Mothering Forum banner

November Spend-less Challenge- Enjoying a cornucopia of savings!!

Tags
frugality
4K views 129 replies 11 participants last post by  SweetSilver 
#1 ·
This is a support thread to help you not spend your money.

Everyone is welcome to join and you can start tracking your spending at any time. It doesn't have to be October 1st. NOW is a good time to start.

The plan is simple (although tough to execute):

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

2. Come on here and record your spending. We all record our spending in different ways. There are no rules. You record and update however you would like -- pick a way that will help you spend the least amount of money.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please write an introductory message when you decide to join our thread. We would like to know:

a. Who you are

b. Where you are going (your financial goals) and

c. How you plan to get there

Good luck MDCers!! Keep that money in your wallet.
 
See less See more
#102 ·
Met up with our cousins yesterday and took a beautiful, but chilly and wet hike. There was a gorgeous lodge and hot chocolate and well, we splurged on hot drinks. Spent an hour in the warm lodge watching the rain and catching up with family. Really nice.

Today should be a no spend, but the kids have earned coupons from school for a free frozen yogurt. If they get their homework done, dh is planning on taking them out which means he will get yogurt for himself and the younger boys.

:thumb
No spend/budgeted spending

nono.gif
Un-budgeted spending

November 1 --
:thumb


November 2 --
nono.gif
10.00 pool,
:thumb
129.07 groceries

November 3 --
:thumb


November 4 --
:thumb
60.07 gas for van

November 5 --
:thumb
28.73 groceries

November 6 --
:thumb
24.64 groceries/household

November 7 --
:thumb


November 8 --
:thumb


November 9 --
:thumb


November 10 --
:thumb
149.65 groceries,
:thumb
desks and lamps for the boys,
nono.gif
36.63 lunch

November 11 --
nono.gif
12.75 ice cream for kids

November 12 --
:thumb
48.10 groceries

November 13 --
:thumb
194.00 title and registration for van -- overbudget, but very necessary

November 14 --
:thumb
gas for van

November 15 --
:thumb


November 16 --
:thumb
107.58 groceries
nono.gif
22.17 tea and hot chocolate after chilly hike

November 17

November 18

November 19

November 20

November 21

November 22

Goals for November:

Groceries 487.68/900.00

Gas 2/2 tanks

Register Van ~ 194.00/150.00
 
#103 ·
1
:2whistle
Ate at Dairy Queen while I had a tire patched. The repair was free, the errand on the way to work.

2
:throb
No spend

3
shine.gif
DH picking up some groceries

4
shine.gif
Groceries.... aaaand wee little treat. Not counting that. It's "groceries".

5
shine.gif


6
:2whistle
Ate lunch out with girls. Some planned spending on crafts stuff and unplanned--both minor.

7
:2whistle
4-H training night. Picked up some dinner for myself at grocery store deli instead of packing it.

8
:2whistle
Enrolled girls in gymnastics. Groceries

9
:throb
No spend

10
:throb


11
shine.gif
$14 donation to a little girl's fundraiser. Small snack.

12
shine.gif
Groceries

13
:2whistle
mini mart snacks, nothing big but the past-date oreo sale was too much to pass up.

14
:throb
No-spend

15
:2whistle
Snacks and eat out with girls (about $10--not bad). Planned Christmas light spending. Gas.
:sip
Coffee.

16
:throb
No spend

17
:throb


Staying home
 
#104 ·
Here we're just keeping track of variable expenses, right?

11/07 -
nono.gif
Unbudgeted spending on lunch while at work

11/08 -
thumb.gif
No spend

11/09
thumb.gif
Groceries, $22

11/10 -
nono.gif
Dinner out, $21

11/11 -
thumb.gif
Groceries, $17. Gas, $35. State park entrance donation, $1.

11/12 -
thumb.gif
$4.50 for Starbucks while at work but it was semi-budgeted, parking at work $3

11/13 -
thumb.gif
No spend

11/14 -
nono.gif
Un-budgeted spending - $11 for lunch out while at work

11/15 -
thumb.gif
Groceries/pantry staples with extreme self-control at Whole Foods! $25

11/16 -
thumb.gif
Groceries, DH went to Trader Joes and spent 2x what was on my list, *sigh,* $45. Takeout, $15 (I budgeted for some small breaks from cooking). $40 for water safety classes for DD (we got a scholarship - $40 for 6 classes!).

11/17 -
thumb.gif
Farmer's market, scored a lot of good produce for $7!
nono.gif
$5 for coffee and bottled water out.
 
#105 ·
11/1 -
:love
no spend

11/2 -
:thumb
planned spending $46 grocery store, $105 Costco, $28 Elephant Revival ticket

11/3 -
:thumb
planned spending $4 flowers for a friend's blessingway, $35 gas

11/4 -
:love
no spend

11/5 -
:love
no spend

11/6 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 school lunch for DS, $32 dress for me

11/7 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $57 running shoes

11/8 -
:love
no spend

11/9 -
:thumb
planned spending $48 groceries, $20 gas

11/10 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 online music (overage after $20 in amazon gift cards), $17 Savers, $45 tickets to see music (2 nights)

11/11 -
:thumb
planned spending $251 new windshield;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $28 new pendant and bindis

11/12 -
:love
no spend

11/13 -
:love
no spend

11/14 -
:love
no spend

11/15 -
:love
no spend

11/16 -
:thumb
planned spending $32 groceries, $25 gas;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $22 thrift store (returned $15 of it and got store credit), $22 metaphysical store, $87 online shopping, $38 drinks (this is all coming out of my birthday money I'll be getting soon--so much for not pre spending it this year!)

11/17 -
duh.gif
$10 burger

I need to really watch myself for the rest of the month. No more unplanned spending!
 
#106 ·
I don't think I can count today as a no-spend, but it was for a good cause. My older DD was invited to go to a movie with her good friend, and younger DD was not invited and was utterly heartbroken. Instead, I had her daddy take her out for a daddy/daughter movie date for the two of them, which made her very happy. So even though DH paid, I'm going to consider that family spending for the day. I also spent some money on groceries (saved over $50 using coupons and got free crackers, cookies, breakfast sausages, and soy sauce, and practically free mozzarella/ricotta, organic canned tomatoes, and dental floss; plus I came home with $8 to spend on my next transaction. I love coupons, LOL!), filled up the car with gas, and scored free Lindt truffles for the girls' stockings--all fall under their respective budgets.

Key:

No unplanned/unbudgeted spending:
thumb.gif


Unbudgeted spending:
irked.gif


Ate at home all day:
yummy.gif


Did something mindfully frugal:
orngbiggrin.gif


----------------------

No-unbudgeted-spending days: 4/23

Mindfully frugal days: 0/23

11/7:
irked.gif
$14: Food out/treat for DH. $135: Groceries and comfort food (budgeted).

11/8:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries (budgeted) $15. Christmas gift (budgeted): $15.

11/9:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/10:
irked.gif
Wine: $13. Flowers: $20. Groceries: $40 (budgeted).

11/11:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/12:
irked.gif
Lunch out: $20. Library fine/movie rental: $4. Cheese: $21 (out of grocery budget). Kiva.com: $55.

11/13:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Class fee: $20 (budgeted)

11/14:
irked.gif
Dinner out: $24. Groceries: $39 (out of grocery budget).

11/15:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner: $20

11/16:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner and ice cream: $48. Groceries: $10 (out of grocery budget).

11/17:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Movie for DD: $20. Groceries: $61. Gas for car: $54.
 
#107 ·
Woohoo! No spend
orngbiggrin.gif
Spent $20 on groceries (corn chips for nachos and stocking up on K-cups for DH, will need to go tomorrow too to catch the sale again before it ends), but that's in the budget.

Key:

No unplanned/unbudgeted spending:
thumb.gif


Unbudgeted spending:
irked.gif


Ate at home all day:
yummy.gif


Did something mindfully frugal:
orngbiggrin.gif


----------------------

No-unbudgeted-spending days: 5/23

Mindfully frugal days: 0/23

11/7:
irked.gif
$14: Food out/treat for DH. $135: Groceries and comfort food (budgeted).

11/8:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries (budgeted) $15. Christmas gift (budgeted): $15.

11/9:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/10:
irked.gif
Wine: $13. Flowers: $20. Groceries: $40 (budgeted).

11/11:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/12:
irked.gif
Lunch out: $20. Library fine/movie rental: $4. Cheese: $21 (out of grocery budget). Kiva.com: $55.

11/13:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Class fee: $20 (budgeted)

11/14:
irked.gif
Dinner out: $24. Groceries: $39 (out of grocery budget).

11/15:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner: $20

11/16:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner and ice cream: $48. Groceries: $10 (out of grocery budget).

11/17:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Movie for DD: $20. Groceries: $61. Gas for car: $54.

11/18:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries: $20 (out of grocery budget).
 
#108 ·
1
:2whistle
Ate at Dairy Queen while I had a tire patched. The repair was free, the errand on the way to work.

2
:throb
No spend

3
shine.gif
DH picking up some groceries

4
shine.gif
Groceries.... aaaand wee little treat. Not counting that. It's "groceries".

5
shine.gif


6
:2whistle
Ate lunch out with girls. Some planned spending on crafts stuff and unplanned--both minor.

7
:2whistle
4-H training night. Picked up some dinner for myself at grocery store deli instead of packing it.

8
:loveeyes
Enrolled girls in gymnastics. Groceries

9
:throb
No spend

10
:throb


11
shine.gif
$14 donation to a little girl's fundraiser. Small snack.

12
shine.gif
Groceries

13
:2whistle
mini mart snacks, nothing big but the past-date oreo sale was too much to pass up.

14
:throb
No-spend

15
:2whistle
Snacks and eat out with girls (about $10--not bad). Planned Christmas light spending. Gas.
:sip
Coffee.

16
:throb
No spend

17
:throb


18
disappointed.gif
Groceries (plus too many cookies). Planned spending on fleece pants etc. Plus mall treats. Not bad, but so hard to keep it tight with the girls along.
 
#109 ·
Lots of food buying. I picked up a few things for Thanksgiving dinner. Seems like a lot, but we are still doing fine. I have $284 left in my food budget and only 11 says left in the month. Should be a good end to the month as long as I can reign in dh's holiday spending. His family is joining us for Thanksgiving and he likes to splurge on them.

:thumb
No spend/budgeted spending

nono.gif
Un-budgeted spending

November 1 --
:thumb


November 2 --
nono.gif
10.00 pool,
:thumb
129.07 groceries

November 3 --
:thumb


November 4 --
:thumb
60.07 gas for van

November 5 --
:thumb
28.73 groceries

November 6 --
:thumb
24.64 groceries/household

November 7 --
:thumb


November 8 --
:thumb


November 9 --
:thumb


November 10 --
:thumb
149.65 groceries,
:thumb
desks and lamps for the boys,
nono.gif
36.63 lunch

November 11 --
nono.gif
12.75 ice cream for kids

November 12 --
:thumb
48.10 groceries

November 13 --
:thumb
194.00 title and registration for van -- overbudget, but very necessary

November 14 --
:thumb
gas for van

November 15 --
:thumb


November 16 --
:thumb
107.58 groceries
nono.gif
22.17 tea and hot chocolate after chilly hike

November 17 --
nono.gif
5.61 frozen yogurt,
:thumb
12.92 groceries

November 18 --
:thumb
20.00 bike light for dh,
:thumb
17.97 groceries

November 19 --
:thumb
96.92 groceries

November 20

November 21

November 22

November 23

November 24

November 25

November 26

November 27

November 28

November 29

November 30

Goals for November:

Groceries 615.49/900.00

Gas 2/2 tanks

Register Van ~ 194.00/150.00
 
#110 ·
11/1 -
:love
no spend

11/2 -
:thumb
planned spending $46 grocery store, $105 Costco, $28 Elephant Revival ticket

11/3 -
:thumb
planned spending $4 flowers for a friend's blessingway, $35 gas

11/4 -
:love
no spend

11/5 -
:love
no spend

11/6 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 school lunch for DS, $32 dress for me

11/7 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $57 running shoes

11/8 -
:love
no spend

11/9 -
:thumb
planned spending $48 groceries, $20 gas

11/10 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 online music (overage after $20 in amazon gift cards), $17 Savers, $45 tickets to see music (2 nights)

11/11 -
:thumb
planned spending $251 new windshield;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $28 new pendant and bindis

11/12 -
:love
no spend

11/13 -
:love
no spend

11/14 -
:love
no spend

11/15 -
:love
no spend

11/16 -
:thumb
planned spending $32 groceries, $25 gas;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $22 thrift store (returned $15 of it and got store credit), $22 metaphysical store, $87 online shopping, $38 drinks (this is all coming out of my birthday money I'll be getting soon--so much for not pre spending it this year!)

11/17 -
duh.gif
$10 burger

11/18 -
duh.gif
$35 dinner

11/19 -
duh.gif
$5 cookies

Good grief. I need to get a grip. I'm feeling discontent for some reason and it's making me want to spend a bunch of money. I think I need to go read some minimalist blogs ;)
 
#111 ·
I haven't been on the thread in 10 days. I've had No-Spend days and Spend days, I wasn't tracking, but I think there were more Spend days than No-Spend
hide.gif
. I need to get back on the wagon. So here's me, on climbing back on. Hopefully I can finish off the month on a high note.
 
#112 ·
1
:2whistle
Ate at Dairy Queen while I had a tire patched. The repair was free, the errand on the way to work.

2
:throb
No spend

3
shine.gif
DH picking up some groceries

4
shine.gif
Groceries.... aaaand wee little treat. Not counting that. It's "groceries".

5
shine.gif


6
:2whistle
Ate lunch out with girls. Some planned spending on crafts stuff and unplanned--both minor.

7
:2whistle
4-H training night. Picked up some dinner for myself at grocery store deli instead of packing it.

8
:loveeyes
Enrolled girls in gymnastics. Groceries

9
:throb
No spend

10
:throb


11
shine.gif
$14 donation to a little girl's fundraiser. Small snack.

12
shine.gif
Groceries

13
:2whistle
mini mart snacks, nothing big but the past-date oreo sale was too much to pass up.

14
:throb
No-spend

15
:2whistle
Snacks and eat out with girls (about $10--not bad). Planned Christmas light spending. Gas.
:sip
Coffee.

16
:throb
No spend

17
:throb


18
:2whistle
Groceries (plus too many cookies). Planned spending on fleece pants etc. Plus mall treats. Not bad, but so hard to keep it tight with the girls along.

19
shine.gif
Groceries. Girls and I stayed home.

Planning on starting Christmas shopping today. I'm challenging myself to sticking with a budget this year, especially considering we started gymnastics before I really felt flush. So, here goes the challenge. Ideal: $300-$400 That is for gifts, but no food for celebrations, or gas for all the extra driving we will be doing. If I included those, I'd give up before I even started! But, I am counting tax/shipping. I am also going to track extra expenses, such as tree, lights, festivals etc, though I don't have a specific budget. I need to challenge myself without driving myself over a cliff!

Gifts: $0/$400

Junk: $13 tree lights
 
#113 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee80 View Post

Good grief. I need to get a grip. I'm feeling discontent for some reason and it's making me want to spend a bunch of money. I think I need to go read some minimalist blogs ;)
I'm right there with you. I've been fantasizing about a new house lately, even though it would take so much work to get this one ready to sell and we just put in garden beds last summer that I love. It's just…this is not what I pictured my forever house being *sigh* So because I can't do anything about the house, I'm feeling a strong need to buy stuff/fix things/spend money. Gah!
 
#114 ·
No-spend!!! Not even on groceries! For me, the key really is just staying the heck home. Kind of hard to do every day though
:eyesroll
We've tapped out our grocery budget for the month, but that's because we started $200 in the hole from last month. Unfortunately, I'm going to end up going over, but maybe only by $50 or so. I'm trying to get back in the green there, and I think we can get even next month, especially now that I'm couponing successfully again.

Key:

No unplanned/unbudgeted spending:
thumb.gif


Unbudgeted spending:
irked.gif


Ate at home all day:
yummy.gif


Did something mindfully frugal:
orngbiggrin.gif


----------------------

No-unbudgeted-spending days: 6/23

Mindfully frugal days: 0/23

11/7:
irked.gif
$14: Food out/treat for DH. $135: Groceries and comfort food (budgeted).

11/8:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries (budgeted) $15. Christmas gift (budgeted): $15.

11/9:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/10:
irked.gif
Wine: $13. Flowers: $20. Groceries: $40 (budgeted).

11/11:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/12:
irked.gif
Lunch out: $20. Library fine/movie rental: $4. Cheese: $21 (out of grocery budget). Kiva.com: $55.

11/13:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Class fee: $20 (budgeted)

11/14:
irked.gif
Dinner out: $24. Groceries: $39 (out of grocery budget).

11/15:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner: $20

11/16:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner and ice cream: $48. Groceries: $10 (out of grocery budget).

11/17:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Movie for DD: $20. Groceries: $61. Gas for car: $54.

11/18:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries: $20 (out of grocery budget).

11/19:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
 
#115 ·
1
:2whistle
Ate at Dairy Queen while I had a tire patched. The repair was free, the errand on the way to work.

2
:throb
No spend

3
shine.gif
DH picking up some groceries

4
shine.gif
Groceries.... aaaand wee little treat. Not counting that. It's "groceries".

5
shine.gif


6
:2whistle
Ate lunch out with girls. Some planned spending on crafts stuff and unplanned--both minor.

7
:2whistle
4-H training night. Picked up some dinner for myself at grocery store deli instead of packing it.

8
:loveeyes
Enrolled girls in gymnastics. Groceries

9
:throb
No spend

10
:throb


11
shine.gif
$14 donation to a little girl's fundraiser. Small snack.

12
shine.gif
Groceries

13
:2whistle
mini mart snacks, nothing big but the past-date oreo sale was too much to pass up.

14
:throb
No-spend

15
:2whistle
Snacks and eat out with girls (about $10--not bad). Planned Christmas light spending. Gas.
:sip
Coffee.

16
:throb
No spend

17
:throb


18
:2whistle
Groceries (plus too many cookies). Planned spending on fleece pants etc. Plus mall treats. Not bad, but so hard to keep it tight with the girls along.

19
shine.gif
Groceries. Girls and I stayed home.

20
:2whistle
Ate out with dd after a dentist appointment. Found nice work shirts for dh and a swimsuit for dd at the thrift store.

Finding that swimsuit just helped lighten the Christmas gift load a little bit.

Gifts: $0/$400

Junk: $13 tree lights
 
#116 ·
11/1 -
:love
no spend

11/2 -
:thumb
planned spending $46 grocery store, $105 Costco, $28 Elephant Revival ticket

11/3 -
:thumb
planned spending $4 flowers for a friend's blessingway, $35 gas

11/4 -
:love
no spend

11/5 -
:love
no spend

11/6 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 school lunch for DS, $32 dress for me

11/7 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $57 running shoes

11/8 -
:love
no spend

11/9 -
:thumb
planned spending $48 groceries, $20 gas

11/10 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 online music (overage after $20 in amazon gift cards), $17 Savers, $45 tickets to see music (2 nights)

11/11 -
:thumb
planned spending $251 new windshield;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $28 new pendant and bindis

11/12 -
:love
no spend

11/13 -
:love
no spend

11/14 -
:love
no spend

11/15 -
:love
no spend

11/16 -
:thumb
planned spending $32 groceries, $25 gas;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $22 thrift store (returned $15 of it and got store credit), $22 metaphysical store, $87 online shopping, $38 drinks (this is all coming out of my birthday money I'll be getting soon--so much for not pre spending it this year!)

11/17 -
duh.gif
$10 burger

11/18 -
duh.gif
$35 dinner

11/19 -
duh.gif
$5 cookies

11/20 -
:love
no spend

Yay! :)
 
#117 ·
11/1 -
:love
no spend

11/2 -
:thumb
planned spending $46 grocery store, $105 Costco, $28 Elephant Revival ticket

11/3 -
:thumb
planned spending $4 flowers for a friend's blessingway, $35 gas

11/4 -
:love
no spend

11/5 -
:love
no spend

11/6 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 school lunch for DS, $32 dress for me

11/7 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $57 running shoes

11/8 -
:love
no spend

11/9 -
:thumb
planned spending $48 groceries, $20 gas

11/10 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 online music (overage after $20 in amazon gift cards), $17 Savers, $45 tickets to see music (2 nights)

11/11 -
:thumb
planned spending $251 new windshield;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $28 new pendant and bindis

11/12 -
:love
no spend

11/13 -
:love
no spend

11/14 -
:love
no spend

11/15 -
:love
no spend

11/16 -
:thumb
planned spending $32 groceries, $25 gas;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $22 thrift store (returned $15 of it and got store credit), $22 metaphysical store, $87 online shopping, $38 drinks (this is all coming out of my birthday money I'll be getting soon--so much for not pre spending it this year!)

11/17 -
duh.gif
$10 burger

11/18 -
duh.gif
$35 dinner

11/19 -
duh.gif
$5 cookies

11/20 -
:love
no spend

11/21 -
:love
no spend

Okay, back on the train ;)
 
#118 ·
11/1 -
:love
no spend

11/2 -
:thumb
planned spending $46 grocery store, $105 Costco, $28 Elephant Revival ticket

11/3 -
:thumb
planned spending $4 flowers for a friend's blessingway, $35 gas

11/4 -
:love
no spend

11/5 -
:love
no spend

11/6 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 school lunch for DS, $32 dress for me

11/7 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $57 running shoes

11/8 -
:love
no spend

11/9 -
:thumb
planned spending $48 groceries, $20 gas

11/10 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 online music (overage after $20 in amazon gift cards), $17 Savers, $45 tickets to see music (2 nights)

11/11 -
:thumb
planned spending $251 new windshield;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $28 new pendant and bindis

11/12 -
:love
no spend

11/13 -
:love
no spend

11/14 -
:love
no spend

11/15 -
:love
no spend

11/16 -
:thumb
planned spending $32 groceries, $25 gas;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $22 thrift store (returned $15 of it and got store credit), $22 metaphysical store, $87 online shopping, $38 drinks (this is all coming out of my birthday money I'll be getting soon--so much for not pre spending it this year!)

11/17 -
duh.gif
$10 burger

11/18 -
duh.gif
$35 dinner

11/19 -
duh.gif
$5 cookies

11/20 -
:love
no spend

11/21 -
:love
no spend

11/22 -
:love
no spend

I'm gonna plan for Sunday to be my spending day this week so that I can stretch my groceries out just a bit (usually it's Saturday). I had budgeted extra for Thanksgiving food and then I spent it on other stuff, so I'm gonna try to cut down my other food spending for next week so that I have enough cash and don't have to use my credit card again. I should have some of my gas money leftover to use, too. I just need to be resourceful and I think I'll be okay. December needs to get here so I can get my budget back on track!
 
#119 ·
Ate at home all day yesterday, but I spent a few dollars on Kindle books (cheap ones and hopefully helpful, but still unnecessary). I also spent $5 on sausage to go with our tortellini (over grocery budget) and $15 on stocking up on DH's favorite Axe hair products (out of the personal care budget; the tubs normally cost $7 or more each, but with coupons and a sale, I spent $3.50 each
:thumb
).

Today I spent $60 on our co-op registration fee (budgeted), $44 on groceries (over budget but should get us pretty close to the end of the month), $12 on more Axe ($3 each! -- budgeted), and $16 on a small cake and two cupcakes at our favorite bakery
:blush
(in my defense, it was a hella long, frustrating day, and I needed some carb therapy).

Key:

No unplanned/unbudgeted spending:
thumb.gif


Unbudgeted spending:
irked.gif


Ate at home all day:
yummy.gif


Did something mindfully frugal:
orngbiggrin.gif


----------------------

No-unbudgeted-spending days: 6/23

Mindfully frugal days: 0/23

11/7:
irked.gif
$14: Food out/treat for DH. $135: Groceries and comfort food (budgeted).

11/8:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries (budgeted) $15. Christmas gift (budgeted): $15.

11/9:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/10:
irked.gif
Wine: $13. Flowers: $20. Groceries: $40 (budgeted).

11/11:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/12:
irked.gif
Lunch out: $20. Library fine/movie rental: $4. Cheese: $21 (out of grocery budget). Kiva.com: $55.

11/13:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Class fee: $20 (budgeted)

11/14:
irked.gif
Dinner out: $24. Groceries: $39 (out of grocery budget).

11/15:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner: $20

11/16:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner and ice cream: $48. Groceries: $10 (out of grocery budget).

11/17:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Movie for DD: $20. Groceries: $61. Gas for car: $54.

11/18:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries: $20 (out of grocery budget).

11/19:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/20: I can't remember! I suspect I spent a few dollars.

11/21:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Kindle books: $4. Groceries: $5. Hair products: $15 (budgeted)

11/22:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Co-op registration: $60 (budgeted). Gorceries: $44 (over budget). Hair products: $12 (budgeted). Cake: $16 (definitely not budgeted!).
 
#120 ·
1
:2whistle
Ate at Dairy Queen while I had a tire patched. The repair was free, the errand on the way to work.

2
:throb
No spend

3
shine.gif
DH picking up some groceries

4
shine.gif
Groceries.... aaaand wee little treat. Not counting that. It's "groceries".

5
shine.gif


6
:2whistle
Ate lunch out with girls. Some planned spending on crafts stuff and unplanned--both minor.

7
:2whistle
4-H training night. Picked up some dinner for myself at grocery store deli instead of packing it.

8
:loveeyes
Enrolled girls in gymnastics. Groceries

9
:throb
No spend

10
:throb


11
shine.gif
$14 donation to a little girl's fundraiser. Small snack.

12
shine.gif
Groceries

13
:2whistle
mini mart snacks, nothing big but the past-date oreo sale was too much to pass up.

14
:throb
No-spend

15
:2whistle
Snacks and eat out with girls (about $10--not bad). Planned Christmas light spending. Gas.
:sip
Coffee.

16
:throb
No spend

17
:throb


18
:2whistle
Groceries (plus too many cookies). Planned spending on fleece pants etc. Plus mall treats. Not bad, but so hard to keep it tight with the girls along.

19
shine.gif
Groceries. Girls and I stayed home.

20
:2whistle
Ate out with dd after a dentist appointment. Found nice work shirts for dh and a swimsuit for dd at the thrift store.

21
:throb


22
shine.gif
Groceries and planned spending but......
:2whistle
Ate lunch out and grabbed a coffee at the coffee stand.

Only have one Thanksgiving dinner to go to next week, and it's the closer one. Woohoo!

Gifts: $0/$400

Junk: $13 tree lights
 
#121 ·
1
:2whistle
Ate at Dairy Queen while I had a tire patched. The repair was free, the errand on the way to work.

2
:throb
No spend

3
shine.gif
DH picking up some groceries

4
shine.gif
Groceries.... aaaand wee little treat. Not counting that. It's "groceries".

5
shine.gif


6
:2whistle
Ate lunch out with girls. Some planned spending on crafts stuff and unplanned--both minor.

7
:2whistle
4-H training night. Picked up some dinner for myself at grocery store deli instead of packing it.

8
:loveeyes
Enrolled girls in gymnastics. Groceries

9
:throb
No spend

10
:throb


11
shine.gif
$14 donation to a little girl's fundraiser. Small snack.

12
shine.gif
Groceries

13
:2whistle
mini mart snacks, nothing big but the past-date oreo sale was too much to pass up.

14
:throb
No-spend

15
:2whistle
Snacks and eat out with girls (about $10--not bad). Planned Christmas light spending. Gas.
:sip
Coffee.

16
:throb
No spend

17
:throb


18
:2whistle
Groceries (plus too many cookies). Planned spending on fleece pants etc. Plus mall treats. Not bad, but so hard to keep it tight with the girls along.

19
shine.gif
Groceries. Girls and I stayed home.

20
:2whistle
Ate out with dd after a dentist appointment. Found nice work shirts for dh and a swimsuit for dd at the thrift store.

21
:throb


22
shine.gif
Groceries and planned spending but......
:2whistle
Ate lunch out and grabbed a coffee at the coffee stand.
:nut
Electrician.

23
:throb
No spend

24
:throb


Almost forgot the electrician. Aack! It was around $100, but then again, it was only $100!

Gifts: $0/$400

Junk: $13 tree lights
 
#122 ·
Spent $30 on a birthday present and spent $6 on groceries (needed frozen corn and corn starch to make tonight's meal). I'm doubling tonight's dinner, so that will get us all through lunch tomorrow, and then I think I'll make eggs and sausage for dinner tomorrow. So tomorrow should be no-spend.

Key:

No unplanned/unbudgeted spending:
thumb.gif


Unbudgeted spending:
irked.gif


Ate at home all day:
yummy.gif


Did something mindfully frugal:
orngbiggrin.gif


----------------------

No-unbudgeted-spending days: 6/23

Mindfully frugal days: 0/23

11/7:
irked.gif
$14: Food out/treat for DH. $135: Groceries and comfort food (budgeted).

11/8:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries (budgeted) $15. Christmas gift (budgeted): $15.

11/9:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/10:
irked.gif
Wine: $13. Flowers: $20. Groceries: $40 (budgeted).

11/11:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/12:
irked.gif
Lunch out: $20. Library fine/movie rental: $4. Cheese: $21 (out of grocery budget). Kiva.com: $55.

11/13:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Class fee: $20 (budgeted)

11/14:
irked.gif
Dinner out: $24. Groceries: $39 (out of grocery budget).

11/15:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner: $20

11/16:
irked.gif
Takeout dinner and ice cream: $48. Groceries: $10 (out of grocery budget).

11/17:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Movie for DD: $20. Groceries: $61. Gas for car: $54.

11/18:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif
Groceries: $20 (out of grocery budget).

11/19:
thumb.gif
yummy.gif


11/20: I can't remember! I suspect I spent a few dollars.

11/21:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Kindle books: $4. Groceries: $5. Hair products: $15 (budgeted)

11/22:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Co-op registration: $60 (budgeted). Gorceries: $44 (over budget). Hair products: $12 (budgeted). Cake: $16 (definitely not budgeted!).

11/23:
irked.gif
yummy.gif
Birthday gift: $30 (budgeted). Groceries to finish out recipe: $6 (over budget).
 
#123 ·
11/1 -
:love
no spend

11/2 -
:thumb
planned spending $46 grocery store, $105 Costco, $28 Elephant Revival ticket

11/3 -
:thumb
planned spending $4 flowers for a friend's blessingway, $35 gas

11/4 -
:love
no spend

11/5 -
:love
no spend

11/6 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 school lunch for DS, $32 dress for me

11/7 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $57 running shoes

11/8 -
:love
no spend

11/9 -
:thumb
planned spending $48 groceries, $20 gas

11/10 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $2 online music (overage after $20 in amazon gift cards), $17 Savers, $45 tickets to see music (2 nights)

11/11 -
:thumb
planned spending $251 new windshield;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $28 new pendant and bindis

11/12 -
:love
no spend

11/13 -
:love
no spend

11/14 -
:love
no spend

11/15 -
:love
no spend

11/16 -
:thumb
planned spending $32 groceries, $25 gas;
duh.gif
unplanned spending $22 thrift store (returned $15 of it and got store credit), $22 metaphysical store, $87 online shopping, $38 drinks (this is all coming out of my birthday money I'll be getting soon--so much for not pre spending it this year!)

11/17 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $10 burger

11/18 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $35 dinner

11/19 -
duh.gif
unplanned spending $5 cookies

11/20 -
:love
no spend

11/21 -
:love
no spend

11/22 -
:love
no spend

11/23 -
:thumb
planned spending $3 postage (returned some stuff I bought during my spending binge last weekend), $87 groceries, $11 headlight bulb

I'm over my grocery budget for the month. I still need to buy things for Thanksgiving dinner. Tomorrow will be a spending day also--I need to get gas and I need a new journal (which will come out of my birthday money). DD also needs black pants and a white shirt for a school performance the week after next. Gonna get that out of the way tomorrow, too.
 
#124 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeybee80 View Post

I'm over my grocery budget for the month. I still need to buy things for Thanksgiving dinner.
I hope you are not including Thanksgiving in the regular grocery budget. I never include holiday celebration food when I keep track of those sorts of things. Yes, technically you do eat it, but considering the food is often more expensive, and more of it all around, it really skews what a regular month looks like. Unless it's beans, potatoes and cabbage for T-day!
 
#125 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by SweetSilver View Post

I hope you are not including Thanksgiving in the regular grocery budget. I never include holiday celebration food when I keep track of those sorts of things. Yes, technically you do eat it, but considering the food is often more expensive, and more of it all around, it really skews what a regular month looks like. Unless it's beans, potatoes and cabbage for T-day!
I didn't include it, but set aside money that I ended up spending on other stuff ;) I'm just gonna go with the way-over-budget-for-the-rest-of-the-month thing and pay off my credit card when I get paid next week. December will be better!
 
#126 ·
Catching up for the past week. I don't know what happened to me, I just spaced on keeping up with this thread. We have been doing decently. We bought another tank of gas that puts us over and our grocery/household budget is very tight now. I bought cat food and litter, a turkey for Thanksgiving and all of our normal food stuff, plus it is the end of the month, so I shouldn't be surprised that I am down to the financial dregs.

Overall I am very happy with the month so far. I think we really need to budget for 3 tanks of gas. I know we can go lower, but it means that we are housebound more than is comfortable. I also took the kids in for haircuts. This is something I can do at home and simply chose the path of convenience this month. Not the frugal choice, but I am going with it for now. I guess we are choosing some comfort and that always costs me money. In my head, I really want to take my frugality to the wall and get our spending down even more and then there are days when I simply burn out on the whole thing and take my kids to Supercuts. We did bicycle there, so that is something.

:thumb
No spend/budgeted spending

nono.gif
Un-budgeted spending

November 1 --
:thumb


November 2 --
nono.gif
10.00 pool,
:thumb
129.07 groceries

November 3 --
:thumb


November 4 --
:thumb
60.07 gas for van

November 5 --
:thumb
28.73 groceries

November 6 --
:thumb
24.64 groceries/household

November 7 --
:thumb


November 8 --
:thumb


November 9 --
:thumb


November 10 --
:thumb
149.65 groceries,
:thumb
desks and lamps for the boys,
nono.gif
36.63 lunch

November 11 --
nono.gif
12.75 ice cream for kids

November 12 --
:thumb
48.10 groceries

November 13 --
:thumb
194.00 title and registration for van -- overbudget, but very necessary

November 14 --
:thumb
gas for van

November 15 --
:thumb


November 16 --
:thumb
107.58 groceries
nono.gif
22.17 tea and hot chocolate after chilly hike

November 17 --
nono.gif
5.61 frozen yogurt,
:thumb
12.92 groceries

November 18 --
:thumb
20.00 bike light for dh,
:thumb
17.97 groceries

November 19 --
:thumb
96.92 groceries

November 20 --
:thumb
20.00 farmer's market,
nono.gif
10.00 breakfast with friend

November 21 --
nono.gif
a third tank of gas

November 22 --
nono.gif
10.00 movie night at kids' school

November 23 --
nono.gif
54.00 haircuts for 4 kids

November 24 --
:thumb
groceries

November 25 --

November 26

November 27

November 28

November 29

November 30

Goals for November:

Groceries 831.15/900.00

Gas 3/2 tanks

Register Van ~ 194.00/150.00
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top