September No-Spend Challenge--Let's "Fall" Back Into the Saving Habit!

[Turquesa]

I haven't seen a no-spend challenge for awhile, so I'm happy to host one this month. 

Here it is ver batim from past threads.

This is a support thread to help you ~not spend your money~.

Everyone is welcome to join and you can start tracking your spending at any time. It doesn't have to be February 1st. Now is a good time to start.

The plan is simple (although tough to execute):

1. Vow not to spend any money on unnecessary purchases.

2. Come on here everyday and record your spending.

We all record our spending in different ways. There are no rules. You record and update however you would like -- pick a way that will help you spend the least amount of money.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please write an introductory message when you decide to join our thread. We would like to know:

a. Who you are

b. Where you are going (your financial goals) and

c. How you plan to get there

Good luck MDCers!! Keep that money in your wallet.

[Turquesa]

a. Who you are

Laura, 30-something SAHM to two.

b. Where you are going (your financial goals)

I'd like to get to a point where I'm comfortable putting 12-15% of our savings into retirement.  We're just no there yet.  Once again, we are facing a *possible* move that would mean losing money on the house (values are atrocious in my area) and spending a bunch to get ready for a sale and relocation.  Blech!

Getting back into the saving habit would make this transition as non-stressful as possible. 

c. How you plan to get there

Some of the usual tricks from previous months have worked well.

1. Weekly groceries under $150

2. Packing snacks and toting homemade lattes out on errands.

3. Two no-drive days per week.

4. Home-cooked dinners.

Who's next? 

[FillingMyQuiver]

I so need to join this.  Our goals for this summer were derailed, by what, I don't know.  And that frustrates me

a.  Who you are

Jenn, SAHM to 5 kiddos under 8.  We're starting our 3rd year of homeschooling, and looking forward to autumn (I HATE the hot weather).

b. Where you are going (your financial goals)

Well, ultimately our goal is to be debt free.  We have a CC to pay off that has a large balance, a payment on our Suburban that we'd like to get rid of, and a house that we have no equity in because of the terrible market.  We have a small EF, but we definitely need to get to a place where we have at least 3 months expenses saved up.

c. How you plan to get there

I'm going to continue being frugal.

-hang drying as much laundry as possible to cut our electric bill down

-menu planning to minimize food waste and keep our food bill under budget

-staying home as much as possible to minimize gas usage

-eating at home as much as possible

-starting to work on homemade holiday gifts (I have an incredibly l-o-n-g list)

Key:

No Spend/ budgeted spending

unbudgeted/ un-necessary spending

hung-dry laundry

30 minutes spent crafting

Goals for September:

  0/20

  0/15

  0/20

Edited by FillingMyQuiver - 9/1/11 at 6:51am

[mamarhu]

OK - I'll give it a try

I am Rhu - 53 years old, single mama to 2 teens still at home. I work full time for a non-profit agency, and absolutely love my job. But my income is less than my expenses. Or very close. I am not yet able to seriously think about saving.

I want to make it to the next paycheck without running out of money, borrowing, or leaving bills unpaid.

I will bus to work 1 day a week (usually my job involves driving, but I can combine all office work in one day, saving 20%)

I will pack a lunch every day

I will stay away from thrift stores

I will only get free books on the Kindle

No fast food or dinners out

9/1 -  - paid almost all the bills, avoided usual month-start lunch splurge

9/2 -  - major grocery shopping, with almost only the essentials

Edited by mamarhu - 9/3/11 at 11:18am

[Ruthiegirl]

I am in!  

a. Who you are

Ruth, mama to 3, soon to be 4.  

b. Where you are going (your financial goals) 

Pay off the credit cards before baby is born.  

c. How you plan to get there

This is an extra paycheck month for us (happens twice a year).  We have a tight budget planned with lots of meals at home.  DD has a birthday this month and we are planning a low key sleep over with homemade pizza and cupcakes.  Still working on a good present.

[Siennaflower]

a. Who you are

Dani, mom to 2 (8yo and 21mo dd's).  Military wife with a very part time weekend job.

b. Where you are going (your financial goals)

We are following the Dave Ramsey debt free plan.  We are just starting on BS2.

c. How you plan to get there

Living out of the pantry and deep freeze for the month.  We should really only need milk, bread and produce.  Oh, and dh's diet sodas.  I have a 3/4 tank of gas in my car and the farthest I should have to drive anywhere will be today for dd1's dr appointment at the Navy hospital, so I'm hoping to make this tank last the whole month.  Walking to work will help.

Sep 1: No spend day :)

Sep 2: Milk, produce and shampoo $19.34

Sep 3: No spend day :)

Sep 4: Bananas and tortillas $8

Sep 5: No spend day :)

Sep 6: No spend day and walked to the library to find a book that had been turned in but wasn't scanned and then was placed in the wrong section.  Saved myself $6 and will be walking my books in from now on instead of dropping them in the drop box.

Edited by Siennaflower - 9/7/11 at 9:43am

[mom2dea]

A. Who are you :

I am Sarah mom to 4 kiddos

B.Where are you going ?

Trying to play catch up on bills and get us up to date .

C. How you plan to get there :

Having  lots of no spend days

Make a workable budget

no fastfood

babysit for extra money even if that means canceling a playdate !

[Ruthiegirl]

Starting off my no-spend challenge with a bit of budgeted spending.  Bought food, gas, copay to the doctor and a couple of pairs of pants for dd at consignment.  I don't include food/gas/medical in my no-spend challenge as long as I stay within budget, but will include the clothes since I hadn't really planned on them.  

We got paid today so I paid the bills and made the first of 3 credit card payments for the month.  24% of the way to goal!  

Sept 1 --   and  

Sept 2 -- 

Sept 3 --

Sept 4 --

Goals for the month:

Pay down credit card -- 24% of goal complete

Stick to budget

  No spending

  Budgeted spending

  Unplanned spending

Edited by Ruthiegirl - 9/2/11 at 10:26am

[Turquesa]

Welcome aboard to all! 

Jenn, I love your commitment to crafting!  I’ve convinced myself that it’s a luxury, but it really is important when it comes to saving on gifts. 

Here's my key:

= Unnecessary or non-budgeted spending

= Budgeted spending only

= No spending today

= Line dried clothes

= No-drive day

= 30 minutes + crafting

Sep 1:      $135.00 groceries.  (Is it just me, or are they going up in price again? )

Sep 2:  $20.00 planned meal out. 

Sep 3:  $30.00 back-to-school thrift shopping

Sep 4: Spontaneous, over-priced, poorly rationalized dinner out.  ("But, but.....it's a long weekend.  We *deserve* this!")

Sep 5: Technically non-budgeted but I'll just spend less on groceries next trip.  DH bought some BBQ supplies (including beer) for tonight.  $12.00. Skipped doing laundry today, so I don't get to post my favorite icon with the smiley hanging clothes on the line. 

Edited by Turquesa - 9/5/11 at 7:47pm

[FillingMyQuiver]

Laura, crafting is my down time and my vice.  I have a pretty decent stash of fabric that I'm trying to pare down, and some yarn (though I do need some for holiday projects), but in the end, I don't like buying gifts.  I hate buying "stuff" for people.  And most of our extended family knows that I have a passion for crafting and they actually look forward to what I'm going to make for them from year-to-year.  My children, I like to instill a love and appreciation for the handmade in them, and now, they love crafting for people, too.    It is a luxury in that it's not a basic need, but hey, it's cheaper than therapy and Caribbean vacations

Key:

No Spend/ budgeted spending

unbudgeted/ un-necessary spending

hung-dry laundry

30 minutes spent crafting

Goals for September:

  1/20

  1/15

  1/20

1.

[Turquesa]

Well....lol! I'm stealing your idea and (since I knit) your icon. 

[HawaiianBlesing]

a. Who you are

Becky--New mom to Rafe (8/2/11) considering becoming a SAHM but am conflicted with paying down debt first.  It would only take a year

b. Where you are going (your financial goals)

We are following the Dave Ramsey debt free plan as well and also are on BS2.  We have 50k in student loans left and no other debt other than our mortgage.  Realistically we could live on one income, it would just take longer to become debt free.  That is where my conflict lies.  I really want to become debt free and would feel much better about being a SAHM if that were the case.  May consider going back part time.  DH is a firefighter/paramedic with an amazing schedule so childcare is not an issue or an expense.

c. How you plan to get there

We need to continue with the principals that we learned in financial peace. 

1.  We really need to tighten up our budget.  We go over on some allocated expenses which really needs to stop.  We will reevaluate the budget and see if it's feasible for me to stay home with our son. 

2.  The "latte factor" needs to go.

3.  We have to stop letting people talk us into spending money we really don't want to

4.  Be more creative with meals.  We have a freezer full of food and need to start whittling it down instead of going to the store all the time.

5.  We cloth diaper and I should really be hanging them to dry while the weather is nice.  I will need to purchase a line to accomplish this.

[leomom]

I'm in!

Who I am: WAHM of two elementary-aged girls.  

Where are you going:  I am working to change my habit of paying down debt and then racking it up again when certain times of the year come around that are more expensive.

How I plan to get there: Even though the next few months will include several travels, weddings, birthdays, and holidays, I am going to commit to following my Financial Freedom plan of saving 10% for financial freedom, 10% for long term savings, 10% for education, 10% for charity.  By paying into these accounts even though my natural instinct is to use that money for current expenses, I will change my habit and also build savings for the next round of expensive months.

I also plan to:

Do a pantry challenge and try to only buy food necessities

Look for ways to earn cash by selling things, etc. and follow my FF plan for any incoming money

Focus on using all food and not wasting any

Have no spend days

Keep spending within the budgeted amount, and aim to spend less than budgeted for flexible spending

Edited by leomom - 9/2/11 at 11:42am

[Ruthiegirl]

Made a tough call today and withdrew from school.  Pregnancy has been hard this time and the long days on my feet were causing too many contractions.  Because I withdrew within the first week, I owe no tuition and was able to collect my student fees and have all ready sent them to the credit card.  I am now 46% of the way to my monthly goal.  Nice!!!   I think I will be able to surpass my initial plans and pay off a huge chuck of debt this month.  

I was able to return some of the school supplies that I had bought and recouped $50 from that.  It hasn't shown up on my debit card yet, but when it does, I'll send it off the to cc as well.  

I did spend a little unbudgeted money -- the sales are very good this holiday weekend and my growing belly is popping out of everything I wear.  So, picked up pants and a couple of shirts.  We have not bought clothes for anyone in our family in a long time and I will probably be looking for deals this month as I try to beef up everyone's wardrobe.  I am being very conservative and shopping the deep discounts.  I did try 2 different thrift shops and they were really picked over and I couldn't find anything that fit.  

Sept 1 --   and  

Sept 2 --   and  

Sept 3 --

Sept 4 --

Goals for the month:

Pay down credit card -- 46% of goal complete

Stick to budget

  No spending

  Budgeted spending

  Unplanned spending

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by Turquesa 

$135.00 groceries.  (Is it just me, or are they going up in price again? )

Not just you.  I am seeing price increases across the board right now.  

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key:

No Spend/ budgeted spending

unbudgeted/ un-necessary spending

hung-dry laundry

30 minutes spent crafting

Goals for September:

  2/20

  1/15

  2/20

1.

2.

[FillingMyQuiver]

Originally Posted by Ruthiegirl 

Not just you.  I am seeing price increases across the board right now.  

  We'll be building our raised garden beds in the next month for spring planting.  Gotta offset the cost increases in food by growing some of our own, it's getting expensive to feed our growing family

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by FillingMyQuiver 

  We'll be building our raised garden beds in the next month for spring planting.  Gotta offset the cost increases in food by growing some of our own, it's getting expensive to feed our growing family

Yes, absolutely.  

I am rebuilding right now -- our garden took a beating when hurricane Irene came through.  Looks like we will salvage the beans and kale.  The lettuce and spinach beds are squashed flat though and need to be reseeded.  Our garden has been a wonderful cost savings over the years and I love working outside, so it is good for a lot of reasons.  But man, do I love to serve a meal that comes entirely from the garden.  Such a deal! 

[mom2dea]

Sept 1st No spend

Sept 2nd No spend  and bad a budget

Sept  3rd  Spend 6.00 - School map , 2 notebooks and a cute 2 picture frame corkboard to decorate into a christmas present (last 6.00 in the budget also...lol )

Praying we can stick to the budget the rest of the month !

Sarah

[Gator-mom]

Ok, I want to join!

Who I am

Cindy, 30 yrs old, a senior in nursing school, mother of one DS 4 1/2, wife to computer nerd/art student

Where I am going

I'm the only one employed in my household right now, and it's very part-time at that (like one day a week).  We are living off of student loan money and my small amount of income.  We have some money that my in-laws will release hold on in times of need, but they are trying to save it until we graduate so we can put a down payment on a house eventually.  We keep running into situations, where we have emergencies or non-emergencies that make it so we need them to help us so that we can keep putting gas in our tanks and so forth.  I have a goal to get us through Christmas without using help from the in-laws and live off of the student loan money and my income alone.  I foresee us running into trouble in Nov. when we renew our car insurance, my car's registration (which I think is not going to pass state inspection) and DH will be needing to buy books for school...but if we can be REALLY careful with this money we have, we MIGHT be able to come up with money for these expenses on our own.

How I am going to get there

1. All school commuting (including class and clinical time), riding public transportation using my free school bus/train pass.

2. Grocery shopping once a week and meal planning with what we have in the house

3.  No eating out unless we have a free gift card someone has given us for bdays/ anniversary

4.  Starting on gift making for bdays coming up this Fall and holidays. 

I usually do canning for this. This year I wanted to do salsa, but I have been having trouble getting my hands on fresh local  tomatoes at an affordable price.  Our porch garden has produced almost no tomatoes and our CSA has been less that I had hoped for.  I am also having an issue of time to work on this stuff, so I am not sure what is going to happen around with it this year.  I also try to make jewelery (esp for the bday presents) but then I have to be careful that I am not spending much on supplies.  I try to use coupons at Michaels and Joanne's and buy stuff that works with items I already have, but it means I can only do small bits at a time.  I SO wish I could knit/crochet because I have about an hour and a half that I'm sitting on a bus or train with all my commuting and that would be the perfect time to work on something like that!!

5.  I need to work out a reasonable food budget that works with our CSA.  We were getting foodstamps the past few months, but with a new job change and issues with paperwork will be without for at least the next couple weeks and maybe more long term.  I need to figure out what income we have to work with now.  So I have a goal to figure that budget out by the end of the week.