Let's pretend this blog has no reference to saving money, minimizing expenses, and maximizing financial opportunities. Let's pretend Sam is a major spendthrift, and has no idea what a budget is. Let's round up the extra spending, shall we?
Friday, December 23rd: Spend $203 at Aldi's. Friggin Aldi's! Who does this? Then, swing by the local grocery store to pick up eggnog, a gallon of it, and then pop into the liquor store for Stella and Leinie's Honeyweiss. Yep, nearly $40 in beer, but hey, cheaper than the bar, right? That's Frugal.
Saturday: After dropping DS off to do last minute shopping rather than haul his gifts on the plane, I went to pick up a gift certificate for DD1's boyfriend at the movie theater. I decided to take advantage of the free bonus money, and bought a $50 one for us to use this week when kids were home. So sort of frugal, if saving $10 on a $15 bucket of overpriced popcorn is frugal. I also had to pick up a pub gift certificate for DD2's God parents, and they were giving away a $25 bonus for $100 purchase. I bought DH a $50 certificate as well, figuring he and DS would pop in and watch a game or something in there this week. $50 more not in the budget, but got a bonus $25. I know they will be used but so much for a budget.
Monday: I couldn't pull up my Groupon for free $5 coffee voucher at Caribou, so just paid cash for DD2 and my coffee's. DH took his mom and DS up to see the cabin, and out for a late breakfast-early lunch at a cafe in the town nearby. DH and older kids rented three new release movies for a late movie day-night in since DD2 was in bed sick. Hey, at least we ate more down from the grocery stock pile, rather than going out for Chinese food as we had originally planned.
Tuesday: Several of my siblings go out for lunch weekly on Tuesday's. I had planned to join, but then DH also was off work so came as well. As we were leaving, DS got back from a final visit with his Grandma before she left for Arizona very early Thursday, so he came along. DD2 still wasn't feeling the best, so stayed home. Still, lunch out for three instead of for one.
Wednesday: I hit Dollar Tree for 50% off Christmas stuffs, stocking my now depleted wrapping paper, cups, treat bags and boxes, ribbons etc. (though I still have some hiding in the garage somewhere.)I spent over $32 on stuff to stock away. I also spent $48 at Walmart, buying some heavily discounted gifts for next year and for a couple birthdays during the year. earlier we were in there trying to find a $ .99 Wet and Wild white eye shadow for DD2, who needed it for show choir. All sold out, we had to splurge on a multi color set, at $4.00, knowing three shades will probably go to waste. Savings or splurge, on Wednesday? I guess it depends on how I look at it, but it is cash flow out this week.
Thursday: I met a friend for lunch at Chili's, long over due catch-up and it was not busy, so we were able to chat uninterrupted for over two hours, not feeling guilty for occupying a table. I can say Chili's lunches are very good bargain. I was full on the cup
of chicken tortilla soup, and ate only 1 of the four pieces of the
quesadilla, as it comes with french fries as well. I stupidly left my quesadilla behind-just left with it sitting on the table. DH ended up working on his day off, but came home and took DS out for lunch, but then couldn't find the gift certificate, so ended up at the before mentioned Chinese buffet. DD2 got invited to roller skating and needed money for that plus, snacks. Cha ching again.
Today, DS is taking DD2 to a movie, but he'll use the gift card. He needs to hold onto his funds. We will not eat out again until well into January when show choir traveling starts. We are well set for snacks and food for New Years eve and day, including drinks, so hopefully we have spent our last dime in 2016. This was not the frugal December I planned for.
I thought up a new strategy to prepare for December 2017. If I put say $10.00 a week in an envelope, I'd have $500 guilt free splurge dollars, about what I figure we added to the spending. Now, where to find that $10? How about you? Anyone else throw money to the wind as I seemed to? Who went under budget and can sober me up with hard lessons in frugality?
Friday, December 30, 2016
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Due to Hubs' accident we haven't been able to go out to eat at all the last month. This turned into a "good" thing(if a broken limb is ever a good thing)for Xmas eve, as we couldn't do our traditional dinner at the local Chinese eatery. We did get take-out from them but brother in-law, nephew and college boy's friends were not invited to the restaurant meal AND extra appetizers and desserts weren't ordered either so the cost was a bit lower than usual.
ReplyDeleteMy last minute gift shopping--I put Hubs' shirts on a Kohl's gift card I've had for over a year and the other amounted to $18.05 at Walmart(2 shirts and a box of Pop-Tarts...yes Pop-Tarts were a gift.lol). Plus $1 for combs at DT.
It has just not been a good thinking through week for me. Too much impulse, not enough planning. Take Tuesday lunch. I could have had all 6 of us that met for lunch over for a big pot of soup, sandwiches, and a few beers for 1/2 what the bill was for the three of us in my immediate family. I think Pop Tarts should be treated as a rare treat, so very appropriate that they be gifted.
DeleteDon't beat yourself up. We all have times where it doesn't pan out. I challenge you to list the times where your thrifty ways have worked out. Bet there are many which you don't give yourself credit for.
ReplyDeleteArilx
Thanks for the boost. I hope to make up for this in January, plan better, and enjoy my nights and weekends just as well. some of the expenses will reduce other budget categories in the months to come such as entertainment and birthday gifts, so there are some wins too.
DeleteHi Sam, I can't throw money to the wind due to the fact that I budget down to $0, meaning if all goes as planned monthly, no money is left at the end of the month. And if I find ways to be more frugal, I move that extra money into a super secret vacation fund earmarked for when my youngest graduates college in 2019. We are planning an amazing vacation for the 4 of us as a reward for living frugally enough to cash flow college and as a reward for my girls for graduating.
ReplyDeleteThat alone provides me with all the incentive needed to not let the dollars, nickels and pennies just fritter away.
Yours - DeeCee
well done! What a wonderful thing for your family earned through your shared discipline. I am not pleased with myself. Nothing is going on credit-just less saved this month than we should have been able to.We have truly had a lovely week connecting with family and friends, so I don;t regret nay of the activities, just the costs so will challenge myself to keep connecting with people, but on the cheap.
DeleteSuck it up Sam and enjoy the memories of a lovely time spent with family then start again from fresh in Jan. At least no debt which is fab. I make my own egg nog though that might save you a bit next year lol
ReplyDeleteI have accepted it, but will aim to plan for the extra indulgences next year.I got each 1/2 gallon container for under $3.50, and I would worry I might give food poisoning if I attempted egg nog myself!
DeleteI haven't killed anyone yet lol
ReplyDeleteI know others do a fantastic job of egg nog. I bet yours is delicious.
DeleteI like your plan to save up splurge money for December. It's a time of social activities & family in town, and you don't want to avoid that. You want to plan for it instead!
ReplyDeleteThis year I added $200 of "extra spending at the beach" to my budget, and then didn't stress out with the costs of entertaining, etc. It made all of the difference to know that I had a buffer to pay for our trips to get hot cocoa, and the unexpected bargain futsal shoes at the Nike outlet (tax free), etc.
It's planning that makes the difference. I think I'm more out of sorts because so much was not in my plan, even though I thought I had planned for many impromptu extra's. I don;t regret anything though, and will make it up in January, groceries, and entertainment budget, to some extent.
Delete