So I have had some messages asking how I am doing on my budget. The short answer is really good.
Here is how I'm feeling about it. When I started January by saying I was going to stop most of my spending and stick to a budget I was really nervous and doubted that I could actually do it. Those of you who know me personally know I love to shop and I love material items. No I'm not that shallow, but if I wanted to get my son a new Lego set or by something for the house or a pair of jeans I would.
I would also go to the grocery store without a list and just buy what ever my heart desired. This resulted in a miss mash of lots of food and snacks but nothing that really went together to make meals. So then I would return to the grocery store and spend more. There were months when I would spend over $600 on groceries because I wasn't organized and did not have a clear meal purpose when shopping.
In all honesty, the change has been better than I could have ever imagined. I use cash/debit for everything and I have been doing really well on my "weekly allowance." I allow myself $50 a week for spending on anything I want. This includes taking the kids out, dinner out with my friends, etc. I can't tell you the last time I stopped at a coffee shop for a $5 coffee, or wasted money on going out for lunch at work (I did treat myself to a Wendy's Kids Meal the other day and I regretted it after I ate it. I had a stomach ache all afternoon.) Having a stomachache will make my decision not to go get fast food easier the next time I might crave it.
It feels really good to just say "no" and mean it. I have noticed that by the end of January it was not as hard to say no anymore. My urges to stop and get coffee or waste my day off by shopping for items I don't really need have disappeared over time. I no longer feel like I'm fighting myself saying no. Its been easier and I just don't think about it anymore. Money decisions have become a way of life and I no longer feel the pull of my old ways.
January was a great month for us. We did not borrow from savings at all to cover bills or did I over debit our account. My bill from the department store (who shall not be named) from the holiday shopping was paid off and I'm happy to say we WONT be getting a bill for that store in February. Things are looking up but there is much more to do. I'm confident that if things keep going the way they are going and I am responsible spending vs. blind spending in 6 months we will notice a major difference from all of our hard work.
I did have some unexpected spending this month. I worried about how this would affect our budget, but because I'm not wasting money and I'm accounting for it, the spending didn't hit us that hard.
My flat iron died. This was a very sad morning for me because I had already dried my hair straight but it is frizzy until I flat iron it. So I got out my old curling iron and tried to use it. I'm curling iron challenged. So I broke down and ordered myself a new flat iron from amazon.com. Cost $31.00 for my favorite one.
I also had some co-pays to pay for yearly dr visits. Cost $75.00.
Normally the extra costs would be something we over stretched our finances for, but this month it was all good because we are finally being responsible.
Here are some tips to stay on budget:
1. Pay Your Bills On Time to Avoid Late Fees!
2. Use Cash Only!! You cannot spend what you don't have!
3. Save all your loose change! This will add up and you can cash it in at the end of the year!
4. Use Coupons. I love my personalized Kroger Coupons but you can also print coupons off the internet at sites like coupons.com, redplum.com, and Smartsource.
5. Brown Bag your Lunch - this will save you a ton of money and you will most likely be eating healthier.
6. Drink More Water - Pop, energy drinks, juice, etc. all cost extra money from your grocery budget. Water is better for you and way less money. You are going to be paying a water bill anyway so hydrate yourself without the cost and chemicals of other drinks.
7. Ditch Cable or at least switch to a provider that will give you a great deal.
8. Borrow from the local library - my son has been getting a new Nintendo 3DS game every two weeks and I've not had to spend a dime on them and he is so super happy to go and get a new one.
9. Buy Used Items when you can! There are so many online swap sites, craigslist, etc.
10. Check the community calendar for free events in your city or at your local library. A lot of places offer kids eat free on certain days, and even the local theater usually has some sort of special going on for moms or a kids day event. Take advantage of what is around you.
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