~ March No-Spend Challenge ~ Budgeting our way to a pot of gold! - Page 10

[honeybee80]

3/1: no spend 

3/2: budgeted spending  $8 coffee & tylenol

3/3: budgeted spending  $30 subscription to Taproot magazine

3/4: budgeted spending  $13 Whole Foods dinner, $47 groceries, $32 gas

3/5: no spend 

3/6: no spend 

3/7: eeeeek!  String Cheese Horning's ticket $325 (on the CC, no less)

3/8: budgeted spending  $24 groceries, $8 champagne, $8 tip for dinner

3/9: budgeted spending  $11 groceries

3/10: budgeted spending  $43 groceries

3/11: no spend  got my tax refund checks in the mail today!! :)

3/12: no spend 

3/13: no spend 

3/14: no spend 

3/15: budgeted spending  $53 groceries, $40 gas, $39 sandals for DD (saltwaters--so stoked! ;)) +  unplanned spending $100 for deposit for Waldorf charter school my kids got into next year! (woohoo!)

3/16: no spend 

3/17: budgeted spending  $40 groceries, $4 postage, $4 milkshakes for kids

3/18: no spend 

3/19: no spend 

3/20: no spend 

3/21: no spend 

3/22: budgeted spending  $38 rain jacket, $26 smartwool socks for kids, $26 pants for DS

3/23: no spend 

3/24: unplanned spending   $230 Hanna Andersson

3/25: no spend 

3/26: unplanned spending  $272 mediation with ex (grrrrrrr), $57 bronze elf ears (ummmm, need them for costuming--they are super awesome and I'll wear them for Halloween too ;))

[SweetSilver]

March 27

  Emergency toilet paper and gas spoiled my no-spend (I don't always count gas against my no-spends-- I need it when I need it-- but the gas and TP together was impossible to ignore.  Plus I bought the TP at the gas station, so probably paid natural-disaster-worthy prices!)

 = Lost my mojo

= Oh, crap.  Unexpected.  Unavoidable.  Huge.

= Minor damage

  = No spend

            = Doin' just fine

 = planned but painful

Grocery target (4 weeks)= $740

Spent= $813 

[Ruthiegirl]

Who is avoiding this thread because she has been spending like madwoman?    Yep, that would be me.  

I spent the day on Tuesday cleaning and purging the attic.  It is completely packed now and ready for the move.  Of course, all of that hard work warranted a hot lunch at our local burger place. Yesterday, was all about the basement and then we went out for ice cream.  I see a pattern here.  Apparently, I work hard and then reward myself with good food.  

  No spend/Budgeted spend

   Unbudgeted Spend

Save 30% of paycheck -- done!

Groceries -- 292.61/300

Gas -- 60/60 for van, 0/45 for car

March 1 --   groceries, gas, bills, and socks

March 2 --   

March 3 -- 

March 4 --   heating bill

March 5 --  ice cream for kids

March 6 --   groceries

March 7 --  more snacks

March 8 --   more groceries

March 9 -- 

March 10 --       breakfast out

March 11 -- 

March 12 -- 

March 13 -- 

March 14 -- 

 

Save 20% of paycheck -- done!

Groceries -- 171.60/200

Gas -- 63.70/60 for van, 37.38/45 for car

March 15 --  dinner to celebrate selling our house

March 16 -- 

March 17 --  cat carriers for our move

March 18 -- 

March 19 -- 

March 20 --  dentist co-pay

March 21 --  few groceries

March 22 --  bathing suits, goggles, and pants and  ice cream

March 23 --   moving expenses, bridge toll, food

March 24 --   

March 25 -- 

March 26 --   lunch

March 27 --  ice cream

March 28 -- 

March 29 -- pay day

[honeybee80]

3/1: no spend 

3/2: budgeted spending  $8 coffee & tylenol

3/3: budgeted spending  $30 subscription to Taproot magazine

3/4: budgeted spending  $13 Whole Foods dinner, $47 groceries, $32 gas

3/5: no spend 

3/6: no spend 

3/7: eeeeek!  String Cheese Horning's ticket $325 (on the CC, no less)

3/8: budgeted spending  $24 groceries, $8 champagne, $8 tip for dinner

3/9: budgeted spending  $11 groceries

3/10: budgeted spending  $43 groceries

3/11: no spend  got my tax refund checks in the mail today!! :)

3/12: no spend 

3/13: no spend 

3/14: no spend 

3/15: budgeted spending  $53 groceries, $40 gas, $39 sandals for DD (saltwaters--so stoked! ;)) +  unplanned spending $100 for deposit for Waldorf charter school my kids got into next year! (woohoo!)

3/16: no spend 

3/17: budgeted spending  $40 groceries, $4 postage, $4 milkshakes for kids

3/18: no spend 

3/19: no spend 

3/20: no spend 

3/21: no spend 

3/22: budgeted spending  $38 rain jacket, $26 smartwool socks for kids, $26 pants for DS

3/23: no spend 

3/24: unplanned spending   $230 Hanna Andersson

3/25: no spend 

3/26: unplanned spending  $272 mediation with ex (grrrrrrr), $57 bronze elf ears (ummmm, need them for costuming--they are super awesome and I'll wear them for Halloween too ;))

3/27: no spend 

I need to make sure I pull it together and stay away from online shopping!  Normally if I would have had a string of spending like the last week, I would have just not come here and accounted for it, but I'm making progress by admitting the spending and not giving up for the rest of the month like I would have in the past.  No more unnecessary spending for the rest of the month!

[SweetSilver]

March 28

 I thought I did really well today, but it still added up to over $200 for the week!  Well, that wraps up a not-so-hot-but-not-so-bad month for groceries.  A look at the next Visa bill will give us a better total picture for how our spending went.  But not one single Dancin' Veggie in 4 weeks!  Not even as a "well-almost" consolation prize.  Ah, well....... actually the week is not over yet, but we are staying out of the stores, and hopefully I will get some last-minute No-spends.

I did manage to find some herb starts today that I was looking for.  I was holding out for one particular variety of thyme that does really well here.

 = Lost my mojo

= Oh, crap.  Unexpected.  Unavoidable.  Huge.

= Minor damage

  = No spend

            = Doin' just fine

 = planned but painful

Grocery target (4 weeks)= $740

Spent= $909 

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key

  No Spend/ Budgeted Spending

  Unbudgeted/ Unnecessary Spending

  Did Something Frugal

1.    $28 at McD's for lunch decluttered maternity clothes and baby clothes, passed along to DH's pregnant cousin

2.    winter sowed 2 containers of echinacea seeds, ILs visited overnight and treated our family to dinner

3.      planted 52 onion sets in the garden, ate leftovers for lunch and dinner

4.      all meals had at home, finished off the leftovers for lunch

5.    baked bread in prep for snow storm coming, but I didn't get the stew and additional bread done.  Planted rainbow chard seeds in garden.

6.      Snow storm, lost power, cooked stew, rice, and bread on grill.  Kept warm using the woodstove.

7.    No power, hubby went to store for breakfast cereal.  Ran generator for fridges & freezer.  Picked up more oil lamps and an extra gas can at WalMart & spent $75 on wood for woodstove.

8.        Still no power, DD4 had a well baby visit, my mom watched the rest of the kids & washed the cloth dipes for me at her house.  Spent $75 @ Target for additional drying racks, oil for generator, ash can for the woodstove, mini- LED flashlights for the kids, and new toilet brushes.  Heated w/ woodstove.

9.      Day 4 no power, hubby went to grocery store for hamburgers & hot dogs, my mom took my donations to the thrift store for me, acquired a set of fireplace gloves & fireplace tongs from my parents they no longer use, but proved quite handy for us.

10.     Power was restored this morning!!!  Winter sowed sprouted tomato seeds.  Ended up ordering pizza for dinner.

11.     4 kids had dentist appts, all were cavity free   Had our American Heritage Girls Joining Ceremony, made gluten-free rice krispie treats, was given all of the leftover potato chips at the end of the night.

12.     DH forgot his wallet at home & needed gas for his car.  Had to drive an hour (one way) to his office, kids and I had an unbudgeted McD lunch w/ him.  Prepped 2 loaves of bread to bake in the morning.

13.

14.     winter sowed 4 jugs today, chamomile, thyme, sage, and parsley

15.     hung 2 loads of laundry to dry, planted shelling peas, snow peas, and more onions.

16.     overspent on grocery grocery budget, $9 on Starbucks coffee.  Hung 1 load of laundry to dry.

17.     budgeted spend on felt for DS1's birthday gift (a Cub Scout brag vest).  Hung 1 load of laundry

18.     budgeted spend on knitting patterns for DD3's birthday gifts.  Hung 1 load of laundry.

19.     DH bought my birthday present and surprisingly, stayed in budget.  Hung 1 load of laundry.

20.   My birthday   My kids gave me loads of homemade birthday cards all day long, DH bought me a pair of much needed sneakers, and we ordered delivery pizza for dinner followed by ice cream for the kiddos.  Also bought strawberry plants, and birthday presents for DS1 and my little brother, all budgeted.

21.     Not going anywhere today.  Budgeted spend on race registration for my first 5K in June, will be running it w/ DH .  Hung 1 load of laundry and baked 2 loaves of bread.

22.     Didn't go anywhere so we didn't spend anything.  Had the kids help me make seed tape for carrots, radishes, and parsnips.

23.     Had a Cub Scout hot dog fundraiser, spent quite a bit on hot dogs for my kids, more than we wanted to because the family that had the shift after us were over an hour late and my kids were getting hungry.  At least it went towards our Cub Scout Pack costs   Hung 1 load of laundry

24.     Planted some of the seed tape we made the other day.  Got it in just before the rain and snow started, so I didn't need to water in the seeds

25.     Hung laundry, stayed home due to the snow.

26.     Ordered dinner out, $41.  Hung 2 loads of laundry.

27.

28.

Goal for March  20/20 No Spend Days

[honeybee80]

3/1: no spend 

3/2: budgeted spending  $8 coffee & tylenol

3/3: budgeted spending  $30 subscription to Taproot magazine

3/4: budgeted spending  $13 Whole Foods dinner, $47 groceries, $32 gas

3/5: no spend 

3/6: no spend 

3/7: eeeeek!  String Cheese Horning's ticket $325 (on the CC, no less)

3/8: budgeted spending  $24 groceries, $8 champagne, $8 tip for dinner

3/9: budgeted spending  $11 groceries

3/10: budgeted spending  $43 groceries

3/11: no spend  got my tax refund checks in the mail today!! :)

3/12: no spend 

3/13: no spend 

3/14: no spend 

3/15: budgeted spending  $53 groceries, $40 gas, $39 sandals for DD (saltwaters--so stoked! ;)) +  unplanned spending $100 for deposit for Waldorf charter school my kids got into next year! (woohoo!)

3/16: no spend 

3/17: budgeted spending  $40 groceries, $4 postage, $4 milkshakes for kids

3/18: no spend 

3/19: no spend 

3/20: no spend 

3/21: no spend 

3/22: budgeted spending  $38 rain jacket, $26 smartwool socks for kids, $26 pants for DS

3/23: no spend 

3/24: unplanned spending   $230 Hanna Andersson

3/25: no spend 

3/26: unplanned spending  $272 mediation with ex (grrrrrrr), $57 bronze elf ears (ummmm, need them for costuming--they are super awesome and I'll wear them for Halloween too ;))

3/27: no spend 

3/28: budgeted spending  $20 medicine

[MaryElizabeth]

Originally Posted by MaryElizabeth 

23- $30 fabric for my sister's baby gift

24- $85 -- Insanity DVDs (It's better than $70 a month gym membership, right?)

25 - no spending!

26-  $90 -- Train set -- total splurge, but the kids are loving it. Will remember this come birthday gift time :)

       $215 -- printing of family photos

27-  $15-- fast food   $30-- Walmart

28-- no spending!

*** I have NOT done well!! I am starting to loathe internet shopping. It gets me every. single. time.

[SweetSilver]

March 29

 Finally.  Looking forward to 2 more to finish out the month?

 = Lost my mojo

= Oh, crap.  Unexpected.  Unavoidable.  Huge.

= Minor damage

  = No spend

            = Doin' just fine

 = planned but painful

Grocery target (4 weeks)= $740

Spent= $909 

[honeybee80]

3/1: no spend 

3/2: budgeted spending  $8 coffee & tylenol

3/3: budgeted spending  $30 subscription to Taproot magazine

3/4: budgeted spending  $13 Whole Foods dinner, $47 groceries, $32 gas

3/5: no spend 

3/6: no spend 

3/7: eeeeek!  String Cheese Horning's ticket $325 (on the CC, no less)

3/8: budgeted spending  $24 groceries, $8 champagne, $8 tip for dinner

3/9: budgeted spending  $11 groceries

3/10: budgeted spending  $43 groceries

3/11: no spend  got my tax refund checks in the mail today!! :)

3/12: no spend 

3/13: no spend 

3/14: no spend 

3/15: budgeted spending  $53 groceries, $40 gas, $39 sandals for DD (saltwaters--so stoked! ;)) +  unplanned spending $100 for deposit for Waldorf charter school my kids got into next year! (woohoo!)

3/16: no spend 

3/17: budgeted spending  $40 groceries, $4 postage, $4 milkshakes for kids

3/18: no spend 

3/19: no spend 

3/20: no spend 

3/21: no spend 

3/22: budgeted spending  $38 rain jacket, $26 smartwool socks for kids, $26 pants for DS

3/23: no spend 

3/24: unplanned spending   $230 Hanna Andersson

3/25: no spend 

3/26: unplanned spending  $272 mediation with ex (grrrrrrr), $57 bronze elf ears (ummmm, need them for costuming--they are super awesome and I'll wear them for Halloween too ;))

3/27: no spend 

3/28: budgeted spending  $20 medicine

3/29: unplanned spending  $55 Keens for DS

Jeez...I am not doing great with all the unplanned spending!  DS definitely needed new sandals for summer though.  I should have combined all of my spending into one day, though, and then I'd have way more jumpy smiley guys ;)  Tomorrow I'm going to Costco, so that will be planned spending and then Sunday should be no spend.  April will be better!! 

[SweetSilver]

March 30

 One more of these dudes.

 Actually 2 more because we are staying home tomorrow, and I want to see it today.

Yesterday was lovely and balmy and I really really need some sandals!  I need to be extremely careful now because the work is picking up, utilities are going down, birthdays (except mine) are finished, etc., and I start feeling Spendy.   I've had good practice on this thread keeping spending reasonable, now let's see if I can apply what I've learned to the months when we make far more than we need at the moment!

FINAL TALLY:

 = Lost my mojo

= Oh, crap.  Unexpected.  Unavoidable.  Huge.

= Minor damage

  = No spend

            = Doin' just fine

 = planned but painful

Grocery target (4 weeks)= $740

Spent= $909 

Ciao, ladies!   See you next month!

[honeybee80]

3/1: no spend 

3/2: budgeted spending  $8 coffee & tylenol

3/3: budgeted spending  $30 subscription to Taproot magazine

3/4: budgeted spending  $13 Whole Foods dinner, $47 groceries, $32 gas

3/5: no spend 

3/6: no spend 

3/7: eeeeek!  String Cheese Horning's ticket $325 (on the CC, no less)

3/8: budgeted spending  $24 groceries, $8 champagne, $8 tip for dinner

3/9: budgeted spending  $11 groceries

3/10: budgeted spending  $43 groceries

3/11: no spend  got my tax refund checks in the mail today!! :)

3/12: no spend 

3/13: no spend 

3/14: no spend 

3/15: budgeted spending  $53 groceries, $40 gas, $39 sandals for DD (saltwaters--so stoked! ;)) +  unplanned spending $100 for deposit for Waldorf charter school my kids got into next year! (woohoo!)

3/16: no spend 

3/17: budgeted spending  $40 groceries, $4 postage, $4 milkshakes for kids

3/18: no spend 

3/19: no spend 

3/20: no spend 

3/21: no spend 

3/22: budgeted spending  $38 rain jacket, $26 smartwool socks for kids, $26 pants for DS

3/23: no spend 

3/24: unplanned spending   $230 Hanna Andersson

3/25: no spend 

3/26: unplanned spending  $272 mediation with ex (grrrrrrr), $57 bronze elf ears (ummmm, need them for costuming--they are super awesome and I'll wear them for Halloween too ;))

3/27: no spend 

3/28: budgeted spending  $20 medicine

3/29: unplanned spending  $55 Keens for DS

3/30: budgeted spending  $107 Costco

Today's spending is actually out of April's budget.  I would have stayed under $100 had I not NEEDED the gluten-free vegan 3 lb tub of chocolate chip cookie dough ;)  My biggest accomplishment this month is being honest here about all of my unbudgeted spending and holding myself accountable until the end of the month.  In the past when I've gone a little spend crazy, I've nonchalantly dropped out of the thread, but I stuck with it this time.  Go me! :)  Next month's goal is to really stick to my budget...all of those purchases I made this month now mean that there's no other big things that we NEED to have in April.

[Ruthiegirl]

  No spend/Budgeted spend

   Unbudgeted Spend

Save 30% of paycheck -- done!

Groceries -- 292.61/300

Gas -- 60/60 for van, 0/45 for car

March 1 --   groceries, gas, bills, and socks

March 2 --   

March 3 -- 

March 4 --   heating bill

March 5 --  ice cream for kids

March 6 --   groceries

March 7 --  more snacks

March 8 --   more groceries

March 9 -- 

March 10 --       breakfast out

March 11 -- 

March 12 -- 

March 13 -- 

March 14 -- 

 

Save 20% of paycheck -- done!

Groceries -- 171.60/200

Gas -- 63.70/60 for van, 37.38/45 for car

March 15 --  dinner to celebrate selling our house

March 16 -- 

March 17 --  cat carriers for our move

March 18 -- 

March 19 -- 

March 20 --  dentist co-pay

March 21 --  few groceries

March 22 --  bathing suits, goggles, and pants and  ice cream

March 23 --   moving expenses, bridge toll, food

March 24 --   

March 25 -- 

March 26 --   lunch

March 27 --  ice cream

March 28 -- 

March 29 -- 

March 30 -- 

March 31 -- 

[honeybee80]

3/1: no spend 

3/2: budgeted spending  $8 coffee & tylenol

3/3: budgeted spending  $30 subscription to Taproot magazine

3/4: budgeted spending  $13 Whole Foods dinner, $47 groceries, $32 gas

3/5: no spend 

3/6: no spend 

3/7: eeeeek!  String Cheese Horning's ticket $325 (on the CC, no less)

3/8: budgeted spending  $24 groceries, $8 champagne, $8 tip for dinner

3/9: budgeted spending  $11 groceries

3/10: budgeted spending  $43 groceries

3/11: no spend  got my tax refund checks in the mail today!! :)

3/12: no spend 

3/13: no spend 

3/14: no spend 

3/15: budgeted spending  $53 groceries, $40 gas, $39 sandals for DD (saltwaters--so stoked! ;)) +  unplanned spending $100 for deposit for Waldorf charter school my kids got into next year! (woohoo!)

3/16: no spend 

3/17: budgeted spending  $40 groceries, $4 postage, $4 milkshakes for kids

3/18: no spend 

3/19: no spend 

3/20: no spend 

3/21: no spend 

3/22: budgeted spending  $38 rain jacket, $26 smartwool socks for kids, $26 pants for DS

3/23: no spend 

3/24: unplanned spending   $230 Hanna Andersson

3/25: no spend 

3/26: unplanned spending  $272 mediation with ex (grrrrrrr), $57 bronze elf ears (ummmm, need them for costuming--they are super awesome and I'll wear them for Halloween too ;))

3/27: no spend 

3/28: budgeted spending  $20 medicine

3/29: unplanned spending  $55 Keens for DS

3/30: budgeted spending  $107 Costco

3/31: no spend 

16 no spend days--not bad!  Shooting for more next month.  Overall, March was pretty good until the end.  April will be better!

[FillingMyQuiver]

Key

  No Spend/ Budgeted Spending

  Unbudgeted/ Unnecessary Spending

  Did Something Frugal

1.    $28 at McD's for lunch decluttered maternity clothes and baby clothes, passed along to DH's pregnant cousin

2.    winter sowed 2 containers of echinacea seeds, ILs visited overnight and treated our family to dinner

3.      planted 52 onion sets in the garden, ate leftovers for lunch and dinner

4.      all meals had at home, finished off the leftovers for lunch

5.    baked bread in prep for snow storm coming, but I didn't get the stew and additional bread done.  Planted rainbow chard seeds in garden.

6.      Snow storm, lost power, cooked stew, rice, and bread on grill.  Kept warm using the woodstove.

7.    No power, hubby went to store for breakfast cereal.  Ran generator for fridges & freezer.  Picked up more oil lamps and an extra gas can at WalMart & spent $75 on wood for woodstove.

8.        Still no power, DD4 had a well baby visit, my mom watched the rest of the kids & washed the cloth dipes for me at her house.  Spent $75 @ Target for additional drying racks, oil for generator, ash can for the woodstove, mini- LED flashlights for the kids, and new toilet brushes.  Heated w/ woodstove.

9.      Day 4 no power, hubby went to grocery store for hamburgers & hot dogs, my mom took my donations to the thrift store for me, acquired a set of fireplace gloves & fireplace tongs from my parents they no longer use, but proved quite handy for us.

10.     Power was restored this morning!!!  Winter sowed sprouted tomato seeds.  Ended up ordering pizza for dinner.

11.     4 kids had dentist appts, all were cavity free   Had our American Heritage Girls Joining Ceremony, made gluten-free rice krispie treats, was given all of the leftover potato chips at the end of the night.

12.     DH forgot his wallet at home & needed gas for his car.  Had to drive an hour (one way) to his office, kids and I had an unbudgeted McD lunch w/ him.  Prepped 2 loaves of bread to bake in the morning.

13.

14.     winter sowed 4 jugs today, chamomile, thyme, sage, and parsley

15.     hung 2 loads of laundry to dry, planted shelling peas, snow peas, and more onions.

16.     overspent on grocery grocery budget, $9 on Starbucks coffee.  Hung 1 load of laundry to dry.

17.     budgeted spend on felt for DS1's birthday gift (a Cub Scout brag vest).  Hung 1 load of laundry

18.     budgeted spend on knitting patterns for DD3's birthday gifts.  Hung 1 load of laundry.

19.     DH bought my birthday present and surprisingly, stayed in budget.  Hung 1 load of laundry.

20.   My birthday   My kids gave me loads of homemade birthday cards all day long, DH bought me a pair of much needed sneakers, and we ordered delivery pizza for dinner followed by ice cream for the kiddos.  Also bought strawberry plants, and birthday presents for DS1 and my little brother, all budgeted.

21.     Not going anywhere today.  Budgeted spend on race registration for my first 5K in June, will be running it w/ DH .  Hung 1 load of laundry and baked 2 loaves of bread.

22.     Didn't go anywhere so we didn't spend anything.  Had the kids help me make seed tape for carrots, radishes, and parsnips.

23.     Had a Cub Scout hot dog fundraiser, spent quite a bit on hot dogs for my kids, more than we wanted to because the family that had the shift after us were over an hour late and my kids were getting hungry.  At least it went towards our Cub Scout Pack costs   Hung 1 load of laundry

24.     Planted some of the seed tape we made the other day.  Got it in just before the rain and snow started, so I didn't need to water in the seeds

25.     Hung laundry, stayed home due to the snow.

26.     Ordered dinner out, $41.  Hung 2 loads of laundry.

27.

28.

29.     Hung 1 load of laundry

30.   Camping gear bought at Gander Mt.

31.   Picked up 2 pies and rice krispies to make treats for Easter dinner, wasn't budgeted, didn't plan well, could have made a dessert at home to bring with us.

Goal for March  22/20 No Spend Days