No Buy February

[hoffmann2828]

It's been several months since I did this, and wanted to start again - I am so much better when I account for everything!

February Budget:
Groceries ~ $125
Eating Out ~ $60 ($35 Left)
Daycare ~ $100
Clothing ~ $30
Gifts ~ $20
Household ~ $115
Misc. ~ $50
Total Budget ~ $500

Money In (rebating, etc.) ~ $50 Goal
$0 Dollar Days ~ 10 Days

Feb. 1 ~ $0 Dollar Day!
Feb. 2 ~ Eating Out ($25)
Feb. 3 ~ Not leaving the house....should be $0
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[DawnM]

Groceries $125 ???????

Please share, how do you do it?

I think I can get my groceries down to $300-$350 this month as our pantry and freezer are stocked, but I still plan to buy produce and drastically reduced items.

Dawn

 

[charming23]

I am in again for February. We have stocked up again on a lot of food items so hopefully I can stick to $50 a week for groceries. I also have two big exceptions this month. I need to renew my registration and my B-day is in February so we will have a party and will need to buy supplies for that.

Budget:
Grocery/Household: $200
Gas: $50
Eating Out/Entertainment: $50
Emergency/Misc: $75

Total: $375.00

Goal of 15 $0 days.

 

[hoffmann2828]

I am a hard core couponer. I still have to buy meat/produce, but I try to stretch even those as best I can. I also believe in not throwing food away! So I plan ahead and don't buy more than I need. We have a really great Italian market about 25 minutes away (on the way home from my MIL's) and they sell produce CHEAP. It's great quality too because it gets replaced very quickly since people are flocking to the store.

I stockpile groceries (only ones I really use/need) when I can get it cheap. I always "overbuy" canned items. Easy to store, lasts almost forever, etc. I buy cheaper cuts of meat, clean them well (meaning cutting off yucky fat chunks, etc.) and slow cook the bejeebers out of them. Great for stews, etc.

We also eat lots of pasta, etc. and that helps stretch the budget a ton! (with pasta of course that I got for dirt cheap to begin with!)

Jenny

 

[DawnM]

I coupon a lot too. I still can't get it that low....or maybe I should say, I am not willing to get it that low! I guess I could get it much lower if I were willing to cut out more.....just not quite there yet.

Dawn

I am a hard core couponer. I still have to buy meat/produce, but I try to stretch even those as best I can. I also believe in not throwing food away! So I plan ahead and don't buy more than I need. We have a really great Italian market about 25 minutes away (on the way home from my MIL's) and they sell produce CHEAP. It's great quality too because it gets replaced very quickly since people are flocking to the store.

I stockpile groceries (only ones I really use/need) when I can get it cheap. I always "overbuy" canned items. Easy to store, lasts almost forever, etc. I buy cheaper cuts of meat, clean them well (meaning cutting off yucky fat chunks, etc.) and slow cook the bejeebers out of them. Great for stews, etc.

We also eat lots of pasta, etc. and that helps stretch the budget a ton! (with pasta of course that I got for dirt cheap to begin with!)

Jenny

 

[Debbie]

Okay, I'm in. I find that this thread helps to keep me on track. Last month was the first time that I wasn't over. Trying for 2 in a row.

I'm just tracking gas, groceries and minor miscellaneous items, since those are what I try to whittle away at each month. Last month was $800. This month, although shorter, will include a sixth mouth for one week. DH, myself, 2 teenage girls, and 2 young adult male appetites! Makes for higher expenses. One car with 5 drivers....also makes for added $$$ I'd like to include a dinner out with DH, since we've been dealing with issues of 1 of those young 'uns. So, although February is a "short month", I'm going to try to budget $225 a week. Last month we did 10 $0. I will keep that goal as is. Let's see if I can do it!

 

[dizluvah]

First time contestant here - but I am super meticulous with my excel spreadsheet monthly budget so it should at least be easy for me to track my spending.

My goals:
12 No Buy Days in February

Budget:
$400 Gas (DH has 80 mile commute M-F)
$300 RXs @ CVS (mostly mine, couple of DH)
$140 Pet Supplies (food, RXs, and litter)
$250 Groceries for month
$185 Misc ($20 per week for DH and I, plus $25 doctor visit copay for appt 2/5)

$1275 Total Budget for February

I am excited to give this a whirl....
Feb. 1 ~ $14.01 McDonald's (Shoot...not off to a good start)
Feb. 2 ~$83 Cat RXs, $60 people RXs, $7.28 groceries (fresh produce and loaf of bread), $7 misc junk - vending machine, soda, etc
<crossing fingers for 3rd & 4th to be No spend days>
Feb. 3 ~ $0 spend day (woohooo - first no spend day!!)
Feb. 4 ~DH bought gas and ruined our no spend day
Feb. 5 ~$25 doc copay; $34 gas, $3.25 McDs; $35 Kcups@green mtn distributor, $82 Market Basket, $102 Sam's; $80 Walmart
Feb. 6 ~ $0
Feb. 7 ~ $0
Feb. 8 ~ $0
Feb. 9 ~ $3.25 McDonalds, $36 case of Cat food, $20 CVS rx, $2.70 Water & Fountain soda, $34 sebring gas, $17 toyota gas, $50 Sam's,
Rec'd tax refund and paid entire amount on Sears CC debt, Rec'd & deposited $20 rebate from holiday purchase
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[neatokimmo]

I disappeared last month but read all of your updates. I'll join this month and try to keep up with it better

I don't have a monthly budget anymore, I am doing a yearly one. My Feb goals are:

Stick to my meal plan, it will really make a dent in the pantry and freezer. I'll need to buy about $70 or so in groceries to round it out.

DDs birthday party is next Saturday - besides that I don't want to eat out in Feb. That will be HARD.

I want to work from home 4 times this month and save about $12 out of my gas budget. I am trying to cut down on errands also, I'd love to be able to pay for vacation gas out of the regular column.

I want to start growing lettuce indoors. I have $18 allotted to organic lettuce this month, I'd love to get that number down!

I also want to sell some small stuff and use the money to buy the last few items DD needs for summer

Good luck everyone!

 

[delmar411]

I'm in as well.

February budget:

Food/household/gas: $700 ~ I should be able to get under that this month since DH has found a ton of soda coupons and I can get the equivalent of a 12pk for .50 each after the coupon. We're planning on stocking up over the next couple weeks.

I have nothing else expected this month. The kids' v-day treats will all go under that line item.

Savings goals:

Preschool costs for next year: $1000 (have $400 put back already)
License/plate fees upcoming in June: $350
DVC loan fees: $5715 (saving payments for all of 2010)

We have an enormous medical bill to pay this month as well as our house insurance yearly premium and 6mth car insurance premium so a large chunk of money will be going towards those bills.

Also expecting to get back over $30 in rebates this month and those will go towards the disney fund. I've been tucking those back and they are really adding up.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I think I'm going to try it this month. I'll keep my utilities, mortgage and other monthly costs to myself (lest dh run across this and have a heart attack - he's a very private person), but will track gas, groceries, entertainment, clothing, and other things that pop up.

Goals
Two or less fast food meals
Fifteen no buy days
Save $150 towards spring break vacation

Budget Goals

Gas: 0/100
Groceries/Food: 0/550 (this includes money paid to kids school lunches)
Entertainment: 0/80
Gifts: 0/50

February 1: 0.00

 

[Swmr359]

I'm in again My WDW trip is at the beginning of March so I will be buying stuff for the trip this month. Any money left over from my grocery money this month will be going with me! I'm also going to try and start using a spreadsheet to track all my spending; we'll see how that works out.
-------
Groceries: $0/$150
Eat out: 0/3 ($0)
Total:$0/$250
0 days: 0/20

 

[disneyorvegas]

I almost made it through January within bidget, hoping for a better time in February! DD5's birthday is this month, plus a week's vacation, so it will still be a tough month. I found out last month that the dog is costing me an extra $400 per month now that he has kidney disease, so I'm really struggling to make that fit. It took up all of the "cushion" last month.

Here's to a successful month! We can do it!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I'm in again too, but toning it down a little. DH said I went a little overboard last month. So, instead of a goal of 15 $0 spend days I will shoot for 10. January I made 13, then again February is a short month. Problem is we shop for produce every other day as well as milk since we don't have space to store more then a gallon of milk and we eat fruits and veggies like there's no tomorrow. He did not like not having his salads and fruit so often. Hey, there are worse things to crave, right?

Anyway, I am in with a goal of 10 $0 days and to read some of your tips and use you all for encouragement!

 

[delmar411]

I'm in again too, but toning it down a little. DH said I went a little overboard last month. So, instead of a goal of 15 $0 spend days I will shoot for 10. January I made 13, then again February is a short month. Problem is we shop for produce every other day as well as milk since we don't have space to store more then a gallon of milk and we eat fruits and veggies like there's no tomorrow. He did not like not having his salads and fruit so often. Hey, there are worse things to crave, right?

Anyway, I am in with a goal of 10 $0 days and to read some of your tips and use you all for encouragement!

I don't think you necessarily need to aim for $0 days but aim more to sticking to your budget and not buying impulse items.

We also shop for produce and milk very regularly and I don't have a lot of zero days but if I stick to my budget then my month is a success.

 

[albertamommyof4]

Well i am going to be in this month. We actually stocked up on groceries today( good airmiles deal lol 425 today).
We used to budget 220 a week for groceries and wanted to get that down to 150 a week or less( for the next couple of weeks this can be done for sure, or a lot less)
Groceries $150/week $600 a month
Gas/vehicle expenses $80 week $240/month
Eating out $0 ( we are trying not to eat out anymore, Jamuary no eating out went well)
Miscellaneaus $50
I am going to try my best to keep up with this lol i will also keep track of zero days as well.
Thanks
eta- we are a family of 6
I am also trying to save as much as i can so i can go to my tupperware convention in august in disneyworld( it is just me going so shouldnt be to bad)

 

[kinntj]

I'm in again for February.
Things to improve on from January: don't eat out so much, stay within grocery budget.
Spending this month: special dinner for Valentines, activity/game for DD5's Kindergarten class.

Grocery budget: $125-140 week.
gas: $50
Sam's Club: $200

2/1 - need to go to Rite Aid

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I don't think you necessarily need to aim for $0 days but aim more to sticking to your budget and not buying impulse items.

We also shop for produce and milk very regularly and I don't have a lot of zero days but if I stick to my budget then my month is a success.

I agree. And I am pretty good at resisting impule things, but a crate of Clemintines are gone around here in a day so those types of things are my weakness. Again, there are worse things...

It was a fun challenge but maybe little too drastic (for me anyway) when your DH is begging you to spend money.

 

[tinkarooni]

February....I have so been waiting for February. Mostly because for about 5 days I only had $2.00 left out of my food budget to make it until the end......but I did it. I also was able to cook very well rounded healthy meals, a lot out of my freezer and pantry.....but that's another thread. So onto February.

I normally have a $900 per month food budget which I have recently decided is way too much. So instead I am looking this month to spend $100. for four weeks which would be a savings of $500!!!! I always take my food money and allowances in cash, so just to make it interesting I took the whole food budget and took out $500 and put it in an envelope stashed away. If I stick to the budget that's $500 extra money I can use for something else. My DH said something about rolling around in it for Valentines Day but this again would be another thread.

My plan is to meal plan, eat what we have, clip coupons for needs and cook from scratch with ingredients I have as much as possible. No eating out except for one planned trip to the local VFD Fish Fry. I started my new month yesterday and needed lots of things including feminine products and cat food. I'll call it February 1st. I have to do my grocery shopping on the weekend so sometimes my months are a little off.

Febuary 1: $102.74 Grocery store (that's my week one) Over spent by a little but according to my receipt I saved 38% with coupons. I was pretty happy with that. I made my list and than searched for printables. Worked out pretty good. Only $2.74 over. Good until next weekend. Next time I won't take the family and will probably be able to make up that difference.

Good Luck everybody....short month!

 

[neatokimmo]

I normally have a $900 per month food budget which I have recently decided is way too much. So instead I am looking this month to spend $100. for four weeks which would be a savings of $500!!!!

How many people are in your family? $100 a week seems doable

 

[neatokimmo]

I just bought 2 pairs of shoes and a swimsuit for DD. But is still the 31st - so ya'll didn't hear that