Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Frugality & Finances › ~~September No-Spend Thread~~ We're in the HOME STRETCH....you can do it Mamas!
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~~September No-Spend Thread~~ We're in the HOME STRETCH....you can do it Mamas! - Page 17

post #321 of 413
9/20/10 at 6:08pm
Today: not going to get a no-spend. Decided to get a window sign for my mayoralty candidate...he's in third and needs all the help he can get. Donated $5 to campaign to cover the costs. Also meeting a friend for dinner.

Tomorrow: grocery shopping. Just scanned flyer and am proud of myself for being disciplined and waiting for sales on cheese, onions, lasagna noodles. Goal: $55

Also, got notice today that Costco membership expires in November. This is going to be an interesting discussion w/ DH.

1: $280 Costco
2: $65 Groceries, $30 raincoat for DD
3: $15 HFS - sugar & teething tablets for DS
4: no spend
5: no spend
6: no spend
7: no spend
8: $74 groceries
9: no spend
10: $6 parking at dentist
11: $3 food
12: $11 groceries, $8 makeup
13: no spend
14: no spend
15: $55 groceries
16: $3 groceries, 50 dress , $21 dry cleaning - not counted because I paid for it out of $28 I made consigning things
17: no spend
18: no spend
19: no spend

533/650 joint account (household)
$67/120 personal account
Sponsored Links
post #322 of 413
9/20/10 at 6:49pm
9/19
9/20

2/10 No-spend days
2/12 Not buying myself clothing days
$0 Frivolous spending
post #323 of 413
9/20/10 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
2/12 Not buying myself clothing days
That's the first time I noticed that goal and it made me laugh out loud!
post #324 of 413
9/20/10 at 7:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Money paid to car loan!! $1000 / $500
Way to go, Mama!
post #325 of 413
9/20/10 at 7:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom View Post
That's the first time I noticed that goal and it made me laugh out loud!
Well, it has gotten that bad!
post #326 of 413
9/20/10 at 8:02pm
Congrats on the weight loss Jenny! I will have to hit that train hard after this babe comes, but I consider new clothes at that point well earned!

Okay, so I think we ate out at least once a day for the past 4 or so. Ean't plannign on it today, but once again got hit by the 'I need to eat right now or I am going to puke' while we were away from home and we stopped. Someday I will remember to bring juice and crackers with me!

1: $94 diapers
2: $38 eating out
3:
4:
5: family went to the fair,
6:
7: Target trip, but didn't get anything unneccessary
8:
9:
10: 10.50 book
11: Dh got takeout, not sure of the total, $21 movie
12: $18 babysitter
13: $12
14: $27 pizza
15: $15 lunch out, $ sand wich wrap thing
16:
17: $75 maternity/nursing bras
18-20: out food
post #327 of 413
9/20/10 at 9:10pm
Almost had a no spend day today, but I stopped at McDonald's for a $1 Frappe. I had a coupon, and forgot all about my no-spend goal. *sigh* I am also revising my goals. I am not going to track then number of actual days not spending/not using the dryer/etc. It is driving me a bit nutty, but being accountable each day is a giant step forward for me, so I am going to just try to keep up the momentum at this point and check in each day.

1.
2. $1.07 Redbox DVD (hung laundry out today!)
3. $.75 on a bottle of water. I forgot my EBT card at home and had to pay cash.
4. $3.19 on garbage bags, used dryer and didn't use up any canned goods. *sigh*
5. $11.50 at JoAnn's, $1 at McDonald's, $2.14 Redbox DVD
6.
7.
8. $2.14 ice cream treats for DS and for me.
9.
10.
11. $9.75 on lunch, $7 on late night snacks.
12. $2.14 on movies Ran the dryer for the second time this month.
13. $55 for wooden kitchen for DS, $2.14 treats
14. $1 at a thrift store $10 on pizza for dinner
15. $3.15 cookbook impulse buy at grocery store, $14.76 Kidsurplus half off sale, $14.50 meds for cat
16.
17. $5.15 for travel mug
18. $51 JoAnn's for fleece fabric
19. $10 apple orchard. Used the dryer today.
20. $1.14 Frappe
21.
22.
23.



= no spend
= no dryer used
post #328 of 413
9/21/10 at 12:35am
I feel a little batty about the whole thing, too. This thread does help me feel like I'm being accountable, but at the same time, I start to feel that I'm getting obsessive at times. What I have come to realize is how easy it is to spend money.... every. single. day.
post #329 of 413
9/21/10 at 12:41am
Tire repair was free!!! So, no spend day for me today. Though I am aching for new clothes. I am with you mamas on being a little frumpy and underdressed. We are moving internationally this winter and I am realizing how badly I am going to need some new clothes before we go. Not only are my clothes worn and baggy, they are simply not warm enough for where we are going.

Next month, I will have some spending money, but for now I am on the no-spend train.

Sept 4 --
Sept 5 --
Sept 6 -- 6.00 parking
Sept 7 --
Sept 8 --
Sept 9 -- 2.11 shipping, 23.31 pizza
Sept 10 --
Sept 11 -- 80.00 car repair, 15.00 snacks
Sept 12 --
Sept 13 -- 2.12 Redbox
Sept 14 --
Sept 15 --
Sept 16 --
Sept 17 -- 22.00 ice cream night
Sept 18 -- 3.70 drinks, 2.12 Redbox
Sept 19 --
Sept 20 --

Remaining grocery money -- 88.73
post #330 of 413
9/21/10 at 12:42am
1: $80 household
2: NS
3: food out $8, travel $97
4: food out $10
5: food out $7
6: gas $32, food out $16, household $25, groceries $116
7: yarn $9
8: NS
9: groceries $131, supplements/skin care $40, household $82
10: NS
11: NS
12: NS
13: NS
14: chicken feed/bedding $46, thrift store clothing $27, gas $36, Halloween costume $25, groceries $107, DH clothing $49, costco snacks $2
15: NS
16. $160 Target
17. $27 Farmers' Market
18. $69 groceries. $15 dinner out
19. $25 birthday present, $9 tip for b'day party


Goals:
7/12 No-spend days (revised goal)
459/600 groceries
64/100 food out
6/10 Exercise days
No clothing purchases for me or kids
$250/$500 put in savings acct.
post #331 of 413
9/21/10 at 7:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nwmomof2 View Post
What I have come to realize is how easy it is to spend money.... every. single. day.
Isn't that the TRUTH???!!! I didn't start this thread...it had been going on MDC for a loooong time when I first joined and when I started it trying it I remember thinking I was going to rock it because I was so frugal and I didn't spend money MOST days. Boy was I wrong! haha!

For me it takes real ~concentrated~ effort not to spend. For even one day. Just like Kim, I run through the drive thru, I spend a dollar here and there, and never even think of it. I have to really work at getting even ONE no-spend. it is eye-opening, for sure.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl View Post
We are moving internationally this winter and I am realizing how badly I am going to need some new clothes before we go. Not only are my clothes worn and baggy, they are simply not warm enough for where we are going.
Where are you moving, Ruth? I moved to Lithuania after college and I remember being SHOCKED at how cold it was there. My United States clothing was not at all adequate. But one thing I found out right away was that clothing was a lot less expensive over there than it is in the United States -- plus they had all the winter gear you would ever need! We were in the Peace Corps and the kids from Alaska were set...but I was moving from Florida.
post #332 of 413
9/21/10 at 8:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom View Post
Where are you moving, Ruth? I moved to Lithuania after college and I remember being SHOCKED at how cold it was there. My United States clothing was not at all adequate. But one thing I found out right away was that clothing was a lot less expensive over there than it is in the United States -- plus they had all the winter gear you would ever need! We were in the Peace Corps and the kids from Alaska were set...but I was moving from Florida.
We be pretty near Lithuania in Sweden...cold...cold...and really cold. And they have a 25% tax rate on all consumer goods, so it would be much, much cheaper to buy clothes here rather than waiting. I just need to commit to spending the money. Dh and I have talked about it a lot and we set aside some money to buy clothing, I just hate to do it. I really dislike shopping, like hate it.

I need help. Anyone want to be a personal shopper?
post #333 of 413
9/21/10 at 11:19am
KEY:

= No spend
= Necessary/budgeted spending
= Unnecessary/-non-budgeted spending

1: Paid phone bill
2: $82.00 in groceries!!!!! (I didn't think I was capable! ) and $8.58 for budgeted lunch out with family. $20.00 used jammies for DD, shoes for kids.
3: $15.00 on a rocking horse. Trouble with garage sales is that you can still do unnecessary spending and justify it because it's cheap. .

Took out $200.00 cash for an upcoming road trip. I'll try to track stuff while I'm gone!
4: $25.00 gas, $3.00 "obligatory" purchases to justify using gas station bathrooms.
5: Although to be fair, my spendthrift MIL insists on buying us EVERYTHING!!
6: Spoiled by my parents
7: Lattes out.
8: Day at zoo, but we budgeted for it in our vacation expenses.
9: Dinner out.
10: Unnecessary--Dinner at Mexican restaurant. Necessary--$90.00 night in hotel. I MISS traveling abroad, where there's affordable lodging!
11: Unnecessary--We bought sandwiches, lattes at a gas station, and ordered pizza when we got home from our trip. Our cupboards are BARE right now. Necessary--$38.00 in gas.
12: BACK HOME and BACK TO THE NO-SPEND GRINDSTONE!! $112.00 in groceries. Paid utility and repair bills.
13: $25.00 yarn for Christmas gift that I'm knitting. $5.00 admission to bouncy castle place.
14: But still an expensive day. $1500 to finish off closing costs for our refi and $250 for a home energy audit (I hope and PRAY this was worth it!!)
15: Minor upset in the No-Spend Challenge--frozen yogurt for $3.59. But it's PAY DAY!!!
16: Haven't had a "" day for awhile!! $33.00 gas, $8.50 for budgeted weekly lunch out, $25.00 in dog food.
17: $97.00 in groceries. I ROOOOOCK!!!
18: Ran errands, forgot to pack snacks, and paid for that mistake with a hungry tummy. Set me back $3.20.
19:
20: $10.00 tip for otherwise free (gift cert) spa service
21: $11.00 more yarn for Christmas gifts
22: $4.50 in produce (budgeted), $3.50 at TCBY (non-budgeted). Seriously, I've GOT to get better at packing snacks for running errands!
23:
24:
25:
26:
27:
28:
29:
30:
post #334 of 413
9/21/10 at 12:18pm
September
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 - $2 for pizza slices (it was for charity, but still didn't need it)
9 -
10 - $8 lunch & coffee
11 -
12 -
13 -
14 -
15 -
16 - $38 reusable lunch containers
17 - $10 lottery tickets (work), $3 breakfast, $20 lunch
18 - $88 toys (I promised my kids they could get something at the toy store )
19 - $5 treats at swimming lessons
20 -



My Goals:

14/20 No Spend Days
Track Unnecessary spending $174
post #335 of 413
9/21/10 at 9:11pm
1: $80 household
2: NS
3: food out $8, travel $97
4: food out $10
5: food out $7
6: gas $32, food out $16, household $25, groceries $116
7: yarn $9
8: NS
9: groceries $131, supplements/skin care $40, household $82
10: NS
11: NS
12: NS
13: NS
14: chicken feed/bedding $46, thrift store clothing $27, gas $36, Halloween costume $25, groceries $107, DH clothing $49, costco snacks $2
15: NS
16. I seem to have missed a day...I have no idea how this happened...
17. $160 Target
18. $27 Farmers' Market
19. $69 groceries. $15 dinner out
20. $25 birthday present, $9 tip for b'day party
21. NS and exercised


Goals:
8/12 No-spend days (revised goal)
459/600 groceries
64/100 food out
7/10 Exercise days
No clothing purchases for me or kids
$250/$500 put in savings acct.
post #336 of 413
9/21/10 at 9:18pm
Yeouch. $90 at the grocery store. Produce and a couple good sales killed me. Ground beef was $1.98/lb so I bought 5lbs. Unfortunately did not communicate to DH that this was supposed to be rationed out for meatballs and tacos and lasagna and asked for his meatball recipe before I got in the bath. Now I am watching DH and DD roll 5lbs of meatballs. Gotta love him, but oy.

Also bought a $20 coupon book off my friend as a fundraiser for her son's school. Groc savings will be $30 over the year and there are a lot of 2 for 1s for kid activities and date night stuff. Probably saved at least $50 with this book last year

1: $280 Costco
2: $65 Groceries, $30 raincoat for DD
3: $15 HFS - sugar & teething tablets for DS
4: no spend
5: no spend
6: no spend
7: no spend
8: $74 groceries
9: no spend
10: $6 parking at dentist
11: $3 food
12: $11 groceries, $8 makeup
13: no spend
14: no spend
15: $55 groceries
16: $3 groceries, 50 dress , $21 dry cleaning - not counted because I paid for it out of $28 I made consigning things
17: no spend
18: no spend
19: no spend
20: $21 dinner out with friend
21: $90 groceries, $20 coupon book

663/650 joint account (household)
$88/120 personal account

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl View Post
We be pretty near Lithuania in Sweden...cold...cold...and really cold. And they have a 25% tax rate on all consumer goods, so it would be much, much cheaper to buy clothes here rather than waiting. I just need to commit to spending the money. Dh and I have talked about it a lot and we set aside some money to buy clothing, I just hate to do it. I really dislike shopping, like hate it.

I need help. Anyone want to be a personal shopper?
What's your style? Will you subscribe to the European philosophy of having very few but high quality clothes and accessorizing to get away with it, or the American philosophy of having more but cheaper stuff and wearing something different every day?
post #337 of 413
9/21/10 at 9:20pm
9/19
9/20
9/21

3/10 No-spend days
3/12 Not buying myself clothing days
$0 Frivolous spending
post #338 of 413
9/21/10 at 9:47pm
Checking back in once again... Not a no-spend day again, but I am going to be accountable and write it down here. I bought a Christmas gift online this morning first thing in a complete sleep deprived haze. I wasn't even going to order the dang thing, but at 5am this morning after only around 4 hours of sleep, it seemed like the PERFECT thing to add to DS's stocking. *sigh* Writing it down and moving on.

1.
2. $1.07 Redbox DVD (hung laundry out today!)
3. $.75 on a bottle of water. I forgot my EBT card at home and had to pay cash.
4. $3.19 on garbage bags, used dryer and didn't use up any canned goods. *sigh*
5. $11.50 at JoAnn's, $1 at McDonald's, $2.14 Redbox DVD
6.
7.
8. $2.14 ice cream treats for DS and for me.
9.
10.
11. $9.75 on lunch, $7 on late night snacks.
12. $2.14 on movies Ran the dryer for the second time this month.
13. $55 for wooden kitchen for DS, $2.14 treats
14. $1 at a thrift store $10 on pizza for dinner
15. $3.15 cookbook impulse buy at grocery store, $14.76 Kidsurplus half off sale, $14.50 meds for cat
16.
17. $5.15 for travel mug
18. $51 JoAnn's for fleece fabric
19. $10 apple orchard. Used the dryer today.
20. $1.14 Frappe
21. $26 on Christmas stocking stuff.
22.
23.



= no spend
= no dryer used
post #339 of 413
9/21/10 at 10:43pm
M&M's and coffee for long study session. My guilty pleasure.

Sept 4 --
Sept 5 --
Sept 6 -- 6.00 parking
Sept 7 --
Sept 8 --
Sept 9 -- 2.11 shipping, 23.31 pizza
Sept 10 --
Sept 11 -- 80.00 car repair, 15.00 snacks
Sept 12 --
Sept 13 -- 2.12 Redbox
Sept 14 --
Sept 15 --
Sept 16 --
Sept 17 -- 22.00 ice cream night
Sept 18 -- 3.70 drinks, 2.12 Redbox
Sept 19 --
Sept 20 --
Sept 21 -- 2.03 study snacks

Remaining grocery money -- 88.73
post #340 of 413
9/21/10 at 10:52pm
8/30 - $147 groceries
8/31 hung out at my mom's
9/1
2 Played in the creek with the kids- free!
3 Picked 3 free buckets of apples thanks to neighbor lady! Yummy, and a workout too!
4 $41 gasoline
5
6
7 $56 groceries
8
9 $149 groceries, $5 homeschool items, $1 spray bottle toy for DD $26 gas
10
11
12
13
14
15- JoAnn $22 ($4 gifts, $8 DD paints, $10 stationary for invites/ thank yous), $10 lunch out with my mom
16 $18 library fines, for 6 days late?!! Note to self- never again rent DVDs from library!! Netflix only!! Yard sale: $2 gifts, $2 DS clothing. Also $50 gasoline (sigh).
17- $55 DH groceries
18-
19- $176 groceries; $33 Goodwill ($2 DD, $31 me clothing- yay, non-baggy clothing that covers my stomach!)
20-
21- 12 bags/boxes out of house for yard sale!

Goals:

Groceries $583 / $500
Gasoline $117 / $120
My fun money $50 (includes netflix) / $40
Kid clothing/items $13 / $40
Homeschool $5 / $10 (lots of free fall activities!!)
Gifts $6 / $20 (1-2 bday gifts this month)
Money paid to car loan!! $1000 / $500
No spend days 15 / 20
Hang laundry out 7 / 10
Bags/boxes decluttered 12 / 10
Unplanned spend/ overspending $121
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Natural Family Living › The Mindful Home › Frugality & Finances › ~~September No-Spend Thread~~ We're in the HOME STRETCH....you can do it Mamas!