Weekly Spending Update: The cost of playing the return game.

Every Monday during 2022, I am posting an update on what I spent for the week (variable spending only) as a way of keeping myself accountable for my impulse spending. Also, to see my true savings, I am tracking items I was tempted to buy but didn’t.

This week I ended up spending $60 in return fees with no products to show for it. UGH. The return refunds have yet to hit my bank account. It’s so frustrating, but I only have myself to blame. All items were purchased impulsively, with no real thought behind them. I failed to wait at least 24 hours before making the purchases, and I didn’t double-check the return policies.

I finally put some controls in place for online spending, and I’m hoping it curbs the ugly spending monster that still lives inside me. the impulsive spending.

Without further ado, my June 13 – 19th spending:

• Groceries: $167.00 (Stock up from BJ’s)
• Eating Out: $50 (lunch for Father’s Day)
• Personal Care: $64.00 (Hair color from salon, sunscreen)
• Home Maintenance: $229.20 (annual filters, broom)
• Mom: $39.76 (dinner sent)
• Spontaneous giving: $55.00
• Weight Watchers: $42.95 (3 mos.)
• Miscellaneous: $39.73 (books)
• Gifts: $17.00 (Father’s Day)
• Return fees: $60.00

Total: $764.64

Returns: ($40.12) (Phone case and charger)

Total: $724.52

I thought this week was a low-spend week until I totaled everything up. Almost $800?? The good news is that I won’t have to buy filters for a year, and I’m saving almost $250.00 by coloring my hair over the next two months instead of going to the salon. I guess it wasn’t too bad, except for the return fee. 😦

Here is a monthly recap of my spending for June so far:

Week 1: $1,660.73

Week 2: $321.13

Week 3: $724.52

Total variable spending: $2,706.38

That seems high for three weeks in a five-week month. I will need to slow way down on the spending if I want to meet some savings goals.

How was your week? How does my spending compare to yours? Please share!

No online spending and cash only for now.

Via

We had just gotten back from a trip to NY when I checked my credit card account online. A strange charge from Walmart was showing up. A small amount – $5.58 to be exact. A small enough amount that no one would really notice. It was for a purchase ‘in store’ on a date I was nowhere near a Walmart. Previously, I was in a Walmart, purchasing groceries. I also purchased from Walmart online. Which is why this particular charge could have gone unnoticed.

This is not our first rodeo. Our Chase credit card has been hacked numerous times. With all its usage, it was bound to happen and most likely will happen again. (Thank you Chase for taking care of it so quickly!) Which is why I check all of my accounts every.single.day. Some might say this is overkill, but in today’s crazy world, it is totally necessary.

This is also why I do not use my debit card. It is just too risky. I prefer to give all the risk to the credit card company.

So, for the rest of April, I will be on a cash-only diet. No more online spending, online groceries, or anything I can’t pay with cash. And, once my new card arrives in the mail, I will be much more cautious about using the card. Cash really still is king. 😉

Do you check your accounts regularly?

6 Reasons I’m Switching to Cash. (even during the pandemic.)

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

I’ve written about using cash in the past, and most recently how I won’t be using it during the pandemic.  However,  I’ve changed my mind, and here’s why.

1. It will lower my food bill.  My food bill was reaching all-time highs — upwards of $800-900 a month.  Not acceptable for 3 adults. Now that I’m shopping for food myself and use only cash, I will have a better chance of not overspending.
2. It will help me lose weight.  (I know this is a stretch) This goes with #1.  There is an interesting phenomenon that has happened during this pandemic,  Something called the Quarantine 10, 15 or 20. (I fall under the 10 range).   We should be eating less, right? Instead, I am overindulging on food and it’s showing up on my waist.  If I have a limited amount of cash, I’ll make sure I have enough of the right foods (i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat) before I pick up the Coke, Hershey Kisses, beer, wine, chips, pretzels… You get my drift.
3. I don’t have to track it on my credit card.  Although I get cash rewards with my Chase Blue card, I end up spending a bit more than I would normally.  Although I’ll still use it, I will use it much less.
4. It will delay gratification.  I grapple with impulse purchases, especially online.  If I use only cash, I won’t be able to indulge my impulse whims.  Or, if I do, I know that it was budgeted for, and no guilt will be involved.
5. It’ll keep me away from online spending.  Let’s be honest.  Online spending is so darn easy.  Although it was necessary during the pandemic, stores have opened.  Using cash will decrease my online spending by a lot.  Just sayin… 😉
6. Ultimately, I’ll have more money to save.  Reaching my retirement savings goals sooner is the best reason of all. 🙂

Are you using cash?