Oct No-Spend Challenge: End of the month is here. Hang on No-spenders Almost There! - Page 76

[mrskennedy]

10/30:
Big spending day!
$50 groceries, $23 vacuum, $39.99 electric, $39 phone/net, $37.31 satellite--all budgeted but doesn't feel good
Saved $36.01 (electric really decreases with no AC!)
Waiting for price quotes on used instruments--I'm selling, not buying

Totals:
No spend: 20/31
Essential spending/bills: 9/31, $377.95 over budget
Non-essential spending: 1/31, $25.76 over budget

---
Made/saved extra: 6/31

[mrskennedy]

Just a big to all of you for the progress you've made--and you've all made a bunch! Just tracking your spending is a big step and the first one in the right direction.

And thanks so much for all the hugs, mamas... They've meant a lot!

[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:
Oct. 30: $30 snacky grocery overage, $12 takeout pizza

Sloooooowly sliding off the wagon. Looking forward to November when the budget resets. Will not be making all of my goals, but spending has been much better than in past months. Definitely progress!

GOALS:
* Less than $100 in frivolous spending: month to date $139.55
* At least 25 days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 24/25
* No McDonalds: 30/31
* Avoid Target: 29/31
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 29/31
* NO library fines: month to date $0
* Stay within grocery budget: $472/$430
* Stay within eating out budget: $129.55/$80

Kim

[liangel]

[QUOTE=Crunchy*VT*Mom;9585632]liangel --



Thank you, Thank you!

[michelle524]

1

[Scribe]

Today just went totally downhill. I've discovered that if I spend early in the day, I feel like I screwed up the whole day anyway and keep spending. It's very bad. I need to remedy that.

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:
Oct 30: $10 Starbucks, joint account; $9 Goodwill, Visa; $20 Goodwill, Visa; $11 Target (Halloween candy), joint account; $6 Arby's, cash

[TRIBE]

MrsKennedy big big to you!!!

Oct 1:
Oct 2:
Oct 3:
made $70
made $8
Oct 4:
Oct 5:
Oct 6:
Oct 7:
Oct 8: :
Oct 9:
Oct 10: :
Oct 11: : fell off the wagon $173 @ evil-mart, $5 on weekly coffee
Oct 12:
Oct 13:
Oct 14:
Oct 15:
Oct 16:
Oct 17:
Oct 18:
Oct 19:
Oct 20:
Oct 21:
Oct 22:
Oct 23:
Oct 24:
Oct 25:
Oct 26:
Oct 27:
Oct 28:
Oct 29:
Oct 30: $30 on yarn plus shipping, business expense I'll earn back and I controlled myself by not buying a project book and yarn. $60 on math curriculum for 2 older boys. Wish I could buy the full curr but I am going to have to buy it in pieces. This is going to be a VERY tight November.

Goals to date:
27/23 no spend days
25/28 car rest days
day 26 of quitting smoking
paid off apartment lease debt $2300
paid off cell phone debt $383.96

Exceptions:
Necessary clothing/shoes
Halloween costumes DONE
New puppy payments
1 weekly coffee out

[pacificbliss]

Tribe your month looks awesome.

Michelle524 I know how that feels

Oct 1 $63 BRU $327.60 plane tix
Oct 2 $0
Oct 3 $10 Dr. Co-pay $3 Parking hate paying for parking at the Dr.
Oct 4 $0
Oct 5 $5 ice cream at the airport
Oct 6 $106.14 groceries (budgeted) $46.93 travel car seat bag (necessary) $95.00 car repair...not even the repair, just the diagnostic :
Oct 7 $0 Plus we didn't drive a car today. We did eat a restaurant meal but DH said it was his treat. Yes, the $ comes from the same account but I am only holding myself responsible for me here.
Oct. 8 $0
Oct 9 : $1075 car repair $10 Dr. co-pay
Oct 10 Groceries $55.00 budgeted and necessary
Oct 11 $32.00 lunch (me and DH), $37.00 drugstore, and $6.32 ice cream
Oct 12 $0
Oct 13 $0
Oct 14 $0
Oct 15 $0
Oct 16 $0
Oct 17 $5.73 at Wendy's!!! grrr
Oct 18 $6.17 at Rubio's
Oct 19 $95.73 on groceries
Oct 20 : $124.50 at Trader Joe's and $25 at dinner out
Oct 21 $112 in candle stuff
Oct 22 $94.25 at the grocery store $57.04 in gas
Oct 23 $48.07 at the grocery store
Oct 24 $44.71 grocery store $32.01 at a restaurant
Oct 25 $0
Oct 26 $219.25 Costco all essentials and better than I thought the trip would be $17.54 restaurant meal
Oct 27 : $240 Costco $8 pumpkin patch.
Oct 28 : $99 playplace membership
Oct 29 $0
Oct 30 $79.33 on groceries (all necessary as we're cooking and freezing some meals)

Goals:
11/15 no spend days
7/8 restaurant meals

[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!!
30. $4.xx at Target, $10 at Walmart, $12 at BK : made $18

*have at least 10 no spend days 9/10
*do NOT use CCs 27/31
*only go to SuperTarget on Fridays 5/4
*eat out of the pantry 23/31
*declutter and sell as much as possible 325/300 made $823 so far
*only fill up 2x a month 4/2

[BrooklynDoula]

So, in keeping with my mothly goals I have totalled out all of our bills and we were bummed out by some of our realizations. We did really well on our misc. spending ($177 and this is mostly postal, halloween costumes, socks for the whole family & pants for the baby, etc.). That is definately thanks to the no-spend challenge! I imagine I saved about $200 on keeping within this line. Our gas was $30 for the month and another $50 in metrocards (although one was bought today and will last me for half of the next month). Laundry is costing us $50 a month right now because we have to use the coin machines in the basement and it is pricey. I wish we could get that lower but not sure how at this point.

The real bummer was the realization that we were thinking ou food was costing us $500-$550 but it was $800 this month! Ack. So, time to start tightening that in a bit I guess -- need to come up with a plan for how! That is next months goal.

[vivalamama]

good day. having to come and report really does help curb the desire to spend on extras!

****************************************

Oct 20 Groceries
Oct 21 : $50 sushi for BIL
Oct 22 comforter for DH and I (returned spendier one)
Oct 23 Veggie box and Groceries ($5 frivolous otherwise in budget), comforter for DD2, snow tires for DH's car $300 used!, Halloween pumpkins and candy, winter boots for DD1, shampoo for girls, gasoline
Oct 24 car
Oct 25 DH haircut (under budget)
Oct 26 24/$20 for DD1's fall carnival
Oct 27
Oct 28
Oct 29 5.33 for deli food and soap at the hfs
Oct 30 groceries, pet supplies, gas, veggie box all in budget

****************************************

GOALS:
Plan menu and make grocery list every week! 2/2
Grocery shop once a week only 2/2
Fill up car once a week only on grocery day 2/2
Post used dipes and other stuff to sell on craigslist and tp- done
Cancelled Cable TV, saving us ~$45/month

Upcoming extras:
DD1 Snow boots 28/$35
Comforter for DD2 $43 (now need to make or con MIL into making duvet for it.)
Halloween candy 12/$10 plus forgot about pumpkins 17 dollars
DD1's school fall carnival and auction 24/$20

[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
30th $30 gas; $3 coffee

food: $996/$800 (groceries and eating out/taking out)
gas: $294/$250
coffee, etc: $34/$30
Halloween: 38.75/$40
fast food: 34.50/$25
misc. spending: $272/$50

Bought gas and coffee yesterday. Wow! I wish I had a more gas efficient car. I spent $300 on gas this month!

[leomom]

Originally Posted by MSAX

So, in keeping with my mothly goals I have totalled out all of our bills and we were bummed out by some of our realizations. We did really well on our misc. spending ($177 and this is mostly postal, halloween costumes, socks for the whole family & pants for the baby, etc.). That is definately thanks to the no-spend challenge! I imagine I saved about $200 on keeping within this line. Our gas was $30 for the month and another $50 in metrocards (although one was bought today and will last me for half of the next month). Laundry is costing us $50 a month right now because we have to use the coin machines in the basement and it is pricey. I wish we could get that lower but not sure how at this point.

The real bummer was the realization that we were thinking ou food was costing us $500-$550 but it was $800 this month! Ack. So, time to start tightening that in a bit I guess -- need to come up with a plan for how! That is next months goal.

That's awesome! Groceries are hard. That was my goal this month and I managed to not buy snacks. I only bought produce, dairy, meat, and bread. I tried to make my own bread some, too. It worked for us. Good luck next month!


Michelle, sorry about the tires. That sucks.

[Hollysmom]

Originally Posted by michelle524

Somebody please, please shoot me...

DH just called, he has a flat tire. We needed to get new tires on his car, but tonight??? I was hoping to do it when his commission check came in, but nope, gotta whip out that CC once again.

Honestly, I have just so had it with something breaking that we own every week.

:

This is the kind of stuff that drives me nuts!

[CherryBomb]

Originally Posted by michelle524

Somebody please, please shoot me...

DH just called, he has a flat tire. We needed to get new tires on his car, but tonight??? I was hoping to do it when his commission check came in, but nope, gotta whip out that CC once again.

Honestly, I have just so had it with something breaking that we own every week.

:

I understand what you mean We just had to do $200 in repairs on our junk car that dh uses to get to work. We put it on my mom's goodyear card, but that's still $200 more that I owe her. Uggh.

[blsilva]

We're finishing out the month with a no-spend day.
Now, off to make a better plan for November!

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

01..
02.. ,
03.. $10
04.. ,
05.. ,
06.. $8
07..
08.. $50
09.. $34,
10.. $42
11.. $10
12..
13.. $9
14..
15..
16..
17.. ,
18.. ,
19.. $5.85 McDonald's :
20..
21..
22..
23..
24..
25..
26.. ,
27..
28.. $5.34 Halloween Face Paint
29..
30.. $6.20 Subway Sandwich
31.. $22.89 Chinese Takeout

My Goals:

1. No Spend Days: 20/20
2. Let the Car Rest Days: 7/13

Whoa! Today the baby was craving Chinese Takeout and honestly I did not think I could LIVE without it.

I'm going to have to reign this baby in before next month or we'll be in debt by the time it actually arrives!

Here's to a better November!

[Om Girl]

Congrats to everyone for finishing out October!

DH, DD and I are all settled in the new house and I'll post some pics as soon as I've figured out where the cord for the digital is! Thanks for the congrats and sorry if I've missed some major milestones of yours along the last week or so...sending you all my best!
Summer

10/31
10/30 -$11.98 for birthday cards $22.00 on birthday cupcakes, but they were darn good!
10/29 -$25.00 for pizza for our moving help!
10/28
10/27 -$20.00 for pizza for our moving help!
10/26
10/25
10/24 Closed on the house, celebratory lunch and 6'ers of brew! (Also bought DH's birthday present using a GC and spent my VS GC on a much needed NON-NURSING bra!)

!WE ARE HOMEOWNERS!

10/23

Woot Woot! DH and I FINALLY created a budget!

10/22 -$56.19 @ grocery, +checking deposit
10/21 (I didn't spend but Gamma spent $$$ on us today)
10/20
10/19 -$72.95 @ REI (winter shoes, mitts and a down vest for DD )
10/18
10/17 & NO CAR day!
10/16 +bank deposit. -$8.95 for lunch (If I didn't know better I'd swear I was pregnant by the amount of food I've been "needing" lately )
10/15 -$13.99 for cardboard magazine holders (badly needed for the new house/move)
10/14
10/13
10/12 -$9.57 for pizza
10/11 , I think...can't really remember
10/10 +bank deposit, -$2.35 at the co-op for spices and bread, -$2.12 for McD's : (PMS)
10/09 -$5.97 for A&W for dinner, ugh...PMS cravings :
10/08 -$107.16 @ co-op for groceries, +checking deposit
10/07 -$17.23 @ Walgreens (diapers/hair clips), -$15.00 for malt and cheesecurds
10/06 -$17.00 on lunch/dinner @ work conference
10/05 -$31.50 on breakfast out (for the 3 of us)
10/04 -$33.05 on gas, -$35.00 on haircut ( this one!)
10/03 -$141.84 @ co-op (personal care items), -$34.75 @ CUB Foods
10/02 -$221.11 for Naturopath, -$8.56 for DD's med records and -$7.42 on lunch
10/01 +bank deposit / -$2.70 on organic chocolate

NO CAR DAYS: 4/31
HOME COOK'n: 14/31
Smart Spendr: 14/31

$=Money in the bank
$=Budgeted spending
$=Bad Spending

[Om Girl]

Originally Posted by MSAX

Laundry is costing us $50 a month right now because we have to use the coin machines in the basement and it is pricey. I wish we could get that lower but not sure how at this point.

You could try washing 3 loads every week...colors, darks and lights. Wash it all in cold and you don't have to worry about color bleeding or fading. We generally try to do laundry one day a week and use the same dryer so that way the heat that builds up makes it easier/faster to dry clothes.
Also wash from lightest to darkest first.
Jeans and towels take the longest to dry so do them last and utilize the excess heat of the dryer from the other 2 loads!

[***Heather***]

***October***

1
2
3 Groceries
4
5
6
7 Gas
8
9
10
11
12 Groceries
13
14
15
16
17
18 Groceries + $30 unnecessary + $35 necessary
19
20 $12 on lottery tickets. 2 x 3 drawings.
21
22
23
24
25
26 Groceries
27
28
29 Groceries (well, it was cat food really, but I add it in my grocery budget)
30
31

Budgeted spending:
$322/350 groceries
$48/50 gas
$25/25 crazy money
$0/30 footwear
$1/30 to give away

I've had a pretty darn good month! Wow! The only spending I feel "bad" about is the $30 on unnecessary stuff. I was angry that I couldn't find a good pair of shoes and bought "junk" to make me happy. So, so bad. But other than that, I had a good month. I LOVE having $25 of crazy money to spend on anything I want. It helps take the pressure off.