November No-Spend Challenge ~ Don't let little purchases gobble gobble up your savings. - Page 3

[mamayogibear]

Today I spent money that was unbudgeted. I went to the thrift store and got both of my kids rain coats, not warm winter coats but just rain coats, a few fuzzy jammies and a few other things. I spent thirty bucks today. Hopefully I won't think of anything else we need for the rest of the month:)

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

wow!  Can't beat thrift store prices.  Just one rain coat would have been $30 retail.  Sounds like smart shopping to me

Originally Posted by mamayogibear 

Today I spent money that was unbudgeted. I went to the thrift store and got both of my kids rain coats, not warm winter coats but just rain coats, a few fuzzy jammies and a few other things. I spent thirty bucks today. Hopefully I won't think of anything else we need for the rest of the month:)

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Here's why I join and participate in these threads:

I love to shop.  I love to spend money.  Spending money gives me an endorphin rush.  I don't know why this is, but I like to buy new things and when I buy them I feel like we are moving ahead.

But we are not.  We are actually falling behind. 

Because 9 times out of 10 we need the money in savings more than we need a new shower curtain with pretty purple flowers on it.

But I can't seem to see this when I'm in the store...only when I'm thinking about it in hindsight. 

Money is intangible to me.  Seeing the numbers go up in our savings account does not give me pleasure.  A new Isis jacket gives me pleasure.

So I try to find ways to "trick" myself into feeling like we have gained something when we don't spend money.  Toting up no-spend days and little  icons gives me a small jolt of happiness.  (Granted -- very very small -- but at least it is something)

I need something to help me curb my impulse to spend.

Also just to make me more aware of what I do spend our money on.  If I have to write it here, then I think about it for a milisecond before I buy it.  Sometimes that milisecond is all it takes to make me realize the thing I'm about to purchase is a want...not a need. 

[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.

[Rainbow2911]

I'm not doing too well with this so far! Not had any no spend days at all yet, and we over spent today on groceries. But I don't expect to have any no spend days at the beginning of this month as it's likely to be crazy. My dh is donating bone marrow next week so we'll be travelling and eating out for a few days for that. Although we'll be reimbursed for all those expenses so maybe that counts as no spend...

 I really need to watch what we buy the rest of the month though, to make sure we come in on budget. Posting on here is keeping me very aware of all those little trips to the shop...

[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 

So far, so good ;)  I finally think I have a long-term goal in mind for where I want to end up, so that should help with sticking to my budget and getting my student loan paid off as fast as possible.  Starting in January, I'm going to throw any money left after bills, budgeted expenses, and sinking fund contribution toward my student loan.  That includes my tax refund (usually, most of that ends up being blown on a bunch of things I don't actually need).  The sinking fund is the key to sticking to my budget, as it will allow me some wiggle room if expenses come up (car stuff, gifts, etc.) so that I can continue to stick to my regular monthly budget.

[Surfacing]

Hi Girls,

Jumping back in this month. My goals will be to stick to budgetted spending this month, park the car for free and walk to work. We have been working at paying off debt and so far it's headed in the right direction.

1) $1.65 coffee at work

2) $1.65 coffee at work, really exhausted and had a guest so had dh order pizza instead of cooking supper after work

3) Weekend grocery shopping a bit overspent. Date night with dh - free overnight at a hotel plus $27.00 for parking!!! Argh!!!! $50 dinner and $20 for evening snacks. Not a good night in terms of $$$ but cheaper than a divorce.

4) No spend!

Crunchy VT Mom -

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Normally I don't count my husband's spending on here because I'm only tracking for myself...but he went to the hardware store specifically to buy hardware for our cabinets that I was repainting.  Was that necessary spending?  well...no.  Because we could have just reused the hardware that was on the cabinets already.

But it wasn't ME who wanted the new hardware (I couldn't care less)...so I don't know if I should count that against myself or not.  Hmmmm...have to think about that one.

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

01.. 

02.. 

03..  $195 Christmas presents

04..  Husband spent money at Hardware store...not sure of the total yet

05..

06..

07..

08..

09..

10..

11..

12..

13..

14..

15..

My goal = 20 No Spend Days

My progress =  2  days so far

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

You are doing FINE!  Just checking in on the thread and posting is keeping you aware of your spending.  And that is the point.

Getting even one no-spend day is EXTREMELY hard.  Most days you are going to spend.  I usually aim for 50/50 and if I can get 15 no spend days then I am ~rocking~ this thread.  Usually I come in at around 10-13...and that is with concentrated effort!

I think you are doing great.

And KUDOS to your husband for his donation.  That is huge.

Originally Posted by Rainbow2911 

I'm not doing too well with this so far! Not had any no spend days at all yet,

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Yeah honeybee!  good job!  any snow where you are yet?  Vermont got some this weekend.

So far, so good ;)  I finally think I have a long-term goal in mind for where I want to end up

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Welcome back Surfacing!!

I like that you budget in that coffee at work.  $1.65 isn't going to kill the budget...and if it brings you pleasure...then budget it and move on.  You've got the right idea.

And regarding grocery overspending...  If you are buying food and throwing it away, THAT is overspending.  But if you are ~eating it~?  Then I don't think you can really overspend.  You have to eat.

Food prices are going up.  Everybody is overspending right now.

Originally Posted by Surfacing 

Hi Girls,

Jumping back in this month. My goals will be to stick to budgetted spending this month, park the car for free and walk to work. We have been working at paying off debt and so far it's headed in the right direction.

1) $1.65 coffee at work

2) $1.65 coffee at work, really exhausted and had a guest so had dh order pizza instead of cooking supper after work

3) Weekend grocery shopping a bit overspent. Date night with dh - free overnight at a hotel plus $27.00 for parking!!! Argh!!!! $50 dinner and $20 for evening snacks. Not a good night in terms of $$$ but cheaper than a divorce.

4) No spend!

Crunchy VT Mom -

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

    I'm not counting his purchase.  This is MY no-spend thread, not the family's.  I didn't spend any money yesterday.  I had a paintbrush in my hand all day! 

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

01.. 

02.. 

03..  $195 Christmas presents

04.. 

05..

06..

07..

08..

09..

10..

11..

12..

13..

14..

15..

My goal = 20 No Spend Days

My progress =  2  days so far

[FillingMyQuiver]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

And regarding grocery overspending...  If you are buying food and throwing it away, THAT is overspending.  But if you are ~eating it~?  Then I don't think you can really overspend.  You have to eat.

Food prices are going up.  Everybody is overspending right now.

  Completely agree.  We have to re-evaluate our grocery budget and find a way to increase it.  I think all of my children are going through a collective growth spurt, and the "baby" (she's actually 18mo) is eating almost as much as her 8.5yo brother.  Purchases that used to last us the month are now only making it 3/4 of the way through.

And food prices *ARE* going up.  Every time I go to the store I'm surprised at the price increases!!

[honeybee80]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

Yeah honeybee!  good job!  any snow where you are yet?  Vermont got some this weekend.

We've had a tiny bit of snow twice now, but nothing big.  My snow tires are on my car and ready to go, though ;)  I'm hoping for lots of snow for some good skiing this year--last year was a bust!

[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.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

[CookiePie]

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

November
1.  DD2 sport workshop $62   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

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

[pickle18]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

Money is intangible to me.  Seeing the numbers go up in our savings account does not give me pleasure.  A new Isis jacket gives me pleasure.

So I try to find ways to "trick" myself into feeling like we have gained something when we don't spend money.  Toting up no-spend days and little  icons gives me a small jolt of happiness.  (Granted -- very very small -- but at least it is something)

I need something to help me curb my impulse to spend.

Also just to make me more aware of what I do spend our money on.  If I have to write it here, then I think about it for a milisecond before I buy it.  Sometimes that milisecond is all it takes to make me realize the thing I'm about to purchase is a want...not a need. 

I struggle with this, too.  Usually, it builds up until a trip to the bookstore, complete with books for DS and I...and overpriced coffee.   However, I have noticed that these lil moments of luxury are losing a little of their punch - I don't get as much bang for my buck in the pleasure department, and always a lil bit of regret.  I honestly feel better when I get a book from the library, and that makes my reading more pleasurable!

I find that if I get competitive with myself, it really helps!  And it makes me feel awesome when I do something for less, from a thrift store, or homemade.  In fact, the more I can save or resist, the better I feel - but only because I'm being so competitive, ykwim?  Kind of like a personal trainer gets in your face and pushes you to do more reps - internally, I have this voice chastising me and pushing me to spend even less, and use my creativity to make up the difference.  It really is nice to use the ol' noodle more, be more self-reliant, and feel less like a defenseless consumer submitting to marketing tactics! (most of the time!) 

One trick I use also is if I see something I want to buy, I tell myself I'll wait on it.  For one thing, I completely forget half the things later that I was sure I *needed* in the moment.  If one sticks out in my brain over time, I know that it might be important.  If it's truly useful, not too spendy and it's still there when I come back a couple weeks later, then I buy it.  

[pickle18]

 - extra thrifty

 - no spend

 - normal expense

 - unplanned extra

1.  groceries

2. 

3.  $20 birthday present for niece - this is borderline, because we could have spent a lil less if I'd made something or bought something small, but we did cash (of course, the difference would probably have been eaten up by time and gas money...)

4. 

[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.

[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 

I stayed home from work today with my DS, who had been puking in the wee hours of the morning.  It was a super chill day and I got a bunch of crafting done.  I made a purse for my niece for Christmas (not my finest work, but it's cute anyway ;))  and I altered a halter top into a regular tank top for my DD.  I've got the crafty bug these days and I'm loving it!