Author Topic: No buy July  (Read 11975 times)

MEJG

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No buy July
« on: June 26, 2015, 12:56:08 PM »
We're going on a Frugal Fast in July.  Anyone care to join us?

Allowed purchase for us will be food for us (whole foods, no convenience foods, no meals out, no drinks out, no coffee - you get the picture) food for the pets, regular planned expenses (mortgage, utilities etc), Fuel for cars, and necessary household items like toilet paper or tooth paste.

All other purchases to be put off for the entire month.  In cases of emergency (roof, furnace, car break down etc) adjustments may be made.

link_417

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2015, 05:12:50 PM »
I'm in!  I'm signing the lease for my new apartment tomorrow and will have an increase in cash outflows this month (two rents, internet installation, bed, etc.) so I needed to do this anyway.

Plus, I like the challenge name :)  It's catchy!  If only all the other months rhymed with "no buy," I'd be set.

Jon_Snow

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2015, 01:32:55 PM »
Wife and I are just finishing up our our "Frugal June". Didn't end up feeling deprived at all. Good luck!

forummm

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2015, 02:50:46 PM »
I'm thinking about doing this. We already have a healthy savings rate. But this month has been expensive with a 16 day international trip and an A/C replacement. We also get paid 3 times in July, so it would be easy to break a monthly savings record.

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2015, 03:25:05 PM »
My husband and I are in! He'll still drive to work, but everything else will be on foot or bike
No eating out
No buying stuff other than basic food ingredients
Get most food from farmers market because it is considerably less $

Jon_Snow

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2015, 03:43:19 PM »
My wife and I are going to loosen up the purse strings a little bit for July after spending a total of $1700 for June. And we could have cut even more quite easily...might provide more details in my Journal. Or not. ;)

Was a pretty cool experiment...and quite reassuring.

fb132

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2015, 03:46:10 PM »
I did a good job in June with only 16$ going into something unnecessary (I bought a book), the only other expense were my monthly bills. I am up for July, this time ready for no unnecessary expense.

choppingwood

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2015, 03:48:24 PM »
My wife and I are going to loosen up the purse strings a little bit for July after spending a total of $1700 for June. And we could have cut even more quite easily...might provide more details in my Journal. Or not. ;)

I hope you post the details. I am going lean this month because of getting used to a much smaller income -- though there are a few summer events I don't want to miss, so I don't want to go on a no spend month. Still could use the ideas, though.

snogirl

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2015, 07:30:12 AM »
I'm in!

Maya

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #9 on: July 01, 2015, 07:37:02 AM »
I want to be in, but going on vacation this month. non-vacation weeks will try to be as frugal as possible.

forummm

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2015, 08:22:50 AM »
DW is on board. I'm curious how far we can go. We hit $1477 in March without trying harder than usual. Probably $800 is a fixed expense (insurance, interest, etc). And then we will use some electricity and eat and such.

MEJG

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2015, 10:54:16 AM »
Today  is the day!!!!  And.... I'll be going grocery shopping.  BOOOO, we committed to going to a friend's lake house next week and each group is cooking one night.  I had everything in the house to make a big pot of red sauce, and about 7 lbs of pasta.  But went to start cooking and don't have enough tomato puree.  So quick run out to buy that, which is "food" and it is a cheap way to feed 12 ppl for one night.  So not too bad.

Britan

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2015, 12:05:50 PM »
I'm in!  I'm signing the lease for my new apartment tomorrow and will have an increase in cash outflows this month (two rents, internet installation, bed, etc.) so I needed to do this anyway.

Plus, I like the challenge name :)  It's catchy!  If only all the other months rhymed with "no buy," I'd be set.
Are you me? I couldn't manage to swing less than 5 days overlap in leases, but at least I'm moving only 50 feet to the left! So no moving van rental even for the big stuff! Hopefully after I get my electric deposit back, move into my new place where all utilities are included (for the same cost as base rent currently) and parking is cheaper, August and beyond will be better than before.

June was a very bad month for me (last tuition payment), so I think I'll need to join in this challenge for July. With how many trips we are taking this month it will require some planning. But, you know, "shoot for the moon, if you miss at least you'll land among the stars" :)

Rosy

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2015, 05:51:01 PM »
I agree, no buy July does have a nice ring to it:)

My weakness is jewelry, so mine will be called - No Jewelry in July.
 Any money left over at the end of the month will go into my savings. I was tempted to say it would go toward paying off my -0%- interest jewelry payments, but that might encourage me to buy something in August again. This way I have to stick to my maxed out (self imposed) jewelry budget which prevents me from buying anything until all jewelry is paid off and that is not until Oct/Nov and by then I will be sidetracked with Christmas and the holidays.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2015, 07:21:27 PM »
I'm in!  I'm signing the lease for my new apartment tomorrow and will have an increase in cash outflows this month (two rents, internet installation, bed, etc.) so I needed to do this anyway.

Plus, I like the challenge name :)  It's catchy!  If only all the other months rhymed with "no buy," I'd be set.
Are you me? I couldn't manage to swing less than 5 days overlap in leases, but at least I'm moving only 50 feet to the left! So no moving van rental even for the big stuff! Hopefully after I get my electric deposit back, move into my new place where all utilities are included (for the same cost as base rent currently) and parking is cheaper, August and beyond will be better than before.

June was a very bad month for me (last tuition payment), so I think I'll need to join in this challenge for July. With how many trips we are taking this month it will require some planning. But, you know, "shoot for the moon, if you miss at least you'll land among the stars" :)

I'm in the same boat with overlapping rents this month!

My only exception is planned expenditure to set up our home gym so that we can give up our gym memberships. Already got the weights via trade on CL, but need a well-rated bar, and those don't come cheap. Or used, generally, although I'll keep my eye out.

johnny847

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #15 on: July 01, 2015, 08:14:07 PM »
Oops. Already can't join this challenge. Bought a book and a bike light today.

Quinn

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #16 on: July 01, 2015, 09:41:36 PM »
I agree, no buy July does have a nice ring to it:)

My weakness is jewelry, so mine will be called - No Jewelry in July.

:)

cripes7

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #17 on: July 04, 2015, 10:49:36 AM »
I'm in. June turned out to be an expensive month with 2 emergencies,  so I need to regroup.

Britan

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #18 on: July 05, 2015, 10:38:02 AM »
Oops, I messed up. Paid for training for my puppy ($300 for 6 months of weekly lessons, so not bad overall), $1.50 of frozen yogurt, and ate out for brunch this morning. ):

And now I need to go buy a new tail light for my car because one of mine is burned out.

Time to start again, then.

link_417

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #19 on: July 05, 2015, 03:09:04 PM »
I'm in!  I'm signing the lease for my new apartment tomorrow and will have an increase in cash outflows this month (two rents, internet installation, bed, etc.) so I needed to do this anyway.

Plus, I like the challenge name :)  It's catchy!  If only all the other months rhymed with "no buy," I'd be set.
Are you me? I couldn't manage to swing less than 5 days overlap in leases, but at least I'm moving only 50 feet to the left! So no moving van rental even for the big stuff! Hopefully after I get my electric deposit back, move into my new place where all utilities are included (for the same cost as base rent currently) and parking is cheaper, August and beyond will be better than before.

Apparently, yes!  I'm moving about a mile away and the new place is en route to my job so no moving van for me, either :)  That also means my tiny commute of 1.33 miles is now a micro commute of .33 miles. 

I'd bike if I could but I live in an old, small town where bike lanes and sidewalks suddenly disappear.  Plus, sometimes I have to run errands during work (courthouse, UPS, etc.) where biking isn't very practical or safe.

I agree, no buy July does have a nice ring to it:)

My weakness is jewelry, so mine will be called - No Jewelry in July.

:)



Oops, I messed up. [...]

Time to start again, then.

Same here.  The stress of moving residences at the same time as moving at work (I planned my move first and then found out I was being moved at work) has gotten to me and my food budget became my chocolate therapy budget, but I'm going to buckle down now.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #20 on: July 05, 2015, 07:10:32 PM »
I'm in!  I'm signing the lease for my new apartment tomorrow and will have an increase in cash outflows this month (two rents, internet installation, bed, etc.) so I needed to do this anyway.

Plus, I like the challenge name :)  It's catchy!  If only all the other months rhymed with "no buy," I'd be set.
Are you me? I couldn't manage to swing less than 5 days overlap in leases, but at least I'm moving only 50 feet to the left! So no moving van rental even for the big stuff! Hopefully after I get my electric deposit back, move into my new place where all utilities are included (for the same cost as base rent currently) and parking is cheaper, August and beyond will be better than before.

June was a very bad month for me (last tuition payment), so I think I'll need to join in this challenge for July. With how many trips we are taking this month it will require some planning. But, you know, "shoot for the moon, if you miss at least you'll land among the stars" :)

I'm in the same boat with overlapping rents this month!

My only exception is planned expenditure to set up our home gym so that we can give up our gym memberships. Already got the weights via trade on CL, but need a well-rated bar, and those don't come cheap. Or used, generally, although I'll keep my eye out.

I screwed up too =( Didn't even think about it! We finally got an opportunity to replace clothes that were wearing out. =\

Whelp, I'll try again then.

meadow lark

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #21 on: July 05, 2015, 10:30:12 PM »
I'm in.  I started 2 weeks ago, but mine is to not buy anything that isn't necessary for health, hygiene, safety, etc.  and I can spend on services or house maintenance.  I'm aiming for the rest of 2015.  So far, so good.

cripes7

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #22 on: July 09, 2015, 06:51:09 PM »
This has really helped me so far. Resisted some really, really cute clothes for my niece and cousin's new baby. So far only bought gas and food. I did open a 529 for her birthday instead, but I'm counting that as an investment. 

wordnerd

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #23 on: July 09, 2015, 07:17:41 PM »
This is going very well for me. Besides mortgage, electricity, and a few groceries, I've only paid for one thing so far this month--a $10 work lunch I had already committed to. I've managed to break my habit of wasting money on food/drinks at the work cafeteria. And, I've found creative ways to get things I actually do need (e.g., maternity clothes) through swaps or hand-me-downs. Thanks for the challenge!

DeltaBond

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #24 on: July 15, 2015, 08:29:16 AM »
I like this!

forummm

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #25 on: July 15, 2015, 09:32:07 AM »

HoosierGirl

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #26 on: July 15, 2015, 11:08:23 AM »
I'm in a little late!!

I started on my own little no buy July last week and committed to taking my lunch to work the whole month of July. I spent a total of 1.49 on a cookie last week because I was having a bad day-emotional eating sucks!

I'm doing worse this week because I forgot my lunch on the counter. It was $2 cheeseburger day at a local bar so I only spent $4 with ice tea and tip. I plan on leaving some cans of soup or something similar at my desk so I wont have to do that again.


cripes7

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #27 on: July 23, 2015, 06:03:38 PM »
Is anyone still doing this? It has worked very, very well for me. I resisted adorable baby clothes for my cousin's new baby, clothes for my niece, and haven't ordered any new books for the kindle. I use it as my excuse, can't do this or that, doing no buy July.

forummm

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #28 on: July 23, 2015, 06:27:44 PM »
Is anyone still doing this? It has worked very, very well for me. I resisted adorable baby clothes for my cousin's new baby, clothes for my niece, and haven't ordered any new books for the kindle. I use it as my excuse, can't do this or that, doing no buy July.

Yes! We've had a great month. Still another weekish to go, but I think we're likely to hit an all time record low spending tally.

We got a bunch of free maternity clothes. And DW has almost completely stopped eating out for work occasions.

We're carrying the challenge on to next month. You can be the first to sign up to have an August August!
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/august-august/

wordnerd

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #29 on: July 23, 2015, 07:21:56 PM »
Going very well, and much easier than I expected. I guess my discretionary spending was pretty low anyway, but it feels really great to just not buy anything.

cripes7

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #30 on: July 23, 2015, 08:33:25 PM »
I'd like to, but I do have to buy my son a birthday gift In August.  It has been easier than I thought also, I don't buy much but those baby things were verrrry tempting!

Bracken_Joy

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #31 on: July 23, 2015, 09:26:42 PM »
Is anyone still doing this? It has worked very, very well for me. I resisted adorable baby clothes for my cousin's new baby, clothes for my niece, and haven't ordered any new books for the kindle. I use it as my excuse, can't do this or that, doing no buy July.

I failed royally, to be totally honest. =(

forummm

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #32 on: July 24, 2015, 07:29:15 AM »
One week to go, and I think we're going to have a killer month. Our CC balance is $168 for the past couple weeks--mostly groceries and utilities. And that's the only account we use to spend money (the mortgage and some utilities come out of checking). We have a bunch of fixed expenses like insurance that I prorate on a monthly basis. But it's looking really good.

MEJG

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #33 on: July 25, 2015, 05:51:25 AM »
It's been a moderately successful venture this month.  We did better last No Buy November though.
Failures were:
$4 in chicken Mcnuggets on a 5 hour car ride with the kids- I failed to pack snacks which was stupid
$80 for a wedding shower gift - I split costs with my sister and the shower is August 2nd.
$25 in take our Chinese after I'd been super sick with a stomach bug for 4 days and couldn't bring myself to cook for the kids
$5 in head bands for our boy at target.  He's growing his hair out and it's in his eyes.  He's been asking for a couple of weeks for a stretchy headband- we bought a 10pk.

All other spending was necessary, and our grocery bill was cut down from $600 last month to $250 as of today,  We will need to go grocery shopping once this week probably.

So some major improvements!  We won't have an August August - some planned spending next month that is discretionary, but I think we'll shoot for repeating this in September.  Major wins on only having take out once, slashing the food budget, and avoiding the well it's only $3.00 coffee while out. 

fb132

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #34 on: July 25, 2015, 06:01:19 AM »
I had an excellent month, apart from my monthly regular bills and groceries, the only thing unnecessary was a 5$ purchase on cooking measuring cups. My grocery bill was under 300$ (although there is only 1 week left), so all in all, I am a happy man :)

forummm

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #35 on: July 29, 2015, 05:56:58 PM »
Since we're not going to spend anymore money the rest of the month, I have the tally in for July. It didn't take long to do since there were so few entries :)

$158.84   Utilities
$240.93   Groceries
$10.00   Eating Out
$59.02   Misc
401.00   Insurance (prorated) and property tax (prorated)
317.00   Interest expense (mortgage)
1,186.79   Total Expenses

All time record low! Smashing our previous record of $1,477. Can we go lower during our august August?
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/august-august/

And we had 3 paydays this month, so our savings rate was also a record. It was unbelievably high.

acroy

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #36 on: August 04, 2015, 03:17:14 PM »
hmmmm.... that's about how we live most months.
eating out?! Who does that anyway!  Though having 6 kids makes this easier... eating out is a chore, not so much fun :)

Most recent was a gas weed wacker for the 9yr old (budding lawn care specialist, making that $$). We scored a non-running Stihl for $50 off craigslist and I got it fixed for $1 worth of solvent and a couple hours work. I guess I don't consider that a 'buy'.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #37 on: August 04, 2015, 06:30:37 PM »
After MISERABLY failing in July (seriously, I doubled the space I live in and gained a yard and garden, how did I think that would work out?) I'm back on board for August! And best: this time, DH is in on the challenge! So even though "no buy july" didn't happen, it'll hopefully just happen a month later!

fb132

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #38 on: August 05, 2015, 05:42:40 AM »
So with July out of the way, I had my lowest spending month since december 2014, I spent around 930$...according to YNAB my average is usually around 1200$ per month before last month. It was an excellent month :) .Only 1 useless spending throughout the whole month :) My only expenses were housing (or in my case rent, cell phone, electric bill), groceries and my monthly gym membership. I am going to try to beat last month, but it will be tough, I have 2 weeks off from work this month and that will be tough to limit my spending unless I find something that won't cost much or free to do.

forummm

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #39 on: August 05, 2015, 06:47:05 AM »
So with July out of the way, I had my lowest spending month since december 2014, I spent around 930$...according to YNAB my average is usually around 1200$ per month before last month. It was an excellent month :) .Only 1 useless spending throughout the whole month :) My only expenses were housing (or in my case rent, cell phone, electric bill), groceries and my monthly gym membership. I am going to try to beat last month, but it will be tough, I have 2 weeks off from work this month and that will be tough to limit my spending unless I find something that won't cost much or free to do.

Nice going!

MEJG

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Re: No buy July
« Reply #40 on: August 06, 2015, 01:53:37 PM »
No Buy July was a moderate success for us.  We're a family of four, with three pets (cat, dog, bird).  We're actively working on reducing the budget.  There were a few slip ups but we were down on groceries, and random things pretty significantly.

Numbers:

Monthly total: $3,738.45 (inclusive of mortgage)

Monthly Bills - total $1,374.27
Mortgage: $1,100
internet: $34.99
electricity: $87.81
Student loan: $105.57
Life insurance: $45.90
Monthly Spending - total $844.44
Groceries: $$381.01
Fuel: $209.31
Piano for kids: $20
Pets: $234.12 (food + house sitting bill due from May)
Long term spending (all the prorated stuff in the budget) - total $1165.48
Medical: $222.36
Heating oil: $417.06 - first fill since Feb and we were empty
Pet insurance: $274 (We set up our own pet insurance fund in our YNAb categories - kitty decided this was the month for weight loss and a UTI!!! ARG)
Car repairs: $79.66 (I really need to learn how to do my own oil changes)
Household: $54.40
Frivolous - AKA where we fell down total- $354.26
Other stuff I forgot: $301.83 - parts for bike repair, repairing I phone shattered screen, tolls on vacation
Restaurants: $51.42 - Chinese when I was too sick to cook for kids, husband's two dunkin donut coffees, $6.00 in chicken nugets for kids on long car trip.