Budget check in?

[achase123]

How's everyone doing this week? I feel like this month was a bunch of extra expenses which killed me. We went to the lake this weekend and that was expensive and also to a pro baseball game.

This next paycheck will be smaller because a bunch of stuff will come in next month so I just have to deal with it. Also Ps starting full time summer camp which is more expensive.

Groceries still need to stay under $250 which I haven't managed to do. How is everyone else doing?

[riverpestie]

Well, I had a bunch of wedding expenses. So, I predict that the next few months are not going to be on track for me as we leave for Italy July 4th and the reception back home is in August. :^)
At this point, I am trying to save as much as I can, and be as frugal as possible. 

[Emerald1486]

So far, doing ok. I have my camp trip this weekend but I have budgeted for that.

[glitzyglow]

I moved a chunk of money over to savings, so I was proud of that.

However, my wardrobe needs updating badly. I went shopping yesterday and bought a few pieces. I honestly have no summer clothing other than workout stuff. I have no idea what I wore last summer. The stuff I wear to work will get me by, but it's starting to show age a little. I will be spending money over the next few weeks adding pieces in. I don't mind spending the money, I just wish I would have done it little-by-little than letting it get to this point.

[tiffany81]

I haven't been doing too good. I had a vacation planned and overspent on it last week, but had a wonderful time. But I have high hopes for a successful June.

Today I went to my cable provider and negotiated a lower rate. They were super good about lowering my rate for me so I feel lucky that I didn't have to fight too hard. Saved some money there. I also brought my lunch the last few days to work. I keep reminding myself that the little things will add up eventually.

[boing]

Really Really terrible. We went on a quick weekend trip with family and I spent too much. Then yesterday was J's birthday and I spent way too much money (mostly on food!).
It was a great week, though.

[idahome]

Positive: new car payment is less than the car payment I traded in.

Negative: sounds like the air conditioner is going to need to be replaced, I'm just praying it waits a year.

Negative: can't save anything right now. Need to spend the next 6 weeks religiously tracking expenses to find places to cut before new salary starts in July (so I really can save money)..

[achase123]

Do yall typically have a budget for unexpected expenses?

[Deleted]

I can't wait until this custody case is over. It is killing me financially and I never know how much the damn bill is every month!! Hopefully just two more months of bills. If we get continued I'm going to flip

[Emerald1486]

May 27, 2015 17:37:15 GMT -5 achase123 said:

Do yall typically have a budget for unexpected expenses?

Yes? I have a savings line on my budget and I sometimes pull unexpected expenses from that (like needing to buy a new lawn mower...... luckily my brother is chipping in).
I have a home line for things like home maintenance or things for the house. It could be anything home related
And a "Toddler Expenses" line for things DS may need like clothes (hello growth spurt) or school stuff. 

[Deleted]

May 27, 2015 8:10:48 GMT -5 achase123 said:

How's everyone doing this week? I feel like this month was a bunch of extra expenses which killed me. We went to the lake this weekend and that was expensive and also to a pro baseball game.

This next paycheck will be smaller because a bunch of stuff will come in next month so I just have to deal with it. Also Ps starting full time summer camp which is more expensive.

Groceries still need to stay under $250 which I haven't managed to do. How is everyone else doing?

How do you manage to stay under $250 a month in groceries?  I'm usually at about $400 for me and my 9 yo son.  I'd love to get that down $100.  And I live in LCOL area too!

[achase123]

@bk-I don't always stay under but I try to budget for about $50-$75/wk at the grocery store. He doesn't eat a ton of meat. I might buy one package of chicken breasts for me for the months. Then I try to meal plan. I also eat a lot of eggs for protein instead of meat or I eat canned tuna. I replenish fruits veggies and milk in the smaller trips. It's not too hard to stay under $300. Under $250 is more of a challenge. Try meal planning! I also don't buy costly kids food like gogurt and fruit snacks that's just junk anyways.

[redshoejune]

I had an awesome month. It was a 3 paycheck month so I had that bonus income (paid every other week) and I worked a lot of overtime and I stayed within my normal spending budget so I was able to put a huge chunk of money into savings this month which will reduce the size of the loan I have to take out to buy xh out of our house.