Catching Fireflies July Controlled Spend Thread

[startsmart]

I finally decided what to get Dad for Father's Day since I didn't get a chance to see him on the actual holiday. We're going to the Giants game which starts at 5pm so I'm going to pack a tailgate lunch for us. Sandwiches, fruit, veggies, pasta salad, sodas and chips

Plus it's bobblehead day so the game comes with a free souvenier!

[DVM gone riding]

2nsd proud of myself to actually been on track for the month! Of course today I then went over budget on lunch but oh well you win some you loose some!

[muttleynfelix]

3 NSD ... Can you believe it, I am actually tracking this month! I told you our finances were screwed up.

Today was not a no spend. DH and DS bought beetle traps and then I got a snack before I went out to do construction staking at work and then had lunch out. Tomorrow I should be done in the field early enough to have a lunch that I bring to work. I screwed up our grocery shopping too. Things in our garden are ready to be picked... in fact the lettuce should have been picked Sunday, but when I made the grocery list i didn't think so and bought lettuce. URGHHH!! Plus I didn't plan on having zucchini ready this week either. I picked 4 zucchinis tongiht. I'll give the biggest 2 to coworkers and hopefully DH will fix some of it for DS because we will have more by saturday!! Well, I need to hit the hay. I'm sort of liking starting working at 6 am. Tomorrow is the last day I have to, but I think I work 6 to 3 all week and then go back to 8 to 5 for the following week and then talk to DH. I am actually preferring the family time that 6 to 3 gives us, plus I don't feel as bad walking out the door when my family is sleeping.

[mizbear]

Keep your fingers crossed for me- I am applying for a one time $1000 scholarship through my school. They are giving away 5. So I am fine-tuning my essay. I have this month to do it- but I want to get it in at the beginning of the month. Also if I get 10 passing assignments in by the end of next month, I will get $100. Apparently, it's an incentive they do during the summer when students tend to slow down on their work.

MK- I know that here, getting married won't necessarily lose you your Section 8, but it may change how much of the rent you are responsible for. If your spouse's income is high enough, you could lose it though. The other thing that could lose her that Section 8 grant is if she has been found to violate any of the rules in reporting or the grant- such as number of household members or income. You have X number days to report changes. If she has done something to cause her to lose section 8- you may be better off with a new tenant. The other possibility is that she may be losing her section 8 due to the budget crunch.

DGM's birthday is tomorrow and we have gotten permission to pick her up from the nursing home and take her out to dinner. She will be thrilled.

[3catslady]

4 NS/CSD, 1 SD, 0 EOD: did not spend anything today. I took water to work and did not spend the fifty cents I had in my pocket. I work 6 hours Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and I usually buy a soda but I will take water and a packet of flavor for the water. I still take my pretzels so no money on snacks. I have not gone to BK even though the smell really gets to me when I come out of the store. The rest of the week is a carnival in the empty lot next door to the store so I hope I can outrun the smell of that food and go straight home and get something out of the fridge.

[singlemomky]

So far so good - I've actually written everything down so far this month which is a major step forward. Update: 3 CS

[muttleynfelix]

Grrrr... I woke up at 5:50 ... and had to be at work at 6!!! I got to work at 6:30 (20 minute drive, I impressed myself). I did bring my lunch but I ended up buying breakfast on the way to the job site. Work is crazy. I am so far behind from being out in the field all day yesterday, plus parts of Thursday, Friday and today.

[dakota4600]

Slinking in with an account of the last few days. Friday we did go out to eat and when we got there realized that there was a boil order in effect for that area, so no water to drink. So dinner was more expensive than usual with fountain drinks for DH & I. Saturday was a planned spend hit Family Dollar, the grocery store and the fireworks stand. Sunday was a NS/NEO. Monday was a spend, but shouldn't have been. We needed new sheets, every time we rolled over the bottom sheet popped off the corner of the bed. So I had Gift cards to BB&B and Target. Sheets at BB&B were way too expensive (about $100 for the ones I wanted.) so I used my gift card to get a new bath towel for myself and ended up paying $5 after that. Then went to Target and picked up the sheets there for $60, but had left one of the GC at home so ended up spending $20 on the sheets. Yesterday was a CS DH has to have elastic waist pants for after his surgery Friday and he had none, so he went out and picked up those and did a Costco run (Grocery budget).

So we are at 1 NS, 1 CS, 4NEO.

Mini-D loved the 4th. Fireworks are legal here, so it was loud and noisy. He was fine until it got dark and the big stuff started going off, then he was happy to go inside.

This month I'm trying to clean out the pantry and freezer a little and not buy so much from the store. We'll see how that goes.

Glad everyone had fun on the meetup.

Miz Bear- Glad the guy wasn't violent.

Muttley- I'm afraid to sit down and look at what our budget looks like. I know gas is way over budget for the year.

startsmart- Hope the game with your DOD was fun.

[zippy478]

So here goes...my first update and it's not a great one but it could be worse. Friday we went to dinner and spent more than we had hoped to but the food was definitely worth it. Saturday we had a graduation party so I had to get a card and some supplies for the food we brought. Not entirely planned but somewhere in my mind I knew about both these things. Sunday was a no spend day. Monday we had to run some errands - some planned spending, some not planned. Yesterday I spent $1.25 for breakfast at work (forgot breakfast ham at the store Saturday ) Today so far is a no spending day.

So I guess that makes 1/15 NSD

[azmom]

4 CSD/NSD Yesterday was a NSD! You know it is easy to rack them up when you are only have pennies to spend. I hope this trend keeps up after payday!

SS: I forgot to comment on the Giants Game. I think that is an excellent gift to your dad. That was my favorite gift to give to my dad and I splurged because I was single w/no kids at the time. We always sat near the dug out or closer! He was a long time Dodger fan and I was fortunate to take him to Dodger Stadium a time or two before he died. I took him to several D-Backs game and once Tommy Lasorda sat a few rows in front of us. He was like a giddy kid. I even hoped the seats after the game to get him to autograph my dad's Dodger jersey! I have been to the Giants stadium the first year it opened. It was the first "vacation" DH and I took together. I love it. It is so stinking cool. We don't get to go to too many games anymore because of the cost. We go to the Home Opener every day (it's a family tradition) and DH buys me tickets to the Dodger series for sentimental reasons. We buy them before the season starts as part of a 10 pack considered a season ticket plan here. So we get a discount, a $10 food voucher, and this year we received a free ticket to the All Star Fan Fest (we gave it away to a friend). Our out of pocket cost was $150.00 upper deck seats near the playground Have fun at the game. Of course the Giants have a 1 game lead over the D-Backs so I am absolutely hoping for them not to win

dmv/singlemom: Keeping track provides an extra dose of determination! Congrats on the NSD so far!

Muttleyn:That is an impressive feat! Hope things get back to normal soon.

Mizbear: Fingers crossed! Hope dinner goes well with your DGM




3Cats: I am so proud of your willpower and determination. Hooray for planning and bringing your own water and snacks AND staying away from the evil BK! You're my hero!




Sorry if I missed anyone. I am taking the kids to the movies this morning. I paid $28 for a 10 pack of Summer movies for each of us at the beginning of the Summer. One movie (already released movie like today will be Diary of a Wimpy Kid), once a week. I have yet to spend a dime at the movies on incidental snacks and such but I have taken them to McDonald's after a couple of times. I have to stay strong and come straight home today!

~Happy No Spending~

[azmom]

Dakota: LOL our sheets are doing the same thing right now..we are trying our best to wait it out as long as we can!

Zippy: Hang in there. You have 1 NSD and that is awesome. NSD are harder to accumulate than one might think!

[muttleynfelix]

azmom - Thanks. I didn't shower because I was going out in the field anyway, but I thought it was pretty good.

I hurt, I'm tired, and I still have 2 more projects to get done today. UGH!!! Yesterdy and the first couple hours this morning we staked 1000 feet of water line. I pounded all the stakes and nails ... about 100 stakes and 50 nails. Plus walked the lengthe of the site about a dozen times. Then yesterday I went to another construction site and fell on my ass and between the 2 things I'm hurting.

[startsmart]

thanks azmom- I am taking mom and dad this weekend so I should have pics and stories to share next week! And just now I was out and stopped at the thrift store to find a picnic basket on sale for $6.50! It has a set of 4 plates, cups and utensils so I'll pack that with the dry stuff (bread, chips, napkins, trash bags) and pack the ice chest with the perishables.

I had coffee this morning with a gal who runs my favorite thrift store - it's a on-going fundraiser to support a charity in my town. I'm going to do some website work for them and basic marketing stuff, the lady was very excited! The most surprising part of the meeting was when she asked if there was anything they could do for me to help me get more business. And I realized there's really not. My business is going well, I have enough work and clients at the moment and it's so nice to be content and not have a need! I'm going to start on their project this week and we'll meet up in a few weeks.

Now I suppose I have to work for a few hours (boo) but at least I have coffee and a fan and the dogs are quiet!

[MittenKitten]

shanen: I will get you the June numbers tomorrow. Busy life right now LOL.

3cats: great job! Keep it up!

azmom: stay strong! I understand how persuasive kids can be!

muttley: That is good time! I hate it when I oversleep. Makes for such a crappy start to the day.

zippy: It is a good start. It seems most struggle when they begin and find some interesting conclusions about their spending!

start: Have a great time with the parents.

[mizbear]

I am making a first week report this weekend. I told DM I have t either have 2 days a week or my weekends with stuff at school. Plus, I am just plain exhausted.
Dinner with DGM went great. Plus one of her favorite waitresses (was promoted to hostess) was there and gave her a big hug.
DM is trying to pick a fight with DB. I wish she wouldn't- it causes more stress for me.
Looks like I might get a new neighbor. Hopefully the maintenance guy will move back in.

[3catslady]

5 NSD, 1 SD, 0 EO; I took my can of soda and pretzels and did not stop at the carnival or BK. I think next week I will go to Pizza Hut. I get one of their large pizzas for $10 and I have 3 meals from it. I don't think it is a bad deal. I enjoy that once a month. I also want to eat at my favorite restaurant on the night they have fish or the night they have liver. I think that will be the only 2 times I eat out this month. I have a family reunion on Sunday and the twins birthday party Saturday. I have a few meals in the freezer to fall back on.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 1 NS and 4CS days
Today was another CS day since my house now has gutters! It was a planned spend and saved for but it was a lot so I am counting it. Slow but steady progress.

I think that all items are now out of the attic. So that is a major feat. Several bags went out in the trash today. The sooner the insulation is installed the sooner I will reorganize the attic. I see some additional shelving units in my future. At the rate my contractor works I should have the money saved way before he is finished with the rest of the work scheduled.

Stayed at home today and got a lot of things organized so all in all a productive day.

[startsmart]

it's nearly 10pm. 80 degrees. 50% humidity.

*melts*

quick, someone give me a compelling reason NOT to relocate to Canada for the summer...

[reeneejune]

I'm at 6 CSD so far, I haven't spent anything out of budget. Well, I ended up feeding a broken washing machine $1.50 before I figured out it was broken yesterday, but I'm not going to count that.

Mom and I made our mad dash to Pendleton, OR to visit my brother last Wednesday. I didn't sleep well the night before, couldn't sleep on the drive over, had to keep up my emergency allergy medication despite being out of the valley (where most of the world's grass seed is grown), and then couldn't sleep on the drive back! Needless to say I was a very tired girl when I got home. My brother is well, and I found that the "vibe" at this facility was much more positive than the others he's been at. It was originally built as a mental hospital around 1900, and was converted to a prison almost 30 years ago. Compared with the last prison he was in (built new about 20 years ago), it has a much less foreboding feel. The staff was very upbeat, helpful and positive as well, in fact I went out of my way to thank the woman working at the reception desk in the visitor's area. Mom always gets teary when she visits my brother, and this lady's sunny attitude made it much easier to go through the process.

I spent some time reading and getting caught up on my sleep the next day, then dived into some sewing projects I've been putting off. I made a pair of shorts and a skirt for my Grandma, a shirt for a guy friend, and a slipcover for my loveseat. The slipcover still needs some work, but I'm already very happy with how it changes the way my living room looks. Because sage green and teal don't work together in decorating.

I also took the rare opportunity to go out with a group of friends on a saturday night and laugh as we watched drunk people sing karaoke. Monday I went to a BBQ at my BFF's house and got to hold her 2 yo boy while he held his first sparkler. He wasn't very impressed. He enjoyed our mini-fireworks display (OR only allows ground fireworks for general public) but he was happy to wear the child sized ear muffs once he heard the first whistling and crackling ones.

MizBear - I know how scary that parking lot scene can be. A few weeks ago I was threatened by a customer at the store I work in. Apparently people don't like being reminded that they can't just tear open packages before they purchase without employee approval.

[reeneejune]

startsmart - 10 pm. 70 degrees. 85% humidity. We're not doing so much better in Oregon. Why shouldn't you move to Canada? You'd punch someone for saying "Eh?" too many times. ;D

[mizbear]

Today we are at 83 with 80% humidity- feels like 90- so far!
I really just want to stay home

[shanendoah]

Update: 3 CSD + 2 NSD = 5 of 27
Today should be a gas only NSD.
After like 5 days of 80+ degree temps, its cool with the stereotypical Seattle mist this morning. This makes me happy because 1) the heat had started to make my Junebug a little sick and 2) I get sick in the heat really easily. There is a reason I no longer live in NV.

DH was supposed to make dinner last night, but then suffered a major allergy attack after doing some weedeating on our front hill. So dinner fell to me. I made quickie pasta salad -
penne, grape tomatos, fresh basil from our basil plant, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and a little italian dressing. Easy, tasty, and, except for the tomatos, made from things that are always in our house.

[azmom]

5 CSD/NSD Yesterday was a no spend. Today is pay day but I may or may not make it the groceries i have a meal or two still left over. I posted my $100, thirteen day grocery challenge results on my blog. anotherhousewife.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/grocery-challenge-update-new-budget/

Because DS football registration cost $205 I will only have $200 for groceries but have decided to see if I could it for $150.

SS: It was 90 degrees with 73% hum. on the 4th of July while I ran a four mile race at 6:30 A.M.! I was a wet sweaty mess!

Did you all hear about the Haboob that covered the valley the other day. Apparently it went right over my house and I was in complete ignorant bliss until I turned on the news. I have to say I giggled like a 10 year old boy every time they said Haboob! hee hee Here are some cool photos of it near the AZ D-Backs Ball Park
www.foxsportsarizona.com/pages/photogallery?gid=8746&gf=aggregate

[zippy478]

So what is it about feeling sick that makes you want food you don't normally eat? Yesterday would have been a NSD but I got a small fry and a soda from McDonald's. Today would have been too but I got soup from the cafeteria at work. It's helping my throat feel better so the couple of dollars I've spent the past couple of days is okay.

This week has been somewhat crazy/hectic and not feeling good makes me want to reach for whatever is closest in terms of food. Hopefully I can re-focus the next couple of days. We'll see.

So, still at 1/15 NSD. Fortunately I still have a few days left in the month to boost that total. LOL

Although I must say - last month if I had tracked it I probably would have had at least 15 NSD because I rarely spend money outside of what is budgeted for bills, groceries and gas.

[shanendoah]

June Final Numbers

Name	Goal	Total
3catslady	-	25
973beachbum	-	6
azmom	-	10
dvm07	12	8
mizbear	30	-
moneysquirrel	15	19
mrslynch	-	6
pt_in_ny/pointy	23	23 ;D
red_wagon	12	5
shanendoah	26	26
Sheila in Cali	20	16
spruby	30	6
Startsmart	20	-

5 CS/NS Days
10 CS/NS Days
15 CS/NS Days
;D 20 CS/NS Days
25 CS/NS Days
Reached their goal


We had a lot of people lose track last month. But if you think your numbers are wrong, let me know and we'll get them fixed.

[MittenKitten]

azmom: That is just wild! Never been in a sand or dust storm and must confess I hope to keep it that way.

[Deleted]

I achieved my goal for grocery spending last month! We spent on average less than $50/month and we bought steak, shrimp and ate well! Stocking up has really paid off for us.

[mizbear]

YAY! That's great gin!
Shout out to all of our michigan people- heard about those scary shootings- thinking about you.

Just got 48 hours notice that the nursing home is releasing DGM- all because of something with insurance. Can I just have my heart attack now?

[startsmart]

zippy- I know what you mean! It's hard to get interested in food when you feel bad.

today should be a NSD - I'm not planning on leaving the house. I'm tired and cranky and exhausted with everything going on. I want it to be cool enough I can sleep for a week. Preferably on a beach.

I'd like to go to the grocery store tonight but I'm too tired. There's plenty to do at home so I'll stay here and do it.

[spruby]

Picked up a NEO today - got stuck at work late and usually end up grabbing drive through - but DH was already home and had dinner planned (yummy pasta and sauce - I made the sauce this weekend) - so a win.

So far this week (3 work days) I have worked 32 hours. One entire extra day. I earn comp time for it - but I don't NEED the time - I just want a little less work. Wednesday was the killer - up & back to NY and I was answering emails/doing calls the whole way there and back - no time for my angry birds!

I guess this is not a bad problem to have - but I'm exhausted.