No Buy August

[Tiggerish]

Total discretionary budget for August is $420

Groceries = $120 / $34 left
Auto/Gas = 75
Giving = $50 / $40 left
Medical = $50 / $46
Eating Out = $25 / $3 over
Misc. = $100 /$82 left
==================================================

8/1 = $0
8/2 = $13 Eating out
8/3 = $7 Groceries
8/4 = $29 Groceries
8/5 = $0
8/6 = $0
8/7 = $8 Eating out
8/8 $0
8/9 $10 Giving (church collection); $8 Misc. (some dollar store trinkets to stock up my "treasure chest")
8/10 $12 Misc. items for back to school boxes I am making for church to give to kids
8/11 $4 Misc. - more trinkets for my "treasure chest"
8/12 $0
8/13 $0
8/14 $50 Groceries; $3 Eating out; and, $4 Medical (prescription)
8/15 $4 Eating out

 

[wdwfan16]

8/2 - $0
8/4 - $0
8/8 - $0
8/9 - $0
8/13 - $0
8/15 - $0

 

[neatokimmo]

Ok so this is our big yard sale weekend. And THE trip to Walmart to buy trip items. I spent about $140 I think (I hope lol) in the past two days. I am digging out all my receipts now to add to the columns below.

Groceries - 102.47/200
Eating out - .76/50 (I can't believe its just the 13th and I've run this down)
Cats - 30
Baby Loot - 44.13/60
Mama Loot - 32.32/40
Gas - 22/60
YardSale cash - 33.75/50
Misc - 159.83/200

August 14th + 15th - $140 - ish
August 13th - $1.65 $257.59/$690
August 12 - zero! 255.94/690
August 11 - $.20 255.94/$690
August 10 - $1.45 255.74/$690
August 9 - zero! $254.29/$690
August 8 - $93.09 $254.29/$690
August 7 - $41.48 $161.19/$690
August 6 - $9.25 $119.71.$690
August 5 - $11.08 $110.46/690
August 4 - $31.51 $99.38/690
August 3 - $1! $67.87/$690
August 2 - zero! $66.87/ $690
August 1 - $66.87/ $690

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I've put my totals into my spreadsheet and it looks like halfway through I have less than half my budget left (900 or less to make it), so I'm kinda bummed with myself.

Belk's is going out of business here and they're taking 75% off the LOWEST marked price, and I got some 7 jeans ($161) for 40 bux and a Lilly Pulitzer dress for $14 (original price 278, marked down to 100, marked down again to 63, then 75% off that). I am just not strong enough to not shop like a madwoman when the deals are that good. I also went and got my hair trimmed. So, I'm looking fabulous but I kind of killed my no buy (spent 150 total at Belks).

 

[lattemomof3]

11th - 0$
12th - 27$ gift for sitter (our last day there after 9 years ), 20$ haircuts, $52 photo developing, 49$ groceries
13th - 0$
14 - 28$ pizza for 7, $11 swimming pool, $12 snacks for 7 @ pool (took our own water), groc 7$, Shwans $53(darn dh)
15 - $110 groc's (in-laws coming for a visit), 8$ small Dairy Queen blizzards for ds & I (good thing I only had 1 kid with!)

 

[dismom9761]

Gas and car 53/180
groceries 68.17/300
eating out 23.90 /50
Misc 54.63/100
Sport 230/350(yes that is correct and that is a low number)
`````````````````````````````````````````````````` ``````````
8/8-$13.85-We were going to cook out at a friend's house and needed steaks.We bought 4 steaks(the youngest wasn't with us and I don't eat steak),rolls,and a 2 ltr drink
8/9-$11.63-school supplies and DH spent $3 on gatorade/water for ball practice and $2.50 for a newspaper
8/10-9.72-hamburger meat and pretzels...I have to get better about planning ahead and doing one grocery store run...
8/11-gas-$8 and groceries $7.68
8/12-$20 gas
8/13-,$3.79 for drinks at ballfield,$9.90 for dinner for DH and DS11 and DS13...and then the girls and I stopped at the store for something DD5 needs for school tomorrow and I spent $8.62 on groceries
8/14-$14 for Dh and I to eat out for lunch,$10 for DS13 to go to High School football game,$4.37 at grocery store,gas $25,new fish for DS11(his died)$6,groceries(drinks and sandwich stuff for ballfield mostly)$14.69
8/15-girls' softball registration $180,fans for kids' rooms $27,boys tryout fees $50

`````````````````````````````````

I had to add in some spending that DH did last night and then today's.I hope after tomorrow we can manage to have some $0 days...

 

[Tiggerish]

Total discretionary budget for August is $420

Groceries = $120 / $34 left
Auto/Gas = 75
Giving = $50 / $25 left
Medical = $50 / $46
Eating Out = $25 / $3 over
Misc. = $100 /$82 left
==================================================

8/1 = $0
8/2 = $13 Eating out
8/3 = $7 Groceries
8/4 = $29 Groceries
8/5 = $0
8/6 = $0
8/7 = $8 Eating out
8/8 $0
8/9 $10 Giving (church collection); $8 Misc. (some dollar store trinkets to stock up my "treasure chest")
8/10 $12 Misc. items for back to school boxes I am making for church to give to kids
8/11 $4 Misc. - more trinkets for my "treasure chest"
8/12 $0
8/13 $0
8/14 $50 Groceries; $3 Eating out; and, $4 Medical (prescription)
8/15 $4 Eating out
8/16 $15 Giving (church collection)

 

[tara32]

How do you guys do it? I consider myself fairly frugal but the grocery sepnding has been getting out of control. IN June I spent $1200, and we are only a fam of 4.
Even if I could cut it to $125 a week that would be good but challenging.
We spend at least $30/wk just on dairy. (4L of milk here is $7)Another $7/wk in soymilk, and dh LOVES meat.
How are you guys making $200 grocery money last the MONTH???

 

[neatokimmo]

Today was zero!

I broke down the last two days - eeck!

Yardsale 28.50
eating out - 12 (used $7.50 of my visa giftcard too)
baby loot 9.89
mama loot - 16.41
walmart trip & school supplies (after a return) $40
dollar tree 17.52

Good thing I guess we have all the groceries we need for the week. That will help some in the overall total. I'm hopeful to have enough leftover to buy a new camera for the trip!

Groceries - 102.47/200
Eating out - 12.76/50 (oops)
Cats - 30
Baby Loot - 34.24/60
Mama Loot - 15.91/40
Gas - 22/60
YardSale cash - 5.25/50
Misc - 102.31/200

August 14th + 15th - $124.32 - 381.91/690
August 13th - $1.65 $257.59/$690
August 12 - zero! 255.94/690
August 11 - $.20 255.94/$690
August 10 - $1.45 255.74/$690
August 9 - zero! $254.29/$690
August 8 - $93.09 $254.29/$690
August 7 - $41.48 $161.19/$690
August 6 - $9.25 $119.71.$690
August 5 - $11.08 $110.46/690
August 4 - $31.51 $99.38/690
August 3 - $1! $67.87/$690
August 2 - zero! $66.87/ $690
August 1 - $66.87/ $690

 

[neatokimmo]

It depends on where you live I think. Milk is $3 a gallon, bread is $1, tons of fruit options for $1 a pound and meat options for $2 a pound. If you live in a larger city there is no way you can feed a family of four for $200 a month.

How do you guys do it? I consider myself fairly frugal but the grocery sepnding has been getting out of control. IN June I spent $1200, and we are only a fam of 4.
Even if I could cut it to $125 a week that would be good but challenging.
We spend at least $30/wk just on dairy. (4L of milk here is $7)Another $7/wk in soymilk, and dh LOVES meat.
How are you guys making $200 grocery money last the MONTH???

 

[neatokimmo]

Belk's is going out of business here and they're taking 75% off the LOWEST marked price, and I got some 7 jeans ($161) for 40 bux and a Lilly Pulitzer dress for $14 (original price 278, marked down to 100, marked down again to 63, then 75% off that). I am just not strong enough to not shop like a madwoman when the deals are that good. I also went and got my hair trimmed. So, I'm looking fabulous but I kind of killed my no buy (spent 150 total at Belks).

Is it going out of biz everywhere? We have two in our mall, a clothing one and a housewares one. Not that she needs them, but I wouldn't mind a Lilly dress (or four) in the kiddo's closet

 

[wdwfan16]

8/2 - $0
8/4 - $0
8/8 - $0
8/9 - $0
8/13 - $0
8/15 - $0
8/16 - $0

 

[wdwfan16]

How do you guys do it? I consider myself fairly frugal but the grocery sepnding has been getting out of control. IN June I spent $1200, and we are only a fam of 4.
Even if I could cut it to $125 a week that would be good but challenging.
We spend at least $30/wk just on dairy. (4L of milk here is $7)Another $7/wk in soymilk, and dh LOVES meat.
How are you guys making $200 grocery money last the MONTH???

I have no idea. I am already spent over $200 so far this month.

 

[paulasillars]

I worked over the weekend so no spending there - client kindly paid for all my meals too so no oop expenses. Hoping tomorrow will be another $0 and then off on holiday!

17th - $7.50 for lunch + $45 for magazine sub
16th - $0
15th - $0
14th - $0

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Is it going out of biz everywhere? We have two in our mall, a clothing one and a housewares one. Not that she needs them, but I wouldn't mind a Lilly dress (or four) in the kiddo's closet

I don't know, you might want to google it to see. The deals were unbelievable.

How do you guys do it? I consider myself fairly frugal but the grocery sepnding has been getting out of control. IN June I spent $1200, and we are only a fam of 4.
Even if I could cut it to $125 a week that would be good but challenging.
We spend at least $30/wk just on dairy. (4L of milk here is $7)Another $7/wk in soymilk, and dh LOVES meat.
How are you guys making $200 grocery money last the MONTH???

I'm not always good at it. I'm having a terrible month this month, although I'm not over, I'm spending way more than I planned on impulsive things, I really need to knock it off. In May I was superwoman, though.

Aug. 1 $0
Aug. 2 $0
Aug. 3 $110
Aug. 4 $93, $38
Aug. 5 $0
Aug. 6 $140 PTA. Augh!!!!!!
Aug. 7 $253 Target, Auugghhhh!!!!!, $12.30 library fine Auggghhh!!!!!
Aug. 8 $150 Walmart, so far returned $50
Aug. 9 $0
Aug. 10 $0
Aug. 11 $-10.50 $22, 23.91, 10
Aug. 12 $30.45 (cvs, sick kid), $20.49 (barnes and noble)
Aug. 13 $52.15 (belk's), $25.62 bday present for DD9, 37.44 Publix
Aug. 14 $104.58 (belk's again), $151.04 (Target groceries) $50 (haircut)
Aug. 15 $0
Aug. 16 $0
Aug. 17

Total: $2k or under for Aug, $907 left.

I really need to get the oil changed and the tires rotated, but I think since it's a rainy ugly day here I'll just stay home and clean-the house takes a beating over the weekend when everyone's here-the dust bunnies evolve to a higher life form!

 

[Debbie]

How do you guys do it? I consider myself fairly frugal but the grocery sepnding has been getting out of control. IN June I spent $1200, and we are only a fam of 4.
Even if I could cut it to $125 a week that would be good but challenging.
We spend at least $30/wk just on dairy. (4L of milk here is $7)Another $7/wk in soymilk, and dh LOVES meat.
How are you guys making $200 grocery money last the MONTH???

Groceries are always a problem for our house, too. In fact, that is why I am tracking only groceries this month. Well, that and the fact that all other spending is outrageous. I find that the same for every August. I don't know if that is because I am 'bored' of summer (NOT) or if August is just an expensive month all round.

This month, I am already over $400, and it is only half way through. We are a family of 4, with the other ones dropping in every now and then. DS and his GF are coming today. Luckily, DH and I are headed to WDW with Dining Plan next week. I'll give my girls a little money $30-$50 to last the week, so that will help the monthly totals. I must say, though, that I have a fair bit of meat (only buy on sale!) that will last us into September, especially since older of the two girls left at home leaves in 2½ weeks for university.

One thing we do is track WHAT we are spending money on. In the past, I have had a total list: Meat, Fruit, Vegetables, Dairy, Junk Food, etc. It was quite an eye opener. DH loves his pop. We don't eat out, but I'll buy crackers/cheese that don't last long. I love the fresh fruits and veggies at this time of year, so I spend a lot on those. Desserts aren't usually in the mix, but (DH again) buys junk food. I always buy bananas, milk, my olive oil margarine and the cost is not a concern. Tracking will really be an eye-opener for you.

One disadvantage that we have in Canada is that there is no such thing as "double coupon days" etc. So that in itself limits the frugality of grocery shopping.

Don't beat yourself up. Start with that $125 a week goal, track your purchases, and see where you think that you can cut. Lots of help here on the thread-help that is not judgemental (gotta love that! ). And

 

[Debbie]

Forgot to ask. Tara, where do you buy your milk? I've found, around here, anyway, the cheapest place is No Frills (like Aldi's, I think), Costco, and Shoppers Drug Mart. I think the corner varieties tend to have it cheaper than the grocery store, too.

 

[casper_jj11]

How do you guys do it? I consider myself fairly frugal but the grocery sepnding has been getting out of control. IN June I spent $1200, and we are only a fam of 4.
Even if I could cut it to $125 a week that would be good but challenging.
We spend at least $30/wk just on dairy. (4L of milk here is $7)Another $7/wk in soymilk, and dh LOVES meat.
How are you guys making $200 grocery money last the MONTH???

I could never do $200 a month. I'm having trouble at $135 a week but I come close most months. I also include diapers and toiletries in the grocery budget. I don't worry too much about the weekly totals. I shop at 3 or more stores a week and I shop sales. Everything goes on sale at some point and for high price items, I stock up then. My fruit and veggies for the week depend on what's in the flyers. I buy lots but a the lowest price possible. This week, it includes peaches (2.27 a 3lb basket), plums (2.27 a 1.5lb basket), grapes 99c a lb, corn 6 for 99c plus more. I stocked up on boneless chicken breasts at 3.49lb ($7.xx a kg), pork at 1.99lb ($4.xx kg), and cheese at 4.99 a block (500g) as well as a little beef (we don't eat much) and sausages a few weeks ago. I'm good for at least a month. I stock up on cereal when it goes on sale and use coupons. Bread was on for $1 this week (usually $2.99 a loaf!) and I've bought 8 loafs so far and I'll buy more before the sale ends later this week.

Debbie - The best places I've found for milk are Shoppers Drug Mart, Macs Convenience Store and Food Basics. All are 3.99 a bag. I was paying $8 a bag at Loblaws at one point!

groceries $540 $230 left
gas $500 $419.40 left
cat food $90
swim lessons for three kiddos $400 $2 left
fall clothing $75 $47.78 left
school supplies $60 $12.87 left
hockey equipment $500
skates for ds6 and dd3 $200
dance lessons for dd3 $96
cat sitter for time at cottage $70 $30 left
paint garage $300
DSalmost2 bday gift $50
DSalmost 7 bday gift $50 $26.45 left
DSalmost2 bday party supplies $50
DSalmost7 bday party supplies $100 $98.12 left
boys haircuts $40
my spending $150 $65.17 left
DH spending $150 (DH decided to take $150 in cash out for the month so I won't be keeping track... but he's on board )

Total: $3421 hmmmm that's high ... $2210.93 left

1- cottage stuff (fishing licences, wood, etc) $70.35
2 - fishing gear $48.09
4 - gas $27.75
6 - breakfast $7.76; gas $52.85
7 - breakfast $10.98
8 - back to school clothes $27.22; school supplies $20.88; video rental $11.83; groceries $50.10; cat sitter $40
9 - milk $3.99; school supplies $26.25; groceries $6.32
10 - groceries $28.12
11 - swimming registration $398; car registration $73; diapers $36.82
12- drugstore stuff $42.49; DS6 bday gift $11.28; party supplies $1.70; groceries $1.88;
13 - groceries $10.05; groceries $9.08
14 - groceries $68.90; bday gift for friend of DS6 $$22.59
15 - Boston Pizza - pizza free/tip $10 (great service and gave us free drinks!); groceries $12.40
16 - food at soccer tournament $6; vaccines for DS6 - $43.99 ; bday gift for DS6 $12.27; $12.29 camping chair to replace one we borrowed from neighbour that collapses when DH sat on it at soccer tournament ; groceries $4.84
17 - have to buy hockey equipment today .... expecting a $500 plus bill .. anything less will be a miracle

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

DH played hockey as a kid, as did his younger brother. MIL still talks about how expensive the equipment was, and how BAD it smelled (this was back in the day before febreeze )

I nixed horseback riding lessons for the DD's because damn, that's an expensive hobby!

 

[Debbie]

Joanne, you are doing great on your gas (another thing that I regularly track). Where is the bread on sale? Bread is a thing that we use a fair bit, and is rarely on sale. We use both white and 12 Grain in our house.

We've saved money on cat food this month. I bought the wrong kind and the two cats were on a hunger strike. DH (who claims NOT to like the cats), finally mixed the dry unpalatable stuff with some Whiskas wet treat stuff that I got on sale on Thursday. They ate one bowl, and went back on strike. Today, for the first time in 8 days, I added to the bowl, and they "dove" in. Well as much as they could with their noses in the air.