No Buy May

[hjssk8]

Another newbie here. I'm joining in the hopes that I can keep more money in the bank.

So far:

$40 a week for gas

$140 for basic season passes to King's Dominion for DD7 and I.
It comes with free parking so I will put that money towards the spending money I have saved for the park.

I will post my numbers later when I gather the info.

Here's to more money in my bank account!

 

[IlliniMouse]

Ok, I think I have it...or at least my version of it. I already know what my mortgage/car payment/utilities are going to run every month, so I'm not including those. I'm including things I can really keep an eye on to control what gets spent, and things that don't occur every month so that I can budget for them. (I'm hoping once I do this a few times that I get really good at it and can tell my money exactly what it needs to do for me instead of what *I* need to do to make it stretch.)

License plates sticker $85
Mothers Day/graduation/cards $125
Entertainment $300 (There's 3 movies coming out we want to see, so I allotted more than I usually would because of that. I honestly don't think we'll make it to all of them, but I don't want to start out my first month by going over!!)
School expenses $100 (lunches, end of year gift for teacher and bus driver, and one inexpensive outfit for my son to wear to his spring concert. He is strictly jeans and t-shirts, and he needs something dressier for the program. He'll only wear it once, so I'm not going to spend alot on it.)
groceries $500
misc household $100 (I'm pretty well stocked up right now, but will toss this one in ther because I know *something* will come up)
gas $700 ugh. (And hoping it doesn't go up over that)

 

[roadtripper]

OK, I've been out of the game, but not off the wagon, for several months. Time to get back in, since I bleed money in the spring/summer.

Once again, I want to recommend Yodlee Money Center as a great budget tool! (no, I don't have stock or work for them ) You input your budget goals, set up your accounts online, and get notified by email when you are coming close to your budget goal. This works if really well if you use a debit or credit card that categorizes your purchases. Plus, it makes a really neat colorful pie chart to show you where your money is going .

I have listed only discretionary spending below:
Personal Care 75.00
General Merchandise--Walmart stuff 100.00
Gifts 150.00 --1 confirmation, 1 graduation
Groceries AND Restaurants/Dining -- family of four 500.00
Gasoline 200.00
Memorial Day Weekend 200.00
Down payment for vacation 425.00
If I can keep to these limits, we will be in good shape heading into summer.
Good luck everyone!

 

[KarenAylwood]

This month is going to be EXPENSIVE. It's important I don't go over on the extras...

Groceries: $180 (I went over my $150 in April, and this month I have my mom visiting so I need some food in the house!)
Other for house: $30 (didn't go over here last time)
Gas: $125 (added $25 from last month's budget. Mom and I will be driving around a lot when she visits.)
Eating out: $200 (I went over this in April by $60 so I'm keeping the budget the same and trying harder this month)
Other necessity: $30 (prescription, other stuff)
Laundry: $15 (def will spend it this month, it's my turn to get quarters)
Other: $100 misc crap

Other things I need to budget for:
$80 for flowers sent to my mom and grandma for Mother's Day (this is the first year I'm doing this so it will be a BIG surprise)
$50 for Wedding gift for a short notice wedding on May 10th (already have a dress!)
$50 donation for MS bike ride that coworkers are doing
$50 donation to Suffolk Red Cross for tornado victims

This is actually the first time I'm giving more than ~$20 to charity. I haven't really felt I had the money to do it before. I had decided to support the bike ride, and then when I saw the tornadoes hit here on Monday and have to drive by the wreckage every day, I just feel like I should contribute at least something.

And finally... exemptions: May 13th-19th... mom's visiting!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!! We'll be going out to dinner and shopping, etc. All the money will come out of my vacation account though. I'm hoping to keep it at $500.

Goodluck everyone!

 

[beansmom]

count me in!! I will exempt May 21-23 as my fiance will be in town with me and I need to feed him more than the usual turkey burger and salad I eat each day.

Other than that, I'm on it!! Wooohooo! This is gonna be FUN!

 

[Siouxstone]

to the newbies! We love having you.

Here's a what I have so far, but there is a chance I may have to modify it a little as I think more on the month.

Usual suspects-mortage, utilities, and such on auto-pilot
Gas/Oil-$45 a week (up again )
Groceries/Household-$100 a week (trimmed back)
DH weekly allowance-$20
Mother's Day- $100 (covering gifts to me, my Mom & MIL)
DH's B-day- $100
15th Anniversary-$100
Family Fun undetermined-$100
Other b-days-$45
Pocket money for work trip-$40
Kumon books-$20
25 swims pass-$25

I think that is everything, but I'll continue to crunch some more numbers when I get home from work tonight. Our Family Fun weekend may be a trip to my parent's with a day trip to the beach. With gas so high, I had to make it a bit more than usual. I am adding $40 cash for anything that won't be reimbursed on my next trip to Houston. My co-workers always want to shop at places we don't have. I'm just going to carry this $40 and not take my wallet in when we go to Sam Moon. I am resolving to NOT send anything to my sister. She has adult children who are married professionals and I feel like they wait to see if we do anything before they step up to the plate.

Here's to a great month!

 

[TaniaU]

Righty-o. DH threw me for a loop yesterday when he decided he was going on a diet, so my original budget may be way out of whack. We'll see, hopefully it'll all work out. So on top of the regular stuff; heat (still, sadly), water, electric etc. etc...

$600 Groceries and eating out. This shouldn't be a problem as there are only 3 of us
$100 Household - odds and ends
$200 Gas - This should be okay as long as we limit our visits to my parents house.


Special for this month:
Movies $60 - We don't usually do movies, but DS loves IronMan and we have already bought tickets for Indiana Jones through DHs work.

Mothers Day $100 - Something for my mom (my sister usually gets it and I give her money) and I'll use the rest to buy my self something pretty.

Sisters Birthday $50 - If I can find something.

I do have breakfast in the morning as part of the budget, it sucks I know, maybe someday I can get away from it...but at least it's accounted for so I know where the $$ is going.

 

[yupikgal]

this is for Karen Aylwood, I would LOVE to bring my family to Williamsburg, have you been there before? What type of accomodations do they have near there, and how much does it cost to get in and what all does it cover? Is there a website that I can go to? email me if you want: tkpowell@mtaonline.net
thanks! Kelly

 

[decaff38]

First to Kandeebunny : concerning glasses - I got glasses for my daughter that were suppose to be 250.00 for 120.00 shipped to my door (exactly the same).
Get your perscription from your eye doctor, go to the frame shop, pick out your favorites, write down all the details. Get them to do a pupilary distance and write it down. Go to gooptic.com or coolframes.com and find your glasses and order them. My mom did this too and saves 300.00 off hers. Good luck!

I am a newbie but have been kind of doing this for months. I really need to find the places to cut. This month will be the monster month for me but I am going to give it a shot.
My mother is turning 80 and we are doing a birthday party for about 100, two sisters, son , 2 nephews, brother in law and best friend all have birthdays; daughter is graduating from HS.(party for 100 again) Oh and mother's day!

My first attempt budget:

200 for groceries( not including the parties)
100 gas
75 for Mom's party - 25.00 for nice plant for Mom Day
25 for eating out- just don't do it often
30.00 garage sales ( the season begins)
Mortgage, electric, garbage, etc.. stays the same every month
Graduation: postage 25.00, beverages 80.00, food 250.00( includes 2 breakfasts for 10 each day and a barbeque for 100)
25 for birthday gifts and cards
50 for graduation gifts to daughter's friends(5)

That should cover it for now.
Hoping for some real deals on the food. but last child so that is good.

 

[smiller]

Hi guys!

I kinda dropped off at the end of April due to my envelopes getting all screwed up. I just mushed together the rest of the cash, and maybe went over (of course!) a few dollars in the Going Out budget.

I vow to be more diligent this month! I took out my cash and will refill my envelopes today. Maybe I should call them slots or dividers - I actually use one of those dollar-store coupon organizers. (I can keep all my CVS cards and ECBs in there, too! Plus, post-it notes stick nicely to the outside.)

Anyhow. Back to May.

Usual suspects:
$10 cleaners (+ $10 leftover from April)
$10 gifts
$15 personal/household
$50 going out
$90 groceries

Thankfully, I have until June to put another $200 or so towards my upcoming Disney trip.

I'm going to Green Bay for a quick getaway - one night - so that will come out of my Vacation Savings. Shouldn't be too much money.

My only other "out of budget" purchase was to be a small recycling center/bins to put in my kitchen - but it's only pre-order on Amazon right now. Who knows when it will actually be in stock? I think I'll hold off for now.

 

[jessp1021]

Ok I am a newbie too but I am trying really hard to stick to a budget so when we go on vacay we don't have to put it back on c.c.! Here is what I have so far:

Groceries- $300
Household odds and ends- $100
Household and C.C. Bills- $1287
Gas for me and DH- $350
Mothers Day- $25 (luckily I already have a gift for my mil!)
DS Birthday Party and Gifts- $150 (luckily I have all of his presents but one!
Misc Items/ Family Fun- $125
Eating Out- $60 (this is our problem area-- we are trying to only eat out once every 2 wks-that is our biggest goal for this month!)

If we follow this we will be able to save over $200 bucks!!

 

[encinc]

Another Newbie here. We've been horrible at following a budget up to now. DH is now on board, so I'm going to give it a go.

Here are is our discretionary budget. My goal is to have as many 0-buy days as possible. DH and I tend to spend our money on "little things", so I'd love to cut down on that (hence the relatively small personal allowance this month)

Car Gas: $150
Groceries: $500
Eating Out/Entertainment: $100
Household: $50
Personal (DH): $50
Personal (Me): $50
Clothing: $60
DH's bike repair: $175
1/2 Flight for Dec vacation: $400 (we're booking 4 tickets for our trip back at this point, we'll put the trip down once we're positive of the dates)

 

[ssdeverell]

Also new to the "no buy" plan, but always enjoy reading the regulars' posts. I am going to try it for this month. My discretionary spending amounts:

YMCA swim class for DD - $27
Framing of DD's 1st year composite - $76
Mother's Day - $130
School pictures for DD - $50
Crop (scrapbooking ) - $25
Dad's birthday gift - $25
Work shower gift (I already have part of it) - $10
Gas (just mine - DH gets weekly "allowance" for his lunches/gas) - $350
Groceries - $350
Eating out - $50

Hopefully, I can stick to it.

 

[kandeebunny]

5/1 $0

Packing to go to WDW then to NH so not going anywhere today, finishing up food in the fridge.

 

[disneymom3]

I really choked in April. I have to get back on the wagon in May! I don't know why I have NO willpower but it's not good! My main issues is unplanned meal expenses. I have GOT To get that under control.

For this month I have
MS Walk on this Sunday--we will probably get something easy for dinner because I am going to be wiped out. $30

Mother's Day--we'll spend the day adventuring which will involve for sure lunch and maybe dinner out. $50

Going to try to arrange a day out with a friend to take the boys to Chuck E Cheese. Have coupons and tokens so $25 at most should do it.

Going to a play with the kids $36.

I need to add up my grocery/target expenses for this last month. Then I will figure out how much more I need to improve that.

 

[Taja]

Another newbie! I've been lurking for the past couple of months, so thought I'd give it a shot. I'm solo, by the way.

Exempt: Renovations under way--unless they run over budget!

F&B (all food and beverages): $100
Electricity: $200 (Hoping for $150--depends on when we reach 100 degrees)
Household supplies: $60
Pool supplies: $50
Vehicle: $125 ($80 fuel + scheduled maintenance)
Personal care: $75 (includes approx. $30 contact lens supplies)
PAYGO Phone Time: $25 (lasts about 6 months)
Miscellaneous: $25
P.O. Box Fee: $50 (guestimate for one year)

Although electricity is a utility and a standard monthly bill, I included it for tracking purposes. It's really easy to reach $300+ a month here during the summer. This will remind me to watch the thermostat settings!

 

[Mocharilla]

I decided to join in! Now that we're going to Disney, we have to keep a big eye on our budget!

$80, Spamalot tickets for my birthday

$100, Eating Out, including my birthday

$100, General Spending, including Nic's graduation present

 

[roadtripper]

Woo Hoo! It's the first of the month, it's a zero dollar day, and I just found out that we're getting a health insurance premium holiday in our next two paychecks! So for the first day of No Buy May, I'm up 250.00! I'm tempted to buy a lottery ticket .

 

[Adi12982]

I am in. . . I think this is my 6th or so month doing this, though I haven't been keeping up on checking in

Fixed monthly expenses: Tithing/offering; Rent; Car payment (paying off two years early by June, YEAY); electric bill; cable; medical; cell phones; savings. . . .

So budget for the rest:

Gas: $160 (should give us enough to fill up DH's car twice $60*2, and my car once)
Groceries: $255
Entertainment:$80
BIL's B-Day: $108
Mother's Day: $58

IF I get some graduation $$$ I may have more to put into some of the categories above. . . (or splurge it away).


5/1 - $40 Whole Foods
$5 Giant Foods
$108 BIL's -day gift (portable DVD player with 3 years insurance)
$46 (Mother's day gifts, jewelry for our mom's and my grandmother)


Here is what has been spent/out of, for the month:
Gas: $0/$160
Groceries/eating out: $45/$255
Entertainment:$0/$80 (Spent it on craft stuff)
Bithday gifts (grandmother and brother, including shipping): $108/$108
Mother's Day gifts: $46/$58

 

[PrincessParty]

5/1 and I am already $3.71 over planned expenses. My older DD got her dance costume and it needed some hook and eyes for the straps and skirt. They don't attach them as they don't stretch. Need to add more for the unexpected.