Monday, March 2, 2009

Trying something new...

So I'm thinking about posting EVERY PENNY I spend for the next weeks. I just want to see if it helps me stay more organized and aware of things.

DH got paid on Thursday of last week, but I haven't spent any because technically it's the March 1st check, which is starts this next 2 weeks pay period. Here's what I spent today:

Regular Bills: (Just a side note. DH gets paid bi-weekly on the 1st and 15th. I refer to them as Check #1 and Check #2. With the first I pay all bills due from the 1st through the 14th. With the second I pay all bills due th 15th through the end of the month.)
$240 on Insurance for both vehicles, and house.
$103 on cell phone (we have a family plan).
$63* on my parents Dish Network Bill.
$48-the balance on my Ann Taylor Master Card.

General Spending:
$49.94 on groceries at Wal-Mart
$20 on a gas at Wal-Mart
$20** ATM-DH's cash for the week.
$14 DH had to charge something for a co-worker who didn't have his card. It'll be paid back, but still needs to be noted.

Total Bills: $454
Total General: $103.94


That leaves:
Food: $0
Gas: $20
Cash: $20**
Misc: $36

*I pay my parents Dish bill because 2 years ago when DH and I lived in NC we had Dish, then he deployed to Iraq again and I moved home. We were under contract for 18 months with Dish so I couldn't cancel. Instead I had the service moved to my parents house. I am no longer under contract, but I have auto-pay set up and it's just easier for me to continue to pay it. Plus my parents are awesome and are there for us no matter what. $65 a month is the least I owe them for all they do.
**I don't count ATM fees, because my bank gives me a monthly rebate of all ATM fees.

I really think is going to work well. I like to see daily how much I have left for the week. Let me know is it's easy to read and understand or any other suggestions!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I get scared when I write down everything I spend, because I realize how much I spend on junk!

JodieLynn said...

Oh, I'm with you there. I even found myself passing by SONIC during Happy Hour because I didn't want to have to write it down.

Kim said...

How do you track your spending? I use an excel sheet that adds up what I've spent and subtracts it from what I'm "allowed" for the month. That is how I know when I go way over in a category :)

JodieLynn said...

Kim, I've been searching for a system I like. Right now I'm using an old fashion check register and just tracking in a notebook the amount spent vs. the budget. I've never tried Excel, that might be my next try.