Monday, September 1, 2008

August Budget Wrap-Up

Time to add up the August expenses and see how I did. I went over in my food category by about $35 but the only other expenses I had that were not regular monthly expenses were gas. I ate out once but it only cost $4.

Total August expenses...$400. Total budget allotment...$569.

What will I do with $169? $100 will go to the mortgage, of course. And, since I had the day off today, I decided to go shopping. That could have been very dangerous but, it's funny,I have sort of gotten out of the habit of shopping for 'things'. My mobile home is full of stuff that I don't use and need to sell or give away. My RV has very little space and it came pre-decorated. If I buy anything new I need to give something away first.

So, I spent $38 at Big Lots (the over-stock discount store) on boring stuff like kitty litter, paper towels and toilet paper. I stocked up so that I won't have to go back for the rest of the year. That way, if I don't have to go back to the store, I won't be tempted to buy any unnecessary things. Oh, I did reward myself with a new 3 pack of undies. I mean, frugal is good but holey underwear just goes too far :)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well you way outdid yourself with $400. Did that include that freezer stock up? I think you can start a side business doing budget for people and keeping them on track. But I think I would be scared to show you mine.

Daizy said...

Yes it did. I will (hopefully) never try to stock up the freezer again. My TV dinner lunches have become a joke at work (only a few left!). And I noticed that my old freezer is in desperate need of defrosting. Next month will be 'empty the freezer' month.

The $400 only included the bills that fluctuate like electricity,food, gas and misc. There is another $300 for things that don't change like life ins., car ins., cell phone and property tax.

I don't think anyone would pay me to nag them about their spending. I can just imagine...you don't NEED that! Put it back! Don't you EVER want to retire???!!!

Anonymous said...

I guess you never saw that TV show where this guy hooks up with an individual who has been turned in by family/friends. He looks at their spending and debts and puts them on a plan - including maybe getting 2nd jobs etc. Then comes back to visit them and see how they are doing. I think it was on Bravo.

Didn't you know - frugality in in!!!

Daizy said...

Ya, I say it back when I still had cable (oh cable...I miss you). He was a scary lookin' guy. I don't think I would intimidate anyone.

That's funny that you said frugality is in. A coworker was complaining that whenever he took vacation days people always asked where he was going. He hates to travel and loves to hang out at home. I said that hanging out in your own town was in now...they are called 'stay-cations'. He's in style.