No Buy March

[joy@disney]

Okay, I am going to try this this month. I hope it helps. The first two days of the month haven't been great. But we always eat out on Sunday, and Monday is my shopping day, so I guess it was just a bummer the month started on a Sunday. The rest of the week should be better.

3/1 - Buffalo Wild Wings $37.95
3/2 - Target $22.73, Groceries $79.81, Dog Food $6.33, Hobby Lobby $9.66 (had planned on this purchase, just waiting for HL to put item on sale, got it 50% off), Lunch $2.66
3/3
3/4

 

[Grendalynn]

Count me in. I'm going to budget $100 a week + $150 for the dentist + $100 for weekend trip for god's sons b-day = $650 for the month. I'm going to try the envelope method. I'm deadly with my debit card. This will include gas, food (groceries and/or eating out), incidentals and whatever else.

3/1

I would loev to know what the envelop method is... I am sure I have an idea - but do tell!!

I had a zero day today, anyone else?

I had a Zero day today too!! We were snowed in, so that helps... however, DH did have to stop and buy milk on the way home... but I think he put it on his charge slip. Does that count??

I am new to this No-Buy business... I would love to know more about it!! I am wanting to pinch as many pennies as possible... I will still have to pay our monthly bills, right? Mortgage, daycare, utilitities, groceries and such?? If someone can give me a short and sweet explaniation, I would appreciate it!!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I would loev to know what the envelop method is... I am sure I have an idea - but do tell!!

I had a Zero day today too!! We were snowed in, so that helps... however, DH did have to stop and buy milk on the way home... but I think he put it on his charge slip. Does that count??

I am new to this No-Buy business... I would love to know more about it!! I am wanting to pinch as many pennies as possible... I will still have to pay our monthly bills, right? Mortgage, daycare, utilitities, groceries and such?? If someone can give me a short and sweet explaniation, I would appreciate it!!

Okay...
Envelope method - it's a Dave Ramsey thing, but the basic idea is that you take out how much you have budgeted for each category at the beginning of the month (or 1 or 2 week period...your budget, you decide) and then you put that cash in a labeled envelope. (i.e., Grocery Money) When that cash is gone, your budget has run out in that category. I suppose it is up to you if you want to borrow from other categories or go without if you run out. The idea is to provide concrete and clear spending limits. You spend less if you spend cash because there is the emotional connection that does not exist when spending in plastic.

No Buy is where you try to spend as little as possible. Most people don't list recurring bills like phone, rent/mortgage, sewer, etc., but rather only list the categories that fluctuate from month to month like groceries, misc., health, entertainment, eating out...

Generally, people list their budget for the month for the categories they are focusing on, then post when they have spent money each day (in those categories.) Sometimes people put exceptions for vacations or large purchases that are planned. For example, I knew that in January I was going to get a GPS. I put that as an exemption at the beginning of the month.


What is a credit slip?

 

[spacerangerqueen]

I didn't do as well as I wanted to in February, but I am back to try again!
My exception this month is the 15th-19th when I will be on the Disney Wonder

3/1 - $0.96 CVS, $3.60 Auntie Ann's Pretzel , $15.34 Publix
3/2 - $0

Total so far - $19.90

 

[tampabrat22]

Budget for March $650

1- $0
2- $53.20 (bday gifts for DD), $80 groceries
3-
4-
5-
6-
7-

Balance remaining $516.80

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Budget $400

1: $16.61 Walgreens (food before storm)
2: $0!
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

March 1: $0 (and on my birthday, no less!)
March 2: $0
March 3: $0

28 days to go...

I'm actually very happy it's freezing outside, if it were warm and wonderful I would be *severely* tempted to work in the garden and start my new veggie garden, but since everything is still frozen solid (very unusual for georgia) that temptation is removed. Thanks, Mother Nature!

eta: I figured I'd just update this post since I made it through today without spending anything either. Do you know how ridiculously hard it is for me to not shop for anything? It's so ridiculous, it's ridonkulous. I'm off work today and the Disboards is my version of nicotine gum-can't shop, so I'll obsessively post instead...

 

[lattemomof3]

March 1: $0
March 2: $48.28 - groceries and stock up on paper towel sale
March 3: $0 - staying home today
March 4: $20.50 groceries
March 5: $16 groceries and $5 for 2 mcd's small chocolate milkshakes for the kids, played at park for free!
March 6:
March 7:
March 8:
March 9:

 

[smiller]

3/1 - $15.00 Newleaf Natural
3/2 - $0.99 CVS

Total: $15.99/$200.00

 

[albertamommyof4]

well i did awsome in January but february not lol. We planned our first disneyland vacation for April and we paid cash for plane tickets and part of our room and tickets. The other part is on credit but will pay that off in the next week. We still have to pay for our san diego hotels and our edmonton hotels and food, spending money and car rental. All this is paid for at the time we go, some will be put on credit card but should beable to pay for all of it when we return so not to bad.
I will try for march but have spent a lot already lol we went out for lunch on feb28 and spent a lot but so very yummy lol. and we have our anniversary and hubbies and mine birthday and then beginning of april we have daughters birthday
My monthly budget is
$880 for groceries($220 weekly) family of 6 plus 2 daycare kids
$240 for gas($60 weekly)
$60 for gift and clothing($15 weekly) not including chrismtas as i already budget $50 a month for that
$80 for entertainment/ eating out ($20 weekly)
$100 for other wich includes $20 each a month for hubby and i and then $15 weekly
Feb.28 $ supper at Mr. Mikes for family including tip $83.61( i included this day as our budget is from Sat. as hubbie gets paid fridays) not budgeted but will take from remander of the week so all will work out
March 1 $198.42 groceries( budgeted)
March 2 $5.34 dairy queen blizzards( coupon buy 1 get 1 free) not budgeted
March 3 $0

 

[bluesaturn]

Went to CVS yesterday, but no OOP! Today should be a $0, I plan on staying in all night.

3/1 - $0
3/2 - $0
3/3 - $0

 

[joy@disney]

Would have been a $0 day, but had to buy stamps today. Hopefully tomorrow will be and official $0 day.

3/1 - Buffalo Wild Wings $37.95
3/2 - Target $22.73, Groceries $79.81, Dog Food $6.33, Hobby Lobby $9.66 (had planned on this purchase, just waiting for HL to put item on sale, got it 50% off), Lunch $2.66
3/3 - Starbucks $0 (used a GC), $8.40 stamps
3/4

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Food: $300 (I bought a TON of stuff on sale last month) $248 left
Gas: $300
Boys' room: $300 (finishing touches)
Baseball clinic: $30
Karate sign ups: $550 $0 left
New Karate gis: $70 (the kids test for black belt at the end of the month)
Misc Karate expenses: $75 (renting gym for rehearsals)
Rite Aid/CVS overages: $50 (I do the couponing at both places. Rite Aid will send me a check at the end of the month, but I have to put the money up front first)

Total budget: $1725 $1119.31 left


3/1: CVS: $0!, Trader Joe's $26
3/2: Rite Aid: $$3.69 (and I get a check back for over $20 for that purchase!), Kroger $26, karate sign up - $550

 

[tampabrat22]

Budget for March $650

1- $0
2- $53.20 (bday gifts for DD), $80 groceries, $3.21 Dvd rentals
3- $0
4-
5-
6-
7-

Balance remaining $513.59

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Budget $400

1: $16.61 Walgreens (food before storm)
2: $0!
3: $1.50 soda at work
4:
5:
6:
7:

Total: $18.11
$400-$18.11=$381.89 left

 

[Leenie74]

I'm in....

Budget is $700
$500 groceries
$75 Sam's Club
$50 gas
$75 misc

1--$0!
2--$4.74 Starbucks
3--$0
4--
5--
6--
7--
8--
9--
10--
11--
12--
13--
14--
15--
16--
17--
18--
19--
20--
21--
22--
23--
24--
25--
26--
27--
28--
29--
30--
31--

$695.26/$700 remaining

 

[ckdsnynt]

I don't have a clue what I spend! Count me in. I think this first month, since I don't have a budget, I will keep a journal to see where all my money goes (not the regular bills, I keep track of those). Then, at the end of the month, I will have a better idea how to draft a budget. What do you think? I've never done a budget so I really don't know how else to come up with one. Dumb huh?

 

[spacerangerqueen]

3/1 - $0.96 CVS, $3.60 Auntie Ann's Pretzel , $15.34 Publix
3/2 - $0
3/3 - $0 only because I forgot my wallet so DF paid at the 3 CVS's we hit up though the total was only $2.59 for all 3 stores.

Total so far - $19.90

 

[Grendalynn]

Okay...
Envelope method - it's a Dave Ramsey thing, but the basic idea is that you take out how much you have budgeted for each category at the beginning of the month (or 1 or 2 week period...your budget, you decide) and then you put that cash in a labeled envelope. (i.e., Grocery Money) When that cash is gone, your budget has run out in that category. I suppose it is up to you if you want to borrow from other categories or go without if you run out. The idea is to provide concrete and clear spending limits. You spend less if you spend cash because there is the emotional connection that does not exist when spending in plastic.

No Buy is where you try to spend as little as possible. Most people don't list recurring bills like phone, rent/mortgage, sewer, etc., but rather only list the categories that fluctuate from month to month like groceries, misc., health, entertainment, eating out...

Generally, people list their budget for the month for the categories they are focusing on, then post when they have spent money each day (in those categories.) Sometimes people put exceptions for vacations or large purchases that are planned. For example, I knew that in January I was going to get a GPS. I put that as an exemption at the beginning of the month.


What is a credit slip?

i figured that what the envelop method was, but thought I would clarify!! This sounds like an interesting and helpful challenge!!! I am looking forward to it!!!! Is it just what i spend or what DH spends too??

A Credit slip is a running tab at our local, family owned convenience store/deli. The tab is paid off at the end of each month....

So far - here is my tally:

3/1: $8.50 - Friendly's (DH)
3/2: $3.29 for milk (DH)
3/3: $3.00 Lottery tickets ($25 million would be bad to win...) (DH)

Anyone seeing a pettern here - DH??

 

[disneyorvegas]

So far so good! I did well in February, either $81 or $303 under budget (dd's birthday party/parties was not going to be listed originally, but I ended up including it), so I am feeling pretty good about it. My only problem is that I ran out of a majority of my staples this week, so I started the month with a big hit for groceries. That, plus there are 5 Tuesdays this month, and that is the day I go food shopping. We'll try to keep the overall budget at $1500, just like February, and hope the extra days (31 vs 28) won't help me go down the overspending path.

WE CAN DO IT!

3/1 $-14 (Return at Kohl's) - now this is the way to start the month!
3/2 $0
3/3 $255 groceries
3/4 $0 (actually a Build-a-Bear purchase using only gift cards)
3/5 $0
3/6 $142 clothing (some will be returned-Easter dresses)
3/7 $22 groceries, $25 medicine

Groceries: $277 Entertainment: $0 Dining: $0 Clothes: $128 Misc.: $25
Running total: $430

3/8 $50 tricky tray
3/9 $16 dining, $44 groceries
3/10 $0
3/11 $0
3/12 $18 groceries, $48 gifts
3/13 $110 dry cleaning, $28 Staples (Tshirt transfer paper for Disney shirts!!!)
3/14 $0

Groceries: $62 Entertainment: $50 Dining: $16 Clothes: $0 Misc.: $186
Weekly total: $314 Running total: $920

3/15 $0
3/16 $45 drug fair (groceries), $-84 returns - clothing
3/17 $177 groceries, $16 dining
3/18 $69 groomers, $50 dr.
3/19 $2 clothing (used a $25 gc!), $2 groceries (target had mac 'n cheese for $.39/box!)
3/20 $
3/21 $

Groceries: $ Entertainment: $0 Dining: $ Clothes: $-82 Misc.: $119
Weekly total: $ Running total: $