[sabrelvssammy]

One of my goals for 2013 is to try not to buy anything more than what is truly necessary for this family.

Everything that I buy needs to have an immediate or real and true purpose in our day to day living.

In this thread I will post what I buy each day (new or used) - anything that causes money to leave my pocket. And then try to justify my purchases. (I think food is a no-brainer for sustaining life) - however, that t-shirt that I just bought, to keep the other 24 company is saying something different, which I will try to figure out my reasoning behind.

I challenge the rest of you to join me in this thread. Let's get our consuming under control. Let's build up our bank accounts, while pairing down the useless cluttering that tends to collect around our feet.

I hope you all will join me...

 

[ladytoysdream]

I been trying to do this for awhile now, but not tracking it.
i call it selectively buying. One thing that helps a lot, is the less I go into stores. In the winter, this is easier. In the good weather, lots more temptation.

Well we are looking at some changes in this household if the hubby goes through with his retirement plan. This would happen in about 14 months. So the lightbulb moment happened today, and I decided that the budget for the this new year coming will be based on what we will have coming in for retirement money.
We are going to practice. Maybe it will help change his mind about retiring early. Probably not though. He is stubborn. Any extra money will be used toward the home equity loan to get that paid down quicker. And we will have to use some of his OT money from this winter for buying some wood for the outside furnace, our source of heat.

Only thing been buying lately is a few groceries, gas, and the food for the dogs and chickens. I spotted a few deals for this coming week, so it will be stockpiling some coffee and canned vegtables. I did buy a cookbook on ebay this past week, but it was under $ 5 and that included shipping.

 

[imagine]

We did buy something besides needed clothing, hba, household consumable, home repair stuff, and food since Christmas.

Total splurge. The big bang theory game. We had a friend lend us her game and we loved it. So we bought one so we can return hers. So much laughter and family fun time. It was so worth the $$.

We have always been mindful of our spending even more so after trying the compact out.

I will be following this thread with great interest.

 

[nodmicks]

We decided Jan was going to be a sort of financial fast for us. If it isn't totally necessary or a regular monthly bill/expense it isn't getting purchased. We have a few monthly bills that could be scrapped in worst case scenario but they won't be for our January fast. These are the phone/internet/basic cable bundle and our sons school fees.

 

[Frugal Nurse]

I like this thread... and have a dilemma already.
Here it is...
During my spendy days - I purchased a season ticket to a local mountain to ski. It seemed like a good deal at the time.

I can ski, I think, but lost my confidence after a tumble last season, which caused considerable damage to my calf muscle and put me out for the rest of the season. I went to the slopes this morning and had a total panic and couldn't get on the lift for fear of falling. (which isn't good to ski with a fear of falling- it's tightens everything up - you need to be loose)

So... I can ski - but I feel like a lesson or two would help with my confidence $40 each. I don't particularly have this extra cash laying around - but I am afraid that I won't get use of my season pass at the mountain if I don't get myself on the lift.

Therefore - is taking a couple of lessons worth it? I think so..
Or, should I just suck it up and do it on my own since I know how to ski (albeit horribly)



Cheers!

 

[Ramona]

I like this thread... and have a dilemma already.
Here it is...
During my spendy days - I purchased a season ticket to a local mountain to ski. It seemed like a good deal at the time.

I can ski, I think, but lost my confidence after a tumble last season, which caused considerable damage to my calf muscle and put me out for the rest of the season. I went to the slopes this morning and had a total panic and couldn't get on the lift for fear of falling. (which isn't good to ski with a fear of falling- it's tightens everything up - you need to be loose)

So... I can ski - but I feel like a lesson or two would help with my confidence $40 each. I don't particularly have this extra cash laying around - but I am afraid that I won't get use of my season pass at the mountain if I don't get myself on the lift.

Therefore - is taking a couple of lessons worth it? I think so..
Or, should I just suck it up and do it on my own since I know how to ski (albeit horribly)



Cheers!

Take the lessons. It's a investment in your safety and you may get tips on how to avoid tumbles or tumble safely.

 

[sabrelvssammy]

Take the lessons. It's a investment in your safety and you may get tips on how to avoid tumbles or tumble safely.

Agreed - Maybe you can learn in just 1 lesson even - who knows... start small, start with 1, and go from there.
Be careful and good luck!

 

[Frugal Nurse]

Okay then.. one lesson to start... $40 (considered necessary for my own safety) I like how I can justify that.

But I really think it will help me overcome my fear of a new, unknown territory. I'm used to skiing Sunday River in Maine ( humungous mountian. ) and I know that mountain well. Here, it's all new.

Cheers! and thanks for a quick response. Appreciated.
Don't want to hijack the thread.



Carry on!

 

[onencgirl]

I'm in.... no unnecessary buying. I'm on a fixed income now so...

My problem is going to be my dd. She can be very insistent and strong willed to the point of bullying. With all her problems it's going to be a challenge. I see lots of prayers in my future (sigh).

 

[sabrelvssammy]

Okay then.. one lesson to start... $40 (considered necessary for my own safety) I like how I can justify that.

But I really think it will help me overcome my fear of a new, unknown territory. I'm used to skiing Sunday River in Maine ( humungous mountian. ) and I know that mountain well. Here, it's all new.

Cheers! and thanks for a quick response. Appreciated.
Don't want to hijack the thread.



Carry on!

You can hijack anytime on my threads. I think everything said has some value to it! (Sometimes the hijacks are more interesting than the original posts anyway - haha)....

 

[sabrelvssammy]

I'm in.... no unnecessary buying. I'm on a fixed income now so...

My problem is going to be my dd. She can be very insistent and strong willed to the point of bullying. With all her problems it's going to be a challenge. I see lots of prayers in my future (sigh).

How old is your DD?

Maybe you could include her here in the thread.

Let her help do the posting when you do buy things - and tell her that you want the daily post to say "We didn't buy anything today" - give her a magic # (like if we can post 20 days out of 30 that we didn't buy anything - or whatever # works for you) that at the end of the month there is going to be a special reward for the 2 of you.

Show her the smilies and let her pick a different one every time she posts (kids love smilies)....

Just a thought anyway ~

 

[Frugal Nurse]

how old is your dd?

Maybe you could include her here in the thread.

Let her help do the posting when you do buy things - and tell her that you want the daily post to say "we didn't buy anything today" - give her a magic # (like if we can post 20 days out of 30 that we didn't buy anything - or whatever # works for you) that at the end of the month there is going to be a special reward for the 2 of you.

Show her the smilies and let her pick a different one every time she posts (kids love smilies)....

Just a thought anyway ~

great idea!!!!

 

[imagine]

I'm in.... no unnecessary buying. I'm on a fixed income now so...

My problem is going to be my dd. She can be very insistent and strong willed to the point of bullying. With all her problems it's going to be a challenge. I see lots of prayers in my future (sigh).

Since your profile says you are 60 I'm assuming your dd is an adult?

What kind of things does she ask for? Are they necessary? Even if it is for mental health and not just physical health. Are they in your budget or not?

 

[onencgirl]

My dd is 31, mentally challenged, (she was oxygen deprived at birth), also has a personality disorder. She reads about a 2nd grade level. She is just very hard to handle at times. Very demanding. Not enough space here to explain it all. Do y'all have a week or two to spare for listening? lol

 

[sabrelvssammy]

My dd is 31, mentally challenged, (she was oxygen deprived at birth), also has a personality disorder. She reads about a 2nd grade level. She is just very hard to handle at times. Very demanding. Not enough space here to explain it all. Do y'all have a week or two to spare for listening? lol

I am assuming that she lives with you full time? If so, why not try to incorporate her into the 'saving game'.

It may require a different approach due to her disabilities - but maybe you could make a calendar for you two, that when you have a no spend day you can post a giant star or other fun sticker. Or maybe have a 'treat box' where you draw a card (which you have made up earlier) - with a reward (let's go watch TV, or lets bake some cookies, or lets go take a walk around the block - or whatever she considers to be a special treat - besides shopping for stuff - maybe do a craft together or something)...

My sister's son is autistic. He is a non-communicative (meaning he has a special book with things, people & places, and he has been trained to make sentences by pointing out what he wants or needs). He is 29 yrs old. And also very demanding. Couple that with the fact that he cannot speak and he freaks out a lot. So I get what you mean by the being hard to handle & demanding. Unfortunately you cannot reason with him at all about anything. All you can do is do your best to keep him calm & relaxed. (And the fact that he is 6.5" is a HUGE problem too - no pun intended - haha)...

Big hugs to you!

 

[AmyBoz]

We have been having a no-spend day so far. Kids playing in the snow, me watching a movie on television and doing small chores around the house, all meals from the pantry and freezer.

However...dh and I have decided to go see "The Hobbit" tonight. It will cost money, although we will use our Stubs card to earn points toward dollars off a future visit. Here's my rational...we never go out alone. Like, ever. It's important, I think, for us to spend some time alone sometimes that doesn't involve collapsing after we get everyone else to bed, and we have both been waiting and waiting for this movie to come out and it's the first night that my Mom was able to babysit. I'll be using money I got for Christmas, so it's not coming out of bill money or anything like that. We will also buy popcorn and soda because that's how we roll at the movies. My justification for the snacks...because we want them.

 

[nodmicks]

The only spending today was $11 for fishing baits. Dh spent part of the $100 he got for Christmas.

 

[sabrelvssammy]

Today was a no-spend day for me. I haven't left the house.

Now we can get really analytical and say that I used utilities and home insurance & health insurance - and all that other stuff - but I am sticking to my story ... (those bills will come later in the month)

Today, no real cash money passed thru my hands.

 

[oheoh's momma]

Oncegirl I remember you posting about your daughter..hugs and prayers...try making a game out of it.....

Do u ladies mind I f I join? today was a spend day I bought hot dogs and buns..because I did not feel like cooking a big meal for Paige's company...
I also do not feel good I have a mild seizure and my knee is swollen... so it is easy..and I think it is a justifable spending... This week is rent, cable/phone/internet and electric....970 in bills by next Friday.. so no spending here...

 

[Frugal Nurse]

Today was a no-spend day for me. I haven't left the house.

Now we can get really analytical and say that I used utilities and home insurance & health insurance - and all that other stuff - but I am sticking to my story ... (those bills will come later in the month)

Today, no real cash money passed thru my hands.

Hilarious! Was that you that got beaten up once about the fact that 'technically speaking... you used.. x energy / supply, etc to do your free thing?"

I only read the post and didn't join in on it. But wow.

Good job today.



Cheers!