Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2011 21:45:14 GMT -5
Ya, I know Feb isn't until Tuesday but I want to be ready  I am going to track all of my variable expenses. I'll check in with what I spent each day and keep a running total. Normally I budget $250 for groceries and $100 for gas. So if I come in under $350 for all of my variable expenses I will pass. If they come in under $250 I will give myself an A. ;D |
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Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Jan 30, 2011 22:20:19 GMT -5
As well as regular bills, both kids need to have their teeth cleaned which should be covered, as well as DD having her teeth sealed which I may have to pay for up front. $500. I think I was reimbursed when DS had it done.
DD also needs new boots.
Taxes will be filed in February. Please, please, please don't let me owe. Anything I might get back (it would be minimal) goes directly to ING where it meant to stay!!
Food shopping will be limited to fresh fruits and veggies and milk.
I can do this.
Except that I asked DH to get me a Kindle for my birthday. I'm weak. Does it count if he spends the money?
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Waffle
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Post by Waffle on Jan 30, 2011 22:36:29 GMT -5
I'm kind of scared of what I'm going to find out, but I'm in. I'm going to try and keep track of all of my spending on a spreadsheet. For this thread, I'm not including "normal" bills, medical expenses, and church donations.
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Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Jan 30, 2011 23:05:32 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, Waffle.
I was under the impression that I had a lot more no spend days in my life than I actually do. Last month was an eye opener. While I had the money to cover everything, I was still surprised. Later was far braver than me. She actually added it all up.
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Post by isabella on Jan 31, 2011 9:44:13 GMT -5
ok, while I'm excited about tracking February spending it will be a bit scary too! I have a daily planner dedicated to this exercise in cleaning up my spending (free daily planner from a local business as advertisement). Will see, I am starting a list of activities that should keep me busy rather than out shopping for entertainment.
Good luck to all in reaching your goals!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2011 10:12:06 GMT -5
Malarky birthday gifts don't count. It's not like we're fanatics Welcome aboard waffles and Bella.  |
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merryheart
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Post by merryheart on Jan 31, 2011 10:21:29 GMT -5
I'm in also. I need to get back on the "no spend boat" aka life boat. DH has been entirely too encouraging in the spending boat. DD#1 and family are off to spend time with DSIL's family for 3 weeks so we should be able to get the regular expenses back in line. Bella, I intend to record mine on my regular work/home/everything planner. I'm not sure how many no-spend days I can achieve as I don't normally spend lots anyway. This should be a good eye-opener.
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Agatha
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Post by Agatha on Jan 31, 2011 10:48:02 GMT -5
I'm in! I plan on cleaning out my billfold of receipts tonight. Most of the time it's fat just with those!  But I also want to track everything this month and that means writing it down. My budget is generally kept in my head and I think I deal fairly well with it but I really want to get it down on paper. |
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Jan 31, 2011 11:05:25 GMT -5
I am definitely in this month. I haven't really kept track of what I spend but I did in January. My biggest bills were property taxes of $700, a colonoscopy and a throat scope - $2500 deductible (may be looking at surgery in the future), $1000 spent on car repairs which didn't fix the problem so I am diligently saving for a replacement, and a furnace repair. And my daughter is getting married in June in the Virgin Islands. I kind of feel like I have been jinxed financially this year. I know the only money I can save on is food money so I will only be buying milk and fruit and veggies in February. I need to clean out my freezer anyways and my acid reflux problem only allows me to eat a small amount of food. I am also decluttering and ebaying to get some money that way. So I am going to say that I will try 20 no spend days in February. Got to keep a positive attitude.  |
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Post by thinblue on Jan 31, 2011 11:34:25 GMT -5
Count me in! I did fairly well in January but I didn't write it all down. Keeping track with definitely help me out. I am going to try as many no spend days as I can and see what happens. I am going to shoot for 20 also |
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nalto
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Post by nalto on Jan 31, 2011 11:58:57 GMT -5
I'm in!
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The J
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Post by The J on Jan 31, 2011 12:33:51 GMT -5
Screw it.....I'm in. I need to get a handle on my variables, though this month will be tough -- I'm going away two weekends in a row. I think I'm mainly going to use this just to see where my money goes, as opposed to trying to worry too much about limiting myself from my normal spending -- I want to get a baseline of where I'm at so I can adjust after.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Jan 31, 2011 13:22:17 GMT -5
I expect February to be a dismal failure in the Frugality Race, lol .... but I'm in ... sorta. My wonderful DH comes back from Iraq on Feb 7 ... so I need to stock up on groceries he likes (he's been gone for months) ... and he'll want to go out a bit more than I've been going out without him (of course). Heck, our power bill will bounce back up, too .... and our gasoline costs will quadruple. And we want to get away for a 3-day trip to the coast ... and (since he missed it) we want to have our own personal Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years celebrations .... sheesh. OK, my goal is to have February not be a ridiculously high and scary spending month, how's that? |
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coffeegrl
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Post by coffeegrl on Jan 31, 2011 13:53:57 GMT -5
I'm in for Low Spend February. I filled up my tank yesterday since I was down to 1/4 tank and I hate getting that low in winter. I have quite a bit of stuff in my kitchen cabinets, so hopefully will have a lower grocery bill for Feb.
I'm going to personally write down everything that I spend, even the fixed payments on things (I doubt I'll be able to pay extra) but I'm going to report here on things like groceries and gas.
I got my Missouri tax refund back last Friday. $111. I decided to cash it and I'm going to start out Feb with that and see just how long I can last on that amount of cash. Will hopefully give me a good idea for future months so I can start getting cash at the beginning of a month and go to a cash only system for shopping.
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Agatha
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Post by Agatha on Jan 31, 2011 13:59:37 GMT -5
OK, my goal is to have February not be a ridiculously high and scary spending month, how's that? Works for me, Molly! I didn't even try in January because I was broke and couldn't spend in December so I made up for it then. Hopefully February will be more typical. . . but then what is a typical month anyway? p.s. glad to hear your DH will be home soon.  (we seriously need a champagne bottle around here)
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Jan 31, 2011 14:05:02 GMT -5
Yes, we do! Attachments:
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2011 17:56:48 GMT -5
February will be a low spend for me as well. I don't have a lot of extra room in my budget for unnecessary spending since I have plans to pay off a $1500 credit card this month and then snowball an additional $500 on another card....so...no extra spending for me. Sigh.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2011 18:05:20 GMT -5
I'm in
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2011 18:07:13 GMT -5
Hey Gin!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2011 19:11:33 GMT -5
Ok, so the deal is everyone will report what they spend and keep a running total right?  Believe me, commit to being honest on here and it will make you think twice if you are tempted to spend money YOU feel like you shouldn't. Nobody has to, but I don't want to be the only one  (Pathetic enough?) |
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nalto
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Post by nalto on Jan 31, 2011 19:22:14 GMT -5
I will...as long as I don't have to say WHERE I spent the money...that would make me feel even worse! Although, I guess that is the point  |
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The J
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Post by The J on Jan 31, 2011 19:23:34 GMT -5
Yeah. I will. Ugg. This is going to be painful.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2011 19:24:10 GMT -5
I will...as long as I don't have to say WHERE I spent the money...that would make me feel even worse! Although, I guess that is the point Well ya! You have to report what you spent it on so I can feel superior that I don't waste money the way you do |
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Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Jan 31, 2011 20:51:27 GMT -5
I hearby swear to post where and when I spend my money foolishly.
I am so not posting my monthly expenses in true YM fashion. If I did, you take away my cell phone, cable package and make me eat rice and beans.
I like rice, but I am not going to the bean place...
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Agatha
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Yes, I guess I'm a rather sedate dragon. Fire-breathing only at request or when absolutely necessary
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Post by Agatha on Jan 31, 2011 20:54:50 GMT -5
I hearby swear to post where and when I spend my money foolishly. I am so not posting my monthly expenses in true YM fashion. If I did, you take away my cell phone, cable package and make me eat rice and beans. I like rice, but I am not going to the bean place... Bless you, my dear! ;D |
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Malarky
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Post by Malarky on Jan 31, 2011 21:30:23 GMT -5
You all do know that I hang here because there are so many lost souls like me....
I mean to be good, always, I'm just not...
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Waffle
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Post by Waffle on Jan 31, 2011 21:36:41 GMT -5
Oh, boy - I could have written that!
I've just started my spreadsheet - this should prove very interesting.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Jan 31, 2011 21:46:03 GMT -5
Maybe we should set a spending on things that aren't bills goal then we could see if we meet it or exceed.
My goal will be 1,000 even, so far Feb is zero for me since it is still January. Good thing bills don't count I just set my mortgage payment to pay tomorrow.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Jan 31, 2011 22:17:43 GMT -5
I have been looking ahead to next month and it is not going to be pretty. Tomorrow the car goes in to be serviced. Hopefully by doing regular servicing it will help avoid major repair bills. Wednesday I got the Dr.s appt. that will $45.00. Saturday DD and I am taking my Mom out to dinner for her birthday and then we are going to watch professional bull riding. The bull riding tickets were paid for in November so it will just be dinner and parking. Next week DD has a consultation appointment with the Oral surgeon about removing her wisdom teeth. She is hoping that they will remove them in March during her spring break. That bill is coming it just depends which month. Middle of the month I am getting a haircut I have not had one since December and am past due on that. My hair is worn short because it is so curly and right now it is borderline out of control. This is going to be a long month and I will just have to cut back on other things. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2011 9:08:36 GMT -5
Okay, February 1st! Here we go! I will be grocery shopping today but I have a list and I will not deviate!
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Believe me, commit to being honest on here and it will make you think twice if you are tempted to spend money YOU feel like you shouldn't. Nobody has to, but I don't want to be the only one 
