Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Welcoming October with open arms...Or let's talk money post

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Without exaggeration, September was the hardest month of my life... But I'm ready for whatever October is going to bring.

September was not an easy one for us financially either. Originally I signed up for Carla's no/low spend challenge but had to drop out after we received Mom's diagnosis because I knew I would be going home. And the tickets weren't cheap but they were actually better than what I thought it would be. The total damage came to $963 for round trip. That's pretty good! For comparison, my husband went for an interview in TX (didn't get the job, unfortunately), and his tickets were $947 (paid by the company). I also took $1000 with me to give to my parents for Mom's medications but $500 of them was that gift from an anonymous friend. Thank you again, whoever you are!!:) Plus I spent about $180 on different things while I was there. I was actually surprised at how close the prices back home are to what we have here! When I moved to the US eight years ago, the difference was significant. It was kind of sobering to know that I would have to stretch every penny both here and there!

So our total "damage" for September on top of our regular expense was appr. $1643. Well, I'm wrong, it was actually less because my sweet husband, while he was still working, was secretly saving some money for me to go back home. He wanted it to be a very special Anniversary gift but then he lost his job. Still, he managed to save $400, so the total expense for this trip ended up being $1243. It's a lot of money for us right now but I don't have any regrets whatsoever because I could spend some time with my Mom...

Nonetheless, it's time to get back on track and tighten our belts. I've seen people over the web doing Financial Stoptober month, "How low can you go" challenges, eating-out-of-the pantry challenge, etc. etc. Obviously, I'm not the only one tightening my belt :) I kind of want to do it all. Both our fridge/freezer and pantry are still nicely stocked, so we will really try to spend very little this month.

Ideally, I want to stay within $200 in our grocery budget (my goal for the challenge that never happened. We'll see if I can succeed this time around). It usually includes food, personal care items, diapers (yes, we still need some of these...sigh), etc etc.

Also in September I only made $200 at my work because of all the things that were happening. I would love to, realistically, bring it to $500, and, optimistically, triple by the end of October. Again, it will not be easy but, I think, I can do it.

Next on my list is to start working on Christmas gifts. I'm planning on making a few handmade ones and we already picked up a couple on sale/clearance. But on top of that, between now and the end of the year we have 9 Birthdays in the family. Yes, our family is pretty big :) I already have 4 (actually 4.5) gifts but for the rest I want to make some extra money on top of the part-time job to cover the difference. We are majorly scaling back on gifts, so we won't need much. I hope to do it by selling some things, doing small extra tasks and so on. This goal is very doable too :)

And then we will try to give back, not necessarily with money but there are many other ways. We've been so blessed by so many people lately that we just want to do our best to pay back, help or serve...

And these are our goals for October.I have high expectations for this month, in many ways, and I'm trying to stay faithful, strong and hopeful. Life is a constant roller coaster right now but I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. We just need to get here..

And do you have financial goals for this month?

16 comments:

  1. You will so ROCK October!! Keeping busy and focused on so many things might be a little help for you as I know you are still worried over your Mom. And you are so RIGHT about spending that money to go home, you will never ever regret it. I am working on a pantry challenge this month, we need to cook and eat from the pantry for the most part. Our Christmas fund could use a boost

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    1. Our Xmas fund is actually full but that is the only thing that is really full in our house right now :) We will be doing a pantry challenge too, so we can cut any unnecessary spending in October.

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  2. I am glad that you are able to get back to everyday things right now. I think that's important. Good luck with everything.

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    1. Thank you :) It's not easy but I have to go back to normal. For my Mom too.

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  3. I hope you are able to meet your October goals. How sweet of your hubby to be saving money for you to go home as a surprise! I agree spending the money for you to go home now to see you mom was a necessity in my opinion. Nothing is more important than family. You will never regret spending that money.
    Rhonda

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    1. I know. There is really no price I could put on that week, spent with my Mom!

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  4. You are so uplifting, I can get so blue sometimes and think that the world is so dark. Thanks for your great spirit and endurance it makes my life easier.

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    1. Well, thank you, Kim! :) I have more than plenty of the blue moments of my own. But lately I try to laugh more than cry. And pray (the 3 am prayers are especially helpful,lol). It helps :)

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  5. Welcome back! And, going to visit your mom was absolutely the right decision. So glad you were able to go. I have three weeks off in October, so I'm actually planning a few fun (non-frugal activities), but I'm okay with that. Lots of belt tightening in other ways as we try to figure out our rental situation.

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    1. Non-frugal activities sound fun :) We all need to relax and stop thinking of money once in a while.

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  6. I read all of the posts that I missed. I just love you and your spirit. You are an impressive soul.
    I'm glad that your mother is doing better and I'm sure that she will continue her upward progress. And that you are still doing well after all that you have been through.
    And your hubs sounds like a saint!

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    1. Well, thank you Sonya. You are a sweetheart :) And I do consider myself lucky. I love my man so much!

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  7. I'm glad you got to spend some time with your mom! Your husband sounds like a gem.

    The only Oct goal I have is to keep working towards having enough to pay my bills and meet my ridiculous tuition deadline coming up very soon. Good luck to us both. :)

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    1. Oh, yikes, I don't miss having that tuition bill... Definitely good luck to us both!!

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