Every Monday during 2022, I am posting an update on what I spent for the week as a way of keeping myself accountable for my No/Low Buy Year. Also, in order to see my true savings, I am also tracking items I was tempted to buy but didn’t.
Well, what can I say? An upcoming trip, weight gain, clothes that don’t fit, a constant search for shoes that work with my broken foot, and a son who is deployed. I shopped both online and in person. I was a little stressed this week.
I have come to realize that when I’m stressed not only do I over eat, but I over spend. I am becoming keenly aware of it and caught myself…sort of. The purchases below do not reflect what I originally spent, but only the things I kept and actually wanted/needed.
What I spent February 21st – February 28th:
- RED t-shirts: $79.76. (If you are so inclined, please pray for my son’s safety as well as all those who are deployed. He is a on a naval destroyer ship and with things going on in the world as they are, it’s been a stressful time for this Mama.)
- Clothes & Accessories: $447.53 (includes shoes, undergarments, jeans and summer wear for both my husband and myself). Ouch.
- Groceries: $118.83
- Eating Out: $62.30
- Household/Personal Care: $45.99
- Spontaneous Giving: $144.26
- Pets/Auggie: $49.65 (replacement prong collar and latch — this pup needs continual training!)
Total spending for the week: $868.56
Okay, so that was a lot lower than I thought, but still high for a No/Low Buy Year. I’ll have to reign it in a bit in March to stay within my budget for the year.
Things I almost purchased but didn’t:
- Wooden food storage bag containers: $49.99
- Pajamas: $50.00
- All the clothes I returned: $431.00!
Total: $530.99
I’m kind of laughing at the things I almost purchased. I don’t need pajamas at all. In fact, my pajama drawer is already too full. And the wooden food storage bag containers? So cool, but so unnecessary. Besides, they were on Amazon, and I’m not doing Amazon. I came to my senses and returned most of an online clothes order.
FEBRUARY SPENDING
Total spent: $3,761.74 ($1,468 was Auggie’s surgery, and misc. stuff needed for him)
Total I almost spent: $785.00
My takeaway for February:
WINS:
- I stayed under my food budget.
- I continued to bless others with giving.
- I had the money already set aside for neuter surgery.
- I could have spent way more on clothing/shoes, etc. but held off.
LOSSES:
- I spent way too much money on clothes and eating out.
I don’t like my impulsive behavior when I’m stressed. I’m hoping in March I can start walking my daily 3 miles which always makes me feel better, and less likely to snack and spend.
How did you do in February?
JOURNEY TO RETIREMENT 
Hi Sharon. I will say some prayers for your son. I just wanted to say that I appreciate so much your honesty this week about your spending. Some weeks are better than others. I think it is really good that you recognized what you really needed and returned the rest of the items. That is a big win. Clothes and shoes are necessities and sometimes it can be hard to decide how much is really a need vs a want. Wants are ok too, but I know you are trying to just buy needs this year.
February was pretty good for us. I paid on our Disney trip coming up later in the spring, but it has all been saved for. I did do some clothes shopping at Kohls for my granddaughter who is moving into a bigger size, but kept it reasonable. With the Kohls cash I added some more money and got myself a new winter coat. I got one of the Columbia ones so it should last awhile, and they are starting to mark them with bigger discounts at my store. I had the cat to the vet in Feb also. She is ok. I had a couple dr appointments in Feb that were unexpected, but I am on the mend now. I bought minimal groceries this month since the sales haven’t been that great. Mostly buying fresh things.
LikeLike
Hi Chris!
I hope you are on the mend and everything is good! I’m glad you were able to find a nice coat — Kohls cash can be very useful! :). Thank you for your prayers. He is on my mind 24/7. :). I’m being brutally honest with this year’s spending because I want to actually see where my money is going. It will help so much when we retire. 🙂
LikeLike
Sharon, I will keep your son in my prayers.
We came in under budget for our monthly food expense.
I only spent around under $200 for my 2 week Florida vacation. The airfare was covered with frequent flyer miles. Utilized all my summer clothes. It was good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Cindi,
Thank you for your prayers. I’ve been missing him a lot lately. It sounds like you did a great job keeping expenses low on your trip. I wish I could utilize my summer clothes — they shrunk in the closet! Go figure. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person