Parenting

15 Day No Spend Challenge Check In - 08/05/14

How is everyone today? I just ordered our prescriptions. It's a necessary expense so I'm okay with that. Our renovations are so close to being done. I'm really excited. I'm supposed to be looking up ideas for our bedroom and bathroom. I know I'll be tempted to buy right away. I'm trying to get in the habit of waiting before I buy most things. That way I can have time to really think about my purchase and maybe find a better deal.

How are the meal plans working out for those that made them? I'm sticking to mine so far. It's mostly because I'm lazy. I hope everyone is doing well today.

Re: 15 Day No Spend Challenge Check In - 08/05/14

  • LOFT had an extra 60% off their sale section today.

    That's how I'm doing. :-S

    I need this to happen again in September and for someone to come here and burn all of my credit and debit cards.
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  • @uconnhuskie007 are you a pork tenderloin fan? I get the packs from Costco which usually have 2 smaller loins per package (its enough for DH and I plus lunch leftovers for 2 days), rub them with EVOO and a rub made of oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder (or mustard powder if you have it), salt and pepper. Roast at 400* for 30 minutes and serve with whatever veggies you want. Making it for dinner tonight along with a caprese salad with tomatoes from my IL's garden. Easy, tasty, healthy.
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  • @fitmama418 One of my favorite online shops just sent me a 40% off coupon. I'm dying inside. I definitely think that we should do it again.

    @mrsmechanic1 It's okay. At least you're aware of what you're spending. That's half the battle. Don't beat yourself up. You've been doing great the last few days.

    @uconnhuskie007 Pulled pork isn't that expensive and is really easy to make. A three pound butt or shoulder and sides makes more than enough for a big dinner and a big lunch for us. Red beans and rice is another favorite. I'm also big casserole fan. I make casseroles when I clean out the cabinets and don't know what to do with ingredients. They also freeze easy and I'm lazy. I have recipies let me know if you want any.

    @Holls2011 It's good that you're going through your cabinets. I'm still cleaning out my mine. It's kind of ridiculous how many odds and ends I have stuffed in them. My whole meal plan is based off of random stuff I found in the cabinet and freezer.
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  • lildevil968lildevil968 member
    edited August 2014
    Can I join? I've been following you guys, but haven't posted. We went back to school clothes shopping on Sunday, and I came in well under budget. We found some major sales at the outlets, and we hit those. We budgeted $200 per kid, and only spent $170 on both kids combined! I took the rest of the money back to the bank, and deposited it back to the savings.

    I have meal planned, and packed my lunches, and snacks for the week. I do need to go grocery shopping tonight, and I have budgeted $100 for the rest of the week.

    I have also made it a habit to do what I call kitchen sink meals once a week. That means making a meal out of whatever I have in the pantry, and fridge, that way nothing goes to waste.

    I have said no to all lunch invites, Bath and Body works emails, GNC emails, and crap like that.

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  • @lildevil968 Of course you can join. It sounds like you're doing great. Your back to school savings are awesome. Good job!
  • Mos3 said:

    Late to the game but DH and I had a come to jesus talk yesterday after we went through our account and realized how much money we have wasted in the last month.  I'm ashamed to admit how much money we spent on "random" non bill things.  So, we are on a freeze.  Time to get back on track!  I'm trying to get back into meal planning and since we decided to not have a 3rd baby, I'm going to consign or sell our baby stuff.  

    Welcome! I love/hate the moment when you realize just how much money was spent on random stuff. It's always a shocker when it shouldn't be for me.

  • Okay, yesterday I spend less than $3 at McDonalds on an Ice Cream Cone and Water and 99 cents on a Kindle book.  Brought my lunch and made coffee at work. Had a salad at home for dinner.
  • DH and I had a Come to Jesus talk about my spending...that was actually brought up by ME. I told him how I want to do a No Spend Challenge after Labor day and up until we go on a beach trip at the end of September. He's on board.

    I brought it up after spending $60 at Loft and $35 at Aerie yesterday (in my defense...I needed a new bra and they were on sale...maybe just didn't need the swim cover up, too...). I have a legit addiction. I told him that I get a high when I save money (everything I bought was on sale) but then realized its counter intuitive to be spending any money at all when I really don't need much. It's a vicious cycle. Either way, it was a very refreshing conversation and he's being awesomely supportive and non-judgmental.
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  • Last night I did pretty well Grocery shopping. I had budgeted $100, and I came out paying $89 for $132 worth of groceries. I combined shoppers card prices with coupons, and shopped the sale ad. This is a big victory for me because i normally go over board, and buy stuff that will just go to waste.

    We did however end up going out to eat last night after DD's open house. We went to Denny's since kids eat free on Tuesday, and DH and I ate off the value menu. We did pretty awesome though, for 4 people to eat, it was $14!

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  • cedentoncedenton member
    edited August 2014
    DH and I had a Come to Jesus talk about my spending...that was actually brought up by ME. I told him how I want to do a No Spend Challenge after Labor day and up until we go on a beach trip at the end of September. He's on board.

    I brought it up after spending $60 at Loft and $35 at Aerie yesterday (in my defense...I needed a new bra and they were on sale...maybe just didn't need the swim cover up, too...). I have a legit addiction. I told him that I get a high when I save money (everything I bought was on sale) but then realized its counter intuitive to be spending any money at all when I really don't need much. It's a vicious cycle. Either way, it was a very refreshing conversation and he's being awesomely supportive and non-judgmental.
    @fitmama418 The bolded is me exactly. To a T.

    DS has soooo many toys and clothes that were a "good deal" that I got on clearance/sales/consignment.  It's ridiculous. 

    I seriously get anxious when I get an email from whomever about extra % off clearance, but know I can't/shouldn't/he (or me) doesn't need anything.  Me thinks it's time to start unsubscribing (but my immediate thought is, "but what if I miss a great deal!?" and then i think "But you don't need anything.").

    I'm selling stuff at a consignment sale next week which means I get to shop the pre-sale, which is during this no-spend challenge.  I really hope I can keep it together.  I'm only allowing myself to buy a winter coat/pajamas and ONE really awesome toy that could be his birthday present (in 3 weeks).  It would have to be a great toy, though, for a great deal...like a power wheels.
  • I'm so proud of you @fitmama418. That's such a big step in a positive direction. I'm proud of everyone. Even when mistakes are made everyone seems to be doing a really great job of being aware that a mistake was made. It also seems like everyone is more aware of even necessary expenses. You all are awesome.
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  • Thank you so much for your support, everyone! Man, this is like the Shopaholics Anonymous meeting I've been searching for for ages. You all rock.
    :x
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