March Budget Close-out

HI, everyone! March is coming to an end, and with all the craziness happening in our world I'm still happy to report we have a freezer full & our budget looks good..going into April.

I have saved $310.00 in March (accumulated from all my Sinking Funds (xmas '20, emergency fund account, a small investment account (acorns) & a new account that I started for Household Big Items). I'm psyched that I have saved that much more into these accounts. A small amount a week definitely adds up.. start now, if you can. With acorns, I only put in $5.00/week, for Christmas 2020, I put in $10/week. Even small, as I said, it adds up.. my goal for Christmas is $500 (and I will reach that by just the $10/week, and then I don't have to worry about taking it out all at once when Christmas rolls around).

My budget for groceries in March went way beyond what I had budgeted.. I think the mind plays crazy tricks on us during these 'stressful/emotional eating times'.. almost to "kill time" we have gone grocery shopping, whether we needed groceries or not.. so for the last few days & into April we will be finding something else to do than buying groceries or eating for that matter. I had budgeted $300 for March for groceries and spent $670! Woahhh!! The good thing is I did purchase a bulk package of organic beef/meats for $119, so that's in that amount.. the rest is just groceries - so again, in April I have budgeted $300 again, but I will do my best to keep at that amount or less. This is where meal planning comes in.. & of course sticking to my meal plan.

I was able to make a small dent in my credit card debt with an extra $140 toward them in payments.. Again, it's small -- but an end & plan is in sight. One of my goals for the year is to reduce & be debt free of at least 2 of my credit cards.. I will be paying off one in April.. stay tuned when that happens.

All these small payments & small savings into various accounts is helping me to save and have some financial freedom. I don't worry about $$ and bills like I used to. I am more financially aware of WHERE my money is being spent. This is huge for me.. and I am even more grateful that during this trying time in the world, the upheaval of my daughter's school stuff.. I feel grateful to have a job and being paid as well as my husband.

Here are some pictures of my financial sheets for the month of March - visual trackers are key to my financial awareness success!!

Please visit www.thebudgetmom.com for her 7 day FREE email course on budgeting.. you can also download her workbook (like I use) for a fee & then use the worksheets you want/need for your personal budget. It's worth it, Trust me!

Be safe & Stay Healthy!!

pattie p