MARCH 2010: Living Off Of Your Stockpile challenge CONGRATS to1drland!!!!! (thank goodness that's over....)

[cody82414]

Is anyone up for a MARCH challenge to live off of your stockpile and spend as little out of pocket as you can?

This marks our one year anniversary for stockpile challenges!!!!!


These are the guidelines:
*** We are going to do a one month challenge/contest by living off your stockpile – only buying the bare necessities each week.
*** Post your results here.
*** I also will chime in with my family's "living off stockpile" issues/results/recipes/receipts.

Exceptions:
1. Rolling RR, Catalinas, ECBs, existing gift cards
2. rebate funds or stockpile sales that come in during the month.
3. Finding Items for FREE.

Can you do it?

I hate to create a list of what is included
since everyone budgets differently, but I will attempt again.

All food and alcohol is included. Groceries, pops at the convenient stores cravings, fast food stops, Sam's club, one time a year co-op purchases, etc. That being said, some folks have a separate budget category for their SO/DHs for their lunches. I do not. He initally wasn't 'on board', but if I do the cooking and have the leftovers ready for him, he will grab a lunch THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME

HBA/toiletries/cleanning products are included. Hopefully we can all get the coupons we need and match them to the sales and rewards that go along with toothpastes, shampoos, cleaning supplies, diapers/wipes/formula etc.

pet food/care. For the most part this is included in folks' budgets. I do not include my DH's rotating dogs from his kennel in our budget, because that is a side business of his.

entertainment. Unless you specifically set aside money for entertainment, I consider it out of pocket, and then should be included.

couponing expenses. newspapers, magazines, stamps, coupons, envelopes, stickers, etc., all should be included in your oop.

what is not included: regular bills/loan payments such as mortgages, car payments, car repairs, gasoline, utilities: heating/cooling, gas, electric, water, cable/direct tv, phone/wireless, internet. Medical expenses. I just am going to leave it at that. I do not want anyone to forego anything they or their loved ones might need just to stay in the game

Gray areas.
Clothing, I don't believe has ever been questioned. I think we just do without. No money, no clothes; or we catch a great deal at Goodwill

I reserve the right to add or change the contents of this list with whatever mood I am in
cody

FAQ

Q. What about fresh fruit, veggies, milk, eggs and bread?
A. Buy all your necessities each week to go with what you have in your pantry/freezer.
This is all about cleaning out your stockpile.

Q. Can we roll ECBs, RR, and Catalinas?
A. Of course! Only the out of pocket expenses count as what you have spent for the week.

Q. How is the winner of the stockpile challenge figured?
A. The winner of the stockpile challenge is the person that spends the least amount of out of pocket expenses for the month. Each week anyone participating will post their weekly out of pocket amount. I will keep an accurate count in the original post. At the end of the month, the person with the least amount of money spent, or the greatest profit for the month, will win.

We don't want you to starve! Complete nutrition is a must, especially for small children. This is going to be fun, and hopefully we will all learn some valuable information about ourselves and our spending patterns.

Q. What about gift money?
Or Rebate checks that come in during the month?
A. Simply speaking, my goal is to not spend money out of pocket, which IMO does not include Gift money or rebate money.

Of course we all have "standard" expenses, such as mortgage/rent, car payments, insurance, utilities, medications, etc.

All 'other' money's: including groceries, fast food, hba, household items, entertainment, et al, that would make up your out of pocket expenses.

What I do not expect is those involved to stay home all month, with the lights off, eating dry, cold cereal (although I enjoy cereal ). Just challenge yourself and those in your family to participate, and we will share our experiences and ideas here.

Q. My state taxes food. Does tax count into our oop?
A. Yes. Tax is part of our oop (unfortunately, for some of us)

Q. Do perscriptions count?
A. GOSH NO!!! PLEASE don't forego your medications or those for your loved one's.
No. Perscriptions/meds do not count towards your oop balance.


It's a contest, so we need prizes!!!!

In honor of our anniversary, I will randomly choose one of the particticpants who completes the month to receive $12.00 concealed cash. (a dollar for each month in a year)

So???? Are you in?

Members currently involved in the challenge:
Name --- Totals So Far through post 2229 --- Personal Goals
red denotes money spent, green denotes a profit

cody82414 $209.21 $231.68 for the month for everything
mommas2moody $769.49 Goal is $500 for the month for 2 adults, 3 DDs, & 3 dogs.
irishsaver $452.09 $325.00 for 2 Adults 1 DS eats like a horse 1 DD and 2 Woof Woofs.
couponfan $162.27 $250 for the month, that is for me and DH and two little furry babies.
nccouponqueen $250.11 i'm in for $350 this month. *gulp*
cjpsmom $314.38 $200. for the month
pkchicken $99.49 $100 and rotate stockpile
jenrose $309.34 I'll stick with $200
wholesalebiker $84.86 $100. oop goal
lauramama2 $484.74 sticking with the goal of $300 for my family of 5.
Zwella Ingrid $35x.xx I'll stick with $200
Lucky1307 $66.12 I'm in for $150 again.
MoneySavinDiva $294.66 I'm in! $200 for the month...I'm so predicatable...
loveebella $302.33 I am in goal of $300.
to1drland $98.26 My goal for March will be $100
nateNnatsmommy $100.12 I'm in, $150.00
phinphana $174.20 I am in for $250
everprincess $256.12 put me down for $200 this month
saving-n-va $332.00 $160. for the month of March
ravenhart $214.95 $200 for my budget
neglectarino $236.51 $175. for this month, allowing for a little extra for Easter.
thickbluebug rotate the stockpile
jessclpn $312.92 I'll put down $400.00
Domestic Gal $229.97 $140 for the month, comes to $30 a week
cdarrow26 $47.33 I am going to reduce my March budget to $50 for groceries, HBA and pets
zx2 heartbreaker $420.72 $350 for a family of three, with two in diapers and pull ups
kcuts $312.50 count me in for $275.00
kris*g $243.66 I am in this month. $300 for three people, a dog and a cat.
proctor78 $10.38 going to try again 600.00 for the month and that's everything.
junebug30523 $18.37 my March oop goal of $175.
janet30176 $35.50 I'm in for $200.00
DebK1013 $90.36 My goal is $250.00 again
nuttycoupongirl $1.50 Can I play? My goal is $200. I've spent $37 so far.
dangerdanger! $130'ish $300 for the month
thecouponclippa I think Imma get in on this! $125.00 for the month.
manders13 withdrawn put me down for $200
carriebrewer I'll try for $350. for this month
dsgent I'm in for $375.
zansammommy withdrawn please put me down for 200.00 for family of 4

******* PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I AM OFF ON YOUR TOTAL OOP *******

[Lucky1307]

Happy Anniversary Cody! Thanks again for creating this monthly thread. It's funny how a little accountability will make you stop before spending $$ or pass on a deal that you know isn't the best you can do. The ideas you gals have for using up stockpile are great and we've found some new favorite meals. And of course it is fun chit chatting!

I'm in for $150 again. It will be close for Feb, but as the stockpile is growing I think it is time to challenge my oop to go down.

[MoneySavinDiva]

I'm in! $200 for the month...I'm so predicatable...

[thecouponclippa]

I think Imma get in on this! $125.00 for the month.

[to1drland]

I'm in again too, Please!
My goal for March will be $100

[Lucky1307]

I'm in! $200 for the month...I'm so predicatable...

I'm in again too, Please!
My goal for March will be $100

Ya know ladies if it stops snowing(like we all want it too) our oop's might go up since we'll be able to get out of the house!

[nateNnatsmommy]

How neat, a year!

I'm in, $150.00

[jenrose]

I love that my name was there before I even found the thread. LOL

I'll stick with $200 and eventually I might stay out of the purple.

[nateNnatsmommy]

I can't believe I didn't notice that!

That'll make you feel appreciated, huh?

I love that my name was there before I even found the thread. LOL

[to1drland]

I love that my name was there before I even found the thread. LOL

I'll stick with $200 and eventually I might stay out of the purple.

Like we didn't think you'd be here anyway!

Ya know ladies if it stops snowing(like we all want it too) our oop's might go up since we'll be able to get out of the house!

I only set my goal low because I have a bunch of rebates that will be rolling in in March. I sure hope the snow goes away quickly- I don't want to do the St. Patty's parade in the snow!