl 2. But he still has 25.

 

[QVCshopper]

One of our kitties is like that. He had 27 toes when we got him. His front paws are HUGE and look like oven mits. But he had 2 removed, one off each the back paws cause unlike the ones on the front, they had no bone and no nails and bothered him. He'd chew at them so last month when we got them fixed they removed the bacl 2. But he still has 25.

Awww, poor little guy! My kitty's are perfectly formed; he has two extra toes on his front paws and they look like he's wearing mittens. I've always wanted a polydactyl, since they come from Hemingway's home in FL. I think it's a gentic mutation.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Awww, poor little guy! My kitty's are perfectly formed; he has two extra toes on his front paws and they look like he's wearing mittens. I've always wanted a polydactyl, since they come from Hemingway's home in FL. I think it's a gentic mutation.

Aww, he's fine, they were nubs really, the 2 that were removed, and didn't even need stitches. The front ones are different, like your cat he loks like he is wearing mittens. They are actually so darn cute. He is otherwise perfect and we think they make him special. Trimming his nails takes a little longer, but he's good about it so not too bad. He is beautiful as is his siter. Never thought I'd love them so much. I was not aware of them before we got him. I did research cause I didn't want to get him and have him be sick right away or soemthing, but they say and the vets did too that he is perfectly fine.

 

[QVCshopper]

My brother-in-law's kitty had the nubs, so I know what you mean, MickeyMomofThree. They were just hanging there, no bone, so they had them removed. Glad he's doing well and you love your kitties! Mine are 13, 8, and kitten, so I'm hoping the older one has some years left. He's a persian.

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $1402.56
$0 Days:4/14 Got 13 no buys last month, trying to up it to one more.

Groceries ($279-$9/day)- $127.47
Eating Out ($217-$7/day)- $166.88
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) ($806-$26/day) Great America season pass installment $1018.52
Gas $250- (3/1-$23.69), (3/6-$28.55), (3/8-$37.45 $3.64/gal)= $89.69

WEEK 1 BEGIN:
1- $15.76 (Dominick's-Groceries), $31.02 (Target-Pictures), $23.69 (Gas)
2- $0
3- $9.26 (Walgreens-Groceries), $2.85 (Meijer- Groceries), $3.97 (Dominick's-Groceries), $26.58 (Jewel-Prescription), $12.46 (McDonald's-Eating Out)
4- $0
5- $11 (Zoo Admission), $16 (Eating Out), $37 (Chinese- Eating Out-we bought food for 5 people), $3.91 (Home Depot- Misc.)
6- $196 (Spring Awakening Tickets-Misc. Weren't expecting this, but we are sitting 2nd row center and it is our 7 year anniversary of knowing each other and it is the last performance of the show in Chicago...I forgot that my husband wanted to see this, he wanted to go to two shows and sit in the cheap seats, but for the price of sitting in the 2nd to last row for two nights it is the same as sitting in the front row for one performance, so we opted for sitting close, since our broadway series shows are for the cheap seats), $149.41 (Cedar Point Hotel-Misc.), $31.75 (Driver's License Renewal),
$126.11 (Sears Essentials-Misc. husband wanted a Logitech harmony remote forever! and it was more than half off in liquidation sale), $20.63 (Culver's-Eating Out), $2 (Dollar Tree-Papers), $6.96 (Dominick's-Groceries), $12.50 (Meijer-Groceries), $82.73 (Printer Ink), $27.51 (Amazon.com-Veggie Cages and hiking book)
7- $5.18 (Trader Joe's-Groceries), $24.33 (Joe Caputo-Groceries)
8- $.59 (Dominick's-Groceries), $5.04 (Meijer-Groceries), $6.59 (Chipotle-Eating Out)
9- $0
10-$0
11- $107.50 (Signed up Hubby and I for 5K in October), $3.39 (Dominick's-Groceries), $2.86 (Meijer-Groceries), $1.73 (Walgreens-Groceries), $3.23 (Aldi's-Groceries)
12- $14 (Train-Misc.), $65 (The Berghoff-Eating Out), $4 (Dollar Tree-Misc.)
13- $13.42 (Walgreens-Groceries)
14- $205 (Airplane Tickets for October-Southwest), $9.20 (McDonald's-Eating Out), $15.94 (Joe Caputo-Groceries)


Budget: $1552....90%
Month: 14/31: 45%
No Buy: 4/14: 29%

My savings from coupons and sales: $684.43

Next Month: Get car fixed...

 

[SunnieRN]

Someone slap me now p;ease!!! I went on a shopping extravagaza today! I need to get my head back in the game.

March 11-25:

Goals:

Groc: $200 / -$93
Medical: $260
Cash: $100 / -$31.25

March 11: $0
March 12: $0
March 13: $31.25 on PB2 and chocolate PB2. Not a grocery necessity, but a want, so put it under cash?
March 14: $240, Target, YEP, you read that right. $33 on 6 mos of zyrtec' Mobigo and 1 extra game for EACH of my grandsons, so $140 there. New cookie sheets, as my son in law refuses to NOT put the non stick ones in the dishwasher and they now stick BAD, $25, nice cephalon, big ones. Also some misc. stuff I needed, plastic containers etc. The whole time going through the store, I kept saying, 'I am going to have to confess this on Dis boards". My daughter laughed and told me to get over it. I can't believe I spent that much $$$.n: Tomorrow, I'm stayin' home!!!

No Buy Goal: 8 / 2 accomplished

 

[QVCshopper]

It's OK, SunnieRN. I've found that the longer I do the no-buy, the more likely I am to run out of stuff (or perhaps even just need/want stuff). So, I've taken a few months off here and there... like the time I ran completely out of batteries and toilet paper. It's hard to maintain not buying much... Anyway, I think you're doing great!!

 

[Orangewolf]

March 1st: (Gas)$61.90 - (Groceries) $60.13 - (Household - vitamins, shampoo etc) $28.59

March 2nd - $0

March 3rd - Tickets To WDW $1243 RT for 5 people from MSP.
(Groceries) $38.02

March 4th - (Pharmacy) $9.17 - (Groceries)$4.14

March 5th - (Groceries) $119.29
(Household) $13.05

March 6th - $0

March 7th - Post Office - $8.80 - book of stamps

March 8th - $0 -

March 9th - (Groceries) $7.63

March 10th - (Household) - $31.49 -
(Cub Scout Donation) $19.23 -

March 11th - (Pets) $32.44 (Groceries) - $23.06 (Household) $3.99

March 12th - $0

March 13th - (Groceries) $81.04 - (Kohls) $41.99 -

March 14th - (blow) $8.83 - sent the boy to the grocery store for a pizza and pop - counted this under my "blow" budget of $50 a month. Daddy is gone and his sister was eating at a friends so he and I decided it was gonna be a Pizza night! Plus I had gotten a $28 Settlement check in the mail from a credit card settlement I had participated in....

$333.31/$400 Groc.
$61.90/$150 Gas
$83.52/$100 Household

 

[charming23]

Debbie, I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. It is always so hard to lose a furry baby. My thoughts are with you.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Charming, I just caught up on your blog, 2 paarts. Congrats on the weight loss, that is fantastic. I ahve been trying for about 2 years. I was happy with my weight after my youngest was born, but I went though these crazy stots to deal with my endometrosis when she was about 18 months, it was not good. I gained a lot of weight and it didn't work, still needed the surgery. I have struggled since to get it off but in the last 2 years have really tried and no luck. Just yesterday my doctor ran a bunch of blood and I asked him to see if anything was up there so he ordered some things. I suspect there isn't but I kind of wish there would be, it would explain why I haven't been successful.

We too have switched to all or nearly all whole wheats, pastas etc. If nothing else it is healthier. We gave up soda for diet and then gave that up as well. And orange juice, we were addicted to it and don't drink it anymore. Thankfully we are all big veggie and fruit eaters, so no issue there.

Anyway, that is so great and I just wanted to say congrats!!!

Oh, and about your friend. You said something that I connected with. When I got engaged to my DH I was 16. Everyone told me it was a mistake, but I had this one teacher who bugged me about it a lot. She said if I told her one good reason why I thought we were meant to be togeter she'd leave me alone. I told her that he was the first person I'd want to run to to share my good news with and the first person I wanted to run to with bad news cause he knew how to comfort me. After that she left me alone about it. 20 years later I still feel that way, so I get what you are saying about your best friend for sure.

OK, back to money talk. Should be a no spend here. Doing laundry and working on DH's b-day book during the day, then evening activites run before going to the gym this evening.

 

[Debbie]

Virgderon, I'm glad you DD is okay. Keep us up to date, okay??

Debbie, sorry about your cat. We just adopted 2 kittens in November against my better judgement and I am already so attached to them. I just love them. I am sorry for you.

Thanks. My daughter brought her cat last month when she and her boyfriend split up. Of course, she's back in Egypt with a new cat. Luckily, this one is fairly friendly. No replacement, but a diversion, to be sure.

So sorry about your kitty, Debbie! I have three myself and love them all. Our kitten has extra toes (he's a polydactyl). Anyway, very sorry; we lost a kitten once and it's very sad.

Thank you! One of the cats that DD left with the exBF was hard to leave. He was like the one I just lost-big and cuddly. AND he had the extra toes on the front paws. When he cuddled, that extra toe rested against his mouth....he was sucking his thumb!

Debbie, I'm so sorry about your kitty! Mine is 17 I've had her since before I even met my husband) and I can't imagine being without her.

Yes, our other cat is 18 years old! We've been preparing for her demise, so it shocked us that it was the younger of the two. (DD's cat is younger still....5, maybe?)

Wow! My DH sure spent the cash yesterday! I just went through all of the receipts. That's what happens when I stop buying stuff for a while.

Yes, it seems that when it rains, it pours. And DH's are good to blame for all of the buying!

Someone slap me now p;ease!!! I went on a shopping extravagaza today! I need to get my head back in the game.

This happens to me every March break! I don't know why. Maybe it's being outside after winter makes the SHOP button active.

Debbie, I am so sorry to hear about your kitty. It is always so hard to lose a furry baby. My thoughts are with you.

Thank you so much. DH is a 'animal, not pet' sort of guy, so I've had to console all of the kids, too. It was hardest telling my 19yo, who had claimed him when her sister went to university. She 'tormented' that cat, who loved her dearly. She tried to be brave, but it hard being thousands of miles away when you need your Mommy's hug.

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts. They are appreciated! Now...off to update the budget.

 

[Debbie]

Went grocery shopping for my mom today. She's not eating and drinking properly, and when you ask her what she wants, she just wrinkles her nose. Soooo, I decided to go out and buy some individual meals, buttermilk, bananas etc. Although she offered to pay, I chose not to let her, so, the bill today is a bit high....especially after that Costco run yesterday. On the positive side, DH and I were going out for brunch, but ended up going home and having a chicken sandwich instead-Mom sent home the chicken we bought a couple of days ago lol.
Here's my plan:
1. I will only track PoS transactions-cash, cc, or debit-usually, groceries and gas, although this month there will be a couple of birthday gifts, and my running shoes need to be replaced [there goes $200]
2. Bills paid regularly, including all charity, not included, nor all items that are budgeted for (eg. DD's music trips....money is already set aside-I'll note them, but they don't count)
3. Whatever 'fun' money DH spends i.e. junk food, on himself....not counting
4. I anticipate some eating out this month-birthday and March Break
5. Gas....there is no telling!
6. I would like to aim for 10 No Buy days. Something to shoot for.

Great start.
Mar. 1: DH took the car in for a needed oil change. Found other issues (I knew there was something) Maintenance $434, gas $40
Mar. 2: $0
Mar. 3: $0
Mar. 4: $0
Mar. 5: Mom paid for the hospital parking and supper, but went to Costco: $90 for DD's gifts (birthday), $20 for odds and ends
Mar. 6: groceries $98, gas $47 Music trips that are b$5udgeted for: $125
Mar. 7: medical co-pay , groceries $16
Mar. 8: $0
Mar. 9: Happy Birthday to my baby, who asked for pizzeria pizza (a rare treat) $25 and ice cream cake $24. (and for me-Buster bars while I was at DQ $10), fundraiser World's Finest Chocolate almonds for DNiece $20, gas $44
Mar 10: $0
Mar 11: vet charges for tests/visit $250 definitely not planned for, and only the beginning. My poor fur baby!
Mar 12: Medicine for $28, plumbing repair $80, groceries $55
Mar 13: $0
Mar 14: Costco-gifts plus a steam mop $241 (but gifts for DH are DONE for birthday AND Father's Day), tea from Timmy's $2, vet $147
Mar 15: Groceries $89 Mostly for Mom. So excited to actually find Hot Cross Buns! Last year, I didn't have one serving.


NO BUY DAYS: 6/10

 

[charming23]

Charming, I just caught up on your blog, 2 paarts. Congrats on the weight loss, that is fantastic. I ahve been trying for about 2 years. I was happy with my weight after my youngest was born, but I went though these crazy stots to deal with my endometrosis when she was about 18 months, it was not good. I gained a lot of weight and it didn't work, still needed the surgery. I have struggled since to get it off but in the last 2 years have really tried and no luck. Just yesterday my doctor ran a bunch of blood and I asked him to see if anything was up there so he ordered some things. I suspect there isn't but I kind of wish there would be, it would explain why I haven't been successful.

We too have switched to all or nearly all whole wheats, pastas etc. If nothing else it is healthier. We gave up soda for diet and then gave that up as well. And orange juice, we were addicted to it and don't drink it anymore. Thankfully we are all big veggie and fruit eaters, so no issue there.

Anyway, that is so great and I just wanted to say congrats!!!

Oh, and about your friend. You said something that I connected with. When I got engaged to my DH I was 16. Everyone told me it was a mistake, but I had this one teacher who bugged me about it a lot. She said if I told her one good reason why I thought we were meant to be togeter she'd leave me alone. I told her that he was the first person I'd want to run to to share my good news with and the first person I wanted to run to with bad news cause he knew how to comfort me. After that she left me alone about it. 20 years later I still feel that way, so I get what you are saying about your best friend for sure.

OK, back to money talk. Should be a no spend here. Doing laundry and working on DH's b-day book during the day, then evening activites run before going to the gym this evening.

Thanks. I completely understand where you are coming from too. I have a feeling that she and I will be the two old ladies getting in trouble at the nursing home together.

I hope you can fins a reason for your weight loss problem.


My mom had her cataract surgery and everything went well. It took a while because the doctor was running behind so we are both exhausted after getting up at 5am to be ther by 6:30.

I did not spend anything. I took my own bottled water and snacks.


March 2011 Budget
Grocery/Household- $300/$79.50 Left
Car/Gas- $50/$21.25 Left
Eating out -$50/$31.30 Left
Entertainment/Misc- $100/ $47.44 left

Total- $500/$179.49 Left

Goal of 15 No Buy Days

Week One
3/1- $75.27 Giant Eagle and $6.19 Drugmart
3/2- $18.70 Loco Laprachaun
3/3- $0
3/4- $0
3/5- $0
3/6- $10.25 Pat Catan's
3/7- $0

Week Two
3/8- $0
3/9- $95.02 Grocery, $22.89 Misc, and $28.75 Gas
3/10- $20.59 Groceries/household
3/11- $0
3/12- $0
3/13- $23.43 grocery
3/14- $19.42 Walgreen's Misc

Week Three
3/15- $0
3/16
3/17
3/18
3/19
3/20
3/21

8/15 No Buy Days

Coupon/Store Savings- $92.77

 

[Debbie]

Glad your Mom's surgery went well, charming23. You'll both sleep well tonight! Smart thinking taking your own snacks/water. We always do this, too!

 

[Tiggerish]

The March budget is $700 with 12 no spend days.

Auto $50 /$12 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $100 / $78 left
Giving $10 / $9 left
Groceries/Household Goods $250 / $142 left
Medical $25
Misc. $75 /$19 left
Set bills $205 / $120 left

No spend days 12 /8
Coupon savings $15.55
Christmas 2011 $8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/1 $0
3/2 $0
3/3 $0
3/4 Misc. $27
3/5 Groceries $22
3/6 Set bills $30 (church); Eating out $4
3/7 Eating out $18
3/8 $0
3/9 $0
3/10 $27 Misc. (copying, faxing and printer ink)
3/11 $0
3/12 Groceries $76 (k-cups and the cheese store); Set bills $25 (credit card); Misc. $2 (Easter cards from the dollar store); Eating out $20 (took niece to lunch); Auto $38 (gas - which is now $3.65 a gallon)
3/13 Set bills $30 (church); Groceries $5; Giving $1 (person begging in the grocery store parking lot)
3/14 $0
3/15 $0

 

[Tiggerish]

Debbie, I am sorry about your fur baby. It is funny how pets become ingrained into our families and we never think about the fact their lives are shorter than people.

Virgderon, glad to hear that your daughter is okay. It still seems like a very scary place to be right now and so sad for all the loss and destruction.

charming23, WOW! on the weight loss. I am on steroids again and their least annoying side effect is the weight gain. Glad your Mom's surgery went well, I had both eyes done last month and have decided that the eye drop stuff afterwords is a nuisance. Necessary but a nuisance none the less.

 

[wlake]

3/1:
3/2: $26 groceries
3/3:
3/4: $35 after school care, $540 brakes (ouch!), $12 dinner, $16 skate night
3/5: $13 Christmas Tree Shop (candy for basket raffle, cupcake liners, and replacement garden clogs), $23 Yankee Candle (candle!), $24 Michael's (gifts for parties the boys are invited to), $51 gas and $16 Walmart (groceries and a dry cleaning kit I have a rebate for)
3/6: $35 dinner out to celebrate DS8 scoring two goals in his indoor soccer game today (he's not terribly athletic, so this is huge!) and the end of indoor soccer season (DS5 played too, but he's very athletic and usually outscored the other team) as well as $49 on groceries. A little more bragging here: I saved $30 on that grocery bill between sales and coupons AND walked out with coupons for a free box of frozen fish and a free gallon of milk. I'm pretty proud of myself!
3/7:
3/8: $6 groceries (well, ice cream after a tough couple of days) and $5 books
3/9: $10 lunch, $26.50 x2 for school lunches for the boys
3/10:
3/11:
3/12: $3 JoAnn's (sprinkles and cupcake liners), $40 gas, $? Target (drinks, cat litter, health and beauty type stuff), $25 birthday gift for my aunt, $25 birthday gift for my sister
3/13: $27 groceries
3/14: $30 dinner (DH is out of town, so my mom suggested going out -- I was all too happy to go and pay for dinner!)
3/15:

no buy days: 6/12
longest streak: 3
meals out: 3/5
days without dinner out: 1
longest no dinners out streak: 10
non-consumable items purchased: 2/0 (2 books)

 

[momabaarjo]

March 13th - (Groceries) $81.04 - weekly stock up on loss leader items... My groc budget is hurting this month. DH will be gone almost all week so that will help me catch back up - the kids and I usually just have soup and sandwich when he's gone...

Love it when dh is gone...no cook night! Sometimes I wished that happened more...my budget would be great and a night off from the stove...

Then I took 8 bags of old clothes that no longer fit to goodwill. I have lost 30 lbs since November so a ton of stuff no longer fits.

Congrats on the loss! Sure wish I could find some motivation!

Thanks everyone. I'm still worried about the nuclear stuff in Japan somehow reaching her, but DD is blessed to be far far away from the disaster.

Prayers for her safety, prayers for comfort to the Japanese people!

 

[nunzia]

Here we go:
Mar 1: 56.07 Birthday gifts for DBIL and DN, $12.20 for Amazon peanut butter (seemed like a good deal)
Mar 2: Not starting out very well! have to get past these birthdays...$98.34 groceries (bday dinner for 13, dog food, beer..etc), $46.00 DH gas (some will be reimbursed..he has to go to a town 90 miles away for a continuing ed class)
Mar 3: $2.42 for movie rental and a coffee, $9.00 dinner out with friend
Mar 4: DH got $23 reimbursement for the gas, so Plus that..then minus $10 to the church rummage sale (cool pedal car for DGD and really neat vintage desk for DGS), $9.48 Dollar Tree
Mar 5: $0 yea!
Mar 6: $7.43 WalMart (clearance toys..from $6 to $2 for Easter gifts & Sharpies on clearance) $2.19 Dollar Tree...needed 8x8 foil pan for a dessert I have to bring somewhere and got 4 at Dollar Tree for $2 instead of 3 at WalMart of $3)
Mar 7: 24.34 Amazon (2 pop up Harry Potter books and baby gift..had $10 off coupon
Mar 8: $20.00 gas..ack, $3.67 PhotoPass pictures developed at Walgreens
Mar 9: $3.57 movie rental
Mar 10: $18.00 dinner out with friends
Mar 11: $0
Mar 12: $20.33 Walmart groceries..didn't even LOOK in the toys clearance aisle
Mar 13: $20.53 Walmart AGAIN...DH needed stuff that he forgot to write down.
Mar 14: $0! End of the pay period, so I put the remaining $40 cash in my Trip cash box.

$429.43/$800.00 remaining