Comments on: How I spent the week http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2011/01/22/how-i-spent-the-week/ A personal finance blog for career minded women with small budgets and big dreams. Wed, 09 May 2012 23:42:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Budgeting Babe http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2011/01/22/how-i-spent-the-week/#comment-4257 The Budgeting Babe Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:54:35 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=884#comment-4257 Yeah, Tanja, I think the definition is entirely subjective. I'm sticking to a budget -- but the days I don't spend anything at all (no incidentals, no payments, nothing on the credit card, NO EXPENSES) I just call out as "no spend days" to give myself a little recognition. Just a small personal thing I'd like to reward myself for. Yeah, Tanja, I think the definition is entirely subjective. I’m sticking to a budget — but the days I don’t spend anything at all (no incidentals, no payments, nothing on the credit card, NO EXPENSES) I just call out as “no spend days” to give myself a little recognition. Just a small personal thing I’d like to reward myself for.

]]> By: tanja http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2011/01/22/how-i-spent-the-week/#comment-4241 tanja Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:10:05 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=884#comment-4241 I read a lot about no spending days and I guess they are different thing to different people. When I think of no spend days I do not think of my bills but just “incidentals” like coffee/tea/other addictions, snacks, lunch (instead of packing one from home) restaurants, unnecessary clothes, DVD’s and such. I figured since I already have a budget for bills, groceries, etc., even incidentals, so anything I do not spend in “incidentals” categories would be a bonus for other savings/category overages. And again if I buy something on my credit card (to get the points and is paid off within 15 days) Do I count it as the no spending day? Because technically I did not spend the money yet ;) When you think about it I can cheat all the time – I buy something on the CC and pay it off when my mortgage or other bill is due – with that cheat sheet I can have many no spend days. :) Considering all that I'm not sure if the no spend days really make sense to me. I think I will just stick to the budget and things will be good. :) I read a lot about no spending days and I guess they are different thing to different people.
When I think of no spend days I do not think of my bills but just “incidentals” like coffee/tea/other addictions, snacks, lunch (instead of packing one from home) restaurants, unnecessary clothes, DVD’s and such.
I figured since I already have a budget for bills, groceries, etc., even incidentals, so anything I do not spend in “incidentals” categories would be a bonus for other savings/category overages.
And again if I buy something on my credit card (to get the points and is paid off within 15 days) Do I count it as the no spending day? Because technically I did not spend the money yet ;)
When you think about it I can cheat all the time – I buy something on the CC and pay it off when my mortgage or other bill is due – with that cheat sheet I can have many no spend days. :)
Considering all that I’m not sure if the no spend days really make sense to me. I think I will just stick to the budget and things will be good. :)

]]> By: The Budgeting Babe http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2011/01/22/how-i-spent-the-week/#comment-4239 The Budgeting Babe Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:02:43 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=884#comment-4239 Ryan - The car payment isn't a sore spot for me. It's actually the only loan I have, and I paid off my student loan 100% before taking on the car payment. I was paying my student loan at $300/month, too, so I just swapped out that one for this one. My monthly budget didn't change. I'm cool with it! Ryan – The car payment isn’t a sore spot for me. It’s actually the only loan I have, and I paid off my student loan 100% before taking on the car payment. I was paying my student loan at $300/month, too, so I just swapped out that one for this one. My monthly budget didn’t change. I’m cool with it!

]]> By: The Budgeting Babe http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2011/01/22/how-i-spent-the-week/#comment-4238 The Budgeting Babe Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:01:13 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=884#comment-4238 Tanja - I debated whether or not the car payment should negate the zero spend day, but decided that since it's money out of my pocket, it should count as a spend. The definition of "Zero Spend" is really up to the individual. For me, I need to be mindful of what I'm buying WITHOUT forgetting about monthly payments. That said, it's a really good question to pose. I guess technically I didn't spend all of this since most of it went on my charge card. Hmm... I'll have to think about this. Re: TJ Maxx/Marshall's yes, I do shop there. It just wasn't easy to get there this week - and Macy's is two blocks from my office. There were actually cheaper items at Macy's, but for things like fleece-lined micro-fiber/windblocking gloves you typically need to spend a few dollars more vs. chenille or fleece only. The "fashion gloves" just don't always cut it. Tanja – I debated whether or not the car payment should negate the zero spend day, but decided that since it’s money out of my pocket, it should count as a spend. The definition of “Zero Spend” is really up to the individual. For me, I need to be mindful of what I’m buying WITHOUT forgetting about monthly payments.

That said, it’s a really good question to pose. I guess technically I didn’t spend all of this since most of it went on my charge card. Hmm… I’ll have to think about this.

Re: TJ Maxx/Marshall’s yes, I do shop there. It just wasn’t easy to get there this week – and Macy’s is two blocks from my office. There were actually cheaper items at Macy’s, but for things like fleece-lined micro-fiber/windblocking gloves you typically need to spend a few dollars more vs. chenille or fleece only. The “fashion gloves” just don’t always cut it.

]]> By: tanja http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2011/01/22/how-i-spent-the-week/#comment-4237 tanja Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:30:52 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=884#comment-4237 So no spend day means no spending money whatsoever? Meaning that if I have not spent money in 3 days but one of those days my automatic payment for my cell bill cleared that is not considered a no spending day? I’ve been to Chicago few years back during one of the Chicago’s coldest weekends and I understand need to have gloves, hats, etc. Do you ever shop at TJ Maxx and Marshalls? I’m sure you can find things cheaper there. Also signup for Macy’s e-mail they send you coupons (if you are in to coupons) every week. So no spend day means no spending money whatsoever?
Meaning that if I have not spent money in 3 days but one of those days my automatic payment for my cell bill cleared that is not considered a no spending day?
I’ve been to Chicago few years back during one of the Chicago’s coldest weekends and I understand need to have gloves, hats, etc. Do you ever shop at TJ Maxx and Marshalls? I’m sure you can find things cheaper there. Also signup for Macy’s e-mail they send you coupons (if you are in to coupons) every week.

]]> By: Ryan DeLeon http://thebudgetingbabe.com/2011/01/22/how-i-spent-the-week/#comment-4231 Ryan DeLeon Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:24:57 +0000 http://thebudgetingbabe.com/?p=884#comment-4231 Its hard but getting rid of the car payment really opens up the budget. It took us 2 years after selling our brand new car to get back to a 2007 model vehicle in cash. But when you dont have a car payment its much easier to save money. The worst part is selling your car and if you owe more than its worth having to pay the difference just to pay off the loan, then pay cash for the next car. But if you can do it, so worth it! Its hard but getting rid of the car payment really opens up the budget. It took us 2 years after selling our brand new car to get back to a 2007 model vehicle in cash. But when you dont have a car payment its much easier to save money. The worst part is selling your car and if you owe more than its worth having to pay the difference just to pay off the loan, then pay cash for the next car. But if you can do it, so worth it!

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