January 2011 Controlled/No Spend Thread

[mrslynch]

today will be a spend. mainly because i have to pay dumbass tax. besides the late fees at the library (don't even ask me how this happens because not only can i renew my books online, i get a reminder about 4 days before they're due of the impending due date), my nephew left one of his dvds at my house over thanksgiving and while my husband was on vacation last week, i asked him to mail it back. well, now the dvd is missing and i have to buy my nephew a new one. i. am. pissed.
sheila--hugs to you.
munjoy--congrats on the weight loss. i've restarted at weight watchers last week. tomorrow is my first weigh in. we'll see how it goes. i want to lose 60 pounds but i'll be happy with 45.
smokey--yay for parents paying for stuff!

[sapphire12]

3 NS days so far.

All -- You're Welcome for Debt Free for Life!

moneysquirrel -- I work and I go home this time of year too. I was even in the bed by 8 pm last night. Very easy for me to rack up NS days in the winter.

munjoy -- Congrats on the weight loss. I feel you on the weather. I need it warm up to preferably at least 55 degrees and sunny so I can walk outside on a regular basis. I am taking a Zumba class tomorrow morning; it's my first will see how it goes.

sheila -- hugs to you.

mizbear -- if stockpiling works for you, then do it. I do short-term stockpiling as I just don't want all that stuff in my house and I've got the space for it.

lumberlady -- yeah for DH.

[startsmart]

Yesterday I stood in front of my calendar looking at my goal. Counting days. Thinking wistfully of tacos. Looking at my goal. Thinking about tacos.

But I managed to avoid the lure, heated up some broccoli chicken pasta and put another NSD on my tally. Whew. Dang tacos.

NSD: 2, Goal: 20

I got my new computer monitor yesterday and jeeze that thing is HUGE! I have a second monitor, docking station and all the hardware hookups coming from Amazon this week and I'm so excited! My teeny, tiny laptop screen is a joke compared to (2) 24" monitors. Yay for a client who paid for everything!

I think I'm resigned to take down my Christmas decorations on Saturday. I can't spread it out over several days -- once I decide to take them down it's done in an hour. But the tree is so so pretty... and the penguin ornaments are so so cute. Sigh.

[dakota4600]

Mrs Lynch- I'm interested in your blog post. Do you do one category for a week? Or is it a main dish one night morphs into a casserole for another night? BTW I have my Grandma's Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer and Oster blender not sure if they are from the 50's or 60's but they are near indestructible.

[dakota4600]

Many of you would love our program today. The President of the Federal Reserve Bank of KC is speaking today. I'm not sure if we are allowed to podcast his speech or not. He has some pretty strict rules on the coverage. He is saying that he expects modest growth this year. Housing is going to be a drag still.

[redwagon]

dakota - I'll take moderate growth over decline!! And as long as the housing market perks up by 2014, when I expect we'll be getting a bigger house (after 2-3 kids), I'm okay. Thanks for the update!!

This has nothing to do with money, but I only gained 0.4lbs in the last two weeks. I was convinced I was up at least 3, so I was very happily surprised. Need to get it back down, though. About 10 and I think I'll call myself at goal, if I'm being realistic. First time in 3 years I haven't started the year 15 pounds higher than I am now! So many new people were there (WW)!! Funny how a new year brings such new hope and optimism. I hope they stick it out. You too, mrslynch!!

[mrslynch]

dakota--now you have me thinking that i wasn't very clear and probably need to do a follow up post ;D thanks for the inspiration! it's a different category every night. we have 14 so that way we techincally can go for 2 weeks without repeating the same "type" of food. this week, for instance, we're having an italian dish (gnocchi marinara), a chinese dish (asian quinoa salad), burgers (lentil burgers. they were horrible), breakfast (orange-cranberry pancakes) and mexican (bean burrito soup. this was delish). next week could be fish, crockpot, salad, sandwiches, wild card (i get to pick whatever i want) and a new recipe. having the categories makes menu planning fun.
i also have an old kitchenaid mixer. i loves it. i even wrote a poem about it on my blog: theemptykitchen.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/the-empty-kitchen-returns-with-a-poem/

[azmom]

3 NSD
Today I spent $41.15 at the store it is a CSD I needed to buy some household and grocery items --we go through so many apples around here it's crazy. If I buy enough to last a week they just sit there but if I buy enough for a couple of days they go through them like crazy-what is that about? I also needed to get laundry soap-we were completely out and I have piles waiting for me. I needed to buy body lotion and it is not cheap since I have eczema plagues children it has to be a specific-expensive-brand.

Sheila: So sorry to hear about DH.

Mrs. Lynch: I know we shouldn't support each others bad habits but I am the same way with having to pay the library dumb tax. I have the same capabilities as you! January 11-my books are due.

Weight Loss: Add me to the list. I need to loose about 10 pounds. You would think all the running I do I would loose weight but it just makes me so hungry and instead of eating right I eat whatever is in site. Since I started training for this marathon, I stopped working out...sigh I need to find motivation..quickly!!

Okay my lunch is over I need to get back on task...will finish comments later

Happy No Spending

[sheilaincali]

Update: 2/20 $0

Thanks for all the virtual "hugs". I was wallowing in that "why can't things ever go right for me" kind of mood. It really has been a stressful last couple of years. Through in my husband's affair, the stalker mistress, restraining order, bipolar diagnosis, etc. I feel like I have been put through the ringer more times than I can count.

BUT we will bounce back from this too. DH will basically be laid off for the end of January, all of February and all of March. It's a seasonal thing- they just had enough to keep him on nearly all winter until the other job canceled. I am, sadly, used to going without insurance so if I can't swing the COBRA it's not the end of the world. I haven't had a full year's worth of insurance since 2007 anyway.

If I can swing the insurance premiums then DH's employer reimburses us when he goes back to work. So I would eventually get that $1400 a month back it's just the upfront cost that is a headache.

I think I need to stop doing budgets and projections. Last time I did a big budget, payoff projection for all of our debt DH promptly had his job eliminated 2 weeks later. So I am pretty sure I am jinxing us

WE went on a family diet/lifestyle change. It's been pretty enlightening (Shanen- I am in your boat on this weight thing). I am finding we have to cook much less food. I made a recipe that used to only give us each dinner and leave one lunch. Using more realistic portion control gave us 3 dinners and 3 lunches- or dinner two nights Maybe the old grocery bill will go down now!

[Honeylioness]

About Me: 47 yo single woman, hosting two teenage girl exchange students - one from Finland, the other from the PRC. We live in Northern Massachusetts with four cats and a rather "assertive" neighborhood squirrel who will tap on our back door to let us know he is there and we can toss out a few nuts now if we like.


About my goals:

* Rebuild my Emergency Fund
* Get our food budget back under $300 a month
* Finish paying off two small accounts
* Try to get more familiar with my 401(k) allocations and elections


My definitions:

* NSD - Nothing spent
* CSD - Nothing spent that is out of bounds per the budget


Why I'm Here: Accountability, awareness, advice and helpful resources.

[sheilaincali]

red ruby- I completely understand where you are coming from. I owe my dad $3000 from a PR advance and I feel the exact same way. I feel guily for even going to a movie or anything knowing that I owe the company money. He doesn't seem stressed about it- but they have helped me so much in the past that I feel so guilty.

I really hope life starts to level out again soon.

[reeneejune]

Just a quick check in for me - I'm at an astounding 5/20 NEO so far!! I'm 25% to my goal!
startsmart - I might be interested in joining your evil emipre. I make excellent cookies! And I know how to deal with cranky customers too. ;D
shannen - my blog is reeneesews.wordpress.com it's about sewing an entire wardobe from scratch and how sewing your own clothes is still a cost effective way to build your wardrobe.

[Deleted]

Honey Yeah..I have missed you!!

David Bach's free download Ok so I totally took advantage of the free download, but the BEST part is that I could send the file to mine and DH's Kindles!!! I am putting a bunch of stuff on his Kindle to sent to him in Iraq.
Does anyone else have the 411 on any good FREE or close to free financial/investment books?

I also looked to see how much The BoggleHeads and The Only Investment Book You Will Ever Need were, and I noticed that the second book has a copyright date of 1999. Is the information in the books still relevant?
I also downloaded the free sample of The BoggleHeads, and they talk a lot about Vanguard...ok, ladies PLEASE do not stop being my friends after this, but WHAT is Vanguard? I don't have Vanguard..I don't know what it is.
Ok...I will give you all a moment to accept the fact that I am completely ignorant when it comes to investing, then I will wait while you all realize that I need to be taken under a wing..or two...or three...or more...and hopefully you all will come back with some helpful, easy to understand advice.

Disclaimer I am seriously easily confused about investing. I need small, almost kid like explanations.

[dianartemis]

Angel - Unlike the Atari 2600 game, Vanguard is an investment company similar to Fidelity & American Funds.

P.S. I still like you

[3catslady]

Honey; How are the girls doing? How was your Christmas? I miss talking to you on the board. Have you written anything about Calleigh and Ms Onyx? I liked reading what you wrote. I also like reading what you write about the girls.
spruby; Your card went out yesterday and your gift will go out by Friday. I don't have the colors you listed of your kitchen but I think you will like the ones I am sending.
Any newbies want in on the birthday gift situation, send me your address and birthday and I will make sure you get something.
2 NSD, 2 CSD, 1 Spend day.
$30 grocery gift cards, (I am now caught up to the Wal,Mart gift cards) $7 for chicken (enough for 3 or 4 meals) and 4($2.99) muffins for 4 meals.

[shanendoah]

Today was a spend. I kept trying to rationalize in my head how it wasn't, but by my own rules - I spent a dollar in the vending machine, it doesn't matter how long the dollar has been sitting in my wallet - it was a spend.

A little worried this evening. There was a strange pit running free in the neighborhood this evening. Incredibly sweet and well trained dog. We're 90% certain he belongs to the people who just moved in at the end of the street. He seemed content to sit on their doorstep while we got our dogs home; they had a beware of dog sign in the window and no dog barking at me when I knocked, etc. But they didn't answer the door, despite lights and tvs being on, and all of their cars (per their next door neighbors) in the driveway. Apparently they both work nights, so they could have still been sleeping or in the shower. But we put the dog in their back yard. I'm hoping we did the right thing, because I would have been fine with bringing him home. I mean, he was a really sweet, really well behaved dog and met Smokey and June quite nicely when we were walking.
Sigh. Maybe I'll try checking in with them again tomorrow. Don't want this dog hit by a car or destroyed simply for being a pit running loose.

[spruby]

renee - I saw your post about your sis' xmas gift - great idea and a cool project!

3cats thank you!! I think this year my b-day will be stretched out over a week or so with your gift, my in-law's gift and our trip next week (which is really by b-day gift)!

Did my b-day routine today - no work, shopping (with a friend) and dinner with hubby! Not even a CS since I went over my b-day budget - but I found 3 sweaters - which I needed - plus dinner was only $10 including tip after a coupon and gift card! But I added a MOAN - up to 2! - from walking around the mall!

warning rant ahead I am a plus size woman - and I don't pretend I'm not and squeeze into clothes that are too small for me (that is not this rant though). So I shop in the plus size department - which is usually a fraction of the non-plus size department in non-specialty stores. BUT usually at the higher end stores - there is a decent enough selection that I can find business appropriate clothing (while I can do business casual at work - I travel a lot where I needed dressier clothing). So today I was looking for pretty specific sweaters and since there are lots of end of season/after x-mas markdowns and I went to a larger mall I usually don't shop at. And I go to Bloomingdale's. Which has always had a decent selection - for plus size women. And I see a small area next to the where the plus size area was. There are literally 4 designers represented. Maybe 100 articles of clothing TOTAL. I think they have expanded a bit. Yeah me. I am wrong. They have completely eliminated the other area. This is it. A total 100 pieces of clothing. No suits at all. Poorly merchandised. I find 2 sweaters in the style/size I want/need and explain to the sales clerk (who is apologetic and embarrassed) that frankly I found the reduction in the department as insulting and that I was buying the sweaters because I needed them - otherwise I would just leave. She gave me the manager's card and I'll be writing them a strongly worded email.

BUT this drives me nuts! I have money to spend. If you have things I want I will spend it at your store. But just because I am large does not mean I don't want good looking well fitting clothes or just cheap throw away stuff. Grumble grumble grumble.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 4 NS / 1CS = 5/15 (Goal 15NS/CS)

Another day of straight to work and straight home only today it was in rain on the way in. So I park the car, put on the rain boots so the heels won't sink in the grass/mud and troop into the building. At least on the way home no raindrops to dodge.

Sapphire & R2B2 -- Thanks for the info on the book. Don't know when I will get it read but at least I have it if time permits.

Honey -- I too also check out your blog for updates on the girls. Have you heard from Anne since she returned home?

spruby -- I think that the poorly made, unprofessional styles cut across the entire size range. I can't tell you how many times I walk out of places because the fabric is too thin, skirts are too short, etc. I don't have to wear real dressy outfits on a regular basis but I do like to look professional. In the classroom, casual dress is acceptable but even trying to find stylish things that are well made is difficult.

Let me see it this posts before technical problems show up again.

[constanz22]

1 NS, 4 CS
I only spent .87 but I'm staying honest and counting it as a CS, since my NS's are truly 0 spent!

Weight Loss I need to lose 10-15 pounds. I've thought about going back to Weight Watchers, but there aren't any convenient meeting times/places. And, I really don't think the online one would work for me...

[startsmart]

today was a planned spend. I wanted to go shopping this weekend but I am getting worse when it comes to crankiness while dealing with people. People on the road. People in stores. People in general. So I got my things at Costco, a little something for someone who might read this and thus I should not mention what and then went home. BUT- success- I didn't get any prepared food and stuck (generally) to the list. I found a cheap DVD, bought dog food, eggs, toilet paper, and lentils. And when I walked down the candy aisle by mistake recited in my head "lo' though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil..." completely without thinking.

Anywho, my second monitor arrived today and beauties, just beauties. I need to do the whole set up tomorrow but the one monitor I have running now is amazing. I can actually fit everything I need to see on one screen, imagine the possibilities when I have two!

wardrobe- ahahah mine is a joke, I have boxes of clothes in the garage to send to the thrift store and my daily outfit is a long sleeve shirt and yoga pants. usually fuzzy socks and a sweater. sometimes a hat. Blue Eyes teases me about dressing like a freelancer (mismatched clothes, no shoes, no makeup and nothing that requires an iron).

[keeker]

SES - I confess to being your secret Santa, sorry it arrived so late.
The Holidays were nice & quiet, a nice change from work that just keeps getting crazier.

Who I am, 42 calendar years, feel younger most days, cept when I'm cranky. Proud Virgo,
Primary wage earner & CFO of the household. Married almost 2years; been with DH for almost 18.
Live in Northern CA with 4 cats.
Our most Sr. Kitty "Udasai" left us today to travel across the Rainbow Bridge, I know it's for the best but it will take some time.

[dianartemis]

hugs keeker

[munjoyhill]

I have a confession -- No Spend days are more difficult than I realized. I am new to the No Spend thread (but have been part of WIRR Northeast for a year and a half), and figured I would breeze through January, easily meeting my 15 No Spend days. Wrong!

I have to think about everything I buy, which I guess is good, this will make me more conscious of my spending (or mindless spending). I'm not talking a lot of money, but a few dollars here and there that is unplanned is making me stop and think about it.

I never figured that six days into January that my 25 day MOAN/exercise goal would be ahead of my 15 day No Spend goal.

And I have another non-financial update, as of this morning, I have officially lost 40 lbs. I am happy about this. Still a lot more to lose, but I am celebrating these milestones as they happen. With this said, what is derailing my No Spend days are I need new clothes. Seriously, the jeans I wore a few days ago are literally falling off me. It's a great feeling, but I need to get some interim clothes until I reach my weight goal. I am shopping the sales at stores, searching Goodwill too, and overall I know I'm not spending much, but I figured by this time I would have a few more No Spend days to log. I received a few gift cards for Christmas to Kohl's and JC Penney, I will go shopping this weekend and use them for a few new things, but have committed to not go over the gift card amounts.

Peggy

[redwagon]

startsmart - LOL at your candy aisle reaction. I avoid the one at BJs at all costs.

munjoyhill - congrats on your weight loss! Buying new clothes is an expensive side effect of weight loss. I put it off as long as possible last summer but finally caved and bought a few new pairs of pants. Luckily tops haven't been an issue, so I still have all my old sweaters and such. I have about 10 pounds to go and hope it's enough to make me look svelte without having to redo the wardrobe again. And yes, getting NS days is hard. Even staying within my CS number is hard. I thought today would be a NS (finally making myself drink the coffee at work, which is actually really good), but then with an upset tummy I decided last minute to buy a bagel instead of eating the yogurt I brought (dairy just didn't sound helpful in the situation). Sigh. Hopefully I can keep it a CS day. I think I've only met my NS/CS goal five times in the 3 years I've been here (although I've majorly fallen off the wagon this year with tracking). See how you do and adjust the goals for next month!

Thought seriously about staying home. My throat is scratchy and I think my sinuses are acting up, just generally feel blah. I have plenty of sick time available. But I figured i could suffer through since the boss is out of the office. I always have a harder time taking days off when I'm actually sick than when I just need a mental health day. I blame my fourth grade teacher, who was pretty much a "if you're not dying, then be in class" type. She was actually one of the best teachers I ever had, but I do wish her lesson on fulfilling responsibilities even if you feel like crud didn't stick so well...

[redwagon]

keeker - hugs to you!! so sad... dreading the day when my childhood cat goes.

[sheilaincali]

Update: 3/20 $0

Spruby: I feel your pain. I sent a strongly worded email to old navy because of their "discrimination toward us big girls". Makes me so mad when every I see those "$x for the WHOLE family". They had jammin jammies for $10 for the whole family. The only plus size pjs that qualified as $10 was a pair of boxer shorts. I emailed that and was all wth- the low tonight is -27 and all I get to choose from is a pair of boxer shorts?!?! It is something they do every single time= "for the whole family" so long as you fall into our perfect size range. Even the plus size department at Target seems to be shrinking. It's ridiculous and insulting is what it is. I haven't purchased new pants in 3 years because I hate shopping for clothes that much. Every spring I buy 4 or 5 t-shirts and every fall I buy 4 or 5 sweaters (and give the old ones to good will). I buy everything at Kohls and that's it. The mall is a place of torture for me- rows and rows of stores that sell absolutely nothing that I can fit in to.

[mrslynch]

still holding at 3/25 controlled spends. don't know what today will bring. i lost 1 pound this week, which really isn't so bad considering i had gone up a pound after the weekend, so really it's 2 but since last thursday, it's 1 (is that confusing enough?). i will still never, ever understand why i can spend less than $10 of unbudgeted money in a week but i can't lose more than a pound. but, at least it's down instead of up, right?

i'm on pins and needles. i know that one of my references for the job i interviewed for was checked; i texted the second reference to see if she's been contacted but no answer yet. i just want to know! the anticipation is seriously derailing all of my ability to think.

keeker--hugs.

[redwagon]

mrslynch - yay on the weightloss!!

[sheilaincali]

Keeker- forgot to post this earlier- "Hugs" to you over the loss of your cat. It is never easy to say goodbye to our pet family members.

[azmom]

My only spend yesterday was at the grocery store, so yea for a CSD!
I had so much fun yesterday!! I really enjoy my life, I really do. But it I know that I spend way too much time planning and not enough time doing. Especially with my kids. Being a parent is a huge burden and it is so overwhelming at times I forget to just be in the moment and have fun. Yesterday, we went to the park by our house. It was so much fun. We played tag, we had a swinging competition, we rode the skateboards down the hill-which really surprised the kids that their mom could do that! It was so much fun!! There was a kid who played on my DS T-Ball team last season and I talked to his mom a bit. They go to our church. They live around the corner from us. She took my number to set up play dates for the boys! The kids started walking home and I meet them at the cross walk. I was surprised at how many of their friends live in our neighborhood and walk home. I was able to meet a few other parents too and it did relive some of my fears about them walking home-I still haven't let them walk the entire way by themselves yet! I am really awkward when it comes to making friends-especially with women. I guess I can only get better if I attempt to do it more. I always notice how there are several cliques of moms who know each other and their kids all rotate play dates and car pools and I always think, "How do they do that?" Anyhow, yesterday was fun and not planned at all...It was so much fun I decided to just get "The Talk" over with already. After dinner we were watching Minute to Win It and dd went to read in her room. So I showed DH the pamphlet as I walked into her room and shut the door and I Did It!!
munjoyhill and other newbies: NSD are tough! I did not reach my goal for nearly a year when I first started!! It wasn't because I wasn't trying either. The beginning is a real eye opener. Like you, I did plenty of mindless spending. Mostly out of habit and not even a want. Once I realized what I was spending. I started to try and prevent it. Bringing snacks with me in the car, etc. (We lived about an hour outside of town-and all the kids activities were in town) I started menu planning causing me to make better list for the grocery store. There was plenty of trial and error. The second I thought I had it figured out our family dynamic changed. A new activity, a growth spurt, financially, etc! Hang in there. This thread works because of the journey not just the NSD!
Keeker: Hugs
Clothes: My biggest gripe with clothes right now are with little girl clothes..Have you seen what they are making for them. It is ridiculous! I don't think my dd needs to be covered from the neck to the ankles but My GOODNESS you are selling clothes for little girls not for Street Workers...Don't even get me started...fortunatley we get hand me downs from a family who share the similar rules.
Mrs. Lynch: I hope you get Great News sooner than later!!
ALL: Happy No Spending