Not a No, But a Sometimes

      This describes my perspective on spending right now beyond needs. Maybe I just have particular spending patterns that align where inflation has hit hardest, but I shake my head each month on the difference from a year ago. Thank goodness I was able to save a significant amount from my house and car insurance, but with new expenses for pup and everything else skyrocketing, I'm being cautious.

     Not that I'm going cold turkey on spending. I still want nice experiences, good and healthy food, travel again at some point, and there's things that need replacing or repairing around the house. I won't go into the details of my exact budget, but I'm focused on keeping with the adjusted retirement budget of 70% needs, 20%wants, and 10% emergency/unforseen expenses/cash savings (from the former 50-30-20). I'm also determined to not give myself a cost of living adjustment (COLA) from my retirement. I'm squeezing that 20% wants allocation and that includes contributing to a travel fund.

     While I can't think of anything I've all out cut from my prior budget, frequency and amount are considerations. Here's a few "sometimes" spending that used to be yes regularly.

Diet Coke/Diet Dr Pepper: I might buy a couple q2 packs or 24 pack, but stretch to the month or longer saving it as an occasional afternoon break. I've also purchased generic versions. If icy cold, it's still the crispness I look forward to.

Photo credit pexel.com

     Coffee when I fill up the gas tank: I love that all the places I fill up have the type of coffee machines you can select flavor and the machines grind the beans. Compared to coffee shops, the java's a fraction and lately it seems a straight cup of coffee (I don't do the coffee drinks) often tastes burnt, where as the machines taste fresh brewed. Still it adds up at even a couple dollars a cup and suspect will inflate more. I save coffee out for social get togethers for the most part, but will use any deals or freebies and treat myself to the occasional cup on the go.

     Filling Up: Of course without working outside the home, reliance on gas went down. I'm further trying to stretch and account for miles. The luxury of hopping in the car at a whim has been replaced with intentional planning and consolidating trips and waiting for higher gas coupons or points to bring cost per gallon lower. I was not necessarily wasteful before, but definitely not as intentional. I'm still going places, just consolidating whenever possible.

     Clothing: I'll always be clean and neat, house and garden work aside, but won't be winning any style awards. Instead, of buying more clothes I'm trying to invest time into knowledge and figure out what in my closet and drawers, looks best and perhaps cull to a more capsule like approach. Then, if there truly is a gap, fill in. I have decided I could use a replacement to a 14 year old pair of cotton denim, draw string trousers (seriously the best clothing purchase I've ever made) as the pair I have, has a few stains I have not been able to get out and are getting a bit thin in places. 

     Random gift purchases just "because": My gift drawer and closet shelf is being used up and unless something is truly a good gift for someone particular, no matter how cute or a bargain, it's staying behind in the store. As I declutter, I realize I've been the recipient of a lot of random pretty or one time use things that likely the giver found just because it was a "nice" and a good price. I'll still not turn down a great value gift though, but not to just linger in a drawer for maybe. 

     Deli Counter foods: With the exception of the occasional container of potato salad (because I can't seem to get a taste I like), I'm passing on those little containers of salads and dips and spendy price per pound sliced meat most of the time. There are times even when not working that time truly is crunched or something comes up spur of the moment that needs a food contribution, so I'll not say never to the convenience. 

     Are there things or categories you find yourself buying less frequently, but haven't cut completely? What's been the biggest shock to your budget? If you're reliant on your retirement funds like me, do you plan to give yourself a COLA or just trim a bit as I'm trying to do?