Budget so far this week is looking good, although the things we can't do anything about, like household expenses and car expenses, are kind of kicking our butts. Things like blowing out the sprinklers and getting an emissions test and new tags for the car (one car this month, one car next month) -- you know those thing that come up once a year and aren't a huge expense but still throw you for a loop. Oh and that whole pesky Christmas thing coming up. Yeah, we are planning our Christmas budget tonight, I think. It will be slim, but the holidays aren't about lavish presents so much as thoughtful presents, and that is what we are going for.
But I was able to spend only $69 at the grocery store this weekend, saving 37% using sales and coupons. I was even able to stockpile a few items (like dish soap and apple juice) that were super mega on sale. I think I might do one of those "pantry cleanout" weeks next week and see how many meals I can get out of the food just sitting on the shelves. I suppose that means I'll have to clean out said pantry, but it is in dire need of some organizing anyway.
Last week I thought we saved about 15% of our weekly "variable spending" budget, but actually it was just over 25%...a big savings! This week we have about double our retail and miscellaneous budgets because we didn't use any last week. Those are good ones to save up, since I need to get Evelyn some long-sleeved shirts for fall and maybe a sweater or two. And I need a bra like woah. We have a winter coat that was Aunt Rosie's when she was a girl. It is a crazy Chinese brocade silk-like material, almost down the the floor, but it will work. Plus, totally cute.
I am really digging this whole budgeting thing, oddly. Last week I wondered what I would have purchased if I hadn't been thinking about it, and how silly it would have been because I clearly didn't need it. We did just fine cooking our meals, packing our lunches, going to the park instead of the mall, and eating ice cream in the backyard instead of a Dairy Queen.
1 comment:
I am enjoying reading your budgeting posts. It makes me want to be better at it. A few years ago we went crazy at Christmas...literally the kids had to make like 4 trips downstairs with all their loot. It was ridiculous, and they didn't really play with half the stuff. Just because they say they want it, doesn't mean they really do, they just saw a commercial for it. So bravo on the "thoughtful" gift idea, it's way better than just any old gift.
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