Midnight realization
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| Sat, 12-11-2004 - 11:28am |
I realized (literally woke up in the middle of the night) that if I hadn't bought Christmas presents this month, I would have an extra $140 in my checking account. I am totally excited because I have been receiving so much inspiration from all of you.
Budgeting does work and it's the little things. I stopped eating fast food for lunch. It was too easy to stop and pick something up on the way home from picking DD up at school. Now I come home and prepare our meals. DH brown bags now. I make his lunch the night before, put everything in his lunch box, stick it in the fridge and all he has to do is grab it and go.
We only eat out once a week now. I even plan that into my menus. I only do that, so I know once a week I don't have to think about preparing a meal. We used to eat out three to four times a week.
I buy store brands when possible. I used to buy name brand mac and cheese, now the store brand. That saves over 50 cents a box, so it's almost $2 a week. Not a lot I know, but it is some. I keep it on hand for a quick lunch or dinner when I really, really don't want to cook.
I also discovered a big savings at Wal-Mart. DH is using nicotine replacement gum. The Wal-Mart brand for 110 pieces would last DH a week and cost $30. They now have a box of 170 pieces that cost $40. I was paying $60 for a two week supply. I compromised with DH. If he would cut 3 1/2 pieces a day, I would buy the bigger box and it would last the same two weeks. So, I am saving $20 a week there. And I don't want to know how much over the name brand. BTW, DH says he can't tell the difference!
I guess I just had to get creative with spending and saving. With that extra money that we will see come JAN (after the holidays) I will send 1/2 to savings (we only have about $500 now) to build up the emergency fund and I will send 1/2 to the targeted cc. DH also, being a gov't employee, gets a pay raise in JAN, so that will help too.
Thanks for all of the inspiration. I couldn't have done it without you.
Kellie

Way to go! The little things do add up don't they? You're on the right path!
Make sure you congratulate DH for quitting smoking. Not only will that save the family money in the long run- DH will be around to share a good long life with you and DD.
Congrats!!
I add going out to eat in our meal planning also. We go out every paycheck. Well, not right now since dh isn't home but, its just cause I would rather use that money for other stuff right now.
Glad you have found little things to help out. It feels great doesn't it? :)