Successful September Controlled / No Spend Thread

[sapphire12]

Happy Thursday everyone --

red -- glad to see you are still hanging in there.

MK -- hugs and prayers on the puppy. That is just heartbreaking.

dakota -- I agree with you, packing the little things is nerve racking.

Yesterday was a serious spend. My car needed coils to be replaced that just happened to be positioned UNDER the engine. I don't like the spending the money, but I'm fortunate to have it to spend.

Moneysquirrel -- Hope things are continuing to get back to normal.

SES -- how are the wildfires?

sheila -- it's refreshing to hear how excited your DS is about school!

[sheilaincali]

sapphire- thanks. We have continually been giving him the "you get out what you put in speech". We basically told him to have a good attitude, be willing to meet new people and experience new things. He is eager to sign up for Youth in Government here in the next week or two and tomorrow him and his best buddy are trying out for "The Hobbit" guess that's the school's play this fall.
I am so proud of how outgoing and open he is to trying new things.

Whole family is embracing this try new things and meet new people. We now have to have a social calendar so we don't double book ourselves

Tonight- My friend is coming over to do my hair, DH's friend is coming over go over strategy for their competition on Sunday and my sister is going to swing by to get her haircut as well with her kids. The whole lot of them will be having pizza at our house.
Friday - DS is sleeping over at his friends house
Saturday- Nate has to work and I am going to a Thirty One party in the evening
Sunday- Boys are going to their tournament and I am thinking of taking my BFF and her kids up to the Ren. Fest since I didn't make it last weekend.

Seriously- this is unheard of for us. This past month or two we have really been open to new things and people and it's been crazy. Fun but crazy. We are total homebodies so us going to a Winery with friends is so far from our normal MO. A change for the good if you ask me

[sheilaincali]

Last night was fun. We had 10 people in our house for Pizza, haircuts and strategy sessions. My hair was budgeted for (and is now a lovely shade of deep brown and 3+ inches shorter- I love it!), My niece and sister received haircuts as well. Everyone enjoyed the evening. My mom is on vacation so my Dad came over for dinner as well.

Tonight DS is sleeping over at G's house and DH is having a couple of friends over to play boardgames and work on their miniatures for their tournament this weekend.

[redwagon]

Sheila - sounds like you guys are having a great time!!!

Our weekend will be pretty chill. Tonight we are going to finally watch the second half of season 2 of Game of Thrones. Tomorrow we are closing the pool (too cold at night to keep it warm enough to swim in), I'm writing baby shower thank yous, and then we are going to dinner with friends before the boys head to poker night. Me and the other girl might hang out, we shall see. Sunday is more baby shower thank yous and sorting through what I got and finding homes for it all. And sleep. lots and lots of sleep.

[ses]

12/30 NSD

I HAVE MY COMPUTER BACK!!!!! It was released from intensive care last night and now works lickety-split! I never realized how addicted I was to my computer, I don't know how many times I wanted to look up some little fact and there was no computer. The worst was when I wanted to buy some shares of an ETF and forgot how to do it without a computer. With help from customer service I got it done a couple of hours before Bernanke spoke, early enough to get a 4% return a few hours later.

This "financial cliff" stuff and now another QE has me worried. Have you all had your local news giving you stories about escalating food prices? 7% so far this year and a predicted 10 % next year and the cost of gasoline spiking in the last month and the difficulty for ordinary people to get mortgages and loans. Seems the ones who can qualify for mortgages are those who don't need them.
These issues have really caused me to reduce my spending. In a couple of weeks a friend is taking me shopping at Sam's Club. I'm making a list of things I want to stock up on--even going so far as looking up prices on line to comparison shop and setting aside the money I will need.

The fires are pretty much under control except for a few hot spots still being monitored. I'm ready for some snow.

Ombud, having you back has made me more aware of watching the little things which I was letting slide a bit. And 3cats has reminded me to pay more attention to keeping my emergency fund healthy. I think these habits may be very important in the months ahead. Thanks for making me refocus.

[startsmart]

Happy Saturday! I'm leaving Florida today and so much has happened in a week... so much good stuff! One of my friends and clients is going to take her business to the Golden Globes Another client of mine is hiring me for a huge package of work that I'm so excited about starting next week. Blue eyes is awesome as usual and there's some news there that I haven't really processed but it's all good. In a month I get to see all these friends again in New York!

And for all you romantics out there today we witnessed a beautiful proposal in the most amazing location. I cried. And gave the couple my business card since I'd captured a few pictures I thought they might want.

Went to the beach, including down to the surf in the middle of the night, photographed the sunrise, swam in the pool, danced all night, worked with my best friends, hugged my clients and mentor... is it any wonder I don't want to go home yet?

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 10 NSD and 3 CSD

Hope all are doing well. Things are progressing well. I have been getting a lot of work done this weekend. Started going through the closet to see what I could pack away for next year and what I need to get rid off. I always keep a bag handy for donations but I am trying to go through things in a systematic way. I try to do this at least three/four times a year but I think I may have skipped a time or two this year. I am finding too many items to donate this time.

SES -- glad you got your computer back. It is amazing how much we depend on all of these gadgets that did not even exist when we were growing up.

3cats -- I know this is early but I am not sure if I will be back on the thread Wednesday or not. So Happy Birthday!


Start -- Glad you had a great time in Fla.

Sheila -- I also am trying to make more time for my personal life instead of too much work. Making an effort to see friends and enjoy activities that I may have skipped a few years ago.

Has anyone heard from MizBear or Honey?

[sheilaincali]

Update: 10/20 NSD

Friday and Sunday were NSD. Saturday was a spend. DH's battery finally gave out so I had to buy him a new one Not a big deal just kind of a pain in the butt. Saturday night I was invited to another Thirty One party. I like their bags and find them really pretty useful but seriously- enough parties! Saturday's was like the 6th one I have been to in the past 4 months.

Yesterday the boys had fun at their tournament. Didn't win but had fun. DS did bet a guy in the first round. Impressive since he is literally more than half the age of the average player and he has only been playing since the end of June. But they had fun and that's what's important.

Trying to motivate myself to tackle the week. Not going so well. It's cold (high of 61) and rainy and gloomy here today. All I really want to do is crawl under my desk and take a nap.

Moneysquirrel: We had to basically do a whole mindset shift to break us out of our funk and put ourselves out there. It's been rewarding but it's strange to go from being total homebodies locked in our basement bunker to having people over and going out with people on a regular basis. Totally worth it though

[dakota4600]

Money- I saw on Facebook that Honey took in a second student, but nothing about the job.

Tomorrow is the big day. We are packed and ready to go. Luckily mini-D was able to go to sleep only coming out of his room once, because he was super excited. He did end up getting to see the new house over the weekend at the final walk through. The weather is going to be great to move. High in the mid-60's. I guess I should try and sleep. Though I took Tylenol PM 2 hours ago and am not at all sleepy.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn. Saver: 3 NSD/6 CSD <$5

Well, I'm sure I forgot a CSD or two on vacation, but that's the closest number I can be reasonably sure of. But I'm sure glad to be home and out of the 104 degree heat of SoCal! Yuck!

[redwagon]

dakota - good luck with the move today!! So exciting!!

Yesterday was a no-spend. So I have at least 2/10. Woo.

My dad has moved in with his girlfriend of 1.5 years (my stepmom died 2.5 years ago) and sold his house. Which I learned when he called and said he got a buyer. I didn't even know it was for sale or that he'd moved. Just seems weird. I don't think Blue and I will be staying at their house when we visit again - hotels for us from now on. Which is less pressure on them and us to always get along and be having fun, I suppose. Not sure this has anything to do with my financial life right now, but you guys were there for me when stepmom died and I was so worried about my dad. So glad he is obviously doing okay (they are actually on a cruise this week for his birthday - his first, as my stepmom was too sick to go), but it's all still odd. Probably because I've only met her twice. But they are going to be up in my neck of the woods in a few weeks for a family wedding so that will be good. Not sure what to do with them since I am quite limited in my stamina these days, but I can at least do meals with them and recommend local places for them to visit. Anyways. Enough babbling.

[startsmart]

Red- I found out yesterday that not only did my uncle put my grandparents house on the market but is under contract. It's hard to think about, honestly. After 40 years the house won't bein our family. I crawled in the kitchen, swam in the backyard, climbed trees in the front, recovered from chicken pox in the bathtub, took care of my grandparents there and even held a WIR meet up.

Yesterday was a NSD but today I seriously need groceries.

[Honeylioness]

Hey everyone ... this month for me has just been a complete wash .... I won't have any numbers really at all this month. But here is a quick update:


Bad news

* I FINALLY heard back from the company I had such promising interviews with - three in fact. They have "...decided to not move forward with your candidacy at this point...." Okay .............. of course it only took them three weeks to tell me this after my last interview with them.

Whatever.

* I am not looking forward to a week with my brother as he is being a huge horses behind in the last few weeks.

*I noticed something metal hanging from the bottom of my car - and I knew that was not a good thing.


On the upside the girls and I leave early Friday morning for a week in Orlando with my family to celebrate my parent's Fiftieth Anniversary.

My newest student is a really affectionate young lady and very eager to fit into the family.

AND my next door neighbor, who owns a garage, took my car in to repair a broken exhaust system bracket and did not charge me a nickel. Even though he drove it to his business, did the work from scrap metal and drove it home to me.

One other positive is that the young man who will be living in the house to look after my cats and the two elderly cats I am babysitting - when he came over to talk about where things are etc. he told me that I did not need to pay him at all for the week. Even when I offered twice he declined. So his services will not cost me anything except for a few boxes of Mac N Cheese and a gallon of milk.

I will really really try to check in more next month.

[Honeylioness]

For anyone who would be interested - here are some pictures of my two exchange students: Pauline from Germany and Chavisa from Thailand.

s25.photobucket.com/albums/c72/honey36_/Exchange%20Students/Pauline%20L%20and%20Chavisa%202012-2013/

[sheilaincali]

Update: 11/20 $0 days

Last night was a no spend for me- except for groceries and I don't count those. Our local store is selling pork shoulders for $1.19/lb normally it's more than twice that so I stopped by and picked up 4 of them. Will likely get a couple more this weekend. They are so easy to make and one will feed us two days of dinner and 2 days of lunches.

Dakota- Good luck on the move this week

Honey- sorry to hear that the job prospect didn't end more favorably for you. However, I am thrilled that you seemed to have gotten two great girls this year- I know that last year was rough so I'm relieved that it's working out better this year.
Interesting that the one is from Germany. The Boy is taking German this year in school and LOVES it. He is hoping to be able to spend his junior year as an exchange student in Germany. That may obviously changes since its two full years away, but that's his plan as of this week.

Start- sorry that your jack hole of an uncle is up to his old tricks Keep the good memories you have close to your heart.

[sheilaincali]

I totally forgot- Today is our very own 3Cats' Birthday.

Happy Birthday to a wonderful lady

[redwagon]

Happy Birthday to 3cats!!! (and to my dad lol)

Honey - so sorry the job didn't work out, but glad you are getting a week of fun and that the girls are doing so well. and I repeat my offer to introduce Chavisa to my SIL. SIL LOVES talking to anyone from Thailand. I know she really misses it. If Chavisa is on FB that could make it easy. If not, that's cool too. Sounds like she's adjusting well so maybe she won't need a dose of home.

Yesterday was a spend. Had to buy stamps for thank you cards, fill up the gas tank, and we got takeout because by the time Blue got home it was after 7 and we were both totally wiped out. So Papa Johns it was... but he's cooking dinner tonight (blue, not papa john) so that will be good. It's hard when we both have to work in the city.

[startsmart]

Happy Birthday 3cats!!

Honey I'm sorry the job prospect didn't work out! How are you feeling about everything financially?

Sheila a good friend of mine did a German exchange when he was in high school! Of course it wasn't until he left that he realized mispronouncing "good night" to his hosts meant he'd told them "good naked!" every night for a month. Oops.

Yesterday was a spend for groceries but since I actually ate real meals yesterday I'm not complaining. The conference was good but I came home to an empty fridge! I'm up early today because I'm expecting a big contract to come in today. Until then just working with Blue Eyes, organizing some notes and keeping a positive outlook!

[Ombud]

Happy Birthday, 3Cats!

So I've lost count. Between my sis being in ICU in another county with multiple organ failure due to Addison's Disease and personally prepping for High Holydays, I am lost. However, that said, I still have $6.49 to last out the month. Not great but at least I'm not on those charge cards yet. Looking at my bank account, I've not gone thru all my Spend Days but I must have gone thru all the Control Spend Days otherwise I'd have more than $6.49 left. So I think I must be: [wild guess]

SD 2, NSD 7, CSD 10

[Ombud]

Honey, sorry to hear about the job prospect. I know how frustrating it can be. Last night at the table we discussed our plans for the year. DD was to continue in school, DS was to find a house, mine was just to get back to work. Think they'll be successful before me.

Startsmart, really, seriously? No discussion prior to doing this??

Redwagon, so it was a surprise??

Rocky Mtn. Saver, 104* ~~ ouch! Good job staying on track while on vaca!

Dakotta4000, breathe. The move will be done soon and then you'll just have weeks of unpacking [not fun]

MK, how's the puppy?

SES, welcome back. Boy that took a long time to get the computer back!!

[redwagon]

ombud - was what a surprise? twins?

[startsmart]

Startsmart, really, seriously? No discussion prior to doing this??

Ombud - discussion prior to what? I'm confused

[pointy]

update: 15/23 NS and 16/27 No QVC
Happy b-day 3cats!!

[Honeylioness]

3cats - Hope you have a blessed and wonderful day.

startsmart and others - starting to feel a bit panicky money wise. Partly my own fault - In the last month I have spent a bit over $200 on non essentials and trying hard to not beat myself up over it.

At this point the money I had from my severance package is basically gone. What I have left is the remaining balance from my tax refund - about $2.500 in savings - however I need to use about 500-600 of that each month to pay the bills currently.

So yes - I am feeling panicked.

I am considering getting one more refill of my meds for three months - which I cannot do until October I think - and then dropping my medical coverage all together.

If anyone is interested about the details of how I am making the insurance payments with COBRA work thus far I can post more about the details.


And right or wrong ... I really am feeling bad about myself and wondering just what is so wrong with me that I cannot find a job. And I feel as though I cannot buy even one small souvenier while I am in Florida which brings me down a bit.

[sapphire12]

Last week, I had to spend $$ getting my truck serviced. It was money well spent as my vehicle rides like a new car and it has 159K miles on it.

Happy Birthday 3cats!!!!

SES -- Yeah for a new computer!

Sheila -- glad your girls' event went well!

start -- hugs!

honey -- Enjoy Orlando!

[ses]

16/30 NSD

3cats--have a wonderful day

Just a quick check in -- I have a pot of apples turning into apple butter cooking now and need to check it soon for cinnamon addition. It smells wonderful! I am ready to get excited about making some jellies for me and for gifts. It is finally cool enough to enjoy this activity.

Be back later

[MittenKitten]

3cats: Happy B-day!

Honey: Hang in there. It is SUCH a tough market, when you were laid off I was worried about you. DF really needs to get a better paying job, but right now a job that pays at all is better then nothing. How are you going to handle your medical stuff without insurance? I know getting a personal medical policy can be a TON cheaper then COBRA.

Puppy is doing great, in fact DSIS had him over on Saturday and you would never know he had been on deaths door 2 days before. Crazy I tell you.

I cashed the checks from my rental house closing today. Now I am going to go on a cash budget, I am also going to work up the monthly budget and show DF and put him on an allowance. One hard part is we have been going out once a week and it is going to be challenging to get that amount lowered. You really can't go out to eat and have a couple of drinks for under $40 now adays. And we were going out on Tuesdays for cheap bowling but my DSIS took my mom on Tuesdays so now we can't even do that.

[startsmart]

Wow, there's been a lot going on this week. I spent today but it was under $2 and needed for work. I'm trying to save up some money for the trip to New York next month, I'm really looking forward to that.

It's hard to focus because I haven't heard back from the big client project but there has been some good stuff.
New client A who is doing a package with me starts on Friday!
New client D is starting a 3 month coaching package in October
Old client C is starting to work with me again and is super nice.
New client K is saving up for our first package together in a few weeks!

So even if the biggest package doesn't come through right away I know I'm getting enough work and still have more leads that I'm talking to this week.

I'm also very lucky that Blue's brother is creating my new website and it's looking great!

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn. Saver: 3 NSD/8 CSD <$5

I haven't been as diligent about tracking this month as I normally am. It's been really busy, but it should be quieting down now for a while.

Honey: Keep your chin up, and remember that a lot of people are still having trouble finding work too. It's still a really bad economy, and a lot of employers are still being hesitant and extra-difficult about hiring.

[dakota4600]

Happy belated birthday 3cats!!

I'm alive. Surrounded by boxes, but alive. Our buyer on our house delayed their closing, but I'm pretty sure they did it late yesterday. They were supposed to close at 3:30, but neglected to ask us to do the lender required fixes, (an unneccessary GFI, that outlet was on the same circuit as another GFI and a new smoke dectector) We would have had no problem doing either, if we had known about it. Evidently they just really wanted to close ended up doing it themselves about 4pm, so if they didn't close yesterday they should be this AM.

I may go into work today just to get away from all the boxes, but mini-D is still asleep about 1.5 hours after he normally wakes up, so I'm thinking he may have what is going around his school. I went up and checked on him about 45 mins ago and he just mumbled at me and rolled over. So if he is sick we'll just stay home and do some unpacking. Maybe he is just exhausted from all the excitement this week.