~ October No-Spend Challenge ~ The treat is having money in the bank. The trick is keeping it... - Page 9

[FeelingBlessed]

Long, long, long board meeting tonight, but the day contained many occasions to practice gratitude. Surprise eggs at a morning event (great to have friends old + new w/ chickens). Tons of laughs sprinkled throughout the day/night. Gorgeous afternoon spent at homeschool co-op/playground w/ fabulous kiddos + their sublime mums. Life is good (even though tomorrow will probably end my streak of no library fines - books/videos were apparently due on Columbus Day even though the library was closed, + in the past has always advanced due date to the next day they're open - annoying, but minor). Again, life is good.

Kim

10/1:
10/2:
10/3:
10/4:
10/5:
10/6:
10/7:
10/8:
10/9:
10/10: $17 kiddo stuff @ Fall Foliage Festival
10/11:
10/12: $10 parking ticket
10/13:

Necessary/in budget spending: 11/28
Do something to earn/save $: 13/31
Food: $361/$500
No Drive Days: 3/6
Practicing gratitude: 13/31

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Originally Posted by mommyto4grits

did spend $221 on car repairs, but I am calling it a no spend day because I didn't go into one store, shop online, etc.

Vicki -- Oh my yes. You can't count car repairs against yourself in the spendy game. no getting around those. I HATE car repairs. You spend a big chunk of money and they give you the exact same car you went in there with. What's the pleasure in that?

Originally Posted by melissel

Prudence, now I'm We live in North Brunswick!!!

Now that I know you are a local, we lived in Highland Park. I used to work in North Brunswick at Bellcore. We LOVED New Jersey. But DH got transferred up here.

Originally Posted by SilverFish

this weekend (mostly because i've been posting here) i was constantly keeping track of what we were spending, and trying to get out of spending as tactfully as i could.

I know. Tracking DOES make you more conscious when money flows out.

so i was constantly trying to work the conversation around so dh wouldn't get a chance to whip out his credit card until his mom had a chance to offer to pay. ugh. i HATED it.

Not your fault. Don't beat yourself up over this. Next time just write that into the budget -- you know he is going to spend a lot of money everytime they are around. Plan for it and just let it go. You did the best you could.

Originally Posted by nadia105

Prudence, lucky for you it was a one day only and only in store thing

I checked online. And found that out and thought...whew! Dodged that bullet. I had several friends the next day sporting new Gap jeans and I have to admit, I reached reflexively for the credit card....but luckily that sale was over.

Originally Posted by nina_yyc

Really spendy day today. DD was in the hospital for day surgery (not serious...getting a googly eye out of her ear )

Glad to hear she is okay. My daughter got one of those plastic bb thingees in her ear when she was two. She found one on the ground and stuck it right in there. Who else but a toddler would do that? haha!

Originally Posted by scrapadoozer

Will be spending tomorrow. It's our 10th anniversary and DH got the day off!

Happy Anniversary Jenny!

[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by melissel

a friend brought us full-sized samples of Oscillococcinum and Chestal Honey (two of each!)

?? what is that?

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

I'm trying something new at Christmas this year -- I'm buying practical stuff that I would buy anyway, then wrapping it up as gifts.

I don't know how well this will go over, but my children are very young so I'm hoping it flies.

I bought them light-up toothbrushes, big jugs of bubble bath, hair ties, and I'm looking for towels with cute animals on them because they need new towels.

They will be getting a toy or two as well, but I'm trying to not be so spendy at Christmas this year.

01..
02.. $5 starbucks
03.. $5 starbucks
04.. $7 McDonald's
05.. $1 coffee
06.. $406 shoes for myself and DD, Christmas presents
07.. , finally! a day without grabbing coffee out
08.. ,
09.. ,
10.. $52 vera bradley bag and teapot lamp, $5 starbucks
11.. ,
12.. , ,
13.. $27 Christmas gifts,
14..
15..
16..
17..
18..
19..
20..
21..
22..
23..
24..
25..
26..
27..
28..
29..
30..
31..

My Goals:

6/15 No Spend Days
1/3 Let the Car Rest Days
6/25 Fast Food Free Days

[nwmomof2]

5. Groceries $132, household $62, photos $10, gas $33, clothing/xmas $99
6. NS
7. Silly Banz for DDs $5, Starbucks $8, $46 groceries, $210 clothes (for me)
8. $8 consignment dresses for DDs, $3 fast food (treat for DD4)
9. Bunkbed for DD4 from Craigslist,
10. Shoes/boots/shoes for DD7 and me (all on sale, but still)
11. $60 parenting class tuition, $13 groceries, $9 pumpkins
12. $32 Goodwill Halloween items and some really nice linens
13. $14 Farmer's market produce
14. NS, finally!
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.

Goals:
$208/$500 groceries
$13/$50 eating out
1/1 Costco trip
No Target trips this month
0/$500 added to savings

[nwmomof2]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

I'm trying something new at Christmas this year -- I'm buying practical stuff that I would buy anyway, then wrapping it up as gifts.

I do this, too, and usually include it in their stockings along with a few small fun things.

[fustian]

1.
2. Groceries, gas, and $200 at the gardening centre on supplies.
3. and one more bag of clutter out the door!
4. Vaccinations for the dogs $200.
5.
6. garden supplies (and that should be it!) didn't pass up a sale on cloth diapers for the new LO. Granted, I needed some new cloth wipes, and they were on sale. But I did not need the on sale AIOs .
7.
8.
9. groceries & gas almost $20 on craft supplies for DD.
10.
11.
12.
13. dog food and dog bed for our arthritic dog. This wasn't budgeted, but the vet said we should get him a really soft bed as it would help with his joints. Pay day == $200 auto deposited into savings.
14. $9 lunch at Wendy's. My treat for doing the three our GTT, which - according to the lab today - I shouldn't have had to do at all, since for my one hour they gave me the 75g glucose drink, not the 50g glucose drink, which may have explained why my results were 7 points too high .

8/15 no spend days
$200/$400 added to savings
2/5 bags of clutter gone

Legend:
No spend
Only planned/budgeted spending
Unnecessary / unplanned spending

[Turquesa]

= No spend or budgeted spending
= Unnecessary/unbudgeted spending
= No-drive day
= Had tea today
= Hung clothes on the line.

1. Ran errands. Forgot to pack snacks. Crashed with hunger and went to TCBY. Ugh! What a start. But . . .
2. $20.00 wine for party, $16.00 haircut for DH
3.
4.
5. $33.00 gas, 50 cents thrift store toy for DD
6. $4.92 at TCBY (unnecessary), $18.00 to replace items that dog broke (long story), and necessary, CHEAP groceries at $98.00.
7. Budgeted lunch at 10.49.
8. 31.00 dog food, paid 2 utility bills
9. $5.40 latte and snack at coffee shop. Why oh why do all of my meetings have to take place in these pricey establishments? I really need to start hosting them in my house...
10. $7.00 yarn to knit DD's Christmas present "
11. $10.00 on excesses at the zoo (feeding goats, carousel rides, wagon rental). We have a year-long pass, so I talk myself into using it into getting my money's worth. Then we get screwed on all of the extras they throw at you when you get there. $2.50 chai tea at another coffee shop meeting.
12. Knitting needles to make Christmas present, $9.00, groceries for $104.00.
13. 5.00 ice cream (unbudgeted), $6.00 bouncy castle admission (budgeted)
14. $20.00 Halloween costumes (DD's was firsthand, but I can reuse the shirt and tights, budgeted lunch at $10.00
15. No-spend payday.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.

[scrapadoozer]

We had a wonderful anniversary. DH spoiled me, but I am chalking the whole day up as a financial cheat day.

10/01
10/02
10/03
10/04 $15 Handsome duds for DS.
10/05 $12.15 Clearance clothes for me at Old Navy
10/06
10/07
10/08
10/09
10/10
10/11
10/12
10/13: Anniversary spending does not count.
10/14

11/20 No-spend days
11/31 Not buying clothes days
$27.15 Frivolously spent

[mommyto4grits]

My Key:
Budgeted, planned spending (includes groceries, gas, other necessary or well planned items- NOT impulse items)
No Spend
No Drive
Impulse, Unnecessary Spending
Eat Out

Oct.1- Groceries, consumables, and gas
Oct.2- rest of grocery shopping DH and I had a date night, I think dinner was overpriced, but it was good. And DH got steak, which I never make.
Oct.3-
Oct.4-
Oct.5-- Gymnastics and Art classes for the month for dd
Oct.6- haircut for dd but it was a missions dinner at church so I am giving it a
Oct.7- Feels like I spent a small fortune, $300 total on Costco (includes our $50 renewal), CVS, Target, and 2 Grocery Stores. I used coupons and took advantage of sales. Was out of Zyrtec, dog food, and some other big $$ items. Hopefully I can stay out of the stores for anything other than some produce and milk for 2 weeks!

Oct.8- Went to a local library book sale, spent waay more than I wanted, but we homeschool and will use everything and it was a good deal so I need to give myself a break! Picked up Chinese for me, DH and the girls are out for the evening so I splurged.
Oct.9-
Oct.10-
Oct.11- did spend $221 on car repairs, but I am calling it a no spend day because I didn't go into one store, shop online, etc.
Oct.12- Only because my best friend who is moving in a week asked us to join her family at Chick Fil A for kids eat free night. So I'm not thrilled we ate out, but I'm letting it go..
Oct.13-
Oct.14- had a wonderful dinner with friends we treated my bff to dinner out since she is moving

[nadia105]

4:
5: $34 pizza
6:
7:
8: $5 lunch
9: $8 fancy coffees, $12 dinner
10:
11: Gap trip of shame $250, $18 lunch
12:
13:
14:

77/$200 eating out

I went in to work on my day off for a few hours and got to bring home a full breakfast for the whole family! You have a lot of bartering power when your boss would have to get up at 3am to do your job

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Yahooooooo!!!!! Wonderful wonderful news today. There is this class at the gym that I've really been wanting to teach and I found out it will be added to my schedule in two weeks.

That is extra money plus it is a hard class that will challenge me physically. Very happy with this news.

01..
02.. $5 starbucks
03.. $5 starbucks
04.. $7 McDonald's
05.. $1 coffee
06.. $406 shoes for myself and DD, Christmas presents
07.. , finally! a day without grabbing coffee out
08.. ,
09.. ,
10.. $52 vera bradley bag and teapot lamp, $5 starbucks
11.. ,
12.. , ,
13.. $27 Christmas gifts,
14.. ,
15.. ,
16..
17..
18..
19..
20..
21..
22..
23..
24..
25..
26..
27..
28..
29..
30..
31..

My Goals:

8/15 No Spend Days
1/3 Let the Car Rest Days
8/25 Fast Food Free Days

[nadia105]

Congrats Prudence! Definitely sound slike a win-win.

[scrapadoozer]

10/01
10/02
10/03
10/04 $15 Handsome duds for DS.
10/05 $12.15 Clearance clothes for me at Old Navy
10/06
10/07
10/08
10/09
10/10
10/11
10/12
10/13: Anniversary spending does not count.
10/14
10/15
10/16

13/20 No-spend days
13/31 Not buying clothes days
$27.15 Frivolously spent

[mommyto4grits]

My Key:
Budgeted, planned spending (includes groceries, gas, other necessary or well planned items- NOT impulse items)
No Spend
No Drive
Impulse, Unnecessary Spending
Eat Out

Oct.1- Groceries, consumables, and gas
Oct.2- rest of grocery shopping DH and I had a date night, I think dinner was overpriced, but it was good. And DH got steak, which I never make.
Oct.3-
Oct.4-
Oct.5-- Gymnastics and Art classes for the month for dd
Oct.6- haircut for dd but it was a missions dinner at church so I am giving it a
Oct.7- Feels like I spent a small fortune, $300 total on Costco (includes our $50 renewal), CVS, Target, and 2 Grocery Stores. I used coupons and took advantage of sales. Was out of Zyrtec, dog food, and some other big $$ items. Hopefully I can stay out of the stores for anything other than some produce and milk for 2 weeks!

Oct.8- Went to a local library book sale, spent waay more than I wanted, but we homeschool and will use everything and it was a good deal so I need to give myself a break! Picked up Chinese for me, DH and the girls are out for the evening so I splurged.
Oct.9-
Oct.10-
Oct.11- did spend $221 on car repairs, but I am calling it a no spend day because I didn't go into one store, shop online, etc.
Oct.12- Only because my best friend who is moving in a week asked us to join her family at Chick Fil A for kids eat free night. So I'm not thrilled we ate out, but I'm letting it go..
Oct.13-
Oct.14- had a wonderful dinner with friends we treated my bff to dinner out since she is moving
Oct.15-

[nwmomof2]

5. Groceries $132, household $62, photos $10, gas $33, clothing/xmas $99
6. NS!
7. Silly Banz for DDs $5, Starbucks $8, $46 groceries, $210 clothes (for me)
8. $8 consignment dresses for DDs, $3 fast food (treat for DD4)
9. Bunkbed for DD4 from Craigslist,
10. Shoes/boots/shoes for DD7 and me (all on sale, but still)
11. $60 parenting class tuition, $13 groceries, $9 pumpkins
12. $32 Goodwill Halloween items and some really nice linens
13. $14 Farmer's market produce
14. NS!
15. $8 takeout
16. $128 groceries, $55 natural supplements and face cream
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.

Goals:
$336/$500 groceries
$21/$50 eating out
1/1 Costco trip
No Target trips this month
0/$500 added to savings

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Alas, Gap sucked me in. With their vanity sizing (are you kidding me??? I know I don't wear that size...yet they still get me every time...hook, line, and sinker) and their 40% off coupons...that chain has some seriously good marketing strategies.

Nadia NEEDS maternity clothes. She should be shopping at GAP.

Me, on the other hand....no excuse. Defnitely unnecessary spending.

01..
02.. $5 starbucks
03.. $5 starbucks
04.. $7 McDonald's
05.. $1 coffee
06.. $406 shoes for myself and DD, Christmas presents
07.. , finally! a day without grabbing coffee out
08.. ,
09.. ,
10.. $52 vera bradley bag and teapot lamp, $5 starbucks
11.. ,
12.. , ,
13.. $27 Christmas gifts,
14.. ,
15.. ,
16.. $85 Gap for some kick-booty jeans and workout clothes
17..
18..
19..
20..
21..
22..
23..
24..
25..
26..
27..
28..
29..
30..
31..

My Goals:

8/15 No Spend Days
1/3 Let the Car Rest Days
8/25 Fast Food Free Days

[mommyto4grits]

My Key:
Budgeted, planned spending (includes groceries, gas, other necessary or well planned items- NOT impulse items)
No Spend
No Drive
Impulse, Unnecessary Spending
Eat Out

Oct.1- Groceries, consumables, and gas
Oct.2- rest of grocery shopping DH and I had a date night, I think dinner was overpriced, but it was good. And DH got steak, which I never make.
Oct.3-
Oct.4-
Oct.5-- Gymnastics and Art classes for the month for dd
Oct.6- haircut for dd but it was a missions dinner at church so I am giving it a
Oct.7- Feels like I spent a small fortune, $300 total on Costco (includes our $50 renewal), CVS, Target, and 2 Grocery Stores. I used coupons and took advantage of sales. Was out of Zyrtec, dog food, and some other big $$ items. Hopefully I can stay out of the stores for anything other than some produce and milk for 2 weeks!

Oct.8- Went to a local library book sale, spent waay more than I wanted, but we homeschool and will use everything and it was a good deal so I need to give myself a break! Picked up Chinese for me, DH and the girls are out for the evening so I splurged.
Oct.9-
Oct.10-
Oct.11- did spend $221 on car repairs, but I am calling it a no spend day because I didn't go into one store, shop online, etc.
Oct.12- Only because my best friend who is moving in a week asked us to join her family at Chick Fil A for kids eat free night. So I'm not thrilled we ate out, but I'm letting it go..
Oct.13-
Oct.14- had a wonderful dinner with friends we treated my bff to dinner out since she is moving
Oct.15-
Oct.16-

[Turquesa]

= No spend or budgeted spending
= Unnecessary/unbudgeted spending
= No-drive day
= Had tea today
= Hung clothes on the line.

1. Ran errands. Forgot to pack snacks. Crashed with hunger and went to TCBY. Ugh! What a start. But . . .
2. $20.00 wine for party, $16.00 haircut for DH
3.
4.
5. $33.00 gas, 50 cents thrift store toy for DD
6. $4.92 at TCBY (unnecessary), $18.00 to replace items that dog broke (long story), and necessary, CHEAP groceries at $98.00.
7. Budgeted lunch at 10.49.
8. 31.00 dog food, paid 2 utility bills
9. $5.40 latte and snack at coffee shop. Why oh why do all of my meetings have to take place in these pricey establishments? I really need to start hosting them in my house...
10. $7.00 yarn to knit DD's Christmas present "
11. $10.00 on excesses at the zoo (feeding goats, carousel rides, wagon rental). We have a year-long pass, so I talk myself into using it into getting my money's worth. Then we get screwed on all of the extras they throw at you when you get there. $2.50 chai tea at another coffee shop meeting.
12. Knitting needles to make Christmas present, $9.00, groceries for $104.00.
13. 5.00 ice cream (unbudgeted), $6.00 bouncy castle admission (budgeted)
14. $20.00 Halloween costumes (DD's was firsthand, but I can reuse the shirt and tights, budgeted lunch at $10.00
15. No-spend payday.
16. Out to dinner with DH, $40.00. I won't be too hard on myself though because A) Childcare was free (my friends and I swap off), B) this was our first date since...since........ and C) I had to get out of the house to tell him that, um, (!!!)
17. $84.00 in groceries!!!!!
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Originally Posted by Turquesa

C) I had to get out of the house to tell me that, um, (!!!)

What does this mean?

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

I just figured it out...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!