Catching Fireflies July Controlled Spend Thread

[DVM gone riding]

shanen there has been a lot of talk among the captains (we have an email group) about a "subboard" for WIRR. I could create a sub board pinned at the top of the WIR Marked "controlled spend threads" then we could have all the months in there, that would give you a lot more letters to work with--but it might decrease new members? But on the plus side all the threads would be easily contained in one spot.
you might then want to add the year but I think by the time the next year comes around the last year would be further down. we could move all the threads so far into that subboard??? Let me know what you think.

[muttleynfelix]

This was mentioned on the Midwest Racers, but since we are controlling spending I think it is important to us too. There 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays, and 5 Sundays in July!! Which for me, means there will be 5 grocery trips in July. I know for other people there are other weekend expenses that will make it more spendy.

Yesterday was a no spend. I ate my leftovers and DH and I searched the kitchen to find something to actually cook for supper. Mac and Cheese and turkey sausage.... not exactly uber healthy, but it gets the job done. I nearly I have my meal planning done for the month. Yep. I decided just doing the week wasn't going to be a enough since next Saturday is our church 1 day VBS that DH is in charge of (yeah, one day I don't have to worry about food...LOL). The 23rd my company is doing a float trip. We don't have to pay for the canoes or the camp site if we decide to camp (dependant on who we get to watch DS). So, just food and gas to get to the place which is an hour and a half away. Well, DS is peeved at me. So I better get off the computer and take him outside before it is 90 degrees. Have a great day all.

[mizbear]

I will probably go with the group on the sub-board. By the beginning of next year I should be where I am trying to race my car debt (since it has interest) and then my college debts (since they do not). I will still be participating, but as I finish school and get working, my time here will slow down a little.

[midjd]

So far I'm 1/2 - yesterday was a NS, today was a planned spend (99% of the time I do the grocery shopping on Saturday).

Spent $103 at Kroger (stocked up on quite a few things), $10 at CVS for rum for mojitos, and $160 at Petco (I can't believe how expensive Frontline is!) Counting the electric bill and a tank of gas, total monthly spending is at $397. Our monthly spending goal is <$3050, typical spending anywhere between $3000 and $3500... last month was pretty good, we were right at $3050.

This month is going to be difficult to keep the spending down... with the 5 weekends, my best friend's baby shower, and the Soundgarden concert in Chicago (everything is paid for, but there will still be gas/food/parking).

On the plus side, DH sold two of his bat houses today for $80, and he MAY have sold his Jeep (we find out Tuesday). The Jeep alone will save us $50 a month in insurance!

[spruby]

I'm in for July - 31 CSD/NSD, 15 NEO, 15 MOANS

Even though we are traveling we have to stay on budget - so all days mus be at least a CSD - in budget. Hoping for five NSD - one per weekend (on average) and one travel day (counts as NSD because all of it is reimbursable).

So trying to decide what to do about clothes. The side effect of a treatment was a quick 15 pound weight gain (amongst other unpleasant things). Making many things uncomfortably tight. They fit - I just dislike how tight they are. So I wear the same stuff. Lots of trips to NY last month and this month and I'm tired of my same couple of outfits. I want to buy one new suit/separates for traveling and to feel better about myself. We have the money in the budget but I'm feeling cheap/undeserving. I'll have to decide tomorrow whether I want to run out and try to find something or not. Being conscious in my spending makes me examine all the issues behind the spending. Not the most comfortable thing.

[startsmart]

Ug, the power just went out and it's expected to be over 100. I'm going to shut down my phone and save the battery.

Don't think theres any spending out of budget, I had planned to refill my propane tank but that goes under grocery, especially because I can't go out if the power is still off since the dogs will be here and hot.

[spruby]

startsmart - no sure how common power outages are by you - but is there a back up place you can take the dogs that is cool? Doggie day care?

[mizbear]

Ugh- power outages. we are t a 92 heat index already.

I should be at 2 NS today. Spending te day with DM working. I see the doctor next week and I'm sure she will not be happy.

[3catslady]

Spent on the 1st, all under budget;
Mortgage #1 $619.95
Mortgage #2 94.33
Hospital 50.00
garbage 24.00
cable 2 mo. 197.00
soda 6.00
chips 2.00
batteries for remote 6.00

2nd of July;
bread 1.19
litter 6.18

3 NS/CSD 0 EO

I am going to get gas today because the station is offering 5 cents off each gallon. I am getting $20. I will add that when I get back.

[moneysquirrel]

I'm in again with the usual goal of 15 NS/CS days. As of now I have 2CS days. Today I had to get a few food items into the house as I emptied out the fridge prior to the Black Hills. Only money spend yesterday was lunch while traveling home from a very fun-filled trip to the Black Hills.

The trip was a lot of fun and the company was delightful. Many thanks to all my traveling companions for the adventure. Special thanks to SES and KCGal for being the chauffeurs. Also thanks to SES for planning the trip with activities for every taste.

[startsmart]

Spruby- the power came on pretty quickly this am, I spent time resetting all the clocks though.

Stayed in today, worked on cleaning the kitchen, cutting flowers, hung a pic in the kitchen, and then started working on my rug project.

I bought a pair of twin sheets and began tearing them into strips, then tied the strips together and rolled them into balls.

one of the deals I got at salvation army was a shelf for $5 and I stained it last night. Looks great! Already put it out by the bench.

[mizbear]

Vent/Rant-
People are crazy! DM takes me to dinner at local chinese buffet. Well, the people who own the place were miffed with this guy who was in there eating because they caught him eating at the food bar and therefore had to clear everything off that food bar and put out all fresh food- well. As though that wasn't bad enough- he left behind DM and I. I stopped in front of the grocery store in the same shopping center to let people through the crosswalk (plus I had slowed down as to not launch my DMs SUV over the speed bump)- he tries to go around me on the left! So I blow my horn at him because as he is cutting back in- A- he almost runs over pedestrians, and B- he almost hits DMs truck (which I'm driving). He stops in the middle of the road, blocking me in and gets out and heads for my door- hollering "F" this and "F" that- called me the "B" word and threatened to kick my "A"! I told him to go back in his truck or I was going to call the police- he says "Call the "f" police." All of these people are forming a crowd. I was so embarassed. I waited almost an hour to go back and go into the store- people were still talking about him. This older gentleman who was behind me in traffic pulled up beside me at the stop sign and told me not to let him ruin my holiday with his ignorance, but I have never had someone be so brazen as to threaten me in public like that. SCARY!
Needless to say my nerves are shot.

[ses]

Mizbear--My sympathies! Reminds me of the time I was being hazed on the highway. Some jerk slowing way down then speeding up when i tried passing, or passing me on the shoulder. I ended up turning his plate number over to the highway patrol who warned him, all they could do, and monitored him for a few days.
I would suggest reporting this behavior. Even if nothing can be done now it might be useful info for the police to have on file.

[3catslady]

Gas $40.20 (I decided to fill it up a little more)
sodas for work $4.00
fireworks (a waste) $14.53
So I am at 2 NS/CSD and 1 SD and 0 EO. I shouldn't have bought the fireworks but the twins really liked them.

[kcgal]

Boy did I have a fun trip to SES. I drove across western Kansas instead of I 80 all the way across due to the flooding. Stayed in Hill City Kansas the first night with a cousin and saw the pictures of the tornado that went over the town two days earlier. Proceeded to SES house and was there one hour before the tornado sirens went off. Next day as I was getting gas for the car it hailed. What next? Finally we were off for Rapid City and a new adventure. Fun was had by all. Sapphire and mom Sapphire were entertained with stories of life in kindergarten.
Having no Internet and limited cell phone reception made me think I was stepping back in time.
My return trip was almost uneventful. I was on the road at 5:30 Nebraska time and 12 hours later I was home. I did have to reroute to accommodate the Iowa/Mo. flooding. As a was driving down the road I rolled down the window and tried to take pictures while driving down the road. I call it "drive by shooting". Finally I was home. All I can say is "there is no place like home". I was tired after driving all over Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. I got up the next morning to face a flat tire. I am so blessed! Of all the places I could have got a flat tire it was in my own drive way.

[startsmart]

kcgal- I love that "drive by shooting" as a photographer I'm fond of telling people "I shoot people and then drag them into a dark room and blow them up" Glad you had a great trip!

I'm up early and going to work for a few hours until things get too loud around here. I'll be spending half my day calming down the dogs.

[mizbear]

ses- People were calling the police and taking the guy's pic and video on their camera phones. I don't know if anyone contacted him or not- again they may not have enough- although since he got out of his vehicle, started towards the one I was driving and because of his language, technically they do have a charge, but- I don't know. His wife is not a nice person either (unfortunately they are local) and she was yelling out of the truck for this one lady to put her phone down- but was smart enough to stay in the truck.
I just hope I don't run into him at dinner anytime soon.

[mizbear]

I hope this is not an omen of how the month is going to go.
Yesterday some nut threatened me in the grocery store parking lot; today one of our apartment buildings is on fire- second one in 7-8 months. We had never had a fire here that I could remember. Not a major one at least.

[muttleynfelix]

mizbear - Yikes. That stinks.

Happy 4th all. Have a safe and great day.

[3catslady]

3 NS/CSD, 1 SD, 0 EOD.
$0.50 soda at work. I forgot my can at home.
DIL is back at work after the birth of grandchild #8, 7 for her, 6 for DS. My income will start to be regular now and I can count on it being in my account on time. DS would have work but not get paid on time so I was just hitting and using up savings so I didn't get behind on anything. Now I can breath easier.

[sapphire12]

Morning everyone -- I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day!

Black Hills -- SES planned a wonderful event-filled trip for us. SES and KCgal were our chauffeurs. The lack of a cell phone was rather annoying to me. The irony is that I missed being able to text and surf from my phone; lack of voice didn't bother me so much. MK, mom MK and DS had a blast. Renee, Spruby, Sheila and Nancy you were missed. It was cool and rainy on Friday. My knee swelled and started hurting. I hopped off the trolley and went to watch the tennis match in my hotel room. Momsapphire and moneysquirrel explored w/o me.
Unfortunately, momsapphire and I had adventures with flying on both ends of our trip. I hope to never experience this again. Quick version. Our plane didn't arrive into BWI on time; 4 hr delay resulting in changing our entire flight itinerary. We arrive in MN 5 hrs late; the plane is at the gate, but the flight crew is not at the airport. Oh joy. The flight crew arrive on a flight, but the flight attendants don't want to board the plane until the pilots arrive at the game. What?!?! We finally arrive to a closed Rapid City airport. I've never seen an airport so dark. Thanks to SES for waiting this out. Fast forward to the flights home. A commuter plane that landed, just before our plane landed in Rapid City crash landed. Everyone was fine. This incident lead to the runway being closed to all traffic while they cleaned jet fuel. We leave 2 hrs late; our connecting flight in MN has to be changed as well. So we arrived back at BWI two hours later safely.

Errant bills -- I received a $205 bill from my alarm company. I call to question the bill. Turns out someone has an acct number that differs from mine by 1 digit. Eek. I now have been credited with said amount. Due diligence is key.

Google Talk -- Used this for the first time yesterday evening. I guess it's akin to Skype and Facetime. I've never used those two services. When logged into my gmail acct, I am able to call landline or mobile in the US and Canada for free. I'm not sure how long free will last, but it is a blast. No holding the cell phone to my ear or the ear piece in my ear. True nerd experience.

Fed Ex Smart Post -- This is the shipping method du jour for many retailers. I don't find it very smart, nor particularly efficient. Fed Ex starts with the pkg and transfers to the USPS. Each has their issues. I never received a pkg. I called USPS; search is underway for said pkg. It's been 2 wks and they haven't found said pkg. I called retailer to have credit back to my acct; it's too late to reorder. What happens if USPS finds said pkg and delivers it to me?! I'm waiting to see the outcome of said adventure. I much prefer UPS.

[midjd]

3 SD, 2 NSD

Went ahead and counted today as a spend because our mortgage payment is autodrafted on the fifth. Yesterday was also a spend, we went to a pool party and bought a tank of gas... total monthly spending (counting mortgage payment) is at $1,510. Whew, painful for only being 5 days into the month!

[MittenKitten]

sapphire: Oh the adventures you DON'T want to have! Glad everyone was safe.

SES: Thanks for planning a wonderful trip. DS#1, momkat and myself all enjoyed it.

Had an inprompto 4th of July party yesterday. Momkat and DSIS decided I should host. DSIS purchased most the food and all the fireworks. We had fun playing in the pool, eating and setting off fireworks.

DF has some parttime temporary work so we will see how that goes. The pay per hour is good although I am not sure how many hours he will start with. Very scary with unemployment possibly running out in a few weeks.

On another possitive note the State of MN did decide all of DS#2's waiver and services are essential so I have not lost my insurance or the wage I receive from his waiver.

[mizbear]

mk- YAY! Glad they are using their heads about something.

sapphire- I sooo agree! I make it a point to use UPS whenever possible- unfortunately my school ships lesson packs via smart post and most of the companies I deal with use FedEx (we call them something else that starts with F around here- they drive badly and delivery service stinks- USPS varies by carrier at least) And all the UPS guys are cute to boot!

[shanendoah]

Update: 3 CSD
While I had hoped to have at least one day without spending this weekend, I hadn't really expected it. We did go to the grocery store every day. Some of that was poor planning on our part and some of it was that DC's visiting friend has Celiac's. I am not willing to let a 19 year old go hungry in my house if it only takes a 5 minute trip to the grocery store to fix.
I am counting Sunday as a spend because we got Qdoba for lunch for everyone and then DH bought Rock Band 3 (from his birthday money) and we went to the grocery store to get snacks our guest could eat to take to a party we were going to. However, since I had been to the grocery store 2 previous times knowing about her food restrictions and the party, I should have been better prepared.

We had a good 4th, but my poor Junebug does not like the fireworks. She huddled at the end of our hallway for a while, then under my desk while I was at the computer. When I went to bed, it took her a while to decide it was safe to come out from under my desk. I lifted the sheet for her and let her curl up under the covers with me. Larry joined us, also under the covers, shortly after. Luckily, being under the covers and curled up next to me allowed them both to calm down enough to sleep, which allowed me to sleep.
Fireworks are supposed to be illegal in our town, but that doesn't stop anyone. Our next door neighbors were lighting things off for 3-4 hours.

dvm: I'd be interested in the sub-board, but MK really is our fearless leader. I was just filling in.

Black Hills: Glad everyone had a good time.

[Deleted]

Jul 5, 2011 8:38:24 GMT -5 MittenKitten said:

sapphire: Oh the adventures you DON'T want to have! Glad everyone was safe.

SES: Thanks for planning a wonderful trip. DS#1, momkat and myself all enjoyed it.

Had an inprompto 4th of July party yesterday. Momkat and DSIS decided I should host. DSIS purchased most the food and all the fireworks. We had fun playing in the pool, eating and setting off fireworks.

DF has some parttime temporary work so we will see how that goes. The pay per hour is good although I am not sure how many hours he will start with. Very scary with unemployment possibly running out in a few weeks.

On another possitive note the State of MN did decide all of DS#2's waiver and services are essential so I have not lost my insurance or the wage I receive from his waiver.

That is a relief.

[MittenKitten]

gin: Yeah although now public housing may be kicking my renter off section 8 and I don't know if they will pay July's rent or Augusts. Plus it looks like I will need to get new tenants then. UGH always something. The woman went and married her boyfriend then actually told public housing. For some reason that may disqualify them. WHY would she do that! He was living there the whole time anyways (or at least I believe he was.) Believe me this woman is NOT bright.

[azmom]

3 CSD/NSD-(one is a NSD) Yesterday I had a 4 mile race and I treated myself with a $4.02 Starbucks, which is a complete and total non budgeted, unplanned for, with no remorse spend day! Today is should in all accounts (including having only cents left from my $100 challenge) be a NSD but will not count it until it is confirmed. DH took me out on a surprise date, Sunday night. We went out to have wings for dinner (under $20) including tip and then went bowling for $26 and some change. It was so much fun and oh so needed. I am not counting this as a spend because he paid for everything in cash from his fun money. Our families finances were not touched at all, which was a super bonus!

MK: I understand your frustration but wouldn't it be illegal for her not to report it and if she no longer qualifies shouldn't section 8 be freed up for someone on a waiting list who needs it? Maybe I misunderstood your post but it appeared as if you were calling her not bright for doing the right thing. Sorry if I misspoke or misunderstood.

BLACK HILLS: Sounds like so much, despite a few transportation issues. I hope to one day participate in a meet-up.

~Happy No Spending~

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 1 NS and 3CS days
Errands today but only got the items on the list so a total control spend day. I decided to start clearing out the attic. I go up early in the the morning (due to the heat) so get as much out as I can handle and go though without much hassle. Got rid of two bags of trash so far. Hope to finish up this in the next day or so. Contractor may be able to apply insulation to the area soon and I want to be able to finish my sorting prior to then. Rather do it on my schedule -- slow and easy -- than rush through everything.

[spruby]

Sounds like the meetup went well - I'm sorry I missed it! No fun on the travels sapphire - but I'm glad you made it home!

4th of July - low key here - but on Sunday some idiot decided they didn't want to barbecue and dumped the hot coals in the dumpster. I look out the front window and see flames shooting up and a couple of guys carrying bowls of water and throwing them towards the dumpster! Of course said dumpster (big metal square) is surrounded by a wood fence and has a tree overhanging it. We called 911 and found someone else had as well - they came and got the fire out - the tree was singed. What idiots.

Our pup ruby doesn't like fireworks but luckily we didn't have many being set off right by us. she snuggles us in bed every night so we all sleep well.

MK - yeah on MN paying you & DF's work, bummer about the tenant. There was an interesting article in the NYT about how section 8 recipients are now favored tenants in areas with high foreclosure rates. Although it profiled a woman who was able to use her section 8 voucher she got in Hawaii to rent in NC - not sure how it works.

3catslady - glad the she's back to work - but wow - a lot of kids.

5/31 CS
1 NEO

off to NY for work tomorrow!