MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Dec 31, 2011 19:18:08 GMT -5
The Controlled/No Spend thread is undergoing an overhaul as we get back to the fundamentals of the thread while still maintaining the comraderie that keeps us coming back and makes us successful- even if not initially.
Thanks Mittenkitten for the monthly intro and Reeneejune for organizing the weekly captains.
Here is this month's Controlled/No Spend Thread as promised. Please post your goals for the month if you would like me to include them in the bi-Monthly update. 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 I 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 December 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.
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) MOAN: Moving our a$$ Now aka exercising 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I mean FWIW: For What It's Worth IMHO or IMO: In my Humble Opinion or In My Opinion Getting Nitzed is a now slightly outdated term referring to when you have a long post and MSN cuts you off so its in two posts instead one. Having a Startsmart Day is referring to when you have 20+ things on your must get done in a day and you accomplish them. Sharing the Simple Lifestyle aka Toasty; Single Mom-KY aka Smokey; MittenKitten aka MK; Pt_In_NY aka Pointy; Red2Black aka R2B2. The Boy is Sheila in Cali's son. the boy or Mowgli is Nsinglet's son Blue is Red_Wagon's DH TBear is MizBear's older niece. ZBear is MizBear's younger niece.
Every week we try to have a question of the week (QOTW) and challenge of the week (COTW) related to the question.
Honeylioness had a wonderful answer I think really defines WHAT we are about:
"I will admit that during my first two months of lurking, I wondered just how in the WORLD someone could not spend any money at ALL for 25 days? Did they just pay all their bills one day a month, and that same day do the food shopping for the month? Like many new to the concept I saw it as horribly, and restrictively, black or white – an opinion first based merely on the name of the thread.
But once I came to understand that it was not so totalitarian and was more about finding a way that worked for you to track your spending and any “leaks” in the wallet, it has felt more like a tool and less like a punishment. I wish I could say that I have paid off five extra years from the mortgage, or now have an EF of six months take home – but alas that would not be true.
What I do have however is a better awareness of where my “leaks” are, what are my hot buttons that make me want to spend on things I really don’t need or really cannot afford right now. And an awareness of the fact when I AM spending money. I think that awareness is key to learning a new behavior or paradigm. Just like lumberlady(a member that hasn't been a regular lately but is still a much loved part of our community), some of us have had to look hard in the mirror and acknowledge that we had a problem. Until people can do that, be it an addiction to alcohol or drugs or credit cards ….. they will never really GET it."
Thanks Honeylioness!
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pointy
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Post by pointy on Jan 1, 2012 10:27:42 GMT -5
I'm in! 23 NS and 28 No QVC... Happy New Year! Here's to a prosperous 2012!!
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Jan 1, 2012 10:43:15 GMT -5
I'll go first - January is a fresh start so here are all my goals! 30 NSD - every purchase must be an already planned/budgeted one or come from our allowances (20/each/week). Counting a little differently this year since. 10 MOANS - 15 minutes of working out = 1 MOAN - starting small 15 Restaurant points - it is my birthday this month and we have coupons and gift cards (and a small overages budget) - we have 4 meals out planned - and a budget for one extra - this is enough points for that. 10 blog posts - I'm rebooting my blog - and devoting real scheduled time to it. For no other reason than it brings me joy 4 "new job" activities - applying for jobs, networking, conversations with my connections 8 new books read - I said I was putting everything down! I have tons of content on my Kindle - this will make me happy! Anyone else in? ETA - pointy beat me to it!
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jan 1, 2012 11:46:26 GMT -5
Happy New Year Everyone
I am in again. I will be aiming for 20NSD/CSD. I am combining the two as it is easier to keep track. I will see how it works this month and adjust as I see fit.
Hope all of you had a safe NYE. I must admit that I did miss the virtual New Year Eve party we had several years ago.
I have decided to try to do the coupon matching system again this year. I slipped some toward the end of the year but I want to reinstitute it for 2012. For those who didn't know, I tried to transfer into my saving account the equivalent of whatever I saved using coupons or on a major sale item. I didn't always remember but I know that I saved over a thousand this way in 2011. Would like to add to that total in 2012.
The end of this month will bring my 4th anniversary on this thread. Time flies when one is having fun. Looking forward to another great year with all of you.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Jan 1, 2012 13:40:47 GMT -5
I'm in! Will post my goals in a bit- deciding on reasonable goals for this month with everything going on.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 1, 2012 15:43:40 GMT -5
I probably won't post too much, but I'm definately in for 2012. I've analyzed my spending for 2011 (yes that is how I spend my NYE and NY day). It wasn't terrible. We were not in the red for 2011 (huge improvement over 2010). Still not saving a whole lot, but if DH gets a job that will all be savings. After looking at the budget, we spent more on "vacations" than anticipated. Yes we should have anticipated it with 2 out of town weddings and my Grandma's 90th B-day party (which ended up being her funeral, but I knew we had to go). We spent well over $1000 on travel in 2011 and we did not budget well for it. We dined out more the first half of the year than we should have the entire year. The second half of the year be buckled down and used our allowance better. I plan to continue that trend in 2012. Overall, the big unknown for 2012 is if/when we have baby #2. I'm in the lets get it over with frame of mind ... so hopefully January will be our month. Monthly goals for January: Keep grocery/household under $400. I have seperated out DH's cigarrettes and given them their own category (I know it only took me 6 years to do this). So, we'll see if that helps or hurts the plan to stay on budget. I also plan on working out 15 times this month. I did great in October and November, pulled a hamstring in December and took the last 2 weeks off. I'll weigh myself tomorrow and see how much backsliding I did during the last 2 weeks. I'm going to do the 30 day shred this month (although I'm just now ordering it, so I won't start until later this week). I'm going to have DH look and changing our internet. It just isn't fast enough to stream videos. When we first got internet out here, our options were limited and expensive. Now we've got more competetive options. For $5 more a month we can get internet 3X faster. That should be enough to allow us to stream video which may allow us to cut down on our TV (still thinking about that one, my favorite channel is NatGeo Wild which isn't on a lot of the satalite packages out there).
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financialpeace
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Post by financialpeace on Jan 1, 2012 19:26:08 GMT -5
Goal: 15 NSDsWow, Muttley! You want to work out 15 times this WEEK??? That's impressive
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 2, 2012 12:03:01 GMT -5
FP- Uh no. LOL. I meant month. Oops.
Well, so much for no spending yesterday. After my MIL and BIL left (we had our Christmas with them yesterday), I took Ben back to his room to change his diaper. As I was helping him to his feet, I heard a small pop and he went very still and started crying. Something was definately wrong with his left arm, but I couldn't tell what and I got DH and he couldn't tell. So, off to the ER we went. DS had a dislocated Elbow! I was pretty impressed with how quickly we were in and out. We were seen by the NP within a half hour of arriving (and the place seemed pretty busy - although we were in a seperate waiting room). The thing that took the longest was that they send in someone to do checkout and the thing that took the longest was her leaving with our new insurance card and my CC for payment. But we were home within 2 hrs of it happening. Still, it is not something I ever want to repeat. The last time I was in an ER to be seen by a doctor was when I was 6 (when my Grandma was in the hospital we had 24 hr visiting and had to come in and out through the ER doors).
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Jan 2, 2012 12:11:16 GMT -5
I am in for January. 25 NSD, 3 EOD. Still don't have a copmputer but will be at the library on Friday. My time is up so I have to get off.
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Jan 2, 2012 12:22:40 GMT -5
Happy New Year! I am in.
Goals for January
**10 NSD **Write down every penny I spend **Meal Plan **$500 grocery budget **MOAN: I'm following a marathon training schedule and I would like to add a strength training workout to it once a week.
Pretty Basic for now but I haven't being able to stay focused and in budget for a couple of month
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ners
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Post by ners on Jan 2, 2012 12:53:45 GMT -5
I am going to start small.
5 NSD 10 MOAN
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jan 2, 2012 13:34:38 GMT -5
Still without home Internet and earliest appointment is tomorrow morning (when I have 3 calls scheduled). Really hating AT&T today.
I was freezing outside in my car so i bought a coffee with my cash (CSD) and later on I've got to ship 2 packages and pick up 2 storage containers at Wal-Mart.
This morning I did manage to rake all the leaves out to the curb for pickup tomorrow and now need to throw my christmas tree out there. I took down all the decorations yesterday and omg, I have 3 huge tubs of just ornaments! Many are glass vintage so those get their original boxes which take up more room but still....
I'll be glad to have my living room back to normal since I can't do a whole lot of work today. Guess it's a good day to catch up on my cleaning and house chores. Sigh.
Goals for the month : 20 NSD does not include bills 5 CSD with my cash 25 workout days (at the gym)
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jan 2, 2012 19:41:18 GMT -5
I am in again. Aiming for 25 NSD and 25 NEO days.
So far we are at 2/25 Didn't leave the house yesterday because of crappy roads after our NYE snow. Today we left briefly to pick up a few things at the grocery store (I don't count groceries or fuel in my counts). Have a meal plan set for the rest of the month. Only thing we should need from the grocery strore for the rest of the month will be milk, oj, bread, fresh fruit and veggies and DH's lunch meat.
Saving some money this month. DS is in trouble. Had a major freak out when he had to go help his grandpa clean his garage. I was po'd because DS volunteered to help him 4 days ago. My parents are taking him on vacation later this month and the kid had barely left the house all break. We outlined our punishment (after he got back home) and allowed him to make a counter proposal. He did and as a result I don't have to pay him any allowance for the entire month of January. (@ $20 a week that's an extra $80 I don't have to spend). Plus I got a promise out of he won't act out like that again. Can I please trade my teenager in for someone little and not attitude filled like Muttley's DS?
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 2, 2012 21:34:20 GMT -5
sheila - LOL. You want the terrible twos? Really? Because we can trade. At his age, he just cries, circles around and then lays down on the floor and sucks his thumb while he gives you the death stare.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Jan 3, 2012 0:11:37 GMT -5
I'm in for January. I think we'll shoot for for 15NS/CS. So far we are at 1. We definitely need it especially after I told DH he could buy a new truck. His truck is a 1986 and has some serious issues. I told him to keep it under 4K and he had to get rid of the one he has now. That is on top of buying DS a new twin bed since when his head was on the pillow his feet touched the footboard of his toddler bed.
I had a technology free holidays for the most part. Tomorrow I have to go back to work.
I need to go over our budget then sit down with DH and decide where we can make some cuts. I'm thinking of switching cable companies because I can save almost 50%, I just need to confirm a few things. (Hopefully I'll be able to get my current provider to match the other rate).
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jan 3, 2012 9:41:01 GMT -5
Dakota- depending on who your provider is as soon as you mention "cancel" they will transfer you to the "retention department" and most likely offer you a heck of a deal. That's what directv does every time my new deal expires and I call and threaten to cancel. That reminds me- better call them tonight I think my last low price expired last month.
Muttley: I would still trade. DH always teases and says he wants to raise "feeder kids" like feeder cattle. Get them from right after they are potty trained and give them back when they turn 13 and sassy. We love hanging out with our little nieces and nephews. They are a hoot.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jan 3, 2012 12:04:00 GMT -5
Well I got the invite for my 10 year high school renunion *headdesk*
But here's the great news, my week is booked and I didn't even have to plan my trip to Mexico over this weekend!
Sunday: photo shoot in San Jose, leave on the red eye for New York Monday: take car service to Connecticut, all day Mastermind Tuesday: all day Mastermind Wednesday: ride with friend to Boston, pick up rental car, toodle around Boston Thursday/Friday/Saturday: drive north to see Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire Sunday: drive back to Boston, fly home
Completely missing my Saturday renunion! Ta da!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 3, 2012 12:22:27 GMT -5
I need to backslide this month. My goal is just to track. So far, Sunday was an NS and Monday was a CS.
On Christmas Eve, MIL was walking 150ft and was ready to be sent home in a week to two weeks. On New Year's Eve, she was in the ICU with a breathing tube shoved down her throat. DH and I fully expected to be making the decision to terminate life support today. But yesterday, she decided to start improving (I'm not complaining that she's getting better, just that we're tired of the yo-yo), and they think they'll remove the breathing tube today. This will start another long round of rehab for her, because the infection that landed her in the ICU is really hard on the body. Who knows when she'll be able to go home. We're starting to wonder if we should move her out of her apartment (she hasn't been in it since mid-October) and move her stuff into a storage unit, saving her a signifcant amount of money. And then when she starts to get close to be released from rehab this time around, find her a new place.
Anyway, tracking is about all I'm up for right now, so that's what I'll do. Hope everyone else's New Year is starting off better than our's is.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Jan 3, 2012 12:36:01 GMT -5
Happy New Year, everyone!
Goals: 10 NS days 15 MOAN days Healthy eating, pitch to some more potential freelance clients, stay sane... all good goals!
ners - we all have to start somewhere! welcome!
Brought our CR-V in for it's tuneup, which was long overdue. I feel like we totally got ripped off, but it was the fullest checkup, at the dealer, and they had to replace all the fluids. But it still seemed pretty steep. Going to ask my stepdad about his maintenance costs, as he has the same car. Unexpected and expensive. Good start to the year.
So another goal will be to anticipate costs like this better, and save up for them. I'm used to having crappy cars, not good ones I care about maintaining. Now my freelance money from my current project will go to the CC instead of vacation savings. Boo to that!
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Jan 3, 2012 13:13:26 GMT -5
2 NSD! Off to a good start. 0 Moans-this is problematic since I am training for a marathon. I have a meal plan through Sunday.
I NEED to get in a run today. I need to make a trip to go the grocery store (budgeted of course). I just need to keep from spending any more. I promised the kids I would take them on a hike since it is their last day of Christmas break! The weather has been gorgeous here. Plus I guess it would help if the kids had cleaned clothes to go back t o school in Welcome NERSMuttleyn: Poor Little Baby. Is his arm in a sling or air cast? Just a fair warning THREE is really the "special" age so I would hold off swapping kids with shiela until then Sheila" I'm impressed that you have an entire meal plan for the month. I was going crazy yesterday just trying to figure out the week. Dakota: When buying Mini D his next bed really think into the future. We have bought so many beds just because of poor planing or lack of actually. I also agree with Sheila, every time DH calls to cancel our cable we get more channels for less money. I guess it also helps that he is in sales. Moneysquirrel: I am at four years too! I need to start using more coupons. I use whatever money I have left over from our grocery budget as fun money for myself! I really should put it savings. Financial Peace: 15 times a week isn't normal? Hee Hee SS: Well that is a clever (and fun) little way to miss your 10 year! Red: I need to do a better job at saving for those kind of things too. We are fortunate that we use the same place DH's work does and they put it on a tab and it they make payroll deductions for the work. We recently had an oil change and new tires for my car. Shannen: {{hugs}} I can't imagine the effects of a long term yo-yo effect. My dad was in the hospital for seven days and I felt like the yo-yo from that was intense. It went from he's not going to make it through the night, to him seeming up and normal, to he is in going to need hospice care (at my home I decided), to him eventually dying. That was just seven days!! Like I said {{hugs}} Pointy: I love that you still count no QVC days. When was the last time you have made purchase? Spruby: Eight books in one month!? What are you reading? 3 cats: I hope you get your computer fixed soon. ~Happy No Spending~
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mrslynch
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Post by mrslynch on Jan 3, 2012 13:46:20 GMT -5
so, today, one of my posts was featured on the consumerist, which is a HUGE deal in the pf world. i'm literally giddy with excitement since getting one link from the consumerist was a blogging goal of mine for this year. to accomplish it on january 3rd is freaking amazing!
sorry to self-congratulate and run, but i have a report that i desperately need to finish. i'll be back later with my goals and comments!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 3, 2012 14:16:19 GMT -5
NERS:: Sorry I missed your post the first time around. Welcome! Starting small is good. A lot of us (or at least me) didn't make our goals the first few months because we were too ambitious, thought it would be easy.
Muttley: I hope Benji is feeling better and that his arm doesn't bother him too much
mrsl: Yay! When the consumerist picked me up, over 1300 hits in one day. I hope you get even more traffic!
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Jan 3, 2012 14:47:40 GMT -5
mrslynch - congrats!! so excited for you!
azmom - yeah, we did new tires in November so we saved a smidge at the tuneup, as we didn't need tire rotation.
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Jan 3, 2012 15:00:31 GMT -5
ners: Welcome! Starting small is a good way to start. Many struggle with this challenge even after months of practice. It can be a very eye opening experience.
money: Man that means I am at well over 4 years here, closer to 4 1/2, scary. And DD is getting so BIG! That virtual New Years Eve was a hoot to read. We watched movies with DSS and DS#1 and played cards.
Had to drive DS#2 to day treatment. EVERY time they go on break the transportation company screws up his route. The drive was TERRIBLE. The road I took to drop him off was really icy. So I took a more traveled route home.
The new floors start tomorrow so getting ready for that. I will be happy when it is over and they are all installed. Need to get rid of a huge projection TV. It is loaded in the truck and ready to transport but we have to get it to the site before 6:00. Not all that worried if it doesn't go today we can get it there soon.
December was an epic fail for NS/CSs. Oh well. So far I have 2 for this month and not sure how tonight will shake out. It may be one. DF and I are going out it just depends if we go out bowling with others or to dinner with gift cards.
Muttley: YIKES. Actually they have a name for that injury "Caregivers" something or another. I won't twirl the kids by their wrists, if I am going to twirl them I hold them at their armpits. My DSIS dislocated my nieces elbow twirling her. They often see it when a parent is holding a child's hand and the child slips.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Jan 3, 2012 15:38:20 GMT -5
Final December Numbers:
28 NEO 27 NSD/CSD
January Goals:
28 NEO 25 NSD/CSD
NERS - Welcome! Feel free to ask any questions you have. This is a very helpful bunch.
startsmart - Have fun in Boston and New England.
Muttley - Glad to see your goal of working out was MONTHLY as the weekly number had me shaking my head. Sorry Ben got hurt, but I did have to chuckle at your description of him giving you the "death stare".
Christmas - This was not the best holiday season I have had. There are a number of things that I did not do or go to for various reasons. Primarily because of how I was feeling.
I have been thinking of some goals for myself in the short term - as in the month of January as a start.
Job Hunt: I want to have THREE face to face interviews for full time positions.
House: Wash the baseboards on the stairs and in the hallway.
Bedroom: Go through my closet and try on all the shirts and skirts. Set aside for donation anything that no longer fits.
Creativity: Finish tree skirt. Work four hours on colorways quilt.
Financial: Try to come in under budget for Groceries. I did lower the budgeted amount after the girls moved out.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 3, 2012 18:01:31 GMT -5
shanen - Hugs to you on your MIL. azmom - No cast or sling, he was back to full mobility as soon as it was popped back in place and being a 2 year old he was putting weight on it within about 2 minutes. mk - Yeah it has its own name. It is crazy. I had heard about it but I'm the first person I personally know who has done it. My brother was cringing on the phone as I told him today. honey - Yeah he has the death stare down. It is tough not to laugh at it most of the time. Best of luck on the interviews. Thanks for all the well wishes on DS. He is good as new and mom and dad learned a valuable lesson. Oh one more thing, then back to work - I weighed myself this morning and I lost another 0.5 pound over the last 2 weeks. I thought for sure I would have gained a pound or two. I'm quite happy with that since I didn't work out. So, it has been slow, but i have lost 7.5 pounds since Sept 1!
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Jan 3, 2012 19:54:05 GMT -5
why isn't every work week 4 days off/3 days of work? oh well - only a few meetings today and I actually accomplished a few things.
azmom - I have always read really fast and when I was commuting by public transit I could read ~200 pages in 2 hours. Lots of fiction/mystery/thriller. Now I drive and have much less time to read. So one each weekend day would be great. Plus I will read anything and have a ton of books for my Kindle - over 3,000. I only paid for about 100 of them - the rest were free - luckily! so i have a collection of stuff and can always find something to read! btw - how is your niece doing?
honey - do you have some times scheduled to get out of the house and meet some friends? networking events? please make sure you get some positive personal interaction
shan - hugs on your MIL - I went through this with my mom - very tough.
startsmart - excellent timing on being out of town - luckily I live far enough way I had a built in excuse not to go
3cats - how are you doing? family? work?
muttley - glad his elbow is fine - that would freak me out
everyone with kids - god bless you - you have way more faith and courage than i do :-)
UPDATE:
3/30 NSD
0/10 MOANS - need to schedule SOMETHING!
3/15 Restaurant points - leftovers were for dinner too!
6/10 blog posts - I've scheduled all 5 of the weekly picture posts, did a "reboot" post to start the year. hope to do one tonight as well
0/4 "new job" activities -
1/8 new books read
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jan 3, 2012 20:44:24 GMT -5
Update: 3 NS/CS days
ners -- Welcome. Starting small will help you feel some measure of success. It seems easier than it is when you begin to really concentrate on trying to be aware of your budget. It helps to track your spending.
Muttley -- glad to see that Benji is doing better.
Shen -- Hugs
Today was the first day back with students and I'm beat. Will sign off now. Will try to check in later this week.
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azmom
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Posts: 256
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Post by azmom on Jan 4, 2012 10:03:54 GMT -5
I have a Question of the Week (QOTW): Since we are doing a back to basic month; What is one Basic Piece of Financial Advice that has made an impact in your life? I'll have to think about my own answer and respond later.
Spent $47.58 yesterday at the grocery store and I need to go again today. I did manage not to spend anything else so I am pleased with my CSD and the kids and I did go on our hike! So I am not sure if I mentioned it here or not but a couple of months ago DH took over our finances and well he stinks at it. I have officially taken them back over as of yesterday.
The kids are back to school and I have plenty of housework to get caught up on!
Mrs. Lynch: Congrats! Muttleyn: Kids amaze me with their resilience!
~Happy No Spending~
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redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
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Post by redwagon on Jan 4, 2012 10:32:10 GMT -5
QOTW: The biggest help for me has been tracking my spending. Some people say track for a month or two. I've tracked every cent for over four years (almost 5, holy crap) since I started on the WIR boards. My methods of doing so have changed, but at the end of the month I'm always able to look and say "Oh, I spent too much on lunches" or whatnot. Always a work in progress, but always enlightening.
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