2021 Controlled Spend and No Spend

[catsareme]

Oct 30, 2021 14:52:21 GMT -5 vetswife said:

The month wound up a little better than expected; I was able to put $200 into savings.  We'll see how November goes.

Good for you! 

[moneysquirrel]

Good morning, all.  
October ended up better than expected but November will be pricey.  My EF will be getting a hit as I think that the roof will be replaced then. I will need to pick up this expense myself as I am saving the insurance check for the patio repair as that will cover almost all of that expense.  Still waiting for the estimate for the fence replacement and that one will also be coming from me. The siding has been repaired and that portion of the repair was paid for in September as part of my deposit.  

No other major expenses are expected this coming month and no idea when the other repairs will be done.  My entire area is covered in blue tarps and I will be extremely lucky to have my roof repair done as soon as this coming month.  Patio materials have been ordered and just waiting for them to come in.  Have no idea when that will happen.

This  current week I will have to venture out to the grocery.  Need to get several items as I am running low on several basic supplies.  Will also see if some items I will need for the upcoming holidays are available.  I usually do one large trip each month and then smaller trips to pick up perishables.  May have to make a few more of those smaller trips this month.  

Wishing all of you a great week!  Will check in when I can.

[startsmart]

6/60 NSD so far

The first week was fairly easy because I am staying home, eating out of the pantry and working a ton. This week I need to pick up some things Monday so I'll also get gas for the car and anything I need for my trip. 

I cleaned the freezer and fridge this weekend and have plenty of food to use up before my trip and when I get home. Some of the food is a bit freezer burned but it's fine. 

I will need to eat at home this week because I have 2 overlapping virtual events (1 attending, 1 teaching) and my calendar is packed full. 

Working on planning a budget for my work trip because it'll be somewhat spendy with taxis, eating out, parking at the airport and paying for the dog's kennel. 

[laterbloomer]

I really need to get my spending under control for the next few months. Mainly I need to stop buying clothes and stick to my grocery budget. So other than bills, the only approved scending for November and December are Christmas gifts, hair cut, and nails done.
Here goes...

[catsareme]

Made it through October but just barely.

The first two days of November have been NSD/CSD.  Good start, hoping I can keep up the momentum.  Unless there are some outstanding loss leader deals tomorrow I won't be grocery shopping this week.  

[startsmart]

Monday ended up being just under $50 spend, which was nice. I filled up the car with gas for an upcoming trip and paid for some things I bought at auction. I have a bunch of options for meals this week at home and I do need to eat things before my trip so I am hoping the rest of the week is NSD. 

[Blonde Granny]

Well, in 3 days I've managed to spend $ 269 in days. All of the expenses are already listed in YNAB and accounted for, but still....not exactly the way I was hoping the month would go.

[moneysquirrel]

Roof is currently being replaced.  Paid half and still owe the other half.  Still no estimate on the fence repair.  No other major outflows yet this month.

Hope it stays that way.  Keep up the good work all!

[vetswife]

So far only planned for expenses, and one good thing, my glaucoma medicine is much less expensive since I got it into the mail order part-that saves about $90 over the next 3 months.  I will be getting some extra yard work done this month and have a trip planned to visit my college grandson.

[Iggy aka IG]

Holy smokes, I went inside the actual store at least 4 times last month.  Prior to that, I estimate it had been 4 times over the past six months.  Last week, I ended up getting sick with allergies and subsequent asthma (we deep cleaned), but I was just sure it was because of the public germs!  In the future, I'll continue with curbside pickup.

I haven't spent anything yet this month except for a RX co-pay.  That's one good thing about being under the weather.  

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

[laterbloomer]

I've managed not to spend on unnecessary items but man it has been a challenge! At Costco for grocery shopping and see at least $500 worth of stuff I want. I didn't buy any of it! I even managed to stay in budget grocery shopping and on Xmas gifts for 2 of they grand kids. Just 24 more days to go!

[Blonde Granny]

I managed a trip to the Walmart Neighborhood market this morning. I can across a new recipe I had made before but didn't have all the ingredients for it. I now do. Will start it today in the big crock pot. Total was $33.

[catsareme]

I went into Costco with four items on my list and walked out with nothing.  The butcher shop windows were all covered.  No rotisserie chickens, no turkeys and the ham selection was paltry.  I wanted another package of reading glasses but all they had in stock were two small boxes of 1.25 power (I needed 1.75) and no Kirkland liquid dish soap of any size.  It was shocking to say the least!  

[Iggy aka IG]

Nov 7, 2021 19:03:28 GMT -5 catsareme said:

I went into Costco with four items on my list and walked out with nothing.  The butcher shop windows were all covered.  No rotisserie chickens, no turkeys and the ham selection was paltry.  I wanted another package of reading glasses but all they had in stock were two small boxes of 1.25 power (I needed 1.75) and no Kirkland liquid dish soap of any size.  It was shocking to say the least!  

catsareme, has this ever happened before?  Did they say why?

[catsareme]

Nov 8, 2021 13:07:58 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Nov 7, 2021 19:03:28 GMT -5 catsareme said:

I went into Costco with four items on my list and walked out with nothing.  The butcher shop windows were all covered.  No rotisserie chickens, no turkeys and the ham selection was paltry.  I wanted another package of reading glasses but all they had in stock were two small boxes of 1.25 power (I needed 1.75) and no Kirkland liquid dish soap of any size.  It was shocking to say the least!  

catsareme , has this ever happened before?  Did they say why?

I have never seen Costco's meat section this empty before.  There were no signs explaining why the meat cutting area was closed off or the low stock/absence of other meat products.  There was just the one sign stating there were "no rotisserie chickens available". 

I asked a staff member in Optical about the reading glasses and he said it was due to "supply issues" and not receiving replacement stock. 

I checked for Kirkland dish soap on-line and it isn't listed at all.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Nov 8, 2021 17:42:00 GMT -5 catsareme said:

Nov 8, 2021 13:07:58 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

catsareme , has this ever happened before?  Did they say why?

I have never seen Costco's meat section this empty before.  There were no signs explaining why the meat cutting area was closed off or the low stock/absence of other meat products.  There was just the one sign stating there were "no rotisserie chickens available". 

I asked a staff member in Optical about the reading glasses and he said it was due to "supply issues" and not receiving replacement stock. 

I checked for Kirkland dish soap on-line and it isn't listed at all.  

How disconcerting.  I hope you were able to eventually find proteins.  

[Iggy aka IG]

This morning, I bought fuel (I let the tank get too empty, not good!) and splurged on a Starbucks for the first time in months.  While there, I had to buy a cranberry bliss bar of course.  

Yesterday, I reviewed monthly bills, and budgeted for Christmas.  And my vehicle registration is due.  Boo, hiss.....  This morning I also conducted an inventory of canned goods and updated the grocery list.

MTD unnecessary spending $7.35.

[startsmart]

This week (Friday to Tuesday) have all been planned spend days because I am in New York for business. Thankfully my expense report gets paid tomorrow so that will cover my flights, hotel and an event I attended last week.

Before I get home I do need to make a shopping list so I can meal prep this weekend. I’m just about burned out on eating out here and craving my own food again.

[catsareme]

We filled up the car this morning.  We waited until the tank was ~quarter full so our .80/gal discount got maxed out.  I blew through the savings though as we went out for breakfast this morning.  Christmas has been budgeted for and I am closely tracking each expense.  No great loss leaders in the grocery store flyers again this week, at least not ones I'm interested in.  Instead of turkey I think we're going to have prime rib for Thanksgiving.  I have one left in the freezer.  The closer we get to the holidays the less enthused I am about shopping (grocery, gift, etc.).  The crowds, traffic.... 😒

[Iggy aka IG]

catsareme , prime rib sounds delicious!

Add a trip to the liquor store and hairdresser, plus a bottle of fancy shampoo purchase while there, to this month's non-essential spending.  $275.76.

ETA:  For budget purposes earlier this year, hairdresser trips were reduced from every other month to quarterly.  Seems to be working out well.

[catsareme]

Whoa, got the bill for the generator repair and it's twice as much as I had budgeted for.  What a downer right before the holiday season kicks off.  I have the money in the emergency account to cover the overage but had hoped to carry those funds into the new year.  Start 2022 on a positive note and all that.  So much for best laid plans.  

[Blonde Granny]

My repair for a new disposal plus a new faucet for the shower totaled $500. I just took a look at the amount I budget each year for house repair and that total is also $500, guess I was right. Looking at this past year for car repair was also used up when I had to buy 2 new from tires and that totaled $600.

This is the first time my "escrow" account has been used up so I plan on talking to my financial guru for some additional help with getting 2022 in better shape.

[moneysquirrel]

My sinking funds took a dip this month but both the roof and the fence are paid off.  Insurane money for the patio cover replacement is in the bank waiting for that last repair to be done.  Figured that I would park it where it might get a few more pennies of interest.  My housing expenses this year are over the top as I also had several appliance purchases to deal with earlier in the year.

Also have done some craft material purchases.  Mostly tools and items that I have wanted for a while.  Got most while they were on sale.  Still have a few more on my wish list.  

November has been a very expensive month for me so far and we still have 10 days left.  Hoping to stay in as much as possible and to avoid online browsing as well.  Good thing is that all of the major expenses have been covered and only one more monthly bill due.  It should come in later this week.  

In case I don't check in before the holiday, I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. 

[vetswife]

This month has been quite expensive: Christmas shopping, plane ticket for Christmas trip, driving trip to see grandkids in college.  However, I should break even at least; I am applying my credit card points this month which will cover most of my airline ticket.  There's always something, seems like!  But I am thankful that I can afford these extras even if it makes things a little tight for the month.

[Iggy aka IG]

moneysquirrel, glad the repairs are coming to a conclusion.

vetswife, way to go using CC points for the ticket!  


While in the big city for business purposes, I made a point of going clothes shopping.  My favorite pair of grey plaid work slacks, and black blazer are threadbare and pilling respectively.  I bought a pair of black slacks, a pair each blue and black jeans, a pile of skivvies, two pairs of boots, and pair of sneakers.  The skivvies and sneakers will replace the ones I tossed due to age.  Everything was on sale.  Wasn't able to find a blazer to fit my taste, so I'll try a different city next month.

Christmas shopping is complete except for stocking stuffers, which I'll buy at the Dollar Tree.

[Blonde Granny]

Chelsie had a trip to the VET yesterday.....she was soooooo nervous, but she made it through. The tech was so sweet to her, and I really liked the vet. Total cost was $78.00 I don't have to return until next May for her shots.

[catsareme]

...and the fun just keeps leaving.  A few days ago the commode started gurgling and the day after Thanksgiving we woke up around 2AM to a large puddle of (thankfully) clean toilet water around the commode and into the sink/shower area.  As far as we can tell the filter for the septic system may need to be cleaned out.  Our septic guy won't be in until tomorrow (Monday).  I hope he can get out here fairly soon.  After the $$$ for the generator repair we didn't need the septic system to have "sympathy pains".  

[Iggy aka IG]

For Shop Local Saturday, I went to several stores in town.  Two were a bust, the Dollar Tree was successful with stocking stuffers and goodie tins for holiday baking next month, and I found a few small gifts at the antique shop and clothing store.  I kept to the list, and am shopped out, for sure!

[moneysquirrel]

All of the house repairs from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida are done.  The patio repair went on the CCs (so glad that the company allowed me to split it into 2 CCs) so that I can get the cash back on them.  I have the insurance money put aside for this repair (It will cover all but $1000 of the remaining balance) and will be paying this off asap. Already scheduled some partial payments for them. The other repairs (roof and fence) came out of pocket.  Once this bill is finished -- definitely very soon -- I will start rebuilding my house maintence fund which took a major hit this year.  Still have several older appliances that will need to be replaced sometime in the not so distance future and would like to have a chunk saved for that occurance.

This month is also the start of three to four months of my normal expensive time of year. I do have sinking funds for these.  i just hope that the increases in premiums will no not be major.

I want to pay off the CCs charges for the patio repair before I start charging these insurance premiums on them.  (Again for the cash back). 

Will be cashing out one of the card rewards this month and I hope to be applying those funds to a sinking fund for future travel.  Will be doing something similar to the other one but it is not as easy to redeem the way I would like to do so.  I like cashing them out in December and start rebuilding the funds in January.

Coming up 
* December -- Umbrella Insurance policy -- Annually (Bill came in @$45 higher than last year)
* December -- Car Insurance -- 6 months 
* December -- Property Taxes -- Annually
* January  -- Home Owner's Insurance  -- Annually
* February -- Flood Insurance -- Annually
* February -- Supplementary Insurance -- Health -- Quarterly

Other than the usual expenses plus a little holiday spending I will be keeping a very tight hold on my wallet for the next several months.  All of you seem to be doing well and making progress.  I will check in when I can.

[catsareme]

Tomorrow the plumber will be here.  I hope the repairs aren't too extensive or pricey, but plumbers never come cheap.     I have to remember this is the reason for our sinking fund.  I want to put the repair costs on our CC for the cashback but only if there isn't a charge for using credit as the payment.  No matter what the bill will be paid in full before there is an interest charge.  On a positive note, we were able to cancel the visit from the septic guy.  

The last bill for the year will be the annual maintenance on the JD zero-degree mower and the Gator UTV.  Again, this bill was budgeted for, and the funds set aside.    

Our long-term care premiums are due the first part of January.  Funds have been set aside each month just waiting for the bill to arrive.  I try to milk what pennies in interest I can from the account before paying the bill in full.  I pay the premiums for the entire year in one fell swoop.  One and done!