~April No-Spend Challenge~ We're tracking our spending and buying only the necessities. Come... - Page 6

[FeelingBlessed]

So proud of myself for FINALLY creating a meal plan; now must continue to actually prepare the meals on the list...

Kim :

April 1:
April 2:
April 3:
April 4:

APRIL GOALS:
* Move toward achieving work goals: 2/24
* Less than $25 in frivolous spending: month to date $0
* At least 24 days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 4/24
* NO library fines: month to date $0 / NO parking tickets: $0
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $233.03/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 3/24
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 4/30
* Meal plan created: 1/4 weeks - wahoo!

[Purple*Lotus]

Pardon any typos. I am doing some one handed typing for a while until the left arm heals.

Jaime Totals:
Groceries: 0/$150
Household Expenses: 0/$75

My Grid:
= no spend days
= bills, bills, bills, but nothing unbudgeted
= spend day

April 1st
It was also a double no drive day since we are both homebound after the surgery. Gasoline saved :
April 2nd
And another double no drive day :
April 3rd
And you guessed it, yet another double no drive here I have to get out of the house this weekend. I think maybe my Mom will cut DHs hair over the weekend sometime, so that will save money and give me a chance to interact with other people.
April 4th
And a double no drive day. We are going to my parents house tomorrow so Mom can cut DH's hair. That will be $20 saved :
April 5th
April 6th
April 7th
April 8th
April 9th
April 10th
April 11th
April 12th
April 13th
April 14th
April 15th
April 16th
April 17th
April 18th
April 19th
April 20th
April 21st
April 22nd
April 23rd
April 24th
April 25th
April 26th
April 27th
April 28th
April 29th
April 30th

I hope everyone is doing well

Originally Posted by KnittingKara

feel better soon!

Thanks I already feel much better. I still can't move my hand much, but it gets better every day

Originally Posted by dsaucone

I made it through the mall without getting coffee! : $12 for a video game is better than the usual $65 (he traded some of his old ones in for credit).

That is a good idea to trade in games

[PlayaMama]

okay, i find i'm avoiding coming here because i'm embarrassed i've been spending money! duh! the whole point is to be accountable!!


360.13/600 groceries
0/100 pantry stocking
0/25 spending money
27.75/80 sundry

1/20 no spend days
1/10 budgeted spend
1/0 non-budgeted spend!!!!
4/27 get outside :

30- :
31-
-------
1- :
2- 80.70 honey (is getting refunded but i'm putting it here since i spent it in the first place- this is why i haven't been back :
3- : 360.13 groceries 15.00 tank tops 12.75 kids clothes
4- :
5-
6-
7-
8-
9-
10-
11-


i think it's important to keep this in mind too.
march 517.18 17

[Smithie]

April 1st: Dunkin Donuts, $10. Groceries, $22.49. Vet, $268.50 and my dignity.
April 2nd:
April 3rd: $100 to mikveh lady, $45.72 lunch and groceries at kosher deli, $19 gas and snacks on trip home
April 4th: Groceries, 143.97. Oy.
April 5th
April 6th
April 7th
April 8th
April 9th
April 10th
April 11th
April 12th
April 13th
April 14th
April 15th: TAXES DUE
April 16th
April 17th
April 18th
April 19th
April 20th
April 21st
April 22nd
April 23rd
April 24th
April 25th
April 26th
April 27th
April 28th
April 29th
April 30th

Total non-bill non-food household spending: 383/1000
Food: 216.18/400
Plane tickets: 0/500
Days doing homeschool lessons: 2/2

[imaiam]

So far it's helping to have to track this way...we're already pretty good about not spending extra. It's the tracking that's the real problem here. Oh and figuring out how to handle (budget-wise) pantry stocking expenses. For example, we bought a year's supply of ketchup today as I have allergies and the 'safe' stuff is only available at this time of year.

We always tock up on sale items (so also bought 21 boxes of juice today). How do you guys handle these sorts of purchases?
thanks,
Kerry


April 1 4.06 breakfast; 1.45 coffee at break, 5.25 lunch
April 2 milk, cheese 10.97
April 3 gas ~45.00
April 4 grocery (incl a yr of ketchup) 222; grocery 'cause we forgot about
supper the first time (oy!) 23; 42.90 two more cloth diapers for the
stash; 5.24 pharmacy; 32 gas

[dsaucone]

Originally Posted by imaiam

How do you guys handle these sorts of purchases?

I wouldn't count them here because I'm focusing on not spending money on what I don't need. While I watch my grocery budget, it doesn't count against me in the challenge.

[KnittingKara]

4/3 - : Hubby bought Steak 'n' Shake last night after work
4/4 - planned spend for extra groceries and the forgotten ham (hoping to keep it under $65) Um, yeah ... Totally had an "EASTER IS COMING" freak out at the grocery store and spent $85.12! This whole company for the weekend / hosting Easter dinner thing has me all tangled up and nervous, is my only excuse (don't know how those m&m's jumped in there - can we call that stress relief?)

As if that wasn't bad enough, even though I've only earned $4.30 in my already over drawn clothing budget, someone on eBay had a bunch of Hannas on sale in my dd's size and ... well, $48.18 later (MUST go through children's outgrown clothing and re-sell now to make up incredible buget defying difference!) (but I got 3 play dresses, 3 leggings, and a jacket w/ wee little bunny ears - so cute!)

4/5 - I'd better just stay home (and off of ebay!) and keep my wallet in the desk drawer!
4/6 -
4/7 -

Grocery $ spent: $136.54/$190

Clothing budget: $43.88 in the RED!

Originally Posted by PlayaMama

okay, i find i'm avoiding coming here because i'm embarrassed i've been spending money! duh! the whole point is to be accountable!!

You & me both, Mama! I think I've just proven to myself how badly I need to be a part of this thread this month ... I'm weak, weak, weak ...

$53 budgeted for the rest of the month on groceries ... time for a serious Pantry Challenge and some Will Power!

(egads)

[mamayarn]

Tee-hee. Whoops. Here's to four no-spend days to finish out the pay period!

3/26 :
3/27 eating out $11.50, fabric $8.53, savings $0.97
3/28 groceries $18.58
3/29 :
3/30 :
3/31 :
4/1 eating out $17.26
4/2 family misc $34.32, groceries $3.58
4/3 : DH clothes $20.50
4/4 groceries $62.05, groceries $6.47, groceries $37.29
4/5
4/6
4/7
4/8

The spending I track is all spending other than bills, including gas and
food for our family of 3+.

Goals:
3/26 - 4/8 Total non-bill spending ($221.05/$220.00)

Running Tally:
Use reusable bags for all shopping trips (5/6)
No spend days x 4
No drive days (my car) : x 5

[Smithie]

I have to say, Kara, that's a pretty fabulous deal on all those Hannas...

I bought about 8 headwraps DH has been begging me to grow my hair out, and I totally do. no. do. that in-between phase, so... everybody at the temple is going to think I've turned into a modestynik from the neck up. But only from the neck up.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

April 1st: Dunkin Donuts, $10. Groceries, $22.49. Vet, $268.50 and my dignity.
April 2nd:
April 3rd: $100 to mikveh lady, $45.72 lunch and groceries at kosher deli, $19 gas and snacks on trip home
April 4th: Groceries, 143.97. Oy.
April 5th: $39.50 for head coverings. :
April 6th
April 7th
April 8th
April 9th
April 10th
April 11th
April 12th
April 13th
April 14th
April 15th: TAXES DUE
April 16th
April 17th
April 18th
April 19th
April 20th
April 21st
April 22nd
April 23rd
April 24th
April 25th
April 26th
April 27th
April 28th
April 29th
April 30th

Total non-bill non-food household spending: 383/1000
Food: 216.18/400
Plane tickets: 0/500
Days doing homeschool lessons: 2/2

[Neva]

4/1 : :
4/2 : :
4/3 : : $4.13 on coffee and doughnuts
4/4 : groceries $156.43

Goals
2/24 :
4/25 :

Key
: - no spend
- necessiary spend
: - blew it
: - eating at home with what we have

[Purple*Lotus]

Great news, I am finally able to type with both hands : I can't do much else with the left hand yet, but that is huge progress : The stitches are starting to itch like crazy so I am taking that as a sign that I am healing. The hand is tight, but the overall carpal tunnel symptoms seem to be gone gone GONE! :

Jaime Totals:
Groceries: 0/$150
Household Expenses: 0/$75

My Grid:
= no spend days
= bills, bills, bills, but nothing unbudgeted
= spend day

April 1st
It was also a double no drive day since we are both homebound after the surgery. Gasoline saved :
April 2nd
And another double no drive day :
April 3rd
And you guessed it, yet another double no drive here I have to get out of the house this weekend. I think maybe my Mom will cut DHs hair over the weekend sometime, so that will save money and give me a chance to interact with other people.
April 4th
And a double no drive day. We are going to my parents house tomorrow so Mom can cut DH's hair. That will be $20 saved :
April 5th
We did drive today, to my parents house for DH to get his hair cut. That is $20 saved : DH also went to his family's house tonight so her drove there too, but overall I think it is just around 10 miles of driving. We are saving a ton because I am off for surgery/healing and DH took last week off to take care of me. That is $50 in gas saved right there. : Of course when you factor in the money I missed out on taking time off without pay, it doesn't quite even out
April 6th
April 7th
April 8th
April 9th
April 10th
April 11th
April 12th
April 13th
April 14th
April 15th
April 16th
April 17th
April 18th
April 19th
April 20th
April 21st
April 22nd
April 23rd
April 24th
April 25th
April 26th
April 27th
April 28th
April 29th
April 30th


I hope everyone is having some great no spend days. Don't feel bad about slipping up, it happes. Plus, if I was able to drive right now I would hate to see my own totals. I think being homebound has been the main factor in me not spending :

[scrapadoozer]

04/01: $17 Thrifting.
04/02:
04/03:
04/04:
04/05:

4/20 No spend days.
$17/$100 Unnecessarily spent.
$111/$400 Paid on the pellet stove.

[PassionateWriter]

1:::
2 $100 for ds2's bday. :
3 $70 food; $25 gas. :
4::
5:::


Goals
:3/20 No Spend Days
2/20 Decluttering/Organizing Days/30 minutes (NOT cleaning)
0/5 Library Days w/ boys
: 1/4 books
:0/20 knit at least 15 minutes
:5/28 eat at home
0/10 add things to CL
:0/5 update blogs (months behind)
:2/10 Let the Car Rest Days
:5/30 Exercise at least 30 minutes

[Amanda Williams]

April 1st: no spend, walked 2 miles
2nd: no spend
3rd: $5.50 homeschool, walked one mile
4th: no spend, walked 2 miles
5th: Food: $142 Personal care /paper/diaper groceries: $92 Eat out: $10, walked one mile


Totals:
Food Groceries: $142
Paper Groceries: $92
Fast food: $10

[Ruthiegirl]

Apr 1 --
Apr 2 --
Apr 3 --
Apr 4 --
Apr 5 --
Apr 6 --
Apr 7 --

No spend --
Budget spending --

105.75/450.00 groceries

[FeelingBlessed]

April is darn good thus far...

Kim :

April 1:
April 2:
April 3:
April 4:
April 5:

APRIL GOALS:
* Move toward achieving work goals: 2/24
* Less than $25 in frivolous spending: month to date $0
* At least 24 days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 5/24
* NO library fines: month to date $0 / NO parking tickets: $0
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $233.03/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 4/24
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 5/30
* Meal plan created: 1/4 weeks - wahoo!

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Oooh...hemorrhaging money this weekend.

I spent a lot. a lot.

At times like this, I need to give myself a few days and a little distance to decide what was necessary spending and what was just plain frittering money away.

I spent a ton on grass seed, fertilizer, grub killer, lime, compost...lawn stuff. Is that household maintenance? I'm torn on this one because for the past three years we have spent $0.00 on our lawn and basically it is gone. We have no grass left. Which means we can either live with a mud-pit for a front yard, or I can consider that necessary upkeep for our house (which is an investment for us) and just spend it. But it feels very frivolous.

So I'll just chalk these days up as spendy and edit the totals when I'm feeling okay about it.

01..
02.. , :
03.. $153 on lawn stuff
04.. $128 clothes, $36 running stuff
05.. $32 yet more on clothes
06..
07..
08..
09..
10..
11..
12..
13..
14..
15.. Payday!

~~~~~~~~
My goals:

2/20 No Spend Days
1/5 Let the Car Rest Days :

[dsaucone]

1
2
3 H Pay $17 eating out $12 DH video game
4
5 $2 DH snack at work $15 eating out $2 drink and candy bar for DD $10 plants at HD
6
7
8
9
10 H Pay

Goals/Totals/Key

No Unnecessary/Unbudgeted Spending 3

Unneeded $58

: $282 left in the budget.

$100 Savings

3/30 wash/dry/fold/put away 1 load a day

[kreyno4]

4/1 - $3 milk
4/2 - $20 care package for friend who had a m/c; $4 grocery :
4/3 -
4/4 - $3 Easter egg hunt at park :
4/5 - $20 brunch out, $60 grocery, $15 household :

: = no drive day
= no spend day

Goals
1/15 no spend days
3/15 no drive days
$82/$400 grocery and household budget
$43 not in budget

[dsaucone]

CrunchyVT - I'd vote the lawn care as needed. I mean you can live without it, but mud puddles in the yard can only lead to more problems. haha. Kids splashing in them and ruining clothes, then you'd need to buy more clothes, you see where I'm going?