2024 Controlled and No Spend thread

[startsmart]

I’m definitely aiming for 20 NSD this month. It’s the 6th and I’ve had 3 spend days even though most of those are reimbursable. I got the new job, started yesterday and already have $250 worth of travel and office expenses.

[catsareme]

startsmart - I liked your post for the new job not the $250 in expenditures.  I hope most, if not all, of the job-related expenditures are reimbursable.

The dental expense for DH turned out to be minor, $22.50 out-of-pocket. 😌

Chloe, I too enjoy your detailed calculations of expenses.

[startsmart]

Jun 7, 2024 16:20:37 GMT -5 catsareme said:

startsmart - I liked your post for the new job not the $250 in expenditures.  I hope most, if not all, of the job-related expenditures are reimbursable.

Yes the expenses are reimbursable, it’s just annoying to be that much in the hole before getting my first paycheck.

I had to get a few groceries today to tide me over until payday, aside from some veggies at the farmers market it’s been 16 days since I last got groceries. I’m trying to get back to twice a month and have plans to stock up on staples this summer.

My healthcare reimbursement is also going to get a workout. I can charge them for my dental cleaning, new glasses and a slew of OTC medical stuff so that’ll be good.

[Iggy aka IG]

I challenged myself to another squeaky-clean grocery shop last Thursday.  I had $40 to spend and my total was $35.88 for gluten free wraps, a Caulipower pizza and fresh produce.  Here's to payday this week.  

[startsmart]

7 NSD so far this month and I am hoping for one more today! Tomorrow I’m treating a friend to brunch as she helped me get my new job so I’m happy about that expense!

[startsmart]

10 NSD
Plus 2 more which were cash only

It’s been more hectic than usual with the new job but I am enjoying it and seem to be doing well. Next week I have to travel for training so that will definitely be a spend day for gas, lunch and getting some shopping done to avoid a second trip.

Plus, I do get back a good amount of money in expenses for the long drive!

[Iggy aka IG]

Payday came and went.  I stayed on target and spent just over $70 to fill up the gas tank, and just over the $200 I budgeted for monthly food and HBAs.  I'll pick up more fresh produce next week.  Spending money on healthy food doesn't bother me.

I put a recent health bill on a payment plan and rescheduled my hair appointment.  The goal is to free up money in order to stay away from the c cards.

Happy weekend, everyone.

[moneysquirrel]

I think all monthly bills have been paid so I am hoping the last week will be bill proof and with little other spending.
This month was a little pricey as I had my car insurance as well as the car's annual checkup plus the hotel bill from my retreat.  Good news is that I had the money for these three in my sinking funds. Now those are back in the rebuilding stage.

I am waiting on an estimate as I will need to have sand pumped under my home in the very near future.  It needs to be done and it will be a little expensive. Hoping for a low estimate but also am aware that it might not be.

Will check in with numbers later in the month.  Hope to add quite a few to the total.  

[startsmart]

Wednesday this week should be a spend day for travel and Friday for the farmers market. Otherwise I want to have NSD!

I will need to buy office supplies for work which are reimbursable and I can start spending on my medical card soon. I’m going to use the medical fund to restock my medicine cabinet, pay for a dental cleaning next month and then I’ll get an eye exam and new glasses.

It not really spending but I’m also meeting with the financial advisor to set up a new retirement account since my company does a 3% match and I won’t turn down free money.

[Iggy aka IG]

startsmart DH has a medical card benefit through his work and he really likes it.  I like it, too, because he's kept our medicine cabinet stocked.  

I just submitted a grocery/HBA order for this evening bringing my monthly total to around $300.

[startsmart]

I’ve had 17 NSD and 2 cash only days which is pretty close to my goal of 20!

It would have been more but I had 3 travel days for my new job and had to get the dog shots before he could board at the kennel.

I’ve also been tracking all year so I have:
Jan 22
Feb 20
Mar 23
Apr 21
May 21
June 17

=124 no spend days out of 183 = 67% of the year so far was no spend days!

[catsareme]

startsmart - Gold Star for you!  67% NSD for the year to date is impressive.

[catsareme]

June was not a stellar month for saving money. I made it to the end of the month in the black but just barely. Little expenses here and there sure added up and the end picture wasn't pretty, but at least nothing went on the credit cards.

Our dental cleanings on the 25th were good for both of us as in "look Mom, no cavities". 

We have annual checks for the septic and the water treatment system coming up in July, but all costs should be covered by designated slush funds. 

All the firewood for next winter has been delivered and paid for in full.

[startsmart]

My goal for July is 23 NSD.

I have home insurance to pay which is the biggest annual bill I have, plus I need to book a hotel for a conference in October.

I am still restocking my pantry and trying to get back on firmer financial footing so saving a lot and spending a little is the goal.

Planned spending includes water bottles for 4th of July, plus I may spend at the city bbq fundraiser. I will have another out of town training at the end of the month, plus a dental cleaning. Planning 3 grocery shopping days as well and hoping for 1 or 0 eating out days this month.

[moneysquirrel]

June Numbers: 17 NSDs
I have 101 NS Days this year @ 55%.

 Major expenses for June included craft retreat hotel and some purchases there, car insurance and a plumber's bill.  That was a video needed so that I can schedule the sand pumping that will be the big expense for July.

Besides the usual monthly expenses and this expensive home repair , I also have one annual expense this month as well as my dental checkup.  I may also try to schedule another small home maintence service.  That one should not be too pricey. (Keeping fingers crossed.)

[Iggy aka IG]

I scoured my semi-annual expenses last Friday.  The bottom line:

-Income is a bit down and therefore so is debt repayment.
-Business expenditures are down, although rent increased.
-Personal wants spending is $100 less overall vs. 2023.

Speaking of personal wants, they average $451 a month though it doesn't feel like I spoil myself all that much.  I consider wants to be housekeeping, non-work-related booze/entertainment (movies, concerts), dining out, gifts, the shadow box and chaise lounge I bought for myself, XM and hairdresser.

I also came across this article:  logicaldollar.com/drastically-cut-expenses/

An excerpt:
Housing took up about 33% of the household’s annual expenditures

Transportation costs are up around 16% of spending

Food costs sat at approximately 13% of total expenses

Personal insurance and pensions were around 12% of yearly costs

Healthcare expenses were just over 8% of annual spending

Apparel and services consisted of 3% of household expenses annually

I calculated my spending and am below target for 5 of 6 categories.  

[startsmart]

Only 3/7 NSD so far this month, I underestimated how much I would need to do for the 4th of July event, groceries and then gas in my truck. But I am not giving up on this month! I should be good until Friday when I have another event and a volunteer shift that will take most of my day. Then a friend’s birthday and I am bringing ice cream, cookies, sprinkles and maybe also brownies.

This week I have my utilities due (lowest cost all year!) and the home insurance payment (largest bill 🙁) so I want to have just one spend day in the next week.

[startsmart]

Hope for 2 NSD this weekend! I have an event Monday night but I’ll see if I can make something from what I have on hand instead of going to the store.

My big goal this weekend is to declutter my garage (or start on it!) and fill my truck with donations to drop off next week. I have a good pile going so far but I need to lock the dog inside. He’s escaped out of the fenced yard twice this morning and I don’t like having to chase him down.

I only have 8 NSD so far but also more money in the bank than in a long time so win-lose?

[catsareme]

With 5 days left in the month of July this is where I stand:

8 No Spend Days

8 Controlled Spend Days (budgeted expenses i.e., fuel for vehicles, utilities) 

10 non-essential spending days:  Dining out seems to be the current Achilles Heel with unplanned clothing expenses (DH) running a close second.  

Frugal bits:

Several of the meals out resulted in leftovers made into one or more meals eaten at home.  

Septic and water treatment annual maintenance checks have been completed.  Both paid in full with designated slush funds.

Using HBA samples found when decluttering a bathroom drawer.  

[startsmart]

11 NSD for me so far and if I don’t spend the rest of the month I can get up to 16.

I need to plan better for events, I spent money for 4th of July, a meeting last Monday and our relay for life event plus a few grocery shopping trips that could have waited if I planned better.

But now I do have a few stocked fridge and freezer and should be able to go NSD the rest of the month (just paying my PO Box and has bills).

[startsmart]

Ended the month with 15 NSD and I’m happy with that. I did track my spending and I’m parsing it now to see what I can do better next month.

July was spendy thanks to my home insurance due, spending $350 to have my porch demoed, a dental appointment and spending more on food as I try to restock the pantry.

For August I’d like to go super low spend until I get paid again on the 15th. In these 2 weeks I do have 1) car insurance due, 2) electric/water/trash/sewer bill and 3) first vet appointment for the kittens. I’ll need gas in my car and I want to spend under $100 on groceries in that time.

Pretty sure I can do it! Goal for August is 20/31 NSD.

[moneysquirrel]

July Recap: 13 NSDs

Hoping for a better August.  July had a lot of rare or one time home expenses -- gutter cleaning, Sandpumping, water leak -- broken pipe, and tire repair.  Also a few personal expenses -- a lot of replacement items but not all. 

Upcoming in August -- that I know of: 
Possible medical co-pays
Quarterly insurance premiums
Usual monthly expenses

Keep up the good work ladies.

[catsareme]

moneysquirrel I hope August is much better for you.  Housing issues, especially plumbing, are never fun nor cheap.

startsmart your monthly NSD goals are awe inspiring.


I ended July with 19 NSD/CSD and 12 non-essential spend days.  It's time to rein in frivolous spending. 🤌

The HELOC loan has been paid-in-full ahead of schedule!  The remaining 30 days of the month may be a bit tight for having done so but the relief of having that debt off our back is worth it.

We still have two remaining annual maintenance visits:  Back-up generator and the ductless HVAC units.  Slush funds are available and hopefully will cover all the costs.

Our monthly insurance payment (home and auto) is going up by $76 starting the end of this month.  I discovered that bit of information after I had paid off the HELOC loan.
 

[startsmart]

Kittens went to the vet today and I’m super glad that shots, exam and flea/worm meds were just $68 for both! My vet is so inexpensive compared to the last one I used.

I got gas and then successfully avoided eating out and grocery shopping to keep my no spend goal on track.

[catsareme]

Aug 1, 2024 18:13:59 GMT -5 startsmart said:

Kittens went to the vet today and I’m super glad that shots, exam and flea/worm meds were just $68 for both! My vet is so inexpensive compared to the last one I used.

I got gas and then successfully avoided eating out and grocery shopping to keep my no spend goal on track.

How nice for you!  "Free Pup" has her annual checkup/shots next month.  I doubt we will get away so cheaply, but our fur kid is worth it.

Dined out once and had leftovers for two more meals each.  Considered it an early anniversary celebration (our wedding anniversary is tomorrow). 

[startsmart]

I haven’t spent money since the 1st and it is WILD to me how much temptation there is both online and in my brain. I want to get the tile and cabinet pulls to finish my kitchen. I want to eat out every day I’m too tired to cook. I want to plan something for my birthday and book an Airbnb with a hot tub and pool.

But I’m resisting. I did enter the receipt for my medical reimbursement and that’s pending. I have plenty of groceries, even if I’m getting to the stage of not having my favorite stuff. There’s dog and cat food and treats and litter and toys and I’m just fine.

And even if I’d love to go see Deadpool, I have movies and books and sewing and music galore right here at home. I know that not spending is the whole challenge but after 2 months of steady pay my brain is constantly yelling at me to give in and spend. Trying to keep that discipline.

[Iggy aka IG]

Boy money has been tight this year.....

Anyway, another grocery challenge today.  I had $20 to spend.  I bought water, almond milk, canned potatoes, and fresh produce totaling $19.81.  I round up or down at .50, and figure in extra for tax, and it usually works out.  

[startsmart]

August so far is 9/12 NSD which I feel good about. I will need to restock the dog food, cat food and litter before the month is out but that’s expected. Also this week I have to book the hotel for an upcoming conference which they’ll charge in full when I reserve. Thankfully I can get that expensed now and now in October.

This week I’ll likely stop at the farmers market again and I need to figure out what to make for a meeting potluck on Monday.

[moneysquirrel]

This month seems better so far.  Mainly routine expenses except for another plumbing bill.  Hope the second part of the month is as well.

[catsareme]

Halfway through the month and thus far staying within budget constraints except for the increase in auto/homeowner insurance category.