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December No-Spend Challenge -- Holidays are going strong...you can do it! - Page 3  

post #41 of 547
11/30/07 at 3:25pm
December! - here I come!

[1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.My name is Tiffany and although my husband and I are not really spenders, I would still like to see what I spend decrease.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of October. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.
We are currently TTC, and having trouble with that. Our insurance doesn't pay for meds or for IVF (if it comes to that), so we need to take a look at our spending. My first priority in spending is for my fertility meds.

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?
Plan: Not shopping online (Amazon is my weakness) or in the store. I am good with that. I hate shopping.

TRY to curb my fast food purchases/ eating out purchases.


On the plus side, we don't spend a lot for groceries. Husband sometimes works 2-11 or 1-10 shifts, so those days I eat cereal or a sandwich. I work Also hubby is GREAT for eating leftovers. I swear he could eat the same thing for 3 or 4 days in a row.

I really need to curb my spending this month! My working hours got decreased, so I need to be especially mindful til they pick up again- IF they pick up again.
post #42 of 547
11/30/07 at 7:12pm
Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself. i'm a 26 year old sahm to a 2.5 year old little boy, and am 22 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. we also own multiple pets.2.
Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of December. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.
we are closing on a house on monday.
we are also within a couple of months from being able to pay off our last credit card and my small student loan, (when we get our tax refund,)IF we can keep from racking up much additional cc debt during the move and upcoming holidays
our budget is going to get a lot tighter when we move, as our mortgage payment is several hundred dollars higher per month than the rent we're paying now.

so there ya go. my goals are kind of vague this month because of the move, but we need to spend a lot less. in january i'll be starting the new budget we just worked out.

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?[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]
there's no way it's going to be a no spend month, but i'm hoping to spend as little as possible. there are a few small things that we are going to have to repair as soon as we get there, the u haul, etc.

my goals are
to not buy new things for the house that we don't need . (that means hubby and i are going to have to try and curb the ikea habit for the month. lol)
not buy any more craft supplies. i have a ton of things in progress, and should be able to finish the gifts i'm making without buying anything else.
stay out of the stores as much as possible.
not buy any extra last minute christmas gifts
post #43 of 547
11/30/07 at 7:46pm
1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

Smithie, SAHM (with a PT telecommuting job) to James (3.5) and Sarah (18 months).

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of December. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

We are moving this month! My dh will be starting his own busniess in April, and I NEED to stop spending his paycheck because it will shortly be GONE, and then where will we be? Living on my $1360/month, that's where. We'll have no mortgage, no health insurance costs, and ds' preschool will be paid through June, so I KNOW WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK!!!!!

We are moving near my ILs, and they are melting the plastic on their credit cards buying Xmas gifts for the kiddos. We all have warm clothes, etc. We. need. nothing.

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?

I have some carryover goals from November, and I'm adding some new ones based on my experiences last month. I'm not going to record fixed costs (like mortgage, cable etc.) that I'm not planning to decrease. I AM going to record food and Xmas spending, because these are costs I can hugely decrease. I am also going to have 15 no-spending days. I will also use up the variety of gift cards I found when I cleaned out my junk drawer last month.

I just started the Amazon.com subscribe n' save program for household stuff (toilet paper, detergent, dipes). A six-month supply of pretty much everything will be waiting for me at the new house.

So, my specifc goals are:

No-spend: 0/15
Xmas for kids: 45/100
Xmas for family: 30/150
Groceries and takeout: 0/500
Incidental items for new house: 0/200
post #44 of 547
11/30/07 at 8:21pm
I need to join as well. We are trying to get things back in control after 7.5 months of craziness. Our house burned down in April, we had insurance, but really should have had a bigger policy. Things were going fine we were very tight with things, I bought all our furniture used other than the couch and loveseat which I couldn't find. My husband has done a large amount of the work as well. We are currently back home, although we still have lots of things to finish.

Now the problem is this. We have 3000 in cc debt from household stuff. The insurance company still owes us about $2500- I just found out this week that we will be getting about 600-700 less than we thought for this part of our claim. I really, really, really don't want to have to carry a balance. I am so frustrated with all of this, I budgeted everything so careful throughout everything and now at the end this. I really want to pay them off by the end of month. Dh is working tons of overtime and we are trying to be very tight to just get this whole mess over with and behind us. We have probably at least $500 worth of stuff to sell, if we can sell it. Hopefully we can do that this month as well. I am thinking it might be a good time as people are usually more free with their pocketbooks in December.

ugh... ok, forgot the intro... Amanda sahm to 2 3 yo Luke and 7.5 mo Lily.


Since moving home I have done very well at not going anywhere, generally I stay at home except for grocery shopping and church(after 7.5 mo of being constantly on the go I just want to be home).

We made a budget last month and will be starting the envelope system this month. This is mostly to keep groceries in check and dh;s extraneous spending.

plan:
no spend: 20
groceries: 250 or less
christmas: 100 or less
post #45 of 547
11/30/07 at 8:22pm
1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

Alison, single Mama to my babe Tobias, who is 15 months old. I am a student midwife, and I just opened my own business selling baby carriers.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of December. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

I had some really unexpected bills come up at the end of next month. Add to that I am no longer getting funding for being in school (since I am now only enrolled in a US school, and I'm Canadian). I had balanced the budget after I knew I would have no more school money, but those extra bills have pushed me over the edge

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?

I plan to use cash, and if I don't have cash in hand, I won't spend (and of course along with that goes only taking out the amount of cash I am going to need).
post #46 of 547
11/30/07 at 8:49pm
Thanks, Prudence, for carrying the torch!!!

[1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

I'm Amanda, homeschooling SAHM to four.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of December. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

I spent more than usual in Oct-Nov to cover our holiday plans, and now I'm all set. Need to tighten my belt in December to make up for it. We have cc debt we need to pay off, and I'm working toward that.

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?

Um, just not spend anything? I will do a pantry challenge and go to the grocery store only once this month, for absolute necessities. I will not go into other shops or stores for any reason - there is no reason to do so this month. I will do the same in Jan-Feb and see if I can catch up and save a bit before the spring.
post #47 of 547
11/30/07 at 10:06pm
Thread Starter 
Welcome new no-spenders!!!

And Welcome Back, regulars!!!

I hope we all have a great month and that we make it through the holidays with our wallets still intact.
post #48 of 547
11/30/07 at 10:20pm
I got to the 10th last month and just dropped out. I'm hoping to make it all the way through tracking December, even if I slip up.
post #49 of 547
11/30/07 at 10:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by crunchy_mama View Post
We made a budget last month and will be starting the envelope system this month. This is mostly to keep groceries in check and dh;s extraneous spending.

What's the envelope system? It sounds good, I need all the help I can get!
post #50 of 547
11/30/07 at 10:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by momaste View Post
I got to the 10th last month and just dropped out. I'm hoping to make it all the way through tracking December, even if I slip up.
I KNOW that I will slip up in Dec. way to much going on not to, But I still feel better being accountable for it..It makes me feel like I am making some sort-of progress!
post #51 of 547
11/30/07 at 10:36pm
1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

I'm a SAHM to a two-year old, married to a wonderful guy who has three kids from a prior marriage. The two younger ones are with us part of the time and DH has paid a HUGE chunk of his paycheck toward child support for the past eleven years.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of December. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

We moved to a much nicer, more expensive part of town last February and now have a humongous mortgage. We paid off all our debts (so long, student loan!) when we sold our last house to simplify things but we still have that huge mortgage. We need to tighten our belts if we want to stay here and getting ahead would be nice, too.

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?

November was AWESOME for me. The challenge really, really helped. My game plan is to list almost every single thing I spend money on, even things like groceries, so that I am held totally accountable. I have a problem with lumping "wants" under categories in the budget when I shouldn't be (i.e., chocolate that I'm jonesing for under "grocery"). I did so much better this past month at the grocery store when I came here and separated out what was truly necessary and what was not.

I'm also going to continue keeping up with the budget, logging things in right away and keeping my checkbook balanced. I used to be obsessive about this (sometimes looking at the budget multiple times a day) and I'm starting to get back to that. This is a good thing! Last month we paid back some money we owed to my stepdaughter's savings account (needed a new roof before winter) and we will have it completely paid off this month. Then we can start slowly but surely building up an emergency fund. A few months ago I didn't see how that would be possible, but the old saying is true -- if you watch your pennies the dollars will take care of themselves.

Good luck everyone!
post #52 of 547
11/30/07 at 10:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by New Mama View Post
[B]November was AWESOME for me. The challenge really, really helped. My game plan is to list almost every single thing I spend money on, even things like groceries, so that I am held totally accountable. I have a problem with lumping "wants" under categories in the budget when I shouldn't be (i.e., chocolate that I'm jonesing for under "grocery"). I did so much better this past month at the grocery store when I came here and separated out what was truly necessary and what was not.
That's great!! Your game plan might be one that I need to try!!
post #53 of 547
11/30/07 at 10:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ripcurlgirl26 View Post
What's the envelope system? It sounds good, I need all the help I can get!
Basically, the envelope system is a way to use cash and only cash for certain categories of spending (food, clothing, blow $, etc.) You budget a certain amount of cash each month..place the cash in envelopes (I put mine in a coupon holder under there own dividers) once the money from that category is spent..thats it!! no more $$
post #54 of 547
11/30/07 at 10:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mumkenna&lucas View Post
That's great!! Your game plan might be one that I need to try!!
Yep, it really made a huge difference for me. I know people keep saying, that's grocery, you don't need to list that...well, I do!
post #55 of 547
12/1/07 at 1:36am
November was helpful for me too. I'm looking forward to December. The saving frugal club is kind of fun. I get excited going to the grocery store with a list and a deal ad! LOL!!! I'm aiming for 15 true no spend days and everything else budget/bills only. Trying to build up an "emergency" fund (Dave Ramsey style! LOL) so anything we can save is awesome. I've got the tools now and Nov was a good trial run!
post #56 of 547
12/1/07 at 11:51am
Ok. I'll join! November was a big huge spend month for us. December should be a no/little spend month for us! I figure it cant be that hard but its always easier said than done.
I should only spend a max of another $50 for Christmas. Need/want a gift for BIL and my mom. They are difficult to shop for.
We have plenty of Costco supplies so I shouldn't even have to walk into Target or Costco this month. Wish me luck! HA. As I type this I remember we need more laundry soap.. So I'll see how this goes.
I am very laid back with my expenses. I am trying very hard to be more diligent. We want to start TTC again and I am wondering how we can do that unless I start some budgeting. So this is sorta my start.
My goal is to buy nothing extra!
Nothing extra even if it is on sale and its a good deal. (this is my downfall! )
Ok. Its the first now. So I guess I'll see how I do.
post #57 of 547
12/1/07 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom View Post
1. Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of December. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

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?
1. I am Rebekah--I've been here before usually dropping out about a week into the month. What's that saying? Fall down 3 times, get up 4? Money is a huge issue in our family. I spend most of it, being that I am the grocery shopper, the gas pumper, the laundry detergent purchaser, the pediatrician taker, the vet dropper-offer, etc. DP agrees that most of what I buy is necessity. My problem is when I go to Target for a prescription and throw a couple of "treats" in for me. I am always "treating" myself and it's time to reign that in once and for all.

2. I've decided to go 'no-spend' this month because I want to see if it will help our marriage. I have not ever really given it my all (the no-spend, that is) and I wonder if that really is the issue at hand with the general discord between each other. Also, this month is stereotypically a HUGE spendy month. Either I love a challenge or I'm a glutton for punishment.

3. My plan is firstly, to transfer my scripts to Sam's. They will be the same price or cheaper and I am less likely to buy anything unneccesary there since we pay by check and I hate writing checks, carrying the checkbook. Next, I plan to go by the mantra "Use what you have". If I am feeling bored or restless, I will rearrange a room, declutter, turn something old into something new, repurpose things to make life simpler, easier, etc.

If I think of more, I'll be back to post!
post #58 of 547
12/1/07 at 4:02pm
Thread Starter 
01..

1/20 No spend days
0/10 Let the car rest days

We got our Christmas tree today -- for us that is a necessity...so now we are staying home the rest of the day to decorate it.
post #59 of 547
12/1/07 at 4:43pm
Wow, three pages of posts already!

1.Please introduce yourself and tell us anything you think it would help us to know about yourself.

I'm Erica, I live in Seattle with my husband and two sons. My husband and I both work, although I’m on maternity leave right now. I participated in the challenge in August, September and part of October. We have a brand new family budget and the challenge has been great for helping me stick to it, but it still needs some work.

2. Please tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of December. Memorize these goals and recite them to yourself before all purchases.

With a second child in the picture, we need to figure out how we are going to:
1) maintain our regular living expenses WITHOUT increasing our debt
2) keep working to get out of debt
3) fund the increased child care expenses
4) fund the last month of my maternity leave, which will be unpaid.

I have a habit of spending small chunks of money on frivolous things while believing that it doesn't really matter. I'm hoping to show myself that making good decisions on a consistent basis will amount to significant savings.

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?

--Avoid credit card spending! Anything that goes on the credit card must come off within the same month.
--Shop mindfully. Don’t buy anything that’s not on the list.
--Stay within household budget.
--Plan discretionary spending on carefully considered items and add these to the budget. The budget is a tool, not a blunt instrument.

DECEMBER GOALS
*10 actual no-spend days (this should be relatively easy since I am on maternity leave and barely leaving the house)
* 5 let-the-car-rest days (also made easier by the maternity leave thing)
*less than $75 in discretionary/preventable spending
*no more than 5 lattes
*no unfunded credit card charges (this one will be HARD due to Christmas shopping… it may be a struggle to pay off all our Christmas purchases immediately, although we fortunately have not added anything to our largest credit card balance.
*get back to the budget and make it work
post #60 of 547
12/1/07 at 4:58pm
I spent $25 at the thrift store on a suit, boots, and a sweater. I really needed the suit since I stupidly got rid of the great blue BCBG one I had. I was much bigger b/c of pp weight, but now it would fit perfectly again. I have an interview to do some tutoring and need to look presentable. I also bought a sweater, which I don't need, but I couldn't resist. Maybe I'll sell it on Ebay.

1st $30 gas; $25 thrift store

I will NOT patronize any fast food places!
I will NOT patronize any big box stores except Home Depot if necessary.

GOALS:
Food from the grocery store: $0/$500
Eating out: $0/$25 (DH has the same amount)
gas: $0/$200
races (DH and me): $0/$50 (I might use mine toward yoga though)
Christmas: $0/$150
Misc.: $25/$25


1/31 NO FAST FOOD! 1/31 NO BIG BOX STORES!


KEY: : True no spend Spending within budget : Spending outside budget
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