March No Buy..Rolling Into Spring!

[lattemomof3]

I'm jumping into March, borrowing an idea from some of you, I'm not going to count groceries with my no-buy days. I'm finding out that groceries are a bit like medical expenses (which I also don't include in my no-buy), when you need them, you need them! With that change, I'm upping my no-buy days to 15. I need to get ds8 some new shoes, dd11 needs some church clothes, as she has 6 communion classes approaching. We have family coming to stay for several days later this month, so the grocery bill will go up also.

My other goals are to keep paying cash (envelope system, we don't really do the Dave Ramsey program, but I like keeping track of the budget with the envelopes), and to keep recording everything in my budget notebook. It's nice to see old friends, and new ones too, good luck with March, everyone!

March 1 - birthday gift

March 2 - $0 (groceries)

March 3 - leapster game for dd5 (she payed for half), dinner at Runza with grandma after ds8's wrestling match

March 4 - $0

March 5 - $0

 

[charming23]

Went and sold a whole bunch of old books, cds, and movies to half price and made $30. I did not spend anything so I get a no buy day.

March 2011 Budget
Grocery/Household- $300/$218.54 Left
Car/Gas- $50
Eating out -$50/$31.30 Left
Entertainment/Misc- $100

Total- $500/$399.84 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
3/7

3/15 No Buy Days

Coupon/Store Savings- $38.38

 

[wlake]

If I call the day at 2:20, maybe I won't spend anymore!

I've decided to list what I buy so I can't cheat on buying nonconsumables. I did buy a pair of plastic garden clogs today to replace my 15 year old pair that has no footbed liner so they hurt and they are beginning to leak (which really defeats the purpose of waterproof clogs!). I figured as long as I tossed the old pair, I hadn't added to the clutter of the house. However, my boys have decided I should keep the old pair so they can use them as feet for next year's snowmen. I suppose if they live in the snowman box (we collect interesting nuts and rocks and twigs all summer for our snowmen), they really won't be in anyone's way....

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)

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

 

[3goofyboys]

I'm in for the month! This should be a good month. No birthdays, baby showers, weddings, ect! I am hopeful that we will be spending a bit extra on moving, but we'll see if our current house rents soon. We did move back our move date to May 1st, so we have a bit more time.

I'm going for 14 no buys this month.

March 1

March 2 $31 groceries, $40 gas

March 3 $20 groceries (why is there always one more thing to pick up?)

March 4

March 5

3/14 No Buys

 

[Virgderon]

wlake, I think its adorable that you have a snowman box. My kids would use whatever they could find and sometimes they ruined new stuff.

Dh bought the groceries this weekend, and I am trying not to spend anything until I see if I get paid. Payday was supposed to be last Friday, but they said no direct deposit, they will be mailing out checks. The company is in Chicago and I am in Tampa, so I will be in suspense for a few days.

Running Total: Spent $85
$900 budget... $815 left
$0 Days: 2
Goal is 8 or more!
coupon/sale savings :24

Groceries budget- $250-3-52= 195 left

March 1: 22
March 2 : 0
March 3: 52 ( groceries)
March 4: 0
March 5: 11 ( Walgreens pop, cooking supplies)

 

[SunnieRN]

Debbie, I hope your Mom is doing ok!!

Virgderon hopefully your check will come and be followed by the back 401K monies you are owed!! Good luck in the job market and the good thing about getting a job, is that it is usually easier to find another one when you already have one!!

Charming, I hope the job you interviewed for will be yours!! I really enjoyed reading your blog today!!

 

[charming23]

Debbie, I hope your Mom is doing ok!!

Virgderon hopefully your check will come and be followed by the back 401K monies you are owed!! Good luck in the job market and the good thing about getting a job, is that it is usually easier to find another one when you already have one!!

Charming, I hope the job you interviewed for will be yours!! I really enjoyed reading your blog today!!

Thanks for reading my blog. It was really tough to write all that down. I had just been holding it in for too long.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

March 1-$0
March 2- Met my wonderful hubby for lunch. He needed a break, and we had a $5 off coupon. My lunch was only $7, so we figured $2 for me to eat and I brought home enough for us both to have lunch tomorrow. Then I spent $4 on new gloves (8 pairs) for the kids, they seem to lose them like crazy. Hubby and I went to a prescreening of a movie tonight, it was awful, but he liked it. It was called Cedar Rapids. We didn't buy anything there. I did buy groceries as well. Will record those tomorrow cause I need to dig out the receipt. I got a call while we were at the movies that I don't have to work tomorrow after all. So happy about that, have lots to do in the morning tomorrow.
March 3-$0 Have a busy evening ahead, but made dinner in the crockpot this morning so we are good there. My DD9 has a field trip with Brownies to Bruster's ice cream, but if I report a no spend day I won't get an ice cream. And that will be good for my wallet and waistline.
March 4- DH told the kids we'd go out to dinner. It was kids eat free, but still was $23 with tip. I also had to go get DD16 tights for Model UN and some meds, $20ish
March 5-$0 Went to the gym with DH, he is allowed to bring a guest for free. Then spent the day massively cleaning, more to be done but made a big dent.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

No Buy Days- 3/18

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Groceries- $60ish
Gas-

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Back in 2011 cause I'd miss you all so much!
January-25
February-15
Longest Streak-19 (but I was sick)

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

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Virgderon and Charming, hope the interviews lead you to a great new job. Charming, I loved the new blog. Very touching.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I've missed this thread the last few days! I went to 3 Mardi Gras parades after work on Thursday. I got home from them at midnight and had to get up for work on Friday, after which I went to 3 more Mardi Gras parades. I would have been at another parade today, but it got postponed due to weather.

All the stories about Dr. Seuss are so cute! My school did some celebrating, but it was up to each grade level to decide what activities they did.

to the new people!

1: $0!
2: $12.41 iTunes, Walgreens
3: $1.49 Burger King (5.49), found 4.00 in the street
4: $0! found 0.25 in the street
5: $22.47 gas ($3.35/g ), McDonald's

$0 Days: 2
Spending: $36.12/$475 = 8%
Days Passed: 5/31 = 16%

My Goal: To keep spending to within $475 for food, gas, and miscellaneous. I do not track bills; I only track "point of sale" transactions.

I was going to go to a grocery store today to get a few things that were on sale. I couldn't get to one store while I was out and about because the bridge was up, and the other one was blocked by a parade. I was going to go out later, but the weather got so violent I stayed home, then I fell asleep to nap and figure I'll go tomorrow or Monday. Our grocery sales run Wednesday-Tuesday, so I have a few days.

On Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day! ) I can get Popeye's chicken starting at 6am.

Where's Piglet, you are a sweetie!! Bye the way, did you hear that Michael's has a 60% off sale on custom frames for your medals?! Sorry, I couldn't resist!!

Awww! Yes, I did! I think they would look great framed and with professional pictures, but I did not buy the crazy expensive pictures. I did buy (months ago) a really cute hook set that I found in the French Quarter that I intend to hang my medals from....once I decide which wall to hang it on!

What Where'sPiglet said. And when you get them....PICTURES, please! (my framed Donald medal still makes me smile)

Yes, I'd love to see pictures too!

Where'sPiglet and Debbie, to you and anyone else who runs that much. I only run to the cookies in the kitchen or for bleeding/screaming/vomiting children!

Awww, thanks! I do want to clarify that I did not run either half marathon last year. I alternated walking and jogging. Disney requires you to maintain a 16:30 pace and my pace was about 16:00/mile. My goal was to finish the race and get the medal just because I wanted to see if I could do it!

Thanks, I think I'll take your advice and just delete that. It was something I've been waiting to do, so yes, it was budgeted for. I feel better!

Great!

Have fun at Mardi Gras, Where'sPiglet

Thanks! We have been!

Charming and Virgderon - I hope your interviews land you a good job!

 

[SunnieRN]

Thanks for reading my blog. It was really tough to write all that down. I had just been holding it in for too long.

It was heartfelt and wonderfully written! And, you are beautiful! Inside and out!

Awww! Yes, I did! I think they would look great framed and with professional pictures, but I did not buy the crazy expensive pictures. I did buy (months ago) a really cute hook set that I found in the French Quarter that I intend to hang my medals from....once I decide which wall to hang it on! !

That is awesome and I love it! Enjoy the parades! Is it even possible to eat Popeyes' chicken at 6am?! lol

 

[angierae]

3/1: $1.59 @ CVS
3/2: $0!
3/3: $3.17 for the "free" photo notepad through Walgreens that was advertised here on the Dis.
3/4: $2.60 for a coffee and a donut at Tim Hortons. I really wanted a treat.
3/5: $0!

Tomorrow will be grocery shopping, but I don't count that. Hopefully I can resist buying anything we don't need.

 

[portocall]

I've been slow to update. Partly because I forgot how expensive Mardi Gras is with a family of 5 plus I haven't yet had any $0 days... yet. Where's Piglet has been keeping me busy, that is for sure.

3/1 $40 school lunches $30.00 gas and snacks (approx I will go back and look exact amount at the gas station
3/2 $17.57 Walmart
3/3 $27.40 Mardi Gras snacks
3/4 $3.50 Girl Scout cookies $21.78 Burger King before the parade
3/5 $117.43 Groceries Winn Dixie (saved $78.93) $33.45 Gas 3.32 gallon


Tomorrow should be a $0 dollar day. So should Monday. Tuesday won't be. Popeyes fried chicken is a Mardi Gras tradition for us but today I am rethinking it. DH of course won't budge.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

It was heartfelt and wonderfully written! And, you are beautiful! Inside and out!

That is awesome and I love it! Enjoy the parades! Is it even possible to eat Popeyes' chicken at 6am?! lol

I agree about the blog post, charming!

Thanks! I believe the hooks are made from old iron fence post toppers.

Anything is possible! And I mean that quite literally. Anything. And yes, people will be drinking with their chicken at 6am.

I've been slow to update. Partly because I forgot how expensive Mardi Gras is with a family of 5 plus I haven't yet had any $0 days... yet. Where's Piglet has been keeping me busy, that is for sure.

3/5 $117.43 Groceries Winn Dixie (saved $78.93) $33.45 Gas 3.32 gallon

Tomorrow should be a $0 dollar day. So should Monday. Tuesday won't be. Popeyes fried chicken is a Mardi Gras tradition for us but today I am rethinking it. DH of course won't budge.

I am keeping you busy. You'll be at Popeyes on Tuesday. You gotta eat something anyways.

I probably won't get another $0 Day until Thursday, but I am now the proud owner of a vuvuzela and a light up wand. Life is good.

 

[h2oophelia]

Goals:
No buy: 12 days
Eating out: No more than 4 meals
Groceries: $250/$160.84 left
Entertainment: $75/$66 left

3/1 $0
3/2 $9 for two Fandango movie tickets @ livingsocial.com
3/3 $0
3/4 $182.00 for 2 tickets to Wicked. $40.41 oil change for the 'ol Saturn
3/5 $89.16 groceries

No Buy days: 2/12

 

[ronnmel]

Today was the first day of my March Break (it's basically our Spring Break, except that it still looks way too much like winter outside for me to call it spring ) I think my body really needed the rest because I slept 12 hours! Needless to say, I stayed in my PJ all day and just relaxed.



No Buy Days : 4/12
Gas : 38$ (max 120$ Raising the max due to higher gas prices)
Groceries : 0$ (max 250$)
Eating out (and snacks) : 0$ (max 100$)
Non-necessities : 7$ (max 200$)

03/01 : 45$ (gas + pharmacy)
03/02 : 0$
03/03 : 0$
03/04 : 0$
03/05 : 0$

 

[charming23]

Virgderon and Charming, hope the interviews lead you to a great new job. Charming, I loved the new blog. Very touching.

Charming and Virgderon - I hope your interviews land you a good job!

It was heartfelt and wonderfully written! And, you are beautiful! Inside and out!



That is awesome and I love it! Enjoy the parades! Is it even possible to eat Popeyes' chicken at 6am?! lol

I agree about the blog post, charming!

Thanks! I believe the hooks are made from old iron fence post toppers.

Anything is possible! And I mean that quite literally. Anything. And yes, people will be drinking with their chicken at 6am.



I am keeping you busy. You'll be at Popeyes on Tuesday. You gotta eat something anyways.

I probably won't get another $0 Day until Thursday, but I am now the proud owner of a vuvuzela and a light up wand. Life is good.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. It means a lot to me.

 

[Orangewolf]

March 1st: (Gas)$61.90 - (Groceries) $60.13 - (Household - vitamins, shampoo etc) $28.59
I also dropped $155.12 at Kohls on DH's clothes for work - this isn't a true figure cause I will end up returning at least half the clothes - I am his personal shopper and what he doesn't like/doesnt fit goes back on Sat.

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 - today was hopefully my last big buy day till next paycheck. We had swimming this morning in town so I hit all 3 major groc stores, plus Target and Kohls to return half the pants my DH needed. Damages:
(Groceries) $119.29 This included coupon savings of: $28.10 - woo hoo and these were store coupons on products that I actually was going to buy anyway - yay! Our store has a free item coupon every week and this week they actually had milk coupons!

(Household) $13.05 -vitamins and TP! Plus I had a $5 coupon for the vitamins and had a $5 gift card.

As far as Kohls goes - the $155.12 turned into keeping $43.85 of pants! Not only did I return some pairs, some pairs I had bought on Tues had gone on sale and I recouped the difference -

Here's hoping the next 6 days are no buy!!

$221.58/$425 Groc.
$61.90/$150 Gas
$39.24/$75 Household

 

[SunnieRN]

I agree about the blog post, charming!

Thanks! I believe the hooks are made from old iron fence post toppers.

Anything is possible! And I mean that quite literally. Anything. And yes, people will be drinking with their chicken at 6am.

I say more power to them!! If I ate fried chicken, especially spicy fried chicken at 6 a.m., I would be in a world of hurt all day!

If I drank at 6 a.m., they'd have to clear the streets, as I can't hold my liquor. lol.

Have a wonderful time ladies!! Are you having King cake? Isn't that what it's called, with the little baby in it? Now I would love to go to Cafe Du Monde and have beignets and coffee!!! New Orleans is beautiful!

 

[annsteere]

I am on this thread every month, except for Dec.

But, this month I simply can't figure out a target. We were in Disney 3/1,2. I will be in Africa for 10 days in the middle of the month, and then it will be Spring Break and I hope to spend time and money fixing up the house.

Best guess at a target is : don't spend money foolishly and don't buy things you don't need or REALLY want.

3/3 - gas and milk, no frivolous spending
3/4 -0
3/5-0

Even if I don't have a clear goal this month, it is fun to check in each morning and track all of you.