May 2011 Living Off Of Your Stockpile Challenge!!!

[cody82414]

Is anyone up for a MAY 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.
*** you can chime in with your 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?

[cody82414]

me


I desparately need:
ground beef
sugar
bottled water
cereals (finally)
pop-tarts

[VivaciousJewelz]

Me me me me me!! $200 please!

[actvmom]

I'm in for $400 again!

Can't quite figure out how to purchase produce for cheap in my area.....

[mommas2moody]

I'm in!!!

I'm staying at $700 for a family of 6 plus 2 pups. I know I need to lower it but I need to start stocking up for the summer when all the kids will be home.

Act - I am trying to figure out how to get cheap produce as well. I have been researching it and trying to see if I can buy local. go to www.pickyourown.org and browse your state. This is a great site with tons of info.... from where to pick to how to can.

[foggierbard9]

I'm in, but I'm not sure the amount yet...

[jenrose]

I'm in for my usual. Maybe one of these months I won't be DARK PURPLE. LOL

[kendra228]

I'm in for $400 again (mom's winnings :) but I hope to spend WAAAY less this month!

[loladooder99]

I'm in. Not sure my amount yet. Maybe after I figure out how much i spent for april lol.

[cody82414]

I'm in. Not sure my amount yet. Maybe after I figure out how much i spent for april lol.

me too!
I just know that I am not yet finished with April.
Heck, there are 9 more days to shop