March Madness Controlled/No Spend Thread

[mizbear]

Honeylioness- I give you karma for standing by your sister. There is a special bond between sisters- blood or not- it's almost like a marriage. The best friends I have ever made stood by me through abuse, divorce, illness- You should be proud to be her sister and her friend- as should she. I will say prayers and light candles for her for as long as it takes- I still need them myself from my sisters.

nuttinhoney- Sorry to hear about your grandmother HUGS

mittenkitten- Feel better- it's probably this nutty weather.

[Deleted]

Mar 14, 2011 15:40:28 GMT -5 singlemomky said:

And it gets even better - after the very helpful guy putting me on hold and holding quite a while; I got disconnected!

Maybe a Karma will make you feel better, . I like seeing mine rise.

[singlemomky]

Thanks Gin! That put a on my face

[dakota4600]

Hey everyone. I'm here. Not doing much, still can't shake this crud. I'm on my last day of antibiotics. I'm afraid I may have to go back for another round, I'm still feeling blah. Though I do have to say the time change has motivated me some. I've gotten more things done after mini-D has gone to bed the last couple days instead of just vegging myself.

I've lost track of NS's already this month. We aren't doing bad just haven't been keeping track.

I can't remember if I mentioned it or not (and I'm too lazy to go back and look) MINI-D IS DONE WITH PULLUPS!!!! I had to buy him some new underwear with a different character on it, because he was really resisting wearing underwear to sleep in. But he did it and the pullups are hidden away now. (I figure we'll hold on to them for a little while, then I'll donate them to a group that won't care if the package is open.

Dividend- Good luck to your brother. I went to the reunion night a few weeks ago where members of the original Comets played at half time and caught up with someone I hadn't seen in about 20 years. In high school I was a serious fan/groupie of the team. Though the half time game made me feel really old,seeing the guys I idolized not aging so gracefully. I wasn't really liking some of the new rules in indoor, primarily the goals being worth 2 & 3 points. But I love the facility they play in, if we weren't so far from there, I'd consider season tickets.

Honey- Hugs to your sister. Good job with the tax refund. Thanks for reminding me to renew my AAA membership before we leave on Thursday.

MK- Hope you don't have strep

[sheilaincali]

MK- here in the south (southern MN obviously) strep is making the rounds like crazy. I dodged that bullet but BFF got it. Good luck. It's been a nasty couple of weeks with people down with the crud. Take care of yourself.

nuttin: Sorry for you loss.

Honey; I am so glad that you put the tax refund to good use. Your post about your tax refund allocations was the most upbeat post you have had in a while. Sounds like you are back on level ground again and feeling good.

[sheilaincali]

Double Post. Don't know why

[shanendoah]

Honey: Yay for feeling like you have breathing room. And kudos to you and your mom for taking L in and showing her what family is supposed to be like. You will all be in my thoughts.

nuttin: So sorry for your loss

SMKY: Hope today is a better day

MK: Feel better

Dakota: WooHoo, done with Pull-ups! Go mini-D!

Ruined a lovely NSD yesterday by taking DH out to dinner to celebrate making it through his first quarter back in school, in a class that is really challenging him.

Today never even stood a chance of being an NS. I got in the car this morning to the message that tire pressure was low. We'd gotten the same message on Saturday evening and filled the tires. So, off to Les Schwab I went. Turns out we needed all new tires (if I'd been paying attention, I would have known this, 4 yrs, 57k miles on the old tires). So, new tires to start out the day.

But this was another moment that reminded me of exactly how hard it can be to get ahead, money wise. This thread is really good, and WIR in general isn't bad, but especially over on YM, people can forget exactly how much it costs to be "poor". I think SES's food stamp challenge was one of those reminders, as she realized she couldn't afford to buy in bulk, even if that would save her money in the long run, she couldn't "afford" it today.
Tires were the same. The cheapest tires were $600 and the most expensive $800. I could afford the better tires, but I know for a lot of people, that extra $200 just isn't doable. But here's the thing, for $800, I got a 70k mile tire. For $600, I would have gotten only a 30k mile tire. That means that if I hadn't been able to afford the extra $200 today, I would have had to replace my tires 2 more times in the amount of time the better tires last. So for 70k miles, I could pay $800 or $1,800 ($1,400 if you pro-rate). Obviously, the $800 is the much better deal, but if I don't have $800 today, I'm screwed.
I don't know that its anybody in particular's fault, but it helps to be reminded that there is a cost to being poor in this country.

[mizbear]

UPDATE 12/15 NS 2/15 CS 1S
Still getting my MOANs doing housework, cleaning, and maintenance.

[spruby]

shan (and others you are interested) - this is a great book that looks at exactly the issue that your tire example highlights - how it is more expensive to be poor - Nickel and Dimed: Undercover in Low-wage America by Barbara Ehrenreich

honey - my thoughts & prayers for L - some people never get a break but manage to keep on going - and yeah on your bill paying and dinner splurge - I hope that gives you some breathing room!

well - March has gotten a little out of control money wise - trying to real it back in - but like many this winter am fighting the blues. One more health issue (minor/treatable) was found and frankly I'm sick of them all. I'd like to be healthier please!!!! Of course a little exercise wouldn't hurt - but I haven't quite managed to stop feeling sorry for myself and get off my butt.

Hugs to everyone who needs them.

[mizbear]

spruby- Nickel and Dimed is an excellent read! I read it as part of a college course and some of my better heeled, younger fellow students thought she was lying. I couldn't believe how naive those kids were.
HUGS everyone.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 9 NS Days 4 CS Days = 13 NS/CS Days
Hugs to all who need them.

[ses]

13/31 NSD so far

I'm here. I have been MIA a bit lately. I'm doing some major spring cleaning. Today I tackled the large storage closet, almost a small room, filled with boxes my mother brought with her when she came to live with me in 2000. She died in 2006 and I have been studiously ignoring all this stuff for the past five years. I pulled out six large boxes and about three smaller boxes. I set four boxes on my bed so I will have to deal with them before I can go to bed. I was doing very well at going through every single paper and jettisoning most of them. The box totally filled with her shoes, most of which hadn't seen a foot in 12-15 years, was easy to do--just say GONE! Then I hit the box of old family pictures, which slows me a bit, then I came to a box that stopped me in my tracks. I found my grandfathers eighth grade grade cards. He was a good student. Promoted from the eighth grade to the Junior class in the High School in 1979. I found a box of love letters from my grandfather to my grandmother from 1887 through their marriage in 1900 and a few more until one written on Christmas Day in 1910 when they were apart. My great-grandmother was seriously ill and my grandfather was advising to file a quit claim in the farm (which would cost $1-$2) and would avoid probate and a possible forced sale that might cost as much as $100-$200 since there was no will. I wonder what ever happened. I know by 1930 the farm was gone. I even found the college commencement announcement for two great aunts in 1904. The same school I graduated from. I haven't finished reading them all yet. I hope I find one about his participation in the Oklahoma Land Run in 1889. Needless to say that box is taking a very long time. There is always tomorrow. And four more boxes to empty.
Cleaning definitely = MOAN!!!

Shannen--I have been completely hooked by the events in Japan. It is terrifying to think of something like that happening here. It has made me be very careful of planned spending and how our economy might be affected. I am very carefully plotting out my spending and now I realize I must put some new tires on the list. Earlier last week i asked my contractor to buy the shingles for the roof after last years storm before the price goes up due to increased oil prices. I am also gradually stocking up on other things that will have higher transportation costs, salt for the water softener, bulk kitty litter and some extra cat food-- they eat so much more now that they are playing outside more. I am even gradually updating my sewing kit so I can do more mending rather than replacing. I was am worried about increased inflation and a possible severe drop in the markets. After hearing about the rolling blackouts in Japan I even checked my stash of candles and lamp oil. Am I paranoid or what?

[reeneejune]

SES - It's not odd to stockpile lap oil or candles. We had a black out the other day and had to remember where we put our stock of lamp oil. I was rather annoyed at having to crochet rather than sew!

Up to 2 NSD. Still haven't found a place to live. Getting slightly discouraged.

[mrslynch]

spruby/mizbear--nickle and dimed is a great book. it makes a lot of solid points about the working class and serves as a reminder that it is tough to be poor and/or working class. i've read and reread it several times and each time i read it, my opinion of her experiment changes slightly. about a year or so ago, i read another book, scratch beginnings, that was written as a "response" to nickle and dimed. this book, written by an early-20s male offered a much different perspective about being poor than barbara ehrenreich's book, written by a middle aged woman. while there were some similarities in the way they conducted their experiments, i think his was slightly more valid (and, at times, more honest) than hers, to tell you the truth. i highly recommend this book. it's an easy, light read that makes you think.

[shanendoah]

I think my next possible no spend days are going to be tomorrow and Sunday. My NSD goal isn't very high, so its definitely possible we'll meet it this month, but its starting to seem less and less likely.
Today will be a spend as we run to the grocery store to pick up cabbage (for the traditional corned beef), bacon (for the Bobby Flay version of corned beef) and potatos. All things we should have thought about needing this weekend, but didn't.
Tomorrow should be an NSD as DH will cook and we'll have friends over to St. Patty's day dinner. I'll be making two chocolate chip cookie pies (thanks to a recipe from mrsl) for a pot luck at work and the dinner at home..
Friday is the day we grocery shop. We also have a friend who has an art show opening at a bistro and will almost certainly order at least drinks there.
Saturday is a wedding and roller derby. We'll be paying for parking at the Derby.
Then, I think Sunday can be a don't get out of pjs except to walk the dog day, and we'll certainly need it.

book recommendations: I have not read nickle and dimed, though I've certainly heard of it. I will see if I can pick that up and scratch beginnings next time I'm at the library.

ses: Stockpiling is not weird. We have rechargeable flashlights (including hand crank ones that also have a radio), a rechargeable latern, bottles of water and staple food in the basement. As long as we have electricity, we have water- we have a dehudifier and an electric kettle to boil the water. We have a stock pile of fuel for the car (and the joy of diesel is that there are more options for fuel), and the car has a regular 110v plug in it, so I can have electricity on demand as long as I have fuel.
We also have candles galore.

[Honeylioness]

"Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen"


Happy St. Uhro Day everyone!

[mizbear]

I stockpile, and yes, I keep flashlights and what not, but I joke with everone that I don't worry until the rescue boats dock at my balcony. I know it's a horrible attitude to have, but I live between the ocean and the bay and there is nowhere to run from a properly placed hurricane- you board up and you hang on.
In the winter I do keep more canned stuff on hand than usual, but I always have soup makings. Last winter when we had all of that snow, we were making plans on boiling the snow and making soup in my 12 qt stockpot.
I feel sorry for the people in Japan- no one deserves the hand they have been dealt, but as a friend of mine who's family is from Japan told me- they are a resilient people.

Today is a NS.

[mrslynch]

mizbear--where in md do you live? are you on the eastern shore?

[Honeylioness]

reenee - Don't let the apartment hunt get you down. You have some time, and a place to live while you look - so be patient as the right place will make itself available for you .. I just know it.

dakota - Sorry you are still feeling under the weather.

sheila - I am feeling like I can take a breathe again - thanks. Sorry for the spate of sad messages lately. Things just seemed to implode on me.

shanendoah - Your story about the tires should remind all of us that there is a big difference between being "cheap" and being "frugal". To me taking the "cheap" route just to save the $200 will cost you money in the long run as the tires will not last as long as the most costly. This is something I often struggle with. I could get these new wooden spoons for $2/3 at the Dollar Store - or pay $5 for just the one at Store X. I have to remind myself that the last time I did that the "cheaper" ones all snapped within three months because they were not made that well to begin with - but the more solid one has been with me for over five years now.

SES - What great discoveries in that box of papers and photos. This is why I won't let my brother just throw away boxes of "stuff" without going through it piece by piece.

I stockpile things as well ...and am proud to consider myself "odd". We keep extra lamp oil, lamp wicks, wooden matches, 10 gallons of drinking water and batteries for my old radio on hand at all times. I have six oil lamps out at all times (three are sitting in special wrought iron wall holders) as we lose power at least twice each winter and in the summer as well when the humidity fries out the meters. Another reason I am glad to have a gas stove I can light manually if need be.

I store the water in huge clean wine jugs. Kept from the time when I was making a LOT of sangria ;D Every few months I use a jug to water plants and replace the water with fresh.

As for the sewing - I would pout big time if I could not use my sewing machine at all ... but I do have a fondness for hand sewing. Ines was staring at me the other night while I was darning a pair of my favorite wool socks. She said she had only ever seen her grandmother do that years ago.

The girls - I have one who is home for the third day from school. This morning I took them both to the clinic. Ines has had a fever, sore throat and swollen glands since Monday morning. And last night Siying started complaining of being tired, achy and a throbbing behind her eyes. Rut Row.

Yep, Ines probably has some version of strep throat, and since they share a bedroom Siying is already exposed and infected. So meds for everyone! I tucked Ines back into bed (poor thing looks like she has been dragged backwards through a keyhole) and sent Siying off to school (her insistence, and she has no fever) and finally headed off to work.

Japan - Just when you think it can't get more difficult you hear about another problem. I had not realized how much the damaged nuclear plant was dominating the news until I realized that the volcano that erupted on the southern island of Kyushu received almost no mention in the news at all.

My SILs family lives outside of Tokyo and is okay, however there are kids my girls know who are doing their exchange year in Japan and to date no one has been able to get a hold of them. The best case scenario is that they are in a shelter somewhere with no access to cell or computer service.

As I watch the news coverage I cannot help but make comparisons of their culture and ours. I am sure we all remember seeing the looting and chaos in the aftermath of Katrina: People fighting for the barest necessity and the city seemingly without any kind of large scale plan. However Japan is not only the best prepared country in the world to deal with an earthquake - if not the resulting tsunami that showed up an hour earlier than the current models predicted it would. But they are not prone to the type of negative social behavior we have seen in other places. Images of people lined up for blocks patiently waiting for hours to get a chance to enter a store for any type of food they can get, and the store owners who are able to operate not raising their prices just because they know the people will pay anything. Can we honestly say that this sort of thing would be the norm here if we were to suffer such a disaster? I am sad to say "Not likely"

[mizbear]

mrslynch- Yup. Eastern Shore. Easton. Most of my life. Born and raised here!

[muttleynfelix]

Honey - So sorry to hear about your sister.

We had a great weekend with my parents. DH and I went to see Rango. It was a good movie. Then we went out for a drink and appetizer. I had a margarita for the first time in more than 2 years. DH had a drink for the first time in like 3 years (he stopped drinking when he was on pain meds). We spent too much money, but had a good time and it was nice to feel like a couple and not just parents. My parents rock and left us $100 for our trip to next weekend for my BFF's wedding (which we got after they left so we couldn't give it back). Oh they also bought DS 2 new pairs of shoes at Stride Rite (yes I am snob about my son's shoes). And they also offered to help us out if we needed it because of my work situation. Too bad we've been responsible and didn't use all of our savings to buy all the fun stuff we wanted. Then we could just ask my parents for money right now and they would help. JK. I would cry if it got to the point we had to ask for money. If you are on facebook, I have a bunch of new pics up. Our spending last month was down a lot. Hopefully we can keep it up. I did just order some clothes onliine, but I used my cash back rewards on my CC to pay for 3 new tops and 2 new pants. Hopefully they fit. Anyway, we get our taxes done tomorrow. Last week I was full time at work and this week on MOnday it looked like I would only work 3 days, but then more work came in and I'll either work 4 or 5. Not sure yet. I took a couple hours off on Monday and was thinking I would take a couple hours off tomorrow with our tax appointment and then take a half day off on Friday (suppose to be really nice weather). We'll see. I do actually have work to get done. Now if I could just get DH to decide if we are making our drive in 1 day or 2 days ....

Have a great day all.

[mizbear]

Honey- Unfortunately, that patience and character was largely lost from our country a long time ago- I don't think it is all gone or that it can not be revived, but it is a shame that it does not remain.

[sheilaincali]

Honey: first off- no need to apologize for the sad posts of past. I felt so bad because here my friend was hurting and there was nothing I could do to help. Sorry to hear that the girls are sick- really hope it skips right on past you and that you don't get it too.

Japan- I have to agree with you 100%. I was amazed by the pictures of people patiently waiting in lines for their turn. That would have never happened in the US. Prices would have skyrocketed, there would have been riots and looting, assaults in the street, mass chaos, etc.

[startsmart]

Hunkered down here at home, just working and such.

Had a great conversation with my clients on Monday night over dinner and drinks. Most of tuesday was lazy because I was still relaxed from the wine Been working really hard and we're getting closer to having someone take over a large part of my job so I can work on other things.

Last night blue and talked on Skype for an "ass kicking" to get back on track about our work together. When we signed off he said "well, it was fun to kick your ass tonight!" which, it was lol

My phone has been so bad lately, I went over to the store and they replaced it - no cost. This would be my fourth phone since September. Sigh.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 10 NS Days 4 CS Days = 14 NS/CS Days
I guess that you can tell that I am back at work after break and my schedule is back to hectic. I am trying to read (easier to keep up with all of you that way) each day but mainly scanning.

Bed time again! Good night all!

[MittenKitten]

Both of those books sound like great reads. I grew up inner city and knew many people both through working with them and going through school with them that were dirt poor. We were middle-lower class. I have very strong opinions about the whole thing but I have seen it first hand. And hey if I made it anyone can but it takes the willingness to give up what you think you deserve to work for something better and the determination to make it work. Not going to say anything else since I don't want to offend anyone.

reenee: don't give up, you will find somewhere to live.

[ses]

Just a quick check in. I've been sorting through boxes today. Such tedious work.

I took a break to get my financials together. Tomorrow a financial planner is going to call on me. She must be desperate for new clients. She is driving two hours to meet with me, I hope she will be meeting with others as well, because she will not be getting much business from me. I don't believe in using banks as an investment resource. But it will be nice to get an outside opinion of my portfolio.

As I was listening to the news tonight I heard thet food prices have inflated 3.9% in the month of February and vegetables almost 50%. I have noticed some increases but not that much here, yet. What are you all seeing? Very interesting, especially after the article in the Wall Street Journal about the Fed banker that told a group in New York that there isn't really any inflation and used the example that an iPad2 costs about the same as an iPad and it does twice as much and someone in the crowd hollered out "I can't eat an iPad" Someone else asked "When were you last in a grocery store?" Sort of ruined the bankers day I would imagine. It would be nice if those setting policy would live in the trenches for a day or two.

[ses]

Honey--I forgot to mention I cleaned out my sewing box to find what needed to be replaced or updated and came across my wooden darning "egg" about the size of a goose egg that was very scarred and battered and thought of you. I, too, occasionally darn a sock.

[spruby]

ses - I laughed when you said the banker used an iPad as an example there was no inflation! Bankers - at least the investment bankers I work with - don't actually remember what a grocery store is. Either the food is provided in a meeting or they go to a restaurant and expense it. So to them it still "costs" the same - zero.

Ehh - well I'm off to the big city NYC for work today - have a good day everyone

[mrslynch]

mk--that's pretty much sums up the point of scratch beginnings.
mizbear--i'm kind of familiar with the eastern shore. my husband grew up about 1/2 hour from salisbury, on the delaware side.