2018 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[shanendoah]

I made a couple $20 donations yesterday - one to a family in my circle who lost their home to fire recently, and one to someone I actually met on this thread back in the MSN days, who has the opportunity to go on a study abroad program this year, but not a ton of funds. Neither was as much as I would have liked to be able to donate, but I'm not at a point where I can't donate anything. So yesterday was the day I did.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
Feb 26-Mar 4		UNTRACKED
Mar 5-11	Y	$4	2/4
Mar 12-18	N	$364	2/2
Mar 19-25	N	$61	2/3
Mar 26-Apr 1		$40	0/1

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Vet Dinner Movie	Starbucks		Starbucks	Handyman CostCo Gas	Movie?	Starbucks
Actual	Vet Dinner Movie	Starbucks Donations ($40)

[shanendoah]

Yesterday was a day. But, I did manage not to spend any money.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
Feb 26-Mar 4		UNTRACKED
Mar 5-11	Y	$4	2/4
Mar 12-18	N	$364	2/2
Mar 19-25	N	$61	2/3
Mar 26-Apr 1		$40	1/1

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Vet Dinner Movie	Starbucks		Starbucks	Handyman CostCo Gas	Movie?	Starbucks
Actual	Vet Dinner Movie	Starbucks Donations ($40)

[TheOtherMe]

Hugs shanendoah  

[shanendoah]

TheOtherMe - At least this week, all the stress is work related, not personal. 

I am counting yesterday as a controlled spend with just Starbucks, but it's not really true. I have a conference at Disneyland at the end of next month. I finally found out yesterday whether or not Pop Tart was going to accompany me (she's not), so last night I got on and I booked my plane tickets and a couple days worth of Disneyland passes. The plane ticket will be reimbursed. The Disney tickets won't be. But I've been planning on buying those for close to 2 years (how long I've known that the annual convention for this work group was going to be at Disneyland this year), and actually spent less than I'd planned because I am getting tickets for one less person. I just had not put it on the plan for the week.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
Feb 26-Mar 4		UNTRACKED
Mar 5-11	Y	$4	2/4
Mar 12-18	N	$364	2/2
Mar 19-25	N	$61	2/3
Mar 26-Apr 1		$40	1/2

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Vet Dinner Movie	Starbucks		Starbucks	Handyman CostCo Gas	Movie?	Starbucks
Actual	Vet Dinner Movie	Starbucks Donations ($40)		Starbucks

[TheOtherMe]

No unplanned spending for this week.  Next week I do have to schedule to get a new battery installed for my battery back up for my sump pump.  Nothing happens when I press the test button.  I do not want to chance it not working if the power goes out during a storm.

[moneysquirrel]

I had my car serviced this week and the amount was a little more than I wanted or planned for it to be.  Had the money in my car budget but had hoped it would not be needed.  My car is in its fourteenth year and I am planning on replacing it soon. I am thinking about the end of the year when all of the companies are trying to reduce their inventory.  Building up that fund as much as possible as I really don't want to have high or long car payments.  Think I will spend part of this summer beginning the search of what is out there and some test driving.  

shanendoah -- Hope today is a better day for you.  

Hape a Happy Easter everyone.

[countrygirl2]

We were out and about, man it was BUSY out there, lots of traffic.


I found patterns at Joann's, Simplicity $.99 each, Butterick $1.99 and

Vogue $4.99.  There were 2 I really wanted from Butterick but those

2 were only reduced to $12 each, damn, I'm not paying that.  They

will go on sale at some point.  I bought about $27 worth.

[moneysquirrel]

Staying focused and not spending.  Last few days have been stay home and try to get some things done so I have been quite frugal. I know that in the next few weeks that I will be attending a craft retreat and will have some kit expenditures.  I have money put aside for it and know that I will be learning new skills and designs.  Have a second one in the summer that will be more costly as it will involve air travel and hotel expenses as well as kit and other costs.  Registration for both have been paid for as well as the plane ticket.  Saving for the other expenses is ongoing and year round. 

I also have at least one craft show entry fee to pay this month.  Money made by selling items at the craft shows pays for most of my supplies and are not in my living budget.  Haven't had any luck with the Etsy shop but the costs are minimal and I have not devoted the time to work on it effectively.  Maybe in the future it will catch on.  There are so many shops and without the magic key words a lot of people will not even find it.  I do need to renew listings next month and will try to add at least one or more new items while I am doing that.  Also need to remove a few of the older seasonal items. 

 

[shanendoah]

The rest of the week went as planned, at least spending wise. 

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
Feb 26-Mar 4		UNTRACKED
Mar 5-11	Y	$4	2/4
Mar 12-18	N	$364	2/2
Mar 19-25	N	$61	2/3
Mar 26-Apr 1	Y	$40	1/5

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Vet Dinner Movie	Starbucks		Starbucks	Handyman CostCo Gas	Movie?	Starbucks
Actual	Vet Dinner Movie	Starbucks Donations ($40)		Starbucks	Handyman CostCo Gas	Movie	Starbucks

[shanendoah]

New week, new month, new plan. Making a note now that I won't be tracking the week of April 30, as that is the week I will be down at Disneyland for a conference and a few days vacation.

Tonight I need to swing by a grocery store for bread (and only bread). It turns out the bread I had was moldy, and my meal plan this week includes ham sandwiches. 

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8
April 9-15
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Bread		Yard Guy		Starbucks Safeway Trader Joes Gas	Starbucks	Dinner
Actual	Starbucks

[shanendoah]

Apparently, crumbs ended up on my phone case, or something, last night, and while I was out of the room, Junebug tried to eat my phone. She destroyed the case and did serious damage to the corner of the phone, creating cracks all over the screen. Which means the screen no longer works. I discovered this at 10p last night. 
My sim card is currently in an old phone, but I spent $150 this morning ordering a new phone and case. Joy.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$150	1/1
April 9-15
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Bread		Yard Guy		Starbucks Safeway Trader Joes Gas	Starbucks	Dinner
Actual	Starbucks Bread		Phone & case ($150)

[Iggy aka IG]

Ugh, shanendoah!  Sorry to hear this. 

[wvugurl26]

Sorry shanendoah. I know those unexpected things really suck when you are trying to dig out and get things on track.

[shanendoah]

Well, with the exception of buying the phone, and shopping for the pancake breakfast at work tomorrow (will be 100% reimbursed, so I don't count it), I didn't spent anything yesterday 

Today should be a no spend. I have a busy day at work. I have my lunch (ham sandwich!). I have a dinner plan (chili, or a ham sandwich). And I have plans to hang out with friends online tonight, so no real time to spend.
I am pondering taking myself to see Isle of Dogs in the theater on Friday. But we'll have to see what Friday ends up looking like.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$150	1/1
April 9-15
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Bread		Yard Guy		Starbucks Safeway Trader Joes Gas	Starbucks	Dinner
Actual	Starbucks Bread		Phone & case ($150)

[moneysquirrel]

Managed to spend on items that was needed mainly food items and RX.  I did have a few dollar items at the hardware and dollar stores but they did little damage.  This coming week will be a little expensive as I know of a few pricey items that I need for my craft classes -- in the budget already except I don't like to see it go as well as gas for the road trip.  This expense is totally planned and I have been looking forward to it for a while. 

I did have a craft show yesterday and the little I made will cover a bit of the kit prices.  Also have a few more upcoming shows next month.


shanendoah -- Ouch on the phone. 

[shanendoah]

On top of the phone, last week just ended up being a stress spending/eating week. Time for the wagons to circle around and pick me back up.
Friday, after I took myself to the movie, I went to dinner with BFF & her wife. I paid, because they'd paid the last few times we went to dinner.
The QFC (groceries) and gas were in plan, but I'd forgotten that I needed cash this week.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Bread		Yard Guy		Starbucks Safeway Trader Joes Gas	Starbucks	Dinner
Actual	Starbucks Bread		Phone & case ($150)	Taco Bell ($11.50)	Starbucks Movie ($15) Dinner ($60)	QFC Gas Cash ($40)	Valerios Bakery ($6.50) Dinner

[shanendoah]

Let's see if I can be better about staying in plan this week. It is a busy week, which should make it easier.

Though this plan is actually one of the reasons I stopped tracking NS days originally. I look at it, and I think, there's only one day where I'm planning not to spend money. Can I move things around and have a second no spend day? Except that the amount of money I would spend would be the same, just on a different day. This is why I try to care more about sticking to the plan than having no spend days.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Pop Tart visit ($40)	Dinner ($75)		Starbucks	CostCo Trader Joe's Gas	Movie	Starbucks
Actual

[Iggy aka IG]

And in the spirit of doing better, on payday (I receive a monthly commission check) I'm going to focus on leaving a bit extra in my checking in order to cover things throughout the month like fuel, fresh produce and eggs.  I've been putting too much toward my IRA and credit card balance, and not leaving a cushion for incidentals.  I then turn to my CC, which lends itself to a vicious cycle.

[shanendoah]

Pop Tart visit last night went well, and because I had all the fixins for pancakes in the car (from a pancake breakfast at work last week), Pop Tart opted for pancakes for dinner instead of take out Chinese.
Which is good, because I am taking a friend out to dinner tonight as a thank you for all the support she's given me in the last two years, in the midst of her own emotionally trying times (divorce).

I also have to add a car service in. I don't know if it will be this week (if so, it will be Saturday, based on my schedule) or next week, but it needs to get done.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15			0/1
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Pop Tart visit ($40)	Dinner ($75)		Starbucks	CostCo Trader Joe's Gas	Movie	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks

[shanendoah]

I forgot to account for the tip in my planned spending for last night's dinner (I remembered tax). 
Also, have the car booked for service for Friday.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15		$17	0/2
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Pop Tart visit ($40)	Dinner ($75)		Starbucks	CostCo Trader Joe's Gas Car Service	Movie	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks	Dinner ($92)

[shanendoah]

Off to get my Starbucks this morning

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15		$17	1/2
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Pop Tart visit ($40)	Dinner ($75)		Starbucks	CostCo Trader Joe's Gas Car Service	Movie	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks	Dinner ($92)

[shanendoah]

A day that went as planned! It's sad how rare that feels right now. 

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15		$17	1/3
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Pop Tart visit ($40)	Dinner ($75)		Starbucks	CostCo Trader Joe's Gas Car Service	Movie	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks	Dinner ($92)		Starbucks

[Iggy aka IG]

We received bonuses the other night.  I really do struggle with what to do when extra $$ comes into my life.  First world problem.....  I decided to put 15% into retirement, take DH out to a nice dinner, spend some money on new work clothes (some of my suits are nearly 15 years old) and keep the rest in checking as a cushion. 

[shanendoah]

And the whole weekend went pretty much as planned. Other than realizing that Junebug has learned how to open the doors in the headboard, and therefore, nothing I don't want her to get can live in the headboard anymore.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15		$17	1/6
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Pop Tart visit ($40)	Dinner ($75)		Starbucks	CostCo Trader Joe's Gas Car Service	Movie	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks	Dinner ($92)		Starbucks	Car Service CostCo Gas Trader Joe's	Movie	Starbucks

[shanendoah]

It is the last week of Seattle Restaurant Week (which lasts 3 weeks), so one more dinner at a favorite restaurant tonight with good friends. Which is good timing, because today will be a somewhat stressful day, given that the Chair and I have our annual meeting with the Dean this morning.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15	Y	$17	1/6
April 16-22
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Dinner ($45)	Starbucks Counseling Taxes		Starbucks	Safeway Gas		Pop Tart visit ($40)
Actual

[shanendoah]

Dinner was a little more than I was thinking, but worth it. It was a great evening with good people.
Taxes were paid this morning. I still need to get the forms in the mail.
I have starbucks in hand, and just have to get through the day and counseling tonight.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15	Y	$17	1/6
April 16-22		$7	0/1
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Dinner ($45)	Starbucks Counseling Taxes		Starbucks	Safeway Gas		Pop Tart visit ($40)
Actual	Dinner ($52)	Starbucks Taxes

[shanendoah]

Counseling was rough last night. Two years in, and Pop Tart and I are finally having the chance to talk about the big stuff, the important stuff. But that's also the difficult stuff.
I came home and had mug carrot cake with some cookie butter ice cream on top. But I didn't spend anything I didn't plan on spending yesterday, so that's a win.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15	Y	$17	1/6
April 16-22		$7	0/1
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Dinner ($45)	Starbucks Counseling Taxes		Starbucks	Safeway Gas		Pop Tart visit ($40)
Actual	Dinner ($52)	Starbucks Taxes Counseling

[moneysquirrel]

Shan -- Sorry about the  turmoil of the counseling session.  You know that it is needed and you are a strong person.  Remember one small step at a time.

I had the first of the retreats last weekend and while I had the money saved for it and enjoyed it I hate spending that much at one time.  I learned a lot and added several new techniques.

Today was a long needed trip to the grocery.  Got a lot of the needed basics plus stopped to fill up the car.  It was also my hair appointment day.  All items planned and within budget. 

Things should be somewhat on an even keel for the next several weeks with just the usual expenses of groceries and gas.  I also need to get a few new items so a trip to the mall is also in the works.  I have a lot of soon to expire coupons for needed items so this is the time to redeem them.

[TheOtherMe]

Apr 18, 2018 10:55:06 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

Counseling was rough last night. Two years in, and Pop Tart and I are finally having the chance to talk about the big stuff, the important stuff. But that's also the difficult stuff.

I have found in my own therapy that sessions like this end up being the most useful to me.  


    Much respect for doing the difficult work.

[shanendoah]

No spending yesterday. Not really feeling like Starbucks this morning (no, I'm not sick), but it will be a busy morning, so that could very well change.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 2-8	N	$273	1/1
April 9-15	Y	$17	1/6
April 16-22		$7	1/2
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Dinner ($45)	Starbucks Counseling Taxes		Starbucks	Safeway Gas		Pop Tart visit ($40)
Actual	Dinner ($52)	Starbucks Taxes Counseling