2020 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[Iggy aka IG]

Happy Friday!

This week I bought an anniversary gift for DH, renewed one of my very few remaining magazine subscriptions, got my hair done, and bought some hair product while at the salon.  Everything else was food and much needed supplies for the house, regular monthly bills, and annual contact reorder.  Well, the latter isn't essential, per se, but I'll count them as a medical expense. 

Total MTD non-essential spending $1,014.61.  Yikes.  Dare I say the good news is this should be it?  Except for a stop at the liquor store later this month? 

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone.

[Blonde Granny]

I had a pedicure on Thursday @ $45 and today was grocery shopping at a Walmart Neighborhood Market, cost $81. I had not bought groceries for 3 weeks. This should supply me easily thru the first week of August.

[moneysquirrel]

This week has been better spending wise.  I did spend some butmostly on regular expenses -- a few utility bills, some RX refills, and one purchase for the house.  Also had a social distance lunch with a friend.

Upcoming -- several more of the monthly bills, fill up the car (I haven't put any gas into it since the beginning of April), and maybe an additional grocery run.

 

[TheOtherMe]

I used a tank of gas going to see baby this week.  It was well worth it.

[Blonde Granny]

The TV commercials have finally gotten to me....that and having a few friends my age or older that are now in pain from shingles. While at Walmart yesterday, I had a quick talk with the pharmacist and ended up having my 1st shingles shot. Medicare paid for most of it, but it was still $38. Next one will be in about 3 months and then that's it.

For me, it's going to be $38 well spent compared to what I've seen lately.

[shanendoah]

Update: July 11/18


Chugging along.




Running Year
Jan 11/10 NSD
Feb 10/9 NSD, 1 spend
Mar 13/10 NSD
Apr 19/18 NSD
May 16/18 NSD
Jun 15/18 NSD, 1 spend

[moneysquirrel]

Blonde Granny -- I also had the Shingles shot.  My MD insisted on it.  And based on the advice of my SIL who had a bad case of shingles several years ago, I was not going to avoid this vaccine.

Today was a spending day.  Needed snacks, car needed gas, and DSS's  birthday is coming up and I wanted to get a GC to add to his present.  Still waiting for at least three of the monthly bills to show up.  

I also signed up for a zoom craft class and need to order the supplies for it.

[Iggy aka IG]

Another week has flown by....  Since my last check in, I spent $20 for liquor, $20 on handcrafted beer koozies for DH (made by a long-time client), and gifted $40 to a friend's high school graduate.  Everything else was food, water, office bills, client expenditures, and fuel.

Total MTD non-essential spending $1,094.61.

Have a wonderful week, everyone.

[vetswife]

So far, it's been a spendy month!!  First the new car, which I paid cash for, now I find out I need dental surgery for $1650 after insurance.  Plus 2 GGSs birthdays and 1 GS birthday.  I do enjoy the car, so much easier to drive than the old van and better mileage.

[Blonde Granny]

The end of month is looking good. If nothing else, this corvid is keeping me home and keeps me from spending. Leftover money this month is $1K. Not used to seeing numbers like that.

[shanendoah]

Update: July 14/18

It would have been 15, but we decided to rent a movie via Amazon last night.
Also, I kept trying to convince myself I could count Friday as an NSD, but it wasn't. I got Starbucks (but use my Starbucks card, which is pre-loaded). C had major dental work done (but used the FSA account). And we drove across the bridge and paid tolls (using our toll account, which is pre-loaded). Since none of it came out of my pocket that day, I wanted to count it as an NSD, but the Starbucks and Toll accounts both just auto-load when they drop to a certain level, and I don't track when those happen. So I had to be honest and count Friday as a CSD.



Running Year
Jan 11/10 NSD
Feb 10/9 NSD, 1 spend
Mar 13/10 NSD
Apr 19/18 NSD
May 16/18 NSD
Jun 15/18 NSD, 1 spend

[Iggy aka IG]

Spent $37 today on decorative items at the second hand store for a new home project.  Stay tuned. 

$1,131.61 MTD non-essential spending

[moneysquirrel]

Today was a CS day.  I ordered the supplies needed for the class I am taking on Zoom.  Had the money saved for it.  

Looking at my spreadsheet to adjust somewhat future goals.  Since my retreat was cancelled this year I am rolling over the money I saved for it toward next year's retreat.  Add a little to the amount each month but will cut back on the amount I put aside each month and will use the money saved from that for a few once and done purchases once things open up a bit more.  Some items I can order online but not everything can be done that way. 

Still have two regular bills to pay this week once they come in.  Should have a little left in my working budget to roll over to next month.  I am in the habit of putting money aside for items when my SS and pension come it.  I earmark those in various sinking categories and try not to touch them if at all possible. 

Keep up the good work all!

[Iggy aka IG]

Last day of the month check in.  And it's a hefty one.

Between my deck decor project, and an unforeseen, spur of the moment upcoming trip, I'll add a rounded $1,375 to this month's total.  The trip includes 50% off (due to the C word) first class plane tickets, and a rental car.  I'll stay at a family member's condo so no lodging costs.

Month end non-essential spending. $2,469.61. 

Again, I'll say:  Travel expenses sure do add up!  Other than camping, this really should be the only other trip this year.  Maybe.

[moneysquirrel]

July Roundup: 22 NSD, 3 CSD and 5 Spend Days

On the whole not too bad.  Both the spend days and the CSD were within reason and included several of those one time purchases. 

Upcoming expenses beyond the usual is the purchase of a new laptop as this one is beginning to have issues.  Plus I did volunteer to teach again this semester and it will be on zoom and while I think I can do the basics with this one I don't want it to crash in the middle of class.  Wish me luck with this venture as it is a little outside my comfort zone.

Also need to get some estimates for a home improvement expenditure.  Think I will be calling for several over the next month or so.  It will be an exterior job and as of now I think it would be inhumane to have someone working outdoors in this heat.  I do want to see how much the job will be so I can juggle some numbers.

Take care all.  Will check in when I can.

[shanendoah]

Update: August 1/18 NSD
July Final 17/18

Quiet week. I went to the office for the first time since March last Wednesday, so grabbed myself some Starbucks on the way in. Friday, we donated to a charity, picked up the Reeses donuts from Krispy Kreme, and bought dinner. It wasn't a bad way to end the month.
Saturday I went grocery shopping. Saturday and Sunday, we had friends over to sit in the back yard and eat smoked chicken and ribs. It was lovely.
This week, I am going to be contacting a landscaper to find out what it would cost to get rid of my front lawn and instead have some native plants and flowering bushes.



Running Year
Jan 11/10 NSD
Feb 10/9 NSD, 1 spend
Mar 13/10 NSD
Apr 19/18 NSD
May 16/18 NSD
Jun 15/18 NSD, 1 spend
Jul 17/18 NSD

[nikiz628]

I think we are hoping back on the No Spend train this month! Time to get back to some "normalcy" around here.

[Iggy aka IG]

Bought $120.85 worth of clothing online yesterday (20% off!) including 2 pairs of shorts, a few summery dresses, two shirts and a vintage tribal knitted cardigan sweater coat.

Stopped by the liquor store for some champagne for our neighbor's anniversary, a little something something for me, and to stock up on some shooters.  $50.51.

Oh, and I finally succumbed to the Sonic snack call.  $5.38

Total MTD non-essential spending $176.74.  Clearly last month wasn't enough...

[Iggy aka IG]

Went to the big city for a dentist appointment and spent some $$ for a beauty treatment and tip, lunch, early dinner, 5 summer tops on clearance, and a birthday plant for a family member.

While there, I filled up the gas tank because their fuel is less expensive than in our little town, and picked up staples at Sam's Club.  This was my first time using their curbside service, and I found it to be efficient.  Neither of these essential spending items are included in the following.

Total MTD non-essential spending $403.74.

[moneysquirrel]

I did some online shopping this past week.  Included in there was the Chromebook that I had my eyes on for the  past several months.  It came down in price so I am glad I waited.  Picked up several little items at the same time.  All items are scheduled to arrive this week.

I still have at least 3 large items to order in the next several weeks and will be scheduling them out piecemeal.  I try to make sure that all items have funds available in the budget before I place the order.  Depending on the items it may come out of the earmarked sinking fund.  For example the computer purchase is coming out of the tech sinking fund. Ideally I don't pull from those funds except for large purchases similar to the computer one.  If I can squeeze the purchase out of the regular monthly budget I will.  Think the next idea to be ordered can be from the monthly budget and if I can will put some aside for the other two items and hope to get them next month.  All of these are one time purchases and should not need replacement if any for several years.

My monthly bills will start showing up sometime this week.  I suspect at least two or three will be in this weeks outflows.  My large grocery run is also this week as well as the visit from my cleaning ladies so a bit of money will be flowing out this week.  All of these are scheduled/expected expenditures. 

Take care all and stay safe. 

[Blonde Granny]

All my line items are budgeted for, and all on auto-pay. I don't have to pay much attention to them. So far this month, I had a $30 unexpected pharmacy bill, and the others are line items again and all budgeted for.

Even though I've never used YNAB according to their instructions and teachings, it still works for me and allows me to keep track to the penny all my spending.

I hope everyone has a great month of August...and to think we're almost half way done with it.

[shanendoah]

Update: August 5/18 NSD

1/3 of the way into August and I am not 1/3 of the way into my NSDs. I was supposed to be. Today was supposed to be an NSD. But my stylist is not running credit cards right now, so I am waiting for her to text me what I owe her from my hair appt yesterday. And there was a shirt I was planning on buying yesterday, but the website was down before I went to my hair appt, and I didn't get back from my hair appt until almost 11p (don't ask). And since I need to buy by tomorrow in order for the proceeds to go to charity, I bought the shirt today. There was a part of me that just wanted to assign those two expenditures to yesterday, since I had thought I was making them yesterday, but then I finally heard back from some friends regarding a gift I had offered to get for their kids, so went ahead and ordered that today.

However we're in good shape for leftovers and hopefully there will be no spending again this week until the weekend.



Running Year
Jan 11/10 NSD
Feb 10/9 NSD, 1 spend
Mar 13/10 NSD
Apr 19/18 NSD
May 16/18 NSD
Jun 15/18 NSD, 1 spend
Jul 17/18 NSD

[vetswife]

Trying hard to not spend anything extra as I have dental surgery coming up with a $1600 price tag after insurance.  So far so good.

[Iggy aka IG]

Good luck with your surgery, vetswife. 

Another week has flown by.  Sheesh!

Earlier this week I went to the liquor store.  Today I stopped by a local coffee joint to use a free coffee gift card and just had to buy a blueberry muffin while there.  I tipped both employees.    Later today, it's monthly bill paying time, and this weekend I'll gift niece2 money to take with her to university.

Total MTD non-essential spending $932.39.

[shanendoah]

Update: August 8/18 NSD

Totally jinxed myself last week with the comment about no spending until the weekend. We ended up having to buy a whole new computer set up on Wednesday, and then our Beagle developed a skin issue, so we had to run to the vet to refill an Rx for her. There was no eating out, but there was spending.
This week there should again be no eating out as we had to defrost the chest freezer, which means we're eating previously frozen leftovers.



Running Year
Jan 11/10 NSD
Feb 10/9 NSD, 1 spend
Mar 13/10 NSD
Apr 19/18 NSD
May 16/18 NSD
Jun 15/18 NSD, 1 spend
Jul 17/18 NSD

[vetswife]

Thanks, Iggy-scheduled for the 28th.  

[moneysquirrel]

vetswife -- Good luck on your upcoming medical procedure.

I have fallen off the wagon this month.  Lots of purchases that are one time events -- most are for the house but a few are things that I will need as I am scheduled to teach my class (volunteer) via Zoom.  This should be interesting.  Discovered that my voice was too soft for people to hear me at the latest Zoom conference I participated in so I bought a headset with a mic for the class that I am teaching.
I still have a few items for the car that are on my wish list.  Plus a few things just for fun are on the list as well.  

All of you are doing well. Have a great week!

[Iggy aka IG]

Checking in with my weekly update since I'm off tomorrow.  Did really well this week.  Monday I curbside picked up a few things I forgot last week at WM, so necessary spending, and yesterday I stopped by Arby's.  I used coupons though. 

Total MTD non-essential spending $935.63

[moneysquirrel]

More spending yesterday as I need to get a few items for hurricane prep.  Looks like I will have visits from both Marco and Laura this week.  

[ners]

Stay safe moneysquirrel