December 2010: Monthly Challenge to Live Off Of Your Stockpile

[cody82414]

Is anyone up for a DECEMBER 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/cleaning 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 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. Yes, these items would count in your out of pocket expenses. Buy all your necessities each week to go with what you already 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.

So???? Are you in?

members currently involved in the challenge:
name --- Totals So Far through post 2530 --- Personal Goals
red denotes money spent, green denotes a profit

cody82414 $100.18 no flow, no go
justmama $651.84
cjpsmom$227.87 please put me down for $200
to1drland $24.66 I'm going back to $100.
everprincess $465.69 In for $500.00 this month
phinphana $316.31 I really cant go over go for $150
SouthernBelle5 $47.77 convenience....$105.
cdarrow26 $69.32 I am going to shoot for $65 for the month.
Lucky1307 $77.10 I decided to go with a goal of $100 .
cma2a17 $194.20 I'll stick with my normal $250.00 again
Zwella Ingrid $79.45 I'm in for $200 oop for the month.
MAL'sMomma $200.00 My goal for this month is $100.
brokenangel $555.00 I hope to keep it under $300.
jenrose $251.15 I'm still here and still trying for $200
MoneySavinDiva $139.20 I'm raising my goal to $200
frugalstafar $712.00 I'm going to aim for $700
kris*g $439.35 I'm joining you this month. $450 for me.
pkchicken $116.91 under $100
mommas2moody $574.38 $700 again
actvmom $???.?? my goal is $1,200 ($200 per week).
saving-n-va $200.00 December goal $350.
farmergirl $535.12 $750. for the month
irishsaver $755.52 budget $550
latte $116.12 $750. for the entire month
couponfan $128.77
gatosqueak $315.87 Goal is $150.00 for December 2010
angel428 $0.00 ????
TinaKlein $532.00 I will go with $700. again
spongebear $128.51 Im in for $200 oop.

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

[cody82414]

I need to Live Off Of My Stockpile for the month no flow, no go


I will host Christmas Eve dinner at my house
and then travel to South Dakota on Christmas Day.
There we will stay for 4-5 days with DH's side



Best wishes to everyone
cody

[actvmom]

Oh, I'm going to up my OOP so I can stock up on some things before tax season starts and DH has to do the shopping, he doesn't use coupons *GASP*. So, my goal is $1,200 ($200 per week).

[cdarrow26]

I'm in for December. I think I am going to shoot for $65 for the month. I'm hoping to come in a lot less since I will have a ton of "free $$" from CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid if all goes as planned tomorrow!

[actvmom]

I'm in for December. I think I am going to shoot for $65 for the month. I'm hoping to come in a lot less since I will have a ton of "free $$" from CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid if all goes as planned tomorrow!

I would really like to know your plan, if you don't mind. This is the first year I have shopped the drug stores, so I feel a little overwhelmed.

[cdarrow26]

I would really like to know your plan, if you don't mind. This is the first year I have shopped the drug stores, so I feel a little overwhelmed.

Sure...Can you tell me if you have any Extra Bucks (CVS) or Register Rewards (Walgreens) to start with? If not, my scenarios probably won't really work for you, but, I'd be happy to help! I don't think you have Rite Aid...my mom is in FL and I know there aren't any near her...

[cma2a17]

I'm in again .. still debating on my goal though. I'll let you know as soon as I decide on it.

[MoneySavinDiva]

I'm raising my goal back up to $200 for this month. I'd like to take advantage of the holiday sales and get stocked up on many things. I'm hoping for another 97c sale on sugar

[SouthernBelle5]

I'm going to be realistic knowing I'll be spending more for convenience....$105.

[to1drland]

Oh, I'm going to up my OOP so I can stock up on some things before tax season starts and DH has to do the shopping, he doesn't use coupons *GASP*. So, my goal is $1,200 ($200 per week).

I about choked when I saw how high your budget jumped, but then I saw why..... I want to come stay at your house this month....you should have lots of goodies if your letting the man do the shopping!


I'm going back to $100. obviously $75 was not a good # for me.