Tuesday Accountability Thread

Xstatic3333 · September 2015

Welcome back from the Long Weekend!

1. How MM was your weekend?

2. Progress towards goals?

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

Xstatic3333 · September 2015

1. Budgeted but expensive. We had a good friend's wedding ($150 for gift, $130 for hotel room), and a fancyish farewell dinner with my BF who is moving to NYC soon ($115, with us covering many of their expenses).

2. Just retirement contributions this week, but I got the wonderful news that my board approved a promotion that will come with an approximately 25% raise. This will really change our financial picture and ability to attack our goals going forward, and I am so, so grateful. The promotion is effective 10/1.

3. H and I debated this a lot this weekend. My favorite food celebrity is Anthony Bourdain, but there is some debate whether he qualifies as a "celebrity chef." Then there is Gordon Ramsey-Hell's Kitchen is clearly ridiculous, but some of his British shows available online are very great instructional shows on how to cook some good meals, and they are fun to find and learn from. I also really like Eric Ripert, who frequently guests on Bourdain's shows.

simplyelise · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend?

Good, all on budget. $88 for stock-up groceries, $24 for DH's tank of gas (UNDER $2/gallon!!!), blow money lunch together Sunday.

2. Progress towards goals?

$1000 to student loans on Friday.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

Oh man, this is hard. Probably Tom Colicchio from Top Chef. I really like Gordon Ramsey, but more so on MasterChef and the British version of Kitchen Nightmares. And Bobby Flay will always hold a special place because I used to watch him every day after school with my sister. If we're talking recipes, I frequently use recipes from The Pioneer Woman, but I don't love the show.

cbee817 · September 2015

Welcome back from the Long Weekend!

1. How MM was your weekend? Not too bad - groceries ($150), take out for me and DH ($15) Saturday night, target ($43)

2. Progress towards goals? $350 went to 529 plans, sewer repair bill is down to $2,100. Savings is back on track ($500/paycheck) starting in October. DH's paychecks with his new school district start coming in this month so we can plan the rest of the year out more accurately.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef? Rick Bayless!

Quick AW: DD#1's first day of kindergarten is today. She did great getting on the bus and I hope she's having an awesome day.. can't wait to hear about it when I get home!

als1982 · September 2015

1. Bad, really bad. We stayed in town, and ended up about $100 over our entertainment budget. Ouch.

2. Thursday we'll get $500 to go toward our November trip to Florida.

3. I liked Top Chef but since cutting the cord on cable over a year ago, I found Pati's Mexican Table and A Chef's Life both on PBS which are really good.

dragonstarjk · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend? Not great, but mostly budgeted. I'm too lazy to figure out the numbers right now.

2. Progress towards goals? Nothing out of the ordinary

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef? Giada DeLaurentis (sp?)

jessica490 · September 2015

1. $300 Outlet shopping, $50 seafood dinner, $200 Home Depot, $20 Lowes. Expensive weekend but all paid in cash that we had.

2. $1520 to savings account

3. Giada makes some good looking food!

hoffse · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend? Not bad. $98 on groceries and about $40 to do another round of doors. We also spent $20 on gas visiting my parents. They hosted us for a family golf tournament yesterday at a country club where they are members. It was a scramble so scores are usually pretty low, but our team still shot 4 under par so we were pretty happy with that! The club also had free food at multiple stops on the course, so it was lots of fun and pretty much took care of breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us yesterday.

Side-note: while country clubs are usually anti-MM, my parents get their money's worth. They played that course 237 times last year. And they walk. With their club fees, they ultimately pay less than $9 per round of 18 on a 100-year-old private course. Not bad, right?

2. Progress towards goals? Just staying the course.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef? Huge fan of Gordon Ramsay. I also really like Graham Elliott and Rick Bayless. I need to visit Chicago...

formerlyGDaisy09 · September 2015

1. Every weekend has been expensive lately. $380 on paint and supplies at HomeDepot. $100 on groceries. $6.50 for ice cream on our dog-walk last night.

2. getting the basement painted is a goal...so i guess?

3. I love Gordon Ramsay, but I enjoy a lot of Ina Garten's recipies.

@hoffse, my mom definitely gets her money's worth at their country club, she plays 4-6 days a week, my dad generally joins for at least 2-3 rounds of 18 each week. They walk, unless they're playing in a tournament, or if my grandfather is visiting to play with them.

KatieCutie05 · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend?

Not too bad - 40 at buy buy baby - budgetted, 40 at Earthfare for baby food and babies vitamins -sort of overbudget, 75 at Field and Stream- because my husband convinced me to use my grandma money to buy myself a nice pair of jeans. and about 100 on groceries. eek.

2. Progress towards goals?

nothing more yet...

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

Don't pay enough attention to even know their names. Usually I just get annoyed that I can't eat it. lol

vlagrl29 · September 2015

cbee817 said:

Welcome back from the Long Weekend!

1. How MM was your weekend? Not too bad - groceries ($150), take out for me and DH ($15) Saturday night, target ($43)

2. Progress towards goals? $350 went to 529 plans, sewer repair bill is down to $2,100. Savings is back on track ($500/paycheck) starting in October. DH's paychecks with his new school district start coming in this month so we can plan the rest of the year out more accurately.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef? Rick Bayless!

Quick AW: DD#1's first day of kindergarten is today. She did great getting on the bus and I hope she's having an awesome day.. can't wait to hear about it when I get home!

Did you cry? I'm afraid I will. DD starts Kindy next year. I can't imagine what I will do with all that time off from her. Most likely I will be pregnant with #2 at that time but it makes me sad thinking that I will no longer have to schedule things to do to keep her busy like library time, parks, etc.

MissKittyDanger · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend?
Good! Actually I was a tad over budget for groceries but under budget on personal allowance, so that goes back in and we balance out with tipping scales in my favour

2. Progress towards goals?

Some! My goal - as mentioned before - is to save for a house. We got another wedding card with $150 on it, so that'll go into the savings account. Once my credit is paid, I'm looking at how to balance between extra savings and extra to pay off student loan.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

I really don't have one lol We watched a lot of Master Chef while in Mexico Feb 2014 and occasionally watch here but no real ones I/we enjoy.

cbee817 · September 2015

@vlagrl29 - I held it together until the bus drove off- then the tears started. She was so excited to go- it made it easier while we were waiting at the bus stop. It's weird- she's been in day care since she was 14 weeks old, but watching her get on a bus and drive away was a lot to handle! I think it's because with day care, DH and I dropped her off, saw her in the room, and left.. she was already inside the building and safe. I just hope she had a great day- she's at after school for about an hour or so until DH can pick her up.. hoping that goes ok too. Big day for sure.

bmo88 · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend?

Decent. We have this whole week off (we both work at a school) and we wanted to get quite a few home projects done, so we spent a bit of money.

$92 at Lowe's for fertilizer, light bulbs, a plant for the porch, potting soil and grout cleaner/sealer
$16 at Michaels to make a Fall wreath for our front door (see pic below); got everything for 40% and I love it
$12 for a new outfit at Old Navy--jeans, shirt and scarf--had coupons and it was a sale
$7 at Dunkin Donuts--this is DH's favorite time of year for pumpkin spice iced lattes and pumpkin munchkins, so we went on a hiking date with our dogs and indulged afterwards

2. Progress towards goals?

We both got bonuses this month so we ramped up our debt repayments, savings and retirement.

We paid an extra $500 toward DH's loans
We put an extra $1,200 in savings
We got to 4 months emergency savings
We increased our retirement savings by $100 each per month

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

DH loves all the shows that Chef Gordon Ramsey creates, so we watch Master Chef, Master Chef Jr., Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares.

The wreath I made this weekend for only $16! The best part is it all separate pieces and I can change the decor to fit other seasons.

hoffse · September 2015

Gordon Ramsay lovers should also check out "the F word." It's one of his British shows. Very good, and no the F word does not stand for what you think... it stands for food!

short+sassy · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend?

Meh. Spent about $160 on groceries, but that is more than one week's worth. Our coffee maker crapped out...it was a fancy one with frothing that I splurged on ($120) only about 18 months ago, so I was really aggravated. Went back to basic and got a Mr. Coffee for $30 at Costco.

Also bought a home safe from Costco for $240. It is decently sized for the price (about 2' high) and is fire rated to last for 2 hours at 1750 degrees. Not budgeted, but my H and I had been talking about getting one for awhile. So, when we saw this one at Costco, decided it was time to pounce.

2. Progress towards goals?

Lots of bill paying, not much real progress. I had to set aside a big chunk of money for my "inherited tenant". When I gave him his 30-day vacancy notice, I also offered $450 if he did indeed move out in 30 days. Plus, assuming his appliances are in good condition, I am giving him $650 for them (gas stove, fridge, and washer/dryer).

And today's the day! Though he already told me he needs more time to get his engine/tranny and sofa set out. I gave him one more week for that stuff, then it becomes mine to get rid of. I am also withholding $200 of my "gift" until it's gone. But at least he turns over his keys today and will legally no longer be my tenant. He's been a PITA, but at least I don't have to take him to eviction court.

Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you. I wrote "engine/tranny". He has an entire engine, with the transmission, sitting in the living room. Seriously, WTF?

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

I don't care for the traditional type of cooking shows, but I do like some of the game ones...like Chopped...and I also like Restaurant Impossible. RI's host, Robert Irvine, is my favorite celebrity chef because I like the show and I like the (usually) practical business advice he gives.

brij2006 · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend?

Sort of spendy, but great.

$110 on groceries, $40 on car stuff, $40 on eating out, $110 on gas for boat, my car, and the SUV to pull the boat.

2. Progress towards goals?

So far so good, going to cash flow all of the fall house purchases needed, trip to Nashville, and any extras for the shed they're building.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

Gordon Ramsay for sure.

Xstatic3333 · September 2015

hoffse said:
Gordon Ramsay lovers should also check out "the F word." It's one of his British shows. Very good, and no the F word does not stand for what you think... it stands for food!

Love The F Word! It's nice to see other Gordon Ramsey fans! I feel like I'm always apologizing for him IRL since people get so put off by Hell's Kitchen.

vlagrl29 · September 2015

cbee817 said:

@vlagrl29 - I held it together until the bus drove off- then the tears started. She was so excited to go- it made it easier while we were waiting at the bus stop. It's weird- she's been in day care since she was 14 weeks old, but watching her get on a bus and drive away was a lot to handle! I think it's because with day care, DH and I dropped her off, saw her in the room, and left.. she was already inside the building and safe. I just hope she had a great day- she's at after school for about an hour or so until DH can pick her up.. hoping that goes ok too. Big day for sure.

I'm sure she had a blast! DD loves preschool so I'm sure she will love K. I get all misty eyed thinking about it. She's been with me every day of her life and hell yeah there were days where I wanted to pull my hair out, cry, drink alcohol and just get a break from her and now I think these days with her are limited and I feel bad about those thoughts.

SmrBrd2012 · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend?
Not bad. Bought about $30 for food/beer for a friend's party. I think that's it besides our normal groceries budget.

2. Progress towards goals?
Bit the bullet and paid off our smaller car loan. It was a good portion of our savings but we still have a pretty good e-fund for now. Right now I'm feeling anxious because it just went through but I'm sure I'll be feeling good in a few days!

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?
I'm not usually into celebrity chefs and their shows other than Chopped but I do love Alton Brown!

lbonga1 · September 2015

1. How MM was your weekend?

Well, we had my daughter's 1st bday party, but the morning of, she wouldn't put any weight on her leg. Turns out she fractured it, so we spent a lot of the rest of the weekend in and out of the hospital. Luckily it'll be covered by insurance, and no copay. Friday we spent $130 on groceries, including food for the party, and Saturday we spent $16 on dinner at the hospital.

2. Progress towards goals?

$2300 toward CC debt. About $3000 more to go, then I'll just have my car to pay off and my student loans.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

I like all the chefs that host Master Chef. I think their personalities work well together for that show.

jessica490 · September 2015

lbonga1 said:

1. How MM was your weekend?
Well, we had my daughter's 1st bday party, but the morning of, she wouldn't put any weight on her leg. Turns out she fractured it, so we spent a lot of the rest of the weekend in and out of the hospital. Luckily it'll be covered by insurance, and no copay. Friday we spent $130 on groceries, including food for the party, and Saturday we spent $16 on dinner at the hospital.

2. Progress towards goals?
$2300 toward CC debt. About $3000 more to go, then I'll just have my car to pay off and my student loans.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?
I like all the chefs that host Master Chef. I think their personalities work well together for that show.

Aw, I hope your daughters ok!

short+sassy · September 2015

@lbonga1...oh no! What a terrible way to start her 1st bday! I hope she is doing well, all things considered.

Update: Yay! My inherited tenant is gone now, locks has been changed, and he even found a way to get his engine out already. I'm extra glad about that. Even though the sofa set is still there, I didn't withhold any money because I'm not worried about it. It's easy to haul out to the curb if he doesn't do something with it over the next week.

blondie42107 · September 2015

lbonga1 said:
1. How MM was your weekend?
Well, we had my daughter's 1st bday party, but the morning of, she wouldn't put any weight on her leg. Turns out she fractured it, so we spent a lot of the rest of the weekend in and out of the hospital. Luckily it'll be covered by insurance, and no copay. Friday we spent $130 on groceries, including food for the party, and Saturday we spent $16 on dinner at the hospital.

2. Progress towards goals?
$2300 toward CC debt. About $3000 more to go, then I'll just have my car to pay off and my student loans.

3. Who is your favorite celebrity chef?
I like all the chefs that host Master Chef. I think their personalities work well together for that show.

Poor thing! I hope your DD is better soon!

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