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December Frugalistas


hjffkj
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Didn't see a new thread yet so here it is.

 

November was an ok month spending wise but we didn't get anything into savings. I generally always plan on November being that way though.

 

Since we are done our Christmas shopping this month will be focused heavily on Advent in my house. That generally means we slow down, stay in more, and most extra spending is done for people who can't spend on themselves.

 

My ultimate goal for this month is to get $500 into savings just from selling stuff and pet sitting. Any extra from dh's paycheck will go toward brake work that the van needs.

 

Our budget is pretty much in autopilot at this point so December is going to be easy.

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I finished my Christmas shopping today, I think except for stocking stuffers. Stumbled across plastic drink bottles on clearance for .25 today. I grabbed them up, got some drink mixes in packets, and a little bit of chocolate and I'll fill each bottle with the mixes and chocolate. Total cost maybe $3 for each!. 

 

Dd got a tin of popcorn - she needed a new cute trash can for her desk area, and I figured the popcorn tin was nearly the same as the metal trash can she'd been looking at. So that'll be a nice gift under the tree. 

 

 

Did CVS today, and scored good deals on kleenex, makeup {Physicians formula} and soup. Unfortunately they were out of the soda I wanted, I'll have to grab it at HEB tomorrow. I'm switching to buying coke in small bottles - it's a little costlier, but I can get amazon gift cards {and others as well intermittently} so it balances out. Plus then I can ration DD to a bottle a day.

 

 

Hffkj - My goal is $500 for the month too. That'll get everything covered until February. 

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OK.  I planned for a No-Spend November but on the 2nd we bought a car and it was all downhill from there.  I need to do better in December to take some of the stress off of Dh & I.  I pretty much know what the kids are getting for Christmas so I just need to rein in my tendencies to over present for the kids because I see things they would like or because the grandparents buy stupid stuff so I can't count on them to get what's on the list.

 

We are helping my son-in-law with his immigration & getting him some  much needed dental work.  That business ain't cheap!

 

I can do this.  I can stick to the budget.  The kids will love what I already bought and it is enough.

 

Sometimes when I buy ahead I get over the excitement of giving the item so I buy more.  I forget that the item that has sat in my drawer for months is brand new to the kid.

 

I will be watching this thread for encouragement

 

Amber in SJ

 

 

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Do any of you ladies stockpile your pantry? I do for toiletries and cleaning supplies, I don't know why it never crossed my mind to consider doing it for the pantry. I know it'd only be canned good and stuff like that.

If there is a rock bottom price on something I will stock up. Mostly I do it with meat and then freeze it. But I'll also do it with seltzer water, canned good, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. We don't but cereal or individually wrapped snacks but those are also good things to stock up on if you use coupons

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Do any of you ladies stockpile your pantry? I do for toiletries and cleaning supplies, I don't know why it never crossed my mind to consider doing it for the pantry. I know it'd only be canned good and stuff like that.

 

Yup I do. My security gland starts giving off alarms if I get less than a months worth on hand {long story, but sometimes I've really needed said stockpile}. I stockpile anything shelf stable, and butter & meat in the deep freeze. 

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Anyone have direct TV?

 

I just read this

 

http://hip2save.com/2017/12/01/tired-of-paying-for-directv-bryn-just-saved-600-w-5-minute-phone-call/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Shutterfly calendar

 

https://www.bettycrocker.com/coupons-promotions/sweepstakes/shutterfly-calendar/enter

 

 

 

 

 

There is now a calendar code on Coke Rewards - you just have to enter one code from a Coke product.
https://us.coca-cola.com/offers/

 

 

 

 

 

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An old bookcase in the corner of a room worked great. You can tack a piece of material, towel or sheet over the front to kinda hide it or make it blend with surroundings.

 

I use to stockpile. Not mega amounts but enough to get us thru a couple months.

 

Circumstances ($$) have changed and I can't stock up. I really miss it. Not just the security but the ease of fixing meals.

 

But I am thankful dh has a job. We have food & a place to live.

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An old bookcase in the corner of a room worked great. You can tack a piece of material, towel or sheet over the front to kinda hide it or make it blend with surroundings.

 

I use to stockpile. Not mega amounts but enough to get us thru a couple months.

 

Circumstances ($$) have changed and I can't stock up. I really miss it. Not just the security but the ease of fixing meals.

 

But I am thankful dh has a job. We have food & a place to live.

 

Thank you for this idea!

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Do any of you ladies stockpile your pantry? I do for toiletries and cleaning supplies, I don't know why it never crossed my mind to consider doing it for the pantry. I know it'd only be canned good and stuff like that.

 

I used to do a it a lot more than I do now because the deals were so great with coupons before the Extreme coupon show came out.  I still do it for everything food,pantry and freezer. 

Cleaning supplies and toiletries.   

 

It is so nice to save $, but also if something happens and I don't get the store for 2 weeks we can eat out of the freezer and pantry and be fine.

 

I am squirrel, I need my stockpile to relax.   

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Main goal for December - cover all of the following without breaking out a credit card:

 

  1. DH's college textbooks need to be purchased by the 14th. He will be reimbursed at the end of the semester, but we have to front the money.
  2. Life insurance is due 12/29 and then car insurance is due 1/4 as well as a couple of medical bills are due since our FSA is maxed out for the year - ick.
  3. We are going to visit my mom for Christmas, but she is paying for us to drive down there as part of our presents, so no out of pocket, but it means DH won't get any overtime for 2 weeks. And I have to control my family who thinks a car drive requires new books, music purchases, and prepackaged snacks.
  4. Sadly, our 19 year old cat is having stomach problems, and we are thinking he will need to be put down before we go out of town for Christmas (it totally stresses him out when we leave and I can't expect anyone else to clean up cat barf multiple times per day). So we will have to cover that this month as well.  :crying:

On the topic of stockpiling, I have been very, very grateful for our food stockpile (mainly in the freezer) these past few months as we have cut the grocery budget in order to scrape together tuition.

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Returned 44 bucks worth of stuff

Yeah I love returning things

 

 

Spent 10 bucks at Breakfast with Santa for our whole family

food plus pictures and toys for the kids

 

 

Went to a Christmas parade with free food and lots of free fun.  I love free.

 

Went to an Old country christmas.  Free with our membership

 

Went to a Free zoo

 

 

 

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Just trying not to go over budget this month, trying very hard to eat at home for the rest of the month.

This is a great idea. We don't spend a lot of money on things throughout the year, but do spend a bit on going out to eat. I can see us being tempted to go out more than usual this month, so thanks for the tip to stay at home for meals more than usual in December.

 

 

To handle Christmas shopping: Every time I grocery shop throughout the year, I ask for a set amount of cash back. I bring the cash home and put it in a bundle with a rubber band and hide it in the house. In December, I put that amount into the bank and use it to buy the gifts. There is zero stress about Christmas shopping when I do this. This is the second year we've done this and the sense of peace, knowing that the gifts have already been paid for throughout the year, is freeing.

 

Now, I know I could put the money aside electronically, but we wouldn't. There's something about seeing the pile grow and then seeing a hunk of money put in the bank at once that is very satisfying and keeps us on track. DH in particular hates seeing the money in the bank dip down at Christmastime. But now that we save all year, dump it into the account, and then spend it, he doesn't have that sense of seeing the money dip down. We have the same amount in there at the beginning of the month as at the end. It's pretty painless to have small amounts come out as cash back each time I grocery shop.

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THANK YOU!!! It worked!  I am now getting $50/off each month for the next 12 months!  Plus I managed to get a free replacement remote complete with free shipping!  I am SO grateful to you.  Thank you very very much.  This is such a nice relief. 

 

 

YAY

 

I am so happy for you.  I love figuring out how much that saves a year.  $600 savings for the year!

 

Awesome

 

 

 

 

 

I got to return 2 violins we rent because our teachers are loaning us some for free.  So that saves $500 for year. 

 

Returned $15 at the store

 

Still so much more to return. 

 

 

 

 

 

Spending at ton of the kids dance performances and the transit to them since it is 1 hour each way.   :(    The spending won't be done until the end of this month. 

But an amazing experience for them.

 

 

 

Got 4 really awesome money things happening.  Yippeee.   

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Doing well here. Pretty much everything paid for the month. 

 

 

Did my ibotta rebates yesterday at Walmart. They have some really good deals right now. I've also been doing the Kelloggs Family rewards - I get points to use for coupons for more kelloggs products. Plus right now there is a deal for Eggo products - buy 3 at $2.38 each, get a $6 movie cash voucher. Two vouchers and we can go to the movies for about $3. Plus there are coupons out for the eggo products and ibotta rebates. 

 

Cashed in coke caps for Target and Amazon gift cards. Right now they are doing 5 caps = $5 Target e-gift card, 10 caps = $5 Amazon gift card. I keep an eye out for caps everywhere I go - it's amazing how many I find just along the road or at the bus stops. 

 

Turned around and used my Target gift cards for one more Christmas present. 

 

Rolled my CVS bucks again. I did spend a little bit, but I'm okay with that as I ended up with $14 back in ECB's, plus makeup for a gift, Kleenex for me and some toothbrushes to swap. 

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For anyone else out there who is, like me, tempted to over-gift or to keep adding to presents under the tree for children...

 

(after the gift budget has already been used up...and surpassed a bit, LOL)

 

...and to keep adding "amazing" events to the schedule...a bit of encouragement (for myself too):

 

Remember that what children (and adults) are ultimately looking for can't be bought:

- true connection with the family...eye-contact and a listening ear from Mom and Dad--slow down!

- peace...moments of enjoyment that come from a schedule that is not over-packed, rushed, stressful

- health...again--don't over-extend everyone with a crazy schedule...take time to make healthy food from scratch instead of rushing out the door again

- joy...figure out what the family truly enjoys and maximize those things

- traditions and rituals that bring people together

- true purpose and meaning of the season and in life...whether those are centered on faith, eternity, love, service to family, helping those in need (not only $ need)...

 

For us, here are some ultra-cheap or free things are actually cheap in comparison to things I'm tempted to buy: 

- playing a family game with games that are already on the game shelf

- creating or crafting things with supplies we already own

- taking a hike for exercise, fresh air, togetherness in nature

- lighting the Advent wreath or a beautiful candle; giving thanks for blessings and praying for those we love who are suffering in various ways

- spending a night at home listening to high-quality, seasonal music that we enjoy

- heating apple cider with a cinnamon stick and packing up in the car to look at Christmas lights for an hour (not much fuel)

- taking some cuttings from greenery around our place and making a simple table centerpiece or Advent wreath

- inviting one or a few people over for dinner that might be struggling with loneliness, pain, lack of resources or family help

- making cards for others near and far to say hi or thank you (teachers, an elderly neighbor without family...children's artwork is the very best!)

- taking the time to add something fresh to each meal (a salad, good fruit) in this season of evenings with events

- taking the time to get centered and to quietly pray alone or attend a Mass together, attend a concert or casual musical performance... 

- I'm sure there are a million ideas out there...we're going to try to pick a few over the next 3 weeks and I have to fight the tendency I have to cram ALL of the good ideas in...

 

Ultimately, all of these things require stopping our usual routine and busy-ness and spending TIME, not money (or very little money).  Time is expensive around here and always feels like it's in limited supply, so it can be very hard for me to do.  But ultimately I know that buying one more thing or adding one more event only worsens this cycle and doesn't seem to increase happiness in the family.

 

I don't know if any of these thoughts resonate with anyone here.  I just want to say, "Keep up the good work!" on sticking with budgets, paying off debt, and making the season meaningful without giving into temptations to spend what isn't available!  You will be happy you have been kind to your "future self" of January and increased the stability of your family's financial situation down the road.  Discipline now = future benefits.  

 

It's encouraging for me to see a bunch of other adults making responsible, mature decisions for their families in the midst of the pressure to buy more.

 

Best wishes for a joyful, peaceful season for all of our families!

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My main challenge will be not buying any more Christmas presents except for the few I haven't bought for yet.  My kids are DONE (Jan 6 birthday done also), but most years I end up buying "just one more thing ... and then just one more ...."

 

And the other thing is prioritizing the donations.  Is it just me or are there a lot more causes and people asking for donations?

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Earlier in the thread I wrote that I'd watch our going out to eat.  That's been going well so far.  I was sore tempted to go out for dinner tonight, but instead I made a little something and then we cleared up a bunch of leftovers. 

 

Spending for Christmas is slightly under budget--yay!  I wrote earlier that I save a set amount of money every time I grocery shop (get cash back.)  We're slightly under the amount we saved over the year.  

 

There were a few little decorations that I wanted to get, but I resisted and it felt good not to spend the extra.  There was a decoration that I saw in a catalog that I wanted, but I figured that DH and the boys could make it instead.  (A Christmas tree made of wooden slats for the yard.)  DH found some old slats from other projects and we'll use some paint from other projects and the whole thing will be free to us.  That's the benefit of 25 years of marriage--there are often little odds and ends like that in the backs of sheds that can be useful for projects.  

 

Overall, we're doing well.  I'm not giving extra to charities.  I give throughout the year so don't feel guilty about that.  If I didn't normally give, then I'd want to give now, but it's better to spread the giving throughout the year.

 

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Another Amazon book coupon

 

FIne print...Terms and Conditions
1. Enter promo code BOOKGIFT17 at checkout to qualify.
2. Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. (PT) December 14, 2017.
3. Offer only applies to products sold by Amazon.com (look for "sold by Amazon.com" on the product detail page). Products sold by third-party sellers or other Amazon entities will not qualify for this offer, even if "fullfilled by Amazon.com" or "Prime Eligible."
4. Offer does not apply to digital content.
5. Offer good while supplies last.
6. Shipping charges and taxes may apply to the full value of discounted and free promotional items.
7. Items must be purchased in a single order and shipped at the same speed to a single address.
8. Offer limited to one per customer and account.

 

$5 off of $15 btw

Edited by mommyoffive
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Well, our Christmas tree cost $5 because we got a permit to go hunt it out of the woods. We made garlands for it from popcorn and cranberries, and it looks lovely.

 

I learned to make my own eggnog, which is saving some money.

 

I did a little costume work for the local dance school (they needed someone with a serger) and in exchange got to go see The Nutcracker for free with my family--I have wanted to take the kids for quite a while, but couldn't justify the $15 tickets for a student production.

 

We went to see the lights at a park with some friends last week, $5 donation.

 

This week is going to be expensive, though. Expensive in babysitters. We have two events down in the town south of here on two different days (one a professional thing for dh with spouses, one a date with friends we've been looking forward to, we do about every other year). Between the two trips, the hour drive each way adds four hours of paid babysitting to the time for the actual events.

Edited by La Condessa
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Well, our Christmas tree cost $5 because we got a permit to go hunt it out of the woods. We made garlands for it from popcorn and cranberries, and it looks lovely.

 

I learned to make my own eggnog, which is saving some money.

 

I did a little costume work for the local dance school (they needed someone with a serger) and in exchange got to go see The Nutcracker for free with my family--I have wanted to take the kids for quite a while, but couldn't justify the $15 tickets for a student production.

 

We went to see the lights at a park with some friends last week, $5 donation.

 

This week is going to be expensive, though. Expensive in babysitters. We have two events down in the town south of here on two different days (one a professional thing for dh with spouses, one a date with friends we've been looking forward to, we do about every other year). Between the two trips, the hour drive each way adds four hours of paid babysitting to the time for the actual events.

 

Great savings.  I am glad you got to take the kids to see the Nutcracker.  I need to start bartering for things.  

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Didn't see a new thread yet so here it is.

 

November was an ok month spending wise but we didn't get anything into savings. I generally always plan on November being that way though.

 

Since we are done our Christmas shopping this month will be focused heavily on Advent in my house. That generally means we slow down, stay in more, and most extra spending is done for people who can't spend on themselves.

 

My ultimate goal for this month is to get $500 into savings just from selling stuff and pet sitting. Any extra from dh's paycheck will go toward brake work that the van needs.

 

Our budget is pretty much in autopilot at this point so December is going to be easy.

 

Did you and your dh end up applying for the jobs? 

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Did you and your dh end up applying for the jobs?

No. When I went to submit it the position was no where to be seen even though the deadline wasn't for a few more weeks. Oh well. I ended up never showing dh the listing he was qualified for. I just decided right now isn't the right time to possibly change our whole lives.

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I made a $100 pet sitting mistake!!! It would have been more but the client gave me a Christmas tip so that offset the mistake. Just a miscommunication in charge. Oh well, I'll take the hit without mentioning it to the client. Just have to clear it up before the next job.

 

Even with the mistake I accomplished making over $500 to go into savings this month.

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Our oldest turns 9 on Wednesday. All he wanted for his birthday was a telescope or microscope. I told him good one were pretty expensive and may be out of one person's price range for a bday gift so he might want to ask for money to go towards it.

 

So when my brother offered his nice telescope for free I couldn't believe it. To top that off we wanted to take him and his siblings to see star wars. Turns out we have 4 free passes, so his bday celebration is all free, minus the ingredients for key lime pie.

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