Changes will be happening here in the next year. Primarily our living situation. My husband isn't even home from deployment, but we expect him to be going to school this summer. We are just waiting on orders. This is considered a permanent move from the military's stand point. The school is for about four months and from there he will then need to move to his next assignment. Wherever that is! We don't know yet. However, that secret location is where we will all end up in 2012.

Do you know what this does to me from a financial standpoint? I'm going crazy thinking of paying for two households for at least 5 months, but up to 10. We still have to buy DH a vehicle just to get to and from work once he returns. I wondering if we should finance more of the vehicle than planned just to have cash for maintaining two households. Decisions. Decisions.

We could move with him at the same time to school and then to the next location. Our consideration is the girls. My oldest will be a 9th grader and the youngest a 6th grader starting middle school. I don't think they should have to move twice in a school year. Once will be enough.

I do feel fortunate to have the cash to pay for two households, but it isn't really how I want to spend our extra funds, ya know? Stay tuned there will be more to this saga at some point.

Our no spend month of March is over! I'm very happy about that. It was kind of a long month. It was well worth it to come out with over $200 in money that could have been just spent away.

Total Funds $957.96
Total Spent $756.88
Total Saved $201.08(21%)

Human Food: $355.13 (37%)
Fuel: $163.69 (17%)
Birthday: $139.34 (14.5%)
Health: $28.74 (3%)
Cat Food: $28.61 (3%)
Appliances: $26.37 (2.8%)
Car Washes: $15 (1.6%)

The amount of cash that we had to work with is simply based on our normal budget. While DH is away, our spending cash is about $500 per pay period (2x per month). It is often very tight with spending anyway, but it keeps us in check. I pay all the bills due during the pay period, set aside our $500 for spending and put the rest towards our goal(s). Right now that goal is our truck savings. In March we saved $2800 towards the truck. Oh, make that $3000, since I added the $200 we didn't spend to that goal.

I will admit there are some non necessities in our spending. The car washes were a Groupon deal that I couldn't pass up, since I knew I would need and use them in the future. So far, I've only used one of three car washes I purchased.

I also had quite a bit of snacks in the grocery spending that could definitely be considered non necessities. Coffee, cookies, brownies, soda, chips to name a few. The grocery category does include a few non food purchases such as dishwasher detergent and hair products. Those types of things were minimal.

Fuel was a big expense, but necessary as I drive my girls to school everyday. We probably saved here though because we had spring break for one week and had less driving.

Remember those birthday expenses were an exception for the no spend month. I would have spent this same money on her birthday even if it had not been a no spend month. But wow. If she didn't have a birthday I would have saved even more!! This was the only time we got take away food, which was around $35.

The appliance was the toaster that I felt was necessary after our 15 year old toaster quite on us early in the month. It's a nice stainless steel and works great. No regrets!

The cat food expense is only every three months and just happened to fall during our no spend month. My fat cats could have probably waited a month without food. Just kidding!!

It has been an interesting experience, one that I may repeat at another point in the future. I would highly recommend that everyone attempt a no spend month once. Just once. And not just for the savings, but also to observe our spending habits, patterns and thought processes about spending.

I have added an additional $1,172 to our truck savings. This includes the $200 I saved from our no spend month in March.

New Balance: $8,528
Yipee!!

Oh, and if you read my earlier post about the Today Show....April Fool's. My husband will return in April, but we will not be announcing the reunion on national television. Sorry!

I'm off to go shopping. One month is plenty for no spending!!

Today will be a no spend day. I know I can do this!!

However, yesterday I ran to the store, again. I picked up a few grocery items and a hair product. I spent $12.20.

Balance Forward: $508.41
Gift Purchase: (9.53)
Cash Gift (50.00)
Prescription (22.00)
Grocery Purchase (69.00)
Birthday Eats (30.86)
Grocery Purchases (6.66)
Grocery Purchase: (3.47)
Fuel Purchase: (56.99)
Grocery Purchase: (40.33)
Grocery Purchase: (6.29)
Previous Balance: $213.28

Grocery Purchase: (12.20)
New Balance: $201.08

Geez, I'm cutting it close to my $200! But I'm still in the game. It looks like most of us are unable to do a no spend month for April, but LittleMsMom is going to spend as little as possible in April with a few exceptions. Rememeber I made an exception for my daughter's birthday in March. I guess I would have saved more if I picked a non birthday month! Oh well.

Tomorrow I'll reflect back on the month with a wrap up post about my March No Spend Month. Stay tune.

Today WILL be a no spend day. I shopped at SuperTarget for a few more grocery items and a hair product last night. Damage to the checking account: $12.20.

Balance Forward: $508.41
Gift Purchase: (9.53)
Cash Gift (50.00)
Prescription (22.00)
Grocery Purchase (69.00)
Birthday Eats (30.86)
Grocery Purchases (6.66)
Grocery Purchase: (3.47)
Fuel Purchase: (56.99)
Grocery Purchase: (40.33)
Grocery Purchase: (6.29)
Previous Balance: $213.28

Grocery Purchase: (12.20)
New Balance: $201.08

Geez, cutting it really close to that $200 goal! But it is still $200. I'll do a wrap up post about our no spend month later today or tomorrow.

I made it through yesterday without spending any money. I noticed I'm out of soda and nearly out of butter. Hmmm. Will I break down and go to the store? Not sure yet.

I did a little math with the expected $200 I will have left at the end of the month. For the 31 days of March that is a savings of $6.45 per day. Another approach would be to pay yourself $6-7 per day and at the end of the month you will have about $200!

My experiment is almost over. Does any one plan to do a no spend month for April?

Well, I guess I gave it to them in exchange for grocery products. My daughters wanted juice and when I shopped on Sunday I failed to get any. Boo. There are only a few days left, but I'm not going to deny them juice!! I hit Walmart for two types of juice and spent $6.29. Seems high. I need to do better about looking for these things on sale and stocking up.

Balance Forward: $508.41
Gift Purchase: (9.53)
Cash Gift (50.00)
Prescription (22.00)
Grocery Purchase (69.00)
Birthday Eats (30.86)
Grocery Purchases (6.66)
Grocery Purchase: (3.47)
Fuel Purchase: (56.99)
Grocery Purchase: (40.33)
Previous Balance: $219.57

Grocery Purchase: (6.29)
New Balance: $213.28

My balance is still above $200. Yipee!!

I wonder. Was the money I spent today the last of my spending for March? It seems like it could be!!

Balance Forward: $508.41
Gift Purchase: (9.53)
Cash Gift (50.00)
Prescription (22.00)
Grocery Purchase (69.00)
Birthday Eats (30.86)
Grocery Purchases (6.66)
Grocery Purchase: (3.47)
New Balance: $316.89

Fuel Purchase: (56.99) !!!
Grocery Purchase: (40.33)
New Balance: $219.57

I would really like to end the month with an extra $200 in the account. It would make the effort very well worth it!

It was a no spend Saturday. Yipee!!

We stayed home, entertained ourselves with things around the house, ate from the cupboards and wanted for nothing.

Today. I have to get fuel and a few groceries to make it through Thursday. Only a five days to go in the no spend month.

Checking account balance to date: $316.89

As I said earlier in the month, the no spend month still has spending. It seems that it has primarily been food. I intended to only buy food we need at the moment. However, yesterday I made an exception and stocked up on pizza crusts that were on sale for 4 for $1. I thought I would buy 12 but ended up with only 8 since I needed another item and wanted to use the cash I had in my wallet rather than my debit card.

Balance Forward: $508.41
Gift Purchase: (9.53)
Cash Gift (50.00)
Prescription (22.00)
Grocery Purchase (69.00)
Birthday Eats (30.86)
Grocery Purchases (6.66)
Previous Balance: $320.36

Grocery Purchase: (3.47)
New Balance: $316.89

Is anyone else getting tired of my spending posts? I am!! At least the month is almost over. And even better it seems I will have saved some cash.

The birthday is over. We had Subway for dinner, and Cold Stone Creamery cupcakes for dessert. All very yummy. I spent $30.86. My sister was here, so that was dinner for four and there are two cupcakes left over.

I also had to run to the store for a card (not necessary) and coffee (necessary). I thought I needed mayo, too. When I went to put away the new mayo jar I opened I found another one in the fridge nearly full. Darn!

Balance Forward: $508.41
Gift Purchase: (9.53)
Cash Gift (50.00)
Prescription (22.00)
Grocery Purchase (69.00)
Previous Balance: $357.88

Birthday Eats (30.86)
Grocery Purchases (6.66)
New Balance: $320.36

I expect I'll need fuel either today or sometime this weekend. I also saw a very good deal on Betty Crocker pizza crusts (4 for $1). We use these quite often, so I think I'll buy 12. Super Target charges over $1 for each one, so you can see why I'm drawn to this deal.

I guess I stocked up a bit at the grocery store yesterday. All items were needed and should get us through the weekend. I also picked up my prescription.

Balance Forward: $$508.41
Gift Purchase: (9.53)
Cash Gift (50.00)
Previous Balance: $448.88

Prescription (22.00)
Grocery Purchase (69.00)
New Balance: $357.88

I feel really good with our balance this far. There are only 9 more days of the month! Right now I'm hoping for about $200 by the end of the month. That would mean cutting our spending this month by about 20%. Obviously, it all remains to be seen what the true results are. Can't wait!

(I always find it a bit amusing when my purchases come out even, like my grocery purchase did yesterday. Do you?)

Actually, I haven't literally wrapped the gifts yet, but I wrapped up the shopping! I got some pretty good deals on things she wanted and she is getting $50 in cash for her own spending fun.

I have promised her Subway for dinner and cupcakes from Cold Stone Creamery. Two favorites of hers! I expect those to cost about $35 later in the week.

Today I need to pick up a prescription as well as a few grocery items. It's a spending day for sure, but all necessities!

Balance Forward: $$508.41

Gift Purchase: (9.53)
Cash Gift (50.00)
New Balance: $448.88

As it turns out Sunday was a no spend day. We did shop and I did use my $10 Kohl's coupon for a set of socks that were on sale for $9. Free socks!!

The jeans shopping didn't work out. I will need to order online. Boo.

I'm not sure how the spending will be today. I'm going to try to delay going to the grocery store for one more day. I might finish up the birthday shopping. I guess I'll let you know tomorrow!

Spring and any other change of season can make for more spending. Do any of you feel like you are spending less this month? Or is it much more than usual?

While we were at the museum yesterday, I bought my daughter a book about the artist exhibit we saw. She wanted it and I said it could be a birthday gift...so another purchase! I need to wrap up the birthday spending in the next couple days...it's almost time for the big day.

Today, we are going to run by Old Navy for a pair of jeans for the youngest daughter and possibly Kohl's to use a $10 coupon that expires today. It is hard to pass up free money!!

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Birthday Purchase: (3.65)
Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
iHerb Purchase: (1.68)
Grocery Purchase: (4.62)
Gift Purchases (19.36)
Grocery Purchase (34.93)
Account Interest $0.07
Cat Food Purchase: (28.61)
Fuel Purchase: (52.21)
Coffee Purchase: (4.99)
Addition of Funds: $500.00
Grocery Purchase: (83.55)
Ebay Purchase: (0.94)
Health Purchase: (5.06)
Previous Balance: $533.41

Gift Purchase: (25.00)
New Balance: $508.41

I did end up with one expense yesterday. A health item I decided I needed before the end of the month. Cost $5.06.

My parents are visiting for the weekend. My mom is bringing some food. I'm making us homemade pizza for dinner tonight with items already on hand. We will probably eat out for lunch tomorrow to celebrate my oldest daughter's upcoming birthday. It will be their treat. We are visiting a free museum, too. I think I might get away without spending any money until Sunday. It's been a good spring break with minimal expenses. I noticed I still have quite a bit of fuel left in the van that I hope can make it through most of next week. Yipee!!

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Birthday Purchase: (3.65)
Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
iHerb Purchase: (1.68)
Grocery Purchase: (4.62)
Gift Purchases (19.36)
Grocery Purchase (34.93)
Account Interest $0.07
Cat Food Purchase: (28.61)
Fuel Purchase: (52.21)
Coffee Purchase: (4.99)
Addition of Funds: $500.00
Grocery Purchase: (83.55)
Ebay Purchase: (0.94)
Previous Balance: $538.47

Health Purchase: (5.06)
New Balance: $533.41

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from our Irish family to you!

Yesterday was a no spend day. I expect today to be the same. It is warm here and we will head out for a bike ride before the rain arrives tomorrow.

I played around with my online bank account and was able to add visibility to accounts at other banks. I also realized I can catagorize transactions, thus showing me exactly where our money goes each month. It must be similar to mint.com. I like the simplicity of it! Very exciting for me as a math nerd. I'm curious. Does your bank offer this? Do you use it? Has it helped you?

Tuesday I bought a book for the birthday girl on Ebay for $3.94, but had a $3 balance in my paypal account, so only $0.94 came from the checking account. I also made it to the grocery store. I will admit, I bought some wanted, but not needed, snacks. Part of the grocery purchase included conditioner and dish washer detergent.

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Birthday Purchase: (3.65)
Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
iHerb Purchase: (1.68)
Grocery Purchase: (4.62)
Gift Purchases (19.36)
Grocery Purchase (34.93)
Account Interest $0.07
Cat Food Purchase: (28.61)
Fuel Purchase: (52.21)
Coffee Purchase: (4.99)
Addition of Funds: $500.00
Previous Balance: $622.96

Grocery Purchase: (83.55)
Ebay Purchase: (0.94)
New Balance: $538.47

I think today just might be a NSM day. I'll let you know tomorrow!

It's payday. I'm adding $500 to our spending account for the month. This is the usual amount we set aside for spending at this time of the month. We ended the first half of the month with just over $122. I'm very pleased with how we did so far. I'm looking forward to seeing how we do by the end of the month.

On another spending note, my husband mentioned that he actually still had $50 of his spending money left. I don't think he was trying too hard, probably just too busy to spend!

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Birthday Purchase: (3.65)
Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
iHerb Purchase: (1.68)
Grocery Purchase: (4.62)
Gift Purchases (19.36)
Grocery Purchase (34.93)
Account Interest $0.07
Cat Food Purchase: (28.61)
Fuel Purchase: (52.21)
Coffee Purchase: (4.99)
Previous Balance: $122.96

Addition of Funds: $500.00
New Balance: $622.96

Fourteen days down, only 17 left to go!!

Sunday. Zero spending!

We ate from the cupboards and refrigerator. The snacks are near zero. But not quite.

We watched a movie on netflix. Played with our cats. Visted the neighbor cats twice. The girls played wii. I did some organizing in the basement: broke down boxes for recycling, and put away pictures.

It's spring break week here, so I expect today to be more of the same. It is a bit warmer, so maybe a walk on the trails later.

Tomorrow is payday and we will venture out for groceries. Might hit a free museum exhibit.

Saturday was a day of spending for necessities. I did find out that coffee is a necessity for me. Or at least one thing I'm not willing to forgo at this time!

We bought our regular three month supply of Science Diet cat food, filled up the van with fuel, and bought coffee. One daughter wanted a candy bar while we were getting coffee. She thought ahead and brought her gift card to pay for it.

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Birthday Purchase: (3.65)
Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
iHerb Purchase: (1.68)
Grocery Purchase: (4.62)
Gift Purchases (19.36)
Grocery Purchase (34.93)
Account Interest $0.07
Previous Balance: $208.77

Cat Food Purchase: (28.61)
Fuel Purchase: (52.21)
Coffee Purchase: (4.99)
New Balance: $122.96

Payday is just two days away. I think we are doing very well. I definitely have food to last through Tuesday.

I didn't spend any money on Wednesday or Thursday this week. Today, was another matter. I went birthday shopping and drove around way too much looking for things. I also picked up some groceries for the next few days. Here are the results:

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Purchase: (3.65)
Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
iHerb Purchase: (1.68)
Grocery Purchase: (4.62)
Previous Balance: $262.99

Gift Purchases (19.36)
Grocery Purchase (34.93)
Account Interest $0.07
New Balance: $208.77

There will be spending this weekend. Right now, it appears to be only cat food and fuel for the van. That is probably $80 between the two items. Payday is Tuesday and things look good so far.

In the last two days we have spent $4.62 for a few fill in groceries. I can be a little bad at planning the right amount. For example pasta sauce, would have been fine, but I did have two extra mouths to feed this past weekend. One of the girls really liked the sauce...thus it is now gone.

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Purchase: (3.65)
Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
iHerb Purchase: (1.68)
Previous Balance: $267.61

Grocery Purchase: (4.62)
New Balance: $262.99

I'm very pleased with this week so far. It is going to be a very nice day Friday, and I think I will use that day to be out birthday shopping for my daughter. I'm hoping to be able to use some coupons to reduce the cost of the gifts she wants.

One week has passed since I began the no spend, less spend month. I'm pretty happy with the results so far.

We began the month with $457.89. I have spent $190.28. Does that seem like a lot for one week? I did buy $55 worth of gas and a new toaster. Almost all the other expenditures were food.

Right now the checking account has $267.61. I will add more to the checking account balance at payday next week since that is our usual routine. At the end of the month, if there is a balance of $50 or more, I will consider this challenge a success. It is very possible the balance will be far more than $50.

During a no spend month:

When your clipping coupons, you don't bother to clip the ones that will expire before the end of the month, especially if you know you won't need that item.

It takes about two seconds to look at a department store or furniture ad, because you aren't buying those things this month.

There are fewer transactions to record in the checking account register.

I'm sure I'll notice a few more things as the month marches on.

Ugh. I really have trouble not spending, don't I? Today's expense really isn't too bad. I actually got a good deal.

I went to iHerb to purchase a supplement that was $12. Shipping was $1.68. I have ordered from them before and apparently I have earned rewards!! More than $20 in rewards. The $12 purchase became zero. I only paid for the shipping. Yipee!!

FIN012 for $5 off your first purchase.

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Purchase: (3.65)
Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
Previous Balance: $269.29

iHerb Purchase: (1.68)
New Balance: $267.61

Our toaster stopped working. It tried to die on me two weeks ago, but I got it to work again. That fix didn't work this time. And I think after 15 years it has done a very good job. In our house, a toaster is a necessity. Sure, I could have used the oven, but really it's just not efficient or convenient. I could have bought a cheaper toaster, but I didn't want to spend differently on a long term purchase, just because it is a no spend month.

I made a grocery run to pick up a few more essentials for the week: bananas, apples, more bread, bagels, parmesean cheese, vanilla, grahm crackers and 12 pack of pop. The pop isn't really a necessity...but I'm addicted. I also had to pay the deposit on those cans. The new checking account balance is below.

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Ebay Purchase: (3.65)
Previous Balance: $315.03

Toaster Purchase: (26.37)
Grocery Purchase: (19.37)
New Balance: $269.29

We'll see how we do through the week, but overall I'm pretty pleased with the spending or lack of. Is a toaster a necessity in your house?

There is no spending to deduct from our checking account. And I've even been to the mall!!

We had the sleepover and one of the mother's gave me a gift card for Papa Murphy's pizza. I think she felt bad since her daughter kind of invited herself to spend the night. There is more to the story, but I'll leave it at that.

Last night we ate pasta that I already had at the house. The girls picked that over pizza! Today, I took them to the mall where a couple of them spent their own money. Since, it was lunch time, we picked up a pizza with the gift card. I used a coupon to keep the pizza under the gift card amount, so I even have a gift card with a balance to return to the mother.

The plan is to stay home the rest of the day, which should result in zero spending!

I'm here to write to you about more spending during my no spend month. Odd isn't it.

I bought my daughter a used copy of Wii Music on ebay and used my $9 paypal balance, which was from Pinecone surveys, to pay for most of it. The remainder, $3.65, was deducted from the checking account.

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
Previous Balance: $318.68

Ebay Purchase: (3.65)
New Balance: $315.03

My youngest daughter needed a new folder for school. It turns out I had two in the house she could choose from. No money spent there. She is also having a friend (maybe 2) spend the night tonight. We'll have the pasta we already planned for dinner. And we have several options for breakfast. I'm not buying anything extra because we have company.

Here's looking forward to a no spend weekend!!

Today was another spend day here during the no spend month. All items are necessities.

I first made a trip to Panera with my friends. I ate a pumpkin muffie that was free with MyPanera Rewards. I drank water. I love free outings!!

I later stopped to fill up on gas, since my van was nearing zero. I paid $3.50/gallon and bought 15.5 gallons for a total of $54.49. I last filled up on February 22, which was about 10 days ago. Luckily, because of spring break I might actually spend less money on gas later this month.

I also made my second trip to the grocery store to stock up on items I know we will need and eat the rest of the month. I stuck to my list and spent $24.13. I bought several packages of chicken, cheese, tuna, oranges and strawberries and milk. I actually should have bought more chicken. I will wait until Monday to decide if I should go back for more before the sale ends.

Beginning Balance: 457.89
Groupon Purchase: (15.00)
Grocery Purchase: (45.59)
Previous Balance: $397.30

Fuel Purchase: (54.49)
Grocery Purchase: (24.13)
New Balance: $318.68

Quite a bit of spending so far...but except for the car washes I feel it has all been necessary expenses for the month.