Is anyone up for a APRIL 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 ANY 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 2114 --- Personal Goals
***cody82414 $684.31 $300.
to1drland $94.95 $50.00
foggierbard9 $333.17 I'm in for $250.00 again this month
mommas2moody $467.47 $700.00 for my family of 5 and 2 pups
kittynip $153.48 I'm gonna shoot for a budget of $135.00 for April
crazy4clipping $168.36 I think a good goal for me would be $500.
MoneySavinDiva $32.82 I'm lowering my goal to $120 this month.
***jenrose $410.45 $200.00
Spongebear $66.95 $200 for me
cma2a17 $103.44 My norm $250.
***loladooder99 $413.94 My goal is to spend no more than $100.00 oop
saving-n-va $244.00 I'm going to say $175.00
rosebud17 $192.84 $500 gas and food fam 7
kbullsexy $263.13 $325.00 this month
couponfan $55.94 I am in for $100.
KmmCo $389.08 I guess you can put me in for $350 for April
cdarrow $63.58 I'm in for $65 for the month
actvmom $139.29 I'm here! $400 is my goal.
suestuff $152.29 I am going for $800.
thickbluebug $155.80 I'm in for April. 350.00 and a row used up in my freezer.
***cjpsmom $403.34 Count me in for $200. again
VivaciousJewelz $175.29 I'm cutting my budget way down. $300 for the month please.
SoutherBelle5 $159.81 $100 for me!
Kremsh $111.02 $150 for me!
teese $28.xx $700
***xmas tree $448.96 I will give myself $200 for April
Lucky1307 $176.02 have $360 cash on hand and my goal is to only use half!
judoarmyomo $94.04 I am aiming for $800
Tatka75 $285.82 count me in for $600 please
kendra228 $583.22 I'll try for $400 for a family of 2 adults, 2 teenagers and 4 cats.
sccoupnrookie $228.20 I will set a goal of $200 for my family of 5
fussypants $794.69 I am going to say $500
pkchicken $140.71 $100
phinphana $263.65 I am in for $ 210 for this month for family of 4 .
kittensqueak $16.50 I guess I'll say $120 for April.
finditforu $0.00
doulas3babes $351.34 say $300 for April.
***everprincess $570.27 FREES, MM's and Necessities
MamaBear6102 $105.00 I am going to start with a $350 goal!!
*** signifies member of the elite - DOUBLED UP club
****** PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I AM OFF ON YOUR TOTAL OOP ******
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Reply With Quoteok....super challenge this month for me....only oop will be for fruit, fresh veggies & dairy.
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April 2011 Living Off Of Your Stockpile Challenge! FINAL tallies, including members of the DOUBLED UP club ;) 
Re: April 2011 Living Off Of Your Stockpile Challenge - No Foolin' ; ) I miss my Catahoula!!!
MY WISHLIST
Coupon Jedi Master (so dubbed by my wonderful DH) - "Save money, you shall."
??/$2012 saved with coupons in 2012 - ??/2012 coupons used
I've been kinda
around the March Challenge thread for a few weeks now. I really enjoy everyone's posts and would like to give the April Challenge a try. I definitely need an incentive to show some restraint.
Just one quick question, is OOP clothing expense included in the budget too? Anyway, I'm gonna shoot for a budget of $135.00 for April. I have a weakness for fresh produce
so we shall see if that is unrealistic.
Originally Posted by mommas2moody
I think April should be declared DE-LURKING month!!!!
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and hope you enjoy the ride.
Mother of 4 just trying to make it day to day
