January 2011 Controlled/No Spend Thread

[ses]

I want to thank my sescret santa for the most perfect gift. I love the photos on the calendar--except those kittens all look so cute and innocent, I have little experience with an innocent kitten. The card made me LOL and remenber when I cleaned up the christmas cookie plate that has been in the table since just before Christmas. Several times when I refilled it i noticed a frosted sugar cookie that I had done a really poor job of applying sprinkles, they were only on one half of the cookie. As I cleared the plate i realized i have a "sprinkles theif" in the house. I had used the bigger holiday sprinkles and "someone" had caerfully pawed them off and knocked them to the floor behind the table and gathered them with her favorite toys.

[3catslady]

>:(I had a whole post ready to go and a pop-up blocked it.
ses; I want to thank you ladies for all the help you have given me in the past 2 years. If it weren't for you ladies on here, I would still be drowning in debt. You gave me the insight to clean up everything and get myself on track. You encouraged me and gave me suggestions and never told me I was "stupid" for getting myself in that mess, even though I felt "stupid". The one main thing I am working on now is getting the ER Room bill paid this year. I owe $728 and I am paying $50 a month on that. I just looked at my calendar for this year and there are 4 months with 5 Thursdays and 4 months with 5 Fridays. Since my check is direct deposited on Wednesday, Thursday we can pick up our checks and Friday is "payday", I am going with the Friday months. Therefore, I can count on at least $75-100 extra to pay toward the ER each of those months. If I figured it right I should have it paid off by October, hopefully. I was paying $25 a month but since I got the doctor paid off I put what I was paying him, (25) to the ER and now have it down.
I have been on the computer for over 4 hours and I am getting tired and my fingers are hurting. Arthritis really hurts so I will be taking some meds and taking a nap.
If I spend today, it might be for a soda, but I have bottles of soda so I want to take one to work with me and NOT spend. That will be 2 NSD, and 1 CSD and 0 NEO. Off to a good start.

[dakota4600]

Hey all! I'm at 2 NS/CS & 2 NEO's

Mini-D is sick. He is running a fever and threw up in the middle of the night. Bebo had something similar last week, so I know it lasts a few days. Luckily DH doesn't have to go back to work until Wednesday. Hopefully by then he'll be well enough to go to my SIL's (she already told me since her son had it first that it was fine to send him over even if he wasn't 100%. One of the many perks of having family watch Mini-D.)

I love my DH. When mini-d threw up, I was sound asleep. I remember hearing him crying and felt DH get out of bed, then I drifted off again, but heard them in the bathroom, then DH came in to get a pillow off our bed, because Mini-D was asleep when he threw up. DH didn't wake me up and ask me to help change Mini-d and his sheets, since he knew I had to go to work today.

SES Do you make rolls and freeze them for later use. If so at what point do you freeze them after the first rise or the second?

Welcome to the new comers

Books are a weakness mine too. My mom called yesterday and asked if I had a specific title, because Big Lots had a bunch of books for $3 a piece. Must resist the temptation to go by.

FYI for those with the spell check problems. Google's Chrome browser has built in spell check, it underlines the word and if you right click gives you suggestions. Not sure if Firefox or IE 7 have that capability. I love the fact that I can access the boards via Chrome now.

I'm still getting used to the new board. I had other comments to make but forgot them.

[GirlGreen]

I'd like to join!

I don't have a huge income, and I'd really like to save more and pay off my debt (loans). My biggest problem is eating out at work and hitting the vending machine. I think I do spend more than I realize though.

My goal this month is just to track my NSDs. So far I have 2/31. I stopped at the car wash this morning, as my car was covered in salt/grime from the snow so that was $7 (early bird special).

I'm 26, live with DBF in PA, and have 2 cats.

[ses]

GirlGreen--when you are first starting many find it helpful to use a small notebook and document EVERY expense, no matter how small or large. This can be a real eye opener when it comes to finding your weaknesses. Denial is difficult when it is facing you in black and white.

[azmom]

Christmas decorations are all down, packed up and just waiting for DH to magically make them disappear until next Christmas...anyone want to make bets on when DH will get around to that task!?
3 Cats: I too am very very proud of all of your accomplishments. I love reading your updates and your progress is remarkable! I had a similar pop up earlier and I just hit the back arrow and it took me back to my post.
Dakota: I hope Mini D gets better soon. Hooray for such an awesome DH!!
Sheila: If you are willing could you use your former interior design skills and give me some suggestions. I am going to paint our living room a tan/sand color. The room will be accented with chocolate colored drapes and dark green and brown throw pillows and cherry wood shelves and Armour. The kitchen is adjacent to the living room and although it is not an open design there are two entry ways were you can see into the kitchen. I need advice for a kitchen color. The windows are trimmed with a sage green color and I want to keep that color and just add a wall color. I want to use accessories to give it a "Mexican" feel but would like the wall color be cohesive with the rest of the house AND adaptable to the whole Mexican vibe I want. Does this make sense? If you, or anyone else, have any ideas please share. I am going to buy some stain and spruce up some wood furniture we currently have this week. I would like to get the tan color up on the wall by the end of this month and the kitchen done by the end of February and I would like to do it as affordable (meaning the right color the first time) as possible.

[sapphire12]

Happy New Year to familiar people and newcomers. This is the beginning of a financially prosperous year!

Renewed focus on money, let's go.


Why am I here:
1. Opportunity to share wisdom and glean knowledge in the world of finance.
2. Increase my liquid savings by allocating an amount to savings as if it were a bill and not actively using this acct and do not connect this acct to Mint; out of sight, out of mind in theory.
3. Consequence of number 2: Decrease in unnecessary discretionary spending by creating an artificial sense of scarcity. (I wasn't even phased by the reduction in spending. Scary thoughts of how much money I have wasted over the years.)
4. Financial Independence -- One aspect is to never have to borrow from a bank again. (I must be a true nerd, b/c I am absolutely giddy about this goal.)

2011 goals:
1. Auto allocation in place to save 15% of gross to TSP. Financial allotment is in place; continuation of past years.
2. Auto allocation to save $10K this year after-tax, for a new car. Financial allotment is in place, ready set go.
3. Simplify how I pay bills. This truly is a doozy, even to me how I manage a surplus of savings.
4. Try to make a more detailed budget. (Have I mentioned, I hate budgeting. It will never be zero-based ala Dave Ramsey) I went a long way towards making this happen. I'm not officially starting my budget until January 8, which is my first paycheck, but it won't be finalized as far as I'm concerned until Feb 5 after all the payroll changes are in place; SS tax break, health insurance premiums, fsa.)

[redwagon]

Happy New Year, everyone!

January Goals:
5 NSD (nothing!)
10 CSD (under $5)
Drink work coffee on Tues/Thurs (every little bit counts, but I can't totally give up my coffee from the cart guy)
15 hours working out
10 NEO days (I don't even know where I stand on these so I'll start with 10)

I also want to get back to shopping sales grocery-wise and meal planning based on those. And healthy meals. Need to lose this holiday weight...

So far I have
1/5 NSD (go me!)
1/10 CSD (provided I don't spend on the way home)
2/10 NEO days

2011 Goals, broadly:
Pay off half our credit card debt, finally. To do this we need to curb spending and eating out. We both want new jobs. We are also beginning to talk about starting a family, hence need to pay off debt and ramp up savings as we head into 2012 next year.


Why I'm Here:
When I started in late November of 2007, my boyfriend and I seemed on the verge of breaking up, I was $12k in credit card debt, had $100 in savings, and couldn't get a handle on my spending. Since then I have gotten my relationship back on track (now married and discussing starting a family in 2012), saved over 10k (and probably saved and spent as much on items specifically saved for), figured out a household budget (which I always endeavor to stick to), bought a house with blue_wagon (DH), and paid off a great deal of debt (which is currently back up but heading back down lol). I have a better financial sense, clearer goals. And this group helps me work towards those goals on a daily basis. It gives me the accountability I need to not get too far off track. And it gives me a great support system of friends who aren't afraid to speak their minds. Wouldn't be where I am without you all!

Who I am:
27 yo, live in Long Island with blue_wagon (mitten, can update his acronym to be my DH hehe. not DBF anymore! How far we've come!), and 2 new kitties, Boomer and Dax, who are 5 months this week.

QOTW: I have been saving in a 401(k) from the first moment I was eligible, and my current job puts in 12% without me contributing a dime. I become fully vested this Friday (woohoo!). I also contribute 1% on my own at my current job (previous job it was 5%). Blue also contributes 7% to his and gets 3% match. We're probably doing better retirement-wise than most people our age (other than you ladies here, of course ), and I'm confident we will continue to increase our percentages and find other vehicles such as Roths to invest in as we clear up our debt situation, which is our focus this year.

startsmart - blue has a way of dealing with people who email or call at ridiculous hours or over the weekend. He writes a perfectly nice email telling them either to contact customer service (which should be their first call, not him) or how to solve whatever problem, and sets it to send at 3am, hoping that they have their blackberry by their bed and it wakes them. Ah, sweet revenge.

Welcome to all the newbies!!

mrslynch - I hope you hear soon! Blue is expecting an offer from the company he interviewed with a few weeks ago. Just a matter of when. Sending some of his good juju your way!

3cats - what a great idea! way to plan ahead!

[Honeylioness]

Trying to catch up ... but felt the need to post this quick drive by

UPDATE LIST

If spruby wants to take over the tracking - fine. I posted four times in November and December asking if anyone was still interested in having the monthly recap posted. However when no one ever responded I though it was not longer something anyone was interested in.

[ses]

Sharing---RED LETTER DAY!!!!!!!!!Bill Griffith is back on CNBC. I really missed him.

[foreverheloise]

I want to thank you ladies for all the help you have given me in the past 2 years. If it weren't for you ladies on here, I would still be drowning in debt. You gave me the insight to clean up everything and get myself on track. You encouraged me and gave me suggestions and never told me I was "stupid" for getting myself in that mess, even though I felt "stupid".

3Cats: I remember lurking when you started and feeling so bad for you. You described being really stuck with a troublesome DIL and difficult living arrangement. Now when I read your posts you seem more in control of your life, protecting your boundaries, and more clear about taking care of yourself. I congratulate you on your progress. I think it is human nature to feel "stupid" when financial times hit - however, that is NOT how we are generally perceived by others. I am glad you found this board and have been able to make your life better. And, I love that you love crafts! ;D

[dianartemis]

Update: 1/15 NSD, 2/15 NEO, 3/15 MOAN.

I got up this morning and started working out and had a major asthma attack. I'm counting this morning anyway since I made it about 15 minutes ;D.

About me: I live in the Southern Willamette Valley in OR...not too far away from reenee. I'm single w/ 2 kitties, one of whom is driving me batty.

My DSis: Guess who got me Duck stuff this Xmas? Yep, see to your left. I'm a Beaver, but since the Ducks are going to the Natty, she hooked me up. Love ya, Sis.

Sammycat made it all the way into the livingroom last night! I didn't even need to coax her in! I gave her some pettin' and then she saw Topaz (aka Devilcat) and shot back up the stairs. I'm going to call the person who was interested in Sammy and see if they still are interested. <<crossing fingers>> They'll just need to realize she won't act like a normal housecat.

Retirement: I currently contribute 10% to my 401(k) at work. I was getting a 4% match but my company, like so many others, discontinued it. I hope we get it back in the next year or so.

[Deleted]

UPDATE 1 NSD, 2 NEO, 1 MOAN.

I also increased my Roth IRA monthly amount by $10. Not a lot, but by the end of the year that will be an extra $120 I put in.

azmom my mom and I have a VERY strained relationship as well. It has been a long journey for me to forgive her for things she did in the past. We still do not see eye to eye on almost everything. I still worry about becoming like her. I look like my mom when she was younger (except she is a red head and I am a brunette). It scares me because I don't want to be anything like her. I still am having to "re forgive" her on occasion.

[dakota4600]

Retirement. I don't wanna talk or think about it. I know I should, but I honestly have no idea how much is enough. I've used different calculators, but how do I predict what I'll really need then or what the inflation will be or how long I'll live. I have a good 20-25 years before retirement at least. I have no pension, though DH does if the system survives that long. I've talked to financial advisors both fee based and non-fee ones and everyone tells me that we are doing well on our savings, but to me it doesn't seem like enough. We both have Roth's but don't max them out, I contribute to my company's SIMPLE plan more than enough to get the match. I did just go in and rebalance to be slightly more agressive. I have a roll-over IRA from my old job. I guess I need to look at it and rebalance as well. DH has some other kind of investment account through his work as well. I really need to get my hands around his accounts, since he doesn't.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 2 NS / 1CS Goal 15NS/CS

I stopped at the grocery to pick up the two items I needed for lunch for the next several days. I will be counting it as a CS day but I was thrilled that I only got the two items that were on my list. Since I bring my lunch daily this was a needed expense. Hope to avoid the big grocery stop for a while as I have quite a few items on hand and I hope to pantry shop for a while.

First day back at work and I only hit the snooze once. I survived the first day back with the kids who were still in some of a holiday mode. We (the faculty) will be getting them out of that mind set very shortly.

Roth IRA -- remember that all earnings on this one is tax-free. You will love the power of compound interest! Any amount you can invest in this one will be a benefit in the future.

3 cats -- you can also double click on the sheet name to rename them.

[constanz22]

1 NS, 2 CS I'm counting today as a CS. I ran out this morning and did a few returns of after Christmas stuff I bought and really didn't need. I think I got about $30 back, so, that was cool. I only spent about $8 at Target and $8 at the grocery store, so, technically, I got back more than I spent today.

It was a frustrating day though. I had gift cards to spend at Target and Old Navy and couldn't find a thing I HATE THAT!
Back to work tomorrow and I am so NOT in the mood. And, of course I didn't get 1% of what I wanted to get acccomplished around the house while I was off, so, now I'm beating myself up about that too.

[shanendoah]

With 2010 final numbers in, I get to do my actual year end review. I'm giving myself a pass for being a little over on groceries and eating out, since we did not have a budget in place when 2010 began.
Here is how our actual average spending matched up against the budgeted amounts:
Biils
Budget: $2,250
Actual: $2,218

Groceries
Budget: $450
Actual: $475
(We spent $620 on groceries in Jan 2010)

Eating Out
Budget: $150
Actual: $178
(We spent $360 on eating out in Jan 2010)

Allowances
Me Budget: $125
Me Actual: $$160
DH Budget: $75
DH Actual: $83
(We both still came out ok, as gift money gets added to our allowances, but doesn't get counted in the budget)

I set budgets for student loans, credit cards, and the car, but purposely did not follow them as we did debt payoff. Next year, for the car and the credit cards, I should be able to match it to my budget amounts. As I will always try to pay extra toward the SLs whenever possible, they will hopefully never match up against the budget.


Today: I really wanted today to be an NSD. I should have planned ahead better. We accidentally skipped a toll booth not too long ago (we were in the carpool lane and didn't realize we needed to pull out and go through the tolling area) so we got a ticket in the mail. I should have logged on to the county website last night and paid it, but I forgot, so it got paid today.
We're also going to have to go buy MIL some milk tonight and take it to her, so we might pick up a couple things at the grocery store that we didn't get at CostCo yesterday.

[redwagon]

I had thought that today would be a CS day, but blue had me pick up tortillas on the way home, so I'm 23 cents over my $5 limit. So no no-spend. Plus he spent $11 on groceries to make dinner, so I guess I should count that too since that's our money. Ah well. Still did pretty well.

Day turned out in the black anyways since we got another $500 wedding gift from a family friend who cancelled last minute (medical emergency). I had totally forgotten about her and didn't expect a gift, so it was a pleasant surprise. We're putting $100 in the EF and sending $400 to our credit card, since that is our focus in 2011. It's nice seeing it go down almost $2k in the past three days! (extra paycheck on 12/31). This will make interest lower and our monthly payments will go even further now. yay!

[startsmart]

Today WILL be a NSD. Definitely.

I avoided buying coffee this morning since Mom made me a pot and then avoided buying tacos on the way home and ate leftovers from the fridge.

Now I'm home, trying to catch up on work before things get hectic again. Oy.

red_wagon- I have a lot of customer service work on my plate for this project which means I need to a) get more efficient b) start chugging red bull, coffee and adderall or c) hire help and turn this solo venture into an empire to TAKE OVER THE WORLD

[sheilaincali]

Update: 1/20 $0, 3/25 NEO

Sunday was a true no spend. Saturday we ran errands- got things that were on the list but since they weren't all groceries or fuel I am counting them. Today was a spend (planned but still a spend)- registered my nephew for ice skating lessons. He wants to play hockey like nobody's business. And my DSis and BIL are really lazy about signing them up for things (it's not a money thing either- trust me on that they make bank). So Auntie Sheila signed him up and volunteered to take him. He is super excited. So I paid the $30 for that. On my way home from work I met DH at the local Y to sign up for a gym membership. We have a really really nice Y here. Found out that thanks to our insurance the enrollment fee ($90) is waiver and if we each go 12 times per month insurance reimburses us $40. So our monthly cost is only $18 per month There is a teen room and teen gym areas for DS too.

I did our budget for the month of January. We should have over $1,000 left at the end of the month. I am really hoping that I can stay accountable and not slip up (or let DH slip up).

[spruby]

2/25 - NS (0/5)/CS(2/20) days
2/10 - NEO days
0/15 MOAN days

A decent start to the month. Returning to work was tough - I need to work hard at avoiding really negative people - it brings my mood way down and makes the day harder.

I'm anxious to see what our paychecks look like so I can finish the budget for the year.

In 10 days we leave for Paris - I am super excited. We have a plan, lots of items are already paid for, and I'll buy Euros out of this paycheck. At the one expensive restaurant we want to go to has added a fixed price menu - so if we like what is on that menu dinner will only be about half of what we budgeted. The plan is that time should be all CS and MOAN days (lots of walking!) - but no NEO days.

[constanz22]

Jan 3, 2011 19:54:52 GMT -5 spruby said:

2/25 - NS (0/5)/CS(2/20) days
2/10 - NEO days
0/15 MOAN days

A decent start to the month. Returning to work was tough - I need to work hard at avoiding really negative people - it brings my mood way down and makes the day harder.

I'm anxious to see what our paychecks look like so I can finish the budget for the year.

In 10 days we leave for Paris - I am super excited. We have a plan, lots of items are already paid for, and I'll buy Euros out of this paycheck. At the one expensive restaurant we want to go to has added a fixed price menu - so if we like what is on that menu dinner will only be about half of what we budgeted. The plan is that time should be all CS and MOAN days (lots of walking!) - but no NEO days.

I'm SO jealous! Is there room for me in your suitcase?! I spent a year in France as an exchange student and have only been back once since, and that was over 15 years ago! I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to go back!

[redwagon]

spruby - add me to the jealous column!! Paris is one of my favorite cities. I've been there twice but not nearly for long enough!

[redwagon]

startsmart - anything you want to contract out to me? ;-)

[spruby]

I wish I could take all of you with me! (That want to go!).

I love to travel and Paris is my 2nd favorite city (Venice is my 1st). Always having a trip planned makes the no/controlled spends easier (not easy!) - I'll ask myself - do I want the lousy coffee downstairs at work instead of making my own - or save it for a hot chocolate in Paris, etc. Most days I'll make my own.

[redwagon]

spruby - Your motivation reminds me of high school when my French teacher was planning a class trip to France the summer before my senior year. My mom didn't really want me traveling without her, so she told me I could go only if I saved all the money myself (I was a major spender). Boy was she surprised when I showed up with $2k for the trip a year later!! But she was true to her word and let me go, and that was my first visit to Paris and the south of France (which I adore). Now the baby fund is my motivating goal!

[ses]

Dakota--I have only frozen rolls once and I froze them after the first raising when I punched them down and formed them. I follow the directions like those on Rhodes frozen rolls. If it is just for a few days I will just bake them about 3/4 of the time, then later bring them to room temperature and bake for about 1/3 of the time like brown and serve rolls. I don't think I would freeze either way for too long. Flour products tend to attract moisture and get freezer burn easily.

I have decided anything you can buy frozen you can probably create your own and then freeze. Even milk and eggs and cheese(for cooking-- not for thawing and just eating)

[dakota4600]

My food processor comes tomorrow!!! I'm excited. I decided I wanted one after my birthday, but didn't want to spend the money, so I waited until Christmas, when I knew I'd get some money.

SES- DH was talking about being able to pull a couple out for dinner and bake them off pretty quickly. By the way do you have a good whole wheat roll recipe? I'm going to try them either one night this week or this weekend.

Mini-D is feeling better, he was much more himself tonight. Last night he didn't want to watch any of his favorite shows or play with toys. Tonight he was a little more laid back, but definitely wanted to play.

AZmom- I'm waiting for DH to make the boxes to put away the decorations in appear.

[moneysquirrel]

Dakota -- so glad that Mini-D is feeling better. He is such a little charmer. I remember how he just warmed up to all of us in KC this summer.

Christmas decor is still up at my house. Traditionally, I leave everything up until the 6th. So I will begin to take things down this weekend. Since most of my ornaments are things I picked up on vacation and have sentimental value to me it is always a trip down memory lane to put them on the tree as well as the taking down of the tree. I have ornaments that I am sure are older than some of you ladies but they bring back such wonderful memories. One of the newest ones is the one I got in Kansas of Dorothy and the Oz group. Good memories of meeting several of you ladies.

Early alarm tomorrow so I am off to bed.

[3catslady]

Another NSD. I took soda to work along with a snack bag of pretzels for my break. Now I am heating up bread sticks and sauce from Pizza Hut the other night in December. I made a list of things I want to do on the excel which is list all the birthdays for the month and see how many cards I have and need to get. By the way, birthdays for January include pointy (14Th), Betterinblack (16Th), azmomx3 (16Th), and R2B2 (25Th). I also have 2 sisters whose birthdays are in January.