2024 Controlled and No Spend thread

[Iggy aka IG]

moneysquirrel I hadn't heard that about the AARP puzzles.  Thank you!  

[catsareme]

Count me in on the prop and lean method to get every drop of product out of a bottle along with cutting the bottom of tubes to scrape out every bit.  I put the cut end of my toothpaste tube in a recycled Ziploc bag to keep the last bit of product soft and fresh until used up.

Digital or paper coupons for products we use regularly?  Of course.   

Free products or discounts for being a loyal customer?  Yes, thank you.

We always check the Meat Managers discount bin when grocery shopping as well as the clearance shelves for products we use.

Use grocery reward points for money off on gas and/or groceries (depends on the store).

Always ask if there is a senior or military discount or if there is a discount for paying with cash.  Even a little savings adds up.

[moneysquirrel]

Oct 3, 2024 16:27:36 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

moneysquirrel I hadn't heard that about the AARP puzzles.  Thank you!  

It is mostly the crossword ones but there are a few others as well.  I think that I have received over $200 in gift cards over the last few years.  Most are for $5.  I usually look for the food ones -- subway, pizza, burgers.  Also collected for places I shop and for movies.  Selection is limited and it takes time to build up the points but I am going to do the puzzles anyway so I might as well get a little reward for my time. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Nice ideas, catsareme!  I was thinking about this thread this morning when getting ready for work.  Another thing I do is use a long makeup brush to get to the bottom and sides of my glass makeup bottle.

moneysquirrel $200!  That is impressive.  The gift cards I buy with points are also food and movie related. 

[catsareme]

Iggy great idea on using a long-handled makeup brush to get every drop of makeup out of a glass bottle!  I've found cotton-tipped swabs (Q-tips) are good for getting the bits of lipstick/gloss or chap stick from the bottom of the tube.

Moneysquirrel $200 in free gift cards is impressive indeed!

I try to time my gift card purchases for when the grocery/gas reward amounts are 4x or higher per $1 spent.  Food and home improvement/maintenance are my main categories.

Question:  When you drain your bottles do you remove the cap and let the product drain into another container?  I've found I seem to get more product out when it isn't held in the neck of the bottle by the cap.

[moneysquirrel]

Oct 4, 2024 16:10:25 GMT -5 catsareme said:

Question:  When you drain your bottles do you remove the cap and let the product drain into another container?  I've found I seem to get more product out when it isn't held in the neck of the bottle by the cap.

I do try to drain into another container whenever possible.  I also at times buy the large sizes of basic cleaning products at a reduced price and recant them into smaller more usable sizes as needed.

[Iggy aka IG]

I started retrieving the final remnants from my current makeup bottle this morning and thought of y'all.  

I paid most of the monthly bills yesterday.  Ouch.  But I am grateful I have the money to do so.  The electric bill reduced now that the weather is cooling off, and I've kept to the (mostly) bare necessities when it comes to the grocery order.  The Upside ap continues to be successful, and I discovered it offers cash back from some restaurants.  Last week I dropped off a Goodwill donation which will help with a tax deduction.

Does anyone use Rakuten?  If so, your thoughts?

[TheOtherMe]

l use Rakuten.  It works until it doesn't.  

I have made purchases with the app activated and never got the confirmation screen.  Very annoying.

[moneysquirrel]

I use Rakuten but I am new to it.  Having issues because it wants me to update/change my password but not getting the link to do so.  I should be getting some back when the quarter ends -- November?? Guess I will see what happens.  I did a help question yesterday but have not received feedback yet.  I did get a confirmation screen yesterday.

[wvugurl26]

I have learned with Rakuten that I need to log in to my account for whatever website I'm shopping first and then activate the Rakuten shopping trip. If I login after it seems to break the link and I have to request credit manually.

I got a set of mini silicone spatulas/spoons on Amazon recently. They get used in the kitchen to get the ends out of product but the smallest ones would be good for toiletries.

[catsareme]

I use Rakuten fairly often.  If you aren't in a hurry for an item check frequently to see what sites have increased rebates.  The rebate jumps can be significant.  Recently one of the sites I was watching had the rebate increase from its regular 2% to 15%.

I have found Rakuten's customer support very responsive whenever I have had an issue (i.e., missing rebate).

I have a mini spatula that I keep in the bathroom vanity drawer; it works a treat on scraping every bit of product out of a plastic tube or bottle.  I do cut the tube or plastic bottle in half to get access to every cranny.

[TheOtherMe]

I know that on Black Friday, Ancestry has it's big sale and I get 30% of the cost back with Rakuten.

[catsareme]

Just paid the second half of our property taxes - ouch!  Thankful I put aside a set amount into the tax account every two weeks but it sure hurts to watch the balance take a nosedive when the payment is due.

TheOtherMe - nice savings on Ancestry.  I didn't realize there was a Rakuten rebate available for that site.

[TheOtherMe]

Oct 16, 2024 10:46:36 GMT -5 catsareme said:

TheOtherMe - nice savings on Ancestry.  I didn't realize there was a Rakuten rebate available for that site.

I buy a one month subscription to their Pro Tools periodically.  I don't need it all the time.  Some purchases, Rakuten shows as it being in place, but I don't get credit.  

It has always credited me for the big dollars I spend on Black Friday.

[Iggy aka IG]

Oct 4, 2024 16:10:25 GMT -5 catsareme said:

[snip]

Question:  When you drain your bottles do you remove the cap and let the product drain into another container?  I've found I seem to get more product out when it isn't held in the neck of the bottle by the cap.

I had to think about this one.  Yes, I do this for liquid hand soap.

[startsmart]

I’m at 8 NSD for the month and, as predicted, my bday and conference were spendy but I’ll get a lot reimbursed. I did go to Kansas City and bought a new laptop which ended up being $500 out of pocket because I had an Amex gift card that covered most of it.

Goal this week is to eat out of the pantry, go vote early, and not spend money lol

I have a board meeting tomorrow and a $70k grant to submit so I have plenty to do to keep busy.

[TheOtherMe]

Oct 16, 2024 14:30:56 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Oct 16, 2024 10:46:36 GMT -5 catsareme said:

TheOtherMe - nice savings on Ancestry.  I didn't realize there was a Rakuten rebate available for that site.

I buy a one month subscription to their Pro Tools periodically.  I don't need it all the time.  Some purchases, Rakuten shows as it being in place, but I don't get credit.  

It has always credited me for the big dollars I spend on Black Friday.

This weekend Ancestry had Pro Tools for sale 6 months for $22.  It's usually 10.70 per month.  So I got 6 months worth and will cancel before it's over as it says it will renew at 44.99.  

I put it on my calendar to cancel.

I did get credit from Rakuten.

[moneysquirrel]

This month has been spendy -- several one of a kind purchases and a few once every few months ones.  Also I did sign up for another international trip and have been paying a chunk each month so that a big amount won't hit me all at once in December. 

I have been putting it on my CC so I am getting cash back on this as well. I have used some of this cash rewards to renew my AARP membership for 3 years before their price goes up in January.

I do have money in sinking funds to cover most of this expense but then I will be replacing those funds ASAP to make me feel better.  December is the start of several months of annual expenses -- several insurances, property tax, and the holidays.  

Keep up the good work all!

[Iggy aka IG]

I picked up fresh produce yesterday along with almond milk.  I discovered a new brand of the latter for more than $1 less expensive than the brand I usually buy.

The homemade Lemi Shine (dish detergent) I made last month in order to save $10 is doing a superb job.  Into a spray bottle, I blended half filtered water and half vinegar and added some lemon juice.

ETA:  I also saved another dollar yesterday by buying a one-pound bag of baby carrots instead of the 4 individually wrapped smaller bag option.  I found the latter seem to dry out quicker. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Though I no longer buy expensive takeout coffee, I just discovered not one, but two gift cards I'd saved in my email earlier this year.  Both were work related, one was a thank you, and one was a small sales "reward."  This morning I loaded them onto my old card I've had for years and will save it for when we go on our cruise next year.  (Everything I've read said to load a card and use it while on the ship.)

I am now motivated to look for more old, unused gift cards.  I'm usually pretty good at not losing or forgetting I have them.  A few weeks ago, I came across a $50 Amazon card purchased with CC points which I'll put into DH's stocking this year.

[startsmart]

14 NSD so far in October so I’m confident I can make my goal of 15. This week I want to turn in my expense report and do one more shopping trip for groceries and pet stuff. I need litter and dog and cat food.

[catsareme]

The Gator Garage is all but complete (a bit of painting left to do).  I was able to completely cash flow the expenses.

The other half of the generator payment will come due the middle of next month.  The money has already been set aside while gathering a few more pennies of interest until then.

The slush fund accounts look a bit anemic after all these purchases.  Refilling these accounts as quickly as possible is my next goal.

NSD/CSD have been few and far between this month.  We're still in the black since there was no spending in a few of the budget categories but it's going to be close.

[Iggy aka IG]

Good job, startsmart and catsareme!  

[startsmart]

I got 15 NSD in October and my goal is 20 in November. I’d actually like to have no spending until my next paycheck Nov 15 except utilities but OF COURSE my truck had a low tire this morning so it’s at the shop. I am hoping it’s a quick and cheap fix.

As of Nov 1st I have 190 no spend days out of 305 = 62% of the year so far was no spend days.


ETA: the tire had a screw in it so that was only $21 to fix. I didn’t let that expense lead to more unnecessary spending so I’m counting it as a win.

[catsareme]

Finished October in the black.  YES!! 

November is starting out low key budget-wise.  Still very early but hopefully the trend will continue... 

Need to buy cat and dog food but the purchase will be covered by gift cards I have on hand.  Sunk costs to the rescue.  Will buy through a cash-back website to earn a bit of change. 

The warning light on the truck's dashboard showed low tire pressure for all four tires.  Tire check/inflation was covered by our tire warranty = zero $ out-of-pocket.

Received our COVID vaccines at Safeway (no cost) and received two 10% grocery coupons (expiration date April 2025).

Received our PREVNAR-20 (pneumonia) shots at our annual physicals.  No cost for the immunizations or the medical exams.

[moneysquirrel]

Did ok in October.

This month looks ok as well.  Will be making another payment on the trip mid month and the final one at the beginning of December.  (Trip has to be paid for the first week of December.) Have a contractor coming over for some needed repairs.  Would like to get at least one project completed ASAP and the others can wait.

December begins the major insurance bills as well as property taxes are due. Pattern will continue until mid-March.  My Sinking funds get really hit this time of year and then I spend most of rest of the year rebuilding them up again. 

Keep up the great work ladies.

[Iggy aka IG]

Nice job, everyone!

DH and I were out of town over the weekend attending an annual event he likes.  I bought fast food one time, two restaurant meals (both of which yielded leftovers), and some convenience store beverages for the hotel room.  I did buy $40 in fuel the day before leaving, but would have needed it anyway, so I'm not counting that.  I saved .15 a gallon thanks to the Upside ap.  For hotel room snacks, I brought leftover crackers, beef and cheese slices and toasted crostini from our Halloween party and baked bacon prior to leaving Friday morning.

Similar to moneysquirrel, I have a trip I need to finish paying off by mid-March.  I also have my cataract surgery co-pays to settle prior to the procedure.  Adulting is fun.  

[startsmart]

It’s the 5th and I have 4 NSD so far and hoping I don’t cave to election night stress tonight and order food. I am nearly out of breakfast items but I’ve been testing seeing how long I can go before stocking up again.

Even for my dog food, I bought a new bag but I’ve been scooping to the bottom of the bin and haven’t opened the new stuff since I got it a week ago.

I keep going back to what I’m saving for this month:
- hotel or Airbnb for my trip in January
- both kittens need to be spayed
- a new mattress as mine is 10yo
- replacing my windshield which has a huge crack

I will be getting $600 back from expenses last month for work (hotel, meals and travel) so that will go into the car fund and Airbnb costs.

ETA: January trip is cancelled, the airbnb is already refunded and now I have to work on the airline.

Flights are cancelled, refund will take a few days.

[moneysquirrel]

Today is the 8th and I currently have only 2 no spend days.  I know that next week several of the monthly bills will be coming in so my numbers will be low for the near future.  I will also have an insurance premium due and I will make another payment on my trip so that I don't have so much hitting in December.  

I ended October with 19 NS days.  

I also have a home repair to schedule.  I met with a contractor this week and am waiting for estimates and times for getting it done.  This is for replacing the sheetrock that got damaged when that pipe broke.  He is also going to work up an estimate for my future tub to walkin shower conversion.

Keep up the good work all!

[startsmart]

I have 8/10 NSD so far and wanted to go straight through until payday Friday. But I have a lunch commitment today and a board meeting tomorrow so I’ll spend at least today.

I also got the plane ticket refund in my bank account so I am going to order the new mattress and get some sort of plastic cover/sheet until the cats/dog stop having accidents on my bed. That pushed me over the edge to replace it asap, it doesn’t feel or smell clean.

Luckily early Black Friday sales have been happening for weeks now so I can pick one up for a lot less than budgeted.