2019 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[shanendoah]

I am seriously guessing about Mon-tues last week. I honestly don't really remember, but I didn't feel the need to post something here so I wouldn't forget, so I am going with it went according to plan.
Wednesday, I popped into TJ Maxx to get a couple summer weight shirts. Sadly, the one I tried to wear today, was too small for my shoulders, despite being an extra large.  Spend day.
Thursday night, I grabbed a couple snacks to have in the hotel room and car for Friday and Saturday. It will be a spend. Friday, because I didn't end up buying lunch or dinner, I am calling getting my nails done a controlled spend, along with getting Pop Tart and her sister flowers for their first play performance.
But, getting the pedicure, the lady dug a little too deep on one toe nail and by Saturday morning, I was limping terribly in the closed toe shoes I had. So, since I had time to kill, I went to a small mall and bought myself a pair of nice glides that I know will last me a few years (because I have another set from a few years ago at home, that I still wear). That was a spend.
Sunday, we decided we needed to CostCo shop, and if we're at CostCo, we fill the car up. But groceries are always a controlled spend.
And yesterday, I drove for 7 hours total for my cousin's graduation. It went mostly to plan, but I did buy her an additional graduation gift.

The plan for this week I think is good, but it's going to be crazy at work, so there might be more Starbucks trips than I am hoping for.

Last week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (----) ----
Tuesday: (Starbucks) Starbucks
Wednesday: (----) Clothes
Thursday: (Starbucks, Lunch, Dinner) Starbucks, Lunch, Dinner, snacks
Friday: (Lunch, Dinner, Pop Tart visit) Nails, Pop Tart flowers
Saturday: (Lunch, gas) Starbucks, lunch, shoes, gas
Sunday: (Safeway) CostCo, gas, Trader Joes
Monday: (Starbucks, brunch, dinner, gas) Starbucks, brunch, dinner, graduation gift, gas

This week's (planned) v actual spending:
Tuesday: (----)
Wednesday: (----)
Thursday: (----)
Friday: (Starbucks, Dinner)
Saturday: (Safeway, cigarettes) 
Sunday: (----)

Current Month - (P)vA Running total	NS	CS&HS	Spend	Notes
May	(1)3 (3)4 (2)3 (2)2 (2)1	(3)1 (0) (3)2 (3)3 (2)2	(1)1 (4)3 (2)2 (2)2 (1)2	(Current Planned - 31 days) Current Actual - 31 days
June	(3)	(1)1 (2)	(1)1 (2)1	(Current Planned - 9 days) Current Actual - 3

Year long tracking:

Month (P)vA	NS	CS/HS	Spend
January	(8)6	(19)13	(4)12
February	(6)9	(13)12	(9)7
March	(8)9	(14)16	(9)6
April	(10)9	(16)14	(4)7
May	(10)13	(11)8	(10)10
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

[shanendoah]

Welcome vetswife

[moneysquirrel]

Welcome vetswife

Things have been on track so far this week.  Made a small grocery run since I needed the basics.  Continuing to mainly eat out of the freezer as I do my annual prep for hurricane season.  The less in the freezer there is the less I will lose if we have a storm in our area and I lose power.  I usually start in April paring down the supplies so that when the busy part of the season occurs I have almost nothing in the freezer.  One of the major lessons learned from Katrina.

  Next week will be a little pricey as I have my annual craft retreat.  Money is saved for the hotel, airfare and registration have been paid for.  Money for supplies is put aside as is what I expect the incidental costs will be.  I put aside a little each month so that this is cash flowed as much as possible each year.  looking forward to seeing old friends that I have made at this retreat to catch up on their yearly adventures.  

I also start with my annual medical exams beginning later this afternoon.  So I know that I will be having some expenses throughout the summer for those items that the insurance won't cover.  That should be minimal. 

[TheOtherMe]

I have paid for new glasses.  I am waiting on a dental bill to come.

The bill for my Medicare premiums for 3 months will be here in late June.  

Since I've been on Medicare, I have a good plan for the other 20% with my federal retiree benefits.  The only out of pocket expenses I have had has been for prescription drugs.

I did have a spend last week, which was just delivered.

My cheap couch was way past it's use by date.  I am now sitting in my brand new La-Z-Boy recliner and the couch is gone.  My living room has so much more room and I'm comfortable.  It doesn't hurt my back to sit in the recliner like it did the couch.

[shanendoah]

Putting this here so that on Monday, when I don't remember anything from prior to today, there will be a record.

This week's (planned) v actual spending:
Tuesday: (----) ----
Wednesday: (----) ----
Thursday: (----) papa murphys
Friday: (Starbucks, Dinner)
Saturday: (Safeway, cigarettes)
Sunday: (----)

[shanendoah]

Not too bad a week. Yesterday, we were working on the 2nd guest room and went to hang the curtains. The curtains we bought are about a foot too short, so I had to order a new set of curtains. But, the curtain rod is hung, so it will just be the easy part of putting up the curtains.

Last week's (planned) v actual spending:
Tuesday: (----) ----
Wednesday: (----) ----
Thursday: (----) Papa Murphys
Friday: (Starbucks, Dinner) Starbucks
Saturday: (Safeway, cigarettes) Cigarettes
Sunday: (----) Safeway, curtains


This week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks)
Tuesday: (----)
Wednesday: (----)
Thursday: (Starbucks, Dinner)
Friday: (CostCo, Gas, Safeway)
Saturday: (----)
Sunday: (Breakfast)

Current Month - (P)vA Running total	NS	CS&HS	Spend	Notes
June	(3)2 (2)	(1)1 (2)2 (3)	(1)1 (2)3 (2)	(Current Planned - 16 days) Current Actual - 9

Year long tracking:

Month (P)vA	NS	CS/HS	Spend
January	(8)6	(19)13	(4)12
February	(6)9	(13)12	(9)7
March	(8)9	(14)16	(9)6
April	(10)9	(16)14	(4)7
May	(10)13	(11)8	(10)10
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

[TheOtherMe]

I spent money today.  Not much, but.  I got a chai tea to drink while I waited for a recall repair on my car.  I ended up waiting for 3 hours so I bought myself a second chai tea.

[shanendoah]

Just a quick pop in to document, because I'll have forgotten by Monday.
Last Friday was our department Open House. Tuesday was our department Graduation. Both events take a lot of work from staff, and both went beautifully. Yesterday, it was 90 degrees. Our offices are on the 4th floor of a building with no AC. So I went and bought ice cream bars for all staff as a token of appreciation.
I am about to head out and go get my Starbucks for the morning. Not certain if we'll go out to dinner tonight or not.

This week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks) Starbucks
Tuesday: (----) ----
Wednesday: (----) Ice cream
Thursday: (Starbucks, dinner) Starbucks

[shanendoah]

It wasn't that we had a lot of unplanned spending this last week, it was more that we spread that spending over more days than I was originally planning.
This week might be a little crazy. Both my BFF and C's BFF's sons turn 1 on Thursday, so I've got to grab some birthday gifts for them. Roommie D returned last night, and so there will be some things we need for the house that will need to get picked up this week. (Also, things that have nothing to do with her, like needing at least one hose.) In fact, the gas today is us paying for the gas in the rental car she drove up from OR. We also paid for the rental car. She says she plans on doing intensive job hunting this week, so hopefully she'll be on a path to paying us back and paying rent again soon.

Last week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks) Starbucks
Tuesday: (----) ----
Wednesday: (----) Ice Cream
Thursday: (Starbucks, Dinner) Starbucks, dinner, groceries
Friday: (CostCo, Gas, Safeway) CostCo, Gas
Saturday: (----) Safeway, butcher shop
Sunday: (Breakfast) Breakfast


This week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks, birthday gifts, gas, happy hour?) Starbucks
Tuesday: (----)
Wednesday: (----)
Thursday: (Starbucks)
Friday: (Safeway, house stuff)
Saturday: (house stuff)
Sunday: (----)

Current Month - (P)vA Running total	NS	CS&HS	Spend	Notes
June	(3)2 (2)1 (2)	(1)1 (2)2 (3)5 (3)	(1)1 (2)3 (2)1 (2)	(Current Planned - 23 days) Current Actual - 16

Year long tracking:

Month (P)vA	NS	CS/HS	Spend
January	(8)6	(19)13	(4)12
February	(6)9	(13)12	(9)7
March	(8)9	(14)16	(9)6
April	(10)9	(16)14	(4)7
May	(10)13	(11)8	(10)10
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

[vetswife]

Spent $78 for a massage yesterday

Spending $22 for my imperfect produce order today.


The only other spending I anticipate this week is for a few groceries tomorrow.

[moneysquirrel]

My craft retreat is over and I had enough saved that will cover the cost including getting a few items at an outlet mall and the extra night at the hotel due to flight cancellation.  I think that I also have seed money for next year's events as well.  

[shanendoah]

Monday: (Starbucks, birthday gifts, gas, happy hour?) Starbucks, birthday gifts, gas, happy hour
Tuesday: (----) ----
Wednesday: (----) bras
Thursday: (Starbucks) Starbucks

I've been needing new bras for a while, and Wednesday, I actually had some time right after a doctor's appointment and before Weight Watchers, and the mall was in between the two.

[Blonde Granny]

I've managed to make a mess of this month. Over paid bills, paid twice on the credit card (same day even) in all, just spent too much money etc. Travel to Nebraska was somewhat unexpected, but people don't pass away on others schedules do they?

I've wiped out YNAB and did a fresh start and that will begin July 1st. For now, I've put on my blinders and am hoping for the best for the remainder of this month. Over all I'm in the red by a few thousand dollars.  Crossing fingers I can  dig myself out of that hole by Sept. 1st.

I have never had to take money from investments to cover monthly bills and have told my FA I don't intend to start that now.....wonder if I'll succeed with that idea....

[ners]

Blonde Granny  Sorry for your loss. Please cut yourself some slack.  The overspending is temporary. You will get back on track.

[TheOtherMe]

Blonde Granny  Condolences on your loss.  Please don't be too hard on yourself.  

We all handle stress and loss differently.

You know how to budget and things will work out.  

Hugs  

[Blonde Granny]

Thanks everyone, some encouragement goes a long way.

[vetswife]

Blonde granny, so sorry for your loss.  Go easy on yourself.  You'll get back on track.


I've spent some this month:  renewed my nursing journal, did a continuing ed unit online, ordered new sneakers and slippers  I still haven't gotten my grocery bill where I want it; need to keep working on that.

[moneysquirrel]

Blonde Granny -- I am going to echo what everyone else has said. You can handle this. I am sorry for your loss and with everything thrown at you recently you are entitled to a few goof-ups. I know that you have a good idea what to do in the future and will plan to get back on your schedule.  Also if you overpaid some bills won't that means that you will have less to pay them in the future until the overage has been taken care of.

vetswife  -- As another widow on this board I still struggle at time with the food budget.  During the summer I try to keep it somewhat low as with hurricane season I don't overbuy items that need to be in the freezer. I do need to get a few basic emergency items for possible power items. The fall I will sometimes overstock some items when there is a good sale on things that I always use.  I also keep very detailed records of expenses and now have a better idea what months are the priciest for me. Always have to adjust but helpful in my planning of future spending on all fronts.

Update: 
This week was pretty much back to normal.  Had to fill up the car and get groceries and I paid the bills that came in.  Still waiting on a few to finish off the month.  Also have a few once/twice a year type bills to come in.  Car insurance came in yesterday and will be charged to CC this week so that I can get the points for it.  Money is saved for it and CC will be paid once the bank lets me send it in.  Have to wait until it posts.  Not expecting any surprises so I should be ok for the rest of this month.  Then it all repeats again next month. 

[Blonde Granny]

My YNAB budget for groceries is $225/mo.  Anything besides actual food goes into its own category.....household goods, personal items etc.

Unless I'm buying for fall and winter pantry items, I normally never spend that budgeted amount.  Besides canned goods, snacks, ice cream etc. I make lots of soups then freeze them in individual containers. I don't make chili, I really like Wendys so I buy 3-4 containers and freeze that too.

Meat loaf ends as up mini loaves perfect for 1 person. In fact. most of my freezer items end up being batch made so there are multiple lunch and dinners already made.

[shanendoah]

Roommie D being back is kind of throwing our grocery spending in a loop. We had gotten in a pretty good routine of feeding and cooking for 2, including leftovers. Feeding 3 is different, especially since left on her own, she eats 2x as much as we do (for example, her lunch is an entire box of Mac&Cheese, while we would split one, or she makes 2 packs of ramen at a time). So we're recalibrating. 
In addition, the university C as looking at getting his masters from decided his degree doesn't count as a math degree because it doesn't say it's a math degree (none of the degrees from the college he did his undergrad at are named - they are all just a BA, BS, or in C's case a BA&S). This means that in order to get into the program he wants, he's going to need to take a couple mini-degree programs. They are, in the end, less expensive than the main college, and they should get him out of certain classes for the MS, so hopefully it will be a wash, or at least not too much more expensive. I don't know if he'll start that this week or not. His birthday is Thursday, so I expect he wouldn't start it until Friday, at the earliest, but there's a good chance that will actually be next week. But we are planning for it.
There a church just down the road from us that has $8 yoga classes on Monday nights. I am going to try and go to that tonight.

Blonde Granny - Remember to have compassion for yourself. We are so often harder on ourselves than anyone else. Every once in a while, when I want to beat myself up, I ask myself how I would respond to a friend in the same situation, and then try to treat myself like I am my own friend. You have had a rough go of it this month. Loss messes with us on so many levels. Be compassionate with yourself. It was a bad month. That's okay. Next month will be better. 

Last week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks, birthday gifts, gas, happy hour?) Starbucks, birthday gifts, happy hour, gas
Tuesday: (----) ----
Wednesday: (----) bras
Thursday: (Starbucks) Starbucks
Friday: (Safeway, house stuff) CostCo, Home Depot
Saturday: (house stuff) Safeway
Sunday: (----) ----


This week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks, yoga?) Starbucks
Tuesday: (----)
Wednesday: (----)
Thursday: (Starbucks, dinner)
Friday: (Lunch, CostCo, gas, college)
Saturday: (Groceries)
Sunday: (Breakfast)

Current Month - (P)vA Running total	NS	CS&HS	Spend	Notes
June	(3)2 (2)1 (2)2 (2)	(1)1 (2)2 (3)5 (3)3 (3)	(1)1 (2)3 (2)1 (2)2 (2)	(Current Planned - 30 days) Current Actual - 23

Year long tracking:

Month (P)vA	NS	CS/HS	Spend
January	(8)6	(19)13	(4)12
February	(6)9	(13)12	(9)7
March	(8)9	(14)16	(9)6
April	(10)9	(16)14	(4)7
May	(10)13	(11)8	(10)10
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

[shanendoah]

Just a quick update so I don't forget come Monday...

This week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks, yoga?) Starbucks
Tuesday: (----) ----
Wednesday: (----) ----
Thursday: (Starbucks, dinner) Starbucks, Dinner
Friday: (Lunch, CostCo, gas, college) B-Day donation, dentist
Saturday: (Groceries)
Sunday: (Breakfast)

Monday I tried to pay for yoga ($8), but I brought cash and the guy didn't have the right change. I'll pay for last week this coming Monday, when I'll bring a check and also pay in advance for the full month of July.

Today is a friend's birthday, and I made a $20 donation to a charity in her name. We also have dentist appointments. We won't need to pay for those, but I will need to pick up Rx toothpaste since I am out.

I am also likely going to spend some money on the house this weekend. I got permission to work from home on Fridays this summer (starting next week). I want to move the roommie's computer out of the office, but that means picking up a small desk for the room roommie is in. Plan on hitting a couple thrift stores to hopefully find one.
Also, we'll likely eat dinner out either tomorrow or Saturday. BFF is taking a mini-vacation from being full time mom and hanging out at our house this weekend. We'll cook one night, but probably go out to our favorite Chinese food place the other.

[Blonde Granny]

I have just now completed step one in getting my June mess straightened out. All 4 credit cards are paid in full!!!! My VA check has been deposited, YNAB is now ready to tackle a Fresh Start.

So far this morning, it feels GREAT!!!

[shanendoah]

We ended up having my BFF with us all weekend, as she needed a short break from being a Mom. So, we did some things that weren't planned (like going to dinner and shopping).
Pretty much everything on Saturday is covered under groceries, CostCo, and gas, so I am counting that day as a controlled spend. (CBD oil for the dogs is a NEED with the 4th coming up.)
Sunday ended up a spend as I went through my shoes and realized I had no work appropriate sandals. Given that I work on the 4th floor of a building with no AC, and it's supposed to be 80 (or close to) most days this week, I decided now was the time to get them.
C did not pay tuition last week. I expect that he will this week, likely today.

I can't believe we are fully half way through 2019!

Last week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks, yoga?) Starbucks
Tuesday: (----) ----
Wednesday: (----) ----
Thursday: (Starbucks, dinner) Starbucks, dinner
Friday: (Lunch, CostCo, gas, college) B-Day donation, lunch, dentist, dinner, Value Village
Saturday: (Groceries) Farmers' Market, Groceries, CBD for dogs, CostCo, Gas
Sunday: (Breakfast) shoes


This week's (planned) v actual spending:
Monday: (Starbucks, yoga, tuition) Starbucks
Tuesday: (----)
Wednesday: (Starbucks)
Thursday: (----)
Friday: (CostCo, gas, groceries)
Saturday: (----)
Sunday: (Breakfast)

Current Month - (P)vA Running total	NS	CS&HS	Spend	Notes
July	(2)	(3)	(2)	(Current Planned - 7 days) Current Actual - 0

Year long tracking:

Month (P)vA	NS	CS/HS	Spend
January	(8)6	(19)13	(4)12
February	(6)9	(13)12	(9)7
March	(8)9	(14)16	(9)6
April	(10)9	(16)14	(4)7
May	(10)13	(11)8	(10)10
June	(9)7	(12)14	(9)9
July
August
September
October
November
December

[nikiz628]

Care if I jump in over here? We are doing a no spend month this month since my H is going 3 weeks without a paycheck (switching jobs, starting in between a pay cycle at new job). 

[Blonde Granny]

Jump in.....I've learned a lot from this forum. Welcome!!

[shanendoah]

nikiz628 - Jump in! The water's fine.

The rules are, there ain't no rules.

Everyone sets their own goals, and their own idea for what constitutes a spend, controlled spend, or no spend day. I post a lot, and in detail, because that's what I need to keep track for myself. Others post much more rarely, and it's simply more about being mindful. Do what works for you.

[moneysquirrel]

nikiz628  -- Welcome.  I tend to post only a few times a month.  This thread helps me stay the course.

Update: Last week had mostly no-spend days.  I did have a day where I just ran errands and thre were at least one trip to the craft store.

This coming week will be a little more spendy  -- today I met a friend for lunch and I also picked up an items that I have been eyeing for a while.  60% off coupon convinced me that this was the time to get it as those rarely happen.  Also upcoming is a trip to the grocery and this one is going to be a little more spendy then just picking up a few items.  Out of a lot of basics.  Not sure what else will be in play this week as well.

[nikiz628]

Our main goal is to just not spend this month on anything that's not necessary (I know that definition varies to people). 
I plan to go the grocery store this week to get a few things, and then not go until the end of the month. We have enough here that we should only have to go for milk & bread in the between time. No eating out, with the exception of our weekly taco tuesday date with friends ($1 tacos, we go more for the convo than the food). No random toys for the kiddos. Use the car as little as possible to save gas. No online shopping. 

[3catslady]

Not improving on my spending pattern.  I've had to add 4 medicines to my bills and the hospital, ambulance, 2 more doctors and what labs are not picked up by insurance.  I had to get another car which shot my insurance up because it is a newer model.  If it wasn't for a few people at work, I'd be living on "bread and water" so to speak. As of now, I am about 6 weeks behind on the bills with the time off I had to take.  I find I can't work as hard as I did before.  Either that or I'm afraid to work hard.  I'm also at the point where I will do as much as I can and no more.  When I am tired, I'll go set down for a few minutes and drink ice water.
My house looks like a disaster zone.  My cats have fleas and they are allergic to flea collars. I can't sit down or go to bed because my one cat acts like I'm going to leave her. She's on my lap with her head against my chest when I sit and when I go to bed, she's on my side with her head on my neck.
I am trying to get a system going where I clean for 15-20 minutes and then rest for 30-45 minutes.  So far I've been able to do 5 and rest for 25.  I am trying to get to 10 and rest for 25 next week.
I'm working on things and not giving up but can I ask for your prayers?

[TheOtherMe]

Good vibes coming your way 3catslady