The Difference: Free Download

Jean Chatzky will be on Oprah today to discuss her new book The Difference. The book will then be available for download on Oprah's website from 11am Friday to 10:59am Saturday! Click here to download and receive your free copy!

How I Did

I committed to following everything that I swiped my debit card for in February, and I'm happy to report I succeeded!! YAYY!!!! Now, on to the dreaded task of reporting how I spent, lol...

Food 295.67
Fees 3.5
Apt Bills 173.69
Gifts 104.84
Credit Card 200
Rent 1003.48
Clothes 214.49
Personal Grooming 159.49
Gas 45.76
Personal Items 55.83
Entertainment 213.5
Business 49.86
Cell Phone 82.81
Computer Software 84.9
GLI 50
Dior 13
$2,750.82

YIKES!!! That bottom like is ultra scary. I will add some brief notes to the totals...the gifts section came from Valentine's Day and I set a goal of no more than $100, which I exceeded by a mere $4.84 so I'm pleased with that. My clothes are higher than expected, I did have two purchases that I had previously made at Express & Piperlime that were due this month, so these were factored into what I spent. Normally, I'd say I spend about $100/month on clothes. My personal grooming was higher than normal because I had to get my hair done, which is an expense I'm really trying to cut back on by learning to better take care of my own hair. Entertainment was definitely higher than ususal because I went on a ski trip with boyfriend, and it cost me $92 to participate. I also signed up for tennis classes, which were $86, so that isn't a traditional monthly expense, although I plan to re-enroll at the conclusion of the class. I had to purchase virus software for my computer to keep it protected, so I purchased two years to avoid having the added expense next year. So that's very unusual. All-in-all, I spent WAY more than I would've EVER anticipated. This will definitely make me think twice this month before swiping my debit card for any old thing! And the funny part is that even though I had non-traditional expenses come up this month, don't they always come up? I mean every month there will be an unexpected expense...like this month, I have a birthday and most likely another hair appointment. It makes me sick to think about it...lol

March Goals

For February, I give myself a pat on the back. Not a huge pat, just a pat...but a pat nonetheless. Here are my goals, and here's how I did:

1. Don't overspend. Valentine's Day is this month and while I LOVE to shower boyfriend with gifts...I shall refrain. I think we (boyfriend & I) should pledge to spend $100 MAX for V-Day. Our love is solid, I don't need material things to solidify anything. Ehhh, so-so. I could've definitely spent less, but I don't feel that I overspent. I didn't incur any debt.I'll try to do better again this month.
2. Put all extra money towards my credit card. The tax refund is looking pretty solid right now, so hopefully I can knock out my credit card (for the 3rd or 4th time, I'm losing track at this point.) FAIL. I didn't do it...period. I spent most of the extra money I had. Of course, I haven't thought about moving any extra money yet, so I technically still can...I plan on paying off the good old Chase credit card with my tax refund. Again, I'll keep striving this month.
3. Track what I spend. Every single penny, nickel and dime. PASS! I tracked everything that I spent in the month of February and I was definitely SHOCKED at the outcome. So I think the exercise was well worth it.

Now it's time to set some goals for March. Sidenote: This is my birthday month!!!

1. Don't overspend. Period, point blank, self explanatory.
2. Put all extra money toward credit card. Including my tax refund! This is going to be painful, but I know I can do it. If I was a good girl before, then I'd have extra money to shop for Spring. But alas, I wasn't a good girl, and I swiped Mr. Chase, so I have to pay him back! Next year, I'll smile as I burn up the mall for some Spring clothing.
3. I can't think of a heartfelt goal to put here. So I'll go with DO YOUR BEST. I can do a better job at hitting these goals than I've been doing. So this month, I'll really aim to hit the mark on them. Isn't it funny that we free up extra money in order to do other things and we end up spending it, but not for what we intended? Ughh, I've gotta do better. Lord, please give me some gut-wrenching determination!