Hi.. I've been busy closing out May's budget - since I have two (three if you include the business transactions) different accounts "budget books" , it takes me a little bit to put it all in one. The thing I love about closing out my budget is the ability to start anew in the new month - How much did I spend at Walgreens? (i need to buy stock there!); How much should I budget going in the next month. How was the grocery budget this month? I definitely think I need to increase that budget a little bit.. in our grocery 'category' it includes purchases from our specialty italian market, beer/wine and coffee (which are my husband's purchases), so in May we were high again in the 'grocery budget'. I think one of the things I'm doing differently in May with groceries, is pulling out $60/week (or every paycheck) & putting that in a cash envelope, and when the envelope is empty - that's it for the month. Although at $60/a paycheck (4 weeks of mine, plus 2 of H's; and then 1 other income check, that's 7 x $60 which is $420 - which honestly is where I would rather be for groceries). June is definitely a month that you grill more and eating 'lighter' just occurs because it's so hot (right?) I thihk $420 is a resonable number for us.. and then beer/wine & coffee will have to be it's own seperate account $100 - that's it.
Of course I need to also cut out walgreens - I get Grace a "surprise" all the time & she knows Walgreens when we pass by there.. how can I not get her a 'surprise?".. Maybe oriental trading & get a few at once..
For me the budget workbook is something I enjoy doing.. gives me peace knowing how every dollar is being spent (or wasted..) so that's where the tweaking comes in.
Never too late to start.. In May we paid $700 in childcare, but paid $1300 extra in cc debt.. it's slowly coming down. Paid off another credit card = use it once & paid it off. And put $$ into savings.
What are you doing differently with your budget this month?
pattie
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