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Post by Laurie on Jan 5, 2025 20:53:38 GMT
I'm spending whatever I want. Guess this isn't the thread for me. So I think you are confused that this is politically motivated. However, for many years there has been a thing called No Spend January. It is based off the fact that people tend to overspend during the holidays so they do a low spend/no spend January to get back on track for their financial goals. This has been a thing for quite awhile…even during GOP presidencies. |
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amom23
Drama Llama
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Post by amom23 on Jan 6, 2025 2:13:42 GMT
So far I am off to a good start. I am really happy to see so many of you joining me on this journey!
Our dishwasher broke on Christmas and 2 parts later DH was able to fix it. Fingers crossed it doesn't break again. We spent money, but saved money by not replacing it. We recently had to replace 2 bathroom facets. I am thankful my DH is handy and we don't have to hire someone to come in and fix things for us.
My goal for the coming week is to work on meal planning. I want to stay out of the grocery store as much as possible.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Jan 6, 2025 2:19:45 GMT
So far I am off to a good start. I am really happy to see so many of you joining me on this journey! Our dishwasher broke on Christmas and 2 parts later DH was able to fix it. Fingers crossed it doesn't break again. We spent money, but saved money by not replacing it. We recently had to replace 2 bathroom facets. I am thankful my DH is handy and we don't have to hire someone to come in and fix things for us. My goal for the coming week is to work on meal planning. I want to stay out of the grocery store as much as possible. You are lucky. We had to replace 3 faucets recently. That wasn’t fun $$. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 6, 2025 17:20:21 GMT
We are doing a low spend year as we get accustomed to retirement. Also, DH is going to need further treatment/home health care/PT for a few more months which I'm sure is going to be expensive, even with insurance. I've been cancelling subscriptions he no longer needs for work and the savings has added up. Yesterday I cancelled Sirius for his car. It will most likely be 6 months least before he is able to drive. Cancelled it online and they made me not one, but two, offers of a lower price! I was tempted, but didn't take them. So that is a savings of $31/month. Then I thought I'd see what they offered me as a better price on my Sirius subscription. Got them to drop it to $8/month, a savings of $16/month! Next I need to look at streaming services, but I already keep those under control pretty well.
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amom23
Drama Llama
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Post by amom23 on Jan 6, 2025 18:42:13 GMT
I've been adding up the totals of what we spent in certain categories in 2024 and it just makes me sick how wasteful we were. Yes all the bills were paid, etc. We would just have so much extra money if we did a better job of curbing the excess spending on the wants and impulse buying. It's certainly eye opening when the numbers are there staring back at you. The past is the past and all I can control is the future, but I have some serious mental work to do with myself going forward.
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Post by Linda on Jan 6, 2025 19:27:35 GMT
I've set up my spreadsheet - it covers groceries (including cats, household, and toiletries) plus gifts, scrapbook supplies, and photos. I'll be tracking weekly and hopefully it'll a) keep me on track spending wise and b)keep me focused on healthier choices at the grocery store...snacks is a separate column that is currently at zero.
Spending since the first - my Google storage (1.99), grocery trip (107), reordered a gift for DD18 that got lost* ($13), and paid for my farm box ($28). That should be it until next weekend's groceries unless I pull together a photo order before then.
* i had it sent to DS's house since we were there for Christmas. We discovered right before Christmas that while his temporary forwarding order expired at the end of November, his carrier was 'forwarding' his packages (and probably his first class mail as well). THREE trips to the post office on the 24th, 26th, and 27th and he seems to be getting mail again and the post office was able to retrieve some of the packages that should have been delivered on the 23, 24, and 26. Alas this one was returned to sender.
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Post by Zee on Jan 6, 2025 20:39:18 GMT
I'm spending whatever I want. Guess this isn't the thread for me. So I think you are confused that this is politically motivated. However, for many years there has been a thing called No Spend January. It is based off the fact that people tend to overspend during the holidays so they do a low spend/no spend January to get back on track for their financial goals. This has been a thing for quite awhile…even during GOP presidencies. Thank you for posting this, that makes more sense. I thought she was just basically saying she has plenty of disposable income and can't relate and it came across as pretty tone-deaf and rude. |
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Post by MichyM on Jan 6, 2025 20:45:44 GMT
Not a full year, but I do a serious low spend the first three months of the year to make up for each fall's expenditures. The goal is to spend on nothing I don't actually need to live.
That said, I have 2 trips scheduled between now and the end of March, and the second one is to CA wine country, so I will definitely be buying lots of wine to ship back (without guilt) on that one, as well as dining out.
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Post by MichyM on Jan 6, 2025 20:50:21 GMT
I've been adding up the totals of what we spent in certain categories in 2024 and it just makes me sick how wasteful we were. Yes all the bills were paid, etc. We would just have so much extra money if we did a better job of curbing the excess spending on the wants and impulse buying. It's certainly eye opening when the numbers are there staring back at you. The past is the past and all I can control is the future, but I have some serious mental work to do with myself going forward. That is me. I am a "comfort shopper," online 90% of the time. Must. Stop. That! |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,366
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jan 7, 2025 2:32:25 GMT
I’m kicked out 😂 New Year’s Day our baking unit of the oven quit. It’s a 21 year old dual fuel unit (if you’ve read my range question you already know) and we figured out that the control board is damaged ($300 to fix a 21 year old stove that will probably have more things to go out). Its’s 40”. The only 40” ranges are almost $8k. Nope. Not happening. So, we are downsizing to a 36” dual fuel z-line which is still a few thousand but a standard size. Sigh.
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 7, 2025 2:44:20 GMT
I’m kicked out 😂 New Year’s Day our baking unit of the oven quit. It’s a 21 year old dual fuel unit (if you’ve read my range question you already know) and we figured out that the control board is damaged ($300 to fix a 21 year old stove that will probably have more things to go out). Its’s 40”. The only 40” ranges are almost $8k. Nope. Not happening. So, we are downsizing to a 36” dual fuel z-line which is still a few thousand but a standard size. Sigh. Oof those pop up expenses hurt. BUT you did right by changing the size to save money. So I'd say your still in. Just low spend since you technically spent less 😉 |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,366
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jan 7, 2025 2:48:06 GMT
I’m kicked out 😂 New Year’s Day our baking unit of the oven quit. It’s a 21 year old dual fuel unit (if you’ve read my range question you already know) and we figured out that the control board is damaged ($300 to fix a 21 year old stove that will probably have more things to go out). Its’s 40”. The only 40” ranges are almost $8k. Nope. Not happening. So, we are downsizing to a 36” dual fuel z-line which is still a few thousand but a standard size. Sigh. Oof those pop up expenses hurt. BUT you did right by changing the size to save money. So I'd say your still in. Just low spend since you technically spent less 😉 Thanks! We need to do something to fix the 2” gap in the countertop that is going to be on each side. We have granite so not sure what that solution will look like. We can do the front gap no problem because we can get 6” wide filler that matches the cabinets and rip it down to 2” and put it in the gap. |
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 7, 2025 2:51:32 GMT
Oof those pop up expenses hurt. BUT you did right by changing the size to save money. So I'd say your still in. Just low spend since you technically spent less 😉 Thanks! We need to do something to fix the 2” gap in the countertop that is going to be on each side. We have granite so not sure what that solution will look like. We can do the front gap no problem because we can get 6” wide filler that matches the cabinets and rip it down to 2” and put it in the gap. Custom build pull out drawer you can use or cookie sheets and similar? |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,366
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jan 7, 2025 2:55:16 GMT
Thanks! We need to do something to fix the 2” gap in the countertop that is going to be on each side. We have granite so not sure what that solution will look like. We can do the front gap no problem because we can get 6” wide filler that matches the cabinets and rip it down to 2” and put it in the gap. Custom build pull out drawer you can use or cookie sheets and similar? Maybe? Gotta fix the granite on top tho and it’s 2” each side. Can’t move it over to have 4” on one side b/c the vent hood will not be centered if we do. |
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Post by Peace Sign on Jan 7, 2025 14:45:02 GMT
My plan is a Low Spend. Really, I need nothing but necessities. My reading goal for 2025 is to read large books/series. These are mostly books I already own, minus King’s Dark Tower series. My hobbies should be decently covered with supplies. There is one journal kit that will be purchased, if I like it—The Archer & Olive Halloween kit. The 2024 kit is amazing! I have a plan, so I feel positive about the level of success. The Dark Tower series is soooo good! |
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Post by Peace Sign on Jan 7, 2025 14:54:41 GMT
My oldest and his friend (who has been living with us for 1.5 years) are planning on moving out soon. That should help with my grocery, water and electric bill. I will have to replace a couple things they are taking with them.
I'll definitely be doing low spend, with a focus on throwing extra money at my mortgage and controlling my Amazon spending.
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Jan 7, 2025 15:06:41 GMT
My main goal for 2025 is to declutter our home and because of that I will be spending less. Amazon might send someone to check on me because I will not be buying unnecessary things from them (or anywhere else). I have a few credit cards to pay off so that will be my focus for this year.
In Sept of 2024 I said that I was entering my declutter era and I didn't know just how true that would be for 2025. My sister and I had to empty our mom's apartment and get rid of 99% of her things (she entered a nursing home) and it solidified for me that I do not need the clutter and crap that I have in our home and I do.not. want our DDs to have to clean out all of that stuff one day. DH and I are both going to work on that this year.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 7, 2025 15:31:43 GMT
I'm still attempting a low spend January and working on not impulse buying beyond that.
I did spend $100 on 2 IKEA wire basket/drawer units for under my craft table. My goal is to keep everything off the floor and also not piled on the table. My space looks so much better.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,366
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jan 8, 2025 2:03:13 GMT
My plan is a Low Spend. Really, I need nothing but necessities. My reading goal for 2025 is to read large books/series. These are mostly books I already own, minus King’s Dark Tower series. My hobbies should be decently covered with supplies. There is one journal kit that will be purchased, if I like it—The Archer & Olive Halloween kit. The 2024 kit is amazing! I have a plan, so I feel positive about the level of success. The Dark Tower series is soooo good! Sooooo good! I read Fairytale over the summer and loved that too. Kinda has the Dark Tower vibe. |
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Post by Scrapper100 on Jan 8, 2025 6:29:28 GMT
I'm still attempting a low spend January and working on not impulse buying beyond that. I did spend $100 on 2 IKEA wire basket/drawer units for under my craft table. My goal is to keep everything off the floor and also not piled on the table. My space looks so much better. I bought two last month with the same thinking. I still haven’t got them organized 😢 I need some time and energy. |
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 8, 2025 13:53:09 GMT
I'm still attempting a low spend January and working on not impulse buying beyond that. I did spend $100 on 2 IKEA wire basket/drawer units for under my craft table. My goal is to keep everything off the floor and also not piled on the table. My space looks so much better. I bought two last month with the same thinking. I still haven’t got them organized 😢 I need some time and energy. They took about 10 minutes to assemble. The only tool required is a hammer. The gray piece is to place over the area you are hammering, to protect the paint. I could not figure that out! |
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,635
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Post by amom23 on Jan 8, 2025 15:17:52 GMT
I had 2 things I ordered before the new year arrive yesterday. Since I don't care for either I'm sending them back. My goal is to make the mailman and our UPS driving wonder what's wrong LOL.
I haven't been mentally meal planning more than a day ahead, but we are still eating from the pantry and not grocery shopping so it's still a win!
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Post by Aheartfeltcard on Jan 8, 2025 15:50:17 GMT
It’s a low spend year for me. I spent $27 on embroidery floss and a blazer so far, but for January that’s it.
We are going to Italy in July and truthfully I have a great vacation wardrobe and need nothing.
The only extra things I might actually need this year are postage stamps and crafty organizational supplies. I will spend on the basics but only if necessary, which I don’t foresee happening.
I am good at minimal grocery spending, just because I’d rather spread my money further.
On a normal weekday I wear scrubs and workout clothes. I stocked up on them in September.
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jan 8, 2025 17:11:53 GMT
Here in Canada, we buy a roll of around one hundred Canadian stamps at a discount
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polly91
Junior Member
Posts: 52
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Post by polly91 on Jan 8, 2025 18:43:04 GMT
I had 2 things I ordered before the new year arrive yesterday. Since I don't care for either I'm sending them back. My goal is to make the mailman and our UPS driving wonder what's wrong LOL. I haven't been mentally meal planning more than a day ahead, but we are still eating from the pantry and not grocery shopping so it's still a win! I am trying for a low-spend 2025. Much to my husband's surprise, I returned over $700 of gifts we had bought for each other for Christmas. Luggage we didn't need, purse and 2 wallets I didn't need, and a puffer vest he didn't need. In the past, we would never have returned these items and it makes me sick to think of all the money we wasted. I have also started selling a few items on FB marketplace. Not a lot, but I made $100, deposited it in the account and immediately paid $100 towards a credit card bill. It felt nice. Going through my 2024 expenses and will try to develop a realistic budget for the rest of 2025. Meal planning is something I do but we still tend to buy "junk food" that we don't need so I plan to decrease buying those items. It will help keep our weight down. I read 42 books last year and every one was from the library. I have no idea how much that saved me so when I start getting discouraged, I try to remember I am making progress. |
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Post by Zee on Jan 8, 2025 19:02:13 GMT
Here in Canada, we buy a roll of around one hundred Canadian stamps at a discount What are you mailing that you would need 100 stamps for? Just curious! U haven't used a stamp since I quit doing Post Crossing over 2 years ago. Unless I start doing that again, 100 stamps would last beyond my lifetime. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jan 8, 2025 19:05:44 GMT
An update on the subscription/membership cancellations. On the 10 that I have cancelled, I have cut an annual amount of $1,119 from our budget! There are 2 more renewals for him that just came in (both increased significantly) that I suspect he is going to drop. If so, that adds another $362 to the annual savings! It is so worth going through your entire budget and seeing what you don't really need now.
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,635
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Post by amom23 on Jan 8, 2025 19:27:57 GMT
Here in Canada, we buy a roll of around one hundred Canadian stamps at a discount What are you mailing that you would need 100 stamps for? Just curious! U haven't used a stamp since I quit doing Post Crossing over 2 years ago. Unless I start doing that again, 100 stamps would last beyond my lifetime. Where I live we still have some bills that can't be paid online. I also send B-day cards to my young nieces. And there are the Christmas cards I mail annually. |
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amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,635
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Post by amom23 on Jan 8, 2025 19:33:04 GMT
An update on the subscription/membership cancellations. On the 10 that I have cancelled, I have cut an annual amount of $1,119 from our budget! There are 2 more renewals for him that just came in (both increased significantly) that I suspect he is going to drop. If so, that adds another $362 to the annual savings! It is so worth going through your entire budget and seeing what you don't really need now. Awesome! This mamma had a come to Jesus moment with our young adult kids over Christmas. Needless to say most subscriptions have been cancelled and a few others switched into their names. Funny how the kids didn't need to have them when I said Dad and I weren't going to pay for them.  |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:51:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2025 20:14:49 GMT
An update on the subscription/membership cancellations. On the 10 that I have cancelled, I have cut an annual amount of $1,119 from our budget! There are 2 more renewals for him that just came in (both increased significantly) that I suspect he is going to drop. If so, that adds another $362 to the annual savings! It is so worth going through your entire budget and seeing what you don't really need now. Amazing! Do you remember what you cut? I want to keep looking for expenses - I’m getting pretty big dopamine hits from canceling subscriptions! 😜 So far I’ve gotten rid of fabletics, kindle unlimited, apple news +, wapo, panda security (for a desktop that gets turned on and used once or twice a month), and my daughter’s planet fitness membership. Oh yeah - canceling amazon prime right before it renews - still trying to stock up on a few things first. We got rid of sirius xm & cable a couple years ago. So we’ll keep streaming services unless finances take a nose dive. |
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