Going strong! - week 1
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| Sun, 04-02-2006 - 2:08pm |
Morning all!
I'am on a roll with our finances this week! I've been trying to get creative with ways to save and built a solid budget for us. I'am going with $100 per week for myself (that includes all household items, food, and spending money). Plus $60 a month for the Netflix and online game memberships so that the DH doesn't feel the pinch right away. The DH gets $160 a week for his food and stuff (he really didn't get us in this mess, so it's fair). The rest of the budget is detailed according to what we usually spend per month on gas and utilities, but I'am going to work on lowering those this month (ie. turning lights out, etc).
I rolled all the change in the change jar and got $60, so I haven't even had to touch our paychecks this week for food and gas. I've also been cooking exclusively from home with stuff we had in the freezer and pantry and the DH is loving it! He's pretty much a take-out/fast food guy normally, but I'am cooking super healthy stuff and he's way happier about it. I didn't do much cooking before, since we both work so much we just kind of fended for ourselves, but I'am having fun with it! I made up a recipe for quiche, using potatoe for crust (since we didn't have pie crusts) and the DH loved it:)
Good news is we're throwing a minimum of $2,000 per month at the cards and I just paid one off this week! It was a small balance, but still, it was a nice feeling! Here's to being out from under the cc's in March 2007!

Wahooo!!! Not bad for only being Week One! Already paid off a card, found $2000 to send to your debt, and even searching your pantry for creative meal ideas! I am VERY impressed at all that you have done so far. Keep up the fantastic job!
Pat :-D
Thanks for the encouragement:)
I went to the grocery store today after making a detailed list and couldn't believe how much stuff you can get for a dollar! Before, when I shopped, I'd see something and throw it in the cart without a second thought, but today I actually looked at prices and saved so much! My grocery bill was almost half what it usually is and I got everything I needed. I lugged out my crock pot and now we have beef stroganoff for the week for like five bucks total. Sorry, I'am still in disbelief. I used to spend that much on one sandwich from Whole Foods.
I'am a huge reader and used to spend hundreds on books, but I just found the local library system online where you can order whatever book you want and for 25 cents they will bring it to the library closest to you. I spent the afternoon looking at Amazon.com and ordering any books from the library that I would have normally purchased. Seriously, there is a good $2,000 for the year right there!
Becky mom to
Carolyn (6th), Aaron (3rd), Kyle (Kindie), Luke (2)
CL to
Becky
CL of 4th, 5th & 6th grade Scoliosis
congrats.
MYM
Good news is we're throwing a minimum of $2,000 per month at the cards and I just paid one off this week! It was a small balance
This is FAB-U-LOUS!! I'm working on a plan to get at least $1000/mo towards our student loans. Boy, I can't wait to post that one of those buggers is paid off! I'm hoping to do it by the end of the year. I'm also trying to cook more at home. We've been on an eating out binge through March--I don't even want to tally up the amount of $ we blew on it. In our defense though, we were all sick for about 3 weeks total, super busy, and yes, a little lazy. You know, the usual "let's run through the drive-thru" excuses. Anyway, just wanted to give you a quick pat on the back! GL
If there's a hardback you MUST have, you might try zooba.com. You can buy books for 9.95 each with a minimum commitment of 9.95/month. No shipping costs.
Not to make you jealous, but our library system will move any book, movie, cd in it's system to my local branch for me to pick up at NO charge! I absolutely love it!
Great idea, I'll take a look at Zooba! I had just bought a mountain of books in January so I'am set for about a little while. I should post some of the newer titles that I have and if anyone is interested, I'll send em over to you. DH would be thrilled to cut down on the amount of books around here:)
Thanks Sweet:)
Sounds like those student loans will be cut down fast with your big payments! I'am current on my student loans, but not even worried about them til the cc debt is gone.
We are big on eating out too, but I'am trying to change that! I'am finding that if I just make sure there is something in the house that DH really likes (quiche or something with beef) he's not interested in fast food, which is a good thing! He was eating far too much McDonalds, even after I brought home the Super Size Me movie and made him watch it. I never ate much fast food, but I love ethnic take out - especially Indian and we have the best Cuban restaurant ever just around the corner.