OP, try Khan Academy online for free SAT prep that is very good (at least in math). School library should also have SAT prep books to check out though, personally, this is something I would absolutely purchase for my kid, especially if he/she asked. With SAT prep, slow-and-steady wins the race. Working problems methodically over time will yield the best results, so I would consider that a worthwhile investment and not a frivolous expense.

Day 15: Bought Nothing.

No takeout is great, but it does mean I'm spending more time in the kitchen.

I timed myself making sandwiches for the week: it took 7 minutes to make, wrap and freeze 12 sandwiches. Timing it makes me feel better, like I'm not spending *that* much time doing meal prep. The kids can pack their own lunches of course, but I find if I make the sandwiches for them and me, I'm more likely to remember to pack a lunch (and not hit the snack vending machines....)

Day 14 of Buy Nothing January. Woo hoo! Halfway through the month!

Wandered through Marshalls and 5 Below with my daughter who had some Christmas money to spend. Felt zero impulse to buy anything (although I did linger a little bit at the nice wooden trays for invalids....)

I did purchase some hand soap we needed today, and a bottle of wine for a dinner with friends tonight.

Day 13 here. I still haven't bought any items.... but my daughter asked to go out to the movies today, so I paid for her ticket. And I bought my son a takeout dinner last night, and ANOTHER takeout lunch today!

It is a slippery slope here. But going to get back on track with the "no takeout meals" the next two weeks, even if I need to up my grocery bill accordingly. The exercise is good for me to undertake, even if eventually I allow myself more of a budget for these meals.

One thing I have realized is how much *time* these takeout meals cost me! We don't live close to good takeout, so when we do have it, it can take upwards of an hour to go there eat and come back. It feels convenient because I don't have to do the cooking. But it really takes a lot of time. Life is so much easier when I have more time.

Oh, also: I had to refill my car today, so one tank of gas lasted me almost but not quite 2 weeks.

In looking at my expenses again I notice how much easier it is to record things and budget, when I"m just not constantly spending money. Also, I have no sense of being deprived. I look around my house, and feel like "We have everything we could possible need." With the possible exception (and it is a big one) of household repairs and upkeep. That, we need.

Anonymous wrote:What is MTD, PP?

Is all you spent this month, on groceries? I think that's great!

Month-to-date
Yeah, it's all spending on groceries for the family of 5.

What is MTD, PP?

Is all you spent this month, on groceries? I think that's great!

Good Job, OP

This week wasn't great for me. I managed not to buy any meat/fish etc, but still spent $~190 on grocery this week
That includes $70 of it was bulk purchase from a farmer (apples, potatoes).
Total MTD - $280

Day 12 Bought nothing!

End of two work weeks with no takeout or convenience food dinners, no dining out, and stayed away from the vending machine snacks the whole fortnight!

I usually live paycheck to paycheck. I ended this pay period with $120 in my checking account and I left my emergency savings account (small, but it exists) untouched.

This, despite the last week's unanticipated car repair, the unbudgeted-for field trip for my daughter, and despite recently upping my bimonthly credit card payment by $200. I'm thrilled with the results if 2 weeks of no spending.

That $120 is going straight to Credit Card debt repayment. On to weeks three and four of Buy Nothing January!

Nice going!

Day 11. Bought nothing. This is getting easier!

Thanks PP!

It is Day 10. I bought nothing today.

I did pick up a few grocery items. I've just spent $199 in 10 days on grocery-household-toiletries. My self imposed budget was $100 a week for those items so that's it for the next 4 days and I don't know for sure that we'll make it there... my budget might have been a little stingy BUT so far no one has felt very deprived as far as I can tell. Will try to make it through the weekend without any grocery trips. We have plenty of food in the house.

My repaired pepper mill works PERFECTLY now. I think it was a little damp earlier and not grinding well but it is functioning exactly as it should.

I'm noticing fewer and fewer feelings of "I need to buy..." It's amazing how quickly that habit went away!

A few things I want:

- cloth napkins (Years ago we used to have a bunch but I stopped using them... Maybe they are still in storage somewhere?)

- My daughter asked me for some books to help her improve her vocabulary. I found what I want on Amazon -- the series called "Wordly Wise". I can get it used somewhere like Alibris but I thought, maybe I can get something for free online somehow? And it turns out I can! Just found this which she will enjoy:
https://quizlet.com/class/5300567

Greta job, OP!

OP here. Bought nothing today.

Anonymous wrote:

OP here, thank you!!

And great idea! For my Buy Nothing January, I am of course buying groceries, necessary medicines, gas etc. But I am trying to not do takeout at all (a big weakness of ours) and am giving myself a $100/week grocery budget. This is on top of having a very well stocked pantry with the basics, so it shouldn't be too difficult. I am just usually strapped for time for cooking.

I'm also curious if I can make it though the month on just one tank of gas? I worked it out -- I use half a tank just for commuting to work for 20 days. The other half would be for errands or kid stuff. We live in a very walkable neighborhood... but... it is pretty cold. Might wait till March for that challenge!!

OP with update.

It is day 8 of my Buy Nothing Challenge. I bought nothing again today -- despite forgetting to bring lunch to work, and being very tempted by the snack machine again. This week, I did buy two non- necessary things -- $60 for new sneakers for my daughter, and $40 towards a coat for my son. So I
"failed" already in my Buy Nothing challenge, but I am still continuing on regardless.

I have cooked all meals, except for one $8 take out lunch for my daughter. That's a big improvement for us!

I "failed" in keeping my grocery/household items bill to $100 this week. I spent $174!! I don't feel like I bought anything very extravagant, and it was all at Aldi's. I never tracked my grocery store budget before this, but I know it has been a lot.

I notice it is easier to keep track of spending, when I am not shopping very often.

I am down to a quarter tank of gas already; one tank of gas for the entire month is not realistically going to happen this month, but I am hoping now I can keep it to two tanks. I'm sure I can make one tank of gas last for two weeks - if I don't have any unanticipated driving to do this weekend. Usually that would be kid related.

Good work on reducing shopping!