2015 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[trimatty471]

I am going to attempt a No Spend month in September.  My goal is to be able to save half of my take home pay.  On Sept 1st, I will move half of my take home into my checking account.  That has to last for the entire month.  I would be allowed to pay my bills, buy groceries and I am allowed a weekly allowance.  

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 22 NSDs and 2 CSDs

Things have been busy as always at the beginning of the school year.  Usually too tired to get much done once I get home.  Spent most of yesterday playing catch-up on housework.  Last weekend I did a lot of correcting of projects so I really had to make time to at least get something done in the cleaning area. 

Made it through all of the ten year anniversary coverage of Katrina.  Emotions were mainly under control but I still think that the stress of having to deal with the aftermath hasten the decline of my late husband's health.

Almost time for lunch so I will sign off now.

[3catslady]

3catslady August update:  14 NSD, 15 CSD, 0 EOD, and 2 days that I spent when I didn't want to.  I was mad at DS and just went and bought a game for my computer and a music CD.

[moneysquirrel]

Final August Update: 23 NSDs and 3 CSDs

September Update: 4 NSDs and 1 CSD

Not sure what today may bring.  Need to pick up some dollar store baskets for the classroom but not sure if I want to leave the house today.  May try to postpone it until tomorrow or later.  Really need to reorganize the bead room as I have things all over the place and want to make a few things but  can't until that is better organized.  May do that after lunch and stay home instead of going out into the heat.  Will have to be out later in the week so might as well do it then.  Don't need the baskets for tomorrow so there is no need to rush over there.

Did a major overhaul of the bedroom last week and am trying to keep it that way.  Will have to do the closets soon and put away a lot of the summer whites.  But we will still have summer type weather for several months so that is also being put on the back burner.  Figure I will pack away the obvious items as I run across them.  Next weekend is out as I have a fully booked Saturday with school related functions. 

Time for lunch.  Have a great labor day all!

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 8NSDs and 2 CSDs

Have no idea what today brings.  I think it will be a spend day as I might go to the bead show and take myself out for lunch.  Have a ton of work to do so I have to get started on that first and try to get some done before I leave the house.  Need to get started now.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  9 NSD, 9 CSD, 1 eating out day.

I may eat out tonight after work because it's my birthday.  It will be at BK because I have a gift card for there.  I'm 29 and holding.

[moneysquirrel]

Uodate: 13 NSDs and 4 CSDs

Keeping busy with school.  Only spent on items on my list so happy with that.

3cats -- Happy Belated Birthday!  

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 18 NSDs and 4 CSDs

Had to purchase a new microwave as my old one died this week.  I was able to get a small one on sale.  The old one was about 15 years old and much larger but I don't need a big one as I usually just heat up items in it.  Also the store was able to recycle the old one.  I think that my printer is going to go next.  Have major issues with it. Printing at school if I have to have something.

School is keeping me busy and my craft show season is starting so I will be busier than usual.  Had the first one yesterday and next one is in two weeks.

[3catslady]

3catslady, 16 NSD, 10 CSD, 1 eating out day.

Finally doing some good.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  19 NSD, 10 CSD, 1 eating out day.

finally a good month.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 23 NSDs and 5 CSDs

Had to get a new printer as the old one no longer worked.  Got one on sale and was able to recycle the old one so it is out of the house.  It was a major unplanned expense but I try to put something aside monthly for technology as several of my items are getting up in age and replacement items are in the future.  Hopefully far in the future.  Anyway I have the money saved for this so it isn't as bad as it could have been. 

Have been having major allergy problems so have not been doing anything unneeded.  No running to the store for one item or any unplanned trips as I am trying to rest as must as possible.  Managing to teach the classes and almost caught up on papers but really trying to sleep as much as possible so I can get rid of the yukky feeling as much as possible.

This coming week is a busy one as I have meetings after school including parent-teacher conferences one night so I will be busy.  Upcoming weekend is getting scheduled also.  I am usually really glad once the middle of October is over and then things sort of settle down at school and more of the routine is in place.

Going to take a nap now if I can prior to getting a few more things done.  Will check in when I can.

[ses]

I am still here.  My keyboard is not working properly, the number keypad works but not the letter keys.  I am going to visit my sister later this month and am going to have her take me to a store to get a new keyboard.  It is a drag going to the public library to use a keyboard that works.  
It hasn't been too bad lately since I have been busy with the garden (all 6 tomato plants and about 7 sq ft of bush beans) and canning and freezing stuff.  I got 19.5 pints of thick tomato sauce and about 3 pounds of frozen beans not to mention all the stuff I ate fresh this summer and gave away.  My 6 tomato plants gave me 54 pounds of fresh tomatoes!

If I don't post know that I am still reading along.   
Happy belated birthday, 3cats!

[Ombud]

I went to the coin show with $33 cash. Left my purse in the car. Walked out with a very high definition 1887 Morgan (bit dirty but all the feathers & hair are clearly defined w/o a scope) + $5 cash!! I'm so pumped!

Even though I'm back with car loan @ 1.289% and margin loan @ 8.5% .... both on their way down.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 8 NSDs and 2 CSDs

Think I have turned the corner on the allergy front.  Sleeping better and getting a few things done.  Still behind in correcting papers -- took the entire weekend off from school work.  Will play catch up this week as much as possible.  Had another craft show this weekend and have to finish a gift for a baby shower next weekend so I have been working on trying to finish it.  Several hours of crocheting a night and I should meet the deadline.  Will be doing more of that tonight.  Really got nothing done today -- lots of resting, got the new printer set up to scan and goofed off.  

This is the second week in a row that I have a night meeting at school.  Those really wear me out.  Thankful that they are not in the same week but will be glad when this month is over.  Still have the homecoming dance to chaperon later this month as well.  After October things will not be as intense on the school front. 

 

[Honeylioness]

Hello everyone - while some of you know what has been going on through Facebook I wanted to send a message to Moneysquirrel and SES - ladies I have been feeling guilty for not writing to you sooner.



Just a quick recap of my year:

Two cats have died: Naomi in January of breast cancer and Ben Nevis in July of old age (he was 18).

Ongoing issues with the students I was hosting at the beginning at the year that culminated in one of them creating drama at school so that they called the police for a welfare check. So I moved her out.

A one month audit by the FDA

For the last three months working 8-12 hours overtime most weeks.

My 92 year old grandmother died over Labor Day weekend.

However the biggest event was my spending the month of June in Seattle taking care of my mother. She had a heart attack in January, had issues with meds that put her in hospital most of March and then kidney issues in June that led to hospice - and her passing on June 24th.

So I have not felt I had much to contribute here and budgets have not been high on my mind as you can imagine.

However I would like to re-connect with those I do not see in other forums. I miss you guys.

[lund]

Sorry to hear about your difficult year.
I hope that your next year will be without sorrow and stress, but bring you joy, calm and peace.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 21 NSDs and 3 CSDs

Things have been really busy at school.  I think I have finished with most of the late meetings at school for this month.  So I hope that all the things I have been putting off will finally get done.  On the home front my DM has been in the hospital.  She seems to be improving and we are more hopeful today than we were earlier this week . 

Honey -- Great to see and hear from you.  Sorry about the earlier months of the year and hope that things are in all areas.

We are expecting bad weather -- lots of rain and thunderstorms -- as the remnants from Patricia continues to move eastward.  Quotes of up to 7 inches in the next few days.

Need to get a few things done before the weather gets worse.  Will check in when I can.

[3catslady]

3catslady:  10 NSD, 15 CSD, 0 eating out days.

Honey:  Glad to see you on here again.  I miss you on here but see you on fb.  Sorry about your losses.  I have lost my oldest cat, 18, too and now my next one is not doing well.  She is 15.  The youngest one, almost 9, is doing good except for fleas but I am working on that.

[moneysquirrel]

Final October Update: 25h NSDs and 5 CSDs
DM is still in hospital but better.  School is as busy as usual but things should calm down somewhat now that the first few months and many of the night meetings that I have to attend are over. 
Happy Halloween all!

[3catslady]

3catslady:  10 NSD, 21 CSD, 0 eating out days.

I will have to do better next month.

[Ombud]

For November & December, I'm giving myself a weekly allowance of $20 gas & $20 groceries. Let's see if I can get it to last

[3catslady]

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

I got a few groceries and did 2 loads of laundry.  I haven't paid the bills yet but they should be paid by tomorrow.  I always get my grandson to take them out to the mailbox.  He loves helping me.

[Ombud]

Started yesterday, had $10 + weekly $40, have $10 left today. Buying 3 discount transit tickets ($27 for $72 rides), bought groceries .... this is hard

[3catslady]

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

I didn't go to work tonight because of this cold.  Earache, sore throat, stuffy nose, and cough.

[Ombud]

Had to break into next week's $40 early. $20 gas

[3catslady]

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

Got called in to work Wednesday night.  The lady I work with is 80 years old and she was scheduled by herself on a busy night.  I made a fuss and was called in.  I guess the boss got ripped a new one because this is the third night she was scheduled this way and the store manager was fit to be tied.

[Ombud]

Wow am I failing fast!! Day 2 of week.

$40 in on day 1
-$20 gas
-$11 GS1 belt & lunch with coupons
$ 9 left for the week & I'll need veggies midweek

[ses]

I am back from vacation.  Boy, does my own bed feel good.

Now is the time to really buckle down.  I had major expenses this Fall.  Needed repairs on my car before vacation ($775) some major yard work ($925) and a new recliner($297) the old one was definitely a piece of "feline fabric art" and when i got home I had to call a plumber ($ 67)!  I think it is cheaper to stay home!

My new keyboard is just like my old one, but I am having a terrible time learning to use it. Guess this old dog doesn't do new toys as well as new tricks.

Honey, it is great hearing from you!!!!  I miss you.  I have thought about you so many times in the past few weeks.  I am so sorry about the tribulations of your past year.  Sounds like your own "annus horribllis"  Once my life calms down a bit we need to connect.

Since i was gone so long i now have three cats that are never further than three feet away, or in my lap or chair.  Leo, who was never a lap cat is learning to be one (after he stretches up to check that no one is ahead of him)  Right now they are all three sitting in front of the cabinet storing cat food expecting me to do something about it.

I'll try to be more regular about posting. I keep reading but my posting needs work'

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 9 NSDs and 2 CSDs
Things are moving along quickly.  Have a lot of school work to do this weekend as well as my weekly chores. Have about 100 tests and almost as many projects to do as well,  Also exams will begin shortly after the Thanksgiving holidays so I have to begin working on those.

 DM is slowly improving as she is now in a rehab facility.  I have definitely seen an improvement each time I stop by.  She will be there for a few more weeks,  At least this place is at a location that I can visit as it is closer to my home. Adds to my things to do as I try to stop by on my way home from school most days. 

Continuing with the craft shows as well. Had one this week and another three within the next several weeks.  Have a bit of inventory so I am not rushing around making things.  Continuing to do a few items but nothing that is required to be done.  

Time to get moving. Will check in when I can.

[Ombud]

DD said no individual gifts this year .... each household buy 1 other household a gift max $15-20. I started she buys for her brother's family, he buys for hers, I need nothing

Blew it!

Macy's gave me a $10 gift card when walking into new store. Kohl's gave me one too. Bought the 3 littlest ones Carter Blanket Jammies + fingerpaint soap. $10.90 total

Have a basket for each kid:

-- DS / DIL: 3 candles from ikea + 6 cereal bowls she wanted = <9

-- DD / BF: 3 pancake mixes / maple syrup + candles <9

-- DIL Mom: maple pumpkin jar candle 59c (marked down from $10)

-- another 59c candle in stockpile

So individually I'm fine ... but it's supposed to be 1 not 10 (giving cash to other 4 GKs)