December's "Wasted" Money

**madhen** · 11-30-2011, 09:08 PM

What did you buy just because you wanted it, not because you needed it? How much money did you spend on little luxuries, or googaws, or fast food, that could have gone toward savings, debt reduction, or other things that could change the quality of your life in a material way?

If your purchase just fulfilled a want, if it provided a transient happiness, if it was something you feel you have to "justify" afterward, then this is the accountability thread for you.

Just a little place to maintain our awareness of where all that money goes (or doesn't go). I am hoping to keep my money waste down to $500 or less this month, since I will have my foster dog and her seven pups until about the middle of the month. I am not counting money spent on Christmas presents, since those are pretty much obligatory in this day and age. (So my real question is, should I count Christmas presents that I buy for my foster dogs!?

)

**Debbie-cat** · 11-30-2011, 09:12 PM

I'm in again and no I wouldn't count the foster puppies presents. They are yours for now!

**Lindsey** · 11-30-2011, 11:06 PM

I will try again this month. I found Pinterest in Nov. which is why I was MIA

Today was my spend day, as Wednesdays are the day that my kids go to a homeschool co-op.

Egg Nog, wasn't needed, but my girls and I soooo LOVE it!

I also bought Candy Canes, weren't needed, but I'll use them in stockings, on the tree, etc.

Everything else was food items on my list! I even scored some boneless, skinless, Tyson chicken breast on sale for .87 a lbs! Just a case of being in the right price at the right time. I have also been trying to coupon better since we moved to the States and I was able to score some Gilette razors for free.

The bad part: hubby and I ate out. Wednesday nights the kids are in Awana, so we usually eat out (I pack the kids dinner as they go to gymnastics and then have to be at Church 15min later, so they eat on the way). It is a planned expense and I usually use coupons, but it can still add up. Tonight we ate for $5.

**mango** · 11-30-2011, 11:52 PM

I'm in after falling off the wagon in a big way last month! This is going to be a very tight December and we have visitors coming over Christmas for nearly two weeks (yikes!) so this will be a good way to stay accountable.

First day of December here and no wasted money today!

**Libby** · 12-01-2011, 12:08 AM

Count me in, Im a masochist!

My main goal is to lessen the amount I eat out or stop to pick up a drink.

**MTS04** · 12-01-2011, 12:09 AM

I'm in as well. This month is going to be a toughie.

**Dutchie** · 12-01-2011, 02:23 AM

I am going to try and do this, this month (and not a moment too soon my inner self would say).

After I have paid for Fiori's party this morning

it will start.
It will be really good for me to know that I have to account for every 'extra' and not needed thing that I buy.

So, I'm in.

**piney** · 12-01-2011, 08:08 AM

I am out of challange for Dec. plan on been out state again for 4 days so i don't want to have keep up with every $ spent.

**OOwl** · 12-01-2011, 08:21 AM

I'd like to play, too. We have a family member in the hospital this month so lots of expenses we wouldn't ordinarily have, everything from parking garage fee to extra gas to picking him up treats to have there. However, like Mad Hen, I expect most of my "wasted" funds go to the animals that share my home.

**Debbie-cat** · 12-01-2011, 05:42 PM

Nothing spent today so nothing wasted!!

**Libby** · 12-01-2011, 05:58 PM

Murphy has struck me today - a lot of unnecessary things happened to me today and as a result, I wasn't able to get back home to eat my breakky which I had prepped waiting to be eaten upon my return from dropping DH. All I gotta say is what a day, I'm glad its over and I refuse to go out anymore.

Dec 1 - $4.81 - breakky on the go at Tim Horton's