2023 Controlled Spend/No Spend

[catsareme]

I apologize if I've stepped on anyone's toes by starting this thread, but I need someplace to track my spending and keep my budget categories in line.  I have a large expensive home maintenance project to be done this year and need to fill a slush fund to help pay for it.  Tracking the number of No Spend Days/Controlled Spend Days in a month will hopefully keep my frivolous spending (wants versus needs) to a minimum with all excess monies in budgeted categories to be swept into the designated slush fund at the end of the month.  

CSD/NSD in January to date:  3/5

[laterbloomer]

I track how much I spend on what I call non essentials. So far I spent $12 on 2 house plants (1 was a housewarming gift), $15 on some keto chocolates and $13 on a black, long sleeve t-shirt. $40 so far.

[Blonde Granny]

I use YNAB and have for about 10 years. I don't use it the way they want it, but I keep track of my monthly spending...that's the only thing I want to do.

BG

So Far...

Pedicure $45
Verizon   $ 137
Black Hills Gas  $137.
Church$ 25

On more:  I'm 78 y/o, have been a widow for almost 8 years, son is 52 and grand kids are all grown and gown.  

[moneysquirrel]

catsareme -- Thanks for starting the new thread.

I am in for another year as well.
I have transition from Excel to Google Sheets and use that for my tracking of expenses.  Since google offers all of the same stuff that microsoft does at a cost of $0, I have decided to use that resource.  I also knew that my older computer was on its last legs and with this spreadsheet I can pull it up on any device.

Waiting on the home insurance bill to come in, it was to be in my mail earlier this week according to Informed Delivery but I have yet to receive it.  I did report it to the postal service that I did not get it.  Hope it comes in soon otherwise I will have to contact the company and request another copy of the information. 

None of the monthly bills have arrived as of yet so except for a Sam's run to get some once a year purchases I am doing ok thus far.  Other than that home insurance I have some yard maintence scheduled as well as the new shutters should also be installed toward the end of the month.  Both of those are one time items.  The yard maintence is filling in the low spots and is usually done every several years.

Several of the monthly bills should start arriving in the coming week.

[moneysquirrel]

Decided to go back several years to get some information so that new members can see what we do.  These are old suggestions and may or may not meet the needs of our current members.  Just wanted to share from the early uears.  

Note: Most of this was from the old MSN thread.  

Everyone decides how she wants to keep track of progress. These were some of the suggestions posted a while back. Had to go back a few years for the info so examples may mention
posters from the old boards.

Here are some way to get your goals to stick:


#1. Post your numbers - just put it at the top of a post in bold and let us know how you're doin' and what you need help with

#2. Track your numbers - technically this should be #1 but you know it. If you need ideas for tracking post and ask the veterans for guidance

#3. Share your life but please keep it somewhat financially related - we know that everything influences finances especially when we're stressed, tired, excited and busy. BUT this is a financial accountability group, not a therapy session If you want to go off topic consider starting a fresh thread and posting a link so those who are interested can support you therm.

For the new people there are no real set rules here, you set your own. The basic goal most if not all of us have are to keep track of the days we don't spend and hopefully by that work on saving money. Some are looking to put it into savings others to pay down debt.

For some they only count the day as a no spend day if they spend nothing at all. Others will count it if they keep their total under $5. Some count all spending,  others only count a certain part of their budget. For example MittenKitten personally take $400 out of the the bank in cash for everything that is not related to vehicle expenses (like gas, oil changes, insurance etc) or the house (mortgage, utilities, HOA) If I spend out of the $400 I count it as a spend day (although if it is less then $5 I usually count it as a no spend day.) You set your own rules. Any questions feel free to ask.


#4 :You can post your no spend days daily or whenever you want, just put it in bold at the top with the first number being the number you want me to record. If you are doing daily then:

Today (or yesterday): $0 Spend day

More then one day at a time: 4/31 days $0 Spend Which translates into 4 out of 31 days in July have been no spend so far. Some use the bigger number as their goal number so do 4/15 No spend Days which means they have a goal of 15 no spend days this month.

[catsareme]

Thank you moneysquirrel for posting the guidelines for this thread.  Much appreciated. 😁

[laterbloomer]

$12 for furnace filters, $91 for my hair, $25 for lunch with friends, $56 for a freestanding toilet paper holder, $109 to take a good friend out to dinner
$313 to date

[vetswife]

I came out better at the end of 2022 than usual; thanks to 3 weeks in Virginia visiting my daughter.  Nonessential spending so far includes the following:

Entertainment-Education     22.43

Travel                                86.57(I had bought my airline tickets months ago)

Skin care                            145.45

[moneysquirrel]

Yard fill has been done and paid for.  Home insurance is on CC for points and will be paid off once the bank allows me to do so.  Has to be listed and not pending for me to do so.  Still waiting on the shutters but they are not expected until the end of the month.

Routine things as of yet except as listed above.

[Iggy aka IG]

My first post of the year (in this thread) finally.  Shows how busy I've been!

As in years' past, I scrutinized my end-of-the year expenses.  I'm getting even more detailed as I desperately want to retire early:

Reduce hair salon visits from every other month to quarterly
Reduce an annual business sponsorship by 50%
Cancel the water service at the office by getting the hand-me-down dispenser cleaned and functioning
The above three will save $1,500 annually

Say no to out-of-town trips except the major one this summer
Less client entertaining
No new clothes, tattoos or office equipment
Keep an eye on the grocery bill, use up what we have

My truck will be paid off next year so that will help tremendously.

[vetswife]

$150 to tow truck drive to get my car pulled out of a ditch when I made a wrong turn.  It seems in good shape but taking it to the shop next week for a checkup so there will be more expenses.  Otherwise, haven't spent much that was not a need or monthly bill.

[catsareme]

Unexpected dental bill - $1,477. 

Thank goodness for the emergency fund.

[moneysquirrel]

Home insurance bill that was on the CC has now been scheduled to be paid tomorrow.

Routine other expenses are ongoing.  Should be getting several utility bills in next week.  


catsareme -- Sorry about the dentist bill but that is the point of our emergency funds.  We have it for things like this.

vetswife -- Hope the car isn't damaged after that incident.  

[skeeter]

Jan 13, 2023 11:43:11 GMT -5 catsareme said:

Unexpected dental bill - $1,477. 

Thank goodness for the emergency fund.

Wow, that's not a good way to start off the new year! 

[Iggy aka IG]

Monthly bills including quarterly estimates are all paid except one that hasn't yet invoiced.  And am grateful my energy bills haven't gone up as much as some people's apparently have.  Stayed within the monthly $150 grocery/HBA/paper budget for tonight's pickup.  Other tiny ways I've been saving:

-Unplugged an additional half dozen things we aren't using
-Cut the bottom 2 inches off of a lotion bottle to get to more product
-Been using a thin makeup brush to reach the last of the bottled contents
-Flipped over the eye drops and nasal saline bottles (propped against something) to get to every last drop
-Squeezing the heck out of my toothpaste tube yielded several more days' worth
-Used freezer leftovers creatively including BBQ beef as a pizza topping, warmed up ham served with a warmed-up sauce used the remaining bit of peach preserves, and a sad bagel was zapped into breadcrumbs

I have two at home upcoming social events planned over the next several weeks and plan to use food on hand instead of buying new.  Included will be a homemade popcorn/yogurt pretzel/caramel bit mix I didn't get to during the holidays, homemade cupcakes, and artichoke dip with crackers.  Neighbors are going to cook a pork shoulder, and we'll ask other neighbors to bring sides.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 13, 2023 9:58:46 GMT -5 vetswife said:

$150 to tow truck drive to get my car pulled out of a ditch when I made a wrong turn.  It seems in good shape but taking it to the shop next week for a checkup so there will be more expenses.  Otherwise, haven't spent much that was not a need or monthly bill.

Are you okay?

[daisylu]

I need to get back into this. Cleaning up around the house, I am discovering many items that I purchased on a whim and never put into use.

So far today, I have found drawer organizers that are now in use and a fancy shower head that is now installed in the main bath. And an Oyo exerciser that was hidden under some of that stuff, that I really need to put to use.


I am going to aim for 8 of the 15 days left this month as no spend. I don't include things like car for car - just the spontaneous "oh, that looks cool" spending. 🤦‍♀️

[vetswife]

Knee Deep in Water Chloe  Thanks for asking, I am fine.


moneysquirrel  No serious damage on the car but it needs a new bumper.  I'm glad I have a slush fund!  I spent $45 on new sweaters; not a need but the ones I have are getting pretty worn out!

[Blonde Granny]

The unexpected bill for pest care just came in the mail....there goes $$247 for the next year. Having the fireplace cleaned and adjusted was another $$275. I also have the maintenance person starting to paint the garage doors and the outside lights cleaned (have no idea of that cost).

My brother is the Trustee for a family Trust so it was nice to have him tell me that "the check is in the mail".

Hope all is well for all of us going forward.

BG  On edit:  My house, car & umbrella, policies are due in March.  Last year those 3 things together  were $2K, good thing I have my escrow account.

[Iggy aka IG]

I see fuel prices are on the rise again.  Le sigh......

[Iggy aka IG]

I just terminated an agency management service which was turning into a nightmare to implement.  Annual savings $1,368.  This plus the amount in post January 11th totals $2,868 in upcoming 2023 savings.  I'll retire yet, LOL.....

[countrygirl2]

I need to work up expenses for the year. We will have sold 2 rentals so that will drop some costs, of course drop revenue too. But I'm not sure what taxes will be this year. I need to compute the capital gains and recapture of depn and plan accordingly. We have left over credit for taxes from the solar install so hope we don't use all of that. It paid all of our federal taxes last year.

Our bills are down as much as possible, we could cut dish, not much else left. We will keep our landline and internet as we use it for roku tv's. We don't owe for anything, just what we spend on the CC to get dollars. The rebate now is almost $900 will take it out when it reaches a $1000.

But I need to stop spending, I bought some area rugs and items to brighten up the house and that's enough, the sales were fantastic like 80% off. 

So time to work up the budget again.

[Blonde Granny]

It feels good to actually have the change of months have a first of year etc. . My Planner month of February is crazy as a loon, but finally has been in my dates not it.

Im also happy that I have my escrow (sinking) etc. fully loaded and is starting for Dentist appointment then Primary Dr.

For now my area is in the middle of an ice storm (day 2) and at least one more happy. Happy I got to Walmart to fill the cart before the storm arrived.

Hello to all........

BG

[moneysquirrel]

January as usual has been expensive.  Home and flood insurance were paid plus an unexpected trip for a funeral.  Sinking funds for those came in handy. Will need to up the sinking fund for insurance as I know those will go up next year.

New shutters have been delayed but should be here mid-February.  Money for those is in a sinking fund as well. 

No major impulse purchases in January I am happy to report.

  I will begin to book excursions for my trip soon but have been saving for that as well.  I am hoping to cash flow as much of that as I can.  Cruise, plane and insurance have been paid for. Saving for excursion, extra nights in hotel, ground transport and spending money is continuing.  I have goals in mind and should be able to meet most of them.  I probably overestimated what I would need but that is better than under funding if I can avoid it.  

Great job, all.

[daisylu]

And I completely forgot about checking in. I was aiming for 8/15 NSDs in January. I made it to 6/15.

February goal will be 12/28. It is normally our coldest month, so this should be achievable as I hate going anywhere when it is cold. 

[Blonde Granny]

Our ice storm is to continue today and I'm grateful that I had the common sense to get to Walmart and load up the cart. They are telling us now that this storm will continue today and into tomorrow (Thursday). Needless to say, this is getting old.

I have ordered some hot chocolate since I only had 2 left and Holiday Coffee, both from Amazon and to arrive Friday.

[Iggy aka IG]

Very cold here, too.  It was 7 degrees on my way to the office.

Kept a tight budget in January.  January food, HBA, kitty litter for the icy road, and a cookie decorating kit for the neighbor kiddos totaled $193.70.  Non-essential spending was $71.98 which included liquor store and two (unusual for me) fast food stops.

[catsareme]

I didn't do near as well in January as I had planned but still managed to sweep some monies into savings.  Two out of five slush funds are  fully funded.  
 
January NSD:  14/31  

No ice or snow here but it's COLD.  

   

[daisylu]

1/28 goal=12/28

Made it through day one with no spending.

[vetswife]

I was able to put a large amount into savings the last of January in spite of the car expenses.  I also carried some forward to pay for installing the new bumper.  So far, so good-no unscheduled spending but it's only day 2!!