No Spend Sept

[Kleine Hexe]

I don't see a September thread so I'll start one. I need to catch up because I fell behind in July and August with spending. So new month new start! It doesn't help that we're getting house guests this 3 day weekend. : House guests we didn't invite.

Let the no spending begin.

[kathirynne]

I'm in...

With all the financial hits I've been taking as of late, : I am certain that the universe is conspiring to get me back on the frugal wagon.

[M&Mmama]

I'm in.

I'm really wanting to just get the things that I want these days, so I need a reason to NOT go to get them.

Our income is not very predictable these days, so I really need to be careful because we always pay off our credit card in full but if I really blow it in terms of spending, I'll have to dip into our savings to cover it and that's not a good use of savings (to cover my excessive spending).

Ok, so do I buy the vitamins for the kids on-line (cheaper than Whole Foods) so is that spending . . . Help, the chaos is starting!

[Star]

Oooh, this is interesting. What exactly are the "rules" of a no spend month, since we obviously have to spend money on groceries, etc.?

[Hibou]

:

[tessamami]

My rules

I only spend on things I absolutely need, not just would like. Try to make do with something else, if it means not spending. I have to give myself a tiny bit of breathing room, so I don't feel suffocated. Like not give myself a hard time for the one day I don't have time to bring my lunch to work.
School supplies are almost all bought, so I will need a couple of things. Other than that though, I can wait for October to buy any Fall / Winter things that we need.
Groceries are OK, obviously also anything that will be used this month, and not bought and put away. If it can wait to be used, it can wait to be bought.

[soladeo]

Sounds like a plan. My son needs shoes- and he got some b-day money that can go toward that, but I can't think of anything short of groceries that we need. We're taking a hit with all my medical bills, and we may be moving by Nov.

[Star]

I'm excited to do this. I start school in a few days and I think that'll help since I'll only be able to actually go to stores on weekends. I do plan on buying clothes for school either this weekend or next, but it's definitely a *need* since I have hardly any (I donated most of my clothes this summer and *nothing* for this cooler weather fits), but I will go to the Salvation Army first before the other retail stores.

[HappyNewMama]

Originally Posted by tessamami

If it can wait to be used, it can wait to be bought.

I think I have a new help-me-save mantra! Thanks!!

[Synchro246]

Alright I'm in for this month. Kline- ready to be my personal support?

[Kleine Hexe]

Unfortunately, with the house guests we spent money that we normally would not have. Sigh. Well, they are gone now and we have NO money to spend even if I wanted to. I really wanted to send extra money to the cc.

Shake it off. Fresh start.

[leomom]

Originally Posted by tessamami

. If it can wait to be used, it can wait to be bought.

Wow! This really struck a chord with me. This will be my mantra for the month.
In fact, I just wrote it on post-its and stuck it to my check card and credit card to serve as a reminder whenever I go to use them!

This is going to be a tough month to be spend free....we are going out of town 2 weekends this month and dd's birthday is another. But I've bought everything we need for the party already and even have some stuff I need to return! I have some gift cards to a few places and I'm really going to try to only buy groceries and use the gift cards if I go into spending withdrawal. At least that's better than the usual.

The truth is, I've subbed to these threads several times and have never made it past the first day or two. But we are slowly sinking into debt even though we haven't had debt for a while. And we are B-R-O-K-E. I have just refused to face it lately. So I'm fessing up to my lack of follow-through in an attempt to guilt myself into being more faithful this time.

I'm pregnant, so I am allowing myself a little leeway on food since morning sickness seems to be sticking around for good.: But, I am going to really try to cut down on the excessive food costs. I spent a good part of today cooking and will do the same tomorrow so I'll have some easy, healthy things to eat when hunger/nasuea strikes.

Thanks for inspiring me, Mamas!

[emilys_mom1]

I'll give it a try. The only thing that I'm looking forward to this month, is buying the starters for my veggie garden. They should be at the nursery this week. Other than the usually groceries and bills, I'm in.

We are going to have to really support each other. I'll do my best to get DH to take his lunch and not eat out on the weekends. This will be really hard.

[Scarlet's Mom]

I'm in

I give myself an allowance each month, but i often overspend. Times are tough right now and I really need to stick to my budget. That's my personal goal. I will need support...

[leomom]

Ok, one day at a time. This is a holiday and typically a day when we would eat out. My goal is to not eat out today. I'm sure that seems like a simple goal, but it has become a habit for us to eat out on weekends and holidays. It will be a hard one to break. To motivate me, I'm about to start my spreadsheet and add up my 3! eating out receipts from this weekend alone!: Too bad I didn't find this Thursday!

[leomom]

I made it!: Small victories, right?

Ok, so Weds. are our date night....my sis watches dd for free, but what can we do on date night without spending money? I was thinking a picnic and the library...any other ideas?

[Synchro246]

Should I cancel my cell phone?

I am out of contract so I can cancel without penalty.
The phone is over two years old and starting to act up.
I have a home phone.
The cell costs $52.00 a month if I don't go over on my minutes. (I have gone over twice in the last year and it's REALLY expensive when I do- one of the times was the bill I am paying right now)

I was thinking of getting a cheepie prepaid cell just to keep in the car for emergencies ONLY.

What do you think?????

[Synchro246]

Originally Posted by leomom

I made it!: Small victories, right?

Ok, so Weds. are our date night....my sis watches dd for free, but what can we do on date night without spending money? I was thinking a picnic and the library...any other ideas?

I think that sounds great. I like walks or bike rides in the park too. Maybe there is a park you haven't been to in your area. . .

[leomom]

Originally Posted by Synchro246

I am out of contract so I can cancel without penalty.
The phone is over two years old and starting to act up.
I have a home phone.
The cell costs $52.00 a month if I don't go over on my minutes. (I have gone over twice in the last year and it's REALLY expensive when I do- one of the times was the bill I am paying right now)

I was thinking of getting a cheepie prepaid cell just to keep in the car for emergencies ONLY.

What do you think?????

Well, I personally think you could get a better deal than the pre-paid. We use our cel phone for all long distance. You should be able to get a new free phone from your old company and be able to get a better plan...if not, I'd check out another company. We use tmobile and for about 40 a month, dh and I got free phones and we share more minutes than we'd ever use...

FYI, it helps if you and your friends/family use the same carrier...my whole family uses tmobile and all our phone to phone calls are free.....



A visit to a new park sounds like a great idea! Thanks!

[Scarlet's Mom]

No impulse spending today

:

I only bought [I]groceries[I] at the coop. Didn't sneak in the fancy drink or the popcorn. I am also doing a one-week no-sugar detox. VERY HARD FOR ME. This is day 2. So far so good. Any other successes out there to celebrate?