Justified Spending Only in June

[ses]

Ready for another month?


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.                -------------------------------------------------------

After last month I need to be really aware of my spending so the arriving medical bills won't be such a shock.  Maybe I can cut back on cat food.  This morning two of my cats brought me "gifts."  I guess they think I won't go away and leave them if they bring me bribes.  Leo brought me a half dead robin and got inside with it before I noticed it.  I must have created a sight hobbling along with my walker and some long kitchen tongs since I can't bend more than 90 degrees with my new hip just yet.  I don't think he appreciated seeing the bird go into the trash.  Onyx brought me a dead sparrow and when I would't open the door for her to bring it inside she hunkered down to eat the best parts on the deck in front of me.  I need to remove the carcass before she gets any other ideas.

I'm hurting a bit today.  I have been doing so well that I think I may have over done things a little yesterday.  Today I am being much more careful.

I, too, have noticed our shrinking numbers but am not willing to give up on my friends here.  I read the other thread some and if a comment might be appropriate I might copy and paste a comment here and there.  I think these boards have lost people since we are no longer "sponsored" by MSN.  I don't know how to get new members.

[3catslady]

Thanks, ses, for starting the thread.  I feel like our friends are moving away and not keeping in touch.  I know that life is working in their lives, with new jobs, new babies, new marriages and moving.  I still see some on face book but we don't talk money like we did here.

goals for June:
15 NSD, 10 CSD, 3 eating out days.  I know that doesn't add up to 30 but I'm not sure about the other 2 days.  They will probably be CSD but I WANT them to be NSD.  I'll see what happens.  My car is on the fritz again.

[moneysquirrel]

Update : 0 NSDs, 1 CSD  
     I will be back this month as well.  I will be traveling several days later in the month and therefore my appearances here
will be irregular.  Sort of the way it is during the school year. 

     I visited the new outlet mall downtown this week, picked up a few items but not needed ones.  It was a good outing with friends which was the major purpose of the trip.  I also had my car serviced yesterday and today I needed to get gas, a few perishable groceries and potting soil.  Also got a new summer tablecloth and dishtowel -- not needed but on sale and I could use them. I also ordered a few beads needed for my classes in the next few weeks.  It was more cost effective for me to order them directly from the company I usually deal with then to pay for some of the kits as I had several of the other needed items for those classes.  I will get the kits for some of the other classes as I did not have any of the required items and the quoted costs were reasonable.  
 
     I need to get back to working out as it is an area that slips during the school months as well so I am going to try to track my days here.  Finally managed to go today so I decided to track it (1 moan day).  I started my to do list and added it to everyday's list so I can try to make it a habit.  Probably won't be able to go everyday but wanted to try to make more of an effort.  This will help keep me accountable.
     
Slowly working my way through the list of chores that have been pushed aside most of the last month.  May is a rough month activity wise for teachers -- exams, graduations, packing up the classroom, etc., so I am playing catch up these next few days. Still trying to finish to up several beading projects --  in the midst of one and trying to work a few hours on it each day.  Have to be careful as my wrist hurts if I overdo it.    Injury from my fall in DC and hurts if I put too much pressure on it when I hold it in a certain position.  I try to remember to wear my brace as I work but I don't as often as I should.     

SES -- Thanks for starting the thread.
3 cats -- Thinking of you.  Hope things will get better for you soon.  
Will check in when I can.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  2/15 NSD, 1/10 CSD, 1/3 eating out day.

I know it's early but I don't plan to go anywhere today.  So I am counting it as a NSD.

I am currently in the process of cleaning out the "other" room so I can get things organized.  I wish some of you lived closer so I could get some help.  I'd even take you all out to dinner but I don't have any place for you to stay so you'd have to go home after helping.

Thank you, money, for thinking of me.  I am feeling better.  

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 2 NSDs and 3 CSDs and 3 moan days

Today was a small spend day so far.  Less than $5 but not needed items. Will be needs later but got a good deal so not complaining.  I have been trying to continue to catch up on the chores and stuff neglected the last few weeks of school.  The house is beginning to look good again and the plants have fresh potting soil so they are happy.  Still have one or two to re-pot and hope to do that later today or tomorrow.   

Managed to get to the gym a few times this week.  I really do feel better when I go.  Since my body continues to wake up at the early hour I can get to the gym early and still have the rest of the day left for other things.  I know I won't be able to do that each time but I hope to get into the habit of going on a more regular basis.

Getting together all of my supplies for my classes later this month and need to start figuring out what to pack and to get those clothes ready.  I downloaded a few books to my kindle so I have that in case I have time to read.  I spend some time last night doing surveys -- I get kicked out of a lot of them (too old I think) but even those few points add up over time.  I try to collect enough points to order an amazon gift card for me.  I think I have enough for a small gift card but since I don't need it right away I will continue to work toward the larger one.  

3cats -- glad things are looking up for you.
SES -- talk to you soon.  Tell your sis hello for me.

Will check in when I can. 
 
    

[3catslady]

3catslady:  4/15 NSD, 3/10 CSD, 1/3 eating out days.

I started cleaning out the other room and found that, after an hour, I had trouble breathing.  Then I remembered that I am allergic to dust and dust mites and a few other things.  I took a shower to get the dust off me and then came inside here and took a decongestant pill.  It took me almost 2 hours to get to the point where I could breath right.  My problem?  I live between a farm and a sandstone quarry.  I can't keep anything dust-free longer than an hour with the quarry blasting every day and the farm equipment running around here.  I decided that I can't work in the other room longer that 15-20 minutes so that's what I have been doing.  At least working out there is keeping me at home and I am not spending recklessly.

[3catslady]

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


I have one more bill to clear my checking account and then I can see where I messed up.  The bank has a hundred dollars more than I have in my checkbook.  Then again, maybe I'll just let it sit there and go by my checkbook.  That way I won't overdraw and no NSF fee.  Oh wait, I have 5 checks out, too.  I hope I still have some in there when I go buy groceries on Sunday.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  5/15 NSD, 4/10 CSD, 1/3 eating out day.

My work check will be direct deposited after 8 pm tomorrow and then I can go buy groceries.

[ses]

I have spent the day tallying up the expenses from my surgery and hospital expenses.  After the insurance pays I will be left with only about $1300 and about $2000 for the recovery center.  Not bad considering the hospital bill alone would have been close to $52,000.  I am walking more everyday and with less and less pain.  My followup visit with the surgeon is tomorrow.  I am really wanting to hear his assessment of my progress.

3cats how is the diet coming?  Wish I could do as well as you.  Did you get your checking straightened out?

[3catslady]

3catslady, 6/15 NSD, 5/10 CSD, 1/3 eating out day.

For my groceries, I got 2 baking potatoes, milk, lunch meat, cheese.  For the cats I got 8 bags of treats, 2 bags of cat food, 2 boxes of litter.  Then I got my vitamins and supplements, the most expensive part of my bill, and paper for the bathroom (tp) .  Oh, I got 2 drain stops for the bathroom.  I had one of the pop-up types but my other-room cat decided she wanted to play with it and lost it.  It is probably under the couch or between the tubs out there.  I'll find it but I needed one now.  It seems that I ran out of my meds for joint relief and my vitamins at the same time.  Those things aren't cheap.
Well, I have to finish my "5 by Friday" so I best get going. Good luck all of you because today is Friday the 13th and tonight is Full Moon.  I have to work tonight at the store.  Pray that I keep my senses about me and not get fired for flipping out at the customers.  

[ses]

I went to see the surgeon for my post op visit yesterday and I am doing so well he released me from all restrictions!!!!  Two weeks earlier than expected.  I can graduate from the walker all the time to the cane as I feel ready and I can drive as soon as I feel ready--like tomorrow!  My biggest challenge is not to get too cocky and do too much too soon.

I need to get all three cats to come inside before they realize it is a full moon and try to put up a fuss so I can get to bed.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  8/15 NSD, 8/10 CSD, 2 eating out days.

I had delivery pizza for supper because my car wasn't ready.  Today will be a CSD because I need to get some apple cider vinegar and sugar and a spray bottle for my natural bug spray mix.  I put my blue Dawn and water in an empty bottle of Orange Cleaner.  Now when I mop the floor I don't need to use any soap because the Dawn is already on it.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 2NSDs and 3CSDs ( I think I have spent everyday since my last update.)

Just got back from the craft retreat and playing catch-up on laundry.  I spent each day there -- food, supplies, and hotels. All worth it in the long run as I met a lot of nice people, learned some new techniques, took some personal chances (driving many hours by myself) and expanded my horizons.  Continued spending once I got home as I needed groceries and a few other items.  

Will need to travel again before the end of the month so I will be in and out of the thread this month.  

[moneysquirrel]

Also lost track of my exercise days.

[moneysquirrel]

Sorry -- double post.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 4NSDs and 3CSDs
Today was a spend day as my day began with a flat tire that had to be replaced.  Could not be repaired.  The last few days I have not left the house so it was easy not to spend.  Trying to catch up on my sleep and on housework -- doing a better job with the naps than the work. Will be checking in later this week.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  11/15 NSD, 11/10 CSD, 2/3 eating out days.

$400 dollars later my car is quiet.  I needed a new muffler and parts of it had to be created.  Now to save for inspection but was told it wouldn't need anything.  I know it needs wipers and an oil change along with the inspection so there will be another $100.  Then my 24 year old car will be ready for year 25.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  14/15 NSD, 11/10 CSD, 2/3 eating out days.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  14/15 NSD, 12/10 CSD, 2/3 eating out days.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  14/15 NSD, 13/10 CSD, 2/3 eating out days.


July name:  Just NS/CS July?

[ses]

Sounds like a good name.  I will get it up soon.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  14/15 NSD, 14/10 CSD, 2/3 eating out days.

I didn't make my NSD and did not eat out 3 days but that is okay.  Now I have to work on next month's budget and it starts tomorrow.  I will not be ready.

[moneysquirrel]

Final June Update: 10NSDs and 4CSDs

Had a great conference and am glad I am back home. Catching up on laundry and routine house chores.