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

A Personal Hiatus

Today during a very interesting gchat with boyfriend or Mr. Man as I sometimes refer to him, I realized that often I've set goals for myself and haven't followed through with them. Boyfriend is very good at setting goals and checking back on his goals...so...he suggested that I take a personal hiatus once a month to set goals, short and long term, follow up on goals from the previous month, and do major things related to personal finance. Now you see why I love him so much, he's a genius. I set goals during August, and much to my chagrin, I didn't follow up on them. So perhaps this would be a great monthly exercise for me and it would help me to stay on the grind continually.

On a monthly basis, I will now have a personal hiatus (with boyfriend, but separately). This way I can set, follow up, and maintain my goals. As well as, know his goals and we can both help one another as far as accountability is concerned. I'm so excited! I wonder when we'll start? Perhaps January...isn't that the time EVERYONE starts new goals and projects? (That was a rhetorical question.)

Maybe I can label them Personal Hiatus...doesn't that sound intriguing?! Like hmm, how classy, what's she up to?! Yep, the Personal Hiatus it is...a star is born. And more importantly, a great habit.

The Budgeting Battle Continues...

For some strange reason in this day of wonderful technology & fancy Excel spreadsheets...I'd rather write down my budget on a scraggly sheet of notebook paper. I'm not sure why, I think it just makes it feel less official to me. I have to do spreadsheets all day at work, and those are official, so when it comes to my money I think a spreadsheet seems to be so final and in concrete to me that I shy away from it. Am I making excuses? I don't know...as long as I find something that works for me and stick to it, right?

Last month I committed to make a budget and stick to it for the rest of the year and see if i have extra money...so far...that'd be a so-so. I have managed to save more money, so that's a definite victory. The hardest part is the food situation for Mr. Man & I. It's easier when you're budgeting for one...and with your own money. How in the world am I supposed to budget in Mr. Man as well? I don't know when I'll pay for us to eat or do things...and another thing, we tend to eat out a lot more when we're together. Where as, I can just find something at home and be satisfied...how do I help Mr. Man see that we've got to be more careful now because his money will ultimately be my money and vice versa. We have to start building great habits now, especially since we're all entitled to fall off the money management bandwagon from time to time, good habits are a must.

Okay, back to the matter at hand...the budget for November and dare I say December. The good news is that I've managed to save up $1300 to do Christmas shopping with. Mom says that it's plenty to buy gifts and then have some leftover for regular savings or my credit card. And I'm praying I can somehow muster the strength and courage to not buy myself a gift every time I buy someone else one. That's probably my biggest challenge for the holiday season. I don't spend much on anything else, besides my ungodly high rent, but that's another story all together.

I am following my budget challenge to myself, I am still committed and I can will do this. Enough said.

Budget Challenge Update

So I managed to live off of $60 worth of groceries for two weeks! I have no clue how I did it, but I did it. I've also started to eat healthier because I try to buy foods that will fill me up and aren't pre-processed and full of junk.

I did my budget for this paycheck...yes, I have to roll paycheck to paycheck with my budget, even a month is too difficult to plan for myself at this stage. After saving and shuffling money to various categories...on paper, I have $150 leftover. Good old Dave would say "Find a home for that $150, don't leave it out there in space." So I'm going to put it on my credit card. Slowly but surely...that thang is going down...die cc, DIE! I also rounded each expense up slightly so I probably will have more left over than I currently think but we have to start with baby steps.

All that to say, the challenge is still on! And like everyone else in this heartbreaking economy, I'm trying to pay down my debt as quickly as possible. I also managed to snag a few key fall items to update my wardrobe! Yes, I can do this budget thing...I really can.

The Budget Challenge

Per my previous post...oh, about 10 minutes ago. I'm really going to commit to doing a budget for 3 months, since Mr. Ramsey says that's how long it usually takes people to get the hang of it. After which point, I'll review my money and see if I was able to keep a better hold of it. This should be interesting, especially since I get paid 3 times in October, which means if I do this right, I could come out way ahead. I am going to commit to keeping track of what I spend and writing down what I plan to spend and following through with this. So in the words of the older gentleman on the Cosby show, "CHALLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUNNNGGEEEEE!!"

Tune in next payday (October 17th) for updates.

Budget Smudge-It

MAN! Budgeting is super difficult! I know this is the part where I'm supposed to say that I've got it all figured out and it's a whiz, err...but I can't say that friends. It's tough! And I feel as though I seriously have been trying to keep an eye on what I spend.

A good friend who also listens to Dave Ramsey told me to try the envelope system in order to track my spending in categories such as gas, groceries, and the blow category. This also proves to be a difficult task, as I hate carrying cash. I'm always afraid someone is going to knock me upside the head and take everything I've got. I think I get that from my mother, once my alma mater played in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans and my mom had a brand new purse (that she discovered didn't have a money compartment, her words, not mine) so she proceeds to walk down Bourbon Street with her purse clutched so tightly under her arm that she ended up pinching a nerve in her shoulder/neck area and had to go to the doctor for medicine once we got home! So...needless to say, I earned my angst over cash honestly.

Anyway...back to the matter at hand, budgeting. It's so difficult...I know I'm whining, but it's my blog, so I can do that. I can play my "Princess Power" as boyfriend calls it. The one thing I have managed to notice is that when I automatically put money away for saving, it's done. And I don't go back and remove it. Period. So, my retirement (prior to this economic meltdown) is well on it's way to prosperity. As well as my high yield savings account. Those babies are in tact! And I suppose, that's truly what matters the most. All of my bills are paid, and on time. I just have to get this credit card outta here (for, hmm...the 3rd time in my life). So I suppose I'm in a great place, just not totally where I'd like to be. But I guess that's what goals are for.

The bottom line is even if I don't have money to shop every month or spend money on trivial things, I always save for retirement and just in general. Because as Mr. Bach says, it's automatic, and that makes it easy. Now if I could only lock myself into this budget thing...I know I can get the hang of it. Maybe I'll set a goal that by the end of the year (approx. 3 months), I'll be budgeting on a monthly basis and meaning it. Yes, that sounds reasonable...enter the "Budget Challenge." See next post...

I'm MINTY

So I've recently decided to mint myself...I signed up for Mint a website that tracks all of your finances and categorizes them and also analyzes your spending patterns. It compares them to other people in the U.S. as well as in your area too. Kind of neat, huh?

The only thing that worried me at first was the security. However, after watching the demo video I decided that since they don't know my name, SSN or anything personal, it'll be fine. They only know what I do with my money...and I also got the opinion of a friend who specializes in internet security who informed me that it's just as safe as anything else out there.

So with that said...I quickly set up my account (less than 5 minutes). The only issues that presented problems were trying to find my credit union account, and linking the correct sites with my logins. (i.e. some institutions have more than one link, so you have to figure out which one is correct in order to login). I also discovered that if security questions pop up when trying to login, you have to answer those security questions, you can't leave them blank. Meaning I had to set security questions for two of my accounts, as well as answer all of the questions for each account, not just one.

The way the site displays and categorizes your spending is phenomenal. It was great to be able to click and in seconds have a pie chart that breaks my spending down, even offering the option to adjust the time frame. Also being able to compare my spending with others in my area was also another feature that's great. Especially with me being in DC, things are more expensive than they'd be for someone in say...Dallas.

You can even send support an email if you're having issues and they'll attempt to work through them with you. Not bad, not bad at all. I invite you to check it out...get minted.

Budget Update

So, my $25 budget for groceries was slightly overblown by about $5...and that's only because I bought dinner for myself & boyfriend one night. So...with that said, I'm very pleased with my $30 worth of food for one week.

Entertainment: $50 discount tickets to Six Flags & helped with parking

Food: $27 groceries to make brunch for boyfriend & I on Sunday...I guess that probably means I didn't really accomplish the $25 budget for groceries, huh? lol...I just thought about this....

I'm also suddenly addicted to McDonald's Egg & Cheese bagels, at least they're only $1.64 with tax...can I make breakfast for myself that cheap?

I've also committed to getting coffee from the free coffee bar in my apartment complex before leaving for work, this saves me at least $1/day, more if I buy a medium coffee.

Chuggin on....

Budget Buster

Grrr, see just when I decide to commit and fully make and commit to a budget...extra line items fall from the sky!

I got a blasted bill from the dentist for $63.60! Which is interesting considering I haven't been since earlier this year and I have overlapping insurances. Ahh well, such is life. I paid it and I'll adjust accordingly.

I also received a personal property tax bill in the mail. Double Grrrr. That blasted thing was close to $300! Talking about I received $600 worth of relief. WHATEVER! The only relief will be when my car isn't worth as much and I don't have to write them checks for large sums of money. Foolishness, commonwealth of VA foolishness.

The $25 Grocery Quest

Okay...so earlier this week I said I was going to attempt to spend only $25 in a week on groceries. Well...today is Thursday and I haven't been to the grocery store yet! I started eating all of these packs of instant oatmeal for breakfast that I had at work. Lunch, yeah...I did pizza for two days, the second day it was a little hard but I'm penny pinchin!Then dinner has been random food from home as well.

Although last night I did spend $15.91 for boyfriend & I to have dinner from Harris Teeter. I had sushi & red velvet cake (it was HUMP day so deserving of a treat) and he had boneless buffalo wings & mac 'n cheese. So...that dropped me down to $9.09 until Monday.

I think I can
I think I can
I think I can
tooot toooot...

Death by Budget

This budget is going to be the death of me...I'm telling you. This thing is tough, not to mention the fact that I'm trying to eat on a minimalist grocery budget. I suppose the first step to actually conquering the skill of budgeting is to track your expenses, so I'm being conscious of every penny I've spent since Friday.

Let's see:

• $30 ATM withdrawal (went to a tip for the bartender at boyfriend's birthday & pizza Sunday)
• $30 Gas for boyfriend's car when I drove it to Towson
• $3.17 McDonalds breakfast and medium coffee
• $33.15 Washington Gas bill (of which my roommate owes me $3 or so...should I get it back?)

Not too shabby...But that's also about $100 in a weekend...YIKES! Money sure does disappear quickly. Barf!

Still no update on the grocery budget, I stayed with boyfriend and he bought dinner. YAY! I also saved $3.35 in Metro fare because he came and got me from work. YAY again for fabulous boyfriend, he's the best ever. So that leaves groceries for Wed-Mon on $25, yeah, I think I can swing that. Especially since I still have some random tidbits of food left at my apartment, that I have yet to eat. I guess this is what Dave Ramsey means by a "beans and hotdog" diet. I think that's what he uses...I know he says beans.

This week is restaurant week in DC, so I already know I'll be spending at least $30 for dinner because I have reservations with friends. That's not too bad...but no more! Unless I go with boyfriend, in which case, he'll pay (hehe). So that's another $30 that I'm already committing to spend. So I've spent about $130 up to this point and a week and a half to go!!

This thing is busted already :-/

Boyfriend's Birthday!!!

Was ABSOLUTELY fabulous! I don't think the night could have gone any better. My outfit was fabulous as well I must say, thanks to my fashion team (wink, wink). Although I had to drive 50 miles to get the shoes, they were definitely worth it and accomplished the look I was going for. I loved it, he loved it, the girls loved it...that's all that matters. It was a great night and I didn't have to spend an outlandish amount of money on my outfit, although I did look like a million bucks (hehe). My outfit came in under $200 and considering that the dresses I was looking at before were, err...$178 without tax or shoes, I feel proud. Maybe I should post my outfit...I mean, I was proud kids, real proud. LOL. Okay...that's enough about that. My outfit was under budget, so that's the point.

Now back to the grind, or death as I like to call it, the budget! What's a reasonable amount to spend on food per week. For single people eating out is almost the same, if you eat fast food & carryout. I'm not very good at planning meals for myself. My pantry is full of food that I buy because I call myself planning & then don't eat. So I need to learn how to plan for the week & stick to it. Boyfriend suggested only buying one week at a time that way I don't get too bored, but even that's hard for me. So I'll be going to the grocery store today, hoping I can get this right. What's a reasonable amount to budget for groceries & eating out anyway? Considering that I eat a large breakfast, usually enjoy coffee or tea because I'm either drowsy or freezing at work, a large lunch, and then a snackish dinner. I'm not a big evening eater, I did train myself on that when I first started working. And it's worked, except if I can't eat within 2 hours of waking up, I'm NOT a happy camper! Other than that, it's a good habit I suppose that way I do all of my heavy eating while I'm the busiest at work. Although I've read that it doesn't matter, but I would think it does...I mean if I eat a bunch and walk all over DC then that's better than eating a bunch and sitting on my tail bone. So there! All you critics. Back to grocery budget...I'm going to try to do this thing with $50...yeah $50! For TWO WEEKS! CHALLENGGGGGE! For those kids out there who grew up watching Cosby like I did.

Okay, so I'm going to go the grocery store today and take $25 cash. That's it. Cash, once it's gone, it's gone. That way I'll be forced to think twice about whatever I pick up. $25 for Tues-Mon groceries. Eggs will definitely be on my list because they're cheap, and fill you up, and they have protein and a lot of other things as well, haha. Hmm, what else...Maybe some sushi (my guilty pleasure). I'm steering clear of red velvet cake, although I absolutely love it. Wait, I can't do sushi...not on a $25 budget. Good grief! I'm taking this offline, I'll let you know how it goes.

First go at the grind

Okay...I did it!!! YAYYY!!! I did my budget through the end of the year. The hardest part will be actually tracking what I spend and sticking with what I've outlined for myself.

So that's one goal that I can cross off of the list, now I just have to track and commit to the budget (or death as I sometimes like to call it.)

So here's another random tidbit...I also realized that I snagged another STEAL while in the mall the other night. A seersucker suit...for a mere $87! The pants are a classic fit with a cuff and the suit jacket is also adorable, well made and has a split in the back of it. Ahhh, fashion finds make me feel soo good. But....after doing some soul searching, perhaps I have to take her back. I was in the mall looking for a dress for boyfriend's birthday party, not a seersucker suit, and even though it was a steal, it's still an impulse buy. Grrrr, this may be the end of my seersucker suit. I had already pictured her (the suit) with a nice crisp white shirt and some bright peep toes. Then separately of course they'd be adorable as well...only I hadn't gotten that far in my planning.

THEN last night...went shopping with my SPBFF and I believe I found the PERFECT dress for boyfriend's birthday. She (the dress) was $135 and hot pink....ssssss! I also found the perfect clutch to go with it and with the dress purchase, it was $10.50!!! Happiness. Then we were off to shoe hunt. I'm going for this kinda Hollyweird look that's very trendy so some people will love and others will hate, but that's cool with me. Anyway...so now that I have my dress (it needs hemming, which I'm going to attempt to do to save $$...YES!!!) I can return the hmmm 3 others. One of them I have to keep since it was on clearance, but it's my favorite and I bought it knowing that it was a keeper regardless. So the other three and the shoes that were to accompany them are headed back to the store. YAYYYY!!! I think adding up my returns will make me happy...I don't have exact amounts but I'm going to guesstimate:

• BCBG Black Patent Peep Toes (these gals were KILLER) $95
• Blue Satin Dress from Dillard's (yes...Dillard's!) $79
• Bebe Two Tone Shirt (it was a dress for me...I'm short, not hoochie) $79
• Bebe Purple Dress $129
• Carlos Santana Leopard Peep Toes $89
• Aldo Black Patent Leather Pumps (they were a STEAL, but I've gotta give em up) $40
• TOTAL (drum roll please...): $511!!!!!!!!!!

OH MY GOSH!! How did that add up so fast, seriously. Man...I'm glad I committed to taking this stuff back. Thank you very much Mr. Merchant, but I'd rather have my money for hmm, saving! Oh and just for kicks, let's throw Mr. Seersucker back in there too, that's $598! Yep...I think I just convinced myself that he's going back too. See ya, sucker. If you go on sale further, perhaps I'll come back and consider you at a later date. Then I can store you in my closet for next summer. You were awfully cute...but I'm gonna say no.