2020 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[Blonde Granny]

As we now are beginning (tomorrow) a new year, we also will be ringing in a new decade.

My hope for all of us is to being able to continue our well thought out and thrifty ways.

Blonde Granny
Admin

[moneysquirrel]

Blonde Granny Thanks for opening the thread.  I will be participating again. 

[3catslady]

I think I'll be in again.  With a broken foot, heart problems, high blood pressure and a demolished car, I really need to "tighten the belt".  I was off 6-8 weeks with no income other than SSI and that didn't cover all the bills.

[3catslady]

spend day= $5.51 for supper, $7.17 for meds.    51 cents over for supper.

[laterbloomer]

I'm in. This year i really want to beef up my retirement savings.

[shanendoah]

I am definitely in again. More than any of the other threads, this one helps me think about what I am spending in the moment.
Posting the final count from 2019 here, since the 2019 thread is locked.

Shanendoah: 107/166/92 12/31/2019 (100/169/96 NS/CS/S)

I am pretty happy that I managed a whole week's worth of No Spend Days that I was not planning on, but I also know that sometimes I put off buying something for a day or two to get an NSD, or, if I've already gotten a spend day, I will go ahead and buy other things off plan (a week or a month early) because why not, the day is already a spend. Other times, I give myself a "spend day" for spending money that is in the larger plan, it just wasn't in the plan for that week. This includes things like plane tickets to go see PopTart. But since a lot of that is booked around things like her sports schedule, I honestly don't know when I'll be going until I get the schedule. And when I do get the schedule, sometimes I am traveling in the next couple of weeks, so putting off getting the tickets doesn't make sense. Or, eating out is in our budget. So deciding last minute to eat out or get a pizza is not necessarily a spend.

So I think what I am going to try is to set a goal of No Spend Days for the month, but not worry about controlled spend vs spend days. Instead, at the end of the month, I'll look at what we spent over the month and designate the month either a Controlled Spend or a Spend month. To be a spend month, we will need to have gone significantly over budget somewhere (most likely eating out, family activities, or allowance), and it will have to be something that was NOT in the larger plan. For example, I hope to go to a writing conference next Labor Day. When I come back from that, there will be the hotel bill and a few days of eating out. I will likely go over my allowance for that month, but because it will have been in the larger plan (and I should have built up room by not spending my full allowance in prior months), that will not be a spend.



Shanendoah's 2020 Goals
10 CS Months
January: 10 NSD

[bobosensei]

I’m ordering a thermostat for my refrigerator today in an attempt to fix it for 20 instead of replace for 2k.

I will have to throw out a lot of food later today which means unexpected money spent on things like mayonnaise once I have something working again. I’d just stocked the freezer with a bunch of things too 🙁. It’s not just wasted money but time spent browning ground meat or making soups.

Trying not to be upset about it.

[3catslady]

No spend/ $1.44 lunch:  $20 gas.

[nikiz628]

Im in again! We are holding off on starting any of our New Year's goals/resolutions until Monday. With DS1 being out of school until then, and all of us being way off our normal routine, implementing any changes right now will be next to impossible. 

So our NS month will kick off on 1/6! 

[laterbloomer]

No unessential spending the first 2 days of the year! Just a gas bill and paying off last months CC (Christmas gifts that were accounted for last year)

[Blonde Granny]

I'm with Later....no spending the past 2 days. Today and tomorrow look to be the same. The longer I keep the car in the garage, but less I spend.

[laterbloomer]

Jan 3, 2020 8:31:31 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

I'm with Later....no spending the past 2 days. Today and tomorrow look to be the same. The longer I keep the car in the garage, but less I spend.

Not leaving the house really helps

[moneysquirrel]

Jan 3, 2020 11:33:27 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Jan 3, 2020 8:31:31 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

I'm with Later....no spending the past 2 days. Today and tomorrow look to be the same. The longer I keep the car in the garage, but less I spend.

Not leaving the house really helps [img src="http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/tongue2.png" src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png" class="smile" alt=""]

Also have not spent anything and left the house a few times but not to shop.  Actually made it to the gym which was needed. 

Cay payment was posted but that was planned and next month's is scheduled. Still hoping to finish it up by Christmas 2020.  Was originally scheduled for March 2022.  

I will need to get to the grocery one day next week but I have enough on hand for now.  I am working on a few craft projects using materials in my stash.  And plan to continue to do so for a while.  

Keep up the good work all!

[3catslady]

1/3/2020

Breakfast==$2.88  Supper==$6.08   $1.08 over

1/4/2020==Lunch==$5.80  $.80 over,  groceries==$47.04   $2.96 under

[3catslady]

1/5/2020===$3.75 Laundry, right on.  $3.68== Supper $1.32 under

Sewer and car insurance paid

Mortgage and electric also paid

[shanendoah]

Update: 2/10 NSD for January. 

Did spend quite a bit of money on Friday, but it was all big picture stuff. I just gave in and bought a set of the pots we have been looking at for over 6 months. This was a set that cost about half as much as the other sets by the same company, but some research showed that it was just an old design that the manufacturer was trying to get rid of, so happy about that. I also bought myself some new work clothes since I am job hunting and starting to interview. New to me company, bought online, but using measurements. They were having a really good sale, so happy with what I am getting for what I spent. Let's hope I like the way they look and feel on. 

[laterbloomer]

So I paid for the pizza last night, $42. Not bad for a whole week. But now I'm leaving the house every day. Let's see how it goes for the rest of the month.

[moneysquirrel]

Today is my first spend day of the 2020.   I don't count regular needs/monthly or yearly bills.  I will mention them but it is the unusual I try to keep a lid on. 

Both of the items I purchased today were needs but totally unplanned.  New sunglasses as I lose the lens to my old pair.  I buy the ones that fit over my glasses.  Not really attractive but serves the purpose and I new hair catcher for the bath drain as I punched a hole in the one I have been using.  Total of all came to a little more than $21,  Also have the handyman coming over today but not sure if he will finish today or later,  Lots of little things that need to be done/replaced.

Now back to getting some things done.

[Iggy aka IG]

Hi there.  Mind if I join in?  I participated in the 2019 Declutter thread last year and found posting there helped with accountability and support throughout the year.  Hoping this thread will do the same.

After reviewing the 2015 Controlled thread first post, I see there are no official "rules".  So, my goal this year is to return to squeaky clean spending n order to pay off CCs, max out savings, and put extra money toward the mortgage.  I reviewed my 2019 year-end excel spreadsheet to look for ways to achieve this.  I'll trim a few (ETA: personal) things and I'll see to it my agency won't be so "generous" as it was last year.

YTD spending $0.  Not going anywhere Wed-Sun helped.    I did avoid going to the liquor store last night, and consumed some of what we already had on hand.

[Blonde Granny]

I spent $12 yesterday at Walmart. I've been watching YourTube videos of "my intentional life" and how she runs her house, especially the a pantry.

Anyway, I stopped on the way home at WMT and bought 4 white containers. I managed to clean out the linen closet AND the cabinets in my bathroom. I was shocked at the stuff hiding in the corners.

I think today while waiting for a phone call I will tackle the pantry. . (this lady in the video cleans her pantry every 7 weeks. Granted her DH has a great job and she doesn't work).

[Iggy aka IG]

Thank you for mentioning my intentional life, BG.  I checked out a few of her videos.  She's very organized. 

[moneysquirrel]

The handyman did not come on Tuesday as scheduled.  We rescheduled for next week. 

Spending continues but all but lunch out with a friend was on needs -- gas for car, food, a few household items, lawn service.  Other was the annual flood insurance and the semi-annual dentist appointment.  Still awaiting the homeowner's insurance which should be here before the end of the month.  (Money for the appointment and the insurance is in sinking funds area of checkbook.)

Plan on meeting a different friend for lunch tomorrow.  Other than that and any monthly bills that come in I have no planned expenditures for the rest of this week.  Expecting at least three of the monthly bills to come in no later than next weekend.  Then a few others toward the end of the month.

I set up a new page in the spreadsheet to see the daily expenditures.  I think it would be interesting to see where I am on track or not.

[TheOtherMe]

I only track Amazon spending here.  

I made my first January Amazon purchase today and it was for $10.  It was for a need.  

I did buy too much from Amazon during November and December.  Some was returned but not all.  I will do better this month.  

[Blonde Granny]

One of my 2020 goals was to make the bed every day (and I have), but I needed someplace besides the floor to put all the pillows at night. I took the teak bench from the shower, which is not a good idea, so I went to Hobby Lobby today. Found a really cute bench that wasn't very high and it's perfect to pile the pillows on. Cost was $59. That's better than me falling in the shower cuz the teak bench is in the bedroom.

[Iggy aka IG]

Bought fresh produce, cheese, eggs, a small milk, and bacon last night:

2020 YTD spending $31.51

[laterbloomer]

I'm doing good not doing any non essential spending but essential stuff keeps coming up! $120 for the stickers for my license plates, $60 to get the dog groomed, $212 for the house cleaning I got done last month (that was Christmas gift money). Only $42 non essential spending.

[moneysquirrel]

Lunch on Friday was cancelled. Looking over my list the only money spent that was not on needs was that lunch out with a long time friend on Tuesday.  Every other expenditure was either an insurance premium, utility bill or monthly expense, needed items for house -- many once and done item I think, food and gas for the car.  Managed to stay focused on trying to get things done at home and to work with craft items I have here. 

I know that I will be going to a bead show later this month because I need a few items to incorporate into a design that I have had success with. Will probably pick up a few other things as well but will pay for these with money made at the last craft shows.  Also signed up for an additional class this morning -- money will come out of the sinking fund for that.

Expecting several utility bills to come in this coming week.  Home insurance has arrived and will be put on the CC (so that I can get my points) later this week.

Have one item on my wish list that is currently on sale.  I may break down and get it while it is $50 off.  It is a new fitbit and my old one doesn't hold the charge as long as it should and keep needing new batteries.

[3catslady]

1/6==$6.70  lunch  $1.70 over
         $31.63  Walmart for a heater.  Mine died.

1/7---$3.60  meds
          $5.59 lunch  $.59 over

1/8 ==no spend

1/9 --$2.00  meds
         $5.66 lunch  $.66 over

1/10--$7.76 lunch $2.76 over (I was hungry

1/11--$6.25 Lunch $1.25 over
          $6.54  Water for the house

1/12 --$6.44 Sunday lunch
           $58.57  Groceries

[Iggy aka IG]

$15.23 Liquor store Friday night.

We're out of cream for coffee, so I was going to use my Starbucks gift card this morning.  They were closed due to plumbing issues according to their sign.  (Considering the weather, I'm wondering if their pipes froze.)  Went to McD's for coffee instead.  $3.73 unexpectedly spent.

$50.47 YTD spending

[shanendoah]

Update: 5/10 NSD for January.

I made chili on Saturday, and we did a slow cooker pork roast yesterday, so we are set for dinners for the week.