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April No-Spend Challenge ~ We're in the home stretch... - Page 18

post #341 of 378
4/26/10 at 8:32pm
My key:
No Spend
No Driving
Budgeted Spending/Necessities/Thought Over Purchase
Unnecessary Spending
: Exercise Day

April 1st- :
April 2nd- so not thrilled I spent money today, but dd did truly need some clothes, got great deals and stayed within a reasonable amount
April 3rd- was a bit of and
April 4th-
April 5th-7th- ON VACATION, x3
April 8th-
April 9th- $270 Vet bill for sick dog otherwise
April 10th- Ate Dinner Out
April 11th- if I don't buy more groceries for the next 10 days like planned Spent a ton at the grocery store, but shopped for more days than usual
April 12th-
April 13th- Not budgeted for but spend money at Dave Ramsey Live last night on the kids kit, and a few other things. We will use them and I am so excited after last night so I am giving yesterday a
April 14th-
April 15th- Bought a pair of clippers to do the dogs hair- cost $34- cost of the groomer for both of them ONCE $86!! So, money saved! Bought a new salad spinner, mine completely broke, and I use one all the time- so necessity in my book.
April 16th- Forgot 2 things at the store yesterday (but I did stick to my list today), and forgot to get dh's cousin a birthday present.
April 17th-
April 18th-
April 19th-
April 20th-
April 21st-
Will be on vacation April 22-25th- budget is $350
April 22nd-25th- Disney World Budget $350 Spent $425 still calling it a tons of walking so and I didn't drive my car so
April 26th-

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post #342 of 378
4/26/10 at 9:59pm
Goals for the Month of April
1. No unplanned spending: 25/30
2. No eating out that isn't already planned for: 22/28
3. Bring in extra money: 0%
4. 450 items decluttered: 56/450
5. 13 days with exercise in them: 12/13

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
- Planned eating out
- Ate outside of the house (unplanned)
- Decluttered stuff out of the house
- Exercise

Apr 20:
Apr 21:
Apr 22:
Apr 23:
Apr 24: x 4 (we bought pizza for supper... but after the day we had I'd call it worth it if not necessary)
Apr 25: x 5
Apr 26:
post #343 of 378
4/26/10 at 10:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fairydoula View Post
ANyone else find suprises when they really started looking at their budget and where their money was really going?
- Jen
I was shocked at how much I spent on clothing for myself. I think of myself as frugal and not a trendy dresser, but I spend a HUGE amount of money on clothes. It was an eye-opener for sure.
post #344 of 378
4/26/10 at 10:05pm
Thread Starter 
01.. sos
02.. sos
03.. --- $14 snacks out with my daughter
04.. sos
05.. sos
06.. sos $10.55 McDonald's
07.. sos
08.. sos
09.. sos
10.. --- $28 shoes for my daughter
11.. --- $4 snacks
12.. sos
13.. sos $50 LLBean backpack and lunchboxes
14.. sos
15.. sos $15 book club dinner
16.. --- $50 contact lense appointment
17.. --- $30 girl haircuts
18.. --- $95 Keen Sandals, $11 workout shorts
19.. sos
20.. sos
21.. sos
22.. sos
23.. sos $11.61 Wendy's drive-thru
24.. --- $78 gift card, necklace repair, kid clothes, starbucks
25.. sos $18 starbucks (again), bagels
26.. sos $16 McDonald's drive-thru
27..
28..
29..
30..

Goals for April

1. 19/30 Stay Out of Stores (sos)
2. 13/20 No Spend Days
post #345 of 378
4/27/10 at 5:12pm
Key:
no spend/ budgeted spending
unnecessary/ unbudgeted spending
hung laundry to dry

Goals for April
no spend days 23/20
eating out 3/3
hung laundry to dry 7/10


1.
2. ordered our homeschool curriculum for next year. I'm putting this here preemptively to encourage me to NOT SPEND when I go out later
3. $50 bread, eggs for dying, and the last of the Easter baskets things at WalMart
4.
5.
6. ordered the last of the things I need for DS1's dinosaur party, was able to stay under budget AND found an online coupon code to save on shipping, also ordered our sunblock/ bug spray for the year~ unprepared for how DS1's soccer practice being at 5:30pm would affect us and got McD's for dinner.
7.
8. ordered our math curriculum for next year, excited to get started planning next year's schooling
9. $15 on quick grocery trip
10. $$ at Costco, major grocery shop, overspent a bit on some snacks
11. $$ at party store. I only needed 1 thing, invitations, but of course the WHOLE family was w/ me, and DH saw a bunch of stuff he thought would be *great* for DS1's party : So we spent more than I planned on things I don't think we really needed
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22. McDonald's for lunch and pizza delivery for dinner (all within budget). We were out all day, stopped by my mom's and spent WAY too much time there.
23.
24. DS1's birthday party. Bought bags of sand for the "dino dig" at Home Depot, budgeted for.
25. DH got a haircut. Normally I cut his hair, but I was so tired from the party and he couldn't wait. Didn't really have the haircut budgeted for.
26. Putting this all here preemptively. We're not leaving the house at all and I'll be spending the day returning the house to pre-party conditions.
27. Off to soccer practice now with our sandwiches, apples, and juice boxes
post #346 of 378
4/27/10 at 7:43pm
My key:
No Spend
No Driving
Budgeted Spending/Necessities/Thought Over Purchase
Unnecessary Spending
: Exercise Day

April 1st- :
April 2nd- so not thrilled I spent money today, but dd did truly need some clothes, got great deals and stayed within a reasonable amount
April 3rd- was a bit of and
April 4th-
April 5th-7th- ON VACATION, x3
April 8th-
April 9th- $270 Vet bill for sick dog otherwise
April 10th- Ate Dinner Out
April 11th- if I don't buy more groceries for the next 10 days like planned Spent a ton at the grocery store, but shopped for more days than usual
April 12th-
April 13th- Not budgeted for but spend money at Dave Ramsey Live last night on the kids kit, and a few other things. We will use them and I am so excited after last night so I am giving yesterday a
April 14th-
April 15th- Bought a pair of clippers to do the dogs hair- cost $34- cost of the groomer for both of them ONCE $86!! So, money saved! Bought a new salad spinner, mine completely broke, and I use one all the time- so necessity in my book.
April 16th- Forgot 2 things at the store yesterday (but I did stick to my list today), and forgot to get dh's cousin a birthday present.
April 17th-
April 18th-
April 19th-
April 20th-
April 21st-
Will be on vacation April 22-25th- budget is $350
April 22nd-25th- Disney World Budget $350 Spent $425 still calling it a tons of walking so and I didn't drive my car so
April 26th-
April 27th-
post #347 of 378
4/27/10 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 
01.. sos
02.. sos
03.. --- $14 snacks out with my daughter
04.. sos
05.. sos
06.. sos $10.55 McDonald's
07.. sos
08.. sos
09.. sos
10.. --- $28 shoes for my daughter
11.. --- $4 snacks
12.. sos
13.. sos $50 LLBean backpack and lunchboxes
14.. sos
15.. sos $15 book club dinner
16.. --- $50 contact lense appointment
17.. --- $30 girl haircuts
18.. --- $95 Keen Sandals, $11 workout shorts
19.. sos
20.. sos
21.. sos
22.. sos
23.. sos $11.61 Wendy's drive-thru
24.. --- $78 gift card, necklace repair, kid clothes, starbucks
25.. sos $18 starbucks (again), bagels
26.. sos $16 McDonald's drive-thru
27.. sos $150 running shoes, $360 contact lenses
28..
29..
30..

Goals for April

1. 19/30 Stay Out of Stores (sos)
2. 13/20 No Spend Days
post #348 of 378
4/28/10 at 6:42am
Thread Starter 
Hmmm...I just tallied up my "unecessary" spending for this past month.

$984



Wow. This thread is...ahem...not helping me this month.

What is up with this???? I can't figure out why I am spending all this money.

Granted, half of that was for contact lenses and new running shoes...but a huge chunk was for fast food and I haven't worn contacts for two years. Clearly they are a fun vanity purchase and not a necessity.

I justify the shoes to myself sometimes by pointing out that I am an aerobics instructor -- so they are for my job -- but the truth of the matter is that group fitness is a "fun" job and doesn't really pay the bills. By the time you factor in all my time and expenses, teaching those classes is a hobby.

Ugh. I thought I was doing pretty well this month until I tallied up the numbers.

I need to get a handle on this.
post #349 of 378
4/28/10 at 8:15am
04/01
04/02
04/03
04/04
04/05
04/06
04/07
04/08
04/09
04/10 Icing spatula, hole punch & cotton candy $6.47
04/11
04/12
04/13
04/14 $2.10 outfit for DS, $6.50 diapers for ds (I forgot to bring enough cloth dipes from home! Grrrr!
04/15
04/16
04/17: $1.05 Cotton candy (I'm an addict lately! It's sooo not food though so this is frivolous)
04/18: DS's birthday party!
04/19:
04/20: My Sweet Baby's 1st Birthday!
04/21:
04/22:
04/23: $18 Circus admission & pink cotton candy!
04/24:
04/25:
04/26:
04/27:

$34.12 Frivolously spent
23/20 No-spend days
26/30 Not buying clothes for my kids days
$76.30/$100 Son's birthday (this is for everything, including gifts & food.) CAME IN UNDER BUDGET!
10/10 Loads of laundry hung out to dry
$439.92/$500.00 Groceries
post #350 of 378
4/28/10 at 8:32am
Don't beat yourself up over it. Realize where you went wrong and be extra vigilant next month. Are you able to return the contacts? Crazy question I know, but if you haven't worn them and they'd let you take them back....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom View Post
Hmmm...I just tallied up my "unecessary" spending for this past month.

$984



Wow. This thread is...ahem...not helping me this month.

What is up with this???? I can't figure out why I am spending all this money.

Granted, half of that was for contact lenses and new running shoes...but a huge chunk was for fast food and I haven't worn contacts for two years. Clearly they are a fun vanity purchase and not a necessity.

I justify the shoes to myself sometimes by pointing out that I am an aerobics instructor -- so they are for my job -- but the truth of the matter is that group fitness is a "fun" job and doesn't really pay the bills. By the time you factor in all my time and expenses, teaching those classes is a hobby.

Ugh. I thought I was doing pretty well this month until I tallied up the numbers.

I need to get a handle on this.
post #351 of 378
4/28/10 at 9:02am
1:
2:
3: (lunch out: a whopping $45!)
4:
5: ($33 on "stuff"- caulking, door stops, helmet for DS)
6:*
7:
8:
9:*
10:
11:*
12: (treat $1.77 small stuff $5.28)
13:
14:
15:
16: ($5 on a scarf for myself)
17: ($25 over budget on a night out for DH and me
18: ($1.50 tea, $15 burgers for lunch)
19:
20: ($35 on 55% off bras, advanced from May's clothing budget. I put off getting them this month in order for DH to get some clothes, then the 55% sale came on that I had been waiting for so went for them. I only get bras every 3 yrs or so.)
21
22: ($35 on shoes for DS and me)
23: (DH bought DS a bow for archery. He's going to work this weekend to pay it off. I'm not tracking DH though, he's usually a pretty bare-boned spender, so I'm marking today as since I had nothing to do with it.)
24: ($49 on pantry-building supplies)
25: ($10 on spray paint and BBQ brush, $15 on groceries for having guests for dinner....)
26: ($12.23 extra groceries)
27:

Un-budgetted spending: $226
*spent $1-3 of "budget leftovers"

I need to get back on track and lose the entitlement mind-set!!!!
post #352 of 378
4/28/10 at 11:21am
no spend day =
no drive day =
budgeted spending =
unbudgeted spending =

1=missing ingredients for dinner caused a grocery run
2=
3=
4=
5=
6= fell sick again and bought lunch and dinner instead of cooking
7= snack for church meeting
8= took the car into the shop for what I thought would be a simple leaky hose but it turned out to be a major issue
9= ended up having to spend the night in the city while they figured out if they could get my car fixed quickly or not, had a free place to stay but had to buy lunch
10=, things have gotten a bit out of hand...
11= FINALLY!
12=
13= , took the kids for food after swimming lessons
14= took the dog to the vet
15=
16=
17=
18=
19= bought the baby big girl panties!
20= packed lunch for after swimming lessons!
21= went out for a much needed MNO
22= took the girls out to lunch but it was planned and budgeted for
23=
24= grocery shopping
25=
26= stayed out with the kids too long in the AM and had to grab lunch
27= repeat of yesterday grrrr.
28=

Crunchy*VT*Mom, grabbing lunch while I am out and about with the kids is my downfall too. I just cant always get home in time for lunch and it is hard to remember to pack a lunch every time.
post #353 of 378
4/28/10 at 3:22pm
1 $20 lunch with my sister ~ this was planned however not necessary
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 $20 skirts
9 $9 lunch, $14 water bottles for school fundraiser
10
11
12
13 $22 take out for the girls and I (dh was away for work)
14 $5 necklaces and flip flops for dd1's retro day at school
15 coffee $1
16 lunch $4, book $6
17
18
19 lunch $8
20
21 Breakfast $3
22
23 Misc snacks and spending $12
24
25
26 Coffee & lunch $12
27


16/20 No Spend Days
Frivolous Spending: $136
post #354 of 378
4/28/10 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
01.. sos
02.. sos
03.. --- $14 snacks out with my daughter
04.. sos
05.. sos
06.. sos $10.55 McDonald's
07.. sos
08.. sos
09.. sos
10.. --- $28 shoes for my daughter
11.. --- $4 snacks
12.. sos
13.. sos $50 LLBean backpack and lunchboxes
14.. sos
15.. sos $15 book club dinner
16.. --- $50 contact lense appointment
17.. --- $30 girl haircuts
18.. --- $95 Keen Sandals, $11 workout shorts
19.. sos
20.. sos
21.. sos
22.. sos
23.. sos $11.61 Wendy's drive-thru
24.. --- $78 gift card, necklace repair, kid clothes, starbucks
25.. sos $18 starbucks (again), bagels
26.. sos $16 McDonald's drive-thru
27.. sos $150 running shoes, $360 contact lenses
28.. sos $23 coffee, fruit & banana bread for playdate this morning
29..
30..

Goals for April

1. 20/30 Stay Out of Stores (sos)
2. 13/20 No Spend Days
post #355 of 378
4/28/10 at 7:21pm
My key:
No Spend
No Driving
Budgeted Spending/Necessities/Thought Over Purchase
Unnecessary Spending
: Exercise Day

April 1st- :
April 2nd- so not thrilled I spent money today, but dd did truly need some clothes, got great deals and stayed within a reasonable amount
April 3rd- was a bit of and
April 4th-
April 5th-7th- ON VACATION, x3
April 8th-
April 9th- $270 Vet bill for sick dog otherwise
April 10th- Ate Dinner Out
April 11th- if I don't buy more groceries for the next 10 days like planned Spent a ton at the grocery store, but shopped for more days than usual
April 12th-
April 13th- Not budgeted for but spend money at Dave Ramsey Live last night on the kids kit, and a few other things. We will use them and I am so excited after last night so I am giving yesterday a
April 14th-
April 15th- Bought a pair of clippers to do the dogs hair- cost $34- cost of the groomer for both of them ONCE $86!! So, money saved! Bought a new salad spinner, mine completely broke, and I use one all the time- so necessity in my book.
April 16th- Forgot 2 things at the store yesterday (but I did stick to my list today), and forgot to get dh's cousin a birthday present.
April 17th-
April 18th-
April 19th-
April 20th-
April 21st-
Will be on vacation April 22-25th- budget is $350
April 22nd-25th- Disney World Budget $350 Spent $425 still calling it a tons of walking so and I didn't drive my car so
April 26th-
April 27th-
April 28th-
post #356 of 378
4/28/10 at 10:38pm
Goals for the Month of April
1. No unplanned spending: 27/30
2. No eating out that isn't already planned for: 23/28
3. Bring in extra money: 0%
4. 450 items decluttered: 78/450
5. 13 days with exercise in them: 12/13

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
- Planned eating out
- Ate outside of the house (unplanned)
- Decluttered stuff out of the house
- Exercise

Apr 20:
Apr 21:
Apr 22:
Apr 23:
Apr 24: x 4 (we bought pizza for supper... but after the day we had I'd call it worth it if not necessary)
Apr 25: x 5
Apr 26:
Apr 27:
Apr 28: x 22
post #357 of 378
4/29/10 at 8:29am
1:
2:
3: (lunch out: a whopping $45!)
4:
5: ($33 on "stuff"- caulking, door stops, helmet for DS)
6:*
7:
8:
9:*
10:
11:*
12: (treat $1.77 small stuff $5.28)
13:
14:
15:
16: ($5 on a scarf for myself)
17: ($25 over budget on a night out for DH and me
18: ($1.50 tea, $15 burgers for lunch)
19:
20: ($35 on 55% off bras, advanced from May's clothing budget. I put off getting them this month in order for DH to get some clothes, then the 55% sale came on that I had been waiting for so went for them. I only get bras every 3 yrs or so.)
21
22: ($35 on shoes for DS and me)
23: (DH bought DS a bow for archery. He's going to work this weekend to pay it off. I'm not tracking DH though, he's usually a pretty bare-boned spender, so I'm marking today as since I had nothing to do with it.)
24: ($49 on pantry-building supplies)
25: ($10 on spray paint and BBQ brush, $15 on groceries for having guests for dinner....)
26: ($12.23 extra groceries)
27:
28:
post #358 of 378
4/29/10 at 9:17am
04/01
04/02
04/03
04/04
04/05
04/06
04/07
04/08
04/09
04/10 Icing spatula, hole punch & cotton candy $6.47
04/11
04/12
04/13
04/14 $2.10 outfit for DS, $6.50 diapers for ds (I forgot to bring enough cloth dipes from home! Grrrr!
04/15
04/16
04/17: $1.05 Cotton candy (I'm an addict lately! It's sooo not food though so this is frivolous)
04/18: DS's birthday party!
04/19:
04/20: My Sweet Baby's 1st Birthday!
04/21:
04/22:
04/23: $18 Circus admission & pink cotton candy!
04/24:
04/25:
04/26:
04/27:
04/28: $3.50 fabric

$37.62 Frivolously spent
23/20 No-spend days
27/30 Not buying clothes for my kids days
$76.30/$100 Son's birthday (this is for everything, including gifts & food.) CAME IN UNDER BUDGET!
10/10 Loads of laundry hung out to dry
$439.92/$500.00 Groceries
post #359 of 378
4/29/10 at 10:09am
no spend day =
no drive day =
budgeted spending =
unbudgeted spending =

1=missing ingredients for dinner caused a grocery run
2=
3=
4=
5=
6= fell sick again and bought lunch and dinner instead of cooking
7= snack for church meeting
8= took the car into the shop for what I thought would be a simple leaky hose but it turned out to be a major issue
9= ended up having to spend the night in the city while they figured out if they could get my car fixed quickly or not, had a free place to stay but had to buy lunch
10=, things have gotten a bit out of hand...
11= FINALLY!
12=
13= , took the kids for food after swimming lessons
14= took the dog to the vet
15=
16=
17=
18=
19= bought the baby big girl panties!
20= packed lunch for after swimming lessons!
21= went out for a much needed MNO
22= took the girls out to lunch but it was planned and budgeted for
23=
24= grocery shopping
25=
26= stayed out with the kids too long in the AM and had to grab lunch
27= repeat of yesterday grrrr.
28=
30=
post #360 of 378
4/29/10 at 11:41am
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
= days biked to work

April

1-
2- $114.00 goodwill for clothes for boys. lunch out
3 - $20 new pass for the local dump
4 - $20 for easter goodies
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 -
10 - $27 for rent of a chainsaw
11 - birthday spending at REI & Target for bike gear
12 -
13-
14- $45 TM materials
15- $10 TM materials
16- $40 sushi dinner for fam
17-
18-
19-
20- $30 for yoga classes
21- , and donated my car to charity
22- $30; $5 lunch and $25 toning class
23-
24-
25-
26-
27-
28-
29-
30- (cus we are BROKE!!!)

Goals:
Eat out (dinner or lunch):3/2
Groceries: $500/$500
Extra for CC: 0/$200
No Spend days: 20/20
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You may also like:

Pros and Cons of 11 Labor Positions
Eco-friendly Tips To Keep Things Clean
Should I Train My Child....Like a Dog?!
Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Frugality & Finances › April No-Spend Challenge ~ We're in the home stretch...