2020 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[Iggy aka IG]

(Stay safe, moneysquirrel)

[shanendoah]

Update: August 10/18 NSD

I should just not talk about the upcoming week. Thursday we dropped the car off for service and swung by our favorite food truck for dinner as they had tamales (which they don't always have). Friday we did our CostCo shopping. The plan was there would be no spending on Saturday and possibly Sunday. But on Saturday, we did not start the crock pot early enough and ended up getting Dominos for dinner. And, on Friday, I forgot to get stamps at CostCo, so Sunday, I ran to the grocery store. Four days in a row of spending.
While it is possible for me to meet my goal this month (there are 8 days left in the month), I do not think it will happen. If nothing else, we will have to pick the car up from the shop sometime this week and pay for that, and grocery shop next 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

[Iggy aka IG]

This whole "I'm not stopping at the store for little things" is saving me time and money for sure.  I've been putting items on the list for monthly curbside pickup.

I've gone out on several different business restaurant appointments this week, but consider those an essential business expense.  I tip generously at 20-25%.  I also got the truck washed, which I also consider a business expense, but not essential.  $12

Tonight I'll pick up some take out on the way home.  $14.99 plus tax and tip, so I'll round to $20

Total MTD non-essential spending $967.63.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone.

[moneysquirrel]

I was doing well for August on the whole.  Then yesterday hit -- hot water heater needed to be replaced.  I was lucky in that the company that I have been using for years was able to come out, inspect and even install it yesterday.   Old one was 11 years old so that was a needed expense but my CC in not happy.  Good thing I have an EF for things like this.

I also got an estimate for siding for the house.  It was in the neighborhood of what I thought it would be.  I informed them that I would not be moving on that project until after hurricane season is over.  

Hoping for an uneventful September.

[Blonde Granny]

oh Goodness MS....what a blow that is. Some of my widow lady friends have been talking about what is going to happen next. We boiled it down to water heater or HVAC that will need to be replaced. Certainly hope its not soon.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Sept 1, 2020 11:29:50 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

I was doing well for August on the whole.  Then yesterday hit -- hot water heater needed to be replaced.  I was lucky in that the company that I have been using for years was able to come out, inspect and even install it yesterday.   Old one was 11 years old so that was a needed expense but my CC in not happy.  Good thing I have an EF for things like this.

I also got an estimate for siding for the house.  It was in the neighborhood of what I thought it would be.  I informed them that I would not be moving on that project until after hurricane season is over.  

Hoping for an uneventful September.

We just did that this past spring.  The bill was ugly, but at least 1/3 of the siding is not rotting.  

[Blonde Granny]

I received my extra income today from my FA. I had asked him for some since I've been put on another RX and I don't know how much it will cost or what my amount I will be taking. My only hint is so far is that it's a little pricey.

[nikiz628]

9/1: No spend. 
9/2: Spent $7.75 at the baseball concession stand & $5.34 at coffee shop= 13.09
9/3: No spend
9/4:
9/5:
9/6:
9/7:
9/8:

[Iggy aka IG]

Weekly check in a bit early due to the upcoming holiday weekend.

Other than a business lunch, a grocery pick up of much needed fresh produce and some proteins, and fuel for the truck, I haven't spent anything this week.

Total MTD non-essential spending remains at $967.63.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone. 

ETA:  Ahem.  Apparently the upcoming 3-day weekend had me distracted yesterday and I forgot it was a new month.  Also, I ended up cancelling the online clothing order (long story) and returning a too large shirt to the bricks and mortar store last week.

Revised new August non-essential spending total:  $826.78.  Again, more than half of that is the monetary gift I gave to niece2 for university expenditures.

September total non-essential spending $0.

[jenpen]

Dropping by for my every month-or-two update:

Jul 4, 2020 9:04:12 GMT -5 jenpen said:

For the year:

Jan          1,165
Feb            662
Mar        1,596
Apr           702
May          791
Jun            742
AVG         943 (Goal: 800)

Not too terribly off my goal, but I'd have to limit myself to ~660/month for the rest of the year to get my average down to 800/month.  It's a stretch and I have zero confidence that I can do it, but I'm going to try!

Jul  830.33

Aug 623.56 (!!! my lowest spending month this year!)

Avg YTD: 888.95 / 800 goal 

Moving in the right direction!

Have a great weekend, all.

[shanendoah]

Update: September 5/18 NSD
August Final 14/18 NSD

I was on vacation last week, and so didn't check in. I did not make the August goal. I definitely need to be better about spending on weekdays.
Since I last checked in, we bought a new car - but the day we did that was still an NSD, as we put 0 down and are getting 0% APR. It's an eGolf, so no more gas expense, though back to having a car payment for the first time in a literal decade. But free money is free money. And the money we were putting away toward car repairs and a replacement car will now just go to the car payment.
My vacation last week was pretty chill. I only spent money the last Monday of August on Starbucks as I went to go get a blood draw and then again on Friday for Starbucks and a massage. We managed not to spend money either Saturday or Monday this weekend, which is the first time we've managed to not spend money all weekend in a while.
I'm going with the goal of 18 NSD again, but we'll see. There's the possibility I will rent a car and drive across the state to go see my daughter play volleyball. Trying to figure out if I can manage that safely.



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
Aug 14/18 NSD

[nikiz628]

Sept 3, 2020 15:16:16 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

9/1: No spend. 
9/2: Spent $7.75 at the baseball concession stand & $5.34 at coffee shop= 13.09
9/3: No spend
9/4: No Spend. 
9/5: DS1 and I had a mom/son date (shopping for his birthday party) and had lunch. Spent $14.20. Also spent $21.40 at Bath & Body Works, but we are stocked up on hand soap for awhile. 
9/6: No spend. 
9/7: Took DS1 to lunch for his birthday: $15
9/8: No spend.
9/9: $5 at concession stand. 
9/10: $4 at concession stand (change jar coins) 
9/11:
9/12:
9/13:

[Blonde Granny]

I don't think I've ever broken this down before: SO FAR

$1300 Monthly bills i. e electric bill

$137 Everyday bills i.e groceries

$150 Church donation

$66 RX

TOTAL monthly budget according to YNAB is $ 2469

[moneysquirrel]

It has been awhile since I checked in.  On the whole I have been on track this month so far.  I have been mainly paying bills with only a few detours.  If I can stay the course this month will be better than last month since I hope that I have no unexpected expenses.  I do have a few items on the wish list -- one of a kind purchases. I may go ahead and get them later this month since the CC is 5% on purchases from that seller until the end of the month.

Had a CD mature and decided to renew it short term even though the interest rates are horrible.  This way I can cash it in if needed and leave other investments alone. 

!

[Blonde Granny]

MS, I too have a CD coming due on the 14th. I'm still debating whether to let it roll over at .90% or cash it and put it into a $.0% bank account. Looking at my post now, you're right, I don't need the money and $.90% is better than $0. The new one will be a length of about 10 to 11 months.

Thanks for you thoughts, I'm happy you posted it.

BG

[moneysquirrel]

Blonde Granny -- That was my thoughts as well.  Something is better than nothing and some of the accounts are literally paying nothing.  Any big purchases will come out of those accounts before I touch the ones that are paying a little bit -- even if it is only a little bit.  I do have a habit of squeezing those poor pennies as much s I can.

[nikiz628]

Sept 10, 2020 22:46:09 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

Sept 3, 2020 15:16:16 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

9/1: No spend. 
9/2: Spent $7.75 at the baseball concession stand & $5.34 at coffee shop= 13.09
9/3: No spend
9/4: No Spend. 
9/5: DS1 and I had a mom/son date (shopping for his birthday party) and had lunch. Spent $14.20. Also spent $21.40 at Bath & Body Works, but we are stocked up on hand soap for awhile. 
9/6: No spend. 
9/7: Took DS1 to lunch for his birthday: $15
9/8: No spend.
9/9: $5 at concession stand. 
9/10: $4 at concession stand (change jar coins) 
9/11: No spend
9/12: Spent $15 at grand opening event of my favorite cookie baker. My sister and I stopped by her new storefront on the way to our aunt's funeral- it was a nice treat to get through that. 
9/13: No spend. 
9/14:
9/15:
9/16:

[Blonde Granny]

Money Squirrel : I just called the bank so I can roll over the CD. She said they had a special right now: 11 months 0.90% I took it.... -rofl-k As you said, it's better than nothing.

BG

[shanendoah]

Update: September 9/18 NSD


Did much better about spending this week, and am actually on track to make my goal for the first time in 5 months this month.



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
Aug 14/18 NSD

[Iggy aka IG]

DH and I slipped away for a fantastic, much needed long weekend.  He paid for lodging, and I paid for fuel, meals, snacks, coffee, and did a bit of shopping.  We met a fun couple from Texas who paid for our supper the first night. 

Total MTD spending $322.76.

[vetswife]

Got the dental surgery paid for last month.  This month, trying to be as frugal as possible.  I need some yard work done but my grandsons helped me save some by doing a good part of the work.  Now the yard man will do his part.  I'm trying to get my slush fund back up to the level I like it.

[Blonde Granny]

My dental bill was $275 1 week ago and today for the temp. crown it was $975. That is still less than any other crowns I've had done. My escrow for 1 year for dental is actually $400....obviously that was a little off. Just grateful the money was there to begin with, however. For 2021 I plan on my escrow account that will now be $1000 for dental, just in case.

[nikiz628]

9/1: No spend.

9/2: Spent $7.75 at the baseball concession stand & $5.34 at coffee shop= 13.09

9/3: No spend

9/4: No Spend.

9/5: DS1 and I had a mom/son date (shopping for his birthday party) and had lunch. Spent $14.20. Also spent $21.40 at Bath & Body Works, but we are stocked up on hand soap for awhile.

9/6: No spend.

9/7: Took DS1 to lunch for his birthday: $15

9/8: No spend.

9/9: $5 at concession stand.

9/10: $4 at concession stand (change jar coins)

9/11: No spend

9/12: Spent $15 at grand opening event of my favorite cookie baker. My sister and I stopped by her new storefront on the way to our aunt's funeral- it was a nice treat to get through that.

9/13: No spend.

9/14:
No Spend
9/15:
$3 in concession stand 
9/16: No Spend
9/17: No Spend
9/18:
9/19:
9/20: 

[shanendoah]

Update: September 12/18 NSD


Only three NSDs this last week, but overall very little spending. We only spent money on 4 things - Papa Murphys, pie (to celebrate some unexpected, very good news), Starbucks chai, and take out Chinese food. But each of those things was purchased on a different day.
We will be spending money on Thursday when the maid comes, but otherwise, I have no idea what this week will look like.




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
Aug 14/18 NSD

[moneysquirrel]

Spend on Saturday -- Ordered the last two items -- car floor mats plus a small item and a book from Amazon.  Got some off the book as I had some promotion money.  Floor mats were on the list for a while.  CC is offering 5% cash back on Amazon through this month so I figured that now was the time to get them.  Have another book on my wish list and will probably get it later this month.  

These purchases are the last on my big wish list except for the home improvement project I have planned for later this year.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Was gone for a 5 day trip and returned Sunday.  I reported the airline ticket and rental car costs back in July when I reserved them, so I'm adding $144.53 for groceries, alcohol and water for the condo, and the cost for one airport meal and one bottled water.  I brought snacks from home keeping me out of the expensive gift shops.  There are no lodging costs as a family member owns the condo, saving me hundreds! 

Last week was monthly bill paying, and tonight is monthly grocery shopping.  Kept the grocery list tight, as we have plenty of canned items and frozen veggies.

MTD non-essential spending $467.29

[nikiz628]

Sept 17, 2020 20:13:33 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

9/1: No spend.

9/2: Spent $7.75 at the baseball concession stand & $5.34 at coffee shop= 13.09

9/3: No spend

9/4: No Spend.

9/5: DS1 and I had a mom/son date (shopping for his birthday party) and had lunch. Spent $14.20. Also spent $21.40 at Bath & Body Works, but we are stocked up on hand soap for awhile.

9/6: No spend.

9/7: Took DS1 to lunch for his birthday: $15

9/8: No spend.

9/9: $5 at concession stand.

9/10: $4 at concession stand (change jar coins)

9/11: No spend

9/12: Spent $15 at grand opening event of my favorite cookie baker. My sister and I stopped by her new storefront on the way to our aunt's funeral- it was a nice treat to get through that.

9/13: No spend.

9/14:
No Spend
9/15:
$3 in concession stand 
9/16: No Spend
9/17: No Spend
9/18: Spent $10.00 at bakery, Spent $15.00 at coffee shop (family day out) 
9/19: No Spend
9/20: No Spend
9/21: No SPend
9/22: Spen $4 at concession 
9/23:
9/24:
9/25:

[moneysquirrel]

Spending total was part donation and a trip to Dollar Tree.  Picked up some needed as well as unneeded items.  My order came in and I will order that book and one other item from Amazon -- Should be about $20ish.

[vetswife]

Well got hit with another bill on the dental surgery but at least I can pay it!  This is one expensive tooth.

[Iggy aka IG]

vetswife, I feel you regarding the dental bills!  I received a $1,000 invoice from my dentist last month, and luckily, they allowed me to break it into 3 equal monthly payments (automatically withdrawn from my account).  It saved my budget and EF.