How Much I Spent In March, More Broken Down Appliances and More
Вставка
- Опубліковано 12 тра 2024
- How Much I Spent In March, More Broken Down Appliances and More
The Cozy Creative
/ @lidiyafoxgloveauthor
Please email me any video ideas to Ilovetosaveandmakemoney@yahoo.com .
My daily Short videos will be about saving money, making money, personal growth, goal setting, weight loss, health, cooking baking , shopping, meal plans, organizing, cleaning, and more.
Monday: Money Making Monday, Action series. Motivational money talk,
Tuesday: Frugal Cooking Videos, grocery saving tips,,grocery hauls, meal plans
Wednesday: Personal growth, personal development, Follow Me on My Weight Loss Journey with TOPS. .What I eat in a day, weight loss updates , health updates,
Thursday: Budgeting/saving money/frugal living,
Friday: Free and Frugal Friday ,product reviews, How I saved money that week, Frugal Day in The Life, What I Spend in a typical week
Saturday: Simple Organization, cleaning, saving money around the house and requested videos
Sunday: Budgeting/saving money/frugal living, series
I do occasionally change things up too. I appreciate you.
I did cancel my PO Box as of March 15th 2024. Thank you.
Please consider subscribing and joining our frugal family
/ centsiblelivingwithmon...
I have an Amazon store now! Many of the items are items I love.
If you click on the link and make a purchase I will receive a small percentage of that sale at NO extra charge to you. However, you are under no obligation to buy anything. I appreciate your continued support.
www.amazon.com/shop/centsible...
For More Personal Videos, please check out my Patreon
/ centsiblelivingwithmon... - Розваги
“Thank God for dirty dishes, they have a tale to tell. While others may go hungry, we’re eating very well.” Susan p.s. I had a dishwasher for a time, but decided it was more trouble than it was worth, gave it away.
Wow! My Aunt was in charge of our kitchen chores and she said something very much the same! Thanks for this memory.
Wonderful poem!
@@melmckane2913 🥰
Love it
I had a dish washer but we broke up -:)
Oooh, an author recommendation! I think the appliances are secretly drawing straws to see who gets break down next 😂
They better not tell my appliances about it! 😂😂😂
I budget $100 a week for 7 in our family. I use cash. I have freezers full. So, like the first week of April I spent $64.84. So, that balance of $35.16 rolls over to the next week. Then if there are loss leaders and things we will eat. I will buy them. If, not I wait until the next week. I know in November Kroger puts can veggies on sale 49 cents. I bought cases and cases of each kind of veggies to last the whole year. Why because, it is half price or more . Save money. I don't but cookies. I make them.
Love the cash envelope system. Yes it’s not always the most practical but it certainly works
So true!
I love it too! 💜
Thanks for sharing your budget!
I just started a spreadsheet to track all of my income, bills, expenses, credit cards. It is a game changer! I bought it on Etsy for $3.22. It calculates everything for me.
When I go to Walmart, I break the expenses down by pet, groceries, household and put that on the spreadsheet. I find I'm not spending too much on groceries. I am spending more on household and pets. Paper towels, paper plates, cleaning supplies, dry cat/dog food, cat/dog treats, and their canned food.
March was an expensive month!! Dishwasher broke down. Son's birthday, had to get a new lawn mower.
I get paid bi-weekly. I got 3 paychecks in March but it sure doesn't seem like it! I carried $1400 into the April budget, but I had to pay mortgage, electric, water, trash, Netflix, groceries, and the house insurance came out of that paycheck. I don't get paid again until Friday, but there won't be many bills coming out of that paycheck.
Thank goodness I have a side hustle.
I do this on paped. The latest thing I started doing was paying attention to what a per oz price is when mu!tip!he'd by 16 to get the per pound price.I bypass a lot of meat as too expensive but now I see some other things are too high when looked at per pound! I used to just use per oz prices to compare within a category on the shelf but this is a new leve!. Illuminating!
Fantastic
I think your videos are very entertaining, but even more than that, they’re educational. Thanks for sharing your wisdom! ❤
I appreciate that!
Dawn, I really like the way you're budget-minded, yet didn't skip getting your closest loved ones (I'm thinking husband & daughter) the thoughtful token gifts of inexpensive chocolates.❤ This shows they are loved & appreciated. Sure, I know material things aren't needed to show that. But we can't be so tight, that we won't bless our loved ones with small tangible things to express how we feel! Yes, chocolates were perfect! (Saving is good, but we can't take it with us! Life is too short.) 🥰
You are so kind
Hi Dawn! I stopped "little gifts" to adults a while back, instead I try and do lunch on a one on one basis and pickup the tab. Whoever I'm "treating for lunch" usually picks up the tip for the waitress/waiter. We get to spend quality time together and a meal too.
Sounds good
I love the cash envelope system as I was taught this by my Mum to learn how to spend within your means; save & avoid debt.
I don't carry all my envelopes around like I see some UA-camrs do.
By using cash only for everything, I have avoided debt.
Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Dawn. I have a dishwasher but I don't use it. Why? Bc I like using my hands to wash my dishes....I'm old fashion....I do use the cash envelope System...and I love it. It helps me to keep me straight on the path of least resistance....amd I used it to save for my car which I paid all cash for it...WhooHoo!! So keep up the Great work Dawn....😊😊
A long time ago there was this show on TV about nurses in Vietnam and some of them had to step in and be Doctors because there were so many wounded, then when they came back to the states they didn't get any respect for that.
Every time you mention replacing the central heating system, my heart skips a beat!😮
You have changed my life. We are doing the cash envelope too. Just put $500 into our emergency fund..8/(it took 3 months to get the $500). Stay well,Dawn
I would really encourage you to track all of your spending for a minimum of six months - that allows you to do a look back and see patterns that you cannot see if there is no tracking. When you see a pattern that could be changed to benefit you long-term, it makes it worth the few moments it takes daily to track expenditures. Best wishes, MM.
Great video! Listening to your videos keeps me on the straight and narrow path of living a simple, frugal life. Thank you. ☺
It's frustrating because major appliances don't last as long as they used to, and they are much more expensive to replace or repair. Sometimes, they can't even be repaired because the parts are no longer available.
So true
This video sums up as: Money Mom is on top of it; she is killin it. Nice work repairing both appliances and fortunately not needing to replace either of them (knock wood).
you are so sweet
Happy total eclipse day Dawn, and folks!
🌙🌘🌚🌝 👍 Sandra 💛
Saw the totality eclipse. So beautiful ! Spectacular ! Made a picnic lunch for the family to watch it. 😊
I really like Kristen Hannah books and The Women was very good.
Hey Mom! So I personally track every dollar and I also do sinking funds on top of my emergency fund. Example. I know my truck will eventually need work or replaced so I set aside $300 a month in my "Auto" category. I agree that unless you are an impulse spender tracking every penny isnt necessary. I just like to do it because I can see trends and changes in pricing on things.
I stock up on clean and paper products in bulk...once a year , big savings❤
I don't stock up on anything, I just buy a little at a time and it lasts a long time
Thanks Money Mom for the recommendation of the Kate Singh book, definitely my cup of tea
I use the cash envelope system too for food, gas, pet needs, and "wants" ( never more than $20). Any leftover funds go into savings at the end of each month. I also have "no spend" days, for me it's Sunday and Tuesday....going to add Saturday starting next month. I've found both systems have greatly impacted my impulse spending and ability to reevaluate a need v. a want.
Saving any leftover funds at the end of the month makes much more sense. Moving what you saved to the next month to spend has no long term benefit at all (to me).
I sort of use the envelope system, but it’s sections in a ring binder. I use my debit card, then come home and record the expense in the front (like a checkbook entry) then put it in sections. I always know what my balance is, to the penny. It’s a Virgo thing.
I was so excited! I spent less than $300 on gas, food, phone, garden and things that I charge in February! I don't know what March's bill is going to be for another week or so, but I was ecstatic to see that I could get it down to the bare minimum as I saved towards putting up a CD. Got my CD up, and went spending at the 99 cent only store closure sales. It felt good to splurge for a day or two. Now back to saving for the July CD.
My $250/month grocery budget includes paper, soaps, food. I was way over in March but stocked up for April.
I just love listening to you! Im a 57 yrs married empty nester with a 15 yr old grandson who stays here several days a month to visit. We microfarm and both work ft. I just had to buy a dishwasher too. But at least it is no interest thru lowes. Ive had to be spendy here lately, needs for my critters. But ill be back on track next weekish or so. 😊
You are the sweetest person.
I track every dollar I spend on a free calendar I got from the township. Days I don’t spend money are colored in pink. Days I do spend money I color pink then write the expense on there. It helps me be more intentional with my money.
I have categories for all 7 things you mentioned. Misc. is a joke. That word is not in my vocabulary. I find a spot for everything.
I have an envelope with “misc” on it- from Mum. It’s been held by me for 5 years now. No idea why but here it is. I’m thinking a lovely BnB weekend and a show for us…..surely she’ll enjoy that miscellaneous activity?! 😉
I refuse to own a dishwasher. Buy the time it's loaded, goes through the cycles and you unload
I have them done dried & put away
:)
Great job, Dawn. We don’t do cash envelopes but the budgeting app that we use, we basically consider as being digital cash envelopes. 🙌
That's a great idea!
You're doing really good. I use my cash envelope system , it's fun to use. ✉
I love it!
money mom took it well most people flip out when the dishwasher breaks 🤣😂😁
Love when you do book reviews! I currently have Kristin Hannah’s book on my reserve list at the library. Hopefully I’ll get it soon.
I do the cash envelope system. It’s working out really well. This month was a little tight cuz of Easter. I couldn’t put as much into the envelopes.
Funny that you have only started to tracking all your spending. Our family has done so for something like 25 years! We started with Managing your Money.
I find the Misc. category essential to an effective budget - life happens, the Misc. category takes care of small "life" needs. ** Wow! Fantastic job on recovering the savings acct. I have found it takes a lot of effort to rebuild savings after a big hit. You are doing a great job.
I used the misc. category in my weekly budget, too. If it isn't used I just push them $ into savings or into the next month budget.
❤❤❤read clam of the cavebear
You give me great suggestions for overall spending. I’m at the point that I live well below my income thanks to following your frugal ideas
Thank you
Aldi is definitely a great place to shop for gifts at a great price⭐️
I have been using the cash envelope system for a couple months now and I struggle with the same thing where if I run out of cash I will pull a card out of my fire safe. I tell myself “I’ll take it away from next month’s budget” but I hardly do. Also this is crazy how much appliance trouble you have had recently. You are definitely a prime example of why an emergency fund can be so beneficial. But hopefully this streak will stop for you shortly!!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Thank you❤
I cook "add-on" meals...Start with large pot.. with onions..then browned hamburger..with catsup dish up 1st day on a tortilla shell... the next day same base..adding broccoli...cauliflower...Next day..add diced tomatoes.. not much mess just keep the pot in the fridge...last day add Ramen noodles to the pot. 4 days...handwash the cooking pot
The old stone soup concept
Sounds great!
I got a little notebook, when I bring a receipt home, I write it in the book. Last month was a high number because I was doing some work on my fence. If I can keep my maintenance costs real low for about 3 months it will average out OK.
I had a refrigerator, washer, dishwasher and stove/oven go out in a 3 week period. When it rains it pours. At least I had the money to replace it (inheritance.)
LOVE the video
Our washing machine is still going somehow. Someday (may be soon) it’ll run its last load. It is loud and comes off balance easily, but it’s still going.
Good video
Thanks
I enjoy all of your videos
Thank you
Dawn we just had to buy a new refrigerator. Not a fancy one but we did buy an extended warranty.
I feel your pain
Thank you for the shout out for "The Women"! #473 in line waiting on Libby. Thirteen books in circulation.
wow
I didn’t like The Wife Upstairs which you recommended earlier. But decided to give Freida McFadden another try with The Housemaid and I liked that as well as the sequel The Housemaid’s Secret.
Wonderful
I hand wash my dishes but use the dish washer to kind of sterilize then. My dish washer is very old the apt complex I live in refuses to replace it. That's what I get for living here 12 yrs.
Older is better believe me!
I’m starting the Wonen tonight !
Sounds like you are progressing nicely. Congratulations.
Yes, thank you
I love Kristin Hannah, and I have The Women borrowed on my Libby app right now! I'm currently reading Take My Hand, about forced sterilizations in Alabama in the early 1970s. It's written very well and it pulled me in immediately.
Wow, sounds interesting
If you’re using the cash envelope instead of a credit card you’re missing out on rewards, $15. per month or $180. per year. That money lost.
Envelopes are for those who have to be parented and can't be trusted to buy only what they need.
Good point! Money Mom, dh and I earn hundreds of dollars in credit card rewards each year as we charge whenever possible rather than pay cash. Dental, medical, vet, gas, groceries, home maintenance costs, etc really add up. We opt to have the reward money reduce the balance and we pay off the balance in full each month. You could still track your spending by placing the paper receipts into your envelopes.
@@sueh6287 I have my rewards transferred to a separate savings account. It’s used for Christmas and birthday gifts. I get more than that, the $180 per year was based her $500. ish per month in her cash envelope. I receive more than that yearly
@@sueh6287 I agree. The envelope system gives you no benefit. I pay for everything that will accept it with a credit card, gas , food , utilities ,medical bills, etc. Most months I make 50 dollars or more in points. Obviously this only works if you have the control to pay the full balance each month.
That is not true. I prefer using cash.
When we started building our house 10 years ago, I opted to not get a dishwasher. I’ve only had problems with them in all my other houses I owned. My washer and dryer are both 26 years old. Rarely use my dryer I hang dry everything. My frig does not have an ice maker. Another thing that seemed to always break in past houses. The less contraptions , the less breakage. Lol.
You are so smart
That’s interesting!
First, we had to replace the roof, next year heating/ cooling, next year water heater. Home ownership ❤. Now I have been told I need new plumbing and a water softer. There is always something so save your money. But still cheaper than renting.
oh goodness, so sorry
Aldi has the best chocolate🍫
I agree
You are in luck because bad things happen in threes so now you should b3 able to sit back and relax.
Well I was kind of bad on my food spending. I did $295 this month for just little old me. I have been overcome with a hot chocolate addiction in 2024, with whipped cream or topping. Like 3 a day, costing me about $40;00 a month. I think the warmer weather will release me. Oh and also my daily soda from circle k was on the sip and save program for like 11.00 a month, and they stopped the program so that is 1.07 a day. But I only spent $$1417 in total, and that included like $115 for an oil change and new windshield wipers , and a prepay on my wAter for about $325
Our dishwasher was acting funny and randomly shutting down. It was even tripping the electrical fuse in the fuse box! We figured it would need to be replaced, but we went ahead and called to have a technician come out and look at it. Turns out, it had a recalled part in it that just needed to be replaced. So, they replaced it for free and ever since the dishwasher has been running fine. We were so relieved that it didn't need to be replaced. These appliances seem to be junk from the day they are manufactured.
Wonderful
Good morning
That seems like a lot of trouble just to reign in your spending. Remember, spending less is actually easier as it involves NOT doing things like shopping. As with everything else, it's all about perception...are you really "depriving" yourself or actually benefiting by freeing up time and energy by making different, better choices? I relish finding alternatives that are less expensive or preferably free that are also better...never settle for less than both. For instance, it becomes easy to reduce your dining out budget to zero once you become good at cooking from scratch and going to restaurants becomes nothing but an expensive disappointment. Why have an entertainment budget when there are so many things to enjoy that are completely free? Unlimited home entertainment with games, free streaming, TV antenna, library card etc. Theme nights like "Friday Pizza and Movie Night" with made from scratch pizza that beats every single pizzeria around, music videos, a cartoon short, the main feature with an intermission halfway through where it's back to the music videos while I make kettle corn to munch on as we finish the movie. Others like "Supper Club Dining at Home" and "Soda Shop Dessert Nights" are also lots of fun. Frankly, they're a much better experience than going "out", lol. Perhaps a redefinition of the term "out" is in order as instead of choosing places that cost money like restaurants, movie theaters and other pay for play activities there are parks, libraries, free concerts/programs/activities to find and enjoy, fishing/hunting/hiking/camping and even low cost ones like local sporting events, festivals, etc. We enjoy driving past ever single restaurant on our little adventure as we have a simple packed lunch along for the ride.
I also had to replace our HVAC system a few years ago and while we had the money in savings I decided to use it as an opportunity to test out a financial strategy I came up with. To begin with we chose the more energy efficient model as after the energy rebate it was a bigger bang for the buck and I qualified for an even higher rebate amount because of how I applied, using monthly rather than annual income. I also used the contractor's lead time, 30 day bill term, timing and the free revolving credit of our credit card to get almost 4 months until I had to lay out actual cash, during which time I was able to save up the entire amount out of our normal budget. It was about 5-6 weeks until the contractor could do the job with their busy schedule after which they sent their bill with a 30 day term. I waited a little over 2 weeks for our credit card cycle to reset and then I paid the contractor's bill with my cash back credit card. I had another 5 weeks until the credit card bill arrived with another 3 weeks until the bill was due at which point I paid it in full with the cash I had amassed from cutting our spending even more over the past 4 months. I've used this technique a few other times with large unexpected expenses to keep our savings in our pocket where they belong and it's a fun financial exercise.
Then there's what to do with all of these savings...I use them for retirement savings to build wealth and more importantly, completely eliminate our income tax liability both federal and state by maximizing the form 8880 retirement savers credit. Lower your taxable income with contributions to your 401K, IRA, HSA, etc and later you can use the additional headroom to raise your taxable income within the credit limits with Roth conversion that will be completely tax free as well. This is all a little more advanced and only possible with a wonderfully frugal lifestyle that reduces your need of actual income/spending. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make the gravy from scratch for the 15.4lb whole turkey dinner that we're having tonight since they were on sale for 99 cents/lb along with everything else from the potatoes to the green beans.
Cheers!
Brilliant comment
Thank you for sharing your budget! I need to do cash for groceries, paper products etc. I spend way too much on food, I don’t eat out that much but I spend a lot on streaming, Amazon, etc and it’s making me nervous.
I wish there was an Aldi’s close to me.
You are so welcome!
Oh no!! I adore new technology but sometimes, honestly, with the new computers, they can be a pain!! You have a great spirit!!! Am certain you luck will turn soon!
Thank you so much!!
You are looking well
Your healthy eating is showing
I do a Dollar Tree Run once a quarter and I allow myself to spend up to $100. I stock up on various things there, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, body wash, some cleaning supplies and various other things.
very smart
There’s no such thing as appliance, computer repair (to my experience). Washer/dryer an exception.
Bought our place in 2009 and maybe used the clothes washer 5 times and the dryer like 3. May decide to sell here so tried to use them just to see if they'd work. Dead washer. Had repair guy come out at my expense and he said junk it (cost me $100!). Found out its control board had been recalled so GE sent out repair guy to replace but still wouldn't work. Paid for a new one and went to use dryer and IT is dead! So I wish you well on your plan to extend its life by not using much! I have a dishwasher that came with the house that I've used 5-6 times over the years and thankfully it is still operational. It really sucks when you are thinking of selling and need to have appliances in case you do.
@coutryfrau8328 how do you wash your clothes? By hand?
Just curious, if you are carrying over less each month since January, have you in fact been running at a deficit? Or, is the extra from February and March the total extra from each month? By the way, I haven’t tracked spending in years, but you’ve convinced me to try it for a bit. Think I’ll try this for 3-4 months to see what big expenses show up.
My repair savings is down right now, but I am not at a deficit
💞💖💞💖💖💞
I don't do a budget - I just don't spend unless I have to on car repairs, home repair, appliance, etc. There is nowhere to go from "no spend." I am practical in whatever I do get, and it would put someone to sleep if I mentioned them. For instance the last "spend I did was for replacement spools for my weed eater. Before that I ordered giant sticky rollers for cat hair on the furniture and spider webs on the porch ceilings. I live a practical life.
But I wanted to say that it is hard to budget at all with inflation the way it is. My bread jumped $1 from one week to the next. It's a special bread, and is almost impossible to replace with another kind (Ezekiel). Inflation can sabotage even the best of intentions when it seems that people set prices depending on factors out of our control. Small businesses can swing both ways - either ridiculous prices or bargain prices. Prices for even mowing your grass can vary from $30 to $100, depending on who you ask. Arbitrary pricing is what we saw back in 2007 before the market crashed, too. We see a lot of "upselling," with contractors saying things like, "The job is going to take me all day." Bull hockey. It may be a 3 hour job, but if you mention that as they are leaving, all done at around noon, they just say, "I guess I'm just faster than I thought," or some such. That's why I like paying by the hour, although that's no guarantee either.
We did by the hour for 3 large trees with bartering for some of the hardwood. What I had previously priced out at $6k will be $2,500. Now the finds can go towards other needed home items/upkeep.
On the other hand- we’ve hired 2 different younger people at $25/hr cash and neither knew “how” to work- I was surprised. Learned they feel $30+ is appropriate- for basic yard work at 17 👀🤣
@@Smooshes786 om!!!
Like you I think the most important thing to do is to teach how to fish...He has thousands more than me a MONTH..so no government programs..Still a budget is important. Overpaying the IRS by thousands a year is a waste of interest income.
Perfect
That is on back order..
I spent my afternoon repairing a water heater from 1986. One more appliance on my list to replace this summer 😭
You are amazing.
Every time I’m in a good place to save something important breaks down and needs replacing or fixing. It’s so frustrating.
I hear you. Nothing brings on an emergency faster than saving for one 😂😅
🤔🤪
as long as every year you spend less and less. You will probably break even on the inflation rate that the Federal Reserve reserve has forecast
Seriously what is with the appliances !! My oven broke but luckily my husband repaired it for 40 dollars and a you tube video ! Then the following week the motor on the 5 yr old washing machine broke and we had to get a new one. Grrrrrrrrr
Appliances once lasted 15+. Just had 8 years in dryer. already repaired once. Had to get new one. Too many options no one uses. Runs up the price up. Cars are the same.
I feel you
Yes, they are now a “consumable product.”
Had a problem with our gas stove. Plumber fixed it for $250.00. I was going to buy an induction stove. He saved me $1000.00!
Newer appliances use plastic parts. Older ones were all metal. Plastic breaks easier. They just don’t last ! 😮😔
Last month I had to buy a new tv. It was on sale. Wednesday last week, my cell phone froze up for the last time. I had to get a new phone. Let's see what happens next month.
Oh no
I fix appliances for a living the new stuff built in the last 10 years is complete junk i do t care about the price keep ur old stuff running
there is another option in place of the envelope system, I set aside a set amount for the groceries, toiletries etc. as an example $1000, no envelopes, no cash, I use my credit card, I keep track of the spending and stay within that guideline. So after one yea of spending $12,000 you can get a cashback bonus from your credit card anywhere from $300 to $600 with their cash back rewards system, that is free money. I pay the balance every month and those cashback points add up in the end. Let them "pay" us to use their cards.
sounds good
Dawn,the next time your fridge breaks down,call the manufacturer.send it right back.
This is ridiculous.not even two years old, and broke down,what,three times already?
If it breaks again, I get a new one for free!!!!!
As long as you don't find a general handyman for several things in the home, you will be at the mercy of the overpriced warranties that may or may not come through. This is not a "win". It is a huge loss. If you refuse to move to a cheaper area due to friends and family, then you should make that kind of connection work for you. You have help if your dishwasher fails. You should speak to neighbors and agree to trade off favors, and your repairs will be a lot cheaper. And if you have lived there at least 20 yrs, you should have a decent network. Going to a big church or doing something that is with a huge crowd helps to make connections, too.
Dear Money Mom if it's okay to ask how do you do your produce demos if you don't drive? Did you drive in the past?
Hubby AL is her chauffeur
I didn’t know that Dawn doesn’t drive?
My hubby takes me
Is this savings your 12 month fund?
What is a 12 month fund?
An emergency fund with 12 months of expenses
Tax return time...drives me crazy that all of these people overpay to the IRS during the tear for a big refund..lack self-discipline to save $ themselves. :(
You’re filling up your mind and time worried about other people’s taxes?😳
@kathyharmon2093 YES..My friend of 49 years..no financial acumen..needs every nickel to live (to pay for help now that she is disabled by age related issues.) She freezes in the winter because she doesn't have enough money for heat.
She overpays the IRS $250 a month.
@@kathyharmon2093Do you not care about your friends ?
I am so sorry to hear this.
I CANNOT express any sympathy until the
'poor me' person REDUCES the food
purchases by 50% and loses 75 - 100 #s
The sole, true purpose of food is for just
enough energy to do the basics.