Frugal February--No Spend/Controlled Spend

[ses]

Here we go again!




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

[ses]

I am going to try for a very frugal February.  January was for closing out last year and planning out this year.  A couple of years ago I did a "food stamp challenge" and allowed myself only that allotment for groceries.  I really had my eyes opened.  This year I am going to try for extreme frugality. ( Luckily Feb is a short month) I will pay the usual bills and allow for only fresh produce purchases.  I want to have a fresh salad and one serving fresh fruit daily.  Other than those purchases I don't want to spend ANY money.  I will allow a $5 daily allowance which I hope to not use.  I plan to rely heavily on my stocked pantry and freezer.

I am sick of all the "stuff" in my house.  I want to get some of the clutter out and not have anything new come into the house.  The thing that will really hurt is no new books.  As soon as I get everything I have read maybe I can start using the basic Kindle a neighbor gave me.  At least i won't have to find a place to store something new.

I am curious as to how much I will be able to save.

[3catslady]

3catslady: 0/15 NSD, 1/10 CSD, 0/3 eating out days

I am sick of all the "stuff" in my place also but I have no where to put it.  Getting the other room finished is no where in sight.  I have plans to empty 3 tubs within the next 3 months and then after that I don't know what I am going to do.  I want to move the 5 tubs that are in my room out to the other room and bring in my craft tubs so I can work on more stuff.  My clothes tubs just need to be gone through and the clothes I haven't worn in the past 5 years will either be boxed up for yard sale, consignment, or given away. They may be exchanged with what I have worn and then that stuff will be boxed.  Unless a mouse or a moth have gotten into the tubs, everything should be in good shape.  It will probably just need washed.  I guess it is time to buckle down and start tossing.

[Ombud]

Feb 1, 2014 21:42:44 GMT -5 ses said:

A couple of years ago I did a "food stamp challenge" and allowed myself only that allotment for groceries.  I really had my eyes opened.

I'm up for the challenge!! How much for 1 person?

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Ditto on the need to get rid of "stuff" cluttering my extra room.

No CSD yesterday. It was my turn to bring the drinks to our movie night, plus I paid for my own dinner. Had a good time, though, and it was mostly in budget. Today may be an NSD. Thats one good thing about being half-buried in snow.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 0 NSDs and 1CSD

I'm in again.  Yesterday I picked up a few items at the grocery and fed the car so I'm counting it as a CSD.  Today should be a NSD but I will not count it until I am sure.  Don't plan on leaving the house so that should hold up. 

Like several of you I also have too much stuff.  I am constantly going through things and de-cluttering items.  I have a few boxes I am getting ready for donation -- usually wait until I have at least four to call for pickup.  Also was able to pass on a few clothing items to the daughter of a friend that I could no longer fit into.  They were in good condition and she is just starting in her career so a win-win for both.  I am sure that I still have a ton of items that can leave the house.  I rarely buy books anymore except for the kindle and I am slowly weeding through the books on hand.  Over the years I have donated hundreds to the library for their use/book sales and I know that I have a lot more that can go.  Will add that to the many projects for the summer since I will not have a lot of time during this semester to deal with that one.  I am not a big shopper but have been slowly replacing clothes that are way past their prime.  I am lucky that my work wardrobe is fairly casual professional but running the regulars through the washer/dryer very often leave them over time to not look as professional as they should.  I have to be better in discarding the ones past the prime.  It is so much better when I remember to place them into the donation box once they are coming out of the dryer.  That way they are out of the closet and if I don't see it I won't wear it again thinking that I have to donate it the next time. 

School is as busy as usual.  This coming week will be even busier than usual as I have several night commitments for school in addition to all the tests and projects being submitted for grading this week.  Will be checking later today to see if anything else came in for correction this weekend so anything I can get done today is less I have to do later.  I did a lot of the prep work yesterday and will have to run off a lot of papers this week.  Will do a few more prep items today so I can "bank" them for later processing.

Well  I will sign off now as I have to move clothes into the dryer.  Last load for today.

[mizbear]

I have been AWOL- this month I will be paying off the loan from last year from my Mom to get my teeth done. It will be paid off early because I am using the refund check from my student loan money to pay her off and get rid of that. It's the only loan I have other than my student loan because I have no car payment right now.

Having another surgery this month and have thoroughly cut down on my starbucks.

Mom is moving after the I graduate and I may move also, but that is still up in the air.

[ses]

Ombud--I am not sure what the amount per person is now that the farm bill with the new cuts will go into effect.  Last fall the number that was being batted around was $4.25 or $4.50.  I know it varies by state.  You will find it is possible, but not easy.  You will be able to do it better than most because you know how to cook and don't live in a "food desert" without transportation.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver:  0 CSD/1 NSD

I think I've gotten my taxes accomplished this weekend.  It took some doing, but I wanted to know if my projections with some additional income were correct.  They were.    I may hold off on filing to see if I missed anything, but at least I know where I stand. 

[Ombud]

Schwab won't have 1099s out until mid February. K1s not out until March -- are you waiting for those? I used to be
able to file before the rush. Sadly, no more

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Feb 3, 2014 10:50:05 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Schwab won't have 1099s out until mid February. K1s not out until March -- are you waiting for those? I used to be
able to file before the rush. Sadly, no more

No, I'm just paranoid that I've forgotten an account or something, since I don't usually file so early. 

The only form I know I get late will be my Roth contribution info, but that won't come until after the real deadline.  I used the info from my bank. 

[3catslady]

3catslady:  2/15 NSD, 3/10 CSD, 0/3 eating out days.

I am counting today as a NSD because I am not going anywhere in this white stuff.  I don't have to go to work.  The only way I would spend any money is online and I hate doing that.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 1 CSD/2 NSD

[ses]

Ombud--I found some records from my "food stamp challenge--2/2011".  At that time I would have been allowed $112/month, from the figures I was hearing Congressional members throw around ($4.25/day)last fall I would be allowed $127.50 now. Highest amt allowed for a senior adult in my state.

We need to remember SNAP is not to be ones' total food budget, but supplemental dollars.  Although for the vast majority SNAP is the bulk of the food budget.

Doing this challenge, or just reading about what I did, really makes makes me grateful for what I have and aware of what "might be."



So far I have spent nothing other than fixed expenses this month.  My pantry and freezer have had some nice suprises hidden away.  The extreme cold and snow may have had some influence on my shopping habits. 

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 2 CSD/2 NSD

Our cold snap should be over now, yay!  I've got some errands I need to get done, and it's just been too darn cold to want to do anything. 

[mizbear]

Food Stamps (SNAP) vary based on location and other factors. The average per person in my state is $127 and change, I get $51+ less than that and am considered permanently disabled. I don't even get enough in SSDI to make minimum wage- and worked until I got sick. The national average is $133 + (+ being and change). I honestly know that I don't understand how they figure it. Everyone wonders why I am pushing so hard to go back to work-

All it takes is one minor catastrophe and I could be living on the street. Not because I don't budget, but because money is that tight for the disabled.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 4 NSDs and 2 CSDs

Quick pop-in to say hello.  Things are as busy as usual at school.  Tons of things to correct this coming weekend.  Will check in when I can.

[Ombud]

@ $4.25 a day I get $29.75 a week. Last week:

3.50 apples
1.50 carrots
5.00 deli meat
11.25 Starbucks tall with free refills
0.00 Boudins bread on points
+ 1.99 chopped turkey chub (1lb)
23.54

This coming week:
23.54 repeat above
.23c 2 tomatoes on sale
1.50 3 pkgs fiber bars with coupons
1.50 cracker sale
+ .99 Safeway french bread
27.55 THIS IS HARD!!!

BREAKFAST: Starbucks & bar
LUNCH: deli meat sandwich, apple, carrots
DINNER: turned chopped meat into meatloaf for 5 nights, fruit from yard, tomato soup from cupboard, bread


Waiting for a pasta sale (stockpiling $8.20) or maybe taking it to Food Maxx for the produce section. So glad I have a garden (oranges, berries, persimmons, had tomato soup in cupboard). I will have to have tea instead of coffee at home. I can get 20 tea bags for $1.99 (got b4 on sale) but the same amount of coffee costs me $6.99 plus $2.50 for the cream. So I guess coffee at home is out

EDITED 2/10/14: Back to store on way home
$8.20
-1.19 cream @ Trader Joes
-2.79 roasted tomato soup @ Trader Joes
-3.95 whole chicken on personalized J4U @ Safeway
$ .27 left

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 2 CSD/3 NSD

[grits]

Well, I am going to count the money for the washer and dryers at the laundry as a CS.

I am going out to mail some stuff, and buy groceries. It will make me 2 CS, and 8 NS so far this month. I am trying to keep it down to 1 CS per week. Wish me luck.     

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 3 CSD/3 NSD

It was above zero degrees this morning when I woke up!  Imagine that... a heat wave! 

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 3 CSD/4 NSD

[3catslady]

3catslady: 5/15 NSD, 7/10 CSD, 1 eating out day.

It's snowing and I can't get my door open without pushing the snow back with it.  Needless to say, I did not go to work today. 

[mizbear]

3cats- do be careful!

Other than paying bills, I have had 3CS days because I chose to eat out once, buy an unallotted SB and get extra provisions before surgery.

It's easy to have NSD when you are stuck in the house lol.

And if everything goes according to plan, this time next year, I will either be roomie free or close to it. Mom is moving.out.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 12 NSDs and 2 CSDs

Had a very  no spend period during this past week since I just went to work and came home.  I have no idea what today brings but I am sure that I will be doing some spending this weekend as there are several things I need to get besides groceries.  I think progress this week was due to the fact that I was trying to prevent the beginning of a sinus infection and I knew that I needed rest so afternoon naps were in the plans. So far so good.

As of now I am caught up on the grading barring any late projects coming in and they will wait until Monday before I look at them. 

 I have been going through the bead boxes and designing several necklaces.  I have a rare spring craft show coming up soon and I needed to do some spring ideas.  I am trying as much as possible to design based on my supplies which are all paid for so that anything I sell will go toward the purchase of items I will need in order to complete a design.  I am trying to keep a running list of needed items so that when I do have to /buy/order I know what I have to get.  Also trying to add some additional techniques into my designs so I am challenging myself to learn something new occasionally. 

mizbear -- rest and get better

3cats -- stay warm and be careful

All of you stay warm and healthy.  Till later.

  

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 6 CSD/4 NSD

I lost a little ground in the CSD/NSD realm this week.  Sunday was dinner and a movie, but we had a good time!  I also had to get dinner at the cafeteria a couple of times because I had evening activites or work come up.  I plan to solve that for the next few weeks by buying/preparing some stuff to eat ahead of time and keeping it in the freezer at work.  Hopefully that'll keep me away from the snack bar!  

[mizbear]

Looks like 2014 will be an epic cs/ns fail. Had a fight with Mom and it looks as though she will be moving out before the agreed upon time, so I will be incurring extra expenses. I also will be having to pay to have my car totally fixed and detailed thanks to.DB not following thru on buying agreement, but it will be cheaper than buying new car. And I will need to get my own phone plan when mine is up. I was already considering that anyway though.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Hang in there, miz! 

[grits]

I bought a candy bar yesterday, and paid attorney today. Otherwise, I'd still be 2 CS days.

BTW folks, make sure you have an up to date will, and medical power of attorney.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Rocky Mtn Saver: 8 CSD/4 NSD