No/Low Spend Week 4 & 5 (1/21-1/31)

[Runningmom80]

Hope it's okay, I just made this thread go to the end of the month.

 

We're in the home stretch! January is always a slow month for me, but this one seems particularly long! How's everyone else doing?

 

Link to last week's thread: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/449186-nolow-spend-january-week-3-114-120/

[Runningmom80]

 

 

{Week 1}

1/1 - $0

1/2 - $30 copays for sick twins

1/3 - $27 ($7 for prescription $20 for various personal needs)

1/4 - $10 (moleskin notebook)

1/5 - $0

1/6 - $9 (snapfish deal!)

 

{Week 2}

1/7 - $150 blech

1/8 - $0

1/9 - $5 (wine for dinner guests)

1/10 - $7 coffees

1/11 - $51 shoes for kids

1/12 - $5 the happiness project kindle

1/13 - 0

 

{Week 3}

1/14 $15 (copay)

1/15 - $39

1/16 - $25

1/17 - $3

1/18 - $1

1/19 - $25

1/20 - $0

 

{Week 4}

1/21

1/22

1/23

1/24

1/25

1/26

1/27

 

{Week 5}

1/28

1/29

1/30

1/31

 

----

Total for month: $397

[Tammyla]

Total spending for month $2586.51 (includes mortgage and all bills to date.)

 

I'm planning to separate all expenses into a spread sheet as the month ends.

[Halcyon]

Week One:

Jan 1: $57 curriiculum

Jan 1 cc: $1.99 kindle

Jan 2 $4.65 date stamp, cc: $19.99 nytimes sub, cc: $75 ymca sub,cc: $52 afterschool

Jan 3: $9.42 toothpaste, water for office and gum.

Jan 4: $12.05 shipping, vet: $143.50. cc $1.99 kindle book

Jan 5: $9.65 photos

Jan 6: $2.00 pen, cc $130 Groceries,cc $40 gas

_____________________________________________________________

Week Two:

1/7: $0

$50 cell phone (auto pay)

1/9: cc $52 after school child care. (autopay)

1/10: $0

1/11: $5 menu planning app.

1/12: $150 grocery, $4 comic for son.

1/13: $30 movies

1/14: $0

______________________________________________________________________

Week Three:

1/14: $0

1/15: $5 donut and hot choc, $15 omega 3 cc

1/16: $0

1/17: $5.50 snack, $21 Netflix cc, $20 gas, $18 groceries, $52 Afterschool recurring charge

1/18: $0

1/19: $150 groceries

1/20: $3.50 coffee and donuts

1/21: $7.99 Kindle book for son. I caved. It's the last book in the series that he has been reading, and the hold at the library is at least 8 weeks, probably 15.

 

Amount Transferred to Savings This Month: $75

No Spend Days This Month: 6/5

Eating Out: $8.50

Nothing outside budget so far.

Groceries this month: $450/$600

Month so far ALL expenses except mortgage and utilities (inc. gas, groceries, childcare, phone, medical): $1142

______________________________________________________________________

Goals:

1. To get my spending UNDER a certain pre-set amount each month and contribute the remainder to emergency fund.

2. To start creating sinking funds for car repairs and vet bills.

3. To begin paying off extra on the mortgage.

4. To use food in cupboard for staples.

[Runningmom80]

Is anyone else gearing up for February? I'm already going over my spending trying to figure out where I can cut. I'd like to get my grocery spending down for sure, I've already spent $800 on groceries!

[historically accurate]

^{1/1 -- $0 (Yay me!)}

^{1/2 -- Walgreens $9 (various Xmas clearance)}

^{1/3 -- Groceries $83, Children's Place $38 (leggings for under skirts & hat for middle dd)}

^{1/4 -- DH wanted pizza, and I am weak... $17}

^{1/5 -- Groceries $66, Pet Supplies $7, Children's Place $7 (needed to return 1 item from the 3rd and I picked up another pair of leggings)}

^{1/6 -- Groceries $29, Curriculum $5 (had $15 in TRU rewards and bought a CSI kit for $20)}

 

^{1/7 -- this was supposed to be a no - spend day, but... $75 for a new car battery & $35 for gas, since DH had to take my car to work this morning. Just found out that DH bought $11 worth of toys from the clearance area while waiting for the car. So adding that.}

^{1/8 -- $0}

^{1/9 -- $25 gift for family member, $36 chess tournament entry fee, $40 gas}

^{1/10 -- $11 medicine, $35 dinner}

^{1/11 -- $20 parking at museum}

^{1/12 -- $12 groceries (donut run by DH), $35 robotics class fee for oldest}

^{1/13 -- $0 (YAY!!!)}

 

^{1/14 -- $108 for groceries & ice melt, $3 shipping (for an ebay sale, so I've been paid for this!), $3 library fine (DOH!)}

^{1/15 -- $0 (Woot! Woot!)}

^{1/16 -- $0 Two days in a row!}

^{1/17 -- $80 science museum membership (planned), $20 art classes for middle dd, $35 gas, $17 pizza}

^{1/18 -- $0}

^{1/19 -- $55 groceries}

^{1/20 -- $13 curriculum (I had a gift card to Amazon that was like a sirensong to me, so I now own WWS and a google earth book)}

 

^{1/21 -- $0}

 

^{Groceries: $353/$600}

^{Eating Out: $69/$125}

^{No Spend Days: 7/10}

 

^{I have a cold; I dragged myself to the library to return a movie, but other than that, I sat on the couch and moaned.}

[Deb in NZ]

1 Jan---$0

2 Jan---$0

3 Jan---$6 (2 x 2 litres milk)

4 Jan---$0

5 Jan---$2 sausage at sausage sizzle for DH+ $28 lotto tickets for us & mil+ $8.90 fish bait for ds#2

6 Jan---$0

***Week 1 subtotal =$44.90

 

7 Jan---$11 seed raising mix +$6 (2 x 2 litres milk)

8 Jan---$24 for two books dh bought on TradeMe (but he sold some scrap metal for $35)

9 Jan---$16.50 for two more books dh bought on TradeMe (but mil gave him $10 from the winning ticket we gave her last weekend)

10 Jan---$6 (2 x 2 litres milk) + $8 fish bait + $18 med (to replace some that expired in '95 )

11 Jan---$80 four stationary motors from TradeMe for ds#2 to rebuild to help finish the quadbike he's rebuilding+ $8 fishbait + $22 beer for dh + $30.50 shorts & sunscreen for dd

12 Jan---$37 for two books dh bought on TradeMe + $18.70 for coffees for dh, me, dd, & ds#1 (dd shipped out today & the captain told us to take her for a coffee when we dropped her off, so that $$ was on Captain's orders )+ $14 Lotto

13 Jan---$18 dive tank rental (for dh to do a job for dd's ship as they lost something overboard & his tanks are old & empty)

***Week 2 subtotal =$317.70

 

14 Jan---$90.51 fuel for my car + 56.13 Fruit/Veg + $6 (2 x 2 litres milk) + $12.65 fence screws + $17.10 piece to fix dingy

15 Jan---$3.50 parking + $14 postage stamps + $25.50 ds#2's b-day gift + $20 fuel for dh's car + $17.64 misc. tool part

16 Jan---$1.70 parking (I had jury duty in town)

17 Jan---$0

18 Jan---$6 (2 x 2 litres milk)

19 Jan---$9 for one book dh bought on TradeMe + $12 lotto + $24.97 pizza

20 Jan---$0

***Week 3 subtotal = $316.70

 

21 Jan---$0

22 Jan---$6 (2 x 2 litres milk) + $26.96 gas fittings + $58.13 fuel for dh's car & lawnmower + $7.60 sparkplug

23 Jan---

24 Jan---

25 Jan---

26 Jan---

27 Jan---

***Week 4 subtotal = $98.69

 

January total = $777.98

Food/Grocery = $92.13

Beer / Eat Out = $67.67

Unexpected income = $45

No Spend Days = 7

 

My goals for January:

#1---Spend as little as possible as estimated monthly income is $0.

#2---Eat mainly from our pantry/freezer/garden.

#3---Learn to make do or do without whenever possible.

#4---Use our month of summer holidays to help instill healthy habits

[Guest]

Is anyone else gearing up for February? I'm already going over my spending trying to figure out where I can cut. I'd like to get my grocery spending down for sure, I've already spent $800 on groceries!

 

I'm looking forward to seeing how the month finishes out. I wanted to keep my food groceries under $600 for the month and I am well under that, so I'm thrilled about that. I'm "shopping" out of my stored food, though, so eventually there will be a month where I stock up on meat again and that month will surely be high.

 

I haven't ever sold anything on eBay, but I was considering trying to sell my china and some of my crystal. I just can't imagine there's anyone hoping to buy it. I see there's already several pieces of my pattern up for sale, so...I don't know if it's worth it.

[Halcyon]

Is anyone else gearing up for February? I'm already going over my spending trying to figure out where I can cut. I'd like to get my grocery spending down for sure, I've already spent $800 on groceries!

 

 

I am thinking ahead. I have cut my dining out budget (which includes coffee runs, random donuts, AND actually dining out) to basically zero, so I can't do much there. Our recurrent expenses (child care for when I work, cell phone, etc) can't be cut. Groceries are around 600 which I think is pretty good, although I bet I can get it a little bit lower. I feel I was pretty "bare bones" in January. I didn't do any random purchases to speak of (such as stopping in TJ Maxx or Home Goods and picking up stuff I 'need') which i have done in the past....I don't know. I feel like if I can keep my February expenses (the ones I am responsible for) under $1500 (groceries, kids' activities, books, cell phone, child care-210 right there) then I will be proud of myself.

[Halcyon]

 

I'm looking forward to seeing how the month finishes out. I wanted to keep my food groceries under $600 for the month and I am well under that, so I'm thrilled about that. I'm "shopping" out of my stored food, though, so eventually there will be a month where I stock up on meat again and that month will surely be high.

 

I haven't ever sold anything on eBay, but I was considering trying to sell my china and some of my crystal. I just can't imagine there's anyone hoping to buy it. I see there's already several pieces of my pattern up for sale, so...I don't know if it's worth it.

 

 

I have something listed on Ebay right now, and will be listing more items this week. So there will be some extra money coming in there!

[Deb in NZ]

Is anyone else gearing up for February? I'm already going over my spending trying to figure out where I can cut. I'd like to get my grocery spending down for sure, I've already spent $800 on groceries!

 

I'm looking at February as well. With what I've learned doing our No/Low Spend challenge this month, I'm revising my goals. January's food spend looks to be less than 10% of our 2012 monthly average, but we started the month with an overflowing pantry & freezer. Those now are not yet empty, but there are some staples that will be totally gone by the end of January (i.e. flour, eggs, rolled oats, etc.) I'm going to set a monthly goal in some areas to see if that is a realistic amount to budget long-term. Our garden is till going strong so I think I can aim for less than 25% of our 2012 monthly average for Food/grocery. I'll do a big stock up of staples on 1st February, with the idea of spending almost nothing on food for the rest of the month as I did this month. February will have a lot of school expenses as our new school year starts, but hopefully I'll have a bit of income as well to offset those expenses.

[Guest]

 

 

I have something listed on Ebay right now, and will be listing more items this week. So there will be some extra money coming in there!

 

It's possible that I am too lazy to go investigate how I set up an account and somehow figure out how to ship china to...China. Or wherever. I wish there was a techy person between me and dh.

[SerenityNow]

Hmmmm.... I thought I was doing okay with this challenge, but after today...? Not so much. I went out to buy a bottle of allergy pills, and the store I chose had just put all their winter clothes on clearance. And then the clearance was an extra 50% off. *Sigh* The racks were all arranged by color and it was so pretty and so enticing and... yep you guessed it! I got two Columbia shirts and a Columbia fleece. And a pair of Sketchers shoes I've had my eye on all winter. Oh, and a pair of fleece pj pants for ds. Plus the allergy pills for a total of $89.84. There's my confession.... ;) ..... as penance I will get rid of at least 4 old items from my closet!

 

Otherwise:

 

1/1 $0

1/2 $19.76 on groceries

1/3 $0

1/4 $0

1/5 $96.01 on groceries

1/6 $0

1/7 $25.58 on groceries

1/8 $0

1/9 $0

1/10 $0

1/11 $14.49 on groceries, a pair of hand weights, and two sodas at McDonalds

1/12 $101.34 on groceries

1/13 $0

1/14 $0

1/15 $24.76 on groceries

1/16 $2.97 on a package of metal brackets to fix a bookcase

1/17 $40 Jan allowances ($20 per kid, per month)

1/18 $0

1/19 $179.21 on groceries

1/20 $0

1/21 $89.84 from confession above

 

As I write that out I wonder, "What's with all the grocery shopping?" Obviously this is the area I need to work on in February. Along with avoiding clearance sales! :laugh:

 

Keep up the good work everyone!

[4kidlets4me]

My youngest DD has finally outgrown all her jeans. I had a coupon and free shipping to Childrens Place so I got her 2 pairs for $24.38 including tax.

 

Looking towards next month I think groceries is my biggest problem. I have a budget of $500 for the 5 of us and that includes non edible household stuff like dog food, cat food, toilet paper, etc. So far this month I have spent $445.79 total. I don't think I'm going to come in on budget with this much month left. I don't feel like I'm splurging on anything fancy so maybe my budget just needs to be bigger.

 

I also have a wedding to go to in Feb so I'll need to get a gift and something to wear.

 

Week 1:

 

1/1- 2.99 Les Mis kindle book

1/2- 0

1/3 -129.64- eating out, groceries, misc purchases

1/4- 0

1/5- 2.91 video game, book

1/6 -0

 

Week 2:

1/7 0

1/8 0

1/9 -27.74 new toaster

1/10 -2.16- kindle book

1/11- 0

1/12- 22.83- pizza out and 1.18 in screws

1/13 0

 

Week 3:

1/14- $15 over my grocery budget. I picked up some cold stuff to have on hand. I felt like I was coming down with something

1/15- $11.77 fast food. In my defense we were out of the house from 11:30-7:30 and very hungry!

1/16- 0

1/17- $20 over budget on groceries

1/18- $96.74-new drill for DH

1/19- 0

1/20- 0

 

Week 3:

1/21- 24.38 2 pairs of jeans for my daughter.

 

Total: $356.16

[Halcyon]

My youngest DD has finally outgrown all her jeans. I had a coupon and free shipping to Childrens Place so I got her 2 pairs for $24.38 including tax.

 

Looking towards next month I think groceries is my biggest problem. I have a budget of $500 for the 5 of us and that includes non edible household stuff like dog food, cat food, toilet paper, etc. So far this month I have spent $445.79 total. I don't think I'm going to come in on budget with this much month left. I don't feel like I'm splurging on anything fancy so maybe my budget just needs to be bigger.

 

I also have a wedding to go to in Feb so I'll need to get a gift and something to wear.

 

Week 1:

 

1/1- 2.99 Les Mis kindle book

1/2- 0

1/3 -129.64- eating out, groceries, misc purchases

1/4- 0

1/5- 2.91 video game, book

1/6 -0

 

Week 2:

1/7 0

1/8 0

1/9 -27.74 new toaster

1/10 -2.16- kindle book

1/11- 0

1/12- 22.83- pizza out and 1.18 in screws

1/13 0

 

Week 3:

1/14- $15 over my grocery budget. I picked up some cold stuff to have on hand. I felt like I was coming down with something

1/15- $11.77 fast food. In my defense we were out of the house from 11:30-7:30 and very hungry!

1/16- 0

1/17- $20 over budget on groceries

1/18- $96.74-new drill for DH

1/19- 0

1/20- 0

 

Week 3:

1/21- 24.38 2 pairs of jeans for my daughter.

 

Total: $356.16

 

Thats a tight budget when you are inckuding pet food and stuff. Mine is 600 and i dont include pet food, but i buy a pricey brand (wellness). We stopped buying paper towels for the most part...dh needs them on occasion but i dont use them any more, so that a nice bit of money saved.

[Runningmom80]

Yes, $500 for 5 is tight. my grocery budget for 5 of us was 800, but I usually spend 1k. It's completely ridiculous, but my son has multiple food allergies, and the rest of us are vegan so I buy lots of expensive food I guess.

 

 

I need to get back to $800. I just don't know how. I've tried everything.

[4kidlets4me]

When my Dh was here I was spending around $900/month for everything. He needs at least $100/week for his groceries and toiletries. So that leaves us $500. But everyweek it seems the groceries get more expensive. Maybe I'll bump us to $600/month and see what happens next month.

[Deb in NZ]

Thank you for starting this challenge! I just added up our total grocery spend from April-Dec (just what we paid by card) & it came to 41% of our income for that same time :eek: Now I know one reason we seemed to be going broke. The No/Low Spend January challenge has taught me that I did not need to spend $$$ every week to feed us well. I needed to plan better & put more effort into what I prepared. There are other areas that came be improved on (eating out, the little day-to-day spends that are wants, not needs, etc.), but our grocery bill is almost 100% under my control, so this is my responsibility.

 

What is a reasonable % of income that should be budgeted for groceries? I'm not asking for a $ amount as food costs vary widely from area to area & those on a higher income will have more $ to spend on food. Lucky for us we live in an area where it is possible to garden year round, so this year gardening will be much more of a priority to help us keep our food costs as low as possible. Feeding three active men (2 teens + a tradesman-dh), I can't cut amounts, but need to make the best use of our existing reasources. There will be no room for organic / free range / etc. foods in the budget. Simple, homemade meals will be the goal for 2013 to help us get back on our feet.

[Runningmom80]

I'm not sure what percentage, that's a really good question!

[Guest]

Yes, $500 for 5 is tight. my grocery budget for 5 of us was 800, but I usually spend 1k. It's completely ridiculous, but my son has multiple food allergies, and the rest of us are vegan so I buy lots of expensive food I guess.

 

 

I need to get back to $800. I just don't know how. I've tried everything.

 

What types of food allergies are you coping with and what influence does buying vegan have that you believe adds a lot to your bill? I don't know if I can help you come up with some strategies, but I'm willing to give it a whirl. I don't deal with those food specifics, so I'm not sure. The only food "issue" in our household is me - can't eat dairy - but that ends up being more or less a savings. (One less person drinking milk; rarely are dishes cheese- or cream-based.)

[Runningmom80]

 

 

What types of food allergies are you coping with and what influence does buying vegan have that you believe adds a lot to your bill? I don't know if I can help you come up with some strategies, but I'm willing to give it a whirl. I don't deal with those food specifics, so I'm not sure. The only food "issue" in our household is me - can't eat dairy - but that ends up being more or less a savings. (One less person drinking milk; rarely are dishes cheese- or cream-based.)

 

For the food allergies, he is allergic to dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, all nuts, barley, white potatoes, most legumes, etc etc. we try to all eat the same dinner, so the cost for the substitutes goes up. I.e. gluten free pastas, different milk and oils, shortening, etc.

 

The vegan thing, I really can't figure out why we are spending more. The only thing I can come up with is more fresh produce. I also buy organic for the dirty dozen, maybe that's it? I don't buy many meat subs, and beans and tofu are cheap. My twins drink coconut milk, that may add to it. My older ds drinks hemp milk for the fat. That's expensive, but he's the only one drinking it.

 

DH tells me not to stress over the grocery budget, he doesn't believe there is much we can do, and any major effort will equal a negligible savings, which has been the case in the past. I'm the one who is p*ssed about it. ;)

[MissKNG]

Ok, I slacked off with this! I want to be more diligent now. This weekend, we spent a lot of extra money that we didn't need to. Boo.

 

Sunday 1/20: grocery shopping $85, we got subs for lunch (this was part of my "boo") plus a carrot cake slice $14

Monday: grocery shopping (finished up at a different store) $18, small coffee from Wendy's $1

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday 1/27:

 

Total so far: $118

 

I don't forsee any spending this week beyond picking a couple things up from the grocery store later on in the week and some bills. The girls are spending the night at a friend's house Saturday so dh and I are going out to dinner for a date.

[Tammyla]

I spent $0 yesterday, but dh spent $6.41 on lunch.

[Halcyon]

Lately I have been feeling deprived. I don't know why exactly. I know I have been resisting buying "little things" that make me happy. Like small purchases on amazon, coffee on the way to work. Am I going through withdrawal or should i indulge myself sometimes? I am actually feeling a bit down, and not sure it has to do with this or not. Seems ridiculous that it would be related, but it;s the only change I've made besides starting running, which I think makes me feel BETTER/ Thoughts?

[MissKNG]

Lately I have been feeling deprived. I don't know why exactly. I know I have been resisting buying "little things" that make me happy. Like small purchases on amazon, coffee on the way to work. Am I going through withdrawal or should i indulge myself sometimes? I am actually feeling a bit down, and not sure it has to do with this or not. Seems ridiculous that it would be related, but it;s the only change I've made besides starting running, which I think makes me feel BETTER/ Thoughts?

 

 

Can you give yourself a little spending money each week? I give myself $20 each week to spend on things I want like a cup of coffee or a lip gloss or something small. And I use that money to treat the girls to things as well (craft kits, a cookie, etc). I rarely spend the entire $20 but it's nice to know I have it around.

[Runningmom80]

Halcyon, could it be the time of year? I know you are in Fl, so maybe not traditional SAD, but something like "post holiday blues?" I am always down this time of year, but I'm in the Midwest where it's been gray for weeks.

 

I'm not feeling deprived, well except for lusting after that d*mn pl365 stuff. Lol. But, we are saving to move in a few months, so I think that's what's keeping me motivated.

 

On one hand, I think yes, long term you need to indulge. On the other hand, I think anyone should be able to do this for 30 days. Just think, 9 more days! Going forward, in my opinion, the occasional latte, kindle book, whatever your thing is, is necessary so you don't go insane and break down and spend a million dollars!

[Guest]

For the food allergies, he is allergic to dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, all nuts, barley, white potatoes, most legumes, etc etc. we try to all eat the same dinner, so the cost for the substitutes goes up. I.e. gluten free pastas, different milk and oils, shortening, etc.

 

The vegan thing, I really can't figure out why we are spending more. The only thing I can come up with is more fresh produce. I also buy organic for the dirty dozen, maybe that's it? I don't buy many meat subs, and beans and tofu are cheap. My twins drink coconut milk, that may add to it. My older ds drinks hemp milk for the fat. That's expensive, but he's the only one drinking it.

 

DH tells me not to stress over the grocery budget, he doesn't believe there is much we can do, and any major effort will equal a negligible savings, which has been the case in the past. I'm the one who is p*ssed about it. ;)

 

 

Holy dairy-free cow. I am stumped. What do you make for someone with so many allergies?

 

It's heartening that your dh is gracious about it, but I would definitely have a stroke if I averaged your food bill. ;) Said with all kind intentions, of course.

 

I actually feel like it's a wasteful concession that I see my upper limit at $600/month. I remember when it was $300. :leaving:

[Guest]

$35 Petsmart: cat's nails trimmed (she used to be a stray and still won't let us but we're getting there) and a scratching board. I had to pick up a duplicate of the one she uses downstairs in hopes she will not claw up our couch in our bedroom in the middle of the night.

 

Hey, I'm curious - do they groom cats there in general? I have two long-haired cats. In the spring, their fur needs major attention, but I didn't know where one goes to have cats groomed.

[Runningmom80]

 

 

Holy dairy-free cow. I am stumped. What do you make for someone with so many allergies?

 

It's heartening that your dh is gracious about it, but I would definitely have a stroke if I averaged your food bill. ;) Said with all kind intentions, of course.

 

I actually feel like it's a wasteful concession that I see my upper limit at $600/month. I remember when it was $300. :leaving:

 

I know! Seriously, I can't figure it out. We have to buy expensive flours, milks, pastas, so that's how I easily get to $800, but getting up to 1k is just ridiculous.

 

We have to scrimp in other places to afford it, that's for sure. I read lots of frugal bogs, money saving mom, etc. nothing works!

 

[Guest]

My local Petsmart has a cat groomer. Since she was a stray, when we finally decided to bring her inside, I took her there to be bathed and have her nails trimmed. I don't even need an appointment in my area. Just pop in and a trimming costs $10 and by the time I'm done paying, they are done.

 

She was clawing at everything, so we tried the kitty caps. Petsmart won't do that, Petco will, but I didn't like the way they did it. My vet was doing it for $10, but just upped it to $20. The cat didn't like the caps anyway, she would start to chew on them and try to take them off as soon as we got home. By the end of the week, she would have half off. Now they are all off again and we're adding more scratching posts around the house. She seems to prefer the sisal type.

 

 

Thank you. That's handy info. I'll check it out when spring rolls around. Their fur gets so dense in winter (they go outside) that I can't keep up with the huge clumps of hair that needs to be combed out.

[Guest]

I know! Seriously, I can't figure it out. We have to buy expensive flours, milks, pastas, so that's how I easily get to $800, but getting up to 1k is just ridiculous.

 

We have to scrimp in other places to afford it, that's for sure. I read lots of frugal bogs, money saving mom, etc. nothing works!

 

 

I'm assuming you can't philosophically alter your thinking about the vegan element? :leaving: I hardly want to mention it, but...given the other limitations I would have to consider it if it were me. I feel like a calloused clod saying that. :leaving:

 

My sister is GF. She told me she does not make GF pasta for everyone because of the expense. I'm sure it's a hassle to make her own separately, though. In general, she just avoids grain-based eating, but then she also doesn't have all those other limitation you're dealing with.

[Runningmom80]

 

 

I'm assuming you can't philosophically alter your thinking about the vegan element? :leaving: I hardly want to mention it, but...given the other limitations I would have to consider it if it were me. I feel like a calloused clod saying that. :leaving:

 

My sister is GF. She told me she does not make GF pasta for everyone because of the expense. I'm sure it's a hassle to make her own separately, though. In general, she just avoids grain-based eating, but then she also doesn't have all those other limitation you're dealing with.

 

 

 

Ha! No worries. We do it for health benefits, and the environmental impact, we aren't animal activists or anything. That being said, at this point, I'm now thinking it would be expensive to add meat in. IDK though. Im movign my toddlers slowly, back into eating a little bit of dairy and eggs, just because they wont eat tofu and beans as much as i wiuld like. :) Also thinking about adding fish back in too, but fish is expensive from what I've seen!

 

 

At least once a month I declare that we will be moving to a hotdog and Mac & cheese diet because it will be way cheaper! Lol.

[prairiewindmomma]

I know! Seriously, I can't figure it out. We have to buy expensive flours, milks, pastas, so that's how I easily get to $800, but getting up to 1k is just ridiculous.

 

We have to scrimp in other places to afford it, that's for sure. I read lots of frugal bogs, money saving mom, etc. nothing works!

 

 

Can you rearrange your menu so that the bases of the meal are allergy friendly? When I was eating GFCF, we based most of our meals over salads or rice. Or, it was meat + veg. The substitutes really can kill your grocery bill. We fed 5 (with only me GFCF) for $500/mo. and I am in an average cost grocery area.

 

Also, our Aldi carries a variety of non-dairy products....almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, etc.....all for much cheaper than elsewhere.

[joannqn]

What is a reasonable % of income that should be budgeted for groceries?

 

With a weekly menu and shopping at the cheapest store, we're spending 20% or less of our monthly income on groceries. I define groceries as anything we'd buy at the grocery store...so food, paper products, cleaning supplies, food storage (ie. ziploc bags), pet food and litter, OTC medications, etc. Our income varies considerably. I'd estimate the average to be somewhere around 16% of our income over the course of a year.

 

When we moved here, I was having a very difficult time getting into a routine. Typically, we'd walk to the closest store (which is also my preferred store) and buy just what I needed for the next 2-3 meals. I really liked the excuse for a daily walk. But we were spending $400-$700 more per month on groceries than we are now. Isn't that insane?

[Runningmom80]

Yeah, that's a good point, maybe the meals I make are expensive.

 

I never go to Aldi's, but I do try to buy most of my groceries at trader joes. Maybe ill try Aldi's next week.

 

 

Thanks for the help on everyone!

[joannqn]

Deleted totals in favor of the end of the month summary.

[Halcyon]

Lets see. As a percentage of our after tax take home pay, we spend about 10-15% on groceries. This includes paper products, wine, cleaning supplies, plastic bags, etc, but not dog food or cat food, which runs us about another 50 dollars a month.

 

When we lived in NYC we were easily spending double what we spend here in Florida on food.

[Halcyon]

Week One:

Jan 1: $57 curriiculum

Jan 1 cc: $1.99 kindle

Jan 2 $4.65 date stamp, cc: $19.99 nytimes sub, cc: $75 ymca sub,cc: $52 afterschool

Jan 3: $9.42 toothpaste, water for office and gum.

Jan 4: $12.05 shipping, vet: $143.50. cc $1.99 kindle book

Jan 5: $9.65 photos

Jan 6: $2.00 pen, cc $130 Groceries,cc $40 gas

_____________________________________________________________

Week Two:

1/7: $0

$50 cell phone (auto pay)

1/9: cc $52 afterschool child care. (autopay)

1/10: $0

1/11: $5 menu planning app.

1/12: $150 grocery, $4 comic.

1/13: $30 movies (Hobbit, long awaited)

1/14: $0

______________________________________________________________________

Week Three:

1/14: $0

1/15: $5 donut, hot choc, $15 omega 3 cc

1/16: $0

1/17: $5.50 snack, $21 Netflix cc, $20 gas, $18 groceries, $52 cc afterschool fees

1/18: $0

1/19: $150 groceries

1/20: $3.50 coffee and donuts

 

Week Four:

1/21: $7.99 Kindle book for son.

1/22: $7 dining out.

1/23:

1/24:

 

Amount Transferred to Savings This Month: $75

No Spend Days This Month: 6/5

Eating Out: $15.50

Groceries this month: $450/$600

Nothing outside budget so far.

Month so far ALL expenses except mortgage and utilities (inc. gas, groceries, childcare, phone, medical): $1149

______________________________________________________________________

Goals:

1. To get my spending UNDER a certain pre-set amount each month and contribute the remainder to emergency fund.

2. To start creating sinking funds for car repairs and vet bills.

3. To begin paying off extra on the mortgage.

4. To use food in cupboard for staples.

[Runningmom80]

I just calculated, we spend 13-16% on groceries.

[historically accurate]

^{1/1 -- $0 (Yay me!)}

^{1/2 -- Walgreens $9 (various Xmas clearance)}

^{1/3 -- Groceries $83, Children's Place $38 (leggings for under skirts & hat for middle dd)}

^{1/4 -- DH wanted pizza, and I am weak... $17}

^{1/5 -- Groceries $66, Pet Supplies $7, Children's Place $7 (needed to return 1 item from the 3rd and I picked up another pair of leggings)}

^{1/6 -- Groceries $29, Curriculum $5 (had $15 in TRU rewards and bought a CSI kit for $20)}

 

^{1/7 -- this was supposed to be a no - spend day, but... $75 for a new car battery & $35 for gas, since DH had to take my car to work this morning. Just found out that DH bought $11 worth of toys from the clearance area while waiting for the car. So adding that.}

^{1/8 -- $0}

^{1/9 -- $25 gift for family member, $36 chess tournament entry fee, $40 gas}

^{1/10 -- $11 medicine, $35 dinner}

^{1/11 -- $20 parking at museum}

^{1/12 -- $12 groceries (donut run by DH), $35 robotics class fee for oldest}

^{1/13 -- $0 (YAY!!!)}

 

^{1/14 -- $108 for groceries & ice melt, $3 shipping (for an ebay sale, so I've been paid for this!), $3 library fine (DOH!)}

^{1/15 -- $0 (Woot! Woot!)}

^{1/16 -- $0 Two days in a row!}

^{1/17 -- $80 science museum membership (planned), $20 art classes for middle dd, $35 gas, $17 pizza}

^{1/18 -- $0}

^{1/19 -- $55 groceries}

^{1/20 -- $13 curriculum (I had a gift card to Amazon that was like a sirensong to me, so I now own WWS and a google earth book)}

 

^{1/21 -- $0}

1/22 -- $40 Delivery for dinner (I'm sick & DH had a bad day at work)

 

^{Groceries: $353/$600}

^{Eating Out: $109/$125}

^{No Spend Days: 7/10}

[MicheleinMN]

Not the best week here. Not horrible, but a lot of can't be helped expenses, like propane. Dh finished his books from Christmas, and I went ahead and ordered the next 2 for him. You need to understand that dh is NOT a reader, so I almost feel about him liking a book series as I would one of my kids. (It's the Princess of Mars series for anyone who is just dying to know.) He watched John Carter and really enjoyed it, so I thought he might enjoy reading the actual books, and he really has! And, of course, they were 4 for 3 books, so I HAD to order 2 more books. (one about money and the other a book in a series for the children, so no fun books for me.)

 

My birthday is next month and can I tell you about the list of stuff I have on it from not buying things throughout January?!

[Runningmom80]

I'm liking the idea of spending money that a previous poster suggested upthread. DS gets $10 twice a month. I've decided that the grown ups are getting $20 each every 2 weeks for incidental spending so we don't feel deprived.

 

Another idea I had, inspired by someone's mention of gift cards: within the year we will have a Whole Foods near us (aka 'Whole Paycheck"). In order to prevent out of budget experiences, we're going to purchase a $100 gift card each month. When we've used up the gift card, we're done there and will do the rest of our shopping at our usual places.

 

 

This is a great idea! I'm going to think about this. I call it whole paycheck too. :)

[mhaddon]

I don't have dates, but the only thing we have spent money on this month has been at the grocery store (no eating out), on gas and that was cut a LOT, two rolls of paper towels, and electricity, rent, and two ring pops as a treat for the girls at my daughters cheer competition. I''ve also listed a lot of my daughters cloth diapers and wool and put that money in our bank account. So we are on the plus side if you take out that we haven't spent any money on anything not needed...

[Deb in NZ]

I think I spent as much today as in the 22 previous days :ohmy: Ds#2 & I were getting his things ready for school as the new year starts next week. I thought that I had enough in our home supply for all that he needed but he forgot to mention a few things. Todays totals =

$29.99 new backpack (he forgot to tell me that his old backpack was falling to bits)

$80.99 uniform shoes (his feet have grown 3 sizes over our summer holidays!)

$56.73 misc. stationary (only $23.27 was for school, I also bought a fabric tape ($25 = half price) for my labeler to label all the new-to-us uniforms)

$20 lunch at McD for ds#2 & I (we haven't eaten out all month & I was hot, hungry, & tired, so we stopped)

$20 Hair cut for ds#2

$1.20 parking

$12 Lotto

$44.99 Beer (3 dozen) for dh as it was a very hot, very frustrating day (I hid half for the next very hot, very frustrating day :001_rolleyes: )

 

$265.90 = total spent today

[4kidlets4me]

My DD informed me today that she had a semester project to do in choir that is due on Friday. So she needed posterboard and some sticker letters to the tune of $6.34.

 

Week 1:

 

1/1- 2.99 Les Mis kindle book

1/2- 0

1/3 -129.64- eating out, groceries, misc purchases

1/4- 0

1/5- 2.91 video game, book

1/6 -0

 

Week 2:

1/7 0

1/8 0

1/9 -27.74 new toaster

1/10 -2.16- kindle book

1/11- 0

1/12- 22.83- pizza out and 1.18 in screws

1/13 0

 

Week 3:

1/14- $15 over my grocery budget. I picked up some cold stuff to have on hand. I felt like I was coming down with something

1/15- $11.77 fast food. In my defense we were out of the house from 11:30-7:30 and very hungry!

1/16- 0

1/17- $20 over budget on groceries

1/18- $96.74-new drill for DH

1/19- 0

1/20- 0

 

Week 3:

1/21- 24.38 2 pairs of jeans for my daughter.

1/22- $6.34 poster board and stickers

 

Total: $362.50

[Deb in NZ]

For the food allergies, he is allergic to dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, all nuts, barley, white potatoes, most legumes, etc etc. we try to all eat the same dinner, so the cost for the substitutes goes up. I.e. gluten free pastas, different milk and oils, shortening, etc.

 

The vegan thing, I really can't figure out why we are spending more. The only thing I can come up with is more fresh produce. I also buy organic for the dirty dozen, maybe that's it? I don't buy many meat subs, and beans and tofu are cheap. My twins drink coconut milk, that may add to it. My older ds drinks hemp milk for the fat. That's expensive, but he's the only one drinking it.

 

DH tells me not to stress over the grocery budget, he doesn't believe there is much we can do, and any major effort will equal a negligible savings, which has been the case in the past. I'm the one who is p*ssed about it. ;)

 

 

For ease & economics I would look at eating a more Asian diet rather than using GF/etc. substitutes. And if your twins don't have allergies, wouldn't they be better off eating a wide variety of foods? I would aviod nuts for everyone if that allergy is extreme, but the other foods would help you keep food costs down for everyone else. If your dc with the allergies can eat meat, it may be a good way for him to get the necessary fats when you consider all the other foods he can't eat.

 

When I cater for scouts I don't make everyone eat the special diet of the few. I couldn't afford to even consider this. The vegetarians have a lentil/rice dish in place of the meat, but eat the same veggies, etc. as everyone else. The GF people have a different cereal / wrap / etc., but eat the same as the rest of us for the majority of the dishes. I do make sure that any thickening agent I use is GF.

 

Take my thoughts with a grain of salt as I haven't had to work around allergies. I am lactose intolerant, but it isn't life threatening. I just avoid milk for myself, but everyone else in the family drinks it with no problem. Making my dc go dairy-free because of my intolerance would most likely produce an intolerance in them, something I do not want to do. My sister does have to eat GF just to survive, so it has crossed my mind what I would do if I found I had to go GF. JMHO

[Deb in NZ]

1 Jan---$0

2 Jan---$0

3 Jan---$6 (2 x 2 litres milk)

4 Jan---$0

5 Jan---$2 sausage at sausage sizzle for DH+ $28 lotto tickets for us & mil+ $8.90 fish bait for ds#2

6 Jan---$0

***Week 1 subtotal =$44.90

 

7 Jan---$11 seed raising mix +$6 (2 x 2 litres milk)

8 Jan---$24 for two books dh bought on TradeMe (but he sold some scrap metal for $35)

9 Jan---$16.50 for two more books dh bought on TradeMe (but mil gave him $10 from the winning ticket we gave her last weekend)

10 Jan---$6 (2 x 2 litres milk) + $8 fish bait + $18 med (to replace some that expired in '95 )

11 Jan---$80 four stationary motors from TradeMe for ds#2 to rebuild to help finish the quadbike he's rebuilding+ $8 fishbait + $22 beer for dh + $30.50 shorts & sunscreen for dd

12 Jan---$37 for two books dh bought on TradeMe + $18.70 for coffees for dh, me, dd, & ds#1 (dd shipped out today & the captain told us to take her for a coffee when we dropped her off, so that $$ was on Captain's orders )+ $14 Lotto

13 Jan---$18 dive tank rental (for dh to do a job for dd's ship as they lost something overboard & his tanks are old & empty)

***Week 2 subtotal =$317.70

 

14 Jan---$90.51 fuel for my car + 56.13 Fruit/Veg + $6 (2 x 2 litres milk) + $12.65 fence screws + $17.10 piece to fix dingy

15 Jan---$3.50 parking + $14 postage stamps + $25.50 ds#2's b-day gift + $20 fuel for dh's car + $17.64 misc. tool part

16 Jan---$1.70 parking (I had jury duty in town)

17 Jan---$0

18 Jan---$6 (2 x 2 litres milk)

19 Jan---$9 for one book dh bought on TradeMe + $12 lotto + $24.97 pizza

20 Jan---$0

***Week 3 subtotal = $316.70

 

21 Jan---$0

22 Jan---$6 (2 x 2 litres milk) + $26.96 gas fittings + $58.13 fuel for dh's car & lawnmower + $7.60 sparkplug

23 Jan---$265.90 school shopping day with ds#2 (details in post 50)

24 Jan---

25 Jan---

26 Jan---

27 Jan---

***Week 4 subtotal = $364.59

 

January total = $1038.88

Food/Grocery = $92.13

Beer / Eat Out = $132.66

Unexpected income = $45

No Spend Days = 7

 

My goals for January:

#1---Spend as little as possible as estimated monthly income is $0.

#2---Eat mainly from our pantry/freezer/garden.

#3---Learn to make do or do without whenever possible.

#4---Use our month of summer holidays to help instill healthy habits

[Runningmom80]

Yes, definitely. for lunch and breakfast we all eat different things, it's just after cooking two meals for breakfast and lunch, I try to give myself a break with dinner. So we all eat the things he's allergic to, besides nuts. Also he does eat meat. He can't have soy or other legumes, plus he likes it, and I don't feel right cutting more out of his diet.

 

Also, my ds is contact sensitive to wheat, he needed his epi pen a year ago because he put his arm in any empty wheat noodle box. (It was a "blaster") so I don't full around with the two pots if pasta because something as stupid as putting the wrong spoon in the wrong pot could mean a trip to the ER.

 

We actually only eat pasta once a week, most nights it's rice or polenta, or something like that. Maybe ill cut it out of the dinner menu and see if that helps.

 

 

Eta: meant to quote deb in nz. Not sure what happened. Lol

[Runningmom80]

 

 

{Week 1}

1/1 - $0

1/2 - $30 copays for sick twins

1/3 - $27 ($7 for prescription $20 for various personal needs)

1/4 - $10 (moleskin notebook)

1/5 - $0

1/6 - $9 (snapfish deal!)

 

{Week 2}

1/7 - $150 blech

1/8 - $0

1/9 - $5 (wine for dinner guests)

1/10 - $7 coffees

1/11 - $51 shoes for kids

1/12 - $5 the happiness project kindle

1/13 - 0

 

{Week 3}

1/14 $15 (copay)

1/15 - $39

1/16 - $25

1/17 - $3

1/18 - $1

1/19 - $25

1/20 - $0

 

{Week 4}

1/21 - $0

1/22 - $22 (Allegra & tape at target)

1/23

1/24

1/25

1/26

1/27

 

{Week 5}

1/28

1/29

1/30

1/31

 

----

Total for month: $419

 

 

Well, now I'm obsessing over this Waldorf math curriculum that costs a million dollars. I was minding my own business on Instagram and it popped up on this awesome Montessori mom's feed.

 

 

I will say that I've definitely made progress, I think before I buy now, especially with small purchases. My want list in turn is showing only big ticket items. Lol.

 

I may need a real live support group for my problem!

[Runningmom80]

I do want to say again, thankyou to everyone trying to help, and also for validating my frustration with my grocery spending! Dh would rather just take the easy way out, lol.