2020 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[shanendoah]

Update: September 17/18 NSD


WooHoo! After 4 months of not making my goal, it looks like I will make my goal this month.  Did really good last week with only two spending days - Thursday when the maid came (so very very worth it), and Saturday when we did all of our shopping for the week. 
Hope everyone else is doing well these last few days of September.




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

[shanendoah]

Final: September 20/18 NSD


I made my goal!




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
Sep 20/18 NSD

[Iggy aka IG]

Congratulations, shanendoah! 

Adding $80 from the liquor store to last week's entry.  Last Friday, I bought things for a party, and stocked up on my hooch.  September month end non-essential spending:  $547.29. 

Here's to a new month! 

[moneysquirrel]

Things were a little better last month.  I do have a few big items on the home improvement front coming up within the year.  I have for a mentioned some of these in the past -- siding on the house, dishwasher (doing by hand for a while), oven ( Have a double oven -- can still use the smaller one).  I will do the siding later this year and maybe  the dishwasher as well.  Planning to squeeze out the cost of that from the budget over the next few months so that I won't have to dip into savings for it.  Oven can wait a little longer.

All other major purchases are done.  May need to get new walking shoes soon.  Been doing more walking in the park these last few months and I will not be getting the support from my current pair much longer.

A trip to the grocery will be needed soon as I am in need of some essentials.  Usual monthly expenses will be upcoming as well.  One annual expense also this month.  Money for that is available in its sinking fund. Just have to put it on the CC for my points and then pay it off. 

Keep up the good work all!

 

[Blonde Granny]

I have been blowing off the lid at Amazon and QVC. Therefore, I'm not putting any of those purchases in my YNAB reports. The money is in a different account that does not report to YNAB.

What I have purchased however, are 2 new fancy humidifiers, one for the great room and one for my bedroom. Black angus 2oz steaks in the freezer, Croissants (when they get here) 12 chicken breasts stuff with creme cheese and wrapped with bacon, a new Patone food saver as I'm tired of tossing food out. New pair of RED Skechers since so many shoes went in the barrel, and a small Xmas tree for outside of the front door.

Phew....this is making me tired. But winter is coming and the food is for the freezer.

[shanendoah]

Update: October 2/15 NSD

Reducing the goal by three days for this month. At this moment in time, I have 5 days of travel planned. Late next week, I am hoping to drive over and see Pop Tart's final volleyball game of the season. I'll drive over morning of the game and then drive back the next day. And then two weekends later, C and I will head out of town for three days just to decompress.



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
Sep 20/18 NSD

[Iggy aka IG]

Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend.

Because it's the beginning of a new quarter, my curiosity was piqued about YTD Q3 2020 spending vs 2019.  Here's what my spreadsheets reflect:

Business spending is down by about $4K, which is interesting, considering rent, the landline, etc. has gone up.  Looks like advertising, marketing, and client entertainment is down, which makes sense considering the kooky year.

Commissions remain even, for which I am very grateful.

Personal level spending is up, but only slightly.  The mortgage and HOA dues categories are higher.  I've been rounding our payments up, and we had an increase in dues.

Fuel cost is down, which again, makes sense.

Take out/donuts/coffee/dining out (take out) is up almost double (which is interesting, considering I'm down 13 pounds, LOL).  Once we were allowed to do so, we've been patronizing restaurants as much as possible, ensuring we tip generously.  I've got a soft spot for restaurant employees. 

Entertainment and medical expenses are down significantly.

The gift/vaycay category is up which I am comfortable with.  And spending on myself is a bit up, thanks to the coveted Coach purse bought with bonus money this Spring.

Savings/IRA contributions are also up, and I pleased.

[Blonde Granny]

I don't keep track month by month. I also don't use YNAB the way it's supposed to be done. All I care about is the month and at the end, It gets wiped out and the new month is in it's place.

Hmmm, maybe I'll try it from now till the end of the year, it could prove interesting.

[moneysquirrel]

Just a quick visit. Nothing major has changed.  Picked up a few items at the craft store this week.  Other than that just a few bills and needed items.  

[shanendoah]

Update: October 6/15 NSD

On target for now. I should have 3 quiet days and then on the road Thursday and Friday.



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
Sep 20/18 NSD

[Iggy aka IG]

Hi all!

Our annual adult Halloween party planning has commenced!  I spent money in the big city last Friday, and again today.  Some things were necessary such as getting my truck serviced, but most things were for Halloween purposes.  Halloween is kinda like Christmas at our house. 

~$100 Gift and card for my sister's birthday, lunch for her and my niece

~$132 Party game prizes and goodie bag contents

~$31 My costume accessories (I'll wear already owned clothing)

~$78 Food (I'll use some of what we already have on hand, and party goers will bring sides and other munchies)

~$200 Budgeted for alcohol (yet to be purchased)

~$13 Candy for the neighborhood trick or treaters

~$6.58 Two special thank you cards

~$3.38 Unsweetened green tea + tip while out doing errands

~$33.30 Specialty candy ordered on Amazon

$597.26 Total MTD non-essential spending.  Yipes.

[moneysquirrel]

Was an uneventful and thrifty week.  Only paid bills.  This coming week I will have to get to the grocery.  Have been avoiding stocking up on items due to the storms in the gulf on a regular basis.  I am hoping that now that we are in the last few weeks of hurricane season that I can start rebuilding items in the freezer.  This week I will begin with a few items and will start slowly adding to it as I can.  I should be willing to plug in the freezer in the garage in a few weeks and then begin the real stock-up. 

I did venture out to look at dishwashers this week.  Wanted to get an items on prices but still in no hurry to replace mine until I have put aside more than half the cost if not more.  It is just me and I have been doing the dishes by hand foe the last several months. I figure that a few more weeks/months won't hurt me.

I am continuing to add items to my Etsy shop. Costs me a few dollars a month but I do think that with the holidays approaching that I might get an order or two.  Most of the craft shows that I participated in the past few years have been cancelled this year.  Working on the items have kept me busy and occupied even if I don't sell anything.  I do use any money I receive to replenish my supplies. 

All of you are doing well.  Keep up that good work and keep safe. 

[shanendoah]

Update: October 9/15 NSD

Did not travel last Thursday or Friday. However, we had a service call for the furnace on Thursday. While we were waiting for the furnace to make the noise that caused us to make the call, the guy noticed our water heater was leaking. So, not only does it turn out we will almost certainly need a new furnace (being quoted this evening), we replaced the water heater on Sunday, for $1900. We have the money in savings to cover all of this, but it has turned into big, not exactly planned, spending.



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
Sep 20/18 NSD

[shanendoah]

They are here replacing the furnace right now. We decided to go with 18 month 0% financing so that we didn't have to pull $7k out of savings.

[vetswife]

So far so good this month.  Car insurance was due but have an account for that.  DD frugally planned a trip to Colorado for us all the first part of October, I've paid all I owe her and it wasn't nearly what I expected it to be. A great vacation for a reasonable price and it was much needed.  I can actually replace the patio chair cushions this month, which I've been needing to do for a long time.  Dental bill is all paid too-yay!

[moneysquirrel]

I did make it to the grocery and have enough to hold me for a few weeks with only quick pickups as needed.  All monthly bills and CC are paid.  Have enough craft supplies to keep me busy.  My goal is not to spend anything until November.  Just realized that there may be a few medical bills but I have $ saved for that.  

shanendoah -- I had the $1900 hot water bill a few months ago.  Not a fun way to spend but a needed one.

[vetswife]

Patio chair cushions replaced; they look so much better!!  Unexpected expense, paid for some cemetery work at the cemetery where my parents and youngest sister are buried.  Hopefully, DS 2 will split the cost with me.  Otherwise, doing better this month.

[moneysquirrel]

Had to spend yesterday.  Realized that one of my emergency lantern's batteries were dead.  Needed to get replacements as we are expecting Zeta later this afternoon.  This one is coming directly over me.  Will check in when I can. 

[Iggy aka IG]

moneysquirrel, thinking of you!

I didn't spend as much as originally planned on the party alcohol, so I'll back out the $200 from the above, and add in what I actually spent, along with a few other non-essential purchases.  The latter includes a few stocking stuffers, a pumpkin, beverages, and a mini blueberry pie, 'cuz I can. 

$578.24 Total MTD non-essential spending

My BFF is coming to visit, so there goes the rest of this month's budget. 

[Blonde Granny]

Oh M Sq....hope all ends in your favor.

[Blonde Granny]

I have been so out of control with my spending I only saw the balance in one credit card and I about slid off my chair. Can't imagine what the other 2 have to say. I'm made a deal with myself that all spending ends at midnight Oct. 31Nov/ first.

[moneysquirrel]

Popping in to say that I am ok. No damage to the house.  I have been without power since Wednesday.  At DSS recharging as much as I can.  May be back here tomorrow to stay for a few days as I have no idea when I will have power and/or internet.  Will check in as I can.

[TheOtherMe]

I am glad you checked in moneysquirrel and I hope you get power back soon.

Stay safe.

[shanendoah]

Goal: November 0/16
FINAL: October 17/15 NSD

Did well with the month. It certainly helped that two of my days where I was going to travel, I didn't (though I wish I had been able to). I did have 4 controlled spend days in a row last weekend, which was planned because we went away for three days and supported the local economy where we were.
With Thanksgiving this month, I am shooting for only 16 NSDs this month. I have more than once had to run to the grocery store multiple times for just one-last-thing we forgot. Obviously, we're not planning a big meal or get-together, but my BFF and her family will be coming over, so we'll need to make sure we are gluten and dairy-free for her wife. And Thanksgiving is C's favorite holiday, so we always do something. 



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
Sep 20/18 NSD
Oct 17/15 NSD

[moneysquirrel]

I finally got power and internet back.  Power came on Saturday evening for 20 hours and was out again from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon  Internet and landline came back yesterday.  That wire was wrenched from the house by the winds from Zeta. Of course I visited the grocery to restock basics on Sunday morning.  I was able to save most of those by a friend who kept them for me while I waited for the power to return.  Had to re-buy a few items.  I will not be restocking again until I know what the latest storm Eta will do. Heavens knows what my mobile bill will be as I am over on both data and talk.  Had to use quite a bit just to keep in touch with friends and family as well as to connect power company and phone.  Received an email that overage due to the storm will be forgiven but wait to see if I qualify.

None of the monthly bills for November have arrived yet but will start sometime this week.  I did purchase a new Christmas tree yesterday.  My old one was about 30 years old and had seen better years.  Michael's had theirs 60% off yesterday which was a great purchase.

I do need to purchase a blood pressure monitor as I have been recently diagnosed with that problem.  I plan to order the one recommended by my doctor in the next few days.  The meds I started last month seem to have it under control but she wanted me to be able to monitor it if I felt iffy.


Hope all of you are doing well.   

[vetswife]

October spending turned out much better than expected, was even able to put a little in savings.  This month will be more spending due to Christmas shopping but am using credit card points and Amazong gift cards to cover most of it.

[shanendoah]

Update: November 5/16

Did pretty well over the last week. Tuesday was a planned spending day because I was headed into the office for the first time in months, though I didn't plan on getting Dominos for dinner, but it was the only "eating out" we did all week, so no regrets there. 

moneysquirrel - Glad to know you're doing okay. Hope Eta mostly skips over you.



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
Sep 20/18 NSD
Oct 17/15 NSD

[Iggy aka IG]

My friend came and went, and I took her out to a few places to avoid cooking and dishes a few times.  2 meals out, take out one night, and liquor store:

$327.72 MTD non-essential spending

[moneysquirrel]

I am continuing to bleed money.  Almost all of it are on essentials. 

This morning the house was retreated for termites.  This is a preventive measure that has to be done every ten years or so.  Just did not realized that it was time to redo it.  Also managed to lock in the annual fee for the next several years and will be paying for that at this time as well.  That way I don't have to worry about it until 2025.   Thank goodness for the sinking funds for that expense.  Once the bill comes in I will put it on a CC to get my points.  I have cards that pay cash back so I will get a little bit back from this.  Since the savings are not paying much in interest it makes no sense for me to drag it out. 

I did talk to the person about the siding for the house and he will get back to me in January to schedule that job.  Decided not to try to schedule it during the holidays.  I will try to replace my dishwasher before the end of the year to knock that off of the major money list. Assuming I can find one I like. 

This week several of the monthly bills came in.  Still have two that I am waiting on. Also had one insurance bill and one medical item to pay. Both of those will come out of sinking funds as well.  I have an extensive list of sinking funds which I attempt to add a little to each month.  And so glad I have trained myself to do so.

shanendoah -- Congrats on the new job and you are doing well in your Ns/Cs areas as well. 

[shanendoah]

Update: November 9/16

My only weekday spending last week was a donation to charity for a friend's birthday. We got lunch from the local taco truck on Saturday and did our grocery shopping. Yesterday I got my hair done.
Looking forward to a fairly quiet week ahead life wise. Less quiet work-wise, as I will be giving notice tomorrow. Today, I am going over my job description. I am lucky in that the new job is seems okay with letting me wait until Jan 4 to start, so I am going to be able to give current job lots of notice and have them set up to have a replacement for me shortly after I leave.



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
Sep 20/18 NSD
Oct 17/15 NSD