2021 Controlled Spend and No Spend

[shanendoah]

Update: February 13/15 NSD

Doing pretty well this week and definitely on track to meet my goal plus some, which I'm happy about. I did our taxes yesterday. We'll be getting over $7k back because of the $7500 tax credit for buying our electric car. Most of it will be going into savings. But it's nice to feel so on track and like we're getting things back under control.


Running Totals
January 17/15 NSD, 1 Spend

[vetswife]

Lovely weather in the 60s today-yay!!  Unfortunately I'm not enjoying it much due to side effects from the 2nd Covid shot-low grade fever, achy all over, and not much energy, but this will soon pass.  I was so thankful to get my second shot!

[TheOtherMe]

I've done much better this month with not stress-Covid buying from Amazon.  Trying to stick to necessities only.

[Blonde Granny]

I looked at YNAB for the month today.....it's a mess.  I think i'll just remove all the stuff in errors and start march fresh.

[startsmart]

Yesterday was an unplanned spend but I can’t be too mad about it. I had a big client launch and we had so many issues to fix I wasn’t going to have time for lunch so I called in and picked up from a local diner that I support so I could eat. Today I need to clean out the fridge a bit and make room in the freezer for shopping this weekend.

I’ve also measured and drawn up the plans for all the raised garden beds I’m building (16 plus a compost bin) and figured the amount of wood I’ll need to buy/budget.

Building and filling the beds will likely be my March project so I can get plants in the ground in April and May, depending on the weather. Luckily the lumber will be a one time expense.

[laterbloomer]

I'm impressing the crap out of myself this month. I have really had no non essential spending other than the payment for our campground in June. This is the best I have ever done with this challenge.

[moneysquirrel]

Today was a spend day.  Hair cut was planned for and had the $ available.  Plumber involved a new garbage disposal as any time water was run into the area the old one leaked.  Run the dishwasher = leak.  I knew at that moment that the disposal needed to be replaced.  Definitely a need.  At least by bundling two needed repairs I saved on service call and I also got a little off the total.

[moneysquirrel]

Feb 22, 2021 12:09:39 GMT -5 vetswife said:

Lovely weather in the 60s today-yay!!  Unfortunately I'm not enjoying it much due to side effects from the 2nd Covid shot-low grade fever, achy all over, and not much energy, but this will soon pass.  I was so thankful to get my second shot!

  I had the same reaction to the second shot and also so relieved that I got it. 

[Iggy aka IG]

It's sunny here, though the wind is making it a bit chilly.

Adding two liquor store visits, a Starbucks beverage + tip, and tomorrow's car wash (it is FILTHY) to my monthly non-essential spending.  This should do it for the rest of the month.  $206.45.

[laterbloomer]

All right! I spent $20 on a sweater and a pair of wide leg crop pants today! In my defense I've been watching out for pants like this since last summer and they were on a really good sale.

[vetswife]

I spent $5.00 on Sonic drinks for DD and her kids; that's Happy Hour there and the drinks were half-price; tasted good on that warm and humid day.  I've come out of February in good shape financially, partly due to not shopping for anything but necessities and the big freeze where we couldn't get out anywhere for a week.  So, I paid my car insurance early, and have enough for my plane ticket to Virginia to see DD's new digs there.  March will be more expensive, I imagine.

[Blonde Granny]

I just posted in "What are you doing" and if I'm not careful this month of March, it's not going to have a happy ending. I'm fairly sure I can keep it all together, most of my expenses have always been posted in YNAB, and in the budget, crossing my fingers......happy non-spending to all of us this month.

BG

[laterbloomer]

With any luck I need to buy a new home computer this month. I'm also getting my hair done for the first time in 4 months. And if life goes really well all my pants will be too big and I will have to get one or two new pairs. Other than that I hope to behave.

[moneysquirrel]

February was less expensive than January but I know that I will have some additional expensive purchases coming up in the not so distant future.  Most of my "major appliances" are 15+ years and I suspect that a new washer and dryer will be the next major purchase.  Think that they are about 18-20 years old and I hope that they will last a few more months but may have to spring for them prior to that.  

Other than that still waiting on the siding project to get started.  Had to re-pick the color as the one I selected was no longer available.  Hope that that project will be completed in March or at least early April.  

All of you are doing well and remember to continue to keep an eye on your goals. 

[shanendoah]

Final: February 18/15 NSD
Update: March 0/18 NSD

Last week went well. I am currently having landscapers out to give estimates on redoing our front yard. The first estimate is in and it's quite a bit higher than I was hoping. In my head, I was prepared for anything up to $10k. First estimate is $18.5k (including tax). I've got two more estimates coming in. If it doesn't turn out I can get this done for under $12k, we may not do it this year. I may just start a specific savings goal and get it done later.


Running Totals
January 17/15 NSD, 1 Spend
February 18/15 NSD

[catsareme]

February NSD total was a bust.  

March will be spendy too.  The woodstove needs a new rheostat/blower piece ~$300 plus installation and one of the ductless HVAC units requires a new circuit board ~$500 plus tax.  
  

[Blonde Granny]

Good news so far: My car insurance went down for 2021 by $120 this year, home insurance by $50 per year. My CPA bill was $275 down from $ 300, but I somehow managed to owe the State of Arkansas $83. (unexpected)

Also on the good news is that I have an personal escrow account (also called sinking fund) and all this money has been accounted for in 2012.

I also got my pedicure at $45 that is also in my escrow account so already accounted for.

[startsmart]

I set the Feb goal of 18 NSD and made it with 15 NSD, mostly due to bad planning around errands. This month I think I'll shoot for 20 NSD and try to get more disciplined. In Feb I did make my car insurance payment for 6 months and renew my tags. I also managed to replace about half of my electrical outlets on the first floor without hiring an electrician so I count that as a win. 

Thankfully client work is picking up again so I am slowly increasing my hours and working on projects at the house on nights and weekends. 

[Blonde Granny]

Spent $45 yesterday to get my hair cut. This young lady does the best cuts I've ever seen......I'm still wanting for my hair to keep growing out so likely won't have it cut again for 4=5=6 months. The money I spend for hair cuts is in my ynab so it's accounted for,

[startsmart]

My big expense this month will be the garden, I'll need about $250 in lumber to make the rest of the beds and then a dirt delivery which could be up to $500. Once I know how many beds I'm doing this year I can figure in how much soil I need and get that scheduled. It's a lot cheaper to do a bulk dirt delivery than buy tons of smaller bags but it's more expense at once. 

I've got all the seeds and bulbs and tubers I need this year so now it's just getting them started and in the ground after the last frost. While this is mostly a fun hobby, I do want to make some meals from my veggie garden and prepare a lot of herbs and fruits for the freezer so I can enjoy them next winter. 

[laterbloomer]

So it's official! I got the wfh job!!! And they are providing a laptop and cell phone for the work. Now I have to decide whether to get a new computer for personal use. My current laptop is a few years old and it's acting funky. There is an all in one I like that is 25% off today. I really like the idea of a bigger screen and I do a fair number of virtual meetings for personal stuff. But I'm twitchy about spending the money. I keep going back and forth.

[Iggy aka IG]

This week:  One liquor store visit.  DH and I are going out for our anniversary tomorrow night (we met 20 years ago next Wednesday), but we have a gift certificate.

MTD non-essential spending $23.65.

[laterbloomer]

$150 to get my hair done, tip in. That's actually a good price for everything I had done. But this has helped me decide not to get a new computer. I really don't need it and there are other things I want more.

[vetswife]

There will be several unplanned expenses this month due to last month's freeze:  getting plants pruned, replacing ruined plants

4 no spend days so far, unplanned spend included some goodies for DGD2 and DGS2 when they visited.  I have a trip to Virginia coming up but money is set aside for that.

[moneysquirrel]

No major unexpected spending last week.  Had to pick up a few items for the class I am taking & to complete projects.  Most of the other items needed are coming from my craft stash.  I will be having some expenses for a few online classes I am taking next month but I have the money in my sinking funds for them. 

Tomorrow I hope to make my 1st trip to Sam's in over a year.  My plan is to get the items I have on my list -- mainly items that I am running low/out of. Lots of cleaning supplies if they are available.  Discovered that they have special hours for seniors and I hope to get there early and finished before the store opens for the general public.  Think that this will be pricey. 

The washer seems to be working ok for the moment.  Would like for it to last a few more months if possible.  Did not see any leaking the last two times I used it.  Keeping my fingers crossed that it continues until the next big appliance sale which I think will be around Memorial Day.  

Wishing all of you a good week.

[shanendoah]

Update: March 3/18 NSD

We got some things ordered last Monday that needed to be ordered and then we ended up spending every day this last weekend - Friday at the grocery store, Saturday for take-out, and Sunday at CostCo. So I'm a little behind where I want to be, but think I should catch up this week. I am planning on taking part in the Amazon boycott this week (in support of allowing workers to unionize), so that should prevent my mid-week spending.
I now have 2 estimates for the yard work, with the third coming tonight. One is at $18k. One is at $6k. And naturally, my problem is that while in my head, I was thinking $5-6k for this job before it all started, now that I have an $18k estimate, I find myself wondering if I would be happy with the $6k job. (And this is why/how marketing psychology works.) We'll see what the third estimate comes in at and go from there.

Good to see so many people posting. Sorry I'm not more active or "involved". My current job takes so much of my emotional energy that I have very little to spare elsewhere. In that sense, the hot tub has been wonderful. Taking 15-30 minutes every day where I just allow myself to sit and relax in lovely hot water, not having to do anything. Sometimes, C and I have an actual conversation while we're out there.


Running Totals
January 17/15 NSD, 1 Spend
February 18/15 NSD

[TheOtherMe]

I get the marketing, but that is a huge difference between your two bids.  What are the differences?  I know you are a smart woman and will check references and look at photos from other jobs, but $12K difference?  

All I am planning to do this summer is radon mitigation.  Once I get my 2nd vaccine on Thursday, I will be calling to make an appointment for them to come out.

[vetswife]

Big unexpected expense-$280 for sprinkler system repair due to damage from the big freeze.  Makes me glad I didn't spend much money last month; it's going fast this month.  I have had two no-spend days this week.

[Iggy aka IG]

Bought the new grand nephew several things for Easter, including a Baby's First Easter bib and cute little bunny shoes. I brought them to my niece when I went to her house to meet him for the first time last Saturday.  This week I've gone to the liquor store and WM for a few things.  I also picked up an RX and bought fuel (ouch, prices are on the rise!), both of which I consider essential.

Total MTD non-essential spending $92.94.

[moneysquirrel]

Lots of spending the last two days -- Sam's and grocery.  Restocked the cleanings items and most of the plastic bags that I use.  Can't get too many food related items at Sam's as buying in bulk for those things are not viable for me.  Trip to the grocery this morning for perishables and a few other items. Good thing is that most of the things I stocked up on will last me months and I won't have to do this too often.  Senior hours were good -- not too crowded and no lines at checkout.  Would be nice if they kept these senior hours past the pandemic. 

Also my moisturizer was on special with gift so I made a quick run to the mall to get it. In and out of the store in less than 10 minutes.  Store was mainly empty so I was able to get served immediately.  

Hoping that this is the end of the major spending except for bills for the month.  Paid the first of the bills this month.  Cancelled the bottled water delivery for this month.  It is less expensive for me to pick up a few bottles at a time when I am at the grocery/WM than having them deliver -- almost $9 cheaper.  All those added service charges.  I have cut back to only a few deliveries a year to 1)save the cash and 2) keeping me with the service in case of emergency. 

Washer is still hanging on so keeping fingers cross that it continues for a few more months.