January Week1

So technically it's not 2009 yet, but since the 1st falls in this week and David gets paid on Tuesday it's really more like week 1 for us. So here we go! I didn't blog much the last couple weeks, but I did coupon and budget, just didn't have time to blog. David and I were talking today about how much we notice a change since we decided to really start budgeting. I'm excited to see what 2009 can be when we really try.

So, the weekly plan:
Regular Bills $440
Gas $ 50
Groceries $95 (I bought those today, it's high but I was low on meats and went to the commissary to stock up. Next few weeks should be lox because I'm pretty well stocked now.)
Cash $40 (We each get $20 a week for drinks, papers, misc.)
Misc/Entertainment $ 50



Menu:
Sunday: Tacos
Monday: Frozen Pizza
Tuesday: Shrimp Scampi and garlic bread
Wednesday: Porks chops, potatoes, peas, and bread.
Thursday: Meatball Soup
Friday: Jumbolya
Saturday: Tacos

My goal for this week is to not eat out. I'll check back in next Monday on that!

Getting with the program!

I have just not been with it the last few days. I went to my parents house over the weekend, and since coming home on Monday I haven't really been planning, which means I haven't been sticking to the plan. I haven't stuck to the menu either. And wasn't I just saying I was going to have to be super organized this pay period to stick with the plan? So, there-I laid it all out. Now I just have to get back with the program before I really screw it up!

Menu Monday (on Tuesday)

We spent the weekend at my parents house, so I'm a day off, but here goes:

Tuesday: Leftover Pizza
Wednesday: Baked Chicken, AuGratin Potatoes, Peas, Garlic Bread
Thursday: Frozen Pizzza and Wings
Friday: Surf and Turf, Rice, Carrots
Saturday: lunch-soup and sandwiches, supper-Steamfresh Meal, Garlic Bread


And hopefully the week will go as planned and I won't even need to buy groceries until next Monday when I do all my Christmas grocery shopping.

Putting my Budgetting to the Test

I did well the last 2 weeks on my new budget, and I really feel like following a weekly plan has been better for us. But we have a challenge coming up. I've mentioned before that David is a Marine, and so he gets paid on the 1st and 15th. Each payday is the exact same amount, and that makes it very easy to plan a budget. However, our bank releases the funds a day early, and weekends affect that. So instead of getting paid on Monday, Dec 15th we get paid on Friday, Dec 12. Sounds great, right? Except that means that this pay period will be 18 days!!! That is a long time, especially the week before and of Christmas. I get paid weekly, every Thursday and we've been blessed to be able to use 100% of my income to paid debts, add to savings, or use for special occasions. So I'll have to be extra mindful of the budget the next 3 weeks and really make it work. We'll have my income if we need it, but I would really rather not even think of mine as income. I don't consider my job a "career" and I don't plan on working here long-term since we move so often. I don't want to get stuck working because we use my income, I'd rather it be a nice booster for savings. So bare with me the next 3 weeks, I'll probably be posting a lot in order to keep things in check, and to keep me busy and not out shopping! LOL

Less is More

I am learning that less really is more. And that sometimes in order to save money you DO have to pass up a great deal. The camera I have been lusting after is on sale at Wal-Mart for $250, plus you get a $20 Wal-Mart gift card with the purchase, making it basically $230. My grandma just gave me $50 for Christmas, and DH got a gift card for $100 from work. Making my OOP $80 for something I've been wanted ALL YEAR. But, I have a camera that works just fine, and I didn't budget $80 for a camera I don't NEED, so I'll pass it up. I want to cry, but I know that this is what being responsible is, and that even though it's a great deal, it's still spending almost $100, which means I didn't save that $100. A sliver lining is that I can add that $50 from Granny to an account and save up for that camera and buy it knowing I saved and planned and worked for it.

Menu Monday

12/7-12/14

Monday: Crockpot Soup, garlic bread
Tuesday: Shrimp, rice, steamed veggies
Wednesday: Chicken Cordon Bleu, mashes potatoes, peas
Thursday: David's work Christmas Party, no cooking for me!
Friday: My Granny's Brithday party, once again no cooking for me!
Saturday: Spending the weekend at my parents house, so we'll be eating there.
Sunday: I'll still be at my parents house.

With all the festivities this week, I won't need to buy any groceries, so I "transfered" my grocery budget into the Chirstmas Budget. I did keep $20 for bread, eggs, and snacks for the week.

My Coke Rewards

Do you know about this? I guess I had heard about it, but never really thought too much on it. Let me say, I am a HUGE coke drinker. I easily buy 2-12 packs a week just for myself. I just within the last 2 weeks registered with www.mycokerewards.com and have been racking up points. So far, I have 50 points and am saving for more coupons. Wags is having a sale on 12 pack Cokes 3/$10, plus $2 RR and I have a $1/1 MC.That makes the final price about $0.20 a can, which is a good deal itself. Add in the 30 extra Coke points, which can get me another MC and it's quite a deal. I never paid attention to points or store "clubs" before, but I've found recently that they do offer great deals, so check it out!!!