Mar 2013 CSD/NS - Spring Budget Cleaning

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 16 NS day and 6 CS Days
Just another quick visit.  Have a short week this week so I hope that I can continue the recovery from the allergies.  I did manage to get my voice back but it is not at its best.  Hope all of you are doing well.  Have skimmed the thread and see that SES has managed to add to her collection of furry friends.  Knew it wouldn't take long.

Will try to really catch up when I have a few days off.

[grits]

I think I've already had 10 spend days.  Only 4 of them were big days like groceries and health care.  It was just all the stuff with my dad blew it out of control.  I think if I finish with 19 NS and 12 CS, I did well.  Most of those CS were under 10 bucks.  

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 5 NSD/13 CSD


A weekend snowstorm does wonders for your ability to get NSD's!

[shanendoah]

Update: 5NSD/12CSD/7Spend            Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend

If the entire rest of the month were NSDs, I still wouldn't actually meet my goal.
On Friday, we decided to go out for late drinks to celebrate a friend's birthday. I was fully expecting it to be a spend, but other than stopping and getting gas in the car (both of our cars were very low, and the bio-d place was near where we were going for drinks) we didn't actually end up spending anything. I drank water, and the birthday girl's SO paid for the one drink C had.
Saturday, back to CostCo to order C's new glasses and get a couple things we forgot on Wednesday. We signed up for the CostCo American Express. Discipline wise, we're at the point that I'm not concerned about paying the card off every month, and since we just had to order C glasses and we'll probably be getting a laptop from there sometime this year, being able to put in on the American Express helps with cash flow.
Sunday was my critique group. My Starbucks is covered by gift cards, but I did spend $10 on a gift card for a group member who just had a birthday. Then I went and filled the other car with gas.
To go along with all of that, I expect to be doing a little bit of spending every day this week. It's going to be a very stressful week in the office as layoff notices should be given out this Thursday and Friday. I fully expect to be one of the people getting notice. (Please don't worry about me. I am not concerned about this at all. In fact, I'm expecting to come out of it ahead, given that I'll get a full 6 month severance and still qualify for UE.) However, staff has been very stressed, so this morning I brought in some Cuties, and I plan to bring in a little something every morning, just for morale purposes.

ses - Ahh, cheese. Glad to know you found the secret and you know have an almost fully integrated 3rd kitty. Onyx is simply establishing her position as the grand dame of the house, not to be trifled with. And really, wouldn't we all just rather curl up in the comforter and take a nap?
I do hope the renovations go well and you and the kitties can be done with the disturbance ASAP.

3catslady - Keep resting! Let yourself get all the way better before you try to do too much.

moneysquirrel - Hope you get all the way better soon, too. Rest that voice.

grits - take care of yourself. This is the one time where you shouldn't be worried about NSDs. Do what you need to do, and don't let the little spends stress you out. We're here for you if you need us.

[shanendoah]

Update: 6NSD/12CSD/7Spend            Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend

NSD yesterday. Today is a CSD already. I stopped by the grocery store and picked up a veggie tray for work. Going along with my theory of bringing in snacks every day this week to help with staff morale.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

I'm in the same boat, Shan. I had to purchase some software yesterday, so no NSD for me. Today will also be at the very least a CSD. I was on a roll earlier this month, but it seems to have drifted away... Good thing I get paid this week!

[shanendoah]

Update: 6NSD/13CSD/8Spend            Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend

Yesterday remained a CSD because the only thing I spent money on was the veggie tray for work. Today is a spend because besides picking up a fruit tray for work today, cookies for tomorrow (so I don't have to go to the grocery store every morning this week), and daffodils for the admin staff, I also pulled $20 out for spending money for me.
Tomorrow will be a CSD, as we're planning to go out to dinner to "celebrate" my expected layoff notice. (I'm 95% certain I will get one tomorrow.)
Things have been a little crazy this month, but I expect we'll get back on track in April, though I allow myself to count something as an NSD as long as I only pay for transportation (parking mostly) costs as I hopefully start going to interviews.

[grits]

I received a sympathy card this weekend that had amazing advice in it.  It says, "Be gentle with yourself.".  I tend to continue charging onwards against the foe but right now I need to be gentle with myself.  I think my goal was 23 NS, and 8 CS.  If I finish the month with 19 NS, and 12 CS, I will have done well.    

[shanendoah]

grits - the fact that you even know what your numbers are means you're still doing well. Definitely be gentle with yourself- for as long as you need to. There is no "one size fits all" for the grieving process, so take exactly as much time as you need, and don't worry about if it's more or less than anyone else.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 5 NSD/15 CSD

[grits]

Because of how my family has treated me in this it could well be a year before  I even start to grieve my dad's death.  I was stuck on my mother's too.  It was a year later when something triggered it, and I started to grieve.

[shanendoah]

Update: 6NSD/14CSD/8Spend            Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend

As expected, yesterday was both an CSD and the day I received notification that I am being laid off. My official last day at work will be May 3, though I don't really have to show up to work all that often between now and then, especially once we get a transition plan in place.
Financially and emotionally, I'm in a good place for this, so I'm not stressing about it.

[3catslady]

update:  25/25/31 NSD, 5/6/31 eating out days.
I was invited out for Easter lunch and my Aunt's place.  I am going to church and taking a basket of laundry with me.  I'll get that done and if I have time, after I get my laundry home and put away, I am going to get groceries. I still have 4 meals in the freezer.  I could wait until Monday to get groceries because the kids are off school and I don't have to work.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 5 NSD/17 CSD

Today was almost an NSD, but my mom invited me to eat out tonight. Still pretty cheap, so not too big of a deal.

Tax season is gearing up for the big final push, which is good for keeping me occupied for a few more weeks. Then I get my Sarurdays back! Woo-hoo!

Oh, and I took my rescued dog to the groomer for the first time yesterday, and she looks so much better now. Finally she looks like a Maltese should look! .

[3catslady]

update:  26/25/31 NSD, 5/6/31 eating out days.  I went to my Aunt's for lunch and brought some home for supper so no eating out today.  I need to figure out what tomorrow and the next month will be like.  I have to pay the bills tomorrow because the kids are still out of school and I don't have to work at the store.
If I knew how to start the thread, I'd start it for April.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: final update 6 NSD/ 17 CSD. Hope everyone is having as nice weather as we are!

[moneysquirrel]

Final March Update: 23 NS day and 6 CS Days

Happy Easter to all! 

I have managed to use my time off constructively.  I caught up on some housework, unpacked the spring/summer clotes, packed away the real cold weather ones. I layer a lot so I can cope with any cooler days that may show up in the short run,  I mainly stayed at home. I may try to run some errands tomorrow while I still have a day off.  I definitely have to get to the grocery as I am in need of stuff for lunches and out of most of the perishables. 

  Return to work on Tuesday -- can't believe that tomorrow is the beginning of April.  Will need to do some prep for school tomorrow but it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours.    

Wish me luck -- I have a craft show on Saturday.  Spring shows usually do not bring in a lot of people so I do not expect large crowds but I would like to sell a few items if possible.  Imtended to get a few things made this break but only managed one bracelet so far.  It was one of the more complicated ones so I glad I did it.  I decided to do it in white.  Never had one in this color before and with the spring/summer season upon us I hope that my efforts will pay off.  Will need to print up some little signs mentioning Mother's Day and Graduation Gift ideas.

I still am fighting the sinus issues but have definitely seen an improvement. I did finally regained the voice -- not having to talk for several days and being indoors has helped with that I think.  I wish that the oak trees will soon finish with all of the pollen so I can stop with all of the allergy meds.  I hope that some of the pollen descended with the rain and wind we had this afternoon. Keeping the fingers crossed.  I do need to repot a few plants but have been putting it off in order to avoid the pollen.  Will try tomorrow but may have to do in indoors if necessary.

Shen -- wishing you progress as you enter this new phrase of your life.  Glad that you are keeping a rosy outlook.

Grits -- take time for yourself.  One day at a time. 

3cats -- Glad that you had a great Easter at your Aunt's. 

Honey -- Wishing you a Happy Birthday as I am not sure if I will be back on the thread this week.

Red -- Hope the bunny was good to your twosome.

I also am not sure how to start a new thread but will be on it once it is started. Onward to April!

[shanendoah]

Final March Update: 7NSD/16CSD/8Spend            Goals: 13NSD/12CSD/6Spend

Obviously I did not meet my goals, but I'm still pretty happy with how March turned out. Now, I've just got to figure out April goals.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Mar 31, 2013 18:02:50 GMT -5 3catslady said:

update:  26/25/31 NSD, 5/6/31 eating out days.  I went to my Aunt's for lunch and brought some home for supper so no eating out today.  I need to figure out what tomorrow and the next month will be like.  I have to pay the bills tomorrow because the kids are still out of school and I don't have to work at the store.
If I knew how to start the thread, I'd start it for April.

I don't mind starting the April thread if it'll help.  Any thoughts on the title for April?  Affirmative April?  Affluent April?  Absolutely Fabulous April?  (Any AbFab fans among us? )

[3catslady]

Rocky, Thank you for doing that.  I wish I knew how to do it because I have some days at the beginning of each month that I could start the thread but I don't know how.  I like Absolutely Fabulous for the name.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Done!