January 2011 Controlled/No Spend Thread

[constanz22]

1 NS, 1 CS

Today, I bought a newspaper. I need to get a couple groceries but may wait until tomorrow. I have the day off and the store's will be less crowded. I also went through the car wash today. Been trying to get there for 4 days since it's been warm enough here. You couldn't even tell what color my car was! LOL! The lines have been so long, it's rediculous. Went out early this am and was the only one there. Too bad, it'll only last a day...

[Miz Bear]

You all may have seen me around the old MSN money threads- I have to really lock down my spending. I am disabled and my spending is very rarely on me outside my budget- I have trouble telling my nieces no and telling my mother and grandmother who are in failing health no.
My budget is so tight it screams and I even budget my Starbucks- but the kids throw it out of whack- I have no kids and when I put my foot down- I'm the bad aunt.

[3catslady]

mizbear; Welcome to the thread. I, too, have a hard time saying no to certain people, DS, DGKids. Anywho, I have a lot of trust in these ladies because they helped me with DS a couple of times. The Bank Of Mom was open in November and December but it is closed in January. I started saying no to them, again, and now I have enough money to get my car fixed and a new laptop. The one I wanted was out of stock and they don't think they will be getting any more in so I am saving for another 2 weeks and getting another one at another store. DS doesn't need to know that I already have the money but I like a cushion to fall back on.
How was everyone's New Year? I see we didn't have a party like we did last year or the year before. I think Angel was the only one on. I just glanced and left early but then got awake at 3 and checked again and no one was on.
One thing I am working on is finishing up the yarn that the church gave me to do baby blankets and shawls. I still have 3 tubs with yarn in to finish up. Then I have 4-5 tubs of material for things to make after the yarn is done.
Well I am going to play around with Excel and see what I can do on my own.

[sheilaincali]

Angel: DH and I are total book-a-holics. I have been trying to re-read entire series that I have to try to keep myself busy and from buying more books. We have like 50 points on paperbook swap and another 35 or so on bookmooch. So it doesn't cost me a penny when they send books to me

Haven't left the house yet today so I am hoping it will end up being a no spend. DH and I have been going through the various junk drawers and pen drawers and organizing them. Next I am hoping to tackle the 3 large paper grocery bags full of papers to be shredded. Oh well- it's keeping me from spending money today so that's a bonus. Plus it really feels like 2011 will start on Monday and I get today as a grace period of sorts to get everything all caught up and organized

[reeneejune]

Yesterday was a NEO and today will be as well... I donated the last $3 I had in cash to a dear co-worker who's DH accidentally locked both sets of keys in her car this morning...with the engine running. It was nearly 2.5 hours before a tow truck arrived to pop the lock for her. She's in a tough financial situation already, so I really felt that even that little bit would be a blessing to her in a tough time. Plus it removes any temptation for me to pick up a snack on my way home from work! Two bird with one stone!

Tonight I need to plan my menus for this next week. I know I need to use up about 1/2 can of spaghetti sauce and I promised my boss I'd make her a individual serving of chicken pot pie when I make my own. I'm finding that I'm getting a lot better at making just enough for one or in individual increments, which really helps me a lot. Does anyone have any suggestions of resources for those who cook for one? Blogs or websites? Cookbooks? I'm trying to get back into the cooking for one mindset in preparation for moving out.

[constanz22]

renee- It is really tough, cooking for one. I hate it. If I never had to cook another meal, I'd be thrilled. I wish something would automatically appear for dinner every night. I'm not a picky eater so I wouldn't even care what it was...LOL..as long as I wasn't the one that had to cook it! I will eat the same thing 2-3 days in a row and that doesn't really bother me either. I use my crock pot quite a bit.

[moneysquirrel]

2 NS/15 NS

Angel and 3cats I popped in late NYE but was really tired and crashed as soon as the illegal fireworks in the neighborhood were quiet shortly after midnight.

Renee and Constanz-- I totally agree with both of you ladies. I don't mind eating the same old thing for several days but if I think that it will last longer than that it goes into the freezer. I use my crock-pot a lot as well especially during the colder months and plan to freeze most of what I cook in there. This holiday I was able to freeze about two weeks of prepped food for those days I don't feel like cooking when I come in from school. I also use my Forman grill. It is the right size for grilling one piece of anything. I do keep a few frozen LC or other brand in case I just want something different then what I cooked. I also bring my lunch to school but that is usually the same thing each day. Tomorrow will be a switch from that because I have no cold cuts to make sandwiches but I have several options I can throw together. I will need to pick up a few things at the grocery soon so I know that that will be on the list.

About nitza -- I don't know exactly who asked about her but I email her with a link to here. She responded that she knew about the move but has not had a chance to check us out as of yet. She is really busy with the classes she is taking this semester as well as planning for her wedding. She indicated that she will be back with us after the wedding in a few months. By that time I think most of her new certification studies will also be nearing completion.

shanendoah -- have you or anyone else heard from firebird?

3cats -- let us know if you need help with excel. Several of us have a good working knowledge of the program. I think that Shen posted a copy of hers and I can send you a copy of mine if you are interested. You will have to decide what system and what format works best for you. I know that SES is beginning to use it as well.

Today I was able to get quite a few more things off my to-do list. Almost ready to get back to work tomorrow. Not ready for the alarm going off at 5:10 tomorrow morning. I have enjoyed staying under the covers a little longer the last few days. I do better with my NS days while I am at work though. I do have quite a few GC to use (mostly to get coffee) so those will be treats that I will enjoy without having to shell out moola for them.

[startsmart]

Okay, accountability time

Saturday - bought 2 books and lunch while I was working yesterday at Barnes & Noble. It was a nice break and I've already read one of the books!

Sunday - drove up to visit my BFF and her boyfriend, we went out for crepes so that was $10 at the Farmer's Market

Other than that, working over the weekend on a slew of customer service questions about the program we launched Friday and getting frustrated at the cranky people I hear from. Seriously, they email me Saturday night, on a holiday weekend, and get cranky if I don't respond in the middle of the night? Rude.

Since my car accident in May 2008 it's been too much to drive for 3 hours a day. So I'll stay at my parent's one more night before I head home. Now I need to keep from spending money until I leave for my work trip.

[3catslady]

money; I would appreciate a copy of your excel so I can see what I can do with the program. I just have a few expenses but I'd like to track my savings differently.

[reeneejune]

constanz, moneysquirrel - I guess one of my problems is that I HATE eating the same thing over and over and OVER. I don't mind freezing things, but we've got limited freezer space. This girl can not live on sammiches alone!

[ses]

Miz Bear--welcome. If you have money goals, you have come to the right place.
3cats--you will love using excel. It makes so much sense, and everything is right at your fingertips, literally. I love using the color coding for different types of accounts--medical, insurance, taxes and all of the different household categories. And I can see my savings grow almost by the minute(I wish). I had a few stumbling blocks at first but Moneysquirrel was gracious about setting me straight.
I have a major gripe. Why are DAILY vitamins sold in 220 count bottles, and fish oil in 140 count bottles, some things are even 160 count or 70 count. I stock up on the OTC supplements every January. Why can't they be in 90 or 180 or even 360 count bottles? Or at least consistent across the line of products? At least the prices weren't too different from last year.
Most years my New Years' treat is Eggs Benedict. I am never successful at making a very small amount of Hollandaise sauce so I usually make too much. This year it finally hit me that I would be just as happy putting the Hollandaise sauce directly on the English muffin and skip the poached eggs and ham. Of course, this revelation was after I had eaten the thing.

[shanendoah]

CostCo this morning, then DH's computer issues led to another trip to Fry's for a new power supply.
CostCo was all gift certificates, but Frys cost (still coming out of DH's allowance.)
Then I went to friends' daughter's 2nd birthday party. DH stayed home because he wasn't feeling well. The birthday girl's mom and another friend and I were supposed to go out for pedis afterwards, but the party broke up late, and we didn't get to the salon in time. Instead we went to a Starbucks and talked for an hour.
I'm only counting NSDs this month, but I'd happily take a CSD, at this point. Tomorrow we need to do some quick grocery shopping for the MIL. We will probably buy some dices tomatoes for us, as well, as the price at CostCo was more than we pay at the grocery store, and we can get no salt added ones when we buy individually.

Firebird: I got an email from her last week. She was back at work; her DBF was still up here. She was supposed to come up this weekend for the private service and then take him back home with her. They're driving, so I don't know the timeline. I'll email her again mid-week and check in on them. She did send us a thank you card with a check for gas money, sweet girl.

3cats: I keep meaning to mention, I got my birthday gift on Dec 31. I love them. The hot pads are already in use.

[emptypockets]

Goals. spend less, save more, pay bills off. Reduce eating out to once a week, instead of mostly daily. Cook more meals at home. Cut out junk food so that it will lead to weight loss. and if we can accomplish all of these, we should be feeling richer and healthier by New Year's Eve.

[MittenKitten]

Retirement: As I don't trust SS, I will have around $400 a month coming in from a pension when I turn 55. I am maxing out my Roth every year, although at times it has simply been from pulling it from my taxable investments. My goal is to have
$3 million in investments and live off the interest. I want to activily manage my investments so I continuously make money on them and don't loose like the last time the market turned. I would like the house paid off when we plan on retiring, but at this point we are making more on the investments then we pay for interest so we are NOT paying it off early.

We are dealing with insurance for us right now so we will see what happens.

I also would like to have a business that I can run and then when we want to retire we can either hire someone to run it or sell it.

[emptypockets]

For a more comfortable retirement, you might want to consider downsizing your home around retirement date and that will also reduce your household expenses, property taxes, water, sewer, garbage, electric, propane costs.

[cheerleadingmama7]

Jan 1, 2011 22:10:26 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

cheerleadingmama What part of PA are you from? I am in NE PA!

Hello there constanz - I am from the other side of the state near the Pittsburgh area. Glad to have another from PA here!

[shanendoah]

Welcome emptypockets!

Retirement: I forgot to mention, in my last post, which was money oriented, that our retirement dream is to run our own dog rescue. That's actually been one of the parts about DH's unemployment that has bummed me out the most. These last couple of years would have been a great time to buy a property to put the dog ranch on. There are a number of really depressed rural areas just a short drive from Seattle, that have land for sale at amazing prices. I would like to buy land early so that we have years to build the facilities we'll need. But the truth is, the retirement dream is taking back seat to being able to afford to retire, which is taking a back seat to being able to afford our bills now.
Some day, DH will work again, and oh, the plans I have for that money

[cheerleadingmama7]

Jan 1, 2011 22:47:25 GMT -5 3catslady said:

cheerleadingmama; I am from central PA

3catslady - yeah - another from PA! I am from NW PA near the Pittsburgh area

[cheerleadingmama7]

Well the best part about staying home the past 2 days is that they have been really easy NSDs! So far there are 2/20 NSD for 2011

Retirement - This is an area that DH and I are severely lacking in and we know it. Things had become really bad over the past 4 years or so and we cashed everything in just to be able to pay our bills and put food on the table. I know that wasn't great but at the time we felt we had no other choice. DH and I are finally working at the same time. We do not have any debt with the exception of mortgage and my student loan so the focus is now on saving money whenever we can. At this time I am working on building up an EF so we don't end up in the awful position we were in before...retirement will have to wait a little longer until I have a cushion, but it is on the short list.

Although I have to say that I am planning on working until I die anyway

[3catslady]

$27.21= Controlled Spend, for groceries and cats and paper.
$0.00 = No Spend

[constanz22]

Jan 2, 2011 23:08:46 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

Welcome emptypockets!

Retirement: I forgot to mention, in my last post, which was money oriented, that our retirement dream is to run our own dog rescue. That's actually been one of the parts about DH's unemployment that has bummed me out the most. These last couple of years would have been a great time to buy a property to put the dog ranch on. There are a number of really depressed rural areas just a short drive from Seattle, that have land for sale at amazing prices. I would like to buy land early so that we have years to build the facilities we'll need. But the truth is, the retirement dream is taking back seat to being able to afford to retire, which is taking a back seat to being able to afford our bills now.
Some day, DH will work again, and oh, the plans I have for that money

Can I come work with you?! I would LOVE to do something like this too! I have also thought about opening a pet boarding facility. I have little dogs and have such a hard time leaving them to go on vacation. There are so few facilities around here and they all seem so sterile and are NOT small dog friendly. I would love to have a "small dog friendly" boarding facility that is homey. I've thought about looking into whether I could remodel my basement for this.
What a great idea shanen. I really hope you can fulfill your dream!

[munjoyhill]

I'm new to the No Spend thread, but have been part of the WIRR for a year and a half.

January Goal: 15 No Spend Days

My definition of no spend is not spending for anything that isn't already budgeted. My weakness is eating out, especially lunches, so I am doubling my effort to bring them.

Jan 1 - One No Spend Day (great way to start the new year)

I am writing on my calendar what my No Spend days are.

I have been losing weight (yeah) and am exercising more, so I'll track it here and on my calendar too.

MOAN Goal: 25 days
Jan 2 - I exercised
Jan 3 - I exercised

A little about me: I'm a 53 year old widow, work full time as a commissioned sales rep, plus I make my own jewelry and sell it on the side.

I live in Maine.

Peggy

[azmom]

1 NSD-accomplished this yesterday
1 CSD - grocery run on Saturday
2 NEO - yippee
1 MOAN - I was supposed to run 12 miles yesterday but gave up after 10-my knees keep locking up. My runs have been miserable and painful. Why did I decide I needed to run a marathon again?
Retirement: Well when I was single I was smarter. I had 15% taken out of my check and into a 5% company matched 401K BUT then I had a baby and decided there was no way I could continue to work. Financially that was impossible at the time and I cashed out---d.umb I know now but that was 9 years ago. DH has just enrolled in his company 401k plan and we are hoping to be able to open a ROTH IRA or something of the sort at the end of this year with our meager 5% saving goal. My plan for the present is to start researching retirement venues as the language and such is foreign to me. I asked DH if he had a New Years Resolution (hoping maybe for some weight loss) and at first he said, "I'm not telling you!" Then he fessed up and said "TO MAKE SMARTER FINANCIAL DECISIONS!" Whoa!! That is exciting huh?
Angel: I am such a planner and a rules girl. I think I once wrote that I have to have scheduled spontaneity!! Like at 4p I will do something un-planned I really need to get better at that too.
Mini Vent for the New Year: My mom decided to call me New Years Day (my mom left when I was 7 and my dad raised us. our relationship has been turbulent at best)...I didn't recognize the number and I was about ready to go to bed so I let the voice mail pick it up. It was her saying Happy New Year she was thinking of me. She was looking at a picture of me and my daughter and thought she looked so much like me...anyway Happy New Year. All I could think of how I much I hated when people told me I looked like her (I do. I am her spitting image) because I wanted to be nothing like her. It just made me cry and start the whole process of forgiveness again! It was another reminder of the influence I have on my kids...End Vent
Today: I need to take down all of the Christmas decorations (yes, they are still up) and anything else is just a bonus!!

[3catslady]

Excel Ladies; How do you name your sheets? I am trying to get everything on "paper" and it is looking okay so far.

[sheilaincali]

3cats: At the bottom where it says "Sheet 1" right click on it and it will bring up a list of options. Choose the "rename" option. It will highlight the words "sheet 1" and you can type in any other name you want. Hope that helps

[shanendoah]

December Final Numbers

Name	Goal	Total
cdarrow/Constanz22	29	6
dakota4600	18	3
dianartemis	15	0
Keeker	15	0
moneysquirrel	-	17
mrslynch	25	23 ;D
NorthWytch	20	19
NotAllWhoWander	31	0
pt_in_ny/pointy	21	22 ;D
RED RUBY	15	16
shanendoah	20	22 ;D
Sharing the Simple Lifestyle	9	8
Sheila in Cali	-	10
spruby	-	17
windspring	10	0

5 CS/NS Days
10 CS/NS Days
15 CS/NS Days
;D 20 CS/NS Days
25 CS/NS Days
Reached their goal


If we missed you, let me know, and I'll make the changes

[mrslynch]

happy new year!

the year is starting off pretty good for us. we've established our resolutions, we organized our pantry, we saw a movie (true grit) and today will be 2/25 controlled spends. i have to go grocery shopping tonight and it will be my first using coupons a la the grocery challenge thread. i'm a little nervous but we'll see how it turns out. i need to go over the fliers that come in the mail because we need tissues and hand soap...these will be the first items in our stockpile.

retirement: i can't find where this conversation started but i will admit that i'm a little lazy about it. i have a guaranteed pension, in addition to a state-equivalent 401k (i think it's a 503b) and an ira. i couldn't tell you how much is in any of the accounts; i just know that i have automatic deductions taken out every payday.

still haven't heard about the job i interviewed for. i'm starting to get a bit nervous about it.

[3catslady]

Thanks Sheila, it works, not that I doubted you. I will be back with more questions, I am sure.

I forgot to post my numbers for December, but that is okay because I forgot to write them down.

[3catslady]

I am buying $10 gift cards from Wal...Mart each week from my paycheck for Christmas '11. I was also going to buy $10 gift cards from the grocery store where I work for December '11. That should give me $1,040 for the month of December for everything that I need, ie food and gifts. That just leaves gas for the car out of my check, besides the regular monthly expenses. The rest of my checks I am planning to put toward the mortgage which would make a second payment for that month.
So far, these are my only goals that I have figured out. I need to set more goals.

[ses]

3cats--I remember two years ago yesterday a poster signed on who was drowning in debt and was sure she would never control it. Look at you now! Planing for expenses a year away, not crying about an expense tomorrow. I am so proud of you! I think your turn around story is one of the most inspiring I know about.