Just Save January--Controlled/No Spend Thread

[ses]

Here we go again!




A few months back Honeylioness had an impassioned plea to get us back to the focus of our thread. The fundamentals. The basics. Plus the friendship. Did y'all know we've successfully planned vacations together? Life keeps on going with new babies, relationships, homes, challenges, jobs and financial hurdles but we stick to it. So, get sticky!

Here are some way to get your goals to stick:

#1. Post your numbers - just put it at the top of a post in bold and let us know how you're doin' and what you need help with
#2. Track your numbers - technically this should be #1 but you know it. If you need ideas for tracking post and ask the veterans for guidance
#3. Share your life but please keep it somewhat financially related - we know that everything influences finances especially when we're stressed, tired, excited and busy. BUT this is a financial accountability group, not a therapy session If you want to go off topic consider starting a fresh thread and posting a link so those who are interested can support you there.

For the new people there are no real set rules here, you set your own. The basic goal most if not all of us have are to keep track of the days we don't spend and hopefully by that work on saving money. Some are looking to put it into savings others to pay down debt.

For some they only count the day as a no spend day if they spend nothing at all. Others will count it if they keep their total under $5. Some count all spending others only count a certain part of their budget. For example MittenKitten personally take $400 out of the the bank in cash for everything that is not related to vehicle expenses (like gas, oil changes, insurance etc) or the house (mortgage, utilities, HOA) If I spend out of the $400 I count it as a spend day (although if it is less then $5 I usually count it as a no spend day.) You set your own rules. Any questions feel free to ask.

You can post your no spend days daily or whenever you want, just put it in bold at the top with the first number being the number you want me to record. If you are doing daily then:
Today (or yesterday) $0 Spend day

More then one day at a time:
4/31 days $0 Spend Which translates into 4 out of 31 days in July have been no spend so far. Some use the bigger number as their goal number so do 4/15 No spend Days which means they have a goal of 15 no spend days this month.

Here's a handy guide to some of our terminology:
NSD: No Spend Day
CSD: Controlled Spend Day
BFF: Best Friend Forever
DH/DS/DD/DSS: Dear Husband, Dear Son Dear Daughter, fiance, boy friend, Dear Step-Son
DIL, MIL, BIL, SIL: Daughter in law, Mother In Law, Brother in Law, Sister In Law
NKCW: No Killing Co-Worker Day (could also be no kill DH NKDH etc)
NS or NSD: No Spend or No Spend Day
NEO: No eating out
HTH: Hope This Helps
KWIM: Know What I mean
FWIW: For What It's Worth
IMHO or IMO: In my Humble Opinion or In My Opinion

[ses]

Spent part of the day doing my 2013 analysis.  Did better than I expected.  Moneysquirrel has talked me into trying online bill paying this year.  I need to do my homework and try this out.  Maybe I will eventually drag myself into the twenty first century.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 1 NSD

I am in again as well.  Today was easily a nsd since other than one outing I did not leave the house.  The weather has been a miserable, dreary, damp day.  It was a good day for staying in the house and getting some small things done. Of course, we have been having the same weather almost all week and I have been staying home on a regular basis.  I have been shredding a lot and have been going through items to add to the donation boxes.  Also I have doing some reading which is a luxury that I usually I don't have.  I have been enjoying my time off work but will be ready for the new semester on Monday.

SES -- I was sort of forced into the online payments since mail delivery after Katrina was hit and miss for months afterwards.  It was the only way to keep on top of things after the storm.  Once I realized that it was safe as well as time-saving I continued the process. I tried it out one company at a time and made sure that all was working correctly before I tried another.  I figured that over the last several years I saved over $500 in stamps alone.  I do still mail some things but the majority of the routine items are now paid online. 

[constanz22]

Hey ladies!  It's been a LONG time since I joined you.  I would like to jump back in.  I did not pay much attention to my spending last year and I REALLY need to get back on track with not spending money on stuff I don't need and getting serious about paying off debt again cuz although I haven't really accumulated more debt (except a new car purchase) I really have not been at all focused on paying extra toward my outstanding consumer debt.  I would LOVE to try for a "needs only" year but not sure how to go about that!

I am just going for as many NS/CS as I can this month.

[3catslady]

Thank you, ses, for starting this.  I was trying to figure out how to go about it.  Honey sent me some directions but they failed the first time I tried.  I was going to try again.
I may need help for this year.  I want to set up a savings account doing the weekly thing I saw on fb, $1 first week, $2 the second week and so on.  I also want to send the personal loan person 10% of my check each week.  I want to start a New-to-Me Car fund, Home Maintenance fund, an Emergency Fund, a Repair/Maintenance/Replace fund and give me some spending money weekly.  All along with paying the bills and keeping me fed and gas in my car.
I am thinking about opening another savings account and having the money transferred or transferring it myself each week after I pay the bills.  I don't want to use the same savings account that I withdraw the bills from.  I can then keep track on my excel for the money.  I have it figured out that I am going to start with $10 for each account, that would be about $50 a week for them.  The savings account would be $114.84 a month if you divide the amount of $1378 by 12 or $26.50 a week.

The only thing that is keeping me from doing this is the fact that I may not have the hours I need to keep this going all year.  I could drop the amount when I don't have it and up it again when I do.  Since this isn't written in stone, I should be able to do it.

So far, I have spent $2.10 for soda.  I get groceries when I work at the store and I only get what I need at the moment.  I realize I should get them all at once but I would have to go about 15 more miles to get them at a lower cost.  When I don't have the gas, I don't want to travel that far. 

[constanz22]

3cats-   My credit union allowed 8 "sub accounts" and this is how I save for other longer term expenses.  I also have it set up for XX amount to auto transfer there the day after pay day.  It has made my life SO much easier!  When I had a ton of debt and very little wiggle room in my budget, it was a lifesaver.  I even used it for the $160 quarterly sewer bill!  Right now, the sub accounts I have are property taxes, fuel oil, insurance, household and misc.  some I only transfer $10-15 (household and misc.) but it adds up and I don't see it.  If I had it in my regular checking, I'd just spend it, but this way I don't even miss it.  I would check with your back to see if they have a similar option.  Many do!

[shanendoah]

1 CSD/NSD, 1 NEO (25 CSD/NSD, 27 NEO)

Hello everyone. I am back. Starting with last May (and the addition of Pop Tart to our family), I let discipline go in a lot of ways, including financial discipline.
We did not get ourselves back in debt or overrun the budget, but we spent when we did not need to spend. I got back in the habit of getting myself snacks for my desk on a whim (vending machines in the building and a grocery store within walking distance.) We ate out a little too often, etc.

I am losing my job. My last day is Jan 10. (I have a thread over on YM Off-Topic about it, if folks are interested.) We have over 6 months of expenses in liquid savings, so we're fine. But C and I both agree it's easier to tighten up early. And I really need to get myself back in the head space of paying attention.

I am wavering on how aggressive I want my goals to be. I know I need to give myself a little leeway to get back in the game. At the same time, I also know what I can do.
I think my goals are going to be 25 combined CSD/NSD for the month, allowing for 6 spend days. (Bills don't figure into the picture at all. Planned spending (grocery shopping, swim lessons for Pop Tart, my Starbucks on critique mornings) all count as CSD. I will also count as CSD if I buy a coffee when I go for a job interview.
Unplanned trips to Target, running to the grocery store to buy work snacks, etc, those will count as spends.
My other big goal is to get us to 27 NEO days. That still allows eating out roughly once/week, which doesn't seem like it should be hard to do, but I know we've been bad lately.


3catslady- I don't know if you can manage it, but I always thought the weekly savings thing would go better for people if you started it in reverse. Save $52 the first week, $51 the second, and work down instead of up. This way, you're not hitting the highest levels of savings right at the time most of us are starting to spend the most (holidays), and also, you are dong the most amount of savings when your resolve is the highest. It's a lot easier to continue the savings if you know it's getting easier instead of harder. Also, you get the very minor benefit having interest accrue on larger numbers for longer periods of time.

[Ombud]

shanendoah, I've decided to do the weekly challenge in reverse bc the band fees start to be due in August. And that $600 will come out of the weekly challenge cash

I think the point of doing it by adding a dollar each week is so that you get in the habit of saving.

[3catslady]

shanen,  the only problem I have is I don't know how many hours I will be getting each week.  One week I'll have 25 hours and the next I might have 10.  So far I have had 20 this week and next week I have 25.  It depends on sales and usually after the new year, hours start going down.  Last year I had from 8 hours to 16 hours a week for 2 months.  One week I even had 4 hours.  So if I plan anything I have to make it so flexible that a 4 hour week won't interfere. I am going to wait until the weather gets better before I go to the bank, after this cold spell goes away.  DS and DIL haven't paid the full amount of rent for about 6 weeks because she is having trouble with this pregnancy and he has been taking off work to take her to the doctor of the er depending what the situation is.  I think she only has 5 more weeks so we will see when this is over.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 2NSD and 1 CSD.

I decided that I should pick up some stamps before the rates go up again at the end of the month so since I was going to be at the post office anyway I decided to stock up therefore a CSD.  Other purchase was with a gift card so not out of pocket.  I have no clue as to what today will bring as I will be venturing out later today to run some errands.

 My free time is quickly coming to an end and I still have a few things to get done.  I have to get the tree down and the ornaments put away sometime this weekend.  I usually wait until the 6th to take things down but would like to get the tree taken care of a day early.  The nativity sets will remain out until the 6th or later. 

 I did finish the two small projects I will take to school later next week.  Both of these have been in the back of my mind for several months/weeks so I am glad that they are finished and will be out of the house shortly and in the classroom to decorate some of the shelves/walls.  Have one more in mind but need to get a few things at the craft store before I even can start planning how to do it.

I also need to start redoing some of the basic bracelet patterns that I make.  I have to start now as I have several items to remake since the ones I had were sold.  I only keep one of each item made and if an item is one that consider a regular I try to keep it in stock. One of my favorite patterns I make in a variety of colors so I need to redo several colors that were sold at one of the craft shows this past fall.  One of the Christmas earring styles need to be remade as well -- I will make several pairs of those.  It was a new pattern this fall and did really well for me.  Most of the shows I do are small church sponsored ones and I usually sell enough to buy more materials.  At least the hobby (addiction) is paying for itself finally.  I also have several new items to try.  In an effort to improve my skills, I signed up for a craft retreat this summer where I hope to learn some new techniques and brush up on the ones I know. I am trying to get as many of the remake projects done before I come home from the retreat with an overload of new ideas and skills that I will learn this summer.   

Have to get moving so I can get a few things finished this morning.

All of you in the snowy areas, stay warm and safe in this weather.  This southern girl can not comprehend temperatures that low and conditions with all that white fluffy stuff.  We freak out when the temperatures get to the low forties.  The rare days when the twenties are mentioned in a forecast are a major concern for the area.  We don't respond well to cold.

[constanz22]

I have not left the house since Wednesday!  It was hovering around 0 this morning with a -15 to -25 wind chill.  I don't think I'm leaving the house today either!  I did get a bunch of much needed cleaning done yesterday and need to do more today.

I did buy something online yesterday, but so far, that has been the only spending of the month.  I will be going to the grocery store for a few things tomorrow.

[Ombud]

shanendoah,

I am losing my job. My last day is Jan 10.

WTG on HR asking you to submit application for the other job though!!

[Ombud]

Jan 4, 2014 8:54:50 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

I also need to start redoing some of the basic bracelet patterns that I make ... At least the hobby (addiction) is paying for itself finally.

So how did you get started? Do you sell at shows (Art & Wine etc) or online (etsy.com)? Just wondering as I'm looking for a 3rd business & I know where I can get good murano glass beads for 10-15% what they go for here

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Just a short and sweet update today:

Rocky Mtn Saver: 2 CSD/2 NSD

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 2NSD and 1 CSD (no change from last post)

After posting yesterday I ventured out to do errands.  I also stopped at a clothing store and picked up several items to add to the wardrobe. I lucked out since the items I found were all on sale and I had a 25% off coupon good even on sale prices. Today I picked up a few items -- all on the list and needed.  Last year I had some work done and I noticed that the insulation on the exterior pipes was missing. With the weather being as crazy as it has been lately I knew that I could not wait to rewrap them so I definitely needed to run that errand this morning. 

Ombud-- I will warn you that my beading hobby is one of the most expensive hobby/craft that I have ever done.  I have been doing it for over ten years now and there are times I sit at a craft show for hours without selling one item.  It happens.  You asked how I got started so I will tell you that I took a few lessons at a local shop after I had them fix one thing for me and could not believe what they wanted to charge me to do that little process.  Some friends and I sell our crafts (we all do something different) at a few local church-sponsored craft/holiday markets.  I am always happy that I earn enough to pay for my share of the rented space.  Any "profit" I make I use to resupply the materials I use in the hobby.  I enjoy the process and the creative nature of what I do but I don't do it to make money from it except as a means to resupply my stash of supplies.  When I first started I was in the red over a thousand dollars before anyone purchased anything from me.  I don't want you to think it is an easy way to earn extra.  There are a few people who are very successful doing their crafts as a career but I don't have the time and the energy to do a show every week during the fall.  I also do not like to mass produce items.  I rarely have two of the same item on display.  If I do it is because it is an item that I know is different than anyone else makes and I usually only have one in any color if I do make duplicates.  I how this answers your question.

[grits]

Jan 1, 2014 20:38:20 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

Update: 1 NSD

I am in again as well.  Today was easily a nsd since other than one outing I did not leave the house.  The weather has been a miserable, dreary, damp day.  It was a good day for staying in the house and getting some small things done. Of course, we have been having the same weather almost all week and I have been staying home on a regular basis.  I have been shredding a lot and have been going through items to add to the donation boxes.  Also I have doing some reading which is a luxury that I usually I don't have.  I have been enjoying my time off work but will be ready for the new semester on Monday.

SES -- I was sort of forced into the online payments since mail delivery after Katrina was hit and miss for months afterwards.  It was the only way to keep on top of things after the storm.  Once I realized that it was safe as well as time-saving I continued the process. I tried it out one company at a time and made sure that all was working correctly before I tried another.  I figured that over the last several years I saved over $500 in stamps alone.  I do still mail some things but the majority of the routine items are now paid online. 

For you to have saved $500 in stamps several years time, how many things were you mailing?  It is mind boggling to me.

[grits]

If I count $5 or less as no spend, I have had zero spend days. If I count it as controlled spending, I have had 2 control spend days.

I am going to try and keep all spending to less than $1 except for when I need to buy gasoline or groceries.

[shanendoah]

4 CSD/NSD, 5 NEO (25 CSD/NSD, 27 NEO)

Friday ended up being a spend. I went to the social security office to order a new ss card for me (I got a new one 10+ years ago when I got married and haven't seen it since) and an ss card for Pop Tart. I was there for TWO hours. I ended up running to the gas station next door to grab a sandwich and something to drink, while C and Pop Tart grabbed McDonalds at the mall (she was spending some of her allowance on a new game for her DS). I thought long and hard about calling it an eating out day, but while the unexpected expenditure was on food, it didn't really fit my definition of eating out, so it's a spend, but not counting against our meals out.

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday were actual NSDs, which felt good. Friday we also got all of our grocery shopping done.

Today I have a phone interview around lunch time. Because my staff doesn't yet know I'm leaving (I'll tell them tomorrow) and because I don't have an office, I'll walk up to a coffee shop to take the call and get myself a drink. That is planned and will count as a CSD. C remembered to make his lunch last night, so he shouldn't be buying food at school today, either.

[Ombud]

  On the phone interview!

Theoretically, I start each month with $350 extra so why does each month seem like this?

START:

$190.07 after oil change / full tank / passport renewed

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 5 NSD and 1 CSD

I'm back at school so I am happy that I am beginning to add to the NSD totals again. 

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

After a fairly spendy December, it's good to be back on track! 

Rocky Mtn Saver: 5 CSD/3 NSD

[Ombud]

START:
$190.07
- 80.00 CTEC
- 63.00 IRS
- 10.80 Gas
$ 36.27

Education / bond put on AMEX

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

LOL, Ombud, I hope that's not to last until the end of the month!

[Ombud]

I'll be putting everything on my AMEX and paying it off EOM.  This is what happens with a large repair bill, oil change, CEs, & bond all in the same month

[grits]

I want 14 CSD, and 17 NSD for January. So far, I am at 5 CSD, and 4 NSD. I am even counting the day where I spent 74 cents.

[sealy]

I would like to have 14 NSD and and 8 CSD.

I haven't counted in a long time so it'll be 
fun to see how it all goes.

s

[shanendoah]

7 CSD/NSD, 8 NEO (25 CSD/NSD, 27 NEO)

Tuesday was the day I told my staff I was leaving. I took myself out to lunch afterwards, making it a spend and an eating out day.
My staff took me out to lunch yesterday. They insisted on paying, so I'm not counting it for either.

Today is my last day in the current position.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 8NSDs and 1 CSD

I am not counting today as of yet as I still have no idea what will happen with the rest of the day.  I currently have no plans to leave the house but who knows what may happen in the next few hours.  I have been catching up on housework and doing a few projects while parked in front of the TV watching the playoffs.  I have a few things to fix for friends and hope to get to those today as well as to finish off a few items I have worked on this week.  

Shen -- good luck with the new job search.  Glad that the interviews have begun before the end of the last position.

Will sign off now -- dryer just finished and I want to finish up the laundry asap. Take care and I will check in when I can.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 8 CSD/5 NSD

I am rocking the NSD/CSD's this month! 

[Ombud]

$36.27
-29.00 city permit (wn take AMEX)
- 5.15 food
$2.12 really scraping the bottom of the barrel!!

However, haven't put anything on AMEX ex: licenses. So next month will be great esp since I didn't touch the over $500 dividends so far this month

EDIT: All GKs here tonight so rented a movie (Monster House) with a free promo code. Popcorn in cupboard