February 2011: Living Off Of Your Stockpile Challenge - collecting final tallies!

[cody82414]

Is anyone up for a FEBRUARY 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?

what is included:

• All food, alcohol and cigarettes. 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. 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.


Q&A's:
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.

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.

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 through post 1898 --- Personal Goals

cody82414 $349.82 $252.46 for my family of 5 (that is DEEEEEP purple)
frugalstafar $486.00 this time I'm going for $450.
angel428 $433.85 I will budget $800 for February
actvmom $595.15 I'm in again for $400
pkchicken $327.77 under $100.00

poopsinka $167.70 $220.00

ravenhart $270.73 My goal for February is $200
to1drland $109.95 $100. for me, dh, 2 big dogs & 3 fat kitty cats!
pantryprincess $206.72 My goal is $300.00
everprincess $309.49 my goal for this month will be $300.00.
xmas_tree $651.33 I'm trying for $300.00 again
regbyandjulie $195.73 I'm going to try for $200 this month
farmergirl $0.00 Gonna stay at $400.00
MoneySavinDiva $113.42 I'm in for $200.00
cma2a17 $211.82 Going with my normal $250.00
texxie $187.62 I'm going to aim high and go for $400.00
cdarrow26 $71.54 I am going to lower my budget to $50!
SouthernBelle5 $87.09 $90.00
jenrose $204.70 $200
cjpsmom $137.64 $200.00 for 3
Lucky1307 $235.53 Back in with a goal of $300.00
ZwellaIngrid $198.36 I'm in for $200
spongebear $170.20 I'm in for $200
uummm $281.72 Family of 5 with 6 cats for $400
Ann in VA $638.95 I have 8 kids at home right now, so I'm feeding ten and a couple of fish. Put me in for $500.
saving-n-va $94.00 goal is $200
rosebud $417.16 $844 for gas+7ppl
couponfan $0.00 goal $150.00
couponSAHM $160.81 $200
tatka75 $153.96 $20/day (family of 6 + cat), so 560 for the month
kbullsexy07 $330.98 $150.
KmmCo $506.05 I will make my goal at $300 for shopping.
Tina Klein $420.00 put me down for $600.00

Shelly527IN $438.95 $300. for the month
justmama $652.00

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

[cody82414]

with the recent "sell-out" of the Organic Elite The Organic Elite Surrenders to Monsanto: What Now?

I foresee my spending to be HUGE.

[frugalstafar]

I'm in for February-this time I'm going for $450. I have a few challenges facing me this month;I am low on meat, I have to host a dinner for 12 this month and if I am joining my csa is that is due this month ( I may take it from tax returns but not sure). SO hopefully I can do it!!

[angel428]

I will join again. But since I found out I am pregnant I am uping my budget. I will try to start stockpiling diapers and other baby needs. And closer to due date I will super stockpile groceries. Because I am being forced into my second csection. I will budget $1600 for Feb.

[actvmom]

Oooohhh!!!! YAY!!! I'm in again for $400. Family of 5 and 2 pooches.



I'm starting out the month in GREEN!!!! I received a $30 rebate today. WHOO HOO!!!!!!

The green won't last long. Gotta go to the stores tomorrow and I am not EVEN prepared.

[mommas2moody]

I won't be in again this month but I'll be around to chat. Well at least for the first part of the month.

[cody82414]

I won't be in again this month but I'll be around to chat. Well at least for the first part of the month.

Yeah,
um,
you best post pics of that baby

[pkchicken]

Count me in!!!
Goal...under $100.00

This is all about cleaning out your stockpile.

This is all about cleaning out your stockpile.

This is all about cleaning out your stockpile.

This is all about cleaning out your stockpile.

pk

[poopsinka]

I'm in too in February!! Hopefully, it's going to be easier than January for us. I haven't been here much in the last couple of weeks. I'm gonna raise to $220 because I have a few B-days in Feb( and hosting a party for at least two of them).

[ravenhart]

I've been MIA for awhile and would love to get back into this! My goal for February is $200!