Keeping records is not as easy as I thought it would be. The theory is simple enough, I just don’t do it. I’ve got all the receipts in one place this month (which is definitely a leap forward), but the amounts are being kept a secret until further notice ;).
It’s connected to everything else I [...]
Groceries are getting outrageous! I figure the only way I can stay on budget it to: 1. Stop eating, 2. Get rid of the children, or 3. Find some creative solutions. Since there is not way I’m about to stop eating and my husband says I can’t get rid of the kids unless I can [...]
Growing up, we never bought costumes for Halloween. Either we pulled stuff from the closet and “created” a character or else my mother made us a costume – which was much rarer as the years past and she focused on her career. I don’t know if it is because of my background or because of [...]
Groceries have gotten outrageous. The media is focusing on the rising cost of gasoline, but my milk costs almost twice what my gas costs. I went to the grocery store yesterday, and that one visit cost me half of what I had budgeted for the month. There has to be a better way.
1. Buy bulk [...]
Today is the first day of the month. We got a raise AND I’m making more money writing. It would be easy to say “why worry about a budget – we have plenty” or to add lots of new items to our budget. Instead, I’m determined that we will stick to our original budget and [...]
The day has finally come. Our budget and our paycheck finally balance. That means that there is no more panic at the end of the month as I try to figure out what to make with a package of dried pasta and canned northern beans (soup – always a soup ).
For several [...]
My husband got a raise this month. After taxes and added dental insurance, it is barely a blip on the pay stub. It is a raise, though. And I am determined that we will use it in the best way possible.
1. We are going to save over the next year. Each month, I am going [...]
Birthdays are great fun around our house. It’s also a time that can be easy to spend uncontrollably. The children deserve it – after all. The truth is that the children could care less. They just want to get together, eat some cake, and have a good time.
Because the budgets have [...]
Budget saving ideas usually involve some organization. My husband will be the first to raise his hand and tell you I was not born organized (or orderly – nearly drove him batty for the first 14 years of our marriage). Since food is the place we seem to spend the most of our money, I’m [...]
Christmas is just around the corner, and it is one of those shopping seasons that seem to put everyone’s budget in a tailspin. It doesn’t have to be that way. With just some patience and a few simple tips, your budget can come out unscathed.
1. Set a budget [...]