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09-21-2010, 01:48:22 PM #1 
October 2010: Living Off Of Your Stockpile Challenge:FINALS finally!!!
Is anyone up for an OCTOBER challenge to live off of your stockpile and spend as little out of pocket as you can?
These are the guidelines:
*** We are going to do a one month challenge 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 proceeds from selling your existing stockpile 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, alcohol and cigarettes are included. Groceries, pops at the convenient stores cravings, fast food stops, Sam's club, one time a year co-op purchases, etc.
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.
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, paper, printer ink, 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.
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
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.
We don't want you to starve! Complete nutrition is a must, especially for small children. This is supposed to be fun, and hopefully we will all learn some valuable information about ourselves and our spending patterns.
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. 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.
PRIZES:
(please note that this thread and prizes are volunteered,
and not 'funded' in any way by HCW - unless noted otherwise)
So???? Are you in?
Members currently involved in the challenge:
name --- Totals So Far through post 2271 ---Personal Goals
red denotes money spent, green denotes a profit
cody82414 $257.13 $269.69 for my family of 6
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