Optimistic October CS/NS

[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.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Good morning, everyone!    I'll try to track my NSD/CSD this month, as I haven't for a couple of months.  I brought lunch to work today and have no errands to run, so I expect a NSD today. 

[3catslady]

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

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 1 NSD

I'm in again.  Hoping to continue the process of not stopping to look at things.  Continuing with grading but the major fall semester projects are almost done.  Some of the others will be easier to get done and I am continuing to refine due dates so that not all of the complicated ones are due at the same time.  This week along I have 11 quizzes, two tests, 56 projects of one type, 125 of another type (most of which will carry over to next week), and 100 others coming in next week.  Some of these are real easy to correct so it sounds harder than it is.  It is mainly time consuming.

Continuing to try to work on my beading.  Working on one commission piece and trying to get a few extra things done before my first craft show mid-month.

Back to work.

[ses]

Winter can now officially start.

All tomatoes are ripened and canned (except for 3 perfect examples saved for the last BLTs of the season).  The last 7 apples have been picked and are headed for apple dumplings for company this weekend.  The last of the basil is drying and the frozen pesto is packaged.

The last of my "winter prep" will be done tomorrow.  As soon as I get home from the grocery store with some sour cream I will turn a bag of potatoes into a big tray of twice-baked potatoes which I will freeze individually.  I hate to heat up the oven to prepare just one of anything.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 2 CSD 0 Eating Out Day(s)


I bought food and postage and a $.99 greeting card. 

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

No NSD's today, unfortunately.  I had to pay about $60 for veterinary stuff today.  Oh well, on to the weekend! 

[3catslady]

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

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 1 NSD 4 CSD 1 Eating Out Day(s) as of Oct 5

Got my first NSD for October 

[3catslady]

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

[3catslady]

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

The girls and I ate out today but it doesn't count on my part because I didn't pay.  It's been almost 2 full years since we started this get together.  Time sure flies.  Next month is my turn to pay but since the money is already out of my checking account, it won't count then either.  It counts only when I have to pay for it out of the expense account like when I feel like eating at Burger King or McD's after work because I am so tired I don't want to cook anything.  I have been very good about doing that since I started eating chicken and veggies instead of burgers. 

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 2 NSD 5 CSD 1 Eating Out Day(s) as of Oct 7

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 6NSDs and 1 CSD

Will try to check in later this week.  Now time for bed.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 3 NSD 5 CSD 1 Eating Out Day(s) as of Oct 8



Wow moneysquirrel going strong with 6 NSD's  

[ses]

7NSD

All of the tomatoes are processed(or eaten, yum) one batch of pesto frozen into cubes and bagged the rest of the basil dried and bagged-about a pint and a 5# bag of potatoes turned into twice baked potatoes and frozen for the next few months.

Now for the kitchen clean up.  I always seem to use every pot I have when I do a big "cook off".  But it will sure be nice to have all this on hand.

I am driving two hours to the city this weekend for a big shopping trip.  I am busy making a detailed shopping plan.  Hope I remember everything.  That day will definitely be a spend.

[forwardwego]

Good job ses ... planning your work & working your plan 

I love tomatoes, do you live at all close to Daytona Florida? 

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 9 NSDs and 1 CSD

Today will be a spend day.  I already made a trip to Wally World and picked up a few things not on my list plus I have several other stops to make as well.  Wrote our a few checks for a few of those annual expenses that come with a home and car.  Hope to get several other errands done today as well.  

forwardwego -- It is easy to get nsds during the week as I get to school before most places are opened and I usually just come straight home at the end of the school day and crash/schoolwork,housework,etc.  Also once I am home I hate leaving the house again.  Sometimes I do run errands after school but that is rare. Weekends I do most of the errands and running around.  During the fall I also have a few craft shows that my friends and I display our creations.  That will begin this coming weekend and I have a few things I have to finish before then.  I also have several things to correct this weekend.  I need more hours to get everything done.

Back to work/errands.  Will check in when I can.    

[3catslady]

3catslady: 4 NSD, 8 CSD, 0 eating out day.

[ses]

Sorry, forwardwego , if you find yourself on the edge of the Black Hills I'll be glad to share.  I am impatient for the first snow of the season so I can make some chili with the fresh tomato sauce.  Chili always tastes better when it is snowy.

Saturday was a big shopping day for me.  Mostly bulk buy cat food and a trip to Lowe's for some LED light bulbs.  I have been using CFL bulbs for years and have decided to try LEDs.  To be honest I haven't changed the bulbs yet-maybe I am afraid I will be disappointed with the quality of the light.  I am starting with the bulbs in the dining room and one reading lamp.  I found the equivalent of a 100 watt bulb,  I like a really strong reading lamp.  Especially in the long dark days of winter.

The friend I went with was checking out laptops for Santa.  She is retiring Dec. 26 and will lose computer access at work and has decided to invest in a home computer.  I was hanging on to every word myself,  I am afraid my 7yo (today) computer is going to die eventually.  I think I will start backing up some files externally, just in case.

The markets have closed for the day so I guess I should check to see how much I have lost today. So depressing.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 5 NSD 10 CSD 1 Eating Out Day(s) as of Oct 15

I could do better with the NSD's, I had 10 in September so would like to meet or beat that.

The Black Hills for chili sounds great...too bad about the commute 

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Sorry, folks, I haven't been tracking this month after all.  Unfortunately, I've been too busy/distracted.  I had a couple of odd expenses come up this month, unfortunately, and I'll dip into savings to take care of about $300 of them (health expenses and a phone change).  It's not a huge deal, but the trick now will just be to finish the month without any more. 

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 5 NSD 11 CSD 1 Eating Out Day(s) as of Oct 16


Rocky Mtn Saver It is hard to keep track, I'm also hoping to finish Oct with minimal unplanned expense 

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 6 NSD 13 CSD 2 Eating Out Day(s) as of Oct 20


I hope all the NS/CS gals (and guys?) are having a great weekend 

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 14 NSDs and 3 CSDs

Life and school continues to keep me really busy.  Managing to continue with NSDs mainly because I am too busy to do otherwise. 

Wishing all of you a good weekend.  Happy NSD/CSDs to all.

Will check in when I can.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  8 NSD, 11 CSD, 0 eating out days.

I had been sick for the past 2 weeks and didn't go to the store where I get my groceries.  I bought things that I ran out of at the store where I work and they are so much more expensive.  I feel better now so I can plan my grocery run.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 6 NSD 16 CSD 2 Eating Out Day(s) as of Oct 23


I'm glad you're feeling better 3catslady ...nice update 

[forwardwego]

UPDATE: 6 NSD 18 CSD 2 Eating Out Days as of Oct 25

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 20 NSDs and 4 CSDs
I can't believe that this month is almost over.  Where did it go?  Tons of school activities and things to correct for me.  I think after this week things should calm down some.  By then the month will be over.  

Managed to replace my craft rolling cart this weekend.  My old one broke at a craft retreat last summer and I have been saving a little each paycheck to replace it.  Finally had enough saved plus a coupon to get it.  One more item on my "need" list prior to the upcoming summer retreat.  The day would have been a csd except for a visit to the shoe store.  Definitely one of my weak spots.

Hope all of you are doing well.  Will check in when I can.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  14 NSD, 11 CSD, 1 eating out day.

[ses]

I'm just trying to get to the end of the month without spending any more money.  I am going to the city for a "girls day out" this Saturday so I am making lists for each of the stores we will visit.  Only needed items please.  My big splurge will be lunch, but that will be less than $25.  
One of my big expenditures will be a stop at Lowe's for some LED light bulbs.  I like the idea of a bulb that could last 25 years. Actually, I like the idea of not changing a light bulb for 25 years.  I also am looking forward to visiting a Dollar Tree store.  I just read what I wrote, It is sad that a visit to a dollar store is a highlight in my life.

3cats do you have a good name for November?  I am drawing a blank.