August No-Spend Challenge -- Congratulations no-spenders!!!! You made it to the end! - Page 51

[Hollysmom]

Well I am really behind on the thread so I am going to go back and try and catch up. Had a great beginning of the month, but since we went on vacation I have been off the wagon at bit. In addition I accidentally deleted the budget I worked so hard on : Anyway I am gearing up for September and have my new budget all ready to go

[nadia105]

Originally Posted by UUMom

Ok!

Here's what I got ask! People on this thread seem all 'regular' American peeps -- all nice nice & fun and relaxed. Some of you are buying Diet Coke, going to McD's, shopping at Walmart etc.

Here's my question--- do any of you post in the other forums? It seems so chill & supportive here, whereas all the other forums seem so intense about these things.

I post in many other forums. I don't do WalMart or McDs or artificial sweeteners, but I have my own vices, so I don't judge where others spend their $$.

[sparkprincess]

Originally Posted by UUMom

Ok!

Here's what I got ask! People on this thread seem all 'regular' American peeps -- all nice nice & fun and relaxed. Some of you are buying Diet Coke, going to McD's, shopping at Walmart etc.

Here's my question--- do any of you post in the other forums? It seems so chill & supportive here, whereas all the other forums seem so intense about these things.

I think everyone has their vices. If everyone on MDC were to post budget details like we do I'm sure we'd be surprised as what some people spend their money on. Personally, I'm trying to eat healthier, not support big-box stores, etc, but it's not an overnight thing for us. It's very gradual. I don't want any judgment on that so I'm sure as heck not going to judge anyone else!!

ETA: For those of you who mentioned car shopping - if you are looking for newer cars a lot of dealers are giving incentives on 2007 models since the 2008s are coming out. Dodge Caravans have 0% financing until the end of this month only (according to the salesman). So maybe start looking now on 2007 vehicles to see what kind of deals you can get!

[kalisis]

Yeah, I think we all know that we're putting out a level of detail here that you don't see a lot of other places. I know that I spend my money in a lot of less than stellar ways, but am working day by day to improve what we are buying. Who am I to judge what others choose to spend their money on? I'm here to support others in their journey towards saving more money, spending more mindfully and to have some accountability on my own purchases.

On that note, I had to buy another case of baby wipes (I know - we CD and cloth wipes wouldn't be that hard to switch over to and I've tried, but just can't make that leap) and I got a great deal on Amazon. I was all ready to hit the buy button from my regular place and then thought I should maybe check around and lo and behold...there they were. Free shipping (well, I already paid for that stupid prime membership, so not really free, but it's already paid for itself) and $9.55 cheaper than the other place.

[sparkprincess]

Originally Posted by anniej

On that note, I had to buy another case of baby wipes (I know - we CD and cloth wipes wouldn't be that hard to switch over to and I've tried, but just can't make that leap) and I got a great deal on Amazon. I was all ready to hit the buy button from my regular place and then thought I should maybe check around and lo and behold...there they were. Free shipping and $9.55 cheaper than the other place.

That's an awesome savings!!!

[sweetfeet]

I need to jump on board. I signed up earlier in the month and well I spent money, nearly every single day. So here I am with just a few days left in August but I want to continue on into September.

[anarchamama]

15-Hardware store 5.98 for screws to finish building shelf, 7.98 on fries with dinner.
16-33.54 groceries, 3.48 on donoughts
17-146.98 groceries
18-10.02 dh spent on my bday present
19-32.00 on dinner and ice cream at my bday party. FIL gave me 50 bucks for my bday though so I bought us dinner with it.
18-
19 -
20-Chiropractor 5.25, lunch 9.16, stuff for the kids 12.25, I justified this as the last 20 of my bday $$, $8 ice cream for the kids
21-
22-5$ ice cream for the kids
21-89$ house insurance
22-
23-184.12 Groceries (all good except a 5$ book for ds), $16.50 library fines
24-$5.25 dh chiro
25-
26- Groceries $6.98
27- GAs 37.00$, $12.00 on dh massage co-pay

And to answer PP question. I post in lots of other forum's and I'm *almost* as PC as they come BUT that's not what this thread is for and therefore not the place for it. And while I think I generally only spend my $$ in pretty reasonable (ethically) places, reducing consumption is even better then ethical consumption, and I think on a whole that's how most people here are trying to go.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

01..
02.. $31.80
03..
04.. $134
05..
06.. $27
07..
08.. $27
09..
10..
11..
12.. $11.12
13.. $30
14..
15..
16..
17.. $25
18.. $45
19.. $65
20.. $11.71
21.. $39.01
22..
23..
24..
25..
26..
27.. $4 ice cream for the girls at the fair

My goals:
1. No diaper shopping 23/31 days
2. No McDonalds 26/31 days
3. Beat June's no-spend days 16/19 days

I miscarried today. I'm carrying on and doing my usual like posting here and taking the girls to the fair. But really all I want to do is sit down and cry. I wanted this baby so badly.

[frog]

Oh, Prudence. I'm so, so sorry. :

[Curlita]

ETA: Prudence, I just saw your post. I'm so sorry. Big hugs to you.

-------------------------------------

8/22 $33 on gas, $4 for pool, $5 on Ebay, $3 on coffee & M&Ms: $45 ($8 discretionary).
8/23 $87 on groceries, $10 on a binsi: $97 ($17 discretionary)
8/24
8/25: $18 to mail return items (putting a net of $110 back in my pocket)
8/26:
8/27: $78 at veterinarian's for cat's annual appointment

AUGUST OVERALL: $25 in discretionary spending, $195 in budgeted expenses.

AND.... I need help with a quandary!
A friend of mine and I have been playing e-mail tag all month to try and set up a dinner date. The vision was burgers, onion rings, and shakes at Johnny Rocket's -- something we do a few times a year. I generally spend about $15 when we go. I am trying to decide if I should:
--suggest that we do something free instead
--budget the $15 and go (we have the money in our account)
--budget less and just have the onion rings and shake, which is my favorite part anyway, or
--invite her over for dinner and buy some frozen onions rings and ice cream to make shakes with.

I feel like I'm already ahead of the game for even CONTEMPLATING instead of just doing, but I'd love feedback on how you would evaluate the same decision.

[Beachlivnmom]

I am so sorry Prudence.

[mamabeth]

so very sorry, Prudence.

curlita, I'd go and just get the rings and the shake (mmm!) if that's what you've been looking forward to!

I post on other forums and ITA with whoever said it's a gradual consciousness, trying to eat healthier, be more frugal. I try my best to not judge because of my own vices that I try and kick periodically, but we all do the best we can, right? And everyone's in a different place.

Aug 27- $5 on stupid stuff bc I went to the grocery store hungry. :

[imnotsupernanny]

Prudence!

[imnotsupernanny]

Yesterday I spent $70 on bills.

I just went over my expenses. I only spent about $45 on things I probably shouldn't have spent anything on.So that's pretty good for me.

I spent $587 on debt mainly and a few groceries! I think I did I did really well!

Has anyone else done a great job this month?

I think I did well,but for September I need to make a budget of what I can spend and not feel bad about.

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by frog

I post all over the place, too. turtle and I are crunchy vegetarian dykes, complete with cats and hairy everything, who smoke too many Camels, watch cable TV and eat more fast food and take-out than we should.

We are anything but rich.

<shrug> We're happy.

And you're cool, too!

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by imnotsupernanny

Yesterday I spent $70 on bills.

I just went over my expenses. I only spent about $45 on things I probably shouldn't have spent anything on.So that's pretty good for me.

I spent $587 on debt mainly and a few groceries! I think I did I did really well!

Has anyone else done a great job this month?

I think I did well,but for September I need to make a budget of what I can spend and not feel bad about.

I think you did a great job, esp. paying off debt!

[mrskennedy]

Curlita, I that place!!!!!! So yeah, if you have the money/can budget it, I'd go, esp. if you only do it a few times/year. But personally, I'd invite her over. However, I wouldn't feel guilty either way! It's progress IMO just to consider other things, b/c it really can be a long road to frugality... Believe me, I know...

[mrskennedy]

Prudence, I'm soo sorry! You're in my thoughts! Peaceful and healing energies coming your way!

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by anniej

Yeah, I think we all know that we're putting out a level of detail here that you don't see a lot of other places. I know that I spend my money in a lot of less than stellar ways, but am working day by day to improve what we are buying. Who am I to judge what others choose to spend their money on? I'm here to support others in their journey towards saving more money, spending more mindfully and to have some accountability on my own purchases.

On that note, I had to buy another case of baby wipes (I know - we CD and cloth wipes wouldn't be that hard to switch over to and I've tried, but just can't make that leap) and I got a great deal on Amazon. I was all ready to hit the buy button from my regular place and then thought I should maybe check around and lo and behold...there they were. Free shipping (well, I already paid for that stupid prime membership, so not really free, but it's already paid for itself) and $9.55 cheaper than the other place.

WOW! I should check that out...

[Beachlivnmom]

July 25-
July 26- $7 lunch and smoothies at Costco. $39.02at Costco Nothing we needed. Bottle of wine, my inlaws just left and I wanted a treat, undies for ds, book for ds, and puzzle for ds. It was so hot here I basically went to get cool in the AC. Even the sand at the beach was hot, but the trades are back so it feels better today.

I took a pair of shorts back to the store and had it credited to my CC and made 2 payments on CC this month.

July-27 free ac at the library