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Are you ready for fall? I honestly have some very mixed feelings. I'm definitely ready for all the heat to go. This was one of the hottest summers I've seen and our electricity bill is a proof of it. But we'll miss summer fun and I'm not sure if I'm ready to have a kindergartener here :( He starts school next Tuesday...Aaaaa!!! It's exciting and scary at the same time!
We also made a decision about Florida. And...I'm not going :( It wasn't an easy decision. But we just can't justify this expense. We would have to take money out of our EF and it's not worth it. Which brings me to the next topic- Carla's September Savings Challenge. Our financial situation in August wasn't very easy. Hubby still didn't get reimbursed for gas and a cell phone (his work pays for it) and I only got a few assignments on my part-time job. To be honest, I'm getting disappointed with this job. I only made about $100 this month. I mean, it's a hundred bucks we didn't have before but I still expected more assignments. I only worked one week out of the whole month. Hopefully, it will pick up soon. Most of the problems are temporal. But it reminded me again that we need to live within our means. And I kind of failed again in August.
So I decided to join dear Carla this September with her Savings Challenge.
These are my rules:
1. Spend no more than $250 for groceries. This is not going to be very easy. Our fridge is pretty much bare. In the past two weeks we only bought a loaf of bread. Nothing else! So there is a big shopping trip coming this weekend. But our garden is producing nicely right now (mostly tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. Or and kale, of course :)). Our usual grocery budget is $280, so we will put aside $30 from it.
2. Spend no more than $50 eating out (and use coupons and deals). The Kid turns 6 in September and we will have a little party with friends at home that weekend and then he asked to go to his favorite restaurant on the actual day. I think he's a little too young for choosing restaurants but we will combine his Birthday and beginning of the Kindergarten :)
3. Spend no more than $65 for Kid's Birthday party (not counting the restaurant). I already bought lots of things and spend about half of this budget but I really want to try not to spend too much. And it's so easy to get carried away...
4. Save everything I make on the side.
5. Count every penny.
I'm still working on our savings goals and post them on Saturday, September 1st.
Do you have any goals for the upcoming month?
Great goals, Lena! :) We overdid it in August as well, so I'm happy to get back on track & save some extra money!! Thankfully our fridge & freezer "runneth over", so I'm praying my $200/week goal is achievable! Good luck this month!
ReplyDeleteAnd good luck to you too, Carla! :)
DeleteI am going back to work next week. I will start with 2 or 3 days and see how it goes. Not sure if I am ready, but not having a pay check bites. My goals in Sept: earn more, get payment schedules set up for my medical bills, start keep an eye our for Christmas present ideas and bargains.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy. I's hard without a paycheck but take care of your health first!
DeleteI figured I am more likely to over do it at home than at work.
DeleteThat could be true :)
DeleteGood luck! I love a money challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you Niki. I'll need it :)
DeleteYou will so rock this challenge!! I too am in for September's challenge we have overspent this summer by a lot :( I will be thinking of you next week as you watch that school bus roll away for the first time, it is a happy sad time
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't know. Especially when I look at our empty fridge :) I think you'll rock the challenge too. Especially after all the awesome meat deals that you found :)
DeleteI am taking part in Carla's challenge as well. Haven't figured out what my exact goals are going to be yet but I'm ready to get started saving. Good luck with your goals :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! And good luck to you too!
DeleteYou are so disciplined. I'd be happy to spend less than $250 a week on food. I usually do, but some weeks are harder than others. Of course, I have 3 teenagers. I did really well on my back-to-school shopping, though. We managed to re-use a lot of school supplies and clothes, so I spent a lot less money than usual. The kids really didn't mind using old binders, erasers, etc.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for boys,huh? :) They don't care about new clothes or other new stuff as much as girls. I like that my oler kid passes clothes to the younger one.
DeleteI just found your blog and Ilove it! I am adding you to my blogroll so I remember where to find you! Funny thing is that my blog is called Frugal and Vintage!
ReplyDeleteKerri
Thank you for stopping by my blog Kerri!
DeleteHi Lena,
DeleteI jus came across a post where your sister made a honey cake. Is there any chance you can share the recipe? Thanks! I am really enjoying youe blog!
I'll post it here in the next few weeks :)After I make it myself first- I haven't done it in a while!
DeleteWe are doing a September challenge too but ours is we are not spending more than $60 for groceries. We have a pretty nice stockpile so this should be easy...well I hope. Haha also, I will be losing my babysitting income which is almost $500 per month. This coming week is my last week. I know the Lord will bless us as long as we remain faithful to Him.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I know you can do it!