June 2011 Living 0ff of Your Stockpile Challenge

[cody82414]

Is anyone up for a JUNE 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?

[kendra228]

I guess June IS right around the corner huh? The big question is - do I try $400 again - which I continue to FAIL at or raise it to $500

Nah - stick with $400. I'll try really, really hard - besides, I LOVE purple!

Family of 4 people and 5 animals. Good luck to me!

[to1drland]

shooting for $200 this month....we are out of quite a few things!

[KmmCo]

Going for $280 this month.

If my paycheck is in the bank Saturday that is when my June will start - otherwise I won't be shopping till Tuesday anyway - no money left this month except what I need to put in my gas tank this week. I do have all the essentials of milk, eggs, bread, etc. that I need for the next week anyway. On the plus side, all the bills are paid till the 1st rolls around again!

[kbullsexy07]

$300

Need to stock up on cleaning supplies, paper towels and a couple other items this month!

[mommas2moody]

I'm on at $700 again



I updated the Wiki up to this point.
Anyone that signs up beyond this point, please add your name to the wiki

[jkeating]

I'm new here and would like to ask a question.

Is the dollar amount you're listing the total amount you are looking to spend for the month on items not in your stockpile?

Since I have quite a few items on hand this is exactly what I'm trying to do right now.

I just booked my airplane tickets to visit my daughter in Texas for Christmas and would like to get that paid off ASAP so saving money is high on my list right now.

Thanks!

[SouthernBelle5]

Added myself to wiki.....$100

[cjpsmom]

I'm in for $200 again....you just thought you'd get rid of me. Posted in wiki....good luck and nice to see some kinda newbies here again.

[belinda2]

I'll give it a try at $400.