by Hope
It has been a crazy busy week. I think I could actually say that every week these days. But with the addition of my parents and sister here, a trip to Atlanta, a trip to Charlotte, Princess homecoming game and dance and preparing for History Buff’s arrival this past weekend, it was busier than usual. Oh, and did I mention I picked up a couple of extra work one-time projects.
But even with all that, I think I did good with money. What do you think?
Actual Spending - Week of 9/14
| Description | Anticipated | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Income *after taxes | $378 | $730 |
| Gas | ($70) | ($90) |
| Volleyball - entrance fees | ($10) | $0 |
| Storm Preparedness | ($50) | ($77) |
| Dining Out | ($50) | |
| Homecoming Football | ($11) | |
| Amazon | ($29) | |
| Credit Card Cash Rewards | $13 | |
| Total | $248 | $515 |
Notes on Spending
- Gas – My gas was high. I had doubled my typical budgeted amount knowing that I was driving to Atlanta to pick up my mom and sister from the airport and then a couple of days letter driving my sister to Charlotte to spend time with her friend. But it wasn’t enough. But it was a good reminder of how much I am appreciating my new regular budget…1 tank of gas per week rather than 2 or 3 when Gymnast was going to gym 4-5 times a week.
- Eating Out – we’ve been doing really well with not eating out. But Friday night Princess and I were at loose ends and we called my grandmother and mom to see if they wanted to eat out with us. We tried a new Mexican restaurant and had a great time. It was a real treat for all of us.
- Homecoming Money – Princess paid for her football game and homecoming dance tickets, but I did give Gymnast money to get into the high school homecoming game. This was his first, and probably last high school game of the season, since he typically has gymnastics on Fridays. (I let him skip this week to have this experience.)
- Amazon – Our restock of toilet paper came this week and it’s charged to my Amazon account. As soon as it was received, I paid it off again. I’ve had that account paid of for almost a year now. *pats self on back
- Credit Card Rewards – I was so excited about my cash back rewards last week I had to cash these in this week. It’s fun to watch my savings account, even if it’s just a little at a time. (And I got a $10 affiliate check from Self Lender, I put it in this new savings account too.)
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 5 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
Hi Hope!
I thought Gymnast was playing football? Maybe he’s playing JV? I just remember a girdle in your budget. Maybe I’m confused!
Kari
He is “playing” football, but he’s not actually playing. He’s mostly practicing and learning the game. But it worked out that they only practice 3 days a week and have a game 1 day a week, on the 5th day he is continuing with gymnastics…for now.
The football season ends next week, I think. He and I will sit down and talk then about what he wants to do next. He’s mentioned trying wrestling. Just kind of following his lead. His heart doesn’t seem to be in gymnastics anymore, but neither he or I are ready to make that a permanent decision yet.
I’m so happy to see you adding to savings. It’s really hard to balance saving with paying down debt but it is really important because stuff does come up.
I applaud your keeping track of your income and outgo but fail to understand why you aren’t showing the weekly cost of rent, utilities, and other non-weekly bills since your income has to cover them too.
Her rent was covered during actual spending 8\31 post.
Awesome job busting it with income!
All in all, it’s fantastic that you have double the surplus you expected. However, I’m curious about the details of some of your items. What items too you over your storm preparedness budget, which was already rather generous? You had said you guys had a full pantry and only needed batteries and water (and I shared an idea for nearly-free drinking water and ice on your post).
I applaud your transparency! It has a way of keeping us accountable when we put ourselves out there. It seems you are doing quite well based on what really matters in life. This is the first post of yours I have read and it’s quite clear your family is most important to you and you will do what it takes to make ends meet. Keep up the great work!