Debt Free December No Spend/Controlled Spend

[ses]

Are you ready??



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 1 NSD 0 eating out day(s) as of Dec 1

turning it back around 

[3catslady]

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


I've got to watch my spending this month very closely.  Things are popping up that need paid and I didn't plan on them.  My savings is getting low so I am watching every penny that goes out.  To top that off, they cut my hours at work so I am not getting a good paycheck.

Life goes on.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 2 NSDs 

Working on finishing the last three weeks of the semester.  Exams will begin soon and the last of the assignments will be given out this week.

[3catslady]

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

I got gas today because of the weather.  I'd rather be stuck someplace with a full tank of gas than an empty one.  If I don't get the bills paid tonight, tomorrow will be a CSD also.  Depends on how tired I get in the next few minutes.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 1 NSD 3 CSD 0 eating out day(s) as of Dec 4


I Love to accomplish an NSD, but for Debt free Dec my goal is to have a minimum 27 NSD and CSD combined, I need to build more CSD's instead of letting a botched NSD turn into an uncontrolled spend.

[3catslady]

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

I did laundry and paid the bills, both of them are CSD.  I am out of milk and bread but I am going to wait until Sunday, my grocery day, to get them.  I don't really need them.  I also used up the last of my Clorox 2 so that is added to my list.  I am down to my last tablespoon or two of sugar but I can get a couple packets from the coffee station at work.  They also have crackers at the soup pots that I can get, if I want to.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 1 NSD 3 CSD 0 eating out day(s) as of Dec 4


Hang in there 3catslady...sounds like an extra challenging month for you, but I believe you can do it!



Good job moneysquirrel 2 NSD's right out of the box 

[shanendoah]

Update: 2 NSD, 0 CSD, 2 Spend

Back again, but I still think my goal for this month once again is just keeping track. I've been really stressed, so just trying to keep that habit this month is my challenge.
One of our "spends" this week was for a new front door knob and bolt lock. Our former roommate's truck was broken into, and they stole his spare set of house keys (which included a key to our house) and some mail that had our address on it - so, new locks for us.

[3catslady]

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

I didn't work today and I didn't buy anything yesterday from work.  I got a bonus from work, $75.  After working there 8 years I get $75 although I am part time, but still.  The store made over $3 mil clear after they paid their stockholderds last year and they make $300,000 every month at my store.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 2NSDs and 3 CSDs

My CSDs resulted in having to pay for parking while I attended the conference this week and my paying for a GC for me for my training in the new year.  The gym was having a promotion so I plan to take advantage of it. The special works out to 5 training sessions for me which I would pay for anyway.  I figured out that if I pay for 5 I will get the 6th one free.  Therefore I plan to get a few of these while the promotion lasts and then start using the GCs in 2015.  I figured that since I would be spending the money on that anyway that I would save in the long run.  I mentioned in an earlier post that I have been working with a trainer after a health scare last year so this will be paying for that.   

Have a mini craft show this morning at a senior retirement home.  It allows the residents to shop, most only look, and to visit with others that they don't see very often.  Don't expect to make anything but it does provides good feelings for all.  Have to get moving so I can get on the road for this event.

Will check in when I can.

 

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 1 NSD 6 CSD 0 eating out day(s) as of Dec 7


Controlling spending is helping me make an important difference in my savings level 

[3catslady]

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

I went and got groceries, my hair cut, and calendar for my place and my pocketbook.  I needed a hair cut and the calendars because mine are out at the end of the year.  I had the money so I bought them.  Now I don't have to worry about getting them at the end of the year. 

[shanendoah]

Update: 2 NSD, 3 CSD, 3 Spend


Counting today already because it's a spend. My grandfather died over the weekend, and I purchased tickets for my brother and I to fly back for the funeral on Thursday.
This is, as far as I'm concerned, exactly what an emergency fund is for, and I have no issues using it for such.
My brother is currently back in school and working a part-time, minimum wage job, so I have no problems paying for his ticket. C and I did talk about it first, but he recognizes that this is important to me.

[ses]

This past week has been very busy.  I try to do my grocery shopping quarterly except for fresh stuff.  Every Fall I do a master inventory for blizzard preparedness and fill in the empty spots.  So I have emptied and deep cleaned the kitchen pantry, the fridge and half of the freezer.  I will finish the freezer tomorrow.

 I am amazed at how much I let things slide the past few years when I was in so much pain.  Now that the surgery and recovery are over I am finding out how much I have to do.  I updated and refilled the pantry and fridge yesterday, except for the holiday baking and cooking supplies-there will be better sales closer to Christmas. Today I am working on the linen closet and the basement household storage area.  

I am currently laundering sheets and towels.  I need to replace some sheets and I found a mattress pad that was so worn my fingers made holes in it.  I guess I can't complain too much, I think it is twenty five years old.  There are a lot of towels that need to be replaced, but I will wait for the January white sales.  

This is the perfect time to lay in a supply of batteries-Holiday sales are great.  I have a good store of emergency water, cat food and litter, toilet paper and some tissues. Although I would LIKE to get some cold and flu tissues before I need them.  I also need to update the first aid kit and other bathroom supplies.  

It wouldn't hurt to get a long fireplace lighter, I will need one for the summer BBQ season if I don't need it this winter.  I am going to "pay" the neighbor kid to bring some firewood from the back to a pile nearer the house when I get the cookies made next week.  He likes to help decorate the sugar cookies, what he doesn't know is that his mom uses this time for package wrapping. 

I need to stop now and switch the laundry and start another load.  My linen closet is starting to smell so good!

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 2 NSD 7 CSD 0 eating out day(s) as of Dec 9


ses you can come to my house next   I've been lazy around the house lately, need to get crackin' 

[shanendoah]

Update: 2 NSD, 3 CSD, 4 Spend

Today is another spend - the car went in for an unplanned service. We were having a major oil leak (turned out to be a blown gasket) and some transmission issues (an air valve that isn't opening/closing properly). That will be $700, and it has to go back next week to complete the work, since the dealership doesn't have the valve in stock.

Tomorrow will also almost certainly be a spend, as I will spend the day traveling from WA to NC. I can pretty much guarantee that at some point, I will eat airport McDonalds.

[forwardwego]

shanendoah A $700 car repair and McDonald's food at the airport, you have my sympathy.

 UPDATE 2 NSD  10 CSD 0 eating out day(s) as of Dec 12

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 6 NSDs and 5 CSDs

Finished up with the last of the craft shows this weekend.  This week is exams and I started with getting the house decorated for Christmas.  Still a bit to go on that front but progress has been made.

Life has been a whirlwind and I am hoping that this week will be less stressful.  Just exams to grade and the last of the shopping to start.

Will check in later.

[3catslady]

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


This week should be better on the NSD's because I don't need anything except a salad for the party Saturday night and a loaf of bread which I will get Thursday night after work.  The rest of the week SHOULD be NSD's.

[shanendoah]

Update: 3 NSD, 4 CSD, 7 Spend


*deep breath* Last week was obviously not a good one on the Spend front.
Monday- $1300 in unplanned plane tickets to go back for the funeral
Tuesday- $700 in unplanned car expenses
Wednesday- <$20 in airport food
Thursday- was an actual NSD, as it was the day of the funeral
Friday- $750 in shipping expenses (items my brother, cousins, and myself wanted from my grandparents' estate. this includes the insurance on them), <$20 in airport food
Saturday- $300 in Christmas shopping. I went a little over budget, so it's a spend
Sunday- C and Pop Tart did the CostCo shopping that would normally happen on Friday, except Pop Tart didn't feel good on Friday. Still counts as a controlled spend.


This week will hopefully be a little better. Nothing planned for today. Tomorrow the car goes in for a follow up appt, should be another $100. Wed-Fri should be nothing other than normal shopping Friday afternoon. Saturday will be my birthday lunch (planned) and Sunday will be Battle of Five Armies (planned).

Hope everyone else is having a better time of it than I did last week.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 2 NSD 13 CSD 0 eating out day(s) as of Dec 15



shanendoah That was a rough week for you, keep fighting the good fight 

moneysquirrel and 3catslady kudos on being ahead in your NSD's 

[shanendoah]

Update: 3 NSD, 4 CSD, 9 Spend


Looking over my credit card statement, I realized I lied. Last Thursday, the day of the funeral, was NOT a no spend. It was a spend.
One of the feral kittens at my grandfather's house was sick, so we took him to the vet for treatment. I paid for that visit. Sadly, the kitten died that night.

However, Monday was a No Spend.
Yesterday was a spend - in addition to the (planned) car service, my (planned) chai and breakfast, we finally got Pop Tart to pull out a tooth that should have come out literally a month ago. C took her to get a treat for that (unplanned). So, spend.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 2 NSD 14 CSD 1 eating out day(s) as of Dec 17

[shanendoah]

Update: 4 NSD, 4 CSD, 9 Spend

My NSD and CSD combined now ALMOST equal my number of spend days. *sigh*
I need to go easy on myself. The car repair and expenses associated with my grandfather's death couldn't be planned in advance. We HAVE the money to cover those things in our savings, so it's not like we couldn't afford them/are going into debt over them. I simply spent money when I hadn't planned to spend money. That's all.

I still don't like the balance of the numbers.

Hope everyone else is doing well toward meeting their goals. I don't know about ya'll, but I am ready for 2014 to be done.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 2 NSD 16 CSD 1 eating out day(s) as of Dec 19


shanendoah, yes please go easy on yourself. I'm sorry for your loss of your grandfather. 

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 8 NSDs and 7 CSDs 

Out of school for a few weeks but have a ton of stuff to do on the home front. Still have a few gifts to get but did make a dent in the list last week -- counting them as csds as they were scheduled.  I think I can finish up one morning early but will not hit the store this morning as I want to avoid the large weekend crowds that the news media keep on on about.  If my body gets me up at my usual time on Monday I should be able to get a real early start that morning Think I can everything I need without hitting the mall.  The weather should be better then as well.  

Time for me to get moving -- have a ton of stuff to do in the house


Need to finish decorating the house  but have to clean first.





 

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 2 NSD 18 CSD 1 eating out day(s) as of Dec 21

Good work moneysquirrel. I have a case of the lazies going here   . However I did catch up on shout-outs on the racer thread, and I hope to write 9 thank you notes, so a little bit of productivity.  

[ses]

I sure am glad I got a dose of motivation these past couple of weeks. Got about half of the house deep cleaned-or close to it.  Mostly it is the basement and my bedroom (gah) left to do.
I now have 21 dozen cookies, only three dozen ginger cookies to bake tomorrow, one recipe of spiced nuts and some more peanut brittle. Tuesday I will make 12 gift platters to deliver Tuesday and Wednesday and one for myself.  I kept the expenses to under $75, pretty good if I do say so myself.  However, I don't want to smell or eat cookies for some time.

The only down note is that all of the snow will be gone in a day or two.  If I don't get back, you all have Happy Holidays.

[shanendoah]

Update: 4 NSD, 6 CSD, 10 Spend

I don't remember Friday, which almost certainly means I hit a vending machine, so counting it as a spend.
Both days this weekend were Controlled Spends. On Saturday I got out early and did the Christmas shopping from the money my Dad & Step-mom sent, then we had my birthday lunch- really yummy food and excellent company.
On Sunday, we went to see the Hobbit and then out to Red Robin for lunch. Total cost for a family of 3: under $13.50.
We had noticed a few weeks ago that Red Robin was offering $10 off a ticket to the Hobbit if you bought a $25 gift card from them. Considering we eat at Red Robin frequently and knew we were going to the Hobbit, we bought the gift card. The $10 off was actually supposed to be 1 ticket up to $10 off, which I assumed would actually be less than a full ticket. However, our movie theater apparently has movies at $6.50/person if you attend a showing before noon. I told the guy working the register that the coupon should just take off one ticket. He said some worked that way, others just took the "up to" amount off and we'd see what mine did. Took off the whole $10. So for three of us to see a major movie, on opening weekend, $9.50.
At Red Robin, it is my birthday month, so we used my Red Robin Royalty card (we usually use the one we got for MIL years ago), which gave me a free burger. That combined with the previously bought $25 gift card covered everything but a few dollars in tip ($4), which C had in cash.

The only shopping we have left to do for Christmas is for Christmas dinner. Might try to get some of that in tonight.
Oh, and we need to buy a new chucker for Larry dog as we appear to have lost the one we had. And if I buy Larry dog a gift, I should probably find something for my little Junebug, too.