No Buy February

[Mickey1Fan]

I had planned on a no spend February but already it's not going to happen because my car had to be towed to the dealership today because it is leaking anti freeze. I am starting at $125 for towing...it is being billed tomorrow at the dealership so doesn't count for January.

 

[A.Mickey]

Running Total: Spent $120
$700...$580 left
$0 Days:
Goal is 15 or more!

Groceries- $250...$181 left
Gas- $150...$117 left
Eating Out- $100...$82 left
Misc. (Shopping/Entertainment) $200...
I always round up to the nearest dollar.

1- I spent quite a bit this weekend on great deals....so I am going to report it for Feb...I didn't want to make January worse! $69 (Groceries-Meijer &Dominick's), $33 Gas, $18 (Eating Out- McDonald's)

Here is to a short month!


$0 Days: 0/15: 0%
$700 Limit: $120: 17%
Month: 1/28: 4%

My savings from coupons and sales: $57.37

 

[Acctingchick]

Hello Everyone,

I am hoping to get onboard with everyone this month. I am planning this month to just track (honestly) my spending, what that is still okay to track. I wish everyone the greatest of luck with this months budgeting. Keep your fingers crossed Ill actually be a good girl.

 

[littlered]

I am in! I am going to make a little calendar to keep track. I had a no spend day until yesterday I gave into Pink Patent Leather Pumps..sigh..but hubby and I agreed to 12 no spend days in Feb.

I will have to spend a bit to mail out some valentines and I also want to make a special valentines lunch w/ the heart donuts from Krispy Kreme for my 2 yr old but I am going to try very hard!! My one exception is 1$ Jamba Oatmeal days I spend 2$ and get my breakfast and lunch

 

[PeytonSdiz]

Spent a little over $700 last month (doesn't include things like bills, mortgage, and whatnot.)

I think I'll keep my goals small and shoot for $600 for February.

 

[tinkarooni]

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

Two adults and two children DS11 and DD9. My 11 year old son eats more than I do. I certainly think it is doable. Thanks. It is just requiring a change in mindset. Also I need to be more careful of leakage. So often I would just "take it out of food money" for other things. I'm OK with using that money for other things but I need to get a handle on what there really is and where it is going. I would love to get it below $100 per week but this does include all eating out, pet foods, cleaning, HBA and everybody eats all three meals here or packs them to take with them. I also buy all organic meats, dairy and mostly veggies too. I do have "stock up" months but for the next few months I shouldn't need to stock up, we'll be loving off the fat of the land for awhile around here.

 

[ILUVPOOH1]

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!

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. Our Wheaton is also in chronic kidney failure. Early stages though. Her specialist runs $350/month than we tack on her prescription diet and meds. So I know what you're going through. I don't even flinch at the $$ because it is soooo worth it to have her as happy and healthy as possible.

 

[ILUVPOOH1]

I did horrible in January, but at least now I have an idea of what I really spend. I planned all my Feb meals ahead of time and went grocery shopping yesterday, so all I'll need to pick up each week is milk, eggs, produce. I also bought all my dog food yesterday. (I am taking all this from Feb budget even though it wasn't technically Feb yet )

For Febraury (and I'm not including bills):

Groceries- $450 spent $350 to stock up $100 left
Dog food/meds- $100 stocked up for month spent $90 $10 left
DS lunch $$- $100
Gifts (Valentine's)- $100 (I'm getting DH a GC for a massage, really needed)
Gas- $75
Misc- $125

Total Budget $900

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I'm in again for this month. Hopefully I will be better at posting. Will edit to add my budget later.


Family of 3 w/1 dog. Plus, I either cook or shop for multiple other households at different times. Everything that is purchased for the house is included in groceries. ex. paper, H&B, laundry, pet.

Groceries: $550.00 (never stocked up on meat last month) So, most of this will be for meat for several months.
Gas:$200.00 A little higher than normal but we have some day trips planned.
Entertainment/Eat out: $200.00 higher than last month. Valentine/Anniv. dinner included.
Misc. spending:$50.00
Valentine's Day/Anniv. $50.00
-0- Spend Days Goal 10

 

[thebigkahuna]

I want in! I found the other thread the last week of January & was waiting & hoping that a February thread would pop up!

I'm not great with an actual budget, but I know my weakness - eating out & impluse buys. (shakes fist at Super Target)

For February, I'm going to aim for ten "no $pend" days - I'm hoping that just by keeping track of what I'm spending I will be able to cut back -


Feb 1st - $10.00 gas , $4.23 Michaels



thanks & good luck to everyone!

 

[charming23]

Today is my first day back at school so I went to the grocery after my first class and got our groceries for the week.

Budget:
Grocery/Household: $200/$149.47 Left
Gas: $50
Eating Out/Entertainment: $50
Emergency/Misc: $75/$64.92 Left

Total: $375.00/ $314.39 Left

2/1- $50.53 Grocery and $10.08 Misc

Goal of 15 $0 days.

 

[casper_jj11]

January was my worst month since I started in April 09. We've reached the point that I'm not able to save but not at the point of having to borrow to pay the cc bill off. I need to save though. We managed to pay off 2 lines of credit and an overdraft using 'no buy' but we still have one line of credit to go. My goal is to have it gone by the end of March. MIL pretty much moved in with us in Dec for the winter and I'm finding that rough. No such thing as omlets or grilled cheese for dinner near the end of the month or anything really cheap. She expects cooked meals even though she doesn't eat much of it. Means groceries are higher. But its not all her fault either. Both DH and I are justifying ourselves back in a hole and a few dollars here and there adds up. One thing I do need to pay for is ressies for BBB and CRT for August. DD is going on her wish trip in August and I want to make sure she has the best experience ever. Ressies open for us next week and I've heard they charge out when booked now so that'll have to be done. So, here's to February and a huge savings amount in the end!

groceries $700
gas $500
cat food $95
Mom's bday $50
boys hair cuts $40
quick tax program for income tax $50
valentines $50
remaining things for DS2's new bedroom (need shelf and some books) $60
disney ressies $400?
car registration $100
car emission test to get registration $80
motorcycle registration $70 (hate to pay this since its still in the garage from when DH crashed it back in Sept)
my spending $150
DH spending $150

Total: $2495

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Feb 1 - $6.77 birthday card for my son and two bottles of pop - one is for
tomorrow. I had to buy it because I was planning on
stopping at grocery store and of course my car was towed
for service yesterday
$165.90 towing

Total Feb 1 is $172.67. So much for the car budget of $60/month

I see everyone has their budget amounts with their post. I'll be back to add mine.

casper_jj11 - Happy Birthday to you or DH - I get to do the car sticker and emission testing this month too.

 

[princessbride6205]

Hi everyone!
I'm back after taking a break during December and January. I received a promotion (with a raise this time!) a few weeks ago. The salary increase is great, but I need to get back on track to make sure I'm not using the extra on impulse buys or too much dining out.

FEBRUARY BUDGET
Groceries & toiletries/cleaning - $300
Gas/Parking/Bus - $225
Other (clothes, diapers, etc) - $150
Dining out - $150
Fun Money - $80 ($40 each for me & DH)
Giving - $100 (more than usual, as I forgot to do it in Jan)


Feb 1 - $60 bus pass

 

[CherylA]

I'm in for February. It's a super short month for me because not only is it the shortest month of the year but we are going to be traveling (taking the autotrain to Disney) for 10 of the 28 days! I am not counting any of my spending over those 10 days here. I have vacation savings that I am using for that. This budget is just for the 18 days I am home this month! I have a lot put aside for clothing because I need some essential ladies garmets this month. I have been waiting forever and the ones I have are simply NOT cutting it! Oh and I am aiming for 6 no buy days. As simple as that sounds I haven't been able to get to 10 in a regular month!

Grocery $220

Entertainment $230

Misc spending $130

Gifts $50

Clothing $100

Household upkeep $40

0/6 no buy days

 

[joyfulnet]

Hi,

I'm in! I'm in!

I love things like this, and am up for the challenge. My biggest weaknesses are impulse online buys (especially from Amazon) and unplanned grocery shopping. I actually asked my dh two days ago if he would mind taking over the grocery shopping for a while. He's better at it and has no problem staying within a cash budget. I, on the other hand, have been known to pull out the checkbook if I'm afraid that what I have in the cart isn't going to be within our cash allowance.

My goals for February:
To stay out of grocery stores and let my dh do that with a cash allowance.
To not buy a single thing from Amazon (having a kindle makes it so easy to push a button and be charged $9) or any other online impulse buy.

Basically to stay away from wasting money on impulse purchases.
I'm so glad I ordered my WDW Passporter last night before finding this thread!!!


Looking forward to getting to know all of you this month!

Emily

 

[Acctingchick]

Hey everyone Ive decided to hop onboard this month if thats okay with everyone. I havent had a chance to finalize a budget but will post later on in the week with my planned totals. My goal is 10 zero days!

Feb 1-Total: 76.00 = 43.00(Gas-), 8.00 Thrift Store (Love b1g1 days), 10.00 (office food) 12.00 (health & Beauty) 3.00 (Meat for Supper)
Ugh I am not off to a good start. Hope everyone else is fairing better.
Feb 2-Total: 24.70=1.00(Mcdonalds Sweet Tea), 1.00 (Disney Book @Thrift Store), 10.70 (Five Dollar Store), 4.00 (Snacks for Kids), 9.00 (Entertainment-Game)
Feb 3-Total: 20.00=7.00 (Food for office), 13.00 (Books)
Feb 4-Total: 33.00=13.00(Health/Beauty,Water), 20.00 (Best Friends Son Birthday Money)
Feb 5-Total: 42.00=22.00(Movies & Snacks for me and a friend), 5.00 (Lunch), 5.00 (Breakfast). 10.00 (Ebay Purchase
Feb 6-Total: 27.95=27.95(Federal/State Income Tax Prep & File)
Feb 7-Total: 23.00=18.00(Groceries-Dinner), 5.00 (Subway for Lunch)
Feb 8-Total: 33.00=33.00(Groceries-Again
Feb 9-Total: 55.00=17.00(Groceries-Again), 30.00(Medicines, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray), 8.00(subway)
Feb 10-Total:7.00=7.00(Office Potluck-Salads(Groceries))
Feb 11-Total:38.00=38.00 (Gas fillup)
Feb 12-Total:35.50=5.50 (Subway Lunch-Eat Fresh)+30.00(Books)
Feb 13-Total:0 (Finally my first 0 Day this month, Love being snowed in)
Feb 14-Total:0 (Happy Valentines Day)
Feb 15-Total:

 

[casper_jj11]

casper_jj11 - Happy Birthday to you or DH - I get to do the car sticker and emission testing this month too.

Hi! Happy Birthday to you too! That would be DH having the bday this month. Well, actually, its next month but we have the paperwork already and so much happening in March that I figure let's throw it in this month and get it over with.

 

[Tiggerish]

Count me in again for February. Budget is a generous $525 for a short month..

Automobile $50
Eating Out/Entertainment $25
Insurance $75
Giving $50
Groceries/Household Goods $200 / $175 left
Medical $25
Misc. $100 / $70 left
Running total of coupon savings $12.71
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2/1 Groceries $35; Misc. $30 (to do two state income tax returns online)


I am pleased with myself for my grocery shopping today (picture me patting myself on back).

First I read the Sunday ads. Then I went through my coupon folder and my pantry, freezer and fridge. Then I made a week's meal plan and a shopping a list. I bought everything I need for for an entire week of meals. Everything I bought was a sale item. I bought 15 items and used 12 coupons. The receipt says that between the coupons and sale prices I saved $39.15 and my actual cash spent after coupons was $24.82.

 

[mom2faith]

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