No Buy January

[KarenAylwood]

I feel so isolated from everyone!! I haven't had time to read this thread hardly at all with going to DC this past weekend and the new job. I used to sit forever at work and read the DIS but have no time now. Doesn't help that we've got TONS of newbies so the thread moves a lot faster than it once used to

The DC weekend:
$67 on food
$20 on a cab
Other than two drinks at dinner the first night, I didn't spend anything at the bars because I only had 3 beers that a friend bought for me. Yay! So I spent $87 and my budget was $100. Good for me.

Also, I filled up once, and it cost me about $30 for gas for the whole trip (well, probably more like $40). My friend who rode with me really didn't want to drive so she paid me $45 for my trouble and the gas. That covered it.

1/19:
$13 on food. Stopped at Trader Joe's in DC. Got two bags of their Antioxidant berries/nuts mix, a container of whole grain oatmeal type hot cereal and a bottle of wine.
$28 on an engagement gift @ Target.

1/20: $40 on belated xmas gift for DBF's mom (taking out of the xmas budget to cover it).

1/21:
$28.60 on gas
$37.74 on food at BJ's (chicken, coffee, peanut butter and yogurt)
$35.70 on two containers of eye drops- my Lasik is on Friday and supposedly I'll go through at least a box and a half of these things!
$17 on a HUGE bottle of cheap(ish) gin. Was almost out. Don't judge. A girl's gotta have her gin & Fresca

DBF is making me dinner tonight and he even cleaned the apartment

Oh and I also got my Christmas gift from DBF's mom (finally, I know). $100 GC to Target! I'm going to have to think long and hard about how to spend it. The good girl in me will take a while to spend it all, and spend it on food. We'll see

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

1/14 $277 (groceries, in budget)
1/15 $10 (notary, unplanned)
$32 (mailing, in budget)
1/16 $0
1/17 $0
1/18 $18 bowling (in budget)
$19 helmet/tire pump (taken from homeschool budget)
1/19 $29 (bowling league, in budget)
1/20 $13 (bowling tourney, in budget)
$10 (arcade & snacks at tourney, in budget)
$22 (McDonalds, in budget)
1/21 $0

I think next month I'm only going to list the things that I buy that I don't budget for, it's kind of disheartening to look at my list and see what I've spent, even though alot of it is in the budget. I am doing much better for the second half of the month. I can't wait to join again in Feb. now that I'm getting the hang of it.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

1/15 $56.01 Gas DH's work truck
1/16 $2.70 DH spent @ work
1/17 $2.70 DH spent @ work
1/18 $23.59 oil/oil filter
$59.94 clutch master cylinder
$35.50 horse feed (3 bags)
$37.17 meat
$6.13 hand lotion (2) - household
1/19 $0
1/20 $0
1/21 $3.40 DH spent @ work
Week 3 -- $227.14

It just seems unbelievable how much money we are spending, though I can't see any way to cut back. DH did fill up his work truck with gas since the weather was so cold, and we like the trucks full when the temps are low. At least that tank of gas will last for three months, as he only drives that truck to work and back. I never thought to budget for truck repairs or oil changes. At least DH can do the work himself (and does).

 

[neatokimmo]

Ok, I take back that part about not spending any more money this month lol

$40 went to Petsmart. I had some great coupons that needed to be used up for my brand of cat food.

-$16.41 at Penny's. I got an outfit for the baby at my shower but her rear end doesn't fit in the pants because we use cloth. Big diaper butt strikes again!

7 cents at CVS 10 POUNDS of M&Ms lol, 5 cans of ravioli and three rubber duckies

For those thinking about doing CVS stuff, I have $107 of stuff for $25 and I have 15 CVS bucks to spend on another order. Its worth your time, you can copy what everyone else is doing

 

[paulasillars]

Monday 21st - $0
Tuesday 22nd - $0

Total this month personal spending - $126.50/$400

Robert mentioned that his Mum would like to go to a local restaurant for lunch at the weekend as its her birthday coming up. We will try to use this weeks $20 takeaway meal for that and pay any excess from our weekly allowance. Though I can't imagine it will be more than $40 for lunch for both of us including drinks.

What I did to save money? Cooked a pressure cooker load of dried kidney beans for freezing last night. This works out a lot cheaper than buying cans of them and they are great to throw a handful into a stew or soup to add protein and bulk to a meal. We added some to Sunday's ratatouille which I'd already added TVP to and served it with wholewheat spaghetti and topped with grated cheese (which I bought as a big block and grated & froze). Wow it was really good too!

I've also done a meal plan for the rest of the week based on what we have in the fridge/freezer/pantry to keep us on the straight and narrow. I may have to get very creative next week though

Robert wanted takeaway burger and chips tonight but I suggested corn fritters and oven fries with sauted spinach and steamed pumpkin - all from the freezer so that saved us about $10 and a few thousand calories LOL

 

[mmfan53226]

I feel so out of the loop, this weekend even though we pretty much stayed in, time got by me.

I believe I posted that 1/19 was a $0 day for me and that Sunday would be too because of the weather. Well Sunday turned into at $32.15 on groceries 1/2 planned the other unplanned. Ended up going to my parents for the Packer game and needed to bring somethings.

1/21 was a $0 day, today $30.00 for gas in DH's truck, $10.00 for my car and the kids and I have hair cuts, that is usually $25-30.

DH and I did get into a discussion about the whole budget and spending cash for everything. Because he was upset because I wouldn't give hime more money than I did for bowling. And I responded I have managed to save $110.00 in 2 weeks. You and $20 on you that you were "saving" for your hunting trip, how is that coming along? Oh yea it is gone, so don't go their! Discussion done!

Krystine

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1/1 - $0
1/2 - $0
1/3 - $9.62 (Groceries)
1/4 - $1.88 (Groceries)
1/5 - $25.44 (Groceries)
1/6 - $5.64 (Groceries)
1/7 - $19.53 (Groceries)
1/8 - $0
1/9 - $0
1/10 - $0
1/11 - $10.09 (Groceries)
1/12 - $1.51 (Groceries)
1/13 - $17.51 (Groceries)
1/14 - $13.24 (Groceries)
1/15 - $12.82 (Groceries)
1/16 - $0
1/17 - $0
1/18 - $1.36 (Groceries) $135.53 (Clothes - Unbudgeted) $20.02 (Amazon - Unbudgeted) $50.00 (Used Gift Card - Budgeted)
1/19 - $1.88 (Groceries)
1/20 - $1.36 (Groceries)
1/21 - $25.79 (Groceries) $11.00 (Unbudgeted - New Work Shirt)

Month Total So Far - $354.22

I had to spend $11 on two new work shirts yesterday. I couldn't hold off on them, since I realized my one good one I had left from getting them more then two years ago when I was originally hired had a hole in it. I didn't think my manager would go for it if I told her I was going to wait until Feb to replace them, since I was trying to do a no-buy Jan.

I also spent quite a bit on groceries yesterday, but I saved over $50, and actually only about $20 of yesterdays groceries was for my weekly grocery shopping, the other $5 was for my dinner at work. Working at a grocery store, those little orders for salad bar and bottles of soda reall add up!

I did get some very good deals though, including chicken breasts for $1 a pound, and peanut butter for 50 cents a jar. Now I just have to get into the other local store this week for their 99 cent a pound hamburger meat. I think I'm going to have tacos some night soon.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1/1 - $0
1/2 - $0
1/3 - $9.62 (Groceries)
1/4 - $1.88 (Groceries)
1/5 - $25.44 (Groceries)
1/6 - $5.64 (Groceries)
1/7 - $19.53 (Groceries)
1/8 - $0
1/9 - $0
1/10 - $0
1/11 - $10.09 (Groceries)
1/12 - $1.51 (Groceries)
1/13 - $17.51 (Groceries)
1/14 - $13.24 (Groceries)
1/15 - $12.82 (Groceries)
1/16 - $0
1/17 - $0
1/18 - $1.36 (Groceries) $135.53 (Clothes - Unbudgeted) $20.02 (Amazon - Unbudgeted) $50.00 (Used Gift Card - Budgeted)
1/19 - $1.88 (Groceries)
1/20 - $1.36 (Groceries)
1/21 - $25.79 (Groceries) $11.00 (Unbudgeted - New Work Shirt)

Month Total So Far - $354.22

I had to spend $11 on two new work shirts yesterday. I couldn't hold off on them, since I realized my one good one I had left from getting them more then two years ago when I was originally hired had a hole in it. I didn't think my manager would go for it if I told her I was going to wait until Feb to replace them, since I was trying to do a no-buy Jan.

I also spent quite a bit on groceries yesterday, but I saved over $50, and actually only about $20 of yesterdays groceries was for my weekly grocery shopping, the other $5 was for my dinner at work. Working at a grocery store, those little orders for salad bar and bottles of soda reall add up!

I did get some very good deals though, including chicken breasts for $1 a pound, and peanut butter for 50 cents a jar. Now I just have to get into the other local store this week for their 99 cent a pound hamburger meat. I think I'm going to have tacos some night soon.

I also have still spent less this month so far total then what my first paycheck was, which is still in my wallet. Though I did have to cash last week's paycheck, (which was the lowest one I had in my wallet for cash for the shirts.) Though I don't like carrying around a couple hundred dollars cash, so I paid my mom money I owe her, paid for my groceries in cash, and those shirts, and I still had too much cash, so I took $100 and put it in my piggy bank for my next trip. I still don't like that I'm carrying around as much as I am, but at least now I have just under $100, instead of how much I originally had in my wallet, and that was my "small" paycheck. At least I didn't cash either of my other two, though I've been carrying around an almost $400 one for more then two weeks now, as well as a $300 for more then a week. I think I have to go to the bank. But if I keep the checks uncashed longer, I'm less likely to spend them.

 

[Siouxstone]

Ack! It's cold and rainy today followed by cold and rainy tomorrow, then repeat. It's been a big motivator to stay home and have a $0 day, even if there are things I need to get. Maybe I'll venture out tomorrow. I really need to get some packing tape and yard sale price tags. We're going to have one in March, and I'm already sorting and boxing stuff. A little here, a little there and it won't be such a chore when it comes time to throw it on the lawn. Since DS is a huge Toy Story fan, every time I mention it, he goes into a huge tizzy hiding his favorite toys. Confession time: I think it's cute so I have purposely done it several times today!

You know, is it just me or does anyone else want to have dinner at Paulasillars house? And drinks at KarenAylwood's? Gin and Fresca sound really good.

1/22-$0

 

[smiller]

You know, is it just me or does anyone else want to have dinner at Paulasillars house? And drinks at KarenAylwood's? Gin and Fresca sound really good.

Count me in! Considering the amount of time it would take to get to paulasillars after a pre-dinner cocktail at KarenAylwood's, I would be very hungry indeed!

Seriously, though, paulasillars' recipes sound amazing and I am definitely trying out the gin & Fresca - I seem to have an unusual amount of gin in the house. I'm not complaining, though!

1/22 - $0 (unless I go pick up my winter coat and *happen* to buy some Fresca, but when it's only 10 degrees out not counting wind chill, I think I'm staying in! )

 

[tinkarooni]

1-22-08 $7.35 Breakfast out with the girls. Unplanned but used my allowance. I get $40.00 per month and I put $20.00 of that in an envelope because in about 2 years I will desperately want new family room couch and loveseat and I am saving up for it. So I'm really only getting $20.00 per month. So this was the first thing I spent out of my personal allowance and I feel pretty good about that. Trust me....I had to go...no one likes a mean cranky mommy who has talked to no one but the dog.

I work at home so I never see anyone....hence the pjs all day. Today I got dressed!

 

[KarenAylwood]

You know, is it just me or does anyone else want to have dinner at Paulasillars house? And drinks at KarenAylwood's? Gin and Fresca sound really good.

1/22-$0

No problem!! Everyone's invited!

It's funny... in college I called my mom up and told her about this great new drink I had started making... gin and Fresca. She was like "uhhh... that's what I used to drink in college!!" Must run in the family I guess.

I really want to try that homemade muesli too!

1/22: $14.XX on Advil PM (for Friday- I've got to sleep after the surgery), two boxes of Kashi Heart to Heart cereal and aftershave for DBF

I got my laptop hooked up at home on the server... I'm so excited! I'm sure this will end up being bad in the end because I'll be working all the time... but it's exciting for now

What's with American Idol? These people can't actually think they are good. Seriously?

 

[reginaastralis]

What's with American Idol? These people can't actually think they are good. Seriously?

My daughter is a HUGE fan of AI ... it cracks me up. Last year she started calling Blake her daddy ... I tried to explain to her that it's ok to think somene is their father, but to say it loudly at places like Walmart, not so much a good idea.

Today she fell asleep in the middle of the show, but I was afraid a few of the singers would wake her up.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

1/14 $277 (groceries, in budget)
1/15 $10 (notary, unplanned)
$32 (mailing, in budget)
1/16 $0
1/17 $0
1/18 $18 bowling (in budget)
$19 helmet/tire pump (taken from homeschool budget)
1/19 $29 (bowling league, in budget)
1/20 $13 (bowling tourney, in budget)
$10 (arcade & snacks at tourney, in budget)
$22 (McDonalds, in budget)
1/21 $0
1/22 $0

 

[reginaastralis]

Woot! I jut got my 500th post on the No Buy thread ...

Best part is ... I didn't have a no buy today, but I'll post about it later.

 

[kandeebunny]

$0 today

 

[paulasillars]

You know, is it just me or does anyone else want to have dinner at Paulasillars house? And drinks at KarenAylwood's? Gin and Fresca sound really good.
1/22-$0

You are all welcome anytime but I suspect the airfare wouldn't be keep with the theme of this board

Wednesday 22nd - $0

Total this month personal spending - $126.50/$400

We got the amp for the stereo back today and it was $135 rather than $210 which was quoted which was great. We celebrated by spending $20 on takeaways (this weeks takeaway budget). This means lunch on Sunday will be coming out of our personal allowances.

I had to laugh yesterday when I said to Robert I'd bought some books at a thrift store for $2 (not counted as I will sell them online when I'm done with them and get my money back - and hopefully more). He said "do you have to confess to the Disney ladies now?".

I also just booked a cruise excursion for our trip in August but I won't count that into my allowance until I get the total in NZ$ when it hits my Visa in a day or so. I may pay for Robert's as a birthday gift - his birthday is in April but I might just tell him he has to wait to find out what it is - I love to torture him over these kinds of things

Sorry I can't thrill you all with more meal plans and I don't think I did anything to save money really today. Back on track tomorrow?

 

[smiller]

I had to laugh yesterday when I said to Robert I'd bought some books at a thrift store for $2 (not counted as I will sell them online when I'm done with them and get my money back - and hopefully more). He said "do you have to confess to the Disney ladies now?".

Love it! That's pretty much what goes through my mind everytime I go to buy something!

 

[mmfan53226]

I just want this week to be over! Yesterday was $30 DH gas for truck and $32 for our hair cuts.

While I want to get to Friday because it is pay day and almost the end of the month. I have to say I am accumplised so much and am looking forward to next month...

This month I have NOT use the CC for groceries/gas/eating out etc. I did have to use it for DH's truck. I have managed to save $135 and gotten in the habbit of checking our food stock and making menu's before shopping. Even tried a couple of new dishes that the family has loved. I have started to make our "sweet" snacks from scratch and they go over much better than the store bought ones.

Wish I would have found this board sooner, because I would be in a much better place!

Krystine

 

[Deffenm]

I have been doing so well this month but on Saturday I gave in. I bought my kids indoor soccer shoes. All of the other kids on their team had them and they were wearing their sneakers. I did only buy the $19.99 one for each child but it was not budgeted. I just felt like a bad mom, plus my boys have been really good for 2 weeks (for DS7 this is a huge accomplishment) so I decided they earned the soccer shoes.

On the postive note I did not have to take money out of the savings account. I was able to use our eating out money to pay for them since we have not eaten out this month. I only have to make it until next Friday. I thought it would be really hard not eating out for lunch at work or dinner but we have been busy and not noticed it at all.

Now if I could just get my grocery bill under control. I budgeted $300 for the month and I am over $500. It is so hard. I use coupons, make menus, and everything but for our family of 5 I am having a hard time. This is my biggest complaint every week. I read every grocery thread and follow the tips but I still can't get it any cheaper.