We had a busy weekend! My big boy had a birthday (Memorial Day weekend is a great time for that!) and we had a big picnic to celebrate. My son's birthday parties are proof you do not need a big hoopla for kids to have fun- every year we have a picnic outside. We invite family, a few friends, and we let him choose the dinner. This year we picked up a slip n slide for $10 and that and wiffle ball were the source of entertainment for kids (and adults) alike!
On to the Weekly Spending Report:
Groceries: $48.52
Gasoline: $87.86
Takeout: $45.74
Other:
Toys for kid's birthday (from 2nd Hand Store): $36.00
Diapers: $21.56
Birth Control Product: $138.09
Toilet Paper: $32.51
Gifts/Slip n Slide/Other: 67.66
Bills: 129.90
Total for Week: $607.84
Showing posts with label Weekly Spending Report. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weekly Spending Report. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 5.9.14-5.16.14 And Thoughts of My Year in the Compact So Far
Weekly Spending Report:
Groceries: 79.67
Total for Month: 217.17
Gasoline: 21.11
TFM: 139.95
Takeout: 0.00
TFM: 0.00 :)
Other:
Laundry Det. : 3.00
Plants and Garden Junk: 44.56
Netflix: 7.99
Beer Store: 48.99 (they discontinued my favorite cider in the US.)
Kindle Books: 5.00
Total For Week: 210.32
I am almost at the half way point in the year since I pledged to do the Compact. Time has flown! I really think everyone should take this on.
I decided to join the Compact mostly for Environmental/Social reasons- the impact of producing new things on people and the planet. I also joined it for the economic advantage- I am currently living out my dream of staying home with our baby and kid.
I have learned it is very easy to get almost anything you need second hand, especially with the internet. Even though we did not enforce the compact on the rest of the family, my husband is pretty much a part of it and we have bought almost all of the things for our children second hand.
I have also learned thus far that there is very little you actually need to buy new, and there is also very little you need to buy to be happy. Beyond food, clothing, and shelter happiness is much more a state of mind than something you can find in accumulating stuff. The compact has become a great tool to make me stop and think before I buy something, because I cannot buy it new. It has prevented me from buying a lot of useless crap.
Groceries: 79.67
Total for Month: 217.17
Gasoline: 21.11
TFM: 139.95
Takeout: 0.00
TFM: 0.00 :)
Other:
Laundry Det. : 3.00
Plants and Garden Junk: 44.56
Netflix: 7.99
Beer Store: 48.99 (they discontinued my favorite cider in the US.)
Kindle Books: 5.00
Total For Week: 210.32
I am almost at the half way point in the year since I pledged to do the Compact. Time has flown! I really think everyone should take this on.
I decided to join the Compact mostly for Environmental/Social reasons- the impact of producing new things on people and the planet. I also joined it for the economic advantage- I am currently living out my dream of staying home with our baby and kid.
I have learned it is very easy to get almost anything you need second hand, especially with the internet. Even though we did not enforce the compact on the rest of the family, my husband is pretty much a part of it and we have bought almost all of the things for our children second hand.
I have also learned thus far that there is very little you actually need to buy new, and there is also very little you need to buy to be happy. Beyond food, clothing, and shelter happiness is much more a state of mind than something you can find in accumulating stuff. The compact has become a great tool to make me stop and think before I buy something, because I cannot buy it new. It has prevented me from buying a lot of useless crap.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 5.1.14-5.11.14
Seeing goals from last month help me set some more "realistic" goals this month. To reiterate, my 3 target areas right now are groceries, gasoline, and takeout, since they are the 3 expenses I can (most) easily control.
Monthly goals:
Groceries: 400.00
Gasoline: 175.00
Takeout: 50.00
Housing: 900.00
Groceries: 137.50 (Costco)
Gasoline: 118.84
Takeout: 0.00 !!!
Other:
Kindle Books: 7.53
The Honest Company: 54.59
Staples (Printer ink and paper): 72.37 (uh, so expensive!)
Free Cards S&H: 7.37
Beer Store: 42.35 (In Pennsylvania, you can only by beer by the case. PA has "state" liquor stores, which are pretty much the communist version of alcohol sales.)
Total for Week: 1340.55
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there :)
Monthly goals:
Groceries: 400.00
Gasoline: 175.00
Takeout: 50.00
Housing: 900.00
Groceries: 137.50 (Costco)
Gasoline: 118.84
Takeout: 0.00 !!!
Other:
Kindle Books: 7.53
The Honest Company: 54.59
Staples (Printer ink and paper): 72.37 (uh, so expensive!)
Free Cards S&H: 7.37
Beer Store: 42.35 (In Pennsylvania, you can only by beer by the case. PA has "state" liquor stores, which are pretty much the communist version of alcohol sales.)
Total for Week: 1340.55
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there :)
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 4.25.14-4.30.14
It has been a while- our family was enjoying a vacation at a cabin in the woods :) I will hopefully be able to share some pictures soon!
Before I get into the Weekly Spending Report, I need to draw attention to the situation in Nigeria, where their was 276 girls kidnapped from their school. This is horrific and I just saw this article that my country is getting involved - US Joins Hunt to Bring Back Our Girls
Now that that serious stuff is out- onto my weekly Spending Report. I can't believe April has come and gone already!
Groceries: 25.04
Gas: 53.40
Takeout: $19.00 - this is slightly shameful- it was all spent at one place at a Chick Fil A. Fast food aint cheap.
Kindle Books/Ultimate Homemaking Bundle: 49.50
I will do a post about this later
Grocery Total For Month of April: 438.17 (goal was 400.00)
Takeout/Dine Out Total for Month of April: 67.43 (I think the goal was 35?)
Gasoline Total for Month of April: 184.12 (Goal was 180.00)\
Total Spending for Month of April: 2201.65
Family selfie @ cabin
Before I get into the Weekly Spending Report, I need to draw attention to the situation in Nigeria, where their was 276 girls kidnapped from their school. This is horrific and I just saw this article that my country is getting involved - US Joins Hunt to Bring Back Our Girls
Now that that serious stuff is out- onto my weekly Spending Report. I can't believe April has come and gone already!
Groceries: 25.04
Gas: 53.40
Takeout: $19.00 - this is slightly shameful- it was all spent at one place at a Chick Fil A. Fast food aint cheap.
Kindle Books/Ultimate Homemaking Bundle: 49.50
I will do a post about this later
Grocery Total For Month of April: 438.17 (goal was 400.00)
Takeout/Dine Out Total for Month of April: 67.43 (I think the goal was 35?)
Gasoline Total for Month of April: 184.12 (Goal was 180.00)\
Total Spending for Month of April: 2201.65
Friday, April 25, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 4.19.14 - 4.25.15 and My Dreams are Getting to Literal
Weekly Expenditures:
Groceries: 84.15
Monthly Total so Far: 413.13
13.35- Baby Food and Formula ( I went into work and needed a back up for the baby)
146.03- Bills
2.00- Snacks at Library
23.46- Diapers and Wipes
75.00 - Anniversary Dinner at Restaurant with Kids
Our first dinner out as a family of 4.
10.00 - Field Trip for Kid 1
The couple weeks I have been using disposables makes me see how expensive they are! My total stash of cloth diapers and accessories paid for itself in 4 months.
Total for Week: 353.99
I have been having a lot of dreams lately, that I remember. I think it may be due to the fact my sleep is so broken that I am in this semi-awake-asleep state. They are getting so literal I cannot remember if they happened in real life or not.
For example, in one dream I was hanging out with our extended family, who thinks I am a hippie communist liberal, and we were having a friendly discussion over dinner of whether or not electronics affect the environment. And, in my dream, I hopped on my soapbox to educate everyone about the mining of coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how bad it is.
Since this did not actually happen in real life, I figured I'd share it here and encourage you to learn about coltan and try to hold out on buying new electonics as long as possible.
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Groceries: 84.15
Monthly Total so Far: 413.13
13.35- Baby Food and Formula ( I went into work and needed a back up for the baby)
146.03- Bills
2.00- Snacks at Library
23.46- Diapers and Wipes
75.00 - Anniversary Dinner at Restaurant with Kids
Our first dinner out as a family of 4.
10.00 - Field Trip for Kid 1
The couple weeks I have been using disposables makes me see how expensive they are! My total stash of cloth diapers and accessories paid for itself in 4 months.
Total for Week: 353.99
I have been having a lot of dreams lately, that I remember. I think it may be due to the fact my sleep is so broken that I am in this semi-awake-asleep state. They are getting so literal I cannot remember if they happened in real life or not.
For example, in one dream I was hanging out with our extended family, who thinks I am a hippie communist liberal, and we were having a friendly discussion over dinner of whether or not electronics affect the environment. And, in my dream, I hopped on my soapbox to educate everyone about the mining of coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how bad it is.
Since this did not actually happen in real life, I figured I'd share it here and encourage you to learn about coltan and try to hold out on buying new electonics as long as possible.
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Monday, April 21, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 4.12 - 4.18.14
Happy Easter/Passover/whatever holiday you might celebrate!
We had a busy Easter weekend, my husband and I sang in the choir and kid 1 went to a few egg hunts. I find the Easter bunny thing kind of dumb (bunnies do not lay eggs!) and really has nothing to do with Jesus rising, but, what are you going to do?
Trying to explain the resurrection to a 7 year old boy is not easy. He was very concerned Jesus was a skeleton or a zombie. We had to work on that one!
Anywho, here is the spending report.
Groceries:
38.87 which brings the total so far this month to 328.98
Takeout:
22.50
total for month so far: 48.43
Gasoline:
54.02
total for month so far: 130.72
Other Spending:
54.94 - CVS- included diapers, wipes, granola bars, and personal item
17.74- Easter candy and prescription
25.00- Easter toy for kids
3.34- Netflix
Total for Week: 216.41
We had a busy Easter weekend, my husband and I sang in the choir and kid 1 went to a few egg hunts. I find the Easter bunny thing kind of dumb (bunnies do not lay eggs!) and really has nothing to do with Jesus rising, but, what are you going to do?
Trying to explain the resurrection to a 7 year old boy is not easy. He was very concerned Jesus was a skeleton or a zombie. We had to work on that one!
Anywho, here is the spending report.
Groceries:
38.87 which brings the total so far this month to 328.98
Takeout:
22.50
total for month so far: 48.43
Gasoline:
54.02
total for month so far: 130.72
Other Spending:
54.94 - CVS- included diapers, wipes, granola bars, and personal item
17.74- Easter candy and prescription
25.00- Easter toy for kids
3.34- Netflix
Total for Week: 216.41
Friday, April 11, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 4.1.14 - 4.10.14
I know I have said it the past couple months but this month I really mean it- I am keeping a close eye on the 3 most controllable expenses I have- Groceries, Take Out, and Gasoline.
Goals:
Groceries: $400.00
Gas: $200.00
Take Out: $35.00
This spending increment is longer because I am including the first 4 days of April in this week.
Groceries:
$82.28 at regular grocery store
$215.93 Costco run (this is a monthly trip- hopefully will lower my over all monthly grocery bill)
Total: 298.11
Gasoline:
Mike: $36.75
Me: $40.00
Total: 76.75
Takeout:
$14.92 (fast food)
$9.01 (milkshakes and soft pretzels with Kid 1)
Total: 25.93
Other Expenditures:
$900.00 Housing
$74.00 Sewer Bill
$17.00 Hair cut for Kid 1
$20.38 Disposable Diapers and wipes (cloth diaper hiatus due to shingles fatigue)
$40.55 Includes birthday gift for husband, coffee and bagel for self
$51.59 Honest Company order with included dish soap, dish washer soap, hand soap, bar soap, sponge, window cleaner, and 3 tubes of toothpaste. Still undecided about canceling this. I have been giving myself a pass as we are going on month 5 with out a full nights sleep!
Total For Week: 1504.31
Goals:
Groceries: $400.00
Gas: $200.00
Take Out: $35.00
This spending increment is longer because I am including the first 4 days of April in this week.
Groceries:
$82.28 at regular grocery store
$215.93 Costco run (this is a monthly trip- hopefully will lower my over all monthly grocery bill)
Total: 298.11
Gasoline:
Mike: $36.75
Me: $40.00
Total: 76.75
Takeout:
$14.92 (fast food)
$9.01 (milkshakes and soft pretzels with Kid 1)
Total: 25.93
Other Expenditures:
$900.00 Housing
$74.00 Sewer Bill
$17.00 Hair cut for Kid 1
$20.38 Disposable Diapers and wipes (cloth diaper hiatus due to shingles fatigue)
$40.55 Includes birthday gift for husband, coffee and bagel for self
$51.59 Honest Company order with included dish soap, dish washer soap, hand soap, bar soap, sponge, window cleaner, and 3 tubes of toothpaste. Still undecided about canceling this. I have been giving myself a pass as we are going on month 5 with out a full nights sleep!
Total For Week: 1504.31
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 3.24.14-3.31.14 and Spending Temptations
Usually I do a week of spending, but I decided to just wait until the end of the month to wrap it up, then I can be done with March.
March is a long cold month here in these parts (Southeastern Pennsylvania, United States, North America, Earth). I am glad to be looking forward to Spring. April is a big month, I have Mike's (32) birthday (he's older than me :) and our 8th wedding anniversary. We got married on Earth Day. Not on purpose. It just so happened to be that way. Oh, and our wedding cost $500.00 and was awesome.
Aw, we love each other. I realize we have almost no photos of just the 2 of us together. Oh well.
Have I mentioned my husband is a jazz musician? If you are so inclined, check out his first album. :) :)
Anyway, back to the spending report. To recap, I am in the compact, buying nothing new, family of 4, Southeastern crappy expensive PA, etc. etc.
Shoes for Kid 1 : 46.35
Shoes are one thing I spend money on. Good shoes are important for your back and stuff.
Date with Kid 1: 7.95
Gift For Kid 1 Birthday Party: 16.05
I don't know why I made him go to the party. He does not like large groups of people. Neither do I.
Groceries: 145.78 (Time to go back to Costco me thinks.)
Take out: 14.92 ( I was so tired. Baby does not sleep through the night yet! )
Gas for Both Cars: 83.23 (I am getting my bike soon equipped with baby seat. I can't wait! I am hoping to have a basket and/or cart fixed so I can go to the food store!!)
Church: 70.00
Kindle Books: 11.00
Total: 395.28
Total for Month of March: 1991.97 WOW! New Low!! Woohoo!
I love not spending money.
That is not to say I do not have temptations, although I do not think my spending temptations fall in with what normal ladies spend money on. Books are my biggest temptation. Follow that with cleaning supplies.
Yes, cleaning supplies.
I am a sucker for anything that promises my house to be cleaner in an easier, less work, less time fashion. I am sorta lazy but I like to have a clean house. In the end, I have found the simpler products are usually the best. I have all hardwood floors, so I find a dust mop works the best, and I have a steam mop that I use around 4 times a year to clean and sanitize. (This may change once baby is crawling around, but in my opinion kids can use to eat a little dirt. Kid 1 tried to eat a cigarette butt once at the playground and lived to tell the tale. That was super disgusting. And don't get me started on our poison control call history.)
As for clothing temptations, I am tempted by things that promise me comfort. Like pajama jeans. Don't be fooled. They do not feel like pajamas! I love pajamas. And skirts. I love skirts.
What are your spending temptations?
Katie
March is a long cold month here in these parts (Southeastern Pennsylvania, United States, North America, Earth). I am glad to be looking forward to Spring. April is a big month, I have Mike's (32) birthday (he's older than me :) and our 8th wedding anniversary. We got married on Earth Day. Not on purpose. It just so happened to be that way. Oh, and our wedding cost $500.00 and was awesome.
Aw, we love each other. I realize we have almost no photos of just the 2 of us together. Oh well.
Have I mentioned my husband is a jazz musician? If you are so inclined, check out his first album. :) :)
Anyway, back to the spending report. To recap, I am in the compact, buying nothing new, family of 4, Southeastern crappy expensive PA, etc. etc.
Shoes for Kid 1 : 46.35
Shoes are one thing I spend money on. Good shoes are important for your back and stuff.
Date with Kid 1: 7.95
Gift For Kid 1 Birthday Party: 16.05
I don't know why I made him go to the party. He does not like large groups of people. Neither do I.
Groceries: 145.78 (Time to go back to Costco me thinks.)
Take out: 14.92 ( I was so tired. Baby does not sleep through the night yet! )
Gas for Both Cars: 83.23 (I am getting my bike soon equipped with baby seat. I can't wait! I am hoping to have a basket and/or cart fixed so I can go to the food store!!)
Church: 70.00
Kindle Books: 11.00
Total: 395.28
Total for Month of March: 1991.97 WOW! New Low!! Woohoo!
I love not spending money.
That is not to say I do not have temptations, although I do not think my spending temptations fall in with what normal ladies spend money on. Books are my biggest temptation. Follow that with cleaning supplies.
Yes, cleaning supplies.
I am a sucker for anything that promises my house to be cleaner in an easier, less work, less time fashion. I am sorta lazy but I like to have a clean house. In the end, I have found the simpler products are usually the best. I have all hardwood floors, so I find a dust mop works the best, and I have a steam mop that I use around 4 times a year to clean and sanitize. (This may change once baby is crawling around, but in my opinion kids can use to eat a little dirt. Kid 1 tried to eat a cigarette butt once at the playground and lived to tell the tale. That was super disgusting. And don't get me started on our poison control call history.)
As for clothing temptations, I am tempted by things that promise me comfort. Like pajama jeans. Don't be fooled. They do not feel like pajamas! I love pajamas. And skirts. I love skirts.
What are your spending temptations?
Katie
Monday, March 24, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 3.15.14-3.21.14 and The Most Financially Freeing Thing You Can Do That's Free
I will share with you my weekly spending, which honestly you probably stopped caring about a while ago since is nothing earth shattering- at this point I am doing it for me to keep myself accountable for a budget and The compact. Seriously this blog has kept me from making impulse purchases that I would later regret.
And then, after that, I will share with you the most earth shattering thing you can do for your finances! I can feel your excitement now...
Weekly Spending Report:
Bills: 168.59
This includes electric and Internet.
Groceries: 63.81
Family Lunch Out: 18.74
This 4 of us went out for a lunch and library outing after church on Sunday.
Gas for Me: 49.62
Gas for Him: 31.65
Church: 3.00
Total: 335.41
And now the moment you have been waiting for, where I share with you my financial wisdom. What is the most financially freeing thing you can do that's free?
Stop caring what other people think.
Seriously.
Katie
And then, after that, I will share with you the most earth shattering thing you can do for your finances! I can feel your excitement now...
Weekly Spending Report:
Bills: 168.59
This includes electric and Internet.
Groceries: 63.81
Family Lunch Out: 18.74
This 4 of us went out for a lunch and library outing after church on Sunday.
Gas for Me: 49.62
Gas for Him: 31.65
Church: 3.00
Total: 335.41
And now the moment you have been waiting for, where I share with you my financial wisdom. What is the most financially freeing thing you can do that's free?
Stop caring what other people think.
Seriously.
Katie
Monday, March 17, 2014
Expense Report 3.8.14 - 3.14.14
Really rethinking my stance on Costco- as I have not set foot in a grocery store in 3 weeks since my trip there. Mike did stop to pick up bananas and milk, bring our weekly grocery trip total to $11.51!
Groceries: 11.51
Husband Gas: 34.42
Water Bill: 90.47 (pay this quarterly)
Lunch Playdate with Kid 1: 12.58
Gift: 25.96
Total: 200.90
Groceries: 11.51
Husband Gas: 34.42
Water Bill: 90.47 (pay this quarterly)
Lunch Playdate with Kid 1: 12.58
Gift: 25.96
Total: 200.90
Monday, March 10, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 3.1.14-3.7.14 and Homemade Cleaners
Although I am a "J" type in my Meyers Briggs (INFJ) My "J" seems to be my weakest, and although I like to have things planned and a general outline, I am not rigid in my schedules. Which is why my Friday spending report is being posted on Monday.
Spending Report 3.1 - 3.7
House payment: $900.00
Shower Curtain: $10.00 - I let ours go for too long without cleaning it and now it is beyond hope. I ordered a cloth one from Amazon and plan on taking better care of it.
Book For Son used on amazon- $5.00 - a start to the "sex" talk. I want to make this as comfortable as it can be between a mother and son.
Gas for Me - $55.50
Gas for Mike- $31.05
That is the difference between a tank of regular and a tank of premium.
Groceries: $3.65 - rethinking my dislike of Costco as the only thing I needed to buy this week was bananas. I am definitely down with one shopping trip lasting 2 weeks.
Swim Diapers: $13.28
We have a trial family membership to a local gym and they have family swim night at their indoor pool.
The Honest Company Cleaning Bundle: $41.90
Total for this week:
$1060.38
The last thing on my list is the Honest Cleaning Bundle. Prior to the birth of Son 2, I made most of my cleaners at home. This started because I wanted all natural cleaners but didn't want to pay the price at the store. I decided to give myself a break when Son 2 was born and purchase cleaners from The Honest Company.
I didn't realize at the time that is a monthly subscription that needs to be canceled via phone call. If I had, I might not have ordered it, as I hate making phone calls (social interaction! Ah!)
Now that Baby is 4 months old and (sorta) sleeping through the night, I feel I might be ready to go back to my homemade cleaners, but the problem is, not all of them worked. And my husband HATES vinegar. With a vengeance. And he can sniff it out like a crime sniffing dog. So. Vinegar is out.
What did work:
Laundry detergent
Mirror/Window Cleaner
Soft Scrub
Dish Soap
What did not work:
Toilet Cleaner (still had marks in bowl)
Mold/Mildew Shower tile cleaner (shower looks a lot better since I started using Honest Bath Cleaner)
Dishwasher Detergent (made my dishwasher grime-y)
So, I am trying to decide if the expense is worth it. $35.99/5 products seems like a lot, and I don't know if I can justify the expense anymore. Does anyone have cleaner recipes for those things that work that do not use vinegar?
Happy Monday!
Katie
Spending Report 3.1 - 3.7
House payment: $900.00
Shower Curtain: $10.00 - I let ours go for too long without cleaning it and now it is beyond hope. I ordered a cloth one from Amazon and plan on taking better care of it.
Book For Son used on amazon- $5.00 - a start to the "sex" talk. I want to make this as comfortable as it can be between a mother and son.
Gas for Me - $55.50
Gas for Mike- $31.05
That is the difference between a tank of regular and a tank of premium.
Groceries: $3.65 - rethinking my dislike of Costco as the only thing I needed to buy this week was bananas. I am definitely down with one shopping trip lasting 2 weeks.
Swim Diapers: $13.28
We have a trial family membership to a local gym and they have family swim night at their indoor pool.
The Honest Company Cleaning Bundle: $41.90
Total for this week:
$1060.38
The last thing on my list is the Honest Cleaning Bundle. Prior to the birth of Son 2, I made most of my cleaners at home. This started because I wanted all natural cleaners but didn't want to pay the price at the store. I decided to give myself a break when Son 2 was born and purchase cleaners from The Honest Company.
I didn't realize at the time that is a monthly subscription that needs to be canceled via phone call. If I had, I might not have ordered it, as I hate making phone calls (social interaction! Ah!)
Now that Baby is 4 months old and (sorta) sleeping through the night, I feel I might be ready to go back to my homemade cleaners, but the problem is, not all of them worked. And my husband HATES vinegar. With a vengeance. And he can sniff it out like a crime sniffing dog. So. Vinegar is out.
What did work:
Laundry detergent
Mirror/Window Cleaner
Soft Scrub
Dish Soap
What did not work:
Toilet Cleaner (still had marks in bowl)
Mold/Mildew Shower tile cleaner (shower looks a lot better since I started using Honest Bath Cleaner)
Dishwasher Detergent (made my dishwasher grime-y)
So, I am trying to decide if the expense is worth it. $35.99/5 products seems like a lot, and I don't know if I can justify the expense anymore. Does anyone have cleaner recipes for those things that work that do not use vinegar?
Happy Monday!
Katie
Monday, March 3, 2014
Compact Monthly Spending Wrap Up
So, it is the second month of my "compact", or "buy nothing new." I had one breech in which I bought a "character badges" behavior program for my son.
I spent more in February than January, although part of that was because I had to order heating oil.
The total spending for February was $3028.30.
I had a goal of spending $25.00 on take out, which I did not meet. I spent $68.77 on take out this month.
I realized in doing this that I was approaching it the wrong way. In order to reduce take out costs, I need to be better organized about my grocery store/meal planning. So this month (March) I am going to focus my efforts on low cost meal planning.
My grocery expenditure for February was $501.42. I ultimately would like to get this closer to $400.00, but this month I am going to aim for $475.00. (A little at a time, slow and steady I say..)
I have lowered the thermostat down another degree to help with heating costs. We have had an unusually cold winter with lots of snow, so it cannot be altogether avoided.
The other big expense I am looking at is car gas. Between the two of us we spend $192.45 on car gas. Since I am currently not working, I think I can lower this by driving less. Most of my driving is done to spend time with extended family. I am shooting for $150.00 this month.
I look forward to Spring (hopefully) coming in March with some more mild weather. I actually do not mind the snow, I would be outside a lot more if the baby was not too little. But, I really enjoy having 4 seasons, and I am ready for winter to move on and welcome Spring.
Well, that's all for today. Talk to you soon!
Katie
I spent more in February than January, although part of that was because I had to order heating oil.
The total spending for February was $3028.30.
I had a goal of spending $25.00 on take out, which I did not meet. I spent $68.77 on take out this month.
I realized in doing this that I was approaching it the wrong way. In order to reduce take out costs, I need to be better organized about my grocery store/meal planning. So this month (March) I am going to focus my efforts on low cost meal planning.
My grocery expenditure for February was $501.42. I ultimately would like to get this closer to $400.00, but this month I am going to aim for $475.00. (A little at a time, slow and steady I say..)
I have lowered the thermostat down another degree to help with heating costs. We have had an unusually cold winter with lots of snow, so it cannot be altogether avoided.
The other big expense I am looking at is car gas. Between the two of us we spend $192.45 on car gas. Since I am currently not working, I think I can lower this by driving less. Most of my driving is done to spend time with extended family. I am shooting for $150.00 this month.
I look forward to Spring (hopefully) coming in March with some more mild weather. I actually do not mind the snow, I would be outside a lot more if the baby was not too little. But, I really enjoy having 4 seasons, and I am ready for winter to move on and welcome Spring.
Well, that's all for today. Talk to you soon!
Katie
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 2.28.14 and Blog Absence
The last week of February, it sure went by fast.
Spending:
$248.49- Costco
We got a Costco membership before Obamacare to get a discount on our health insurance, hut now we have a cheaper plan through the Healthcare Exchange. I decided to grocery shop there this week because I hear good things about it. I have mixed feelings. The prices are pretty good but there a lot of things I really do not need in bulk, and I loathe going to more than one store in a week. It is also a half an hour away, and i do not like driving. Combine that with no self checkout and its not my favorite thing. I prefer a small store in bike distance where I can do self checkout and have no social interaction, because I am friendly like that. Don't think I will be going back anytime soon.
$182.50- Cabin Rental
This is for our family vacation in May.
$20.00-Church
$6.50- library fines place snack at the library.
The library is evil and tempts my kid with tasty snacks. Or I could just say no. But why do I always have to be the bad guy?
$15.20- Regular grocery store
$30.23- Husband Gas
Total for Week : $502.92
You may (or may not) have noticed I am not around much on the blog. It is because I spend my free time with this guy:
Spending:
$248.49- Costco
We got a Costco membership before Obamacare to get a discount on our health insurance, hut now we have a cheaper plan through the Healthcare Exchange. I decided to grocery shop there this week because I hear good things about it. I have mixed feelings. The prices are pretty good but there a lot of things I really do not need in bulk, and I loathe going to more than one store in a week. It is also a half an hour away, and i do not like driving. Combine that with no self checkout and its not my favorite thing. I prefer a small store in bike distance where I can do self checkout and have no social interaction, because I am friendly like that. Don't think I will be going back anytime soon.
$182.50- Cabin Rental
This is for our family vacation in May.
$20.00-Church
$6.50- library fines place snack at the library.
The library is evil and tempts my kid with tasty snacks. Or I could just say no. But why do I always have to be the bad guy?
$15.20- Regular grocery store
$30.23- Husband Gas
Total for Week : $502.92
You may (or may not) have noticed I am not around much on the blog. It is because I spend my free time with this guy:
Friday, February 21, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 2.21.14 and How do I keep my Grocery bill down?
It's that time again in which I report my weekly expenditures.
Groceries: $78.28
Gas for me: $52.66 (darn car!)
Gas for husband: $29.91
Internet: $48.43
Electric: $159.51
Basal Body Thermometer: $8.95
(for future Natural family planning- did not want a used thermometer)
Milkshakes with son @ Pennsylvania Dutch Farm Market : $9.01
Take out: $13.77 (this was husband's but I ate some of it)
Birthday Gift (cash) : $50.00
Total: $450.52
We had some extra money so I paid up my electric bill and internet for the next month!
I have had people ask me how I keep my grocery bill down low. Well, we usually get take out once a week- I won't lie. I have a 3 month old baby and I still have one foot in that "newborn survival" mode. Which also brings up the point that even though we are a family of 4, one of those members exclusively breastfeeds, so I am not actually buying any food for him.
My husband is celiac (gluten free) and my son eats about 5 different things (literally). I was a vegetarian for a long time but now do have the occasional fish and fowl (the gluten free/meat free thing can get hard- I can only handle so many beans.)
I would say the most savings come from not going to the store unless I absolutely have too. I will eat out of the pantry/fridge/freezer until things are bare (I am Old Mother Hubbard here). Not going to the store automatically means you will not spend money. This sometimes means husband and son have to suck it up and eat boring stuff, and the same stuff over and over.
I usually go to the store once a week. Before I go, I check the pantry and the sale flyer for whatever store I am going to (I do not go to more than one store. I have no interest in driving to more than once place with a baby and/or kid). I then plan 4 meals with a day for leftovers. I tend to improvise with recipes and substitute things i already have on hand.
I also do not use coupons unless someone gives me one. I do not get a newspaper and right now do not have time to look for deals. I buy store brands or whatever is cheapest.
I do not buy much packaged food, and a lot of times I do not buy organic. I prioritize organic by what we can afford in this order:
1.) Meat (if we cannot afford it I skip the meat)
2.) Milk
3.) Produce
I do not buy beverages other than milk and coffee. My son takes a water bottle to school. At home he likes to have "vanilla milk", which I make by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of sugar to his milk.
What are some things I buy? -
-dried beans/peas
-brown rice
-canned tuna/salmon
-milk
-cheese
-GF pasta
-popcorn kernels that we pop on the stove
-nuts
-frozen fruit/vegetables
-fresh produce that is on sale
For one of our first Christmas's together my husband gave me a bunch of herbs and spices. I loved that, and since then I just buy them as they run out.
I get some weird thrill in spending as little as possible and making do a long as we can. I also do not enjoy going to the store (especially in this wintery weather).
Anyway, that's all I've got for today.
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Groceries: $78.28
Gas for me: $52.66 (darn car!)
Gas for husband: $29.91
Internet: $48.43
Electric: $159.51
Basal Body Thermometer: $8.95
(for future Natural family planning- did not want a used thermometer)
Milkshakes with son @ Pennsylvania Dutch Farm Market : $9.01
Take out: $13.77 (this was husband's but I ate some of it)
Birthday Gift (cash) : $50.00
Total: $450.52
We had some extra money so I paid up my electric bill and internet for the next month!
I have had people ask me how I keep my grocery bill down low. Well, we usually get take out once a week- I won't lie. I have a 3 month old baby and I still have one foot in that "newborn survival" mode. Which also brings up the point that even though we are a family of 4, one of those members exclusively breastfeeds, so I am not actually buying any food for him.
My husband is celiac (gluten free) and my son eats about 5 different things (literally). I was a vegetarian for a long time but now do have the occasional fish and fowl (the gluten free/meat free thing can get hard- I can only handle so many beans.)
I would say the most savings come from not going to the store unless I absolutely have too. I will eat out of the pantry/fridge/freezer until things are bare (I am Old Mother Hubbard here). Not going to the store automatically means you will not spend money. This sometimes means husband and son have to suck it up and eat boring stuff, and the same stuff over and over.
I usually go to the store once a week. Before I go, I check the pantry and the sale flyer for whatever store I am going to (I do not go to more than one store. I have no interest in driving to more than once place with a baby and/or kid). I then plan 4 meals with a day for leftovers. I tend to improvise with recipes and substitute things i already have on hand.
I also do not use coupons unless someone gives me one. I do not get a newspaper and right now do not have time to look for deals. I buy store brands or whatever is cheapest.
I do not buy much packaged food, and a lot of times I do not buy organic. I prioritize organic by what we can afford in this order:
1.) Meat (if we cannot afford it I skip the meat)
2.) Milk
3.) Produce
I do not buy beverages other than milk and coffee. My son takes a water bottle to school. At home he likes to have "vanilla milk", which I make by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of sugar to his milk.
What are some things I buy? -
-dried beans/peas
-brown rice
-canned tuna/salmon
-milk
-cheese
-GF pasta
-popcorn kernels that we pop on the stove
-nuts
-frozen fruit/vegetables
-fresh produce that is on sale
For one of our first Christmas's together my husband gave me a bunch of herbs and spices. I loved that, and since then I just buy them as they run out.
I get some weird thrill in spending as little as possible and making do a long as we can. I also do not enjoy going to the store (especially in this wintery weather).
Anyway, that's all I've got for today.
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 2.14.14, First Breech of The Compact, Botched Take out Goal
I didn't have the chance to get this up yesterday. I had my first breech of the compact this week- i purchased a "Character Badges" behavior chart kit for my older son (we have been having some issues with behavior, and have yet to find a discipline system that works. I do not believe in any type of corporal punishment.)
Here is the breakdown for the week:
10.00 Character Badges Program
53.60 Groceries
20.00 Church
30.15 Husband Gasoline
45.00 Sushi- my husband got a sushi dinner for us for Valentine's day. I guess I didn't tell him my goal was $25 on take out this month. Oops.
Total: 158.75
We live in the area of the US that is getting slammed by ice and snow. Fortunately we did not lose power for very long!
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Here is the breakdown for the week:
10.00 Character Badges Program
53.60 Groceries
20.00 Church
30.15 Husband Gasoline
45.00 Sushi- my husband got a sushi dinner for us for Valentine's day. I guess I didn't tell him my goal was $25 on take out this month. Oops.
Total: 158.75
We live in the area of the US that is getting slammed by ice and snow. Fortunately we did not lose power for very long!
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Friday, February 7, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 2.7.14, What do you keep your thermostat on?
It's a new month! I decided to be a little more specific in my money breakdown categories, so you can get and idea of where all the money is going, and what areas I am trying to target to spend less.
Just how little can a family of 4 in the Northeastern United States live on comfortably? I am set out to see!
I want to add also that we found out my son qualifies for reduced lunch at school. I am unsure whether or not we will use this benefit. Most of the time I pack my son's lunch anyway.
So here is the breakdown:
$900.00 - housing
$169.56- Electric - That is a doozy. In the summer I had it down to 100.00.
$584.00- Heating Oil - we have had an unusually cold winter and I had the tank filled. Ouch!
$20.00- Church
$121.05- Groceries
$49.50- Gasoline for Car
$20.00- Kid 1 School Fundraiser
$10.00-Take out
$41.90- The Honest Company Cleaning Bundle
Total for Week One:
$1916. 11
Wow! The total for the first week is almost my total for all of last month. The Heating oil really did us in. I am hoping that that is it for the winter, but since out temperatures have been so low, who knows? We keep our thermostat set at 67*Fahrenheit during the day, and 65 at night. We used to keep it lower, but with the baby we have had to bump it up a little.
In the summer, I set it at 80. We do not have central air conditioning but do have window boxes. This year I am thinking of only having the boxes in the bedrooms, and toughing it out for the rest of the house.
What temperature do you keep your house?
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Just how little can a family of 4 in the Northeastern United States live on comfortably? I am set out to see!
I want to add also that we found out my son qualifies for reduced lunch at school. I am unsure whether or not we will use this benefit. Most of the time I pack my son's lunch anyway.
So here is the breakdown:
$900.00 - housing
$169.56- Electric - That is a doozy. In the summer I had it down to 100.00.
$584.00- Heating Oil - we have had an unusually cold winter and I had the tank filled. Ouch!
$20.00- Church
$121.05- Groceries
$49.50- Gasoline for Car
$20.00- Kid 1 School Fundraiser
$10.00-Take out
$41.90- The Honest Company Cleaning Bundle
Total for Week One:
$1916. 11
Wow! The total for the first week is almost my total for all of last month. The Heating oil really did us in. I am hoping that that is it for the winter, but since out temperatures have been so low, who knows? We keep our thermostat set at 67*Fahrenheit during the day, and 65 at night. We used to keep it lower, but with the baby we have had to bump it up a little.
In the summer, I set it at 80. We do not have central air conditioning but do have window boxes. This year I am thinking of only having the boxes in the bedrooms, and toughing it out for the rest of the house.
What temperature do you keep your house?
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 1.31.14, January Spending Wrap Up, Goals For Next Month
Here's the Stats for Week 4:
24.00- Pizza Night
(1 regular pizza for me and kid 1, 1 gluten free for Mike)
21.00 - Bota Box Wine
I decided to try this, since it is equivalent to 4 bottles of wine and said it is good for a month. It isn't bad! (I only drink wine a glass or two at a time, so I like that it lasts long)
35.00- Church Stuff
32.00 - Fruit basket gift for my aunt and uncle
92.72- Groceries
53.00- Gas (oh! that darn car!)
20.00 - Sushi take out ( I had an attack of laziness and didn't make dinner)
Total For Week:
$277.72
The month of January has come to a close. Here is my total spending for the month:
$2158.34
That is pretty low for a family of 4! Can I get it lower? This month I am going to try to focus lowering our take-out food bill- as that eats up a lot of our money (just last week alone we spent $44.00.) My challenge to myself is to spend no more than $25.00 next month. Challenge accepted!
I want to add that my family has no debt. We have been blessed by generous family members, and smart parents who taught me how to be a good steward of our money. My husband received a small inheritance from his grandparents, which we used to pay off his student loan. My husband and I have budget meetings, we have one shared checking account and we make our financial decisions together. When we spend more than about $20 on something, we consult the other to get the "okay" on purchasing. This means there are no surprises on the bank statement at the end of the month (and unhappy spouses).
Have a great weekend!
(What will the groundhog say?? (for my US friends))
Katie
24.00- Pizza Night
(1 regular pizza for me and kid 1, 1 gluten free for Mike)
21.00 - Bota Box Wine
I decided to try this, since it is equivalent to 4 bottles of wine and said it is good for a month. It isn't bad! (I only drink wine a glass or two at a time, so I like that it lasts long)
35.00- Church Stuff
32.00 - Fruit basket gift for my aunt and uncle
92.72- Groceries
53.00- Gas (oh! that darn car!)
20.00 - Sushi take out ( I had an attack of laziness and didn't make dinner)
Total For Week:
$277.72
The month of January has come to a close. Here is my total spending for the month:
$2158.34
That is pretty low for a family of 4! Can I get it lower? This month I am going to try to focus lowering our take-out food bill- as that eats up a lot of our money (just last week alone we spent $44.00.) My challenge to myself is to spend no more than $25.00 next month. Challenge accepted!
I want to add that my family has no debt. We have been blessed by generous family members, and smart parents who taught me how to be a good steward of our money. My husband received a small inheritance from his grandparents, which we used to pay off his student loan. My husband and I have budget meetings, we have one shared checking account and we make our financial decisions together. When we spend more than about $20 on something, we consult the other to get the "okay" on purchasing. This means there are no surprises on the bank statement at the end of the month (and unhappy spouses).
Have a great weekend!
(What will the groundhog say?? (for my US friends))
Katie
Friday, January 24, 2014
Weekly Spending Report, One Car Family, Keeping Stuff vs. Getting Rid of Stuff 1.24.14
Hello, it's that time again for the spending report. Tracking all my expenses has made me see how much money I am really spending, and even though I am not buying anything new, I am thinking for the coming months each month I will target an area to reduce spending (such as groceries, gas, etc.)
Here is the breakdown:
2.99 - Kindle Book ( ah! I failed again)
10.00- Church
133.36- Groceries
13.00- Bottle of wine (Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay, my favorite. we all have our vices)
9.15- ice cream playdate with kid 1
29.97- toilet paper. I find this funny that I spent 30 bucks on tp, and they deliver to my house in this huge box. I order it from amazon, it is plastic free and made from recycled paper. This will last us a couple months.
41.28- formula ordered from Amazon. I am breastfeeding, but I like to have formula on hand just in case.
35.28- gas for my husband's car
17.00- kid 1 haircut + tip
We all get our hair cut twice a year at Hair Cuttery. In between they are subjected to me and my scissors.
Total: 291.73
We have two cars. They are both paid for. Mike's is a '98 Camry that keeps on truckin', and I have a 2002 Passat which likes to give me problems because cars hate me. I would love to be a no car family. We live in the 'burbs, so public transit is not an option. I think we could probably become a one car family- with Mike being a traveling musician, he kind of needs a car. (Although I have had daydreams of him riding a bike with his drumset in a little cart behind him. I don't know how safe this would be on I95 ha ha.). The temperature around here has also been low, right now it is a balmy 10*F with a wind chill of -3*F. I suppose if I was super hardcore I could walk/ride a bike in this. But I've got a newborn. (He is my excuse for everything.) Are you a one car/no car family?
The other thing I want to touch on is stuff. I prefer a minimalist approach. If I lived alone my house would be quite Spartan. I like empty spaces. Clutter gives me anxiety.
My loving husband on the other hand, is a different story. He never gets rid of stuff. Now- he doesn't buy stuff much, (he has actually shown interest in the compact.), but he doesn't part with stuff. He is a "we might be able to use this" guy. And let me tell you, nothing makes him happier than to use something that I had previously tried to get rid of - "I told you honey!!" So, I state my case for minimalism, and he states his case for savealism (saving stuff?), and I actually have to admit some of his reasoning makes sense to me.
The biggest one was that we might as well keep it and try to use it, rather then sending it to a landfill and have to buy something else later. This makes sense, as I more and more think that donating stuff to thrift stores is just dumping your problem on someone else (not that I never think we shouldn't donate, otherwise, where would I buy my clothes?) but- thrift stores usually have an overabundance and have to throw things out. I love that he has the creative ingenuity to see the possibilities in things and what they can become - to make them into something new. ( I do not possess this.) I have mentioned before almost nothing in our house is new.
What do you think?
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Here is the breakdown:
2.99 - Kindle Book ( ah! I failed again)
10.00- Church
133.36- Groceries
13.00- Bottle of wine (Francis Ford Coppola Chardonnay, my favorite. we all have our vices)
9.15- ice cream playdate with kid 1
29.97- toilet paper. I find this funny that I spent 30 bucks on tp, and they deliver to my house in this huge box. I order it from amazon, it is plastic free and made from recycled paper. This will last us a couple months.
41.28- formula ordered from Amazon. I am breastfeeding, but I like to have formula on hand just in case.
35.28- gas for my husband's car
17.00- kid 1 haircut + tip
We all get our hair cut twice a year at Hair Cuttery. In between they are subjected to me and my scissors.
Total: 291.73
We have two cars. They are both paid for. Mike's is a '98 Camry that keeps on truckin', and I have a 2002 Passat which likes to give me problems because cars hate me. I would love to be a no car family. We live in the 'burbs, so public transit is not an option. I think we could probably become a one car family- with Mike being a traveling musician, he kind of needs a car. (Although I have had daydreams of him riding a bike with his drumset in a little cart behind him. I don't know how safe this would be on I95 ha ha.). The temperature around here has also been low, right now it is a balmy 10*F with a wind chill of -3*F. I suppose if I was super hardcore I could walk/ride a bike in this. But I've got a newborn. (He is my excuse for everything.) Are you a one car/no car family?
The other thing I want to touch on is stuff. I prefer a minimalist approach. If I lived alone my house would be quite Spartan. I like empty spaces. Clutter gives me anxiety.
My loving husband on the other hand, is a different story. He never gets rid of stuff. Now- he doesn't buy stuff much, (he has actually shown interest in the compact.), but he doesn't part with stuff. He is a "we might be able to use this" guy. And let me tell you, nothing makes him happier than to use something that I had previously tried to get rid of - "I told you honey!!" So, I state my case for minimalism, and he states his case for savealism (saving stuff?), and I actually have to admit some of his reasoning makes sense to me.
The biggest one was that we might as well keep it and try to use it, rather then sending it to a landfill and have to buy something else later. This makes sense, as I more and more think that donating stuff to thrift stores is just dumping your problem on someone else (not that I never think we shouldn't donate, otherwise, where would I buy my clothes?) but- thrift stores usually have an overabundance and have to throw things out. I love that he has the creative ingenuity to see the possibilities in things and what they can become - to make them into something new. ( I do not possess this.) I have mentioned before almost nothing in our house is new.
What do you think?
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Friday, January 17, 2014
Compact Weekly Spending Report, Birthdays, Gifts 1.11. 14 - 1.17.14
Hello! Is it Friday already? (As said by someone who is not out working 9-5 M-F Right? although I could argue a mom's work is never done..)
So here are my numbers. I have to say reporting my spending has made me really stop and think about what I buy. I like having the accountability.
52.02- Gasoline
My car only takes premium gas. Yeah, I know. But the car was given to me, and you don't argue with free. At least I don't.
5.00 - church stuff
7.00 - Thrift shop - 2 skirts for $3.50 each which I will be posting photos of maybe in the future- "thrift shop wardrobe" maybe?
27.00 - okay this was a dinner date for my Birthday last Friday. My husband and I had a gift card and that paid for the rest. This included alcohol at said dinner as well.
8.00- Mother/son date at chick fil a
I took my older son out on a special "mother/son" date. They had buy and adult meal get a free kid's meal special.
7.50- smoothie at gym.
Yes, this was ridiculous. And we belong to a gym?! But wait- before you start wagging your fingers, I actually won the gym membership at a fundraiser. It's a fancy pants gym, and I don't really belong there. (Can you tell I am not very fancy?) I was so hungry I was mad at myself for letting myself get to the point that I needed to buy a smoothie for 7.50, but between that and keeling over ( I have a tendency to pass out when my blood sugar gets low) I chose the "green machine" smoothie.
47.37- Internet Bill
12.00 - Prescription Drug (maybe someday you'll hear about my health issues:)
148.00 - Yearly home insurance Bill
11.41 - Groceries
Yup, that's right. 11.41 on groceries this week. We ate a lot of beans. Plus, I spent so much money last week I had food leftover. I guess that can negate the expensive smoothie?
3.99 - kindle book.
I failed on the free front kindle, but it was my birthday...
Total for week:
$325.30
So in other news my birthday recently passed (all I will say is I am somewhere between 25 and 35) and I had to think about gifts. My awesome husband made a card for me with my son, and gave me some special dark chocolate that I like. He knows me really well and I really appreciated the simple gift.
Now, I wasn't sure if I should tell my family "hey, I am in the compact, no gifts" or whatever, but in the end I didn't say too much. For some people gift giving makes them happy and it is how they express their love (what's your love language?)
I do have a conundrum- My parents are buying me a bicycle for my birthday, and my sister gave me a baby bike seat she does not need anymore. I am really excited about this, because I can ride to the state park and to town when its not 14 degrees out, and I am totally psyched about driving less (I would love to be a 1 car family - Mike travels for work and needs a car.) Should I look for a second hand bike in the spirit of the compact? Or is it acceptable to buy new because of the amount of gas I will be saving? Hm, it is a thought. I am so excited about getting a bike- my old one is from when I was young and too small for me now.
And what about gift cards? I did receive gift cards. My thoughts were I could buy underwear and stuff like that, or use them to buy gifts for other people, or give them to other people.
And that leads me to gift giving to other people while doing the compact. I no problem giving/receiving second hand gifts, but I know some people are offended by this. I try to stick to consumables then- coffee, wine, chocolate- something that person likes. Food is my favorite after books - (reading and eating, with sleep as a close third.) Who doesn't like to get food?
Anyway, that's all for today. Have a great weekend!
Katie
So here are my numbers. I have to say reporting my spending has made me really stop and think about what I buy. I like having the accountability.
52.02- Gasoline
My car only takes premium gas. Yeah, I know. But the car was given to me, and you don't argue with free. At least I don't.
5.00 - church stuff
7.00 - Thrift shop - 2 skirts for $3.50 each which I will be posting photos of maybe in the future- "thrift shop wardrobe" maybe?
27.00 - okay this was a dinner date for my Birthday last Friday. My husband and I had a gift card and that paid for the rest. This included alcohol at said dinner as well.
8.00- Mother/son date at chick fil a
I took my older son out on a special "mother/son" date. They had buy and adult meal get a free kid's meal special.
7.50- smoothie at gym.
Yes, this was ridiculous. And we belong to a gym?! But wait- before you start wagging your fingers, I actually won the gym membership at a fundraiser. It's a fancy pants gym, and I don't really belong there. (Can you tell I am not very fancy?) I was so hungry I was mad at myself for letting myself get to the point that I needed to buy a smoothie for 7.50, but between that and keeling over ( I have a tendency to pass out when my blood sugar gets low) I chose the "green machine" smoothie.
47.37- Internet Bill
12.00 - Prescription Drug (maybe someday you'll hear about my health issues:)
148.00 - Yearly home insurance Bill
11.41 - Groceries
Yup, that's right. 11.41 on groceries this week. We ate a lot of beans. Plus, I spent so much money last week I had food leftover. I guess that can negate the expensive smoothie?
3.99 - kindle book.
I failed on the free front kindle, but it was my birthday...
Total for week:
$325.30
So in other news my birthday recently passed (all I will say is I am somewhere between 25 and 35) and I had to think about gifts. My awesome husband made a card for me with my son, and gave me some special dark chocolate that I like. He knows me really well and I really appreciated the simple gift.
Now, I wasn't sure if I should tell my family "hey, I am in the compact, no gifts" or whatever, but in the end I didn't say too much. For some people gift giving makes them happy and it is how they express their love (what's your love language?)
I do have a conundrum- My parents are buying me a bicycle for my birthday, and my sister gave me a baby bike seat she does not need anymore. I am really excited about this, because I can ride to the state park and to town when its not 14 degrees out, and I am totally psyched about driving less (I would love to be a 1 car family - Mike travels for work and needs a car.) Should I look for a second hand bike in the spirit of the compact? Or is it acceptable to buy new because of the amount of gas I will be saving? Hm, it is a thought. I am so excited about getting a bike- my old one is from when I was young and too small for me now.
And what about gift cards? I did receive gift cards. My thoughts were I could buy underwear and stuff like that, or use them to buy gifts for other people, or give them to other people.
And that leads me to gift giving to other people while doing the compact. I no problem giving/receiving second hand gifts, but I know some people are offended by this. I try to stick to consumables then- coffee, wine, chocolate- something that person likes. Food is my favorite after books - (reading and eating, with sleep as a close third.) Who doesn't like to get food?
Anyway, that's all for today. Have a great weekend!
Katie
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Compact, What will I buy new, Spending Log 1. 9.14
Hello All! I guess it was a lofty goal thinking I could get 3 blog posts up this week with the babe. I write on paper first, because that's just me. Also, sitting down to type requires me to have both hands, and writing on paper does not. (Nor does the kindle). And I quite frequently have one arm occupied with my bundle of joy.
"But sometimes she sticks me in here. Oh the indignity!" (said in haughty British voice)
So, here is the official website for the Compact:
The Compact
I was trying also to decide what to buy new, Katy@TheNonConsumerAdvocate has a list. Here is mine (so far)
1.) Food/Toiletries (obviously. although I suppose you could forage/dumpster dive...)
2.) Undies/Socks/Bras
3.) Bathing Suit- I spend a lot of time at the pool and I am thinking I don't want to buy anything used that touches the privates..
4.) Kindle Books- at this point I am unaware of the ability to purchase used kindle books, although I might challenge myself to only download free books or check stuff out of the library.
I can't think of anything else. At first I was skeeved out about used sheets, but then I thought about hotels and how many people sleep on those sheets and then it didn't seem that bad. (Reminder to bring pillow with me to hotel. Not that I stay in a hotel often.)
And now to this week's spending report for Jan 1 - Jan 9
Every Friday I will be updating my spending. How low can we go? A little background information:
4 people in family-
2 adults
2 kids (age 7 and 6 weeks)
We live in Pennsylvania in a suburb of Philadelphia.
Anything else you want to know? Ask in the comment section!
The Numbers:
.
Groceries: $55.66
Groceries: $62.64
Groceries: $18.02
Honest Company Cleaning Bundle: $53.09
Norton Internet Security Automatic renewal- $74.19
BILLS: $974.00
Church Offering: $20.00
Kindle Book: $5.99
Total: $1263.59
Wow that's a doozy. I spent $136.32 on groceries. Guess I need to work on that. And totally didn't remember the Norton Security Auto Renewal.
Well, this is going to be interesting.
Katie
So, here is the official website for the Compact:
The Compact
I was trying also to decide what to buy new, Katy@TheNonConsumerAdvocate has a list. Here is mine (so far)
1.) Food/Toiletries (obviously. although I suppose you could forage/dumpster dive...)
2.) Undies/Socks/Bras
3.) Bathing Suit- I spend a lot of time at the pool and I am thinking I don't want to buy anything used that touches the privates..
4.) Kindle Books- at this point I am unaware of the ability to purchase used kindle books, although I might challenge myself to only download free books or check stuff out of the library.
I can't think of anything else. At first I was skeeved out about used sheets, but then I thought about hotels and how many people sleep on those sheets and then it didn't seem that bad. (Reminder to bring pillow with me to hotel. Not that I stay in a hotel often.)
And now to this week's spending report for Jan 1 - Jan 9
Every Friday I will be updating my spending. How low can we go? A little background information:
4 people in family-
2 adults
2 kids (age 7 and 6 weeks)
We live in Pennsylvania in a suburb of Philadelphia.
Anything else you want to know? Ask in the comment section!
The Numbers:
.
Groceries: $55.66
Groceries: $62.64
Groceries: $18.02
Honest Company Cleaning Bundle: $53.09
Norton Internet Security Automatic renewal- $74.19
BILLS: $974.00
Church Offering: $20.00
Kindle Book: $5.99
Total: $1263.59
Wow that's a doozy. I spent $136.32 on groceries. Guess I need to work on that. And totally didn't remember the Norton Security Auto Renewal.
Well, this is going to be interesting.
Katie
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