I'm going to try to make a few goals for the new month ahead. I'm not even going to pretend I'll be super productive and get just loads accomplished but I'm going to try to get something extra done this month.
1. Savings: Something Patsi at A Working Pantry blog is doing each week is zeroing out the final 3 figures of her total balance at the end of the week and then depositing that amount to savings. For example, if she has $127.98 in her account, then she removes $7.98 and adds that amount to her savings. We get 'paid' only twice a month but I see no reason why I can't do the same those two weeks when we are paid.
Also: A return to saving all the $1 and $5 bills I receive when getting change from cash. The coinage goes right into a box that we donate to charities at the end of each month. The bills will be set aside for a special purpose.
2. Live off our income. Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn't it? The truth is we got a little lax and ate into a small portion of savings over the months when I was depressed, not shopping routinely (which made me want to super stock each time I did go out) and picking up extra items we've had need of but no funds to buy with. We've not done a great deal of damage, and we have been cautious, but we will do damage if we don't stop and make adjustments to our outflow.
3. Purchase at least one Christmas and one birthday gift each month on the 25th. I did not purchase a Christmas gift in January because I have so many birthdays in February, but I did get one of each in February. If I can keep this pace, I should have a sizeable gift stash for Christmas by end of the year.
4. Move the heaviest sweaters to a winter clothes bin. I think the weather is going to remain fairly pleasant from here on. Yes, there will be cooler days but for the most part, light layers should suffice. I want to free up hanging space in my closet.
5. Go over my spring options in the wardrobe and set up a few outfits.
6. Determine which items I will move to my house drawer. I'm scheduled to get a Stitch Fix box at the end of this month. I know that one or two blouses were not worn as much last summer and one of those is looking a little less nice than the other. It's one of the rare things I've received from Stitch Fix that simply hasn't held up well.
7. Push John to put together my new raised bed planters.
8. Take Caleb to an enclosed playground at least once a week.
9. Plan a weekend away with John.
10. Set a budget and then begin deep stocking freezer and pantry once more. We are being repaid for a loan we gave to someone (we've already paid ourselves back) and I want to take a portion of those funds to stock the pantry and freezer as deeply as I might. I'd prefer to do this via sales so it will be a drawn-out affair, but just having the funds set aside will ease the pain of the added spending.
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5 comments:
Good evening
Don’t be hard on yourself for your budget going a bit off track with all you’ve had going on.
Do you have a local library with a story time? Ours does and I used to take Gavin, after the 2 stories, they would have a craft and it was most always good. This is probably not helpful as things vary so in different areas.
We are still setting our home back to suit just 2 people and we got so much done today.
And just placed an Amazon order and I always go through your link. I don’t want thanks, just hope it helps a bit.
Your goals sound very do-able to me! And they make sense. Has to feel good just having them down on paper. When I make a list, usually my first item is "make list", so I have instant gratification crossing something off. LOL
Rhonda, so nice of you to order from Amazon through Terri's site---I always forget about that. Will try to remember next time.
I don't want to be inappropriate, but I have had a thought. It does seem that finances are on your mind a lot, and you are fighting a one woman battle in this war. I never hear you mention how other family members in your household might help in your budget struggles. Is it time for a group sit down and a discussion with everyone about needs versus wants? It doesn't seem like balancing the family budget should be entirely on your shoulders. Just a thought.
Rhonda, every little bit HELPS. I don't think I have topped $50 a year yet with Amazon but even what I do get often buys a birthday present for a child or pays for a clearance priced pantry item from the site, so I do appreciate it.
I was thinking on the way home today that I really need to check to see if our library has story time.
LejMom, duly noted, lol. I should do the same!!
Anne, Katie pays a portion towards rent/food. Hence the increase in my food budget overall. John and I discuss finances routinely but he turned them over to me about ten years ago when pressures at work and stress overall were just too much for him. We argued constantly when doing bills because he was always changing how he did them which I found difficult to track. In the end, we determined I'd be in charge of the checkbook, we'd make major decisions together, never spend more than $100 from checking or savings without checking with the other, have sole ownership of our allowances. When I see an area that I find bothersome, I always let him know and I do discuss upcoming changes with family. Katie's solution for the k-cup situation was to buy them herself. Well John plowed through those babies like a kid let loose in a candy store and I asked her not to buy them anymore as it was becoming a big expense that she didn't need to carry. My family is pretty accepting of menu plans overall and rarely ask for pricey items or meals without chipping in from their own pockets as well.
We made some hefty deposits to savings at the beginning of the year but my main concern is sheer determination to hang on to my renovation funds tooth and nail. It's my experience that a constant drip around a stopper will drain a tub of water in short order and there you are without any water and wondering where it all went. Hence my focus on finances and determination that we shall live within the means we usually have and not always that little bit extra.
I get you about hanging onto savings "tooth and nail". I'm the same way. I hate to let go of any of it. This past week I had eye surgery, and even with insurance, my portion was $7,000. I made myself cash flow it over the past couple of months, even though my husband kept telling me to take it out of savings because we had it. But I didn't want to because we had a number of hits this past year.
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