January 2011 Controlled/No Spend Thread

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 15 NS / 4CS = 19/15 (Goal 15NS/CS)

I only left the house today to go to the gym. I finally got a MOAN day. I really need to work on this part of my life. I do a lot of walking at work since I rarely sit down when I have kids in the room plus I also have the hike from one area to another. I need to start with some type weight training other than all the stuff I carry back and forth to school. Anyway, I need to get to the gym more often.

I think that tomorrow will be a spend day as I know that I have to get a few items at HD. Will see if the CVS sales have anything on my extended list as well. I have still avoided the trip to Sam's that I know will be coming soon. I will try to postpone it a little longer.

I spent most of the afternoon shedding and filing papers. I am still waiting for several papers to come in so that I can start working on the taxes. I can't file until the new forms come out in mid-February so that I can take advantage of the small teacher educational supply deduction. I will start the estimations soon since I usually try to see how close I come to the final number that the accountant comes up with. I am usually pretty accurate with the feds but the state tax has some exceptions for me to take that is totally confusing at times.

ses-- thanks for the web site. They do have the goodies. Will wait to order as I still have at least 2 unopened boxes of candy to consume prior to ordering anything. This also explains why I felt the need to get to the gym this morning.

kcgal-- Your technique for kid's sports is how I save for all my major expenses and projected expenses. I don't use the envelopes but I subdivide my checkbook and saving register (in a way) for various items. It gives me a goal to reach and really prevents the shock when those annual expenses occur. I think it is similar to what the savers thread does but I have been doing it so long that it is second nature to me now. I know that I did this long before I even knew that message boards existed for things like this (I am not on that thread but when I first jointed I lurked a bit.)

[Deleted]

UPDATE:
I am at 18 NS days. Have to get ready for work- I'll stop in later. I hope everyone stays warm! It was -14 when I got up this a.m.

[3catslady]

:(The game is on next door and they are loud so I am going to the laundromat. Since that is a budgeted item, today will be a controlled spend.

[3catslady]

Yesterday was a No Spend. I joined FlyLady instead. Maybe with her help I can get my place cleaned.
update; 11 NSD, 6 CSD, and 5 Eating Out days

[munjoyhill]

Update Munjoyhill

9/15 No Spend Days
16/25 MOAN Days

I was traveling for work last week, and only got in one MOAN day, but did 4 straight days of No Spend, gotta love those days where your company pays for everything.

[sheilaincali]

Update: 16/20 $0, 21/25 NEOs, 11 lbs lost

We didn't do anything this weekend. Frigid cold temps kept us indoors all weekend. We did decide to start sorting out the Boy's Legos for sale. He has approximately 270 lbs of Lego's (5 large tubs at approx. 45 lbs per tub). We are sorting out the mini figures, train pieces, airplane pieces and Bionicle pieces. All of the misc bricks are going in three of the tubs and being put on Ebay. They are averaging about $10 to $15 a lb. Also went through the dvd's and tv series' we have. Wowza do we have a lot of stuff we don't need.
DH is on this whole "streamline our lives" kick and I am fully supportive of that.

[dakota4600]

17/20 NS/CS, 16/18 NEO

This weekend we spent everyday, but nothing out of control. My mom and I went shopping on Saturday after the purse party. (I got new "clothes" for my purse as DH says. I have a Miche bag and got new handles and a new cover.) I also picked up a couple sweaters and cami's on clearance.

Mini-D must have been ready to go to school, because he jumped right into playing with the other kids. He broke away long enough to give me a hug and kiss goodbye. He didn't cry or get upset, which I am very glad about. Hopefully he will stay in a great mood the rest of the day. I did get some pics that I'll put on facebook after work. I held it together until I got the car.

I will have to go out for lunch today, since I forgot to grab the lunch I had in the fridge with all the excitement this AM.

Shelia- Wow that is a lot of legos!

[redwagon]

kcgal - I found the Biggest Loser and EA Sports Active 1 and 2 to be really good workouts

It was a spendy weekend. I will need to count my days up one of these days... Went to dinner and a movie with BFF and her fiance. First time seeing them since they got engaged in October (which is just sad that it's been that long, but the snow keeps getting in the way of plans).

money - I find state taxes more confusing too. Lots of strange little deductions and credits there. I like letting Turbo Tax figure it out and double checking it by hand, too. Never used a real person...

dakota - so glad to hear mini-D jumped right into his new surroundings!! Harder on you than on him, I'm sure!

Nothing big happening this week, other than blue starts his first class on Thursday. Luckily it's an online one, which should ease him back in to school and make it not such a crazy transition starting school and a new job at the same time... I hope he doesn't get too overwhelmed by it all. My two classes start in another month. It's going to be weird not seeing him three nights a week, essentially, since our classes are on all different nights and we'll be getting home late (his second class is in-person and starts in two months). We'll make it work. At least it'll keep us from eating out a lot! I figure I'll start mass-cooking on Sundays and then whoever is home can just eat up leftovers. Whoever is going to class will have to either buy with fun money or make themselves a sandwich to bring and eat. that part is going to stink...

Okay, back to work. Actually have lots to do this week...

[sheilaincali]

Dakota: Congrats on Mini D doing good on his first drop off to preschool. He will have a blast today. Only problem to worry about now is him having so much fun he doesn't want to go home when you pick him up Big step for him though. Now he is a "big boy" and he goes to "school". Once DS made that transition in his mind there was no stopping him!

kcgal: Forgot to reply to your request. We have the Wi Fit and I like that, Don't like the Wi active as much. Most of my friends are claiming that the Dance one gives them the best workout. That's the one I am currently saving my allowance for

[shanendoah]

Update: 9 of 10 NSD, 4 of 8 MOAN
Still sick. Not needing bed rest or anything, but this cough will not go away. Friday was an NSD, but Saturday I ran to the store for milk. (We bought 2 gallons on Thursday afternoon and by Saturday morning we were down to 1.) And we went out to dinner with friends last night.
So far this month, we've spent $100 on groceries (out of a $450 budget) and $45 on eating out (out of a $150 budget), so in that sense we're doing well. And even if you count the CostCo gift card spending ($190), we're still under grocery budget by $150. That's not super surprising as we always spend a ton on groceries in November and December and tend to slow down and eat from the pantry in January.

DH has decided not to apply for the job. It was not an easy decision, and we talked about it extensively. But he said that he knows if he starts working at a job with a 90 minute (each way) commute full time, there's no way he's continuing with school (which is an hour commute the other direction). And he's excited about being back in school and learning stuff. But it was a really difficult decision for him to come to. (If it hadn't been for school, he would have jumped at the job, despite the fact that it would cost us in the short term.)

red_wagon: Good luck on your interview. Yay for blue getting a new job.

dakota: glad mini-d took to pre-school so readily.

moneysquirrel: Yay for getting to the gym

startsmart: please tell me you took a day off this weekend. take care of yourself, or you won't be able to take care of anyone else

sheila: you tempt me with talk of legos, and I don't even have any kids.

life simplification: I have decided that I don't want to buy any new clothes this year. Now, I am losing weight, so there's the possibility that I will need to buy new clothes, so I have a deal with myself. If I NEED to buy new pants, I have to throw out/donate one pair of pants I already have for each pair I buy. If (by some miracle) I were to lose enough weight to NEED to buy new tops, I have to throw out/donate 2 tops for every new one I buy.

azmom: Your last post, it sounded to me like you were trying to talk yourself in to giving up something you LOVE because you felt guilt over not paying debt sooner. But you can afford the season tickets and still pay off your debt. However, if you are feeling that guilty about how long its taking to pay off debt, sit down and talk to your DH (as you were planning on doing) and say "Neither of us wants to give up our Cards tickets, but given everything else, can we justify the expense? Lets see if we can cut the spending elsewhere by at least the cost of one season ticket so that we can feel better about making progress toward our goals without giving up something that we both enjoy so much."
Obviously, you and DH are the only ones who can decide if the season tickets are worth it in the grand scheme of things, but guaranteed date time needs to rate high up on the scale of things that are worth spending your money on, IMHO.

[startsmart]

turned out to be a busy weekend with the water issues and work issues. I pretty much decided to hermit it, staying home and inside most of the weekend. It's not too cold here, just windy.

I did grocery shopping, some cleaning, watched ABC online and read. I did sleep in and get some extra rest but worked both days. Oh well, I am much more energetic and ready to work today than I was on Friday so that's nice.

HOW is January almost over? HOW?

[dakota4600]

Moneysquirell- I thought of you this weekend. I was out shopping with my mom and came across chocolate covered sunflower seeds on the Christmas clearance table. Of course they are also one of my favorite snacks.

I just called the school to see how he was doing. Bad mommy, I tried not to, but I just needed to know he was okay! The director said he was quiet, but not upset or crying at all. He is usually pretty quiet compared to other kids, so that is not all that unusual. He was laying down for naptime when I called.

[pointy]

Update: 18/22 NS and 22/27 No QVC days

[spruby]

3cats - I use Flylady - not perfect - but a definite improvement - I like that it is not all or nothing and she acknowledges that *she* falls off the flywagon (so to speak) and jumps back in - she doesn't expect perfection

startmart - glad to hear you are feeling better - I still want to encourage you to build rest/me time into your schedule

dakota - yeah on mini-Ds first day and that you survived it!

red - ahh - I remember the days of working and taking classes at night - and don't miss them at all - four magic words - dark chocolate espresso beans - yummy

Question - I know I am a cold weather wuss - DC is usually just right for me weather wise in the winter - but this is the coldest in DC since 1985 - which means it is the coldest winter I have ever lived through - since I moved to DC in 1987 from Florida. This weather is wearing me down - I never feel really warm except standing under the hot water in the shower and I can only stay there for so long before it runs out. It isn't SAD - just tired of being cold. So since some of you are used to *real* cold weather on a regular basis - what do you do to get through the winter? Either to get your mind off the cold or embrace the cold an enjoy it.

[startsmart]

psssst. a little birdy named facebook reminded me that ms red2black celebrates her bday tomorrow! I know she's not migrated this way yet but I KNOW she would love some email love notes.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 16 NS / 4CS = 20/15 (Goal 15NS/CS)

Today was a NS day but yesterday I took the advantage of the CVS sales and stocked up on several items that I will use over a period of time.

Dakota -- I knew that mini-D would be fine. Glad to hear that you survived the big day as well.

SES -- Chatted with Sharing last night and the Black Hills is in her plans as well.

[redwagon]

spruby - love chocolate covered espresso beans! lived on those in undergrad. Will have to stock up! As for the cold, we set our thermostat a bit higher than most (70-71 when home), mainly because my hands turn blue from the cold (Reynaud's). I wear layers like crazy: tank top and sweater. Layers create insulation which creates warmth. I always have hat, scarf, and gloves on. My coat practically goes to my feet. Thick socks. Lots of hot cocoa. And a space heater at work. Make sure you work out and work up a good steamy sweat a few times a week. I love the briskness of cold, but I do know what you mean about never being warm. When all else fails, booze.

startsmart- thanks for the reminder!!

I went to Target and stocked up on kitty food. I know this is more grocery challenge, but I'm just excited to get four 24packs of Fancy Feast for $16, when they are normally $11 EACH.

[3catslady]

update; 11 NSD, 7 CSD, 5 Eating Out days. I am doing pretty good so far, I think.
I got a bill in the mail that I don't remember owing but after digging around in a box I found the original, like 4 years ago. Why did they wait so long to send me another bill? Any way, they will accept 70% of what I owe them as payment in full and I am seriously thinking about sending that amount in. If they'd have sent another bill earlier I would have made payments to them. So that is one expense I didn't count on but will pay.

[ses]

21/31 NSD 3/31 CSD
It is 10PM and I have not spent anything today. I have made my grocery list for next month and pantry shopped. I wanted to shop today since Almond Milk is on sale for $1.99 instead of $3.19. However I knew that if I went to the store today I would walk out with more than I went in for. $1.20 is a small amount to pay for staying in budget in the big sense. Besides I will save more than that if I just wait and do my monthly shopping trip next week. Besides I need to eat all the meals that are planned for this week and if I bring in "new" food i will not want to eat what i have. Boy, am I spoiled. I can eat whatever I want while many in this country and around the world are going to bed hungry. I have three major spends this week--all planned for and in budget--my meds for three months. a hair cut (I am so shaggy!), and whatever insurance won't cover for my new glasses. I know they are coming and I have the money ready, but I DON'T WANT TO SPEND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off to bed, both cat are curled on the bed and talking about the light being still on.

[redwagon]

My netbook (primary computer at home) got a virus last night while I was looking on kitty websites to see if Dax's slight wheezing was anything to be worried about (she also didn't eat a ton yesterday, but was playing as normal, so I'm thinking it's nothing too serious). I tried to get blue (who works in computers) to look at it but he was asleep and didn't really process what I was saying to him. This morning he goes "Oh, so I didnt' dream that you got a virus?" I really hope all my files and everything can be salvaged... Most of them are backed up, but still... aww crap just realized all the honeymoon photos are on there!! I'd have to go to my web gallery and redownload them all if I lose them. Now THAT would be a PITA. Grrrrrr.....

[dakota4600]

Update- 17/20 CS/NS, 17/18 NEO

Yesterday ended up being a spend. I took Dakota to the vet because he is throwing up and have diarrhea. The vet said that he is not aging gracefully. He has lost 3 pounds since he was in in June for his shots, but on him it looks like more. His hip bones are clearly visible, he eats all his food and is more sedentary than before. The vet recommended a round of antibiotics to start with. If that doesn't work then he'll do a complete work up and check is vital functions.

Red- I hope that you can recover your pics off your laptop. My computer crashed just after our wedding and I lost my lists of addresses and who had been sent Thank yous. It was able to reconstruct it, but uggghh.

Spurby- I'm right there with you on being cold. I feel like I'm cold from the inside out these days. Last night I crawled in bed to warm up when mini-D went to bed and even with 2 blankets, a down comforter and a quilt I was still freezing. I ended up going to bed at 9:30 with DH because I was too cold to get up and go somewhere else to read.

[redwagon]

Dakota - hugs for doggie Dakota. I hope he's okay! And that stinks about losing your list! I have all that stuff on Google docs so I'm safe there. And I think I can get the pictures off the computer, since i can still get on. I just can't do anything on the internet for some reason. It blocks everything.

Mini rant: I just remembered this and it annoyed me all over again. Last night at the grocery store there were 3 express checkout lanes and one non (frustrating enough as it is). The woman in front of me had TWO grocery carts full. Then her husband and daughter came running in with more stuff (mostly junk food). As the woman put items on the cart she was deciding if she really wanted it, and handed maybe 10 items to the cashier and said "never mind, not this." Shouldn't you make up your mind when you're going through the aisles, not when you're holding up an entire line? Then she sent the husband and daughter off for something else (reddi whip) and I had to wait for them to come back. She kept looking at me and shaking her head as if asking for sympathy, and was all "It just adds up, doesn't it?" Meanwhile I didn't see a single fresh food item in her cart. She paid $292 for two carts full of junk that will probably last her a week. I really hope it's for a Super Bowl party or something, but somehow I doubt it...

Seeing all of that just made me feel sick lol. I can't imagine spending more than $50 in one shopping trip. Maybe she had more kids at home?

[shanendoah]

Update: 10 of 10 NSD (bonus goal of 12), 4 of 8 MOAN
I have no idea how I was never able to get 10 NSD before. Oh, wait, yes I do. This month it has seemed so simple because of my inability to chew anything and the fact that I can't have regular soda - those two things cut down on the eating out and vending machine tremendously. Plus, with DH in class two nights a week, eating out isn't an option.
I'm hoping to be able to a little exercising tonight. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do because I'm still having occasional coughing fits, but I want to do something.

red_wagon: Hope you are able to recover everything, but PITA or not, at least you will still be able to get your wedding photographs if you can't.

dakota: *hugs* to you and your puppy (I don't care the age, they're all puppies). Smokey has also recently started having more tummy troubles and not always eating his food (this from a dog who for 7 years was certain I was starving him). Its hard when they start getting older because you get paranoid about every little thing.

3cats: I hate it when they don't have their act together and yet expect you to still pay. If I sent a business a bill 4 years late, you could bet they wouldn't pay it. Settling for 70% seems like a pretty good deal, though, if you have the money on hand.

[sheilaincali]

Dakota- Don't know where i heard/read this- but if you are using a down comforter it should be the top blanket on the bed. Apparently it's got something to do with air circulation with the feathers. If it is weighted down by a blanket on top of it, it is less warm.

[redwagon]

Dakota - blue sometimes falls asleep on the couch downstairs, and it is next to impossible to wake him up enough to get him to move up to bed (he'll wake up at 3am and finally come upstairs). Last night I was so cold I yelled at him until he came upstairs. He thought I was concerned about him sleeping well. I just wanted his body heat haha. I call him my electric blanket - he just radiates heat. So, totally selfish reasons for getting him to the bed last night.

[spruby]

red - I'm almost embarrassed to admit that our thermostat is set at 73 - i bumped it up one degree - but I HATE to be cold at home and refuse to wear more than 2 layers inside. I love my DH - but the one thing (and ONLY thing) I miss about an ex-BF is that he gave off heat in bed like a furnace - toasty man, shame he was such an a****le.

Older puppies (like shan I think all dogs are puppies) - my baby is over 10 now - a few issues - but fingers crossed doing ok. Hugs to all the puppies that need them! And red's kitty too!

red - net book virus - hope you got it fixed - something tried that on my machine (malware called Antivirus8) - totally blocked internet access and only got half started - I was able to use the Windows 7 restore to an earlier date software and things look ok.

[dakota4600]

Shanandoah- The vet mentioned that his stomach may just be getting more sensitive, but he wanted to try one thing at a time so we could see what works and what doesn't. So if the antibiotics don't solve the problem we'll end up trying science diet food.

Red- We had a couple computers here at work that had that same problem. Our IT company was able to get rid of the virus without a complete restore or loss of data. Of course it probably isn't the same virus, since that was over the summer. I'm glad I'm not the only one who looks at other people's carts and hopes they are prepping for a big party. And not eating that junk every day. I would have been annoyed at the running back for other things as well. DH is an electric blanket too, but since he goes to bed before me most of the time the bed is semi-warm when I get in, but I have learned a few tricks to get him to roll over and cuddle me if he is sound asleep to help warm me up. I just have to be careful not to put my cold feet on him or he rolls away. Though the real heater in house is mini-D, he generates a ton of heat for such a little person. I've actually gotten hot the few times I've laid down to take a nap with him.

Shelia- Good to know I'll move the down comforter over the quilt when I get home.

[Deleted]

Dakota- our cat was throwing up and we had to switch him to wet food, canin has a bland cat food maybe they have a dog version as well. Our cat ended up becoming allergic to corn.

[shanendoah]

Heat: There are times when my feet get so cold that they will not warm up on their own. I'll wake up in the morning with feet as cold as they were when I went to bed (or sweating, but still icy cold) if I don't actually do something about it. The one thing that works for me is warm water. I either take a shower or go stand in the tub and run hot water over my feet. The warmth usually lasts long enough for me to then run to bed and get under the covers.
The dogs would be really good heaters if I could get them to actually sleep on my feet. But Smokey finds having my feet under him uncomfortable, and June figures if she's on me, she might as well be on my chest (which, at 30lbs, does not last long).

[startsmart]

Unexpected expense today as I need to replace my driver's license which got lost in the trip back from Colorado. And hopefully i can sort out my insurance really soon since my foot is killing me, feels like something is wrong... Bad news