[dreamgrlsd]

Happy Birthday and Anniversary to everyone who is celebrating this month!!

Thanks Brie for doing this thread again. I have learned so much from everyone’s post and it has encouraged me to be more conscience on my spending!!

I’m counting the month at 4 weeks. I use Fridays as my weekly cutoff date because it’s easier for me to keep track. I am adding a new category this month. I work in Downtown San Diego and my company doesn’t pay for our monthly parking anymore so I have to hopefully find parking on the street or I end up paying for parking for the day. Most of the parking lots around here are really expensive on a monthly scale so that is out the window. So now I’m going to track the spending for it. I need to figure out more ways to save since holidays are coming up. I lowered some of my totals, I don’t know if it’s going to work but I’ going to give it a shot. Since I have found a grocery store by my house that has good sales on meat I might be able to make it. My freezer is full so now I have to stock up on side items. I have started to try to eat a little healthier, which is hard for me since I really don’t like a lot of vegetables or fruit. But I am finding ways to incorporate them. I’ve lost 20 pounds in the last 4 months which is a lot for me so I want to try to keep going.

REMAINING OCTOBER BUDGET:
- Food/H&B/Stockpile/Coupons (Newspapers): $280.00 (70/Week)
- Gas & Parking: $400.00 (100/Week)
- Eating Out: $80.00 (20.00/week)

CURRENTLY I HAVE:
- ECB: $23.76
- +Up Rewards: $0.00
- RR: $0.00
- Albertsons Catalina: $0.00
- Vons Catalina: $0.00
- Gift Cards: $135.39 (I have GCs to Office Depot, 2 Shell, Mobil, The Container Store, Olive Garden, and Tommy’s Deli, Starbucks, Regal)
- Rebate Cards: $100.00 (I'm not sure if I want to use it for the budget or pay a bill with it, so I'm including it for now)

[missdanalu]

Can I ask why people post how many RR & ECB they are starting with? Do you count ECB spent as part of your spending?

Here's an update. I know, it doesn't look good but this is pretty typical for us. We do most of our shopping in one weekend and then the rest of the week we usually stay in and do nothing

From 9/30 - 10/13.

Grocery : $150
- 9.69 Target
- 1.08 Walmart
- 90.18 Walmart
Remaining: 49.05 - Pretty good I will probably only spend about 10.00 on groceries so I should come out about 35.00 ahead here!
Couponing : $5
- $1.99 bought 20 Covergirl MQ
Remaining - $3.01 - I got a $10 CVS giftcard on Saturday! So this should take care of my couponing budget for the month!
Gas : $100
- 47.86
Remaining: 52.14
Clothes : $50
- 49.75 Sears
Remaining: .25. And I bought everything I needed!
Entertainment : $75
- 4.00 Pending Tips
- 17.75 Breakfast (10/1)
- 12.21 Lunch (10/1)
- 47.73 Dinner (10/2)
- 3.99 Breakfast (10/3)
Remaining: -10.68. I said this was our downfall didn't I?? That's really not bad, we usually don't eat out during the week so this shouldn't go down too much further.

[Basketlover]

OK Started with 300.00 groceries/Hba.(-Wags 3.60) 296.40(plus 100.00 Fareway gc)
50.00 Entertainment(- 36.50, Lion King for dd bday)= 13.50 left
100.00 eating out(29.75 2 pizza's for dd bday)=70.25, forgot to put in original thread
75.00 postage not used

Went to Wags used all RR, spent 3.60 and got 20.50 in RR
Hoping to stay away from the grocery store this week and use up some stockpile.

[sugarloaf10]

Alright, here's to another month! October is by far my favorite month of the year- just love all the colors, activities, cool weather, baking oh and my birthday of course!

Here is our budget for the month. This is for me (7 months pregnant), DH and DD (15 months)

Groceries: $300 (seems to be a reasonable amount for us. We just consume a lot of whole foods like butter, milk, cheese, meats)
Household: $40
Clothing/Misc: $100 (higher this month since we all need some new clothes)
Eating Out: $0

10/1- Ate at Mcdonalds for lunch on way home from camping. Certainly could have planned that one better! Spent $4.89.

Stopped in Bass Pro Shops and got DD a pair of fleece pants that will be perfect for camping. Paid $10.

10/2- DH had to run to store for milk, cheese, a lime and tortilla chips. Also had to buy another kitty litter box. Spent $15.81

10/3- Went to Aldi for meat, milk, cheese, butter, bread, cereal, crackers, bread mix, produce and other odds and ends such as chocolate syrup, canned beans, canned corn, tomato paste, boxed potatoes ect. Spent $75.

Also went to Goodwill and found a great fall Puma jacket and long sleeved shirt for DD. Spent $4.

Remaining:

Groceries: $210
Household: $40
Clothing/Misc: $86
Eating Out: -$4.89

[EStimpert]

Start Point:
$300 in groceries
$50 stockpile
$100 gas
$150 additional items (clothes, bday presents, etc)


My month started last Thursday so I’ve got a few things to add. $49.30 for gas, $18.31 at the Commissary and $20.86 I had to add to my daughters school food account since she eats breakfast there. I’m out of a lot of things at home and planning a big trip tomorrow at the Commissary so I may break the budget with that. We are already WAY over for additional items, since my husband bought a few things for Christmas already as well as some stuff to keep him occupied during his deployment. I also have sent him a couple packages, he needed a specific calculator for one of his classes, and both my girls needed new shoes. I was hoping my 14 month old would be able to wear my older ones hand me downs but they aren’t the same size in the same season so I spent some buying her winter clothes too. So I planned for $150 and already am at $587.87

Remaining
Groceries: 260.83
Stockpile: $50
Gas: 50.50
Additional Items: -$437.87

[josies21]

I amm in this month, I was with you guys last month just didn't really post, it was my first month.
$400 for grocery and stockpile
$100 for entertainment ( this is to include all halloween candy and costumes for my boys
and maybe a small party )
$65 eatting out
$110 gas
This may seem high but trust me its soooo much better then I used to do.

So far I spent $6 from entertainment red box movie and $5 movie for my 3 year old
and about $15 from grocery and stockpile but got oranges for son's pre school class, two gal milks, 5 scrubbing bubbles, 6 covergirl blush and a pack of diapers.

I love this thread, thanks guys and good luck

[EStimpert]

Originally Posted by josies21

$100 for entertainment ( this is to include all halloween candy and costumes for my boys

I am glad you brought this up. We are going to a friends, who came to our house last year when we bought the candy, so I wont be buying any this year and my baby is wearing a costume my oldest had (a chicken ) and I told my 5 year old she needs to pick something out of her dress up chest since she has a costume for every Disney Princess already! I may (cross my fingers) not spend anything on Halloween this year By the way, is it just me or do others find that there kids get way too much candy and take half of it and put it in the basket to give away to other Trick or Treaters? I did this last year and my daughters never even noticed!

[dreamgrlsd]

LOL That is so true! When my son was little he always got a lot of candy and when he was looking I'd take some out and give it away. I don't remember buying candy to hand out, I'd just use his. This year my apartment complex is having a party so I might be able to give them some candy if my son and his friends don't get to it first.

[Kangie07]

Another newbie in this month with a family of 7. My monthly budget is 364.00 (includes groceries, hba, paper/plastic, newspapers & postage)
Gas 320.00 ( hope to decrease using fuel perks)
Dining out DH birthday 50.00
Entertainment 63.00


10/2 newspapers 15.64

364.00 - 15.64 = 348.36 remaining

Happy Anniversaries and Birthdays to all celebrating this month!

[N8ntara2]

I would like to join in. I am just starting so I think I am going to budget $200 this month for food. I am really trying to use my stockpile this month, and I have been checking the cooking from stockpile recipes on AFC. I know I can do it with you guys keeping me on track. I should only have to buy dairy, meat, and produce throughout the month.

[quickclips4money]

300-61= 239.00 left groceries
120.00 - 33 = 87 left eating out
Wow Am I gonna make it?

[couponcort]

I'd like to join in. This is mostly for just me, though once in a while I get something to give away. This is my first month posting and I'm sure some of my estimates will be off, but I'd love to hit the total number, if not the numbers for each category. Given my small-ish stockpile and eating habits, but my slight drugstore addiction, I think it's doable

For Oct 1 through 31st:

Grocery stores: $100
Dining out: $30
Drugstores: $40
Gas: $300
Pet (food & other): $38
Clothing (new & laundromat/dry cleaning): $75
Entertainment: $100
Gifts: $60

ECBs: $12.77
RRs: $6
UPs: $2
Target GC: $3? unsure of exact amt
Whole Foods GC: $20

[goldie39]

Good luck to everyone especially to "newbies"...welcome to tread...

[2boys4me]

I went way over budget last month to the point that I didn't even add it up at the end. Too depressing. If my family wasn't so picky I could do better. One of these months I'm going to be under budget! But probably not this month either. So...

Grocery budget ~ $430

[dreamgrlsd]

I have a question, I am so trying to figure out a way to help me stay on budget. I was wondering if any of you try using prepaid or giftcards to a store to help budget yourself? I was thinking maybe if I buy a card it would be a better plan.

[sugarloaf10]

Originally Posted by dreamgrlsd

I have a question, I am so trying to figure out a way to help me stay on budget. I was wondering if any of you try using prepaid or giftcards to a store to help budget yourself? I was thinking maybe if I buy a card it would be a better plan.

I started using cash only 3 months ago and it has helped me tremendously. I take out my grocery, household, eating out, babysitting, clothing/misc, and pets budgeted amounts and put them in envelopes. Sometimes I "hide" envelopes if I know I shouldn't use it til the end of the month, . This has seriously helped me stay in budget- when the money is gone, it's gone.

[Dominochic]

Originally Posted by dreamgrlsd

I have a question, I am so trying to figure out a way to help me stay on budget. I was wondering if any of you try using prepaid or giftcards to a store to help budget yourself? I was thinking maybe if I buy a card it would be a better plan.

I do the same thing as Sugarloaf10. My husband gives me my $150 and then I know when it's gone. It really works a lot better for me than a debit card - I can keep track of it easier.

[Dominochic]

Budget: $150 + $2 (MIR) and $2 roll-over from last month
10/4 Walmart: $32.xx
10/4 P.O: $4.40 (stamps)
10/4 Kmart: $4.00
Remaining: $113.xx

[marenian]

I am in again this month. Thanks, Brie, for starting up the new thread. I went over last month (again) so I'm going to keep my totals the same.

Groceries - $425.00 (include food, household, HBA, pets, papers)
Eating out - $250.00 (still would like to get this lower)
Work breakfast/lunch - $50.00

Other goals for October:
- clean up my garden planter and pots. DH made a compost bin for me last weekend and the weather is supposed to be nice all week so really need to get this done.
- make applesauce and freeze apples - DD and I went to the apple orchard and managed to get a few last apples...they were really picked over.
- clean out kids' closets. They still both have winter clothes hangiing up from last year and while DS can still wear most of his except jeans (I cannot believe that boy got taller yet!!), DD has grown and I need to pack up all her size 4 and below.
- Organize my coupons. It's been several months since I've file anything in a binder and I feel so disorganized without it.

Would love to add to the list but there is lots going on here this month...soccer, then basketball, school functions, DS' birthday, Halloween/fall festivities. Always seems like we try to cram as much into October as possible before winter hits.

After this past weekend's shopping, here is where I stand:
Groceries - Spent $104.28, $302.72 remaining
Eating out - Spent $71.84, $178.16 remaining
Work breakfast/lunch - Spent $12.20, $37.80 remaining

Good luck everyone!!

[goldie39]

Thanks Marenian for reminding me of chores...i have to clean up my garden too...How did your DH made you compost bin,i would soooooo love one...i started cleaning my basement so have to finish that up and put everything in boxes,have to clean up garage and paint our bathroom...will have carpet cleaners to come tomorrow and clean up carpet...whowho...

[junewonder]

Its very nice to see so many new faces.

My To do list:
Last month I got off the meal planning bandwagon and we were eating the same things over and over again. When I went through my pantry looking for peanut butter last evening, I found lots of empty containers and lots of other stuff waiting to be used up. So I guess I'll make a list of what I have and empty that first and wash all containers(hate that job). Some of the snapware ones are 'handwash only' .
I'm out of wwflour, oats, peanuts, fish, pb and many other staples. If we run out of milk, i'll get it but other than that I might not shop till Saturday. Let me see if I can do this.

There is also this closet cleaning thing to be done while getting out all the winter wear. That will be during the third week of october.

[purplerain]

Oct. 2
Rite Aid
Easy Mac 2/$5.00
Cherry Honey Ricola 2/$3.00
oop: $8.18 w. $1.00 +up

Oct. 3
Meijer (Warren, MI)
Organic Black grapes $1.49o2.09= $3.11
Meijer Naturals organic mustard $1.79
Meijer Cheesy Treats $1.00
oop: $5.89

Oct. 4
Meijer (Perrysburg, OH)
Jiffy Corn Muffin mix $0.50
Meijer Naturals Unsweetened Applesauce $2.29
Meijer Glazed Doughnuts (6 ct) $1.79
Meijer Stadium Cheese Dip $2.59
Confetti Frosted Pop Tarts $2.19
oop: $10.76

Groceries: $152.89
Drive-thru/dine-in: $21.20
Vacation fund: $155.61
ECBs (First card): $20.00
ECBs (Dad's card): $0.00
+ups: $5.50
RRs: $0.00

Sent from my iPhone using AFullCup

[couponcort]

OOP since last post:
CVS - Swiffer, refill, Magic erasers, razor: $1.59
Shoprite - free veggies w/ doubled coupon: $0
Gas - $55.01 fill up
McDonald's: $7.16 ()
Haunted House Groupon: $6.50

ECBs: rec'd $1.50 Summer spending, now have $13.77


For Oct 1 through 31st:

Grocery stores: $100
Dining out: $30 - $7.16 = $22.84
Drugstores: $40 - $1.59 = $38.41
Gas: $300 - $55.01 = $244.99
Pet (food & other): $38
Clothing (new & laundromat/dry cleaning): $75
Entertainment: $100 - $6.50 = $93.50
Gifts: $60

ECBs: $12.77 -> $13.77
RRs: $6
UPs: $2
Target GC: $3? unsure of exact amt
Whole Foods GC: $20

[EStimpert]

Start Point:
$300 in groceries
$50 stockpile
$100 gas
$150 additional items (clothes, bday presents, etc)


I went to the Commissary today and bought food for hopefully the whole month. I plan to make a menu this weekend so that my food wont go to waste and I know it will stretch further.
I had to make two trips, I did everything this morning and then remembered I completely forgot to get what my husband needs me to send him so I had to go back. I did get to use those Energizer Max IP's that were on their FB page for a little while, they were $3/1 8 pack, & the Commissary had them for $3.99, I love getting cheap batteries So my first trip was $197.19 and then my husband stuff I had to go back for was $10.15.
Oh and to add to my RIDICULOUS additional funds, I had to go to the dentist today and had a co-pay of $62.60

Remaining
Groceries: $53.49
Stockpile: $50
Gas: $50.50
Additional Items:$ -($500.47)

[jade43]

Did some pantry/stockpile shopping
$122.81
.40 at Walgreens
Balance $122.41
$16.14 Rite Aid $16.15
Balance $106.26
I hope everyone a wonderful day