No Buy August 2011 or Tracking Spending Gives Me POWER

[charming23]

Just wanted to pop on and say congrats, Charming23! I'm so glad you got a job. Hope everything works out for you and that you are very happy there.

Charming! Yay for you! Way to persevere. I'm also planning on returning in September. I spent A LOT on the wedding and wedding weekend. It would have been foolish to track it- I had prepared for it, and I knew it would be a lot.

Thank you both.



The past few days have been crazy busy.

Thursday I spent it at home getting things done around the house.

Yesterday was my first official day at work. It was busy but I enjoyed it. I did pick up some cat supplies afterwards.

Today I have to go to work later but I am not planning on buying anything.


August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$81.41 left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.13 left
Gas/Car- $70/$66.48 Left
Eating Out- $50/$19.45 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$13.27 left

Total- $500/$165.58 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
8/9- $0
8/10- $97.94 Groceries/Household, $2.49 coffee, $29.06 Gas, and $28.69 Misc
8/11- $0
8/12- $8.06 Bruggers lunch, $17.86 Borders, and $21.88 Curvy Consignments
8/13- $12.85 Grocery/Household
8/14- $0
8/15- $0
8/16- $0
8/17- $20 Lunch out and $20 groceries
8/18- $0
8/19- $15.87 cat supplies
8/20- $0

12/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $35.81

 

[Debbie]

Yikes! I hate it when I don't have time to check in! Good thing I use Quicken! Unfortunately, that might mean missing a few 'cash' items. I just realized that I had a mistyped figure for groceries last time. I had it down as $3011, instead of $311. We eat a LOT in this house....but not that well!

Budget: Actual (last month expenses)
Car: $600 $26 ($570) Allowing for some vacation driving, and driving DD to the airport-she returns to Egypt on the 22nd
Groceries/Household: $600 $444 ($706)
Drug co-pays/medicine/lens: $40 $0 ($0)
Misc including gifts: $500 $278 ( $324)
Pool expenses: $200 $257 ($50)
Dining: $200 $89($126) Upped this for our 'vacation' mode
University incidentals expenses: $250 $30 ($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
Aug. 7: IKEA $33 for school stuff. I never get there, and I had one hour before closing. I think I did well.
Aug. 8: gas $41. groceries $16, and DH and I went to Denny's $33
Aug. 9: Rona(more school stuff/university stuff) $54
Aug. 10: gas $44
Aug. 11: Staples (school, again, AND gifts, and university) $92
Aug. 12: Dollarama for misc $10
Aug. 13: groceries $50, misc $15
Aug. 14: $0
Aug. 15: Treats for dinner at my cousins $20, gas $48
Aug. 16: gas for lawnmower $10
Aug. 17: my Mom's birthday so needed a few things...groceries $75
Aug. 18: gas $36, teaching supplies for both DD and myself $47
Aug. 19: $0 WHEW!
Aug. 20: took DS out for breakfast $14, groceries $58, Chinese take-out $42

No Buy Days: 4

 

[charming23]

I am not feeling very well today (allergies) so I am in today. I was suppossed to have a training shift at work but the supervisor called and asked if I could switch to another night which worked out well for me.


August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$81.41 left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.13 left
Gas/Car- $70/$66.48 Left
Eating Out- $50/$19.45 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$13.27 left

Total- $500/$165.58 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
8/9- $0
8/10- $97.94 Groceries/Household, $2.49 coffee, $29.06 Gas, and $28.69 Misc
8/11- $0
8/12- $8.06 Bruggers lunch, $17.86 Borders, and $21.88 Curvy Consignments
8/13- $12.85 Grocery/Household
8/14- $0
8/15- $0
8/16- $0
8/17- $20 Lunch out and $20 groceries
8/18- $0
8/19- $15.87 cat supplies
8/20- $0
8/21- $0

13/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $35.81

 

[annsteere]

I'm also planning on returning in September. I spent A LOT on the wedding and wedding weekend. It would have been foolish to track it- I had prepared for it, and I knew it would be a lot.

Virgderon, we'll see you in September. Lots of successful months controlling spending lead to the month where you can do this kind of once-in-a-lifetime spending. Hope you enjoyed every minute.

My goal was 10 no spend days. I'm at 8.

My fuzzier goal was "keep spending wisely." That is harder to measure, but I feel good about being on target.

DH and I share four 84 year old parents who have needed extra visits and help this month. That's a good spend.

After MUCH shopping, I found shoes for DS's wedding this week that were just what I had in mind and at a super bargain price. That's a good spend.

I blew nearly half of my allowance for the month on a Thai dinner with DD who is married and who I really enjoy spending time with. Probably could have gotten by cheaper, but it IS "blow money" and I enjoyed blowing it. (I still have some allowance money left to spend during the rest of the month or to save for a big blow.)

 

[charming23]

Spent the day at home. My allergies were still bugging me so it was necessary.

August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$81.41 left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.13 left
Gas/Car- $70/$66.48 Left
Eating Out- $50/$19.45 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$13.27 left

Total- $500/$165.58 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
8/9- $0
8/10- $97.94 Groceries/Household, $2.49 coffee, $29.06 Gas, and $28.69 Misc
8/11- $0
8/12- $8.06 Bruggers lunch, $17.86 Borders, and $21.88 Curvy Consignments
8/13- $12.85 Grocery/Household
8/14- $0
8/15- $0
8/16- $0
8/17- $20 Lunch out and $20 groceries
8/18- $0
8/19- $15.87 cat supplies
8/20- $0
8/21- $0
8/22- $0

14/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $35.81

 

[annsteere]

Still stuck on 8/10 no buy days.

Monday it was the dentist. Tuesday it was peppers at the farmer's market (freezing some for winter) and water softener salt. Today it is the eye doctor.

Maybe so many of the thread's regulars skipped August because they knew ahead of time this would be a month with lots of errands and buying days.

 

[Debbie]

Very quiet here on the No Buy/Track my spending thread. End of summer, with lots of purchases at my house. We did get DD to the airport, with a couple of Timmy's runs. Now it is time to prepare youngest to head off to university.

Budget: Actual (last month expenses)
Car: $600 $26 ($570) Allowing for some vacation driving, and driving DD to the airport-she returns to Egypt on the 22nd
Groceries/Household: $600 $444 ($706)
Drug co-pays/medicine/lens: $40 $0 ($0)
Misc including gifts: $500 $296 ( $324)
Pool expenses: $200 $257 ($50)
Dining: $200 $117($126) Upped this for our 'vacation' mode
University incidentals expenses: $250 $30 ($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
Aug. 7: IKEA $33 for school stuff. I never get there, and I had one hour before closing. I think I did well.
Aug. 8: gas $41. groceries $16, and DH and I went to Denny's $33
Aug. 9: Rona(more school stuff/university stuff) $54
Aug. 10: gas $44
Aug. 11: Staples (school, again, AND gifts, and university) $92
Aug. 12: Dollarama for misc $10
Aug. 13: groceries $50, misc $15
Aug. 14: $0
Aug. 15: Treats for dinner at my cousins $20, gas $48
Aug. 16: gas for lawnmower $10
Aug. 17: my Mom's birthday so needed a few things...groceries $75
Aug. 18: gas $36, teaching supplies for both DD and myself $47
Aug. 19: $0 WHEW!
Aug. 20: took DS out for breakfast $14, groceries $58, Chinese take-out $42
Aug. 21: $0
Aug. 22: $20 Timmy's + $9 for airport parking
Aug. 23: lunch at the workshop $5, + stuff for school $9
Aug. 24: $0
Aug. 25: lunch between workshop and school $3
Aug. 26: $0

No Buy Days: 7

 

[wlake]

It is quiet here! I knew with our trip, a new classroom, and back to school for the boys, it would be a month full of buying. I wasn't counting on a hurricane (I live on the coast of CT and we're looking at a possible direct hit), which is certainly adding to my spending -- extra water, propane, and food for starters! I'm looking forward to getting back on track next month.

 

[charming23]

The past few days have been very frustrating. Let's just say I am back to the job hunt. I left because of some very unethical things I saw going on and wanted no part of it.There were also other factors going on. I have a few leads and will be helping out a friend with her home daycare for a few weeks next month while she recovers fron surgery.


August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$73.74 left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.13 left
Gas/Car- $70/$66.48 Left
Eating Out- $50/$19.45 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$13.27 left

Total- $500/$157.91 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
8/9- $0
8/10- $97.94 Groceries/Household, $2.49 coffee, $29.06 Gas, and $28.69 Misc
8/11- $0
8/12- $8.06 Bruggers lunch, $17.86 Borders, and $21.88 Curvy Consignments
8/13- $12.85 Grocery/Household
8/14- $0
8/15- $0
8/16- $0
8/17- $20 Lunch out and $20 groceries
8/18- $0
8/19- $15.87 cat supplies
8/20- $0
8/21- $0
8/22- $0
8/23- $7.67 Pepperidge Farm Outlet
8/24- $0
8/25- $0
8/26- $0

17/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $35.81

 

[Debbie]

wlake and anyone else in Irene's path, take care! Our thought and prayers are with you. (DD will be dealing with her Sunday/Monday)

Elizabeth, I am sorry that you are going through this. Whatever the reason, I know that it was a hard decision to walk away. Blessings in the job hunt. I have no doubt that the right thing will turn up when you least expect it!

 

[ronnmel]

I'm back! Had an awesome time in Disney! Unfortunately, it's back to school now.

I'll have to find time this weekend to read back through the thread and see what I've missed. I won't be tracking my spending for the rest of August as I have no food in the fridge and I've been eating out too much.

 

[wlake]

Charming, I'm sorry to hear about the job situation. Good for you for standing up for what's right!

Debbie, thanks! We have today to prep the house and yard. DH took yesterday off and went to get his mother's set (she lives 2 hours from us, so it was a day long adventure) while I had my first professional development day of the school year. At least we have today to get ready!

Ronnmel, so glad you had a good time! Can't wait to see pictures!

Today's spending includes paper plates (we won't have water if we don't have power) and other lovely odds and ends.... Luckily, we're all set on food as a friend just posted a Facebook photo of a completely empty bread aisle from a local supermarket -- and she posted it before 7 AM!

 

[ronnmel]

Hope you don't get hit too hard by Irene, wlake.

Charming, I was just about to congratulate you for getting a job, but then read ahead and saw it didn't work out. It sucks, but better you get out of it now if it's not working out. Good luck!

Glad you had a great trip QVCshopper! I wonder if we passed by each other in Disney without knowing...

Has the wedding passed Virgderon? If so, can't wait to see pics!

 

[charming23]

I hope everyone stays safe during the storms on the east coast.

ronnmel, I am glad to hear your trip was successful.


Thanks everyone for the understanding about the job. A few family members have been giving me a hard time about it and it is nice to have some people agreeing with me.

Yesterday I made a quick stop at Save a lot for some snacks.

Today I am staying in.


August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$64.89 left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.13 left
Gas/Car- $70/$66.48 Left
Eating Out- $50/$19.45 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$13.27 left

Total- $500/$149.06 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
8/9- $0
8/10- $97.94 Groceries/Household, $2.49 coffee, $29.06 Gas, and $28.69 Misc
8/11- $0
8/12- $8.06 Bruggers lunch, $17.86 Borders, and $21.88 Curvy Consignments
8/13- $12.85 Grocery/Household
8/14- $0
8/15- $0
8/16- $0
8/17- $20 Lunch out and $20 groceries
8/18- $0
8/19- $15.87 cat supplies
8/20- $0
8/21- $0
8/22- $0
8/23- $7.67 Pepperidge Farm Outlet
8/24- $0
8/25- $0
8/26- $0
8/27- $8.85 Groceries
8/28- $0

18/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $35.81

 

[Debbie]

Oh....my....goodness! We went shopping for DD, and boy did we spend money. She bought her skirts, sweaters and blouses at the second hand store, so, she save me lots of $$$$. Of course, if we had been shopping at the department stores, it would have been 1 skirt, 1 blouse and 1 sweater. The girl is all set, now, but for a few groceries for her room....I think! (or is that "I hope"?)

I caught a mistake and fixed my gas....for some reason I was adding it to the wrong figure.

Budget: Actual (last month expenses)
Car: $600 $281 ($381) Allowing for some vacation driving, and driving DD to the airport-she returns to Egypt on the 22nd
Groceries/Household: $600 $498 ($706)
Drug co-pays/medicine/lens: $40 $0 ($0)
Misc including gifts: $500 $227 ( $324)
Pool expenses: $200 $257 ($50)
Dining: $200 $117($126) Upped this for our 'vacation' mode
University incidentals expenses: $250 $378 ($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
Aug. 7: IKEA $33 for school stuff. I never get there, and I had one hour before closing. I think I did well.
Aug. 8: gas $41. groceries $16, and DH and I went to Denny's $33
Aug. 9: Rona(more school stuff/university stuff) $54
Aug. 10: gas $44
Aug. 11: Staples (school, again, AND gifts, and university) $92
Aug. 12: Dollarama for misc $10
Aug. 13: groceries $50, misc $15
Aug. 14: $0
Aug. 15: Treats for dinner at my cousins $20, gas $48
Aug. 16: gas for lawnmower $10
Aug. 17: my Mom's birthday so needed a few things...groceries $75
Aug. 18: gas $36, teaching supplies for both DD and myself $47
Aug. 19: $0 WHEW!
Aug. 20: took DS out for breakfast $14, groceries $58, Chinese take-out $42
Aug. 21: $0
Aug. 22: $20 Timmy's + $9 for airport parking
Aug. 23: lunch at the workshop $5, + stuff for school $9
Aug. 24: $0
Aug. 25: lunch between workshop and school $3
Aug. 26: $0
Aug. 27: University shopping-clothes, shoes, stationery stuff, lock for laptop and telephone for dorm $348, gas $36, groceries $54, misc drugstore buys $31

No Buy Days: 7

 

[MK2010]

Wow! I just found this. I'm saving for nursing school and we're talking about going back to Disney when I graduate (Dec. 2013). I could really use this. Will there be a No Buy September?

 

[annsteere]

Oh....my....goodness! We went shopping for DD, and boy did we spend money. She bought her skirts, sweaters and blouses at the second hand store, so, she save me lots of $$$$. Of course, if we had been shopping at the department stores, it would have been 1 skirt, 1 blouse and 1 sweater. The girl is all set, now, but for a few groceries for her room....I think! (or is that "I hope"?)

Debbie if you roll your two miscellaneous categories (misc/gifts and misc. university) you can still be ahead of budget

 

[Debbie]

Wow! I just found this. I'm saving for nursing school and we're talking about going back to Disney when I graduate (Dec. 2013). I could really use this. Will there be a No Buy September?

I'm looking forward to that one. We'll be down to DH and myself and the boy/man who lives in the basement. Hoping to actually be able to save some money for my trip to Cairo in December!

 

[Debbie]

Debbie if you roll your two miscellaneous categories (misc/gifts and misc. university) you can still be ahead of budget

You are right, Ann. I might just do that at the end of the month.

Catching up before the last two days.
Budget: Actual (last month expenses)
Car: $600 $304 ($381) Allowing for some vacation driving, and driving DD to the airport-she returns to Egypt on the 22nd
Groceries/Household: $600 $575 ($706)
Drug co-pays/medicine/lens: $40 $0 ($0)
Misc including gifts: $500 $227 ( $324)
Pool expenses: $200 $257 ($50)
Dining: $200 $117($126) Upped this for our 'vacation' mode
University incidentals expenses: $250 $378 ($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
Aug. 7: IKEA $33 for school stuff. I never get there, and I had one hour before closing. I think I did well.
Aug. 8: gas $41. groceries $16, and DH and I went to Denny's $33
Aug. 9: Rona(more school stuff/university stuff) $54
Aug. 10: gas $44
Aug. 11: Staples (school, again, AND gifts, and university) $92
Aug. 12: Dollarama for misc $10
Aug. 13: groceries $50, misc $15
Aug. 14: $0
Aug. 15: Treats for dinner at my cousins $20, gas $48
Aug. 16: gas for lawnmower $10
Aug. 17: my Mom's birthday so needed a few things...groceries $75
Aug. 18: gas $36, teaching supplies for both DD and myself $47
Aug. 19: $0 WHEW!
Aug. 20: took DS out for breakfast $14, groceries $58, Chinese take-out $42
Aug. 21: $0
Aug. 22: $20 Timmy's + $9 for airport parking
Aug. 23: lunch at the workshop $5, + stuff for school $9
Aug. 24: $0
Aug. 25: lunch between workshop and school $3
Aug. 26: $0
Aug. 27: University shopping-clothes, shoes, stationery stuff, lock for laptop and telephone for dorm $348, gas $36, groceries $54, misc drugstore buys $31
Aug. 28: groceries $12
Aug. 29: groceries $65, gas $23

No Buy Days: 7

 

[charming23]

Yesterday I went to the grocery and picked up a few items needed to get us through until we leave on Friday to go to the Island for the weekend. I am proud that we have been sticking to our menu and eating from the freezer/pantry this month. I also had lunch out.

Today I am doing laundry and organizing everything for the weekend so I am not doing it at the last minute like usual.

August 2011 Budget

Groceries/Household- $250/$36.78 left
Cat Supplies- $30/$14.13 left
Gas/Car- $70/$66.48 Left
Eating Out- $50/$15.46 left
Misc/Entertainment- $100/$13.27 left

Total- $500/$116.96 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
8/9- $0
8/10- $97.94 Groceries/Household, $2.49 coffee, $29.06 Gas, and $28.69 Misc
8/11- $0
8/12- $8.06 Bruggers lunch, $17.86 Borders, and $21.88 Curvy Consignments
8/13- $12.85 Grocery/Household
8/14- $0
8/15- $0
8/16- $0
8/17- $20 Lunch out and $20 groceries
8/18- $0
8/19- $15.87 cat supplies
8/20- $0
8/21- $0
8/22- $0
8/23- $7.67 Pepperidge Farm Outlet
8/24- $0
8/25- $0
8/26- $0
8/27- $8.85 Groceries
8/28- $0
8/29- $28.11 Groceries and $3.99 lunch out
8/30- $0

19/15 No Buy Days

Store/Coupon Savings- $35.81