2022 Controlled Spend and No Spend

[countrygirl2]

I fill my car everytime I'm to the city but don't go much. 12 gallons was $55.
Dental work $674
Had to put on a new tire sensor $154, damn.

Have been buying carry in food to often. Ribs and pulled pork today $45. I can cook and have the food so will.

Bought 50 pounds of peaches and some pecans for $110, going to freeze and can them for winter. Will share some with a neighbor. I just ate 2, so good. The Peach Truck comes through once a year, they sell all over. This was a semi load of peaches to the city.

I spent $53 at JoAnn's, they had patterns on sale $1.99, Simplicity this time so bought quite a few and 2 pieces of fabric. One for shorts, one for pajamas for DD, 50% off.

[Iggy aka IG]

Glad you folks had the money to cover the expenses, vetswife and catsareme.  And yes, there is something to be said about staying home.  This reminds me of the recession aftermath not too long ago.  Unless we're on foot, it costs money to leave the house.

[Iggy aka IG]

DH successfully returned two garments I bought for the upcoming vacation resulting in $73 and some change back into my wallet.  The credit should go to May's non-essential spending.

[Deleted]

Jun 20, 2022 16:26:36 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Glad you folks had the money to cover the expenses, vetswife and catsareme .  And yes, there is something to be said about staying home.  This reminds me of the recession aftermath not too long ago.  Unless we're on foot, it costs money to leave the house.

I'm having a second "no car day" this week.  Plenty of stuff to do around the house, no pressing errands.  I used to go out every day because I used the gym but now that I'm doing at-home workouts there's no reason to go out some days.

BF is more of an extravert and goes out in his car EVERY day.  He goes to the Post Office to check his PO Box, pays most of his bills in person, and goes to the bank ATM to check his balance.  Yes, he's very computer-literate.  He just likes to go out and talk to people.  Fortunately he drives a high-mileage car and lives in a small town.

[moneysquirrel]

Doing quite well this month t hus far.  Plenty of no spend days and almost all of the spending was due to the monthly bills, groceries, and gas.  Did purchase a small cordless drill/screwdriver that I wanted for small home repairs.  It was a want somewhat of a what but not realy needed at this time.  It will be a lot easier to drill holes in those flower pots with it than with my usual method.

All of the monthly bills have been paid and it all goes well I will be finish with spending except for food items that I run out of.

Iggy aka IG and @athena53 I frequently can go for days without leaving the house.  I have enough things to do around the house -- chores and hobbies.  Besides the price of gas it is way too hot to go out unless it is a neccessary errand.  With the heat index over 100 this past week and for the foreseeable future I am tempted to say indoors in my "cannot/ should not  be seen in public" shorts and tank tops.   

[moneysquirrel]

June Wrapup:

22 No Spend Days

7 Essential Spending Days (Monthly bills, grocery, gas, car insurance premium)

1 Non-essential Spending Days

July Forecast:

Other than the usual monthly expenses I don't think I have any major expenses. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Good morning to all! 

Here's my June synopsis:
Well, for my controlled spending categories of clothing and restaurants, that was almost a complete bust. 
I was with DD#1, and we had an opportunity to go to an outlet mall. I bought four pairs of pants and one blouse. I needed three of the pairs of pants as all of my tan/brown slacks were worn-out or ill-fitting. The other pair of pants and the blouse were splurges. 

$250.06 total for clothing, $16 of which was for underwear for DH. 

For restaurants, we spent a total of $945.02. That includes three dinner parties: A combo graduation/birthday gathering for DD#2 and DH, a going away party for DH in which he bought a round of drinks, and a thank you dinner we took another couple out to. It also includes 11 days out of town. For completely unnecessary eating out, that total was $252.02. I am annoyed about that. 

July planning: 
Clothing
In either July or August, I will spend $100 on shoes for work. DH also needs some new dress shirts; I anticipate that being $100 - $150. 

Restaurants
I really want to keep restaurants under $200. We have one weekend out of town in July. 

[catsareme]

DH decided to build a permanent hunting blind after a bear destroyed the camo-fabric one. I should know by now that any cost estimate by DH needs to be multiplied by at least 20% in addition to the "sweat equity" on my part. What I saved in some budget categories I spent on the "blind".

All in all June was a budget muddle.

Fingers crossed July looks to be better.

[moneysquirrel]

Nothing too much has changed.  Made it to both the grocery and the home improvement stores and only purchased needed items.  So I am counting that as a win.  None of the monthly bills have arrived as of yet bot I am expection several next week.  Also meeting a friend for lunch next week and will hopefully get new batteries in several of my watches.  May also order new glasses,

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

This week, we spent $154.56 on clothing for DH: one dress shirt, two ties, undershirts, and underwear. 
My goal is to not spend anymore on clothing this month. 

For restaurants, I thought I was annoyed. In my head, I'm sure we've eaten out 87 times this month. However, according to YNAB, it's only been once and DS#1 paid for it. So, we'll see how that continues. 

While those are my two controlled spend areas, I am considering that we need to slow down and/or spread out purchases for the new house.  I may add that to my 2022 list. I'll review it at the end of the month. 

[moneysquirrel]

This week has been a little spendy for me.  

*House cleaning was done. -- Well worth every penny
*Ordered new glasses.  
*Replaced one watch battery
*Had lunch with a friend
*Craft Store  -- mainly picked up needed items so I could make things for the craft shows.  Store will be closing and is starting its going out of business sale.  I will miss this local store.  Can see myself revisiting it while it is still open a few more times.

Upcoming this week:
*Start of monthly bills
*Dentist appointment
*Going to take in the Van Gogh Immersion Experience and have lunch with friends 
*Grocery -- perishables only I hope.

Except for meeting with friends and the craft store visit all the rest was planned and needed. 

[Blonde Granny]

I seems as though far too many things has gotten in the way of my usual simple life. I told my little Chelsie a couple of days ago that "mommie is going to make it". Pacemaker test was fine on the 12th, new one will be replaced in 2 years.

AT & T will be here this morning to see what is wrong with the bedroom TV etc and yesterday picked up a new RX from Walmart....all totaled it was $3. I just picked up a new planner for next year only to discover a pretty cover does not make it the right was (2022).

All in all, the last few months have started to wind down and I can use the quietness of my life. I bought a new car a few days ago only to discover it is far to big for me, so returned it yesterday. After that, I have ordered a much smaller one that should be here in 2-3 months....best part is that the new one will be RED!!!!

[vetswife]

July has started off better; spending the first 10 days of the month in Virginia with my daughter and her family helped, as well as being a nice vacation of the extreme heat here in Texas.  I'm, working on keeping expenses at a minimum this month so I can replenish my emergency fund.  I've only bought essentials so far; today will spend for pizzas as GD1 and her tribe are coming this afternoon.  I don't anticipate much else happening this month, God willing.  I'm still on the tank of gas I filled up at the end of June, since I drive only 2-3 days a week it should last a while.

[moneysquirrel]

On the whole things are going as well as expected.  I did get new glasses but those were needed.  Most of the monthly bills have been paid but still waiting for one.  

Keep up the good work all!

[moneysquirrel]

This has been a spendy month for me but quite a bit of these were needs.  I just did a quick recap to see the results and the following is the totals.  I do not foresee any spending today or tomorrow.  Will venture out for groceries and a few other items on Monday weather permitting.

Essential Spending: $1683
Food (not including lunches out) @ $198
Monthly bills (including gas and church donation) @ $755
Medical (new Glasses, Dentist, Med Co-Pay) @$730     -- came from sinking funds but ouch!!

Non-Essential Spending: $225
Lunch with friends (4 lunches) @$65
Movies (2) and Van Gogh @$43
Misc (craft and other things) @$117

Some of the misc items were things needed for the house like AC filters.  Also took an online driver's safety course and test that will qualify me for a discount on my car insurance for the next three years.  Well worth the small expenditure for that as it will save me a lot more in the near future. 

I am hoping that the next month will be less spendy as those medical items are done and I don't see any upcoming movies that my friends and I might want to see.  Maybe one will happen but I don't see two.  Will wait and see on that I guess.  My volunteer work starts back at the end of August so the options will be decreased.

August Outlook:

The usual monthly/quarterly bills plus a hair appointment as well as a medical one.  Looks like a calm month so far.

[laterbloomer]

Hi All, it's been a while. I haven't been on the board as much as usual. I managed 3 months of no buying clothes at all. In July I bought a pair of wide leg dress pants on sale at Banana Republic for $5, black walking shorts at Reitman's for $20, jeans at Costco for $20 and 6 sleeveless summer tops ay Costco for $33. $78 total. It's still an improvement.
I went $80 over on the grocery bill this month. We Had DGD for a weekend and I took her grocery shopping with me so I'm blaming her 😉

[vetswife]

I broke even this month; was able to fund my special accounts too.  There are several things coming up in August; we'll see how it goes.  I'm hoping to return to my usual spending plan.

[Blonde Granny]

I'm hoping that YNAB will cooperate this month. I have 2 items to put in there, so who knows.

[startsmart]

Hey y'all! I decided to do an August NS month and have a few items I know will come up outside of bills. For example, I am training someone and we meet every other week at a coffee shop so budgeted $15 for coffee, plus I need another 4 tons of rock for my driveway delivered. The company that does that has its truck out of commission but should be able to deliver by end of the month. 

Mostly I want to eat up the food in my pantry and freezer instead of buying new groceries or eating out. When I do "need" to eat out, I try to choose smaller restaurants and family owned shops.

I don't have a NS goal this month, just spend as little as possible. Alongside this goal I have an ambitious list of 40ish chores to do around the house which should keep me busy!

Aug 1:
Auction pickup $82
Lunch $15
Gas $45

Aug 2: 
Farmer's Market $11


I am so thrilled with the local online auction! They went virtual due to COVID and stayed that way and usually do whole house clear outs when someone moves or passes away. This week I got a really cool antique ironing board, a new fire extinguisher (trying to get 2 on each floor), an antique quilt, a spare crowbar, some glassware and a leather chair with ottoman in perfect condition. It was a bit of drive to the pickup location so I bought lunch from a diner while I was there and had to refill my truck with gas. Today was the first time I got over to the Tuesday Farmer's Market and it is so much nicer in the morning before it gets stupid hot. Bought some peppers, okra, zucchini and a muffin all from local folks. 

[Iggy aka IG]

I purposely did not post in July, due to vacation, etc.  For once I didn't count every penny spent while gone.

Because things are increasing, insurance, cell phone, office landline, etc., I scrutinized my budget once again.  Other than groceries, there really isn't much left to reduce.  Which, they of course are increasing as well.  The price of the eggs I buy more than doubled the past several months!  For now:

-Instead of buying more chicken breasts, I'll used the many cans of chicken on hand.
-Instead of buying lunch meat, I'll focus on eating down the canned tuna.
-If we need a certain condiment or sauce, I'll research recipes to see if I can make them from scratch.  Sunday, I made pizza sauce which was enough for two pizzas, and Tuesday I made a mayo/sour cream/horseradish crema.
-I'll refrain from buying low carb snacky stuff until the current stash is consumed.  We have pork rinds, beef sticks, a variety of nuts, etc.
-Continue to use the very last bit of bottled items.  Last night I cut the bottom 2 or so inches off the lotion bottle which usually yields another week and a half of product.

August MTD non-essential spending $34.36.

[3catslady]

I think I'll join for August.  I need to do a very controlled spending as car inspection, car registration and my driver's license are due next month and I don't have  a savings account set up.  I also want to cut back on lunch at work.  I am sick and tired of peanut butter sandwiches, lunch meat and cheese sandwiches, soup.  

I have 4 seperate accounts for spending, FOOD, DISCRETIONARY, EXPENSES, and STOCKPILE.  FOOD is for groceries.  EXPENSES is for bills. STOCKPILE is for things to keep in stock like tp, cleaners, cat food and litter, shampoo and the likes.  DISCRETIONARY is for my ice cream after work in the heat.

[catsareme]

All I can say is I'm glad the month of July is in my rearview mirror.  It was another expensive month, though to be honest it wasn't quite as bad as June.  

As Iggy aka IG posted:  "Because things are increasing, insurance, cell phone, office landline, etc., I scrutinized my budget once again."  I feel much of the same pain and am likewise scrubbing my budget to find where I can adjust.    
I routinely squeeze/cut/scrape the toothpaste tubes, rinse/scrape out shampoo, conditioner, hand/face cream and the like.  I'm amazed at how much product is left in a supposedly used up tube or pump bottle.  Any travel size items I come across while decluttering is gold to my frugal heart.  

Trying to stretch the food dollars by shopping our pantry and freezer first and then scoping out the clearance sections at the grocery store.  The loss leaders at the grocery stores have been pitiful pickings for the past couple of months.  

I was tempted by the end of summer sales but so far have not purchased any new clothes.    

[vetswife]

I've had covid this week so the only nonessential spending has been tips and delivery fees!

[TheOtherMe]

Aug 5, 2022 10:05:46 GMT -5 vetswife said:

I've had covid this week so the only nonessential spending has been tips and delivery fees!

Hope you are feeling better.  At times like that, tips and delivery fees are essential spending.

[laterbloomer]

Hi all, I've had limited success the last few months. Hoping to do a real no non essential spending this month. So far so good. ISO is having hip surgery Tuesday and we have been isolating. I'm sure that has helped. I managed to keep groceries down to $105 last week. My freezer is pretty well stocked so that helped too. I'm doing pretty good with buying whatever meat is on sale each week. I buy about 5 meals worth and that seems to stock us up for one meal a week of it until it comes on sale again.

[moneysquirrel]

This past week was mainly scheduled spends.  Grocery and pharmacy to pick up items needed.  Also got my hair cut.  I also met several friends for a group lunch and picked up a few non-essential items.

The upcoming two weeks will see the beginning of the monthly bills arriving. Expecting the water, electric, gas and cell this week.  Also have a doctor appointment this week and have some meds that will need refills.  Also the house will be cleaned  and I need to pay the guy that cuts my lawn during this time period.  May also need to get a few perishables as well. 

I am continuing the process of eating out of the freezer in my yearly effort to reduce the possibility of loss in case of hurricane activity.  I have managed to unplug the outdoor freezer and moved all items to the small freezer section of the fridge.  Definitely have several weeks of food in there to use up.  

Keep up the great work all!

[Blonde Granny]

After telling the cleaning people I wasn't feeling good and not to come, they turned that into "we won't be back". I spend $157/mo so for now, I'm going to put those funds into someplace else.

I am beginning to start putting winter food in the freezer, first in will be 4 containers of Wendys chili.

[Blonde Granny]

I stopped at Wendys yesterday for their chili. I also ordered some wondrous burger and ate all the fries in the car on the way home....life is so good at times. So, the chili is in the freezer and I've been trying to see which is the best home made soup.

My Monday dentist appt was mostly OK, but it seems that one tooth will need a new crown or have the tooth removed.....neither is my choice.

BG

[moneysquirrel]

No major changes for me.  I did get a few more items at a craft store that is closing its doors. It is a local one and I have shopped there for years.  It will be sad to see another small business close bur I know that the owner is doing with is the best for his family.  Things are currently at 50% off and I will try another stop before his final day in business. I am being selected about the items that I am purchasing there.

Also purchased a new pair of jeans.  If these work out I may get another pair at a later date.

Still waiting for the last few monthly bills to come in.  By the time I finish with these the new month will be startings and the cycle continues.

[catsareme]

The last of the annual home preventative maintenance was completed this last week.  I hope the monies left in the slush fund will cover the bill.  The rodents did some more damage to the wiring in the generator despite the additional screening, etc. put in place last year.  DH is now seriously considering replacing the generator.   

I succumbed to a 40% off sale on jeans.  My other pairs are all ~7 years old or more and showing considerable wear.  Two flannel hoodies for me and two quilted sweatshirts for DH rounded out the clothing purchases for the month.  E-codes and free shipping helped ease the budget bite.  

Continuing to eat out of the freezers and pantry.  Found several bags of cranberries as we were doing a freezer reorganization.  Making/canning cranberry sauce is now on the agenda.