Oy, I fell off this little budgeting wagon a few months ago and have yet to climb back on. A lot of the stuff I've been buying lately includes X-Mas gifts, so for the sake of not ruining surprises, I can't very well post them here ;)
I have bought some things for myself, most recently that gorgeous golden yellow reversible cape/poncho.
Hopefully I'll start back up on this after the holidays.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
August Purchases
Monday, June 29, 2009
June/July Purchases
Damn. I bought a lot this summer :/
$28
Measuring bowls, $20
Magnet, $2
4x4 print, $6
$3
$3
4 of these at $1 apiece
I got 2 of the smaller one at $2 apiece
$20
$5
$11
$28
$10
$10
$10
$11
$25
I also bought a second bra ($12) and a third bra ($11), a pair of panties ($3), a pair of boxers to sleep in ($13), a small pouch from Wal-Mart ($4), a pair of slippers ($12), a swimsuit cover up ($10), a scarf/wrap ($12), and some kitchen stuff including a wok and a pot ($25).
I also bought a second bra ($12) and a third bra ($11), a pair of panties ($3), a pair of boxers to sleep in ($13), a small pouch from Wal-Mart ($4), a pair of slippers ($12), a swimsuit cover up ($10), a scarf/wrap ($12), and some kitchen stuff including a wok and a pot ($25).
Friday, June 26, 2009
Projected Expenses + EF
So I've been really trying to cull unnecessary expenses from our budget.
The way it currently stands, monthly we spend 500 (rent) + 35 (my car insurance) + 43 (Andrew car insurance) 70 (internet, 55 comes back to us eventually) + 50 (Andrew cell phone) + 16 (Netflix) + 40 (storage rent) + $120 into savings
+ mostly conditional expenses of 500 (groceries/gas/pet stuff/eating out/entertainment/gifts/etc)
= $1429
That number could be tweaked, as some months we don't spend as much on gas, food or pets. Also, the internet's more like $15 for us in the end, but we do have to pay the $70 upfront.
Anyway, so we're going to cut the storage building out (-$40) and Andrew is considering cutting off his cell phone because he has a different one for work (-$50). That's -$90 right there.
= $1339
With that extra $90, we're also going to up our savings amount per paycheck. Since we're currently saving $120 a month or so, we can easily start saving $200 a month.
So the big current number is $1429. Hoping to push that to $1339.
I'm sure we could also be better about our conditional expenses. We've been pretty lucky in regards to not spending much on gas because the only real consistent driving that we do is on the weekends to drive to Millington and back. Eating out gets expensive fast, but we do it so rarely now so it's becoming a nice treat every once in a while. Groceries can't be helped, and since I've been cooking a LOT more, our meals are cheaper in the long run. Pet expenses have been high lately due to a flea infestation and then subsequent deworming of one cat. Gifts are uncommon, necessary and fun :)
All of this discussion brings me to the topic of an Emergency Fund. I've read differing opinions on how much to save; some people seem to think 3-6 months worth of expenses works well, while others seem to prefer 8-12 months. I think 3 months is a great start.
So we take that projected $1339 a month and multiply it by 3 or 6 or whatever. That gives us about $4000 we'd need to save up. Ouch. But hey, that's the monthly cost of a mortgage for many people so I consider us very lucky.
We are saving each and every paycheck. The sucky thing is that we've been dipping into the savings here and there to cover misc. expenses. BAD! We have several goals for our savings, including a trip to FL in October with family (short term goal) and a 5 year anniversary trip to Ireland in 2013 (long term goal). And of course there's the EF.
Whew, that was a long post :P
The way it currently stands, monthly we spend 500 (rent) + 35 (my car insurance) + 43 (Andrew car insurance) 70 (internet, 55 comes back to us eventually) + 50 (Andrew cell phone) + 16 (Netflix) + 40 (storage rent) + $120 into savings
+ mostly conditional expenses of 500 (groceries/gas/pet stuff/eating out/entertainment/gifts/etc)
= $1429
That number could be tweaked, as some months we don't spend as much on gas, food or pets. Also, the internet's more like $15 for us in the end, but we do have to pay the $70 upfront.
Anyway, so we're going to cut the storage building out (-$40) and Andrew is considering cutting off his cell phone because he has a different one for work (-$50). That's -$90 right there.
= $1339
With that extra $90, we're also going to up our savings amount per paycheck. Since we're currently saving $120 a month or so, we can easily start saving $200 a month.
So the big current number is $1429. Hoping to push that to $1339.
I'm sure we could also be better about our conditional expenses. We've been pretty lucky in regards to not spending much on gas because the only real consistent driving that we do is on the weekends to drive to Millington and back. Eating out gets expensive fast, but we do it so rarely now so it's becoming a nice treat every once in a while. Groceries can't be helped, and since I've been cooking a LOT more, our meals are cheaper in the long run. Pet expenses have been high lately due to a flea infestation and then subsequent deworming of one cat. Gifts are uncommon, necessary and fun :)
All of this discussion brings me to the topic of an Emergency Fund. I've read differing opinions on how much to save; some people seem to think 3-6 months worth of expenses works well, while others seem to prefer 8-12 months. I think 3 months is a great start.
So we take that projected $1339 a month and multiply it by 3 or 6 or whatever. That gives us about $4000 we'd need to save up. Ouch. But hey, that's the monthly cost of a mortgage for many people so I consider us very lucky.
We are saving each and every paycheck. The sucky thing is that we've been dipping into the savings here and there to cover misc. expenses. BAD! We have several goals for our savings, including a trip to FL in October with family (short term goal) and a 5 year anniversary trip to Ireland in 2013 (long term goal). And of course there's the EF.
Whew, that was a long post :P
Monday, June 8, 2009
Monthly Expenses
Since I don't have a post of stuff I've bought in June yet (trying to save up some money currently), I figured I'd make a post about our monthly expenses.
Rent = $500 ($250 per check)
His cellphone = $50ish (trying to get this lowered by looking into pay-as-you-go plans)
[My cellphone = $22 (still on my mom's plan so she currently pays it)]
My car insurance = $35 (used to be like $20 more until I switched to Geico)
His car insurance = paid every 6 months
Storage building rent = $40
Netflix = $16
Internet = $70ish ($55 of that is reimbursed from his job; since my mom and brother also use this service, it sort of 'evens out' my cellphone payment)
Andrew gets an additional 'work cellphone' so he doesn't really need a personal cellphone. Also, I'd love to condense down into one car so we'd only have one insurance payment. (Looking into trading our 2 cars in for a newer and slightly bigger one-really want a a Fit!) The need for the storage building will hopefully be eliminated once we have our own place, but I don't know. We both enjoy Netflix so we'll keep that. Rent is obviously required, and we're internet whores so we need that.
I've been trying to see where we can cut down on our bills and expenses. Thank god we don't have student loans, car payments or credit card debt. If anything, we might have a small car payment if we decide to get a newer car at some point. I love both of our current vehicles, but they're both 2-door and so small and inconvenient sometimes.
Rent = $500 ($250 per check)
His cellphone = $50ish (trying to get this lowered by looking into pay-as-you-go plans)
[My cellphone = $22 (still on my mom's plan so she currently pays it)]
My car insurance = $35 (used to be like $20 more until I switched to Geico)
His car insurance = paid every 6 months
Storage building rent = $40
Netflix = $16
Internet = $70ish ($55 of that is reimbursed from his job; since my mom and brother also use this service, it sort of 'evens out' my cellphone payment)
Andrew gets an additional 'work cellphone' so he doesn't really need a personal cellphone. Also, I'd love to condense down into one car so we'd only have one insurance payment. (Looking into trading our 2 cars in for a newer and slightly bigger one-really want a a Fit!) The need for the storage building will hopefully be eliminated once we have our own place, but I don't know. We both enjoy Netflix so we'll keep that. Rent is obviously required, and we're internet whores so we need that.
I've been trying to see where we can cut down on our bills and expenses. Thank god we don't have student loans, car payments or credit card debt. If anything, we might have a small car payment if we decide to get a newer car at some point. I love both of our current vehicles, but they're both 2-door and so small and inconvenient sometimes.
Friday, May 8, 2009
May Purchases
I also bought some pants ($9) on clearance from Kohls but couldn't find an image of them.
$22
$18
$11
$28
$5
$15
$5
$4 (for Mom)
$10
$28
$28
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Savings Update!
We had $90 left over from our last paycheck, so we deposited that into the MM savings account. We now have over $500 total in savings. Yeah! :)
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Savings Update!
Andrew received $120 from overtime pay, so we put that into the Money Market savings account (now at $350). Our second savings account has about $100 in it currently.
Friday, March 27, 2009
March Purchases
Hmmm I've been rather naughty this month in terms of purchases...
As a couple, we also spent $17 on three used appliances: Crock Pot, George Foreman grill, and toaster over, and $5 on other yard sale finds.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Savings Update!
Andrew's account received $230 from the Navy Reserves, so we put that right into savings. We have a balance in savings again! YAY! Now we must resist the urge to spend it!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Goals
I forgot to mention our goals for savings:
- Saving for an emergency fund!
- I'd like to save for some trips, especially for going to Ireland to renew our vows for our 5th wedding anniversary (in 2013) and also to visit Japan at some point. This fall, we might accompany my sister and her family to Florida for a few days, so we're saving towards that, too.
- We'd like to get a Honda Fit eventually, but if both of our cars keep running we'll be fine for a while.
- Saving to eventually put a down payment on a house :)
- Saving for an emergency fund!
- I'd like to save for some trips, especially for going to Ireland to renew our vows for our 5th wedding anniversary (in 2013) and also to visit Japan at some point. This fall, we might accompany my sister and her family to Florida for a few days, so we're saving towards that, too.
- We'd like to get a Honda Fit eventually, but if both of our cars keep running we'll be fine for a while.
- Saving to eventually put a down payment on a house :)
1st Paycheck of March
Andrew brings home about $860 each paycheck after taxes, 401k, and insurance (I am so, so, so glad that we finally have insurance!!! Not so happy about the $212 taken out per month, though). In addition, he brings in an extra $250 from one weekend of Navy Reserves, per month.
So $860 x 2 = $1720 + $250 = $1970 or so per month of income.
Out of the $1720, we pay $500 a month ($250 per paycheck) to my mom for rent/utilities and to cover my $25 a month cell phone bill (I'm still on her plan). We also have $108 (his cell phone ($55), Netflix ($16), and storage building rent ($37)) in bills per month. I pay my car insurance (around $55) out of my 'allowance' of $240 a month, leaving me with about $95 per paycheck of spending cash. Andrew (theoretically, anyway) has an 'allowance' of $95 per paycheck, as well.
1720
-500 rent
-240 my allowance
-108 bills
-190 Andrew allowance
____
$682 ($341 per check)
That $682/month goes towards groceries, eating out, any necessary gifts, pet expenses, gas, and savings.
[Are you still with me after all of that? ;)]
Andrew is hoping to put that extra $250 per month straight into savings. Whatever is left from the $682 will go into savings, as well.
So far this month we've spent a bit more than we would have liked to on pet expenses (nearly $100 this first check alone). Andrew's saying that he's going to forego this allowance and put that $95 into savings. I'm not so selfless, unfortunately. I've already spent part of mine: $25 on a vintage bag from eBay and $13 on a Japanese memo pad (one of my obsessions). We've also eaten out a few times already.
So, as it stands right now, we have $244 left til the next paycheck for everything (including Andrew's allowance). Not so good, eh? Luckily, he's out of town for a month for a job training class, so we shouldn't be eating out as much nor getting as many groceries.
We shall see.
So $860 x 2 = $1720 + $250 = $1970 or so per month of income.
Out of the $1720, we pay $500 a month ($250 per paycheck) to my mom for rent/utilities and to cover my $25 a month cell phone bill (I'm still on her plan). We also have $108 (his cell phone ($55), Netflix ($16), and storage building rent ($37)) in bills per month. I pay my car insurance (around $55) out of my 'allowance' of $240 a month, leaving me with about $95 per paycheck of spending cash. Andrew (theoretically, anyway) has an 'allowance' of $95 per paycheck, as well.
1720
-500 rent
-240 my allowance
-108 bills
-190 Andrew allowance
____
$682 ($341 per check)
That $682/month goes towards groceries, eating out, any necessary gifts, pet expenses, gas, and savings.
[Are you still with me after all of that? ;)]
Andrew is hoping to put that extra $250 per month straight into savings. Whatever is left from the $682 will go into savings, as well.
So far this month we've spent a bit more than we would have liked to on pet expenses (nearly $100 this first check alone). Andrew's saying that he's going to forego this allowance and put that $95 into savings. I'm not so selfless, unfortunately. I've already spent part of mine: $25 on a vintage bag from eBay and $13 on a Japanese memo pad (one of my obsessions). We've also eaten out a few times already.
So, as it stands right now, we have $244 left til the next paycheck for everything (including Andrew's allowance). Not so good, eh? Luckily, he's out of town for a month for a job training class, so we shouldn't be eating out as much nor getting as many groceries.
We shall see.
Adventures in Budgeting: Welcome!
Welcome to the sibling blog of Gnome-tastic!
I've been trying to delve a bit more deeply into the world of budgeting and saving, and I figured creating a blog to help me track my progress would be beneficial. I've always been much more of a spender than a saver, and while I don't think I'll ever be more of a saver than a spender, I hope to at least balance the two.
My husband currently works for NCR and I'm a housewife (a domestically challenged housewife, but a housewife all the same). We just got married in October of 2008 and we're currently living with my mother, partially because it's cheaper than living in our own place and partially to help her pay her bills. Luckily, we all have a great relationship so things work pretty well.
My husband and I have a relatively small budget to work with, so it's essential that we track purchases and organize our money efficiently.
I hope that this blog can help us to pay our bills, save some cash, and still have some spending money to have fun with!
I've been trying to delve a bit more deeply into the world of budgeting and saving, and I figured creating a blog to help me track my progress would be beneficial. I've always been much more of a spender than a saver, and while I don't think I'll ever be more of a saver than a spender, I hope to at least balance the two.
My husband currently works for NCR and I'm a housewife (a domestically challenged housewife, but a housewife all the same). We just got married in October of 2008 and we're currently living with my mother, partially because it's cheaper than living in our own place and partially to help her pay her bills. Luckily, we all have a great relationship so things work pretty well.
My husband and I have a relatively small budget to work with, so it's essential that we track purchases and organize our money efficiently.
I hope that this blog can help us to pay our bills, save some cash, and still have some spending money to have fun with!
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