Oct No-Spend Challenge: End of the month is here. Hang on No-spenders Almost There! - Page 74

[mrskennedy]

10/29:
No spend!

Totals:
No spend: 20/31
Essential spending/bills: 8/31, $377.95 over budget
Non-essential spending: 1/31, $25.76 over budget

---
Made/saved extra: 6/31

I'm feeling hopeless and stressed today for many reasons--some I can pinpoint and others I can't... So if you could spare a hug or two, I'd sure appreciate it!

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by leomom

Finished my budget for November and am looking forward to starting it!

Goal for rest of Oct:

No spend days: 3/6
Have money left over at end of month: $39 (returned some things)

Good for you, mama!

[Scribe]

Back to work but still no spend! Go me!

Oct 12:
Oct 13:
Oct 14: $90 on boots, Amex
Oct 15: $5 on coffee and candy bar, mad cash
Oct 16: $5 on coffee and candy bar, mad cash; $17 on candy and snacks for work, joint account; returned approx. $60 clothes from J.Jill
Oct 17: (but gave $5 of mad cash to my partner for HIS coffee addiction!)
Oct 18: $6 McDonalds, mad cash
Oct 19: $8 on reed diffuser, checking; $3 on soda and candy, mad cash; $7 Goodwill, mad cash
Oct 20: $6 coffee, mad cash
Oct 21: $75ish Goodwill & Ross, Visa; $26 USPS, Visa
Oct 22:
Oct 23:
Oct 24:
Oct 25:
Oct 26:
Oct 27:
Oct 28: $31.73 USPS, Visa
Oct 29:

[michelle524]

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

10/29:
No spend!

Totals:
No spend: 20/31
Essential spending/bills: 8/31, $377.95 over budget
Non-essential spending: 1/31, $25.76 over budget

---
Made/saved extra: 6/31

I'm feeling hopeless and stressed today for many reasons--some I can pinpoint and others I can't... So if you could spare a hug or two, I'd sure appreciate it!

Many hugs to you mrskennedy!!! You're certainly always there to lift me up, so know that I'm thinking of ya!

[michelle524]

1

[catchthewind]

Hi all, I would love to join in on this next month! My husband and I are planning on sitting down tonight to set some goals for ourselves for spending. Any tips?

I am on mat leave right now (I get a year here), but even with that my husband and I together make a lot of money and we're still in a ridiculous amount of debt. We don't own a house (can't afford it or be approved). The debt is from both of us going to university (we finished over 3 years ago), getting married (we spent less than $10,000 on the wedding), and a 6 month period when neither of us were working. DH had just moved out here and finished school, and I was still in school, and we basically lived off credit and spaghetti for 6 months. We aren't going further into debt now, but we're not getting out of it very fast either. We have made a lot of cuts already, but it seems like the more money we make the more we spend. We did buy a new car (which was a very long and thought out decision for us) and still have 3 1/2 years of payments on that. Otherwise we don't have cable, we rarely eat out, we do order in more than we should but are really working on that, I only go to free Mom and Baby groups. I really don't know where our money goes, but it adds up fast, which is one reason I want to join you all here. We do put about $800 a month away in RRSP's, which we won't be stopping because it's matched 100% by DH's work so imo it'd be a bit silly since that's free money.

I was thinking I should go through our bank statement from the month of October and list everything out (not here but for DH and I) as a starting point. That thought scares me though.

Anyway, that's a brief intro. I don't know if I should have waited until the new thread to post now but I thought if anyone had tips for when DH and I sit down it'd be good to hear them before then.

[leomom]

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

10/29:
No spend!

Totals:
No spend: 20/31
Essential spending/bills: 8/31, $377.95 over budget
Non-essential spending: 1/31, $25.76 over budget

---
Made/saved extra: 6/31

I'm feeling hopeless and stressed today for many reasons--some I can pinpoint and others I can't... So if you could spare a hug or two, I'd sure appreciate it!

Feel better, Mrs. K! You are so awesome. Whatever's got ya down will be over soon...nothing stays the same, thank goodness sometimes!!!

[blsilva]

Okay, not only did I not spend today, but I think I may be earning some extra $ in the future!
I've started tutoring again, and I have my first interview tonight with a prospective client to tutor their son!!!
Something I can do that will not take me away from my kids too much, but will earn something extra to try to make ends meet.

:

[lisac77]

Oct 1 - Spent $8.47 (groceries), $11.20 (lunch) , saved $11.87
Oct 2 - Spent $26.78(groceries), $4.16 (Starbucks) , saved $0.60
Oct 3 - Spent $23.43(groceries), $4.99 (medical) , saved $1.42
Oct 4 - Spent $30.09(dinner out) , saved $1.45
Oct 5 - Spent $11.72 (food), $7.49 (groceries) , saved $12.33
Oct 6 - Spent $0, saved $31.54
Oct 7 - Spent $15.07 (dinner out), $14.82 (groceries), saved $1.65
Oct 8 - Spent $6.08 (snack), $23.04(groceries), saved $2.42
Oct 9 - Spent $3.24 (coffee), $18.24 (groceries), saved $10.06
Oct 10 - Spent $18.77 (eating out) , saved $12.77
Oct 11 - Spent $36.94(eating out), $2.50 (groceries) , saved $7.90 $21.64 for potty treat
Oct 12 - Spent $17.11 (eating out) , saved $14.43
Oct 13 - Spent $24.97 (groceries), $3.57 (toy), $3 (household) , saved $0
Oct 14 - Spent $36.07(eating out), saved $4.53
Oct 15 - Spent $16.43 (eating out) , saved $15.11
Oct 16 - Spent $10.76(eating out), $50.15 (groceries), saved -$29.37
Oct 17 - Spent $8.74(eating out) , saved $22.80
Oct 18 - Spent $9.59 (medicine), $22.18 (groceries), saved -$0.23, $16.19 for Halloween costume
Oct 19 - Spent $34.42(eating out), saved -$2.88
Oct 20 - Spent $10.59 (eating out), 21.59 (groceries) , saved -$0.71
Oct 21 - Spent $25.62(eating out) , saved $5.92
Oct 22 - Spent $6.91 (eating out), $16.15 (groceries) , saved $8.48
Oct 23 - Spent $28.48 (groceries), $8.79 (medicine) , saved -$5.73
Oct 24 - Spent $10.62 (eating out), $12.10 (groceries), $4.38 (Halloween stuff), saved $4.44
Oct 25 - Spent $11.13 (eating out), saved $20.41
Oct 26 - Spent $5.78 (eating out), saved $25.76 $20.74 much needed new bra!
Oct 27 - Spent $9.82 (eating out), 26.02 (groceries) , saved -$4.30
Oct 28 - Spent $16.58 (eating out), $9.12 (groceries) , saved $5.84
Oct 29 - Spent $10.89 (eating out), 10.80 (groceries), $9 (razor blades), 10.13 (Halloween candy) , saved -$9.28

Total savings for this month so far: $76.66

Stayed under budget: 20/31

Went over a bit today but I don't intend to spend a dime tomorrow!

[quelindo]

10/1: $152.06 car repair
10/2: $74.31 groceries
10/3: $313.57 ($200 deposit into the United Natural Foods Buying Club account and $5.26 for a sympathy card and q-tips and $108.31 in supplements and shampoo/conditioner at LuckyVitamin.com)
10/4: $26.65 for a retractable clothesline, three animal magnets, and some tea-light candles
10/5: $0...finally!
10/6: $47.98 ($24.58 groceries -- including brats for the grill for dinner -- and $23.40 for a reusable furnace filter and wooden dowel at Home Depot)
10/7: $23.77 groceries
10/8: $226.69 ($39.78 groceries and $186.91 another car repair)
10/9: $182.54 ($11.68 Walgreen's and $170.86 Holztiger nativity set)
10/10: $0
10/11: $118.11 ($10.69 post office for catalog return and stamps + $85.31 hardware store for paint, weatherstripping and birdseed -- and one fridge magnet that was not needed! + $12.17 Target for Lansinoh and a birthday gift + $9.94 Walgreens for Halloween candy)
10/12: $0
10/13: $0
10/14: $0
10/15: $243.09 ($168.79 groceries + $74.30 Frontier co-op)
10/16: $0
10/17: $26.88 hardware store (weatherstripping/proofing supplies)
10/18: $39.05 Target (wreath + Halloween decoration for front door)
10/19: $0
10/20: $188.69 ($5 drop-off at the dump + $14 pumpkin farm for three pumpkins, votive candles, and a pony ride for DS + $43 lunch + $126.69 Target for three shelving units)
10/21: $0
10/22: $74.25 groceries
10/23: $0
10/24: $0
10/25: $105.06 ($100.77 LuckyVitamin.com + $4.29 CVS for ice cream)
10/26: $0
10/27: $1.33 toward beer for DH
10/28: $0
10/29: $0

I just found out that starting December 1st our mortgage payment is going up by a little over $40. I shouldn't be surprised, since I know our property taxes are most likely going up, but I'm still a little :. Even more reason for me to keep doing these challenges (this is the second month I've done it but the first I've stuck with it).

[mamamilkers]

10/01: no spend!
10/02: no spend!
10/03: no spend!
10/04: $25 on stuff for my older DD at Target :
10/05: no spend!
10/06: $8 on coffee drinks for DD, DP and I
10/07: no spend!
10/08: no spend!
10/09: no spend!
10/10: no spend!
10/11: no spend!
10/12: $20 on ice cream and pizza for my birthday
10/13: $60 on dinner out for DF and I and $7 on Starbucks
10/14: no spend!
10/15: no spend!
10/16: no spend!
10/17: no spend!
10/18: no spend!
10/19: $19 on shipping for the stuff I bought last month in a Melissa and Doug co-op
10/20: no spend!
10/21: no spend!
10/22: $50 on shoes for DF's birthday
10/23: no spend!
10/24: no spend!
10/25: no spend!
10/26: no spend!
10/27: $6 on a swap gift, $50 on dinner/movie with DF
10/28: no spend!
10/29: no spend!

Goals:
1. 22/20 no-spend days
2. $222/$250 on groceries and household items for Oct 26-Nov 8
3. $25/$0 spent on my DDs (who are in need of NOTHING!)
4. 1/2 days taking DD#1 to school on the city bus
5. $210/$425 personal spending on anything I wish

Not too much to report today

[ReadingMama]

10/28: $1.40 for Sonic slush
10/29:

[SugarAndSun]

1st Resume paper and tape -- within budget
2nd Food, gas, coffee -- all within budget
3rd
4th Gas, $1.07 for a shower card, $6.50 for ds's winter coat, $2.70 for shipping from a previous coop
5th $1.62 for coffee, $0.89 at J. Crew, $19 for pizza
6th spent, but within budget... all reasonable stuff.
7th $11.27 at the deli; $9 for a pair of longies; $21 for a pair of clogs for me; $13 for ds2's Halloween costume; $12 for the sheer miracles coop
8th $122 on food; $2.70 on coffee (which includes a drink for dc, but I'll take it out of coffee), $9 to take ds1 to Friendly's since the library was closed; $10.75 for ds1's costume
9th $39 gas; 1.73 coffee
10th
11th $2.50 coffee for DH and me; $2.50 milk; (DH also spent the following since we were with his daughter: $9 pictures; $25 junk at Target; $35 pizza, etc.; I am not counting this. I am hoping to return the junk to Target.)
12th $8 fast food; $42 sushi $5 gas
13th $35 socks; $50 food; $40 gas
14th $6.67 for coffee and a bagel :; $175 food, which will be delivered on Tuesday; $5 shipping for books
15th $70 food; $2.50 fast food (pancakes); $2.75 coffee; $6 tire repair
16th $1.75 coffee; $7 map; $40 gas
17th
18th $2.50 for a cup of coffee and a banana; $5 fast food; $4 thrift shop
19th Bought necessary stuff at Target (wipes, baking pans, mixed fruit, coffee) for $40 and a few gifts for ds's b-day for $7 at Walmart.
20th Ran a race that cost $20; dh bought coffee and pizza for us $12; bought four gourds for $1; gas $40
21st $30 race, $15 fast food for breakfast, $47 food store
22nd $25 for car set at the second hand store; $3 fast food
23rd $10 bagels, $3 coffee and water
24th $83 groceries, $5 boots for ds1, $40 gas
25th $2.70 coffee for me and fries for ds; $20 on pizza with dsd
26th No spend!
27th $5 for coffee, drink, bagel for us all; $12 Michael's for ds1's b-day; $20 dinner out
28th $6 bagel w/ tofu scallion cream cheese and coffee after riding
29th $232 groceries; $1.62 coffee

food: $996/$800 (groceries and eating out/taking out)
gas: $264/$250
coffee, etc: $31/$30
Halloween: 38.75/$40
fast food: 34.50/$25
misc. spending: $272/$50[/quote]

OK, spent WAY too much at the foodstore! I didn't really even buy anything. I went in with no list (I have no meals) and very hungry. I did buy four natural pb, three loaves of bread, 4 jellies, etc. so that adds up quickly.

[my2girlz]

1. $100 at dentist (budgeted)
2. : bad day! spent $3.75 at Starbucks
3. NO SPEND DAY
4. .66 on ziploc baggies for school lunches
5. $27 for lunch w/ dh and ds, $95 for memory for laptop, $15 for pizza for dinner (we'll get another 1.5 meals out of it though)
6. :
7. $4 for Starbucks (B1G1F coupon, got my latte and blueberry and cream for the kids (venti split into 3 talls))
8. NO SPEND DAY
9. NO SPEND DAY
10. Subway for lunch $2.12, milk and first aid supplies for my mole removal site $15
11. NO SPEND DAY made $37 today
12. : $10 to chiro, $50 gas, $130 groceries (had dh w/ me : ), $2.80 in snacks at gas station
13. $3.90 for drink at Caribou Coffee, $51 in gas, $14 for lunch
14. $22 at the Pumpkin Patch, $10.54 at Starbucks to warm us up afterwards.
15. $7.xx at the grocery store for milk and soymilk
16. only money spent will be at school fundraiser tonight probably about $15
17. NO SPENDING DAY!!
18. NO SPENDING DAY!! plus made $145!!
19. $129 for groceries, $4.15 for my latte, $5.xx for my lunch
20. $20.14 for groceries, $10 rx, $21 halloween supplies
21. NO SPENDING!!
22. $45.xx at dentist (budgeted), $8.xx at Supertarget, $15 for pumpkins did make $110 today!
23. NO SPENDING!! made $23 today
24. $8.18 for lunch, $1.25 for a pop, $20 gas for the rest of the month. made $44 today
25. only spending $4 for my latte. made $81 today!
26. :
27.
28. $6.xx at Wendys, $6.40 at Bath and Body Works for hand soap and gifts, $21.xx at Target
29. NO SPENDING DAY!!

*have at least 10 no spend days 9/10
*do NOT use CCs 26/31
*only go to SuperTarget on Fridays 5/4
*eat out of the pantry 23/31
*declutter and sell as much as possible 318/300 made $805 so far
*only fill up 2x a month 4/2

[liangel]

Oct 1- $9.51 for pity wine and some cheese snack sticks.
Oct 2- $2.36 on Sonic shake.
Oct 3-
Oct 4-
Oct 5- $11.20 lunch out with sister. I really gotta do better than this.
Oct 6-
Oct 7-
Oct 8-
Oct 9-
Oct 10-
Oct 11- $4.19 Panera Bread bagel and iced tea.
Oct 12- $44-gas, $2.13 Paperback Swap Obligation, $5 Bunko all budgeted
Oct 13- $4.94 Wendy's.
Oct 14-
Oct 15-
Oct 16-.
Target- $15.89 Table Runner
Toys R Us-$27.54-Nephew's b-day present
Ingles-$22.11-Health and Beauty Items/Batteries/Bathroom Cleaner
TacoBell-$5.39
Oct 17-- $10 Kmart for shoelaces, Tilex Shower Cleaner (a big economy size one) and 2 candy bars.
Oct 18-
Oct 19- $22
Oct 20-
Oct 21-
Oct 22-
Oct 23- $35 Manicure. My nails sure look pretty and I won't get another one for 3 weeks.
Oct 24-
Oct 25- $71 Grocery Store. Necessary
Oct 26- $41 Gas
Oct 27-
Oct 28-
Oct 29-

[nina_yyc]

s Mrs. Kennedy!

Well, today sucked. I spilled cayenne in the previously mild (and spectacularly frugal) three bean chili I was making for DH. DH really can't take the hot stuff so I went to the grocery store to pick up a BBQ chicken. Well, $70 later, here I am. Groceries went on credit since we only have $50 in the joint account till the first. Not proud.

ETA: The chili won't be wasted - it's got a bit of a kick but yummy for me! I'm going to freeze it in individual portions for work lunches.

[mamimapster]

Closing out the month and heading for November-
Oct 1-17.00 lunch out: exiled from house for 24 hours due to varnish smell!
Oct 2-9.78 breakfast out,groceries 51.10B,coffee 2.79,gas 36.59B,53.00B IVF meds(a LOT less than I was expecting)
Oct 3-
oct 4-Econ shop 14.50B,5.89 snacks:,6.52B USPS,
Oct 5-19.69 phone,7.92B Bakery,90.00 Dance FeesB (thanks Bubbe)
Oct 6-:
Oct 7-1:7.81BGroceries +15.00 ebay
Oct 8-:35.52B Gas
Oct 9-Groceries 52.00B,42.00B Naprapath,17.01B Gas,6.52 Coffee & snacks
Oct 10- 2.18 for book and doll at thrift shop, getting rid of 4 bags of no longer needed clutter PRICELESS:
Oct 17-2.00 parking.10.00 Gas,9.48 village,12.00 Lunch out w/Dd
Oct 18-15.00 Gas
Oct 19-
Oct 20-
Oct 21- Dinner 22.00, Ice Cream 8.55-a cheap night out PRICELESS!
Oct 22- parking2.00, Glue for Shoe 5.08,Groceries 58.36, Fees 2.00-Still need to buy gas, and then I'm BROKE.+15.00 ebay.
Oct 23-lunch 7.29:, post office 8.14,groceries43.55
Oct 24-
Oct 25- Gas 12.00B
Oct 26-Milkshake 3.18,Shoe repair 3.00B, meds 15.00B,watch repair 10.00B
Oct 27-
Oct 28-32.00 gas,
Oct 29-:27.00 breakfast (sis Birthday),USPS22.73 (Made +33.27),Thrift (also w/ Sis 18.83) Groceries 51.18
Oct 30-' Thumbing myself because I didn't actually eat out on my WORST day of the week!.2.51B Milkshake,produce7.04B.
Oct 31- 12.83-groceries

GOALS(thanks to those with wise ideas!):

1.At least 16 days: 13/30
2.Pack snacks/water for outings/School: 11/30
3.At least two no-car days per week 4/8
4.NO library fines: month to date $10:
5. Come here lots
6.Make lists and stick to them
7. Avoid buying my sweets and bake more. 1/5
8. earn at least 50.00 in sellables this month 63.27/50
9. tally of evil under 100 : 134.00

Acceptable spending:
Dd snowpants-DONE
Twin Sheets- Why did I give all of these away?? freecycle maybe?
Still searching for a lunchbox
Chanukah gift items (only a couple of small things, Chanukah is a minor holiday)
Sellable Items-



Well, I didn't do so good this month-I just can't seem to keep myself from wanting to eat while driving, and I'm not packing enough food for school.
I think I've figured out some things that will help with next month though, I took out 10 for the week-that way I won't feel like I need to spend enough to justify using my CC when making lunch purchases, and bought some kosher sliced turkey to make sandwiches for school (we almost NEVER buy lunchmeat). So I've made my menu and my plan.

It's got to-I've no Idea how we're going to pay everything this upcoming month. Dp did just get a raise which is wonderful, but it doesn't kick in until Dec, and she will end up using most of it to pay travel expenses to her upcoming grad school stint- She's doing a low-res MFA program, which will be great because it DIRECTLY applies to her job (and her love of writing), BUT she alredy has a ton of student loans (many years in grad school working towards a PHd), and this is going to add more.

[FamilyFriendlyLife]

Oct. 1:
Oct. 2:
Oct. 3:
Oct. 4:
Oct. 5: $30 - amount over "necessary" for big potty celebration
Oct. 6:
Oct. 7:
Oct. 8:
Oct. 9:
Oct. 10:
Oct. 11:
Oct. 12:
Oct. 13:
Oct. 14:
Oct. 15:
Oct. 16:
Oct. 17:
Oct. 18:
Oct. 19:
Oct. 20:
Oct. 21: $17 overbudget eating out
Oct. 22: $20.55 overbudget eating out
Oct. 23:
Oct. 24:
Oct. 25:
Oct. 26: $10 - failure to pack snacks
Oct. 27: $20
Oct. 28:
Oct. 29:

Now this is more like it; bring on the smileys! Parked far away from the library today to avoid having to pay the parking meter; tiny measure, but felt good (both fiscally and physically)!

GOALS:
* Less than $100 in frivolous spending: month to date $97.55
* At least 25 days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 24/25
* No McDonalds: 29/31
* Avoid Target: 28/31
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 28/31
* NO library fines: month to date $0
* Stay within grocery budget: $442/$430
* Stay within eating out budget: $117.55/$80

Kim

[FamilyFriendlyLife]

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

I'm feeling hopeless and stressed today for many reasons--some I can pinpoint and others I can't... So if you could spare a hug or two, I'd sure appreciate it!

You are an amazing cheerleader and supporter to all of us mrskennedy; you are appreciated and valued and I hope things start looking up soon!

[mumkenna&lucas]

Oct 1
Oct 2
Oct 3
Oct 4 $28.14 natural foods, .40 late charges at library, $11.00 birthday gift
Oct 5
Oct 6
Oct 7
Oct 8
Oct 9
Oct 10 15.89 Halloween supplies
Oct 11 10.75 etsy
Oct 12 60.90 Disney store:
Oct 13
Oct 14
Oct 15
Oct 16 9.99 tshirt
Oct 17
Oct 18
Oct 19 37.90 co-op
Oct 20
Oct 21
Oct 22
Oct 23
Oct 24
Oct 25
Oct 26 BAD, bad day
Oct 27
Oct 28
Oct 29

No Spend Days: 22/25
No Diaperswappers/etsy: 25/29
Non-essential spending 174.97/200
Save $750

My exceptions:
Halloween costumes done
Disneyland park tickets 1/3 of the way done
Food for dd's birthday party done