Catching Fireflies July Controlled Spend Thread

[midjd]

8 NSDs, 14 SDs (including today)... about to go buy my BFF's baby shower gift (a whale bathtub) ;D

I will probably not be hitting my goal, but I'm not too disappointed. Most of my spends have been pretty small (overall monthly spending is at $2300ish, and our only expense left this month other than gas/groceries is my SL ($414)). So we should be around $3000 for the month.

August is a 3-payday month (woo!) although the third check will be eaten up by DH's tuition. We've been treading water better than I thought we would, frankly... mostly due to the support/advice of the PB community. So thanks, guys!

[3catslady]

20/25 NSD/CSD, 1 SD, 1 EOD, only 5 more days to go until I make my goal. I can relax in a couple of days and maybe eat at Pizza Hut, but why buy there when DS and DIL send pizza over at least 1 night a week. Last night I got 2 individual pan pizzas and a couple of bread sticks. I am so glad they both have jobs now if they would just pay their part of the rent, things would be better.

[MittenKitten]

Computer ate my last post. So frustrating.

In lots of pain, my toe nails ALWAYS ingrow. In fact I had one that they had to surgically remove half the toe nail when I was a kid. Unfortunately when the nail grew back it is now even WORSE for ingrowing. So dealing with that and hobbling around. This weekend I am alone with DS#2 who can be a lot of work. Last night he decided to remove his diaper (somehow kept his shorts on, not sure HOW he did that) so hobbling around the house I am washing his sheets, undersheet, comforter and the carpeting/floor in his room.

Plus really tired as I couldn't sleep with the throbbing! Oh vey!

HP books. DS#1 read the first 3 and then stalled on the 4th. I did the same thing. He was 7 when he did that. He loves to read and is currently engrossed in The Lightening Thief moneysquirrel gave him while we were in South Dakota. He reads a ton so I usually find a series he likes puts them on my list at the library and then just have around 10 delivered to the library for him to read. He likes the A-Z Mysteries and the other series that other writes, although it does not take him long to read those books.

Had a pleasant day yesterday, the family left and then DS#2 went to day treatment. I treated myself to PF Changs free lettuce wraps (for liking them on facebook) and an Asian Pear Mojito. YUM. Then ran some errands. Found shoes at Walmart for DS#1 and #2 for $10.87 each. Wasn't sure how much I would spend on them so I am thrilled with that price. Found a few other school supplies so I just need a couple of things for him. Should have less then $10 left to spend for Back to School.

[sapphire12]

Afternoon all -- DC had the highest heat index temp yesterday. We're on pace to do it again today. Oh joy.

MK -- I can emphathize with your pain; feel better soon.

moneysquirrel -- the knee is coming along. I can walk around the house w/o crutches. I'm picking up speed too. My incisions hurt, but the knee doesn't hurt otherwise. I'm off of the Vicodin; whew that is potent. I'm taking it easy, a few exercises here and there.

startsmart -- Orlando is lovely in the fall. It is OK to step out of your comfort zone every now and then.

[mizbear]

Quick pop in before I crash and burn for the evening.
My brother is one step closer to getting kicked out of the house. I was told by my uncle that I needed to clean up a mess my brother left. (DGM has now gotten in the middle of that and it's ugly)
I don't mind doing for DM/DGM (within reason) but I'm tired of cleaning up his messes. He's gotten to the point he doesn't do his dishes because he figures I come in and do DGM/DMs (I put them in the dishwasher).
On a happier note- the reno is going swimmingly.
On another happy note- in addition to my MT classes- which unfortunately are going slow right now with all of the stuff at my DGM/DMs, a friend of mine has gotten me into a business opportunity doing direct sales with a reputable company. I won't start until the fall because I need to buy my starter kit, but I am going to take my profits from that business and use it to a) fund that business (luckily we don't have to keep stock, so that is a big plus), b) help me front my computer money for the MT business c) start an EF d) race down my tuition and car loan (my only debts) and e) build a down payment for a house.
The best part with this is that you can do your sales by online parties, book parties or party parties- so it really opens things up. And it ships to the customer. I am excited. It's only going to be a second income and I don't expect I will be terrific at it, but even if I pick up a few dollars a month- it can go in an EF.

I hope everyone gets feeling better

HUGS

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2011 12:27:34 GMT -5 mrslynch said:

just stopping by before i leave for baltimore for the free better than ezra show. hope you all are doing well!
shanen--i saw on your blog that you joined yakezie! i'm so happy that you did. it's been such a blessing to me as a blogger. i hope you find it as great as i do. (i tried to post on your blog but i'm having serious problems).

Hey, I missed that. Have you joined the challenger forum yet?
yakezie.com/forums/yakezie-reader-insights/yakezie-challengers-forum/

[dakota4600]

Yesterday was NS/NEO. Today was a spend. Before the movie, we went to Carter's and got PJ, shoes and socks for mini-D. I got a pair of tennis shoes for next year (or this winter the way his feet grow) for 7.75 which I thought was a great deal. (They were on clearance, then 20% off of that and additional 25% off of that.) The PJ's & socks were b1g1 and 25% off. PJ's are expensive, to me they should be inexpensive since no one really sees them, but after discounts they were still 8 bucks. We used a GC to see Winnie the Pooh we went with another family. Mini-D was really good, though he did end up on my lap for the movie (good thing it was only an hour). I loved the visuals of the movie, they made it seem like it was coming off the pages of the book and characters interacted with the letters on the pages. Plus the art was done in a watercolor feel, not as "real" as recent animated, but looked really nice. Then we went to Culver's for dinner. And headed to Cabela's to let the kids see the animals (taxidermy) they had fun and we got to chat a bit and discuss what else we wanted to take the kids to together. If the heat breaks before August 15th we'll go to the botanical gardens for their "Jurassic" exhibit.

[MittenKitten]

mizbear: Which company are you going with? I have seen a lot of them and know many who have tried them.

Toe is still infected. Hoping to be able to get the dang thing fixed. I really need to have the doctor fix them permanently but can't until I have better insurance.

The rest of the family will be coming home today. DS#2 slept well but yesterday my toe being in pain woke me and today the dog did. AGH! The next three days DS#2 has summer school and then that is done for the summer (Day treatment will continue) and DS#1 has camp. On Tuesday I will be at DS#2's school 3 times LOL. (His school is where DS#1 will be picked up and dropped off for camp)

So tired.

[startsmart]

sapphire- actually we're down in Miami, hopefully it will be nice and warm without any hurricanes! The hotel is gorgeous and right on the beach so I might be able to dip in the ocean Hoping to take an extra day to go down the Keys.

Yesterday was a spend - went shopping with Mom! I did find some great workout clothes and we broke out my Wii Zumba game. One 4 minute routine later and mom was drained lol

[muttleynfelix]

Well, I had a long post about our "fun" on the river yesterday, but PB ate it. Anyway, have a great Sunday all.

[moneysquirrel]

Just dropping in to say hello. Will have to check my numbers later. Good news is that after several years and much work on my house I finally gave the contractor his last check! All renovations are done. I am so happy with the results. I do need to get a few things to finish the decor but that will came a little at a time as I find the items that I want.

[DVM gone riding]

6nsd (for tue 19th)/5csd (for wed 20th) and the rest of the weekend was a total bust except I might get a nsd out of today though hardly feel like I should be allowed to count it considering how much I spent on Friday!! You know come to think of it I didn't actually spend any money yest day either I just totally blew the budget on friday so I guess technically I have 7nsd/5csd ;D

[muttleynfelix]

mk - Ouch I hope your toe feels better.

moneysquirrel - Congrats on finishing up the reno.

Today and yesterday were both no spends. Friday was a sort of spend. I ordered some prints of some pictures along with a couple cards from walmart which came up to $14.90. Then I had a $2.35 lunch from Taco Bell. My parents bought DS his new shoes. Then we stopped by JCP and I bought (using my CC rewards gift card) a new work outfit. I ended up buying pants in size 12. I've just not been able to be disciplined enought to lose the 10 pounds I need to fit into my clothes comfortably. Then my parents paid for supper.

The float trip turned out to be the float trip from HELL. I like canoeing, but OMG this sucked. The biggest problem was that the river was beyond packed. It is not that big and my coworkers who often float that river and has been there on holiday weekends said he has never ever seen it as busy as it was on Saturday. A lot of people take big rafts down the river and it just gets clogged up. Add 2 dogs in our canoe, some slight rapids with some trees in the water that made it difficult to negotiate and I was at my breaking point. We had 2 close calls when it came to tipping the canoe. Then 15 minutes from the end we were negotiating through this section and as we got close we got turned 90 degrees by another canoe. We just got straightened out and had some rapids that were taking us right into a tree overhanging the water. DH was up front and he cleared the tree and I was trying to negotiate it, but the tree took me out and DH feeling the canoe tipping tried to bail to save it. Well, at least the dogs stayed put. THen we were in 3 feet of water next to 10 foot tall sheer drop off. So, the dogs and I swam across the river to the gravel bar. Someone from the gravel bar helped DH bring the half swamped canoe back across the river. We had some help at one of our close calls by some other strangers and I was so greatful. There are some really nice people out there (despite the insane number of drunk people on the river) The rest of our group was probably done by that point with the two dogs we were having trouble keeping up. Fortunately, all was well. No major injuries and just a lost hat. Unfortunately it was the Peace Frogs hat DH bought me on our honeymoon. I didn't even realize I had lost it until the dogs and I had crossed the river. Oh yeah and it rained on us. Although that was not a big deal because the rain was warmer than the water (springfed river) and no lightening. Oh, when we got home, DH and I talked and we realized our biggest problem was that we did not communicate at all on the river. In real life, we try not to play mind reader with the other person, but on the river we did. It lead to a miserable time. Hopefully, if we ever go again, we will have learned our lesson. Thankfully, DS was home with my parents. The time spent not canoeing was a blast. My boss, coworkers and theirs SOs really do rock.

[mizbear]

mk- Celebrating Home. I am doing an online party right now under a friend who is a designer, I will sign up under her once I have my money saved up for my starter kit. The best part is that this is home decor- stoneware for the kitchen, recipe mixes, cookbooks, candles, fragrance warmers, and decor items- so it's not useless.

[sapphire12]

moneysquirrel - Congrats on the completed renovation!!!!

startsmart -- wonder how I came up with Orlando? LOL. I hope you enjoy your time in Miami.

[reeneejune]

I've been completely MIA this month. Retails is chewing me up, spitting me out, stomping on me, and throwing in a few kicks for good measure. I very nearly walked out this week. BUT I'm finally under $1k on my student loan, so I've just got to stay the course, at least until the end of October. I'm really frustrated by the fact that all of my coworkers get full, 5 days plus 2 weekends vacations and I got 3 days plus a 3 day weekend. August is booked up for PTO, I can't take time in September due to seasonal hiring/training, and November and December are company wide blackouts for PTO. January is unofficially booked up already too (our fiscal year runs Feb through Jan). So unless I can weasel some time off in October (snort), I stand a very real chance of losing almost two days worth of PTO... not because we don't have rollover, but because those two days are over the rollover limit!

Say it with me now... 6 more months.

I can start classes in January. The loan will be paid off halfway through fall term, so I have to wait just a little longer.

It really doesn't help that my boss has a "we pay you to stand there and smile while they demean, degrade, and humiliate you" attitude. I finally told her this week that I will never stand by and allow someone to treat me that way. And I'm not sorry about it.

I'm so stressed out I've lost 10 lbs even while regularly binging. Not healthy at all. Well, I can easily stand to lose the weight, but not that way.

Sorry I'm a downer. I'm just having a rough time slogging through the last bit of this mess.

[mizbear]

reenee- HUGS! Congrats on the loan though.

I have my older niece staying with me at least part of this week. She is easier to deal with in some respects than the little one and more difficult in others. And unfortunately she is on a 3 week break from her therapist thanks to Mommy Dearest.

I lost track again this month. However, I have a plan for next month. I found a pack of those circles you use to reinforce the holes on your paper. So I will use those to note whether it is a S, NS, EO, etc.

Can't wait to get the work finished at DGMs so things start working out. My uncle actually told me I had to clean my DBs bathroom! I was not happy. I already do a bunch of stuff there that really my DM is capable of doing and now they want me to clean up his messes too- Bear don't play dat!
Let's just say me and the bleach bottle have been getting really well re-acquainted.

[MittenKitten]

reenee: Oh I HATE people like that. Chin up girl this too shall pass. Or simply run over the effing road block! 6 more months....

Going to break down and go in. I need an antibiotic and pain killer. Hopefully the Minute Clinic can cover it as the copay there is only $20.00 I am also hoping the prescriptions will be cheap also.

moneysquirrel: But isn't your contractor family now? Seriously congrats it must feel great to have it all done.

I swear I am going to run away for a few days and hide. Or at least sleep. My toe woke me up last night and then DF's snoring kept me awake. Got back to sleep for an hour before had to get up and get DS#2 off to school. Now I will wake DS#1 up for camp. Glad the weather is beautiful today for him!

[MittenKitten]

Okay back from Minute Clinic. $20 copay and two $5.00 prescriptions is not too bad. Glad they could handle it otherwise Urgent Care would have cost me $80 more. She couldn't prescribe a pain med so I may call my doctor and have them do that. (Minute Clinic faxed over a copy of my visit so the doctor can see that.)

[Deleted]

Reenee, any chance of taking to your manager about getting any days off? Just say I have two PTO days I need to take before the year is up, when can we work in the schedule for me to take them off. Not given them an option to say you can't. If they still say you can't, I would say, then I need both of us to talk to regional manager about getting me an exception so I can get these days rolled over to next year, I am giving you enough notice I should be able to take my time. See what happens, just stay calm.

[startsmart]

Florida- I've never been so I'm actually really excited about this trip! I booked the hotel this morning and I'm going to look for the second motel (cheap one!) for two nights after the conference. Beach. Florida Keys. *squee* I should have enough info from my partner in crime (a friend who is also attending) so I can book the flights and rental car tomorrow.

So many good deals right now - it's $100 cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale and we can get a rental car for $60/ea. Savings of $40. Plus my Dad can drop me off at SFO so there's no parking fees on this end of the trip.

Clothes - this was probably my biggest worry about the event is that I have so few nice business clothes that are not winter wear. So this weekend I found a few things - 4 tops ranging from $2-$12/ea, two workout outfits that are so so comfy, and I remembered that I have a great cocktail dress I bought last year and never wore so I have something classy for party night.

NSD- Ug, need to check on that today when I go through this stack of bills and papers and info on my desk.

[singlemomky]

Update: 15 CS

[azmom]

I have no idea where I stand on actual NSD, I'm guessing it hasn't changed but we have been staying on budget. This weekend we did most of our back to school shopping and I stayed within our budget (not sure how I pulled it off but I did). We also bought DS football gear. I budgeted $60 for that and I really didn't think I could pull it off but I was able to get cleats (Nike's brand new, this season Nike's), practice pants and a mouth guard for $45.50!! When I signed him up we were giving a booklet of coupons so I had a 10% off coupon for each of the items that I could use all at one time PLUS, they sent out an e-mail for another coupon for 15% off your entire purchase for this past weekend only AND you can use it in combination with the other coupons!! I scored. I also bought DD school running shoes at the same time to take advantage of the $15% off coupon. I still need to make magic happen with out grocery budget and at the end of this month my grocery store is going to stop taking competitor coupons. Which means, no more free $6 or $10 a trip
Saphire: I must of skipped over your knee surgery...Sorry about that. Glad you seem to be healing okay. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
MK: Ouch Hope you can find some relief
Renee: ((HUGS)) 6 MORE MONTHS!!
Muttleyn: You are too sweet. I will say that my method of parenting is not for the weak at heart. It is so emotionally tough to do what I perceive as the right thing, rather than do what is easy or better yet what the world is doing. I find myself in tears (behind closed doors) it hurts to have my children make their own mistakes and learn from them or it is so hard to not give them the extra $15 for that item they have been saving faithfully for or staying true to the consequence set for misbehavior. It downright stinks at times. I would rather say sure sweetheart you can go over to your bff's house and play, rather than ask," Is your room cleaned and are your chores done?" Then being the one to say sorry honey you know the rules, maybe next time. I make plenty, plenty of parenting mistakes. What I strive for and what I actually do are sometimes two different things. I do have the benefit of having a 19 year old so I have done a bit of trial and error. Sure discipline and respect are our goals but we are also the family who will have a spur of the moment tackle football game in the middle of our all tiled living room. Doing life as a family is a priority. I find myself saying constantly, "In our family we chose to do xyz" Or "Honey I understand that she gets to do XYZ but mommy and daddy have decided not to let you do that because" We do always allow for them to ask why (or we will tell them why) and then let them rant (respectfully) and give their point of view. So exhausting!

[reeneejune]

Gin - That's the sticking point... she never outright says "you can't take time off" but when I try and discuss a good time to do so she piles on with the "xy and z are going on right then, I don't know who would cover your shifts" guilt trip. She (the store manager) is married to her job. She has no family and no social network outside of the store, so she has no concept of work/life balance and makes the rest of us feel like "bad" employees for not being as "dedicated" as she is. I know she's crazy, and I want to be firm with her about balancing my own life, but when I'm confronted with her crazy face to face, I have a really hard time putting my foot down.

Shan - I know this is a little late in the discussion, but have you looked into an Adult Foster Home for MIL? Many times they accept people who are not in the normal age or care-level range for assisted living facilities, and will accept private pay. A live in care provider cooks meals and provides assistance as needed, but it's a very home-like atmosphere. Just another option to think about.

[azmom]

Oh-I know that the world wouldn't end if I didn't post this next part but I sort of forgot to in my earlier post.
Is it normal for a fifth grade class to go on a three day, 2 night field trip? They will be doing an outdoor school experience up north about 2 hours away. I think next year the 6th graders go to Sea World. I never did anything of the such but it is seems to be very common, expected in our current school district. Anyways, I am really appreciative of the fifth grade teachers for sending out a letter, that I received last week, to let us know of such trip, the dates, and most importantly the cost $120! I have four months to save for the trip and for that I am thankful. There have been countless times when things have been sprung on us in our part of the woods but it is always sent with statements like 'Its ONLY $50 or even $100, not from the teachers per se.

[muttleynfelix]

azmom - I hear you on how hard it is to stay strong. Yesterday morning, Ben through a book over the gate and then through a fit that he couldn't reach. I go play with something else. He decided to lay down on the floor and throw a temper tantrum. My parents were there to witness it. LOL. We tell Ben all the time, sorry buddy you should have had nicer parents. As for the trip, that seems excessive to me, but then we really didn't have any field trips in our school district ... like at all.

[startsmart]

azmom- I don't think it's unusual for my area to do that kind of field trip. We had a few from 4th-7th grades and they were typically 3 days in the mountains. Lots of nature walks, talks about conservation, a very amusing rain dance, and science projects. I know the cost is high, especially if you're thinking multiple kids, at least one a year. Can you ask about volunteering? Maybe they don't need chaperones but if you can assist with planning or do something to support maybe you'll get a price break?

renee - stay strong. remind your store manager that she needs to find the times that work best (even if it's not perfect) otherwise she'd be denying you a company benefit and that won't sit well with corporate.

[Deleted]

Jul 25, 2011 12:20:51 GMT -5 reeneejune said:

Gin - That's the sticking point... she never outright says "you can't take time off" but when I try and discuss a good time to do so she piles on with the "xy and z are going on right then, I don't know who would cover your shifts" guilt trip. She (the store manager) is married to her job. She has no family and no social network outside of the store, so she has no concept of work/life balance and makes the rest of us feel like "bad" employees for not being as "dedicated" as she is. I know she's crazy, and I want to be firm with her about balancing my own life, but when I'm confronted with her crazy face to face, I have a really hard time putting my foot down.

Shan - I know this is a little late in the discussion, but have you looked into an Adult Foster Home for MIL? Many times they accept people who are not in the normal age or care-level range for assisted living facilities, and will accept private pay. A live in care provider cooks meals and provides assistance as needed, but it's a very home-like atmosphere. Just another option to think about.

Don't listen to the guilt trip, just say I need to talk 2 days at least over these times, these times won't work for the company what days will work? Don't let her rail road over you.

[singlemomky]

AZMom - Lil' Smokey is not in 5th grade yet but all the 5th graders around here take a trip. It is usually in the Spring (around the end of the year). At his school, the 5th grade went to DC.

[MittenKitten]

I haven't heard of that happening around here in the public schools. My DSS did take an overnight trip with his class but I am not sure of the cost. Sounds like a good experience for the kids although I do understand about the money being a pain to come up with.

Weather is beautiful for DS#1's camp today. Fingers crossed it continues. I need to get to Target to purchase a white shirt for DS#1 to tie dye Wednesday.