Catching Fireflies July Controlled Spend Thread

[muttleynfelix]

dakota - What a pain about the car. I think your internal diaper counter is off. We typically do 3 changes in the morning (wake up, halfway between WU and nap and nap time) and 3 in the afternoon (after nap, before supper, at bedtime). One of those in between ones is usually a poop. Yesterady, DH was changing DS about every hour because of DS's rash. So he might have gone through another one or two.

I went to Kohls and bought myself running shoes. $100 regular price, $50 off and $20 in Kohl's cash = $70 savings and a spend of $30. I was hoping to spend $20, but the cheapest shoe was $45 and it didn't feel right on me. Oh well. I do need them.

[Honeylioness]

dakota - That does stink about the car. I swear, appliances and cars make secret middle of the night suicide pacts - we just need to learn how to stop them from this destructive activity.

mizbear - That's great about the talent show. You deserve something fun to look forward to.

An update for anyone who thinks THEIR life is hectic and out of control. And it explains some of what has kept me away for a while:

honeylioness.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=thoughts&thread=223



And just because life likes to throw you these little curve balls ..... I got a call yesterday morning at my office. It was a local area code but I didn't recognize the number. A sweet accented voice said "Hi, it's me ... Anne!"

Holy schmoly.

Anne is the young lady from East Germany who I hosted in 2009/2010. Turns out she was calling me from Boston - just about 25 miles away from where I live. She AND her family are in the US on vacation and want to come see me.

Now, keeping in mind from reading my blog post that housework has probably NOT been a priority for me lately - just imagine the cartoon image in my head screaming "NOOOOOOO".

I was able to get her to agree to tonight instead. So last night I flew home and in sweltering heat (because I had not set the AC low enough) I scrubbed bathrooms, cleaned cat boxes, swept four stories and three sets of stairs, emptied trash, went to the grocery store for ingredients for dinner and washed the kitchen floor.

Truthfully I wish I had had time to get on my hands and knees and really do the floor right - but I will keep the lights dimmed and it will have to do.

Tonight it's run home, unload the dishwasher and get dinner prepped before they arrive at 6pm.

Oh dang it .... I wonder if I have time to run by the store for an angel food cake after work or will desert have to be just marinated fruit salad over ice cream?

[MittenKitten]

Sheila: I agree with the others, why replace it if you don't need to. If nothing else you may be able to get a mouth guard for at night that will keep your teeth were they belong if your teeth start to shift. That should run less then $200. I have one for grinding and I find it also keeps my teeth in place. I had my wisdom teeth removed but that was only because I kept biting my cheeks since there wasn't room for them. NOT a good experience as it took a week for me to function again and it was my last semester in college.

Honey: SO happy to see you. How is it going without any kids? Are you getting more soon?

Muttley: Now imagine diapering a 5 YO child. Who is very shall we say regular. I have been diapering kids for over 8 years now, straight! In August I am hoping to work on poddy training DD and DS#2. We shall see how that goes. The only nice thing is that after the age of 4 diapers are considered a medical necessity and medical assistance pays for them. They give us more then we need so DD is wearing the same size as DS#2. While I know it is frustrating with the cloth vs disposible your DH does stay home with him so he may have reason's for doing what he did. Other then that I don't know why men do HALF the things they do.

Yesterday DF bought a new lawn mower for us, it is self propelled so it is making life easier for DF. I am hoping with the time savings he will be able to get the yard weedwacked more often. Since my mom purchased the other mower about 24 years ago so I could mow the lawn when I was 14 (okay I started when I was 12 but that is when we got the mower) I can't blame it for dying.

Today I took all the kids to drop of DS#1 to the bus for daycamp. DF didn't know I had all the kids and was looking for DS#2 as his door was shut like he had been sleeping (DS#1 opened the door for DS#2 when he woke since DS#2 still doesn't open door handles yet.) Plus I left the patio door open for the dog to go out so he was also looking outside LOL. Then after DS#2 went to daytreatment took the dog and DD disc golfing and to the petstore. Dog did GREAT! he is really frightened of the petstore but he just sniffed everything, was a little shy with the employees that wanted to pet him but did really well and after I gave the employees treats to give him he was very curious. Also saw a puppy on the disc golf course and he loved that. Did great with all the people on the course.

DS#1 is at day camp. He had a good day yesterday. This is a busy week DS#2 has a doctor appointment tomorrow, then I am going to drop him off at his autism day treatment early. They will watch him and he can eat lunch before. Then I am going to drop aluminum cans off to see how much they are worth. It is an experiment we started to see if it is worth it to save our own cans. We have around 3 large lawn bags filled with crushed cans and I have to go that way to go home anyways. Then take the dog to training, then DS#1 to karate in the evening.

Thursday I am going to a garage sale, my DODs since I will be in the same town. (DD can play with the horses then) Then in the evening a parade in my sister's town where the kids will get tons of candy. I am supposed to return something and meet a friend for lunch but am going to postpone that one. Just can't get it all done. Oh and I will be running an errand for DGM and dropping stuff off at her house.

[zippy478]

My brain is rebelling against this no spending thing. I have yet to have a no spend day this month. I am not kidding when I say last month I only spent maybe once per week. This month is NOT going well so far.

And the funniest part is, I say to myself - No Spend Days - you have to post about this...yet I still do it. I really do think my brain is rebelling because of the heat. LOL

[startsmart]

zippy- I resolve that same problem with an allowance. I can spend it whenever I want and however I want without guilt or ruining an otherwise NSD. Like today I'll either get starbucks with my giftcard or coffee from my allowance. mostly because it's hot, I have to go out and I've been looking forward to this treat.

Massage tonight! Plus it's one of the better people who work there and actually make me feel more relaxed. My sunburn isn't sore so there shouldn't be any pain.

I'm so drained. Woke up and 8 and started working at 8:30. Had 5 hours of phone calls, then a shower and now blahhhhh.

[spruby]

honey - hugs - sounds like a lot hitting at once - take it easy on yourself - and make sure the doc does a thyroid check - it can cause a lot of problems

[spruby]

So far I have 4 NSD/8CSD, and 4 NEOs

[mizbear]

zippy- My biggest 2 roadblocks to NSDs are stress and my nieces. My nieces are learning that if they cost me money, we don't get to do other things. But try to convince the adults in my life that they need to stay off my stress bone- which is connected to my spend bone!

Everyone please pray for this budget carp with the government- if disability checks stop going out- I lose everything and have to go back home.
Might as well.

[3catslady]

10/25 NSD/CSD, 1 SD, 1 EOD. I was going to go to Pizza Hut because I was hungry when I left work, but DIL got me groceries and they included pizza so I came home and there was a plate of food in the microwave, roast beef, potatoes and carrots. There has got to be a storm brewing. I don't know what else to say.
Prayers are being answered?

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 4 NS and 6 CS days = 10 NS/CS Days
Honey -- Enjoy your visit with Anne. Remember she was your first student and she learned so much from you. She just wants all her parents to meet.
3cats -- Whatever the reason -- enjoy the groceries and the pizza.
Freezer -- I also stock my empty areas with gallon bottles of water.

[moneysquirrel]

Sorry -- double post

[3catslady]

Mizbear; why don't we all send our bills to the white house in care of the Prez. Then call the companies and tell them they can call there for the information.

[startsmart]

I feel all noodly after my massage ;D

Picked up coffee and produce at the co-op with cash so it's a NSD. I'm so grateful to live in a place where I can get so much fresh fruit and veggies!

[ses]

Yesterday was an emergency trip to the city. I finally accepted the fact that I couldn't find my social security card for the HR people of my new job and needed to apply for a replacement. I mean I haven't used it for over 30 years. No new jobs and all of my bank accounts were opened when people just accepted the number you rattled off to them. Oh, well, it gave me an excuse to go to lunch with a friend. We never have a reason to go to lunch and we are both too cheap to do it just because we want to.

Yesterday was a big SPEND! I did my annual visit to Sam's Club as long as I was in town. From a years supply of oatmeal and bulk spices to envelopes and printer paper. I stuck to my list except for a package of whole wheat tortillas. I went with a friend, whose card we used, who wasn't going to get anything but walked out with a major cartload of stocking up supplies. We are not a good shopping combo. We both find really, really good buys that were not on either of our lists. I'm surprised I stuck to my list as well as I did. The thing that saved me was the fact that I took cash to pay my bill. I was disappointed that I couldn't find any brown rice. With the costs of food inflating, and more to come, I was glad to get some staples at a lower cost.

I have a baby sized chest freezer and I agree it is important to keep it filled to be the most efficient. I will use jugs of water, but I am more likely to fill the jug with my stash of brown rice or dry beans, extra pancake mix or extra bags of flour. I even have a jug of pop corn in the freezer just to keep the freezer full.

Zippy-- I will say, as I have said many times before to many others, don't stress over the NSDs at the beginning. You are developing an awareness of your spending patterns, which is probably more important in the long the long run. When you confront and change your habits the NSDs will happen--though not easily at times. No matter you long we chase those little buggers it is not always easy

[dakota4600]

Yesterday was a major spend $400+ on car repairs, but DH's car is much less scary to drive now and mine starts, so while they weren't planned expenditure it was necessary. Then I ended up working late and figured since it was a spend anyway we might was well go out for dinner.

SES- DH doesn't like taking me to Costco, because I have a hard time sticking to the list when I go.

Startsmart- Massage, I'm so envious. I haven't had one since mini-D was 9 months old. I really need to change that, but it will have to wait a few months.

[startsmart]

dakota- that was one of my monthly splurges after working so hard for so many months without a break. Since it's prepaid they call to remind me and I just pick a time and show up. Love it.

despite the massage I had a horrible night. I had a headache so took some pain pills and went to bed because I didn't feel up to eating dinner. I don't know if the pills were old because they didn't do a thing or if hunger made the pain worse. I couldn't get up and eat (too much pain) and was not able to sleep either. Ended up lying in bed until 2am and then waking up at 4, 6, 7... ug.

I feel like crap on toast.

So this morning new pills and water plus about 5 crackers. Hopefully it'll help, the headache is still there but much less painful than last night.

[zippy478]

Jul 12, 2011 22:43:05 GMT -5 startsmart said:

I feel all noodly after my massage ;D

Picked up coffee and produce at the co-op with cash so it's a NSD. I'm so grateful to live in a place where I can get so much fresh fruit and veggies!

Okay...when I first read this earlier today, I couldn't figure out why you felt all noodly after your MESSAGE. I even re-read your last post to see what it was about! Now I get it

Today is shaping up to be a NSD. Finally! My boss bought breakfast this morning and I'm happily munching on my salad right now. Tonight I plan on staying in so we'll see how it ends up.

[sheilaincali]

This is not my day Went to bring the boy home from tennis camp and the low oil level light comes on in my car. Fortunately I was about 200 yards for a gas station. Had to add oil- which irks me because Sears changed the oil on SUNDAY! I have driven about 50 miles and checked my garage after adding the oil and there is no evidence of an oil leak. So they obviously didn't add enough. Should have written that place off after they offered to put new fluids in my car and forgot to put the coolant back in! On a 120 degree day in Palm Springs . Called the Manager to complain and he said "how do you want me to fix this?" I said "I obviously don't want a gift certificate for a free oil change since you have already proved incompetent at them!". Told him to have a staff meeting, chew them out and tell them they all lost a customer today. I was steaming mad.

Then the tire place called to give me my estimate for new tires for my car- $1,087 for 4 new tires. WTH? Have tires always been that freaking expensive? Ouch.

[Deleted]

Shelia, I can help there. What kind of tires and what kind of car?

[sapphire12]

Afternoon all -- I think I have 3 NS days this month. I can't believe stores already have 'Back to School' and fall apparel in stores. I see Christmas in September. That is a good way to keep me out of the stores; displaying items too early for me.

Sheila -- It depends on the type of vehicle and the type of tire. I have a mid-size SUV and I didn't pay that much for 4 tires and I buy higher end tires, whether I bought them at Costco or Sears. Michelins are expensive, but they shouldn't be that high. Hope all goes well with the Root Beer Floats at the Relay.

SES -- I'm glad your big-city trip was successful. At 1:55 am, not a typo, it was 88 degrees. At 6 am, it had fallen to 82 degrees. LOL. I did not walk this morning. It should be pleasant outside now, it's 88 degrees and the humidity has fallen to 50%.

honey -- welcome back! I hope the visit with Anne went well.

mk -- glad DS#1 is enjoying camp. The itinerary sounds like fun to me.

[sheilaincali]

They are size: 255/50 R19 I called 3 places so far and the cheapest I have found is $218 a tire plus labor and tax to install them. I drive a Volvo XC90 and trust me everything on it is expensive. I just bought front rotors and brake pads the other day and even using my employer's discount they were nearly $300. And that's just for the parts- doing the installation myself.

Forgot about Sam's Club- thanks for mentioned Costco sapphire Sears is out. After this morning I am boycotting them for life or longer!

[Deleted]

Jul 13, 2011 13:23:27 GMT -5 sheilaincali said:

They are size: 255/50 R19 I called 3 places so far and the cheapest I have found is $218 a tire plus labor and tax to install them. I drive a Volvo XC90 and trust me everything on it is expensive. I just bought front rotors and brake pads the other day and even using my employer's discount they were nearly $300. And that's just for the parts- doing the installation myself.

Forgot about Sam's Club- thanks for mentioned Costco sapphire Sears is out. After this morning I am boycotting them for life or longer!

I found a few but I am not sure which go on Volvos, what brand do you want?

[mizbear]

Do those tires drive te car for you??? Ouch!

3cats- I LOVE your idea! Karma! Just as a side, I called the local SSA office and they have no clue either.

Have to go back to the doctor in August- she has also said that DM can not cohabitate with me.

[MittenKitten]

mizbear: See she agrees with us ladies on the board! No living with DM.

sheila: Are those tires gold plated! YIKES! Do you think with the extra cost on the repairs and parts for the Volvo it is a better car then one with cheaper repairs and parts? Just wondering.... My sister had an Audi for a number of years now that thing was expensive to FIX. We tend to drive Chrysler products and Toyota products.

Well the developmental ped is happy with what we are doing for DS#2. I even took him into Rainbow (a grocery store) to purchase Ensure for my grandma. He did really well although I wouldn't have wanted to have him for an extensive grocery shopping trip. Really need to get him out to do new things and see how they go. The problem is it can be SO much work and if I do by myself I am keeping tabs on DD and him going two different directions!

Well didn't get the recycling to the center as I forgot to load it but I need to go close to there tomorrow so I will drop it off then. Picked up McDonald's for DS#2 and dropped him off at the before care for daytreatment. Man I think he is the ONLY child not at before care! He became very popular with all the other kids with his McDonalds LOL

Missed taking the puppy to training, was running just about 5-10 minutes too late, so went fishing with DF and DD. Was fun.

Sapphire: I am with you, today they are having a cook out, tie dying and archery! Seriously I think day camp for adults would be fun!

Start: I am with zippy, I was wondering why you were noodly after your message! Then again I keep seeing singlemomky as single monkey LOL

[sheilaincali]

Gin I am not brand specific. I have gotten quotes from $218 to Bridgestone, to $238 for Hankook, to $340 for something from Sam's club. Parelli (I don't know how you spell it) is what "Volvo" likes to put on their cars. But frankly I don't care what brand it is.

[sheilaincali]

MK- We have put 55,000 miles on the car so far. This will be the 2nd set of tires and I did the front and rear brakes. Other than oil changes and normal maintenance that's about it. Volvos tend to have a reputation of driving forever. DH's family has always driven Volvos. His stepdad sold the one he bought in 1976 for more than he paid originally for it to a GI (solider) in 2004. That thing had close to 300,000 miles and still ran like it was brand new.

[Deleted]

ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?suchen=Ordern&cart_id=10784404.135.8435&ranzahl=4&Breite=255&Quer=50&Felge=19&Transport=P&dsco=135&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=50
This is the link to all the brands of tires that were 255/50/R19. The lowest is $126 plus labor the highest is $33 plus labor but a ton in between. We have used this before and had no problems. They send the tires to the shop you choose (there is a list) and the shop puts them on. It was the cheapest we could find for the brand my DH found ok. We used the cash back on bond rewards as well and then they sent me emails like my points. I just redeemed 50 bond reward dollar for $25 cash so I know it works. Let me know if you want the referral to bond rewards, just PM me a email.

[azmom]

Hey so does everyone know it is Wednesday? Yea as in new grocery ads. Meaning I missed out on stocking up on $.075 half gallon milk and $.088 chicken thighs and legs!!! Ugh I am so upset at myself. My time and my money have been eaten up like nobody's business. DH went to the doctor yesterday $40 co-pay and the physicians assistant (our doctor was not in) said his leg is okay-not infected just bruised badly which is causing the pain and swelling. So that gave us some relief. DH is in severe pain however and he says if it is still causing this much discomfort tonight he will be going to the ER (First off DH NEVER goes to the doctor. He goes once a year, when I schedule him a physical, to appease me and to be a responsible daddy but other than that NEVER. ) We've spent money on gauze, pads, medical tape, cream, and BEER! So much more appreciation for those of you who have to deal with taking care of someone unable to take care of themselves! I am not cut out for this. It has been draining and a reality check of how much support I do get from DH now that it is on hold.

We had a great time at fan fest and I took a few pictures. They are not of great quality and I wish I could take more but I was pushing DH around in a wheel chair and shuffling kiddos around (very well behaved kiddo, I might add). I posted a few on my blog. We spent a total of $12 for parking and nothing, not a penny more. I made the kids a PB&J and for the road and had them eat it right as we were getting off the freeway. They gave away free Gatorade at the end of every activity station and they received a free taco from taco bell at the end of one of the stations!! The kids behaved fabulously. They were extremely patient and well behaved. Not a single gripe about anything. I was so proud!! Oh-well I guess the baby did cry once. There was a station where you had to wear the new Zip shoes to run an obstacle course and the baby was sad when she had to give back her "new" shoes!! hee hee

Gin: You are amazing to offer your help to Sheila!! The support of this thread is amazing to me especially when I am dealing with such lack of support from our own family at the moment!!

[shanendoah]

azmom: bruising is actually often more painful than a break. When I was in my car accident, I very badly bruised my lower leg - knee and ankle both banged nicely against the middle console. I went back for a second set of x-rays when it seemed like I was still in pain a week later, but it really was all bruising. Ice packs, pain pills, and staying off the leg as much as possible...
For the record, I iced my ankle at least once a day for at least 3 weeks. Bone bruises can take a lot of time to heal.

[pointy]

Update: 8/23 NS and 12/28 No QVC