~December~ No-Spend Challenge -- Is your shopping finished? Time to come join us! - Page 9

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

I spent TONS of money at the grocery store today...but most of it was for food, so I'm okay with that.  We are big eaters.

However, I took a detour by the beer case and spent money on alcohol for the holiday.  I'm okay with that too.  We are drinkers.

BUT...I can't really call that "necessary" spending.  So I'm not giving myself a thumb-guy  for today.

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

My goal for the month = 15 no-spend days 

My progress so far = 11 days

01..  $166 ski stuff

02.. 

03..  $8.50 bagels

04.. 

05.. 

06..  $215 Christmas

07.. 

08..  $35 eating out

09.. 

10..  $50 more Christmas

11.. 

12..  

13.. 

14..  $20 eating out with my ballerina

15..  $7 hot cocoa + flowers for the ballerina

16.. 

17.. 

18..  $100 French door curtain, stuffed mickey mice  (mouses?)

19.. 

20..  $23 Broken snow globes and breakfast

21..  $35  Alcohol

22..

23..

24..

25.. 

26..

27..

28..

29..

30..

31..

[SweetSilver]

SweetSilver -- $56 for 10 days doesn't seem like enough....EXCEPT that you might already have a houseful of groceries since you bought today.  Do you have enough in your pantry to hold you over?  Can you look at this as a challenge to use up foods that you already have?  If you can, great!  But if you can't...don't beat yourself up over that.  Very few families could eat on $56 for 10 days.

We do have a full fridge and pantry (though I don't keep it that full because stuff goes to waste).  I seriously doubt we are actually going to come in under $800, but it is a challenge, isn't it?

I'll give it an honest try, but no big deal if we don't make it.  Last month was closer to $850 as well.  Just trying to keep it under a certain amount is helping to keep it steady and down below what it used to be.  Next month, though, I will be keeping track of a few categories of foods (snacks, meats) that tend to be expensive to see if anything stands out.  It could be that this is simply where we are at, though I would be thrilled if we could get this lower.

ETA:  We have no grocery purchases until 12/24 when we buy some extras for the girls for Xmas eve dinner at the ILs.  

[SweetSilver]

12/18    Minor Christmas purchases.  Groceries and treats, $25.  I could have given myself an "oops" for the treats, but it was minor, and another reminder to let dh do the shopping!

12/19    No spend.  Staying home.

12/20    No spend.

12/21    $76 groceries.  That leaves $56 left for 10 days to make $800 for the month.  I don't think there will be any big days, but I thought this day would be less, too.  So, I'm not that optimistic.  

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

12/22  No-spend.  

Here are my goals for the next 3 days:

12/23  No spend, or maybe AA batteries and Pez for stockings.

12/24  Last Christmas gifts.  Some groceries for trip to ILs.  

12/25  No spend.  

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

My goal for the month = 15 no-spend days 

My progress so far = 11 days

01..  $166 ski stuff

02.. 

03..  $8.50 bagels

04.. 

05.. 

06..  $215 Christmas

07.. 

08..  $35 eating out

09.. 

10..  $50 more Christmas

11.. 

12..  

13.. 

14..  $20 more eating out 

15..  $7 hot cocoa + flowers

16.. 

17.. 

18..  $100 Christmas stuff

19.. 

20..  $23 Broken snow globes and breakfast

21..  $35  Alcohol for party

22.. 

23..

24..

25.. 

26..

27..

28..

29..

30..

31..

[FillingMyQuiver]

Oy have I missed quite a few days.  Thankfully I have only spent money on groceries or meds and I've been crafting as much as I can.

Key

  No Spend/ Budgeted Spending

  Un-budgeted/ Unnecessary Spending

  Crafted for at least 30 minutes

1.  Unbudgeted lunch out, budgeted grocery shopping.

2.      Didn't go anywhere.  DH fixed a faulty outlet in the kitchen, then we put together our free bed frame.  This is how we need to spend our weekends, getting household projects done, NOT shopping.

3.      Bought the very last thing on the Christmas gift list (I've been watching zuliliy for it for weeks now), but it was budgeted.  There shouldn't be anymore spending happening today, hopefully raking and garden bed upkeep will get done instead.

4.      Budgeted spending today, but I feel   DS2 has a virus that ended us up in the dr's office (rash & fever), had to get him an Rx for some steroid cream for his flaring eczema, stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some quick things for dinner (thankfully there's money in the food budget).

5.      Stayed home, stayed away from online shopping, got a gnome for DD3 knit, will be working on more crafting after the rugrats go to bed.

6.      Stayed home again, no spending.  Lots of crafting for the holidays happening.

7.      REALLY wanted to get fast food for dinner but DH and I decided he'd make a quick run to the store instead.  $$ for groceries is in the budget, fast food isn't (especially when it's almost $40 for our family at McDs).  Made cookies with the kids for a cookie exchange I'm going to tomorrow.

8.      Cookie exchange and holiday crafting.  No spending.

9.      3 sick kids , $30 ordered pizza for dinner, totally unbudgeted.

10.   Budgeted spending, placed my seed order for 2013's growing season.  Rest of the day I carried around a sick toddler. so NO crafting was done.

11.    Unbudgeted spending.  DS2's allergist appointment involved skin testing, we bribed him with a toy from WM ($24).  No plan for dinner, DH stopped at the store and picked up our first try at wheat free pasta and sauce ($13).

12.   No crafting today, 8yo DS1, 4yo DD2, and DH all are sick.

13.   $35 at supermarket.  Tried our first gluten free bread, wasn't too bad.  It'll do great in a pinch for times I don't have time to bake.

14.   Dr copay, DH had a consult for some "minor surgery".

15.   Overspent on the grocery budget by about $50.  Still nursing sick kids and now I'm sick.  No crafting.

16.   Picked up our Christmas tree.  All of us are still sick

17.   Still sick, decorated the tree today.

18.     Most of us are still sick, but I did get to work on some knitting.  I need to work a little faster as I only have a few days left   At least ebing sick is keeping us home and not spending, silver lining and all, right?

19.  

20.  

21.   DH's "minor surgery".  Pain meds were bought.

22.     Spent $26 at grocery store for cereal, gluten free alternative flours, and some soy-free chocolate chips.  I NEVER knew our little grocery store around the corner had such a large selection of GF flours!!  Their selection's even bigger than the larger chain store we usually shop at!!

17/20 No Spend Days

14/20 Crafting Days

[SweetSilver]

12/18    Minor Christmas purchases.  Groceries and treats, $25.  I could have given myself an "oops" for the treats, but it was minor, and another reminder to let dh do the shopping!

12/19    No spend.  Staying home.

12/20    No spend.

12/21    $76 groceries.  That leaves $56 left for 10 days to make $800 for the month.  I don't think there will be any big days, but I thought this day would be less, too.  So, I'm not that optimistic.  

12/22  No-spend.  

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

12/23  No spend

 

 

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key

  No Spend/ Budgeted Spending

  Un-budgeted/ Unnecessary Spending

  Crafted for at least 30 minutes

1.  Unbudgeted lunch out, budgeted grocery shopping.

2.      Didn't go anywhere.  DH fixed a faulty outlet in the kitchen, then we put together our free bed frame.  This is how we need to spend our weekends, getting household projects done, NOT shopping.

3.      Bought the very last thing on the Christmas gift list (I've been watching zuliliy for it for weeks now), but it was budgeted.  There shouldn't be anymore spending happening today, hopefully raking and garden bed upkeep will get done instead.

4.      Budgeted spending today, but I feel   DS2 has a virus that ended us up in the dr's office (rash & fever), had to get him an Rx for some steroid cream for his flaring eczema, stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some quick things for dinner (thankfully there's money in the food budget).

5.      Stayed home, stayed away from online shopping, got a gnome for DD3 knit, will be working on more crafting after the rugrats go to bed.

6.      Stayed home again, no spending.  Lots of crafting for the holidays happening.

7.      REALLY wanted to get fast food for dinner but DH and I decided he'd make a quick run to the store instead.  $$ for groceries is in the budget, fast food isn't (especially when it's almost $40 for our family at McDs).  Made cookies with the kids for a cookie exchange I'm going to tomorrow.

8.      Cookie exchange and holiday crafting.  No spending.

9.      3 sick kids , $30 ordered pizza for dinner, totally unbudgeted.

10.   Budgeted spending, placed my seed order for 2013's growing season.  Rest of the day I carried around a sick toddler. so NO crafting was done.

11.    Unbudgeted spending.  DS2's allergist appointment involved skin testing, we bribed him with a toy from WM ($24).  No plan for dinner, DH stopped at the store and picked up our first try at wheat free pasta and sauce ($13).

12.   No crafting today, 8yo DS1, 4yo DD2, and DH all are sick.

13.   $35 at supermarket.  Tried our first gluten free bread, wasn't too bad.  It'll do great in a pinch for times I don't have time to bake.

14.   Dr copay, DH had a consult for some "minor surgery".

15.   Overspent on the grocery budget by about $50.  Still nursing sick kids and now I'm sick.  No crafting.

16.   Picked up our Christmas tree.  All of us are still sick

17.   Still sick, decorated the tree today.

18.     Most of us are still sick, but I did get to work on some knitting.  I need to work a little faster as I only have a few days left   At least ebing sick is keeping us home and not spending, silver lining and all, right?

19.  

20.  

21.   DH's "minor surgery".  Pain meds were bought.

22.     Spent $26 at grocery store for cereal, gluten free alternative flours, and some soy-free chocolate chips.  I NEVER knew our little grocery store around the corner had such a large selection of GF flours!!  Their selection's even bigger than the larger chain store we usually shop at!!

23.     $70 spent at Whole Foods (some of which wasn't needed, which is why I'm not giving myself the No Spend).

17/20 No Spend Days

15/20 Crafting Days

[SweetSilver]

12/18    Minor Christmas purchases.  Groceries and treats, $25.  I could have given myself an "oops" for the treats, but it was minor, and another reminder to let dh do the shopping!

12/19    No spend.  Staying home.

12/20    No spend.

12/21    $76 groceries.  That leaves $56 left for 10 days to make $800 for the month.  I don't think there will be any big days, but I thought this day would be less, too.  So, I'm not that optimistic.  

12/22  No-spend.  

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

12/23  No spend

12/24    Last minute Christmas shopping.  A handful of groceries for our whirlwind trip to Seattle and back for dinner and festivities with dh's family.  I think I did well this Christmas.  I even passed up some pretty but not perfect ornaments that I would have allowed myself this season.  But the food, the food....  with some creative and generous accounting tricks I *could* add $27 to my monthly total, bringing it to $776, but the ridiculousness of this number shuffle became quite absurd today, not counting 2 tubs of dip for Christmas Eve dinner that I didn't count for the monthly bill, but I brought the leftovers home, for example.  That was just one of the shuffles to get the total that most clearly reflected the money we spend to *feed* the four of us, and not counting celebrations with family, but today seemed to strain the validity of this entire "system".  

Sigh!  Whatever!  

12/25     No spend.  This is kind of cheating, because nothing is open, practically, but I'm taking it anyway!  HA!

12.26    An early reward for tomorrow.  We are stayin' home!

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

BTW, we arrived home at 12:30 last night!  DD2 finally fell asleep just before midnight, dd1 stayed awake until 1:30, then woke us up starting at 5:30.  I think I got about 3 hours of sleep, and not 3 hours all in a row, either.  I am wiped out.  But we did get some Christmas snow this morning, which melted off in time to drive to my sister's house an hour away for another Christmas.  Sweet!  I can't believe I'm still on here.  Sayonara!

[bmcneal]

I want to join!

a. Who you are: I'm mama to 2 DC, 7 yo DD, and 3 yo DS, as well as pregnant with our third child. We are a family of 4, soon to be 5. DF works full-time, I was working up until a couple of weeks ago. I'm hoping to find a little part-time work for now, and get my CNA with our tax check, and go back part-time after the baby is born.

b. Where you are going (your financial goals): I want us to be debt-free, and get at least a decent amount of money in savings. I'm hoping we can open at least one savings account, if not in the next few weeks, at least when we get our tax check.

c. How you plan to get there: I'm going to try and stop spending so much money on things that we don't *need.* Stop eating out (at least as much as we have been), make more food from scratch. Re-use things as much as we can. Make one or two shopping trips a month or pay-period, rather than going every day/every other day. Find cheaper/free entertainment.

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key

  No Spend/ Budgeted Spending

  Un-budgeted/ Unnecessary Spending

  Crafted for at least 30 minutes

1.  Unbudgeted lunch out, budgeted grocery shopping.

2.      Didn't go anywhere.  DH fixed a faulty outlet in the kitchen, then we put together our free bed frame.  This is how we need to spend our weekends, getting household projects done, NOT shopping.

3.      Bought the very last thing on the Christmas gift list (I've been watching zuliliy for it for weeks now), but it was budgeted.  There shouldn't be anymore spending happening today, hopefully raking and garden bed upkeep will get done instead.

4.      Budgeted spending today, but I feel   DS2 has a virus that ended us up in the dr's office (rash & fever), had to get him an Rx for some steroid cream for his flaring eczema, stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some quick things for dinner (thankfully there's money in the food budget).

5.      Stayed home, stayed away from online shopping, got a gnome for DD3 knit, will be working on more crafting after the rugrats go to bed.

6.      Stayed home again, no spending.  Lots of crafting for the holidays happening.

7.      REALLY wanted to get fast food for dinner but DH and I decided he'd make a quick run to the store instead.  $$ for groceries is in the budget, fast food isn't (especially when it's almost $40 for our family at McDs).  Made cookies with the kids for a cookie exchange I'm going to tomorrow.

8.      Cookie exchange and holiday crafting.  No spending.

9.      3 sick kids , $30 ordered pizza for dinner, totally unbudgeted.

10.   Budgeted spending, placed my seed order for 2013's growing season.  Rest of the day I carried around a sick toddler. so NO crafting was done.

11.    Unbudgeted spending.  DS2's allergist appointment involved skin testing, we bribed him with a toy from WM ($24).  No plan for dinner, DH stopped at the store and picked up our first try at wheat free pasta and sauce ($13).

12.   No crafting today, 8yo DS1, 4yo DD2, and DH all are sick.

13.   $35 at supermarket.  Tried our first gluten free bread, wasn't too bad.  It'll do great in a pinch for times I don't have time to bake.

14.   Dr copay, DH had a consult for some "minor surgery".

15.   Overspent on the grocery budget by about $50.  Still nursing sick kids and now I'm sick.  No crafting.

16.   Picked up our Christmas tree.  All of us are still sick

17.   Still sick, decorated the tree today.

18.     Most of us are still sick, but I did get to work on some knitting.  I need to work a little faster as I only have a few days left   At least ebing sick is keeping us home and not spending, silver lining and all, right?

19.  

20.  

21.   DH's "minor surgery".  Pain meds were bought.

22.     Spent $26 at grocery store for cereal, gluten free alternative flours, and some soy-free chocolate chips.  I NEVER knew our little grocery store around the corner had such a large selection of GF flours!!  Their selection's even bigger than the larger chain store we usually shop at!!

23.     $70 spent at Whole Foods (some of which wasn't needed, which is why I'm not giving myself the No Spend).

24.   Christmas Eve at my parents'.  Finished up DD3's felted gnomes when we got home at 12:30 at night.

25.   MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

19/20 No Spend Days

16/20 Crafting Days

[SweetSilver]

12/18    Minor Christmas purchases.  Groceries and treats, $25.  I could have given myself an "oops" for the treats, but it was minor, and another reminder to let dh do the shopping!

12/19    No spend.  Staying home.

12/20    No spend.

12/21    $76 groceries.  That leaves $56 left for 10 days to make $800 for the month.  I don't think there will be any big days, but I thought this day would be less, too.  So, I'm not that optimistic.  

12/22  No-spend.  

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

12/23  No spend

12/24    Last minute Christmas shopping.  A handful of groceries for our whirlwind trip to Seattle and back for dinner and festivities with dh's family. 

12/25     No spend.  This is kind of cheating, because nothing is open, practically, but I'm taking it anyway!  HA!

12/26    Stayed home.  No spend.

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

12/27    Spent well today, but this month is feeling a bit overwhelming, as expected, I guess.  Well over my goal for food in December, but I was very frugal today.  Never mind what I spent, it doesn't matter any more.  Bought photo albums, a planned purchase if they were on sale (they were).  Bought gas.  Oh, brother, are we burning up the gas this month!

Today I started giving the girls control over an allotted amount of money to spend for snacks and treats.  Every week, they each get one envelope with $5 for treats, another with $5 for snacks.  They can use the treat allowance for snacks, but not vice versa.  This will give them a certain amount of freedom to decide what they want to buy (I did put my foot down on the family-size bag of potato chips, and I looked for a single serving.  We do not keep potato chips around because we eat them until our bellies protest.)  They chose a couple of treats for the week from Trader Joe's, and a french fry trip to Dairy Queen.  The money leftover from the week goes into the "FUN fund" jar for extra swim trips, movie tickets, Children's museum visits, etc.  

We'll see if it works.  I hope it works.  It has already helped them to look at prices, decide how much of what to last the week, and hopefully it will soon teach them in a very direct way that money not spent on expensive extras makes more room for fun activities.  And because they paid for them, DH and I must keep our hands out of the goodie bags.  Theoretically.  

[bmcneal]

12/26-  Didn't spend *any* (There was an "emergency only" travel warning, and car was blocked in garage by 3 foot snow drifts, so not too hard.)

12/27- Not so good. I bought some groceries, a lot of marked down/discount food. We didn't make a budget for this month, so I don't feel terrible, but... still spending money. 

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key

  No Spend/ Budgeted Spending

  Un-budgeted/ Unnecessary Spending

  Crafted for at least 30 minutes

1.  Unbudgeted lunch out, budgeted grocery shopping.

2.      Didn't go anywhere.  DH fixed a faulty outlet in the kitchen, then we put together our free bed frame.  This is how we need to spend our weekends, getting household projects done, NOT shopping.

3.      Bought the very last thing on the Christmas gift list (I've been watching zuliliy for it for weeks now), but it was budgeted.  There shouldn't be anymore spending happening today, hopefully raking and garden bed upkeep will get done instead.

4.      Budgeted spending today, but I feel   DS2 has a virus that ended us up in the dr's office (rash & fever), had to get him an Rx for some steroid cream for his flaring eczema, stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some quick things for dinner (thankfully there's money in the food budget).

5.      Stayed home, stayed away from online shopping, got a gnome for DD3 knit, will be working on more crafting after the rugrats go to bed.

6.      Stayed home again, no spending.  Lots of crafting for the holidays happening.

7.      REALLY wanted to get fast food for dinner but DH and I decided he'd make a quick run to the store instead.  $$ for groceries is in the budget, fast food isn't (especially when it's almost $40 for our family at McDs).  Made cookies with the kids for a cookie exchange I'm going to tomorrow.

8.      Cookie exchange and holiday crafting.  No spending.

9.      3 sick kids , $30 ordered pizza for dinner, totally unbudgeted.

10.   Budgeted spending, placed my seed order for 2013's growing season.  Rest of the day I carried around a sick toddler. so NO crafting was done.

11.    Unbudgeted spending.  DS2's allergist appointment involved skin testing, we bribed him with a toy from WM ($24).  No plan for dinner, DH stopped at the store and picked up our first try at wheat free pasta and sauce ($13).

12.   No crafting today, 8yo DS1, 4yo DD2, and DH all are sick.

13.   $35 at supermarket.  Tried our first gluten free bread, wasn't too bad.  It'll do great in a pinch for times I don't have time to bake.

14.   Dr copay, DH had a consult for some "minor surgery".

15.   Overspent on the grocery budget by about $50.  Still nursing sick kids and now I'm sick.  No crafting.

16.   Picked up our Christmas tree.  All of us are still sick

17.   Still sick, decorated the tree today.

18.     Most of us are still sick, but I did get to work on some knitting.  I need to work a little faster as I only have a few days left   At least ebing sick is keeping us home and not spending, silver lining and all, right?

19.  

20.  

21.   DH's "minor surgery".  Pain meds were bought.

22.     Spent $26 at grocery store for cereal, gluten free alternative flours, and some soy-free chocolate chips.  I NEVER knew our little grocery store around the corner had such a large selection of GF flours!!  Their selection's even bigger than the larger chain store we usually shop at!!

23.     $70 spent at Whole Foods (some of which wasn't needed, which is why I'm not giving myself the No Spend).

24.   Christmas Eve at my parents'.  Finished up DD3's felted gnomes when we got home at 12:30 at night.

25.   MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

26.   $70 spent at grocery store, $40 at Five Guys for burgers and fries.

27.

21/20 No Spend Days   Goal Made!!!

16/20 Crafting Days

Edited by FillingMyQuiver - 12/28/12 at 8:37am

[SweetSilver]

12/1 Waldorf Winter Faire.  Cost went up--spent $35 .  Spent $8 on Christmas ornaments, so an itty-bitty .  Still, I packed lunch as planned, and made no other stops.  So I deserve something, and this little Bouncy-Dude is just right. 

12/2    No-spend day 

12/3    No spend day  Made that awesome, no-spend, handcrafted Christmas wreath you can see on post #29.

12/4  Groceries $92  Stuck to the lists!!   I just didn't make the very best lists.  

12/5  Groceries $34.  That's $126/ $156 for the week ending Friday.

12/6   Online Christmas shopping.  I get a Dancing Banana today, but I don't know how I'm going to stick the Christmas budget dh and I agreed on.  

12/7   Had about $30 in this week's food budget left to keep on target for the month, spent $29.34!!  Dinner at DQ tonight instead of tomorrow $16.

12/8     It had to happen sooner or later.  Groceries $89.  Hot chocolate stop $4.  Including last night's DQ $16, that puts us at $108 out of $156 for the week that just started!

12/9  Christmas tree shopping.  Cost of trees doubled.  Ouch!

12/10    No spend today.  Made a big ol' pot of soupy beans, smoky with bacon.  Mmmmm.  And cheap!

12/11    Errand day/ Well-child appt./ Groceries  I am back in the groove!!  I packed lunches and snacks.  I deserved an extra Happy Veggie.

12/12    Work day.  No spend.

12/13      Another day deserving an armada of Dancing Veggies.  DH came home with the groceries, and we came in at $151/ 156 for the week!  Nearly midway through the month we are at $478/$800, which includes the Azure Standard order.  Made bread today.

12/14   No spend
 

12/15 & 12/16   Groceries & Christmas shopping.  Not entirely sure how to process this one.  I think I did OK.  But I did still spend a whole lot of money, so I am not feeling all that celebratory.  

12/17  No groceries.    Flowers for Mom& Dad's grave for wedding anniversary.   

12/18    Minor Christmas purchases.  Groceries and treats, $25.  I could have given myself an "oops" for the treats, but it was minor, and another reminder to let dh do the shopping!

12/19    No spend.  Staying home.

12/20    No spend.

12/21    $76 groceries.  That leaves $56 left for 10 days to make $800 for the month.  I don't think there will be any big days, but I thought this day would be less, too.  So, I'm not that optimistic.  

12/22  No-spend.  

12/23  No spend

12/24    Last minute Christmas shopping.  A handful of groceries for our whirlwind trip to Seattle and back for dinner and festivities with dh's family. 

12/25     No spend.  This is kind of cheating, because nothing is open, practically, but I'm taking it anyway!  HA!

12/26    Stayed home.  No spend.

12/27    Spent well today, but this month is feeling a bit overwhelming. Well over my goal for food in December, but I was very frugal today.  

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

12/28    No spend.  Stayed home.  That's because DH has no work until next Wednesday.  The "down season" has truly begun.  It feels like a vacation at first, so for now, it's nice.

12/29  An early entry since we will be gone from before 7am until well after 9pm.  DH and I are seeing The Hobbit at the Cinerama (I asked for a Cinerama gift card for Christmas, and we don't buy snacks, so except for the drive we are spending nothing :)  The girls are visiting with Grandma and Aunt and we will take them after our morning movie to the zoo and the Zoo Lights.  The zoo is about 1.5 hours towards Seattle from our house, so we will be saving some gas.  We are seriously using up way too much gas this month!  Dinner will be at the zoo cafe.  I would try being extra frugal and packing dinner, too, at least for dh and I, but the their salmon burger with lemon mayonnaise (served with sweet potato fries) is simply too fabulous to pass up.    That's my "devil-may-care" dude.

[bmcneal]

12/26-  Didn't spend *any* (There was an "emergency only" travel warning, and car was blocked in garage by 3 foot snow drifts, so not too hard.)

12/27- Not so good. I bought some groceries, a lot of marked down/discount food. We didn't make a budget for this month, so I don't feel terrible, but... still spending money. 

12/28- Another not good day. DF had an urgent care/emergency dentist appointment, so had to get medication for that (not budgeted), as well as some food that he could eat, and we bought lunch out.

[SweetSilver]

12/1 Waldorf Winter Faire.  Cost went up--spent $35 .  Spent $8 on Christmas ornaments, so an itty-bitty .  Still, I packed lunch as planned, and made no other stops.  So I deserve something, and this little Bouncy-Dude is just right. 

12/2    No-spend day 

12/3    No spend day  Made that awesome, no-spend, handcrafted Christmas wreath you can see on post #29.

12/4  Groceries $92  Stuck to the lists!!   I just didn't make the very best lists.  

12/5  Groceries $34.  That's $126/ $156 for the week ending Friday.

12/6   Online Christmas shopping.  I get a Dancing Banana today, but I don't know how I'm going to stick the Christmas budget dh and I agreed on.  

12/7   Had about $30 in this week's food budget left to keep on target for the month, spent $29.34!!  Dinner at DQ tonight instead of tomorrow $16.

12/8     It had to happen sooner or later.  Groceries $89.  Hot chocolate stop $4.  Including last night's DQ $16, that puts us at $108 out of $156 for the week that just started!

12/9  Christmas tree shopping.  Cost of trees doubled.  Ouch!

12/10    No spend today.  Made a big ol' pot of soupy beans, smoky with bacon.  Mmmmm.  And cheap!

12/11    Errand day/ Well-child appt./ Groceries  I am back in the groove!!  I packed lunches and snacks.  I deserved an extra Happy Veggie.

12/12    Work day.  No spend.

12/13      Another day deserving an armada of Dancing Veggies.  DH came home with the groceries, and we came in at $151/ 156 for the week!  Nearly midway through the month we are at $478/$800, which includes the Azure Standard order.  Made bread today.

12/14   No spend
 

12/15 & 12/16   Groceries & Christmas shopping.  Not entirely sure how to process this one.  I think I did OK.  But I did still spend a whole lot of money, so I am not feeling all that celebratory.  

12/17  No groceries.    Flowers for Mom& Dad's grave for wedding anniversary.   

12/18    Minor Christmas purchases.  Groceries and treats, $25.  I could have given myself an "oops" for the treats, but it was minor, and another reminder to let dh do the shopping!

12/19    No spend.  Staying home.

12/20    No spend.

12/21    $76 groceries.  That leaves $56 left for 10 days to make $800 for the month.  I don't think there will be any big days, but I thought this day would be less, too.  So, I'm not that optimistic.  

12/22  No-spend.  

12/23  No spend

12/24    Last minute Christmas shopping.  A handful of groceries for our whirlwind trip to Seattle and back for dinner and festivities with dh's family. 

12/25     No spend.  This is kind of cheating, because nothing is open, practically, but I'm taking it anyway!  HA!

12/26    Stayed home.  No spend.

12/27    Spent well today, but this month is feeling a bit overwhelming. Well over my goal for food in December, but I was very frugal today.  

12/28    No spend.  Stayed home.  That's because DH has no work until next Wednesday.  The "down season" has truly begun.  It feels like a vacation at first, so for now, it's nice.

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

12/29  Can December be over yet?  I see everyone is posting already in the January thread, this month is that bad!  Man, ZooLights is such a racket!  $34????  And parking downtown to see the Hobbit at my favorite movie theater is at $10 for 4 hours.  Throw in a couple of donuts and a newspaper because I got there way too early.  Good snacks for the girls, and a final stop at Dairy Queen.  I hate DQ's sandwiches, but the girls love their fries.  I wasn't even that hungry.

Unfortunately for me, January is not going to be great, either.

12/30   Staying home.  No spend.

12/31   Staying home.  No spend.

Well, that month is done.  Managed 14 No spend days even though I was just trying for frugal spending.  Grocery goal was $800, but I did manage to squeak by under $900.  

So SAYONARA DECEMBER!!  I will not miss you one bit. 

[SweetSilver]

See you ladies in January!

[FillingMyQuiver]

Ugh, we're slipping these last few days, but I'm staying accountable and posting it here.

Key

  No Spend/ Budgeted Spending

  Un-budgeted/ Unnecessary Spending

  Crafted for at least 30 minutes

1.  Unbudgeted lunch out, budgeted grocery shopping.

2.      Didn't go anywhere.  DH fixed a faulty outlet in the kitchen, then we put together our free bed frame.  This is how we need to spend our weekends, getting household projects done, NOT shopping.

3.      Bought the very last thing on the Christmas gift list (I've been watching zuliliy for it for weeks now), but it was budgeted.  There shouldn't be anymore spending happening today, hopefully raking and garden bed upkeep will get done instead.

4.      Budgeted spending today, but I feel   DS2 has a virus that ended us up in the dr's office (rash & fever), had to get him an Rx for some steroid cream for his flaring eczema, stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some quick things for dinner (thankfully there's money in the food budget).

5.      Stayed home, stayed away from online shopping, got a gnome for DD3 knit, will be working on more crafting after the rugrats go to bed.

6.      Stayed home again, no spending.  Lots of crafting for the holidays happening.

7.      REALLY wanted to get fast food for dinner but DH and I decided he'd make a quick run to the store instead.  $$ for groceries is in the budget, fast food isn't (especially when it's almost $40 for our family at McDs).  Made cookies with the kids for a cookie exchange I'm going to tomorrow.

8.      Cookie exchange and holiday crafting.  No spending.

9.      3 sick kids , $30 ordered pizza for dinner, totally unbudgeted.

10.   Budgeted spending, placed my seed order for 2013's growing season.  Rest of the day I carried around a sick toddler. so NO crafting was done.

11.    Unbudgeted spending.  DS2's allergist appointment involved skin testing, we bribed him with a toy from WM ($24).  No plan for dinner, DH stopped at the store and picked up our first try at wheat free pasta and sauce ($13).

12.   No crafting today, 8yo DS1, 4yo DD2, and DH all are sick.

13.   $35 at supermarket.  Tried our first gluten free bread, wasn't too bad.  It'll do great in a pinch for times I don't have time to bake.

14.   Dr copay, DH had a consult for some "minor surgery".

15.   Overspent on the grocery budget by about $50.  Still nursing sick kids and now I'm sick.  No crafting.

16.   Picked up our Christmas tree.  All of us are still sick

17.   Still sick, decorated the tree today.

18.     Most of us are still sick, but I did get to work on some knitting.  I need to work a little faster as I only have a few days left   At least ebing sick is keeping us home and not spending, silver lining and all, right?

19.  

20.  

21.   DH's "minor surgery".  Pain meds were bought.

22.     Spent $26 at grocery store for cereal, gluten free alternative flours, and some soy-free chocolate chips.  I NEVER knew our little grocery store around the corner had such a large selection of GF flours!!  Their selection's even bigger than the larger chain store we usually shop at!!

23.     $70 spent at Whole Foods (some of which wasn't needed, which is why I'm not giving myself the No Spend).

24.   Christmas Eve at my parents'.  Finished up DD3's felted gnomes when we got home at 12:30 at night.

25.   MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

26.   $70 spent at grocery store, $40 at Five Guys for burgers and fries.

27.

28.

29.   Overspent by about $100 at Home Depot for shelving for the kids' rooms.  $56 spent at WalMart.

30.   Had a raging migraine last night so I didn't get our gluten-free bread made that we needed for lunch.  DH is out at the store right now buying some.  I'm sure this "quick" grocery trip is going to run us another $70.

21/20 No Spend Days   Goal Made!!!

16/20 Crafting Days

[bmcneal]

12/26-  Didn't spend *any* (There was an "emergency only" travel warning, and car was blocked in garage by 3 foot snow drifts, so not too hard.)

12/27- Not so good. I bought some groceries, a lot of marked down/discount food. We didn't make a budget for this month, so I don't feel terrible, but... still spending money. 

12/28- Another not good day. DF had an urgent care/emergency dentist appointment, so had to get medication for that (not budgeted), as well as some food that he could eat, and we bought lunch out.

12/29- Stayed home most of the day. Spent $9 on groceries. So not terrible bad, but still spending.

12/30- Staying home, cleaning, no spend day! 

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

The actual holiday week has been a nice relief for my budget...since we did a bunch of outdoorsy stuff with family that was already paid for.  And there was no shopping or buying.

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom 

My goal for the month = 15 no-spend days 

My progress so far = 18 days 

01..  $166 ski stuff

02.. 

03..  $8.50 bagels

04.. 

05.. 

06..  $215 Christmas

07.. 

08..  $35 eating out

09.. 

10..  $50 more Christmas

11.. 

12..  

13.. 

14..  $20 more eating out 

15..  $7 hot cocoa + flowers

16.. 

17.. 

18..  $100 Christmas stuff

19.. 

20..  $23 Broken snow globes and breakfast

21..  $35  Alcohol for party

22.. 

23..  $35 ski

24..    (spent tons on groceries, but it was budgeted)

25.. 

26..   sledding = free

27..   huge snowstorm = shovelling = free

28.. 

29.. 

30..  $15 skiing

31..