2018 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[shanendoah]

We have gone the last two weeks without any real grocery shopping - just picking up a few items here and there. And I'll be doing that again Tuesday evening for a pot luck at work on Wednesday. But this weekend, we really need to actually shop.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 2-8	Y	$0	1/6
July 9-15
July 16-22
July 23-29
July 30- Aug 5

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Gas Car Service	Lunch Medical Copay Dinner (?)		Starbucks Dinner	Massage Groceries	Counseling Lunch Movie(?)	Lunch
Actual	Starbucks	Lunch	Gas Groceries	Starbucks Dinner	Massage	Counseling

[shanendoah]

Once again, I am putting Gas and Car Service on the play for today, but am really just hopeful we'll get our car back some time this week.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 2-8	Y	$0	1/6
July 9-15
July 16-22
July 23-29
July 30- Aug 5

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Gas Car Service	Dentist Groceries		Starbucks Dinner	CostCo Groceries	Movie Dinner	Lunch
Actual

[shanendoah]

Gas and Car Service ($4300) will be today. They called C last night right before 5 to tell them our car was ready. Given traffic at that time, there was no way he was getting to them by 6, so he'll take back the loaner and get our car today.

Last night I got myself Taco Bell for dinner. I have regrets, but only because the service at my Taco Bell sucks. They can never seem to get my order quite right. Last time, I got nacho fries instead of nachos. This time, they forgot to supreme my tacos.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 2-8	Y	$0	1/6
July 9-15		$11.50
July 16-22
July 23-29
July 30- Aug 5

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Gas Car Service	Dentist Groceries		Starbucks Dinner	CostCo Groceries	Movie Dinner	Lunch
Actual	Starbucks Taco Bell $11.50

[Iggy aka IG]

Holy smokes, shanendoah!  Was the $4,300 expected?

Doing a bit better at reining things in and controlling expenses.  One thing which is helping is I have a cushion in my business checking account.  This has helped with mid-month (I receive a monthly commission check) expenses such as fuel, taking a client to lunch, etc.  In the past I was putting these items on a credit card.  No bueno.

Last night I had $100 to spend on a RX and groceries for this weekend.  With tax, the total was $100.48.     Again, in the past, things like that were going to a credit card.

My motivation is I want to buy a new vehicle at the end of this year. 

[shanendoah]

Iggy aka IG - Depends on your definition of expected. As of two weeks ago when they ran the diagnostic and told us the cam shaft had to be replaced, it was expected ($4100+tax). Prior to that, not expected. We just thought one of the fuel injectors had gunk in it. It's a lot for a 12 year old car, but the truth is, we won't find a used car we like as much, in as good of shape, that is going to give us as many miles as this one will (diesel engine) for that same $4300, so we might as well spend it on keeping this car going.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jul 11, 2018 13:27:25 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

Iggy aka IG - Depends on your definition of expected. As of two weeks ago when they ran the diagnostic and told us the cam shaft had to be replaced, it was expected ($4100+tax). Prior to that, not expected. We just thought one of the fuel injectors had gunk in it. It's a lot for a 12 year old car, but the truth is, we won't find a used car we like as much, in as good of shape, that is going to give us as many miles as this one will (diesel engine) for that same $4300, so we might as well spend it on keeping this car going.

I completely understand!  My truck is 17 years old, and there's no way I could find something used with as few miles as it has, and for an affordable price.

[shanendoah]

Tuesday we had an agent who wanted to show the house between 6-7p. So we went out to dinner then instead of going out to dinner tonight, so I am still calling that in plan.
Tonight, I'll head home and mow the lawn for the open houses this weekend.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 2-8	Y	$0	1/6
July 9-15		$11.50	1/1
July 16-22
July 23-29
July 30- Aug 5

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Gas Car Service	Dentist Groceries		Starbucks Dinner	CostCo Groceries	Movie Dinner	Lunch
Actual	Starbucks Taco Bell ($11.50)	Gas Car Service Groceries Dinner

[moneysquirrel]

This week was just as spendy as I thought.  Clean checkup at the dentist, did the Sam's run and stuck to the list for the most part.  Started a spreadsheet to see how often I purchase some of the once in a blue moon items. A few of the monthly bills came in and were paid.  Other than a stop at Home Depot to pick up a needed item and at Joann's that was totally unneeded I feel that I did quite well this week.  Budget will be tight this month as the electric bill is always high during the summer months due to the extreme heat and the constant need for AC.  I think that mine is somewhat lower than some of the neighbors since I replaced all of the windows several years ago, use ceiling fans constantly and set the AC much higher than most.

shanendoah -- Good luck with the house hunting and selling.

[3catslady]

My budget is shot all the way.    I've been eating out more than once a month, about $75 worth.  My car needed work done; more than $500.  So now I have no emergency fund and I'm back on some; at least 3, of the expenses.  Somehow it always works out.  I guess I just need to stop stressing over it.  I am limiting eating out to once a month with my girlfriend.  I don't use the AC.  I think it's because DS has his set so low that it keeps my place cool.

I now have 2 water bottles so I don't have to buy it at work.  I have chocolate rice cakes with peanut butter and a cup of tea for breakfast.  A bologna 
and cheese sandwich, chips and pickles for lunch.  My supper costs between $1.98 and $3.98.  I spend more on my cats than I do on me.  When I watch the kids over lunch, I eat their food and save mine for when I'm home.

[Blonde Granny]

I have just blown my YNAB budget to pieces this month. It's not even worth trying to sort it all out. Vacation trip is budgeted for, but even that I don't seem to have all the receipts for, so what's the use. I'll use the total on the credit card and call it good.

Save me next month from good intentions that usually end up in shreds. I have to get this back under control.

[moneysquirrel]

Definitely spend more that I wanted to this past week.  All of it was unplanned but managed to have lunch with t which we don't get to do very often because of schedule conflicts.  Picked up a few items at dollar tree as well.

Then I have a repair scheduled Monday -- definitely unplanned.  Also three of the monthly bills will come in and my handyman will need to be paid when he is finished.  Most of what I am having done are little repairs that I have put off for a while. Want to get them done before they become big problems. Also had trouble finding someone to do the odd things that I needed.


3catslady -- welcome back.  You will get back in the swing of things .  I remember the early days and you made it through those times and you will make it through these.

Blonde Granny   - Just relax and start over next month.  Your vacation is set so enjoy the experience.  If I remember correctly you are heading down to my area.  PM me if you have questions.  Not sure I will be much help but I can try.


shanendoah -- wishing good thoughts that your house will be under contract soon and that you find a new one that is perfect for your needs.

[Blonde Granny]

moneysquirrel......i was in nebraska for 6 days, and have now booked trip to Florida for upcoming winter.

[moneysquirrel]

Ok -- not my area of the deep south.  I am near nola.

[shanendoah]

I'm having a hard time tracking these last two weeks. Lots of things going on and the schedule just feels like it's changing on a day to day basis. Things will settle down here soon (friend visiting from Sweden flies back to Sweden tomorrow), and I plan to be back next week, and tracking for August.

[3catslady]

Still need $600 to finish July's bills and only 1 check tomorrow.  Not going to make it but I'm really not late on any of them.

[moneysquirrel]

The week was mostly planned so far.  I finished with the handy man for the time being.  More work will be done in a few months once the temperatures get better as that will have to be outside and with temps in the high 90-100s I can wait for it to be done.  Also gives me time to save some more for those repairs.  Was able to cash flow this one.  The garage door started working so that service call was cancelled.  I did have to get groceries this week but stuck to the list -- no non-essential items were added.  

Continuing to work on eating out of the freezer as much as possible.  A lot of what I have been purchasing at the grocery are perishables and/or those once every six months or more items.  

[Blonde Granny]

Congrats on sticking to the grocery list, that is so difficult for me to do, and freezer clean out!!!!

I bought another box of cereal this week for the pantry, so I now have plenty of boxed cereal, 1 minute oatmeal and some steel cut oatmeal. That should last me till the end of next winter. May times I just have toast and a bottle of Boost or Carnation Essential for breakfast. I do however, need to replenish the Boost and Carnation.

[shanendoah]

Okay, fresh start. Getting back on the wagon.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 30-Aug 5
Aug 6-12
Aug 13-19
Aug 20-26
Aug 27-Sept 2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned		Starbucks	Dinner?	Starbucks	Groceries Gas	Lunch	Lunch
Actual

Things are quieting down this week. I got groceries on the way home yesterday, and have stuff for dinner and lunches this week, so it should be fairly easy not to spend any money. The only real challenge will be if someone wants to view the house during dinner time, at which point I may walk myself to McD's or Taco Bell.

[shanendoah]

Welcome back 3catslady. You have been missed. Like moneysquirrel, I remember when things were much tighter for you. You made your way through it then; I have every confidence in you now.

[shanendoah]

Okay, fresh start. Getting back on the wagon.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 30-Aug 5			1/0
Aug 6-12
Aug 13-19
Aug 20-26
Aug 27-Sept 2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned		Starbucks	Dinner?	Starbucks	Groceries Gas	Lunch	Lunch
Actual

Good day yesterday. I took myself on walk. I made plans to visit BFF and Baby Boy later this week. I called High School BFF last night and had a chance to catch up with her. And, I didn't spend any money.

[shanendoah]

Okay, fresh start. Getting back on the wagon.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 30-Aug 5			1/2
Aug 6-12
Aug 13-19
Aug 20-26
Aug 27-Sept 2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned		Starbucks	Dinner?	Starbucks	Groceries Gas	Lunch	Lunch
Actual		Starbucks	Safeway

C is staying with friends M & B. Yesterday was B's birthday. First thought was we might take them out to dinner, but B decided he wanted to stay home, grill some burgers and watch Ready Player One. So I swung by Safeway to pick up some Kaiser rolls and Coke. I'll go with it being planned since it was for dinner- an a lot less than originally planned. 

I will likely end up spending something tonight when I go visit BFF and Baby Boy, as I think the plan is to walk over to the neighborhood farmers market to get dinner. I might pick up some fresh produce as well.

[shanendoah]

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 30-Aug 5			1/3
Aug 6-12
Aug 13-19
Aug 20-26
Aug 27-Sept 2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned		Starbucks	Dinner?	Starbucks	Groceries Gas	Lunch	Lunch
Actual		Starbucks	Safeway	Starbucks

Good visit last night. We walked over to the Farmers' Market for dinner. I spent cash I had on hand (from someone else paying me back), so I don't count that as spending. 

This afternoon, I will be packing up more of my things, and most of the fridge/groceries in the house and "moving" over to where C and the dogs are staying. It will make it easier to show the house. My commute will be longer, but I'll get to be with my dogs and hubby at the end of the day, so it will be worth it.
Plus, with C cooking for me, random stops at McDs or Taco Bell will be much less frequent.

[Iggy aka IG]

Doing so-so.  I ended up going to the grocery store for a few items in between major grocery shopping.  However I kept to a very tight list (can XX wait until payday?), except for buying Powerade Zero due to the heat.

Other unbudgeted shopping:  Bought flowers for my mom's BD, several shirts on sale from the Herberger's closing sale, fuel to get to the big city for a district meeting, and bought a Starbucks yesterday morning.  It had been so long since stopping for the latter, I mistakenly reverted back to my old order from 5+ years ago.  $2 more than my usual Americano!!

Bottom line:  These unplanned expenditures are still tripping me up, and I end up pulling cash from my stash.  I need to put $200 or so less toward my cc balance in order to keep a buffer in checking.

[shanendoah]

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 30-Aug 5	Y	$20	3/3
Aug 6-12
Aug 13-19
Aug 20-26
Aug 27-Sept 2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned		Starbucks	Dinner?	Starbucks	Groceries Gas	Lunch	Lunch
Actual		Starbucks	Safeway	Starbucks			Home Depot ($20) Gas CostCo

It was a good weekend. We did not go see any open houses. On Saturday, I took the dogs for a long walk (~6 miles) in the morning, but did nothing else productive all day. It was beautiful. C's BFF came to visit, and I got the chance to walk over to his in-laws and see his little girl and hold his baby boy (born like 8 minutes before my BFF's baby boy).
Sunday, we did our shopping. We stopped at Home Depot because the dogs are constantly finding new ways to dig out of the back yard at our friends' house, so we bought paving stones to line the areas where they are digging.

Otherwise, just a really quiet weekend, which was something I needed.

[shanendoah]

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 30-Aug 5	Y	$20	3/3
Aug 6-12
Aug 13-19
Aug 20-26
Aug 27-Sept 2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks		Dinner(?)	Starbucks	Pop Tart visit(?)	Lunch	Groceries Lunch
Actual

Mostly quiet week. There will be a Pop Tart visit this weekend. Don't really know what day. It will depend on their schedule, so I just put it on Friday as a place holder.
The plan is to hang out with BFF and her family on Wednesday, after Weight Watcher. Don't know what we'll do for dinner. 

New morning commute isn't bad. I only need to get up about 15 minutes earlier than I had been. Afternoon commute will get me home about 45 minutes later, but that's still not bad.

[3catslady]

I'm getting my unneeded spending on paper so I can see where I need to cut.  I never go any place without a paper and pencil.  I need to reign that back in.  I bought 3 bags last month that I didn't need but mine were starting to fall apart.  They were half off.  I'm still trying to figure if I should get a new cloth covered clothes rack or wait a few more months when income taxes come back.  The cats have it shredded.  That's what I have managed to do so far

[shanendoah]

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 30-Aug 5	Y	$20	3/3
Aug 6-12			1/1
Aug 13-19
Aug 20-26
Aug 27-Sept 2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks		Dinner(?)	Starbucks	Pop Tart visit(?)	Lunch	Groceries Lunch
Actual	Starbucks

Quiet week so far, which is nice.
Hanging out with BFF an baby boy tonight, which will be good.

[shanendoah]

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
July 30-Aug 5	Y	$20	3/3
Aug 6-12			2/1
Aug 13-19
Aug 20-26
Aug 27-Sept 2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks		Dinner(?)	Starbucks	Pop Tart visit(?)	Lunch	Groceries Lunch
Actual	Starbucks			Starbucks

BFF and BFFIL had cooked on Tuesday, so we had yummy leftovers last night - no spending.
Pop Tart is actually not going to be in town this weekend, so we'll do a video call, but again, no spending there.
Have to figure out what the plan for the weekend will be.

[3catslady]

800 left to pay this month and 3 more checks coming in so I am in fare shape.  Nothing in savings yet but bills paid

[moneysquirrel]

Did fairly well this past week.  Had an unexpected lunch out with former colleagues which is always an enjoyable experience.  Other than that I just had to pick up a few grocery items and a RX.  Also got a GC as I begin Christmas shopping -- I usually give amazon to some  of the family.  If I get them one at a time (usually end up with about 6 gift cards total) I don't feel it as badly.  Plus if I find something that I think will work better for them I can always use it for myself.