2021 Controlled Spend and No Spend

[Blonde Granny]

Happy that February is starting to work it's way to spring. I ended up spending lunch money with a friend, but for a total of $8.00 for 2 days. I added up my YNAB and put $212 into savings. I have restarted my cleaning ladies for the end of February after I get my 2nd virus shot. I've heard it can be quite difficult so added an extra 2 weeks on to recover.

[startsmart]

Final January count is 23/21 NSD but the spend days were substantial considering I bought a used car!

February goal is 18 NSD which should be the same percentage with a short month.

I’ve also set the goal of repaying my savings for the car in 3 months so I am still limiting my non essential spending to make that happen.

[shanendoah]

Update: February 0/15 NSD

Final: January 17/15 NSD, 1 Spend

This last week went so nicely, no weekday spending at all. It felt SOOO good. In fact, there was almost an NSD on Saturday, too, but it turned out we didn't have one of the key ingredients we needed for our planned dinner, so ended up ordering pizza for dinner. Yesterday we did weekly grocery shopping, placed an Amazon order, and I ordered Girl Scout Cookies from a few different sources.

For February, my goal is 4 NSD/week, but allowing for one time where I only get 3. 

startsmart - I hope you love your new car, and that you are able to maintain your NSD spree, even as you can start getting places easily again.

[laterbloomer]

And another month begins. Right off the top I have $123.60 for a week's camping in June. I have to book now or there will be no space. But that means in June it just costs me gas to get there, food and firewood. GW2 just had her baby so there will be a gift or two there. Otherwise I really want to keep a tight belt.

[moneysquirrel]

Today was a controlled spend day -- Stocked up on groceries and charged the Flood insurance.  Have the money in my sinking funds but figured I would get the points.  May need to only do small grocery pickups during the rest of the month for perishables.  

[Blonde Granny]

Today was spend day, but my restaurant money is budgeted in.....so the $5 for lunch is OK. I'm still needing to get to the grocery store and guess I will before the next cold front shows up.

[Iggy aka IG]

Month end total non-essential spending $233.07.  A majority of that was at the liquor store, whether for me or for gifts.  Reeling that in right now. 

ETA:  In my defense, this is almost half of what I spent Jan 2020. 

[vetswife]

Hoping for 18 NSDs in February.  So far so good.  I'm anticipating a rather difficult month emotionally; anniversary of DH's death and our wedding anniversary; plus DD is taking a job in Virginia.  I've lived close to her the last 7 years and she's invited me to come with them.  I'm considering it but am a lifelong Texan.  I have two sons and the grandkids all here in the state, so maybe it would be better to just plan on visiting her.  

[Iggy aka IG]

vetswife

[startsmart]

3 NSD so far and will try to make Friday #4. I do need to get laundry done this weekend and check out a shop nearby that has plants for sale.

In order to persuade myself that I don’t need to go grocery shopping I need to clean my fridge and freezer to get an idea of what I have already.

[Iggy aka IG]

Liquor store and Wally World this week.  Walmart purchases were a condolence card, 4 food items, and Lysol wipes which I'll consider all necessary.

$23.65 MTD non-essential spending

Have a relaxing weekend, everyone. 

[laterbloomer]

I have been so well disciplined in my no spending! Being in lock down helps mind you. All I have spent money on is gas for the car and that is essential. Very happy camper here. 😁

[moneysquirrel]

I did spend on Friday.  Treated myself to a pizza after having the 2nd vaccine shot.  Definitely worth it.  Still have enough for two additional meals. 

[vetswife]

No unplanned spending so far this month.  Don't know how long this will last but at least it's a good start!

[startsmart]

4 NSD so far including Saturday. I got groceries at the "real" grocery store today as well as what I needed from Home Depot, gas for the car and breakfast while I was out. Not too spendy overall. Made lunch and dinner at home and watched the game. 

This coming week I have a few planned bills to pay but am hoping I don't need to spend money on anything else. 

[shanendoah]

Update: February 4/15 NSD

On track so far. Sure it's only one week into the month, but I'll take what wins I can. I have a massage therapy appointment today, but that will be paid for on the FSA card, and I'll tip from cash I already have on hand, so today will be considered an NSD (unless I end up buying something else).
I got my first full paycheck with all of my retirement pulled out last week, so I'm in the process of reminding myself how to budget on an every 2 week paycheck instead of 2x/per month. I think I've got my savings plan figured out for the savers board, but we'll see.


Running Totals
January 17/15 NSD, 1 Spend

[vetswife]

Still no unplanned spending this month; unusual for me but I'm pretty well stocked on most things.

[laterbloomer]

The dogs got groomed today, $70. It was essential for their well being but I need to learn to clip toe nails. It's my first spending in 2 weeks, other than groceries and gas.

[moneysquirrel]

This past week all spending was on needs and bills.  I will be spending this week as I have decided to book a trip for 2022 and will need to send in a deposit.  I put $$ aside each month for travel and this will come from that sinking fund. 

[shanendoah]

Update: February 10/15 NSD

So I got Starbucks last Monday on the way to the massage, but I didn't spend again until Friday when we got take out and did some grocery shopping. And then we got snowed in, and didn't even shop online over the weekend. This means that at just over half-way through the month, I'm 66% of the way to my goal, which makes me happy. There is some online shopping I do need to do this week, and the sooner the better, probably. One of those things includes buying some tax software this year. I've used Credit Karma's free tax filing the last two years, but it won't cut it for this year's taxes. So I need to decide on which software I am going to get and do that. I'm expecting a refund of almost $7k (due to a $7500 tax credit from buying our EV this summer), so it will be worth it to pay for good software.


Running Totals
January 17/15 NSD, 1 Spend

[laterbloomer]

We are out of lockdown, I will be getting my hair and nails done. I'm looking at about $200 (I need to get a dye job too). It stings but I'm doing really good on the nickel and dime spending and have stayed away from buying clothes.

[startsmart]

I’m at 9 NSD and pretty much snowed in until Thursday. I did get my laundry done Saturday and bought snow gear to be delivered this week.

I’ve had to carry my 13 yo dog out to a part of the yard that’s covered so he can do his business. He went out this morning and it was -14 and he just can’t walk well with 6” of snow in the way.

In addition to another spend day on Thursday I will need to pay for a repairman to come out for my gas heaters and another one for plumbing. I am hoping that when we thaw out the pipes won’t be permanently damaged.

[laterbloomer]

I couldn't get a hair appt until March 6th, so that bumps that spending to next month. I'll take it! Nails are about $60, much better!

[Iggy aka IG]

Last week I splurged on Chinese take out for the Lunar New Year.  And I had an Amazon gift card which I balanced out with $1.61 of my own money for my birthday purchase.  I then called the office land line company to ask what happened to the amount they quoted me in December, and they credited next month's bill $10.  And finally I called XM to renew my annual subscription at nearly 1/3 the price.

Total MTD non-essential spending $53.17.   Compare this to last year's $1,100+ because of an out of town trip and whatever else.  I've said it before:  Traveling is expensive!

[vetswife]

Well, I've spent nothing this week due to being without power a good part of the week; it's been intermittent most of the time.  This afternoon is a little better , so far, it actually was above freezing this afternoon although we had freezing rain this morning.  I will need to buy groceries soon.  Right now just trying to stay warm.

[startsmart]

Vetswife- I hope your power is back soon and you’re staying warm!

I went out and cleared the snow off my car for tomorrow and I still need to shovel the sidewalk in the backyard. I did the front walkway (again) for the repairman.

I spent $75 today to get my gas heaters on and it was worth every penny! I also made a bunch of food for dinners this weekend and will stop at the grocery store tomorrow too.

[vetswife]

Startsmart- power came on yesterday and has stayed on, no water issues.  Best of all, all my kids and grandkids have power except DGD2, her mom brought her home from university yesterday-there's still no power or water in her apartment complex, it's only about 50 miles north of us but what a difference in weather!  They had snow yesterday.  It's in the 20s here but the sun is shining.  One more cold night tonight then a warming trend.  Do many people have had burst pipes, I'm very thankful for things going as well as they have for us.  I did order groceries via Instacart yesterday; I don't tolerate cold well and was worried about slick spots on the roads-I'm a terrible ice driver.  So that was an unplanned expense but well worth it.

[moneysquirrel]

This week has been mostly no spending except for a quick WM run as I needed to pick up a RX  and picked up a few grocery items while I was there.  I did spend a little today -- needed a few items to finish up a craft for St. Patrick's day.  I decorate the entry table for the holidays and needed a few things to finish the started project.  Was hoping to find everything I needed at $tree but had to go to Michael's to get 2 items.  Used my coupon and AARP discount so I saved a little on both.

Next week I have the last of the monthly bills coming in plus a visit from the plumber.   I did wait until I had a 2nd point of need to save on service call fees.  Also hair appointment is scheduled.   

Over all not too out of line.  Trying to keep a closer eye on expenses so that the I don't have to pull too much from savings for the planned house repairs.  

Clothes wise I have a list of items I need to purchase.  Sticking to that list as these are mainly replacement items that I need.  Haven't done much shopping this past year and most of my  items are still wearable.  

[moneysquirrel]

vetswife -- Glad that you did ok with this weather.  It is such a relief not to have to deal with broken pipes and no power.  My niece did ok in her area as well with just low water pressure due to all the broken water mains.  Her kids are now with my DB for a days as she has some medical things to do and her DH is out of town.  

[laterbloomer]

This is the longest I have gone without buying some article of clothing in years! I can't tell you how hard it's been. I'm promising myself that when I lose the weight I want to lose I will do a real shopping trip buying good quality outfits. No more of having lots of cheap crap. I'm going to go for a good quality capsule.