Rethinking My Budget

I am starting to re-think my budget for the month. I don't know how the author of the Reader's Digest piece survived with his wife and kid on $100 bucks for an entire month. He must have stocked up on virtually everything they might possibly need. This is not something I did, nor did I consider. I guess this represents a realistic look into where I spend my money.

I am going to go over budget but I am also learning some valuable lessons. Learning a few things about myself and my spending habits - noticing the emotions that drive the purchase of things. It's interesting - I see a cute shirt and I immediately have this emotional reaction. "I would look so good in that shirt - I must have it. No, I NEED it." I have to allow this emotional wave to roll in and back out until I am left with the notion that, nope, you really don't need it.

Anyway, this week's tally:
Gas $38.85 (cheaper to fill the tank than put in a set amount, right?); Groceries $34.57 (had a friend in town - so spent more than I would have); and Hot Apple Pie A La Mode $5.00 (It was homemade, hot and a treat - sometimes you just have to indulge). Total: $78.42

Damage to date is $134.46. Half way through the month and over budget. Now I am just curious as to where I will end up. Thirteen days into my Living Leaner experiment and I am running roughly $10.00 a day. Shit.

Spending Feels So Good!

That's why we do it, right? I mean - I finally did break out the ole ATM card to buy mostly essential groceries and a super-essential shower-head. (The nozzle on my shower broke Thursday. The stream of water merely drizzled out of the head and I HAD to break down and go get one Sunday. Got the Elephant - interesting name for a shower head - it works too well. Now I need to get a slow-flow thingy to restrict the Elephant's spout.)

The tally so far:
Vons 30.62
Sol Foods 25.42
The Elephant 31.24
Total: 87.28

Yikes - my budget is pretty much blown. Well, the Elephant was essential and unforeseeable - so for now I am going to set that amount aside. The groceries - well, they were mostly essential. I did buy a bottle of Chardonnay. I rationalize: I need to have fun too.

It felt good to part with some cash - almost powerful. I didn't feel guilty but I did consider everything I put in my cart - even the wine. I bought eggs, cheese, organic produce (I am a member of a co-op - it's affordable and good for the environment - see post below), toilet paper, soy milk (steaming my own lattes at home), yogurt and orange juice (feel a cold coming on). Not too bad - no cookies, no junk food, no useless but smartly packaged toiletry items. Actually, I feel intelligent and responsible, and a little depressed that I only have $43.96 for the next 24 days. I'm not optimistic.

Day 3 of Operation Living Leaner

It's Friday and day 3 of my experiment: To go on a non-spending spree for the entire month of October. So far, so good. I know - it's been only three days but I have spent nothing. I am proud to say the same ten dollar bill I had in my wallet Wednesday morning is still there. I have, however, driven a total of 30 miles - most of them today. I decided to do a bit of marketing for my yoga studio - dropping off information and freebies (spreading the Love!) to a number of businesses in my community. But last night I came across two coupons for 15% off all clothing at REI - I set them aside thinking it would be nice to go shopping this weekend.

Negative: I'm on a spending diet. And so it goes ....