This thread is a support thread to help you ~not spend your money~. Everyone is welcome to join (we would love to have you) and you are welcome to start at any time. It doesn't have to be June 1st.

The plan is simple (although very tough to execute):

1. Vow not to spend any money on unnecessary purchases.

2. Come on here everyday and record your spending.

Good luck Ladies!! Let's have a FUNTASTIC June!!! Keep that money in your wallet.

Our no-spend threads tend to get very long...you don't need to read the entire thread (unless you want to). Just read the first few entries and jump right in. Start recording your spending today!


*****

Crunchy *VT* Mom's Tips for doing a no-spend challenge...

*Some of us record every penny that we spend, others only record unecessary purchases. Groceries, utilities, clothing, transportation...we expect you to spend money on that. The "no-spend" in our title refers to unecessary spending...things you could do without.

*Record whatever will cause you to spend the least. If you feel guilty about coming on here and fessing up -- then this thread is working perfectly.

*Please don't get discouraged if you spend -- our goal is PROGRESS not PERFECTION. We all will spend this month...let's admit that up front...Our ideal is no-spend...but we'll be happy if you just spend less.

*If you have time to read everyone else's post and do personals, thank you! That helps our thread do its job...but if you don't have time, then just post your tallies. We have plenty of successful no-spenders who do only that.

You clicked on our thread and are thinking about joining for a reason...those reasons are what are going to motivate you during the tough, tempted-to-spend times this month.

Please give yourself some time to think about these questions and answer them in a way that is meaningful for you. These questions are to help you clarify why you are here and why you are doing this.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

2. 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?

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

I have been watching the May thread, waiting for June's to show up. :wink

We are re-doing our budget, to help us stay on top of our money situation. I think a month of not spending money on items we don't need will be helpful.

One way I am hoping to do this is by limiting my chances of buying stuff. I don't enjoy shopping, so it won't be that difficult.

I also want to plan my errands better - maybe spend one afternoon (or more realistically, evening, so dh can watch the kids) and get everything done in one shot.

I am going to do better at meal planning.

I am going to re-evaluate my definition of *need*.

I'm going to come and record my spending. We ( dh and I ) set up a budget but we always go over. I really want to stay on track ! I'm looking forward to staying accountable. Fun ! :lol

ok so I'm buying a house and the mortgage payment is almost double what my rent is now. holy smokes I need to curb the spending!!! Actually, I think I already do pretty well, but I can do loads better, and I'm going to have to. please please please help me stay on track. I'm very good at convincing myself I can spend just this little bit, just this one time. :bag:

Oh so I'm Anna, I'm a single mama to a 6.5 yo boy and a 4yo girl. We unschool, and I watch children in my home as my income. So you can see why it's so tight!

I hadn't thought of a game plan, per se. I guess it's the impulse spending that I need to knock out, and going out to eat (or rather, getting food while we're out because I'm too lazy to make something at home first).

I'm really looking to break these bad habits for the long term, so I think starting out with not spending in June will help solidify that for me.

oh, I also want to spend less moeny on gas! I want to plan errands better, and use my bike more, plan our trips to parks and thigns better, and walk more.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.
My name is Kathirynne. I'm a single mumma to 4 fantastic children. I have decided to spend significantly less for the month of June, so that I can have enough in savings to pay the heat bill this winter...:cold:

2. 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 is to come to this thread and post my spending (or, hopefully! my lack of) EVERY day. (Anyone want to send me a daily reminder pm???:o )

I've just got a new job, starting Monday and my income will be 5 x what I made last year (Which sounds great, lol, but I had pathetic earnings last year due to being in internship FT).

So the temptation is there to just blow it. But I really want to live on a budget, clean up our debt mess, and save.

Just found out my kids need orthodontic evals. Well 2 of the 3.

:wave: To all the newbies!!! If you have questions or would like "tips" on making a plan check out the first few pages of the May thread!

:love Looking forward to not spending with you!!

:thumb I'm in.

My goal for this month is to 1) have baby and 2) stay home enjoying that baby instead of being out buying stuff.

Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I'm hoping that the baby will keep me out of the stores. :innocent

Also we bought a pool pass this year and the pool will open mid-June. I want to go there A LOT and hopefully that will keep me occupied as well.

Summer is here and we won't have any income AT ALL for three months (DH is a teacher)...every dime I spend will come from savings. Yikes!

My previous months:

May= 19 :thumb no-spend days with $265 in unecessary spending
June = 19 :thumb /$394
July = 15 :thumb /$580
August = 19 :thumb /$451
September = 22 :thumb /$103
October = 20 :thumb /$203
November = 19 :thumb /$456
December = Fell off the wagon
January = 20 :thumb /$216
February = 21:thumb /$190
March = 24 :thumb /$189
April = 19 :thumb/$402
May = 22 :thumb/$206

I want to do this:thumb.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

I'm Nadia, a SAHM to 3 ages 5, 3.5 and 1 next week. Our spending has been WAY over where it needs to be the past couple months and we need to get it back in line. On paper, it should be no problem. In practice, well, it doesn't go nearly as smoothly!

2. 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?

Well, we have 3 weddings, 2 birthdays, and an anniversary this month, so there will be $$ going out for gifts. I just started a Pampered Chef business, so I will probably use that discount to help with gifts.

I will also need to spend some money on getting my garden going, but that should help with food spending the rest of the summer. Our CSA starts in June too, so I am hoping to really get our food spending down.

We are going to try and ration out our money for the month to help prevent the cycle that we always get caught in: have no $$ at the end of the month, spend a ton in the first week of the month and some more in the second so we are back to having no $$ at the end again.

One goal I want to have is to eat out once a week at the most. We have slipped into going more often and it isn't healthy or frugal.

More later...........

hello ladies. i enjoyed doing the may challenge. i have been recording all money out that does not have to do with our bills. groceries, hardware, gas and uneccesary. my uneccesary spending would have paid for my upcoming car insurance so that was a real eye opener.

my plan for this month. is to hopefully have this baby(due last sat) and not eat out for convenience. if i have to live on ellios pizza so be it as long as i stay out of mcdonalds and applebees. i plan on meal planning and packing lunches for dd and i when we go out. we are conserving on gas and it seems to be working. i will not go to the store just to go unless i will be driving by there for something else. i also am going to work on our grocery budget since we have been spending so much on fruit. hopefully once the farmers market opens up that will help.

goals for this month is to save for upcoming car insurance due in july. save for car repairs that i know need done. i think new belts. pay down student loan. only $5042 left and hoping to pay off by next feb.

:thumb I'm in.

My goal for this month is to 1) have baby and 2) stay home enjoying that baby instead of being out buying stuff.

Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I'm hoping that the baby will keep me out of the stores. :innocent

Also we bought a pool pass this year and the pool will open mid-June. I want to go there A LOT and hopefully that will keep me occupied as well.

Summer is here and we won't have any income AT ALL for three months (DH is a teacher)...every dime I spend will come from savings. Yikes!


Prudence, I had my third baby last June and I found it did take a lot more to get me out. Packing up all three to go somewhere meant I really wanted to go, it was never a whim type trip.

:wave

I was watching the May challenge, anxiously waiting for June to start. I'm glad the thread is hear early.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

I'm Heather, a SAHM to two children. My partner is the income earner. We make enough money to not live paycheck to paycheck, but we do and we'd like to turn that around. We have credit cards that need to be paid off and we have to save for our end of the year taxes and homeowners premium, in addition to having to give $2000 to homeowners insurance on a claim we made that they are now denying (a year ago so we already spent it).

2. 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've made a very detailed budget. I've also looked at the extras that occur that I haven't previously budgeted for (oil changes, car registration, kids' classes, etc.) and am now setting money aside for those. We plan on going to an envelope system for groceries (I totally overspend at Whole Foods), spending money, kids' activities, gifts, etc. I'm going to get my grocery spending down to $125 a week by meal planning and stocking the pantry and freezer when things are on sale. We have NOTHING planned for the summer so I hope to keep our driving down and keep the kids busy by going to our neighborhood pool (we already paid for the membership).

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

1. Not to spend more than is allocated in the budget for groceries and spending ($125 per week for groceries, $15 per week per adult for spending, $50 a week for family spending, and $25 per week slush). I know this seems like a lot but I want to make sure we don't feel angry at our new budget and say screw it.

2. Save my personal spending money to buy bigger things, like some shorts and shoes, rather than blowing it at Starbucks.

3. Pay off Homeowner's insurance claim and start an emergency fund.

4. Establish and stick to an envelope system.

5. Start using coupons. Only buy what we need or what is on sale to stock the pantry/freezer. Make more food to reduce the pre-packaged stuff (how do I make cereal bars?).

Looking forward to it!

Hi, My name is Carrie and I'm a SAHM to 2 wonderful kids (DS 5 and DD 2). I've decided to try to curb our spending because prices for gas and food have gone up so much. Plus I feel like we have so much already. In terms of debt, we really don't have any. But we are looking to move to a bigger house sometime next year so we would like to save more money. I've been reading this board and have been thinking about joining. So here I am. :o

I am planning to drive less this month and try to do all my errands at once so waste less gas. We're also trying not to use the A/C as much. Planning not to buy any more toys for the kids. They have way too much already. So even if it's a "deal", I'm not going to buy it. I will also try not to go to the mall too much.

In terms of goals, I'm hoping to have some no spend days. Does paying bills count as no spend days? I can't remember. But I'm going to limit myself to not paying too much extraneous stuff that I don't need. We are trying to build our nest egg for the bigger house we would like to have. We have no debt and have our emergency fund set up for 6 months right now.

...every dime I spend will come from savings. Yikes!

Wow, that definitely is an incentive to not spend!

I am here again!!
This will be my tenth month here! And I am not 100% sure of how to plan a no spend June!! We have sooo much going on this month will REALLY be a challenge..

I am a SAHM to a 4 year old dd and a 2 year old ds,
We have home renovations approaching, cc debt, student debt, and car payments. Not easy with one income so I have to keep more control of our money and where it goes! I really want to see our savings account #'s go waaay up!
My goals this month are:

compact!
only 2 co-op this month!!
Start throwing in a little $ money to dh's truck payment!
Save, Save, Save!
declutter and simplify



June Spending Goals:
No Spend days: 20/30
No etsy/DS/ebay: 25/30
Non-necessary Spending: <400

HI! I'm Natalia, SAHM mama to two little ones, Abby who is 3, and Ella who is 3.5 months. I also nanny for Sarah, who is 3 as well.
I've joined the No-Spend Challenge because of a few reasons. First the economy, dh is in the entertainment industry and it's very unstable atm. And second, because I am realizing I have a major spending problem. Especially (really only) when it comes to my kids. Toys, shoes, clothes, you name it, I want it for them. So, I am trying to put a stop to that. The last thing I want for my children is to grow up being materialistic. I started mid-May with the NSC and also decluttering A LOT of their things. I sold some stuff to a consignment store and put the money into savings. The rest I am taking to my midwife, who does a mama share program. She rocks!

I don't have a plan really, just to stay home and not spend any money!

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

Heather, mama to Caleb who will be two this month! We need to get our budget back on track. My splurge items also tend to be unhealthy physically, such as fancy coffee drinks or even fast food or unhealthy items at the grocery, like baked goods. So by cracking down on all that I hope to not only save money but also save calories while increasing my sense of self-control and self-esteem.

2. 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?

Going back to the cash-in-envelope plan. It really works for us WHEN we are strict about it. I've found some really good ways to save on groceries (by shopping Aldi every other week for staples and focusing on the farmer's market for produce). I did a 3-month clothing fast last fall, but haven't challenged myself to the extreme lately and am ready to shake things up again. I don't currently need anything.

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

There are a few holidays and birthday parties and stuff in june that can potentially blow me off course, so the plan is as follows: father-in-law birthday- make cookies, friend's daughter's birthday- regift something I bought for DS that he isn't interested n and is practically unused, DS's birthday- we have all the little things we need so not to get suckered into buying anything else and keeping the food simple by ordering pizza from Domino's, the big craft fair: take the money out of my monthly spending envelope after seriously considering the item, mom's night in: bring the wine (which we already have), mom's night out: purchase the kid's pack at the movie and limit self to one cocktail at restaurant and eat before going. Keep wallet at home whenever possible and keep portable snacks in the car or purse.

I have budgeted $60 for personal spending this month- cash in envelope. $300 for groceries, $100 for family entertainment (which would include any festivals, eating out, gifts, anything of that nature). My goal is to not go over the cash in the envelopes and maybe even to have some left at the end of the month. No books, clothing, no toys- we have enough of everything. No coffee out, no baked goods, no ice-cream. Stay out of the stores except for my once a week to the farmer's market (when I can make it) and once a week to the grocery (alternating Aldi and Wal-mart- saves lots of money). Planning menu around items already in pantry.

Instead of shopping when I hit a wall I can:
-go to the gym (I have a membership with child care included and can even go twice a day for up to 2 hours each)
-go to the park
-go on a walk or jog with my son
-go to the library
-call a friend and invite to our house for coffee

Will post my successes and failures here!

Hello everyone!
I joined really late last month sand it helped a little so here I am again. I am Heather, I am a Stay at home mom with a 16 month old and I am 16 weeks pregnant. My husnband and I live in Okinawa, Japan and will be here for another two years. Its a beautiful place but very expensive to live here so our budget needs some revamping..

Our goal is to have all our bills paid off before our new baby is born in November. I also have to rebuy a lot of baby stuff before the new one comes. Im trying to buy a little bit at a time so I don't overwhelm myself and overbuy. I have my first appointment next week and will sit down and make a list of all that I need to get and when to buy it after I know my due date .

My goals for this month:
Spend no more than 100 per week on groceries.
Start list of what I need to buy for the baby. I had some money for it in savings but an unexpectant accident left us with repair bills that we had to use that money on.
Don't drive anywhere for at least 15 of the 30 days.
Pack lunches for my husband for when he is at work.
To go through and get rid of a lot of my DD's toys that she doesn't play with.
To get everything ready to move (we move in July/August, whenever a house opens up.
No spend days 20/30.

Im sure there is more Im going to try to do but Im exhausted so Im going to go lay down and pray my hubbie gets home soon.

I'm in for June. We really need to build our checking back up or else we are going to have to dip into savings which I really don't want to do. We are going to try and actually do the envelope system for this month and keep spending to only essentials. The only birthday this month is mine so we are clear there.

- I am dropping the grocery budget to get some extra cash- will keep to $200 and another $100 will go to the chickens we are buying in July
-eating out will keep that to $50. I have been planning snacks when we go out. and have collected coupons to places we like when we do eat out
-no nonessential spending for me- I will allow a snack from the discount store every 2 weeks (less than $1)
- will give dh an allowance for the week
- we are selling stuff on ebay etc as well- however there are some things we need to buy so that is probably already spent

In terms of goals, I'm hoping to have some no spend days. Does paying bills count as no spend days? I can't remember. But I'm going to limit myself to not paying too much extraneous stuff that I don't need. We are trying to build our nest egg for the bigger house we would like to have. We have no debt and have our emergency fund set up for 6 months right now.

Welcome Carrie!! In answer to your question about bills, it is up to you. Some people distinguish between "In Budget" spending and "Out of Budget" spending during their daily tally. It is all up to you :)

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

Hi, I am Char, I am trying to save $500 per month to dump into savings. We are blowing through too much on un-necessary things like eating out and impulse buys. I am worried about the economy and I am pretty disgusted that at our income level we don't have more money in savings. We need to get in control!

2. 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?

Fewer driving days, for sure. If I am not out I will most likely not spend the money. I need to get our grocery budget under control and I will start buying more frozen veggies and doing bulk buying of things like flour and sugar. We will no longer be buying gourmet coffee, I can't tell the difference anyway! We will also be having more vegetarian meals- they are more healthful and hopefully cheaper. I will meal plan each Saturday with my husband and we will shop together on Sunday and that will be it for the week.

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

We are going to try for 3 no drive days per week. I am going to shoot for 20 no spend days. We are going to save $500 this month and I will be canceling two store credit cards. I don't use them and I don't need the temptation.

I'm going to give this another try! We've been spending like crazy and need to stop before we get in over our heads. I'm a SAHM now, so it's more important than ever for us to save, save, save.

My goals for June:

1. 20 eat-at-home (all 3 meals) days
2. 10 no-spend days
3. $400 groceries/household spending

Wow, I SO need this thread!!

My name is Kris, and I am a shopping addict :)

We are about to move across the country and we will be paying double rent (well, a mortgage and a rent. Anyone want to buy a house in northwest Arkansas?) so I really need to be careful with what I spend. I too am worried about our savings (we have none) and so I want to save as much as possible so I can put my mind at ease a little!

My game plan, I guess, is to try to find an apartment that's close to a bus stop and a grocery store so I can walk to get our groceries and DH can bus to work. After Wednesday I want to not eat out for the rest of the month (driving across the country on Sunday - Wednesday so we kind of have no choice.) And that one will kill me since I am a Wendy's junkie!!

I am also not going shopping alone and I am not taking any cash with me - the only shopping I am allowed to do is grocery shopping. If I want a book, I can go to the library. Grr!! I am getting tough on myself this time!!

Thanks for this thread!!

Tomorrow's the day! Day one of the challenge! Woohoo!

I need this because I STUNK it up today big time by going garage-sailing this morning. Wow, I found some good deals - $40 worth!

Ready to straighten my act out....

Im jumpin onboard!

My main goal is to not spend and have cash to put towards paying off our credit cards since interest is just like handing money over to them. Im a SAHD of a 1 year old and 3 year old. I don't have much of a need to spend but somehow i do. :(. I would rather be putting that money in the kids savings accounts!

I don't really plan on giving up all spending but need to cut way back. So i am giving myself a limit of $75.00. thats $2.50 a day, including gas money. Should be easy just for the fact that you cant get much for $2.50, so i will have to plan wisely.

:thumb = Under my $2.50 / day
:angry = over $2.50 a day
:treehugger: = no drive day

see you on the other side!

this month i won't be home much. tomorrow i leave for a week at the farm. i'll be back on the 8th. i'll get groceries on the way out of town so i'll be spending this week, but not registering it here until next week.
a few days after i get back we're going on vacation. i have a seperate budget for that. then when i get back i hope i can get out to the farm again before the month ends... so basically i won't be on here much, but i also won't be spending much.

week 1: 70$
88$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

[I'm Michelle, sahm of 3 kids, 6, 3 and 2 months. We've been doing the TMM for a while and have stalled out a bit on our budgeting so I thought this might help jumpstart us. My plan is to simply leave my wallet at home when I go out, that alone will curb the I need a coffee or look at those strawberries purchases. My goal is to put an extra 150-200 towards debt repayment this month.

this month i won't be home much. tomorrow i leave for a week at the farm. i'll be back on the 8th. i'll get groceries on the way out of town so i'll be spending this week, but not registering it here until next week.
a few days after i get back we're going on vacation. i have a seperate budget for that. then when i get back i hope i can get out to the farm again before the month ends... so basically i won't be on here much, but i also won't be spending much.

week 1: 70$
88$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

I'm in again. Every month it seems like I do okay until around the middle of the month and then fall off the wagon.

1. My name is Kristine. I am a WOHM on maternity leave for a year. I am Mom to 3 girls 5, 2 and 4 months. This is my second maternity leave in a very short time so money is tight. We also just purchased a minivan so that we could fit all our children in one vehicle In addition to wanting to spend less I also want to simplify our lives and leave a lighter footprint on the earth.

I am doing this challenge to keep track of my spending and try to cut down or even eliminate the frivolous spending I do.

2. My plan:

a) Record all spending
b) Stop buying convenience food
c) Use up the food we have in the house
d) Spend time getting rid of all the excess stuff in our lives

No spend days 0/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

1. My name is Kim; our family includes DH, DD (12/03) + DS (9/06). I just resigned from my PT finance gig, and will focus on my businesses (consulting/PR) and freelace writing. Have been with this group since June '07, and the support, accountability, and increased spending consciousness have been terrific for our bottom line. May could have been a lot better; need to seriously curb our (my) food spending in June!

2. Continue attacking the debt snowball.

3. Game plan:
* INCREASE income - continue to develop businesses + freelance writing
* SELL rental house - tenants out 6/30; hope to sell by end of Aug.
* Sell/donate unneeded items
* Work out a meal plan - really, I NEED to do this - let June be the month!
* Pack snacks + water whenever we go out
* No more late library materials! (After the late ones we currently have out...)
* ORGANIZE! Majority of overbudget/frivolous spending can be prevented with improved organization.
* Exercise: feeling good = decreased emotional spending

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $0
* At least 25 :wink days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 0/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 0/30
* NO library fines: month to date $0
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $0/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 0/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 0/25
* Meal plan created: 0/4 weeks
* Sell rental house by 8/31 - tenants out 6/30; push hard in July...

Past Progress:
June '07: 20 :wink days; $210.42 frivolous; $519.54 groceries; $117.55 eating out
July '07: 16 :wink days; $325.62 frivolous; $825.40 groceries; $112.84 eating out
Aug. '07: 23 :wink days; $144.47 frivolous; $593.09 groceries; $643.07 eating out
Sept. '07: 22 :wink days; $128.37 frivolous; $598.19 groceries; $121.48 eating out
Oct. '07: 25 :wink days; $139.55 frivolous; $472 groceries; $129.55 eating out
Nov. '07: 25 :wink days; $192.50 frivolous; $608 groceries; $101 eating out
Dec. '07: 28 :wink days; $55.20 frivolous; $503 groceries
Jan. '08: 27 :wink days; $19.90 frivolous; $555.85 groceries/eating out
Feb. '08: 18 :wink days; $131.80 frivolous; $668 groceries/eating out
March '08: 28 :wink days; $19.40 frivolous; $500 groceries/eating out
April '08: 24 :wink days; $39.16 frivolous; $768.65 groceries/eating out
May '08: 21 :wink days; $53.41 frivolous; $920 groceries/eating out, 23 Organize/Declutter days, 26 Exercise days

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

Hi I am Robin, PT-WOH Mom to two, ages 9 and 12. I decided I am spending far too much on conviences items that COULD be either saved or better spent on helping us fix our credit... both to help us prepare to buy our first home.

2. 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 buy fast food a LOT, plan to carry some snacks to help curb my hunger till I get home. I buy packs of ciggarettes instead of taking the time to make my own which is so much cheaper, I will need to make sure I make my ciggarettes the night before. Those are my two BIG things... I probably spend anywhere from 20-100 a week on those things depending on the week.

For instance this week we got tacos one night and pizza another night, and it totaled around 50.00 :angry I'd like to see us eat out every other week, and keep it at 25.00 or less.

I'm on my third pack of ciggarettes bough this week... 9.00 total, when 9.00 will buy an entire week of smoking stuff to make my own ciggarettes. This should be ONE pack a week for each of us.

DH and I do not have any will power for saving and saying no to ourselves, we justify each other and we end up screwed. A small mistake in our checking cost us 120.00 this week when a simple 50-100 in the saving would have fixed it... but we cant even manage that! But we can spend 33.00 on pizza when a fantastic meal from the grocery store (that I cooked) could have saved us 20+.

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

So my GOAL... get 100.00 in the savings by the end of the month and Only eat out twice and only buy 4 packs of ciggarettes for each of us. Convience items are on my hit list :thumb

Other goals... Pay my student loan payment, and fix one item on our credit report or one item that will be going on our credit report.

Thank you for listening, I'll report back tomorrow evening :)

ETA: I just thought of another one! Buying jugs of water instead of taking them and filling them for .25 :( Its so much easier to just BUY jugs of water and *forget* to take jugs with us. It all adds up!

Hey everyone! Looking forward to this month and I have my hubbie on board as well..
Ive added a few goals..

May 31st: 279 for groceries (Last month but it was from this months budget)
:love
June 1st: :thumb :eat:

Personal spending: 0/$200
Grocery spending: $279/$400
Eat Out budget: 0/$30
Debt paid off: 0/600
Savings: 0/200

:love Budgeted spending
:( Unneeded/over budget spending
:thumb No Spending Goal: 1/20 days
:treehugger: No drive day Goal 0/20
:eat: Pack snacks/water for trips 1/30 Pack lunch for DH 0/20
Organizing days: 0/20
Exercise days: 0/25

Other Goals: Get a water filter instead of buying bottled water; Go through DD's toys and get rid/sale what she doesn't use; make a list of what we need and budget for new baby; pay off 600.00 in debt; save at least 300; Exercise daily and start getting everything organized for the move.
I think thats all! I hope this month goes well!

1. Okay I really bombed in may so I need to stick to it this june. Candese mostly SAHM(I work about 8 hours a week). I am pretty good with money but have vowed to have no spend days. little things add up and I am the queen of little things. We are trying to reduce our debt so we can have a great next year.

2. My plan involves leaving the house less since I need to cut down on my driving also and just say no to little trips to the store. Plan once a week run instead.

3. My main goal is to spend less of our "budgeted money" which is for small expenses like lunches, small things that come up, etc and take what's left over at the end of the pay period and use it towards an alloted purchase(Xmas gift, birthday, school supplies or clothes). I think seeing it on screen will help me with that. SO I want to see smilie faces on my screen at least 20 days out the month, maybe, possible, hopefully :bag:

June 1: :thumb:
june 2: (: $13 thrift store, $8 slipnslide
june 3: $30 camp registration

Hi, I'm in and I will finish strong this month! I fell of the wagon the last couple of months...but I'm ready to get back on!

I'm Summer, mama to 2yo DD and another on the way expected Turkey day or so. I WOH PT and am planning on getting back to school after LO is born! I want to pay off all my debt (CC debt from my "single" days!) so that I can save for my nursing program. I also want to get DD into a PT preschool program which would be an additional expense for our family, but would allow me to work more.
I am going to spend significantly less this month by tracking all of my spending and spending only on necessary purchases. (Personally I find if I track all of my spending, I spend a LOT less)

This months "necessary purchases"
Father's day present for my dad
I will also be starting to implement Dave Ramsey's envelope system and paying cash for everything, making extra payments toward my CC debt using the snowball method and working our budget a little tighter. I'm going to use all of our gift cards that we have instead of spending cash whenever possible (this way they also get used!).

OK, I really need to join this thread.
I'm Jade, I live in Sydney, Australia & am SAHM to a delightful 2 year old. DH & I both spend waaaaaaaaaaay too much on silly impulses. Mine are mostly food based. I can't seem to pass up a decent latte & of course DD & I need something to eat along with it :o The silly thing is that we have a coffee machine at home & our coffee is actually better.
Anyway, I think I'll start with something that might be achievable and just aim for one no-spend day a week.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.
Hi, I'm Jenny. Mama to one 4 year old little girl.
The main reason we need to no spend: We have a nasty car repair bill that I really want to pay off without touching our savings.

2. 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?

Stay the heck out of stores. If I'm not seeing anything for sale, I won't buy anything. Plus, with the gas prices so high we need to make a tank of gas last 10-11 days instead of our usual 7. That will force me to stay home/out of the stores. That's a positive in my book!

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

Goals
21 No spend days
No more than $125 spent frivolously
Pay at least $300 towards car repair bill.

i'll try to keep up this month. :o

i'm sarah, sahm/wahm, to dd3. we get $ aid from my inlaws each month to let us keep this house (we bought a huge house when i was still working a couple years pre-dd). i have finally gotten him to start looking at real estate books. meanwhile, i'm decluttering like a mad woman, taking about 100 books to used book store today.

plan: i stocked up food last month so food bill should be pretty small this month. making up for it is dd's birthday (turning 3). so my fist spending is...3 presents.

1 - 69.66 birthday gifts (i'm OK with this spending) - count :thumb

goals:

23 :thumb
grocery 300
pets 100

progress:

1 :thumb
grocery 0/300
pet 0/100

All right. I'm in. I haven't done so hot the last few times I tried, but I shouldn't let that stop me from trying agian, right?

:notes:

1. My name is Prudence and I'm a SAHM with two little girls and a baby girl due any day. My DH is a teacher and so now that summer is here we are living on our savings for three months. So I want to be ~very~ conscious of where that money is going.

2. We paid a huge chunk of our credit card debt off the past six months, so my goal is to be debt free by January 2009.

I'm also trying to ~reduce~ the number of things in our home. I don't want to bring more things in, I want to get things OUT.

3. Plan for this month:

~ have baby and spend a lot of time at home savoring those first newborn weeks
~ drive not the car
~ stay out of the stores -- we have everything we need.


My previous months:

May= 19 :thumb no-spend days with $265 in unecessary spending
June = 19 :thumb /$394
July = 15 :thumb /$580
August = 19 :thumb /$451
September = 22 :thumb /$103
October = 20 :thumb /$203
November = 19 :thumb /$456
December = Fell off the wagon
January = 20 :thumb /$216
February = 21:thumb /$190
March = 24 :thumb /$189
April = 19 :thumb/$402
May = 21 :thumb/$247

01.. :thumb
02..
03..
04..
05..

Goals:

1/20 No spend days :thumb
0/30 Fast Food Free days
0/10 Let the car rest days :W
$0/$100 Unnecessary Spending

OK, here we go again-I was doing great in the first half of may, and then fell apart again.
June 1No Spend:thumb

June Goals:
No unbudget spend days goal 15/30,1/30
No Drive Days goal: 10/30,0/30-
No frivolous spending over 100 actual: 0/100
Sold items 5/50
Thrift/HB kit items: 0/40
Decluttering/organizing 20 min day 0/24 (allowing for 8mos preggo exhaustion!)
Grocery budget 0/375-Extra for price increase & extra person in household.
Baked/bulk cooking:0/13
Study/Daven daily goal 0/15
No Sweets 0/20

May a bust...
April a bust...
March:Nospend14/31,No Drive: 5/31,frivolous spending147.41/100,Sold items 57/50,Decluttering 18/26,Grocery 331.27/350,Bulk: 6/13, Study23/31
Feb:No spend 11/29,No Drive7/29,No frivolous spending: 127.01/100 Sold items 60/50,Decluttering 30 min day 11/26,Grocery budget 352.59/350 Baked/bulk cooking 7/1

This really started for me on Thursday, when my partner was paid. I've started the envelope system, went grocery shopping with my coupons and (and this is HUGE), had every meal at home this weekend. Our entertainment for the weekend was a trip to the beach so that was only gas, and I plan to make up for that by staying home a lot this week.

GOALS:
2/25 no unnecessary/budgeted spending
2/12 no gas days
stay within budget on groceries/spending/etc.
save my weekly spending to buy needed items
start an emergency fund
pay off homeowners claim
no debit card unless planned

1... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
2... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
3... :twothumbs, :eat: $32 at Whole Foods, $7 at Farmer's Market, :nod $100 at dentist for son, $190 to nature center for camp for son
4...
5...
6...
7...
8...
9...
10...

KEY
:twothumbs No unnecessary/over-budget spending
:duh Unnecessary/over-budget spending
:treehugger: no gas days
:nod stayed within budget
:eat: Groceries within budget

JUNE GOALS

:treehugger: 3/8 No Drive days
:eat: 6/8 Eat out days
:kid: 6/15 Kid centered days
:notes: 2/6 Work at home days
:jumpers: 1/12 YWCA days
:D 5/15 No Spend days
6/1: Grand Old Day festival=$40.00. $50.00 gas. $15.00 on 2 pr. sunglasses
(CVS/ECB=FREE lip gloss!)
6/2: :D + :treehugger: + :kid: + :notes:
6/3: $81.00 for work clothes, $100.59 for skin care (budgeted)
I got hired at a local yoga center tonight!

6/4: :D + :kid: + :notes:
6/5: :D + :kid: + :jumpers:
6/6: $36.99 for :dog: grooming, $15.00 for :eat:
6/7: $30.00 for :eat:, $266.99 for DH's contacts & eye exam co-pays, $5.00 for fresh asparagas at the Farmer's Market
6/8: :D + :kid:
6/9: $7.03 for Subway (I have serious food aversions and it sounded good:shrug) and we walked there! :eat: + :treehugger: + :kid:
6/10: :D + :treehugger: + :kid: + :eat: Biked for errands today and hung out with DD!
6/11: :kid: Took DD to the Zoo/Conservatory ($1.00 donation for admission), packed a lunch, returned library books ontime, picked up class packet and did Target run with coupons! (budgeted)

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.
Hi, I'm Laura, mama to Audrey. We need a new front door, and decided to not spend in June/July to finance said door.

2. 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 would like, ideally, to only buy food and gas outside of bills this month.

To drive more economically - I do home visits for work in my personal car and tend to rush, so I need to plan more time to drive more fuel-efficiently, and only fuel up once/week.

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

Goals
25/30 No spend days (only shopping on grocery day - Sunday)
- and keep the weekly groceries under $70
Only fuel up once/week - keep the gas mileage down through responsible driving.
Stick with cloth diapering at home.

Today was groceries, and I went a wee bit over (too much food blog reading last night :eyesroll ), but it was all the fruit's fault (peaches, blueberries, mangoes,strawberries, oh my!). We meal plan, so all our meals/snacks for the week are taken care of.

We have to go get the printer cartridge refilled and buy paper - dh and I are both in grad school, and are both going this semester! It would be more expensive to print everything we needed at school and pay a nickel a page.

June 1: :)
June 2: budgeted - printer cartridge, rx :)
June 3: :)
June 4: DH signed up for a 5k :(
June 5: :)
June 6: :) (1/2 tank of gas for the week! Woot!)

Ok...for the first time, I'm in. I actually didn't realize it was June today until a minute ago. (I lost track and thought it was still May. Oops.) I've already blown one day, at least somewhat, because I went to JoAnn and bought unnecessary stuff (along with the sort-of-necessary stuff).

I'm Eljay, married to a student and SAHM of 3 (DS almost 7, DD 5 and DD 9 mo). DH is in his last year of school, doing rotations in various practice settings, and has had to cut his work hours because of it. Our income wasn't high to start with, and it's way down now. We'll be getting through the year on the student loans and the little bit he brings in, along with what we've managed to save ahead of time, so watching what we spend is critical. If we pay attention, we should be fine. If not...

My plan is to avoid shopping. I'm going to try to stay out of stores (and away from amazon.com) unless I actually need something, and to have a list. I'm going to try to find free or really inexpensive activities, and to combine trips out to save gas. If it gets really hot, we might take the trolley (costs $, but not much, and our car doesn't have AC) to the library; otherwise, we'll be driving there at least once a week. I'm also going to do a better job of meal planning, and try to get back to shopping grocery store sales in a more organized fashion.

I'm not sure what else to do...we already eat out very rarely, and DH packs his lunch. I guess I'll learn as I go along, and from the experts who have done this before.

My name is Tiffany and I have been doing this challenge since last August. My track record so far since then has been:

Aug '07-20/31 total no spend days
Sept- 18/30-total no spend days
Oct- 18/31- total no spend days
Nov-16/30- total no spend days
Dec-19/31-total no spend days
Jan-22/31- total no spend days
Feb-15/29-total no spend days
Mar-23/31-total no spend days
Apr-22/30-total no spend days
May-23/31-total no spend days

My key:

:eat:= groceries
:irked:=gas
:innocent=spending other than gas or groceries
:wink=no money left my hands

6/1-:wink

I'll post on here evry day so I don't spam the thread and make it 500 pages long...my intro is above...

I like your little emoticon keys. I'll do that too:

:eat: =Bought groceries
:innocent =Spent discretionary money within budget
:treehugger: =No drive day
:thumb =No spend day
:( =Unnecessary spending or went over budget

:) =Good day
:angry = Bad day

June 1 = :eat: $35 :)
June 2 = :innocent $25 :)
June 3 = :thumb :)

06/01 :thumb

Goals
1/21 No spend days
0/$125 Unnecessary spending
0/$300 Car repair bill.

Okay, let me do another post....

i messed up.

I saw this thread after I spent money.


($ necessities/ $ not)


01.. :o $0/$20.47 (gifts):run :book :surf::flowersforyou:
02.. :thumb $0/$0, :run :treehugger::surf::flowersforyou::eat: :book
03.. :o $0/$9.50 (late fees, movie rentals) :run:surf::eat::book
04.. :thumb $0/+$4.26 (returned two items I didn't need) :surf::flowersforyou::eat::book
05.. :thumb $47.50 (groceries)/$0 :treehugger::flowersforyou::eat:
06..

GOALS:

1) track my spending and spend as little as possible :thumb or :o
2) walk my errands as much as possible aka: no drive :treehugger:
3) NO TV NO COMPUTER GAMES :run
4) work outside in garden while kids play outside :flowersforyou:
5) read to my kids every day :book
6) swim or play in river every day :surf:
7) eat well and before 7pm :eat:

Hello!

I am so excited that it is June already.
We have one 5 year old son and another boy due in August. I joined the no spending club in May and was able to save $850 dollars in just one month!
Why am I not spending? We are trying to save as much as possible before the baby is born, and we also have some debt that I would like to pay off.
In May, I spent 81.81 unecessarily.
In June, hubby and I are committing to plan our grocery shopping more effectively so that we can do a large shopping and not be running to the store every other day. Also, I aim to have as many days where NO money is leaving my hands at all.
There are some budgeted baby expenses this month, and all the money I save in May will really help with that!!!
June didn't get off to the best start. My sister wanted to go out to lunch and I thought she was treating, but when the bill came she didn't have enough cash . . . anyway, I pitched in, but I'm going head first into a no spend week!!!

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister



:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

I'm pleased that I made it home from my ap playgroup today without spending anything other than what I expected to (it's a start).
allborntogrow, I hope you don't mind if I copy your key:
:thumbTruly no spend!
:eat:Groceries
:eyesrollNecessary or planned spending
:irked:unnecessary spending

I did it woohoo!

June 2 (here) :eyesroll
June 3 :thumb

I knew it was going to be a spend day today, but we only bought $8 in coffee and that was it! Very pleased about that, I thought there was going to be much more damage than that!

6/1 :( $8 coffee

June Spending Goals:
No Spend days: 0/30
No etsy/DS/ebay: 1/30
Non-necessary Spending: 8/400

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

My name is Desiree...i'm a newly single mama and the only income i have is $200/mo in child support and about $125/mo from cleaning my moms house. Yes, i am currently unemployed. I live in a small town (less than 8k people), i don't know how to drive...there are not a lot of jobs currently. My savings is dwindling as i've gone a little more than nutso with the retail therapy...so mmy goal is to ONLY spend what i am "making"...and not dip into the savings. Oh - i do get $278 in foodstamps as well (and i live in my parents basement apartment, which is paid through july...blessing!).

2. 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 guess my only plan is to write a budget and stick to it. I will not dip into my savings unless it is a REAL EMERGENCY. And cute clothes at forever 21 isnt an emergency.

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

I want 30/30 no spend (out of my budget) days. My budget will allow some cash to blow on whatever...but i also want to put a lil away in savings...even if it can only be $25/mo. Something is better than nothing...right? And i don't currently have any debt.

First day good!

6/1: :thumb

Goals:
1) Do not spend more than my income.
2) Save atleast $25/mo.

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.
My name is Kelsie. I'm single, and have one fur baby (my dog Brownie). I spend most of my money on food (I'm usually to tired to really cook so I waste a lot of $ on convenience foods), and other people. I have a really hard time saying no to my friends when having fun usually = spending money. I also spend WAY more than I'd like to on visits with my CASA kid "Jenny" (not her real name). I joined in January, and did fairly well; I TOTALLY lost it in February and never came back. It is TIME. I have a significant amount (for me anyway) of money saved right now, but a LOT of big expenses coming right up so I really need to work on not spending on unnecessary stuff.
2. 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?
Eeek! I really need to figure out some realistic goals for myself. I've found that if I'm too strict with myself I can't keep up with lasting progress.
3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?
I'm going to work on this later, but for right now, I'm hoping for 18 no-spend days, and some serious saving. Oh, and I need to fix my car, get it registered, pay off a medical bill, and I desperately need new clothes (or at least new to me, but I have really bad luck at thrift stores in this area)! Oh, and I'm going to set bike riding goals too! I'm thinking ride my bike to work at LEAST 2 (hopefully at least 3) days a week, and riding with my dog at least 4 times a week.
ETA: I also really need some firm spending limits for visits with Jenny. I need to try and find a way to keep our outings free/very cheap. I've been spending WAY too much! :(

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

I need to make up for slower sales on my website. Also we need to get used to a tighter budget because we will have two preschool tuitions to pay starting this fall.

2. 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 am going to stay out of stores, remember to focus on what we HAVE. Try to keep busy with free activities (playdates, library, park, etc.)


3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

To stick to my budget!

My codes:
:thumb no spend
:) budgeted spending
:o not necessary, but not too bad
:irked: waste of money


June 1: :thumb
June 2: :) (gas $59, groceries $100)
June 3: :) (letter translation and gift to dd's foster mom $139)
June 4: :o (playfood for the kids, pizza to bribe sister to babysit)
June 5: :irked: (let the kids buy some random junk at craft store while buying father's day gift, I bought scrapbooking tape)
June 6: :o ($5 Starbucks while helping friends get ready for charity garage sale)
June 7: :o ($3 lunch, $4 spent at the garage sale, not too bad!)
June 8: :) (groceries $160, made curtains with fabric I already had!)
June 9: :thumb
June 10: :) (Dr. appt copay $15)
June 11: :thumb
June 12: :) (Chinese DVD $15 - in budget, but not exactly "no spend")
June 13: :) (groceries $30, did NOT grab lunch on the way somewhere!)
:irked: (had a rough afternoon, asked dh to get dinner on way home)

*Gee, I was expecting a lot more thumbs up days! I gotta get my act together!

June 1-:) Took my dad out for coffee after church! ($11)
June 2-:( MAJOR spendage. There was a miscommunication regarding (supposed!) free tickets to a water park. Only when we got there, we had to pay $34 extra for the 3 of us!!! I am really bummed and angry for being deceived. :angry
June 3-:) Planned spend for a dinner date with dh! Our first one in MONTHS!
June 4-:thumb:treehugger:
June 5-:( $11 breakfast $31 Pictures for Fathers Day, this was planned spending $14 lunch. BAD day...


My goal for the month:
15/30 No drive days
No buying things for the kids. (clothing/shoes/toys)
$59/$200 Unplanned spending

Ok! These threads have come a long way since I participated last. I love all the smiley keys and the accountability lists in one post.

GOALs:
total no spend days: 13/20 :thumb
Grocery spending $260/$200 :eat:
unplanned spending: :blush $243 ($135 frivolous)
planned spending: :innocent $130 ($115 frivolous)

No drive days : 16/20 :whale:

Car repair & gas exempt :eyesroll
Anniversary with DH exempt :love

Electric bill (comes at the end of the month): < $125 & < 1000 KWHs used is my goal
Heck, I'll throw my weight-loss goal in here too 0/5lbs Excersise: 7/15 :energy:



June 1: :thumb :whale:

June 2: :thumb :whale:

June 3: :thumb

June 4: :eat: $115

June 5: :innocent :whale: $15 amber necklace co-op, $15 clothes

June 6: :blush :whale: $107 on L & Xl diaps

June 7: :love anniversary :energy:

June 8: :eat: $45 :innocent $15 birthday present

June 9: :thumb :whale:

June 10: :thumb :whale:

June 11: :thumb

June 12: :thumb :whale: :energy:

June 13: :thumb :whale: :energy:

June 14: :blush :whale: bought take-out chineese & beer $50

June 15: :innocent :energy: $100 universal studios w/visiting nephew

June 16: :thumb :whale:

June 17: :thumb :whale:

June 18: :thumb :whale:

June 19: :blush :whale: :energy: Whale bag co-op peer pressure $20

June 20: :eat: $100

June 21: :thumb :whale:

June 22: :blush :eat: $90 amazon (40 is grocery) :whale: :energy:

June 23: :thumb :whale: :energy:

ETA: I also really need some firm spending limits for visits with Jenny. I need to try and find a way to keep our outings free/very cheap. I've been spending WAY too much! :(

She's 13? What is she like? How often and what times of day do you have outings? Are you restricted to certain areas?


ETA-- I need some no-spend ideas for a baby-friend of mine. She's turning 1 in two days. Her mom got my 1yo a romper, crayons, and a book just two weeks ago.
I was thinking that I could tie dye her a onesie and a shirt, but what else?

My name is Rachael, WOH mom to DS 1 and wife to a chef DH. My DH is a student and this has been tough. He recently began working part time and this seems like a huge turning point for us.

We have a goal of paying off ALL our debt (including student loans) by November 1, 2010. In order to do this we need to stick to our budget so we can put money towards our goal. We have two credit cards left (Total debt $4,615.00) and student loans in order to be debt free.

Our plan: STICK TO THE BUDGET.

- We have decided to take out cash for our spending categories and groceries and then put away the debit card.

- DH is on board with this for the first time and that will also help me stay on board.

- We plan to put between $400 - $800 toward debt a month. This will fluxuate based on the amount of hours DH works, but $400 is the minimum.

- We are re-committing to tithing. We made a commitment to tithe and have not followed through on it, we feel like this is a must in our lives.

****
June Goals
No Spend Days - 20/30
Debt Payment $400 (hoping for $650!)

**This month will be tough, my mom is coming to visit, then my sister, then I am going to visit extended family and DH has guys weekend...sounds like a lot of $$$!!

Past Performance

May
Total Overspend - $323.01
Total No Spend Days - 19/15
Pay $400 toward debt - $1,176.27 / $400 :)

April
Total Overspending $700.00
Total no spend days - 13/30

March
Total overspending $478.33
Total no spend days - 20/31

February
Total overspending $666.45

ETA-- I need some no-spend ideas for a baby-friend of mine. She's turning 1 in two days. Her mom got my 1yo a romper, crayons, and a book just two weeks ago.
I was thinking that I could tie dye her a onesie and a shirt, but what else?

Along with tie-dying can you sew? My girlfriend started "embelishing" onesies by adding ruffles, collars, ties, etc. they are SO CUTE!

Also, as a mom of a child that age I would love to get a "coupon book" from a friend with free babysitting and/or playdates.

June 1 - :thumb (0.00 /$75.00)

:thumb = Under my $2.50 / day
:angry = over $2.50 a day
:treehugger: = no drive day

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

I did okay last month, this month we are getting closer to our house build date so we need to really buckle down!

2. 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?

If i don't go in i don't spend and I try not to buy anything unless ive got the cash for it. i take $20.00 out on Monday and it is great when there is some left on Saturday. Stay home more, go hiking etc instead.


3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

We just need to keep increasing the checking account..... 15/30 No spend

6/1 No spend :love
6/2
6/3

...Going back to the cash-in-envelope plan. It really works for us WHEN we are strict about it.... I have budgeted $60 for personal spending this month- cash in envelope. $300 for groceries, $100 for family entertainment (which would include any festivals, eating out, gifts, anything of that nature). My goal is to not go over the cash in the envelopes and maybe even to have some left at the end of the month....Stay out of the stores except for my once a week to the farmer's market (when I can make it) and once a week to the grocery...Planning menu around items already in pantry....

I am doing this, as well. I have $50 in the "petrol" envelope, and $500 in the "grocery" envelope. Apart from bills, I plan to spend nothing this month.


Goals:
* No out of budget spending : $58/$0
* 20 No Drive days: 2/20
*Money added to savings: $/$500
*15 packalunch for work days: /15



My "scorecard"
:thumb = no spend
:) = budgeted spending
:( = unexpected spending
:bag: = unneccessary spending
:treehugger: = no drive day (I will remove the smiley if I drive that day)
:eat: packed my lunch for work

1 June: :thumb
2 June: :) (paid rent) :treehugger:
3 June: :) (petrol and groceries)
4 June: :treehugger:
5 June: :( ($25 for camera batteries and film)
6 June: :treehugger:
7 June: :) (groceries - but my grocery envelope is now empty, so I'll try to make what I have in the kitchen last the rest of the month.)

:bag: ($33 at a yard sale for a chair and a lamp)
8 June:
9 June: :treehugger:
10 June: :treehugger:
11 June: :treehugger:
12 June: :treehugger:
13 June: :treehugger:
14 June: :treehugger:
15 June:
16 June: :treehugger:
17 June: :treehugger:
18 June: :treehugger:
19 June: :treehugger:
20 June: :treehugger:
21 June: :treehugger:
22 June:
23 June: :treehugger:
24 June: :treehugger:
25 June: :treehugger:
26 June: :treehugger:
27 June: :treehugger:
28 June: :treehugger:
29 June:
30 June: :treehugger:

I did okay last month, trying for more no-spend days this month!
Im just trying to increase our savings and decrease the amount of junk I buy!
Key:
No spend: :thumb
Budgeted::wink
Not Budgeted: :irked:


June 1st::thumb
2nd::thumb
3rd::thumb
4th:Farmers market:wink
Fines at the Lib.:irked:
5th: Food budgeted :wink
Gas:wink
6th::thumb
7th:Target Budgeted:wink
8th::thumb
9th: Chiro Unbudgeted but needed!:wink
10th::thumb
11th:Gas budgeted:wink
Jo-Anns unbudgeted:irked:
12th:Food budgeted :wink
13th::thumb
14th::thumb
15th::thumb
16th:Food Budgeted :wink
Pay-Pal budgeted :wink
17th::thumb
18th::thumb
19th:Target Budgeted :wink
20th:Coffee not budgeted :irked:
21st::thumb
22nd::thumb
23rd:Gas:wink
24th::thumb
25th:Pizza not budgeted:irked:
26th:Medicine not budgeted but needed
27th:GroceryStore, budgeted, but went over:irked:
28th:B-fast with fam :wink
29th::thumb
30:Lunch unbudgeted :irked:

Mileage:
June2nd to 8th:72.5
9th to 15th:103
16th to 22nd:93
23rd to 29th:65

I've been meaning to join in here for several months. I finally have some real money goals now so I NEED a place to record everything. I've made a list of money rules for myself and I think my goals are pretty realistic

So far for June

1st - 0
2nd - 0

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165


No spend days 1/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03..
04..
05..

Goals:

2/20 No spend days :thumb
2/30 Fast Food Free days
0/10 Let the car rest days :W
$0/$100 Unnecessary Spending

I can't tell you how many times today I thought of buying something or doing something that required money that I just didn't need to do...and I thought of this thread!!!

:thumb

Hey everyone! Looking forward to this month and I have my hubbie on board as well..
Ive added a few goals..

May 31st: 279 for groceries (Last month but it was from this months budget)
:love
June 1st: :thumb :eat:
June 2nd: :eat::treehugger::thumb

Personal spending: 0/$200
Grocery spending: $279/$400
Eat Out budget: 0/$30
Debt paid off: 0/600
Savings: 0/200

:love Budgeted spending
:( Unneeded/over budget spending
:thumb No Spending Goal: 2/20 days
:treehugger: No drive day Goal 1/20
:eat: Pack snacks/water for trips 2/30 Pack lunch for DH 1/20
Organizing days: 1/20
Exercise days: 1/25

Other Goals: Get a water filter instead of buying bottled water; Go through DD's toys and get rid/sale what she doesn't use; make a list of what we need and budget for new baby; pay off 600.00 in debt; save at least 300; Exercise daily and start getting everything organized for the move.
I think thats all! I hope this month goes well!

Yay! A no-spend day. (It wasn't exactly intended to be no-spend; we were planning to try the trolley to the library, but I couldn't get everyone out in time. We'll probably do it tomorrow, but it's ok, that's planned.)

So I've managed 50% so far...

It's a start.

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb

Goals
2/21 No spend days
0/$125 Unnecessary spending
0/$300 Car repair bill.

June 1 - :thumb (0.00 /$75.00)
June 2 - :thumb (0.00/$75.00)

:thumb = Under my $2.50 / day
:angry = over $2.50 a day
:treehugger: = no drive day

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb


:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

This month should be a bit quieter for me--no travelling in my plans. I do, however, want to take a few day trips to the beach. But, that's going to be gas $$. :sigh: We'll see how the month pans out.

6/1: $20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: $75 Target, $35 gas, $22 food, $65 medical bill

Yeah, I know, it doesn't look like a stellar start. It's not quite as bad as it looks though. We had another cake for ds, but picked up an ice cream cake for my friend that is gluten free at the last minute. I'm glad my mom remembered that, so everyone could have cake. She even offered to pay for it, but I'll count it for now since I don't think she should pay. Today was as lot of money going out, but almost all of it was necessary. I think all but $20 was necessary.

We are trying to do a weekly budget, and we've spent it for the week, so I'm aiming for 5 no spend days this week! The only exception will be Father's Day and wedding gifts (we have money set aside for these). FIL wants a book, I hope I can stay strong on Amazon! Maybe I should look at our local bookstore for it, a bit less temptation!

June 1 :irked: $19.22 Lunch

June 2 :) No spend - If I ever needed a reason to save :+ this would be it :love


****
No Spend Days - 1/20
Debt Payment $0/$400 (hoping for $650!)
Total Overspend: $19.22

June 1 :irked: $19.22 Lunch

June 2 :) No spend - If I ever needed a reason to save :+ this would be it :love


****
No Spend Days - 1/20
Debt Payment $0/$400 (hoping for $650!)
Total Overspend: $19.22

Congrats Rachael!

So far so good

June 1, 3.13 at coffee shop but it was planned (catch up night with dear friend)
June 2, no spend
June 3, no spend
June 4, no spend
June 5, no spend
June 6, took boys out for cold drinks, first really nice day 7.77

Congrats on the pregnancy, CityChic! Yay!


1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb



:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

First day good!

6/1: :thumb
6/2: :thumb

Goals:
1) Do not spend more than my income.
2) Save atleast $25/mo.

6/1 :( $8 coffee
6/2 :wink

June Spending Goals:
No Spend days: 1/30
No etsy/DS/ebay: 2/30
Non-necessary Spending: 8/400

I'm Melanie
We are moving across country in 8 weeks! I NEED THIS CHALLENGE! I have a very planned budget and I need to stick to it. So far, not so good. I can do this.

June
1st- Pizza $25:(
2nd- Chiropractor $25:angry (not planned, but HAD to go) $15 hair cut for Zach.

Hi! I'm Jamey (27, hopefully TTC in 2009. Back again for the 4th month! I sort of failed at keeping track last month. I'll be better this month.

The game plan:
-keep track of everything
-plan ahead for nights I'm out (June is a busy month for us - need to make sure we have quick dinners/lunches for the next 2 weekends)
-find one place to reduce spending by minimum of £20 from last month
-make a real itemised budget with specific categories (not just 'household' and 'extra spend')
-no more than 1 day per week of tube/bus transport unless really necessary (cycling the other days)
-update at the end of every week

June Goals:

Groceries: £220
Transport: £70
Household expenses:£150
Extra/Cr*p: 250
Into Savings: £160

:thumb = no spend
:) = in-budget spend
:( = unnecessary spend
:treehugger: = bike to work day

My key:

:eat:= groceries
:irked:=gas
:innocent=spending other than gas or groceries
:wink=no money left my hands

6/1-:wink
6/2-:innocent $35 nails, $7.23 on Pita Chips, and McD's and Sonic shake
6/3-:wink

Thanks for the well wishes ladies!!!!

***
June 1 :irked: $19.22 Lunch

June 2 :) No spend - If I ever needed a reason to save :+ this would be it :love

June 3 :irked: $26.36 for household items (ie contact solution, etc.)


****
No Spend Days - 1/20
Debt Payment $0/$400 (hoping for $650!)
Total Overspend: $45.58

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

My name is Linda. I'm a newly single mama to Kaylee. I need to spend as little as possible this month because I'm in the process of getting divorced and splitting households is expensive.

2. 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 is to stay out of stores and only spend on necessary items or items I've already planned to purchase.

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

Goals:
No spend days: 20/30
Food spending: $200 for the month (I need to use up my pantry before I move)
Moving Expenses: $400 (I think I can do moving cheaper, I'm just not sure.)
Clothing for K: Rainboots
Any money I make from my yard sale this weekend or selling stuff on craigslist will go toward debt repayment.


:thumb = no spending
:) = planned spending
:eat: = groceries
:( = unplanned spending

Tracking:
6/1 :thumb
6/2 :) $34 on gas, $35 for a used sand and water table (planned purchase)
6/3 :eat: $56

Wow, $4 for trolley fare, and that's all! We had a lovely trip to the library, and found a playground, and didn't spend on anything else.

1: :irked:
2: :thumb
3: :)

unplanned spending :irked:
planned spending :)
no spending :thumb

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb

Goals
3/21 No spend days
0/$125 Unnecessary spending
0/$300 Car repair bill.

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04..
05..

Goals:

2/20 No spend days :thumb
2/30 Fast Food Free days
0/10 Let the car rest days :W
$7/$100 Unnecessary Spending

:jumpers: Congratulations Rachel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My plan is to stay out of stores and only spend on necessary items or items I've already planned to purchase.


Welcome!!! This sounds like a very doable thing :)

:jumpers: Congratulations Rachel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you! Do you have a new little one yet?

June 1 - :thumb (0.00 /$75.00)
June 2 - :thumb (0.00/$75.00)
June 3 - :thumb (0.00 /$75.00) 3 days and going strong!


:thumb = Under my $2.50 / day
:angry = over $2.50 a day
:treehugger: = no drive day

6/1: $20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: $75 Target, $35 gas, $75 food, $65 medical bill
6/3: :love No Spend!

Victory today!

I even generated some income too -- my first Pampered Chef catalog show!

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb


No spend days 2/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb


:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

6/1 :( $8 coffee
6/2 :wink
6/3 :wink

June Spending Goals:
No Spend days: 2/30
No etsy/DS/ebay: 3/30
Non-necessary Spending: 8/400

No more library fines...no more library fines...no more library fines...

Kim

June 1: :wink
June 2: :wink
June 3: Library fines ($12.20)

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $12.20
* At least 25 :wink days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 2/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 3/30
* NO library fines: month to date $12.20
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $137.52/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 2/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 2/25
* Meal plan created: 0.30/4 weeks
* Sell rental house by 8/31 - tenants out 6/30; push hard in July...

I had my first prenatal appointment yesterday! The baby is doing great and Im due around when I thought I was (November 12-17.. Can't figure out what day exactly). The baby was moving around too much for them to get an accuate due date from the ultrasound. They put down the 17th since it was the latest of the days. Im so relieved that everything is going well..

May 31st: 279 for groceries (Last month but it was from this months budget)
:love
June 1st: :thumb :eat:
June 2nd: :eat::treehugger::thumb
June 3rd: :love 15.00 Ate at Taco Bell after appointment waiting for the labs to open. It was budgeted for.

Personal spending: 0/$200
Grocery spending: $279/$400
Eat Out budget: 0/$30
Debt paid off: 0/600
Savings: 0/200

:love Budgeted spending
:( Unneeded/over budget spending
:thumb No Spending Goal: 2/20 days
:treehugger: No drive day Goal 1/20
:eat: Pack snacks/water for trips 3/30 Pack lunch for DH 2/20
Organizing days: 2/20
Exercise days: 2/25

Other Goals: Get a water filter instead of buying bottled water; Go through DD's toys and get rid/sale what she doesn't use; make a list of what we need and budget for new baby Finished yesterday; pay off 600.00 in debt; save at least 300; Exercise daily and start getting everything organized for the move.

So close to a no spend day. I saw a friend posting online that she had no food in the house, so I invited her over. Then I realised that we only had raw milk so I had to get some conventional stuff. Still, I'm proud to have only spent $2.10 all day. That's a record for me :o

June 2 :rolleyes
June 3 :thumb
June 4 $2.10 :irked:
June 5 :thumb I'm so proud of myself :)

I'm loving this thread, it's a real motivation for me to change my habits. Thanks!

Congrats! :bgbounce So excited for you CityChic!

Victory today!

I even generated some income too -- my first Pampered Chef catalog show!

Congratulations! I hope the business takes off for you!!! :thumb

Ok, ok, I am going to do it this month.

6/1 3.16 Iced cappuchino from Tim hortons
6/2 :thumb
6/3 213.00 at Kohls
103.00 at grocery store
63.00 gas
6/4 :thumb staying home today!!!

june 1: :)
june 2: :)
june 3: :)
june 4: :thumb so much for staying at the farm. it got down to freezing on the first night so i came home. tenting in the freezing cold is no fun. i'm glad i came home, too, since it's been raining all week. bummer.
i've spent the week's budget and will need to spend more soon. something is eating my garden. i replaced several plants and will need to do more. grrr. plus dp's backpack broke so it had to be replaced. and this saturday is the farmer's market. i want to get enough berries to make jam for the whole year so i'll probably go over my budget, but it will be worth it.

week 1: 0$
40$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

Congratulations! I hope the business takes off for you!!! :thumb

Thanks! It'll even help with no spending since I can earn products free (I have always loved Pampered Chef products):D.

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04.. :thumb, :W
05..

Goals:

3/20 No spend days :thumb
3/30 Fast Food Free days
1/10 Let the car rest days :W
$7/$100 Unnecessary Spending

Still no baby here....

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb


:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

I put $300 toward savings today, when I expected it to only be $100 this month. I will write the check tonight to pay off the Homeowner's claim. :D

GOALS:
6/25 no unnecessary/budgeted spending
2/12 no gas days
stay within budget on groceries/spending/etc.
save my weekly spending to buy needed items
start an emergency fund:D
pay off homeowners claim $2000 paid!
no debit card unless planned

1... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
2... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
3... :twothumbs, :eat: $32 at Whole Foods, $7 at Farmer's Market, :nod $100 at dentist for son, $190 to nature center for camp for son
4... :twothumbs, $300 to open savings account
5... :twothumbs , 2.85 in downtown parking for splash park, $20 sent to sister for Father's Day, $20 co-pay for partner :nod
6... :twothumbs, :eat: $70 for groceries, :nod $42 oil change and tire rotation
7... :duh $24 at blueberry farm for 10 lbs. of blueberries and raw honey :nod; $22 at Target for groceries and TP. I went over the grocery budget by $12 :duh
8...
9...
10...

KEY
:twothumbs No unnecessary/over-budget spending
:duh Unnecessary/over-budget spending
:treehugger: no gas days
:nod stayed within budget
:eat: Groceries within budget

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb



:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb

Goals
4/21 No spend days
0/$125 Unnecessary spending
$200/$300 Car repair bill.

May 31st: 279 for groceries (Last month but it was from this months budget)
:love
June 1st: :thumb :eat:
June 2nd: :eat::treehugger::thumb
June 3rd: :love 15.00 Ate at Taco Bell after appointment waiting for the labs to open. It was budgeted for.
June 4th: :treehugger::thumb :eat:

Personal spending: 0/$200
Grocery spending: $279/$400
Eat Out budget: 0/$30
Debt paid off: 0/600
Savings: 0/200

:love Budgeted spending
:( Unneeded/over budget spending
:thumb No Spending Goal: 3/20 days
:treehugger: No drive day Goal 2/20
:eat: Pack snacks/water for trips 4/30 Pack lunch for DH 3/20
Organizing days: 3/20
Exercise days: 3/25

Other Goals: Get a water filter instead of buying bottled water; Go through DD's toys and get rid/sale what she doesn't use; make a list of what we need and budget for new baby Finished yesterday; pay off 600.00 in debt; save at least 300; Exercise daily and start getting everything organized for the move.

6/1: $20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: $75 Target, $35 gas, $75 food, $65 medical bill
6/3: :love No Spend!
6/4: :love No Spend!

Other Goals: Get a water filter instead of buying bottled water; I HIGHLY suggest Pur filters (unless you want to spend big $$ for a really nice filter).:thumb They are MUCH better than Brita IME (I've done several taste tests, and other "experiments" plus I'm pretty sure they filter more things outright. Oh, and personally, I've had much more luck with the separate container filters (http://www.purwaterfilter.com/puruldisds.html) (as opposed to the ones that attach to the faucet) because the faucet ones can cause plumbing issues and will often start to leak. :irked:

(Oh and I promise I don't work for them or have any connection... I just really like their filters! :innocent)


June 2 :) No spend - If I ever needed a reason to save :+ this would be it :love
Congratulations!!! :sunshine:balloons

Now... on to business:

(I didn't keep track, or even HAVE a budget for the 1st and 2nd so 06/03 is day 1)

June
06/03 :loveeyes: :treehugger:
06/04 :down $6 grocery, $2 pizza

Goals:
$6/$130 Grocery/household
$0/$40 Gas
$0/$80 Dog (grooming, food, fleas stuff, etc.)
$2/$40 Social spending/eating out
$0/$40 CASA visits
$0/$30 At work eating
Spend tax return only on budgeted, major expenses (car, etc.)
2/28 Save any/all possible receipts.
1/18 no-spend days :loveeyes:
1/10 Ride bike to work days :treehugger:
0/15 Bike rides with Brownie :dog:

Key: :loveeyes:= True No-Spend :down= In-Budget Spending :shrug= Un-budgeted but necessary :irked:= Budget Bust

[QUOTE=soygurl;11395482]I HIGHLY suggest Pur filters (unless you want to spend big $$ for a really nice filter).:thumb They are MUCH better than Brita IME (I've done several taste tests, and other "experiments" plus I'm pretty sure they filter more things outright. Oh, and personally, I've had much more luck with the separate container filters (http://www.purwaterfilter.com/puruldisds.html) (as opposed to the ones that attach to the faucet) because the faucet ones can cause plumbing issues and will often start to leak. :irked:

(Oh and I promise I don't work for them or have any connection... I just really like their filters! :innocent)


Thanks! Pur is the only filter they sell over here anyway so I don't have much of a choice. Im going to see if they have the seperate container filters since the faucet one I had broke after using it for two months (can't stand the repeated bangs of pots I guess)

May 31st: 279 for groceries (Last month but it was from this months budget)
:love
June 1st: :thumb :eat:
June 2nd: :eat::treehugger::thumb
June 3rd: :love 15.00 Ate at Taco Bell after appointment waiting for the labs to open. It was budgeted for.
June 4th: :treehugger::thumb :eat:
June 5th: :treehugger::thumb :eat:

Personal spending: 0/$200
Grocery spending: $279/$400
Eat Out budget: 15/$30
Debt paid off: 0/600
Savings: 0/200

:love Budgeted spending
:( Unneeded/over budget spending
:thumb No Spending Goal: 4/20 days
:treehugger: No drive day Goal 3/20
:eat: Pack snacks/water for trips 5/30 Pack lunch for DH 4/20
Organizing days: 4/20
Exercise days: 4/25

Other Goals: Get a water filter instead of buying bottled water; Go through DD's toys and get rid/sale what she doesn't use; make a list of what we need and budget for new baby Finished yesterday; pay off 600.00 in debt; save at least 300; Exercise daily and start getting everything organized for the move.

:thumb = no spending
:) = planned spending
:eat: = groceries
:( = unplanned spending

Tracking:
6/1 :thumb
6/2 :) $34 on gas, $35 for a used sand and water table (planned purchase)
6/3 :eat: $56
6/4 :eat: $12, :( $32 on breakfast out with STBXH and Kaylee


Goals:
No spend days: 1/20
Food spending: $68/$200 for the month (I need to use up my pantry before I move)
Moving Expenses: $400 (I think I can do moving cheaper, I'm just not sure.)
Clothing for K: Rainboots
Any money I make from my yard sale this weekend or selling stuff on craigslist will go toward debt repayment.

Come on CrunchyBaby...we are waiting to meet you :love

***
June 1 :irked: $19.22 Lunch

June 2 :) No spend - If I ever needed a reason to save :+ this would be it :love

June 3 :irked: $26.36 for household items (ie contact solution, etc.)

June 4 :irked: $23 work event


****
No Spend Days - 1/20
Debt Payment $0/$400 (hoping for $650!)
Total Overspend: $68.58

6/1 No spend :love
6/2 No spend :love
6/3 No spend :love
6/4 3.21 beverages out with dd
6/5 No spend :love
6/6
6/7
6/8

15/31
4/5
Grocery goal $300.00
6/2 $75.00

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04.. :thumb, :W
05.. $7.80 School BBQ, :W

Goals:

3/20 No spend days :thumb
4/30 Fast Food Free days
2/10 Let the car rest days :W
$14.87/$100 Unnecessary Spending

I'm very bad. I'm very, very bad. I will not buy more books. I will not buy more books.

Last night, I went out to buy a book (planned--I couldn't get it at the library). I made the mistake of taking the entire family along, and of course, everyone came home with a book. I also got a game for DS's birthday (planned for some time this month, though not necessarily yesterday). I think I'd better just stay out of bookstores for the rest of the month; they are definitely my downfall.

1::irked:
2::thumb
3::)
4::irked:
5::irked:

unplanned spending :irked:
planned spending :)
no spending :thumb

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping

Goals
4/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$200/$300 Car repair bill.

6/1: :thumb
6/2: $5.98 - had lunch out :irked:
6/3: :thumb
6/4: $12.95 to return sling because it wasn't sized correctly :eyesroll
6/5: :thumb

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb
June 4 - :thumb



No spend days 3/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

1 - 69.66 birthday gifts (i'm OK with this spending) - count :thumb
2 - 5 library fees, 52.47 groceries
3 - :thumb
4 - 100 first tattoo (sentimental, personal design, b-day present) budgeted 60, 5.30 toys for dd, 5.07 food while out
5 - :thumb

goals:

23 :thumb
grocery 300
pets 100

progress:

3 :thumb
grocery 57.54/300
pet 0/100
misc 50.30

6/1: $20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: $75 Target, $35 gas, $75 food, $65 medical bill
6/3: :love No Spend!
6/4: :love No Spend!
6/5: :love $44.74 on Father's Day gifts

I think I'll be joining you all now...I just spent $62 to fill up my gas tank :( I am so scared I don't know how I am going to manage, but I guess this is good way to start.

6/5: $62 gas, $45 groceries & diapers

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb


:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

June
06/03 :loveeyes: :treehugger:
06/04 :down $6 grocery, $2 pizza
06/05 :loveeyes:

Goals:
$6/$130 Grocery/household
$0/$40 Gas
$0/$80 Dog (grooming, food, fleas stuff, etc.)
$2/$40 Social spending/eating out
$0/$40 CASA visits
$0/$30 At work eating
Spend tax return only on budgeted, major expenses (car, etc.)
3/28 Save any/all possible receipts.
2/18 no-spend days :loveeyes:
1/10 Ride bike to work days :treehugger:
0/15 Bike rides with Brownie :dog:

Key: :loveeyes:= True No-Spend :down= In-Budget Spending :shrug= Un-budgeted but necessary :irked:= Budget Bust

Must remember to return the library museum pass tomorrow to avoid late fees...

Kim

June 1: :wink
June 2: :wink
June 3: Library fines ($12.20)
June 4: :wink
June 5: :wink

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $12.20
* At least 25 :wink days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 4/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 5/30
* NO library fines: month to date $12.20
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $141.52/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 4/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 4/25
* Meal plan created: 0.30/4 weeks
* Sell rental house by 8/31 - tenants out 6/30; push hard in July...

Update. I sold a sling and I used the funds to buy something :o. It was a co-op for amber teething necklaces on my car-seat boards. I was planning on getting one sometime anyway. . .if that matters.


OH and REMIND me not to tell my mom about no-spend and pantry challenges. EVERY time I do her dooms day gene kicks in and tells me to buy all the food I can now because "by next year they will be rationing". She may be right and all, but I still want to pay off debt and I don't need doritos.

6/1 :( $8 coffee
6/2 :wink
6/3 :wink
6/4 :wink
6/5 :wink

June Spending Goals:
No Spend days: 4/30
No etsy/DS/ebay: 5/30
Non-necessary Spending: 8/400

ladies, help a girl out here. http://584blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/help-please.html

june 1: :)
june 2: :)
june 3: :)
june 4: :thumb
june 5: :thumb

week 1: 0$
40$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb
5: :eat: & :eyesroll on some paper and wipes - total of 14.38



:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

May 31st: 279 for groceries (Last month but it was from this months budget)
:love
June 1st: :thumb :eat:
June 2nd: :eat::treehugger::thumb
June 3rd: :love 15.00 Ate at Taco Bell after appointment waiting for the labs to open. It was budgeted for.
June 4th: :treehugger::thumb :eat:
June 5th: :treehugger::thumb :eat:
June 6: :love Spent 50.00 on new plates and storage containers.. We budgeted for it

Personal spending: 0/$200
Grocery spending: $279/$400
Eat Out budget: 15/$30
Debt paid off: 0/600
Savings: 0/200

:love Budgeted spending
:( Unneeded/over budget spending
:thumb No Spending Goal: 4/20 days
:treehugger: No drive day Goal 3/20
:eat: Pack snacks/water for trips 6/30 Pack lunch for DH 5/20
Organizing days: 5/20
Exercise days: 5/25

Other Goals: Get a water filter instead of buying bottled water; Go through DD's toys and get rid/sale what she doesn't use; make a list of what we need and budget for new baby Finished yesterday; pay off 600.00 in debt; save at least 300; Exercise daily and start getting everything organized for the move.

Well, I am not tracking budgeted spending. so far I have only day of spending not in budget- I went out to dinner and a movie with dh's family- girl night- now this was not planned and not really something I wanted to do- but in the interest of preserving family relationships I did- so that was $16.56. Otherwise we are doing very good with no spending. We have sold some stuff on ebay as well and will hopefully be posting more stuff this weekend. dh is working this Saturday to make some extra money as the motherboard on the desktop got fried- that should cover it's cost.

I know I will be be spending coming this tuesday as I am making a trip out of town I believe- we have la leche mettings and I haven't went in a few months to try and save the gas money, but I really want to go this time and visit my friends. So, I am going but packing a lunch.

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04.. :thumb, :W
05.. $7.80 School BBQ, :W
06.. :thumb

Goals:

4/20 No spend days :thumb
5/30 Fast Food Free days
2/10 Let the car rest days :W
$14.87/$100 Unnecessary Spending

No baby. Now I'm past due.

Well, I am not tracking budgeted spending

I don't either. I just record stuff that is out of budget, not-necessary.

6/5: $62 gas, $45 groceries & diapers
6/6: $23 farmers market, $51 Trader Joes (mostly planned spending)

Still working on my specific goals. I know I want to eat out less, but I think this month I may just roll with it all & see how it goes. :shrug

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb

Goals
5/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$200/$300 Car repair bill.

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb
6/6: :thumb


:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

subbing.
majorly fell off the wagon the last few months :o :irked:
be back tomorrow to post an intro...

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb
June 4 - :thumb
June 5 - :( $107 Shoes for dd1 & dd2, $4 Snacks after swimming, $13 Lunch, $54 sippy cups (got a good deal so I bought a bunch), $79 clothes for me and $135 groceries
June 6 - :thumb



No spend days 4/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

Well, this week did not go quite as planned. However, I do notice that when I plan to have a no spend day, I don't spend very much even when I do end up having to spend. . . going for a no spend weekend!!!

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb
5: :eat: & :eyesroll on some paper and wipes - total of 14.38
6: :irked: 4.00 video rental, 4.25 on wine for my sister (who claims she will pay me back in a week), and 1.00 for parking when I went out to lunch with my dad - no big deal, he bought me lunch :)



:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

june 1: :)
june 2: :)
june 3: :)
june 4: :thumb
june 5: :thumb
june 6: :thumb

week 2: 75$
40$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

Tracking:
6/1:thumb:
6/2 :) $34 on gas, $35 for a used sand and water table (planned purchase)
6/3 :eat: $56
6/4 :eat: $12, :( $32 on breakfast out with STBXH and Kaylee
6/5 :thumb:
6/6 :) $45 at the DOL to get my license; :( $6.50 at taco bell (I was hungry and I hadn't eaten there in two years)

Goals:
No spend days: 2/20
Food spending: $68/$200 for the month (I need to use up my pantry before I move)
Moving Expenses: $400 (I think I can do moving cheaper, I'm just not sure.)
Clothing for K: Rainboots
Any money I make from my yard sale this weekend or selling stuff on craigslist will go toward debt repayment.

6/1 :( $8 coffee
6/2 :wink
6/3 :wink
6/4 :wink
6/5 :wink
6/6 :wink

June Spending Goals:
No Spend days: 5/30
No etsy/DS/ebay: 6/30
Non-necessary Spending: 8/400

6/1: $20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: $75 Target, $35 gas, $75 food, $65 medical bill
6/3: :love No Spend!
6/4: :love No Spend!
6/5: :love $44.74 on Father's Day gifts
6/6: :eyesroll $5 cupcakes, $22 pizza, $21 pants

The pants were a pretty necessary purchase and I have money set aside for clothing purchases. The pizza was for ds's birthday ans to celebrate DHs last night on overnights. The cupcakes were just b/c we wanted some and so the kids didn't complain that bday ds got a treat and they didn't (this awesome little bakery gives out free cupcakes on your birthday).

My only real goal for June is to stay within our budget.

1-$23.50 amusment park
2-$26.38 groceries, $33 pizza, $10 soccer photo's, $10 misc
3-
4-$50 gas
5- $44.90 haircut, $8.90 groceries, $17.16 dry cleaning, $161.83 water bill
6-$470 mtg/taxes, $144 groceries
7-

999.67/3150
142.81/105

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb
June 4 - :thumb
June 5 - :( $107 Shoes for dd1 & dd2, $4 Snacks after swimming, $13 Lunch, $54 sippy cups (got a good deal so I bought a bunch), $79 clothes for me and $135 groceries
June 6 - :thumb
June 7 - :thumb



No spend days 5/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb
06/07 :thumb

Goals
6/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$200/$300 Car repair bill.

6/1: :eyesroll $20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: :eyesroll $75 Target, $35 gas, $75 food, $65 medical bill
6/3: :love No Spend!
6/4: :love No Spend!
6/5: :love $44.74 on Father's Day gifts
6/6: :eyesroll $5 cupcakes, $22 pizza, $21 pants
6/7: :eyesroll $3.50 at my moms group garage sale

I had things in the garage sale too, and I'm sure I made more than $3.50, but I need to record the spending instead of playing the 'it doesn't really count' game. I am *very* good at that game!

Planning on a no spend day tomorrow, we have to go to a picnic for DH's work.

My key:

:eat:= groceries
:irked:=gas
:innocent=spending other than gas or groceries
:wink=no money left my hands

6/1-:wink
6/2-:innocent $35 nails, $7.23 on Pita Chips, and McD's and Sonic shake
6/3-:wink
6/4-:wink
6/5-:( $44 CVS for Stupid Clomid and some maxi pads :innocent $9 movie
6/6-:irked: $40 gas, :innocent $15 Ruby Tuesday
6/7-:wink

june 1: :)
june 2: :)
june 3: :)
june 4: :thumb
june 5: :thumb
june 6: :thumb
june 7: :) 10$ at the farmer's market and SO MUCH FUN

week 2: 65$
40$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04.. :thumb, :W
05.. $7.80 School BBQ, :W
06.. :thumb
07.. :thumb

Goals:

5/20 No spend days :thumb
6/30 Fast Food Free days
2/10 Let the car rest days :W
$14.87/$100 Unnecessary Spending

Still no baby.

But having a baby due ~~any time now~~ does make one stay a bit closer to home...so no Starbucks trips or shopping...and that is good for me. :D

Where IS this baby?????

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb
6/6: :thumb
6/7: :) Farmer's mkt. and grocery ~$255/ Pool toys $2

:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you have decided to spend nothing (or spend significantly less) for the Month of June.

2. 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?

3. Be specific! What are your goals? How many no spend days is right for you? Do you have a savings goal? Debt repayment goal?

I'm Claire, I posted on these threads for a while and was doing good. I can't remember when I stopped, but the last few months have been bad. Not really buying a lot of 'stuff' but spending too much eating out (lazy, tired, and pregnant) and not giving dh a set amount of cash has resulted in a few overdrafts on our checking account :irked: We had also planned a couple of home improvements, but have a big car repair coming up so will have to abandon at least one of those for now.

We revisited our budget the other day, and feel that it will work if we just STICK WITH IT. I'm the one 'in charge' of the budget and banking, so I need to record our spending and have regular conversations with my dh about where we're at financially and upcoming spending.

Goals... um, yeah. Stay in the budget. Write down our spending (and remainder in budget) and post it in the kitchen. Eat at home more and plan for snacks when out. Plan regular free activities, like the park and library to avoid boredom spending. Discretionary spending within 'allowance' amount only. Revise grocery and gas budget based on higher prices.

Starting today:
June 07 :thumb

Key: No Spend at all :thumb Budgeted Spend :innocent Out of Budget Spend :(

This month is just not going as planned so far! I want more :thumb!!!

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb
5: :eat: & :eyesroll on some paper and wipes - total of 14.38
6: :irked: 4.00 video rental, 4.25 on wine for my sister (who claims she will pay me back in a week), and 1.00 for parking when I went out to lunch with my dad - no big deal, he bought me lunch :)
7: :eat: 12.83



:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

Don't even want to think about what we have spent in gas the last few days, but all of the trips have been necessary. Thought we had a full-fledged visit from Murphy yesterday when I came a little too close to a tree while backing out of the driveway, leaving the Subaru's sideview mirror hanging. Luckily, DH was able to pop it back on - it is not 100% fixed, but thus far it is staying on the car and looks almost normal.

Kim

June 1: :wink
June 2: :wink
June 3: Library fines ($12.20)
June 4: :wink
June 5: :wink
June 6: :wink
June 7: :wink

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $12.20
* At least 25 :wink days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 6/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 7/30
* NO library fines: month to date $12.20
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $183/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 6/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 5/25
* Meal plan created: 0.30/4 weeks
* Sell rental house by 8/31 - tenants out 6/30; push hard in July...

:notes2: I so need this!

For the past 2 months I've recorded every penny of spending [including necessary purchases.]

My problem? I do have money left over and can't seem to save it.

I have no self control. Ugh!!

Another problem is that I haven't sat down and gone over the last few months of spending which I know I really need to do in order to see where the leaks are and what I can cut back on.

I don't really have a plan for now so guess I ought to get busy and make one, huh? *lol*

Love,

Jen

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb
June 4 - :thumb
June 5 - :( $107 Shoes for dd1 & dd2, $4 Snacks after swimming, $13 Lunch, $54 sippy cups (got a good deal so I bought a bunch), $79 clothes for me and $135 groceries
June 6 - :thumb
June 7 - :thumb
June 8 - :) $27 shipping, $13 for photo prints



No spend days 5/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb
06/07 :thumb
06/08 :thumb

No money to spend today so I guess I'll just give myself a :thumb early. :lol

Goals
7/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$200/$300 Car repair bill.

Wow girls, you're doing great! Keep up the good work. :)

Love,

Jen

Tracking:
6/1:thumb:
6/2 :) $34 on gas, $35 for a used sand and water table (planned purchase)
6/3 :eat: $56
6/4 :eat: $12, :( $32 on breakfast out with STBXH and Kaylee
6/5 :thumb:
6/6 :) $45 at the DOL to get my license; :( $7 at taco bell (I was hungry and I hadn't eaten there in two years)
6/7 :thumb:
6/8 :( $11 at the book store when selling some used books, and $26 for dinner with STBXH and Kaylee.

Goals:
No spend days: 3/20
Food spending: $101/$200 for the month (I need to use up my pantry before I move)
Moving Expenses: $400 (I think I can do moving cheaper, I'm just not sure.)
Clothing for K: Rainboots
Any money I make from my yard sale this weekend or selling stuff on craigslist will go toward debt repayment. ETA: I made $269 woohoo!

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04.. :thumb, :W
05.. $7.80 School BBQ, :W
06.. :thumb
07.. :thumb
08.. :thumb

Goals:

6/20 No spend days :thumb
7/30 Fast Food Free days
2/10 Let the car rest days :W
$14.87/$100 Unnecessary Spending

So DH and I discussed and I will be applying to nursing school for Fall of 2009! I'm so excited...things will be tight for awhile, but it'll so be worth it! So super motivated to pay off the credit cards and live as many no-spend days as possible!

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb
6/6: :thumb
6/7: :) Farmer's mkt. and grocery ~$255/ Pool toys $2
6/8: :thumb

:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

My key:

:eat:= groceries
:irked:=gas
:innocent=spending other than gas or groceries
:wink=no money left my hands

6/1-:wink
6/2-:innocent $35 nails, $7.23 on Pita Chips, and McD's and Sonic shake
6/3-:wink
6/4-:wink
6/5-:( $44 CVS for Stupid Clomid and some maxi pads :innocent $9 movie
6/6-:irked: $40 gas, :innocent $15 Ruby Tuesday
6/7-:wink
6/8-:wink

:notes2: I so need this!

For the past 2 months I've recorded every penny of spending [including necessary purchases.]

My problem? I do have money left over and can't seem to save it.

I have no self control. Ugh!!



Hi Jen,
I'm just starting this month's no spend challenge as well, but I wanted to say that we never were good at saving money so we went with an automatic transfer from our checking to our savings every two weeks. If it's not there to spend, it doesn't get spent, you know?? :thumb

good luck and welcome!

GOALS:
6/25 no unnecessary/budgeted spending
2/12 no gas days
stay within budget on groceries/spending/etc.
save my weekly spending to buy needed items
start an emergency fund:D
pay off homeowners claim $2000 paid!
no debit card unless planned

1... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
2... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
3... :twothumbs, :eat: $32 at Whole Foods, $7 at Farmer's Market, :nod $100 at dentist for son, $190 to nature center for camp for son
4... :twothumbs, $300 to open savings account
5... :twothumbs , 2.85 in downtown parking for splash park, $20 sent to sister for Father's Day, $20 co-pay for partner :nod
6... :twothumbs, :eat: $70 for groceries, :nod $42 oil change and tire rotation
7... :duh $24 at blueberry farm for 10 lbs. of blueberries and raw honey :nod; $22 at Target for groceries and TP. I went over the grocery budget by $12 :duh
8... :duh $10.70 at Taco Cabana (technically in the budget but unnecessary), $9 at grocery store on debit card, $2 donation
9...
10...

KEY
:twothumbs No unnecessary/over-budget spending
:duh Unnecessary/over-budget spending
:treehugger: no gas days
:nod stayed within budget
:eat: Groceries within budget[/QUOTE]

june 1: :)
june 2: :)
june 3: :)
june 4: :thumb
june 5: :thumb
june 6: :thumb
june 7: :)
june 8: :)

week 2: 57$
40$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

Honest-to-goodness no-spend today...

Kim

June 1: :wink
June 2: :wink
June 3: Library fines ($12.20)
June 4: :wink
June 5: :wink
June 6: :wink
June 7: :wink
June 8: :wink

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $12.20
* At least 25 :wink days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 7/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 8/30
* NO library fines: month to date $12.20
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $183/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 7/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 6/25
* Meal plan created: 0.30/4 weeks
* Sell rental house by 8/31 - tenants out 6/30; push hard in July...

:notes2: I so need this!

For the past 2 months I've recorded every penny of spending

My problem? I do have money left over and can't seem to save it.

I have no self control. Ugh!!

Another problem is that I haven't sat down and gone over the last few months of spending which I know I really need to do in order to see where the leaks are and what I can cut back on.

I don't really have a plan for now so guess I ought to get busy and make one, huh? *lol*

Love,

Jen

Welcome Jen! Saving is hard. One of the things I have found helpful is to transfer my money to an ING account at the end of every month. It takes 2-3 days to transfer the money out of that account so I am lest tempted to take it out! You CAN do it!! :thumb

So DH and I discussed and I will be applying to nursing school for Fall of 2009! I'm so excited...things will be tight for awhile, but it'll so be worth it! So super motivated to pay off the credit cards and live as many no-spend days as possible!

Congratulations!!! :D

Hi Jen,
I'm just starting this month's no spend challenge as well, but I wanted to say that we [I]never were good at saving money so we went with an automatic transfer from our checking to our savings every two weeks. If it's not there to spend, it doesn't get spent, you know?? :thumb

good luck and welcome!


Welcome CKinAK! We are happy you joined us! Have a great month :thumb

So DH and I discussed and I will be applying to nursing school for Fall of 2009! I'm so excited...things will be tight for awhile, but it'll so be worth it! So super motivated to pay off the credit cards and live as many no-spend days as possible!

Kudos to you for making the commitment to wipe out cc debt and save before beginning nursing school! My DH is working on his RN now, and I wish we had planned a little better financially. We have been able to pay cash up 'til now (the past year he has been knocking out pre-reqs, A&P I/II, etc.), but this Fall will be full-time nursing program, and I am trying to figure out how we can swing it without taking on loans.

Kim

So I haven't read the whole thread yet, and I'm joining late, but I'd like to join. I need to be accountable to someone besides myself, DH has no interest in finances :o We have credit card debt and DH is separating from the military in December so we need to build up some savings before then. I look forward to checking in. Thanks for being here!

Kudos to you for making the commitment to wipe out cc debt and save before beginning nursing school! My DH is working on his RN now, and I wish we had planned a little better financially. We have been able to pay cash up 'til now (the past year he has been knocking out pre-reqs, A&P I/II, etc.), but this Fall will be full-time nursing program, and I am trying to figure out how we can swing it without taking on loans.

Kim

Kim-any words of advice from you or your DH for surviving full-time school with a family?

Okay, so I realized we ate out the pantry so much last month and ran out of so many things that we've already nearly spent our grocery budget this month. Anyway, I decided that I'm just going to finish the shopping tomorrow (few more things we need from Target) because I've had such a bad run and then I can focus on NOT SPENDING ANYTHING the next few weeks.

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb
5: :eat: & :eyesroll on some paper and wipes - total of 14.38
6: :irked: 4.00 video rental, 4.25 on wine for my sister (who claims she will pay me back in a week), and 1.00 for parking when I went out to lunch with my dad - no big deal, he bought me lunch :)
7: :eat: 12.83
8: :eat: 73.24



:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

6/1 :( $8 coffee
6/2 :wink
6/3 :wink
6/4 :wink
6/5 :wink
6/6 :wink
6/7 :wink
6/8 :( $19.02 diaper, $13 diaper, $14 lunch w/ my mom

June Spending Goals:
No Spend days: 7/30
No etsy/DS/ebay: 8/30
Non-necessary Spending: 54.02/400

Some of you ladies are super good at this. I've already used up half of my allotted spending days for the month.

I think I might need to readjust my goal to 15 no-spend days this month. I just haven't made the time to sit down and plan out the days that I will be spending.

I'm back from vacation, more or less recovered from illness, and back in starting today.

June 9: $4.60 PO, ~$27 GW, $4.54 lunch

So I haven't read the whole thread yet, and I'm joining late, but I'd like to join. I need to be accountable to someone besides myself, DH has no interest in finances :o We have credit card debt and DH is separating from the military in December so we need to build up some savings before then. I look forward to checking in. Thanks for being here!

Welcome! You can do it :thumb Read the first page of this thred for some ideas on how to get started! We are glad you are joining us!!!

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb
June 4 - :thumb
June 5 - :( $107 Shoes for dd1 & dd2, $4 Snacks after swimming, $13 Lunch, $54 sippy cups (got a good deal so I bought a bunch), $79 clothes for me and $135 groceries
June 6 - :thumb
June 7 - :thumb
June 8 - :) $27 shipping, $13 for photo prints
June 9 - :thumb



No spend days 6/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04.. :thumb, :W
05.. $7.80 School BBQ, :W
06.. :thumb
07.. :thumb
08.. :thumb
09.. :thumb

Goals:

7/20 No spend days :thumb
8/30 Fast Food Free days
2/10 Let the car rest days :W
$14.87/$100 Unnecessary Spending

june 1: :)
june 2: :)
june 3: :)
june 4: :thumb
june 5: :thumb
june 6: :thumb
june 7: :)
june 8: :)
june 9: :thumb

week 2: 57$
40$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

My key:

:eat:= groceries
:irked:=gas
:innocent=spending other than gas or groceries
:wink=no money left my hands

6/1-:wink
6/2-:innocent $35 nails, $7.23 on Pita Chips, and McD's and Sonic shake
6/3-:wink
6/4-:wink
6/5-:( $44 CVS for Stupid Clomid and some maxi pads :innocent $9 movie
6/6-:irked: $40 gas, :innocent $15 Ruby Tuesday
6/7-:wink
6/8-:wink
6/9-:wink

6/1: :$20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: :eyesroll $75 Target, $35 gas, $75 food, $65 medical bill
6/3: :love No Spend!
6/4: :love No Spend!
6/5: :love $44.74 on Father's Day gifts
6/6: :eyesroll $5 cupcakes, $22 pizza, $21 pants
6/7: :eyesroll $3.50 at my moms group garage sale
6/8: $20 Target for wipes and snacks
6/9: :eyesroll $33 Joann's, $36 kids hair, $19 pants

In my defense for today, the $$ at Joann's was to make 2 baby quilts for gifts (I got one magazine for me:o), I normally cut the kids' hair, but we have a wedding this weekend that dd is in and I didn't want to risk my attempt not coming out well, and the pants, well, I put in a totally lowball bid on ebay and somehow won them:o.

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb
06/07 :thumb
06/08 :thumb
06/09 :thumb

We have $2.89 until Wednesday so I can pretty much guarantee I am going to have a :thumb tomorrow as well. :lol

Goals
8/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$200/$300 Car repair bill.

June 1 :irked: $19.22 Lunch

June 2 :) No spend - If I ever needed a reason to save :+ this would be it :love

June 3 :irked: $26.36 for household items (ie contact solution, etc.)

June 4 :irked: $23 work event

June 5 :)

June 6 - :irked: $35 dinner out

June 7 - :irked: $13.25 hat for DS, $21 yoga video

June 8 :irked: $21.95 - book for my new business

June 9 :) - Finally, my mom was here this weekend and I had NO will power, back on track...


****
No Spend Days - 3/20
Debt Payment $0/$400 (hoping for $650!)
Total Overspend: $159.78

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb
6/6: :thumb
6/7: :) Farmer's mkt. and grocery ~$255/ Pool toys $2
6/8: :thumb
6/9: :) Bananas $2.43

:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

Groceries $257.43
Gardening $64.29
Misc. $2

Tomorrow I'm going to a movie and I think I need to buy tampons. :o Father's day and youngest son's bday this weekend.

Set up a grocery and gas budget. I'm not sure the gas budget is realistic, but I'm gonna try to keep the driving down. Got groceries today and came in under budget. This weeks spending will include a gift for dh for fathers day and my niece's bday (budgeted) but I'm trying to think of low-cost but cool gifts.

6/7 :thumb
6/8 :thumb
6/9 :innocent grocery spending in budget

Key: :thumb No Spend at all :innocent Budgeted Spend :( Out of Budget

Goals:
No Spend days 2/15
Grocery shopping once a week only <$75 per week
Gas budget 0/125

6/25 no unnecessary/budgeted spending
4/12 no gas days
stay within budget on groceries/spending/etc.
save my weekly spending to buy needed items
start an emergency fund - $685/1000:D
pay off homeowners claim $2000 paid!
no debit card unless planned

1... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
2... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
3... :twothumbs, :eat: $32 at Whole Foods, $7 at Farmer's Market, :nod $100 at dentist for son, $190 to nature center for camp for son
4... :twothumbs, $300 to open savings account
5... :twothumbs , 2.85 in downtown parking for splash park, $20 sent to sister for Father's Day, $20 co-pay for partner :nod
6... :twothumbs, :eat: $70 for groceries, :nod $42 oil change and tire rotation
7... :duh $24 at blueberry farm for 10 lbs. of blueberries and raw honey :nod; $22 at Target for groceries and TP. I went over the grocery budget by $12 :duh
8... :duh $10.70 at Taco Cabana (technically in the budget but unnecessary), $9 at grocery store on debit card, $2 donation
9...:treehugger:, $9.77 at grocery store for sale items - over grocery budget but still within spending so :nod
10...:duh :treehugger: (I'm counting this as a no-drive day but I did drive to the pool but it is less than mile but we went with friends so no bike), $6 on ice cream that I asked my partner to stop for. And, we had a coupon at home that went unused.

KEY
:twothumbs No unnecessary/over-budget spending
:duh Unnecessary/over-budget spending
:treehugger: no gas days
:nod stayed within budget
:eat: Groceries within budget

Needed to replace our VCR today (within budget), and assumed I would grab one pretty inexpensively at Target. Thankfully, DD (4) spotted VCRs at Goodwill when we were scoping out a Wiggles CD for DS. For $25, picked up not only a new VCR ($10 - works like a dream), but also about 15 tapes (my new strategy for avoiding late fees - no more kid movies from the library). Added bonus: felt good about recycling someone else's used electronic equipment.

Kim

June 1: :wink
June 2: :wink
June 3: Library fines ($12.20)
June 4: :wink
June 5: :wink
June 6: :wink
June 7: :wink
June 8: :wink
June 9: :wink

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $12.20
* At least 25 :wink days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 8/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 9/30
* NO library fines: month to date $12.20
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $213/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 8/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 7/25
* Meal plan created: 0.30/4 weeks
* Sell rental house by 8/31 - tenants out 6/30; push hard in July...

Kim-any words of advice from you or your DH for surviving full-time school with a family?

Ummmm, learn to function without sleep? :) In all seriousness, wish I had some great advice, but we just plug along, try to remain as flexible as possible, and get it done. DH opted to spend 3 years instead of 2 on the nursing program, in order to limit the annual time commitment somewhat (though this still means he is taking 3 courses this summer - 1 online, and 2 - 1 week intensives). DH also works full-time in the ER, I work PT, we have 3 rental properties (for which we handle all maintenance/communications), and, by choice, have enormous family volunteer commitments (minimally one full day/week all winter/spring). One thing that really has helped was our decision to move "into town" last year; we are now a 5 minute bike ride from both DH's school and hospital, savings us hours of commuting time each week. Also, I have been working with DH on time management, and using any free moments productively for school. Best advice is probably simply: try to relax, keep a sense of humor, and just focus on getting through each day while trying to focus on the positive. Good luck; sure you will do great!

Kim :wink

I just started yesterday, and I didn't really map out a plan or anything. It's pretty straightforward for me, because I don't have a car during the day except on Fridays and Saturdays when DH is home. My spending weakness at home is diapers, so that's easy, just don't buy any more diapers (we're good on diapers, now:shy) And no hinting around to DH to get fast food for dinner. We have plenty of stuff to eat at home. For grocery shopping, I like to try and stick to $150 every pay period (about 2 weeks). I want to only buy "wholesome" foods, though. No Doritos or candy for myself :) Unfortunately, DH reminded me that we have tickets to see REM/Modest Mouse on Wednesday, so I am putting a one beer limit on myself and try to get DH to eat dinner at home first. Let's say, for the rest of the month, no more than $50 in frivolous spending.

Sorry, that was some serious stream of consciousness writing...

So, first day: June 9 - :thumb

Okay I'm DONE! We got the things we needed from Target today, plus we've already spent as much on groceries as we did in the entire month of may . . . now I can just sit back , relax, and not spend any money!!!

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb
5: :eat: & :eyesroll on some paper and wipes - total of 14.38
6: :irked: 4.00 video rental, 4.25 on wine for my sister (who claims she will pay me back in a week), and 1.00 for parking when I went out to lunch with my dad - no big deal, he bought me lunch :)
7: :eat: 12.83
8: :eat: 73.24
9: :eat:48.09 & :eyesroll 40.50 at Target - clothes for son, dish soap, portable hamper


:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

I just started yesterday, and I didn't really map out a plan or anything. It's pretty straightforward for me, because I don't have a car during the day except on Fridays and Saturdays when DH is home. My spending weakness at home is diapers, so that's easy, just don't buy any more diapers (we're good on diapers, now:shy) And no hinting around to DH to get fast food for dinner. We have plenty of stuff to eat at home. For grocery shopping, I like to try and stick to $150 every pay period (about 2 weeks). I want to only buy "wholesome" foods, though. No Doritos or candy for myself :) Unfortunately, DH reminded me that we have tickets to see REM/Modest Mouse on Wednesday, so I am putting a one beer limit on myself and try to get DH to eat dinner at home first. Let's say, for the rest of the month, no more than $50 in frivolous spending.

Sorry, that was some serious stream of consciousness writing...

So, first day: June 9 - :thumb


This is a great plan! Welcome aboard!:thumb

6/1: :$20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: :eyesroll $75 Target, $35 gas, $75 food, $65 medical bill
6/3: :love No Spend!
6/4: :love No Spend!
6/5: :love $44.74 on Father's Day gifts
6/6: :eyesroll $5 cupcakes, $22 pizza, $21 pants
6/7: :eyesroll $3.50 at my moms group garage sale
6/8: $20 Target for wipes and snacks
6/9: :eyesroll $33 Joann's, $36 kids hair, $19 pants
6/10: :love $63 groceries


Kim, sounds like a great deal on the VCR and tapes! I need to go into the Goodwill near us sometime, we just drive through and drop off.

Prudence, I hope you are enjoying a new baby now!

I think I might need to readjust my goal to 15 no-spend days this month. I just haven't made the time to sit down and plan out the days that I will be spending.

15 days is a very admirable goal for your first challenge.

It takes a long while to work up to no-spending for even 20 days. Very hard to do.

So please do set a goal for yourself that is attainable. You will be helping yourself no matter how you approach it. :)

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04.. :thumb, :W
05.. $7.80 School BBQ, :W
06.. :thumb
07.. :thumb
08.. :thumb
09.. :thumb
10.. $8 Ice Cream

Goals:

7/20 No spend days :thumb
9/30 Fast Food Free days
2/10 Let the car rest days :W
$22.87/$100 Unnecessary Spending

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb
06/07 :thumb
06/08 :thumb
06/09 :thumb
06/10 :thumb

Goals
9/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$200/$300 Car repair bill.

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb
June 4 - :thumb
June 5 - :( $107 Shoes for dd1 & dd2, $4 Snacks after swimming, $13 Lunch, $54 sippy cups (got a good deal so I bought a bunch), $79 clothes for me and $135 groceries
June 6 - :thumb
June 7 - :thumb
June 8 - :) $27 shipping, $13 for photo prints
June 9 - :thumb
June 10 - :thumb



No spend days 7/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

june 1: :)
june 2: :)
june 3: :)
june 4: :thumb
june 5: :thumb
june 6: :thumb
june 7: :)
june 8: :)
june 9: :thumb
june 10: :thumb

week 2: 57$
40$ remaining for the month

(the budget is 75$/week for food, transportation, outings, etc, 100$ a month for clothes, gifts, craft stuff, etc)

march: 48% no-spend days
april: 56% no spend days
may: 52% no-spend

My key:

:eat:= groceries
:irked:=gas
:innocent=spending other than gas or groceries
:wink=no money left my hands

6/1-:wink
6/2-:innocent $35 nails, $7.23 on Pita Chips, and McD's and Sonic shake
6/3-:wink
6/4-:wink
6/5-:( $44 CVS for Stupid Clomid and some maxi pads :innocent $9 movie
6/6-:irked: $40 gas, :innocent $15 Ruby Tuesday
6/7-:wink
6/8-:wink
6/9-:wink
6/10-:eat: $118.71, :innocent $11 lunch out

June 9: :thumb
June 10: :thumb

The last two days have been easy, but tomorrow I'm going to a concert, and sometime between now and Sunday I want to get a Father's Day gift for DH. I'm going to spend no more than $25 on that. I love being able to check in here, and I love the little thumbs-up smiley.

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb
5: :eat: & :eyesroll on some paper and wipes - total of 14.38
6: :irked: 4.00 video rental, 4.25 on wine for my sister (who claims she will pay me back in a week), and 1.00 for parking when I went out to lunch with my dad - no big deal, he bought me lunch :)
7: :eat: 12.83
8: :eat: 73.24
9: :eat:48.09 & :eyesroll 40.50 at Target - clothes for son, dish soap, portable hamper
10: :thumb (finally)


:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

Glorious pool party day with friends; only frivolous spending was last-minute Kinko's trip to print trading cards for the kiddos to swap at the party (could have easily cut this expense in half by not waiting until the last minute).

Kim

June 1: :wink
June 2: :wink
June 3: Library fines ($12.20)
June 4: :wink
June 5: :wink
June 6: :wink
June 7: :wink
June 8: :wink
June 9: :wink
June 10: $30 kids' trading cards (should have planned better)

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $42.20
* At least 25 :wink days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 8/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 10/30
* NO library fines: month to date $12.20
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $223/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 8/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 8/25
* Meal plan created: 0.30/4 weeks
* Sell rental house by 8/31 - tenants out 6/30; push hard in July...

Okay, I'm starting today. I've been really frivolous with money which is so unlike me. DH moreso than myself and that's what got me flipping out about our checking account on Sunday night. :(

My BIG downfall is fast food. I don't even care for it but I get tired and dislike making myself something to eat, so I DRIVE somewhere (which I dislike doing now w/ gas prices the way they are and all) and then fork out at least $6 for ONE meal for myself.. (that ends up making me feel bloated and gross!). No more of that. Or at least I MUST cut it down dramatically. My goal is to not have fast food at all for the rest of the month. If I can do that, I can do anything (haha).

So I am starting today! I'll have to create some handy dandy little thing like you all have going with each day listed and such. ;) Maybe I'll do that this weekend. :D

6/1 :( $8 coffee
6/2 :wink
6/3 :wink
6/4 :wink
6/5 :wink
6/6 :wink
6/7 :wink
6/8 :( $19.02 diaper, $13 diaper, $14 lunch w/ my mom
6/9 :wink
6/10 :wink

June Spending Goals:
No Spend days: 9/20
No etsy/DS/ebay: 10/20
Non-necessary Spending: 54.02/400

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb
6/6: :thumb
6/7: :) Farmer's mkt. and grocery ~$255/ Pool toys $2
6/8: :thumb
6/9: :) Bananas $2.43
6/19::) Gas $60 /Movie $5/ :( Drink $3.50

:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

Groceries $257.43
Gardening $64.29
Misc. $10.50
Gas $60

June 1 :irked: $19.22 Lunch

June 2 :) No spend - If I ever needed a reason to save :+ this would be it :love

June 3 :irked: $26.36 for household items (ie contact solution, etc.)

June 4 :irked: $23 work event

June 5 :)

June 6 - :irked: $35 dinner out

June 7 - :irked: $13.25 hat for DS, $21 yoga video

June 8 :irked: $21.95 - book for my new business

June 9 :) - Finally, my mom was here this weekend and I had NO will power, back on track...

June 10 :irked: $40 dinner w/friend. This has been planned for awhile, I had bad budgeting skills and didn't save any of my entertainment money for it. Ugh!

****
No Spend Days - 3/20
Debt Payment $0/$400 (hoping for $650!)
Total Overspend: $199.78

Okay, I'm starting today.

My BIG downfall is fast food.

So I am starting today! I'll have to create some handy dandy little thing like you all have going with each day listed and such. ;) Maybe I'll do that this weekend. :D

:thumb Sounds great! I think you can kick the fast food habit. "They" say it takes 30 days to form a habit...we will encourage you to keep this one! Best of luck this month!

6/1: :$20 on cake for ds's bday party
6/2: :eyesroll $75 Target, $35 gas, $75 food, $65 medical bill
6/3: :love No Spend!
6/4: :love No Spend!
6/5: :love $44.74 on Father's Day gifts
6/6: :eyesroll $5 cupcakes, $22 pizza, $21 pants
6/7: :eyesroll $3.50 at my moms group garage sale
6/8: $20 Target for wipes and snacks
6/9: :eyesroll $33 Joann's, $36 kids hair, $19 pants
6/10: :love $63 groceries
6/11: :love No Spend!

6/5: $62 gas, $45 groceries & diapers
6/6: $23 farmers market, $51 Trader Joes (mostly planned spending)
6/7: $16 dinner
6/8: :thumb
6/9: $11 dinner (cuz I was too sick to cook)
6/10: :thumb
6/11: :thumb


Still working on my specific goals. I know I want to eat out less, but I think this month I may just roll with it all & see how it goes. :shrug

June 7 - :irked: $13.25 hat for DS, $21 yoga video



If you haven't opened it yet...you could return it and I'd send ya one of mine I'm not using anymore! All you'd need to pay is postage (From MN to IL)

6/9: :thumb No spend!
6/10: :thumb No spend!
6/11: :thumb No spend!


No driving: 3/3
No eating out: 3/3

I'll have to drive tomorrow to my OB. But getting on birth control (don't trust FAM enough for myself) is actually saving $ in the long run. :wink Not sure how much BC is going to cost me yet. But then I have $52 or so worth to return to JcPenney's, which will be nice.

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb
06/07 :thumb
06/08 :thumb
06/09 :thumb
06/10 :thumb
06/11 :thumb

Almost to my car repair goal. Yay! I should reach it next week. :)

Goals
10/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$260/$300 Car repair bill.

6/1:thumb
6/2 groceries $50. $11 autozone, $100 for hubby to go into the city for an interview
6/3 $20 mcdonalds and ice cream:eat:
6/4:thumb
6/5:thumb
6/6$49 groceries
6/7:thumb
6/8:thumb
6/9 $45 hubby bday present
6/10 $5 flip flops

unneccary spending $20

goals pay for july car insurance early this month.

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb
06/07 :thumb
06/08 :thumb
06/09 :thumb
06/10 :thumb
06/11 :thumb

Almost to my car repair goal. Yay! I should reach it next week. :)

Goals
10/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$260/$300 Car repair bill.


You are having a great month, wow!

I've had to change my goals a little bit. $150 wasn't quite going to cut it for groceries and 24 no spend days was a little strict. I upped it to $250 and 20. That's much more reasonable for me this month.

01.. :thumb
02.. :thumb
03.. $7.07 Subway
04.. :thumb, :W
05.. $7.80 School BBQ, :W
06.. :thumb
07.. :thumb
08.. :thumb
09.. :thumb
10.. $8 Ice Cream
11.. :thumb

Goals:

8/20 No spend days :thumb
10/30 Fast Food Free days
2/10 Let the car rest days :W
$22.87/$100 Unnecessary Spending

You are having a great month, wow!

Thanks! I REALLY want to pay that car repair bill off!!!

Gah.

June 9: $4.60 PO, ~$27 GW, $4.54 lunch, ~$20 GW
June 10: :thumb
June 11: $18 PO, $6 coffee/breakfast, ~$50 GW, $6 lunch

But that's it. No more thrifing until next week. Really.

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb
5: :eat: & :eyesroll on some paper and wipes - total of 14.38
6: :irked: 4.00 video rental, 4.25 on wine for my sister (who claims she will pay me back in a week), and 1.00 for parking when I went out to lunch with my dad - no big deal, he bought me lunch :)
7: :eat: 12.83
8: :eat: 73.24
9: :eat:48.09 & :eyesroll 40.50 at Target - clothes for son, dish soap, portable hamper
10: :thumb (finally)
11: :thumb

:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending

GOALS
7/25 no unnecessary/budgeted spending
5/12 no gas days
stay within budget on groceries/spending/etc.
save my weekly spending to buy needed items
start an emergency fund - $1000/1000:D
pay off homeowners claim $2000 paid!
no debit card unless planned

1... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
2... :twothumbs, :treehugger:
3... :twothumbs, :eat: $32 at Whole Foods, $7 at Farmer's Market, :nod $100 at dentist for son, $190 to nature center for camp for son
4... :twothumbs, $300 to open savings account
5... :twothumbs , 2.85 in downtown parking for splash park, $20 sent to sister for Father's Day, $20 co-pay for partner :nod
6... :twothumbs, :eat: $70 for groceries, :nod $42 oil change and tire rotation
7... :duh $24 at blueberry farm for 10 lbs. of blueberries and raw honey :nod; $22 at Target for groceries and TP. I went over the grocery budget by $12 :duh
8... :duh $10.70 at Taco Cabana (technically in the budget but unnecessary), $9 at grocery store on debit card, $2 donation
9...:treehugger:, $9.77 at grocery store for sale items - over grocery budget but still within spending so :nod
10...:duh :treehugger: (I'm counting this as a no-drive day but I did drive to the pool but it is less than mile but we went with friends so no bike), $6 on ice cream that I asked my partner to stop for. And, we had a coupon at home that went unused.
11...:treehugger: (except for the trip to the pool), :duh $2.25 on ice cream for the kids
12... :twothumbs $30 for gas :nod $2.40 for father's day card :nod
13... :twothumbs $44 at Whole Foods :eat: $6 for lunch :nod

KEY
:twothumbs No unnecessary/over-budget spending
:duh Unnecessary/over-budget spending
:treehugger: no gas days
:nod stayed within budget
:eat: Groceries within budget

drove less than a mile today to take girls to kung fu, other than that- stayed home and kept my money :) Still haven't figured out what to do for dh or my niece's bday.

6/7 :thumb
6/8 :thumb
6/9 :innocent grocery spending in budget
6/10 :innocent $1 mad cash (a soda :bag:), gasoline
6/11 :thumb

Key: :thumb No Spend! :innocent Budgeted Spend :( Out of Budget

Goals:
No Spend days 3/15
Grocery shopping once a week only <$75 per week
Gas budget 41.42/125
Mad cash 1/30

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb
6/6: :thumb
6/7: :) Farmer's mkt. and grocery ~$255/ Pool toys $2
6/8: :thumb
6/9: :) Bananas $2.43
6/10::) Gas $60 /Movie $5/ :( Drink $3.50
6/11::) Post office (mailing Father's Day stuff) $2.68

:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

Groceries $257.43
Gardening $64.29
Misc. $13.18
Gas $60

Lots o' future $ saved today - my sister came over to instruct me on cutting DS' hair (and we gave him his first haircut). Have been cutting DH's hair for years, but that is with clippers, thus requiring very little skill.

Kim

June 1: :wink
June 2: :wink
June 3: Library fines ($12.20)
June 4: :wink
June 5: :wink
June 6: :wink
June 7: :wink
June 8: :wink
June 9: :wink
June 10: $30 kids' trading cards (should have planned better)
June 11: :wink

GOALS:
* Less than $50 in frivolous spending: month to date $42.20
* At least 25 :wink days (no spend or spending w/in budget): 9/25
* Pack snacks/water for outings: 11/30
* NO library fines: month to date $12.20
* Stay within grocery/eating out budget: $223/$500
* ORGANIZE/declutter (lack of organization = spending): 8/25
* Exercise (feeling good = decreased emotional spending): 9/25
* Meal plan created: 0.30/4 weeks
* Sell rental house by 8/31 - tenants out 6/30; push hard in July...

omigosh! I've done so poorly!

First, you may have noticed that I ahven't posted. Well, it took the cable company till yesterday to set up my internet and phone connections. :irked: and I've been very naughty spend money here and there. I will start reporting now, though, I swear it!

I went to an REM concert last night and I had said I would only get one beer. Then the beers were $9 each. So I didn't get a beer, but I did get a pretzel, a soda and ice cream. Then we got a six pack of beer for $8 on the way home. So I wasn't super good, but I wasn't super bad.

June 9: :thumb
June 10: :thumb
June 11: :eyesroll $12 for concert food, $8 for beer


My goal is still no more than $50 in frivolous purchases for June, but we don't have another concert to go to until July 1 :)

:thumb no-spend (at all)
:eyesroll frivolity

I have a new goal: only one trip to the thrift store per week for me now, assuming it is out of my way (trips to the store when it is honestly on the way to somewhere else I need to go are exceptions).

My only real goal for June is to stay within our budget.

1-$23.50 amusment park
2-$26.38 groceries, $33 pizza, $10 soccer photo's, $10 misc
3-
4-$50 gas
5- $44.90 haircut, $8.90 groceries, $17.16 dry cleaning, $161.83 water bill
6-$470 mtg/taxes, $144 groceries
7- cash $20
8-
9- carpool $40, $25 dh work, $48.30 cc charges
10- $6.27 pack and post, cash $23
11- sushi $50
12-phone bill $104.98

1297.22/3150
108.10/105

bought dh's fathers day gift today- a dvd set he's wanted for a while with a 40% off coupon. We'll also make cards and bake a cake for him from stuff we have at home. I think my niece is just getting an e-card and a phone call :o anyway, it's still early here, but I'm posting now since I have no plans to go out or spend any more money today.

Oh, and we got an uncovered medical bill from january and I just remembered we have car emissions tests and registration to pay for this month. off to go check the budget and see where we're pulling this money from :irked:

6/7 :thumb
6/8 :thumb
6/9 :innocent grocery spending in budget
6/10 :innocent $1 mad cash (a soda :bag:), gasoline
6/11 :thumb
6/12 :innocent gift for dh $24

Key: :thumb No Spend! :innocent Budgeted Spend :( Out of Budget

Goals:
No Spend days 3/15
Grocery shopping once a week only <$75 per week
Gas budget 41.42/$125
Mad cash 1/$30

My key:

:eat:= groceries
:irked:=gas
:innocent=spending other than gas or groceries
:wink=no money left my hands

6/1-:wink
6/2-:innocent $35 nails, $7.23 on Pita Chips, and McD's and Sonic shake
6/3-:wink
6/4-:wink
6/5-:( $44 CVS for Stupid Clomid and some maxi pads :innocent $9 movie
6/6-:irked: $40 gas, :innocent $15 Ruby Tuesday
6/7-:wink
6/8-:wink
6/9-:wink
6/10-:eat: $118.71, :innocent $11 lunch out
6/11-:wink
6/12-:wink

Okay so I am running low on gas (about a little more than a 1/4 of a tank)-I am hoping that it holds out so I don't have to fill up til Monday. I am working tomorrow and then driving about 20 minutes (each way) for Bunko (it's a dice game-for those who don't know) night. I have no plans for Saturday or Sunday-so no need to drive anywhere.

Okay so I am running low on gas (about a little more than a 1/4 of a tank)-I am hoping that it holds out so I don't have to fill up til Monday. I am working tomorrow and then driving about 20 minutes (each way) for Bunko (it's a dice game-for those who don't know) night. I have no plans for Saturday or Sunday-so no need to drive anywhere.

If a station is near, I wonder if it would be cheaper to drive and get gas asap (since prices seem to rise everyday and all)? Just a thought.

No spending for me today. Didn't make it to my appt. Oops. Will update my list tomorrow.

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb
06/07 :thumb
06/08 :thumb
06/09 :thumb
06/10 :thumb
06/11 :thumb
06/12 :thumb

Goals
11/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$260/$300 Car repair bill.

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb
6/6: :thumb
6/7: :) Farmer's mkt. and grocery ~$255/ Pool toys $2
6/8: :thumb
6/9: :) Bananas $2.43
6/10::) Gas $60 /Movie $5/ :( Drink $3.50
6/11::) Post office (mailing Father's Day stuff) $2.68
6/12::thumb

:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

Groceries $257.43
Gardening $64.29
Misc. $13.18
Gas $60

JUNE GOALS

:treehugger: 3/8 No Drive days
:eat: out
:kid: 6/15 Kid centered days
:notes: 2/6 Work at home days
:jumpers: 1/12 YWCA days
:D 6/15 No Spend days6/1: Grand Old Day festival=$40.00. $50.00 gas. $15.00 on 2 pr. sunglasses
(CVS/ECB=FREE lip gloss!)
6/2: :D + :treehugger: + :kid: + :notes:
6/3: $81.00 for work clothes, $100.59 for skin care (budgeted)

I got hired at a local yoga center tonight!

6/4: :D + :kid: + :notes:
6/5: :D + :kid: + :jumpers:
6/6: $36.99 for :dog: grooming, $15.00 for :eat:
6/7: $30.00 :eat:, $266.99 :eyes exam/contacts , $5.00 @ Farmers' market
6/9: $7.03 :eat: + :treehugger: + :kid:
6/10: :D + :treehugger: + :kid: + :eat:
6/11: :kid: + $1.00 for zoo/conservatory entrance
6/12: :D

June 9::thumb
June 10::thumb
June 11: :eyesroll $12 for concert food, $8 for beer
June 12: :) $94 for tickets to a concert in Sep (planned) $3 post office

Have I mentioned yet how not good at this I am?

June 9: $4.60 PO, ~$27 GW, $4.54 lunch, ~$20 GW
June 10: :thumb
June 11: $18 PO, $6 coffee/breakfast, ~$50 GW, $6 lunch
June 12: ~$150 on shoes online, but they're needed, and I ordered three pairs, probably two of which will go back
June 13: $3 coffee

:D It's my birthday! No spending for me! :)

6/5: $62 gas, $45 groceries & diapers
6/6: $23 farmers market, $51 Trader Joes (mostly planned spending)
6/7: $16 dinner
6/8: :thumb
6/9: $11 dinner (cuz I was too sick to cook)
6/10: :thumb
6/11: :thumb
6/12: $19 Target (great deals, but still :() $9 Starbucks (I'm sick & had a moment of weakness :o)

I am not doing too well it seems. I am skipping the farmers market & TJ's, that would be my usual on Fridays. I am trying to make it an every other week trip rather than every week to help save a bit.

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb
June 4 - :thumb
June 5 - :( $107 Shoes for dd1 & dd2, $4 Snacks after swimming, $13 Lunch, $54 sippy cups (got a good deal so I bought a bunch), $79 clothes for me and $135 groceries
June 6 - :thumb
June 7 - :thumb
June 8 - :) $27 shipping, $13 for photo prints
June 9 - :thumb
June 10 - :thumb
June 11 - :thumb



No spend days 8/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

06/01 :thumb
06/02 :thumb
06/03 :thumb
06/04 :thumb
06/05 $5.50 Swap shipping
06/06 :thumb
06/07 :thumb
06/08 :thumb
06/09 :thumb
06/10 :thumb
06/11 :thumb
06/12 :thumb
06/13 :thumb

Goals
12/21 No spend days
$5.50/$125 Unnecessary spending
$260/$300 Car repair bill.

:D It's my birthday! No spending for me! :)

:thumb Happy Birthday!!! :thumb

6/1: :) Donated flowers for town hall $36/ Flowers for me $28.29
6/2: :thumb
6/3: :thumb
6/4: :thumb
6/5: :thumb
6/6: :thumb
6/7: :) Farmer's mkt. and grocery ~$255/ Pool toys $2
6/8: :thumb
6/9: :) Bananas $2.43
6/10::) Gas $60 /Movie $5/ :( Drink $3.50 /Forgot!! $5 for Star wars toys for ds' bday
6/11::) Post office (mailing Father's Day stuff) $2.68
6/12::thumb
6/13::thumb And most of tonight's dinner is straight from the garden!! :thumb

:thumb No Spend
:) Budget Spend
:( Over Budget

Groceries $257.43
Gardening $64.29
Misc. $18.18
Gas $60

Happy BDay, OmGirl!!!

6/9: :thumb No spend!
6/10: :thumb No spend!
6/11: :thumb No spend!
6/12: :thumb No spend!
6/13: :thumb No spend!


No driving: 5/5
No eating out: 5/5

Will have to drive tomorrow and spend a bit for our garage sale the following Saturday. :)

June 1 - :thumb
June 2 - :) Groceries $165
June 3 - :thumb
June 4 - :thumb
June 5 - :( $107 Shoes for dd1 & dd2, $4 Snacks after swimming, $13 Lunch, $54 sippy cups (got a good deal so I bought a bunch), $79 clothes for me and $135 groceries
June 6 - :thumb
June 7 - :thumb
June 8 - :) $27 shipping, $13 for photo prints
June 9 - :thumb
June 10 - :thumb
June 11 - :thumb
June 12 - :( $50 gift, $8 snacks, $25 parking :irked:, $22 lunch, $17 PJs for girls, $13 Father's day cards, $213 groceries, $405 eye exam and contact lenses and $436 dentist dd1 and I. I will get some back from insurance for the eyes and teeth, but what an expensive day it was:(
June 13 - :( $9 postage, $33 address labels, $100 donation



No spend days 8/20

Key:

:thumb No spend
:) budgeted/necessary spending
:( frivolous/unbudgeted spending

1: :irked: $10 lunch w/ sister
2: :thumb
3: :eyesroll 48.93 on hubby's early birthday present, 1.75 bus fare
4: :thumb
5: :eat: & :eyesroll on some paper and wipes - total of 14.38
6: :irked: 4.00 video rental, 4.25 on wine for my sister (who claims she will pay me back in a week), and 1.00 for parking when I went out to lunch with my dad - no big deal, he bought me lunch :)
7: :eat: 12.83
8: :eat: 73.24
9: :eat:48.09 & :eyesroll 40.50 at Target - clothes for son, dish soap, portable hamper
10: :thumb (finally)
11: :thumb
12: :eat: 31.21 & :irked: 29.35 - I bought my son a gift because his preschool graduation is tomorrow. I know. I couldn't help it. I'm so proud.
13: :thumb + 4.25 (sis paid me back)

:thumb Truly no spend!
:eat: Groceries
:eyesroll Necessary or planned spending
:irked: unnecessary spending
:belly $0/$450 budgeted baby spending