No Buy July

[paulasillars]

Welcome to No Buy July.

For the regulars, welcome back and to the new posters and lurkers - please feel free to join in at any point.

Purpose of this thread is to try to control your unnecessary spending - some call it the $100 habit where you go for a carton of milk and come out of the store with a trolley load of stuff you didn't really need.

How you do this is up to you and your circumstances. Post your budget (personal or household) and any exceptions. Then your goal is to try to stick to it! Remember that you have to come here and confess. You can post daily if you need to or just as often as you'd like - some find posting daily keeps them on track.

If you are starting out with a budget, most would agree the first step is to write down everything you buy - then critically look at what you are literally throwing away your money on. As an example, I found by taking lunch to work I could save over $1000 a year - easier than getting a pay rise and something I had complete control over.

Feel free to jump in at any point and ask questions, we share what we are learning along the way with getting our finances into order!

 

[paulasillars]

Exception 1 - extra mortgage payments
Exception 2 - $36 for my World Vision sponsored child
Exception 3 - Kiva loans
Exception 4 - Spending money exchange into Australian $ for my August trip
Exception 5 - Booking a day trip to Rottnest Island (off the coast of Perth)

So other than that long list of exceptions, I'm budgeting $100 for misc stuff which is usually eating out for me. I haven't any need for clothing, personal items etc

 

[Debbie]

I'm in again. I have to be good in July, since August is:

• 
  [*]trip to Disney for DH and 1 (25th anniversary)
  [*]trip to Halifax to get DD settled into university, including trips to Wal-Mart, Costco etc, since I have to FLY her out and buy what she needs there! (that is technically in September, but . . . .
  [*]back to school costs-new uniform pieces, books, backpack- for DD 15
  [*]back to school costs for me
  [*]cheques for: piano, vocal, choir

 

[Debbie]

Regular bills paid: utilities, Church, charities,

Groceries: 18/600
Gas: 12/185
Misc: -145/200
Vacation Costs $: 72/750(I forgot that I have to pay off my flights this month! The trip, itself, will go on the card and be paid next month)
1-Canada Day, everything is closed and I hosted a meeting here today....$0
2- DH haircut/beard trim 20, milk/shampoo/conditioner 24
3- flights to WDW 478, new clothes for WDW 140, groceries 9, gas 33
4- Darn! I was hoping for 0 but DH did his Saturday after Church pop shop: groceries 6
5- Time for my 'after Church' meat shop. $50 later, but I have enough meat for at least 6 meals (+ other stuff, too!)
6- Anniversary dinner....paid for by my Mom groceries 17
7- Prescriptions for DD 10 groceries 30
8- MORE groceries 32
9- Trip to the dentist (insurance covered), didn't even go INTO the grocery store next door, so that makes a $0 day

10- $0 (DD has the car, so no shopping for us this weekend!)
11- DD out of town diving.....

$0 for another day!
12- $0 (Happy 18th birthday to DD)
13- groceries, including DQ birthday cake 96
14- gas 35, DH bought his junk food 7, and I bought a Timmies biscuit and McD's XL drink 2
15- prescriptions 16, propane 10
16- $0 Wow! What happened???
17- ANOTHER $0 day?
18- Holy Cow! 3 $0 in a row!
19- ah....Costco 96 (includes some gifts) + No Frills groceries 71
20- groceries 15
21- DH junk food 6
22- groceries 96 + hardware stuff 7
23- gas 34 + groceries 29 + clothing 42 + back to school 10 + candy from Cracker Barrel (atomic fireballs for 1 DD, watermelon drops for the other) 4
24- brominator repair + chlorine 65
25- uh oh.....I'm in the shopping mood! Wal-mart- school stuff, bit of groceries and bathing suits 55
26- tempted but persevered! $0
27- $0
28- paint/supplies 30 + groceries 15
29- groceries 3 + misc 6
30- groceries 21
31- last call for groceries! 20

 

[wall*e2008]

I'm in again. I have to be good in July, since August is:

• 
  [*]trip to Disney for DH and 1 (25th anniversary)
  [*]trip to Halifax to get DD settled into university, including trips to Wal-Mart, Costco etc, since I have to FLY her out and buy what she needs there! (that is technically in September, but . . . .
  [*]back to school costs-new uniform pieces, books, backpack- for DD 15
  [*]back to school costs for me
  [*]cheques for: piano, vocal, choir

Congratulations!

 

[Gretchen3ajoshmom]

I'm a newbie.... Please be gentle with me...

Groceries 350

Gas 200(hopefully price doesn't go through roof)

Extra- 100 (ds2 is in need of socks ds13 boxers and there is always a last minute b-day to attend)

Exception - July 3rd "Adventure Day" to Steamtown National Park-
Entrance fee of $12 , train ride $15, picnic lunch, dinner out - $60ish?

Thanks for the support!!!

 

[annsteere]

July is cold turkey month for me--NO random spending.

Exception is July 15-20 when DS is coming home for a visit. He only flys home once a year so we'll be eating out, buying his favorite foods, etc, etc, etc. No doubt movies, a museum or two, a baseball game will also be involved. We're planning that week as a "staycation."

 

[Mrs.Reese]

I am going to go "cold turkey." No extra spending for something just because it's a great sale. I did that a few times last month and ended up spending an extra $200!! I'm also doing no buy on going to the grocery store until I can somewhat see my pantry/freezer/fridge. Stockpiling is great but it's starting look like I'm hoarding somewhat.

 

[casper_jj11]

[*]trip to Halifax to get DD settled into university, including trips to Wal-Mart, Costco etc, since I have to FLY her out and buy what she needs there! (that is technically in September, but . . . .[/LIST]

What school is she going to? I went to Dal and loved it there!

I'm in again this month. Glad to see June in my rearview mirror. It wasn't a good budget month. Like others, I plan to only shop for what I need and not stockpile on sales. I'm discovering that's not necessarily a good thing. The grocery budget has to come under control. August is going to be a doozy as well because of school starting and registration for fall lessons for the kiddos (swimming, dance, skating, etc.) We're renting a cottage from a friend this month and we've never 'camped' before with the kids so there will be some necessary expenses there but I'm hoping not too much.

groceries $540 (went over by $200 last month)
gas $500
cat food $90
boy's haircuts $35
fall gymnastics registration (DS and DD) $300
cottage rental $900
buy sheets or sleeping bags for cottage $60
buy fishing gear for cottage $60
buy cooler and water container for cottage $50
DH spending $150
my spending $150

Total: $2835

 

[PaulaSue]

I so need to do this, and follow it. I had signed up another time and forgot about it.

I just stocked up the frig/freezer and my pantry is overflowing into the basement so I have no excuses.

I am trying to grow grass (3rd time is the charm right?) and stocked up on supplies at HD so hopefuly DH can get on that this weekend or I will be returing all the seed/fert. Who would have known how expensive it is to not walk on dirt....

We have some Holiday parties to go to so extra food is needed, hoping to keep that under $50 for both
Plus I want to pay a month extra on our mortgage (once I year I plan on it, anything helps right?)
I plan on a budget of $50 a week for food for the local park and extra gas to go
Otherwise the usual bills, extra water for grass/gardens and $100 a week for fresh food and loss leaders at the grocery stores.
I almost forgot $30 a week for yard saling/stocking up on sales with coupons

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

July is cold turkey month for me--NO random spending.

I am going to go "cold turkey."

Yep, July is Cold Turkey for me this month as well.

Goal:

1. All discretionary spending $1,200 or less

2. As many $0 as possible (in may I had 21, but with the kids out for the summer I don't think I will accomplish that in July)


In honor of July cold turkey, I plan on going food shopping tomorrow and purchasing.....a big turkey!

I figure I can cook it and then we can eat off it for the rest of the month, I'm going to get very creative with sandwiches and casseroles and crock pot soups with it.

I will also be bringing in less money this month since I've cut back to strictly working at home, but I'm going to try and balance it with doing more at-home writing and editing projects to keep myself busy-not that the kids and the DH don't keep me busy, but as sort of a replacement for shopping-instead of shopping, I'm going to write.

You may see a lot of me on here in July, I tend to assuage my shopping joneses by crabbing at people on the Dis (only the ones who deserve it, though )

 

[Ava]

Joining up! June was the first month I actually stuck to this and tracked everything, so I'm basing my July budgets on what we spent in June, plus known additions/deletions.

Groceries - $250 (have a pretty good stock of non-perishables)
Eating out - $150
Cat food - $0 (they are stocked up, just listing it so I don't think I forgot it!)
Baby items - $75
Laundry - $60
Misc household - $100
July 4th trip to RI - $500

Total - $1135

7/01 - $15? household (partner bought, can't find receipt, waiting for it to post on CC statement), $2.57 eating out, $2.99 comic

 

[TarheelPrincess]

Hi! I'm a newbie and planning for a great No Buy July.

Exceptions: Graduation gifts for twin boys and Baby Shower presents for friends who just adopted two newborns.

I'm working on a budget amount for groceries and eating out. Well, working on more groceries and less eating out!

 

[Debbie]

Congratulations!

Thanks! We're looking forward to the trip. DH is not a "parks" person-although he always goes on each ride once for me-so it is going to be a laid back trip....with dining.

What school is she going to? I went to Dal and loved it there!

Yep Dal it is. She is really excited. She's all registered, uploaded her photo for the student card today, I've received the letter that says her RESP will be in (August), flights booked and paid, car rented. Her list for Wal-Mart/Dollarama just keeps getting longer and longer. I'm excited for her, but it is SOOOOOO far awaaaaaaaay.

 

[NaplesRI]

It is amazing how much you can "shop" in your own groceries that you have.
We used to tell the kids to go "shopping int the basement" when they had first gone out on their own. (my husband loves to overbuy sale items)

Now WE can go shopping there too! Better to do that then to let things get to their expiration and still be sitting....

 

[Siouxstone]

Hi ladies! Will you take me back? I need you. My wallet needs you! I've slowly started the back slide off the wagon, so, of course, I need to publicly shame myself back into good habits.

I have an expensive weekend coming up and several other things this month, so I need to be more diligent with the rest of it. We are also booked into free dining for DS's 5th birthday in September, so I need to keep my cash for that. Couple it with the new expense of preschool every month and I've really got to get back on track.

July's Budget:
The usual suspects are on autopilot, (utilities, preschool, mortgage) so I don't list them. I also don't list prescription drugs since they are not optional.
Groceries, dog food, household items: $200 a week
DH's allowance: $30 a week
Gas: $40 a week
Eating out: $125 for entire month
Night out at movies: $45
Shoes: $25
MNSSHP costume materials: $50
DBIL's b-day: $10
Fourth of July weekend: $500

I have $125 for dining out since my parents are coming up for a few days and we've had some super hot days. I try not to cook in the evening when it's over 101, and we've had a string of those days in the last week. (Yesterday was 105) On the flip side, my parents will be here when Harry Potter comes out, so I won't have to pay the sitter on top of movie, popcorn & drinks.
I must buy new shower shoes for the gym, and I can not wear flip flops that go between my toes as I blister easily. I would love to come in well under the $25 mark and will check Target tomorrow when I pick up my prescription.
DBIL's birthday present was bought months ago, so I just need a card, box, and shipping fees.
I'm making our MNSSHP costume and I have to do it during my time off in July because DS has no idea we are going to WDW for his birthday. Therefore, this has to happen while he's at preschool and preferably while I'm on vacation days next week or at the end of the month.
Then, there's the biggie. Our weekend away for the Fourth of July. My mom is really wanting to get a small above ground pool for her yard. She wants us to go look at one at Sam's and I may throw in a few hundred bucks. We'll see. It would certainly be fun, but I don't know.... We'll also do a grocery store run while we're there. And a liquor store run. And a fireworks run. Yeah, I can so see where this is going.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I see you Susie!

Welcome back!

 

[Siouxstone]

I see you Susie!

Welcome back!

Thanks, I'm perversely looking forward to it!

 

[december14disney]

Hi all! I'm a lurker and completed a little no buy June by myself that didn't turn out to well. I'm hoping being here will help. I wont list our whole budget (my fiance and I) because its incredibly detailed and we stick to it. But we get $50 bucks a month each to do whatever with and I went over last month!....by a lot. Starbucks adds up! Help. Its the only part of the budget I just have so much trouble with!

So I'm here to stick to that $50. Will you help? I'm hoping to have a little left over.

 

[smiller]

Hi there! I'm sooo in this month. May and June were very hard to keep track of! My summer can officially start now that I'm back in town. Need to get a good schedule and good spending habits going.

July will bring lots of groceries, a much-needed hair cut, and inevitably going out with my friends and enjoying the beautiful Chicago summer. I also have a wedding gift to purchase. And since I've been borrowing DM's car, I'll try to keep driving to a minimum to save on gas.

I'm spending a week in WDW with the fam, but thankfully that comes from a different budget. My big splurge will be dinner at Citrico's. I've been busy studying the menu!

July Budget: $200 for everything