No Buy January

[disneymom3]

One thing I am working to add to my budget is an entertainment category. I will allow a certain amount and then my "no spend" cannot go over that. In the last two months I have just tried to do straight no spending and I think that felt too hard to accomplish and I spent on those types of things anyway.

 

[McDuck]

DH and I went home to NOLA for New Year's this weekend...and slightly blew the budget....we went to see I AM LEGEND with my extended family and splurged on sodas and the $1 Butterfinger. Totalled out at about $23 (admission was $13.) Then Michael's marked down the art canvases (i want to use them to display pins on) and I thought I had a 25% off your entire purchase coupon....turned out you couldn't have any sale price items in it...so that was about $30 for 2 canvases, as opposed to the $30 for 3 canvases we thought it would be. I'm going to price them at Hobby Lobby now and see if I can get a better deal and return them if I can. I put the canvases on the credit card though, and we have more than enough socked away for that purpose already.

We are targeting below $80 for groceries this week. I have got to get my hair done--it hasn't been touched since my wedding 4 months ago, so I'm going back home to NOLA to my hairdresser (been with her for over 10 years) to get my highlighted hair dyed back to my natural color and get it shaped again. That will be about $100 tops, including tips. Unfortunately, it does increase the gas budget as it's about an 85 mile trip one way.

My DH needs to get his hair cut again, so that will be about $8.

Other than that I think we're good on spending this week. While going home did put a hurting on the gas budget, it sure helped out on the grocery budget as we hardly touched most of what we bought to stock up and have a freezer FULL of meat right now and a loaded pantry.

 

[delmar411]

well it's day one..

DH had to stop for gas on the way to work but knowing him he only put $5 or $10 in the tank.

That would be our entire spending for today so we are on track for day one. LOL

 

[reginaastralis]

It was disgustingly busy today at work, so I almost caved in and got fast food. I came home and ate some turkey instead. My mom's supposed to be buying me dinner.

1/1/08 - $0

I'll try to postmy budget this evening.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Today - $0

I'm going to the bank and a grocery store tomorrow. I have a list, and if I stick to it, I should spend no more then $10, which is totally within my budget of $50 a week.

 

[KarenAylwood]

My plan for the month...

I'm still not turning on the heat- I think we can make it all winter! We're on the second floor this year so we've been mooching heat from the apartments above and below us

Groceries: $120 for the month ($30/week avg)
Gas: Whatever it ends up at.
Eating out: $125 (that's $25 over normal, I'll be going out to lunch at work a few times now that I am starting a new job)
Other for house (incl paper towels, toilet paper, toiletries): $35
Laundry: $0. It's normally $15 but I got $20 in quarters for Christmas and washed all my clothes before I came back to VA
Other (stuff that pops up): $50
One last gift for DBF for his bday: $50 (I've already bought most of his presents)

"Exemption"- trip to DC to see my girlfriends from college. I'm driving with a friend this time so she'll chip in for gas. I'm going to try to keep it as low as I can, but I know it will be hard since we're celebrating. My friend's boyfriend called and told us to meet him and his gf at the Baltimore airport. They're coming home from a trip to Florida and he's planning on proposing on the trip!!! She doesn't know at all and we're all very excited. My grandma gave me $100 check for Christmas. I'm hoping to not use more than that.

This month will be hard. I'm starting a new job which will include going out to lunch and I'll have weekends off for the first time in almost 2 years. I'm also getting LASIK this month (the 25th!!). I'm still debating about whether to get the flap cut with the blade or the laser... it's $600 more for the laser. I'm still deciding. Anyone get this done before??

I was really bad in November and December with Black Friday and after xmas sales (and going overboard on xmas to begin with). I need to tighten up big time this month!! My goal is no falling off the wagon. I need a good month after the last two were so tough.

1/1: $0 I'm going on a walk with DBF and eating in

 

[staceyfe]

I'm also getting LASIK this month (the 25th!!). I'm still debating about whether to get the flap cut with the blade or the laser... it's $600 more for the laser. I'm still deciding. Anyone get this done before??

I consider myself a pretty frugal person, but no way was I going to skimp when it came to my eyes. I had Intralase 2 years ago--the laser kind. My optometrist (also a family friend) recommended it. He was very pleased at my checkups that I chose the laser. He says the flap just goes back to the cornea so much better than with the blade. No question I would spend another $600 for the laser. I'm very happy with my vision, except I am more sensitive to glares, especially at night. A small price to pay, IMO.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I consider myself a pretty frugal person, but no way was I going to skimp when it came to my eyes. I had Intralase 2 years ago--the laser kind. My optometrist (also a family friend) recommended it. He was very pleased at my checkups that I chose the laser. He says the flap just goes back to the cornea so much better than with the blade. No question I would spend another $600 for the laser. I'm very happy with my vision, except I am more sensitive to glares, especially at night. A small price to pay, IMO.

I definitely agree with not skimping on something like this. My only reservation was that I didn't know that the laser was an option until my friend went and asked about it. That was when they told her they had the laser as well, for $600 more. I would be willing to spend it, but it didn't sound like there were definite benefits. When my friend asked they said it was about "personal preference." Well I don't know what to prefer when I'm not familiar with it! If there are definite benefits, I'd pay it in a heartbeat, I just didn't know if it really was all that much better. I'm happy to hear thhat your optometrist recommended it.

I think I probably will end up paying extra for it. I know I've got a pretty good tax return coming, so I'll use some of that. I'm just so irritated because if I had known about it, I could have added $600 to my flex spending account at work, and then would have to pay less out of pocket for it.

 

[MrsPiglet]

I want in on this. I will make my budget tonight or tomorrow. I did not spend anything today, DH spent 12 at the grocery store (which would be within budget).

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Day one and poor planning on our part and we ate at McDonald's for breakfast.

Forgot it was a Holy Day of Obligation until later last night. Woke up a little later than I had planned and had to be at church by 10am. No biggy except that friend called and asked us to help her move (couldn't do it last Satruday because it was raining).

We were going to come back home after church and just eat then and take down our tree but since friend lives in town where church is, it was stupid to come back home (20 min. drive) and then go back to friend's house.

So, we stopped at McDonald's. I can't believe how much breakfast at MCDONALD'S cost!! Our total was $8.04. I just think that sounds high but I haven't eaten breakfast at Mickey D's in quite sometime.

Lucky for me, it didn't take away from our budget as this is money left over from Christmas gift but I'm very aggravated that I spent that money at all.

So, the lesson here? Better planning. If I had gotten up earlier we would have been able to eat at home.

This month we are going to closing on our new house so it's hard to say what my exemptions are. You never know what's going to come up when moving. I know we'll need some cleaners, cement sealer/paint, painting supplies, a wet/dry vac and several other items. Oh, and I do know I'm purchasing a VitaMix Blender that's around $400. I've been saving for this since my birthday in October and they will be selling them at a Home Show (at a discount).

I do want to add, though, that I won't be haphazardly spending and if it is not a necessity in the new home I won't be buying it.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Well I got through day one. Didn't buy anything.

 

[brockscandy]

Well, count me in. I'm trying to save money, eat out less and lose weight as well. I guess this is where it all comes together. I may have gone to extremes though. I actually cleaned out my refrigerator, freezer and pantry, thought about what I had to make meals and what I needed. Went through my bathrooms and went on December 30th and bought everything I could come up with for the month of January including my mother's birthday gift. Now, if I can stay home (which is hard for me) and actually cook (which is not may favorite thing to do) then this may actually work for me.

Two exemptions - taking my daughters to the dentist 2 1/2 hours away and my daughter's birthday.

 

[smiller]

1/1 - $0

I didn't have my act together enough to cook lunch for tomorrow so I need to remember to grab a frozen dinner before I leave, otherwise I'll be VERY tempted to eat out. I'll probably be doing some grocery shopping tomorrow and/or Thursday as my pantry and fridge are quite bare!

 

[iggbees]

.

 

[kandeebunny]

I want to do this, but am so overwhelmed by it. I think I am going to watch this month, and maybe join in next month. I am 24, and have never done a budget. (I am horrible with numbers) I just know that I get $xx per month and when its gone its gone, but that hasn't been conducive to saving money for me.

ETA: I need to really cut back on impulse buys and ask myself if I *need* it not just if I want it.

On the upside I didn't leave the house today (I have strep) so I spent $0

 

[gottalovethem]

Count me in, but not til after this week and DS' b'day party on Saturday

Today -- you don't want to know! I bought a twin bed for DS2 (half off though!!), flannel sheets for the bed ($14), mattress pad ($9), pillows ($12 for two Ralph Lauren pillows ) mattress protector ($4 and change) -- so on the plus side I did get some deals.....but spent for sure!


After that I plan on not spending except for the essentials! I need to save for Disney.

 

[rparmfamily]

Ok I want to join!!!

My goals:
Eat out once a week
1 Soda a week
$20 or less in "fun" spending a week.

I need to build savings and save for 2 vacations coming up that are off island.

Jan 1- $2 (bought sheets at Target, used G/Cs)

 

[slriver]

I am not quite sure where to begin, but I'll give it a try. I do have a few goals for the month:
1. Limit eating out! We spend way to much money doing this. We are a family of 5 and it is just too expensive anymore. Most of our food is last minute take out (fast food and pizza).
2. Do not buy anything that can collect dust! That includes new snowglobes for my collection, the newest scrapbooking tools, cute holiday decorations, stockpiling food that gets expired before we use it, etc...
3. Write down all our spending! We really have no idea how much we spend. I think that will help us set up a budget next month.

Tracy

 

[reginaastralis]

Juliette's three today!!!!

B/c of poor planning, I left her birthday presents at my house though (as well as my budget) Ooops! I'll give them to her tonight, but I like to give them in the morning so they actually get played with.

Today I know I have to get her birthday cake from Publix. Mmm, the best kind of cake around. Seriously, for those of you planning trips to Disney, stop at Publix for a cake. A-maz-ing. I can taste the butter cream already. Yum. This will be $30.

I might buy her something if we go to a store today ... but I can't honestly think of anything she "needs" so it's hard to buy anything. I bought her some stickers, a new pot holder for her play kitchen (this was the biggest hit on Christmas, a silly red checked pot holder) and Happy Feet. I bought it all during my after Christmas extravaganza, so I posted about that horrible day last month. Makes me glad that I don't have to post those numbers this month ... whew.

Other than that, since we're going to visit my grandmother (and my parents are driving ), I don't know if anything else will be spent today. Sometime today I need to head to walmart, or maybe look for something at Publix for tomorrow for her class celebration. Everything has to be store bought in case of allergies, which I understand, but I wish I could whip some cookies up at my house since I already have all the ingredients. Oh well, she'll only turn three once!

Have a wonderful day ladies!

 

[ncbyrne]

DH and I are in our 60's. I haven't worked outside of the home for many years and I've always managed to live comfortably within my DH's income. He pays the bills, and I manage the house on an allowance but I can always tap the bank when I run over. But...he retires as of 2009, and we are now just a year away from living on a fixed income with no overtime pay. I NEED to be very careful of what I spend $ on from now on. The DIS Budget board has been my inspiration for every WDW trip for many years and now it may very well be the place for me to check every day! I'll be lurking daily and will jump in soon.