September No-Spend Challenge: We're in the home stretch! Stay Strong Finish with us - Page 62

[nina_yyc]

1-
2- $82 - $42 overdue internet bill, $35 really cute shirt, $5 "Eco" shampoo bar
3 -
4 - $99.59 in groceries
5 -
6 - $27 on eating out!!
7 - $45 on...(this is sad) BPA Free sippy cups
8 - $6 on postage for BookMooch obligation
9 - $10 on parking at the airport
11 -
12- $20 night out
13 -
14 - $85 groceries
15 -
16 -
17 - : $47 on replacement glass shelf for the fridge which I broke last month, $200 deposit for day home.
18 -
19 -
20 - $20 over budget on electrical bill
21 -
22 -
23 - made $5 on Craigslist, spent $2 parking at film fest...but did get $24 in tickets for free.
24 - $33 groceries
25 - made $60 on Craigslist

Budgeted spending: $217.59/440
Unbudgeted expenses: $449
Made on Craigslist: $65

[mamamilkers]

Oooo, I forgot to mention that tomorrow I am picking up Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping from the library

I hope to be amazingly inspired!

Honestly, I'm so excited about the progress I've made this month, I can't wait to tackle next month with more tenacity. My new goals are to stay within the budget for groceries and to work harder at selling things we no longer need/use.

p.s. thanks again mamas for the no-spend birthday gift ideas. The CD we made the 4 yo was a hit (well, I think so, anyways!)

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by mamamilkers

Oooo, I forgot to mention that tomorrow I am picking up Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping from the library

I hope to be amazingly inspired!

Honestly, I'm so excited about the progress I've made this month, I can't wait to tackle next month with more tenacity. My new goals are to stay within the budget for groceries and to work harder at selling things we no longer need/use.

p.s. thanks again mamas for the no-spend birthday gift ideas. The CD we made the 4 yo was a hit (well, I think so, anyways!)

That's some great enthusiasm, mama!

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by phathui5

mrskennedy,

You're not missing much with not doing Door to Door organics. I tried it and the vegetables were ok but the quality of the fruit was disappointing.

OT--sorry!
Disappointing how? Compared to canned or produce section fruit, or other organic fruit? I'm used to eating crappy fruit.

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

I'm always suspicious of "jobs" that are trying to sell themselves and that require you to send them money.

I wouldn't send them anything, and I especially wouldn't give them access to my paypal account or give them my email address.

Both those things are worth far more than $5.95 to scammers.

Uh, :

[mrskennedy]

Liangel! Just read the job description...
My DH used to fall for things like this and has been out hundreds in the past b/c of it. This position is *ONLY* selling the "training" materials they give you. And it's not training at all. It's just what they call it, while they take your $5.95 to the bank. BTW, I guess they're getting desperate now... It was $15 when DH did it. Maybe they think $5.95 will get them more "workers." : Don't do it!!!

[nicoley73]

Sept 4 - $0 spent
Sept 5 - $31.33 gas
Sept 6 - $66.00 groceries
Sept 7 - $9.44 lunch out, $210 carseat for DS
Sept 8 - $3.00 clothes for ds, $6.26 produce at farmers market, $6.50 ice cream, $26.00 dinner out
Sept 9 - $70.25 groceries
Sept 10 - $0 spent
Sept 11 - $12.00 fast food
Sept 12 - 29.58 gas, 31.44 target
Sept 13 - 18.27 groceries
Sept 14 - $0 spent
Sept 15 - $55.00 groceries, $5.00 fast food
Sept 16 - $0 spent
Sept 17 - $0 spent
Sept 18 - $43.00 groceries
Sept 19 - $0 spent
Sept 20 - $27.77 groceries
Sept 21 - $3.00 fast food
Sept 22 - $22.00 takeout, $30.00 gas
Sept 23 - $80.00 brunch
Sept 24 - $66.65 groceries
Sept 25 - $0 spent

Totals:

Gas: $90.91
Food: $501.14 (163.94 eating out)
Clothes: $3.00
Other: $210.00 (carseat)
Target: $31.44
Monthly bills: $402.93

[Hollysmom]

Sep 1 - = Expensive backpack
Sep 2 -
Sep 3 -
Sep 4 - Another good day. Only bought a loaf of bread and batteries for the camera to tide me over until groceries tommorrow
Sep 5 - $2.12 for coffee & a bagel for breakfast $3.12 for soup and a cookie to go with my sandwich at lunch...I was so hungry.
Sep 6 - Unplanned lunch out with a friend $16.00
Sep 7 -
Sep 8 - Paid for a printer my sister got with her laptop for $20 (which we really needed - ours was from 1998) which was fine since it was planned, but then I realized I forgot to bring some stuff for the baby that we really needed so I spent $20 I really shouldn't have needed to spend:
Sep 9 - Truck had more problems: so I had to buy coolant and oil, not frivolous, but not planned.
Sep 10 - Bought breakfast this morning because I was tired and cranky.
Sep 11 - Only spending today was on some Christmas presents that were budgeted for.
Sep 12 - Ended up going out for lunch
Sep 13 - Only budgeted spending
Sep 14 -
Sep 15 - No spend day
Sep 16 - Only spending was on a planned trip to Canada's Wonderland
Sep 17 - No spend day
Sep 18 - Bought a coffee this morning and my lunch today. The macaroni & cheese I brought just wasn't appealing today.
Sep 19 - Bought take out for breakfast, lunch & dinner today :
Sep 20 - No spend day
Sep 21 - Only budgeted spending today
Sep 22 - Bought groceries today and stayed within budget. We are home for the rest of the day so there should be no more spending.
Sep 23 - No spend day
Sep 24 - Only planned spending today
Sep 25 - Bought my lunch

No Spend Days: 6/30
No Restaurant/Take-out Days: 14/29

[scrapadoozer]

September 10
September 11
September 12
September 13 $2.50 @ Goodwill (toboggan for dd & some really cool vintage stitchery magazines.)
September 14 $17.50 @ Goodwill (ice skates, princess dress up gown, dragon dress up costume, butterfly wings, little lace gloves for dd, 1 yard cotton knit), $2 @ Wal-Mart (yard stick)
September 15 $1 @ Dollar Tree (stencils)
September 16
September 17
September 18
September 19
September 20
September 21
September 22
September 23 $35 dinner out with relatives
September 24
September 25 $5 on paper back fusible web and a pattern DH insisted I buy

Total spent: $63

[frog]

1: $30 on supplies to make "Pioneer Cure" for the cold turtle picked up in Chicago; $5 on cigarettes
2:
3: $5 on cigarettes; $4.76 on fried mushrooms
4: bonus: leftovers from an event which will serve as dinner/lunch tomorrow
5:
6: $5 on cigarettes; $25 on Chinese food (but enough for lunches the next day, too)
7:
8: $30 on lunch for Small Friend O, turtle and me
9:
10:
11: $8 on fast food--we've both got bronchitis :
12:
13: $150 on yard sale equipment and supplies
14: $20 on dinner
15: $45 on dinner (we made $100 at the yard sale...)
16:
17:
18:
19: $20 on celebratory supplies, because we're AUNTS! (photo of the baby on my blog in my sig)
20:
21:
22: $5 on cigs; $10 on breakfast and tamales with Small Friend O (edited to reflect that O brought her own money...)
23: $40 on dinner out with fireant and hanno
24:
25:
26:

Running total of unbudgeted spending: $359.76

Goal: 15/30 no spend. 15/30 no spend so far

-----

I'm happy with the progress I've made on my spending and hope to continue to improve in October. But I'm beyond irritated with turtle, whose spending just continues no matter what we agree to or discuss. I don't know what to do.

[allgirls]

September 1 : $34.51 grocieries (in the budget)
September 2 :$3.00 for eggs(in the budget)
September 3 :$0
September 4 : $149.88 (textbook, budgeted but )
September 5 : $$6.18($4.29 was milk
September 6 : $0
Sept 7: $32 for groceries..budgeted but lost the reciept
Sept 8: $0
Sept 9: $20 to my daughter for babysitting
Sept 10:$195.09 all budgeted.( $21.55 in food and supplements, $21.54 on hair products and school supplies, gas $20, daughter's field trip and book order, $12, older daughter's school pics and student card $65 and $3 for other daughter's student planner)
Sept 11: $27.95 for groceries..all budgeted(fresh vegetables) & fruit
Sept 12 $0
Sept 13 $0
Sept 14 $89.43(groceries and miscellaneous, all budgeted)
Sept 15 $0
Sept 16 $0
Sept 17 $81.91(food and (medicine, not budgeted but necessary)
Sept 18 $21.08(I had to go to class and was running late so I got pizza for dinner)
Sept 19 $29.01(food,gas and a lottery ticket)
Sept 20-24...very sick, didn't spend much because I was
Sept 25 $6 for parking at the hospital, popcorn and drinks were $4.00 and I spent $44.88 in groceries that I was going to buy tomorrow.
Sept 26 $4.26 for milk and maybe $20 for a cake and icecream for my Fil birthday..they arrive today.

I am ok so far. I went over budget but I am in a positive in the bank 2 days before I get paid again. I am up about $300 for the month but I am putting it all towards last months debt. I am very pleased because I had all those school start ups.

My challenges this month are three birthdays...my 2 daughter's and my dh's but I already have my dh's birthday gift! I am hoping my inlaws offer to pay for the birthday dinner~LOL!

cheers

[TRIBE]

Sorry I went MIA the living room painting and knitting a storm and kids all get in the way of computer time. I am going shopping today and will need all the strength I have not to make unneeded purchases. I do have to get both DD's at least 1-2 pairs of pants and some shirts. I have plans (and yarn) to knit a stash of warm clothes but since its been in the low 60's for the past week they need something right now. I must avoid Gymboree at all costs! I can go to Old Navy, Sears and The Children's Place safely (usually).

Sept 1: $140 for Labor Day Weekend party supplies
Sept 2:
Sept 3:
Sept 4:
Sept 5:
Sept 6: $244 groceries/personal care items/meals
Sept 7: $6
Sept 8: $16.22
$25
Sept 9: $40
Sept 10: $13.19
Sept 11: $7.33
Sept 12: and I *made* $10 from a box of clothes I sold on Craigslist!
Sept 13: $32 for fruit platters for home school party.
Sept 14: $68 on the CC
$33.56 new mouse
Sept 15:
Sept 16:
Sept 18: :$20 pizza, DH came home woohoo and I wanted to spend time with him and not in the kitchen
Sept 19: $120 @ Sears saved $40 with FREE PAINT!
$18 Michaels for yarn
$7 coffee
$18 lunch
$40 corner market
Sept 20:
Sept 21:
Sept 22:
Sept 23: $18 @ knitpicks
Sept 24:
Sept 25: $13 on items needed for craft swap--budgeted
Sept 26: I AM PUTTING HIM UP NOW TO GIVE ME THE RESOLVE I NEED TO ONLY BUY WHAT IS ABSOLUTELY NEEDED AND NECESSARY

No spend days 17/30

[nina_yyc]

Originally Posted by frog

I'm happy with the progress I've made on my spending and hope to continue to improve in October. But I'm beyond irritated with turtle, whose spending just continues no matter what we agree to or discuss. I don't know what to do.

That sucks. It's a process converting a spender into a no-spender...it's taken me 3 years to brainwash DH

We have a joint account for our rent, bills, groceries, household, and baby expenses. We've agreed to a budget for these items and have to tell each other if it goes over. Also, this account is filled at the beginning of the month and usually empty by the end, so going over is not usually an option. Our personal chequing accounts are for clothing, personal care, cell phone bills, and spending money - we each have an allotted amount that we can't judge each other for spending.

I've converted DH to this system by invoking shared goals and also living by example...he sees me eating beans and rice, buying the baby secondhand clothes, and turning down lunches out with friends and inviting them over instead while hundreds of dollars go into our savings account. He's been to meetings with our financial adviser at the bank and he's seen my chart of projected savings, which I update him on every month. This has gone pretty far towards curbing the DVD habit.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

01..
02.. $12,
03.. ,
04..
05.. ,
06.. ,
07.. ,
08.. ,
09..
10..
11..
12.. ,
13.. ,
14.. ,
15.. $25 picture frames, batteries
16.. $4 Starbucks
17..
18.. ,
19.. ,
20.. $10.46 slippers
21.. ,
22.. $2.99 Apple Cider Donuts at Apple Farm
23.. $2.18 Starbucks
24.. $18 Moms group dues
25.. ,
26..

My goals:

1. No-Spend Days = 19/20 days
2. Let the Car Rest Days = 13/15 days
3. McDonalds Safely Avoided = 26/30 days

I had to make my MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers...a social support group) payment today -- $98

At first I was going to record that as unnecessary spending, but then I decided for me that is very necessary.

I'm thinking of it as professional development.

I need my friends at MOPs to motivate me to do a better job.

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

But I'm beyond irritated with turtle, whose spending just continues no matter what we agree to or discuss. I don't know what to do.

Frog -- I don't know what to tell you. Except maybe she will see how hard you are working at this? And maybe that will motivate her to try to spend less?

I know that ~I~ am definitely the spender in our relationship and for years DH sat quietly by, only ocassionally mentioning that maybe I was spending too much money...you can't pry a dime out of him...and eventually I started to realize he was right.

And now I'm starting to work on it.

But I have to admit...my years of wasteful spending have hurt our bank account tremendously.

I hope she sees how hard you are working at this and decides to help you save.

[liangel]

Bottled water vs water filters

I am trying to save money here (who isn't right?). Anyway, I buy a case of 24 waters about once a month. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but I was wondering if I would be better off buying one of those filter things (either a Pitcher or the thing you put on your faucet) and stop buying the bottled water all together? I hate hate hate tap water. DH makes fun of me when I tell him that bathroom water and kitchen water taste different. He's like "It's the same water!".

What should I do? Like I said, once a month isn't a lot to buy waters but if I didn't have to buy them at all would be great. Do the filters really make a difference in the taste of the tap water? I just don't want to waste my money.

[liangel]

9/1-
9/2- $7.56 at CVS on Heating Pads.
9/3- $1.26 Index cards, $18 2DVDs @ Circuit City, $23.58 on ebay
9/4-
9/5- $25.75 on ebay.
9/6-
9/7-
9/8-
9/9- $2.37 B-day card for friend/ $3.99 lunch at McD's.
9/10-
9/11-
9/12-
9/13- $45 in gas- but that's a necessity
9/14-
9/15-
9/16- $6.45 on pepperoni and cheese for making homemade pizza for dinner later.
9/17-
9/18-
9/19-
9/20- $18 Grocery store for Peanut Butter, Hummus, Pita Chips, 2 boxes of Cereal (2 for $5.00) and a thing of soup.
9/21-
9/22- $3.97/ McD's Bkfst/$2.36 Panera Bread Bagel.
9/23-
9/24- $45 groceries for a week, maybe more.
9/25-
9/26-

[liangel]

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

Liangel! Just read the job description...
My DH used to fall for things like this and has been out hundreds in the past b/c of it. This position is *ONLY* selling the "training" materials they give you. And it's not training at all. It's just what they call it, while they take your $5.95 to the bank. BTW, I guess they're getting desperate now... It was $15 when DH did it. Maybe they think $5.95 will get them more "workers." : Don't do it!!!

Thanks. I won't.

[kalisis]

Good o read everyone's updates! You all are doing so well! Keep going for the home stretch.

I've been spending, but it's all been necessary. Diapers, wipes and a new book (one on non-violent communication) from Amazon.

Have to find childcare for at least DS and that's been a nightmare. I thought I had a retired teacher lined up, but then she couldn't do it. So, I might be putting him in morning daycare and taking DD with me.

We're managing. My parents, who are by nature very generous, are being even more so. I've had to buy myself new clothes and pick up a few things for the kids and they've not blinked an eye. They're also paying for all the groceries and housing expenses right now.

As well, my lawyer here is on their payroll, so at least that's free for me. I have to find one in NY and that's going to be big money. I keep asking DH to mediate, but he says he won't until I drop my protective order, but I can't do that b/c he keeps threatening me. So...we're just in this stupid, endless loop. I'm so sick of fighting - I just want to move on and get to work and start life again.

So, anyway. I was actually surprised b/c I checked my credit card balance and it was $1000 under what I was expecting, even with all the extra spending. So, that's . Now, I just haev to keep from spending that extra money b/c I really don't have it...

[frog]

Ashley, what's your timeline for going back to NY? And why do you want to go back?

signed,

nosy amphibian