January 6th, 2008
This year has definitely started off better than last year. I finally have some goals set. I have given myself some parameters within which to operate. Watching Jane4girls and her $800 a year grocery budget really made me start to think about setting goals and how to reach them. So, for this year, I have made some goals. I will not call them resolutions, those are just made to be broken, kind of like diets.
First and foremost, each month I will have a written budget for that month before the month begins! Ala Dave Ramsey, spending every dime on paper. Sticking to that budget 100% and if something has to change, knowing that I will have to move it from somewhere else (another category). Any money left over at the end of the month will be moved to savings.
I have started a savings category for bills that will come occasionally, like car insurance and property taxes and will take them out monthly so there is not a problem (read:panic) when they are due.
Things like car maintenance and clothes and furniture replacement....these all need to be funded, but just a little at a time. And, I will keep an emergency fund that is truly designated just for that. A true emergency.
Now on to the food budget. Right now, I'll admit, I am a little chicken. I have it set higher than I think I need it. I set it at $300 a month for our family of four. (2 teenage sons, dh and myself) We do have a fair amount of things stockpiled, but I have not been keeping track of anything for the last 2 1/2 months and I want to make sure we are in good shape before I lower it. Does that mean I will spend that much? I sure hope not! :shrug7: I am aiming a lot lower. I just have to get dh back in the habit of not running to Walmart and overpaying for cokes.
This year has definitely started off better than last year. I finally have some goals set. I have given myself some parameters within which to operate. Watching Jane4girls and her $800 a year grocery budget really made me start to think about setting goals and how to reach them. So, for this year, I have made some goals. I will not call them resolutions, those are just made to be broken, kind of like diets.
First and foremost, each month I will have a written budget for that month before the month begins! Ala Dave Ramsey, spending every dime on paper. Sticking to that budget 100% and if something has to change, knowing that I will have to move it from somewhere else (another category). Any money left over at the end of the month will be moved to savings.
I have started a savings category for bills that will come occasionally, like car insurance and property taxes and will take them out monthly so there is not a problem (read:panic) when they are due.
Things like car maintenance and clothes and furniture replacement....these all need to be funded, but just a little at a time. And, I will keep an emergency fund that is truly designated just for that. A true emergency.
Now on to the food budget. Right now, I'll admit, I am a little chicken. I have it set higher than I think I need it. I set it at $300 a month for our family of four. (2 teenage sons, dh and myself) We do have a fair amount of things stockpiled, but I have not been keeping track of anything for the last 2 1/2 months and I want to make sure we are in good shape before I lower it. Does that mean I will spend that much? I sure hope not! :shrug7: I am aiming a lot lower. I just have to get dh back in the habit of not running to Walmart and overpaying for cokes.
New Years Day
Posted 01-01-2009 at 10:59:23 PM by kmmmom
Have you heard the saying, "if you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always gotten." ? Think about that. Am I satisfied with what I have gotten? I have a fantastic family. I have a wonderful husband, three terrific kids, 2 sweet dogs, a happy home. We have food on the table, clothes on our back and all the material things we truly need. So, what is it that I could possibly want.
I spent the last few weeks in reflection about the good and the bad, the wants and the needs and where I want to be next year at this time. I identified some major things (to me) that I want to see changes in during the next year.
Finances and living on a budget
Coupons and rebates.....make that money stretch
Sustainable organization and cleaning in my home
Exercise (and not just my fingers on the keyboard)
Menu planning and eliminating or at least severely restricting dining out
So, folks are welcome to come along with me on my journey. It may be boring, it may be enlightening. Only time will tell.
I spent the last few weeks in reflection about the good and the bad, the wants and the needs and where I want to be next year at this time. I identified some major things (to me) that I want to see changes in during the next year.
Finances and living on a budget
Coupons and rebates.....make that money stretch
Sustainable organization and cleaning in my home
Exercise (and not just my fingers on the keyboard)
Menu planning and eliminating or at least severely restricting dining out
So, folks are welcome to come along with me on my journey. It may be boring, it may be enlightening. Only time will tell.
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