Suddenly September CS/NS

[ses]

Another Month Begins




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.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  1 NSD, 0 CSD, 0 eating out days.

I wrote the bills out and they are in the mailbox but the mail didn't go so I am not counting them until tomorrow when the mail goes.

[ses]

Hi, all.

Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend.  I went out of town for the first time since my surgery!  I went to a BBQ with friends who live about an hour away.  Good times, good friends and good food.

Today I did some preserving.  I now have six jars of apple butter and three jars of tomato sauce.  And the garden is just starting to produce.  I'm sure I'll soon have more to process very soon. It is wonderful to have all this next winter, but I hate the mess that is my kitchen this time of year, and I can't seem to be tidy about this process.

forwardwego I have been involved with this thread since January 2008.  I didn't have big debts to deal with but I was just sloppy about my money management.  I had a very loose concept of wants and needs.  I was basically financially lazy.  I wanted to take early retirement in January 2009 and knew I had to get things organized before I could.  I started getting my fixed expenses organized.  Then I gave myself an allowance of $35/wk-or $5/day that I didn't have to track.  Then after these things became habit I got really stern with myself and started budgeting tightly my variable expenses--groceries, eating out, clothes, entertainment and trips out of town--I live in a very small town.

When I started tracking everything in this second phase I realized just how careless I had been.  I started a "shopping list" for the next time I went to the city.  That little manouver really cut out the impulsive "wants" buying.

But you MUST remember what Moneysquirrel said.  This is a process.  It will not all happen all at once.  Be kind to yourself as you do this.  We will be here for support and to answer questions.  As I used to tell my students there are no "stupid" questions when you want to learn something.  Good luck.

[forwardwego]

Forwardwego: 0 NSD, 1 CSD, 0 Eating out Days


3catslady I hope you don't mind if I "copycat" your format, and good work on no eating out in August!!! Yesterday I thought I was out of coffee, so DH suggested we go to breakfast out, which probably would have happened but I found enough coffee for a cup, and quickly cooked breakfast. These little things should begin to tip the scales toward better finances.

 ses That sounds like a refreshing time you had at your friends BBQ. And good for you on the preserves. Home canned tomato juice is among my favorites. Thank you for sharing your experience. Thank you for your support. I am so glad to be out of credit card debt (paid off $9559 in 13 months with the support of WIR). And getting a better handle on savings will help keep it gone. For now I hope to be more aware of spending, cut the "junk food" out of grocery shopping, and minimize eating out. I look forward to seeing how September goes 

[chapeau]

Chapeau: 1 NSD, 0 CSD, 0 eating out days

I'm in this month. I've wanted to do it before, but always had some excuse.
No more excuses, I have to do this now, before I get any more financially careless (although I probably can't GET much more careless, I've been on a terrible run lately).

I even went so far as to make a list of what I'm going to buy this month. If it's on the list, it counts as a CSD. The list includes milk, produce, and lunch meat. It also includes 2 bottles of mustard and 36 banana peppers. I'm canning hot pepper mustard on Saturday and my banana pepper plants produced about 5 peppers this year. And since I already have the money set aside for Christmas, I'm shopping for a swing set for my daughter this year. If I can find one on clearance, I'm going to buy now rather than wait until the prices go back up. That might be all I'm allowed to buy.

The hard part is getting DH on board. WIsh me luck, or I'll be adding shovel, gloves, duct tape and lots of bleach to the list for October

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 2 NSDs

I'm in again. This is another busy week so this may be this last time I can check in for a few days.  Today was an in-service day but back to regular schedule of classes, meetings, and after school appointments tomorrow.

My newest regular control spend item is a personal trainer -- aiming for once a week.  It has been added to my budget and I try to put aside from each paycheck to cover this expense.  After the medical scare earlier this year I decided that I needed to take action. Therefore more exercise and adding weight training which I don't feel I can do on my own.

Chapeau -- Welcome to the NS/CS thread.  If you have questions, please ask.  Remember this is something that takes time.  With time you will separate the needs from the wants.  Sometimes you will fall off the wagon but we do circle back to pick you back up.  All of us have times when our intentions and reality will clash.  We have to take it one day at a time and pick ourselves up when we slip.     






 

[3catslady]

3catslady:  1 NSD, 1 CSD, 0 eating out days.

The mailman got the bills so today is now officially a CSD.

[forwardwego]

Forwardwego: 0 NSD, 2 CSD, 0 Eating out Days


Welcome fellow newbie chapeau 


writing down all spending is tedious but helpful 


nice job on 2 NSD's moneysquirrel!!

[3catslady]

3catslady: 1 NSD, 2 CSD, 0 eating out days.

I did laundry today and I have to go to the laundromat.

[forwardwego]

Forwardwego: 0 NSD, 3 CSD, 0 Eating out Days


very close to a NSD, only spent .61 so far today 

keep up the good work all 

[3catslady]

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

[chapeau]

chapeau: 3 NSD, 2 CSD

Thank you forward and moneysquirrel. I'm really excited to do this.

I think I need an opinion: on Wednesday my father in law needed someone to bring him lunch at his job (pack a lunch? What is that?), so he told my husband he'd buy our lunch if my husband did the delivery. It wasn't our money spent on lunch, so I'm thinking it doesn't count, right? Although it does kind of violate the spirit I was aiming for... I knew my husband and his family were going to kill this plan. So far they bought us dinner one night and lunch another. They don't believe in home cooking.

[forwardwego]

Forwardwego: 0 NSD, 5 CSD, 0 Eating out Days

It wasn't our money spent on lunch, so I'm thinking it doesn't count, right?

My opinion is that it doesn't count... no money, or method of payment came out of your funds. Hopefully they do not expect reciprocation, because that would ultimately cost you.

Although it does kind of violate the spirit I was aiming for... I knew my husband and his family were going to kill this plan.

Very hard to change things like financial behavior when you are "connected". My DH loves to eat out. So I would be the bad guy shutting down the idea, or be the frustrated guy going along and hating what I knew it was doing to us in the long run spending so much for prepared food. After many years of knocking my head on the wall I finally addressed only my own behavior ONLY. He would say let's eat out. I'd say I'm fixing sandwiches and salad. He was free to eat out or eat with me. He still eats out occasionally without me, but not often. And for the most part I expect that to come out of his designated personal allowance. Sometimes he'll slip one into the regular debit card expenditures, but if it happens more than once a month, I speak up and remind him that's his choice, and his expense. I try to keep the emotion out of it. It's business. Each $ only spends once, gotta decide what the priorities are. As the others here have said so well...it's a process. 

[3catslady]

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

I had to spend today because I took my 14 year old cat to the vets.  I woke up this morning with blood all over my nightgown and the bed.  She was pretty bad.  The vet spayed her because her uterus was full of tumors.  They sent them away to find out if they were cancerous and what kind.  Hopefully they were all taken out and I don't need to worry.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 3 NSDs 2CSDs  as of 9/5

I have no idea what today brings as I am just trying to get the day started.  I need to get the laundry started as I do have some errands to run.  I suspect that today will be another csd as clinique is having bonus time and I am almost out of one of my basics.  There are a few other items on my needs list but not sure when they will be purchased -- some I am still checking  prices.  

Continuing working on the beading as I have a few craft shows coming up beginning next month.  Never know what will sell if anything but will continue to add to the inventory.  Some will be gifts if they don't sell.

[3catslady]

3catslady: 2 NSD, 4 CSD, 0 eating out days.

[forwardwego]

 Update: 0 NSD 7 CSD 1 Eating out day as of Sept 7


I earned some side money and took DH to breakfast, which isn't too bad for one week. I kind of wanted to thank him for not being mad at me when I backed my car out of the driveway Saturday & hit his truck. Doggone it anyway. The repair bill is about same as deductible so we will pay for it without making an insurance claim. Sigh


3catslady I hope your kitty does well.

[ses]

I did my large monthly grocery shopping and spent $75.88. Thank you garden.  I might need to go back for milk and bread later in the month.  Soon it will be cool enough to feel like making bread again.

We have newbies so I should explain about my grocery shopping budget.  I allow $5.50/day which is on the low end of the USDA suggested food budget, a dollar more than the maximum food stamp (SNAP) allotment.  I try to use $140 for my monthly shopping and set aside $25 a month for a screaming hot sale or to use for a major trip when my friend takes me to Sam's Club once or twice a year (perhaps in November).  Which is really nice since many of my Christmas gifts are home baked.

Below is a post from another thread explaining my philosophy, it is easier and quicker to just cut and paste


This is a topic that is very dear to my heart. Three years ago when Congress wanted to cut the spending on food stamps (SNAP) I did a challenge to spend only what my state allowed for food stamps for one month. I did it but it was not easy. I learned a lot about my wasteful spending.

Last winter when Congress once again tried to tinker with the SNAP program and several members of congress tried to live on the daily allotment of $4.50 (and couldn't) I tried my challenge again.

My monthly SNAP budget would be $135/mo. Once again I did it, with difficulty. I then checked the USDA allowance for a "thrifty food plan" which is $165/mo.

My plan now is one major shopping trip at the first of the month for $100-$110. This includes all bakery products, meat and fish and dairy products. I set aside $30-$40 for fresh produce throughout the month. This leaves about $25/mo that I set aside for a quarterly "stock-up."

Most of my stock up expenditures are pantry items. Things that are used over several months or a trip to Sam's when my girlfriend takes me. I try to buy green beans, corn and cream of mushroom soup to last the year around Thanksgiving. I get flour, sugar, nuts, dried fruit and choc. chips for the year around Christmas.

I still try to follow a $110-$30-$25 monthly budget, but it can be difficult. Right now things aren't too bad- thanks to a window box full of leaf lettuce and another with spinach. Soon my garden (all 4 tomato plants and one zucchini hill) will be producing and I will do some canning and freezing. Perhaps some jam and jelly making for Christmas presents.

The best saving technique is a menu plan. I plan 24 breakfasts, lunches and dinners each month. Then I pick a menu when I feel like eating it, knowing I have everything I need in the pantry, freezer and fridge.

I go out for brunch with friends most weekends and the money for this comes out of my "allowance" or entertainment funds. As does any meal eaten away from home.  As does any really junky food.

chapeau when it is your turn to reciprocate for your ILs could you offer a home cooked meal.  There are really delish meals that are cheaper than going out.  Perhaps this could ease others into your new philosophy without beating them over the head.

forwardwego  breakfast for for car repairs irritation sounds like a good investment to me.  One of life's little surprises.

My little surprise was learning Saturday that I didn't pay my property taxes on my house last Spring.  They were due the week before my hip replacement surgery.  Where was my mind.  Thank goodness for an EF.

3cats how is your kitty doing?  I always worry more when an "elder cat" has issues, there is so much that can happen.  My 3yo rescue cat (actually he adopted us.  He just moved in one day) taught himself to pee in the toilet.  I knew he was smart to have survived both frostbite and paw burns from a forest fire during his first year.  Just another example of his brilliance.  Do think he might teach the other two?

Hope everyone has a successfully frugal week. 

[3catslady]

ses, Tink is doing good right now.  I haven't heard beck from the tests yet so I am holding my breath.

3catslady: 4 NSD, 4 CSD, 0 eating out days.

[3catslady]

3catslady: 4 NSD, 5 CSD, 0 eating out days

[3catslady]

3catslady:  5 NSD, 5 CSD, 0 eating out days.


My cat is taking the stitches out herself.  She has 1 or 2 out now and I caught her licking at another one.  The incision is holding very good though.  I will call the vet in the morning and let them know.

[ses]

It is cold and wet here this week.  This really cuts down on the desire to shop and spend money.  Since there is a freeze and possible snow warning for tonight and tomorrow I picked everything I could yesterday and got 34 pounds of plum tomatoes and over 10 pounds of zucchini.  The tomatoes are ripening nicely on the kitchen table under a bath sheet.  I won't be able to process them all at once but a few jars every few days will be okay, too.  The food processor will make quick work of the zucchini and I will be able to make zucchini bread or cake all winter.  

Working on this produce will definitely keep me out of the stores and spending money.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  6 NSD, 5 CSD, 0 eating out day

[ses]

Last night I walked through the kitchen glanced over at the table to admire my roma tomatoes (most are the size of a goose egg or even a couple of soft balls) and found Calleigh settled on top of the towel covering the tomatoes.  What was she trying to do--hatch a kitten?  Told her it wouldn't work

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 8 NSDs 4 CSDs

Just checking in before I get back to correcting tests.  Only two sections to go this weekend and they should not take long to do.  That will leave only one more section to test on Monday for this go-around.  Projects will be coming in later next week and the cycle will continue all year.   Hope to be able to get the errands done between downpours.  Need to resupply basics for lunches.  Also need to make a Sam's trip but that depends on the weather.  It can wait another week or two if I have to.

SES -- We might finally cool down to the 80s and you are talking snow.  We are expecting rain this weekend also. I will not be doing a lot of cooking or baking.  Sleeping maybe, beading hopefully but cooking (beyond needs) no way.

3cats -- glad your Tinks is getting better.

Back to papers.

[3catslady]

3catslady: 6 NSD, 6 CSD, 0 eating out day.

I hope this spending day spree soon ends.  I need to start saving.  I ran out of the bars I take to work and eat on break so I had to buy some.

[forwardwego]

Update: 3 NSD 10 CSD 1 Eating out day as of Sept 14


Keep up the good work all! This board has been helpful to me. I just got back from a 3 night "girls getaway" with 2 close friends. We had already paid for the rooms last month and we brought our own groceries with us. All-in-all a very budget conscious vacation, but did not feel like I was scrimping. So I had one day of spending on a want/luxury, and am 13 for 14 on keeping it under control or not spending at all. So as I came back from the vacation I didn't have any sinking/guilty feelings, because I was in control, but still had fun. I pick up my car from the body shop tomorrow. I'll charge that bill and then go online to my bank account and knickname the account "Classi Auto Body" and mentally treat it like a bill to that company. Originally I was distressed about having a CC balance, but it really is different from when we previously carried CC debt. (As the guy at the repair shop said: it's called an accident, not an "on purpose".) And I am dedicating my efforts to paying it off in a timely fashion, and getting better prepared for the next unexpected event. Actually the next unplanned event happened while I was away...DH broke a tooth, but we were prepared with $$ in a FSA. It is so nice not to have to worry about the money, and be able to just focus on getting the care he needs.

Nice update 3catslady


moneysquirrel maybe you live near me...very grateful the temps are going under 90. Nice work keeping up with all the school work. And a nice update 

ses thanks for sharing, it really does help to hear your experience and strategies. Nice work for you on the veggies. 

HEY chapeau How are you doing fellow newbie? 

[3catslady]

3catslady: 7 NSD, 7 CSD, 0 eating out days.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 9 NSDs 4 CSDs
Made the Sam'sand Walmart run so it was definitely not a NSD.  But I do that run once every 6 to 8 weeks -- longer if I can stretch it out.  Loaded up on plenty of snacks to take for lunches, juices, grocery and paper items to last a while.  Plus a new Saints t-shirt.  Wish they would stop losing in the last seconds of the game. Always next week.

Other than the shopping and correcting the tests I did quite a bit of napping and finished a beading project.  Have to start another one this week but taking the rest of the night away from beads.  Friend wants a particular item and I need to get it started plus I want to try to make an item I saw a picture of.  Don't know when that will happen but it is seasonal so I have to get on it soon.  

Forwardwego -- I do live in the Deep South which you may have gathered from my postings.  We still have high 80s at 10 pm.  It won't cool down here until November or December if then.  Time for bed.  

[3catslady]

3catslady: 9 NSD, 7 CSD, 0 eating out days


I take Tink back to have what's left of her stitches out tomorrow but that was included with the surgery.  Then, since I have been working 16 days out of the last 17, I have to go get groceries, do laundry, get my hair cut, get my picture for my license and clean house.  I started getting sick today so I took off and slept it off because now I just feel tired.