January 2011 Controlled/No Spend Thread

[redwagon]

Happy Hour, anyone? Butterscotch martini for me, thank you! (One of these days I really need to make one of these on a Friday night... )

[sheilaincali]

Shanen- DH looked into it and he was telling me you can't file married separately if you owe property together- because you can't both claim the interest on the house. Since we technically rent we don't have to worry about that.

My sister is an accountant- I will call her and double check and let you know.

[shanendoah]

sheila: you can, but... only one of you can claim the interest on the house, that means the other ends up with pretty much $0 in deductions (which is why they won't let one of you itemize and the other claim standard) so it evens out. Considering DH barely worked this year, though, I am wondering if he filed 0 deductions and I filed with all the deductions, if we'd come out ahead.

[redwagon]

That's what we did last year: blue claimed the house. Not that we were married. But only one of us could claim it, even though we own it jointly.

[dakota4600]

Sorry Shan- I get a little touchy about it and get defensive. Thanks for validating me.

[sheilaincali]

Shanen- you are 100% right. I asked my sister. That's why it worked out for us, because DH made very little last year compared to me. So with him claiming nothing he gets a small refund and with me claiming everything I owe less than if we filed together.

Always something new. That's why I like the computer do it yourself option. Can keep plugging in the different options to see what is the best one for you.

[ses]

I want to ask one of you tax prep geniuses what the amount is for a standard deduction this year? And does anyone remember what year the intrest deduction allowance for cars and credit cards was discontinued?

I just got my pension income statement for the next year and found a 2% net reduction for 2011. It doesn't sound like much of a reduction, but when there is a 5% increase in my monthly expenses it hurts. I guess the lights will get shut down more and the thermostat will be adjusted. Better planning of errands and trips in the car. More attention to repair than to replace. At least I don't anticipate any huge household expenditures this year, maybe $125 for a new George Foreman grill. The one I have is about 15 years old and has served me well. So well there is very little non-stick left. A truly convenient and healthy household small appliance.

I am having a terrible time NOT going to the grocery store until the first of February. I have leftovers planned--leftovers that I even like-- but my "wants" are screaming for "new" food. I may be having guests for lunch Sunday, if the weather cooperates, and I may break down and make a cake or some kind of dessert. That should help get me through to next Tuesday. I spent $76.37 Jan. 3 and haven't been back to get any groceries since then. I have everything I need in the pantry or freezer, but I can't seem to shut this case of the "wants" up. Oh, well, only four days to go.

[startsmart]

this week I did my time sheet and noticed that I worked 15 days straight with 14 hour days. Ooomph.

For those of you thinking startsmart has lost her mind I give you two positive steps forward:

hired help for the business who I've trained and is wonderful!

my Saturday schedule is this:
sleep in
see movie with mom
get massage
margaritas at my place

Just talked to mom and she asked "what's for dinner then?" and I replied "margaritas"

[shanendoah]

startsmart: The answer to dinner should be ... TACOS!

Okay, so I've figured out how to post an image on here, so I'm going to share the cuteness of my two puppies from the other night

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 20 NS / 4CS = 24/15 (Goal 15NS/CS)

Shen -- Sorry that I won't get the opportunity to meet you this summer at the Black Hills Meet Up but understand the reason.

Startsmart -- You are definitely in need of "me" time. No one should work that many hours straight. It isn't healthy. Glad you hired someone who can give you a hand.

[redwagon]

SES - would you want a gently used George Forman grill? We are actually trying to find a home for ours. It's this one: www.georgeforemancooking.com/p-7-new-snap-value-grill.aspx. The removable grill plates are great. Blue bought it in 2006, and it hasn't been used an awful lot. I'd be happy to send it to you.

[3catslady]

I'll have a Hot Red Rose.
update; 13 NSD, 7 CSD, 2 Spend Days, 6 Eating Out Days. I went to BK after work and spent $2.72.

[ses]

Redwagon--Thank you so much for thinking of me, but I am looking at the new "Evolve Grill" for what to some might be a very silly reason. I want to get the muffin baking and stir fry well plates. I really hate to heat up the oven for six or less muffins so I seldom make them and i have a recipe for bran muffins i love. With this grill the only other appliances I would need is my crock pot and maybe a skillet. I have never had a grill with the removable plates, so I am really looking forward to that. are they as easy to use as they look?

[redwagon]

Anyone else want a george forman? hehe.

Ses - sounds like a cool grill! The removable plates are super nice - you just push the tabs on the edges and out they come! and then snap back in once they are clean and dry!

Cat folks: our two cats are the same age and are siblings, but Boomer (boy) is quite a bit bigger than Dax (girl). He seems to eat more of the wet food than she does, but she snacks on the dry food all day. She looks healthy, just thinner and not as long. Do you think I should be concerned? Blue keeps bringing up their size difference so I want to reassure him, but now he's got me worried! They are very active kitties (when they aren't sleeping) so maybe Dax just burns off more?

Blue's current job basically cornered him today and interviewed him for a job he never applied for, that won't exist for three months. It's the area he wants to be in, but it seems like too little too late, and if they do offer it to him it'd be a promise of a job in April, not now. I don't trust these people, as well-intentioned as they are, and it makes me nervous that he is thinking about it. Plus he's already told the new job he's starting 2/14, so it'd be shady to back out of that. I appreciate that his current job realizes his value and wants to find him a place he's happy in the company, even if not with his current team, but it just seems like they are scrambling and making something happen that the company actually can't follow through on yet. Makes me nervous... and he feels very cornered and put on the spot, which he HATES. He'll probably still go to the new job... I hope. It might not be exactly where he wants to be, but it will give him valuable skills that will get him there. Plus he's taking classes, so he'll make it to management eventually, when he's better prepared. I dunno... ignore my rambling...

Okay, going to get a good night's sleep. I've been telling myself all day I'm going to zumba or the gym tomorrow morning while blue takes the SUV to get its picture taken for insurance. We'll see if I follow through... need to get my butt in gear!

[ses]

Redwagon--Have your kitties been neutered yet? If not you will be taking them to the vet soon (6 mos.) and ask about their growth rate then. I think Calleigh is the same age as your kitties and she has had a growth spurt lately. When she was weighed last Thursday she was 6 lbs. at 6 months. Frequently males will bulk up faster than females.

Blue should continued to plan on the new job. If the old company was slow on the uptake in seeing his potential, that is their problem. Besides if management is a goal, experience in different workplaces/work styles can only benefit him. who knows he may end up back at the old company in the future. And following through on a commitment says a lot about his work ethics.

[redwagon]

ses - they were fixed when we got them. I think they did it at 3 and a half months. They are almost 6 months old now. I do need to take them in for their rabies shots next month and I'll make sure to ask. Thanks for reassuring me! And I agree about blue! That's what he'll probably do, but I feel bad he's going to end up disappointing someone, and he hates doing that. He's really good friends with his current coworkers/boss, and hopefully that continues even after he leaves.

[Deleted]

Update: 15 NEO, 11 NS

Hello Ladie! I worked all last week. I can't wait to get that check!
Today I am signing Little Man up for baseball and going grocery shopping. It will be a big spend day. Ugh.

[spruby]

Howdy! I've been following along - just haven't posted - life has been pretty boring (which is great!).

red - the little girl being smaller than the boy isn't surprising - but do have the vet check. my 2 cents - blue should go to the new job - there are lots of articles/studies about what happens when people get a new job and then take a counter to stay - most of it isn't good. besides if they *really* want him back - they can create the job and lure him back later. My theory is if I have taken the effort to find a new job, accept the job (i.e. negotiate comp) and resign - anything on the table is too little too late. They knew what blue wanted and did nothing until forced - not a good situation.

taxes - almost done - owe feds ~1k/state refund <$100 - i'd like to get the feds a little closer - but that is very doable - so I'm happy - sad thing - I made more $ in 2009 because of bonuses than I did in 2010 with a raise and bonuses - not much - but a bummer.

retirement - all the talk of portfolios made me check DH's account - accck - it was sooo out of whack (my fault) - so I did a quick re-balance - hope it works ok - he doesn't have much to choose from that I like - and no life-cycle fund.

grocery today, hair tomorrow and starting to prep for trip - all cs - I'll have my "results" for the week tomorrow since i know Monday is a CS/NEO day already

bad news on the shoulder - need to go back to ortho - likely get a cortisone shot - but surgery is looking more likely - thank god for health insurance - but I am tired of using it!

ses - we have removable plates on our foreman grill - only reason I will use it - makes clean up so much easier! of course I also wouldn't use a crockpot until we had one with a removable pot for easy cleanup - now i adore and use 2!

[spruby]

I split the posts to get more postings (and move to junior member!) but also so this post doesn't get lost.

TWO IDEAS!

IDEA ONE - For all: - Since we can award karma here - what would you think if at the end of each month once everyone posts their results - a designated person adds to everyone's karma based on results - I was thinking - 1 karma for participating/trying; another karma for each goal you hit at least 50%; and ANOTHER karma for one you hit 100% - so my example:

Goal - CS/NS - 10, did 7 and MOAN - 10, did 4; and NEO - 10, did 11

I would get 1 karma for trying, 2 karma for getting 50% of two goals (CS/NS and NEO) and 1 more karma for hitting/exceeding the NEO goal.

Thoughts? Too complicated? No else motivated by gold stars like me?

Just an idea!

IDEA TWO - DC area folks only

Any interest in a spring meet up? Whether headed to Black Hills or not? We could head a little north and pick up PA folks too. If anyone is interested - I'm happy to do the leg work/coordinate when I get back from my trip.

[constanz22]

spruby I would maybe be interested in a NE meet up, just depends when and where. I am 3-4 hours north of Philly, so, that'd probably be my max for travel, but, keep me updated.

Good idea about the karma, but, that doesn't add to your "stars", it's your number of posts that do. And, I think I read that the same person can only give karma every 2 hours, so, that might get tricky...

I've been doing well with my spending/goals, just not so great about posting them! I just got over 5 straight days of a migraine...not fun. Finally woke up today headache free but just have no motivation to do anything. Been snuggling on the sofa with the doggies.

I did a quick run thru of my taxes online last night. I don't have my main w2, but went off my last paycheck. The first program I used had me owing $1700 federal and state was rediculous. It wouldn't allow me to enter something correctly. So, this morning I went back to a different online program I've used and this one shows just under 1K federal and around $100 state. I can't tell you how happy I am about that!! I was expecting $1500 or more.

ses The sales tax deduction on vehicles expired 1/1/10. I don't know of any deduction regarding credit cards/interest so not sure what you were asking about there. The standard deduction for single is the same as last year. I think it's $5700, but that might not be exactly right, just going off memory, which usually stinks these days!

[spruby]

Constanz - I know I need to post more to get more stars! hmmm - karma awarding limits might be a problem - we might have to buddy up and award that way

[redwagon]

I might be able to swing a NE meetup that's drivable from NYC.

[shanendoah]

Went to PetCo today to look at food for the Smokey dog, since he hasn't been eating the way he should. They had an adoption event and OMG, we almost walked out of there with a 3rd dog or even a 3rd and 4th dog. There were two adorable babies that were so tempting. Of course, less tempting by the $500 and $600 adoption fees (which I'd pay; I know what vet bills cost, the rescue may not even be breaking even), but it does make it much less of an impulse buy...

[Deleted]

I might be able to do a DC meetup, depends on the timing.
Hey Red, how much do you want for your grill?

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 21 NS / 4CS = 25/15 (Goal 15NS/CS)

Today was an easy no-spend day since I did not leave the house. Just could not get started today. I manage to get the crock pot started and some laundry done but everything else stayed by the wayside. Tomorrow I hope to get more of a move on and get the errands run, the few things I need at the grocery and some of the other things accomplished that did not get done today.

[3catslady]

update; 13 NSD, 9 CSD, 2 Spend days, and 5 eating out days. I changed yesterday to a controlled spend day because I didn't go over 5 dollars. The 5 eating out days I did go over $5. Tomorrow will be a controlled spend or a no spend, depending if I go out of the house. If I go out I will go to the laundromat and also get my 2 gift cards. If I don't go out then I will get my cards on Wednesday when I have off, even though that is February.
We have 4 birthdays in February that I know of, iascubagirl on the 4th, mzchelly on the 7th, tehmom on the 15th and firebird on the 24th.

[mizbear]

spruby- I would be interested in the meet up- I am in MD. I have a yaris 5 door, so if we do it, I might be able to carpool if someone needs/ wants to.
I had a planned spend for yesterday- but I won a bet with my DM and DGM and didn't have to pay. I had coupons for slimfast tat were about to expire and went into my emergency can to buy it, with the intention of replacing it on payday- my DM and DGM bet me the amount of my grocery bill that I was wrong about how much it would cost- they lost by almost $10. Plus I had an overage on my coupons that paid for half of my DM's groceries (needed filler). GO ME! From a CS to a NS! Thanks to all my math teachers!
I still have an A in my classes. I have found out I will be able to stay in my apartment until I max out in the income here. I am going to start looking for a place to buy though. Any tips are welcome. The place my ex and I bought was a money pit.
Can I have some guidance from the "experts" in how to plan my NS, CS, Spends, EO, etc for Feb? I already have the goal to make everyday a MOAN for at least 15 minutes.

[dakota4600]

I've got a stomach bug. DH ended up leaving mini-d at the IL's until nap time so I could try and rest. When mini-D woke up he was faster than DH and came in and woke me up. We explained that mommy was sick and he had to hang with daddy. DH ended up buying them a Little Caesars Pizza for dinner. Still a CS.

[sheilaincali]

Left the house yesteday to only get groceries- So CS day. DH was jonesing to go out and do stuff so he left and went window shopping. Came back empty handed and was quite proud of himself for it.

We have been on a de-cluttering kick lately. Started listing some things on ebay. Made $250 in our auctions that closed yesteday (8 of them). Plus have 8 more items listed that are currently going for $150 but have 3 or 4 days left in the auctions. Selling stuff like stained glass windows we have been hauling around for the last 14 years. Some of my purses I don't use. DS' Lego collection. Selling that off in lots of 7 lbs so that may take awile. Not counting mini figures we still have approx. 140 lbs left to sell.

[shanendoah]

Yesterday was a CS for grocery shopping. Today will be a CS for me having brunch with friends.
Dog food: We learned something new at the pet store yesterday. We were looking for wet food to mix in with the dry since Smokey went from always being "starving" to never finishing his food. The girl we talked to said that while the brand we had been using had a good ingredient list, they are known for inconsistency in their batches. So it could be that the dogs were smelling mold or something else a little off about the food and that's why they weren't eating it. So, we looked at ingredient lists and price, and found a new food at a price we liked that has a good ingredient list and brought it home. Apparently she was right. Smokey hasn't stopped eating because he stopped being hungry- his food just didn't taste good. With the new stuff in his bowl, he ate just like he always has. So dog food will be a little more expensive now, but its worth it for happy doggies