August 2011- Living Off of Your Stockpile Challenge..WINNER ANNOUNCED!

[to1drland]

Is anyone up for the AUGUST 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.


Simply add your name & your goal amount to the wiki to join in!


A huge potluck envie goes to a random drawn participant that doesn't go "purple"..........can you stay w/in your goal???

[to1drland]

For those of you wondering why I'm posting this instead of Cody.....She has announced her retirement from the thread.......

[honaaydarling]

Hi everyone ,
Going to try this. I usually pay attention week by week but not for the whole month so this may be difficult. Plus, with my two grown sons getting ready to go back to college in August, it adds a bit more of a challenge.

[jkeating]

For those of you wondering why I'm posting this instead of Cody.....She has announced her retirement from the thread.......

Retiring from thread meaning not participating in LOYSP any more?

[SouthernBelle5]

For those of you wondering why I'm posting this instead of Cody.....She has announced her retirement from the thread.......

But I hope she still comes to chat!

Hi everyone ,
Going to try this. I usually pay attention week by week but not for the whole month so this may be difficult. Plus, with my two grown sons getting ready to go back to college in August, it adds a bit more of a challenge.

[to1drland]

Retiring from thread meaning not participating in LOYSP any more?

not sure, she just told me she was done w/ the challenge.....you know she can't stay away from us....hopefully if she doesn't participate, she'll at least visit.

[to1drland]

SB....I like your motivation in the wiki this month!

[to1drland]

Hi everyone ,
Going to try this. I usually pay attention week by week but not for the whole month so this may be difficult. Plus, with my two grown sons getting ready to go back to college in August, it adds a bit more of a challenge.

[saving-n-va]

For those of you wondering why I'm posting this instead of Cody.....She has announced her retirement from the thread.......

What?!?!? Who will we look to for healthy food encouragement???

I'm going to TRY to participate in August, but its going to be an INSANELY busy month with packing, closing on the house AND starting my final school term and my student teaching. I may only have time to update the wiki...if that. I'm trying not to buy any more meat or freezer items until we move, but will keep the usual goal amount since we may be eating more packaged foods, deli foods etc. this month.

[to1drland]

What?!?!? Who will we look to for healthy food encouragement???

I'm going to TRY to participate in August, but its going to be an INSANELY busy month with packing, closing on the house AND starting my final school term and my student teaching. I may only have time to update the wiki...if that. I'm trying not to buy any more meat or freezer items until we move, but will keep the usual goal amount since we may be eating more packaged foods, deli foods etc. this month.

I really thought I would have a huge jump due to moving too....but it really wasn't what I thought it would be. Hang in there girl! We'll be here.....So the house is gonna be a done deal????