April Stock Up Money: $90
Dog food
Cat food
Toilet paper
Shampoo and Conditioner
I'm planning to spend $15 a day this year on everything I purchase. When I devised this plan at the end of last year I wasn't sure how close I'd be able to get to the goal. Right now I'm averaging around $17 day. That sounds kind of close but $2 a day adds up fast. I'd like to get below $17 a day this month. One of my new approaches this year is to take an average of $3 a day at the beginning of the month and stock up on some of my least favorite things that always seem to ruin my budget. Ideally I'll plan out gifts for the month from this money as well. After I've spent the stock up money that leaves an average of $12 a day for all additional spending (in theory).
This month I did not purchase a wide variety of items with the stock up money but I did get quite alot of shampoo and conditioner on a good sale with a coupon. I also purchased at least a month and a half worth of toilet paper on sale with a coupon.
As I mentioned in my last post I am not looking forward to April financially. As much as the one vehicle situation is a pain in the rear I do hope we end up putting off acquiring a new one until April is over. Have I mentioned that I HATE the process of buying a car? There's just too many other financial matters to deal with this month and I don't think I can handle even the thought of throwing a car purchase into the mix. Licence plate renewal, two birthdays, the quarterly trash and water bills... that's enough extra, just enough. Thank-you very much.
Sounds like a challenge. At least you have food for the pups and kitty. Ando shampoo, conditioner and tp :)
ReplyDeleteSome months are better for bargains on certain things. If you can find that list on the web, you can set your stock-up months to maximize you stock ups. I do not have a plan for what I stock-up on at the beginning of the month. I come across the best bargain instead of setting my mind for something that might not be such a good bargain.
ReplyDeleteThe way I cut down on tp costs is to use cloth and wash it. You might use cloth for pee for yourself and use the tp for husband, your poo, and child. It would cut down a little on costs. I wash the washcloths I use. But, using cloth that are from old clothes/sheets/any textile and can be thrown out after use might be a little bit of help to you. I don't expect everyone to just jump into using cloth instead of tp like I did.
During April and somewhat into May, car dealers are counting on people having tax refunds to spend on a vehicle. The dealers are not inclined to come down much on prices.
I had not thought about the tax refund issue with the car purchase but you've got to be spot on with that. I've noticed several of my facebook friends just purchased a car... duh, tax refund time! I think we'll wait as long as we can so maybe through May (unlikely). Having one car causes extra tension in an already tired, overworked, doesn't spend enough time together family. Having a second one sooner than later would be very nice but at the same time I REALLY don't want to get into a loan.
DeleteThere has got to be an answer, but I don't know what it is right now. I will think about it. Maybe someone else has the answer.
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