I am still shopping.

I am paying attention to the budget now though.

I am having a hard time because I currently have some money, and listening to the news, I feel like things are going to be significantly more expensive soon and shipping costs are going to go up. So when I see a good deal on something I want I feel like "better get that now". My inner squirrel is very agitated and buying it treats is the only way I can get it to let go of things that are not adding to my life right now. My trash output has actually doubled (which is still very little trash, but is a big deal for me - accepting that I am never going to repair/salvage things that have been set aside because they could not be recycled and might be useful again - literally investing in things I really want is keeping me from investing time and energy in things I don't really want, but have and feel tied to.)

Most of my wishlist is eBay or other resellers of used/vintage merchandise. (Which also adds the pressure of "if I don't buy this somebody else might buy it and then I will never get it.") But also, for eBay, I have very firm maximums, so it's about being able to bid, not necessarily buying - if someone outbids me, then I am fine letting the thing go, because I didn't want it for that price.

I have one big toy wish I am thinking about for the boys that is a new item, and one cart of small new stuff that is $21.36 (including tax). None of it is made in China. The toy should wait, but it is on sale. But it will probably be on sale again eventually. It's a preschool toy, so Bean is too big for it and Buddy and Birdy have time.

Also, I feel discouraged about my basement, and I am not saving for my shelves.

I have actually broken my spending money down by the day for the rest of the month. And I have a wishlist. Today I "cannot afford" anything on my wishlist, but if I avoid thrift stores and yard sales all weekend, I can buy one thing on Monday when I have released three days of spending money to myself. (I consider the price of the eBay items my maximum bid, so they could end up being cheaper or I could end up not buying them after all)

Lila,

I like your ideas, but I do need to modify them. For starts, I am deliberately not connected to Facebook, so no buy nothing (or marketplace) for me. Also, my "community" is a little out of alignment with me. I have gotten some great stuff out of my neighbors trash though. (Including the table and chairs my Dd used for the first 10 years she was married - the table leaf was damaged and one chair was broken, so she had a square table with four chairs plus one.)

But I now have one new thing for Buddy and a good collection of used things for the other two boys. I need to leave budget room for one new request for each boy if they have one, and fill in with free things by shopping my basement/making things from materials I have. I love doing activities with them, but I pack as many of those in as I can. I don't want to make them gifts.

One thing I've been thinking about is that my grandmother used to take me on an outing every year before school started. I got lunch, one small toy or accessory (the only one I remember is a stuffed pig I still have), and new clothes of my own choice within a budget (sometimes it was just one dress, sometimes it was several outfits or separates, sometimes I got shoes. But what I most remember is that it didn't have to be PRACTICAL. And she never judged my taste.) I would kind of like to do that for my boys. Sometimes I get target or Starbucks gift cards from students as end of year gifts, so those would be good toward Beans first trip if I do. We'll see...

I am not good at budgeting for a long period. I either spend everything too fast and then feel strapped, or worry about the future and don't spend it but feel deprived. That was part of why I broke April into weeks (my thrift store trip was $11 and change and I still have a little spending money that will roll over into "next week" on Wednesday if I don't buy anything else.). Even though all of "April's" money is currently in my account.

Ironically, I am better at setting aside money I already have for something specific (the lean-to money is sitting in my account untouched and untempting) then I am at planning for how I will spend money I don't have yet. So maybe I should just put some of that April money into a "Christmas account" instead of buying things (Do I want this whatchamacallit, or do I want to feel flush at Christmas time?) There are also some nicer shelves I want for the playroom, but I can't have them until I clear more stuff out. Setting the money aside for them now instead of buying stuff would get me there faster!

hi SubC. I hear you on the opportunity shopping. You asked for feedback, so here goes. This feedback may not apply but maybe something will be useful. I took like to buy for my grandkids!

- can you set a budget for opportunity spending for a longer period, say $x per quarter? Once it is spent that's it.

- you could also do this for gifts, a budget per person by name or by year or quarter. "I am setting aside $x for Buddy's gifts this year." You may find you are even more careful as you do not want to run out for Christmas! And if you spend it all, you can set something aside for later gifts.

- maybe a budget for the playroom as well

- do a challenge where you find as many needed gifts as possible for free. I do this on Buy Nothing on FB. You can post, "does anyone have a lego set for a x year old to give?" and see what people have to offer.

- instead of things, give experiences. Maybe one small birthday or holiday gift to open, but then a little certificate you make that says something like "this certificate is good for one movie night with Grandma/SubC." Or "this certificate is good for one pottery item I will make for you." That kind of thing. My favorite gift of all time was my son giving me a paper where he wrote "good for one car detailing." Then he spent hours detailing my car! It could be a trip to the zoo/museum, a special meal you make or a treat ("good for one homemade treat of your choice") or "good for 3 hours of doing whatever you want to do."

That's all I can think of for now. My no spend did not go great either. But I am starting fresh this week.

This is long. I am actually looking for some feedback. You don't have to be supportive, you can be judgemental. I think I need that. I am not doing great on the not spending. I know I said I was going to be more careful with my spending money, but I am having trouble with wanting my house to be filled with certain things and with opportunity spending.

Examples:

With Dh approval I had placed an order for some new (as opposed to used) toys - replacement parts for a much loved toy, a bday gift for Buddy, and a few small, high quality items to stay here. (Made of wood in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland). Everything but the replacement parts were on sale. Those arrived yesterday, so I am +4.

I had been complaining about the missing parts for months because the boys really love the toy, and Dh asked "can you buy replacements?" And I said "yes, but they're kind of expensive" and he said "just buy them, but can we clear out some of the stuff they don't play with?" (Which I have been doing). Then the place that had the replacements had a really nice toy on sale that I thought Buddy would like for his birthday (in Sept) and then I realized if I bought a few more on sale toys I loved I would get free shipping (I did not buy everything that was on sale that I wanted - I bought just the items that put me over the free shipping total by the lowest amount)

I bought a $5 Lego set on eBay for Bean's birthday, and asked the seller to hold for combined shipping so I could bid on a few more of his auctions. He asked what I was looking at, (three other Lego sets totally $24.70 minimum bids + shipping) and he offered to end the auctions and add all three to my original purchase for a total (including what I had already paid) with shipping of $20.57. So, yes - birthday gifts for Bean!

We usually try to do one large, one or two medium, and 3-5 small gifts for birthday. - goal, six packages. The large is generally a child request, usually bought new. The others are usually surprises and often used. Depending on how I package the Legos, they will be a medium or four small. (Maybe 3 small and a stocking gift for later)

So far I was still in my budget at least, but then I found the truck. Ds left his Tonka trucks here, and Bean and Buddy love playing with them, but he wants to take them home for Birdy before Birdy turns 4. So I have been looking for replacements. So far I have replaced two and sent them home with him. There are three more. One of those probably won't be missed, but one is THE VERY FAVORITE TRUCK. And that one, it turns out, is a lot less common and a lot more collectible. It also has accessory pieces that tended to go missing (I can't remember if we got ds his used and it never had the pieces, or if he lost/broke them). Anyway, for a year I've been looking and every option is ridiculously expensive. I finally set myself a price I didn't think I would ever find and said "ok, if I find it for this in decent/fixable condition, I will buy it, and if not I will just tell the boys that the truck is their uncles and it was nice of him to let them borrow it and they can play with it when they visit Birdy."

Yesterday there were two auctions ending seconds apart for the same truck from the same seller. Looked like a double posting error, but I had messaged the seller and asked, and the seller had two. If you looked closely at the photos, you could see that the wear was in different places too, but both were in good condition and had the accessories! Generally if there is a double posting, the seller cancels the one that sells at a lower price as the error. I guess nobody else checked, because I put my trigger price as my maximum bid on the one that had the lower price and only one bid, and either the person who had already placed a bid moved to the more expensive one, or they had placed a lower maximum bid, because there were a lot of bids way over my price on the other one, and I won my auction at 15% less than I was willing to pay!

But I still spent some of next week's spending money. "Next week" starts Thursday. So that's not too bad?

Ok, I mailed the package and I bought feed.

With the $46 carry over, I now have $168 on my credit card (due May 3) that has not been paid to me yet.

I didn't spend any other money today.

Ok, I took a deep breath and an honest look at my finances. I have spent my February paycheck and $46 of my March paycheck ("spent" includes what I have on my credit card that is not due on April 3, I have to pay what was charged by March 10, so some of the balance will be on the bill that is due May 3. I will get paid for March on the 31, and April on the 30.

But, I do not usually use my credit card to spend money that is not already in my account, so that is not good. (My account is not empty, I keep a buffer and the lean-to money is there, but the point is that in March I spent $46 more than I earned in February.)

And there is another week in March.

But my gas tank is full, I just went to the grocery store, I have a birthday gift for my son's birthday in May, and gifts for Birdy's birthday that is not until December. I also have a sale in April that will hopefully generate a good check.

OTOH, my March check will be much smaller because I took so much time off.

Here is my plan: no spend this week, except postage for Birdy's Easter basket. and focus on making work for the sale.

When my March paycheck comes, I will subtract the $46, Birdy's postage, and the fixed expenses for the month and that will be my spending money for April. Also, I will divide it by 4 with the first amount for the first week, anything left plus the next fourth for the second week, etc. the last two days of the month I guess I'll just see if I have any money.

When I get my April paycheck and sale check, I need to set aside some of the money for summer, because I don't get paid in July or August, and only 1/4 pay in June.

Mostly, go back to buying less stuff!

So, I was thinking about this some more while I was working in the studio (just cleaning up)

Going back to the goals and I set in January:

Can we use/fix something we already have instead?
Can we make it?
Can we borrow it?
Can we buy it second hand?
Can we buy it locally made?
Can we buy it not from China?
Can we do without it?

I have been doing pretty well, it's just that I have indulged a lot of my wants - even though they were second hand.

This week, besides food, the only new things I have bought were a thumb brace and a new planner. Unfortunately both of them were made in China. But my hand hurts, and all the braces were made in China. Also, I love my planner. It is the same one I had last year and it runs July to June and the overlap with the regular year kitchen calendar and the school year set up make it so much easier.

I guess I could have made one myself. I have paper and pens and book binding supplies, and it might actually be fun, but I'm going to just give myself grace for this one.

So, yeah, I think I just need to focus on the questions more and limit my wants.

Well, I typed a long post and then looked at it and thought "I don't want this much about my finances on the internet."

Summary:
I have some extra money right now.
The extra money is 95% earmarked for the lean-to project
I'm so unused to having extra money that the 5% is making me feel rich
I'm concerned that I am going to spend the 5% in small amounts many times and overspend it.
I don't want to be wasteful of the extra spending opportunity and have nothing to show for it but more stuff I don't need.

I think mostly I want to focus on making good spending decisions.

I decided the bubble things were not good decisions. I'm going to redonate them. But it worked out ok because the nightlight was worth $2. It's a panda and it changes color when you pat it on the head. It charges on my phone charger. It will be good for when the boys sleep over.

well, today was annoying getting used to No Spend, but I also had some wins!

I woke up and decided my blanket on my bed is too heavy for the spring weather. I immediately wanted to buy a new blanket or bedspread, but I made myself look in the little storage room instead. There are brand new, never used, still wrapped blankets in the closet because I have a blanket problem. Anyway, there on the bed were 2 blankets. I checked and one was queen sized. In fact it may be the one I was using last summer before I put on this heavy bedspread. But it is like new and soft, so I washed it and it is on my bed. Win!

I also was craving something chocolate but don't have anything but choc chips. So I mixed cocoa powder into a small amount of rice pudding that was left in the fridge and mixed in some whipped cream also in the fridge. That was good.

I also pulled out 3 bags of potatoes I was given awhile ago, tossed 2 bad potatoes, took the best ones and put them back away, and washed all the rest. I roasted them with seasonings for dinner.

Yesterday I got all the shrively older apples out and made an apple crisp which was good.

I sat down and added up all the regular recurring bills (health ins, car ins, subscriptions, utilities, etc) and it is about 500 a month. That does not include housing. I should be able to get by without spending anything on food for awhile and use the saved money for property taxes, ugh.

ok, I did not start my no-spend month when I intended to, and have continued to buy food that I do not need. I think I have some kind of emotional issue with it.

So I am starting now, even though it is not the start of a month. I am making a new plan.

I will not buy any food from now through the end of August, EXCEPT if I go to the Farmer's Market.

And, I still have a gift card to thar annoying grocery store, so if I need toilet paper or shampoo or maybe one ingredient for a recipe or something, I can use that gift card to get it, which requires me to get off my butt and go shop for it.

I have so much food it cannot fit and I need to eat what I have. Anyone with me?

Well, I guess it is time for another no-spend period for me as well. I am running out of $$$. I was sick so often this month and last that I did several grocery orders and a couple amazon orders. It was several hundred dollars worth.

I still have grocery gift cards for another store, so I am not going to buy anything else food-wise. I will go back to eating what I have, and when I really need something, I will walk myself into that store and use the gift cards.

Now that the big downstairs freezer is gone, I have to pay more attention. I did take an inventory of what I saved from there and moved into my son's freezer, plus I moved some things upstairs. I need to go back to eating all of that stuff instead of just ordering junk like frozen pizzas.

Ok, to count everything bought in January that will go on the tally thread when it arrives.

Three more Lego packages that I will dole out to myself as rewards for doing hard things.

My reindeer for the Christmas sleigh

One book.

I definitely would have done better if I had not bought myself treats. But I am motivated by treats. And food treats make me fat. I need to work on my treat ideas.

Here I am again.

Less than a week left in January.

More things I have bought (but don't have yet)

Two replacement dolls - because I am buying things to help me clean out. (Eyeroll)

A $9.99 used set of Legos - because I am an adult who still plays with Legos and I needed a reward for all the hard work I am doing.

I am pretty confident I will make it to February without having to go back to the grocery store.

Just realized I forgot to record the 28.85 I spent on new jeans and my sweater. I feel like that was mostly very necessary and quite frugal.

I'm a bit thrown by how much spending I'm doing on this no spending thread though.

I've got another toy purchase to confess as well. A fancy brio accessory that Bean really likes got broken and I wasn't able to fix it. I found a used one that ended up costing me $19 after tax and shipping and ordered it. I thought about ordering $35 worth of stuff instead of paying shipping, because I hated that the shipping was almost half the price of the toy, but my inner Tatoulia told me that I did not need anything else from that Etsy shop and to either skip it or pay the shipping.

I know Bean doesn't NEED so many toys, but it wasn't his fault that it broke, and he was really sad. Working on cleaning out the basement is making me try to focus on things that are loved and used instead of just things that are in case or maybe or someday.

So, I spend on my boys. Blueberries and milk and healthy bread and toys.

Lila, how are you doing?

Well, today I did really well on the not processed foods, but when I went to the grocery store for fruit, vegetables, milk, and bread, I ended up spending $73. We do have fruit, vegetables, milk, and bread for two people plus visiting grandsons to last the rest of the month though, I think.

Literally all I bought that has ingredients was the milk (added A and D) and the bread (which did not have hfc or any unpronounceable preservatives.) The rest of the list was apples, blueberries, bananas, lettuce, turnips, Brussels sprouts, and carrots. My milk is expensive, and I splurged on the blueberries. The boys love blueberries.

I also bought myself a completely optional splurge. When Bean looked through the box of trolls (anybody remember the 90's?) there were baby and kid trolls and one "teen". He asked me why there was a mommy troll and no daddy troll. I said "I never had a daddy troll." And he said "well, you need a daddy troll." And moved on. Today I found the boy teen troll in excellent used condition available to be shipped to my house for a grand total of $12.75. I bought it.

I also went to the feed store, but feed doesn't count.

I bought a new box of clay for my class.

This was a definite set back, because I have clay, but I just do not have time to rewedge and prepare what I need for class.

This is an example of overscheduling, disorganization, and sunk cost (I already paid for the class, so I need clay so I don't waste the class fee) costing me money.

I am NOT going to sign up for a class in March and April. No matter how tempting the offerings are. I will focus on getting ready for the spring sale, working on my home studio, and using up what I have.

We are eating both the newly bought food and things we already had. A good balance I think.

Today I spent money registering for an all day workshop for pottery teachers. It is really good value though - I go every year. Not only are the class sessions useful and inspirational, it includes lunch, breakfast, and beverages all day. Plus there are vendors who show up and give you free stuff. The free stuff is sometimes worth more than the $25 the workshop costs. It is good stuff too - like glaze or brushes, not just stickers and pens and tote bags.

Well, I think being aware is a step in the right direction. We are both being more aware of our spending and adjusting down.

I had to place another order (because I've been sick, and needed some soup and fruit and simple foods I could eat) and then today I got prescribed 2 meds, and either had to go drive to get them or order $35 of stuff to get them delivered for free. So I have another order coming today. Annoying but I am too sick to be going to the other store to use my gift cards.

Last night I watched the new show Toxic (America's food supply) with Jillian Michaels and it was very good. It got me thinking about trying to not just NOT buy things, but to eat ore natural foods as well. I have done better in that regard, but the show talked about ultra processed foods and looking at how many ingredients are in things, and could you make this in your kitchen or are the ingredients too weird? So from now on, I will be paying more attention to ingredient labels. Ideally eating things that don't have a label, like fresh produce. And trying to find options for things like crackers that have fewer and healthier ingredients, or make my own when I feel up to it.

I am irritated at my visa bill again, so obviously I need to pay more attention to what I spend.

Week one. Was not a great start.

$315 (rounded) at the grocery store to restock things "we" were out of - mostly wine, beer, chips, salsa, cereal, frozen ready to cook things and meat. I do drink the wine, and will eat some of the frozen food (fries and spring rolls) if Dh cooks it. Also, one box of cereal was mine for "treat" food, and I bought soda.

My goal is still to use as much as possible from the freezer , pantry, and farm so that all that prepared food will last as long as possible!

Those are great questions, SubC! I will use those as well. I had to place an order this morning which was annoying, but it was prescription delivery and pet safe ice melt. It is sleeting and my only other choice was to go out and get them, so I added a few more things and placed an order for approx $100.

I think that should be the only order I need to make this month!

Happy January Lila,

I would like to join you on your no spend/low spend January.

Dh and I have set some shopping rules:
Can we use/fix something we already have instead?
Can we make it?
Can we borrow it?
Can we buy it second hand?
Can we buy it locally made?
Can we buy it not from China?
Can we do without it?

Some wants are allowed, but they have to be things that really add value to our lives or will become needs later and make sense to buy now - for example, my jeans are getting worn out - I currently have enough, but if I find a cheap pair that fits well in good condition at a thrift shop, I will buy them instead of waiting until I am down to one pair and have to buy new.

I am also working on planning meals around food that is already in the house.

The only spending I know I need to do this month is my garden order, one or two trips to the feed store, and fill in groceries.

Well I have been thinking about doing another no spend of some sort, because I am so annoyed and frustrated at my credit card bills. I do pay them off every month, but I always look at all the charges and go what is this for?? When did I spend that?? Because it does not give specifics, just general info on where the money went like amzon, paypl, etc. While I did not spend NEARLY as much in December (because I kept the habit of not going to drive thrus or ordering food delivered etc and not buying a lot of junk, but eating mostly what I have), it still feels like I am spending too much. I am sure part of that was just because it was Christmas, too.

I have a couple of January birthdays to shop for this week, but then I think in January I am going to try and spend as little as possible to try and get my bank account back up. I have a smaller than usual paycheck for December.

So I will use the gift cards I have left for any groceries etc (they are for a specific store that does not deliver and has construction around it, so I kind of avoid that store). Will keep eating what I hae in the freezers and pantry, buying only what I need to round it out, like fresh produce or an ingredient for a recipe - using the gift cards.

I have a few regular expenses like car and health insurance and such, but if I can do a month of no credit card charges, I will get back to a comfortable state with my finances. I have a little cash I can use if I really want something.

Today I thought, it would be so nice to have a grilled cheese with tomato soup! And I thought about opening a can. Then I realized I have 3/4 can of crushed tomatoes in the fridge from when I made something else. So I poured that into a pan, added a little broth, garlic oil, butter, onion powder, salt and pepper and it is simmering. I think it will be a good tomato soup. I might add some basil some something as well, and I have bread and cheese for a grilled cheese.

Baking for the holidays is good, and baking for loved ones!

I am getting better also about "my body is not a dumpster." I have always felt like I HAVE to eat the leftovers or freeze them, even if I don't like the food that much. I don't want to be wasteful, but if no one in my home likes something I made and I don't like it either and can't make it into something more appealing, it is OKAY to throw it away.

I had a few leftovers in my fridge no one wants. Today I tossed them all. I could have forced myself to eat it for lunch - and if I was desperate, I would - but I have enough and can just eat something I like better.

When we stopped at the grocery store yesterday, Dh bought a bunch of processed food. Frozen meals for lunches, snacks and desserts. We also got the fudge ingredients and the things we needed but didn't have to make dinner. We will be using some of what is in the fridge and cupboard for that.

I need to get back to baking so he doesn't feel deprived. January.

SubC lol... I literally still have 2 PCs on my kitchen counter and 3 old laptops in my bedroom in the corner! I have a problem!! I need to consolidate everything. Somehow! Photos on all of them!

I will try to do at least the newest old laptop before the end of the year.

Tonight I was so hungry and saw an ad for cheesesteaks, omg I wanted one SO bad, but I don't eat meat. I have a new mindset from the last 40 days and immediately started thinking what I have that I can make. I had part of a package of impossible burger (plant based) in the freezer and also found some chopped red and green peppers from the summer in the freezer, so started frying all that up, sliced some onion, found a can of mushrooms and added that, and some seasonings. Used part of the sourdough baguette, mayo and some cheese and it was fantastic!!! I have enough meat/veggies for 2 more sandwiches.

Feeling good.

Lila, that sounds like a good shopping list!

I'm glad you got the new laptop. Now, did you clean off and recycle the old laptop?

My January will be heavy on squash rice, and potatoes.

You are doing good SubC, with your changes and using what you have more often!

Well I made it! I did the no buying any food for 40 days (since Oct) and last night to celebrate I bought a pizza and this morning got a grocery order, about $150. I am not "fasting" from spending this month, but, my intention is not to spend any more on groceries this year. I have a couple of grocery gift cards I can use to buy what I need without spending money. I was going to do that last night, but I was so sore and exhausted after work, I literally could not. Had my last big event of the year.

I ordered some oranges and lemons, veggies, more fruit, yogurts, creamer for my coffee (ahhh!), some dark chocolate to dip fruity things in, crackers, and some of my face cheeses like brie, sharp cheddar, gorgozola. I got ingredients to make fish stew today (with fish from the freezer and potatoes I already have), and to make marinated beans for the week, and 2 bottles of kombucha. It seems I have broken my candy, junk, and soda habit. I did not buy cookies or candy and I did buy ONE bag of plain chips that I am sticking in a cabinet for when I want a few with a sandwich. And I bought sourdough bread!!

I also bought OJ because I was missing having a little with breakfast on the weekends. I am so enjoying having this food! The yogurt and OJ this morning tasted better than ever!

All in all this was a wonderful discipline and really saved me a lot of money, probably $500 or more. Which is great because my laptop is dying and I was able to buy a new one on cyber Monday for $499! And it was an $800 laptop. A big win!

I also broke my awful fast food/coffee drinks habit and do not intend to pick that back up, although ordering the pizza was a celebration. I will limit those kind of things to once a week or less. It had gotten to the point of like 5 times a week, pretty bad.

Thank you for cheering me on in this! I will keep updating as I continue to use up the freezer and fridge food, like you!

Lila, I am impressed by your dedication to this.

I spent $50 at the grocery store yesterday. I wanted to make Dh a nice dinner because I knew he had had a rough day at work, so I bought shrimp and wine and some peppers. I also stocked up on his cereal, which was on sale, and gave into temptation and bought a gallon of apple cider.

There are leftovers and food still in the fridge and freezer, and he will be out of town until Friday night, but at some point I will need to buy groceries for our friends who are coming to dinner on Monday and our family, who are coming for the holidays with no time to shop after Dec 18!

I'm planning to finish the freezer/pantry drawdown in January.

omg I cannot wait til Thursday when I can buy food.

I have been continuing to eat from the freezer and pantry but am so over it.

Went by the food pantry last night and got cans of tuna and a can of pinto beans, and a can of condensed milk, not sure what that is for. This it the first time I have gotten any food since Oct, and it was free.

Last night and today I had tuna salad with the last of the last open box of crackers, and 2 slices of the last bit of cheese.

Breakfast was a toasted frozen waffle with frozen blueberries on top and syrup, and a piece of plant bacon. And coffee with milk which was in the fridge from ddil.

I am going to have an apple. And some tea. I am tired, and I want some real produce, so that is what I am having as soon as I can buy food, after 40 days, which is Thursday.