Frugal April!

[LindseyC]

I had to start one for this month to stay on track.

Last night after doing my taxes, I realized I had made the lowest amount of money in 2017 then I had in two decades - due to being so sick and basically working part time. I was extremely depressed for a good hour and admit I was in tears of frustration. Then I realized I needed to pick myself up and look for a silver lining.

I started to research if maybe I was eligible for some rebate programs and found out I was eligible for both a hydro rebate and the enbridge natural gas winter warmth program. The second one works best with older homes (mines 100 years old) and they will actually come to your house and do insulation and draft repairs for free!!

I'm not officially accepted to either program but applying made me feel like I was at least making the effort to help myself. This year my health had been better and I am hoping this will be the year I turn it around and get back on track hence, that's why I am keeping up the monthly frugal thread!!

April 1 - no spend
April 2 - no spend
April 3 - winter blanket $38, taxes $22
April 4 - earned an extra $20 flipping a vintage camera

I made an extra $600 in March flipping items and my goal this month is only $200 because I am working a lot of extra hours at my day job. I also want to finally eat up the remaining food in my apartment sized freezer so I can defrost and clean it. Other then sticking to my budget those are my only two goals for this crazy busy month.

[nurseart]

Love this idea!

I'm not quite ready to post all my transactions, BUT you inspired me to write them all down! It's pretty interesting so far, and there are transactions I am not even aware of (netflix) etc, so thank you and I look forward to following along this month!

[haypug16]

I'm in! I'll update my transactions tonight. Goal will be to have 10 no spend days and stick to my budget of $2K in total expenses.

[westtoeast]

Always in.

Goal: Spend NO money except for food until I leave for a trip abroad on April 15 (with the exception of the following planned expenses)
- $20 (taking myself and friend out for her b-day)
- $25 (kickboxing classes)
- $10 (Uber to a doctor appointment)

[haypug16]

OK here goes;

April 1 - Puzzle of Smugglers Notch  $30.75
April 2 - No Spend                            $0.00
April 3 - Petsmart                            $25.49
April 3 - Al's (lunch)                        $10.97
April 4 - Stop N Shop (lunch)           $10.01

No Spend Days 1/10

Face Punch worthy purchases = $51.73

[LindseyC]

Face Punch worthy purchases = $51.73

We all do it. Don't beat yourself up too much.

[LindseyC]

April 1 - no spend
April 2 - no spend
April 3 - winter blanket $38, taxes $22
April 4 - earned an extra $20 flipping a vintage camera
April 5 - $40 healthy takeout, enough for 4 meals. Still annoyed at myself.

I have been continuing my 2018 push to reinvigorate my house. Painted a dresser I had that lives in a dark corner of my house. I wanted to brighten it up but keep some of its original character. I used paint I already had, so the cost was $0. I also made a mobile for my empty high ceiling in my living room. I wanted something that would move in the breeze from my high windows and that I could easily clean. Thrifted some items, used some items I had, total cost $2. (Total thrift score here $2.99 for 4 boxes of Umbra vines that cost $25 each in a store - I have lots left over to use elsewhere in my house.)

[haypug16]

Gorgeous job on the dresser LindseyC

April 1 - Puzzle of Smugglers Notch  $30.75
April 2 - No Spend                            $0.00
April 3 - Petsmart                            $25.49
April 3 - Al's (lunch)                        $10.97
April 4 - Stop N Shop (lunch)           $10.01
April 5 - Color Run Registration        $27.86
April 6 - My goal is to have another no spend day today.

No Spend Days 1/10

[westtoeast]

Wow, that dresser looks awesome!!

I already messed up my plan.... including tip, I spent $35 on dinner/drinks with coworkers. This is the area I continue to struggle with. Happens about once a month. I don't eat out when I'm alone, but social pressure + being hungry after work and not having snacks with me = increased spending.

On the bright side, I caught two $20 overcharges on my credit card and got it reversed. So that will help with my planned spending for a friend's birthday tonight. And tomorrow I'll be going to the movies using the moviepass I was gifted for my birthday, so I don't anticipate any more spending this week other than a grocery shop. I made my list so I'm ready to resist "fun food" temptations.

[Carrie]

March spending was high (some yard projects + family wedding travel), so I'm in need of a frugal April.

My goals are to use what I have to make my young daughter some summer dresses and clothes.  I found some vintage table linens at my FIL's house - he told me to take whatever I wanted, as he's getting old and wishing to downsize. I'm excited to be able to repurpose things my dear departed MIL used for my own daughter  (plus, yay, free, pretty, and good for the environment).

I'd like to spend less than $500 on groceries (5 people) and less than $60 on gasoline. No clothing spending.

So far April:
4/1 no spend
4/2  groceries $33
4/3 no spend
4/4 no spend
4/5 $27 gasoline car 1
4/6 no spend

[2Birds1Stone]

Glad I found this thread. My SO and I are trying to keep our spending sub $3k/month (all in including health insurance etc) in HCOL area.

One week in and we are doing well. The biggest challenge will be family/social stuff that is at restaurants, bars, events that we have to pay admission/travel for.

[Rosy]

I'm in.
1. GOAL is to stay within $200 personal expenditures this month - that will really help with all my goals.
2. My tax refund arrived sent to current savings goal.
3. Sent $29. in cash rewards to my checking account, working on building that up to $2K, so I always have enough to cover my monthly credit card bills.

So far I spent
$55 for a medical device for Physical Therapy
Met family for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory - zero - expenditure, covered by gift card.
Mr. R. filled up my gas tank since he used it for a couple of unplanned trips - so now it sits on half, which may well last me for the month. 

[LindseyC]

April 1 - no spend
April 2 - no spend
April 3 - winter blanket $38, taxes $22
April 4 - earned an extra $20, no spend
April 5 - $40 takeout
April 6 - no spend
April 7 - $3.50 macrame supplies

Thanks for the dresser compliments, it definitely looks better in my dark corner. Slow weekend for me, I have more items to list to sell and haven't yet done it. I am weirdly unmotivated after a really busy March. I need to get on my projects, list some stuff to sell and get my butt in gear just in general!!

[haypug16]

April 1 - Puzzle of Smugglers Notch  $30.75
April 2 - No Spend                            $0.00
April 3 - Petsmart                            $25.49
April 3 - Al's (lunch)                        $10.97
April 4 - Stop N Shop (lunch)           $10.01
April 5 - Color Run Registration        $27.86
April 6 - No Spend
April 7 - No Spend
April 8 - Showcase Cinemas             $33.25
April 8 - Life Alive (dinner w/DH)      $34.82
April 8 - Mobil (Gas)                        $??.?? They haven't charged my card but should be about $20
April 9 - Stop N Shop (Lunch)          $5.57


No Spend Days 3/10

Went out for Dinner and a Movie on Sunday which was planned. Other than that doing pretty well. I shouldn't have to buy lunch again this week as we're having lots of meetings at work where lunch is provided. I should be able to get through the week with 2-3 more no spend days.

[LindseyC]

April 1 - no spend
April 2 - no spend
April 3 - winter blanket $38, taxes $22
April 4 - earned an extra $20, no spend
April 5 - $40 takeout
April 6 - no spend
April 7 - $3.50 macrame supplies
April 8 - $6.00 on thrifted succulent pots (gifts/or sell)
April 9 - No spend
April 10 - $16 going out

I think I will be returning my winter blanket, I opened the package and there are manufacturing flaws - annoying because it was such a good deal. I also got +106 from GST rebate and will get a whopping +55 from taxes tomorrow. So far I will be in the positive for outside of budget items this month. Plus I have more items to sell as soon as I get my butt in gear.

[haypug16]

April 1 - Puzzle of Smugglers Notch  $30.75
April 2 - No Spend                            $0.00
April 3 - Petsmart                            $25.49
April 3 - Al's (lunch)                        $10.97
April 4 - Stop N Shop (lunch)           $10.01
April 5 - Color Run Registration        $27.86
April 6 - No Spend
April 7 - No Spend
April 8 - Showcase Cinemas             $33.25
April 8 - Life Alive (dinner w/DH)      $34.82
April 8 - Mobil (Gas)                        $26.48
April 9 - Stop N Shop (Lunch)            $5.57
April 10 - Women for Women           $35.00 (monthly Donation)
April 10 - Royal Caribbean              $250.00 (Deposit for 2020 Cruise)
April 11 - Stop N Shop(Groceries)       $5.81
Total spending so far $496.01

No Spend Days 3/10

The deposit for the cruise was kind of unexpected but this will just come out of my already planned/saved Travel Fund. Turns out I did need to buy lunch yesterday (not today or tomorrow though) and I will need to pick up milk and bread tonight so not getting any more "no spend" days this week, but considering my Grocery spending so far this month is only $21.39 I think that's not too bad.

[Rosy]

My goal is to stay under $200 for the month of April
Last week:
$55 - a medical device for Physical Therapy
Met family for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory - zero - expenditure, covered by gift card.
Mr. R. filled up my gas tank since he used it for a couple of unplanned trips - so now it sits on half, which may well last me for the month.
This week:
Apr 12
$ 29.54 - plants for the garden
$ 16.57 - lunch with a friend

[LindseyC]

April 1 - no spend
April 2 - no spend
April 3 - taxes $22
April 4 - earned an extra $20, no spend
April 5 - $40 takeout
April 6 - no spend, extra +106 GST rebate
April 7 - $3.50 macrame supplies
April 8 - $6.00 on thrifted succulent pots (gifts/or sell)
April 9 - No spend
April 10 - $16 going out
April 11 - $40 going out / food
April 12 - extra $55 taxes refund, no spend
April 13 - summer fan $50
April 14 - no spend

Returned my $38 damaged blanket and got a $20 coupon for my troubles. Used that to buy a summer fan and some needed toiletries (basically worked out to the toiletries being free) I still have another $20 coupon now which I will use to buy a second fan. I am hoping that this year I can use these specialty window fans to cool my upstairs at night and skip the window air conditioner for most of the summer. I am not going to replace the blanket. I decided the fans were a better cost saving investment longterm. I can always pile on more blankets I already own. Blanket thing was kinda a pain, but ultimately I will save an additional $20 for the inconvenience, so worked out well in the end.

[LindseyC]

Turns out I did need to buy lunch yesterday (not today or tomorrow though) and I will need to pick up milk and bread tonight so not getting any more "no spend" days this week, but considering my Grocery spending so far this month is only $21.39 I think that's not too bad.

Your lack of a grocery spend is darn impressive! I don't think it's too bad at all!!!

[Rosy]

My goal is to stay under $200 for the month of April
Last week:
$55 - a medical device for Physical Therapy
Met family for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory - zero - expenditure, covered by gift card.
Mr. R. filled up my gas tank since he used it for a couple of unplanned trips - so now it sits on half, which may well last me for the month.
This week:
Apr 12
$ 29.54 - plants for the garden
$ 16.57 - lunch with a friend
April 14
$62 - jewelry (dp) (planned purchase, but not this month, oh well)

Somehow this is beginning to look like a very long month.