No Spend Check-In

sarenu1

I was going to start this next week, but decided today to try it.

I've never lead a check-in so I'm open to suggestions.

 - What are you're goals?  Have you been sticking to them so far this week?

 - Favorite tip(s) for not spending money?

sarenu1

Goals: I'd like to avoid buying food while at work.  I have a bad habit of buying things from the vending machine or the 2 grocery stores down the road.  

So far this week I've been good, but I think Thursday and Friday will be the hard days.

Tips: My credit card company called and said my card was compromised this week.  They wouldn't tell me why, and I couldn't find any bad charges on the card (I'm still monitoring it).  But it's been canceled and they are sending me a new one.  This is usually the fastest way to get me not to buy anything, since it is my primary card.

cedenton

I'm going to do this challenge again (did the Parenting one) on the Sept. 1 payday.  My bday is today and N's bday is this weekend so I'm not going to attempt it this payday. LOL

But, yeah, bringing my lunch, not eating out, and not getting starbucks are big ones for me.

freezorburn

This is so timely. We've had a bunch of unexpected expenses crop up this month (I needed new glasses because DS destroyed my current pair and backup pair; then our stroller broke so we need to rent one until we can go back to the US to buy one where it's cheaper), so much so that whatever pocket change I have is literally all I have to make it through the rest of the pay period -- it's just a week, but I'm having to be more careful than usual.

For day to day stuff we only use our debit card, so we don't buy anything unless we have the cash in the bank. The credit card is reserved for things like making travel arrangements or other major expenses where we want to spread the costs out over a few months, for example. I should have put the glasses on the credit card.

Yesterday I totally failed. I bought DS a gelato to be nice, and got one for myself. And then DS changed his mind and decided he didn't want his, so I had to eat both of them. Not good for my wallet or my waistline. But my taste buds were happy.

For activities I'm sticking to things that are free or that we have already paid for, like our museum membership. I wanted to go see a movie this week but that would just be unwise.

We've been pulling meals out of the freezer to save money this week. Just need to make it to Tuesday and things should normalize again.

sarenu1

stringy813 said:

cedenton said:

I'm going to do this challenge again (did the Parenting one) on the Sept. 1 payday.  My bday is today and N's bday is this weekend so I'm not going to attempt it this payday. LOL

But, yeah, bringing my lunch, not eating out, and not getting starbucks are big ones for me.

Do people want to do an actual challenge? Or just a money-saving check in?

I was going to take a look at everyone's goals first.  I like it to be goal oriented rather than a challenge.  Especially since everyone may have a slightly different goal.

If people don't want to spend any money, then that's their goal.  If you don't want to eat out then that's their goal.

I was going to add a count total for the month on a weekly basis.  It might keep us on track better.  

zaraceligon

@cedenton happy birday.

Nvywife

DH is military so we moved into a place that was $500 less than our housing budget to pay things off faster. He is only slated to be in this area a year, so that is $6000. However I keep blowing the budget going out to eat since I have morning sickness all day everyday. I need to stop this and get back to paying things off.

zaraceligon

I don't thing my opinion count on this challenge, because I don't work, and I don't have control over the money. My DH is the one who does all payment, saving etc. but one of my tips to save money, is to compromise. In order for you to get what you want, you need to do something first, for example I want and air purifier, in order for my to get it, I compromise on not going out to eat. Or if I want some diapers, I compromise on no buying things the are not necessary, because I all ready have it. Another way for not spending is to loss the interest on what you want. For example I don't buy cloths anymore because, for me is pointless at this moment. And the main thing before you buy something is to question your self, while shopping. Do I really need it? Or I just want it? I'm going to use it? Or not. Also pay always with cash, or just carry one card. That's it, sorry no very good tips.

Mandmeesh

Mh and I came up with a budget for small things we want to spend money on (video games and diapers). It has helped, but I do also buy things for the house that are not necessarily needed-like a new bathroom mat, kitchen stuff. Etc. so it's not completely fair in that mh never spends money.

And I think we are bizarre-we do not eat out. I mean, almost never. We order pizza MAYBE every other month? I do go to Starbucks, but I have a wonderful bil that funds that addiction. He's awesome

I bring food with me pretty much everywhere. If you're hungry, ask me for a drink or snack. I'm that person who is prepared for all situations

cedenton

sarenu1 said:

stringy813 said:

cedenton said:

I'm going to do this challenge again (did the Parenting one) on the Sept. 1 payday.  My bday is today and N's bday is this weekend so I'm not going to attempt it this payday. LOL

But, yeah, bringing my lunch, not eating out, and not getting starbucks are big ones for me.

Do people want to do an actual challenge? Or just a money-saving check in?

I was going to take a look at everyone's goals first.  I like it to be goal oriented rather than a challenge.  Especially since everyone may have a slightly different goal.

If people don't want to spend any money, then that's their goal.  If you don't want to eat out then that's their goal.

I was going to add a count total for the month on a weekly basis.  It might keep us on track better.  

^^^
WSS

cedenton

zaraceligon

stoneycakes

We're moving in a couple of weeks, so my goal has been to only buy absolutely necessary and preferably consumable things because I know I will have to move whatever I add to our household. It's been working out really well because moving is a great motivator!

My best tip for those who like take-out food is to learn how to make it yourself at home. Even if it's something you've never even attempted or have any idea how to cook.  Just get a recipe and try it. And be willing to experiment if it doesn't come out great the first time.  I LOVE pizza and Indian food and we used to order both of those out all the time.  I taught myself how to make pizza and I found a great chicken Tikka Masala recipe and now I never order it out because I can tailor it to my own tastes at home.

TJ1979

@stoneycakes Are you still using PW's chicken tikka masala recipe?  I don't know why, but I thought you had a slow cooker one.  Am I dreaming that?

sarenu1

TJ1979 said:

@stoneycakes Are you still using PW's chicken tikka masala recipe?  I don't know why, but I thought you had a slow cooker one.  Am I dreaming that?

Yes, please provide.  I love tikka masala and I haven't found a good recipe yet.

flummadiddle85

mamalamb10 said:

- What are you're goals? Have you been sticking to them so far this week? We cut eating out a few months ago to save $ but this week was bad. We ate out twice! Starting next week I'll be babysitting 2 days a week so we'll need to sit down and refigure our goals. - Favorite tip(s) for not spending money? I've started ordering things online from Target. I always spend more than I plan in the store. A few weeks ago I ordered deoderant and dryer sheets because we were out and I didn't trust myself to only buy those two things. I also try to combine trips. For example Target and the grocery store are really close so when I do go I go to both in one trip. DH and I tried the envelope system for a while where we would pay cash for things but it was hard to deal with a bunch of envelopes and getting cash.

I just got a RedCard to get the Free Shipping and 5% benefits. We don't shop at Target that much, but I got tired of people getting married/having babies, and having Target registries that I can't seem to get free shipping on. And I just realized that have CDs too....

When I signed up for the card, I found out about the Cartwheel thing to get extra discounts. So I might use that. We'll see. 

stoneycakes

@TJ1979 and @Sarenu1, I use the Pioneer Woman recipe.  But sometimes I cheat and don't grill the chicken ahead.  I just cook it in the sauce.  It's still really good.  I guarantee you could put chicken breasts and the sauce ingredients minus the cream and put it in the slow cooker.  Then add the cream before serving.  TJ, I've made it before using coconut yogurt, margarine and canned coconut milk instead of cream.  It's still really yummy when it's dairy free.

I recommended going to an Indian grocery store, if you can, to get the spices.  You can get like a lifetime supply of Garam Masala for $7 or so. I haven't used the rice recipe that goes along with the PW recipe.  I make my rice more like the place I used to get take out from

@stringy813 I haven't tackled Pad Thai yet, but I would say go to an Asian grocery and ask for help.  The ingredients will taste more authentic and they'll be cheaper. And then you can tell me how you made it because I like that, too

ETA: With the Tikka Masala, I actually add some of the Whole Foods brand Tandoori spice, too.  That spice makes it taste almost exactly like the restaurant's we love.  And I often skip the hot pepper it calls for, because my Garam Masala is really hot on its own.

TJ1979

@stoneycakes I might try it this weekend.  We have all of our Indian spices direct from Malaysia from MH's travels there.  Mmmm.  Fresh.

stoneycakes

TJ1979 said:

@stoneycakes I might try it this weekend.  We have all of our Indian spices direct from Malaysia from MH's travels there.  Mmmm.  Fresh.

Jealous!

sarenu1

stoneycakes said:

TJ1979 said:

@stoneycakes I might try it this weekend.  We have all of our Indian spices direct from Malaysia from MH's travels there.  Mmmm.  Fresh.

Jealous!

Jealous2!

stoneycakes

stringy813 said:

@stringy813 I haven't tackled Pad Thai yet, but I would say go to an Asian grocery and ask for help.  The ingredients will taste more authentic and they'll be cheaper. And then you can tell me how you made it because I like that, too

Oh Stoney, I went to H-Mart. Have you ever been to one? It was an experience!

I'll see if I can find the recipe. It was years ago...

No, what's H-Mart?

zaraceligon

stoneycakes said:

stringy813 said:

@stringy813 I haven't tackled Pad Thai yet, but I would say go to an Asian grocery and ask for help.  The ingredients will taste more authentic and they'll be cheaper. And then you can tell me how you made it because I like that, too

Oh Stoney, I went to H-Mart. Have you ever been to one? It was an experience!

I'll see if I can find the recipe. It was years ago...

No, what's H-Mart?

H Mark, is a Korean market, I like buying fish from them.

stoneycakes

Hey @TJ1979, do you have a Trader Joe's near you?  They make a coconut cream which is awesome as a dairy replacement.  It's not like the sweetened cream of coconut, but it's like extra rich canned coconut milk.  Obviously double check the ingredients on it, but I think you could eat it.

TJ1979

They do have them in our city now, but I don't have one nearby.  I've been wanting to make a trip though.  For some reason MH doesn't see driving into town to walk around a TJ's as a fun event.  He's weird.  Usually when something calls for coconut cream I just refrigerate a can of coconut milk, open the bottom and pour out the water, then use the leftover cream in the can.
How terrible would the tikka masala be if I didn't use any yogurt on the chicken at all?

stoneycakes

It would be fine without yogurt, TJ.  I don't always use it.

sarenu1

Do you get your kids to try tikka masala?

I have a hard time getting my daughter to try some of the things I made.

stoneycakes

sarenu1 said:

Do you get your kids to try tikka masala?

I have a hard time getting my daughter to try some of the things I made.

Yes, but my DS likes spicy things.  Apparently that's common in kids who've had reflux.  I cannot, however, get him to eat things that are loaded up with veggies.  I tried to get him to eat the stuffed peppers I made last night and he refused.  I think because there was too much visible spinach, lol.

TJ1979

Yep, we offer E everything that we eat.  She usually eats it.  She took her to an Indian buffet when she was 7 months.  We got a lot of strange looks, but she loved it.

sarenu1

TJ1979 said:

@stoneycakes Are you still using PW's chicken tikka masala recipe?  I don't know why, but I thought you had a slow cooker one.  Am I dreaming that?

I find it funny that PW can mean Planet Wise or Pioneer Woman.  I had to think for a minute on this one.

stoneycakes

sarenu1 said:

TJ1979 said:

@stoneycakes Are you still using PW's chicken tikka masala recipe?  I don't know why, but I thought you had a slow cooker one.  Am I dreaming that?

I find it funny that PW can mean Planet Wise or Pioneer Woman.  I had to think for a minute on this one.

Oh, it took me soooooo long to think of BM as breastmilk

stoneycakes

Holy crap, @Mapleme! I'm impressed that you guys can limit your groceries to $50 a week! How do you do it?

CurlieWhirlie

This is a good idea — I like the goal of not eating out, but I'd like to add for myself that I need to be better about planning meals ahead of time, so I don't end up making multiple trips to the grocery store during the week. If I do that, it seems like I always end up spending more.

So my older son just turned five, and his party is Saturday. That will mean some spending. And I just ordered a couple of diapers for the baby, and I have a wrap on the way, and a wrap trade coming up (which isn't technically spending, but it's PP backed, so it's still taking money out of checking and putting it in PP). After that final transaction, my goal is to make no further purchases for myself or baby for a while. I like the goal of no shopping for 3 months, that's a good one! 

It's so hard not to shop online when I'm at work, though. Urgh! Must. Find. New. Hobby.