ses
Familiar Member
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Posts: 654
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Post by ses on Oct 2, 2013 12:31:24 GMT -5
A few months back Honeylioness had an impassioned plea to get us back to the focus of our thread. The fundamentals. The basics. Plus the friendship. Did y'all know we've successfully planned vacations together? Life keeps on going with new babies, relationships, homes, challenges, jobs and financial hurdles but we stick to it. So, get sticky!
Here are some way to get your goals to stick:
#1. Post your numbers - just put it at the top of a post in bold and let us know how you're doin' and what you need help with #2. Track your numbers - technically this should be #1 but you know it. If you need ideas for tracking post and ask the veterans for guidance #3. Share your life but please keep it somewhat financially related - we know that everything influences finances especially when we're stressed, tired, excited and busy. BUT this is a financial accountability group, not a therapy session If you want to go off topic consider starting a fresh thread and posting a link so those who are interested can support you there.
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 MittenKitten 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 July 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.
Here's a handy guide to some of our terminology: NSD: No Spend Day 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) 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 Having a Startsmart Day is referring to when you have 20+ things on your must get done in a day and you accomplish them. Single Mom-KY aka Smokey; MittenKitten aka MK; Pt_In_NY aka Pointy; The Boy is Sheila in Cali's son. Blue is Red_Wagon's DH TBear is MizBear's older niece. ZBear is MizBear's younger niece.
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ses
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:18:37 GMT -5
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Post by ses on Oct 2, 2013 12:44:32 GMT -5
Goal 27/31 NSD
Just balanced the books and closed out September. Another month where I really need to be observant. I found the problem for the past couple of months, I think. Lawn care bills were big this summer. I will monitor the next few months to determine if I need to give myself a raise or not. I think it has been six or seven years, so perhaps it is time to consider a raise. Or stop spending!
Everybody have a fabulously successful October.
P.S. Anyone here affected by the federal shutdown. Good luck!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 2, 2013 12:45:31 GMT -5
Oh, I like Observant October!
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Oct 2, 2013 15:52:03 GMT -5
I will know in 2 days what October looks like. Off to London 10/23 - 10/29 & hoping to have enough left in that vacation fund to cover it .... otherwise
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 2, 2013 16:01:36 GMT -5
Yay, Ombud! I love London! And the nerd in me would love to be there right now for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who! Observant October got off to a good start for me with 1 NSD/0 CSD.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
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Post by mizbear on Oct 4, 2013 18:42:00 GMT -5
October is recoup month. I have had to borrow expense money for school from Momma Bear while waiting for my student loan check, but it has been worth it. In 2 weeks I will be able to pay her. DB did not share the money from my late father's insurance with me, but did purchase my car from me so that he had a new vehicle. There is a paperwork hangup with the DMV right now because of my brother being 3rd and my father being Jr, so we are fixing that, but now I have no car payment. I almost have my mother paid off for what it cost to get my dental work done too and she forgave the amount she paid off on my MT classes because of me having to do everything for her. I should be done school in winter 14, but my cute friend, wants me to take it slow and drag it out to spring 15 to make it easier on me.
I have told MommaBear that she has to move out once I am done school (she can use my original grad date) because us living together is not working and is getting worse as her health declines.
So things here are looking up.
I am missing everyone.
And I am yardsaling this month to clear out junk.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Oct 5, 2013 16:36:35 GMT -5
I've had to edit x2 bc I really have no idea how much I'll have leftover after bills are paid. I had to have debit card # changed bc it was compromised so I got a late payment fee from ATT. Guess my 1st post won't be until Tuesday
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Oct 5, 2013 22:29:33 GMT -5
3catslady: 4 NSD, 1 CSD, 0 eating out days. I have a total of 91 hours on 3 different jobs this past week. I should clear over $400 which will make my savings account look good after I pay some bills off. I think I will eat out tomorrow after I get some cash in hand. I feel really good about this month. I am finally getting hours at work but almost lost them because one of the other ladies tried to take my hours. She got another job at another place and wanted to be the boss to assure her 35 hours on night shift which is my shift. There are 5 of us on that shift and we all have our scheduled days. She wanted to take hours from all 5 of us and the boss told her no way. It took me over a year and a half to get these hours and I only got them when I asked to be transferred to another store to get them. I was told that I couldn't be transferred because my store needs the people to work. I said that unless I get the hours I will be transferred.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Oct 6, 2013 9:24:39 GMT -5
Update: 4NSDs and 1 CSD
No idea what today will bring, Have been staying in this weekend as we were expecting an unwelcome visit fro TS Karen. It has now been downgraded to a TD so all are breathing easier. Skies are still dark and more rain is expected but not as bad as first expected. Hope that this is the only scare this season.
I am keeping up with school and house work each week. Hope to get some beading done today as the first craft show is this coming weekend. Not sure how I will do but that is the routine for any of these shows.
School is keeping me very busy as usual so I tend to read/scan the thread but not post except on weekends when time permits. Just want you to know that I am thinking of you.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 7, 2013 8:15:21 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 1 NSD/2 CSD
Unfortunately, since I didn't check in since Wednesday, I'm sure I missed a CSD or two, but I'll never know. Oh well, I'm still pretty much on track for October so I'm still reasonably happy with my progress. I had a busy busy weekend, but it's back to the coal mines now! :-)
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Oct 7, 2013 11:54:43 GMT -5
I'm going to post even though it may not be 100% accurate: $147.67 Not really true bc I have $125 in cash from DD and I have one outstanding bill on autopay [already subtracted] for either $50 or $68. But close. I have been lurking on YM and IBB and feel a little inadequate. Hard to relate to 100k trust funds for 4 year olds. As a single adult with way too many kids, I feel secure if I balance each month and can still save a little.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 7, 2013 16:17:53 GMT -5
I know what you mean, Ombud! Me too. I hang around on YM, but partially so that I keep feeling that I'm behind. It keeps me motivated to keep my butt in gear! Some days, YM is the only reason I haven't bought myself a fancy new iPad yet!
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Oct 7, 2013 21:55:25 GMT -5
3catslady: 4 NSD, 2 CSD, 1 eating out day. I survived a 91 hour work week. I made a little over $800 before taxes. I am glad that only comes once in a great while. This week I am back to 37 hours. Maybe I can get some cleaning done. My car needs anti-freeze, gas and windshield washer fluid and I should check the oil. Since I don't drive my car that much, I only get the oil changed every 4000 miles. I have 1020 yet to go. I drive maybe 15 miles a day. Once a month I go to my girlfriend's place which is about 25 miles round trip. Other than that, I don't go any place except for groceries which is another 25 mile round trip. I sometimes wish I had a good reliable car so I could travel some places. I used to go over 100 miles and find a hotel or motel and stay the night just to get away and get a clean start. I haven't done that in over 4 years. I don't trust my car which is a '90 Buick Le Saber. Too much can happen because I haven't replaced everything on it yet. I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 7, 2013 22:42:57 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 2 NSD/2 CSD
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redwagon
Senior Member
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Post by redwagon on Oct 8, 2013 14:05:36 GMT -5
I really need to be better about checking in. We're on austerity measures trying to pay down the CCs before reentering the real estate fray. Eating out continues to be a tough one but we're getting there. Last night I had leftovers and DH made himself pancakes because he forgot to put the pot pies in the oven. In the past we'd have ordered a pizza. So go us!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 8, 2013 20:19:40 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 2 NSD/3 CSD
I was very careful today while out all day with friends. I only spent $4, so I'm stoked! Tomorrow, I plan to get my flu shot, but that should be free to me. So hopefully another CSD Thursday and Friday.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Oct 8, 2013 22:08:08 GMT -5
Hair cut today: $147.67 checking
125 -25 hair cut 100 cash for London
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Oct 9, 2013 16:07:34 GMT -5
My check engine light won't go off. Mechanic said problem was that the gas cap was loose & set off a sensor. Was supposed to clear up in 3 trips. It's been 5 days
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Oct 9, 2013 19:32:02 GMT -5
3catslady: 5 NSD, 2 CSD, 2 eating out days. I ate at my favorite restaurant tonight because I was called in to work and I didn't feel like cooking. I had one of my favorite meals: liver and onions, mashed potatoes. I didn't leave a tip because the waitress didn't come over once to see how I was doing. She didn't even see if I wanted desert. That is one of the things that I relish in a waitress, the fact that I may want a piece of pie or cake or even coffee. Ombud, My engine light has been on for 2 or 3 years. I finally put a piece of black tape over it so I could not see it.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Oct 10, 2013 10:03:25 GMT -5
Doing well. I bought breakfast but that was with my fun money, and I'll buy lunch with the $20 I found on the sidewalk yesterday so that's a freebie. Doing well cooking dinner even when tired and lazy. So far so good...
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 10, 2013 10:33:31 GMT -5
LOL, I wish I'd found $20 on the sidewalk! I would have had some free boots yesterday! Rocky Mtn Saver: 2 NSD/3 CSD
I was on my way to a NSD yesterday until I had some free time after my doctor appt. I found some winter dress boots (I've been in desperate need for 2 seasons) at a local consignment store for $22. I was stoked because I had resigned myself to having to pay $100+ for dress boots. I found some other nice winter dress shoes for $6 and $8 as well. I feel like I robbed that second-hand store!
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ses
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:18:37 GMT -5
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Post by ses on Oct 10, 2013 12:27:37 GMT -5
8/31 NSD
WOW!! What a week. This time last week I was at the grocery store preparing for a winter storm. Little did I know we were getting the blizzard that dumped 4 feet of snow on parts of the Black Hills. We lucked out and only got 18" on the flat with drifts of 2-3 feet. It is the wind (up to 70 mph) that is the real danger. Only 3 deaths, which is good.
The truly bad part of this storm is the fact that the leaves haven't started to turn and were in full leaf. They were loaded with heavy wet snow that caused many branches to break and many trees to split or even loose the top halves of their branches. I was lucky and only had one smallish limb fall on the roof and about 20 feet of fence smashed.
About 1/3 of the town lost power for up to two days. I am on the list to have the debris in my yard cut up and removed. I hope it is soon, since more severe weather is a possibility for today and tomorrow.
However, being stuck in the house did not provide many opportunities to spend which was a good thing. I finally got out yesterday and finished the final stock up of my pantry. I'm good for the next three months, until the holiday specials start showing up--or surviving a few more blizzards.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 10, 2013 12:45:50 GMT -5
Wow, ses, I didn't realize you were in the middle of all that up north. I saw some of it on the news, and it didn't look like fun. It's always such a mess when the snow comes too early or too late and hits the trees hard. Hang in there!!
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Oct 10, 2013 14:19:24 GMT -5
SES - glad you are all right! We had a similar storm a few years ago. Leaves and snow don't mix well.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Oct 10, 2013 14:30:22 GMT -5
Glad you're almost ok. It's gonna be a weird winter --
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Oct 10, 2013 20:53:08 GMT -5
I saw a couple of wooly worms that "said" the winter is going to be mild at least in this area. Those caterpillers with the brown hair are to be brown and black when it is to be bad. This one was all light brown so I am hoping he knows what he is "talking" about.
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ses
Familiar Member
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Post by ses on Oct 11, 2013 20:48:20 GMT -5
More high winds last night! More broken limbs! Sure hope this ends soon!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 11, 2013 22:45:19 GMT -5
Rocky Mrn Saver: 2 NSD/5CSD
I'm hoping tomorrow will be a NSD, so we'll see!
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Oct 12, 2013 1:20:21 GMT -5
$147.67 checking - 18.00 charity $129.67 100 -40 gas -20 Marching Band snacks & misc $40 cash for London Check engine light finally went off
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Oct 13, 2013 22:27:46 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 3 NSD/5 CSD
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