MissAngel's Personal Finance Blog

This month I did not create a budget for the first time in a long time. I am, however, tracking my spending. Here is where I sit 1/2 way through August.

Gas $138
Household $102
Grocery $243
Entertainment $150
Car $0
Clothes $82
Personal Care $52
Gifts $22

Extra Income $22.16


Total spent $789

Just feeling quiet lately, so that's all I'll post today. Have a great weekend!

I had a No Spend Day yesterday. I ran on the indoor track at lunch (Summer has finally arrived and the indoor track is air conditioned!). After work, I went straight home. I cleaned the bathroom, played in the garden for a while, and finally, finally took apart our box fans and gave them a good cleaning. This is really something that should have happened at the beginning of the summer and I'm just now getting around to it.

By the time I did that and dinner, it was 8:30 at night. Boyfriend had gone out with a couple of buddies to go ride bike, so he didn't get home until after 9. Maybe that was why I was so productive.

Today I will be buying him a pizza and me some Chinese. Friday night celebration! I was going to put myself on a to-do streak and make plans to do something tonight, but I think I'll take it easy. Tomorrow is vet appointment for both cats, then a hair appointment for me. Afterwards, I'm thinking I'm going to wash my car--maybe even vacuum it! I want to get ready for the Fall when it gets too cold to wash the car in the driveway.

Sunday I'm thinking boyfriend will want to go out on the boat. It is supposed to be warm and sunny and it is his favorite thing to do. I'll pack lunches and bring a book to read.

Have a great weekend!

Yay! I finally was able to go to the Farmers Market yesterday! I was working on No Spend Days on Wednesdays and wouldn't even go over because it would just be too tempting. Finally I was able to go (with a list, of course). I bought tomatoes and flowers. I'm happiest about the flowers because they are something that make me feel like my budget isn't going to strangle me if I can buy $5 of flowers.

I also bought gas for the car yesterday and refilled my gas card. I stopped at the store on the way home for bread, water, and taco shells. I looked at the bacon, but didn't have enough cash, so left it on the store shelf. I'll survive without bacon. Wait, did I just admit that?!?

Today for lunch I have leftover mac & cheese from Tuesday night. Tonight for dinner I'll be eating tacos with the very last bit of lettuce. I have a meal plan for the weekend, which includes Chinese from my very favorite Chinese place. I haven't eaten there in over a month, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Still thinking about my retirement, but it looks like I'm going to leave everything as is. Since it is pre-tax, I would probably only be bringing home an extra $50ish per paycheck, which doesn't seem to be a make or break amount for me right now. Just need to buckle down and be happy where I'm at!

One of my facebook friends is working through a book called "Wild Money" by Luna Jaffee. I'm interested enough to want to take a look through it, but none of the libraries in my area currently carry it. She does have a website and will send you a sample chapter, so I did that.

I just love personal finance books. I somehow think they are going to have the secret that's going to magically make everything perfect. Ha!

She has 8 steps to building and growing your nest egg. They are similar to Dave Ramsey's steps with one big difference. She has a specific amount to have in savings, then steps 4-6 are all about different retirement funds. Then she talks about just investing for the future (non retirement funds) and then college savings. There isn't anything about paying off the home early and giving money away. Of course, this is only about building a nest egg, not about a whole life plan.

I like that she actually breaks down the retirement part. She talks about getting the employer match, then going to a Roth, then back to the 401k to a 10% level.

I admit, I've been doing this a bit backwards. I paid off my debt, then started saving in my 401k and saving for emergency fund at the same time. A big ole' $7000 emergency happened and wiped out my savings. Then I fixed my car and the camper and went back into debt. Boo hoo, boo hoo.

During all that I kept putting in 15% of my gross into my 401k. Great! But Luna made a point that smacked me right in between the eyes. If you save up all your money in your 401k, then it is hard to get to when you have an emergency. DUH! According to her, I'm back at step 2, paying off the car & camper fix it debt. But I'm still saving 15% into my retirement. My company puts 8% of my gross into my retirement. Yay! I'm definitely catching up from not saving much before age 36. I look at it like I have 23% of my gross income going into 401k, which is awesome.

So, can I drop it down a bit? Decisions. Do I drop down my retirement by 5%, pay off my debt and save up the $5000, then push it back up to 15%? Leave it at 15% and just do my best by being frugal to save up the emergency fund? I'm torn. I currently take home about $2080 a month, with $1033 in scheduled bills that won't go away(rent, student loan, cell phone). The student loan is 1/3 mine, 2/3 ex husbands and he sends me a check for his portion, but I don't dare count on that money like I do my paycheck.

So why doesn't it seem like that is enough money? Wait, is there ever enough money? ;-) I can survive on where I'm at. I was even doing well at saving some money before the car/camper happened. So maybe I just need to be patient and not mess with my retirement. Slow and steady, slow and steady.

This month I did not create a budget. But I still tracked my spending from the 1st and I'm going to track it, just not budget out for it. I don't know if I've tracked my spending without having a plan before.

I expect August to be somewhat of a spendy month because of the beginning of school. I've already rented my textbook for my management class and signed up for the exercise classes that are held at the university. Since it will be the start of the semester, I should get a lot of free food and I'm looking forward to that.

I splurged on some new bicycle shirts for myself. I no longer need any running clothes, but my bicycle gear is leftover from when I weighed 40+ pounds more and is just hanging off of me. This hasn't been a problem until boyfriend started wanting to work out, including going for bike rides. I bought two, spending less than one would normally cost and am pleased.

Some bad news here. My great grandma died on Sunday morning. She was 95 and totally with it until the end. Her funeral will be in Florida next Wednesday. I will not be able to make it. I'm sad, but plane tickets are $500+ and only some of my family is going to be able to make it. I hate to miss it, but it is also limited vacation because of the start of the school year. I'm glad my Mom understands.

Boyfriend paid for dinner since I drove to bowling, so I didn't spend any money last night!

Here are the final numbers from my No Spend July.

Fixed (mostly) planned, spent, left
Savings/Debt $400, $400, $0
Rent: $600, $600, $0
Cell Phone: $67, $67, $0
Donation: $25, $25, $0
Student Loan: $366.04, $366.04, $0

Variable:
Gas (car): $100, $100, $0
Household: $5, $36, -$31 (dishwasher gasket)
Grocery: $320, $314, $6
Entertainment/Restaurant: $130, $130, $0
Car Maintenance: $0, $0, $0
Clothes: $5, $2, $3
Personal Care: $20, $23, -$3
Gifts/Donation: $45, $45, $0

Extra Income: $340.56 (most of this is ex-husband's check for his share of the student loan).

If you don't spend much money, you don't have coinage to roll and deposit into your savings account. Bummer. However, I was able to do enough to push me over the $1000 in savings! Yay!

I used to read blogs where they were being frugal and saving money. They would talk about being down to their last six dollars and somehow, somehow, I found that romantic. I was impressed by them, sure. But I would also just be inspired and think how nice it was that they had such a budget. Grrr. I'm not saying this right. I would glamourize their budget skills. Until this month when I cut my budget down and had to stay within its limits and...I hated it.

If you don't count our dishwasher repair, I have $6 left for dinner out tonight for our last bowling night. I didn't like being so constantly on vigil with my money and the people who have to live like this have my utmost respect for doing this every month. Those living on a fixed income; I don't know how they do it. I have said "no" to myself many times this past month and I would not like to live like that all the time. And I was choosing to live like that! This wasn't something I had to do. I picked to do it.

I do want to pay off the credit card and I'm still going to throw all I can at it, but I'd also like to live a little.

Having said that, I will post my numbers of my No Spend Month tomorrow. I truly wish I could be more cheery and tell everyone how great it was to do a No Spend Month; how it got me in touch with my budget and with the things in life that don't cost money. Yes, in a way. However, I already appreciate those things, so I'm not sure this taught me a whole lot more.

I did have 19 No Spend Days this month!

I had my long weekend and it was....OK. I was glad I took the days off of work, but I didn't get much done around the house. I don't feel I was productive, but I also don't feel like I rested. Instead, I did a little of this (reading) and a little of that (watching TV) and some of this other stuff (basic house cleaning), but nothing that I would brag about.

Unfortunately, our dishwasher started leaking like crazy. I spent part of Friday figuring out what was leaking and I ordered a replacement part. This will put me over for the month, but the replacement part was about $30. To call someone in? $$$$$. It arrived yesterday, but I didn't get home until after 10PM, so I'll fix it tonight.

Other than that one mishap, I think I can make it through the month on the budget I created. I'm going to be so glad when this month is over. I'm going to a cash, no tracking system for August.

Yesterday was a doctor's appointment, work, jewelry making class with a friend, then meeting another friend for drinks and talking at a local place. I had fun, but it was a busy day for me and I'm just not used to it. I'm very tired because I didn't unwind until about midnight.

Only two more days to go!

Tuesday and Wednesday were NSDs. I now am up to 16 NSDs this month. Only one more week to go of my No Spend Month and I have $20 left. I think I can; I think I can. It will be close.

Today I will spend money on bowling $10 (taken out ahead of time, so doesn't impact the $20 I have left) and have already stopped at the grocery store for taco shells. I will be going to Michaels after work to pick up a package I had shipped there for free and to pick up some supplies for the jewelry class I'm taking next Tuesday. This will be put on the gift card that I purchased from Raise, saving 9% on the card. No cash out of pocket.

I packed a double lunch. One to eat at lunch; one to eat after work as dinner. No money spent for tonight's dinner.

After bowling, I will stop at WalMart for the last of the things we need to get us through the next week. Boyfriend has turned into a yogurt-loving fiend.

I have Friday and Monday off of work for an extra long weekend. No particular plans, but I hope to not spend hardly any money.

Next month, I'm going to the cash only, no tracking budget. We'll see how this works.

I'm proud of myself for having another NSD yesterday. But not buying anything at the baseball game felt...just cheap. I didn't mind parking a little bit away and not paying for parking, but to not get anything to eat or drink at the game just made me feel deprived. I did have money in my pocket, but the budget is so tight that I just couldn't do it. I didn't NEED anything, but it was hard to pass up the french fries or the dippin dots. It was hot and at the very least, I wished I had a water.

Oh well. Today is looking to be another NSD. I get to go home right after work (YAY!!). I will run at the indoor track at lunch (air conditioned) and boyfriend is planning on going for a bike ride with a coworker, so I'm hoping to have the house to myself for a little while after work. A very good thing, because I have more cleaning to do and it is easier to do it when he's out of the house.

I really don't anticipate spending any money until Thursday. I made a pan of enchiladas on Sunday and will eat them most of this week. We have lots of food for lunches. We have breakfast stuff.

My workplace is taking us to the ball game tonight!! I do like baseball and I'm happy that my work is buying us tickets. Unfortunately, those tickets don't include food, drink, or parking. Dang. The parking is easy. There is a place to park about 1/2 mile away that's free. I brought extra food with me to work with the hopes that it will be enough for both lunch and dinner, so I don't need to purchase food. I have my water bottle that I can refill before I leave work. I can't take it in with me to the game, but they will have a water fountain somewhere, right?

I will bring some money in with me just in case. I think I can have a good time without spending any money. That would make today another NSD! That would be a total of 14 NSDs for the month of July! I do still have $3 in my entertainment/restaurant budget, but I'm hoping I can hold onto that for bowling night.

I have $15 left in my grocery budget. For the month. But I think I have enough food in the house. It still is going to be a challenge. I will be glad when this month is over! I have much respect for those who have to do this every month. For the most part, I am able to buy what I want when I want. Luckily, my wants aren't usually too out of this world.

Recipe for the shrimp chowder that I ate for days.

1 bunch green onion tops slices (4-5)
1/2 tsp minced garlic (or 1 clove)
3 TBSP butter
12 oz cream cheese - room temperature
3 cans cream of potato soup
3 soup cans of milk
1 can of corn, including liquid
1/2 tsp to 3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 pound shrimp (shell off)

Saute onion and garlic in butter in large pot. Add cream cheese and cook on low until melted (or very soft). Stir in soup, then stir in milk one can at a time. Add cayenne pepper. Simmer 1/2 hour. Add shrimp and cook until shrimp is cooked and pink.

I also boil four extra potatoes with skin on, just like you would cook them for mashed potatoes. Then I add them when I add the shrimp.

I had No Spend Days on Friday and Saturday. Friday night we went for a bike ride after work. It was a very nice ride on the paved path near our house.

Saturday was the HOA meeting (I am so glad that is over) and then we went boating. We didn't get home until 6. Boyfriend then washed his boat while I did some house cleaning.

Today we woke up early and went to the trails. He rode his bike with a buddy while I ran. Then we stopped at the grocery store and I spent $25, which will get us through this week and most of next. I will probably need to buy milk, water, and maybe bread for next week.

I love it here. I whine and complain and you guys tell me that it's OK and give me suggestions to fix my issue. You guys rock!

I think part of the cash problem is that July was a 3 paycheck month, with the last paycheck falling on June 30th. So I took out my paycheck $220 in June, but most of the money was spent on paper in July. Then I took out my $220 on Monday for this paycheck cashage and will take out $220 on the 28th. So I have cash, but no budget.

Anyway. The credit card I'm paying off closed today and it went from $2700 to $1700 in a month. I'm definitely make progress! It used to be that I had a large credit card bill when I first started my job. At that time, I had a certain amount I would pay per month, not throwing everything at it. It was so large that I treated it like a rent payment. I would up the amount when I could, but I still made sure I had some fun money. Trying to pay off the credit card ASAP this time is making it so that I throw everything at it, not saving a lot of money for fun.

Well, that and me trying to do a No Spend Month. That's my own dealie.

Yesterday I spent money on bowling $10, lunch with coworkers $7, taco shells $3, and Subway dinner $16. We bought the three footlongs for $15 and we both have dinner tonight too. I smartly packed water and chips from home and also a cooler with ice packs to take home the extra subs. Now I don't have to cook dinner tonight!

I'm hoping for a NSD today and another No Spend Weekend. The only thing that might break it would be buying bread for boyfriend's lunch.

One of my coworkers just gave me a bag of kitty treats that her cats didn't like. Since I anticipated spending money on treats and now I don't, I took $5 from Household and moved it to restaurant/entertainment, so at least I'm not negative in that category!

Maybe it is the trying to do two No Spend Months in a row, but I'm feeling broke. I was just looking at my pay stubs for the past five years and my take home is about $170 more per paycheck than it was when I started. And I was extremely happy to be getting what I was getting when I started!

I like my job. I mostly like the people. I don't really have any burning desire to get another job and I think I get paid well for what I do. I'm lucky. I know this.

So what gives? I'm actually wondering if the budget itself is making me feel broke. When I first started my job, I was on my own, in my own apartment, paying all the bills myself. Now I live with my boyfriend and pay him a certain amount (about 40% of the bills) and the groceries. But the budget tells me that I have no money to eat out. What I used to do is take out a certain amount of cash and used it for groceries and clothes and out to eat. Cash gone? Done spending.

Now I'm trying to fit that cash system into a budget and I have a lot of cash left in my wallet, but my budget says I have no money. Admittedly, these past two months have been lean on spending (or supposed to be) because I'm paying off my credit card after fixing the camper and the car.

The strange thing is that I feel broke, but if you had me sit down with a pen and piece of paper and asked me what I want---I can only think of a handful of things I wish I could buy. Of course, they are BIG things (trip to Hawaii, anyone?).

So where is this feeling of being broke coming from? The budget. The excel budget. It is telling me that I have $65 left to spend for the rest of the month. Nevermind that I have $120 in cash in my wallet. Or that I get paid on the 28th and will have another $220 then.

I know there are tricks to make yourself feel less broke. Make a list of free things to do like go to the park or the library. Start a gratitude journal. Savor the little things. Use up some of my gift cards.

Or maybe for the month of August, go back to cash and not track and see what that does for me.

Yesterday was a No Spend Day. Today will be bowling $10, lunch with co-workers $7, dinner at Subway with boyfriend $???, and a stop at the grocery store for taco shells $3?.

I made a big pot of potato shrimp chowder on Saturday. I have eaten it every day since. I do really like the soup, but I am extremely glad today is the last day I have to eat it. Since it is a "cream of" soup, it doesn't freeze well. The good, frugal thing I can say is that once you make it, reheating it is easy. Hard to give yourself a reason to go out when you can heat up the soup in 2 minutes and be eating.

Eating out is definitely one of my temptations. I love going out to eat. I like to go to places where I won't be making what they make at home. Like the Chinese restaurant. Or the Thai place that just opened up that I haven't tried yet. It allows me to try new things and sometimes I will get brave and try to make them at home. Sometimes it is things I just never will make at home (hello, french fries!). Yeah, I can make baked fries and do so, but deep fried french fries with cheese and ranch dressing....YUM. Anyway.

I did not spend any money yesterday and hope to not spend any today. After work, boyfriend and I went for a run, then I heated up my soup, did some laundry, and read my library book. Watched a little of the All Star game. Nothing too exciting.

Today I will run at lunch because I have a meeting after work to take over treasurer duties for our Home Owners Association. Yuck. Hopefully, it will be pretty quick. We have our meeting on Saturday and the president wanted to get the duties handed over before then. I'm not looking forward to the HOA meeting either because the neighbors on our end of the street are feuding with the neighbors on the other end of the street. It all has to do with 4 year olds riding quads and golf carts up and down the street---at 11 PM at night. It's not pretty.

I have a coupon for a free fountain drink at a local gas station and I think I'll treat myself to it on my way home from the meeting tonight.

Tomorrow is bowling and dinner out. Also, my co-worker is leaving and the office is going to lunch to say goodbye. I think I might go over on Entertainment/Restaurant. We'll see if I can keep it under control. But I have 3 more bowling nights and this lunch and $21 left in entertainment. Huh.

Yesterday I suddenly realized I have too much entertainment. I have 5 books checked out of the library. I've purchased (and not yet read) two more books. I have a paper box full of magazines to read. I have lots of TV shows on the DVR to watch. This in addition to normal life. I have TOO MUCH. It is time to declutter and make some more room in my life. I canceled all my book requests from the library (except those already on their way to me). I am not going to check out any new books until I get through my own books and get rid of some of those magazines.

Next up might be clothes or the boxes in the attic. When I moved in with my boyfriend, most of "my" stuff went into the attic. Kitchen stuff, bathroom stuff, etc. It's been four years now, so maybe it's time to let some of that stuff go. I have given away stuff as I see the need. My cousin bought a house and I gave him pots, pans, and dishes. A co-worker was collecting items for a needy family and I donated a microwave. It's time to look through what's left and decide what to do with it. I think I go through this every year where I want to make room for what's next.

I'm trying to do another No Spend Month. So far, so good. I've had more success this month than last month and more No Spend Days too! Let's hope I can keep it up for the rest of the month. I'm a little worried. Mostly about the grocery budget.

Here is the budget numbers so far:

Item, Budget, Spent, Left
Gas (car): $100, $100, $0
Household (includes cats): $10, $4, $6
Grocery: $320, $282, $38
Entertainment/Restaurant: $125, $104, $21
Car Maintenance: $0, $0, $0
Clothes: $5, $2, $3
Personal Care: $20, $23, -$3
Gifts/donation: $45, $45, $0

Extra Income: $260.37

Things will be tight, but I think I can do it, if nothing comes up. The biggest thing I'm concerned about is the grocery budget. I just did another big grocery shop, but I don't think it will be enough to get us through the end of the month. Mostly, I'm concerned about lunches. Boyfriend is on his healthy streak, so I want to keep him supplied in yogurt and apples.

Yesterday I went to two stores and spent $100 on groceries. That should be enough to get us through two weeks, with only a couple of fill in trips for milk and bread. I went over on my personal care, but since I anticipate not spending anything on clothes, those two cancel out.

It's all a matter of saying no to myself!

It was a lazy weekend. We did go to the mountain bike trail on Saturday morning. Boyfriend rode his bike and I ran. I liked it OK, but I think I like the other trail we go to better. So does he. We got there around 6:45 and by the time we left at 8:15, the parking lot was almost full with more coming in! I'm glad we get up early and go!

My Saturday night dinner with Dad was canceled. Boyfriend and I did go into the city for some shopping, but only boyfriend spent money. I successfully resisted, even though we went to my favorite sports store. I just didn't even bring my purse in. Saturday night I made a big pot of soup and will be eating that most of this week.

On Sunday we went for a run on the paved trail by our house. Then we didn't do hardly anything. I took two naps and felt I could have laid in bed all day. I read, watched a little TV, but mostly slept. I think I was just tired. It's been warm and muggy at night, which is hard to sleep in. We haven't put in the window air conditioner, so it has been fans only for us. Cheap, but worth it?

I had No Spend Days on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. By the end of the day yesterday, I still had $44 left from the cash I took out the last time I got paid. I put $40 towards my rent and the last $4 I will be walking to the bank on my lunch hour. Every little bit counts! I'm trying to get the savings back up to $1000 while still paying off the credit card.

Today I get paid, which means grocery shopping. I have a decent list of something things that are on sale and some things we are out of, like yogurt and apples. I anticipate going to two stores.

Tomorrow I'll post my 1/2 way through the month numbers.

On Wednesday, I spent $100 on my monthly gas card. I think that will see me through the whole month for gas for the Bug. I mostly just drive back and forth to work, about 14 miles one way.

Boyfriend and I had planned to run after work on Wednesday, but couldn't find a track to run on. One was locked up; one was in use; one was under construction. I went ahead and ran on the sidewalks, but boyfriend decided to go home and run on the treadmill. Sidewalks are harder than roadways or trails and he feels the pain more with sidewalks. On my way home, I stopped at the grocery store and bought only those things that were on my list. I spent $23.

Thursday we bowled after work. Spent $10. Boyfriend bought our Subway dinner, so bowling was all I spent that day. I had two good games and two "eh" games. We were playing the "ghost team" of our league, so we were done quickly. We didn't stop at the gas station for drinks on our way home. Also, I packed waters and chips to go with our Subway, so we didn't have to buy anything but our subs. Also, on the way to bowling, I used a "free trail size lotion" coupon at the Bath and Body Works. I need to check my stash, but I might be close to having enough lotions to be able to put them in Christmas bags for my co-workers.

Today was a No Spend Day. Work, spin class at lunch, deposit ex's check at the bank, go home. I'll put the whole amount of the check towards the Visa bill. It's going down! I hope to have it paid off in two months.

Not sure what is going to happen this weekend. I think we're set on groceries, so no spending until Monday. I get paid, so I have already started a list of food we'll need. Mostly, things for lunches. It sounds like we're going to the mountain bike trail in the morning, but no other plans this weekend that I know about. That's fine with me. I want to create a list of things I want to get done around the house. Kinda silly stuff like doing a good scrubbing of the box fans and maybe even washing windows!!

Have a great weekend!!

Shouldn't have said anything. I need to buy gas for the car, so spending is happening today. I'll buy my gas card for the month: $100. Then, on my way home, I'll go ahead and get the groceries to carry us through the beginning of next week. I think I have six things on the list (bread, ice cream, garbanzo beans, special k crackers, taco shells, egg noodles) so it isn't going to be bad. This should get us through to my payday--which is on Monday.

Tomorrow, I will spend $10 on bowling and boyfriend wants to eat at Subway, so I'll probably buy a $5 footlong. I'll grab chips from home and drink water. Saturday Dad wants to have his belated Fathers Day dinner at the Chinese Buffet place, so I'll be spending money then. I'm hoping we will go to the mountain bike track again on Saturday morning and I'll run while boyfriend bikes with his friends.

I have not spent money since last Thursday. I might, just might, be able to go until this Thursday before I have to spend money. I would be spending money on Thursday anyway because of bowling, so I can just roll it into the groceries n stuff I have to buy.

We had an unexpectedly relaxing weekend. Boyfriend was all ready to go mountain biking in the morning and boating in the afternoon every day of the weekend. We did go mountain biking on Friday and he ran with me on Sat and Sun mornings, but the boating thing didn't work out. Friday he was too tired and I'm not sure what happened on Saturday. I don't really like to go out on the boat, so I'm not complaining. I got stuff done around the house, which makes me very happy.

Went back to work yesterday and it has been non stop craziness since. For the first time in a long time, I'm behind. We had a big project--top priority!!--hit our desks and all other work has been pushed aside. I normally am able to get my inbox pretty clean before I leave--not the last two days.

With that said, break is done and back to work I go!

As if staring at the numbers is going to magically come up with a different plan of attack. I have probably pulled up my budget spreadsheet 15 times in the last two days.

Numbers as of 7/3/14:
Title, amount budgeted, amount spent, amount left

Fixed:
Rent: $600, $600, $0
Cell Phone: $67, $66.60, $0.40
Donation: $25, $25, $0
Student Loan: $366.04, %366.04, $0

Not fixed:
Savings/Debt: $410, $410, $0
Gas: $100, $0, $100
Household: $10, $0, $10
Grocery: $300, $80, $220
Entertainment: $125, $50, $75
Car Maintenance: $0, $0, $0
Clothes: $10, $2, $8
Personal Care: $20, $0, $20
Gifts: $50, $45, $5

Extra income: $5.25

I've already pulled out bowling for the 5 weeks in July in my entertainment budget. Told you about grocery shopping already and the clothes. Today I sent $25 to a wedding couple and $20 for my step-dad's birthday present, taking my gifts budget down to $5. I have no other birthday or other events for the month.

I had a no spend day yesterday. Went to work, went for a run with boyfriend after work, stayed home and ate dinner. Tonight is bowling and I will be doing the last of the grocery shopping for all next week. I have a list. I have a plan for menus.

Then, I hope to have a complete No Spend Long Weekend!!! Have a wonderful one, everyone!

I really try to do all my shopping at once. One big trip. I dislike shopping (or should I say spending money) and so I try to get as much out of the way on one day as I can.

Yesterday was that day. The monthly Sams run and using up a few coupons that were about to expire.

Get out of work and first stop: Meijers. I had clipped an online coupon for my grape tomatoes I eat almost every day. I also had a $5 gift card boyfriend received in the mail to inspire him to use the electric company's "non peak usage." I bought two containers of tomatoes and spent $1 out of pocket.

Next up: Walgreens that is kitty corner from Meijer. On Monday I had used a $1 off starbucks iced coffee coupon, getting the iced coffee for free and getting a $1 off a future order coupon. I used that coupon plus my Walgreens balance rewards points to get two spaghetti sauces, a pedicure set (including a nail brush and toe separators that I've been wanting--clearance), a set of emery boards to give as gifts at Christmas (also clearance), and another iced coffee. I used a coupon for the sauce and spent $2 out of pocket.

Onto the busy street that has all the stores. I went into Kohls, they just renovated and sent me a $10 off $10 coupon. I used it towards workout socks for boyfriend and spent $2. In recent weeks, I have received two other $10 off $10 coupons and used them towards my own socks. I'm stocked up on socks!

The monthly Sams run was next. I really try to only go once a month and keep a running list of things we're running low on. My boyfriend and I's agreement is that he buys the Sams stuff for the house. I buy the Sams stuff that only I use. I spent $41 for me in strawberries, grapefruit, shrimp, and healthy choice ice cream. He bought the chocolate syrup, sandwich bags, water softener salt, shredded cheese, bath soap, granola bars, apples, and chicken breasts.

Onto WalMart. Last stop and definitely the most entertaining! I had a $25 egift card from swagbucks and a handful of coupons. The list was long. Cat food, yogurt, ice cream, water, bread, mac & cheese, corn, bananas, sour cream, gatorade, individual bags of chips, special k chips, oatmeal, ham for sandwiches, bacon, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot. Spent $36 out of pocket.

I still have to get a few more fresh things and then I'm going to be set for next week, food-wise. Boyfriend is revamping his diet for his Tough Mudder, so that could change, depending on how he wants to be healthy. He's eating apples with his lunch, so that's a plus!

I am going to try to do another No Spend Month. I would love to be able to set the rule for myself that there will be no stocking up; that I will only buy something when we need it, not when it is on sale--no matter how good the sale. This is my default way of shopping and I need to untrain myself to be that way. Just buy it when you need it; no stocking up this month!!

I did not want to post this. Who wants to admit that they didn't do what they said they were going to do?

I am anticipating a NSD today. We don't need anything food wise and I hope to be going home right after work. So I'm going to post my numbers.

Category, amount budgeted, amount left

Gas (car), $100, -$45
Household, $120, -$15
Grocery, $300, -$28
Entertainment/Restaurant, $165, -$16
Car Maintenance, $0, $0
Clothes, $40, -$223 (more on this)
Personal care, $75, -$51
Gifts/donation, $150, -$5

I was going to be negative anyway, but I didn't anticipate this much. On Friday, boyfriend signed up for a Tough Mudder. He has about 3 months to get into shape (and I'm not talking about round). His workout shoes are over 10 years old and are cross trainers. On Sunday, we went for a run and it hurt for him. He wanted to go where I go for my running shoes to get fitted. They do an excellent job there at fitting your feet and getting you in the right shoes for you.

Unfortunately, I could not stand the temptation. I buy new running shoes in July every year since I started running. I could have waited two days to buy them in July, when I normally buy them. The store is about 45 minutes from our house. I completely and totally justified my purchase of my new running shoes two days early and during my No Spend Month. I also bought a water belt that I have wanted since the beginning of the month. Running on the trail on Saturday I realized that if I'm going to train for a half marathon or a marathon, I'm going to need a way to hydrate. I also drove to the store and had to get gas for the Bug. I would have had enough to get to work today, but would have had to get gas tomorrow (for the July budget).

When I logged into my credit card account today, I saw that my Weight Watchers online subscription was charged. I'm on the 3 month plan and I thought my three months were up in July. I was wrong. So my personal care budget shows that.

I'm tempted to try another No Spend Month in July. No weddings. No hair appointments. One birthday at the beginning of the month--someone who is totally non material. I don't see anything else on the calendar that worries me.

I did not want to post my negative balances. I think of myself as someone who sticks to what I say. Maybe that's why I immediately want to try again!

Frugal thing done Friday: I did stick to my list for all my shopping

Frugal thing done Saturday: I ran on the trail and boyfriend rode his bicycle, the trail riding was free!

Frugal thing done Sunday: I packed water bottles for our shopping trip so we wouldn't be tempted to stop at a gas station while we were out.

Fail.

I think this is the part of goals that I'm not good with. I'm very black and white. Either I succeeded or I failed. I don't look at it like "I got farther than I would have if I didn't set the goal." I know I should look at it like that, but I don't.

Having said that, this No Spend Month didn't go the way I had hoped. I could make excuses. It was boyfriend's birthday. I had bowling every Thursday. But, to be honest, there are always going to be unusual things going on in any particular month. Money is tight for me right now, but that is because I'm throwing everything I can at the credit card to get it paid off. Looking at my spreadsheet, I'm over in almost every single category. Which is why I'm saying "fail."

I might like to try for another No Spend Month in July. Probably because it didn't feel like I did a whole lot different in June than I normally would. Or maybe I'll give myself a month "off" and try in August. Bowling will be done. There will be a lot going on at work with the start of the semester, which will keep me busy. There aren't any birthdays.

I'm here posting because I want to be accountable. By not hiding where I'm at, I'm hoping that it will help me make better decisions. I'm hoping to provide a record to myself so I can figure out what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong.

sigh.

I didn't spend any money on Tuesday or Wednesday. Thursday was bowling, boyfriend bought dinner, and I bought drinks (gatorade & iced starbucks) after bowling. I have already spent money today and anticipate spending more.

Frugal thing done Tuesday: I brought 4 pair of shoes to the shoe repair guy. 3 need resoled and the pair of sandals need their straps shortened by an inch and a half. My two Danskos that are being resoled are my work shoes and I wear them 90% of the time to work. I wanted to get them done before I started going into the wood of the sole.

Frugal thing done Wednesday: when we eat at Wendy's, I've been getting a salad. They give us two packets of dressing, but I only use one. I bring the other one home and on Wednesday I used it on my dinner salad.

Frugal thing done Thursday: Ate toast. Boyfriend likes super soft bread for his lunch sandwiches. He hates hard, dry bread. So I bring it to work and toast it for breakfast. With some peanut butter (stored in my desk) and a banana, I've got breakfast!

I promise to share my final numbers on the 30th. It's not going to be pretty. Maybe I need to adjust numbers. Maybe I need to tell myself no more often. Maybe I'm just one of those people that think they want to be frugal, but really still want to buy their $4 grape tomatoes.

I parked the car when I got home from work on Friday and it didn't move until I went to work on Monday. A true No Spend Weekend. I didn't go anywhere all weekend and it was awesome. Boyfriend had to work on Sunday, so I was able to clean the house and go for a run while he was gone. I didn't spend anything on Saturday and Sunday.

Yesterday I spent $20 on fence post caps (my fence will finally be done!!), and $12 at Meijer for ice cream, lettuce, cakes for work treats for boyfriend's birthday, ketchup, and frozen pizza. I used my $11 credit and a coupon for the cakes. I rode the bus from work to Meijer, so it limited my spending. Thank goodness.

Yesterday I was going to pick up some milk from the grocery store, but I was just too lazy to stop. I don't normally like shopping anyway. I just couldn't make myself stop and get the milk. We had some milk in the house, so I drove right on by. Lazy frugalness. I'm probably lazy frugal more often than I would like to admit.

I just finished 7: An experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker, where she picks seven things to limit in her life. Example: for one month she picks 7 things to eat and only those 7 thing. Or only 7 things to wear. It was...interesting. I'm inspired by books and blogs about having No Spend Months and thought this would be the same kind of thing. It wasn't. She did give up things, but it was a very God-centric book. That's fine, but not what I was looking for. You do hear about some of her struggles to only survive with 7 items of clothing, but I think I was looking for more of how she did it than relating it to how you can then donate all your clothes to something benefiting God's glory. Instead of feeling inspired (hey, I can pare down my closet too!), I felt guilty for having extra clothes in my closet. I'm thinking this isn't what she was trying to do, but that's how it hit me anyway.

Frugal thing done Saturday: Didn't go anywhere.

Frugal thing done Sunday: made boyfriend's birthday dinner of steak, fries, and corn at home instead of going to a steakhouse. For the price of one restaurant meal, I have two full steak meals at home.

Frugal thing done Monday: I checked my tires to find out they were a little bit low, so I inflated them to the recommended pressure, hopefully getting better gas mileage.

Did I ever spend money. $5 at SaveALot for cheese. $7 at McDs for lunch. $8 on the sprayer that boyfriend wanted for washing his boat. $105 (!!!!) at Meijer. I bought food, another workout shirt for boyfriend, mascara and eyeliner, cat food, laundry detergent, and a wedding card for the wedding we're going to next weekend.

Holy cats.

I spent $30 of the $68 on meat. I'm set there for a long time. Then it was eggs, popcorn kernels, ice cream, cracker chips, a veggie tray for boyfriend's birthday work "treat", bananas, cheap pizzas, tomatoes, apples, potatoes...I'm sure I'm forgetting things.

Anyway, with the $240, I still look to be in the black, but sheesh. It surprised me, although it shouldn't have. Thanks to their deals, I have $11 to spend on my next shopping trip--but I shouldn't need hardly anything this next week. Lots of food in the house now.

I'm hoping to have a No Spend Weekend.

Frugal thing done yesterday: I took a few online surveys, two of which may turn into product testing. Even if they don't, I earned some points towards my next Amazon gift certificate.

5% off everything at the main store I shop at. I have a list--it has about 15 things. I anticipate spending a bit of money. I have already spent money today, but I should be able to have another No Spend Weekend once I get done with the grocery shopping.

Yesterday I spent $10 on bowling; $9 on dinner for me; $5 on dinner for boyfriend; and $26 for the lunch time spin class at work.

What came in was a $10 gift certificate from amazon from one of the survey sites I belong to. I'm up to $275 in non-paycheck money that has come in. Admittedly, most of that is from the ex for his portion of the student loan. I would like to roll that into my budget categories for the month, but I wouldn't be able to do that until I actually receive the check.

Actually, I think I'm going to do that. When I receive his check, I will use it to cover those categories where I need it for the month. I'm hoping to put a lot of it into savings or paying off debt, but sometimes I will need it in other categories, depending on the month.

Frugal thing done yesterday: I picked up a penny when I came across it in a parking lot. I always pick money up!

In the Tightwad Gazette books, Amy D talks about passive tightwadery. Where the TV cameras could focus on the chip aisle as the family grocery cart zooms on by, never stepping into that particular aisle. As I'm doing my daily "what frugal thing did I do today?" sometimes it is hard to think of an active frugal thing I did the day before. It is sometimes the avoidance of stuff that saves me money.

Yesterday is a perfect example. I went to work. Drove right from home to work. It absolutely stormed at lunch, so I read my book at my desk, eating my lunch. After work, I drove straight home. Made dinner, read more of my book, watched a little DVRed TV, went to bed. Never spent any money.

Today I will; it's bowling night! $10 for bowling. Something for dinner. $26 for the spin class at work that is held during lunch. It doesn't start until July, but it looks like it will be a popular class and I wanted to make sure I got in before it was full!

Frugal thing I did yesterday: brought my lunch from home. Good thing I did because there was a huge thunderstorm right at my lunchtime. I didn't want to go anywhere; it was downright nasty! I almost always pack my lunch. My co-workers are usually shocked when I buy lunch because it happens so rarely.

*Lost my last entry because I took too long*

Last night I worked the front gate at a local fair to help benefit the Friends of the Library of my local library. I am a serious library user and like to look for ways to pay back all the entertainment I get out of it. I was nervous about it.

It was fine. I worked the gate and collected the money and met some other great Friends supporters. It was 2 1/2 hours and the time flew by.

I am a creature of habit. I love routine. I love having a plan and sticking with the plan. Doing something like the Friends thing is outside the routine and is good for me. Even though it makes me nervous, you gotta shake things up sometimes!

On my way home, I went to the grocery store. I spent $55 (!!!) and bought milk, meat, cheese, bananas, chocolate cake mix, frosting, cupcake liners, fish, ice cream, and butter. Boyfriend requested cupcakes for a birthday work treat and the steak is for his birthday dinner. Meat is stinkin' expensive!!!

Frugal thing I did yesterday: I used the gym at work to work out at lunch. It is free to me to use and it was a humid, rainy day outside, so I ran on the indoor track. It is one of the many, many perks at my work that make me feel lucky to be working here!

Today, the NSD streak stops. We are completely out of milk. And ice cream sandwiches. Not a big deal to me, but I said this wasn't going to affect boyfriend's life and ice cream sandwiches are a must. Tonight, I shop.

I am a bit nervous about today. I'm on the phones all day at work. Then, after work, I'm working the gates for a county fair. My library asked for volunteers to work the gates; I guess this is one of the fundraisers for Friends of the Library. I am a heavy library user, so I wanted to give back when I could. I give a small donation at the end of the year, but when they posted this, I signed up.

Now I'm nervous about doing this. I don't know anything about the fair; I've never been to it. I'm hoping it will be an easy 2 1/2 hours. Doing my good deed. Afterwards, I'll get the grocery shopping done.

Frugal thing done yesterday: picked up a couple of library books I had on hold. I love my library and use the online system to order books that interest me and pick them up on my way home. The library is also a place to leave (and pick up) magazines and they sell puzzles in the lobby to benefit the Friends. Sometimes they have Wysocki puzzles, which are the only ones I own. They only cost $1!