No Buy August 2011 or Tracking Spending Gives Me POWER

[ronnmel]

Not feeling so well helps with no buy days. Hope I feel better at Disney though!

No Buy Days : 3
Gas : 38$
Groceries : 33$
Eating out (and snacks) : 41$
Non-necessities : 40$

01/08 : 33$ (groceries)
02/08 : 0$
03/08 : 41$ (dinner with friend)
04/08 : 78$ (gas + house stuff)
05/08 : 0$
06/08 : 0$

 

[Debbie]

Feel better soon, Mel! kahuna, I agree weekends ARE tough! Hellothemouse, you have had a great start to $0 days. Keep up the good work, diznee25. charming, you are always an inspiration! I started to clean, but that is as far as it got. IMALOVNDISNEY, Sr pics are always expensive. I lucked out in that all of my kids didn't want a lot, so we often got away with ~$150-$200 (plus sitting fee). They didn't want the extras, and only one wanted the class ring.

I bought DD her graduation gift (laptop) but that money was budgeted for and in a separate account. So I haven't included it. I am looking forward to next month when the grocery budget calms down somewhat!

Budget: Actual (last month expenses)
Car: $600 $26 ($381) Allowing for some vacation driving, and driving DD to the airport-she returns to Egypt on the 22nd
Groceries/Household: $600 $205 ($706)
Drug co-pays/medicine/lens: $40 $0 ($0)
Misc including gifts: $500 $25 ( $357)
Pool expenses: $200 $257 ($50)
Dining: $200 $0($126) Upped this for our 'vacation' mode
University incidentals expenses: $250 $0 ($158)

Aug. 1: $0
Aug. 2: groceries $95, oil change $26, pool supplies, $41
Aug. 3: $0
Aug. 4: gas $40
Aug. 5: groceries (Costco) $101, misc (batteries) $25
Aug. 6: bromine for the pool $257, DH bought his pop $9

No Buy Days: 2

 

[charming23]

Spent the day doing more cleaning out. I have three boxes full of records that I have to find a place to sell.

August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$227.74 left
Cat Supplies- $30
Gas/Car- $70
Eating Out- $50
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$81.70 left

Total- $500/$459.44 left

Goal of 15 No Buy Days

8/1- $0
8/2- $22.26 Groceries
8/3- $0
8/4- $18.30 Mics/Target
8/5- $0
8/6- $0

4/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $7.48

 

[annsteere]

Goal: 10 days when I spend no money. (DH's spending or automatic withdrawals don't count.) Try to keep impulse spending as close to zero as possible

Results so far:
3 no spend days
0 impulse spending

Turns out there is a category that is "surprise-but-not-impulse" spending.

Sat. I had my first chance this whole summer to garage sale. My general garage sale limit is "5 bucks, 2 hours, one thermos of coffee--whichever comes (or needs to go) first." I found a serving platter and a gag gift for $1.75 out of my weekly allowance.

My Mom is 84 and called and asked me to come out and help her Tues/Wed. I hadn't planned a trip to Michigan. Junk food on the road would be impulse, gas is unplanned but not impulse.

 

[Hellothemouse]

Trying for 10 no buy days in this month!

8-1 $0 Stayed home most of the day- Took DD to dance in the pm
8-2 $0 Piano, Dance, Bible Study
8-3 $10 Was going to go swimming today but it looks like its gonna rain Ended up going swimming at the local pool, bought snacks and paid to get in-far cheaper than taking 2 kids to the movies!
8-4 $0!!! Went to dance in the pm
8-5 $0!! Stayed home again today Re-organized the kids room in search of clothes that still fit for school in a couple of weeks
8-6 $11 Kids did not behave at all so the movie was a no go for us. Went through a drive thru for dinner
8-7 $21 Went to see the smurf movie - 3 tickets, lg popcorn, 3 pops and 3 packs of candy.

So far 4 No buy days!

 

[ronnmel]

No Buy Days : 3
Gas : 38$
Groceries : 33$
Eating out (and snacks) : 121$
Non-necessities : 90$

01/08 : 33$ (groceries)
02/08 : 0$
03/08 : 41$ (dinner with friend)
04/08 : 78$ (gas + house stuff)
05/08 : 0$
06/08 : 0$
07/08 : 130$ (dinner + house stuff)

 

[thebigkahuna]

GOAL: 11 days
3 of 11 No Spend days

8-1 - ran out of the house late for work without grabbing breakfast or lunch.
6$ spent for Breakfast.

8-2 - no spend day # 1

8-3 - need gas & deodorant. Thought I had a spare deodorant, but I was wrong! I'll be picking that up on the way home for sure!

8-4 - no spend day # 2

8-5 Spent $ today *sigh* such is life. Tomorrow will probably be a spend day too (weekends are tough!)

8-6 - no spend day # 3!

08-07 - spent money today - ran out of some household items & couldn't resist a snack while I was out.

08-08 - have to swing by the store again today & will need gas too.

 

[charming23]

Yesterday we went to see "Hairspray" at our local theater. My good friend works there and got us free tickets. We then went out to dinner afterwards but since we had a restuarant.com certificate we spent no money out of pocket. (My friend left the tip)

August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$227.74 left
Cat Supplies- $30
Gas/Car- $70
Eating Out- $50
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$81.70 left

Total- $500/$459.44 left

Goal of 15 No Buy Days

8/1- $0
8/2- $22.26 Groceries
8/3- $0
8/4- $18.30 Mics/Target
8/5- $0
8/6- $0
8/7- $0

5/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $7.48

 

[tinkarooni]

Haven't been around this thread in ages. We have been building a barn, finishing a basement, putting up a fence and expanding the garden. I also got into extreme couponing for a while and stocked up our house with health and beauty items, frozen foods etc. There is a method to my madness, we are about 15 minutes from the closest shopping and I work full time at home. I would rather not have to do much shopping when the bad weather comes.

So for the next two months we will be processing our garden produce and i intend to buckle down and pay off a home equity loan we have. Than it will be debt free except for our mortgage.

So I'm going to try and come along for the ride this month.

Yesterday I realized my kids go back to school August 22!!! We needed sneakers, socks and underwear, so it was not a no spend day at all. But we did make a list and stuck to it.

Today, no spend. Also planted some fall veggies to try and keep eating out of the garden as long as we can.

 

[Virgderon]

Hi tinkarooni! Just wanted to pop in and say hello. As predicted, this is a spendy month. I'm leaving on Thursday for my daughters wedding, and I'm sure I will spend whatever money I have LOL.

Keep it up guys ! You are all doing great.

 

[ronnmel]

Hi Guys!

No Buy Days : 3
Gas : 38$
Groceries : 33$
Eating out (and snacks) : 138$
Non-necessities : 90$

01/08 : 33$ (groceries)
02/08 : 0$
03/08 : 41$ (dinner with friend)
04/08 : 78$ (gas + house stuff)
05/08 : 0$
06/08 : 0$
07/08 : 130$ (dinner + house stuff)
08/08 : 17$ (lunch)

 

[wlake]

Ronnmel, have a great trip! I'll be following not far behind you!

I'm giving up this month even on dinners out. It's just not going well! next month I'll need to jump back on the wagon, but that shouldn't be as hard. I'm always too tired to do anything those first couple of weeks back at school!

 

[annsteere]

Goal: 10 days when I spend no money. (DH's spending or automatic withdrawals don't count.) Try to keep impulse spending as close to zero as possible

Results so far:
no spend days - 4
impulse spending - $1.75 (platter and joke at a garage sale)

Today I'm making an unexpected trip to Michigan to help my Mom. Yesterday I sold some used textbooks which will cover gas for this trip and maybe one to in-laws this weekend. (All four of our parents are 84. It is time to step up and be responsible to them).

 

[ronnmel]

Ronnmel, have a great trip! I'll be following not far behind you!

I'm giving up this month even on dinners out. It's just not going well! next month I'll need to jump back on the wagon, but that shouldn't be as hard. I'm always too tired to do anything those first couple of weeks back at school!

What days are you going to be at Disney? If you see me come say Hi! That is, if I can find some lime green Mickey heads! Can you believe that my home depot was out of that color? Gonna try another home depot today.

 

[charming23]

Yesterday I went and got a few things at the grocery plus had to get gas for the lawn mower.

August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$212.10 left
Cat Supplies- $30
Gas/Car- $70/$66.48 Left
Eating Out- $50
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$81.70 left

Total- $500/$440.28 left

Goal of 15 No Buy Days

8/1- $0
8/2- $22.26 Groceries
8/3- $0
8/4- $18.30 Mics/Target
8/5- $0
8/6- $0
8/7- $0
8/8- $15.64 Grocery/Household and $3.52 Gas

5/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $16.91

 

[Hellothemouse]

Trying for 10 no buy days in this month!

8-1 $0 Stayed home most of the day- Took DD to dance in the pm
8-2 $0 Piano, Dance, Bible Study
8-3 $10 Was going to go swimming today but it looks like its gonna rain Ended up going swimming at the local pool, bought snacks and paid to get in-far cheaper than taking 2 kids to the movies!
8-4 $0!!! Went to dance in the pm
8-5 $0!! Stayed home again today Re-organized the kids room in search of clothes that still fit for school in a couple of weeks
8-6 $11 Kids did not behave at all so the movie was a no go for us. Went through a drive thru for dinner
8-7 $21 Went to see the smurf movie - 3 tickets, lg popcorn, 3 pops and 3 packs of candy.
8-8 $11 Went out to lunch with my bestie
8-9 $0! Staying home today, I feel under the weather

So far 5 No buy days!

 

[thebigkahuna]

GOAL: 11 days
3 of 11 No Spend days

8-1 - ran out of the house late for work without grabbing breakfast or lunch.
6$ spent for Breakfast.

8-2 - no spend day # 1

8-3 - need gas & deodorant. Thought I had a spare deodorant, but I was wrong! I'll be picking that up on the way home for sure!

8-4 - no spend day # 2

8-5 Spent $ today *sigh* such is life. Tomorrow will probably be a spend day too (weekends are tough!)

8-6 - no spend day # 3!

08-07 - spent money today - ran out of some household items & couldn't resist a snack while I was out.

08-08 - have to swing by the store again today & will need gas too.

08-09 - went to the store, but completely spaced on going to get gas yesterday. I've turned what could have been a no spend day into a spend because I'm forgetful! I guess there are worse things !

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I'm in again. My goal is to actually stay on top of recording here. Time just seems to get away from me alot lately.

08/01 -0-
08/02 $60.00 for DD's Sr. picture sitting fee. I'm not looking forward to the bill for the package.
08/03 $3.00 milk
08/04-0-
08/05 $195.00 $40.00 gas, $86.00 Costco,$23.00 Price Rite,$38.00 Shop Rite. But got back $26.00 back in Cats from Shop Rite.I blew it big time today. We're having a picnic tomorrow. I'm listing this under Misc. This would have been much higher if I hadn't accepted offers of people bringing food this year. I tend to be a control freak and do it all myself. And it was also BYOB. Which saved us a ton.
08/06 -0-Never left the house today. Party all day/night.
08/07 -0- To tired from yesterday.
08/08 $3.00 milk
08/09 -0- home already for the day. Money Maker day. I made $125.00 doing a survey. This will go into the Disney Fund.

Auto: $ 40.00/$200
Groceries/Household Goods:$201.00/$200.00 (raised, having a large family picnic 08/06).
Eating Out/Entertainment:/$200.00(up'd both DH''s and My B'days.)
Misc:$$12.00/$300.00 (up'd for back to school)
No Buy days 5/15 (shooting for 1/2 the month)
Coupon savings $39.00

 

[charming23]

ronnmel, have a safe and fun trip.

 

[Debbie]

Safe travels, everyone! I'll be back to check in and update. . . .after I consult my Quicken.