We closed on the cabin Monday and, in theory at least, should be tightening our belts in the frugal family household. We've seen a lot of "out go" for fixing up the farm house to get it ready to put on the market as well as already written a check or 2 for work done on the cabin. Add (or subtract rather) to that the diminished savings for the down payment and our savings account looks pretty sad.
In the interest of full disclosure (interest *sniffle* I remember what getting interest on money was like...), we haven't planned our June budget yet. Sad huh? Jay's been working his hiney off and instead of money talks we've been kicking back after a long, hard day's work with our feet propped up and a cold beer in our hands. Well, sometimes my gets lukewarm. I drink slowly.
ANYHOO...
We've really been slack this month with our spending - on a month it should have been MORE important to pinch those pennies:
Eating out - $116.49
This includes a $40 birthday dinner, but beyond we've eaten away at it (see what I did there?) a little at a time. I hope to end the month under $150.
Groceries - $178.78
This includes adult beverages. I suppose I should have separated those out and put them under "entertainment" or "pissed down the toilet" but I was too lazy. I'm sensing a theme this month...
Jay's Personal Spending - $92.93
He bought a hat to replace one that didn't survive the washing machine. The price of dip has gone up (his favorite store changed ownership), and he found a restaurant beside his office he likes.
Brooke's Personal Spending - $68.58
I'm doing better than him for a change! This includes one race registration, some work on my bike, and a couple of fast food visits. I'm hitting Repeat Boutique this weekend so I need all the $$$ I can get!!
How are you doing this month on financial goals? Have you found what truly motivates you to work toward them (or any goal)?
Showing posts with label Finances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finances. Show all posts
June 22, 2012
June 10, 2011
Frugal Friday Fun!
Okay so I threw the "fun" part in just to sucker you in. Did it work? Mhahahahahahaha!
I think we're doing pretty good on the budget this month, although we did splurge on a dot com that I hope to introduce you to in the next few weeks. I'll be saying goodbye to blogger for greener pastures, but I promise to leave enough bread crumbs so that you can still find me!
Brooke's personal spending:
$125 budgeted/$25.26 actual
Doing well on this! I can continue spending at this rate (about $18 a week) and still have $45 left! I'm mulling over a clothing revolution for myself...so I'm thinking of early registration for a couple of races I have my eye on. The month is still young, so something could come up.
Jay's personal spending:
$95 budgeted/$0.54 actual
We got 3 more BP gift cards for $10, so I gave them to Jay and reduced his spending by that amount. He must have at least used 2, because 4 cans = $10.27. That means he's purchased 8 cans for the month? That can't be right. Hmmm...maybe a couple of charges just haven't shown up yet. (He typically uses a can a day.)
Groceries
$150 budgeted/$130.42 actual
There are a couple of things factoring into this one, so I'm not going to spaz. We've got plenty of food on hand, so I might be able to stick to the budget. Jay cooked me a super awesome birthday dinner including steak and chicken, so it wasn't exactly frugal or best price. But it was yummy.
Eating out
$100 budgeted/$0 actual
We went out to eat this weekend with my parents but they bought my dinner for my birthday and they wanted to buy Jay's too since he's been helping out so much with the garden (my dad's shoulder still isn't back up to snuff since his surgery).
This weekend we're staying in (as best I know) so we shouldn't spend anything. I hope to go under budget on this one, but we'll have to see. As I've said the month is still young.
How are things going with your budget?
I think we're doing pretty good on the budget this month, although we did splurge on a dot com that I hope to introduce you to in the next few weeks. I'll be saying goodbye to blogger for greener pastures, but I promise to leave enough bread crumbs so that you can still find me!
Brooke's personal spending:
$125 budgeted/$25.26 actual
Doing well on this! I can continue spending at this rate (about $18 a week) and still have $45 left! I'm mulling over a clothing revolution for myself...so I'm thinking of early registration for a couple of races I have my eye on. The month is still young, so something could come up.
Jay's personal spending:
$95 budgeted/$0.54 actual
We got 3 more BP gift cards for $10, so I gave them to Jay and reduced his spending by that amount. He must have at least used 2, because 4 cans = $10.27. That means he's purchased 8 cans for the month? That can't be right. Hmmm...maybe a couple of charges just haven't shown up yet. (He typically uses a can a day.)
Groceries
$150 budgeted/$130.42 actual
There are a couple of things factoring into this one, so I'm not going to spaz. We've got plenty of food on hand, so I might be able to stick to the budget. Jay cooked me a super awesome birthday dinner including steak and chicken, so it wasn't exactly frugal or best price. But it was yummy.
Eating out
$100 budgeted/$0 actual
We went out to eat this weekend with my parents but they bought my dinner for my birthday and they wanted to buy Jay's too since he's been helping out so much with the garden (my dad's shoulder still isn't back up to snuff since his surgery).
This weekend we're staying in (as best I know) so we shouldn't spend anything. I hope to go under budget on this one, but we'll have to see. As I've said the month is still young.
How are things going with your budget?
June 03, 2011
Financial Friday - May close out, Hello June!
Hopefully tonight (after we go to the pool) Jay and I will have our month end/month begin budget meeting. I know - Dave Ramsey would yell at me - June's should be done before the month begins. If that's the worst I'm doing wrong I'm in good shape.
Eating out - ??? budgeted/$156.89 actual
We were bad. Not sure why May's meeting never happened. Cannot let that happen for June.
Groceries - $200 budgeted/$263.03 actual
Jay and I discussed this one because he wanted me to stockpile and thought that a $200 budget for the entire month would be sufficient. Not so much. Honestly though now we don't have much room for me to buy more, although that's party because of a Sams Club trip. I got outta there for under $150. That's doing well right??
Brooke personal spending - $125 budgeted/$124.51 actual
I'm good.
Okay not really. Jay said I only had to count 1/2 of my thrift store purchases out of my personal spending, and my parents ending up springing for my usual Friday lunch this past week. The goal for June is to keep it down to $100 to prove to myself that if I get a smart phone the extra money out of this category won't hurt.
Jay personal spending - $85 budgeted/$101.66 actual
Tsk, tsk, tsk!! We'll discuss tonight if the extra comes off the top of next month's budget.
We got to pay extra on our mortgage this month, so I'm really hoping that will help me get more focused in my efforts. Although I hope Jay doesn't let that stop his generous heart when he goes birthday shopping for me!
Have you completed your budget this month? What's your biggest struggle?
Eating out - ??? budgeted/$156.89 actual
We were bad. Not sure why May's meeting never happened. Cannot let that happen for June.
Groceries - $200 budgeted/$263.03 actual
Jay and I discussed this one because he wanted me to stockpile and thought that a $200 budget for the entire month would be sufficient. Not so much. Honestly though now we don't have much room for me to buy more, although that's party because of a Sams Club trip. I got outta there for under $150. That's doing well right??
Brooke personal spending - $125 budgeted/$124.51 actual
I'm good.
Okay not really. Jay said I only had to count 1/2 of my thrift store purchases out of my personal spending, and my parents ending up springing for my usual Friday lunch this past week. The goal for June is to keep it down to $100 to prove to myself that if I get a smart phone the extra money out of this category won't hurt.
Jay personal spending - $85 budgeted/$101.66 actual
Tsk, tsk, tsk!! We'll discuss tonight if the extra comes off the top of next month's budget.
We got to pay extra on our mortgage this month, so I'm really hoping that will help me get more focused in my efforts. Although I hope Jay doesn't let that stop his generous heart when he goes birthday shopping for me!
Have you completed your budget this month? What's your biggest struggle?
May 27, 2011
Financial Friday - The "What Happens When You Fail to Plan" Edition
Howdy folks! Its time for another round of "how is the cheapest couple in the world mis-managing their money?!"
This month we never sat down to formulate a real plan for our money. Proving the old saying "if you fail to plan you plan to fail."
We're actually not doing that bad on the personal spending categories, but either of us will go over if we spend anything in the next 4 days. The eating out budget and the grocery budget have exploded out of control though.
First there was the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, then Mother's day weekend (that included travel and food for us as well as taking his mom out), then my Dad's birthday. We've spent a lot on eating out this month. The upside is that very little of it is actual due to laziness on my part.
Eating out: Budgeted ???? (we normally shoot for $75)/Actual $142.59.
We're going to Cades Cove for the first time this spring, so I'm sure we'll stop by the Phillips 66 and get a few of the best chili dogs around. Tomorrow is the Sam's Club visit, and like good cheapos we'll buy the jumbo cokes and eat free samples. Depending on Monday's plans we might make it out of this month under $150.
Grocery: Budgeted $200/Actual $261.09
Jay likes to keep a stockpile. That costs money. There were good sales this month. The good news is that we have a full pantry. Did I mention Sam's tomorrow? I full expect to break $300 by the end of the month.
Sadly we are currently out of frozen stir-fry veggies. For shame! And the 3 pepper and onion blend is dwindling.
The good news? Jay finally got our peach trees sprayed. My mom said that its slightly late in the year for it, so they won't be as pretty as they could have been. We should get enough for a good crop any way, but we might not have as many to freeze/give away.
Brooke's personal spending: Budgeted $125/Actual $124.51
I don't have any plans for shopping or eating lunch out between now and the end of the month, so I should be okay. Maybe. Possibly. If not any overage comes off my budgeted amount next month.
Jay's personal spending: Budgeted $85/Actual $84.93
Not sure if that amount includes any extra cans purchased for the next few days or not. If not then he's going over. I think we're out of the BP gift cards, so next month his spending will be bumped back up to $125.
We just bought a rental cabin, so we've had some remodel costs this month (our little work-in-progress) so more is going out than makes me comfortable. Time to batten down the hatches and really get focused on this money thing!
How have yall done this month? Getting closer to those goals??
This month we never sat down to formulate a real plan for our money. Proving the old saying "if you fail to plan you plan to fail."
We're actually not doing that bad on the personal spending categories, but either of us will go over if we spend anything in the next 4 days. The eating out budget and the grocery budget have exploded out of control though.
First there was the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, then Mother's day weekend (that included travel and food for us as well as taking his mom out), then my Dad's birthday. We've spent a lot on eating out this month. The upside is that very little of it is actual due to laziness on my part.
Eating out: Budgeted ???? (we normally shoot for $75)/Actual $142.59.
We're going to Cades Cove for the first time this spring, so I'm sure we'll stop by the Phillips 66 and get a few of the best chili dogs around. Tomorrow is the Sam's Club visit, and like good cheapos we'll buy the jumbo cokes and eat free samples. Depending on Monday's plans we might make it out of this month under $150.
Grocery: Budgeted $200/Actual $261.09
Jay likes to keep a stockpile. That costs money. There were good sales this month. The good news is that we have a full pantry. Did I mention Sam's tomorrow? I full expect to break $300 by the end of the month.
Sadly we are currently out of frozen stir-fry veggies. For shame! And the 3 pepper and onion blend is dwindling.
The good news? Jay finally got our peach trees sprayed. My mom said that its slightly late in the year for it, so they won't be as pretty as they could have been. We should get enough for a good crop any way, but we might not have as many to freeze/give away.
Brooke's personal spending: Budgeted $125/Actual $124.51
I don't have any plans for shopping or eating lunch out between now and the end of the month, so I should be okay. Maybe. Possibly. If not any overage comes off my budgeted amount next month.
Jay's personal spending: Budgeted $85/Actual $84.93
Not sure if that amount includes any extra cans purchased for the next few days or not. If not then he's going over. I think we're out of the BP gift cards, so next month his spending will be bumped back up to $125.
We just bought a rental cabin, so we've had some remodel costs this month (our little work-in-progress) so more is going out than makes me comfortable. Time to batten down the hatches and really get focused on this money thing!
How have yall done this month? Getting closer to those goals??
May 20, 2011
Financial Friday - The "Do I Have To" Edition
This isn't pretty. Supposedly posting weekly was supposed to make me better about this money stuff. Yall were supposed to be holding me accountable (great job with that by the way -_-) and I was going to get my stuff together.
All of that was an epic fail this month. We haven't even done an official budget this month. My "budgeted" numbers are just guesses, based on what we've done in the past.
One thing I'm considering (although we've been eating dinner in front of the TV so I keep forgetting to bring it up), is that clothing shouldn't come out of my personal spending. As long as I'm working a job outside the home I'm going to perpetually need clothing and that isn't a "luxury". I promise if I came to work naked I'd be fired.
Most of the time now, Jay makes special concessions for "shopping trips" and spots me money or whatever. I think it would be a more reasonable (and trackable) idea to set a certain amount for the year and when its gone I have to stop shopping. We'll see what he thinks about that idea.
On to the ugly numbers:
Eating Out - $150 budget/$103.79 actual
As I said this wasn't agreed upon, and is higher than we normally budget. This is an odd month though. We took his mother out for Mother's day. We'll be going out for my Dad's birthday this weekend. Also we did the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater first thing this month. So far we have no Memorial Day plans, not sure what that will bring.
Groceries - $200 budget/$211.36 actual
Can't really say what went wrong this month. I suppose I just stockpiled a bit too much, although Jay would argue that's not possible. The good news is our cabinets are full - so full in fact that one of them broke because it was holding too much weight! (We had 96 cans of veggies on it. Jay has since reinforced it and we've moved the veggies to individual shelves and moved lighter boxed type foods to this big cabinet.)
Brooke's personal spending - $125 budget/$124.51 actual
Obviously I'm going over this month. I had a race entry fee, a Goodwill shopping spree (I only had to count half against my spending), and lots of lunches out. I'm thinking for next month of putting $60 cash in an envelope for eating out and when its gone its gone. The rest of the money can be used for things like race entries, books, or whatever else strikes my fancy.
Jay's personal spending - $85 budget/$69.99 actual
We had several BP gift cards, and Jay was charged with using those up (which is why his spending is so much less than mine). Unfortunately, that caused him to not use his debit cards the required 12 times this month to get the 3.75% interest rate. Instead he got a whopping 0.0007% (okay so that's just a guess, but its something equally ridiculous). Not sure the state of his gift cards, but if he's out he's going over this month too. He spends $2.51 a day on dip.
So that's my financial report for the week. How are you doing with money?
Is this series ridiculously boring? Is there something I can add/change/remove to make it more exciting?
Have a fantastic weekend!!
All of that was an epic fail this month. We haven't even done an official budget this month. My "budgeted" numbers are just guesses, based on what we've done in the past.
One thing I'm considering (although we've been eating dinner in front of the TV so I keep forgetting to bring it up), is that clothing shouldn't come out of my personal spending. As long as I'm working a job outside the home I'm going to perpetually need clothing and that isn't a "luxury". I promise if I came to work naked I'd be fired.
Most of the time now, Jay makes special concessions for "shopping trips" and spots me money or whatever. I think it would be a more reasonable (and trackable) idea to set a certain amount for the year and when its gone I have to stop shopping. We'll see what he thinks about that idea.
On to the ugly numbers:
Eating Out - $150 budget/$103.79 actual
As I said this wasn't agreed upon, and is higher than we normally budget. This is an odd month though. We took his mother out for Mother's day. We'll be going out for my Dad's birthday this weekend. Also we did the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater first thing this month. So far we have no Memorial Day plans, not sure what that will bring.
Groceries - $200 budget/$211.36 actual
Can't really say what went wrong this month. I suppose I just stockpiled a bit too much, although Jay would argue that's not possible. The good news is our cabinets are full - so full in fact that one of them broke because it was holding too much weight! (We had 96 cans of veggies on it. Jay has since reinforced it and we've moved the veggies to individual shelves and moved lighter boxed type foods to this big cabinet.)
Brooke's personal spending - $125 budget/$124.51 actual
Obviously I'm going over this month. I had a race entry fee, a Goodwill shopping spree (I only had to count half against my spending), and lots of lunches out. I'm thinking for next month of putting $60 cash in an envelope for eating out and when its gone its gone. The rest of the money can be used for things like race entries, books, or whatever else strikes my fancy.
Jay's personal spending - $85 budget/$69.99 actual
We had several BP gift cards, and Jay was charged with using those up (which is why his spending is so much less than mine). Unfortunately, that caused him to not use his debit cards the required 12 times this month to get the 3.75% interest rate. Instead he got a whopping 0.0007% (okay so that's just a guess, but its something equally ridiculous). Not sure the state of his gift cards, but if he's out he's going over this month too. He spends $2.51 a day on dip.
So that's my financial report for the week. How are you doing with money?
Is this series ridiculously boring? Is there something I can add/change/remove to make it more exciting?
Have a fantastic weekend!!
May 19, 2011
Prison
Have you ever felt trapped?
I'm not talking about being physically pinned in while sitting in traffic. Or even overwhelmed by situational events.
But trapped in your own head?
That's how money makes me feel. I'm good with money. I have some money. I like to shop.
So why does the thought of spending money make me anxious? I'm not necessarily talking big ticket items. Really anything over $20 does the trick.
I sit here, reading my twitter stream, dreaming of a world in which I get to attend Fit Bloggin with the rest of my bloggy friends. Only I know that world doesn't exist.
Its hard to explain how my mind works. You know how it seems weird on Monk that he hates germs yet is compelled to touch every post he walks past? Its kinda like that. After all I usually spend most of my $125 personal spending on fast food. Yet spending $20 on a pair of work pants makes me pause to consider it. (I ended up saying "no thanks" to the pants.)
So while Jay & I are in a comfortable financial position, I can never see myself being willing to spend the $$$ on a blog conference.
Honestly that makes me sad.
I don't understand why I feel okay with spending several hundred on the Disney Marathon and not on Fit Bloggin. I don't understand why putting money in our Roth IRA seems normal, while buying a cabin to put on a rental program scares the poop outta me.
I really don't get it, but I feel trapped. Its the same with the great iPhone debate of 2011 (that will probably spill into 2012+)
A prison of your own making is a scary place to be. I don't understand the rules of confinement so how can I ever be free of them?
The things I deny myself are luxuries. Common luxuries, but it would be tough to argue that they were anything but frivolous extras. How will I know the point, when I reach it, that such luxuries are okay?
When we have our house paid off?
When we have a $1 million + net worth?
How much money is "enough" to set the HVAC on comfortable? We're certainly not living in 3rd world conditions, but I'm not sure many people would describe 60 in the winter as optimal, nor 80 in the summer. So where is that line? (If electricity were free I'd set it on 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer.)
I thought writing it out would help, but I think I need to stop now before giving myself a full blown anxiety attack.
Talk to me. What are your rules for spending on luxuries? Do you have any? How do they affect your long term financial planning?
I'm not talking about being physically pinned in while sitting in traffic. Or even overwhelmed by situational events.
But trapped in your own head?
That's how money makes me feel. I'm good with money. I have some money. I like to shop.
So why does the thought of spending money make me anxious? I'm not necessarily talking big ticket items. Really anything over $20 does the trick.
I sit here, reading my twitter stream, dreaming of a world in which I get to attend Fit Bloggin with the rest of my bloggy friends. Only I know that world doesn't exist.
Its hard to explain how my mind works. You know how it seems weird on Monk that he hates germs yet is compelled to touch every post he walks past? Its kinda like that. After all I usually spend most of my $125 personal spending on fast food. Yet spending $20 on a pair of work pants makes me pause to consider it. (I ended up saying "no thanks" to the pants.)
So while Jay & I are in a comfortable financial position, I can never see myself being willing to spend the $$$ on a blog conference.
Honestly that makes me sad.
I don't understand why I feel okay with spending several hundred on the Disney Marathon and not on Fit Bloggin. I don't understand why putting money in our Roth IRA seems normal, while buying a cabin to put on a rental program scares the poop outta me.
I really don't get it, but I feel trapped. Its the same with the great iPhone debate of 2011 (that will probably spill into 2012+)
A prison of your own making is a scary place to be. I don't understand the rules of confinement so how can I ever be free of them?
The things I deny myself are luxuries. Common luxuries, but it would be tough to argue that they were anything but frivolous extras. How will I know the point, when I reach it, that such luxuries are okay?
When we have our house paid off?
When we have a $1 million + net worth?
How much money is "enough" to set the HVAC on comfortable? We're certainly not living in 3rd world conditions, but I'm not sure many people would describe 60 in the winter as optimal, nor 80 in the summer. So where is that line? (If electricity were free I'd set it on 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer.)
I thought writing it out would help, but I think I need to stop now before giving myself a full blown anxiety attack.
Talk to me. What are your rules for spending on luxuries? Do you have any? How do they affect your long term financial planning?
May 06, 2011
Financial Friday - May kick off!
Jay and I have gotten May off to a wendy-spend start. He just bought a Droid (working out cheaper for us than for him to keep his air card and carry his computer around), we went on an impromptu mid-week date, and I got my one big grocery trip out of the way.
One thing we've decide with our spending money is that if we go over one month, its taken off the top of next month's. We're already off to a rough start.
Jay's spending money: $85 budgeted - $50.75 actuals
We participated in a gas promotion that BP was running a few months ago and received $40 in gift cards from them this past month. Jay agreed to take those cards for his spending money and reduce his budget line by as much. He typically spends most of his money on tobacco, purchased at his favorite BP station (because he buys it there almost daily its perpetually fresh), so its not like he's getting shorted.
Stopping in a book store with my mom, he found a book that he wanted badly enough to pay full price for, which put a big hit in his personal spending. No wonder he stole a couple of my beers last night!
Brooke's spending money: $125 budgeted - $43.30 actuals
This includes a race registration, so I haven't eaten that much of my spending money yet! Although I have purchased drive thru food twice already this month. In my defense I desperately needed that Dunkin coffee for my sore throat on the way to church Sunday morning. (No comment on the egg & cheese English Muffin that accompanied it.)
Jay and I each have accounts that earn 3.75% interest if we have 12 debits a month. I'm hoping to restart my CVS/Walgreens bargain shopping. If I can do that, then I will be able to accomplish most of my debits with those purchases and switch to cash only on my personal spending.
Eating out money: $100? budgeted - $65.45 actuals
We're running a little behind on getting this month's budget done (and last month's reviewed) that we have set a specific amount on this one. We did, however, spend all $65.45 in one place. Jay's been promising me for probably 2 years now that he would take me to the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater here in town, but its just never worked out.
At the beginning of the week Jay received an email that a local restaurant was giving away free dinner to celebrate their 20% anniversary. Jay and I planned to go right after work, but by the time we arrived, there was a 2 hour wait to be seated. We decided that instead of going home and eating sandwiches, we'd finally go see the dinner theater. The food wasn't all that great but the show was a lot of fun.
We normally shoot for a $75 budget. Since we're only $10 away from that with 3 weeks to go, I suspect we'll have to budget a little more this month.
Grocery money: $200 budgeted - $131.34 actuals
Jay wants to replenish our stockpile, so we upped the budget this month. As with last month, the plan is to only do 1 big trip, followed by smaller weekly trips. I've already done the big trip (obviously) and around $25 weekly should be enough to grab fresh fruit, veggies, or milk as needed.
Also? I love that my hubby thinks $200 is enough to stockpile groceries. I also love that in most cases he's right (cause I'm that good at grocery shopping/cooking).
I want to try and clean the freezer out in the coming few months. I'd really like to buy a whole cow from a local farmer, and we'd have no where to store it with a freezer full of Lean Cuisine entrees and frozen stir fry veggie blends. Rather than split the cow with someone, I think we'd be better off selling off parts of it to friends and family a few chunks each.
What are your financial goals for the month? Working on paying down a debt? Saving up for a new gadget?
One thing we've decide with our spending money is that if we go over one month, its taken off the top of next month's. We're already off to a rough start.
Jay's spending money: $85 budgeted - $50.75 actuals
We participated in a gas promotion that BP was running a few months ago and received $40 in gift cards from them this past month. Jay agreed to take those cards for his spending money and reduce his budget line by as much. He typically spends most of his money on tobacco, purchased at his favorite BP station (because he buys it there almost daily its perpetually fresh), so its not like he's getting shorted.
Stopping in a book store with my mom, he found a book that he wanted badly enough to pay full price for, which put a big hit in his personal spending. No wonder he stole a couple of my beers last night!
Brooke's spending money: $125 budgeted - $43.30 actuals
This includes a race registration, so I haven't eaten that much of my spending money yet! Although I have purchased drive thru food twice already this month. In my defense I desperately needed that Dunkin coffee for my sore throat on the way to church Sunday morning. (No comment on the egg & cheese English Muffin that accompanied it.)
Jay and I each have accounts that earn 3.75% interest if we have 12 debits a month. I'm hoping to restart my CVS/Walgreens bargain shopping. If I can do that, then I will be able to accomplish most of my debits with those purchases and switch to cash only on my personal spending.
Eating out money: $100? budgeted - $65.45 actuals
We're running a little behind on getting this month's budget done (and last month's reviewed) that we have set a specific amount on this one. We did, however, spend all $65.45 in one place. Jay's been promising me for probably 2 years now that he would take me to the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater here in town, but its just never worked out.
At the beginning of the week Jay received an email that a local restaurant was giving away free dinner to celebrate their 20% anniversary. Jay and I planned to go right after work, but by the time we arrived, there was a 2 hour wait to be seated. We decided that instead of going home and eating sandwiches, we'd finally go see the dinner theater. The food wasn't all that great but the show was a lot of fun.
We normally shoot for a $75 budget. Since we're only $10 away from that with 3 weeks to go, I suspect we'll have to budget a little more this month.
Grocery money: $200 budgeted - $131.34 actuals
Jay wants to replenish our stockpile, so we upped the budget this month. As with last month, the plan is to only do 1 big trip, followed by smaller weekly trips. I've already done the big trip (obviously) and around $25 weekly should be enough to grab fresh fruit, veggies, or milk as needed.
Also? I love that my hubby thinks $200 is enough to stockpile groceries. I also love that in most cases he's right (cause I'm that good at grocery shopping/cooking).
I want to try and clean the freezer out in the coming few months. I'd really like to buy a whole cow from a local farmer, and we'd have no where to store it with a freezer full of Lean Cuisine entrees and frozen stir fry veggie blends. Rather than split the cow with someone, I think we'd be better off selling off parts of it to friends and family a few chunks each.
What are your financial goals for the month? Working on paying down a debt? Saving up for a new gadget?
April 29, 2011
Financial Friday - Epic Fail
I anticipated it last week, and as suspected we've gone over budget in all the categories I'm posting here. Apparently I really need the accountability!
Let's just skip right to it shall we?
Brooke Personal Spending: $125 budgeted - $144 actuals
I have plenty of excuses for this. I purchased an audio book for the Mountain Man Memorial March. I found the perfect Halloween costume on eBay. I had to eat breakfast out on the way to my volunteer gig Friday/Saturday morning because I had to get up too early as it was.
The bottom line is that $125 is plenty of money, and had I used it wisely earlier in the month I could have done all of those things and stayed in budget. As usual, it all comes back to my fast food habit. One of these days I'll break it, or just throw my hands up and give up.
I'm helping a friend move tomorrow, so I'm not sure if they'll be anything added to this one or not. Whatever I go over this month, will be deducted from my starting total next month. Although I was under last month, and that extra money didn't get credited to this month. Hmmm.
Jay Personal spending: $100 budgeted - $124.65 actuals
He typically spends about $80 a month on dip, so I'm guessing the rest of this is beer. Looks like we definitely need to discuss repercussions of going over. We're both spending willy-nilly and obviously not caring that we're going over. This must change.
Groceries: $150 budgeted - $154.04 actuals
I did pretty good on this one if I do say so myself! This will be the monthly total so we're good on it. I went on one big shopping trip at the first of the month, then did weekly fruit/veggie/can't pass up sale runs the rest of the month. That also takes a load off of me time wise, because it means I'm only doing the "my night is screwed" trip once monthly.
Eating out: $75 budget - $81.86 actuals
The volunteer event put this one over too. Friday and Saturday I woke up at 5, drove for an hour each way to volunteer 12 hours daily of my time for a benefit sporting clays tournament put on by my boss's charity.
Since my husband is unwilling to prepare dinner for us, that meant either I had to get home at 8 in the evening and start dinner or else snag fast food on the way home. My choice is obvious, although the situation frustrates me.
I suppose I should plan better and have frozen meals on standby, but if I can be honest it just irritates me that I'm the sole provider of meals for us. Sure he'll fix himself a frozen pizza or pizza rolls if I'm having dinner elsewhere, but beyond that its all on my shoulders. I know this has nothing to do with money but I'm putting it out there any way.
So there.
Moving right along...I'm looking forward to the fresh start of May. I really think that knowing that I'm reporting in to yall is going to help me stay on track.
How are you doing moving toward your financial goals? If you want post then I'd love for you to leave your link in the comments!
Let's just skip right to it shall we?
Brooke Personal Spending: $125 budgeted - $144 actuals
I have plenty of excuses for this. I purchased an audio book for the Mountain Man Memorial March. I found the perfect Halloween costume on eBay. I had to eat breakfast out on the way to my volunteer gig Friday/Saturday morning because I had to get up too early as it was.
The bottom line is that $125 is plenty of money, and had I used it wisely earlier in the month I could have done all of those things and stayed in budget. As usual, it all comes back to my fast food habit. One of these days I'll break it, or just throw my hands up and give up.
I'm helping a friend move tomorrow, so I'm not sure if they'll be anything added to this one or not. Whatever I go over this month, will be deducted from my starting total next month. Although I was under last month, and that extra money didn't get credited to this month. Hmmm.
Jay Personal spending: $100 budgeted - $124.65 actuals
He typically spends about $80 a month on dip, so I'm guessing the rest of this is beer. Looks like we definitely need to discuss repercussions of going over. We're both spending willy-nilly and obviously not caring that we're going over. This must change.
Groceries: $150 budgeted - $154.04 actuals
I did pretty good on this one if I do say so myself! This will be the monthly total so we're good on it. I went on one big shopping trip at the first of the month, then did weekly fruit/veggie/can't pass up sale runs the rest of the month. That also takes a load off of me time wise, because it means I'm only doing the "my night is screwed" trip once monthly.
Eating out: $75 budget - $81.86 actuals
The volunteer event put this one over too. Friday and Saturday I woke up at 5, drove for an hour each way to volunteer 12 hours daily of my time for a benefit sporting clays tournament put on by my boss's charity.
Since my husband is unwilling to prepare dinner for us, that meant either I had to get home at 8 in the evening and start dinner or else snag fast food on the way home. My choice is obvious, although the situation frustrates me.
I suppose I should plan better and have frozen meals on standby, but if I can be honest it just irritates me that I'm the sole provider of meals for us. Sure he'll fix himself a frozen pizza or pizza rolls if I'm having dinner elsewhere, but beyond that its all on my shoulders. I know this has nothing to do with money but I'm putting it out there any way.
So there.
Moving right along...I'm looking forward to the fresh start of May. I really think that knowing that I'm reporting in to yall is going to help me stay on track.
How are you doing moving toward your financial goals? If you want post then I'd love for you to leave your link in the comments!
April 21, 2011
Financial Friday
I get that its not Friday, but tomorrow's gonna be a bit crazy for me so I figured I might as well get this habit started. Today is going to be a bit painful, as we're not doing too well at all on the budget, but here we go...
Eating Out: Budgeted $75 - Actuals to date $60.31
This has been a lot of casual dining. I wish we would go on one or two really nice out to eat excursions, but we that tends not to be our style. With the Easter holiday this weekend and nothing else planned, we should come in under budget on this item.
Groceries: Budgeted $150 - Actuals to date $123.18
Yesterday I spent $18 on strawberries, feta cheese, orange juice, and laundry detergent. Two tiny little bags. It made me sick to my stomach, but also very thankful that I have a pretty good size food stockpile. I like keeping a good base of meats and staples, then shop the sales as they come around. The food budget is so low because I do stock up on those months that ground beef or another commonly used items are on sale.
Jay and I have discussed buying an organic/grass fed cow from my boss, but I don't think we could use that much meat before it went bad in our freezer. We also can't find anyone here locally willing to split it with us.
Personal spending (Brooke): Budgeted $125* - Actuals to date $123.14
So it looks like I'll be going over budget this month. Oops. Personal spending includes clothing, lunches (or fast food purchased when alone), race registrations (if not to a charitable cause, when its for a charity it goes in the "giving" category), books, fitness equipment - pretty much anything that's not a necessity that doesn't benefit the whole family.
*If I decide upon an IPhone, this will come down to $100 so that our phone budget can be increase by the $25 monthly service plan it requires.
Personal spending (Jay): Budgeted $100 - Actuals to date $99.59
I've offered to let him bump his spending up to $125 but he likes to keep it at $100. That won't stop him from going over this month. He mostly purchases beer and tobacco with his money and I know that he won't go the rest of the month without buying more dip, so he'll be over by at least $20.
Eating Out: Budgeted $75 - Actuals to date $60.31
This has been a lot of casual dining. I wish we would go on one or two really nice out to eat excursions, but we that tends not to be our style. With the Easter holiday this weekend and nothing else planned, we should come in under budget on this item.
Groceries: Budgeted $150 - Actuals to date $123.18
Yesterday I spent $18 on strawberries, feta cheese, orange juice, and laundry detergent. Two tiny little bags. It made me sick to my stomach, but also very thankful that I have a pretty good size food stockpile. I like keeping a good base of meats and staples, then shop the sales as they come around. The food budget is so low because I do stock up on those months that ground beef or another commonly used items are on sale.
Jay and I have discussed buying an organic/grass fed cow from my boss, but I don't think we could use that much meat before it went bad in our freezer. We also can't find anyone here locally willing to split it with us.
Personal spending (Brooke): Budgeted $125* - Actuals to date $123.14
So it looks like I'll be going over budget this month. Oops. Personal spending includes clothing, lunches (or fast food purchased when alone), race registrations (if not to a charitable cause, when its for a charity it goes in the "giving" category), books, fitness equipment - pretty much anything that's not a necessity that doesn't benefit the whole family.
*If I decide upon an IPhone, this will come down to $100 so that our phone budget can be increase by the $25 monthly service plan it requires.
Personal spending (Jay): Budgeted $100 - Actuals to date $99.59
I've offered to let him bump his spending up to $125 but he likes to keep it at $100. That won't stop him from going over this month. He mostly purchases beer and tobacco with his money and I know that he won't go the rest of the month without buying more dip, so he'll be over by at least $20.
April 20, 2011
Checking (and Savings) Wednesday
Since I've decide to give the scale a break for a bit, I've decide to shift gears a bit. I don't plan on complete abandoning the healthy life. Yall know I wouldn't be happy without my training schedule and races. I have grown a bit bored with it though. I mean does me eating a snack sized piece of chocolate really worth a blog devoted to beating myself up?
I promise to continue with race reports, training updates, and "on the horizon" race information. For now though, the best way I can live healthy is to do it more and think about it less.
In that gear shifting, another aspect of my life gets myOCD attention. I've let my financial life sorta cruise by this last little bit. Jay and I built up a decent sized cushion and were enjoying living a little more relaxed than normal.
Then our tax bill came. Followed by a cabin (to be put on a nightly rental program) that was too good of a deal to pass up.
Our savings has taken a major hit these past couple of weeks. Goals that seemed to be in sight feel like they are slipping away. Its time to buckle down and I'd like for you to help keep me accountable. Hopefully we can trade ideas for smart financial living - something I'm sure most of us need as we watch the prices of gas and groceries rise before our eyes.
The first Friday of each month I'm going to share our budget with you. Not our entire budget. I'm not as open as a lot of personal finance bloggers who don't care to put all of the income/out go out there for the world to see. But I do think it would be helpful for certain categories to be out there like personal spending, eating out, and groceries. Then I can weekly post a recap of our spending in those areas for the week and really take a moment to review them.
What do ya think? Is this something that you'd like to read about? Be a part of? Or would you rather me lament having to pass up that chocolate? (If "no thanks" is your answer to both - I'm open to other ideas too. Just share them with me!)
I want to end each post with a review of my goals. As Dave Ramsey often says the "how" isn't anywhere near as important as the "why" - the why is the driver behind all hows.
I promise to continue with race reports, training updates, and "on the horizon" race information. For now though, the best way I can live healthy is to do it more and think about it less.
In that gear shifting, another aspect of my life gets my
Then our tax bill came. Followed by a cabin (to be put on a nightly rental program) that was too good of a deal to pass up.
Our savings has taken a major hit these past couple of weeks. Goals that seemed to be in sight feel like they are slipping away. Its time to buckle down and I'd like for you to help keep me accountable. Hopefully we can trade ideas for smart financial living - something I'm sure most of us need as we watch the prices of gas and groceries rise before our eyes.
The first Friday of each month I'm going to share our budget with you. Not our entire budget. I'm not as open as a lot of personal finance bloggers who don't care to put all of the income/out go out there for the world to see. But I do think it would be helpful for certain categories to be out there like personal spending, eating out, and groceries. Then I can weekly post a recap of our spending in those areas for the week and really take a moment to review them.
What do ya think? Is this something that you'd like to read about? Be a part of? Or would you rather me lament having to pass up that chocolate? (If "no thanks" is your answer to both - I'm open to other ideas too. Just share them with me!)
I want to end each post with a review of my goals. As Dave Ramsey often says the "how" isn't anywhere near as important as the "why" - the why is the driver behind all hows.
- Fully fund Roth IRA for 2011
- Pay off the house
- Start college savings for Princess (niece) & Little Man (nephew)
- Give to those in need
February 04, 2011
Financial Peace University
This is my speech for Sunday. Didn't want to make it too lengthy to bore people, but I also wanted to get plenty of information in. Please feel free to critique! I've got an English degree, so I'm use to something "average" being reworked into something "good". I promise not to be offended if you have a suggestion! Better that than me embarrass myself in front of the church!!
Instead of one of the professionally crafted videos advertising Financial Peace University, this Sunday you get me. Sorry about that guys.
I just wanted to let you know what attending FPU classes, along with learning the principles Dave Ramsey teaches, have done in my life. The class isn't magic. Dave isn't uber intelligent money guru. These are simple, common sense ways of handling money, that we, as a country, have lost sight of.
I attended FPU fresh out of college - complete with student loans and a brand new $400 a month car payment in hand. Every time Dave said "sell the car!" on the FPU videos I new he was talking about me.
If you can keep a secret - I didn't sell it.
I did, however, took a hard look at my money situation. Keeping the car meant making sacrifices - including living with my parents for a few years while I cleaned up the mess of "normalcy" I had gotten myself into.
Eleven years later I stand before you blessed. Monetarily, yes in some ways. But I'm not talking about a lottery ticket falling from the sky. I'm blessed to be the proud own of a paid for 11 year old car. I've been student loan free for almost a decade.
When my husband and I married, I started to get a better idea of what Financial Peace was all about. He's a self employed salesman, he doesn't have an hourly rate or even an annual salary. Straight commission can be a scary place to be.
While he's never attended FPU, we've discussed Dave's seven baby steps and have adapted them to our lives. Thanks to baby step 3 (an emergency fund of 3-6 months worth of expenses) we don't have to stress about whether or not he has a commission check coming in.
I listen to Dave's radio show whenever possible, and he says that one of the biggest issues couples fight about is money. Instead, money discussions bring us together. Monthly we sit down to review our past month's spend and look ahead to the next month. These principles have also given us cause to review our long term goals. And as they say "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time."
Instead, we chose to aim to buy or build a reasonable priced house in the farm house style. Last year, we were able to find just a house. I will admit that being married to your realtor does help things, but we found our dream home - in a price range that would be considered modest in this area.
I hope you'll consider Financial Peace University and how it could benefit your family. Thank you.
Instead of one of the professionally crafted videos advertising Financial Peace University, this Sunday you get me. Sorry about that guys.
I just wanted to let you know what attending FPU classes, along with learning the principles Dave Ramsey teaches, have done in my life. The class isn't magic. Dave isn't uber intelligent money guru. These are simple, common sense ways of handling money, that we, as a country, have lost sight of.
I attended FPU fresh out of college - complete with student loans and a brand new $400 a month car payment in hand. Every time Dave said "sell the car!" on the FPU videos I new he was talking about me.
If you can keep a secret - I didn't sell it.
I did, however, took a hard look at my money situation. Keeping the car meant making sacrifices - including living with my parents for a few years while I cleaned up the mess of "normalcy" I had gotten myself into.
Eleven years later I stand before you blessed. Monetarily, yes in some ways. But I'm not talking about a lottery ticket falling from the sky. I'm blessed to be the proud own of a paid for 11 year old car. I've been student loan free for almost a decade.
When my husband and I married, I started to get a better idea of what Financial Peace was all about. He's a self employed salesman, he doesn't have an hourly rate or even an annual salary. Straight commission can be a scary place to be.
While he's never attended FPU, we've discussed Dave's seven baby steps and have adapted them to our lives. Thanks to baby step 3 (an emergency fund of 3-6 months worth of expenses) we don't have to stress about whether or not he has a commission check coming in.
I listen to Dave's radio show whenever possible, and he says that one of the biggest issues couples fight about is money. Instead, money discussions bring us together. Monthly we sit down to review our past month's spend and look ahead to the next month. These principles have also given us cause to review our long term goals. And as they say "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time."
Instead, we chose to aim to buy or build a reasonable priced house in the farm house style. Last year, we were able to find just a house. I will admit that being married to your realtor does help things, but we found our dream home - in a price range that would be considered modest in this area.
I hope you'll consider Financial Peace University and how it could benefit your family. Thank you.
January 31, 2011
What Have I Gotten Myself Into?
While I love my church, I've always felt a little out of place. All the ladies in my Sunday School class are mommies (with one exception and she's currently expecting) and the majority of them are also teachers. So often, the topic of conversation is either babies, school, or babies.
When it comes to serving in the church, I've also had trouble finding my slot. Since I'd be a bit like Barnie Fife singing in the choir and just can't bring myself to volunteer to work the nursery or children's church, I've struggled to find a place to serve.
Enter Financial Peace University.
Our church is starting classes in February. I mentioned to Jay that I might attend them. "You already know everything they are going to say."
When I suggested that maybe I could help with the class, instead of being a participant, he said I was just being conceited thinking I could offer anything of value to the class.Says the man who just said I know everything re: the class.
I decided to suck it up and talk to the person coordinating the class after church. "I don't mean this conceited, but I've been through FPU. I listen to him on the radio daily. If you need any help, please let me know what I can do."
I was thinking that he might ask me to give my FPU story to the class for inspiration. Maybe be a mentor to a younger person in the class or something.
Instead, straight out of the gate, he socked it to me. "Well it would be great if you could speak before the church next Sunday about the affect FPU has had on your life."
The whole church?
All 250 of them?
Not just the 15 or 20 in the class?
*Big Sigh*
Then the conversation with Jay afterward. "I thought women weren't supposed to speak in church." Well its not really the service but before. Then again, you could always speak for our family. "No way. Why don't you just tell him that you don't wanna do it." Right, I've finally found a way to do something in the church I'm passionate about. I offer my services, then say "no" at the first thing I'm asked to do? I don't think so.
I've got a week to come up with a few minutes of motivational testimony to inspire people. This is life changing material.
Please pray that I don't ramble!!!
When it comes to serving in the church, I've also had trouble finding my slot. Since I'd be a bit like Barnie Fife singing in the choir and just can't bring myself to volunteer to work the nursery or children's church, I've struggled to find a place to serve.
Enter Financial Peace University.
Our church is starting classes in February. I mentioned to Jay that I might attend them. "You already know everything they are going to say."
When I suggested that maybe I could help with the class, instead of being a participant, he said I was just being conceited thinking I could offer anything of value to the class.
I decided to suck it up and talk to the person coordinating the class after church. "I don't mean this conceited, but I've been through FPU. I listen to him on the radio daily. If you need any help, please let me know what I can do."
I was thinking that he might ask me to give my FPU story to the class for inspiration. Maybe be a mentor to a younger person in the class or something.
Instead, straight out of the gate, he socked it to me. "Well it would be great if you could speak before the church next Sunday about the affect FPU has had on your life."
The whole church?
All 250 of them?
Not just the 15 or 20 in the class?
*Big Sigh*
Then the conversation with Jay afterward. "I thought women weren't supposed to speak in church." Well its not really the service but before. Then again, you could always speak for our family. "No way. Why don't you just tell him that you don't wanna do it." Right, I've finally found a way to do something in the church I'm passionate about. I offer my services, then say "no" at the first thing I'm asked to do? I don't think so.
I've got a week to come up with a few minutes of motivational testimony to inspire people. This is life changing material.
Please pray that I don't ramble!!!
January 21, 2011
Debt Free Friday
Okay before you get excited and start screaming "I'm deeeeeeeeebt freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" with me, I'm not debt free.
If you and your family are, please write me a book down there in the comments section with pointers/encouragement as to how you got there.
But it is Debt Free Friday on the Dave Ramsey show. I love listening to people calling in telling all about how they got out of debt. It does make me a twinge jealous though.
I want that.
But right now I'm not acting like it. I'm going out to restaurantstonight too often. I'm slacking on my couponing. I'm bumping the temperature up a few extra degrees when I get home from work. (In my defense on this one, I'm turning it up to 62* from 60*) I need to refocus.
Right now we have 2 debts: our house and astoopid piece of commercial property that Jay and his parents bought together before we were married and my "NO" vote counted. I sort of feel like now that we're on baby step 6, my gazelle-ness has worn off.
Just in case you haven't drank the Dave Ramsey kool-aid here are his baby steps to getting out of debt and building wealth:
1) $1,000 starter emergency fund
2) Debt snow ball (paying off the debts in order of smallest amount to largest)
3) 3-6 months of expenses emergency fund
4) 15% of income towards retirement*
5) Kids college fund
6) Pay off mortgage
7) Build wealth & give
*This one only applies if you have kids
As you can see, we're sorta, kinda, half way on #6. Due to the amount of the investment property, Dave (as I've heard him relate to other people on the air) would classify it in step 6.
Dave would also say "I told you so" on going into partnership with anyone (including family). Even if Jay and I were in a position to pay off our portion of the land, we couldn't do it right now unless his parents were in agreement. Since its a piece of vacant commercial land, the loan has to be resigned every 3 years.
Jay and I have decided that we want to work our buns off to have that money in savings in 2013 so that we don't have to resign. When presented in that fashion, the monthly payment will be lowered by the amount paid in, leaving the payment amount exactly his parents portion.
I guess part of the reason I'm writing this blog is because I want to get back into it. I want to save and pay down my mortgage and celebrate that every month is one month closer to being done with BOA (and debt) forever!
Our goal is to have the commercial land paid off (or sold) in 3 years, and the house paid off in5 4 years. (5 years was last year's goal, but we didn't do much to pay it down.)
We're certainly not going to do that unless we buckle down. I can take my personal spending down from $125 to $100 a month. That might sound high but remember hair cuts, dinner out with the girls, books, clothes all come out of that budget. We need to get better about food - both eating out and shopping at the grocery store.
Other than those things (and traveling and remodeling) I don't know where else we could cut back. What are some ways you save a little extra here and there?
If you and your family are, please write me a book down there in the comments section with pointers/encouragement as to how you got there.
But it is Debt Free Friday on the Dave Ramsey show. I love listening to people calling in telling all about how they got out of debt. It does make me a twinge jealous though.
I want that.
But right now I'm not acting like it. I'm going out to restaurants
Right now we have 2 debts: our house and a
Just in case you haven't drank the Dave Ramsey kool-aid here are his baby steps to getting out of debt and building wealth:
1) $1,000 starter emergency fund
2) Debt snow ball (paying off the debts in order of smallest amount to largest)
3) 3-6 months of expenses emergency fund
4) 15% of income towards retirement*
5) Kids college fund
6) Pay off mortgage
7) Build wealth & give
*This one only applies if you have kids
As you can see, we're sorta, kinda, half way on #6. Due to the amount of the investment property, Dave (as I've heard him relate to other people on the air) would classify it in step 6.
Dave would also say "I told you so" on going into partnership with anyone (including family). Even if Jay and I were in a position to pay off our portion of the land, we couldn't do it right now unless his parents were in agreement. Since its a piece of vacant commercial land, the loan has to be resigned every 3 years.
Jay and I have decided that we want to work our buns off to have that money in savings in 2013 so that we don't have to resign. When presented in that fashion, the monthly payment will be lowered by the amount paid in, leaving the payment amount exactly his parents portion.
I guess part of the reason I'm writing this blog is because I want to get back into it. I want to save and pay down my mortgage and celebrate that every month is one month closer to being done with BOA (and debt) forever!
Our goal is to have the commercial land paid off (or sold) in 3 years, and the house paid off in
We're certainly not going to do that unless we buckle down. I can take my personal spending down from $125 to $100 a month. That might sound high but remember hair cuts, dinner out with the girls, books, clothes all come out of that budget. We need to get better about food - both eating out and shopping at the grocery store.
Other than those things (and traveling and remodeling) I don't know where else we could cut back. What are some ways you save a little extra here and there?
October 08, 2010
Keeping it real
Did you ever wish you were someone that you weren't?
I'm not talking about wishing you were Josh Holloway's wife or could do push ups like Demi Moore in GI Jane. (Hi Christie O!)
I'm talking about wishing that a part of you were opposite of who you really are.
A coworker and I were talking about Disney and she said I was crazy for not flying down. It a 12-14 hour drive for us and we could probably get tickets for about $100 more than we'd spend on gas heading down there.
At that moment I wished I was the kind of person who didn't care about spending money. To be the kind of person who buys the latest cell phone with all the gadgets, that goes on vacation without worrying about the cost, that goes out and spends hundreds of dollars on new clothes because her old ones don't fit any more.
Yes it would be nice to "live a little."
But the cost of a plane ticket isn't worth the cost of my security. I know I've quoted it before, but Dave Ramsey (quoting someone else I can't remember) says that discipline is simply remembering what you want? He advised to not get bogged down in the how as much as focusing on the why.
Why do I want to save money? Why would I choose to deprive myself now?
(Although you'd be hard pressed to convince me that a weekend trip to Disney to pay $100 to run 26.2 miles is hardly deprivation of any kind.)
So, yes, I'll admit to jealous of those of you wouldn't think twice about spending the cash for the plane tickets. I do hope that I can convince Jay (and myself) that its worth it.
If not, I'll still be privileged enough to go to Disney, run the Marathon, and meet some wonderful ladies. I may not have it all, but you've gotta admit to be able to do those three things I must have it pretty darn good.
I'm not talking about wishing you were Josh Holloway's wife or could do push ups like Demi Moore in GI Jane. (Hi Christie O!)
I'm talking about wishing that a part of you were opposite of who you really are.
A coworker and I were talking about Disney and she said I was crazy for not flying down. It a 12-14 hour drive for us and we could probably get tickets for about $100 more than we'd spend on gas heading down there.
At that moment I wished I was the kind of person who didn't care about spending money. To be the kind of person who buys the latest cell phone with all the gadgets, that goes on vacation without worrying about the cost, that goes out and spends hundreds of dollars on new clothes because her old ones don't fit any more.
Yes it would be nice to "live a little."
But the cost of a plane ticket isn't worth the cost of my security. I know I've quoted it before, but Dave Ramsey (quoting someone else I can't remember) says that discipline is simply remembering what you want? He advised to not get bogged down in the how as much as focusing on the why.
Why do I want to save money? Why would I choose to deprive myself now?
(Although you'd be hard pressed to convince me that a weekend trip to Disney to pay $100 to run 26.2 miles is hardly deprivation of any kind.)
- I want a paid for house.
Our goal is to have the house paid in full over the course of the next 5 years. Not an easy task, given that we haven't even had the home for a full year. As a family who's livelihood is tied up in real estate, I think this is an important goal for us. He only gets paid if he sells something, which doesn't happen every month. Would be very freeing knowing that Bank of America isn't going to come calling at the first of every month - paycheck or no. - I want to retire early enough to travel and enjoy life.
Sure - I hope to be a healthy, spry 75 year old, but we're not promised that. I'd love to be able to retire at 60, hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail with my Love. Travel abroad, visit friends in other states (this means you) and just enjoy myself. - Pay cash for a bathroom remodel.
I think we're going to be able to do this one once we close on that piece of property we sold. We had the money for the new bathroom, then Jay decided we should use it to buy the land when it went up for auction. Good thing too, since we were able to sell it for a profit in a very short turn around time. - Fund our Roth IRAs for 2010.
Going along side both the retire and the bathroom goals, this one should happen this fall baring anything unforeseen. The earlier you get started on retirement the more opportunity compound interest has to work in your favor. I think we can accomplish this one with the money from the land sale. - Save up to buy a Jay a new (to us) vehicle.
He works very hard to provide for the family. Hopefully in the near future we'll be able to save up cash to purchase thatredneckquad cab pickup he's been wanting for years. - Vacation in Maui.
We've had an offer from a buddy of Jay's who lives there to come stay with him for a week or two.
So, yes, I'll admit to jealous of those of you wouldn't think twice about spending the cash for the plane tickets. I do hope that I can convince Jay (and myself) that its worth it.
If not, I'll still be privileged enough to go to Disney, run the Marathon, and meet some wonderful ladies. I may not have it all, but you've gotta admit to be able to do those three things I must have it pretty darn good.
July 16, 2010
Financial Friday -
I've whined mentioned a couple of times how I want a computer with Internet access at home, but its just not in the budget right now. More so for the monthly Internet fee than the couple hundred dollars that it would cost to buy a computer. Jay uses a Verizon card, so sharing isn't an option. If I'm unwilling to waste $60 a month on cable, why should I be willing to spend a similar amount to get on the Internet every now and then?
Dave Ramsey, on his radio show a few weeks ago quoted David Campbell, who put it all as concise as possible: "Discipline is remembering what you want."
What is it that I really want? A shower that I can comfortably shave my legs in. (The current shower is a tiny 2 foot by 2 foot stall).
I want a tub that I can fill will hot water and soak in after a hard day/training session. (Current tub is jetted, but too large to realistically fill with water & enjoy. Seriously - you could fit 3 of me in there!)
Jay said after his next commission check that we'd start seriously looking at a new bathroom remodel. That was 2 months ago. He went through a dry spell for over a month and it went on so long he forgot about his comment.
The Bible says "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12 The bottom line is I'm heart-sick and having trouble remembering what I want because it seems so far away.
So while a new fancy gadgets might be nice - a beautiful claw foot tub with shower adapter and a double bowl vanity in my master bath would be nicer.
I just need reassurance that my frugalness, couponing, and careful attention to budgeting is going to pay off. Sooner rather than later. I don't want to pass on movie invites, skimp on vacations, or deny myself cable & Internet for the rest of my life just for the sake of being a cheapskate.
The good news? After a couple of months of no closings, July seems to be Jay's month. We're going to start getting quotes from contractors at the end of the month (once we've got our checks in hand...erm...in the bank).
I want to enjoy my money, I suppose my wants in life are just a little too grand. I'm willing to give up the little things for my dreams. I'm just not willing to give up the little things AND the big things.
Which is it for you? Would you rather have a luxury home but no cable or an apartment filled with gadgets and such? I find it interesting to see what people think brings them most happiness (when it comes to material things). No right or wrong answers here. Well except "the free wildflowers that grow in my back yard make me happy."
While that may be true, that's not what we're talking about here. I know we're all living in a material world. So material girl - talk to me!
Dave Ramsey, on his radio show a few weeks ago quoted David Campbell, who put it all as concise as possible: "Discipline is remembering what you want."
What is it that I really want? A shower that I can comfortably shave my legs in. (The current shower is a tiny 2 foot by 2 foot stall).
Jay said after his next commission check that we'd start seriously looking at a new bathroom remodel. That was 2 months ago. He went through a dry spell for over a month and it went on so long he forgot about his comment.
The Bible says "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12 The bottom line is I'm heart-sick and having trouble remembering what I want because it seems so far away.
So while a new fancy gadgets might be nice - a beautiful claw foot tub with shower adapter and a double bowl vanity in my master bath would be nicer.
I just need reassurance that my frugalness, couponing, and careful attention to budgeting is going to pay off. Sooner rather than later. I don't want to pass on movie invites, skimp on vacations, or deny myself cable & Internet for the rest of my life just for the sake of being a cheapskate.
The good news? After a couple of months of no closings, July seems to be Jay's month. We're going to start getting quotes from contractors at the end of the month (once we've got our checks in hand...erm...in the bank).
I want to enjoy my money, I suppose my wants in life are just a little too grand. I'm willing to give up the little things for my dreams. I'm just not willing to give up the little things AND the big things.
Which is it for you? Would you rather have a luxury home but no cable or an apartment filled with gadgets and such? I find it interesting to see what people think brings them most happiness (when it comes to material things). No right or wrong answers here. Well except "the free wildflowers that grow in my back yard make me happy."
While that may be true, that's not what we're talking about here. I know we're all living in a material world. So material girl - talk to me!
July 09, 2010
Financial Friday the Sizzin Summer Edition
We had a little air conditioner issue two days ago my husband turned the a/c up to 82 on the hottest day of the year, when we reached a record setting temperature and it taking the upstairs unit 3 hours to cool 2 degrees that got me laying in bed last night worrying about it. Only time will tell if the upstairs unit is broken or if it was just poor timing on Jay's part. (It seems to be working okay now - we just might be in the clear).
That night Jay was still up working and so I told him to chat with me to get the worry of an a/c repair off my mind. He reminded me how blessed we are - to have a house big enough to need two a/c units, to have enough money in the bank to repair them if need be.
Laying there I remembered that when I turned 30, I let my aunt down. She's always said that I'd be a millionaire before I turned 30. Needless to say I didn't quite make it. Jay laughed at how difficult that would have been to do with me making $12 an hour.
That led into a conversation about where we wanted to be financially before we cut loose. Basically when are we going to stop living like no one else, and truly start living like no one else.
Jay suggested that when we have $250,000 in the bank we could start altering our habits some.
Yeah, that's what I thought too.
I told him that he was crazy and that we'd do stuff with money before we ever accumulated that much. We've got a bath room to remodel, a garage to built, a mortgage to pay off, and by that time a new (to us) car to buy for Jay's work purposes.
We agreed that when we did all that AND had $100,000 in the bank we'd really cut loose. (Sad isn't it? I'm never gonna get a Kindle!)
What does cutting loose mean to us? Jay really didn't say, but I was able to list off a few things. Most of which yall probably think are crazy and already do.
I'm a wild one aren't I??
Who is probably never going to get a Kindle cause I've got some pretty lofty financial goals. But seriously people - I've always got trade credit at the used book store and I'm desperate to get rid of that tiny, claustrophobic 2 foot X 2 foot shower.
Then again maybe by the time I get a Kindle we'll also be well off enough to get Laser hair removal on my legs and never have to shave again.
I guess a girl can dream.
As long as she's not lying awake worrying about money.
Or anxiously awaiting her (used paperback) copy of the Millionaire Next Door.
That night Jay was still up working and so I told him to chat with me to get the worry of an a/c repair off my mind. He reminded me how blessed we are - to have a house big enough to need two a/c units, to have enough money in the bank to repair them if need be.
Laying there I remembered that when I turned 30, I let my aunt down. She's always said that I'd be a millionaire before I turned 30. Needless to say I didn't quite make it. Jay laughed at how difficult that would have been to do with me making $12 an hour.
That led into a conversation about where we wanted to be financially before we cut loose. Basically when are we going to stop living like no one else, and truly start living like no one else.
Jay suggested that when we have $250,000 in the bank we could start altering our habits some.
Yeah, that's what I thought too.
I told him that he was crazy and that we'd do stuff with money before we ever accumulated that much. We've got a bath room to remodel, a garage to built, a mortgage to pay off, and by that time a new (to us) car to buy for Jay's work purposes.
We agreed that when we did all that AND had $100,000 in the bank we'd really cut loose. (Sad isn't it? I'm never gonna get a Kindle!)
What does cutting loose mean to us? Jay really didn't say, but I was able to list off a few things. Most of which yall probably think are crazy and already do.
- Leave the A/C on 78 in the Summer and the heat on 68 in the Winter.
- Buy an Amazon Kindle - I love reading and it seems like a fun new technology.
- Get a phone with Internet access so I can play on Facebook, Twitter, and check my email any where.
- Maybe, just maybe, get Cable TV.
I'm a wild one aren't I??
Who is probably never going to get a Kindle cause I've got some pretty lofty financial goals. But seriously people - I've always got trade credit at the used book store and I'm desperate to get rid of that tiny, claustrophobic 2 foot X 2 foot shower.
Then again maybe by the time I get a Kindle we'll also be well off enough to get Laser hair removal on my legs and never have to shave again.
I guess a girl can dream.
As long as she's not lying awake worrying about money.
Or anxiously awaiting her (used paperback) copy of the Millionaire Next Door.
July 02, 2010
Financial Friday - List o' goals
Looking back over previous posts, I found this one from last year. I blogged about the things I wanted to accomplish (I didn't set a time period).
Looks like I'm gonna need a new list!!
Here is my financial checklist (July 2009):
Pay off land
Get life insurance
Open Roth IRA
Save for a down payment for a house
1) Pay off land
That one's been marked off for a while now. Funny, sometimes I forget about it. I mean when there is no bill in the mail each month for it, its easier to slip your mind.
Jay and I aren't sure we're going to build on it any more. We love our current house so much (and got such a good deal on it) we're considering making it our forever home. If that's the case we'll have to do some updates (adding a garage, completely revamping the bathroom, buying the neighboring lots).
For now, we're hanging on to the land, just in case.
2) Get life insurance
Done. We were already working on that when I created this list. Now I don't have to think about it any more until the bill shows up in my mailbox once a year.
3) Open a Roth IRA
This was the most recent item marked off the list. We did it April of this year, right before the tax deadline - which is also the deadline to contribute money to retirement funds for 2009. We decided that way would leave us open to adding more for 2010, but that if business for Jay wasn't as good we would still at least have retirement started.
4) Save for a down payment for a house
As you know, we not only saved for a house - we've found one and are settled in.
Okay so now that Fiscal Year 2010 is wrapping up and FY 2011 is starting (at least at my work place) I'd like to set some goals for the coming year.
1) Save up the cash for a bath remodel
I'd like to rip out the jetted tub & tiny shower in the master bath and replace it with a claw foot tub. I hate that tiny shower!
2) Fully fund our Roth IRAs for 2010
3) Save up for a new vehicle for Jay
Hopefully his Durango has a bit more life left in it, but its not a spring chicken, and he's hard on vehicles. Dave Ramsey says never buy a car from a Real Estate agent and I agree with him! (Unless of course, you're interested in a Maroon Dodge Durango with over 150,000 miles on it.)
4) Begin to pay off our home early
Jay and I have a 5 year goal of having our house completely paid for. That's a lofty one. It would mean saving up $20K each year just to put towards the house (not including retirement, vacation, or other savings).
Dream big right? After all most people thought I was crazy jumping from a 5K to a half marathon and I pulled that one out. Maybe, just maybe, we can make this one work too.
How are you doing with your financial goals. You do have goals. Right? Talk to me!
Looks like I'm gonna need a new list!!
Here is my financial checklist (July 2009):
1) Pay off land
That one's been marked off for a while now. Funny, sometimes I forget about it. I mean when there is no bill in the mail each month for it, its easier to slip your mind.
Jay and I aren't sure we're going to build on it any more. We love our current house so much (and got such a good deal on it) we're considering making it our forever home. If that's the case we'll have to do some updates (adding a garage, completely revamping the bathroom, buying the neighboring lots).
For now, we're hanging on to the land, just in case.
2) Get life insurance
Done. We were already working on that when I created this list. Now I don't have to think about it any more until the bill shows up in my mailbox once a year.
3) Open a Roth IRA
This was the most recent item marked off the list. We did it April of this year, right before the tax deadline - which is also the deadline to contribute money to retirement funds for 2009. We decided that way would leave us open to adding more for 2010, but that if business for Jay wasn't as good we would still at least have retirement started.
4) Save for a down payment for a house
As you know, we not only saved for a house - we've found one and are settled in.
Okay so now that Fiscal Year 2010 is wrapping up and FY 2011 is starting (at least at my work place) I'd like to set some goals for the coming year.
1) Save up the cash for a bath remodel
I'd like to rip out the jetted tub & tiny shower in the master bath and replace it with a claw foot tub. I hate that tiny shower!
2) Fully fund our Roth IRAs for 2010
3) Save up for a new vehicle for Jay
Hopefully his Durango has a bit more life left in it, but its not a spring chicken, and he's hard on vehicles. Dave Ramsey says never buy a car from a Real Estate agent and I agree with him! (Unless of course, you're interested in a Maroon Dodge Durango with over 150,000 miles on it.)
4) Begin to pay off our home early
Jay and I have a 5 year goal of having our house completely paid for. That's a lofty one. It would mean saving up $20K each year just to put towards the house (not including retirement, vacation, or other savings).
Dream big right? After all most people thought I was crazy jumping from a 5K to a half marathon and I pulled that one out. Maybe, just maybe, we can make this one work too.
How are you doing with your financial goals. You do have goals. Right? Talk to me!
May 14, 2010
Financial Friday
This is going to be a quick driveby post as I've got a lot going at the moment, and I still want to be able to get around to your blogs!
Just wanted to give you a few financial suggestions from your friendly neighborhood frugaltistawho splurges and pays $1.99 for fancy, smancy bread.
Do a budget!
A budget is important for several reasons. You need to know where your money is going. Jay & I work on the budget at the first of the month, calculating the projections of our spending. Then I go back at the end to see what our actual totals are.
It also promotes conversation in my marriage. I don't have to tell you how busy life is, but real, meaningful conversation is vital to the health of a relationship. Jay and I have plenty of "hi honey how was your day" conversations, but I love having at least once a month where we discuss our hopes and dreams.
The first month we budgeted, we made a list of all the things we wanted to do with any "extra" money that came our way. Since then we've both opened Roth Ira accounts and have had a contractor to the house to give us a rough quote about adding a garage to our home. I think it might be awhile before we get the $30,000 in the "garage/master bath" column of our savings, but its nice knowing where it stands on our priority lists.
Eliminate wasteful spending
A lesson our government could stand to learn.
Seriously though look around. How many button up blouses do you really need? Really wear? And 60 pair of shoes? Come on that's pathetic. What - I'm the only one with that many? Oops, forget I said anything.
I think most of us have more than we would ever need. Today Lois issued a challenge - starting June 1st, no clothing shopping for a year. I'm going to take her up on it, with a slight modification. I do need new pants, as I've dropped 2 pant sizes in the past year. The HR lady has even commented on my pants being too big (Lois - no telling them she's one of my besties and is trying to make me feel good).
I'm taking her up on her challenge in part - no new tops, no new shoes (besides Jay would kill me if he had to build even more shoe shelves), no new purses. If I buy pants, I have to donate a too big pair to charity.
Consider your gifts
This year, my sister threatened bodily harm if we bought her children toys for their birthdays & they didn't need new clothing. The princess lied to her babysitter and told her that her pants were so tight she couldn't eat lunch (lie #1) and that they were bruising her belly (lie #2) so the babysitter took her on a target shopping spree.
My sister's suggestion was to either put money in their college fund, or buy a toy for an orphan. Since I don't know any orphans, Jay and I wrote a check to be deposited in their bank account. I wouldn't be cool Auntie Boo if I didn't buy them a toy to open at their party, but a $1 DVD from the Dollar Tree about Daniel and the Lion's den will work just as well as a $20 Hannah Montana DVD.
When I called my niece on her birthday she told me "thank you for the money making money." That's how my sister explained it to her - that Aunt Boo and Uncle Jay put money in an account for her so that it would make even more money. It wasn't a lot, but hopefully over the course of the next 12 years compound interested will work in her favor and it'll help her further her education.
Follow the Babysteps
Its no secret I'm a Dave Ramsey fan. His baby step process really works - so try it! (He's also giving away $1,000 every day in May so go register!)
Just wanted to give you a few financial suggestions from your friendly neighborhood frugaltista
Do a budget!
A budget is important for several reasons. You need to know where your money is going. Jay & I work on the budget at the first of the month, calculating the projections of our spending. Then I go back at the end to see what our actual totals are.
It also promotes conversation in my marriage. I don't have to tell you how busy life is, but real, meaningful conversation is vital to the health of a relationship. Jay and I have plenty of "hi honey how was your day" conversations, but I love having at least once a month where we discuss our hopes and dreams.
The first month we budgeted, we made a list of all the things we wanted to do with any "extra" money that came our way. Since then we've both opened Roth Ira accounts and have had a contractor to the house to give us a rough quote about adding a garage to our home. I think it might be awhile before we get the $30,000 in the "garage/master bath" column of our savings, but its nice knowing where it stands on our priority lists.
Eliminate wasteful spending
A lesson our government could stand to learn.
Seriously though look around. How many button up blouses do you really need? Really wear? And 60 pair of shoes? Come on that's pathetic. What - I'm the only one with that many? Oops, forget I said anything.
I think most of us have more than we would ever need. Today Lois issued a challenge - starting June 1st, no clothing shopping for a year. I'm going to take her up on it, with a slight modification. I do need new pants, as I've dropped 2 pant sizes in the past year. The HR lady has even commented on my pants being too big (Lois - no telling them she's one of my besties and is trying to make me feel good).
I'm taking her up on her challenge in part - no new tops, no new shoes (besides Jay would kill me if he had to build even more shoe shelves), no new purses. If I buy pants, I have to donate a too big pair to charity.
Consider your gifts
This year, my sister threatened bodily harm if we bought her children toys for their birthdays & they didn't need new clothing. The princess lied to her babysitter and told her that her pants were so tight she couldn't eat lunch (lie #1) and that they were bruising her belly (lie #2) so the babysitter took her on a target shopping spree.
My sister's suggestion was to either put money in their college fund, or buy a toy for an orphan. Since I don't know any orphans, Jay and I wrote a check to be deposited in their bank account. I wouldn't be cool Auntie Boo if I didn't buy them a toy to open at their party, but a $1 DVD from the Dollar Tree about Daniel and the Lion's den will work just as well as a $20 Hannah Montana DVD.
When I called my niece on her birthday she told me "thank you for the money making money." That's how my sister explained it to her - that Aunt Boo and Uncle Jay put money in an account for her so that it would make even more money. It wasn't a lot, but hopefully over the course of the next 12 years compound interested will work in her favor and it'll help her further her education.
Follow the Babysteps
Its no secret I'm a Dave Ramsey fan. His baby step process really works - so try it! (He's also giving away $1,000 every day in May so go register!)
April 16, 2010
Friday Free for All
I was a bad girl and didn't try anything new this week, so I'm not able to particpate in the Shrinking Jeans Monday Project. I really don't have anything new to chat about so I thought I'd throw a little of this and a little of that.
Financial Friday
Jay and I conquered 2 big financial hurdles this week - taxes and opening Roth Iras. I was a bit worried about taxes this year. We had a ball park about what we thought they should be, and had the money squirreled away in savings. I feared the worsts - that Jay had miscalculated somehow and we would owe more than he expected.
Thankfully that wasn't the case.
We had actually over funded our tax savings so we used the remainder to open up Roth IRAs for each of us. For the first time in my life I know what those people who get huge tax refunds each yera feel like - only I had the privilage of keeping my money all year and earning interest on it.
We were on a time crunch with the IRAs because up until April 15th you can fund a Roth for the previous year. Choosing to use the money towards 2009's investment limit means that we can work the rest of the year to save up and try to add for as 2010's contribution. Its really a win-win, we have the opportunity to save more later if we can, but if the funds just aren't there they we don't have to contribute again this year.
Fitness Friday
This weekend is the big walk - the Mountain Man Memorial March. 26.2 miles walking with 4 other ladies all in support of our team captain's husband. She's currently station here, with their 3 year old son, while he's station in Iraq serving our country. After registering this evening, we're going to dinner for a girls night out/carb load combo. Not sure we'll be going hard enough to need to carb load, but who can turn down great Italian food?
This morning I shaved even more time off my swim. I did 400M in 16 minutes. Not a great time, but good for my considering I did 300M on Monday in the same amount of time. I'm not great at this swimming thing, but I'm coming along.
I freaked out earlier in the week when I learned that the community center indoor pool would be closing for renovation on May 1st. Normally the outdoor pool doesn't open until Memorial day - May 31st - the day of my triathlon. Thankfully they are going to open the outdoor pool to lap swim early to accomodate the indoor pool users.
Great news. Only its going to be as cold as wiz in that pool.
Fashion Friday
I wore a super cute outfit - accessorized well and everything - earlier in the week. So well that I wanted to get a picture but as usual I never got around to it. I found a cute spaghetti strap full length dress on sale at target in the dead of winter ($5 and size XS - can't beat that!). I wore it once in the winter with a long sleeved tee under it. This week I wore a short sleeved white tee (the dress is hot pink) with a long silver strand with white beads ever 3 inches or so, and a cute pair of gray flats.
Totally much cuter in person than in the description.
Oh well.
So, what's up with you this weekend
Financial Friday
Jay and I conquered 2 big financial hurdles this week - taxes and opening Roth Iras. I was a bit worried about taxes this year. We had a ball park about what we thought they should be, and had the money squirreled away in savings. I feared the worsts - that Jay had miscalculated somehow and we would owe more than he expected.
Thankfully that wasn't the case.
We had actually over funded our tax savings so we used the remainder to open up Roth IRAs for each of us. For the first time in my life I know what those people who get huge tax refunds each yera feel like - only I had the privilage of keeping my money all year and earning interest on it.
We were on a time crunch with the IRAs because up until April 15th you can fund a Roth for the previous year. Choosing to use the money towards 2009's investment limit means that we can work the rest of the year to save up and try to add for as 2010's contribution. Its really a win-win, we have the opportunity to save more later if we can, but if the funds just aren't there they we don't have to contribute again this year.
Fitness Friday
This weekend is the big walk - the Mountain Man Memorial March. 26.2 miles walking with 4 other ladies all in support of our team captain's husband. She's currently station here, with their 3 year old son, while he's station in Iraq serving our country. After registering this evening, we're going to dinner for a girls night out/carb load combo. Not sure we'll be going hard enough to need to carb load, but who can turn down great Italian food?
This morning I shaved even more time off my swim. I did 400M in 16 minutes. Not a great time, but good for my considering I did 300M on Monday in the same amount of time. I'm not great at this swimming thing, but I'm coming along.
I freaked out earlier in the week when I learned that the community center indoor pool would be closing for renovation on May 1st. Normally the outdoor pool doesn't open until Memorial day - May 31st - the day of my triathlon. Thankfully they are going to open the outdoor pool to lap swim early to accomodate the indoor pool users.
Great news. Only its going to be as cold as wiz in that pool.
Fashion Friday
I wore a super cute outfit - accessorized well and everything - earlier in the week. So well that I wanted to get a picture but as usual I never got around to it. I found a cute spaghetti strap full length dress on sale at target in the dead of winter ($5 and size XS - can't beat that!). I wore it once in the winter with a long sleeved tee under it. This week I wore a short sleeved white tee (the dress is hot pink) with a long silver strand with white beads ever 3 inches or so, and a cute pair of gray flats.
Totally much cuter in person than in the description.
Oh well.
So, what's up with you this weekend
December 17, 2009
Because I'm lame with titles...Thrifty Thursday
I thought I'd take a moment to brag on myself...well because its my blog and I can!
Jay and I try very hard to be frugal, sometimes to the point of being miserly. I hope over all that's not the case, and I think the big year we've had proves it. We got the thrill of paying off our 5.5 acres of land in less than a year as well as a super-cool awesome trip to California.
Not exactly the "self imposed poverty" that a friend of mine accuses me of.
I suppose, in her defense, we are very weird.
We don't have cable. Which honestly this time of year sucks. All the normal TV is off until January and all the Christmas specials are lame. So I've been going to sleep around 9 each night - and loving every minute of that extra sleep.
We figured it out, and could rent a Redbox movie every night for a month and still make it out cheaper than cable. Since the sparing TV choices is an exception, not the norm, we're just fine with Redboxing it for Christmas.
I also don't spend that much at the grocery store. I stockpile ground turkey when its on sale for $1 lb and do the same with chicken breasts at $1.99 lb. (I tried the chicken parts thing, and its just not worth it to me.) I only buy coke when its on sale (I never pay more than $2.50 a twelve pack), never buy chips or cookies, and menu plan so that I use from my stockpile (and replentish the stockpile when things are at their rock bottom sale price).
Our goal is to have the new home paid off in 5-6 years. Its totally doable assuming our incomes stay the same and we keep our standard of living where it is. He is 1/3 owner of some commercial property, and if we can get that sold, then we'd probably be able to pay the house off sooner.
The thing about our standard of living is that neither of us feel like we're missing out on anything. Sure I'd like to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe of clothing, but that's just impractical. We've set price limits on Christmas ($15 for my sister and $15 for her husband - they are doing the same) not because that's all we can afford, but because none of us need anything.
Jay and I were talking the other day and I told him the one area that I'd like to branch out in and spend more money (when we've got the house paid off and we're off rice & beans) is our meat selections. I got some beef cubes on manager's special last year and they were delicious in with stir fry and rice.
Can you keep a secret??
I spent $37 at the grocery store this week!!
I normally spend about $100 or less on groceries for the month, so this was a big splurge (although I've only spent $30 the rest of the month, so I don't think I'll go over budget.)
There were a couple of packages of beef shank something or other on sale for $1.50 each (slightly less than a pound per package) so I figured I would grab those suckers up! Chicken breasts were on sale, as were the tenders, so I grabbed about 6 lbs of those.
I was excited that the tenders were on sale for the same price as the whole breasts because i usually end up cutting up the chicken and putting it on the George Foreman grill for recipes calling for cooked chicken any way. The tenders saved me a step!
I found two 1/2 gallons of milk on manager's special - taking it down to the same price per ounce of a whole gallon. Since Jay doesn't use milk, a half gallon is the perfect size. I put one in the fridge for use this week (its sell by date was today) and one in the freezer for later. I'm sure between cereal and protein shakes I won't have a problem using it up.
Speaking of cereal, I had noticed a $2 off any all bran cereal coupon in my binder that expires at the end of the month. I figured I check it out, and if the cereal wasn't too pricy I'd go ahead and get a box. Most of the flavors were in the $3 range.
Then I noticed an item close out sticker. The All Bran Yogurt bites cereal was on sale for $2.58. Which mean $0.58 after coupon!! Not the most yummy sounding flavor, but for the price I couldn't pass it up.
I also had a coupon for frozen fruit, so I splurged and got some frozen peaches (to be used on oatmeal in the future). I finished my splurgefest by getting wheat thins and garden veggie cream cheese just because I was craving it.
I grabbed the salad stuff for this weekend's Christmas party and I was headed to checkout. Mentally it was hard spending almost $40 on one week of groceries, but I keep telling myself that was Money Saving Mom's budget so it couldn't be too frivilous. (Of course all the while ignoring the voice in the back of my head reminding me that she's a family of 5, and I'm just feeding one and a half people - Jay only eats dinner).
So that's my shopping trip for the week. Probably the most boring post I've written in a while, but I was quite proud of myself and wanted to share my exictement!!
What's your money saving tip that you swear by? Is it in your grocery budget? Clothing budget? Frugal McFrugalson is always looking for new ideas!
Jay and I try very hard to be frugal, sometimes to the point of being miserly. I hope over all that's not the case, and I think the big year we've had proves it. We got the thrill of paying off our 5.5 acres of land in less than a year as well as a super-cool awesome trip to California.
Not exactly the "self imposed poverty" that a friend of mine accuses me of.
I suppose, in her defense, we are very weird.
We don't have cable. Which honestly this time of year sucks. All the normal TV is off until January and all the Christmas specials are lame. So I've been going to sleep around 9 each night - and loving every minute of that extra sleep.
We figured it out, and could rent a Redbox movie every night for a month and still make it out cheaper than cable. Since the sparing TV choices is an exception, not the norm, we're just fine with Redboxing it for Christmas.
I also don't spend that much at the grocery store. I stockpile ground turkey when its on sale for $1 lb and do the same with chicken breasts at $1.99 lb. (I tried the chicken parts thing, and its just not worth it to me.) I only buy coke when its on sale (I never pay more than $2.50 a twelve pack), never buy chips or cookies, and menu plan so that I use from my stockpile (and replentish the stockpile when things are at their rock bottom sale price).
Our goal is to have the new home paid off in 5-6 years. Its totally doable assuming our incomes stay the same and we keep our standard of living where it is. He is 1/3 owner of some commercial property, and if we can get that sold, then we'd probably be able to pay the house off sooner.
The thing about our standard of living is that neither of us feel like we're missing out on anything. Sure I'd like to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe of clothing, but that's just impractical. We've set price limits on Christmas ($15 for my sister and $15 for her husband - they are doing the same) not because that's all we can afford, but because none of us need anything.
Jay and I were talking the other day and I told him the one area that I'd like to branch out in and spend more money (when we've got the house paid off and we're off rice & beans) is our meat selections. I got some beef cubes on manager's special last year and they were delicious in with stir fry and rice.
Can you keep a secret??
I spent $37 at the grocery store this week!!
I normally spend about $100 or less on groceries for the month, so this was a big splurge (although I've only spent $30 the rest of the month, so I don't think I'll go over budget.)
There were a couple of packages of beef shank something or other on sale for $1.50 each (slightly less than a pound per package) so I figured I would grab those suckers up! Chicken breasts were on sale, as were the tenders, so I grabbed about 6 lbs of those.
I was excited that the tenders were on sale for the same price as the whole breasts because i usually end up cutting up the chicken and putting it on the George Foreman grill for recipes calling for cooked chicken any way. The tenders saved me a step!
I found two 1/2 gallons of milk on manager's special - taking it down to the same price per ounce of a whole gallon. Since Jay doesn't use milk, a half gallon is the perfect size. I put one in the fridge for use this week (its sell by date was today) and one in the freezer for later. I'm sure between cereal and protein shakes I won't have a problem using it up.
Speaking of cereal, I had noticed a $2 off any all bran cereal coupon in my binder that expires at the end of the month. I figured I check it out, and if the cereal wasn't too pricy I'd go ahead and get a box. Most of the flavors were in the $3 range.
Then I noticed an item close out sticker. The All Bran Yogurt bites cereal was on sale for $2.58. Which mean $0.58 after coupon!! Not the most yummy sounding flavor, but for the price I couldn't pass it up.
I also had a coupon for frozen fruit, so I splurged and got some frozen peaches (to be used on oatmeal in the future). I finished my splurgefest by getting wheat thins and garden veggie cream cheese just because I was craving it.
I grabbed the salad stuff for this weekend's Christmas party and I was headed to checkout. Mentally it was hard spending almost $40 on one week of groceries, but I keep telling myself that was Money Saving Mom's budget so it couldn't be too frivilous. (Of course all the while ignoring the voice in the back of my head reminding me that she's a family of 5, and I'm just feeding one and a half people - Jay only eats dinner).
So that's my shopping trip for the week. Probably the most boring post I've written in a while, but I was quite proud of myself and wanted to share my exictement!!
What's your money saving tip that you swear by? Is it in your grocery budget? Clothing budget? Frugal McFrugalson is always looking for new ideas!
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