No Nonsense November 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.

[forwardwego]

Update 2 NSD 2 CSD 0 eating out days as of Nov 4




ses Thanks for getting us rolling

[ses]

Sorry I'm so late.  I thought I posted this yesterday, but evidently it didn't take.

I have made a rather momentous decision. 
I am going to give myself a raise.  I have been living on the same monthly allotment for the last ten years. Paying off the house and car provided some wiggle room along the way but things are getting tight (especially groceries) so I am giving myself an additional $50 each month.  No more borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.

I feel like I am doing something really wild and extravagant!

[shanendoah]

Update: 0 NSD, 1 CSD, 2 Spend

This month, my goal is simply to track. I need to get back to accountability for both my spending and my eating, but I'm not looking to make changes just yet, simply get a baseline for where I actually am.
The two spends were Saturday- we hung out with our friends longer than intended so ended up going out to dinner instead of home to cook. And today I hit the vending machine.

Just to catch people up who may not read other boards, here's just a quick bit of catch up to where we are now.

Two adults, two kids, two dogs in the house.
C graduated with his combined BA/BS in August, and is now a SAHD (thank goodness).
I lost my job with the School of Medicine in January and spent 9 months not working. That meant no one was working for 9 months. Luckily, we had strong liquid reserves because we'd been talking about moving this summer and had the cash for a good down payment. I started my new job, back at the University, but this time with the College of Engineering, on Oct 13. I will get my first full paycheck next Monday.
We are fast approaching the first anniversary of Pop Tart's adoption day. She is 11 now.
October 10, we accepted a placement for an 11 y/o boy, Mini Wheat.
Larry dog remains a hardy and health terrier. Junebug remains a medical mystery Beagle.
For those who may remember, we used to have roommate J. He moved out this summer to move in with his GF.

Current sources of income: my job, rent on MIL's old condo, "special snowflake" money - payments from the state both as part of Pop Tart's adoption agreement and for having a current foster placement.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 4NSDs and 1 CSD

I'm back again.  Things are really crazy now -- school is my normal but add in the craft shows and this month is really off the chart.  
Welcome back Shen!

 

[forwardwego]

Update 3 NSD 2 CSD 0 eating out days as of Nov 5


The time change seems to have helped me score some NSD's
The days fly by and no time to spend...yea!

[shanendoah]

Update: 1 NSD, 2 CSD, 2 spend

Monday ended up being not just a vending machine spend but an eating out spend, too. But, I'm okay with that because of the reason- C thought he was having a heart attack, so off to the ER we went, right before dinner time. Once he was in and they were certain it wasn't a heart attack, I ran the kids to Panda Express to get them dinner. (So no one worries, turns out that at 40, C has developed asthma. And a first ever asthma attack as a 40 year old male feels a lot like a heart attack.)

Tuesday was my no spend day. Yesterday was a controlled spend as I took a friend out to lunch for his 40th birthday, which was something I had been planning to do for weeks, and C got gas in the car (also planned). For me, controlled spend means planned spend.

Hopefully today will be another NSD. Tomorrow should be a CSD, as C will take the kids grocery shopping.

[shanendoah]

Update: 2 NSD, 2 CSD, 2 spend

Just happy I got a 2nd NSD

[Honeylioness]

I feel as though I should introduce myself and make my apologies.

Things with work, home, family ... seems as though it has been crazy and out of control for a year. Especially my money and budget. For me I think being accountable will help so I want to try again. And I promise to try and check in regularly - though at this point I am not even sure what that will look like.

Depends on how this mid-life crisis and nervous breakdown progress ....

[forwardwego]

Update 2 NSD 6 CSD 0 eating out days as of Nov 8


 Nice job on the 2nd NSD Shanendoah!!


Honeylioness Welcome aboard...one day at a time...you can do it 

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 6 NSDs and 2 CSDs

Welcome back Honey, we missed you. 

[shanendoah]

Update: 3 NSD, 3 CSD, 3 Spend

I think this is right.
Friday should have been a CSD, as C was doing the CostCo shopping, but the vending machines got me.
Saturday, I am pretty certain we spent nothing. I mean, C spent the day hanging out with friends (at one of their houses), swimming lessons (already paid for), lunch at home, taking Mini Wheat to a friend's house, dog park, Pop Tart went to a friend's house, Mini Wheat stayed night at friend's house, C came home, leftovers for dinner, watched a movie we owned. So unless I'm missing something, it was an NSD.
Sunday, was a CSD. Took Pop Tart to buy a gift for her friend's birthday party (which I'd originally planned to do on Saturday, but didn't).

So, I'm sticking even. I think I'd be happier if I weren't spending 2/3 of every month, but once I have my baseline, I can do better setting goals. (Of course, not certain how representative November or December will be, considering I don't know for certain how many kids I'll be shopping for Christmas for.)

Good to see you Honeylioness

[forwardwego]

Update 3 NSD 8 CSD 0 eating out days as of Nov 11


Good job stacking up the NSD's moneysquirrel 


shanendoah nice job tracking, and "even" seems like a good baseline 


Hope everyone has a nice evening! 

[shanendoah]

Update: 3 NSD, 5 CSD, 3 Spend

Monday Mini Wheat had the day off school, but Pop Tart didn't. C took Mini Wheat to buy a football and frisbee, then out to lunch. I had known C was planning something, even if I didn't know exactly what, so I'm calling that a controlled spend (plus, they went to lunch at Qdoba, where we had a free burrito, so lunch was pretty cheap.)
Yesterday, the plan was to take the kids to a movie and lunch, so I had planned on spending around $80. We spent much less. Instead of going to Red Robin or Old Spaghetti Factory, we tried Five Guys Burgers (okay, we won't be going back there because they make almost nothing I'd eat) which was less expensive- maybe $20ish. Then, instead of going to see a new movie, we went to see Maleficent at the "dollar" theater, because honestly, C and I wanted to see that more than any new movie. It cost $14 for all three of us, instead of close to $14 each. So, total spending less than half of what I had planned to spend.



forwardwego - my hope is that my "spend" number will be less than either of the other numbers. Simply knowing I'm tracking makes me less likely to hit a vending machine, so hopefully I can make that happen.

[ses]

2 CSD, 10 NSD

So good to see you back Honeylioness!

The arctic cold has arrived, thankfully without too much snow.  The cats take turns snuggling and keeping me warm.  I truly hate -20* to -30* wind chill.  But it keeps me from shopping.  Although I did spend some time lusting over things on eBay.  But no purchases---yet.

[forwardwego]

Update 3 NSD 11 CSD 0 eating out days as of Nov 14


wow ses nice job on the NSD's 

shanendoah looks like you're getting the balance shifted more to your liking 

3catslady How are you doing? Are you feeling okay?

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 10 NSDs and 2 CSDs

I have no idea what today will bring.  I suspect that it will be a spend day as I have to go to Wally World and I usually get something that is not on my list as I go through the store.  Usually nothing that will break the bank but still not on the list.  

Still buried under school work but this weekend is not as deep as in the past.  Each grade level still have one major project before exams plus some smaller ones so I will continue to be busy for several more weeks then exams before the Christmas break.  Also have at least two more craft shows.  The one scheduled for this past week was cancelled due to the weather.  It was a good decision as I suspect most potential shoppers would not have shown up in the freezing rain and as a vendor I was not looking forward to dealing with the wind as well.

My decision this summer to get a personal trainer while a little pricey is one that I am glad I made.  One it forces me to the gym on days I normally would have skipped and two I do feel better and can see the effects on my body.  Mainly she challenges me to do things at the gum that I would not attempt on my own.  I would be afraid that I would do something that would lead to an injury and this trainer is very good at reminding me/teaching me about techniques that would protect me.  Also she changes the routine from week to week so I am hit with variety that challenges my preconceive ideas of my abilities.  I also tend to get there a little earlier than my appointment so I get some cardo in as well.  Sure is an improvement of previous years when I would rarely get to the gym at all.  This way I am forced to go at least once a week.

Well I need to get moving otherwise I will be in long lines at Wally World.

SES -- I cannot even imagine the temps you are dealing with.  I have been bundled up for several days with multiple layers in temps that are not even below freezing. This southern girl prefers the heat (not the 100s but 80s) not this polar air we are enveloped in this week and predicted to get again in the next few days.

Shen -- You will be back on track with the system,  You know the techniques so it is just a matter of getting back in the routine of it.  

forwardwego -- you are really rocking the csds.  

Time to get moving. 

































 

[3catslady]

3catslady: 8 NSD, 7 CSD, 0 eating out days.


I got up with a sore throat this morning and a slight fever.  I called off yesterday because I wasn't feeling so good and now I know why and since I work with food, I decided not to spread the germs.  I don't think my boss was too happy with me but my health comes first. They don't seem to care if we spread our germs to our customers but I do.  Being sick has its advantages, NSD and it is cold out although I did take 2 bags of garbage out without a coat on.  The cans are right outside my door.

My depression came back with a vengeance so I went to the dr's and got my meds increased.  It has only been a week but I'm not crying as often as I used to.  The Bank of Mom opened for half a day and cost me $50.  It is closed again and will stay closed.  DS was let go at his part time job but is working overtime at his 40 hour job so I guess things are okay.  DIL is back in college and working so I cut my hours at work to watch the kids.  It was either that or one of them would quit their job.  Since I am only losing 4 hours, I don't mind as long as they keep paying the rent.

[forwardwego]

3catslady It's good to see you. I hope you're feeling better soon. It amazes me when employers seem to think sick people should come to work. And some workers fall victim to that thinking and go to work sick. I'm glad you're staying home to take care of yourself. This is a tough world, and we sometimes have to dig in our heels to do what we know is best. I hope the depression will continue to ease too. It sounds like you are doing your best to help your DS & DIL to help themselves. And through it all maintaining your control over spending! Good job!! 

Moneysquirrel It sounds like your busy schedule sure keeps the spending down. 10 NSD's is very nice! I'm glad your craft show wasn't held in bad weather...not worth it. Thanks for the shoutout 

I had a spend day. Bought a ticket to visit our DD in Washington state. We live in Florida, and she moved to the Pacific NW in June. I am struggling with the empty nest. Our DS and DIL moved to Ohio in 2013. $352 round trip seems reasonable. I charged it but will have the money to pay it off without carrying a balance, since December is our "extra check" month.

[shanendoah]

Update: 4 NSD, 8 CSD, 4 Spend

[forwardwego]

Update 3 NSD 12 CSD 1 eating out day as of Nov 17

[shanendoah]

Update: 5 NSD, 8 CSD, 4 Spend

[forwardwego]

Update: 3 NSD 14 CSD 1 eating out day as of Nov 19 

[shanendoah]

update: 6 NSD, 9 CSD, 4 Spend

[shanendoah]

update: 7 NSD, 9 CSD, 4 Spend

One more no spend for yesterday, but now it's the weekend, so we should have some CSD days.

[forwardwego]

Update: 3 NSD 17 CSD 1 eating out day as of Nov 22


Good grief this month is flying. Nice job on the NSD's shanendoah 

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 15 NSDs and 3CSDs

Some of those CSDs have been $$$ as I stocked up on groceries for the holidays as well as those items I was out of.  I have been eating out of the pantry for several weeks now and needed to restock.  Finally plugged in the freezer since with the colder temperatures my confidence as to the end of the hurricane dangers for the year has eased.  My pattern for those who are new is to completely empty the freezer at the beginning of the summer by consuming whatever I have left or moving it to the freezer area of the fridge. I then unplug it for several months.  Finally plugged it in again several weeks ago and have be slowly restocking it.  

Have the week off from school so I hope to catch up on chores, shopping and some prep for the rest of semester.  Only a few days of classes before the exams once we return to school after Thanksgiving.  I need to finish some grading of projects and have to make up the exams this coming week as I have one major project coming in prior to the exams from about 125 students plus some smaller ones from the other grade levels.  Also have to come up with sub assignments as I also have a conference to attend for a few days the first week back.

Trying to go through the closets and reorganize and/or de-clutter as much as possible.  We are scheduled to have a rainy day tomorrow so I plan on working on the main closet.  I did one of the smaller ones today as well as some other housework so I feel that I am making some progress.  

Will try to check in later this week. 







 

[3catslady]

3catslady:  15 NSD, 8 CSD, 0 eating out days.

Being sick and losing your appetite makes for NSD. 

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 16 NSDs and 3CSDs.  

Yesterday was a major spend day.  Needed to replace some boots that had seen better days and picked up a few other items as I was out including a few gifts.  I have no idea what today will bring but I currently have no plans except exercise and housework.  

Finally had the time to remake the bracelet I sold last craft show.  Still have at least three more of those coming up in December so I do want to work on a few more projects.

 I have completed some of the schoolwork I brought home but still have some to do.  Got one part of one exam done and hope to work a little each day to get the others done this week.  Still have to come up with that substitute assignment for my conference days.

Time to get my day started.  

[shanendoah]

update: 7 NSD, 11 CSD, 6 Spend

Friday, Saturday were CSDs.
I'm calling Sunday a spend, even though I knew I was going to spend that day, it can't really all be controlled (or even planned) spending. I took Pop Tart out for a girls' day that included lunch (with desert), a gift for her adoption day (the previous day), and then a couple of chocolates to eat during intermission at the musical we were attending (tickets bought previously).
Monday is also a spend because I hit the campus convenience store and a vending machine.