January 2011 Controlled/No Spend Thread

[muttleynfelix]

Heat - We've been keeping hours at 72. DH gets cold if it is any cooler and when he gets cold, he starts to hurt. I realized it costs us about an extra $100 a year to have a happier husband.

[sheilaincali]

Muttley- for less than $10 a month- that's not a bad deal to keep a healthy and happy husband

[ses]

I usually keep the thermostat at 66*daytime and 60* over night. I am usually comfortable but when it is cold and damp or if the wind blows I will wear a fleece jacket during the day. At night I use a down comforter with a cotton duvet cover (the weight of a big cotton pillowcase) and two cats and I'm usually comfortable, if not hot. However, lately my ears have been getting really cold. I'm thinking about getting a skiers headband to wear over my ears at night. It makes me nuts to wake up with my feet warm outside the comforter and my ears all bundled in the comforter and still cold.

Hugs and kisses to all of the puppies (of any age) and kitties who might need them. Calleigh goes to the doctor for her last two shots on Thursday. I just realized I never heard anything about her lab work. She has had a big growth spurt lately, she is about 3/4 the size of Onyx. I imagine I will have to plan for the cost of having her fixed in the next month or so. Last night they were leaping and frisking around in their wrestling match in such a manner that you would suspect they had a choreographer stashed in the corner. I am so glad they are getting along, most of the time. The other day I caught them curled up together and Onyx was grooming Calleigh, who was wearing the biggest grin and just leaning in to the pampering.

I have been sorting papers today. HOW do I get so much? Little by little most of it is getting hauled out. My trash dumpster is buried in a snow bank so whenever i have a bag or two ready to go I haul it to the car and it whenever I go out and drive by a dug out Dumpster (like the jumbo ones at the school yard). I will be glad to move on to another task soon. I an trying to keep myself busy since I have received several gardening and seed catalogs that are calling my name, louder each day.

Need to finish up and get something to eat before the Prez speaks. I am curious about what he will say this year after all that has happened in the past six months. And especially what the Republican response will be!

[muttleynfelix]

Shiela - That $100 is really only spread out over 4 to 5 months, so it seems more. But when I really did the math, it wasn't that much. We've got a newer energy efficient house so that helps.

We did decide to trash service. They bumped up the fuel surcharge again and now it is $60 for 3 months. Which wouldn't be too bad, but we only put the trash out at most every other week sometimes every 3 weeks. I can take it into work and use the dumpster there or DH will take it to his mom's house. I think if we start recycling and composting we can get it down to even less trash. We can burn too. Thankfully we use cloth diapers because the week we had him in disposables when he was first born we had an overflowing trash can that week.

[startsmart]

So today it was $25 for the new license, $40 for the chiropractor and $4 for coffee.

I came home and made dinner. Still working tonight to get everything finished because there is just too much to do

[MittenKitten]

Heat: I HAVE to take a bath before bed or it takes me at least 30 minutes to warm up enough to fall asleep. We keep our home at 70 degrees. We still have one kid that doesn't sleep with covers so I don't need a little popsicle in the morning.

Shanen: I hope puppy is doing better. My cats are 11 and 13. I am not looking forward to dealing with the older years. Already had issues with my 13 YO cat. Sad part is WE figured it out NOT the vet.

3cats: Call the place that is holding the bill, maybe you can get them to settle for half. I mean really waiting 4 years is just stupid. At this point they are not expecting to collect anything. Won't hurt to try at least.

Start: Hope all is well and you are not having any more troubles. Have you heard from Firebird? How is she? How is her DBF?

Worked out tonight, glad I started early since I would rather work out to Biggest Loser then the State of the Union.

[shanendoah]

Firebird and DBF are back in the Bay Area and back at work. She's trying to get him to see a counselor about everything.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 17 NS / 4CS = 21/15 (Goal 15NS/CS)

Managed to get home before the rain again. I really am racking up the NS now. This is good because between December and March I have several huge insurance premiums and property tax bills due. I save all year for them but they are all running over my estimates which were slightly higher than last year's cost. Still have flood insurance and of course federal and state taxes to go. Haven't started working on those yet so no idea as to the final output.

[cheerleadingmama7]

Update: 11/20 NSD

I am checking in, but I fear I have been doing dreadfully!! It is just not my month to make my goals - grrrr!

It has been frustrating. Not only have I had added expense coming up at home, but I am dealing with irritating guilt at work.

I am the school director and have always taken on the responsibility of holding school events like a Steelers's Tailgate party with food for the students. We have about 50 students right now plus staff. So everyone brings something and we donate all proceeds to Relay for Life. Being the director I purchased the meat - made sloppy joes and hot dogs.

Then the following game (AFC Championship game ) we did it again and I was just going to have a Black and Gold Spirit day, but everyone wanted pizza and treats....not that anyone wanted to chip in cash for it. I told them I just couldn't do it, and that we would do something for the super bowl.

My issue is that in order to keep morale up and students in this society happy I need to keep up with these types of things, but my boss doesn't beleive in reimbusing for this so if I want to do it I am on my own. I am struggling with saying "no" to spending money at work. I need to stand my ground more, but 99% of the people I work with are struggling financially so it isn't like I can split the cost with them. UGH!

[startsmart]

cheeringmama- maybe it's time to start a new tradition, one that doesn't put most of the financial burden on one person in order to keep up morale. I suggest everyone, students included, join a potluck. Advertise it to the staff and families as "share your favorite treats and recipes" and remind those who would complain that many hands make light work. A meal without meat is fine! The kids can try new dishes and most will be proud that they contributed, even if it's just a dish of jello!

DC/NYC - I've decided I should travel more so I'm planning 2 weeks on the East Coast. I'm still coordinating sleeping arrangements so I can keep it affordable by staying with friends. Nothing is booked yet but I have a place in NJ where I can stay and catch the train into the city. I am really hoping to spend 2-3 days in DC (need to check with some DC friends or find a hostel) and maybe we can do a meet up in Baltimore or Annapolis or DC? I also have a good friend who works at the academy in Annapolis so I might try to swing by and meet her cadets

[spruby]

startsmart - when are you thinking of being in the DC area?

[redwagon]

heat - we have it go down to 64 during the day when we aren't home (we manually bump it up on weekends) and at night, and it's around 70 in the evening/morning when we're home. I think it's actually set to 68 but we usually manually bump it up to 70 or 71. Blue is always complaining because he'd like it even warmer (and he's not the one who actually turns blue in the cold!), or cooler in summer. I make the poor boy suffer haha.

Dax seems to be better. She's eating normally and I didn't hear any funny breathing last night. I think she was insulted blue picked up up and put her on the floor this morning. She was lying between us and he wanted to cuddle. lol.

startsmart - hope your foot is fine! and looking forward to your trip here!

shanen - thanks for the firebird update! send her our love. a counselor sounds like a must for DBF. can't even imagine what he's gone/going through.

my netbook has been saved by blue_wagon! so nice having him around haha. it took a few hours, but the malwarefinder found a bunch of stuff, so hopefully now it's gone it'll run faster. And he installed anti-virus software (which he doesn't even have on his computer. silly IT boy).

cheerleadingmama - hang in there. i don't think anyone has ever made goal their first few months. But I'm sure you're doing better than you normally would be!

[shanendoah]

Update: 11 of 10 NSD (stetch goal of 12), 4 of 8 MOAN
I did get an NSD yesterday, though not today as I needed to buy stamps. I did not exercise last night. Coughing just does not lend itself well to either aerobic exercises or ones that require balance. I did weigh myself though, and I had met my goal of losing 6lbs in 4 weeks, and have a new goal of another 6lbs in another 4 weeks. Slow and steady, right.

Heat: We keep our house cold, apparently. Usually 64 in the daytime (right now someone is pretty much always at home) and 55(?) or so at night. We put in our settings a few years ago, so I'm not actually certain what they are.

startsmart: Oooh, travel. Definitely something you should do more of. I hope you have a great trip to the east coast, but might I also suggest you consder a PNW trip? It doesn't even have to be Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver are some of my favorite cities ever.

red_wagon: yay for a fixed computer! Smokey has learned when he gets to lie between us and when he can't. At 65lbs, its pretty definite. June, at half his size, still tries to wiggle her way in.

ses: Hope its good news about Calleigh's test results. I would suggest you check and see if they do the laproscopic spays. I think they're cheaper (its what the Humane Society here does), and they don't require an overnight. Its a much quicker recovery time for the little girl. The only downside I know of is that instead of a scar, June has a tattoo for where they went through, so that's permanent.

dakota: Hope Dakota is doing better

cheerleadingmama: I second the idea of potlucks. I work for a company that used to do elaborate parties for staff. The Christmas party was a line item in our budget. Now, its all potlucks. And people have come to really enjoy it. In my last department, we had one girl that made this amazing potato and cornflake dish that everyone loves. One time she mentioned she was thinking of not bringing it because the cleaning the baking dish afterward is such a pain. 3 different people offered to do the dish washing for her.

firebird: I'm trying to get her to pop in here and say hi, but if any of you have her email address, could you send her a note and let her know you're thinking of her. She's also going through a bit of a tough time and could really use the support of people a little less judgemental than the YM folks.

[vnot]

10/15 NSD & 13/20 MOAN

Thanks for the anniversary wishes! DBF took me indoor skydiving and bought me some jewelry. It was very nice!

I was pretty bad over the weekend and have spent some money but only for couponing and to build my garden so they were investments!

I am however, officially sick. Ugh. Stuffy nose, sneezing, cough---fun--not.

[dianartemis]

10/15 NSD, 14/15 NEO, 5/15 MOAN, 4/4 QUs

I'm close to 2 of my goals and completed 1. Yay! I needed a boost this week. Murphy's visiting and I wish I could thump him into the next decade!

[dakota4600]

So far so good with Dakota dog. No throwing up or anything since Sunday.

Yesterday was an NS day. That makes 18 for the month!! Only 2 more to go, today should be one as well as tomorrow. I might make over my goal.

Mini-D is not napping at school, the teacher said he just can't seem to settle down and relax. Probably just the new environment. But I hope he starts napping soon as he is been a bear when he gets home. Last night he drank all of his milk and started crying because his cup was empty instead of asking for more. I did ask him about taking naps and he said he needed hugs. Today I sent one of his less loved stuffed animals to school full of hugs and kisses from mommy, so he could hug it during nap time and "feel" mommy's hugs in the dog. We'll see if that works.

Startsmart- Take care of your foot. And enjoy your trip.

Red- Glad your computer is fixed. I can't believe that Blue doesn't have anit-virus protection on his computer.

SES- Let us know how calleigh is!

Cheerleadingmama-I think it is a time for a full staff meeting with your staff and your boss to discuss these kind of events. Either the school needs to cover them or everyone needs to chip in. It isn't fair to expect you to provide the goodies.

[redwagon]

dakota - he has malwarebytes, which looks for some stuff but not the nasty viruses. He says he's smart enough to not download viruses, and he's never gotten one, so I can't really argue. I always seem to get them on PCs. I miss having a fully functional Mac. Someday...

[kcgal]

Cheerleadingmama:
Hold your ground. Just say no to more expense for you. If there is no one helping with the cost. Then a less expensive choice needs to be found. Bottom line is if it is your money being spent you should get to decide how you want to spend it.
When you do the Super Bowl activity which I hope is pot luck then also have a SOUPIER BOWL party that included 2 can or $2.00 that will go to Harvesters or a pantry closet. Change the focus to more helping others like the first one, relay for Life. Make it challenge by grades as to who can raise the most can goods or a contest as to who made the most interesting side dish for the pot luck. Sometimes traditions were meant to be changed. Good luck with what you decide to do.

[redwagon]

While sorting through our piles of mail yesterday I found a thing from our auto insurance company saying we needed to get a photo inspection by 11/29/10. Ummm... yeah. I called and technically they should have discontinued coverage when we didnt' get it done in time (never mind that the letter was dated 11/23/10, giving us all of five days to do said inspection). They said we're okay as long as we do it ASAP or they will suspend coverage. I am so thankful that they paid our claim in December... and this should teach both me and blue to actually look at our mail and act upon it when needed. I'm willing to bet blue just tossed it in my pile, because I deal with our paperwork stuff, without even opening it. Argh!!!

Anyways. Found a place open Saturday morning and will make blue do it himself. It's his effing car anyways. lol.

[ses]

Cheerleadingmama--go to a potluck and if everyone really wants pizza and you gave access to an oven do a make-it-yourself French bread pizza potluck. Have different people bring the sauce and different toppings to spread on split loaves of French bread. Or do a baked potato bar. Baked in a crock pot and different people bring different toppings. My students and staff loved both of these options. I think everyone likes an event they help create.

Today was a budgeted spend day. I bought 3 months of medications and a hair cut. I was so shaggy and it had been so long since my last cut my hairdresser just laughed when she saw me. $20 very well spent.

My best wishes to all of you in the Eastern US. Sounds like you are expecting some rugged weather. Be careful.

[azmom]

Hey All, Just wanted to pop in and say I have been struggling to get another NSD...although with the exception of one day they have all been CSD. DH and I went out to eat on Sunday. It was not planned or budgeted or even necessary but we did it anyway. My MIL gave me some belated birthday money and watched the kids all day Saturday and Sunday. We used that money on Saturday to go out for dinner. We went to this wing and bar place that we used to go to often when we first started dating but it closed down and is now re-opened in a renovated firehouse. It is such a cool little hole in the wall spot and they had live music. It was perfect and the best part is it only cost $14 and some change for our meal and a beer each plus a generous tip!! We caught the end of some early bird special-even though it felt late for us Anyway I think that night reminded us how much we loved going out to eat and how much we really miss it. Of course in the past we ate out way too much and just put it on a cc and we realize the need for reform but still Sunday was un-called for OOH-and Friday I went to the grocery store and it was my BIG trip, only to discover Saturday morning that our refrigerator had stopped working (I'm thinking sometime Friday) Luckily we had an extra, even better, one in the garage. Unfortunately, my grocery bill will be higher due to me needing to replace all of the food I had just bought on Friday!! Like I said, eating out on Sunday was uncalled for! Today I went and picked up some Salmon for DH and I to have an at home Date Night, which we plan to do every Wednesday night. The kids have their Bible Study every Wed. so I feed them something cheap and simple before I take them (DH is still at work when I drop them off) It makes for a perfect Date Night Meal since we can have a pricier meal for just 2 instead of 5.
Shannon: I don't think it is out of guilt that I posed that question or my comment about the Cards tickets. The reasons you gave to get them are the reasons why we have bought them in the past because we realize the importance of still doing things while paying down debt. We are in a pretty good pace as far as it goes to paying down debt so I am not overly concerned about getting it down faster (although it will be a huge burden when it is all gone and we do on occasion pay even more when we get small windfalls-work bonus') I just think maybe I (and others if they are being honest) use valid reasons as excuses and the money could be better used for savings or debt. Going to the Cardinals games for us is a very expensive way to ensure a date night...but I do not honestly think DH will part with them-which I am okay with. I was just wanting to be honest with the areas we spend money that are not necessary needs but still spend for "justifiable" reasons but maybe we need to look closer at in the future.
KCGAL: I have tried that method before but have failed (money in an envelope). I lack willpower. I am terrible at saying I wish I had a few extra dollars to paint the house or whatever but yet I turn around and go out to eat on Sunday. There is the money right there!! Ugh..still trying to work through my priority list but at least I am spending cash on all of our purchases and not going into debt. I don't think we will ever use cc again just because of our combined lack of will power but at least we are aware of our weakness and are taking necessary steps to get a grip on them.

HAPPY NO SPENDING

[startsmart]

been dealing with a lot of little frustrating things lately so I just need to vent

Hot water- would be nice to have again. I think we're replacing this weekend so that will be a few hundred dollars from the house account. Thankfully we put extra aside every month for such things. I may also be able to my water heater, old washer and old dishwasher in one go (Dad's stolen truck was recovered but still getting repaired)

neighbors suck - stupid unemployed lazy a$$ rednecks who sit in the driveway all freeking day long and rev the engine on the car. drive around the block. rev, rev, rev, rev, rev. for HOURS. I've called in a noise complaint twice and now I've decided to make it my mission to call the police dispatch every day until they do something about it.

I'm working a LOT - usually 8am - 10pm daily with maybe 2 hours max of personal time. so it's exhausting right now. my leg pain is bugging me and even though I sleep I never really feel rested.

Oh, and I *just* realized I should have invoiced my clients yesterday. Sigh.

[3catslady]

I am so angry with myself. I got my first NSF because I didn't take the time to transfer money when I paid the electric bill. I was short about $10 and was going to transfer in the morning but I forgot so now I have to fork over $50 to cover the fee. My first NSF fee in over 2 years. So today was a spend day because of that. I am at 12 NSD, 7 CSD, and 5 eating out days.

[sheilaincali]

3cats- don't beat yourself up too much. Mistakes happen and we have all been there.

ses: The baked potato bar sounds really cool. Maybe we can do something similar here as a fund raiser for Relay for Life. The guys would probably love it.

Been quiet at work. Everyone is out again this week- 2 of the guys will be back tomorrow. It is really boring being stuck in the office all by myself for days at a time. The phone doesn't ring until I decide to use the bathroom. Customers don't come in until I am in the back office filing or heating up my lunch.

We have been doing decent on the NS front. Today is a spend. Our county does a big tree sale pre-order thing today and tomorrow. Then the trees are ready for pick up in April. For $41.88 DH bought us 30 tree type shrubs to make a privacy hedge in our backyard. Not bad if you ask me. Basically a $1.39 per plant Only downside is having to plant 30 of them in one weekend because DH is out of town the following week for training for work.

[dakota4600]

Update 19/20 NS/CS, 19/18 NEO!!!

Mini-D took a nap at school yesterday! He was so much happier last night. He also told me unsolicited that he likes his school. So that makes me feel much better. Another cute thing of the 4 grandparents, he is probably the least close to my mom (she is the busiest of all of them and around the least). But last night at dinner he told me he wanted to call her. So after dinner I called her and told her that mini-D had asked to talk to her and gave him the phone and he told her he missed her. When I took the phone back she was told me that made her day.

AZmom- Sometimes dinner out is needed for some adult time, even if dinner in without the kids can be done. That sucks about the fridge. Ours got warm last week, luckily DH was home and moved stuff into coolers with ice pretty quickly and was able to get it working again.

Shelia- That is a lot of shrubs to plant in a weekend, but a great price. Might even be worth it to rent a tiller if you don't have one to speed up the planting process.

[dakota4600]

oh I forgot

3cats, I know it is maddening. Usually I pay a stupid tax about once a year, either I forget to set up a payment and have to pay a late fee or I forget about an autopayment and overdraft my account.

Question about the boards. What is karma and how do you get it?

[sapphire12]

NS -- I've lost track, but I am well under budget this month. I am expecting to put an additional $455 in savings for the month of Jan. I do have to buy a new furnace and that is scheduled to be installed this Sat, but I have money for that in the maintenance fund.

SNOW -- I have no use for it. The DC area got hit yesterday. Thankfully, I was not commuting home for hours as some did. Quite frankly I can't think of anything good to say about cold weather.

Heat -- during the day, when I'm not home it goes down to 65 or 62; it's programmed so I don't really remember. In the evenings it is set to 72 and if I'm cold, I'll bump it up to 75, if need be. It then goes off at 10 pm and it comes back on at 4 am, so I am nice and toasty when I get out of bed in the morning. I refuse to dress in the house as if I'm outside. I'll pay the high bill for 3 months.

red -- yeah for blue fixing the computer.

start -- when are you planning on coming to the DC area?

tax refund -- I succeeded in getting the amt substantially reduced for both fed and MD; about $600 total. Now to wait for Feb 14 so I can file them.

[Deleted]

3cats- can you call and ask them to wave it, mention you have not OD for two years.

[sheilaincali]

Dakota: Renting a tiller is our plan. DH figures he won't be able to mow under them so he wants to just make a big bed across the yard. That way he has a straight line to mow against.

Karma is just something that other people "award" you. I guess it's if they like a post or something? ID. I'll "exalt" you with a karma point now

Super glad that Mini-D is liking his new school. Makes life so much easier. I love dropping my 4 year old nephew off at school. He struts into that place. Stops to say hi to everyone. Shows me his locker every single time even.

[sheilaincali]

BTW- I finally hit 100 posts so now I am a "Full Member" Hee hee. Now if only I can catch up to Angel