2020 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[buystoys]

YTD I'm $70 under budget.  We're remodeling the kitchen, so some of the budget is likely in the wrong monthly bucket.  I'll have a real idea of my YTD number at the end of this month.

[moneysquirrel]

Blonde Granny -- Made it through the storm with no ill effects.  Noticed that if was heading north to your general area.  Much rain?  We had less than I expected but mainly because the eye was so close to us and the worse was to the east so Mississippi and Alabama got more then I did.

[Blonde Granny]

MS, we had just a sprinkling late yesterday afternoon. The wind is howling however today and seems to be making up for it. So happy you were barely touched.

[shanendoah]

Update: June 6/18, 1 spend

Posting today so that I don't forget. Today is the spend. A friend of ours lost both of his parents to COVID-19 in the last week. We donated to their funerary expenses. So while I haven't been counting charity donations as spends (because I have a line item in the budget for charitable donations), this is a spend. It is a spend I regret having to make, but not one I regret making.

Hope everyone else is doing okay.


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


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[Blonde Granny]

My only spending recently has been at Joann Fabric store, and it's not much at that. As my Mom used to say " I just bubble along"....and for now, that's what I'm trying to do. Eat from the freezer as much as I can, the pantry doesn't have enough in it to worry about.

[Iggy aka IG]

Sorry for your friend, shanendoah.  

Spent $26.86 at the liquor store Tuesday evening.  Other than that, spending has been essential including food, and business expenses.

[moneysquirrel]

Jun 11, 2020 7:03:35 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

My only spending recently has been at Joann Fabric store, and it's not much at that. As my Mom used to say " I just bubble along"....and for now, that's what I'm trying to do. Eat from the freezer as much as I can, the pantry doesn't have enough in it to worry about.

   I am pretty much in the same mindset.  Haven't been to Joann's in a while but have ordered three new patterns for beading.  Other than that I am really trying to use up some of my stash. 
I also am continuing to eat out of the freezer -- its that time of year. And the pantry has enough in it for now.  Low on produce and dairy and will need to run to the store soon but should have enough until next week at least. 

 I also am trying to stock my Etsy shop so I have been spending more time writing up descriptions so I can get more items it in.  I have neglected it for a while but figured that with everything going on that I might as well put more effort into it.  Have quite a few items expiring soon.  Trying to add a new/expired item at least several times a week now.  I rarely sell anything but it is better than not trying. I heard that it is better to have a lot of items listed.  As of now I have only about 8 and at least two of those are expiring soon so I have a bit of work to do.  During the height of the crisis I didn't work on it at all.  Figured I wouldn't get an order and if I did than i would have to venture out.  

[shanendoah]

Update: June 8/18, 1 spend

Chugging along. As long as I don't spend any money today, I will be half-way to the goal at the half-way mark of the month. Given that I don't have any plans to spend today, we should be good.




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

[Blonde Granny]

2 weeks into the month and I just spent $103 on groceries. That should easily carry me until the first of July.

[Iggy aka IG]

I spent approximately $634 yesterday after work between a grocery stock up, and party food and drinks.  We're having our annual solstice party this Saturday.  A local liquor store offers 10% off Mondays, so I saved there and stuck to the list.  I also used the Walmart's pickup feature for the first time.  Very convenient and efficient.  I like their pickup process better than the local grocery store's.

As mentioned in a prior post, I did end up rewriting my business insurance policy saving nearly 50% between the base premium and because it was so low, I was able to pay in full, which saved on future installment fees.

Finally figured out how to use the air dry cycle on the dishwasher.  The energy bill has been on my radar the past few weeks.  With DH home on medical leave, last month's bill was understandably higher than May 2019.

[moneysquirrel]

Today was a spend day.  Did my grocery run as I needed dairy and produce items.  Picked up a few other items there as well.  Took me longer than expected as they are in the process of rearranging the store.  Just when I finally learned where all of the item were they are now changing things around.  This as a schedule spend and all needed items.

However the closest Joann's to me is in the process of moving a little further away and is having a moving sale.  Everything is 30-50% off.  Picked up several items there today and trying to decide if I want to venture out later this week to the other store in a similar pre-move state.  Both of these locations are closing and reopening into a bigger venue later this summer but are not moving the contents of the store so sales are on.  

[moneysquirrel]

Last week I did venture out to the other Joann's but they did not have anything I was looking for.  May make another visit later to the one closest to me as there are a few things there that I could find a use for.  Managed to sell a few pair of earrings and a necklace so that will help pay for some of the items I purchased.

Also got my hair trimmed.  Definitely a need but decided that I liked the longer length so did not go as short as usual.

Have a few of the monthly bills coming in this month.  Other than the possible run to Joann's no other things come to mind. 

Have a few things on my Amazon wish list but waiting for the new month as one of the CC is giving back 5% on Amazon instead of the usual 1 or 1.5%.  I try to take advantage of specials like that especially if the items have been on the list for a while and will be purchased at some time anyway. 

[shanendoah]

Update: June 10/18, 1 spend

Lots of little spending last week. Hopefully not as much this week, as we have plenty of leftovers so won't get pizza tomorrow and maybe won't get takeout on 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

[Blonde Granny]

FA just noticed me that the requested draw will be in my account tomorrow. The furniture and TV were necessary, the Dooney handbag was not....but I've drooled over it for over a year and just decided I was going to buy it.

Of course, then things go wrong. As I was getting ready to cut the fabric for another new quilt, I failed to pay attention and I made 2 cuts 1/2" too short. Now it's dig through the fabric time to see if something else will replace what I wanted to use. I'm sitting here chewing on some sugared ginger to make my tummy settle down, and I'm just not in a very good mood.

I was hoping that June was going to be a great month, Now I'm hoping for July instead.

[Iggy aka IG]

Took DH out to lunch Friday for his BD, and am waiting for his two presents to arrive hopefully today.  I wanted to spend about $100, and with shipping spent $10 over that.  Went to Walmart Friday morning, and except for a few 4th of July decorations, stuck to my list.

We have plenty of adult beverages and meat leftover from the party.  The latter includes several packages of ground beef, which was hard to come by just a few weeks ago.  It's nice to have it as part of our stockpile.

ETA:  The first of two gifts arrived 5 minutes after I posted this.  Woot!

[nikiz628]

I feel like I have fallen completely off the no spend wagon since all the covid crap started. I haven't even kept track of what has been necessary vs. unnecessary spending. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Checking in with a 6-month analysis as I won't have time next week.

My first entry on this thread included:  [snip]..."my goal this year is to return to squeaky clean spending in 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."

Total YTD unnecessary spending:  $2,754.05 or just shy of $460/mo.  Yikes.  That's almost enough to fully fund my IRA for a year.

Skimming through my posts, I see a lot of liquor store and take out entries.  I also see gift giving that is unusual compared to prior years because of graduations, etc.

On a positive note, I have put more in my IRA YTD than last year, I paid off the boiler, stopped using CCs, and my FICO is up.

I'd like to continue focusing on tightening up things even more, as I'm not sure I can handle going into the office for another 13 years.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone.

ETA:  Though my birthday trip was just under 1/3 of the YTD total.  From a prior post:  Total cost of the trip, including fuel, two meals at the lodge restaurant, the champagne I brought, etc. was approximately $889.17. This will be my only foreseeable vacation away this year.

Oh, and the $499 Coach purchase with my bonus. 

Traveling can be expensive.  Duly noted for my retirement years. 

[moneysquirrel]

Did a little more damage at my closest Joann's.  Additional discounted items that I will use and hope to sell the resulting items to reclaim my outlay of funds.  I pretty wiped out those items and if I go back it will be after the next increase of percentage off.  There are a few items that are useful wants but are not needs.  

Also ordered a few things that i have been wanting for a while since I had a great coupon for them and it also had free shipping.  

Other than that splurge I just spent of needed items.  Car insurance and replacement toner for the printer.  Toner is expensive and I ran out of three of the colors.  Had the replacements on hand, needed to drop off the emptied cartridges and picked up one of the colors.  Will pick up the other colors later. I do like having the backups available at home but with the cost as high I space out the purchases as much as possible.

Items are still in my Amazon wish list and will be spacing out the purchases of some of them.  I only purchase things once I have the money earmarked for them in the budget.  I think the most expensive items are the mats I would like to have for my car. They would protect the car and I think will be the focus of the first order as I plan to get the wish list items a little at a time.

Take care all!

[shanendoah]

Update: June 14/18, 1 spend

Obviously won't be meeting my goal this month. Looks like I'll be at 16 again. This weekend was C's birthday, so there was a little extra shopping over the weekend. However, this week, there should be a little less buying as we need to work on clearing out the chest freezer so we can defrost and clean it. 




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

[Iggy aka IG]

DH and I took a semi-spontaneous few days off and went to a resort.  We haven't been anywhere together this year, and I wanted to do so before he returns to work.  As mentioned in a prior post, traveling can be expensive!  He paid for the room, and I paid for fuel, meals, and misc.  My half was $503.44, about $100 of which were gifts and souvenirs (I bought me some local artist hand-made jewelry).  And I made sure to tip our servers well because of them being off and now back with reduced diners.

Oh, and I bought a Starbucks this a.m.

MTD spending $506.95

[moneysquirrel]

June Final Count is 26 NSD and 4 SDs

Most of the spending was on craft supplies.  Joann's moving tempted me into spending since the items I bought were half price.  Not sure if there is anything left in the closest store to tempt me the next level of discounts.

Made it to the grocery this morning as I needed a few items. I went later than I usually do and only got the items I knew I needed as it was more crowded than I like. 

Have a great holiday all!


Iggy aka IG --- Have a great trip!

[buystoys]

Well, my YTD is $22K under budget.  That's a false number as some of our kitchen remodel has been delayed into July.  We estimate we'll spend another $15-20K to complete the project.  That means we'll still be bringing it in under budget.  Yay!

The new kitchen is so worth the expense.

[jenpen]

Happy 4th of July, all!

As mentioned in other threads, I was without a computer for part of May and June. Got a new one and have been slowly updating spreadsheets.  The past few months have been good except for the new laptop which I am taking out of my sinking funds instead of monthly non-fixed spending (which is what I track in this thread). 

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!

[Iggy aka IG]

Hope everyone is doing well.

I picked up take out after work Friday.

Total MTD spending $548.35

[shanendoah]

Update: July 3/18
June 15/18, 1 spend

Ended up at 15 no spend for June as the power supply on my Surface stopped working and that's a need for me while working from home. Sticking with a goal of 18 NSD again this month. I'll have to work for it, but I need to do that.
I've spent the last week helping my BFF shop for a new to her car. And now I want a new car.




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

[Blonde Granny]

I'm surprised so far this month: $50 for groceries and $12 for gasoline. $50 for chiropractor and $4 for an RX. All of this is budgeted for.

I have little if any spending moving forward. I have enough food in the freezers and fridge that I simply don't need to buy anything.

[moneysquirrel]

This week has been a mix of spending.
I had my dental appointment -- semiannual checkup. Does not count as it is planned
Joann's trip -- picked up a few items there.
Lowe's trip -- 1st since shutdown -- needed potting soil and new flower pot as one had been broken.  I will also paint this one so that it will be a craft project as well.  Several plants have outgrown their living quarters and needed more potting soil to move them.

Other than that I have been doing well.  The monthly bills are beginning to come in.
Continuing to eat out of the freezer and will be able to unplug the one in the garage this week I think.  Only a few more items to move.  

Keep up the good work all!

[Blonde Granny]

I'm still sitting at $12 for gas and $50 for groceries. I did have to spend $4 for an RX but that line item is budgeted.

Like a few others here, I'm still working on using up freezer items before I start running off and buying more food. Time will tell if I need to replenish anything in the pantry.

on edit: I finished off a container of ice cream last night....thats 1 down and 1 to go....think I'll work on # 2 in a few minutes.

[shanendoah]

Update: July 7/18
June 15/18, 1 spend

Did pretty well last week. We didn't do grocery shopping this weekend. I'll do it this afternoon while C is in a medical appointment.




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]

What an expensive month.  Already!  Was out of town for a few days to celebrate my niece's high school graduation.  I gave my plastic quite the workout which I'll take care of on payday.  I'll not count the food, fuel or coffee purchases, as this was a special time for our family.  Bought a round of drinks for niece1 and her DH, took niece2 out for lunch to spend some time with her before she heads to university, and though we used the remaining balance on a gift card for supper, it wasn't enough so I paid for the rest.  I did use a TJ Maxx gift card and didn't spend over the amount, and dropped off a box and bag at Goodwill and received a donation receipt.

A spontaneous trip to the bookstore ended with a $76.93 purchase of 4 books.  I haven't bought books in quite some time, so no guilt.   Oh, and I bought a few things at the liquor store to stock up.

Total MTD spending $672.58