Please Join us...No Spending in May...a support group - Page 5

[scrapadoozer]

I am giving myself a for yesterday even though others may not. Everything I bought was a need except the $1 ball for dd that I promised last week I would buy her. It was hard, though. I was hyper-aware of just how much I think I need that I really don't. I don't how many purchases I tried to rationalize and then wrestled myself to put back. A real eye opener to be sure!

[*Lindsey*]

May 1:
May2:

[Ruthiegirl]

May 1
May 2


But now it is May 3rd and I want to spend some money. I am expanding the veggie garden and found wood to make some raised beds. Yea, free wood! But I need longer screws and a new drill bit (broke one this morning). I do have some nails, but this wood is so damn tough that I can't get a nail into it.

Tomorrow is pay day and I refill my cash envelopes then. I am going to exert extreme discipline and wait till tomorrow when I can pay cash for the screws and bit. Even though I really, really, really want to work on the garden today. Ah well, I am sure there are other chores that need to be done. Just not as fun.

[bwylde]

Well, yesterday I did my grocery shopping, which was less than $30. DH bought a pepper mill with pepper in it at the dollar store since ours is beyond use and we use a lot of pepper. Today I bought all the buns for DS's birthday party, which were only 79 cents a pack for the 12's at the bread store (they're $2.49 or more at the grocery stores). So other than groceries/needs, I think I've been doing pretty good

I'm getting the "I want to buy DS more birthday presents" jitters! I keep thinking we didn't get him enough, but I know what we got him is fine, not to mention all the gifts from family. I always get like this the day before his birthday, lol!!

[momaste]

I need to refill a my spice cabinet, which gets a LOT of use. Some of my regularly used spices are dwindling in supply. I'm thinking a Frontier co-op would be good for buying cheaper (since you can't really buy used spices!) but I'm hopeful not to go overboard on Frontier shopping. I'm also participating in the To-Go-ware co-op, since I've been drooling over them for months and would rather not send food in plastic for DH or DS. That won't be paid until the middle of the month, but still I'm not doing so well on this no spend, am I?!

[babymakes3]

So far so good for today. I may ride to town with my mom b/c I need some oatmeal (yuk!) but at least I know I won't spend any money on extras.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

May 1
May 2
May 3 $105 for diapers that I really don't need :

I don't fall off the wagon...I JUMP off.

Alright, I'm climbing back on.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Yes...that was ONE HUNDRED and five dollars.

Who ever said that cloth diapering saves money clearly hasn't visited my house.

[cupofjojo]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

Okay

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of May.

3. Please tell us your game plan -- what are your goals and how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?

I'm subbing and I'm in for May!

I am a SAHM of DS 3 1/2. We moved to CO nearly 4 years ago and our cost of living has gone up more than we'd like. Some due to location some due to being bored ! I have 7 siblings all in PA so the move to CO has been hard. I find myself buying some things for comfort instead of need.

I want to spend significantly less in May and do more outside with DS. I did this for 3 months last year and it was great. Anything I did need was either asked for on Freecycle or yard sales. I had enough money for 2 trips to PA to visit family.

While I'm doing this plan, I'm also in a mode of "pantry shopping" and trying to empty my pantry before buying anything other than fresh produce & dairy. My goal is twofold to lower spending and to lower "stuff" and extras that exist in my house already. I haven't really thought of a game plan but figure if I start by planning activities for DS & I like a park, hiking, etc. I'll be less tempted to decide to stop into a store. I've also posted what I could do with the savings on the fridge - 3 months of no spending would mean another trip somewhere or an extra mortgage payment, etc.

I'm also thinking about scheduling my day more so that I am not easily distracted.

[ALittleBitCrunchy]

For me today. I've made it past the point that I would have spent money (lunch) and it's Survivor night, plus researching homeschooling, so it will be money-free.

Woohoo!! It took 3 days, but I did it.

I won't even think about buying curriculum until June 1

[KariAnn]

Okay ladies, I got up this morning, took the hubby to work (in accordance with our "doing with one car" experiment), came home for a bit and then headed off to the grocery store where I proceeded to spend $186.10! That's alot of money! The good news is that I bought all food. In fact, very little of it is convenience food items. The bad news is that I spent so much. Now I just have to be certain that we eat it all and not let any of it go to waste.

I'm also extremely perturbed by the fact that I had to fill up our Ford Escape to the not-so-pleasant tune of $41.00. I'm definitely motivated to not spend any more money for today! In fact, I think I am going to postpone getting the cat's annual vaccines until next week (payday). I'll wait until the end of the day for my thumbs up, although I don't think I deserve it for my large grocery bill. The guilt. . .

[KariAnn]

ALittleBitCrunchy, I'm with you on the homeschooling curriculum. We have been researching it as well and now I know that I am going to wait until the 1st.

Prue, hop back on! The rest of the day and tomorrow will be better!

[E&Gmommy]

My dh is driving me bonkers : That man has a worse spending problem than me! He keeps saying, "We need a new vcr." or "Let me go pick ___ (<-insert un-needed item there) up." I sent him to go get laundery detergent so hopfully that will cure his need to buy something

[Scribe]

May 1
May 2
May 3 (so far)

So far, so good...

[babymakes3]

Woo Hoo! Just back from town and I only bought groceries! Yay!!

May 1
May 2
May 3

[1growingsprout]

Originally Posted by E&Gmommy

My dh is driving me bonkers : That man has a worse spending problem than me! He keeps saying, "We need a new vcr." or "Let me go pick ___ (<-insert un-needed item there) up." I sent him to go get laundery detergent so hopfully that will cure his need to buy something

Does he really need a new vcr? Savers has tons for under $10... Vcr's are becoming outdated and people are dontating them right and left around here....

[scrapadoozer]

May 1
May 2
May 3

Didn't leave the property today. That helps.

The real challenge will be this weekend when DH is home and wants to buy 101 things. Well, I can't tell him no so this no spending thing will have to be a personal challenge. That said, I will see what I can do reason with him.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

My no-spending is definitely a personal challenge.

DH still spends at will. He went out to lunch yesterday with one of his buddies...I'm not recording that because that is not my spending, KWIM?

I figure I can only change myself. But I'm the big spender in our family. DH is usually a very frugal guy.

[ColoradoMama]

I used to do a lot of grocery shopping at a Vitamin Cottage here in Denver. About a year ago - they screwed me royally (long story). I quit shopping there for month. Then I started going back, but I was so uncomfortable there that I would never go in and ask them to fix my bill when it was screwed up (which it is A LOT). Anyway, I had to get a few things there today (it's silly to NOT shop there since it is RIGHT behind the studio where my daughter takes dance lessons) and they overcharged me. I made myself go back in (a real PITA since I had three kiddos with me) and get my money back. It felt good though. Also, ds and I have a little ritual with our shopping trips there. He pushes his brother around in the cart (who laughs at his big brother the whole time - too cute), and then I let him get a snack and pick out one for his little sister. I usually get one, too, but it has been costing us around $10 each time! I didn't want to cut out his snack since he has so much fun picking it out, etc., but today I managed to direct him to snacks that were cheap (still healthy though!), and I only spent a whopping $.90 total for a snack for both of them! I figured my butt would thank me if I didn't get a snack that I didn't need! Woo hoo. I had to pay a co-pay for his acupuncture appointment, but that was a necessary expense, so I don't feel bad about it. I felt like it was a pretty good day. We ate healthy food that I had planned in advance, and we're not spending any money tonight.

[KariAnn]

I'm really thankful that my dh is completely on board with me. I don't think that I would be able to do it without him. Well, I could, but it would be much harder and not nearly as much fun!

So. . .

May 1 -
May 2 -
May 3 -

Even though I spent a whopping $225 today, it was on gas and groceries only. Hopefully, the groceries will last through Sunday of next week. I really need to find some frugal recipes.

ColoradoMama, I'm glad you feel good about today and hurray! to you for standing up for yourself! Why do they make so many mistakes?