2022 Controlled Spend and No Spend

[catsareme]

The mortgage and the HELOC have been paid-in-full.

Now to work on refilling the slush funds.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Oct 31, 2022 12:50:02 GMT -5 catsareme said:

The mortgage and the HELOC have been paid-in-full.

Now to work on refilling the slush funds.  

[vetswife]

Well, October has seen few big bills that weren't in the sinking fund; it's certainly ending better than the previous few months!  Hoping next month will go as well.

[Iggy aka IG]

October.  Glad it's almost over though I cannot believe it's almost November.  It was an expensive one full of necessities including a new set of sheets, work slacks, office supplies, truck insurance and client entertaining.

[Blonde Granny]

I let spending get ahead of me last month. I've got YNAB working right ( I hope) so I'm looking forward to November and finally December.

[moneysquirrel]

October Roundup:
No Spend Days = 21
Essential Spending Days= 6
Non-Essential Spending Days = 4

Breakdown:
House/Car     = $328.33
Utitilies     = $381.70
Food/HBA     = $256.85
Personal    =$311.69 (includes deposit for my Summer Craft Retreat)

This month has a quarterly premium but other than extra grocery items due to Thanksgiving should be ok.  I do have a hair appointment next week but other than that and the insurance it should just be the usual monthly expenses. December starts the annual insurance drain on the finances-- not sure what the homeowners and flood insurance changes are going to be but not looking forward to those increases.  Also car insurance comes in then as well.

I think I will cash out my points before those hit and start again with those new charges.  The cash back will go to "fun" sinking funds. 

Keep up the good work all! Will try to check back more often.  Did not realize that it has been a month since my last checkin.

[Iggy aka IG]

Finally broke down and ordered a new phone which should be here next week.  And despite the fact I recently bought a new printer, I ordered an All-in-One earlier this week.  I found that after just a month without them, I not only missed having an ADF and fax, but found them to be a necessity in order to conduct business efficiently.  These are business expenses and I've finally come to grips they are the cost of doing business.  It takes money to make money.    Not sure I'll ever go completely paperless.

I also paid the 2023 wall calendar invoice and bought postage for them.  Though this marketing project gets more expensive each year, I'll keep sending them out as my clients love them.

Happy weekend, everyone.

[TheOtherMe]

What is an ADF?

[Iggy aka IG]

Automatic Document Feeder

Some of the documents I work with are dozens of pages long.  I learned quickly scanning each and attaching it to email one by one is inefficient and cumbersome.

[TheOtherMe]

Thank you.  Yes it is inefficient.

[moneysquirrel]

November Recap:

No Spend Days: 14
Most of the other days were combination -- some essential and some non-essential spending.

Utilities: $385.26
House and Car: $866.55 (includes property tax)
Food and HBA: $453.91 (double my usual but I hosted Thanksgiving and did a little stock up)
Personal: $790.96 (includes insurance premium, craft show fees)

I just realized that it has been a while since I posted.  This month has been busy and I did a little more spending than usual.  A lot of it was food related as I let a lot of the usual staples run low and did/ will be replenishing them.  Stocked up on some but will be doing a little more this coming month.

December starts the heavy expense months for me as I have at least three major insurance premiums other than the one I did today coming in prior to March.  I also have a trip planned and a lot of those deposits will also be due during this time period. Sinking funds will be used for all of these.  Does anyone else hate seeing those funds disappear even though that is the reason that they exist?

[catsareme]

"Does anyone else hate seeing those (sinking) funds disappear even though that is the reason that they exist?"  moneysquirrel you and me both!!

December is the month our long-term care premiums are due.  I pay them in full at the beginning of the year.  I put away money each month throughout the year, but it hurts to see the account dwindle to next to nothing after the payment is made.

November was rather a spendy month.  I bought some clothes and shoes for both DH and myself.  Nothing too fancy, mostly just replacing items that had worn out.  We stocked up on some of the Thanksgiving loss leader items for the pantry and freezer.  I also bought some gift cards for local restaurants that we frequent.  The bonus cards we received with the gift card purchases help stretch the "dining out" budget.  

Most all of our Christmas gifts/decor have been purchased.  The last big holiday expense will be postage/shipping for gifts we send to long distance family and friends.  The holiday costs are covered by another slush fund that is fast approaching the depleted mark.    

November NSD/CSD days:  15 of 30

[TheOtherMe]

Nov 30, 2022 23:19:40 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

  Does anyone else hate seeing those funds disappear even though that is the reason that they exist?

Yes and I'm writing the check today to finish paying for the shower.   Transferred the money from savings to checking this morning.

[Iggy aka IG]

Being ill and staying home for two weeks helped keep spending down last month.    I didn't attend our annual convention or go out of town with DH for a planned weekend.  Fuel and meals out savings were probably around $125.

November non-essential spending was $122.10 which included the liquor store, a Starbucks coffee and snack.  I also bought a $40-ish lovely Buffalo check (plaid) tree skirt.  The old one was over 30 years old and quite shabby.

I submitted a rather large Sam's Club order which DH picked up last week.  We're all set with frozen appetizers and snacks for holiday entertaining.

I also did the majority of my Christmas shopping online which included some outfits for the grandnephew's February birthday.  Just Christmas cards, two gift cards and stocking stuffers left to buy.  My family partakes in an online Secret Santa exchange which helps keep costs down.  We still go nuts with stocking stuffers, however, LOL.

[catsareme]

Iggy aka IG I liked your post except for the illness and staying home for two weeks (major bummer). 

[vetswife]

November ended up better than the previous few months.  I went on a trip to Big Bend with friends; we split the expenses so came out quite reasonable.  I've done a good part of my Christmas shopping which was paid for with cc points.  Now to try to keep it going in December!

[Iggy aka IG]

Thanks, catsareme.

Well, December has begun with receiving the invoice from our well pump and motor replacement.  DH and I will split it, and it's about the amount I was expecting, but sheesh.  It needed to be done, however, so I consider it an essential expense.  Merry Christmas indeed!

[catsareme]

Iggy, what a way to start the month.  Merry Grinchmas!!

[moneysquirrel]

Good eviening,
    A little spending this past week but mostly on essentials and on items that have been living in my "to be purchased" list.  Several other items are still on it.  Not sure when they will be purchased but on the whole I am avoiding crowds as much as possible.  

This week several of the monthly bills will be coming in.  Also have my car insurance premiom to pay as well.  Did a grocery run last week so should be good for a while -- will need perishables but should be ok with the rest.  I will need to make a Sam's run but will wait until after the holidays as I can make due for a few more weeks.  

Decided to cash in my points for cash and will put that amount into a "fun" sinking fund.  Planning some travel in 2023 and have been trying to beef up that sinking fund as much as possible.  Haven't traveled in several years and looking forward to a getaway. Even a pricey one.  

[azucena]

Dec 2, 2022 16:50:42 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Being ill and staying home for two weeks helped keep spending down last month.    I didn't attend our annual convention or go out of town with DH for a planned weekend.  Fuel and meals out savings were probably around $125.

November non-essential spending was $122.10 which included the liquor store, a Starbucks coffee and snack.  I also bought a $40-ish lovely Buffalo check (plaid) tree skirt.  The old one was over 30 years old and quite shabby.

I submitted a rather large Sam's Club order which DH picked up last week.  We're all set with frozen appetizers and snacks for holiday entertaining.

I also did the majority of my Christmas shopping online which included some outfits for the grandnephew's February birthday.  Just Christmas cards, two gift cards and stocking stuffers left to buy.  My family partakes in an online Secret Santa exchange which helps keep costs down.  We still go nuts with stocking stuffers, however, LOL.

My illness meant the opposite. Internet carts and delivery guys are full and busy at my house. As I was feeling slightly better, my want lists grew. I tend to spend more during Christmas sales on stuff I've wanted all yr. Helps that we have well surpassed our annual savings goal. I maxed soc sec and 401k in Nov so my check was fairly hefty.

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 12, 2022 8:07:36 GMT -5 azucena said:

Dec 2, 2022 16:50:42 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Being ill and staying home for two weeks helped keep spending down last month.    I didn't attend our annual convention or go out of town with DH for a planned weekend.  Fuel and meals out savings were probably around $125.

November non-essential spending was $122.10 which included the liquor store, a Starbucks coffee and snack.  I also bought a $40-ish lovely Buffalo check (plaid) tree skirt.  The old one was over 30 years old and quite shabby.

I submitted a rather large Sam's Club order which DH picked up last week.  We're all set with frozen appetizers and snacks for holiday entertaining.

I also did the majority of my Christmas shopping online which included some outfits for the grandnephew's February birthday.  Just Christmas cards, two gift cards and stocking stuffers left to buy.  My family partakes in an online Secret Santa exchange which helps keep costs down.  We still go nuts with stocking stuffers, however, LOL.

My illness meant the opposite. Internet carts and delivery guys are full and busy at my house. As I was feeling slightly better, my want lists grew. I tend to spend more during Christmas sales on stuff I've wanted all yr. Helps that we have well surpassed our annual savings goal. I maxed soc sec and 401k in Nov so my check was fairly hefty.

azucena, I can see how that can happen.  When I first became sick, I refined and submitted a World Market online order.  And, bonus, they were having a fantastic sale on Halloween items.     Great job on the maxing out and hefty check.

[nikiz628]

We are setting everything up for a NO SPEND JANUARY. I think it will be nice after the last couple of months basically throwing our money out the window every week for school expenses, birthdays, holidays, etc. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 26, 2022 18:40:19 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

We are setting everything up for a NO SPEND JANUARY. I think it will be nice after the last couple of months basically throwing our money out the window every week for school expenses, birthdays, holidays, etc. 

nikiz628, agreed!  In fact, when I spoke with my sister this morning about her plans for her daughter's 21st birthday, I told her I would be unable to attend the out-of-town segment.  $400+ for airfare, a hotel room for 2-4 nights, plus food and incidentals?!  I want to retire early, and these types of things will keep me from doing so.

Looking forward to the 2023 No Spend thread!  

[moneysquirrel]

So far this month so good.  Most of the spending was planned.  I will be sending a lot of money off soon as  I have a cruise booked this spring and it has to be paid by the middle of January.  I plan to mail that off later this week or the beginning of the next.  Still have to book plane.  Already paid for travel insurance.  I haven't traveled in a few years and had to cancel my plans last year so I am more than ready for a travel adventure.

Also house insurance is coming in January, followed by the flood insurance in February.  I will be seeing red for a while.  The good thing is that I have sinking funds for all of these.  Also the final payment for my new shutters will be due when they are installed estimated time is the end of January.  

It is a good thing that I do a lot of no spend days and that I try to beef up my sinking funds for things like this.

Monthly breakdown the new few months will be brutal. 

Except for these planned expenses I will be doing a lot of no/low spend months. 

[Blonde Granny]

The thought of having the new year arrive gives me a big sign. Unknown if my YNAB will decide to work, if not it will be a new way to use something else.

So far, YNAB can be turned into something else and I'll go back to using paper. All the best ladies.

BG

[Blonde Granny]

What a surprise from Wells Fargo......the DIC (VA) payment was put into my account. The the $150 extra was unusual,...thanks!!!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Yikes, did we spend an excess amount of money!
The two categories I was controlling did okay but not great (clothing and restaurants).

Where we lost our way was landscaping a portion of our yard. That cost 50% more than what DH and I agreed to spend.

We had set an amount for interior decorating on the new house. We went over on that by 25%.

Here’s to 2023!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Dec 26, 2022 18:40:19 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

We are setting everything up for a NO SPEND JANUARY. I think it will be nice after the last couple of months basically throwing our money out the window every week for school expenses, birthdays, holidays, etc. 

Same!

[catsareme]

Despite good intentions December was a disaster spending-wise.  Not so much for the holidays but household "nice to haves" added up quickly.  A NO SPEND JANUARY is just what I need as a kick-start for a more frugal goal-based 2023.  

[Iggy aka IG]

In an effort to focus on spending reduction, including groceries, I cleared out an area of the refrigerator to house leftovers, both fresh and from the freezer, condiments, and other random things so they don't get lost and forgotten.  The goal is to pull and serve at least one freezer leftover once a week.  Tonight's supper will feature leftover chili from October as a base for 7-layer dip.  On the side will be random tortilla chips that need to be consumed.

Happy New Year, everyone!