August is going to be expensive!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
August is going to be expensive!!
5
Tue, 08-04-2009 - 7:56am

I swear I start almost every month saying that, but this time its true!


August has started and its going to be expensive!


I have my girls weekend this weekend. It will cost about $50 in gas (my share, three of us are splitting), $100 for the hotel (2 nights and two breakfasts) and $65 for the wine tour. We also need food and will likely be eating out a lot. I am going to do some damage control money and health wise by packing food to bring for the trip down (its a 6 hour drive). I will have the cash to do it with the extra in my paycheck, what I have saved over the last little while and my spending money.


Then we have our trip to New Hampshire August 23. That itself won't cost a ton (campsite is already paid for and there are four of us going so we can split the gas). We are camping so food won't cost a ton. The key here is that I decided a long time ago that if I do well with losing weight, my reward to myself is going to be buying some new clothes. I am not desperate (yet) but I will be come fall if I don't get some new works shirts. I have $110 put aside for this already and whatever my backpay is will go into that fund. If I DON'T meet my goal weight, then it goes to tuition savings, lol. I am 4.5 lbs away and have 20 days to do it, so keep your fingers crossed for me!


Then BF and I have our one year anniversary, so likely a dinner out. I am not sure if we are going to buy each other anything. I can probably talk him out of that one, but still an expense!


I decided that I am going to have to cool it with the CC reduction for a little bit until I can get this tuition out of the way. BUT I was able to reduce my monthly recurring bills to about $220-$240. I use the rent money to pay these bills and then apply the remainder to the CC, so that means I will be able to apply almost $400 a month to the CC. Not too bad for a monthly snowflake!


Bex -


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift -thats why its called the present."


Bex -

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Tue, 08-04-2009 - 8:19am

I know exactly what you mean I got two hard months maybe three coming up before I can get back to paying a bunch on the debt. But sometimes you just putting things off or things get in the

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Tue, 08-04-2009 - 9:03am

Well, I was seriously considering not going for my weekend, but BF talked me into it, and I'm glad he did. Its not like I'm splurging on stuff. Its time away with my friends (some of which have been my friends since I was 12 years old, some university roommates). We do this once a year, and sometimes, its the only time in the year I get to see them. I don't mind spending the money for the memories and friendships!


I don't know the whole story about the wedding, but my gut would tell me, if you can find a way to go, then do it. In the grand scheme of things, I have to keep reminding myself that its only money and friends and family are way more important.


Bex -


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift -thats why its called the present."


Bex -

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Tue, 08-04-2009 - 9:07am

Bex.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Tue, 08-04-2009 - 1:07pm

Can you look at ways to reduce even some more of the costs you suggested?

Why not a romantic picnic with your BF of one year instead of going out? Our anniversary is Saturday and we will have dinner in, but a nice dinner with really good steaks, and we will save over half the cost. $12 for a bottle of wine, as opposed to $8 a glass at a restaurant - same label. Steaks will be $15 total. The entire dinner might be $30 and it will be wonderful, then we can just stumble back to our room for a bit more anniversary....

It is great to have fun, and you have been doing great, just keep that perspective of debt payment in the forefront of your mind.

Our August will be expensive due to back to school costs of about $600, supplies, clothes, school fees and sports fees are all not cheap.

-Marie




iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Tue, 08-04-2009 - 1:22pm

I agree, August is going to be a rough month for us.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus