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April No-Spend Challenge ~ We're in the home stretch... - Page 2

post #21 of 378
3/31/10 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 
Can you tell I'm ready to start?

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Goals for April

1. 0/30 Stay Out of Stores (sos)
2. 0/20 No Spend Days

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post #22 of 378
3/31/10 at 4:22pm
Who you are:
Kate, WOHM to 2 boys and DH my super SAHP. We are spenders not very good savers. Impulse buying and fast food are our weaknesses.

Where you are going (your financial goals):
Trying to knock down 17k in CC debt with this thread and the DR thread. This has helped us track and be more accountable with ourselves about spending habits.

How you plan to get there:
This month is all about getting back on track from impulse buying and fast food. We want to start our snowballed CC payments, instead of using the $$ for something else which comes up. We have to get some holiday items, a birthday present and garden stuff. We are also decluttering to keep the energy of the house flowing in the right direction.

Key:
= No Spend
= Budgeted Spending
= unplanned spending
= unplanned emergency spending

Goals:
Eat out (dinner or lunch):0/2
Groceries: $000/$500
Extra for CC: 0/$200
No Spend days: 0/20
post #23 of 378
3/31/10 at 5:07pm
May I join? This is the first time I've done this...
a. Who you are
I'm a WOHM new mum to a fantastic dd, and a dh who is going to be as of next month a SAHD. That's a decision we made purposefully, but it's going to impact our income greatly. I'm very spend-y while DH is skilled at saving. We're basically debt free besides my monstrous student loan balance.

b. Where you are going (your financial goals)
I'm going to attempt to get my spending under control, my goal is to SOS, and make my income exceed our financial responsibilities. On paper, my salary pays our bills. In reality, I've used most of my own (as opposed to our jointly accumulated) savings because I've bought so much stuff, had to pay a good bit out for a hospital c-birth (what insurance didn't cover), and I need to get back a cushion if possible.
So, goals are: pay bills with my income and use the extra- if i can make that happen- to save a little, too.

c. How you plan to get there
My goodness, I must SOS. Especially that new, fantastic goodwill right across the street from my place of employment.
Use this thread to account for my spending.
My goal for April is to do a complete spend free month (not counting gas & groceries) and recover a little bit from my naughty ways.
No eating out (not a problem, dealing with allergies so that's not happening anyway).
key:
= no spend
= planned spend
= unplanned spend
grocery budget = 450-500
= 15 min of yoga

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< 500.00 on groceries divided by 4 weeks.
15 minutes of morning yoga 3 x week
post #24 of 378
3/31/10 at 6:29pm
We're in for the month!

My name is Kara and my dh and I have 3 kiddos ... we've been doing Dave Ramsey seriously since last July and are hoping to be debt-free (but the house) in the next two years or so.

We had some unexpected expenses come up in March that took out part of our emergency fund, so we're building that back up in April as well as getting our debt snowball rolling again (we stopped it for the last part of March) - we've been on a roll and I'm determined to get that EF built back up asap so we can continue to get out of debt.

This will probably be the most frugal Easter we've ever had, but I think I can still make it pretty magic on a teeny budget.

Looking forward to the company and the accountability
post #25 of 378
3/31/10 at 7:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom View Post
Heather -- you realize that we will ~never~ do that on this thread, right?

We are all about support on the no-spend threads... no judgements, no criticism, just encouragement.

We're glad you are joining us!
oh i know. it is more about me holding myself responsible and watching others do it and knowing i can do better. lol

h

Kara: I love your 2010 goal in your sig line. something i need to work on too.
post #26 of 378
3/31/10 at 7:44pm
I am Vicki, have 4 girls, I did this for a few months, and then totally slacked off. I was doing good on my spending until recently. So I'm back to get things under control.

My goals--Short term goals right now, and additonal $300 in savings by the end of the month. Pay cash for 2 vacations this month.

How I plan to do this....
Not eating out!! Once or twice a month for DH and I to have a date night
Buying necessities and really thinking about purchases outside of necessities (will wait 24 hours for anything over $10).
Having at least 2 no-drive days a week.
Stay out out of the stores!
I will also count gas or groceries as no spend, as long as it is budgeted for, and not junk.
Get on MDC often, that really seems to help fuel my frugalness.

My key:
No Spend
No Driving
Budgeted Spending/Necessities/Thought Over Purchase
Unnecessary Spending
: Exercise Day

April 1st-
post #27 of 378
3/31/10 at 7:48pm
I am copying this...this is exactly what I need to do! You read my mind
Quote:
Originally Posted by FillingMyQuiver View Post


c. STAY OUT OF THE STORES!!! This is our big one. I've started meal planning again to combat our eating out habit, but we need to just stay out of the stores so we don't buy random cr@p. We use the cash envelope system, but have a tendency to just take out the cc if we go over budget. Not anymore. STICK TO THE BUDGET!! This is our other big issue. We HAVE to stick to it and make it work for us. I also would like to cut our utilities down so we have extra to throw at our debt/ savings. I re-evaluated my expectations for no-spend. I've decided that things like groceries and gas count towards no-spend as long as they are within our budget, anything OVER the budget I will hold myself accountable to. We food shop at least 4x/month b/c we're eating more fresh produce now and it's too discouraging to count a day as no-spend just b/c we picked up our much needed salad greens.

Key:
no spend/ budgeted spending
unnecessary/ unbudgeted spending
hung laundry to dry

Goals for April
no spend days 0/20
eating out 0/3
hung laundry to dry 0/10

This month is DS1 birthday and we will be having his first "friend" party and he has some high expectations so I'm going to try and meet them frugally We have gifts set aside for him already, so it's going to be the party prep stuff I need to pick up. We also have Easter which I think I have all I need for.
post #28 of 378
3/31/10 at 8:01pm
OK. I've avoided this thread like the plague but I think it's time to take the plunge. Be kind.

a. Who you are
Tracy, WOHM to 3 kids 15, 13 and 8.5
The older 2 go to private school on partial scholarship. Our share has increased this year. I need to cut spending wherever I can because I just can't work many more hours and still have a sane household.

b. Where you are going (your financial goals)
6 month safety net (we now have a 1 month safety net)
Modest to ellaborate vacation twice a year from a vacation fund.
Business expansion
Retirement fund
Education fund for kids
Quit salaried job and transition to private practice

c. How you plan to get there
Decrease grocery bill with better planning and raising much of our own food.
Increase income with business expansion
Get back on the bikes. It's been a cold snowy winter and I've been going through almost $200/month in gas. Yikes
post #29 of 378
3/31/10 at 8:58pm
Okay, I'm going to try this. Sometimes I'm good w/ these check in threads, sometimes I'm awful.

I'll respond tomorrow with all the info, but count me in for now.
post #30 of 378
4/1/10 at 11:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chiromamma View Post
OK. I've avoided this thread like the plague but I think it's time to take the plunge. Be kind.
Welcome Tracy! You can't escape the plague.

The participants on this thread tend to be extremely kind. I hope we can help you save that money.
post #31 of 378
4/1/10 at 11:47am
Thread Starter 
My challenge today is that some of my buddies have planned a ladies-night-out at my favorite Martini bar. And I love me a fancy sugary martini drink. Like chocolate martinis...or pomegranite martinis...or cosmos...mmmmmm....

But I don't love that huge bar tab that comes around at the end.

So what to do? What to do? I want to go out with my friends, but I don't want to spend that money.

I'm giving myself a pre-emptive because I really do want to start this challenge off on the right foot. I've got to figure out a way to politely back out of this bar trip. (oh and for the record I see these friends EVERY day...I'm not depriving myself of friend time in order to save money)

01.. sos
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Goals for April

1. 1/30 Stay Out of Stores (sos)
2. 1/20 No Spend Days
post #32 of 378
4/1/10 at 11:58am
Thank you Prudence, I couldn't figure out what SOS meant! I really need to SOS! But, I have no wrapping paper and my LO's birthday is Saturday, and need batteries for the camera, sticking to necessities!!
post #33 of 378
4/1/10 at 12:51pm
Okay, here I go.

I'm Kim, I WOH FT and I'm a FT student, too. I have 3 kiddos, 6, 4, and 20 months.

Financial goals - I really want to buy a home, but with no more than a 15 year mortgage. We have no real savings to speak of so I'm trying hard to build up an emergency fund and get together a decent down payment. I also want to start saving aggressively for retirement. I'd like to add $500 to savings (and have it stay there!) by the end of this month. My other goal is to get DH on board with this. He talks the talk but... well, you know.

I'm hoping to account for every penny that comes into our hands. We're not big shoppers, but I'm weak when it comes to the kids. I get them chocolate milk or other little things a few times a week and that adds up quickly. DH is even worse. I also need to work on a truly functional budget. I'm planning to use the envelope system for gas, food, spending money and I've set up automatic withdrawals to savings for our paychecks.

Looking forward to learning from you all!
post #34 of 378
4/1/10 at 1:05pm
Well March is over and I did OK. I managed only 4 unplanned spends, 3 of which were unplanned eating outs (but I didn't go to either of my planned eating out meals, so I really was only 1 less than my goal). I also exercised 9 of the 13 days I wanted to, but really 6 of those were in the last 10 days, so I need to keep that momentum!!! For decluttering I'm happy with my progress, I got over 400 items out of my house. In fact I'm going to up my goal for April back up to 450 items for this month

I'm giving myself a preemptive no unplanned spend for today as I really don't plan on going anywhere except over to a friends house tonight.

Goals for the Month of April
1. No unplanned spending: 1/30
2. No eating out that isn't already planned for: 1/28
3. Bring in extra money from my business: 0%
4. 450 items decluttered: 12/450
5. 13 days with exercise in them: 1/13

Key:
- No Spend or only planned spending
- Unplanned Spend
- All meals eaten at home or shared with friends/family but didn't cost us anything
- Ate outside of the house (unplanned)
- Decluttered stuff out of the house
- Exercise

Apr 1: x 12
post #35 of 378
4/1/10 at 1:10pm
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Goals for the Month of April
1. No unplanned spending above my weekly $20 allowance 1/30
2. No eating out that isn't already planned for: 1/30
4. 100 items decluttered: 0/100
5. Car left at home/take the bus/bike/stay home 0/5

- No Spend
- Planned Spend
- Unplanned Spend
- All meals eaten at home
- Decluttered stuff out of the house
- Car not driven
post #36 of 378
4/1/10 at 2:14pm
a. Who you are
Maggie mama to three kiddos. Recently single- so I am really broke!

b. Where you are going (your financial goals)
Start a savings account

c. How you plan to get there
~Keep spending as low as possible this month, NO eating out except for planned can't-help-it-kind-of-things.

Goals for the Month of April
1. No unplanned spending
2. No eating out that isn't already planned for




Key:
- No Spend
- Planned Spend
- Unplanned Spend
- All meals eaten at home
- Exercise



April 1- Sonic route 44 water with lemon .65
post #37 of 378
4/1/10 at 4:00pm
Who you are:
Kate, WOHM to 2 boys and DH my super SAHP. We are spenders not very good savers. Impulse buying and fast food are our weaknesses.

Key:
= No Spend
= Budgeted Spending
= unplanned spending
= unplanned emergency spending

April

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Goals:
Eat out (dinner or lunch):0/2
Groceries: $000/$500
Extra for CC: 0/$200
No Spend days: 0/20
post #38 of 378
4/1/10 at 4:09pm
a. Who you are
Jewellz-See siggy

b. Where you are going (your financial goals) and
Been on bedrest and hubby's been home to take care of the kids and me since Jan 4th without pay, we have been using our tax return to live on and the money has run out and I don't know when he's going back. We live with his father and he helps us out but we can't count on it so have to be careful with what tiny bits left. Easter at the beginning of the month and birthday party at end of month are pretty much taken care of. Try to not spend the FS money in the first week-mostly because of stocking up on bulk stuff.

c. How you plan to get there
Going to shop at home first for groceries-we have full freezers and a pretty full pantry so that will help.
Need to start using the cloth diapers again.
Bedrest helps so I can't go spend but hubby spends too much-so have to try and not let him out.
I just filled up the gas tank -trying to make it last longer then the month it takes till next fill up.

So we'll see how it goes.
post #39 of 378
4/1/10 at 4:56pm
Thread Starter 
Backed out of Ladies Night. I'm reminding myself again that I'm not depriving myself (even though right now it sure feels like it...) instead I am choosing to spend my money in a different way.

I would enjoy going out with my friends tonight but I would enjoy paying cash for our next car even more. So into savings it goes.

01.. sos
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Goals for April

1. 1/30 Stay Out of Stores (sos)
2. 1/20 No Spend Days [/QUOTE]
post #40 of 378
4/1/10 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 
ktg =
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