February is over, and each month this year I’m trying to do a “low buy month.” This is not the same as a “no buy” month or year, where you truly don’t buy anything but the essentials. I didn’t feel like I could go that extreme, so I’m just trying to examine each purchase I make and consider how much I need it. It’s a little more subjective, but it’s what’s working for me this year. I’m happy to report that once I did my February 2025 budget recap, I had spent even less compared to 2025 than I had when I did my January 2025 budget recap.
Low Buy Year | February Budget Recap
Last year I did a series of monthly posts with questions to ask yourself about your budget at the end of each month. For more of an explanation of our low buy year, please see my January 2025 budget recap.
The first step in looking back at a month is seeing how much we spent on discretionary categories like kid expenses, groceries and other household items, eating out, gas, and the dangerous “miscellaneous” category. Our budget software lets me look at trends, which is really helpful. I cut our discretionary spending by about 37% in January 2025 compared to 2024. In February, I cut it by 42%—even better!
I also compared our overall spending, which includes all our fixed expenses and other yearly sinking funds. We spent 30% less overall in February 2025 compared to 2024, which was about the same as our January numbers. It seems feasible to make my goal to cut our spending by 30% each month this year compared to last year.
Now let’s look at some of the things we bought as part of our low-buy month.
What we did buy in February 2025
- A new iron (this was on my list for January 2025 that I didn’t end up buying, but I found a good deal)
- New socks for one kid and a new belt for another
- Charging cables
- Comforter for kid’s bed
- Supplies for a church bonfire
Saving money can’t get any easier than using Circle coupons in Target’s mobile app! These offers come off instantly at the register and most are good on up to 4 items.
And now most Circle offers now apply automatically when you check out – no need to search the app to select potential offers (except for Manufacturer coupons or alcohol rebates.)
Check out all of the new Circle Offers we have found so far this week, it’s a pretty long list with some sweet high value offers.
Note: look at the individual deals in the Circle app to get more details on which items are included in the offers.
If you’ve never used Target Circle and want to know more watch a short on all the ways to save with Circle.
Circle Special and GiftCard Deals:
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (3) children’s pain-relief treatments, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $10 GiftCard WYB (3) household essentials, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $10 GiftCard WYB (2) Garden of Life supplements, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (2) Garden of Life supplements, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (2) Tylenol/Motrin items, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (2) Vicks respiratory health items, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (2) vitamins & supplements, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $10 GiftCard WYB (2) Olay skin care, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (2) RoC skin care, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (3) personal care, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (4) hair care, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (4) personal care items, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $10 GiftCard WYB (2) IAMS dry dog food Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $10 GiftCard WYB (3) Cesar dry/wet dog foods, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (2) IAMS wet/dry dog food items, select Target Circle eCoupon
Free Target $5 GiftCard WYB (2) pet treats & supplies, select Target Circle eCoupon
Bonus get an additional 5% off your next purchase …because you are a Target Circle Card holder, Limit 1-time use Target Circle eCoupon
If your kids need new luggage for an upcoming trip, head to Target this week where they are offering 20% off Cat & Jack Luggage.
Find spinner suitcases, backpacks, duffel bags and more. Use your Circle Card for an extra 5% off and free shipping.
Deal Ideas
Kids’ Hardside Carry On Spinner Suitcase Daisy – $39.99 (reg. $50)
-5% off with Circle Card
makes it $37.99
Kids’ Weekender Duffel Bag Green Checkered – $19.99 (reg. $25)
-5% off with Circle Card
makes it $18.99
Kids’ Softside Carry On Spinner Suitcase Space – $39.99 (reg. $50)
-5% off with Circle Card
makes it $37.99
This offer ends 5/8. Shipping is free with Circle Card or free with orders of $35+.
See more deals at Target.
Score some nice clothing deals at Eddie Bauer‘s sale on sale. Through tomorrow, get an extra 50% off clearance styles with code.
Enter SNOW50 at checkout to get the extra discount.
Deal Ideas
Women’s Rainier Pants – $30.49 (reg. $70)
-with code SNOW50
Women’s Funski Insulated Jacket – $85.50 (reg. $200)
-with code SNOW50
Women’s Rainier Ripstop Shorts – $49.99 (reg. $60)
-with code SNOW50
This offer ends 3/4. Shipping is free on orders of $75+.
Take advantage of this sale and get ready for spring strolls!
Right now at Target, score the Jeep Double Stroller Wagon for just $199.99 – regularly $249.99!
Plus, Target Circle members will get an extra 5% off.
This wagon has seriously great reviews and folds in half so it can fit in the back of your car.
This deal is good for a limited time and while supplies last. Shipping is FREE!
See more online shopping deals!
Right now, speed over to Madewell where you can score up to 75% off sale! Grab jeans, bags, jackets and more for sweet prices.
There’s no code needed.
Deal Ideas:
Wedged V-Neck Sweater $29.99 (reg. $92)
Ribbed Cotton Turtleneck Sweater in Stripe $29.99 (reg. $118)
Cotton Perfect Crewneck Tee $29.99 (reg. $42)
This deal is good for a limited time and while supplies last. Shipping is free for Madewell Insiders (free to join).
Read More→
Everyone has a membership option these days and many of us are paying for more than one…
If you are paying for a year of something let’s make sure you are taking advantage of all the perks and ways to save.
Join me tomorrow night, as we try to cover all the top perks and savings options with all the largest shopping programs out there. Just in case you are wondering, you definitely don’t need all of these… so lets cover what is the best option for you and how to find deals on the memberships too!
Watch live online tomorrow 3/3 at 8:30 pm eastern on Facebook or Youtube.
Planning a family camping trip? Hurry over to Woot! to grab these Kids’ Sleeping Bags for just $17.99 (reg. $44.99)!
The Coleman Kids’ sleeping bag accommodates kids up to 5’5″ feet tall and keeps them cozy in temperatures as low as 45 degrees.
This deal is good for a limited time only. Shipping is FREE for Prime members.
See more ONLINE SHOPPING DEALS!
If you’re planning on a paint project soon, head over to the Sherwin Williams B1G1 sale by the end of tomorrow!
This deal is good in-store and online for all regular priced gallon paints and stains. When purchasing online, enter code BOGOFREE at checkout to get the offer.
Pro Tip: If you have no idea which you color you want, you can buy the cans untinted while they are on sale and tint them later when you have a color picked out!
If you have a home project in the works, you don’t want to miss out on this chance to save.
Offer ends March 3rd.
See more household deals!
