November No-Spend Challenge ~ Come check in, it's time to get started saving money! - Page 6

[BrooklynDoula]

November 1:

0/$650 household/food
0/$250 Misc Spending
0/$40 metrocard
0/$50 laundry
0/$40 for fun
0/$400 into savings account
0/$600 on the debt
1/15 no-spend (on anything, even necessary things)

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Went into town to meet up with my daycare babe's mama and requested that we NOT meet at a coffee shop. No spending on iced coffee!

Also, briefly contemplated buying picture frames for all of the cute pics of DS that I have printed out lately. Decided to use magnets on the fridge instead.

Count me in for one no-spend day so far! Not even on necessary things!

No iced coffees/lattes when at mama lunches1/30
No extra groceries beyond necessities $0
Christmas presents that are homemade total count 0
Shopping at work purchases $0
Eating lunch/dinner out $0

Hoping to cancel my gym membership tomorrow which I haven't used in months and don't plan to need until next summer. (only use the pool, don't want to carry a wet babe in cold weather to the car) Maybe will post some things for sale in the Trading Post!

[blsilva]

November Goals:

20 no spend days

Groceries: $450

Eat-out: $50

Gas: $200

Misc: $200

Get at least 1 more tutoring job.

I spent a lot less last month than before, but I want to cut it even more this month, so now I have a plan!

[mamimapster]

Originally Posted by sandygirl

what kind of lunchbox are you looking for? I have a brand new cooler-type one that I would be more than willing to send you for shipping only.

I WAS looking for one of those soft kid-type ones like my Dd's. I found it today at a thrift for .60 ... A big thank you for the offer though. It took me two months to find one that I could see spending money on!

[mamamilkers]

11/01: $27 on WAY over-due library fines and a book that DD ripped :. $17.50 on costume stuff from Target's Halloween clearance. $4 on a cup for DD from Starbucks.

1. 0/20 no-spend days.
2. $229/$250 on groceries and household items for Oct 26-Nov 8
3. $22.50/$0 spent on my DDs (who are in need of NOTHING!)
4. $0/$0 on the credit card
5. $9/$315 personal spending on anything I wish

KEY:
=true no-spend
=spending within the budget
=out of budget spending

Okay, today started out with a giant . . . THUD. Sigh. I did know I was going to hit up Target's clearance because the dresses are a great deal now. DD LOVES to dress up and I wanted to see what they had. But I wasn't going to get them anything! It's the first day of the money and I've spent over $20 on my older DD! Sigh. Okay, where's my lashing with a wet noodle?

[catchthewind]

Ok I'm already going out of budget today. But it's on something we've been looking for for a while. A lady posted 12 Bum Genius diapers on Craigs List and I managed to get to her first. Usually those are gone within hours of the posting. So I'm going to pick them up, but it means I'm over my $100 I budgeted for baby stuff this month. Oh well, hopefully that means no more buying diapers for a while. (Maybe ever, since we EC. 12 one-size might be enough to get us through even once our current stash of fitteds is too small, I don't know how much older babies pee and poo!) I joined the pantry challenge though, so I'm thinking if I can shave an extra $100 off our food bill that will make up for the diapers. DH and I keep meaning to sit down and work out some goals together so we're going to rework the goals I posted earlier. I'll be back after we figure those out to check in and update.

[pacificbliss]

Nov 1 I thought it would be a no-spend day but I spent $14 at Staples on a wall map so I could map out my territory (I'm in sales)

$0/$400 groeceries
$14/$300 household

[mamamilkers]

I thought it might be neat to see a list of all of us who are no-spenders this month! I can add to the list as people join, as well.

No-Spend Challengers so far:

Crunchy*VT*Mom
michelle524
DandeCobb
mrskennedy
bornbythesea
happyhippiemama
frog
chely7425
CherryBomb
Graceoc
mysticpi
heatherdeg
mom2jack
avengingophelia
kathirynne
isosmom
mamamilkers
netgyks
anniej
sarahlyao
Kewpie
VeganLove
mom2dea
normajean
sandygirl
***Heather***
TRIBE
FamilyFriendlyLife
my2girlz
New Mama
Synchro246
momaste
pacificbliss
MSAX
CKinAK
Pumpkin_Pie
HollysMom
Mavournin
d&xmommy
MCsMom
dachshundqueen
LindyLou
Miasmamma
Iris' Mom
catchthewind
KimProbable
AGlimmeringHope
leomom
anarchamama
Mom2Wilmo
SugarAndSun
liangel
OliveGirl
beansmama
momma earthical
mamimapster
mumkenna&lucas
annethcz
Ruthiegirl
ekortering
boogiemonster
nina_yyc
rockchick22
JohnsCelticQueen
mamalotusyoga
JEB20005
brennasmom
crayolaab
BurgundyElephant

[CelticAngel]

I bombed last month and I'm vowing to myself to do better this month.

1. I'm Jennifer student and WOHM to 3 kiddos.

2. The amount of stuff we have drives me nuts. I loath cleaning it up on a daily basis. I hate the fact that we eat out too often. The prices I spend on clothes for me makes me ill when I know I have the ablility to make them myself (clothes for fluffy mamas aren't cheap). I went overboard on the diaper stash when my youngest was still in diapers, I know there is a cheaper way to cd and still be happy with my stash.

3. The Plan
The days I don't have school are to be no drive days. 13 days for Nov
No eating out. I've teamed up with my mom to once-a-month cooking dinners
No more spending on items that are nessasary

I'm sure I'll think more later but that's it for now.

[nina_yyc]

Originally Posted by mysticpi

QUESTION: I am wondering how you guys budget savings into your budget. Should I just say all extra $ goes to savings or should I set an amount and give myself some wiggle room for error? (and how much wiggle room?)

I don't find that there is such a thing as extra $ in my world...I will spend whatever I have. So I have an automatic transfer set up at the bank that on the first of each month.

My budget has 10% wiggle room. (Sounds like a lot, I know...I have trouble staying on track.)

We're saving for a down payment too! Good luck.

Originally Posted by michelle524

Hey all - I have a question for you:

DH and I both get paid on the 15th and last day of the month. Some months I pay the bills on the last day, sometimes the first of the next, sometimes a few days early (if the last day is a Sunday, we get paid Friday prior). What month should I count these in. I'm going to try to be consistent for budgeting purposes. I paid our bills on 10/31 this time around b/c DH was home to watch DS. Should I count that as November spending?

WWYD?

I don't think it matters as long as your consistent each month. Why don't you try counting the bills you just paid as October spending, so you can get used to paying stuff in advance?

[KimProbable]

November 1
I'm having one of *those* days, and I tell you if it hadn't been for this thread I'd have been asking DH to pick up some supper on the way home! I ended up making a really simple tuna casserole in the slow cooker instead.

[Om Girl]

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.
Hi my name is Summer and I'm a recovering spend-a-holic. I am a PT WOHM happily married to DH and proud mommy of one DD. DH and I just became a one-car family!
2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of November. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.
I am spending significantly less than normal because we just moved into our first (purchased) home.
My goals:

• to spend minimally on home items, and search craigslist and freecycle to things we need.
• to start saving 10% of my earnings for Christmas presents.
• to cook 6/7 nights a week.

3. No spending is hard work. You need a plan. Please tell us your game plan -- how do you plan to approach no spending for a month?
My plan:

• stay away from malls
• make shopping lists and stick to them
• re-freeze the credit cards

[Mom2Wilmo]

My first no spend day was a success! I don't anticipate spending money tomorrow either. This is great b/c DP told me today that he is switching to a day shift. This will mean a 10% loss in pay.
I'm freaking out a little bit here...but he will get a raise in March an that should help a little. This is just horrible timing right before Christmas. AND a new baby!

[michelle524]

Originally Posted by michelle524

I have already thoroughly had it for the day, so there is no way I'm going out. That makes it no spend. I took freezer chili out for dinner so we are not getting take out. I'm making DH pudding so he won't need to stop for ice cream on the way home.

1/11 no drive days
1/17 no spend days
$0/$50 mad money (for coffees, lunches, etc.)
$0/$300 groceries
$0/$200 take out/restaurant
$0/$134.02 entertainment

11/1:

I need to hire a smiley maker to make this with a great big X through it.


Also, I sold a book on Half.com for about $2.

1/11 no drive days
0/17 no spend days
$0/$50 mad money (for coffees, lunches, etc.)
$0/$300 groceries
$24.45/$200 take out/restaurant
$0/$134.02 entertainment

[leomom]

Originally Posted by michelle524

Hey all - I have a question for you:

DH and I both get paid on the 15th and last day of the month. Some months I pay the bills on the last day, sometimes the first of the next, sometimes a few days early (if the last day is a Sunday, we get paid Friday prior). What month should I count these in. I'm going to try to be consistent for budgeting purposes. I paid our bills on 10/31 this time around b/c DH was home to watch DS. Should I count that as November spending?

WWYD?

I'd count it as whatever month the bill is for...if it's your November bill, due Nov. 1st or later, I'd count it as that. But I agree that it doesn't really matter as long as you're consistent.

Originally Posted by mamamilkers

11/01: $27 on WAY over-due library fines and a book that DD ripped :. $17.50 on costume stuff from Target's Halloween clearance. $4 on a cup for DD from Starbucks.

1. 0/20 no-spend days.
2. $229/$250 on groceries and household items for Oct 26-Nov 8
3. $22.50/$0 spent on my DDs (who are in need of NOTHING!)
4. $0/$0 on the credit card
5. $9/$315 personal spending on anything I wish

Okay, today started out with a giant . . . THUD. Sigh. I did know I was going to hit up Target's clearance because the dresses are a great deal now. DD LOVES to dress up and I wanted to see what they had. But I wasn't going to get them anything! It's the first day of the money and I've spent over $20 on my older DD! Sigh. Okay, where's my lashing with a wet noodle?

I was at Target first thing this morning, too, to get costumes. I bought 4:, but they are dd's only holiday present this year and she LOVES dressing up. I also didn't buy her a costume this year, she used stuff she already had and now she can do that next year, too, so I'm ok with it.

I have to ask, though...if you weren't going to buy anything...why, why would you venture into Target? Are you one of those look fear in the face, edge of a cliff types???

1: Only budgeted spending, including holiday gifts and groceries

• My plan is to stick to perimeter in grocery and only go once a week and use a list.
• Try to live by the mantra, "Less is more."
• Use only cash. Only use my debit card for gas. If I purchase something online I will go to bank FIRST and deposit the cash.
• Only buy things (things we need) that are on sale and a GREAT deal or cannot wait.! (Other than groceries)

Goals:

No spend days: 1/20
No grocery days: 0/24
Only cash days (debit card for gas): 1/28

[annethcz]

OMG mamamilkers- that's one long list! No wonder these threads get so long!

My goals:
Lunch out with DH: 0/2
Stay within 15 miles of home: 0/24
No frivolous spending: 1/30
Track Grocery spending: $11.30
Track Eating out spending: $0
Track gasoline spending: $0
Track spending/income on chickens: $2.02 for 10 egg cartons today. Should be able to sell 2-3 dozen eggs next week.

[sandygirl]

Today was a so-so day. We ended up having to get the brakes on the other side of the van fixed - so not a no-spend day.

Nov. 1 - $50 for faxes, $16.49 for lunch {chines buffet place that ups my milk supply with their yummy wonton soup}, $55 for brakes, and $30.12 at goodwill {mostly for x-mas gifts} :


I am trying though! DD didn't get ANY clothing today at goodwill - she doesn't need anything except a windbreaker suit for the next 2 sizes up.

[Iris' Mom]

Nov-1--I-spent-nothing-yay!-but-dd-spilled-a-huge-glass-of-ilk-all-over-the-keyboard-of-the-coputer-and-the-space-bar-period-coa-and-the-letter-after-l-button-do-not-work-so-toorrow-I-have-to-buy-a-new-keyboard--She-is-17-by-the-way-not-5-and-I-a-not-pleased--:

[michelle524]

Originally Posted by Iris' Mom

Nov-1--I-spent-nothing-yay!-but-dd-spilled-a-huge-glass-of-ilk-all-over-the-keyboard-of-the-coputer-and-the-space-bar-period-coa-and-the-letter-after-l-button-do-not-work-so-toorrow-I-have-to-buy-a-new-keyboard--She-is-17-by-the-way-not-5-and-I-a-not-pleased--:

I'm sorry, but this has me :
(not that you need a new key board, but that you actually still posted even though it's not working right! - i didn't want you to think i was mean.)

[sandygirl]

Originally Posted by Iris' Mom

Nov-1--I-spent-nothing-yay!-but-dd-spilled-a-huge-glass-of-ilk-all-over-the-keyboard-of-the-coputer-and-the-space-bar-period-coa-and-the-letter-after-l-button-do-not-work-so-toorrow-I-have-to-buy-a-new-keyboard--She-is-17-by-the-way-not-5-and-I-a-not-pleased--:

turn it upside down on a towel - let it drain / dry for a few hours then try it again. This normally works for me with soda.