2021 Controlled Spend and No Spend

[Blonde Granny]

Heres's to wishing 2021 is far better than 2020.

[startsmart]

Hey all, I’m going to jump in and attempt to track all my 2021 NSD this year. For January the goal is 20 NSD with exceptions for the bills I pay and the truck repairs which got pushed from Dec to Jan.

Thanks to my truck I will likely have no place to go and noway to get there for a month or two, unless I can replace my truck or repair it for the right amount. Thankfully, most things in town are within walking distance but I am not looking forward to taking my laundry to the laundry mat when it’s 30 degrees outside.

[vetswife]

I'd like to do better with my finances; need to work on that. 

[Blonde Granny]

I need to do far better with spending than I did in 2020. I know in some cases it's because it fills an empty space that the loneliness and sadness replaces. Until last March, a lot of my time was either quilting or volunteering at the VA....lately none them of have been able to do it.

[laterbloomer]

I did good with retirement savings last year but I made a few big ticket purchases. I paid everything off except my camper. The trick this year is to pay that off AND keep up with my retirement savings. That means no more big purchases! And no wasting money

[WholeLottaNothin]

I'm trying to keep better track of my spending so I can tackle some of this debt. It's causing me a lot of stress and I need to feel like I'm making progress. I'm hoping this will help keep me more accountable.

[moneysquirrel]

Blonde Granny -- Thank you for starting the 2021 thread.  I am in again.  This was the first thread I participated in back in the old MSN days and I will continue to track progress. 

I have things pretty much in control as of now. My needs and wants have changed since my retirement and I learned to ask myself certain questions prior to a major purchase. As I have mentioned several months ago the last month and the first quarter of any year are the times when I have most of my annual expenses.  Most of these are several insurance premiums and property taxes.

This year I created my usual spreadsheet but instead of in Excel I am using Google Sheets.  My laptop is over 5 years old, no longer holding a charge and I have no idea how long it would last.  Moving to the Sheets instead of Excel I can access it using my Chromebook or any other device.  Didn't want to take a chance of the laptop crashing with all of my data even with frequent backups.

Welcome to all those joining us on this journey to a better understanding on how we approach money.  The goal is to become aware of our weak areas and to reinforce those things we are doing well.  

Happy New Year to all of you!

[Blonde Granny]

Goodness, day 3 and I have not spent money....feels like a record.

[laterbloomer]

I haven't spent any money yet this year but I'm going to blow it today. ISO's birthday/Christmas gift is an office chair. I'm going to pick it up from Costco today. It is kind of last year's spending so I am not getting too excited about it.

[vetswife]

Filled the car  $19.89
ordered a replacement for a gift that was wrong size but I'll get a refund for returning the wrong size gift
Grandson washed and detailed my car, did a great job  $30

[moneysquirrel]

I spent yesterday.  All items were needed -- groceries, otc meds, and printer paper.  I was completely out of printer paper.  Thought I had another ream but didn't.  Can't remember the last time I purchased paper -- several years ago I think.  This should hold me for several more. 

 Today, I will schedule my monthly donation to the church.  My Etsy bill for my shop has also been sent to me.  

All of the above were known about/or needed and scheduled into the budget. 

Several known items with spending this month: Annual and/or semi-annual or one time 

1. Insurance deductible for the body shop repair

2. My share of the rental car. The car is going in tomorrow to take care of its damage. 

3. Dentist appointment

4, Home insurance

5. Flood Insurance

6. Car Inspection Tag

7. Home Improvement Repair -- Siding-- hope to schedule it for this month. 

8. Handyman -- hope to schedule this month as well

[catsareme]

I just paid off the UTV we purchased to help make the yard work (several acres) more doable without hiring outside help.  Our savings accounts look anemic after the payoff though.  This was a late 2020 purchase so I consider it as an expense from last year even though I paid it off in 2021. 

Day 3 of no spending (groceries, gas, etc.). 

Next goal:  Build our savings accounts back up and then work on paying off the mortgage ahead of schedule.  

[startsmart]

I've also got 2 NSD so far this month and today should be #3. It helps that it snowed on New Year's Day and I haven't left the house, not even to check the mailbox! 

When my truck is done at the shop I'll have that bill to pay and then will likely drive down and make my utility payment early since the truck will be out of commission for awhile. 

One thing that I am working on this month is groceries, I want to have less waste and use up what I buy but not being able to get to the grocery store regularly is messing with my mind and the "need" to have lots of options and access. I'm in no danger of starving, or even getting scurvy, but since I was raised by people with deep Great Depression mindsets I still have that fear of running out. In reality, I just like choice and having fewer choices makes me cranky. 

[startsmart]

Today is a planned spend day. I have my truck to pick up at the shop, groceries to shop for, utility bill to pay and will be paying for some items I bought at the auction. I go back and forth on the auctions but the reality is I am saving tons of money for finishing my house. 

For example, I purchased 2 double bed frames, solid wood, for $11 which will come in very handy for the upstairs bedrooms. One of the frames might have some damage but I also have designs to turn a headboard and footboard into a seating bench so it won't go to waste. Most of what I got are smaller items, a pair of curtain rods (I have 21 windows upstairs...), a hoe for the garden, new sheets that can be used on the bed or as drop cloths. Still a spend day, but one I'm not unhappy about. 

[Blonde Granny]

I've had 4 No spend day,

Today is a Spend day, as I need a few things from Walmart. However, if it's not on my list it won't be in my cart.

[vetswife]

Today is a spend day:

memorial donation for my aunt who passed away recently
lunch with DGD2
eye doctor

[Blonde Granny]

I stayed within my list today: Grand total $14.30. I didn't get any birdseed as it was gone, and decided I didn't need another detergent pod container.

Lousy weather for the next few days.

[laterbloomer]

I ended up buying 4 sweaters at Costco. The same sweater in 4 colours. I have had a real problem with the sweaters I have been getting being itchy and I don't really like how I look in them. They are only $20 each and they are basically my work wardrobe for the next 4 months. Lockdown has stopped me from getting my nails done, my hair cut or the dog groomed. I must make those things my only non essential spending this month.

[Iggy aka IG]

Thank you for the new thread, BG.

2020 annual non-essential spending totaled $8,335.63.  The majority of that was entertainment, travel and gifts.  The good news is when I calculated YTD through November, and decided to really reel it in, December came in at just $192.03.  Over half of that was a gift card for my dad and his wife.  Here's to a better year, and maxing out retirement funds. 

[TheOtherMe]

By doing grocery pick up, I do keep to the list.  I either get what I ordered or I don't.  I got everything I ordered today.  

[Iggy aka IG]

TheOtherMe, I love grocery pickup!  It's so convenient, and it keeps me away from the store interior, and the mask drama that goes with it.  I also love the fact it keeps a rough estimate on the total.  I look forward to that feature keeping me on budget this year.  For food and essentials that is. 

[TheOtherMe]

Both the person putting groceries in my car and me wear a mask.  That's fine by me.

[startsmart]

I stayed in budget today and got everything I needed home safely (though my truck is out of commission until repairs are done). Since I won’t be able to grocery shop for weeks I stocked up on what I needed and have a full pantry again. It “feels” expensive but I got batteries, toilet paper, dog food and Keurig cups and that right there is $60.

One spend day this week isn’t too bad!

[moneysquirrel]

Have a total of 2 NSD but the 3 days I did spend was usual bills, grocery and needed items.  Tomorrow will be scheduled spending as I have both a dental appointment and a hair appointment.  Both are in the budget.  Not expecting to spend other than that.  

Keep up the good work ladies. 

[catsareme]

Day 4 of No Spend. 

Yesterday was errand day.  I was able to cross off all but one item on my list and that item I purchased on-line with free shipping.  Even though DH accompanied me I was able to keep close to my grocery list.  Filled the truck and saved .50/gal with gas rewards.  Used up a Home Depot gift card along with our military discount to get a long-handled heavy duty scrub brush and some more wall hooks.  Both items needed for home maintenance/repair.

At home all the savings were added up and transferred into the savings account.  Every cent helps but it's going to be a long trek to bringing the total back up.

[nikiz628]

H and I are both on the same page re: very intentional spending this year. I hope that helps us keep our finances in check. 

[laterbloomer]

Yesterday I spent $20 on 5 storage baskets. I'm doing a big purge in my house and these were needed for my closet organizational system. I also got a big bottle of tylenol and 2 lottery tickets. Can I count the lottery tickets as retirement investments?

[Iggy aka IG]

Rounding as I'm too lazy for the calculator, lol.  Spent $9 at Arby's and $55 (half of this amount is for a birthday gift) at the liquor store.  $64 MTD non-essential spending.

Essential spending:  Postage for the office, fuel for the truck, and a RX.

Used Christmas gift cards at Starbucks and on Amazon.  

[vetswife]

I've had two NS days this week so far.

[moneysquirrel]

Yesterday went as planned only spend for those 2 appointments.  Today I did not leave the house so definitely a NSD. 

NSDs = No Spending, CSDs = Planned/Needed Spending -- 

Total: 3  NSDs, 4 CSDs