How did I do this period? There were couple of unexpected expenses but after all I managed to stay in budget. Besides going dmv today and paying for my driver license there shouldn’t be any extra expenses.
Budgeted/Actualsaving: 250/250
Retirement: 250/250
Ann taylor card: 180/192 paid off
Chase card: 40/188 paid off
student loan: 500/500
Misc 331/331
Good news, there is no more Ann Taylor or chase card! Was it tough this period? Not so much because knowing that I’m saving for house downpayment, retirement and paying down my student loan makes me feel good.
Here is my budget for 8/16-8/31
Saving: 250
Retirement: 250
Rent: 655
Misc: 415
total: $1,570
As you can see not much going on rest of the month. Rent takes big chunk of my money. Ohh well, I should be grateful at least I can afford it.
This Saturday my friend is having a birthday party. Luckily it is in her place which means no spending $20-30 on restaurant food. Instead I am planning either make something or buy something from Ralphs. Perhaps wine? As far as birthday present goes, I haven’t decided what to get her yet. I’ll probably go TJ max and pick something. Maybe a girly painted wine glass?
Other than that I am going to study whole Saturday and Sunday. I am planning to work out and hang out by pool. Here is my misc. to do list I need to get done;
· I need to find a place to store an extra mattress in my room./Done
· Organize my walking closet and get rid of extra dresser/Done
· Work out both Saturday and Sunday /Done
· Finish Reading chapter 2-3 /Done
· Finish the scarf I started knitting 2 months ago! I actually wanted to finish by now so I could’ve given it to my friend as a birthday present but seems like I’m not going to be able to complete it. Well, I need to finish it this weekend anyways because 1- I am tired of seeing it 2- it should be ready to be given as a present. Half done
· Look into Swagbucks to see if I can make any money half done
Quick glimpse of my budget for August. Today is one week after I drafted budget so I just want to make sure I am still on right track.
my budget for August 8/1-8/15 was;
Starting balance: $1,551
Budgeted/Actual
Saving: $250/250
Retirement: $250/250
Ann taylor card: $180/192 paid off
Chase card: $40/188 paid off
student loan:$500/500
Misc: $331 still have $250 on my bank account.
So far I am doing ok. I hope coming weekend and next week will be as smooth as this week.
It is obvious now that I can not stick to my budget. Perhaps I have unreasonable goals. I want so save, spend and pay down my debt. Apparently I can not do spend part as much as I want :) I need to prioritize my needs and wants and just do it...I have also professional designation exam I need to pass.I keep failing...Nowdays I am such a social bug that I am even suprised but as we all know it costs money to be social.
Anyhow, here is my budget for August 8/1-8/15
Starting balance: $1,551
Saving: $250
Retirement: $250
Ann taylor card: $180
Chase card: $40
student loan:$500
Misc: $331
I love overcoming new challenges. Today I realized there are still 10 days to next pay check. Tell me about living paycheck to paycheck ugh..Anyways, the challenge is to stay in my daily spending budget which is $10 per day. Whatever purchases I need to make, I will defer them unless they are “necessary” which I can only think of is gas. It should be interesting to see how far I can push my limits.
Today is Tuesday and since Saturday I have not eaten out at all, including lunch. For me this is a huge success. However, I was wrong when I assumed I can feed my man with only salad for whole week. Yesterday I had to go Ralphs and buy pasta, more bread and stuffed pepper for him. I've learned couple grocery lessons that I'd like to share with you.
I've done meal planning before I went to grocery shopping which worked out perfect
I need to include more nonperishable items such as; pasta, beans etc
Trader Joe's is expensive. I will go to ethnic store for fruits and vegetables
Once a week I'll go to Trader Joe's, Ralphs and ethnic store. They are all close by sort of. For me the best day to shop is Monday after work.
Last 4 days I've been eating very healthy as a result of good meal planning. Spinach lasagna, smoked salmon sandwich, oatmeal (breakfast),mango&avocado salad, chicken salad with dried fruits and mixed green, lean cuisine ( for lunch), asparagus with rice and chicken. Yum!yum yum!
