We’re over halfway through out no spend month, so here’s an update.
We have gone over the $600 mark, as of today our total is $897.82. The new goal is to stay under $1,100. (I know we have 2 expenses left for the month, plus gas and anything else that comes up) We have 12 days left in the month, so hopefully we can stick to that!
I’m comfortable with all the choices we have made, we had several “emergency expenses,” and 2 birthdays this month, so while $600 was not doable this month, maybe next month we can do it.
Learn more: How our No Spend journey started; Lessons I learned from our first No Spend month; Planning our January No Spend month
I think we may try again next month with cash to keep us in line better.
So without further ado a breakdown of our spending.
January Spending
Groceries $408.75 We have another $100 or so coming in from a food co-op tomorrow which should last us well into February.
Eating Out $70.63 One word, pizza. The hubby’s vice. 😉
Gas $67.92 Gas is cheap!
Entertainment $30.00 2 seasons of HIMYM on DVD. *
Household $41.59 Paper products, pull-ups, etc.
Project $60.93 Building a train table with the oldest kiddo. **
Business Expenses $9.93 Website hosting for 2 years.
Cash $52.00 Tolls, parking, snacks, etc. for a funeral, and helping a friend during an emergency.
Allowances $30.00 The kids earned this for 2 weeks of chores.
Birthdays $101.90 Eating out and gifts for the youngest, more to come for the almost 7 year old. ***
Clothing $25.47 2 shirts and a pair of pants for my new job.
Total Spending: $897.95
*= I was all set to buy the DVDs with a gift card to Barnes & Noble since it would be “free,” and occupy us while before new TV showed up again this week (New Big Love, Flight of the Conchords, Lost, etc.). But the kicker was Barnes & Noble was selling them for $40 each! Even with my member discount they were $36 each, a total of $78!!! From searching online earlier I knew I could get them from Amazon for $19.99. (It pays to do your homework!)
I had to bop into Target with my list of household supplies and spied them on sale for $15 each! Now I know I didn’t have to purchase them, but the savings was worth it. I used the gift card to purchase a birthday gift for a party, and books the kids needed. The remainder of the gift cards will be saved for date night.
Learn more: To Birthday Party Or Not To Birthday Party
**= With the oldest, when he gets excited about a project we have to strike while the iron is hot.
***= Normally I buy ahead, but I’ve been trying to curb that in favor of buying less, and buying things the kids appreciate and actually use! I’m not sure what the girl wants for her birthday yet.
Kelly
admin says
Thanks Sheila, we may come in pretty close to our spending from our last attempt. I know we should be able to cut it down in my brain, but when some expenses come up I think I’m deer in the headlights.
admin says
Thanks Sheila, we may come in pretty close to our spending from our last attempt. I know we should be able to cut it down in my brain, but when some expenses come up I think I’m deer in the headlights.
Sheila says
You know, even if you don’t meet your ambitious goal, if you consciously spent less than last month (hhmm, December may not be the best month to base spending on!) or the last time you did “no spend month,” then you’re doing a great job no matter what.
Sheila says
You know, even if you don’t meet your ambitious goal, if you consciously spent less than last month (hhmm, December may not be the best month to base spending on!) or the last time you did “no spend month,” then you’re doing a great job no matter what.