2018 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[shanendoah]

No spending yesterday. There was food everywhere for the Discovery Days volunteers, and I ate a bit more of it than I should have, but I also got over 18,000 steps yesterday. My normal daily goal is 8,600. 

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	2/2
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

[Iggy aka IG]

Apr 20, 2018 9:36:25 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

No spending yesterday. There was food everywhere for the Discovery Days volunteers, and I ate a bit more of it than I should have, but I also got over 18,000 steps yesterday. My normal daily goal is 8,600. 

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	2/2
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

and

[shanendoah]

The weekend went mostly as planned. I did go out to dinner on Friday, but BFF paid.
On Saturday, I bought myself a tablet. I only spent about $40 between a gift card and credit card points on Amazon. And it turns out, I didn't spend any extra money for the Pop Tart visit this weekend, so that was a wash. (I'll still count that $40 as unplanned, though, because that wasn't what it was planned to be spent on.)

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	Y	$47	3/3
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			Safeway Gas	Tablet ($40)

[shanendoah]

It is going to be a busy week. I have a (much needed) massage tonight. Tuesday I have lunch out to welcome a new Admin. Wednesday, I have a lunch meeting which will put me in evening Weight Watchers. Thursday we're going to see Infinity War. Friday, I'll drive down to visit C. Saturday I fly to Anaheim. Sunday my conference starts. I will be on a per diem starting on Sunday, so I won't be tracking my spending here through the next week.

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	Y	$47	3/3
April 23-29
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Massage	Lunch		Dinner Movie	Starbucks Gas	Airport Food Dinner	UNTRACKED
Actual

[Iggy aka IG]

Had a planned weekend shopping trip with some of my bonus in the big city over the weekend.  I stuck with my list except for an impromptu visit to the bookstore which I hadn't been to in years!  I mostly perused the clearance section, and bought only 3 books:  2 reference books and one financial.

And I also gave DH $40 to go halves on something sporting goods related, and $10 towards lunch yesterday. 

[shanendoah]

Yesterday went as planned. The only down side to a massage is that I don't get them as often as I need them, so today, my muscles are just loose enough that I can feel them.

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	Y	$47	3/3
April 23-29			0/1
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Massage	Lunch		Dinner Movie	Starbucks Gas	Airport Food Dinner	UNTRACKED
Actual	Starbucks Massage

[TheOtherMe]

I had to buy a new battery back up sump pump as the old one has stopped working.  It's a necessity.  Today I have to call to get it installed.  

Unplanned but necessary spending.

[countrygirl2]

We have one hubs put it in, are you sure its not something you could do? Looks

pretty simple, not sure but think its just like a plug and play deal.

[TheOtherMe]

No, I can't put it in.  Part of it goes in the pit and the battery weighs 40 pounds.  That is hooked up to something.  I don't do DIY repairs.  It is not plug and play.  There is an old one to be removed that is in the pit.

It will be installed in the morning by a professional.  The previous one saved me once and if this one saves me even once, it's worth every penny.  Actually, the peace of mind is worth the cost.

I have no one to call here to do these things.  I did in Colorado.  I have to pay for this stuff.

[shanendoah]

Still on plan.

TheOtherMe - I am all for paying for professional help when you need it, even when it's stuff you could do yourself. No way could I have dealt with the leaking pipe in the bathroom ceiling on my own (or even with C home), but I am also currently paying for a gardener to come out and do weeding and hedge trimming. Could I do this stuff on my own? Yes. Would I? Time has proven I wouldn't. Or in the few cases where I do, my results don't look nearly as nice as his. It will absolutely be worth it when the house goes on the market.

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	Y	$47	3/3
April 23-29			0/2
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Massage	Lunch		Dinner Movie	Starbucks Gas	Airport Food Dinner	UNTRACKED
Actual	Starbucks Massage	Lunch

[TheOtherMe]

Apr 25, 2018 9:41:03 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

Still on plan.

TheOtherMe - I am all for paying for professional help when you need it, even when it's stuff you could do yourself. No way could I have dealt with the leaking pipe in the bathroom ceiling on my own (or even with C home), but I am also currently paying for a gardener to come out and do weeding and hedge trimming. Could I do this stuff on my own? Yes. Would I? Time has proven I wouldn't. Or in the few cases where I do, my results don't look nearly as nice as his. It will absolutely be worth it when the house goes on the market.

Thank you.  I want this done correctly as I don't want water in the basement if the power goes out.

The plumber was here almost two hours.  He then showed me what to check, etc.  This battery needs tested once a month but no distilled water like the old one did.  He did some pvc pipes to get the water to the outside.  Could I have done that?  No, not in a million years.

Plumber said, as I have been told before, that the water table here is just below the foundation of the house and it is a necessity to have a working sump pump and he would have the battery back up if he lived here.  

I pay my neighbor to mow my lawn and take care of my snow.  Neither are done to my dad's standards, but they are up to mine.  When the original owner sold their house, they told this neighbor the lawn and snow for me were part of the deal.  They came over to my house to see if that was what I wanted.  

No regrets on hiring a professional.  

[NastyWoman]

Apr 24, 2018 14:51:39 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

No, I can't put it in.  Part of it goes in the pit and the battery weighs 40 pounds.  That is hooked up to something.  I don't do DIY repairs.  It is not plug and play.  There is an old one to be removed that is in the pit.

It will be installed in the morning by a professional.  The previous one saved me once and if this one saves me even once, it's worth every penny.  Actually, the peace of mind is worth the cost.

I have no one to call here to do these things.  I did in Colorado.  I have to pay for this stuff.

So do I and I don't give a hoot. Heck, I even pay to get my (by now) simple taxes done and for someone to come in and clean my home once a month. I am quite sure that I could to them on my own, but I just don't want to and, at least w.r.t. cleaning, have a proven record of not doing it anywhere near enough. And there is no way I would wrestle with a 40lbs battery...

That is not how I want to spend my time. Time, peace of mind → potato, potahto → you just do what you have to do

[TheOtherMe]

Exactly, although I do my own taxes.  I am a retired IRS agent.  My taxes are simple and I just can't hire someone.  Even when I worked at tax offices, I wouldn't use their software because then the return, although password protected, was on their server.

It was all I could do to wrestle the 40 pound battery from the car to the house.  I didn't even attempt to take it to the basement.

It's the same reason I hire someone to put the salt in my water softener.  I might be able to lug the 50 pound bag to the basement, but I could never lift it to pour it in to the softener.  

[TheOtherMe]

Apr 25, 2018 14:42:04 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Apr 24, 2018 14:51:39 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

No, I can't put it in.  Part of it goes in the pit and the battery weighs 40 pounds.  That is hooked up to something.  I don't do DIY repairs.  It is not plug and play.  There is an old one to be removed that is in the pit.

It will be installed in the morning by a professional.  The previous one saved me once and if this one saves me even once, it's worth every penny.  Actually, the peace of mind is worth the cost.

I have no one to call here to do these things.  I did in Colorado.  I have to pay for this stuff.

So do I and I don't give a hoot. Heck, I even pay to get my (by now) simple taxes done and for someone to come in and clean my home once a month. I am quite sure that I could to them on my own, but I just don't want to and, at least w.r.t. cleaning, have a proven record of not doing it anywhere near enough. And there is no way I would wrestle with a 40lbs battery...

That is not how I want to spend my time. Time, peace of mind → potato, potahto → you just do what you have to do

I have just hired someone to come in once a month to clean.  I hope she is as good as she sounds over the phone.  She asked how thorough of a cleaning I want and I told her.  That was my complaint with the last person.  She wanted to be in and out quickly but I couldn't tell she had been here.  I should not have to tell her every month to vacuum.  Yes I have vacuumed in between, but I do want it vacuumed.

The sump pump installation was definitely not plug and play.  

[shanendoah]

Yesterday was Administrative Professionals' Day. And I spaced it. Which is a problem, as the head administrative professional in my department.
So I swung by the grocery store last night to pick up some cookies to bring in today. And while I was there, I got a bag of baby spinach, because a salad sounded really good for dinner, and I'd used all the baby spinach up at dinner on Sunday.
Only $9. But there pretty much went my one NSD for the week. 

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	Y	$47	3/3
April 23-29		$9	0/2
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Massage	Lunch		Dinner Movie	Starbucks Gas	Airport Food Dinner	UNTRACKED
Actual	Starbucks Massage	Lunch	QFC $9

[debthaven]

TheOtherMe , time is money and money is time. Neither is infinite, but we all have our own criteria for the trade offs. Some people do a ton of DIY and then buy a ton of Stuff with the money they supposedly "save". Most people buy much less Stuff but pay to have certain things done. Because obviously knowledge and skills factor in too.

I know your sump pump is important to you. So IMO it is money very well spent!

We all get to decide what our own priorities are. I'm sure some people would have planted their own lawn, and certainly find it absurd that we had ours redone by a professional gardener after our recent house debacle. We don't have the equipment, the skills or the time. Plus, since his accident 7 years ago, DH's hand bleeds after 20 min with ANY garden tool, even a rake (1 hour with gloves on). So maybe our new lawn would be done in several years if we'd done it ourselves? Or maybe not. And at what cost to DH?!

The good news is, we all get to choose what to spend our money on ... more Stuff, or professional help for certain things.

I'm glad you spent your money on something that is important to you and will give you peace of mind. Life is short, and IMO, money is a tool to be used to enjoy the limited time we have here.


 

[TheOtherMe]

In this house, I need the peace of mind of knowing the sump pump will work.  It runs a lot and I did not handle the flooded basement well.

Thanks debthaven

[moneysquirrel]

Count me in an another one who is willing to pay someone to get the items fixed that I either cannot or will not do myself.  In some cases it is a matter of safety.  I do not need to fall or injure myself especially since I am alone.  Today I had a family member of a friend who does small repairs come over and started on my growing list of minor little things that needed to be done.  He tackled and completed at least six or seven of my listed items and will return in a few weeks to begin work on the ones that will take more time.  In my opinion this was money well spent.

I also have done a little shopping for myself recently.  A pair of spring pants and new sandals plus some additional craft items.  I used coupons on almost all items so I am okay with my purchases.

All of you are doing well.  I believe that keeping the entire picture in focus is vital in maintaining a healthy relationship with your money and your lifestyle.

[TheOtherMe]

As I have aged, my balance isn't what it used to be.  I no longer get on ladders with more than 3 steps.  It's not worth falling.

[moneysquirrel]

Trying to work on various little things around the house that I have the materials for.  I have managed to keep things under control -- purchasing only items I was out of or needed to complete the project.  Had to get additional cans of paint as I ran out in the middle of the big project.  Think I have enough left to get a few small things painted as well before I need to get more.  Moving right along -- one day at a time.  Handyman will be back in a few weeks to work on a few additional repairs needed.  Other than the usual  purchases of food, gas. monthly expenses and an occasional item that I run out of that is the only additional expense I expect this month. But life happens so who knows.

[shanendoah]

I'm back. My conference was good. And I had a great time at Disney with my mom. I think I remember what happened at the end of the previous week...

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	Y	$47	3/3
April 23-29	Y	$24	0/4
April 30-May 6		UNTRACKED

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Massage	Lunch		Dinner Movie	Starbucks Gas	Airport Food Dinner	UNTRACKED
Actual	Starbucks Massage	Lunch	QFC $9	Dinner Movie	McDs Gas	Airport Food Earbuds ($15) Dinner

[shanendoah]

Getting back into the swing of things after being away a week is always hard. Not just for work, but for here, too. It doesn't help that this week feels like it will be super busy. It won't actually be that busy, it just feels like it, given that I am helping throw a baby shower on Saturday, so don't really have a weekend day for myself this week.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 30 - May 6		UNTRACKED
May 7-13
May 14-20
May 21-27
May 28 - June 3

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Lunch	Counseling		Starbucks	CostCo Gas Trader Joes Safeway Shower gifts/decorations	Last minute Shower stuff	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks

[shanendoah]

One foot in front of the other. 

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 30 - May 6		UNTRACKED
May 7-13			0/1
May 14-20
May 21-27
May 28 - June 3

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Lunch	Counseling		Starbucks	CostCo Gas Trader Joes Safeway Shower gifts/decorations	Last minute Shower stuff	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks Lunch

[countrygirl2]

We are still in the DIY phase.  I know one day if something happens to hubs we will have to start hiring help but not yet anyway.

Hubs enjoys doing this stuff, his problem is having enough time he is so busy.  


Tomorrow I'm going to help him put in boxes for ceiling fans at a rental, we did 2 the other day.  He will then complete the wiring

in the attic and just have insulation to do up there and we can do it in the fall. We aren't talking about saving a few dollars but thousands

with what he does, thousands and thousands.  Allows us to live at a higher standard of living on less money.


We too have one of the battery backup sumps, they are a lifesaver, ours will run continuous for 24 hours without power, of course they don't run that much or if they do you must have a serious water problem.  Ours is when we have a lot of rain and the water table comes up, our basement is dry. He put in a bigger PVC pipe when he put this in so it would accommodate more water flowing out.


We got the new microwave in, now I need to read so I know how to use the thing for other then reheating.  Yes it is rocket science.  We will continue to do what we can long as we can.

[shanendoah]

I make no promises for today.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 30 - May 6		UNTRACKED
May 7-13		$10	1/1
May 14-20
May 21-27
May 28 - June 3

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Lunch	Counseling		Starbucks	CostCo Gas Trader Joes Safeway Shower gifts/decorations	Last minute Shower stuff	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks Lunch	Counseling McDonalds ($10)

[shanendoah]

I actually did well yesterday. Today is going to be busy.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 30 - May 6		UNTRACKED
May 7-13		$10	1/2
May 14-20
May 21-27
May 28 - June 3

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Lunch	Counseling		Starbucks	CostCo Gas Trader Joes Safeway Shower gifts/decorations	Last minute Shower stuff	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks Lunch	Counseling McDonalds ($10)		Starbucks

[moneysquirrel]

Trying to keep things in check.  Finally made it to the grocery this week.  Haven't made a large run in a while and was out of a lot of basics. Except for perishables I should be okay for a while now.  I do need to fill up the car this week as well as the monthly bills as they come in.  I don't foresee any major expense this week unless the handyman returns to continue working on the list I gave him a few weeks ago.  I knew he would not be back until this week at the earliest.  
I am continuing to get some painting projects done that I can do.  Slowly tacking one of these at a time.  Next up is painting the patio chairs  -- 4 in total.  I know I have enough paint to finish one of them and maybe even a second one before I need to purchase more paint. 

All of you are doing great.  I find that checking in here helps me keep focused on what I spend. Trying to focus on what the big picture is and on needs without damaging the quality of life.  Hope you feel the same. 

[shanendoah]

Fairly happy with how things went this weekend. I had a hard time on Friday night. I wanted to buy ALL THE STUFF. I calmed myself down and settled for about half the stuff. It wasn't until later that I realized I wasn't just fighting the urge to get things for my BFF's family, it was that I was trying to fill a hole - a specific mothers' day sized hole. I am used to recognizing the need for "stuff" after the loss of a relative or pet. It took me a bit to realize I was doing the same thing this time around. Still, it was a tough weekend.
But, the shower went very well. Friend K and I work together really well for this type of event - we use her house and she takes care of most of the food. I supply all the party games and prizes (and some food).
Yesterday was a visit with C, and then stopping by Fred Meyer on the way home because the plan for dinner was to grill, and I realized that all the sausages in my house were from last summer. Also, I needed milk and matches.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 30 - May 6		UNTRACKED
May 7-13	Y	$40	1/3
May 14-20
May 21-27
May 28 - June 3

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned	Starbucks Lunch	Counseling		Starbucks	CostCo Gas Trader Joes Safeway Shower gifts/decorations	Last minute Shower stuff	Starbucks
Actual	Starbucks Lunch	Counseling McDonalds ($10)		Starbucks	CostCo Safeway Target (shower gifts) Ross (shower games) Dominoes ($15)	QFC (shower drinks) Dollar Store (shower games)	Fred Meyer ($15)

[shanendoah]

Should be a rather quiet week. Let's see how I do.

WEEK	IN PLAN?	UNPLANNED SPENDING $	NS/CS DAYS
April 30 - May 6		UNTRACKED
May 7-13	Y	$40	1/3
May 14-20
May 21-27
May 28 - June 3

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Planned		Starbucks		Starbucks	Safway Gas	Starbucks	Hair appt Pop Tart visit ($40)
Actual

[TheOtherMe]

   Hope this week is better for you.  I know things are difficult at present.