I got home from Texas late yesterday afternoon and am (kinda) glad to be back home. It was very hard to leave my sister and dad, but it was time for me to get home to the boys, my sister to get back to work and my Dad to begin what will be his "new normal".
I've spent this morning just trying to get organized around the house. Mr. Steady drove the boys home from Texas over the weekend (15 hour drive) all by himself and he has been Mr. Mom for the past 3 days. On the way home from the airport yesterday (I flew home...) he told him that he was so sorry if he'd ever taken me for granted. :)
I decided it would help clear my mind to sit down and look at my finances for the month since I lost track a bit over the past week. I did forget for just a bit when I drove by my favorite thrift store that I am in the midst of a No-Spend Challenge. I ran in to see what was on Sale and found a fireplace tool set for $3. We've been needing a poker for our backyard fire pit and I was thrilled to find something used! Since it's going to live outside the fact that it's white, brass, and a tad ugly really doesn't matter. Although, I may spray some paint on it if I get motivated! And I'm afraid that I may have gotten something to add to my Unfinished Project List! Our guest bath is small with very little counter space and I've been wanting to get a small table or vanity to go in our guest bedroom so that my Sister and my Mother-in-Law have a place to put their makeup and hair stuff when they come to visit. I found a nice sized vanity with drawers for only $20. And, let's just say that it needs to be painted. I'll wait and show pictures to you when I have both Before and After pics to share!
So now to my update on spending.
My goal is to spend 10% less in January 2012 than I did in January 2011. I've taken our house payment out of the calculations because we refinanced and our new payment is 15% less than 2011's payment. In January 2011 we spent $4721, so this month I want my spending to be below $4249. I'm thrilled to say that even with the $500 we spent traveling to Texas for mom's funeral included in the totals, we've spent $3135 so far for the month. This leaves me with just over $1000 for the rest of the month. I know that I still have about $800 in miscellaneous expenses (cell phone bill, AAU registration, gas, guitar lessons, hair color, etc.), so that leaves me with a cushion of about $275 that I'll earmark for food. 13 days to go...
I've been out of town for the past week and would love to hear how everyone else is doing on their No Spend (or Low Spend) Challenge!
4 comments:
I've been thinking of you. Hope you are all ok. x
Low spend Month going well. It's been a really interesting month.
Sft x
Youve been in my thoughts & prayers. Hoe you're holding up ok! ((hugs))
You're doing great with your goal, I think it's amazing that you're sticking with it!
Glad you are back. I, too, have been thinking of you.
In the midst of all this, you are still doing awesome on the challenge! I love that you can spend 10% LESS than last year..I'll have to figure out how I did from January 2011.
I have been thinking about you. Give yourself time to grieve. This is going to be very hard on your dad. Great on your spending, mine is going well also. Take care. I am here for you if you just want to vent.
Post a Comment