2015 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[moneysquirrel]

Final April Update: 22 NSDs and 5 CSDs 
I did get to the mall this past weekend and picked up a few new items.  Also stopped at Home Depot and got a few items there.   The rest of the week have been either nsds or csds.
Will check in later. 

[shanendoah]

April goals: 6 NSD - 11 CSD - 5 Spend - $3,000 (8 vacation days)
FINAL April NUMBERS: 7 NSD - 9 CSD - 6 Spend - $1,700 (8 vacation days)

Pretty happy with how the month worked out. One more spend than I would have liked, but it was a choice I made to go to the vending machine. This cold has really knocked me down and I decided the spend was worth it for the caffeine.
Also got one more NSD than planned, and I will happily take that.

My cold is finally starting to get better- head congestion is down a lot, though I am still coughing. Today marks the 3rd full week of being sick, so hopefully by this time next week, I'll actually be better.

I'll be back later today with May goals

[regecko]

Hi all! This is my first time posting, although I've been a long time lurker. 

May's goals are 7 SD's, 10 NSD's and 14 CSD's. April was pretty spendy, so I'm hoping that by setting some goals I will hold myself accountable!

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 1 NSDs and 2 CSDs

Continuing to work on school stuff but am beginning to see the start of the end of school.  Last group of assignments are in progress, exams are planned out and in the mood to start throwing out old items and packing up whatever I can -- summer camp uses my classroom so I pack up as much as possible during the last weeks of school so glitter and other stuff will not cover those items. 

regecko -- Welcome.  I am not here as often as others but do try to post at least once a week.  If you have any questions please ask and someone will try to answer them.  A lot of info was posted on page one so that should give you the basics.  Ask for anything else and one of us will respond.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 5 NSDs and 5 CSDs

I survived the two craft shows -- first one was slow but the second one made up for it.  Signed up for another one next month.  Only about 2.5 weeks left of school so things are easing up on that front as well. Today l hope to conquer the clutter that happens throughout the week and to get a few things done. 

 

[3catslady]

I gave up on the last month or so.  I didn't keep my records updated.  So far this month, I have 

4 NSD, 6 CSD, 0 eating out days.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 10 NSDs and 5CSDs

Have no idea what will happen today.  Just trying to get started.  The bulk of the grading is done -- just have exams this coming week and meetings the following and then another school year is over.  The summer break will be another short one as we report back at the beginning of August.

A have a ton of house work and organizing to do during that short break plus two weeks of workshops.  Medical appointments have been made, car needs to be taken in for its checkup, and I want to try to get together with as many friends as possible during what time I have before school begins again.  Have several local things I would like to do as well.  So much I want to get done will have to see what I can accomplish. 

I have continued with the personal training that I began last July.  It has definitely been worth the price for me.  I can see a definite improvement in muscle tone, activity level and general well being.  I am really glad that I bought the gift cards last December -- good deal as it provided me with four free training sessions as a bonus. I am still using them but in the true NS/CS manner am putting aside the money I would be spending each week in preparation for future sessions and for the purchase of the same deal if it is offered again this coming holiday season. 

Have to get the laundry started and will need to get to the grocery sometime soon as I am almost out of all of the basics. 

Have a great day -- week -- whatever until I can check in again.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 17 NSDs and 6 CSDs

Just a few meetings this weeks and school will be out for the summer.  Grades are done, classroom is packed up for the summer and just a few days of professional development before summer break. 

[ses]

I've been having computer problems lately so haven't been able to post recently.  I think I need to up the contributions to my computer replacement fund.  I have my "wants" list posted on the wall next to my desk and keep rearranging the things on it and the computer keeps edging up.  I have a big problem spending more than $100 for anything.  The repairs being done on the car today will determine what comes next.  I should learn the final amount due tomorrow.  
Having to deal with car expenses and trying to stay out of stores because of the "bugs" that are hitting so many in town this winter I am losing the desire to shop--for anything.  Since I do the bulk of my grocery shopping quarterly and don't have a need to shop I find I am finding I can usually find a substitute.  Hope this habit becomes really ingrained and I don't slack off and go back to what is essentially lazy spending.

A friend is going to have knee replacement next month. I know I will be spending three or four days in the city so I have been making a shopping list of exciting things like new LED light bulbs, bulk cat food and furnace filters, maybe some extra water softener salt.  Maybe even a new book or two. 

[moneysquirrel]

Final May Update: 23 NSDs and 7 CSDs

Finally out of school and spending a lot of time at home doing some of the chores that I have been putting off for a while.  Made a quick trip to the grocery to pick up perishables as I am attempting to  eat up as much as possible so I can clean out the freezer in the garage in preparation for hurricane  season.  I do this yearly ever since Katrina.  I only have a few more items to move to the freezer section in the fridge and I can unplug and clean out the large one.  Already had the termite inspection and have scheduled /the AC one for this coming week.  Car is also going into the shop for its routine six month services -- oil change, etc.

I was also able to get rid of the five boxes of items that I have been collecting of items no longer needed /used this week also.  I am sure that as I  as I continue to reorganize items that I will be starting another box soon.  Always have one started and add to it as I come across things that qualify.

Continuing to work on some additional jewelry items as I do have a show this coming weekend.  I am not expecting much as I find that summer shows are not that successful but I have stuff made, entry fee was minimal and  my craft show partner and I had the day free.  So we figured why not.

Weather has been rainy a lot so I have not been going out a lot therefore the NSDs have built up.  I know that I have several trips planned in the next few weeks and have saved for them so I hope to stay within budget.  One of them is school related so I will have limited expenses for it and will be reimbursed for some out of pocket expenditures.  The others are  personal and family related and are on me.  One of the categories that I save to monthly is travel so I have the money to pay for it. 

Need to get started with my day.  Will check in later.

[reeneejune]

June Goals - 15 CSD, 10 NSD

Hi CS/NS friends!  I'm back again.  Winter and spring terms were sort of crazy for me.  We moved at the beginning of February, and the money spent to hire movers was well worth it.  Moving in the middle of a term was a stupid thing to do, but I'm glad we got out of the situation we were in.  The roommates that kept putting off paying their rent never paid up.  The apartment flood ended up causing the apartment complex to replace the carpet in the entire apartment.  That was ... not cheap.

College is going very well.  I've been accepted to the bachelor of social work program I applied to earlier this year.  It's a hard program to get into, only about 35% of applicants are accepted.  DF (Dear Fiance) and I are continuing our wedding planning.  We've gotten a venue that is giving us an amazing deal, so we'll have space for the rehearsal, getting ready, ceremony, and reception... a day and a half for only $600.  As much as I wanted to sew my dress, I've come to the realization that I'm just not going to have time with my school schedule.  And I found a lovely dress at a reasonable price.

One last thing.  DF and I found a great free budget app that's helping us both be more mindful about spending and also helps us stay on track with our budget.  It's called Goodbudget, and it's based on the envelope budgeting method.  I love that we don't have to use physical envelopes, and that it syncs in real time, so we always know where we're at.  The free version allows 10 regular envelopes and 10 "irregular" spending envelopes.  You can upgrade and get unlimited envelopes for $5 per month.  We're just using the free version, and it's working great.

[regecko]

I ended May with 11 NSD's (one more than my goal!), 7 SD's and 13 NSD's.

For June, I'm looking at 10 NSD's, 12 CSD's and 8 SD's. I know June will be a little more spendy, since my little brother is graduating high school and lots of family will be in town. I'm going to make an effort to not go overboard, though!

[3catslady]

updated NSD/CSD: after going through my checkbook and receipts, this is what I came up with.
February--9 NSD, 19 CSD
March--18 NSD, 13 CSD
April--20 NSD, 10 CSD
May-- 20 NSD, 11 CSD

[moneysquirrel]

June Update: 3 NSDs and 1 CSD

I have no idea what today will bring.  I have been staying home a lot trying to get caught up on all of the chores/housework that I have been putting off for a while.  I finally got the boxes of donations out of the garage last week and have taken some time to get a few new items made for the craft show this weekend.  The house is getting in order and I will be starting another box for donations soon as I start revisiting the closets and storage areas for items that no longer fit, have faded and items that are no longer of use to me. 

I do know that this month will be an expensive one as I have two trips planned plus one in July.  I have the money saved for them and it I stay in budget I will be very happy.  One of these is work related and  most of it is was arranged by and paid for by school.  The other one is craft related and I have been saving for it all year so I should be ok. 

Renee -- sounds like you are getting things done and making progress in planning your future.

regecko -- welcome back.  remember this is a process and takes times to get your plans/ habits to fit the ideal.

3cats -- will be in your general area later this month.  I don't think too close to you however.

[moneysquirrel]

June Update: 6 NSDs and 1 CSD

Just returned from the first trip.  This one I knew would be pricey and I was right.  Money was saved for it and I was able to cash flow it but I definitely spent so I am not adding those days to any count.  Just waiting for the hotel bills to hit the accounts so I can pay them off.  Was able to pay cash for all other items. 

Have been doing laundry and other chores since I got back in earlier today.  Caught up on all bills that came in and got a lot of items put away. 

I do have to hit the grocery but have enough to get by today.  Will go tomorrow as I do not want to go out in the heat now. 

Till later.

[reeneejune]

June Update: 13/10 NSD and 9/15 CSD

The month is going quite well on the spending front.  I was actually kind of surprised with how many NSD I have.  Today I start my summer term classes and my reduced work schedule.  For the 8 weeks where I have 2 classes, I'm only working 16 hours.  My 3 classes (2nd year Spanish I, 2nd year Spanish II, and Statistics I) add up to 17 credits (quarter system, not semester system).  I'm glad that summer term has a non-traditional schedule here, allowing me to do the two Spanish courses in back to back 6 week sessions.  I'm also glad that I get to spend 2 days out of the week just being a student and not worrying about work.  Today is one of those days... I have 6.5 hours of classes, with a 4 hour break in the middle.  It makes for a long day on campus, but it's very much worth it.

[moneysquirrel]

June Update: 10 NSDs and 3 CSDs

Trying to keep the nsds going but this month is hard.  I will be attending a conference next week so I will have some spending for it = some of it will be reimbursed later I think but not all of it.

Will check in as I can.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 10 NSDs and 4 CSDs

Leaving for a conference in a few hours.  Will do my final June update when I return.  I suspect that not much will change.  Money is put aside for the hotel (my extra days) and for food and transportation.  Hope that is the sum total of what I will spend but who knows. 

[moneysquirrel]

Final June Update: 10 NSDs and 10 CSDs
July Update: 1 NSDs and 4CSDs


Back from the conference while I learned a lot as well as being a tourist.  Stayed within budget.  Only family vacation is left so I hope to do as well there but not sure how it will play out.

[3catslady]

My refrigerator died about the middle of the month so I have been spending every day for food and ice for my cooler.  I lost everything and now need to get stocked up again.  I still have soup and peanut butter but that's about it.  I did get a new-to-me fridge from a friend and didn't have to pay for it.  Now to stock up again on chicken and veggies.

I am counting the spend days so far this month as controlled because I could have eaten out every meal.  Instead, I bought a meat and cheese sandwich and brought it home to eat.  So:
6 CSD, 0 NSD

[ses]

I have been meeting myself coming and going the past few weeks.  My BFF has had knee replacement surgery last month, She got out of the hospital last week so we are back in our own homes and beds with three cats each that are very happy to have us home.  I get her to and from physical therapy several times a week, take her to do any shopping she needs and bring her to my house to shower since she can't handle her high side tub yet and I have a walk-in shower (and I am afraid to have her shower without someone to call in case of problems--none yet)

Luckily we have a cool summer this year rather than our usual heat blast furnace.  Needless to say I haven't had much time to carelessly spend. My bank account likes that!

regecko--congrats on doing so well on the first months of this journey.


3cats--I feel for you.  I am afraid my water heater is getting ready for its final days, too.  Don't want to see that day too soon. 

[moneysquirrel]

July Update: 4 NSDs and 8 CSDS

Finally back home after several days of traveling.  I was gone almost three weeks in the last six from home.  Returning home to find an ac system that needed intensive care and is on its last legs.  I am hoping that it will last a few more months before I have to replace it.  I know it has to be done but I want to put it off as long as possible.  Seems to be working ok now so if it lasts through this season I will replace it sometime this winter/spring.  It would be easier for the workmen as well as the heat index is expected to be 116 today. 

Most of my spending days were travel related -- food, museum fees, a few purchases -- all small, transportation.  I did stay within budget so that is good.  Now to begin saving for next year's travel.  I do know that I want to go back to the bead retreat and there is a possibility that the GS will be involved in another musical activity that I will need to travel to.  Hoping that school will send me back to the conference next year -- that one is usually paid for   It is in a city that I have not visited before so I hope that will happen again. I really enjoyed this year's conference and had the chance to visit several historical places while there.

I do have a lot of housework/chores to catch up on.  School begins in two weeks so my window of time to get everything done is narrowing as I type.  I also have two medical appointments left that I need to finish before school starts.  I want to get one done tomorrow and the other is scheduled for next week.  So those are on the front burner. 

Currently I have four beading projects to finish and hope to complete some of them prior to school beginning.  Two are almost to the finishing stage, one has a long way to go and one is a repair for a friend that I have not started as of yet -- must do before school starts.  Figure that I would set a timer and work on it an hour at a time as I need to completely reconstruct the item.  It is a familiar stitch so I do not anticipate any major problems with it -- just kept postponing it because I wanted to work on other newer items more.  Time to face the music on that one.

SES -- glad that you are back with us after your break.  Glad that your friend is doing well.

3cats -- I can relate with your fridge problem.  I have the AC to replace soon.

Hope to be more active here now that the traveling is over.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 7NSDs and 9CSDs

Slowly getting some of the chores done that were on my do-to list.  Also got one of the medical items finished -- only one more to do.  Will continue to knock some of the items off my list today if all goes well.

I did manage to get at least two of the incomplete beading projects done.  Now I only have four more of them to do.  Hope to work on at least one or more of them today.  Two are close to being finished and I would like to complete them asap.  I did finish the one that was a repair for a coworker.  It was the only one that I had a somewhat of a deadline on.  Also I do need to get a few quick projects completed for the upcoming fall craft shows.  So I will try to do some of those in between the longer detailed ones.  

I do need to get a few new items clothes-wise but since we will continue to have a lot of heat for the first few months of school I think I will wait a bit for the fall items to fill the shelves as I need some of the no-iron blouses and I don't feel like going out in the heat if I don't have to at this time. 


Hope all are doing well.  I need to get my day started so I am signing off now.

[3catslady]

June didn't turn out the way I wanted and July just didn't happen at all.  I started doing my budget on paper again.  Every day I come home I am going to put what I spent on the sheet and see how I'm doing and where I am.

So far this month, I have spent $76.41 for groceries which included 2 bottles of vitamins, cat litter and food, 2 rolls of tp, wrapping paper for a birthday and my food.

August NS/CS:
1 NSD, 1 CSD, 0 EOD.
 

[ses]

3cats--I hear you!  I, too, am going back to a paper budget.  I don't know where June or July went.  I don't think I made any major mistakes but I just can't remember what happened, though I was busy all month.

Since my years have always started in September when school starts, August is always my "getting ready" month.  I will organize my desk and get any supplies I need while they are on sale everywhere.  I washed everything in the linen closet and gave it a deep cleaning and was appalled at how shabby everything is.  I should check out the back to the dorm sales at Bed, Bath and Beyond and get some new towels.  At least, some to put out when company comes.  

I also update and replace things in my first aid kit before the winter weather makes me stay in so I will have anything I might need.  The Farmers Almanac suggest an early and cold winter.  I can't believe I am thinking about this when it is 95* outside. 

The water heater may need replacing soon.  I guess that will move to the top of my "wants" list.  So the new laptop waits a bit longer.  That will give some time for the kinks to be worked out of Windows 10.

Tomorrow I should get the needle out and catch up on some mending and find out what needs to be replaced.  At least mending won't cost anything.

I need to get off and feed the cats.  One is stretched out on the AC vent, another is flat out on her belly on the bathroom tiles and Leo is perched on my shoulder casting longing glances at the cabinet holding the bucket of cat food.

Hope everyone stays frugal this month!

Moneysquirrel--how was the concert?

[3catslady]

3catslady:  2 NSD, 2 CSD, 0 EOD.

[moneysquirrel]

Final July Update: 13 NSDS and 12 CSDs
August Update: 6NSDs  

Sorry I have been missing in action but the AC at home went out and I have been staying with family and/or friends until the old one was replaced,  Thank goodness I had the EF set up as I was able to paid for it.  Also school is back in session so I did some spending to get started with it again.  Not much as I do have a lot of the basics.  Teaching as long as I have been means that I do have a surplus of pencils, pens, etc.  

It has been to hot for me to think about shopping for clothes but I do need a few things.  Temps are in the upper 90s and will be for several more weeks so I just want to do the minimum running around as possible. 

Continuing to bead and starting to gear up for the upcoming craft shows.  Still have a few projects unfinished from the retreat this summer.  I am slowing working my way through those as I work on new projects as well.  

Will try to check in at least weekly if not more often in the future.

[moneysquirrel]

Update:12 NSDs and 1 CSD

Back at school so my NSD numbers should go up as my schedule leaves very little time to spend. I think that today will be a spend day as a trip to the home improvement store is planned.  Need to get a few bigger flower planters and soil as I need to repot the rose bushes I purchased this summer. Haven't had as much time to get much beading done but did finish one new project.  Unfinished ones have not been touched and this weekend is looking to be a pretty busy one as several things are planned for each day.  Hope to get something accomplished as well but not making any promises.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  8 NSD, 7 CSD, 0 EOD.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 16 NSDs and 1 CSDs

Back in school and have a lot of correcting to do this weekend.  Have a meeting this morning and some errands to run so I am not sure what today will bring.  Did some beading this week but still have to work on several other items.  This week I had several meetings after school so spending was the last thing I had time for.  Not sure what this coming week will bring.  Need to get moving this morning so I need to sign off.