2022 Controlled Spend and No Spend

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

We've had a big weekend with two of our children. I'll be back to add it all up since today isn't over yet, and DD#2 and I still have one more event to attend. I definitely caved and bought Miss Grandbaby a $25 tutu that was absolutely unnecessary.

So, today's the 13th, so I think I'm at 9 of 28 days have had NO non-essential spending.

[laterbloomer]

Feb 13, 2022 12:21:36 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Feb 12, 2022 13:25:32 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Ok today hurt.
Haircut - $35 with tip
Foundation - $10
Valentine's Day Cards and Chocolates - $43
Jeans - $53
Total - $141

9/28 $332 NBS

Well, I wouldn't count the haircut as non-essential, but that's me.  

I agree 😁 That's why I've switched to calling it Non Budgeted Spending. This exercise is making me really think about what I'm spending and will help me be realistic about my spending budget in the future, especially for retirement. Last year I would regularly hit $700 - $1000 month spending in what I called my allowance. I know there was a lot of waste in that but some of it is essential.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Feb 13, 2022 13:13:24 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

Feb 13, 2022 12:21:36 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Well, I wouldn't count the haircut as non-essential, but that's me.  

I agree 😁 That's why I've switched to calling it Non Budgeted Spending. This exercise is making me really think about what I'm spending and will help me be realistic about my spending budget in the future, especially for retirement. Last year I would regularly hit $700 - $1000 month spending in what I called my allowance. I know there was a lot of waste in that but some of it is essential.

Oh, I see. I actually do budget my haircuts. That monthly line item is called "Hair Cuts & High Maintenance". 

[catsareme]

I don't count haircuts as a non-essential spend either.  

Going to W/M with DH is hazardous to my budget.  My planned purchase was $5 and change.  The true NES was for a cast iron wok DH felt he "needed".  Happy Valentine's Day?

To date:
CSD/NSD:  9/28
NES:  $147.30

[catsareme]

I have a budget category for haircuts and clothes too.  Not too many expenditures there except for the hair cuts since I retired.  Jeans, polos, turtlenecks and hoodies are the mainstay of my wardrobe these days.

I do a zero-sum monthly budget with fixed spending categories, but I do track NES items within each category.

[moneysquirrel]

Lots of the monthly bills have been paid.  Still have several more to come in.  Had lunch with a friend last week and did a little shopping at the craft store afterwards.  Picked up some basic supplies.  A trip to the grocery was last week also.  Should have enough to last most of the month with some exceptions.  A Sam's run is on the future but I want to hold off until after Mardi Gras as I think the crowds will be larger in the next few weeks as people start stocking up rfor that event.  I do not plan to take part in that madness.  

I did sign up for a craft retreat for later this spring.  It will be over zoom and I have the money needed saved up for it as it is one that I have participated in for years.

[laterbloomer]

Yesterday I spent $17 on a card and gift for my GF's birthday, $10 on foundation, $42 on gifts and cards for ISO and GW for Valentine's Day.
On a happy note, my super high waisted wide leg jeans came in today and I love them! Worth every penny!

10/28 $401 NBS

[Iggy aka IG]

Wow.  Halfway through the month already....

MTD non-essential spending are hotel housekeeping and sushi chef tips, an impromptu, very rare McD's stop, and two liquor store trips.  Oh, and the airline (hint, their initials are also a 12-step program initials) is fighting me regarding last week's rescheduled flight, so I submitted a refund request with them and booked with a different airline.  The fare with the new airline is $205 more, which is still better than the additional $700+ the original airline quoted me.

$278.78 MTD non-essential spending.

[startsmart]

10 NSD out of 15 days this month (not bad!)

Today was a spend for groceries, the laundry mat, hair cut and breakfast and I might fill up the car with gas later on. We’re expecting some wild weather so it might be best to fill up now.

[catsareme]

DH had a dental appointment this morning, afterwards we did the banking and grocery run for the week. 
Total grocery spend this trip:  $15.39 
The dental co-pay is a budgeted expense

NSD/CSD:  10/28

[nikiz628]

I had some spendy few days recently. 

Friday- H is going to be the derailer this month for sure. Brought home Chick Fil A after DS1's baseball practice- he spent $45! On fast food! I mightve snubbed him for a bit after that. 

Saturday- Lunch after DS1's bball game- $30. Then I took him on a mom/son date that night. $20 in arcade credits. $55 in sports decor for his room that he picked out. (next date, no shopping lol) 

Sunday- No Spend. 

Monday- Bought a medium length cardigan at Walmart for $13. I love these for days I substitute teach because I can throw one on over a plain tee with nice pants and heels and I look put together. It was a pretty blush pink, which I didn't have yet. 

Today- Went to coffee shop, but had a gc so $0. 

[Iggy aka IG]

The airline approved the refund.  And now I wait for it to show up on my card, LOL.

Processed monthly personal and business accounts payable today.  Everything looks good and was expected, except the electric bill here at the office has been high the past two months compared to Jan and Feb 2021.  I credit the cold weather.  And, I'd like to snowball a few of the smaller CC balances next month if possible.  Kept this evening's monthly grocery order to around $200, similar to last month.  

[laterbloomer]

12/28 $401 NBS

I'm starting to make shopping lists again. Jeans, sweaters, paint...the struggle is real.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Non-essential spending: 
$49.97 for a white dress shirt for DH (he does have three, but he recently lost 40 pounds)
$6.00 for the VDay card DH bought for me
$168.48 for a hotel that wasn't planned but needed for DH's medical emergency that began in Oct. 
$25 for a yellow tutu for Miss Grandbaby
$23.25 for the chocolate shop with DS#1, DIL, DD#2, her BF, and Miss Grandbaby
$12.00 for concessions at basketball game
$10.50 for parking at basketball game
$25.73 for gas to the basketball game
$197.48 for the hotel on the evening of the basketball game w/ DS#1 and then the next day to the ballet with DD#2
~$200 in restaurants for the weekend with the kids


This is total: $721.86 and was all within three days.

So, three non-essential spending days out of the 28 days this month. 

[Iggy aka IG]

I (finally) found a decent black blazer to replace my old one!  Using a generous birthday gift card from my sister, the store's 35% off special, and the $10 birthday credit they give, I bought a nice pair of slacks and the blazer for just $26 OOP.  ($6 of that is shipping.)  I'll consider this essential spending, as they are work attire.

The airline refund processed back to my airline company CC.  Next, I'll call the company, request a refund for the credit I have, and cancel the card.  Normally I wouldn't cancel it because of the FICO implications, but this particular card has an annual fee.  I meant to cancel it last year.  Silly me thinking I would be taking enough flights to earn points with them.  

[catsareme]

Iggy - Good job on the blazer and slacks purchase!!  👍

A trip to Costco for some essential stock up, Sumo mandarins and cauliflower (on sale) from Fred Meyer and a BOGO offer at Safeway for ground beef rounded out today's spending.  No junk food or other NES items this trip.

As of today:  NSD/CSD stand at 12/28

[laterbloomer]

I've been able to resist but my mind keeps making shopping lists!

13/28 $401 NBS

[Iggy aka IG]

Thank you, catsareme!  And, like minds:  DH did a Sam's Club stock up last night and several items were unavailable.  When the cashier asked him if he found everything he was looking for, he said no.  She simply said, oh, sorry, and didn't ask for details.  Why bother then, LOL.

[Iggy aka IG]

Checking back in!  I called the CC company and cancelled the card with the $99 annual fee.  Prior to that, I called XM radio and renegotiated the monthly subscription fee.  I then put it on my calendar to do so next year so I don't forget.  Annual savings for these two actions:  $255.96.

Oh, and this week's monthly grocery/HBAs pickup was $180.  I've been trying to keep it well below our usual $300.  

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

[laterbloomer]

Costco had disaasembled Muskoka Chairs on sale for $70. Last summer our DIL talked about how much she wanted 2 of them to put at the end of the dock at camp. Normally they cost $200-$300. So I picked 2 up as our hosting gift for letting us park the van there most of the summer. They save us thousands in fees letting us park there.

13/28 $561 NBS

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

We're at an RV park, and the remaining fee is $151.74. We went to a restaurant last night: $154. 
Four days of NES: $1027.6

Well that's a ridiculous amount of money. No wonder we don't have much savings. 

[laterbloomer]

And I gave in on the clothes again 😔 $75

13/28 $636 NBS

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Feb 19, 2022 23:56:17 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

And I gave in on the clothes again 😔 $75

13/28 $636 NBS

Are they at least cute clothes?

[laterbloomer]

Feb 20, 2022 12:33:18 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Feb 19, 2022 23:56:17 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

And I gave in on the clothes again 😔 $75

13/28 $636 NBS

Are they at least cute clothes?

Yes and I will get a lot of wear out of them 😚

[Blonde Granny]

We have a storm coming our way...tomorrow then a few more days. I made a short run to the Neighborhood Market this morning and spent $28 for some of the favorites for Chelsie and me. I think it's supposed to be over by Thursday.

I cancelled my hair appointment for tomorrow as my hair dresser had Covid last week. Told the salon as my age it is not safe for me at this time....maybe in 2 weeks. Its only for a short haircut.

My old printer finally gave up the ghost so I was at Sams Club buy a new one....$198. My neighbor is going to help me with the "other stuff" I don't understand such as App (sheesh).

I've also been told that if I use all this TV stuff I also don't understand...i.e. You Tube tv watching etc, switch 3 TVs to this I will cut my ATT bill quite a lot (of course, I don't understand any of this stuff either?

Happy Sunday for all....

[catsareme]

Did not renew our Amazon Prime subscription.  The only benefit I ever used was the free shipping so I finally said "no more".

Considering signing up for Wal-Mart Plus but haven't pulled the trigger yet.  Thoughts?  Pros, cons...

14/28   
$175.17 NES   

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Feb 20, 2022 18:05:50 GMT -5 catsareme said:

Did not renew our Amazon Prime subscription.  The only benefit I ever used was the free shipping so I finally said "no more".

Considering signing up for Wal-Mart Plus but haven't pulled the trigger yet.  Thoughts?  Pros, cons...

14/28   
$175.17 NES   

I've contemplated this too since they've increased their annual fee. We do use Prime TV though in addition to the free shipping. However, we've used the free shipping because we live in such a rural area, so it's actually cheaper to pay for Prime than it is to drive to where we need to go to get what we've ordered. By July we'll be living back in one of two areas, both of which have actual stores. I might reconsider then. 

[moneysquirrel]

Just a quick update.  This week was a good one on the spending front as I only spent for 2 monthly bills.  Still have one more monthly bill to pay later this week.

Still ok on groceries but may have to pick up a few perishables.  Beginning to make a list of items that I need to purchase in the forseeable future.  Signed up for two craft retreats this year.  Have been saving for these as they are ones I do attend yearly either in person or zoom.  Small one in person and larger one on zoom this year.  

Saved my deposit on a planned trip this summer that I cannot attend.  Grateful that they were willing to move it to a future trip.  

  This year I am putting little stickers on all my totally no-spend days in my planner.  If I pay a bill that is scheduled I make a note but no sticker.  Really trying to build up the house repair fund that was depleted earlier this year and any money that I have left at the end of the month if any is going to this sinking funds.  Some months there is some but usually not much.  Sinking funds are scheduled when the money comes in not at the end of the month.

Wishing continued success to all of you.  Remember it you fall off the wagon it will come back to get you back on.

[laterbloomer]

Just one more week to get to the end of the month. I think I'm good for one more week.

15/28 $636

[wvugurl26]

It's free to call them and ask to make the bill cheaper. Usually they will give some sort of discount.