2024 Controlled and No Spend thread

[startsmart]

Currently at 15 NSD for February. I have an out of town meeting Saturday and will probably need to get gas before I go but other than maybe 1 other purchase I’m hoping for more NSD days this month.

I did buy the handles for my kitchen online because I could find any I liked in person. Those arrive Monday and the rest of the drawers and doors should be done by then. It’s getting close to finished in the kitchen!

[Iggy aka IG]

startsmart 

I've been keeping a rather squeaky-clean month.  Personal non-essential spending:

$00.38 Movie theater for my birthday (The rest of the balance was paid with a gift card bought with CC points last year)
$06.26 Arby's for a birthday sandwich to accompany the aforementioned free dessert
$32.00 Valentine's chocolates for DH and neighbor doggos
$13.00 Alcohol

I bought fuel this morning and will pick up fresh produce tomorrow and that should be it for the month.  

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 14, 2024 15:07:23 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

In 2023, DH and I spent $7,434.55 on restaurants.
Our goal is to reduce that by 25% to $5,575.91 for the year.

January to date: $171 (3.1%)




In 2023, DH and I spent $2636.17 on stuff for the house. These were mostly unnecessary purchases.
Our goal is to reduce that by 20% to $2108.94
January to date is $103.51 (4.9%)


In 2023, we spent $3,397.39 of which 25% was DH's and 75% mine.
For 2023, I want to limit my clothing spending to $1200.

January to date is -0-

As of February 25,
stuff for the house is at $663.45
restaurants is at $631.55
clothing is at $286.94 which includes DH's as I don't have to time to split it out right now. 

[startsmart]

Chloe- I love how you track those categories!

I have 17 NSD so far but will be paying for my auction items today. I got another dog gate so I can keep the puppy in the kitchen while I cook (hoping to reduce accidents!) and a gift for my dad.

I want NSD on Tues, Wed and Thursdays which would bring me to 20. I can use the time this week to finish my monthly cleaning chores and plan March groceries and spending days.

[startsmart]

Final February count is 20 NSD!

I also looked at food expenses and have cut 25% from Jan to Feb, mostly by reducing eating out. I placed a grocery pickup order for Friday so I can start March off restocked and do some cooking.

I’ve planned out meals for March and put it all in a calendar, including time I need to cook. In the past I’d be really good at saying “I’m having lasagna Tuesday” but wouldn’t actually cook the lasagna on Tuesday. Most of my cooking days are Friday, Saturday, Sunday and I’m interested to see how this goes.

The kitchen cabinets are painted however the drawer pulls didn’t work so those need to be returned and then I can shop for new ones. It’s annoying but at least the hardest part is done.

March goal is another 20 NSD.

[moneysquirrel]

February No Spends = 20 days

A few of those were spendy -- flood insurance was due, picked up a few pairs of shoes which meet the heel height recommended by the doctor and the usual monthly expenses.  Also paid for a craft retreat.

Looking forward in March: Taxes (I have to pay this year both state and federal), Craft retreat supplies and a few lunches out.  And the usual monthly items.  

[catsareme]

Ended February in the frugal doghouse having overspent my budget categories by $12.

Our federal income tax refund came in at the end of the month.   The budget overage was covered but ANY overspending is not something I want to repeat. 

The remainder of the tax refund was applied as a principal-only payment on the HELOC loan.    

Starting March on a higher note.  The dental copay I had previously paid ended up being a credit back to my CC.  Shifted funds to refill the rainy-day account.  

DH and I reorganized the freezers and pantry last week.  Any grocery expenditures will be limited to milk, bread, eggs and fresh fruit/veggies.  I cashed in my FETCH points for a gift card for the grocery store; hopefully out-of-pocket grocery expenses will be low for the rest of the month.  

No big bills due this month, property taxes (first half) aren't due until the end of April.  Regular deposits to the slush fund for the taxes are on target to cover the first half of the tax bill.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Feb 22, 2024 15:47:06 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

startsmart  

I've been keeping a rather squeaky-clean month.  Personal non-essential spending:

$00.38 Movie theater for my birthday (The rest of the balance was paid with a gift card bought with CC points last year)
$06.26 Arby's for a birthday sandwich to accompany the aforementioned free dessert
$32.00 Valentine's chocolates for DH and neighbor doggos
$13.00 Alcohol

I bought fuel this morning and will pick up fresh produce tomorrow and that should be it for the month.  

I spoke too soon.  Last week I spent $50 (a birthday gift) on alcohol, makeup, cheese and mixer.     I'm such a middle-aged teenager, LOL.

[startsmart]

5 NSD so far.

Today I took the new pup into the vet for shots and it was so much less than expected. I budgeted $150 and it came up to $25. I just love small towns some days!

On track for the month and spending the weekend at home which should help!

[startsmart]

Update: 10 NSD and I picked up groceries yesterday so I am hopeful that’ll last until the end of the month! I do have another puppy appointment but the rest is regular bills.

[catsareme]

Eating out of the freezer and pantry and our grocery bill is showing the difference.  What a little reorganization brought to light as far as food on hand.  No need to restock at this time. 

startsmart I hope your puppy is bringing you much happiness.     

Your NSD total so far this month is impressive. 👍

[startsmart]

Mar 15, 2024 17:05:07 GMT -5 catsareme said:

startsmart I hope your puppy is bringing you much happiness.     

Your NSD total so far this month is impressive. 👍

The puppy is a constant delight and terror. I’m still working to house train him but he has calmed a little. He sleeps well through the night which is WONDERFUL and is mostly independent when I work out in the yard.

[Iggy aka IG]

This morning, I went to the big city which is about an hour away so my truck could be serviced at the dealership.  I avoided any extra stops by bringing water, coffee and snacks with me.  In the past I would have stopped for fast food or coffee and/or at my favorite bakery or candy shop.

[catsareme]

A couple of phone calls yesterday concerning the speed of our internet service netted us a monthly savings of $26.35 for the next two years as well as a significant increase in the speed of our internet.  Woohoo!!

[Iggy aka IG]

I had to buy a new answering machine for the office.  Yes, they still make them, LOL!

[TheOtherMe]

I did not know those were still made.  We should have tried to sell mom and dad's.  Dad never checked messages so once I week I would go through and see if they were anything important.  We finally decided to unplug it so there would not be any messages left.

Someone might have thought it was a fun toy.

[startsmart]

I had to return a package to Amazon and they wouldn’t print me a label. I drove 30 min to the store to find out they couldn’t do it either so I drove another 30 min and one state over to get it done. Sure I got my refund but the gas costs were frustrating. I did my grocery shopping while I was in this larger town as I did need dog food and some staples.

16/21 NSD so far, I did have to buy stamps but will be reimbursed so I’m not counting it.

[Iggy aka IG]

startsmart, how frustrating!  But I'm glad you were able to shop while in the bigger town.

Lately:

~One of the office printers/scanners needed ink so earlier this week I used Office Depot rewards points (from recycling ink and toner cartridges) saving $8.
~This morning, also for the office, I bought two rolls of paper towels at the Dollar Tree.
~Weather permitting, tomorrow is date night, and we'll use a gift certificate received at Christmastime.
~I reduced housekeeping visits to monthly.
~I took the neighbor kiddos out for ice cream and refrained from buying anything for myself.

Have a fantastic weekend, friends.

[startsmart]

21 NSD and beginning to plan for April. I was invited to a community event last weekend but it didn’t sound like my thing and was $30/ticket so I passed. I am looking forward to farmers market season so I can get out and see people without spending $30 on a subpar meal.

[startsmart]

Ended March with 23 NSD which wasn't too bad. Looking back at my spending I ate out 3 times and had 2 vet appointments so that was a factor. The goal for April is 25 NSD, today I am picking up groceries but should otherwise be a spend free day. 

Jan: 22 NSD
Feb: 20 NSD
Mar: 23 NSD

[Iggy aka IG]

I spent a combined $706.12 last month at Walmart and Sam's Club.  Granted, the latter was to stock up on proteins, butter, three types of cheese, canned items, water, additions for DH's lunches, and 3 bottles of hard alcohol.  This month I am not going near (knocks wood) Walmart until after payday.

[catsareme]

Despite my best intentions I didn't do as well in the grocery budget category as I had planned.  Still, I was able to put an additional $1500 payment on the HELOC loan through saved savings in drips and drabs as well as monies leftover in other budget categories.  Progress in baby steps...  

The refrigerator is starting to slowly die; it's not keeping the internal temp as cold as it should.  In sympathy the washer is leaking somewhere in the front.  We checked but it doesn't seem to be a problem with the seal, so maybe the filter is clogged.  Anyhow, it looks like we might have two appliance repair bills this month.  I guess I should have kept my mouth shut about the savings on our internet bill.  

 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

In 2023, DH and I spent $7,434.55 on restaurants.
Our goal is to reduce that by 25% to $5,575.91 for the year.

As of March 31, we've spent $1,206.73 which is 21.6% of the total amount we want to spend. As January - March is 25% of the year, I'm really proud of us!


In 2023, DH and I spent $2636.17 on stuff for the house. These were mostly unnecessary purchases.
Our goal is to reduce that by 20% to $2108.94

As of March 31, we've spent $938.60 which is 44.5% of the goal. Yikes!

In 2023, we spent $3,397.39 of which 25% was DH's and 75% mine.
For 2023, I want to limit my clothing spending to $1200.

As of March 31, I have spent $206.19 on clothing for myself which is 17.18% of the goal. Go me! 

[catsareme]

Negatives:

- Replace washing machine:  $1,292.00 (Saved $401)

- Replace refrigerator:  $1,568.18 (Saved $489)

Positives: 

- Used cashback VISA to buy Home Depot gift cards at grocery store earning grocery/fuel points.

- Applied for $125 rebate on washing machine from electric provider.

- Free delivery on refrigerator (saved $29)

Again, grateful to have fully funded emergency account to pay off VISA card.

Saved monies/rebate will be used to help replenish the emergency fund.

[startsmart]

I’m at 9/14 NSD and hopefully will have just one spend day for groceries this week. I’d really like to go to Wichita for some different grocery options but it would be $25-30 just for gas so I’m staying home for now.

[Iggy aka IG]

Excellent going, everyone!

I'm going to pick up a large grocery order this evening which consists of fresh produce, .  I hadn't bought groceries since March 28th and that trip was for less than $20 worth of items.

I paid all monthly bills today and I'm grateful Q1 is over.

[catsareme]

Mess up on the delivery of the washer.  Now BOTH the washer and the refrigerator will be delivered on the same day.  As compensation for the inconvenience, I received a refund on the delivery cost for the washer and a $50 gift card netting me another $79 to put back into the emergency account.

Paid first half of property taxes from designated slush fund.

startsmart and Iggy good job on keeping grocery expenses in check!  

Knee Deep in Water Chloe - Keeping in line with your goals 👍👍

[Iggy aka IG]

catsareme thank you!  And that's nice to hear about the refund and gift card!

I went to the Dollar Tree this morning to buy a few items for the office and confirmed the rumors are true:  They are closing our local store and merging with a Family Dollar in a neighboring town.

[catsareme]

Aww Iggy, that's a shame about your Dollar Tree store.  I was hoping the rumors were just that...rumors.  Now I'm wondering if our Dollar Tree is in danger of closing.  How much farther will you have to drive to the Family Dollar?  In our area of the country the price of gas makes every mile count.  

[startsmart]

Today should be another NSD bringing me up to 12. I have a volunteer shift this afternoon that’s physically pretty demanding so I have a few options for dinner ready when I get home.

Tomorrow is a different volunteer shift which starts early but comes with free coffee

I did pick up groceries but realized later that I’m going to need dog food before the end of the month. Planning for that plus a stop to drop off the donations in my suv that keep rattling around when I drive anywhere. I’ll drive to the volunteer spots this week, even though they’re close, because the weather is so unpredictable. Windy, rain, lightening, then sunny all in 12 hrs. I’d rather not be caught out in a storm because I decided to walk.