February Went Great (almost)

I am so proud of myself. Yesterday was not the best for spending, but I'll get to that later.

I never went to Kohls or Target and I never went to the mall!!!! This is HUGE for me!

I haven't paid a Kohls bill in two months :) My credit card was much lower :)

Now for the bad news. I'm taking a graduate reading class and my two books totaled $36 at the beginning of the semester. I was SO happy. Yesterday when I started on the newest assignments, I had to buy more books, if I was going to be able to complete the assignment. Some are children's books and others are more teacher reference material. My total was $54. The good news is I'll have the books forever! They are good books and are not available at my school library or the public library.

Then my husband went shopping for the ski trip yesterday over lunch. He spent $165. However, I figure we will have the gear forever. Plus, we have been watching and watching the prices and everything was on clearance, so we proably did okay!

I made it one month... I see problems in the future

I made it one month. I even have been doing better at the grocery store. I avoided Kohls, Gymboree and Macy's! YIPPPEEE. I can't wait to get my credit card bill this month! $0 at Kohls :) :)

Here is my problem. We are planning a ski trip over my spring break. I've never been, but I NEED, a ski bib, gloves and a hat (I believe I have everything else). My husband needs gloves and a ski bib. I am very excited. My husband said he would get me the ski stuff I need for my Valentine's Day gift, so I don't ruin my "No Buy".

I'm actually doing a good job!

I have resisted Gymboree and Kohls! I got a 30% off at Kohls and I lost it!

I know our mall is having really good sales- like extra 30%-50% off the lowest price, and even though I would love some new clothes. I'm going to save my money and be very excited when my credit card bill comes in this month and it is only gas and groceries!

I have been very busy at work and I've started taking two graduate classes this semester, so that is keeping me too busy to shop!

So Far So Good!

I didn't even make it to CVS on Sunday. I decided I didn't need anything bad enough!

Since school has started, I'm now even more busy, which keeps me from shopping!

Other than the grocery store, I've been doing great! My next goal should be to cut my grocery bill, but right now I just need baby steps.....

Planning Ahead! CVS

CVS mailed me a coupon for $5 off $25 purchase of select products (which we need- dye free benadryl, zyrtec, listerine, etc). Plus I have a coupon for $3 off a $15 purchase. Then according to the coupon they sent me, on 1-4-09, there will be very good coupons in the Sunday paper! Then you can earn Extra Care Bucks back (free CVS money)!!!

Anyways, I don't like spending extra money just because I have a coupon. I also don't want to end up with stuff I will not use, so I need to plan!!

CVS usually has very good deals for Nutragena Sunscreen in the summer, and since I've had skin cancer, that is what my doctor reccommends. I always end up with Extra Care Bucks when I buy the sunscreen, and I turn around and buy diapers. It is kind of like getting diapers for free :)

I'll let you know tomorrow if I did okay!

Day 2 of the Great No Buy (I'm still doing great)

I'm doing great!

My family is not doing as great. My husband went shopping. He came home with LOTS of stuff for a total of $66. It is all for him and the kids. It is all stuff they need like jeans and shoes. Plus he got stuff for our son for next winter. He said he still needs a new pair of work pants and is looking for a pair of work shoes, but then he should be able to do a "no buy" for himself until he needs a new pair of running shoes!

I am avoiding shopping like crazy! In fact, I've had more time to workout and read, so that is a good thing!

Day 1- Happy 2009!

Today is day 1. I'm trying to get my wonderful hubby on the "No Buy" train for 2009. He isn't boarding (yet)!!! He doesn't spend much money, but he always finds "bargains". Every year our local grocery store puts all the Christmas stuff on clearanced and I swear we now have 10 power strips and 10 green extension cords. "But they were only a $1." Those dollars add up, and we would have $20 extra dollars if you would stop buying extension cords and power strips and who needs that many????

So it looks like it is just me.

I've made a list of some things that I can do instead of shopping! This list is in no particular order. I think sometimes we shop because it makes us feel better, but then it is just a short-term fix! Here's my list:
1. workout
2. read a book (I never get to read a book anymore with two little kids around and I love to read).
3. scrapbook (I love to scrapbook, and I never get to do this much anymore)
4. do yoga
5. play with the kids
6. go to the park
7. take the family for a hike (we have a favorite place we like to go, and they have a hanging bridge- a big hit with the kids)
8. cook some meals for the week (this would only be done as a last resort- I hate to cook)
9. play on the computer (this isn't the greatest idea, because I do this too much as it is)
10. have a family wii tournament!!!