No Buy March

[wall*e2008]

Nope, I am renting the whole thing. We moved in with my Dad when his wife died and I'm not ready to sell the cute fixer upper that I put so much work into. So I am renting and that more than covers the bills (no mortgage, small HELOC) so I can save the 30K I need to buy a bigger house for all of us around Jan of next year

OK that makes sense.

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

I'm in for another month. I slacked last month with my postings, but, didn't spend half of what I figured for food. But, did go over for eating out.
Will post my budget later today.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We actually just decided to cut our spring break by two days-we now check in sunday and check out on wednesday instead of checking out on friday.

Mostly it's because we're terrified of going during spring break after we braved the crowds in WDW over President's day (never have I seen so many people).

But also we feel like it would be nice to maybe not have a big vacation expense sitting on our credit card (we're DVC so the room is pre-paid, we have AP's, and we drive), so the real expense is dog boarding and food, and we figure by cutting two days and coming home late wed nite we'll save about 500 in food and boarding-and we decided not to go to the outlets this time, as well...

 

[tampabrat22]

I'm in, I tried last month but we had so much to catch up on, things we put aside for the holidays, I went way over what I should have spent. I dont really have a set budget, I really need one. Doing this last month really opened my eyes to where my $$$ is going and I really want to cut back on the wasteful spending (especially eating out). So my goal will be to keep all my spending below $650....we have 3 big trips this year to save for !!

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[FirstTimertoDiz]

Monthly total budget: $800

Bought groceries today, and passed up a lot of impulse items at the Dollar store, so a good start....but I think it may be a long month, lol. I love Easter stuff, and it is everywhere I look! I need to stay out of the stores.

Feb 1: Groceries: $28.21 at Giant Eagle, $13.35 at Dollar General


Total Left for the Month: $758.44 / $800

 

[neatokimmo]

I had a zero day today, anyone else?

 

[parrothead24]

I had a zero day today until I paid off my Disney trip! That's a good thing, right?

 

[paulasillars]

1st - $0
2nd - $0

Long may it last

 

[goofyisinphilly]

Yesterday was almost a $0 day. The only purchase was the Sunday newspaper that I get for the coupons. So that is kind of a wash I suppose. Today is a snowday so that should keep me out of trouble.

 

[lattemomof3]

I'm jumping on board too . I just started keeping track of our grocery $, so I can't give a good estimate on that yet. I am challenging myself to not buy any books or magazines this month (my weakness), I will go to the library instead! A friend and I our taking our 3yr olds to Dora Live in the city, and my friend loves to shop, so I am planning on only getting things for my kids for Easter on that trip.
March 1 - 0$

 

[geffric]

I'm jumping on board too . I just started keeping track of our grocery $, so I can't give a good estimate on that yet.

I am going to join too.. I don't have a handle on monthly expenditures so I'll keep track this month..

Sunday I spend money on Grocery - Jewel had turley breast for .99 per lbs so I bought 2.. plus OJ and milk and cheese..

 

[punkin]

I think I'll try this month as well. January was a killer with unexpected expenses and I was very tight in February and came in under budget. I am going to try coming in under budget in March as well, because I already know we will have some serious expenses at the beginning of April (DDs' summer camp payments).

I have bought nothing today and DH took lunch with him to work. DDs and I are snowed in with no school, so hopefully today will be easy.

I am planning a trip to Costco later this month since I am almost out of toilet paper and paper towels. I will NOT buy anything on impulse there. If it's not on my list, it will not go in the cart. Wish me luck.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I had a zero day today, anyone else?

I did

March 1: $0

1 down, 30 to go.

Cold Turkey. Cold Turkey. Cold Turkey.

argh, getting the shopping DT's already...

 

[smiller]

How cool! I'll think I'll try this! I've always wanted to try a monthly meal plan & just saw one on the $5 dinner blog! I'm bad about splurging when I have the money instead of saving it! I want to save money for our WDW trip in June plus our anniversary in April! Do you guys have any tips for me?

The easiest way for me to save money is to have it transferred electronically to my ING accouts. I have several set up with varying amounts - $20/week, $20/month - nothing too painful, but it ensures that the money gets saved.

Ok - this is my 1st no buy month! Here are my planned expenses. My goal is to not buy anything above these. Mostly no clothes, home goods, toys. I'm not putting all the utilities etc in there, just using mine to track "extra" stuff I don't need.

Welcome! Hope you have lots of fun with No Buy!

I so want to join..My budget is out the window and we have the big birthday bash mar 16..I have about $100 cake and $40 hot chocolate plus incidentals to pay..

Have to get our passports,

And save extra as we hit Dis April 19 only 4 more pays...ACK

I hear ya... I'm trying to figure out how much I can save by my next trip - then the following one will sneak up on me, too! No Buy SURE helps!!!

I'm in, I tried last month but we had so much to catch up on, things we put aside for the holidays, I went way over what I should have spent. I dont really have a set budget, I really need one. Doing this last month really opened my eyes to where my $$$ is going and I really want to cut back on the wasteful spending (especially eating out). So my goal will be to keep all my spending below $650....we have 3 big trips this year to save for !!

It sure is eye-opening - once I realized how much $$ was being spent on eating out food that wasn't very good, I figured I can cook food at home that (still unfortunately) isn't very good, and save a lot of money!

I had a zero day today, anyone else?

Technically, I spent no money March 1. However, I "borrowed" $15 from March that I used in February, so to be a diligent accountant, I'll reflect it on the budget.

I did

March 1: $0

1 down, 30 to go.

Cold Turkey. Cold Turkey. Cold Turkey.

argh, getting the shopping DT's already...

You can do it!

And, finally, my exciting report:

3/1 - $15.00 Newleaf Natural

Total: $15.00/$200.00

 

[casper_jj11]

First timer here! I said when we got back from WDW mid Feb that I'd get expenses under control. Did really well the last two months of Feb but not quite sure I can do it longterm. Let's see... budget .. doesn't include property taxes and life insurance which is due this month :

$550 groceries
$500 gas (both of us have long commutes on different schedules)
$350 swim lessons for all 3 kids
$100 playgroup for DD
$60 playgroup for DS1
$200 summer science camp for DS6
$200 summer sports camp for DS6
$160 summer soccer for DS6 (goodness I wish all these weren't due at the same time)
$15 DS1's first haircut
$100 DH's bday gift (not sure what yet)
$150 DS1's 18mo pictures to be taken
$300 easter presents (planning on getting DD and DS6 new bikes this year ... maybe this ought to wait til the snow goes...)
$150 spending for me (incl. kids clothes ... Gymboree is my weakness)
$150 spending for DH

Total: $2985 ... seems high but its actually much lower than what I have been spending lately... let's see if I can do it

1- $0
2- $200 swimming lessons for DS6, $9 groceries, $40 DS's medical alert bracelet renewal (not budgeted but not really optional either...)

 

[bluesaturn]

I'd like to join. I've been following this thread since it popped up in later 2008, but never joined in. Yesterday I was snowed in, so definitely a $0 day there. Today I will be going to CVS, but hopefully my OOP will be tiny.

3/1 - $0

 

[melc0305]

Gee, 2 days into March and I'm thinking of blowing it big time! I told myself if flights for our August vacation dropped under $200/pp, I'd buy them. Well, today Airtran has them for a total of $748 (plus $15 per checked bag which KILLS me!) So should I buy them?

 

[smiller]

Gee, 2 days into March and I'm thinking of blowing it big time! I told myself if flights for our August vacation dropped under $200/pp, I'd buy them. Well, today Airtran has them for a total of $748 (plus $15 per checked bag which KILLS me!) So should I buy them?

Don't think of buying the airfare as "blowing it" for March - you'll have to pay to get to WDW somehow, right?

Might as well get a good price for them!

 

[rrconnelly]

I'd like to join in! It's been intriguing to read through this thread! I am a teacher, and today is a snow day for us in Massachusetts, so definitely a $0 day! I am going to have to sit down and figure out all my expenses for this month. I would like to use the extra for spending money for our April trip, which should be incentive enough! Good luck everyone!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Okay I put for this month to spend $400 total on food and misc., not including bills.

I did not do so well in February at all. I was out of town for 8 days and then when we came back we did not go to the supermarket for a week; we were eating out fast food every day!

A possible exception will be buying plane tickets for a trip during the April break. It depends on some things if I'm taking a trip or not, so we shall see. Another possible exception is my additional security deposit when I renew my lease. I'm trying not to renew it though and just go month to month but I'm not sure if that's even possible, and the rental management office is not returning my call; likely due to the snow.

Anyways
1: $16.61 Walgreens (food before storm)