April No-Spend Challenge ~ Last day of our challenge. How did you do? - Page 31

[annethcz]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

I'm great at no-spending, but let me have a little slip-up and suddenly I give up. Since I've already spent SOME money, I decide to spend a whole lot more.

I do this too.

I've convinced myself that if I use PayPal funds to buy items off ebay, it doesn't "count." It's not like it's real money, right?

[Patrick's mummy]

01: $134 groceries/household stuff - within budget but more than I meant to spend IYKWIM. However, I did get some PP pads, some labour drinks and a bit of extra meat to make PP meals for the freezer, so I got a lot for my money. DH spent $1 at work on a chocolate bar!
02: No spend!!! DH spent a tiny bit at work but this isn't his challenge....
03: DH spent $7 on playing football plus $1.5 on a drink afterwards. The weather was glorious so I took DS1 and DS2 to the park after school. I had packed snacks but DS1 accidentally dropped his and spilled them everywhere so I ended up with a $2 spend at the store for replacements.......
04: Needed butter but came out of the store with chocolate too So, that's $4 out of my grocery budget. I wanted a Coke later but I resisted so it wasn't all bad!!
05: $3 on groceries. Still within budget but wouldn't have bought this by choice, it was related to an argument with my DH about my trying to cut down on groceries and him claiming he is being left hungry??!?!
06: $4 on groceries. By some miracle, I sent DH to the store for bread, milk and cheese and he *only* came back with those items!! Progress!!! That is my household/grocery budget spent til Weds so we need to manage with what we have now. DH is aware!!
07: No spend!!
08: $120 groceries/household (that's within budget and pretty good given that we needed diapers for nighttime use and laundry stuff.......) plus $120 gas (within budget but still scary)
09: No spend!!
10: No spend AND no drive! Just off to polish my halo........
11: $2 parking to take DS2 on a walk. Later I had my tutorial social. I'll get reimbursed the main and the drink so technically only spent $5 on a dessert. I didn't need it, so that was a bad purchase.
12id pretty well on my tutorial by packing a lunch and drinks. Spent $2 on a tea (mainly just to be sociable so needless really ) and left a tip after dinner. Dinner will be on expenses. DH took the kids out to the library and got lunch while they were in town - $6 on lunch plus $4 on a gift for DS1 and probably $4 on parking.
13: $5 on a cake and some juice to take to the tutorial. I had promised to bake but was way too tired, so this was a compromise and probably didn't work out much more expensive than baking at home. DH took the kids to the park and picked up some lunch items - $4. I then had to get $12 worth of groceries for dinner because DH hadn't followed my meal plan in my absence!! Plus $6 contribution to a gift for someone in the tutorial group who has finished the course.
14:No spend and no drive for me but DH bought a loaf and some mints - $2.
15: Wooah, lots of spending today. Spent $176 in total on this week's groceries, DH's birthday presents, some extra food that is intended for postpartum and some vitamins for DS1 and me. Then, I took the kids to McDonald's as a treat and spent $14.
16: No spend, no drive. Midwife came to me and made a belly cast!!
17: I think I can record today as a no spend. We've been out for DH's birthday and we're going back out for dinner but his folks are here and I think they're paying! Turns out that DH spent $12 on sweets during our day out!!
18: Well today could have been a no spend, no drive for me but I got the urge to eat chocolate and drink something fizzy and gave in to it. Actually drove especially to do it too - shameful. Got a few things on sale while I was there so spend came in at $12......DH bought himself a McDonalds for lunch today and spent $40 on a book but that was his birthday money so fine.....
19: $18 dry cleaning, $12 groceries - we are over budget this week by a mile
20: $26 on a double stroller, a shirt for DS1 that he can wear to the two weddings we are invited to this year, and a book for DS2 as a gift from baby3 when he/she arrives!
21: $52 cranial osteopath, $40 gas, $4 groceries
22: $3 groceries

We are so overbudget with groceries that I now have only $40 left to spend for the rest of the month. Hmmm

[Jecca]

4/1 no spend
4/2 2.00 coffee
4/3 $2.00 coffee
4/4 2.00 breakfast
4/5 no spend
4/6 no spend, dh bought groceries
4/7 no spend
4/8 no spend
4/9 $2.00 coffee
4/10 $2.00 coffee $6.00 lunch
4/11 $6.00 lunch
4/12 $6.00 lunch for dh and i
4/13 $76.00 groceries $4.00 coffee
4/14 .99 snack for dd
4/15 no spend (I'm not leaving the house)
4/16 $2.00 coffee
4/17No spend
4/18 $2.00 coffee
4/19 I cant even go there. $120 in groceries
4/20 $7.00
4/21 No spend
4/22 $15.00 beverages while we were out and bubbles
4/23
4/24

Been sitting here thinking and i guess i should set some goals ive been playing the game for a bit now.

Goals
no spend 4 days a week
groceries $240.00
Gas (just for me dh gets some compensated) $40.00 a week

[annethcz]

April 1: budgeted spending: $16.21 groceries, $22.35 school lunches/juice for April
April 2: budgeted spending: $11.39 lunch out, $48.10 gas, $15.65 dollar store
April 3: budgeted spending: $$17.26 Dollar Store, $94.85 grocery store, $11.99 Bakery Outlet
April 4: budgeted spending: $6 ECFE class fee, $17.40 softener salt & chicken feed, $12 kids' school carnival
April 5: no spend
April 6: no spend, no drive
April 7: budgeted spending: $20.75 groceries
April 8: no spend
April 9: no spend
April 10: budgeted spending: $72.21 groceries, $7.71 cat food
April 11: no spend
April 12: budgeted spending: $26.81 Target, $7 shoes for DS (why does this child keep growing???? ), $22.89 pizza, also paid state 2007 income taxes and mortgage for May
April 13: no spend, no drive
April 14: budgeted spending: $27.67 lunch out, $56.49 gas
April 15: budgeted spending: $48 school fundraiser, $22.89 pizza takeout
April 16: budgeted spending: $15.11 lunch out, $14.51 gardening supplies, $10.64 soda for DH, : unbudgeted spending: $101.24 groceries
April 17: budgeted spending: $10.99 dinner takeout, : unbudgeted spending: $54.05 gas
April 18: no spend
April 19: no spend, no drive
April 20: budgeted spending: $14.35 lunch, $18.50 DD haircut
April 21: no spend

My goals for April:
9/15 true no-spend days
3/5 no drive days
8/less than 15 days driving more than 50 miles in a day
$407.97/$400 groceries
$187.97/$200 household/misc.
$264.13/$250 gas
$137.29/$150 eating out/take out/entertainment
$14.51/$50 garden
490/1000 minutes on the treadmill
2/20 items sold

[ladyinred]

Spent a lot of time outside today which was great. We only have a tiny bit of snow left and I think I'll be able to start planting my garden soon! Df is sick still. I think I'll have to take him to the doctor tomorrow. Luckily he has health insurance.

My Key:
- No spend
- Planned spending
- Unplanned but necessary spending
: - Unplanned and unnecessary spending
: - Worked, tutored or taught
: - Paid

01/04 - $75.00 on clothes for work
02/04 - :
03/04 - : : : :
04/04 - : Went out to dinner which was planned but spent WAY over what I planned $95.00
05/04 -
06/04 -
07/04 - : : (GST cheque)
08/04 - :: (income tax)
09/04 - : :
10/04 - $64.00 at the dentist plus a taxi home : : :
11/04 - : :
12/04 - $11.00 for wine
13/04 -
14/04 - : :
15/04 - :
16/04 - :
17/04 - : : : $49.00 for seeds and babynaming gift
18/04 - $39.00 bus
19/04 - $25.00 lunch $29.00 book
20/04 - $45.00 gas
21/04 - $10.00 groceries : :
22/04 -

Goals:
No spend days - 13/20
$15 in savings envelope per tutoring pay 3/4
Put tax return on student loan
Find out if I can get EI this summer
Pay off CC - Done

Budget:
Income around $2860.00
Df for bills - $560.00
Student loan - $30/$1060
Pay off CC - $465.00 Done
Dentist - $54.00/$54.00 + ????
Other - $388.00

Total spent so far - $937.00

[westernskies]

4/22 No Spend! No Drive!

I have been writing out my list of places to go and budgeted money to spend for this coming Friday. I think if I have it all written out and stick to the list it will help meet my goals. Our blender bit the dust this afternoon in the midst of making me a smoothie. It has been hard not to just jump in the car and go buy another one, but I can wait! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

[dsaucone]

4/7
4/8 $23 + $10 into savings!
4/9 $4
4/10 $37
4/11
4/12
4/13 $21.50
4/14
4/15 $60 on scrubs for work. (necessary)
4/16
4/17
4/18 $6.50
4/19 $5
4/20 $25
4/21 $1.50
4/22

GOALS:
8/15
$10/$50 into savings

KEY:
no unecessary spending
uh-oh - running total $123.50

[HopelessPoet]

This is my first month trying this and I didn't catch on until late.

4/16 $7.00 Gasoline
4/17 $16.19 Groceries, $9.79 Household Items
4/18 $8.01 Gasoline, $9.46 Mcdonalds, $1.17 Soda, $42.83 Groceries, $4.85 Household Items
4/19 $55.82 Cellphone, $5.29 Gasoline Treatment, $3.47 Mcdonalds, $43.04 Gasoline
4/20 $48.68 Groceries, $2.73 Household Items, $2.12 Mcdonalds, $7.57 Medicine
4/21 $9.47 Groceries, $3.47 Household Items
4/22 $3.26 Huddlehouse, $146.37 Housepayment

TOTALS TO DATE
Gasoline/Car Stuff: $63.34
Groceries: $117.17
Household Items: $20.84
Bills: $202.19
Medicine: $7.57
Eatout/Friv. Spending: $19.48

[lizziebits]

Apr 1 --
Apr 2 -- Groceries: $51, Post Office: $31, Linens & Things: $15
Apr 3 --
Apr 4 -- Gifts for god daughter and dad: $15
Apr 5 -- Breakfast Sandwich at McDonald's: $5, Movie Rental: $5
Apr 6 -- Newspapers at Dollar Tree: $3, Groceries: $6
Apr 7 --
Apr 8 -- Coke: $2, Groceries: $59, CVS: $2
Apr 9 --
Apr 10 --
Apr 11 -- Snack: $2, Post office: $4, Ice Cream: $6
Apr 12 -- Breakfast: $5, Target: $9
Apr 13 -- Newspapers: $3, Groceries: $9
Apr 14 -- : Vending Machine: $1.25
Apr 15 --
Apr 16 -- Groceries, $85
Apr 17 -- Lunch: $3
Apr 18 -- : Snacks: $4
Apr 19 -- : Breakfast: $5, CVS: .50
Apr 20 -- Entertainment: $32, Newspapers: $3
Apr 21 --
Apr 22 --

Alright, a no spend. I just need to not drive. I do so much better when I don't drive.

-- No Spend
-- Spend within Budget
-- Budgeted by Frivolous
: -- Unplanned/Unbudgeted Spending

April Running Tally:
8/30 -- No Spend
8/30 -- Budget Spend
3/30 -- Budget, but Frivolous
3/30 -- Non Budget Spend

Week 1 -- 92 miles/100 miles
Week 2 -- 125/100 miles
Week 3 -- 110/100 miles
Week 4 -- 0/100 miles

Goals: 15 No Spend, 15 Spend with Budget, under 100 miles/week

[oetien]

04/01 - no spend
04/02 - no spend
04/03 - no spend
04/04 - whole foods $25
04/05 - no spend
04/06 - no spend
04/07 - no spend
04/08 - no spend
04/09 - whole foods $20
04/10 - no spend
04/11 - no spend
04/12 - no spend
04/13 - Trader Joe's $65
04/14 - CVS $15
04/15 - Groceries $5
04/16 - Eat out (only me) $11, Groceries (not really planned) $15
04/17 - No Spend Day!! Yay!
04/18 - no spend
04/19 - Clothes for dd $25, household & groceries $55
04/20 - household/groceries $20, toys $34
04/21 - no spend
04/22 - clothes etc $20, groceries $18

(I know I am bad, I'll try to control myself more, only a few more days to go)

[liangel]

My key:
-no spend
:-groceries
-gas
-unnecessary spending

4/1-
4/2- $40-gas.
4/3-
4/4-
4/5-
4/6-
4/7-
4/8-
4/9-
4/10-
4/11-
4/12-
4/13-
4/14- $53.23 Household items. I went to BJ's and bought Papertowels, toilet paper and tissues ONLY. These should last quite a while since it's only me and DH. I actually wrote it on the calendar, so I know how long it takes before we need that stuff again. I went to another store and bought Shower Cleaner (Value size so it's really 2 shower cleaners), a big thing of Spray and Wash and Sour cream.
I also get a for today for spending $7.01 on a Salad at Zaxby's. I did split it up into 2 salads though when I got home.
4/15-
4/16- $4.10-McD's bkfst
4/17- $6 Dunkin Donuts (Iced Coffee, Hashbrowns, 2 Donuts-for niece and nephew.
4/18-: $32 groceries
4/19-
4/20- $50 gas :$20 groceries.
4/21-
4/22-

[FeelingBlessed]

Was tempted to hit the store this morning after our carrot cake cupcakes (contributions for Earth Day bash) literally fell flat, but rallied and quickly made cookies (which the kiddos decorated + scarfed up). Great day; no spend!

Kim

April 1:
April 2: parking ticket + library fine
April 3:
April 4:
April 5:
April 6:
April 7:
April 8:
April 9:
April 10:
April 11:
April 12: Adopted 2 cats - not in budget (but not frivolous)
April 13:
April 14:
April 15: pizza + ice cream
April 16: ice cream date w/ DH
April 17: overbudget on add'l produce
April 18:
April 19:
April 20:
April 21:
April 22:

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $32
* At least 25 days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 19/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 21/30
* NO library fines: month to date $12
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $550/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 17/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 15/25
* Items posted for sale on internet: 11/10
* Meal plan created: 1/4 weeks

[FeelingBlessed]

Originally Posted by Crunchy*VT*Mom

I'm going to be a broke woman who is enormously pregnant, desperately trying to LOOK stylish...but not quite making it.

Hey Prudence, remember what you always tell us: FIDO! Tomorrow is another (potentially no-spend) day; May is another month; this baby will arrive safely, and then you can be the stylish new mama of 3. You are tracking your brief pit stop from this wagon train, so progress, not perfection. And, finally, check in here before you spend again - we can help (and we have all been there, and most of us will be visiting there again in the future)!

Kim

[*andiflipping*]

4/01....
4/02... Groceries 56.23 (3 stores)...Gas $36.41
4/03....
4/04....
4/05... $15 at the movies for my birthday
4/06....
4/07.... groceries $73.06...Frontier Order most of it was budgeted but I would say $15ish could have waited so that is why I put
4/08.... groceries 18.06
4/09... I gave myself the sad face due to $7.45 at the co-signment shop for two maternity shirts. I shouldn't have gone it but my friend who works there called and told me they had gotten a ton of cute maternity in. $7.61 on diapers for night-time. (comes out of grocery fund). $32.67 at maurices on some tops but I had a merch. credit so I am not counting this one against me.
4/10.... $36 gas
4/11... Picked up Judah's b-day present $12.56, groceries $7.96
4/12.... huge really really bad day. I caved into DH and let him order a paintball gun. $134.98. I spent some of my birthday money and then some on shoes. $180 Ordered a cookbook..$8.99. Baby shower gift $4.35. I blame MDC being down for no support. But really I am so ashamed of this day.
4/13...
4/14... spent $5.34 at thrift store. I just shouldn't go in.
4/15... 1.86 groceries and $8.32 at the PO
4/16.... $4.76 skateboard at co-signment shop for ds, $7.42 PO, $1.06 Victorias Secret
4/17.. $17 at the PO
4/18... $40 groceries and $40 gas and $5 garage sale clothing
4/19... $50 gas and $5 on ice cream as a family treat
4/20.... $35 on grass seed supplies
4/21... $55 groceries and $17 on photo developing
4/22....

Key...
True no spend
Spend within budget
unbudgeted but needed($47.56)
unbudgeted and totally not needed ($383.49)
: no drive


Goals
7/21 no spend/spend within budget
162.41/$300 gas
259.78/$300 groceries
more no drive days (I think I only had 3 last month)

[scrapadoozer]

04/01:
04/02 Toy for dd $3
04/03
04/04
04/05
04/06
04/07
04/08 Toy for dd $2, Pillowcase $1
04/09
04/10
04/11
04/12 Wireless headphones $15, Sewing supplies $32, DVD for DD $5
04/13
04/14
04/15
04/16 Swap shipping $9
04/17 Coloring book $1
04/18
04/19 Fabric $100
04/20
04/21
04/22

Ugh, about the fabric. DH convinced me I needed it. Trust me, I didn't! Still under my $200 limit for the month at least!

Goals:
16/20 No Spend Days
$168/$200 in frivolous spending

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

Awww....Thanks Kim

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

double (triple?) post

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

We've packed a lunch, we're heading to a park.

I have to mail off a gift to my secret sister in my pregnancy buddy group -- but I consider gifts and such necessary spending since friends and family are my main source of happiness in life (much more than money) so I'm not going to count that. That's not frivolous spending.

Hopefully today will be a good day.

[mamaof6]

Two No Spends in a row. 3 more to go!!

4/01 budgeted spending: $39.76 groceries
4/02 No Spend Day!!!
4/03 budgeted spending: $193.71 groceries from Big Box; $4.70 coffee
4/04 No Spend Day!!!
4/05 budgeted spending: $126.46 Target (groceries, baby gift, and household) $50.00 groceries
4/06 budgeted spending: $23.00 charitable contributions; $5.00 gift for friend; $2.34 coffee
4/07 / budgeted spending: $72.00 haircut/color; $33.80 groceries. Unbudgeted spending: $36.00 haircare products (frivolous)
4/08 No Spend Day !!!
4/09 No Spend Day!!!
4/10 /: budgeted spending: DH paid bills; $23.45 milkman/groceries; $2.34 coffee; $69.00 gas. Unbudgeted spending: $8.07 McDonalds for kids (frivolous )
4/11 No Spend Day
4/12 budgeted spending: $2.35 coffee; $185.60 Costco (groceries)
4/13 /: budgeted spending: $20.00 charitable contributions; $2.93 coffee; $81.08 groceries; $50.00 birthday gift for dd#1. Unbudgeted spending: $79.63 clothes for me (these were not necessary so frivolous spending)
4/14 budgeted spending: $12.08 bowling party
4/15 budgeted spending: $11.43 bowling party; $8.38 felt from Michaels; $99.53 Kohls (much needed dress clothes for kids)
4/16 budgeted spending: $47.25 (groceries); $5.86 (2 coffees)
4/17 /: budgeted spending: $2.93 coffee; $31.15 milkman Unbudgeted: $18.06 Target for gift (this was unbudgeted, but necessary)
4/18 unbudgeted spending: $20.66 groceries (I'm calling this unbudgeted because I'm over budget on groceries)
4/19 / (bought more clothes that I did not need )
4/20 / I went over on my coffee allowance :
4/21 No Spend Day
4/22 No Spend Day



Key

No Spend
Budgeted Spending
Unbudgeted Spending

My Plan

Track Groceries: $785.52/$750
Track Gas: $143/$300
Track Coffee: $26.38/$25
Track Frivolous Spending: $186.28/$50
10 no spend days: 7/10
25 days no Big Box stores: 14/25
No Credit Cards: 22/30

[josybear]

april 1:
april 2:
april 3:
april 4:
april 5:
april 6:
april 7:
april 8:
april 9:
april 10:
april 11:
april 12:
april 13:
april 14:
april 15:
april 16:
april 17:
april 18:
april 19:
april 20:
april 21:
april 22: 37$ groceries, 5$ snack when we were out. we had a great day at the park! yay spring!
april 23: spending the day being domestic and maybe going to the park.

week 1: 3$ leftover
week 2: 63$ leftover
week 3: 0$ leftover
week 4: 28$ remaining
100$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 100$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days