2022 Controlled Spend and No Spend

[startsmart]

Mar 8, 2022 10:39:27 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Mar 7, 2022 22:47:57 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Only thing to decide is if I can cancel amazon prime which renews this month. I have maybe 8 orders in the last 6 months but need to look at the last 12. I have a feeling I’d save money if I just paid shipping on a few orders throughout the year and I don’t watch their shows enough to keep it for that reason.

I'm not on this section of YM often but just saw this and wanted to comment.  I don't have Amazon Prime.  I think it makes it too easy to spend and you may do less price comparison since shipping is "free" and, well, you paid for the membership so you may as well use it.  They're also very skillful at suggesting additional items to buy.  

I use Amazon occasionally but figure I save money overall buy ordering less.

I went through my last year of purchases and didn’t renew. The frustrating part of where I live is that the nearest main store is 30 min away and if I want to price shop it’s 1.5 hrs one way. Most of what I’ve bought on Amazon were books, items in bulk and things I could not find in Kansas, like certain Indian spices for cooking at home.

Still I’d rather pay shipping on the off times I need amazon than $140 for the membership - I’ve also had some sort of membership since college so it’s a good time to quit it.

8 NSD so far this month. We got 4-5” of snow last night so I am staying home and warm until it melts.

[catsareme]

Need to buckle down and get back on the seriously frugal track.  The upcoming plumbing/septic bills are gearing up to be $$ but the final total is an unknown at this point.  The Rainy Day account is fully funded but I would feel better having an extra cushion to fall back on.

As of 11 March:
CSD/NSD - 7/31
NES - $138.36

[seriousthistime]

Mar 7, 2022 11:23:00 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

I'm starting my "month" of CS/NS today, the 7th. So I guess my spending this month will be based on the remaining 25 days of March.

4/25 NSD (starting the 7th).

I was invited to a potluck where I had to bring a main dish.  I had to go out and buy a bunch of ingredients to make a pasta dish. Then I stopped at the wine store to buy a hostess gift. 

That was yesterday.  Today, I really need a pedi. I'm a disaster doing my own toes.  

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Okay, today's the 13th. 
Yesterday was definitely expensive in that we had moving expenses; however, those are planned. The increase in gas prices is hurting though. 
But, we did err with unnecessary spending as DH did not plan his meal time to avoid a showing appointment. He ended up going to the grocery store to buy a bag of prepared chicken wings for his lunch. That was $8.99. 

I also had the Calm app automatically renew for $69.99. I don't know that I use it often enough to justify having it, but I will put out a more concerted effort to use it now that I've spent the money again. 

On Thursday, my husband asked me if I wanted chicken nachos for dinner. I said "sure!". I didn't realize that meant he was getting take-out. $14.99 unnecessarily spent there. 

So, that's four days we've spent unnecessarily for a current total of $491.40. 

[laterbloomer]

Got my nails done today, $62
11/31, $79 NBS

[countrygirl2]

We have prime, we not only use it for shipping but we get Amazon Prime on our Roku TV's. There are a lot of shows for no charge and we enjoy that so I think its worth it.

But we also pay for Sirius, out here both of those are very welcome entertainment mediums.

[moneysquirrel]

Only spending has been for needed items and bills with the exception of meeting a friend for lunch the other day. I don't do that often enough and I treat it as a treat -- set up a sinking fund for these spur of the moments of eating out.  Today was a RX pickup.  Came straight home afterwards.  Used a GC for a car wash as well as an Amazon order.  

[seriousthistime]

7/25 NSD (starting the 7th).

I met a new friend for coffee on Tuesday. Got my hair cut and colored on Wednesday.  The dog was spayed and I went to the dentist on Thursday.  Only Sunday, Monday, and Friday were NSD. 

[catsareme]

As of today, 19 March:
NSD/CSD - 13/31
NES:  $169.25

Still considering signing up for Wal-Mart+ so I don't have to purchase $35+ to get free shipping.  I'm finding it increasingly difficult to find items I want/need in the store but are available at Wal-Mart.com.

[laterbloomer]

I went on a spending spree yesterday. I bought makeup, a summer purse, 2 pair of wide leg jeans, and a leather belt. $182 total.

16/31 $261 NBS

[Iggy aka IG]

Since my March 7th post, non-essential's included renewing a magazine, monthly XM radio subscription and appetizers one night.  Soon I'll see the hairdresser for the first time since last November.

All monthly bills have been paid, including paying off a small card balance in full.  

Total MTD non-essential spending $359.89.

[moneysquirrel]

Today was a day but mostly needed./scheduled items -- annual payment, grocery and a new pair of shoes.  These will replace at least one pair that were thrown out recently.  Money for the first craft retreat will be out of the sinking funds by the end of this week. I will send off the rest of the registration fee for the second one at the beginning of next month. 

Plumbing work will begin during the middle of next month with that bill coming due after completion of that job. Some will come from house sinking funds and rest from the EF.

[Iggy aka IG]

Mar 21, 2022 15:22:33 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Since my March 7th post, non-essential's included renewing a magazine, monthly XM radio subscription and appetizers one night.  Soon I'll see the hairdresser for the first time since last November.

All monthly bills have been paid, including paying off a small card balance in full.  

Total MTD non-essential spending $359.89.

Adjustment as my hairdresser didn't charge me as much as I anticipated:  $329.89 non-essential spending.

[vetswife]

unexpected expense-$90 for a broken pipe and sprinkler head.  My DD and her two college kids were here over the weekend, stayed within what I wanted to spend on food and celebrating her 50th birthday.  Then I took DGD2 and DGS2 to see "Hamilton".  Tickets had long been paid for, and I sold my extra ticket so I'm happy about that.  Things look pretty goo right now financially.

[startsmart]

15 NSD so far this month. I had to buy my tickets for New York and the Airbnb but both of those will get refunded as a client expense.

I’ve found that Walmart sells $1 tulips, daffodils and hyacinth plants, some of which have more than one bulb so I bought 40 of them for the garden. Dry bulbs haven’t been as successful here and cost $2-5 each so it’s a savings in the long term and I get to enjoy the flowers now.

Hoping the rest of the month is non spendy, bunch of client work to do and then going out of town in April.

[moneysquirrel]

Today was a spending day.  Haircut, two monthly bills, and purchase of makeup.  Gift time and I needed moisturizer.  Need to count up my no spend days.  
Keep up the good work, all.

[catsareme]

Filled the car with gas.  Even with .50 off per gallon (grocery gas rewards) the gas was still over $4 per gallon (we don't use premium)

Lunch out.  Paid for with a gift card we received for Christmas.

Picked up the two items on the list from Costco. 

16 out of 31 for NSD/CSD so far this month. 

NES to date:  $189.49 

[seriousthistime]

11/25 NSD.

I bought an early birthday gift for DDIL.  It was pricey but it will benefit my DGS and make life easier for her so it was an easy decision.

Also ordered 3 pairs of shoes from Amazon, two were Try Before You Buy and one was charged when it shipped. I'm only keeping one pair, not sure which one quite yet.  Though I'm sure the pair that was charged when it shipped is not the one I'm keeping. They are for a wedding I'm going to next month.  One of my earlier "spending days" was for the dress.  I have to get it hemmed so I need to decide on the shoes ASAP, then take the dress for hemming. 

[startsmart]

18 NSD as of today, hoping I will get to 20 this month. Right now I’m bored with eating at home (my month of cooking has slowed down) and instead of going out I keep looking up restaurants and menus in New York for my trip next month. It’s mostly working!

[countrygirl2]

Soon the property taxes and insurance bills will be coming in.
Just that wonderful time of year, at least won't have to pay federal taxes this year so that is a positive.

I'm just disappointed in the cost of my scrips, thought they would be less and will be more. 3 or 4 of them have no generic equivalents as they are too new. The rest are very inexpensive, at least there is that.

[moneysquirrel]

Today has been a spend day already .  Lawn service and annual retreat registration paid.  Also have a meeting tonight and need to pay for the event.  Tonight is the last one of these. I am hoping that this is the last of my spending this month.  I will need to fill up the car soon as I have an out of town event next week.  Hoping to fill up just prior to leaving town on Tuesday if I can hold out that long.  Most of my trips this week are short and there are not many of them.  

Current Totals:

17/28 No Spending of any kind.

4/28 Monthly Bills, Grocery and Gas 
5/28 Non-Essential spending Total was $$$$.(some days had essential spending on tham as well)

I attend at least two craft retreats each year.  Registration for both were paid this month as well as the supplies for one of them. (Sinking funds for these.)  Also did a little shopping for me this month and met with friends for a few meals out.  Grand total about $1150-$1200 of non-essential spending. 


Still have the plumbing repair to pay for but work on that repair won't begin until mid-April. So that bill will be in either April or May reports.. Paid about $1650 on the project thus far.

So happy for the sinking funds.  I have one for the retreats as well as home repair.  That one has been depleted this past year and will not have enough in it for the total plumbing repair but I do also have a general EF that will be tapped as needed.

[vetswife]

March is ending on a good month with a substantial amount left over so I can put some in savings.  I am budgeting more carefully, trying not to give into every impulse to pamper the grandkids, and it has paid off.  My grandkids have wealthy parents, at least compared to me, so it's not like they are wanting for anything.  I try to make visits more about relationships than gifts, although small gifts are always appreciated. They're mostly college age so enjoy getting a Starbucks card or something like that.  Also, I got a refund on my unused "Hamilton" ticket which was also nice.

[Iggy aka IG]

I've returned from a longer than expected vacation.  My return flight was delayed, and then I had stomach issues when I arrived home.  Spending included a Lyft to/from the airport, a grocery store delivery, hotel tips, a hotel stay (the vouchered room the airline offered at 1 a.m. was in an undesirable neighborhood with no shuttles available, um, no thanks), airport snacks and beverages, and souvenirs for the two neighbor kiddos.

Total March non-essential spending $1,128.89.  Let's just say I'm done with traveling for a while.    On a positive note, it was fantastic to see my dad and enjoy a meal and cocktails with him.

[catsareme]

March did not end as badly as I thought it might.  
CSD/NSD:  23/31
NES:  $232.24

April is going to be expensive!!

The plumbing repair/upgrade is going to be pricier than first planned.  The Rainy Day fund should cover all the costs but in doing so it will completely deplete the account.    

The septic system will be pumped on the 6th of April.  Fingers crossed this maintenance will not be needed again for at least 5 years.  

The first half of the property taxes are due on the 30th of April.  I have an ongoing slush fund set up to pay for them but it's still a big chunk of money every six months.

[startsmart]

Officially 19 NSD but I’m counting it as 19.5

I ordered a book that then got refunded because the buyer couldn’t find it so I had to place a new order (it’s in a series I’m reading at the moment) and today was a spend for the seeds I needed which were finally back in stock and I couldn’t order during my big seed buy last month.

Overall very good month!

[moneysquirrel]

Final March Totals:



19/31 No Spending of any kind.

5/28 Monthly Bills, Grocery and Gas

7/28 Non-Essential spending Total was $$$$.(some days had essential spending on tham as well)

April
Will be a little spendy as I think the final bill will be coming in once the plumbing job is completed.  Work will start mid month. 
Other than that it looks to be just the basics.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

For March, 
We had 
~111 expenditures total 
~20 of those were completely unnecessary
~an $1,177.31 total for those 20 expenditures
~nine days we made those purchases

[catsareme]

The septic system has been pumped and our bank account is almost $800 lighter as a result.  Oy!!

The plumbing bill is still a looming unknown and now the JD Gator won't start.  Most likely a squirrel has chewed on the wiring so...another unexpected bill.  The fun just keeps leaving....

[moneysquirrel]

Returned frommy craft retreat #1.  Most of the retreat was paid for in advance with sinking funds.  -- I will start putting monry aside for next year's retreat asap.  Only out of pocket was for meals out and I had planned for that as well.  I did find a few new kits I want to order but have time to put some money aside for them before I need to place an order. I think I can do so when I order the materials for the sencond craft retreat later this spring.

The first of the monthly bills have been paid and currently waiting on the rest to cocme in.  I am going to continue to work my way through the pantry and freezer and  plan to get only the perishables and produce I run out of as much as I can this month. 

  

[moneysquirrel]

Doing ok and avoiding any unnessary spending.  However that will be changing soon.  Necessary spending is coming up and I received the invoice for the plumbing job as of now.  There will be a second inspection to make sure no other work will need to be done and then replacing all dirt/sand that was removed to repair the broken pipes.  Needed to be done but a big ouch to the bank account.  So glad for sinking and emergency funds.  I will put in on my cc to start.  Might as well get the cash back -- it will be paid off asap as I refuse to pay interest unless necessary.

Also need to run a few errands tomorrow and some money will be spent as a few items are needed.


Take care all and keep up the good work!