November No-Spend Challenge ~ Don't let little purchases gobble gobble up your savings. - Page 9

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Originally Posted by FillingMyQuiver 

17.    I knew we were going to spend money today, I'm just not sure whether to count it against me or not.  It was DS2's b-day and I needed to pick up last minute food items for his b-day dinner, cupcakes, and dessert,  We bought other groceries (all on sale and pantry stocking) and bought a bunch of can/ boxed goods to donate to the Cub Scouts outside the store collecting for the local food pantry.  All unbudgeted, but we'll use/ eat everything we bought.

I wouldn't count this.  Our thread is no-spend, not no-life.  You have to spend money on food. 

If you are too hard on yourself, you'll get discouraged and stop tracking.  You have to buy stuff for your son's birthday and food given to a food pantry is never wasted money.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Inspired by that frugal prudent homemaker blog, I'm going to try to stay home today.

There are fun things to do around here.  And if we get too antsy, there is always the bathroom waiting to be painted.  I already have all the paint and the gear to do it...I just need to buckle down and finish.

[FillingMyQuiver]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

I wouldn't count this.  Our thread is no-spend, not no-life.  You have to spend money on food. 

If you are too hard on yourself, you'll get discouraged and stop tracking.  You have to buy stuff for your son's birthday and food given to a food pantry is never wasted money.

Yes, I do realize this, I think I'm being harder on myself about the money spent on the groceries b/c I didn't plan well for it.  Usually I have worked into our food budget the birthday meal expenses, and for some reason (probably b/c I've been brain dead lately ), I didn't.  Live and learn.

And I wasn't going to count the stuff for the food pantry as wasted money.  Especially since, with my children being so young and there being so few opportunities for serving in our community, this is one of the only ways they can contribute right now.

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

Inspired by that frugal prudent homemaker blog, I'm going to try to stay home today.

There are fun things to do around here.  And if we get too antsy, there is always the bathroom waiting to be painted.  I already have all the paint and the gear to do it...I just need to buckle down and finish.

I don't know why this made me laugh, but it did.  I picture your children telling you they're bored and you handing them each a paintbrush.

[honeybee80]

11/1: no spend 

11/2: no spend 

11/3: budgeted spending  Costco $130 (once a month trip), Grocery store $42, Stamps $9, Gas $33

11/4: no spend 

11/5: no spend 

11/6: no spend 

11/7: no spend 

11/8: no spend 

11/9: no spend 

11/10: budgeted spending  thrift store $13 - $3 (returned ski pants)

11/11: budgeted spending  $57 groceries, $37 gas,  $10 glass of wine (unbudgeted)

11/12: no spend 

11/13: no spend 

11/14: budgeted spending  $20 Christmas present for my parents (I'm gonna count it as budgeted, as it came out of my sinking fund)

11/15: no spend 

11/16:  $8 tequila drink (with club soda and pineapple juice--so yummy!  and so unbudgeted ;))

11/17:  $4 thrift store - did I really need the rainbow mug, vintage handkerchief, teacher magazine, and hand knit hat?  At least they were cheap ;)

11/18: budgeted spending  $45 groceries (less than I thought I would spend--yay!)

This week is gonna be a little spendy.  Wednesday is when I get my new DL and oil filter changed (I'm hoping I'm overbudgeting for that--the 'green' oil change I had over the summer was $50, but included oil--this one is just the oil filter.  I'm gonna try to remember to call there and find out how much it will actually cost so that I am prepared).  That's gonna zap the rest of my miscellaneous budget.  I really need to show some constraint this week socially, as my kids are out of town with their dad until next Sunday.  A bunch of my friends are trying to get me to come out a bunch, and I don't have enough self-control to go out without spending any money yet, and I'm pretty much out of spending money for the month.  I need to figure out how to be social without having to spend money!  It will come one of these days ;)

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

01.. 

02.. 

03..  $195 Christmas presents

04.. 

05.. 

06.. 

07..    

08..  $87 Christmas cards and pictures

09..  $40 hair

10.. 

11..  $15 ski repair

12.. 

13..  $20 donuts

14.. 

15..  

16..  $57 Party food

17..  $40 Zumbathon + $9 Apple Ginger Cider

18.. 

19..

20..

21..

22..  Happy Thanksgiving!  

23..

24..

25..

26..

27..

28..

29..

30.. 

My goal = 20 No Spend Days

My progress =  11  days so far

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key

  No spend/ budgeted spending

  Unbudgeted spending

  Crafted for at least 30 minutes

1.      Starting the month off right

2.     

3.   

4.    I've already spent a chunk on some Christmas presents for the ILs and DH.  I wasn't planning to spend this much, but the gifts I got are *perfect* for them and they're so incredibly generous with us, I don't feel the least bit sad or guilty about it,   Also, we're doing our big monthly grocery shop at Costco.  DH isn't coming w/ us, so hopefully I'll have an easier time sticking to the list and budget.

5.      DH had a dr appt and needed a prescription, thankfully we have a medical sink fund to cover the co-pays.

6.   

7.      I have got to stop going on zulily.  I just dropped another chunk on some probably unneeded Christmas gifts

8.   

9.    Budgeted spending today-  picked up DS2's birthday present.  Quite happy because we got it on sale AND had a gift card we were able to apply to it, so although I budgeted $100 for it, we only ended up spending OOP $75.  ALSO, I had a coupon for a $10 gift card if you spent a certain amount, so I have another $10 gc in my wallet now to apply to future gifts

10.      I knew today would be a spending day.  We bought "gifts" to fill our Operation Christmas Child boxes for church and we finished out the monthly grocery shop.  We went over the grocery budget because I let DH convince me to get lunch meat and I found a good deal on potatoes, 50lbs for $17, so I bought a sack.  Also, though I had intended on making DD1's birthday cake for tomorrow, I just don't have the time or energy, so we bought one.

11.      More Christmas gifts.  *sigh*

12.    Whew, finally.  Most of today was spent prepping for our scout pack meeting potluck.

13.    Not going anywhere today.  Hopefully I'll make some progress on homemade gifts.

14.      I altered a pair of maternity jeans today.  I hated the way they fit and I already had a pair of bootcut maternity jeans so I made them into skinny jeans to wear with my favorite knee high boots that I've been wanting to wear but couldn't b/c I had no skinny maternity jeans.  Yesterday I didn't make any progress on gifts. but today my intent is to sit and knit after dinner.

15.      I feel pretty safe giving myself a No Spend for today.  I finished a scarf last night and hopefully later today I'll finish the main body of another gift.  I'm determined to keep up the momentum I've built over the last few days.

16.    Feeling good today.  DH is working from home and it's always iffy w/ him around because he wants fast food for lunch.  Today I stuck to my guns and we ate from the pantry.  Now to figure out dinner.

17.    I knew we were going to spend money today, I'm just not sure whether to count it against me or not.  It was DS2's b-day and I needed to pick up last minute food items for his b-day dinner, cupcakes, and dessert,  We bought other groceries (all on sale and pantry stocking) and bought a bunch of can/ boxed goods to donate to the Cub Scouts outside the store collecting for the local food pantry.  All unbudgeted, but we'll use/ eat everything we bought.

18.      Ordered DD2's b-day present (she's in early January).  Totally budgeted, felt good getting it done early before the hub-bub of the Christmas season AND baby prep that will be happening late next month.

13 No Spend days and 12 Crafting days, I'm over half way to my goal.    Here's to finishing strong the last half of the month.

[CookiePie]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

Me too!!!  I'm not line drying but I'm becoming more conscious of how often we run loads of laundry full of clothing that my daughters wore for fifteen minutes.  Or stuff that they took off the hanger and then threw in the hamper rather than hanging it back up.   I'm becoming the laundry police because running a hot water wash costs $$$$.  Is your clothes line indoors or out?

My laundry room is on the 2nd floor off of the master and my line is out the window of the laundry room.  It is so handy, the only issue is when it is super cold out here (in the North East) or when the weather is inclement, also when the line is full, in any of those cases I hang clothes on hangers & hang them on my shower curtain rod.  I also have a rack that I can hang smaller things from, then there are the backs of dining room chairs, lol.  I'm planning on getting a clothes drying rack from Ikea for Christmas.  I like hanging some things around the house rather than run a humidifier, the humidity really helps with the dry heat from the pellet stove.  I don't like standing there with the window open when it is really cold out.  I'd love to have a 2nd line that I can stand outside to hang, but right now this is my setup.    

Budgeted         Not Budgeted/went over      Saved $, got freebee, paid something off, worked an extra shift           hung clothes out         

November
1.  DD2 sport workshop $62  budgeted   Working an extra shift tonight    and just  

2 *   No spend day! I resisted getting lunch out after school.  Instead I came home and made eggs & toast. I hung 2 loads of laundry   Picked up extra shift

3  * No spend day! 

4    Bought $10 of groceries, also got budgeted wood heating pellets and

5   *   No spend!   Working an extra shift

6   * Working an extra shift today

7  * No spend!  I'm working an extra shift tonight!

8. *   No spend! Worked extra shift

9.  Budgeted spending on groceries

10. Budgeted raw milk & dry goods from bulk bins

11.* No spend. Made a really frugal venison soup with soup bones veggies and barley I'm becoming so aware of how much barely worn stuff gets thrown in by line drying  

12. * No spend Deep cleaned my kitchen.  Culturing a batch of yogurt and making homemade granola

13. *   No spend

14.    Got a couple Christmas gifts out of Christmas fund, and other household needs.

15. * No spend

16.  Bought budgeted wood pellets. I called oil company today & lowered our budgeted monthly oil payment since the furnace just heats our water now.  Got paid for all those extra hours that I worked last week, I made more that I thought         

17. * No spend

18.    Bought DD the coat she wanted online 50% off!!! I went CVS-ing with my sister for some great deals.  I ended up with some Christmas gifts, a few stocking stuffers (both out of the Christmas budget) and some household stuff.  I also have extra care bucks to go back there with.  Not giving myself a sad face because the deals were amazing and I will save the next times I go there.  I haven't CVS-ed in so long so starting this up again during Christmas shopping is a good idea!

I got lots of venison from my Dad and a tons of soup bones!  I love soup!!!!

19. * No spend!     Making 2 gallons of Kombucha today and making stock   May edit if I make it to the grocery store today!

Edited by CookiePie - 11/19/12 at 10:09am

[Hollysmom]

Put in a no spend today without thinking....

14 -  $15 - lunch, charity bake sale & lottery with co-workers

15 -  - No spend

16 -  $35 - Expensive Lunch

17 -  Budgeted Spending only

18 -  - No spend

19 - /Mostly budgeted spending today on b-day gift for dd1 & gas but also some not budgeted spending $58 on coffee, a last minute school read-a-thon and pants for my two younger dd's

Edited by Hollysmom - 11/19/12 at 1:06pm

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key

  No spend/ budgeted spending

  Unbudgeted spending

  Crafted for at least 30 minutes

1.      Starting the month off right

2.     

3.   

4.    I've already spent a chunk on some Christmas presents for the ILs and DH.  I wasn't planning to spend this much, but the gifts I got are *perfect* for them and they're so incredibly generous with us, I don't feel the least bit sad or guilty about it,   Also, we're doing our big monthly grocery shop at Costco.  DH isn't coming w/ us, so hopefully I'll have an easier time sticking to the list and budget.

5.      DH had a dr appt and needed a prescription, thankfully we have a medical sink fund to cover the co-pays.

6.   

7.      I have got to stop going on zulily.  I just dropped another chunk on some probably unneeded Christmas gifts

8.   

9.    Budgeted spending today-  picked up DS2's birthday present.  Quite happy because we got it on sale AND had a gift card we were able to apply to it, so although I budgeted $100 for it, we only ended up spending OOP $75.  ALSO, I had a coupon for a $10 gift card if you spent a certain amount, so I have another $10 gc in my wallet now to apply to future gifts

10.      I knew today would be a spending day.  We bought "gifts" to fill our Operation Christmas Child boxes for church and we finished out the monthly grocery shop.  We went over the grocery budget because I let DH convince me to get lunch meat and I found a good deal on potatoes, 50lbs for $17, so I bought a sack.  Also, though I had intended on making DD1's birthday cake for tomorrow, I just don't have the time or energy, so we bought one.

11.      More Christmas gifts.  *sigh*

12.    Whew, finally.  Most of today was spent prepping for our scout pack meeting potluck.

13.    Not going anywhere today.  Hopefully I'll make some progress on homemade gifts.

14.      I altered a pair of maternity jeans today.  I hated the way they fit and I already had a pair of bootcut maternity jeans so I made them into skinny jeans to wear with my favorite knee high boots that I've been wanting to wear but couldn't b/c I had no skinny maternity jeans.  Yesterday I didn't make any progress on gifts. but today my intent is to sit and knit after dinner.

15.      I feel pretty safe giving myself a No Spend for today.  I finished a scarf last night and hopefully later today I'll finish the main body of another gift.  I'm determined to keep up the momentum I've built over the last few days.

16.    Feeling good today.  DH is working from home and it's always iffy w/ him around because he wants fast food for lunch.  Today I stuck to my guns and we ate from the pantry.  Now to figure out dinner.

17.    I knew we were going to spend money today, I'm just not sure whether to count it against me or not.  It was DS2's b-day and I needed to pick up last minute food items for his b-day dinner, cupcakes, and dessert,  We bought other groceries (all on sale and pantry stocking) and bought a bunch of can/ boxed goods to donate to the Cub Scouts outside the store collecting for the local food pantry.  All unbudgeted, but we'll use/ eat everything we bought.

18.      Ordered DD2's b-day present (she's in early January).  Totally budgeted, felt good getting it done early before the hub-bub of the Christmas season AND baby prep that will be happening late next month.

19.      I *looked* at zulily today and convinced myself that I didn't need to buy anything.  When the littlest went down for her nap, I sewed patches on a couple scout shirts (a side thing I do for the parents in our pack that *hate* to sew.  I make some change for it, and feel good about helping out), AND I sewed a new top for me.  Used up some stash fabric I've been saving and now I have a cute new top that will take me through the rest of the pregnancy and after.  DH worked from home and really wanted McD's for lunch but then recognized how we need to stick to the budget.  for small feats!!

14 No Spend days and 13 Crafting days, I'm over half way to my goal.    Here's to finishing strong the last half of the month.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Schools out and the kids have this tradition of going out for pizza on the first day of school vacation.

But TOMORROW -- not only will I not be spending, I'll be letting our car rest as well. (hopefully)  Here's hoping I can keep myself entertained at home with all the Thanksgiving and Christmas prep I have ahead of me.

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

01.. 

02.. 

03..  $195 Christmas presents

04.. 

05.. 

06.. 

07..    

08..  $87 Christmas cards and pictures

09..  $40 hair

10.. 

11..  $15 ski repair

12.. 

13..  $20 donuts

14.. 

15..  

16..  $57 Party food

17..  $40 Zumbathon + $9 Apple Ginger Cider

18.. 

19..  $20 Pizza Hut

20..

21..

22..  Happy Thanksgiving!  

23..

24..

25..

26..

27..

28..

29..

30.. 

My goal = 20 No Spend Days

My progress =  11  days so far

[honeybee80]

11/1: no spend 

11/2: no spend 

11/3: budgeted spending  Costco $130 (once a month trip), Grocery store $42, Stamps $9, Gas $33

11/4: no spend 

11/5: no spend 

11/6: no spend 

11/7: no spend 

11/8: no spend 

11/9: no spend 

11/10: budgeted spending  thrift store $13 - $3 (returned ski pants)

11/11: budgeted spending  $57 groceries, $37 gas,  $10 glass of wine (unbudgeted)

11/12: no spend 

11/13: no spend 

11/14: budgeted spending  $20 Christmas present for my parents (I'm gonna count it as budgeted, as it came out of my sinking fund)

11/15: no spend 

11/16:  $8 tequila drink (with club soda and pineapple juice--so yummy!  and so unbudgeted ;))

11/17:  $4 thrift store - did I really need the rainbow mug, vintage handkerchief, teacher magazine, and hand knit hat?  At least they were cheap ;)

11/18: budgeted spending  $45 groceries (less than I thought I would spend--yay!)

11/19: no spend 

[tealsmith83]

No spend =  

Budgeted spend = 

Unbudgeted spend =  

1.      Supper with my grandmother

2.    No spend!  Yay me!  

3.        Oh well...can't be good every day...

4.No spend!

5.       Chicken feed, stock up on gasoline while it's down to $3.17/gal.  On the upside, resisted eating out for supper!

6.No spend!    4 out of 6 so far...pretty good!

7.  Woohoo!   Tomorrow SHOULD BE a budgeted spend.  

8.    Ordered new carpet for the LR.  Big spend!  Supper at McDonald's.  Will hope for a better day tomorrow.

9.    No spend!   6 out of 9

10.     Spent today (groceries, gas, breakfast, snack money for DS for his class, etc.)  

11.    Lunch at Arby's

12.  No spend!

13.     Budgeted spend on school trip to Chicago.  Woohoo!

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20.  Hoping today will be a no spend...will update later.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

I had to buy some soap today and some postage.  But no way I'm counting that against myself.  Soap and stamps are not fun.

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

01.. 

02.. 

03..  $195 Christmas presents

04.. 

05.. 

06.. 

07..    

08..  $87 Christmas cards and pictures

09..  $40 hair

10.. 

11..  $15 ski repair

12.. 

13..  $20 donuts

14.. 

15..  

16..  $57 Party food

17..  $40 Zumbathon + $9 Apple Ginger Cider

18.. 

19..  $20 Pizza Hut

20.. 

21..

22..  Happy Thanksgiving!  

23..

24..

25..

26..

27..

28..

29..

30.. 

My goal = 20 No Spend Days

My progress =  12  days so far

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key

  No spend/ budgeted spending

  Unbudgeted spending

  Crafted for at least 30 minutes

1.      Starting the month off right

2.     

3.   

4.    I've already spent a chunk on some Christmas presents for the ILs and DH.  I wasn't planning to spend this much, but the gifts I got are *perfect* for them and they're so incredibly generous with us, I don't feel the least bit sad or guilty about it,   Also, we're doing our big monthly grocery shop at Costco.  DH isn't coming w/ us, so hopefully I'll have an easier time sticking to the list and budget.

5.      DH had a dr appt and needed a prescription, thankfully we have a medical sink fund to cover the co-pays.

6.   

7.      I have got to stop going on zulily.  I just dropped another chunk on some probably unneeded Christmas gifts

8.   

9.    Budgeted spending today-  picked up DS2's birthday present.  Quite happy because we got it on sale AND had a gift card we were able to apply to it, so although I budgeted $100 for it, we only ended up spending OOP $75.  ALSO, I had a coupon for a $10 gift card if you spent a certain amount, so I have another $10 gc in my wallet now to apply to future gifts

10.      I knew today would be a spending day.  We bought "gifts" to fill our Operation Christmas Child boxes for church and we finished out the monthly grocery shop.  We went over the grocery budget because I let DH convince me to get lunch meat and I found a good deal on potatoes, 50lbs for $17, so I bought a sack.  Also, though I had intended on making DD1's birthday cake for tomorrow, I just don't have the time or energy, so we bought one.

11.      More Christmas gifts.  *sigh*

12.    Whew, finally.  Most of today was spent prepping for our scout pack meeting potluck.

13.    Not going anywhere today.  Hopefully I'll make some progress on homemade gifts.

14.      I altered a pair of maternity jeans today.  I hated the way they fit and I already had a pair of bootcut maternity jeans so I made them into skinny jeans to wear with my favorite knee high boots that I've been wanting to wear but couldn't b/c I had no skinny maternity jeans.  Yesterday I didn't make any progress on gifts. but today my intent is to sit and knit after dinner.

15.      I feel pretty safe giving myself a No Spend for today.  I finished a scarf last night and hopefully later today I'll finish the main body of another gift.  I'm determined to keep up the momentum I've built over the last few days.

16.    Feeling good today.  DH is working from home and it's always iffy w/ him around because he wants fast food for lunch.  Today I stuck to my guns and we ate from the pantry.  Now to figure out dinner.

17.    I knew we were going to spend money today, I'm just not sure whether to count it against me or not.  It was DS2's b-day and I needed to pick up last minute food items for his b-day dinner, cupcakes, and dessert,  We bought other groceries (all on sale and pantry stocking) and bought a bunch of can/ boxed goods to donate to the Cub Scouts outside the store collecting for the local food pantry.  All unbudgeted, but we'll use/ eat everything we bought.

18.      Ordered DD2's b-day present (she's in early January).  Totally budgeted, felt good getting it done early before the hub-bub of the Christmas season AND baby prep that will be happening late next month.

19.      I *looked* at zulily today and convinced myself that I didn't need to buy anything.  When the littlest went down for her nap, I sewed patches on a couple scout shirts (a side thing I do for the parents in our pack that *hate* to sew.  I make some change for it, and feel good about helping out), AND I sewed a new top for me.  Used up some stash fabric I've been saving and now I have a cute new top that will take me through the rest of the pregnancy and after.  DH worked from home and really wanted McD's for lunch but then recognized how we need to stick to the budget.  for small feats!!

20.    Not sure if I'm going to get to knitting tonight, hoping to, but we're prepping to go out of town to the ILs for Thanksgiving and I've got to work on packing my rugrats.

I've been trying to harness my inner "Prudent Homemaker" and am going through how I can frugally prep for this trip.  I have some pumpkin puree in the fridge I need to use up so I'm baking pumpkin bread and muffins to have for breakfast before we leave and for snacking.  I'm trying to use up the leftovers to minimize our food waste before we leave.  I'm making a list of things DH and I are going to price out on Black Friday (I know we'll spend $$ that day), like basic undershirts, jeans for DH, possibly a laser printer (we homeschool and print a lot in b/w, a laser printer will seriously save us $$).

15 No Spend days and 14 Crafting days, I'm over half way to my goal.    Here's to finishing strong the last half of the month.

ETA~  got to knit after all!!

Edited by FillingMyQuiver - 11/21/12 at 7:01am

[honeybee80]

11/1: no spend 

11/2: no spend 

11/3: budgeted spending  Costco $130 (once a month trip), Grocery store $42, Stamps $9, Gas $33

11/4: no spend 

11/5: no spend 

11/6: no spend 

11/7: no spend 

11/8: no spend 

11/9: no spend 

11/10: budgeted spending  thrift store $13 - $3 (returned ski pants)

11/11: budgeted spending  $57 groceries, $37 gas,  $10 glass of wine (unbudgeted)

11/12: no spend 

11/13: no spend 

11/14: budgeted spending  $20 Christmas present for my parents (I'm gonna count it as budgeted, as it came out of my sinking fund)

11/15: no spend 

11/16:  $8 tequila drink (with club soda and pineapple juice--so yummy!  and so unbudgeted ;))

11/17:  $4 thrift store - did I really need the rainbow mug, vintage handkerchief, teacher magazine, and hand knit hat?  At least they were cheap ;)

11/18: budgeted spending  $45 groceries (less than I thought I would spend--yay!)

11/19: no spend 

11/20:  $15 haircut 

I wasn't planning on the haircut till next month, but I am getting a new driver's license pic taken tomorrow and wanted cute hair ;)  My friend is in hair school and cut my hair and it's SUPER cute, so it was money well spent!  Tomorrow is also going to be a spend day and I'm going to count it as budgeted, even though I need to dip into my sinking fund (but that's what it's for, right?)

[SweetSilver]

  These are good days

   These could have been better

    These were not so good.  

*****************************************************

1/1)     Budgeted 

11/2)   No spend

11/3)   No spend

11/4)   No spend

11/5)     Almost no spend

11/6)     Groceries, a bit over budget

11/7)   Budgeted groceries, day 2.  .

11/8)   Forgot more groceries, but budgeted.

11/9)    ....and some more groceries.  Gas.

11/10)    No spend

11/11)    No spend

11/12    Almost no spend

11/13    Budgeted groceries.  Planned trip for french fries and that ice vanilla soy.  Finished my no-spend hat!!

11/14    No spend.  Baked goodies.  

11/15    A few more budgeted groceries.  Riding lesson tuition.  Baked bread!!! 

11/16    Budgeted groceries.  $11 Goodwill trip--not really worth it but could have spent way more.  Oops.  Forgot the coffee stand.    Oh well.  At    least we are sticking to our grocery list.

11/17   No spend

11/18    No spend

11/19    No spend

11/20    Groceries went a bit over budget today, considering how many days are left in the month.  Hard to tell exactly how baldy we went over because some were for Thanksgiving.  Did buy some treats at the store, but minimal.  Gymnastics tuition.  MIL visiting, we stopped at DQ after gym.  Not budgeted, but at $22 I'm not sweating this and I didn't count this against the food bill.  Gas.

Food bill about $659 for the month.  Goal is under $750.  That includes eating out, coffee, etc.  I can pull this off if I skip a big shopping trip at the Seattle co-op.

So far this month we've been good about spending in general.  Even our over-budget spending has been really modest.  Money in the bank has stayed steady, even as dh's seasonal work is starting to drop.  The hardest months are coming up, though.  This is my first time keeping track on this thread, and it's letting me see what to expect in general.  Not too many strictly no-spend days, but quite a few days within budget, and only a few silly, minor purchases.  

The groceries are still a struggle for me, but considering we regularly spent 1100-1200 every month on food alone (eating out accounted for about $30 of that), the fact that I've kept it this low so far is amazing.  That's 300-400 dollars per month we've been able to saw off with diligence and change of habits.  Most people don't need to count groceries against themselves, but it's such a huge issue for us financially.  So, hope y'all don't mind.  

[LilyKay]

This is such an awesome idea! I can't wait to join in December because I absolutely have to budget... I think I'll do some number crunching tonight and think about my goals...

Best of luck ladies!

[CookiePie]

SweetSilver that is great that you got your food budget down so much this month!  I have been really focused on our food budget as well I'll post how I did at the end of the month.  I usually hit multiple stores and although it is time consuming it is saving me a ton.  Once I'm working more I know that this might not be possible but for now it is really helping.  

Budgeted         Not Budgeted/went over      Saved $, got freebee, paid something off, worked an extra shift           hung clothes out         

November
1.  DD2 sport workshop $62  budgeted   Working an extra shift tonight    and just  

2 *   No spend day! I resisted getting lunch out after school.  Instead I came home and made eggs & toast. I hung 2 loads of laundry   Picked up extra shift

3  * No spend day! 

4    Bought $10 of groceries, also got budgeted wood heating pellets and

5   *   No spend!   Working an extra shift

6   * Working an extra shift today

7  * No spend!  I'm working an extra shift tonight!

8. *   No spend! Worked extra shift

9.  Budgeted spending on groceries

10. Budgeted raw milk & dry goods from bulk bins

11.* No spend. Made a really frugal venison soup with soup bones veggies and barley I'm becoming so aware of how much barely worn stuff gets thrown in by line drying  

12. * No spend Deep cleaned my kitchen.  Culturing a batch of yogurt and making homemade granola

13. *   No spend

14.    Got a couple Christmas gifts out of Christmas fund, and other household needs.

15. * No spend

16.  Bought budgeted wood pellets. I called oil company today & lowered our budgeted monthly oil payment since the furnace just heats our water now.  Got paid for all those extra hours that I worked last week, I made more that I thought         

17. * No spend

18.    Bought DD the coat she wanted online 50% off!!! I went CVS-ing with my sister for some great deals.  I ended up with some Christmas gifts, a few stocking stuffers (both out of the Christmas budget) and some household stuff.  I also have extra care bucks to go back there with.  Not giving myself a sad face because the deals were amazing and I will save the next times I go there.  I haven't CVS-ed in so long so starting this up again during Christmas shopping is a good idea!

I got lots of venison from my Dad and a tons of soup bones!  I love soup!!!!

19. * No spend!     Making 2 gallons of Kombucha today and making stock   May edit if I make it to the grocery store today!

20. Went grocery shopping and with the "Prudent Homemaker" in mind I bought 3 turkeys!  And plan to go to another grocery store today and get another one!  I read that Nov-Dec is the best time to buy Turkey.  Why not stock up for the rest of the year?  We have a good sized stand up freezer in the basement that I want stocked up for the winter.  I think that even with these stock ups I will still come out under budget, as we are nearing the end of the month.  I also bought more clothes hangers, we are running out, I hang clothes on hangers to dry in the house when the weather is too bad to hang on the line outside.  But today was nice so I got to hang out on the line today

Edited by CookiePie - 11/21/12 at 11:43am

[organicmommato2]

Hi All- Just wanted to share my blog for those trying to be frugal but still maintain an organic & natural lifestyle. I post daily deals on organic items as well as offering my tips on how to save everyday, for example with grocery shopping. Check it out if interested & save some money hopefully. Link is on my profile page . Thanks :)

Edited by organicmommato2 - 11/30/12 at 8:11am

[FillingMyQuiver]

Originally Posted by SweetSilver 
Food bill about $659 for the month.  Goal is under $750.  That includes eating out, coffee, etc.  I can pull this off if I skip a big shopping trip at the Seattle co-op.

So far this month we've been good about spending in general.  Even our over-budget spending has been really modest.  Money in the bank has stayed steady, even as dh's seasonal work is starting to drop.  The hardest months are coming up, though.  This is my first time keeping track on this thread, and it's letting me see what to expect in general.  Not too many strictly no-spend days, but quite a few days within budget, and only a few silly, minor purchases.  

The groceries are still a struggle for me, but considering we regularly spent 1100-1200 every month on food alone (eating out accounted for about $30 of that), the fact that I've kept it this low so far is amazing.  That's 300-400 dollars per month we've been able to saw off with diligence and change of habits.  Most people don't need to count groceries against themselves, but it's such a huge issue for us financially.  So, hope y'all don't mind.  

This is FANTASTIC!!!  Great job cutting your grocery bill!  I count certain groceries against myself.  I have a grocery budget, and we do once-amonth shopping, so anything above and beyond my grocery budget I count against myself because often time it could have been avoided with better planning on my part or DH just not stopping at the store.

Originally Posted by LilyKay 

This is such an awesome idea! I can't wait to join in December because I absolutely have to budget... I think I'll do some number crunching tonight and think about my goals...

Best of luck ladies!

Welcome!!  You can jump in at anytime, even half way through the month!!

AFM, I'm adding a to yesterday because I was able to sit and knit for a chunk of time after I helped the kids pack their suitcases.