2020 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[Iggy aka IG]

Blonde Granny, I am so sorry this has happened to you.  What a PITA.  Is it safe to say y'all were volunteers?  If so, that stinks even more.  So much for doing something for your community! 

~~~~~~~~~~~

Welp, despite what I said in a prior post, I bought an article of new clothing today.  There was a skirt I'd coveted last fall in the store and passed it up due to price.  Yesterday I discovered it was 40% off it's online price.  After thinking about it overnight, I went ahead and purchased it moments ago.  Even with shipping, it is about 50% less than last year.  I did not charge it.    The color and texture will be a unique addition to my work wardrobe, and will go from season to season.

 

$424.87 YTD Non grocery/shelter/bills related spending

[Blonde Granny]

Jan 23, 2020 12:53:47 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Blonde Granny , I am so sorry this has happened to you.  What a PITA.  Is it safe to say y'all were volunteers?  If so, that stinks even more.  So much for doing something for your community! 

~~~~~~~~~~~

Welp, despite what I said in a prior post, I bought an article of new clothing today.  There was a skirt I'd coveted last fall in the store and passed it up due to price.  Yesterday I discovered it was 40% off it's online price.  After thinking about it overnight, I went ahead and purchased it moments ago.  Even with shipping, it is about 50% less than last year.  I did not charge it.    The color and texture will be a unique addition to my work wardrobe, and will go from season to season.

 

$424.87 YTD Non grocery/shelter/bills related spending

Actually I was appointed to fill a vacancy and only served 19 months.  The other board members ran for election.  Bella Vista is a city of about 25K people.  Other elected board members I believe serve for 3 years then have the option to run again.  I chose not to run due to my DH saying he'd divorce me if I did.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 23, 2020 13:20:11 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

Jan 23, 2020 12:53:47 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Blonde Granny , I am so sorry this has happened to you.  What a PITA.  Is it safe to say y'all were volunteers?  If so, that stinks even more.  So much for doing something for your community! 

Actually I was appointed to fill a vacancy and only served 19 months.  The other board members ran for election.  Bella Vista is a city of about 25K people.  Other elected board members I believe serve for 3 years then have the option to run again.  I chose not to run due to my DH saying he'd divorce me if I did.

Appointed to an unpaid board position?  Meaning, here you were volunteering your time, and now this.  And it must have been an unpleasant experience based on your last sentence.

BTDT volunteering on boards, in clubs and on committees.  Except for one current club, never again. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 16, 2020 11:48:31 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Thank you, TheO, BG and wvu.  I had the free trial, and then held off for the first XX months while they sent several different offers.  Last year they started charging me, and then a few months ago it increased by another $1 or so.  I'll put it on my list to call them.  Thanks again.

Called XM just now.  So glad I did!  They are giving me the premier package free for 3 months.  After April, I'll start paying for a reduced package (who knew-I'd been paying for premier as that's what came with my new truck) since I don't listen to sports or news.

Savings:

Current price; $20.63

New price:  $13.34 (having certain music stations is a must)

Annual savings $87.48

Added to the Verizon and business liability savings = $435.48 annual savings 

[TheOtherMe]

How many radios do you have?  You should not be paying more than $5 per month.  That is what I pay for one radio with online access.  Before the free online access, I had two radios, so $10 per month plus tax  

I only have music, I think.  I always tell them I do not listen to sports or news.

[Iggy aka IG]

Good morning, TheOtherMe.  Just the one in my truck.  After the free 3 months is over, I'll call them again. 

[TheOtherMe]

Keep telling them you will quit (even if you know you won't).  Sadly, that's how the game is played and it is such a stupid game.

[Iggy aka IG]

$29.09 baby shower gift for a friend/client today.  The price includes shipping and I chose the gift wrap option.  Was invited to the party an hour and a half away and it's supposed to snow again, so that's my excuse to not attend.  This will save wear and tear on my truck and me, as well as fuel cost. 

Total YTD Non grocery/shelter/bills related spending $453.96

ETA:  In the past, I would have chosen gifts costing twice as much, charged it, and tell myself I'd pay it back later.  Today, it went on my debit card. 

[moneysquirrel]

January is always my most expensive month and I will be glad when the bleeding stops.  Almost $6000 out of the accounts this month.  Most of these expenditures are annual insurance premiums, medical payments, planned expenditures, groceries, gas and regular monthly bills. Only about $200 was on non-planned items.  Next month should be easier.  

I only made three trips to the craft shops this month thus far.  Yarn to finish the afghan I was working on and supplies for one of my classes that I needed for next week.  I did get to the bead show today and only got a few items but money for those purchases come from the craft show profits not my regular budget. 

Having some work done at the house next week and I think those costs will be the last of the month.   

[laterbloomer]

Jan 21, 2020 13:34:06 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

Ding Dong.....door bell rang about 4 PM yesterday. Gentleman asked if I was Bobcatkitty and I said yes.....then!!!! the magic words " you've been served".

Yes dear money saving friends. Due to a stint on the local (26K) people community HOA I am being served along with 46 other past or present board members, we've been sued for $4.1M and a jury trail has been requested. Break that down and we all would owe $100K ,

Oh what I joy. I never wanted to live in that damn place to begin with it was my late DHs idea. If I could get my hands on him now I'd strangle him. I did do some loud hollering at him but doubt he heard it.

I have 30 days starting today to answer the summons, but need to talk to a couple of other previous board members to see where this is going.

They must have Director's and Board liability insurance. You won't personally be on the hook. The policies I've been aware of have a $5 million cap, so the amount seems pretty strategic.

[laterbloomer]

Jan 22, 2020 10:29:21 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

Blonde Granny - I would definitely talk to a lawyer. There should be no reason someone should be able to hold you (or any other member) personally responsible for whatever it is. I am saying this because they are suing 47 past and present board members, so this is not a case of specific discrimination against one person. And there are usually indemnification laws about this sort of thing, unless someone can prove specific discrimination/harassment. 

This could not be more wrong. Board members are exactly who is legally responsible for both their own decisions as a board and the actions of the staff they employ. This sounds like there was some motion passed, policy put in place or safety issue identified that was not addressed for a decade or so. Anyway I point this out because people that sit on boards should be very aware of this. Often board members will not address issues because they think it is the Executive Director's responsibility, but they are ultimately responsible for the ED's behaviour. Don't take the responsibility and liability lightly.

[laterbloomer]

So $8 to treat myself to poutine on Wed (It was a comfort food kinda day) and $52 to take my assistant out for an exit interview lunch on Thursday and $20 to get the driveway shovelled. So $153 unnecessary spending. This is the best I have done in a long time.

[shanendoah]

Update: 10/10 NSD for January.

There should have been two more, but on Friday, I forgot to pack a lunch and the auto-deduct from my paycheck hadn't hit my staff id card yet, so I had to pull some cash out to cover that. And then on Staruday, the car decided it was super low on coolant (even though it didn't look like it was), and so we bought more to make it happy. We have a service appointment scheduled for this Wednesday.

[Iggy aka IG]

Bought a coffee on the way to the office Saturday.  It's my treat for going in on the weekend.  $3.51 + $1 tip.

Total YTD Non grocery/shelter/bills related spending $458.47

[Blonde Granny]

I bought gas today since the sun was shining and it is 60+ outside. It should really be in my Febr. YNAB but it won't let me put in yet. Gas here at WMT was. $2.07 and Sams Club was $2.02. Both were too good to pass up if I had to wait until the 1st (ok, it's a game I play...) buy gas on 1st and 15th of the month. If I can accomplish that, I win the game for that month.

[nikiz628]

Jan 20, 2020 15:52:45 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

Jan 15, 2020 15:14:34 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

I've been super busy but can say we have spent $0 to date on non essential spending (since we started our NS on 1/6). Going back on WW on the 6th has really helped, and so has declaring it a No fast food month. 
They also did away with $1 tacos at our local Mexican restaurant (meat prices went up), so our little Tuesday dinner group is trying to figure out how we will proceed with our weekly date night together. Someone mentioned just rotating houses and I loved the idea. I would only have to cook for 11 every 3 weeks so it wouldn't be too bad at all. 

SPENDING TRACKER: JANUARY

6-15: $0.00
16: $0.00
17: $0.00
18: $0.00
19: $0.00
20: $0.00
21: $6.20 (ordered DS1 a new pair of sunglasses for baseball season, he doesn't NEED them, but his current pair aren't going to last long) 
22: $13.84
23: $0
24: $99.50
25: $0
26: $6.00
27: $2.26
28: 
29: 
30: 
31: 

We are still doing really well at not spending this month. We spent $13.84 at McDonald's the other night, which went against our "no eating out" goal for January. We would not have done this, but we have had our friend's son every evening for the past week. TW: Our friend's 23 year old sister OD'd and passed away, so we have had their son (who is our son's best friend) while they have been at the hospital/dealing with all of that. She was an organ donor so it made the process last 2 more days after she actually passed before they were done sitting at the hospital everyday. But she may save 8 lives with her donations, so silver linings.   The 24th was our 15 year dating anniversary, and we had a giftcard to Longhorn that was gifted to us awhile back. We needed a kid free evening, so we went and had dinner together. After the gift card it was only $13.50 for remaining balance and tip- not too shabby. The rest of the money spent that night was at TJMaxx. I bought a new purse, H bought some work shirts, we also picked up a couple things for the kids. None of it was a NEED NEED, so I am tracking it at nonessential spending.  The $6.00 spent on the 26th was my H ordering breadsticks for himself at a pizza place. We picked up dinner for our friends so they wouldn't have to worry about it, and he added on an order for himself. The rest of the month should be a complete no spend (fingers crossed). 

[Iggy aka IG]

nikiz628, that is very kind of you to watch your friend's son.  And happy belated anniversary! 

[nikiz628]

Jan 27, 2020 15:40:14 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

nikiz628 , that is very kind of you to watch your friend's son.  And happy belated anniversary! 

Thank you. It feels nice to help in anyway I can in such a sad situation. They have enough to worry about, hopefully knowing their kid is in good hands takes one thing off their plate.

[laterbloomer]

Can I cry now? ISO and i went out of town for a volunteer commitment and I got stuck with the meal tab. $110 later I'm up to $253

[nikiz628]

Jan 27, 2020 15:51:50 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Can I cry now? ISO and i went out of town for a volunteer commitment and I got stuck with the meal tab. $110 later I'm up to $253

Ouch.

[Iggy aka IG]

Ahem.  Let's see.  Liquor store and a Sonic pretzel (I love those things!) Monday evening, and lunch on the road today between sales calls.  I did use a $2 off coupon for lunch, so the burger, fries and drink was just $5.85.

Total YTD Non grocery/shelter/bills related spending $493.07.

[laterbloomer]

$72 to get my nails and eyebrows done and $40 for 2 tops. $365 unnecessary spending for the month. Less $100/week. That's the best I've done in a while.

[Iggy aka IG]

Wrapping up Jan 2020 vs. Jan 2019 (avoiding the piles on my desk):

Business:

$462 higher than last year.  My rent and E & O insurance increased, and we added an additional phone number.  And much to my chagrin, I needed to buy a new executive chair.    However, my commissions are 3 times higher than they were two years ago. 

Personal:

$979 less than last year.

Mortgage, electric and trash all slightly higher.

Fuel, food, and RX/medical all lower.  However, HBAs and cleaning products are almost twice as high because I stocked up earlier this month.

Entertainment, dining out, vaycay/gifts, household items, XM radio are all down significantly.  Entertainment/vaycay is reduced primarily because of last year's plane tickets and rental car for my birthday in Feb.

Debt repayments are higher because of the boiler replacement last February.

[nikiz628]

SPENDING TRACKER: JANUARY

6-15: $0.00
16: $0.00
17: $0.00
18: $0.00
19: $0.00
20: $0.00
21: $6.20 
22: $13.84
23: $0
24: $99.50
25: $0
26: $6.00
27: $2.26
28: $0
29: $9.24
30: $5.13
31: $50.00 

[moneysquirrel]

January Recap: 
No-Spend Days = 16
Controlled Spending Days = 8
Spend days = 7

Unfortunately lots of $$$ went out this month but some will not be revisited for 6 or 12 months. Below is a list of this month's payees.

Annual -- Paid once a year

• Home Insurance
• Flood Insurance
• House Deep Clean (Starting March will be monthly service)
• Craft Retreat Registration

Semi Annual -- Paid twice a year

• Gym Membership
• Dentist Visit

Monthly --

• Electric
• Water
• Gas
• Lawn Service
• Telephone -- Landline, Internet and Cell
• Car Payment
• Pest Control

As Needed:

• Handyman -- 2 visits
• Grocery
• Hardware -- Home Depot, Lowe's, etc

A lot of big ticket items were paid this month.  So glad next month's projections are less. Car payment is scheduled and no yearly or semi-annual items are upcoming.  Do have some quarterly ones on the horizon though. 

Keep up the good work all!

[shanendoah]

Update: January final count 11/10 NSD

[shanendoah]

Update: February 2/9 NSD

I guess it helps when you are sick and don't leave the house. Today will be a minor spend as I need to place a Girl Scout Cookie order


Running Year
Jan 11/10 NSD

[Iggy aka IG]

Feel better soon, shanendoah!!!

[TheOtherMe]

I am right with you shanendoah on the being sick part.  

Here is to both of us feeling better.

I have a trip to take and I'd rather eat the change fee than fly for a very busy weekend and then not be able to do anything except stay in my hotel room.  I have to cancel the hotel by next Monday or pay for the hotel.  

[nikiz628]

Goals for the week: 

2/3 No Spend. --Accomplished! 
2/4 Taco Tuesday with Friends, budgeted expense.-  I made a kid free trip to Hobby Lobby today, spent $77.55. 
2/5 No Spend-- Accomplished. 
2/6 No Spend- Spent $32.54 at Walmart. Picked up needed items (milk) but bought a couple things we didn't need as well. 
2/7 No Spend
2/8 No Spend

Spending Tracker for February: 
2/3 $0
2/4 $77.55
2/5 $0
2/6 $32.54
2/7
2/8
2/9
2/10
2/11
2/12
2/13
2/14
2/15
2/16
2/17
2/18
2/19
2/20
2/21
2/22
2/23
2/24
2/25
2/26
2/27
2/28
2/29