No Buy February

[Tiggerish]

Budget is a generous $525 for a short month.

Automobile $50 / $6 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $25 / $2 left
Insurance $75 / $7 left
Giving $50 / $47 over
Groceries/Household Goods $200 / $39 left
Medical $25 left
Misc. $100 / $17 over
Running total of coupon savings $37.65
-------------------------------------------------------------------

2/1 Groceries $25; Misc. $30 (to do two state income tax returns online)
2/2 Entertainment $5 - bought a ticket to my niece's school talent show (she is singing in it).
2/3 Misc. $21 - postage, ink cartridge and paper for printer
2/4 Insurance $68
2/5 $0
2/6 $0
2/7 Misc. $26 - birthday present for bil and liquor for Super Bowl party
2/8 $0
2/9 $0
2/10 Groceries $8; Eating out $15
2/11 $0
2/12 Groceries $40; Giving $10 to March of Dimes (neighbor collecting for them)
2/13 Misc. $18
2/14 Giving $20 (church collection)
2/15 Groceries $29
2/16 Auto $23 for gas
2/17 Auto $17 for gas; Groceries $12; Misc. $6 for Easter basket stuff; Giving $40 for supplies for kids group
2/18 $0
2/19 Misc. $16 (printer ink); Giving $12 (stuff for food pantry basket for Lent project); Groceries $35 (after approx. $11 off from coupons and $21 off from sale prices)
2/20 Groceries $12
2/21 Giving $10 (church collection); Auto $4 (car wash)
2/22 $0
2/23 Eating out $3; Giving $5 (did the free pancakes at IHOP but bought coffee and made a donation to Children's Miracle Network but I did get my picture taken with Miss Michigan who was wearing her sash and crown!)

 

[tinkarooni]

So, are you doing this once a month or twice? Do you put a months worth of food money in an envelope from one check?
Don't mean to get personal, but I get paid bi-weekly also, and my food budget is divided up during the month, so I'm interested to hear how others divide up the budget.

No problem. I essentially get two checks a month. Except for twice a year when I get three (YIPPEE! That extra pay I don't count) So out of my first check of the month I take my food money and my allowance for the entire month, than that money has to last through until the next first check of the next month. My other check I use to pay bills etc.

So I take my monthly money and put it into an envelope with the goal this month to only spend $100 per week on food. Now obviously I spent a little more because I also dipped into my allowance, but I am thrilled with the results. Since I always spend this money I always take it, so today I am left with all that cash in my envelope. There's something about actually seeing all the money I saved. Getting my food budget down to this certainly does not beat other peoples savings, some of which are fabulous, but my goals are personal for me. I always spent $900 on food and this month I didn't. That's a personal achievement I hope to continue and better. Good Luck!

 

[Mickey1Fan]

I also get paid every two weeks. I have a budget worksheet that actually provides how much I should be spending each month on each item. On payday I take out the cash I need for two weeks.

Here is the link to the budget if anyone is interested...

http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/resources.html

Go to the Interactive Budget Worksheet, I used the download option. I think it is the best worksheet I have ever used. Breaks down what percent you should spending on housing, transportation, etc.

 

[lougoofy]

2/22/10: $1.50 bus fare, $2.60 (or so) bill payment fee and potato wedges, $2.52 cafe au lait (at Sunergos), $12.13 groceries (Pic Pac) and $3.25 laundry

2/23/10: $2.00 laundry and $3.68 groceries (Dollar General)

 

[thebigkahuna]

No problem. I essentially get two checks a month. Except for twice a year when I get three (YIPPEE! That extra pay I don't count) So out of my first check of the month I take my food money and my allowance for the entire month, than that money has to last through until the next first check of the next month. My other check I use to pay bills etc.

So I take my monthly money and put it into an envelope with the goal this month to only spend $100 per week on food. Now obviously I spent a little more because I also dipped into my allowance, but I am thrilled with the results. Since I always spend this money I always take it, so today I am left with all that cash in my envelope. There's something about actually seeing all the money I saved. Getting my food budget down to this certainly does not beat other peoples savings, some of which are fabulous, but my goals are personal for me. I always spent $900 on food and this month I didn't. That's a personal achievement I hope to continue and better. Good Luck!

Congrats on your personal goals! I've hit a few of those myself lately (using cash instead of the debit card, and keeping track of what I'm spending that isn't in the budget) and I try not to compare to others ~ jsut like you said, my goals are just that - mine!

I see how you are dividing up your budget now, thank you for taking the time to explain it to me

 

[thebigkahuna]

I also get paid every two weeks. I have a budget worksheet that actually provides how much I should be spending each month on each item. On payday I take out the cash I need for two weeks.

Here is the link to the budget if anyone is interested...

http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/resources.html

Go to the Interactive Budget Worksheet, I used the download option. I think it is the best worksheet I have ever used. Breaks down what percent you should spending on housing, transportation, etc.

I can't wait to dive into this later - I think I'm in over my head in the "housing" area & really want to have some solid numbers together. Maybe seeing numbers in black & white will help me to bite the bullet and actually start planning a move.

 

[Debbie]

Out of my combined $1,000. total I have......drum roll.....$481. left.

Well done, tinkarooni! You must feel SOOOOOO good! Here's my update.

Week 4: Budget $300 for groceries, gas and car maintenance

$253/$300
$0 days to date 9/10

Feb 22: $0
Feb 23: groceries $22 + gas $25

Week 1: $9/$225
Week 2: $3/$300
Week 3: $181/$300

 

[charming23]

We had a lot of ice here this morning and my car was completely iced over so I stayed in today.

Stopped at the grocery after my morning class for a few items and I also filled up my gas tank.

Budget:
Grocery/Household: $200/$47.25 Left
Gas: $50/$8.80 Left
Eating Out/Entertainment: $50/$20.00 Left
Emergency/Misc: $75/$60.62 Left

Total: $375.00/ $126.65 Left

2/1- $50.53 Grocery and $10.08 Misc
2/2- $0
2/3- $0
2/4- $0
2/5- $10.47 Five Guys, $12.58 Giant Eagle, and $20.60 for gas
2/6- $0
2/7- $14.30 Save-a-lot
2/8- $0
2/9- $0
2/10- $0
2/11- $19.53 b-day lunch at Harry Buffalo
2/12- $0
2/13- $18.28 Groceries and $4.30 at Marshalls
2/14- $0
2/15- $0
2/16- $15.50 Groceries
2/17- $0
2/18- $26.61 Groceries
2/19- $0
2/20- $0
2/21- $0
2/22- $20.60 Gas and $24.67 Groceries
2/23- $0

15/15 $0 days so far
Coupon and store savings: $35.02

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Well, it's going OK but I don't have a lot of cash left in the grocery envelope and pay day is another week and a half away...

$37.93 left for food
$11.45 Pets won't starve
$10.02 Entertainment - might become food budget

This is my first month using a great budget worksheet I found on line and it breaks down how much cash is needed each week for every category.

I remain at five zero $ days but other than needing tea and attending a birthday dinner (whoo hoo where can I eat for $10.02) I may have three more zero $ days.

 

[smiller]

I started with a $900 food budget and a $100 personal allowance. Now of course I have said that I have a very full pantry and freezer so I should be able to do this, although this was the first time I did.

Out of my combined $1,000. total I have......drum roll.....$481. left.

For me that is just amazing and tells me that I can do it again next month!!

That's awesome! Congratulations!

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $888
$700...-$188 over
$0 Days:11
Goal is 15 or more!

Groceries- $250...$52 over
Gas- $150...$21 left
Eating Out- $100...$10 left
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) $200...-$169 over
I always round up to the nearest dollar.

1- $69 (Groceries-Meijer &Dominick's), $33 Gas, $18 (Eating Out- McDonald's), $25 (Misc.- Taxes)
2- $0
3- $2 (Eating Out- Wendy's), $31 (Groceries- Meijer, Wal-mart, Walgreens)
4- $0
5- $4 (Groceries- Meijer), $8 (Eating Out- McDonald's), $32 (Gas), $45 (Shopping- Meijer)
6- $41 (Groceries- Costco), $26 (Groceries- Joe Caputo & Sons), $4 (Groceries- Walgreens), $8 (Groceries- Target) $2 (Shopping-Dollar Tree 2 Sunday Papers for the coupons!)
7- $12 (Groceries- Walgreens), $6 (Groceries- Meijer), $17 (Groceries- Jewel-Osco), $3 (Shopping- Library Book Sale)
8- $0
9- $24 (Shopping- Target), $7 (Groceries- Meijer), $8 (Groceries- Jewel-Osco), $5 (Groceries- Walgreens) $2 (Eating Out- Wendy's)
10- $0
11- $0
12- $0
13- $6 (Shopping-Walgreens), $24 (Shopping-Sister's Birthday Present), $19 (Shopping-Target), $7 (Eating Out- Dairy Queen), $39 (Gas)
14- $6 (Shopping-Dollar Tree), $3 (Groceries-Jewel), $15 (Misc.-Parking and Train Tickets), $7 (Shopping- Chinatown candies and goodies), $40 (Eating Out- Dragon Court)
15- $0
16- $13 (Groceries- Dominick's), $16 (Groceries- Jewel-Osco), $8 (Shopping- Target), $5 (Shopping- Walgreens), $2 (Eating Out- Wendy's)
17- $0
18- $0
19- $0
20- $12 (Shopping- CVS), $25 (Gas), $7 (Eating Out- Subway), $1 (Groceries- Meijer), $6 (Groceries-Jewel), $19 (Groceries- Costco) $21 (Shopping-Target)
21- $41 (Shopping- Target), $97 (Shopping- Office-Max-Printer Ink...boo!), $8 (Shopping-Stamps), $4 (Groceries- Aldi's)
22- $0
23- $1 (Shopping-Walgreens...used expiring Register Rewards), $2 (Groceries-Target...Milk) $xxx (Gas), $2 (Eating Out-Wendy's)


$0 Days: 11/15: 73%
$700 Limit: $888: 127%
Month: 22/28: 82%

My savings from coupons and sales: $745.54

 

[erikawolf2004]

January totals:
12 no buy days
Eating Out $316
Groceries $565
Shopping $427
Misc./Entertainment $69
=$1377

Goals for Feb:
12 no buy days
Eating Out $250/$159
Groceries $450/$498
Shopping $200/$159 (have a $17 credit from LeapFrog coming)($100 ebay sells)
Misc./Entertainment/Haircut&color $160/$249-over by $89
=$1050/$1065

2/1 $154, $105 Haircut/color, $16 cookbooks, $33 groceries
2/2 $13 pizza
2/3 $19, $23 dress, $13 lunch, ($17) return to LeapFrog awaiting credit
2/4 $154, $109 Trader Joes, $20 Fruits & Veggies, $25 dress off ebay
2/5 $14 Whole Foods
2/6 $119, $ 54 laundry soap & dryerballs, $65 Turbotax
2/7 $0, 1/12 I'm doing this early to keep me on track-I need at least one $0 for the week
2/8 $40, $11 lunch out, $13 dress, $16 CNY supplies
2/9 $0 2/12
2/10 $68, $44 Whole Foods, $24 Michael's CNY/Valentine's day supplies
2/11 $0 3/12
2/12 $34, $4 Starbucks, $30 Dinner Out
2/13 $13 invitations, $10 Gap shirt/tights, $5 drinks at CNY, $5 Donuts
2/14 $0 4/12
2/15 $0 5/12
2/16 $133, $15 lunch, $15 Target, $103 Whole Foods, $25 Gas
2/17 $69, $12 lunch, $57 Whole Foods
2/18 $0 6/12...actually have a shopping credit of $100 for items sold on Ebay
2/19 $58, $33 Trader Joes, $25 Dinner out-TGIF[/QUOTE]
2/20 $153, $75 Gymboree, $61 GenMarie, $17 Dinner...didn't do great today, but had a fun time shopping and getting ready for spring
2/21 $0 7/12
2/22 $79, $9 lunch, $70 groceries[/QUOTE]
2/23 $0 8/12

 

[tinkarooni]

Thanks so much guys.....I knew that you would all appreciate my efforts. My DH loves the money I saved but sometimes I can actually see his eyes glaze over at my excitement.

We are planning a VERY BIG purchase this year, we are building a barn on our property that we have been planning for almost 7 years so every penny I can save is good. Besides that every year I garden like crazy to stock the house with good organic food from the yard and see so much of it go to waste when we don't get to it before it freezer burns or expires. This year my saving money along with the Clean out the pantry thread have been hand in hand for me. Working on next month's menus and hoping I can do better than this month even.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Groceries $300.00-$72.00 = $228.00 - $40.00 = $188.00 - $38.00 = $150.00 - $70.00 = $80.00 - $30.00 = $50.00
Gas for car: $150.00 - $40.00 = $110.00 - $38.00 = $72.00 - $38.00 = $34.00 - $23.0 = $12.00

Misc. not accounted for: $158.00

Feb 1 - groceries $72.00, gas $40.00
Feb 2 - $1.00 for downtown parking
Feb 3 - $0.00
Feb 4 - $0.00
Feb 5 - $10.00 for a boutonierre
Feb 6 - $0.00
Feb 7 - $2.00 Sams Club, $10.00 wings for Superbowl, $38.00 gas
Feb 8 - $0.00
Feb 9 - $10.00 school stuff not accounted for
Feb 10 - $0.00
Feb 11 - $0.00
Feb 12 - $0.00
Feb 13 - $0.00
Feb 14 - $60.00 extra trip to the mall with the kids
Feb 15 - $30.00 eating out on weekend trip
Feb 16 - $6.00 Fastnachts for my bday cake
Feb 17 - $0.00
Feb 18 - $23.00 loaner car returned
Feb 19 - $9.00 Starbucks
Feb 20 - $0.00
Feb 21 - $70.00 groceries
Feb 22 - $0.00
Feb 23 - $30.00 Wegmans, $11.00 Borders
Feb 24 -
Feb 25
Feb 26
Feb 27
Feb 28

Tomorrow I will pick up the car. It will skew my numbers quite a bit for the month. The car repairs are $250.00 after fighting the dealership (was over $360.00 originally so some off is better than none) and I will need to put gas in the loaner car and my car, so that will be a bit more expensive. Since there is only 5 days to go, I will use the balance of my grocery money to offset the gas money.

This has been a great eye opener for me though. I realize that in my monthly budget I need a column for the kids as their unexpected costs outweigh more than others. And yes you got it, I am blaming the kids!

 

[PeytonSdiz]

Goals = Spend $600 (or less) and have at least ten $0 days. Also...to not eat out at all this month.

February 1st = $0
February 2nd = $20 (ordered a bunch of mailing labels because I'm almost out.)
February 3rd = $47 (groceries)
February 4th = $0
February 5th = $0
February 6th = $122 (Costco)
February 7th = $13 (Toys R Us gift), $29 (groceries)
February 8th = $38 (more groceries)
February 9th = $0
February 10th = $0
February 11th = $98 (Target/Walmart), $22 (movie tickets/soda)
February 12th = $0
February 13th = $34 (groceries)
February 14th = $11 (espresso beans)
February 15th = $0
February 16th = $6 (groceries - bread/milk)
February 17th = $0
February 18th = $0
February 19th = $35 (groceries)
February 20th = $19 (more groceries)
February 21st = $0
February 22nd = $0
February 23rd = $0

Total so far = $494

$0 Days so far = 12/10

Exceded my $0 Day goal!

 

[wdwfan16]

2/2 - $0
2/4 - $0
2/6 - $0
2/7 - $0
2/10 - $0
2/11 - $0
2/13 - $0
2/14 - $0
2/16 - $0
2/17 - $0
2/18 - $0
2/20 - $0
2/21 - $0
2/22 - $0
2/24 - $0
2/25 - $0

 

[charming23]

Hit up Trader Joe's today for our once every other month trip (we have not been since before Christmas so we were out of a lot) I know I went over in my food budget but we got a lot of stuff that will last us until next month.

Budget:
Grocery/Household: $200/-$2.71 Left
Gas: $50/$8.80 Left
Eating Out/Entertainment: $50/$20.00 Left
Emergency/Misc: $75/$60.62 Left

Total: $375.00/ $76.74 Left

2/1- $50.53 Grocery and $10.08 Misc
2/2- $0
2/3- $0
2/4- $0
2/5- $10.47 Five Guys, $12.58 Giant Eagle, and $20.60 for gas
2/6- $0
2/7- $14.30 Save-a-lot
2/8- $0
2/9- $0
2/10- $0
2/11- $19.53 b-day lunch at Harry Buffalo
2/12- $0
2/13- $18.28 Groceries and $4.30 at Marshalls
2/14- $0
2/15- $0
2/16- $15.50 Groceries
2/17- $0
2/18- $26.61 Groceries
2/19- $0
2/20- $0
2/21- $0
2/22- $20.60 Gas and $24.67 Groceries
2/23- $0
2/24- $49.91 Trader Joe's

15/15 $0 days so far
Coupon and store savings: $35.02

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

02/01 $22.00. It was DH's turn to make dinner....He choose to order grinders. Does he not realize it's day 1 of this challenge....he's killing me already.
02/02 -0-
02/03 -0-
02/04 -0- Made $23.00 from DD's clothes at Plato's Closet.
02/05 $40.00 gas
02/06 $ 12.00 Pepperidge Farms Outlet, $16.00 Price Chopper, $11.00 CVS (but saved $53.65 w/coupons and ECB)
02/07 -0- Was given a racks of ribs by DIn-laws. Got 3 Chocolate orders $$
02/08 $4.00 BK craving for breakfast.
02/09 $ 80.00 Big Y's b1/g2 sale. I only shop here when they do a b1/g2 sale. Stocked up on alot and got alot of rain checks . They were out of alot of stuff. Stores were crazy because of the BIG STORM Coming the next day.
02/10 -0- Never left the house. Closed our office because of the BIG STORM against my recommendation to see what the morning brought....BIG STORM was a dud. What was suppose to be up to 14 inches ended up being less than 2.
02/11 -0- Did get 2 more candy orders +$$
02/12 $43.00 gas- $25.00 DH and I ate out waiting for DD to get done with bowling. - $15.00 gave DD money for bowling. - $12.00 V' Day and Anniv. cards and 1 bag of prepackaged candy. $38.00 groceries.
02/13 -0- Never left the house.
02/14 $85.00 early dinner out at O.G.
02/15 $4.00 breakfast at BK (I caved)
02/16 -0- Snow Day
02/17 $17.00 milk and produce
02/18 -0-
02/19 $48.00 in gas
02/20 $64.00 Rx,Cards and misc. things from Walmart ($36.00 of this was food. So, taking that from groceries)...$30.00 at a local fundraiser(out of entertainment. It was a night out). but won severel gift cards for local business'.
02/21 $50 cash birthday gift for DNephew.
02/22 -0-
02/23 $14.00 Groceries
02/24 -0- So far

What's left
Groceries: 283.00/$550.00
Gas 72.00/$200.00
Entertainment/Eat out: $59.00/$200.00
Misc. spending:0/$50.00
Valentine's Day/Anniv. $38.00 ( put dinner in eat out)
-1- Spend Days Goal 10[/quote]
$92.00 Money Made

 

[lougoofy]

2/23/10: $2.00 laundry and $3.68 groceries (Dollar General)

2/24/10: $1.50 bus fare, $1.22 coffee, $6.89 book and music exchange (movies), $5.98 groceries (valu market), $5.30 footlong sammie from subway (I was starving) and $1.54 coffee and snack

 

[Tiggerish]

Budget is a generous $525 for a short month.

Automobile $50 / $6 left
Eating Out/Entertainment $25 / $2 left
Insurance $75 / $7 left
Giving $50 / $47 over
Groceries/Household Goods $200 / $39 left
Medical $25 left
Misc. $100 / $17 over
Running total of coupon savings $37.65
-------------------------------------------------------------------

2/1 Groceries $25; Misc. $30 (to do two state income tax returns online)
2/2 Entertainment $5 - bought a ticket to my niece's school talent show (she is singing in it).
2/3 Misc. $21 - postage, ink cartridge and paper for printer
2/4 Insurance $68
2/5 $0
2/6 $0
2/7 Misc. $26 - birthday present for bil and liquor for Super Bowl party
2/8 $0
2/9 $0
2/10 Groceries $8; Eating out $15
2/11 $0
2/12 Groceries $40; Giving $10 to March of Dimes (neighbor collecting for them)
2/13 Misc. $18
2/14 Giving $20 (church collection)
2/15 Groceries $29
2/16 Auto $23 for gas
2/17 Auto $17 for gas; Groceries $12; Misc. $6 for Easter basket stuff; Giving $40 for supplies for kids group
2/18 $0
2/19 Misc. $16 (printer ink); Giving $12 (stuff for food pantry basket for Lent project); Groceries $35 (after approx. $11 off from coupons and $21 off from sale prices)
2/20 Groceries $12
2/21 Giving $10 (church collection); Auto $4 (car wash)
2/22 $0
2/23 Eating out $3; Giving $5
2/24 $0