Now that the holidays/birthdays are over I'm ready for a January Challenge: don't buy anything that I don't absolutely need.

If I find pants/jeans for my dd I'll get those (she is going to be looking like she is waiting for a flood before spring comes). Also she will need new socks.

I will buy no clothes for myself or dh. I will need more shampoo before the month is out and I'll need a hair cut (cost cutters). I'll also need an oil change for my van. I am a big reader so if I get any books it has to be with store credit at my used book store I shop at. (then they are only .50/book)

I need to save up some money for the car title/registrations that come due in Feb and to have my taxes done.

Anyone else want to make a list of what they need to buy this month and see if you can stick to it?

I think I can do this one! I kind of prepared myself for this month.

I have to get more detergent and fabric softner, tp, shampoo and conditioner for myself- those are the only household type items I will probably need this month.

As for food- I need to get my stockpile back up: canned vegies are running low- I missed the .25 cent sale on them last month! I have a few things I need in there.

As for the things I usually buy in Jan.- markdown winter items- I will buy them with gift cards that I have. I will limit my spending to $75- how much I have on gift cards!

I'll take the challenge. I'll need to buy food, toiletries and household supplies of course! Trying my best to get the lowest price.

I need to purchase a couple pairs of pants and tops for my oldest sproutling. I'll get these from the resale shop.

And I want to put some money towards a really nifty piece of second hand furniture. The consignment shop does layaway which is great for larger purchases. They have an old library card file which would fit perfectly in my foyer as an entrance table! I just hope they still have it (HOPE!).

Otherwise I can't think of anything else I NEED to get. Budget will be real tight over the next two or three months. If there is something that I WANT I'll give it a shot through freecycle. If I can't get it from there I'll make a master list in my Control Journal of things I want to purchase later.

Example, two things I want. One is a REALLY big bowl (like an oversized fruit bowl) for mixing and rising my yeast bread in. And the other is quilting supplies,a cutting mat and rulers. These are examples of things that I would like to have but can wait practically forever if I need to!

And I no longer have to spend any money on cigarettes! Yeah Me!

I'm up for it too! My only extra expense this month is my DD's 13 th b-day. Other than that, I plan on only buying the necessities. The kids are good on clothes and shoes, so that helps. I really like reading everyone else's plans/ideas, it helps to keep me motivated

count me in.

i will need some groceries, diapers (i have a $3 coupon for Overnites that expires on Dec 31), shampoo for myself.

i like romance novels and vow not to buy any. the secondhand bookstore is not close which means i would have to use up our gas.

my boys don't need any clothes, but i do need to check their shoe sizes and see if they are outgrowing them.

trying to save on gas by doing errands at one time.

so, i'm allowed groceries, diapers, shampoo and possibly shoes for the boys. i get my toilet paper at Costco and because we have the Costco Amex card, we get dollars back in a certificate in January. so if i need toilet paper, i will use the certificate. that's it. i am forbidding myself from anything else.

I'll take the challenge. I am so burned out on shopping and stores and lines... I think I can do it. I mean, I KNOW I can do it (that's the spirit, right???:D )

I will need conditioner.
I might need hairspray.
I think I have one birthday gift to buy in January.

Ok, that is all I can think of! So, I'm in!!!!

__________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

I'm IN! We don't NEED anything and I would like to get ONE of the CCs paid off before the end of this month.

I will need to do my regular grocery shopping each week, but I will NOT toss extra things in my cart. Today I bought some plastic bins to store toys in, but thats it for extras. I did really well in December making sure I didn't go nuts with extra buying with Christmas coming, I plan on continuing for January.

__________________
~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

A Pirate's Life for ME!!

Im going to be a megs tightwad this month. Im buying nothing at all that isnt edable. I will have to buy some food but that is it and my car registration. IF I run out of something I will have to make do. Unless its toilet paper that I would have to buy.


Oh I do have one child b-day but my limit is 10$

i'm in i only have 2 birthdays one just gets a card the other gets $20.00 wich i already have in an envelope. oh and i already have the b-day card...so the only things we need are regular grocery things wich i'm stocked up for the next 2 weeks already...so other than me paying the filing fee's on my taxes we don't need anything...so i'm gonna try not to buy anything now if i come across some good clearance items for next christmas i already have one of those visa gift cards with 50 bucks on it just for these type of purchases. so none will come out of dh's paychecks.

Count me in too! My major initiative is to eat out the cupboard and freezer and trust me, that shouldn't be a problem. The only thing I will allow myself to buy is fresh fruit/veg, milk etc. As well, DS will need formula etc. but that's a must have (duh ha! obviously)
One last "allowable" is if I find a really good 2007 Christmas gift then that's ok. I shop all year around for gifts and keep a spreadsheet to track them so don't feel one bit guilty buying in advance. I also pay off my CC every month so don't fall into the trap of "it's on sale but by the time I pay the interest".

__________________
Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!