Budget...????

We started our $2,000 budget a few weeks back, but I am the FIRST to admit, we did NOT follow our bduget like I wanted to for christmas.

Thank You to ALL who sent me money for my Graduation, Because of that we were able to NOT go into ANY DEBT! however, that doesn't mean we did what we should.  So we are working on that now.

I already know how much we spend when it comes to monthly expenses

Groceries	400
Dining Out	400
Gas	350
Shady	50
Medical	50
Gifts	100
Clothes	50
House	50
Dates	50
Spending	300

However when I look at this total of $1800 it is ALOT!!!!!!!!

I am now onto baby steps, so that is my current GOAL!

Some of these we KNOW we cant fix them, (because of necessary expenditures) ie GAS
But otherwise we are on a mission to drop this.

I have been looking at ideas online, however I cant figure out what exactly will work best for us.

Now it is time to face the fire and GET IN CONTROL and lower that amount!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy Christmas!!! 

The last minute itch!

Christmas is less then a week away!

We are getting excited and anxious but we are all shopped and wrapped.  We are looking forward to seeing our children faces light up when Santa comes to town!

Now is when the hard part comes.  Hubby and I went by walmart a few days ago... and OMH we got sucked in.  And I am the first to admit it.  We had a few friend gifts to get and some stocking staffers (toiletries). I had to hold back alot of self restrain from stopping myself from buying the whole store.

I have now sworn off all stores expect for a trip to the grocery store with a LIST!

But BEWARE, there are ALOT of christmas traps out ther... and even WORSE... TONS OF SHOPPERS!!!!

Not sure why, but I am quite proud that according to Dallas News 

"The data underscores how aggressive discounting has been both a blessing and a curse for retailers. Since the recession, the only way to get Americans into stores has been to flash huge discount signs in front of their faces.

But the discounting has had unintended consequences. Shoppers become immune to the deals, so retailers must offer bigger discounts to keep them coming into stores. That erodes retailers' sales since shoppers aren't buying things for regular price. It also eats away at retailers' profit margins.

Still, analysts say retailers have created a cycle of constant discounting that they'll have to continue in order to attract U.S. shoppers, many of who are still dealing with stagnant wages and rising costs for things like health care."

But BEWARE, there are ALOT of christmas traps out ther... and even WORSE... TONS OF SHOPPERS!!!!
 Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but it is VERY smart for your relationships and families if you tell santa where your money will go, rather then wonder where it went.  Along with buyers remorse on Christmas Day!

 

Anniversary!

I normally don't talk MUCH about family stuff... However TODAY is a day that it is needed!!!!

I just have to BRAG to everyone because I have the MOST AMAZING WONDERFUL SWEET ROMANTIC LOVABLE (and a million other words) HUSBAND!!!

Today we celebrate our 8th annaversary.  And are looking forward to a night with no kids and going to see a movie!!!

WELCOME TO ROMANCE on a BUDGET!

How to pick what for who?

Trying to decide who to buy for and who not to buy for is a CHALLENGE!! I don't care who you are but it is DIFFICULT!!
Over the past few years we have been able to get together with our siblings to agree to buy for the kids and NOT for the adults.  We have also worked to lower the amount of things we buy for friends and neighbors.  We will get a few small gifts for close friends. 
There are many blogs out there that work on how to limit the gifts for your children.  I have to say, that is something I really SHOULD look into.  I feel it will be alot less stressful,... HOWEVER I don't know if I could really do it.

We normally don't get our kids much for their birthdays, and other then christmas we try not to buy them much of anything.  Mom and dad get the kids clothes for christmas so that Santa can focus on the FUN stuff! but here is an idea.
My sweet sister texted me this link this morning and I SWEAR this is TRULY how a baby/toddler feels about christmas! READ THIS!!!(it will make you SMILE!) http://theuglyvolvo.com/2013/12/10/a-ten-month-olds-letter-to-santa/

One idea that worked well for me this year is, I normally try to get something fun and thoughtful for my employees at work. However I have 20 of them, and Chris has 40.  That makes for ALOT of little presents.  So I decided at my work christmas party (only 13 total people were there).  However they were the ones that took time out to be there.  I picked up the tab.  I hadn't really planed on doing it, however it was MUCH less stressful and difficult then trying to find a Simple in expensive meaningful gift.  (I asked hubby before I did, that is ALWAYS a good idea.) but it was less expensive then what I would have spent for the whole office, and I was happy I did it. It was low key, and I loved the feeling I had after.  It was the true feeling of christmas to me. Giving to those who you care about.  Chris is working with his supervisory staff to make soemthing fun for his employees and I look forward to seeing what they decide.


I love this idea that I took from Yahoo Voices

Gifts to People Other Than Family

Limit the gifts you give to people other than immediate family. You might suggest that you and your friends meet for a nice holiday luncheon rather than exchange gifts this year.

An evening of Caroling with your friends is another great idea. Spending time together over the holidays may mean more to all of you than a gift would mean.

There are always people on our shopping list that we feel obligated to give a gift to, such as teachers, the postman, and other people who provide a service for us through out the year. Instead of buying a gift for each of these people considering doing one of the following:

Make a big batch of cookies, muffins, or candy, and divide that up as gifts to these kind of people on your list. Many times you can give a food gift for a dollar or two per person thus saving a good deal of money for these kinds of gifts.

Other homemade gifts such as jams, jellies, and homemade ornaments are often appreciated when they come from the heart and are cheaper than buying something that the receiver may not even use.

Instead of buying separate gifts for coworkers why not bring in a big plate of cookies and present them to everyone. This will not only save money but will brighten a normal work day for everyone and help all to get in the holiday spirit.

I think that is a great way to lower the expectations of things people really don't want. 

 

Also I want to close with the idea of Rather then spending MONEY spend TIME.  Make time for those who are important to you, and that Will make a difference. 

Interviews!

I swear when anyone hears that word they start to break out in a sweat....hands get clammy.

Today was one of those days!!

I had my very first phone interview... at the place I REALLY WANT TO WORK!!!!

Now that I have my diploma holder :) I'll get my diploma in about 2-3 MONTHS.  lol

The interview In My Opinion went OK.   I feel like I rambled on and on, and it was not very eloquent.  I however did record it so I will listen it on my way home from work tonight.

I however feel that the woman that interviewed me likes me!  She told me that she would send on my name and I should hear about the next interview after the first of the year!!!

OMH OMG how did that happen. 
God is BLESSING ME!!

This will cause havoc on our budget and our home building/buying process!!

EAK Life is FUN!!!

COLLEGE GRADUATE!!!

TODAY I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE

I am still alittle in SHOCK, but im SO GLAD I FINALLY DID IT!!!

I graduated from high school in 2005 so it has been 8+ years!!! BUT I DID IT!!!! 

BLACK FRIDAY HYPE!

If you have been shopping on black Friday, or for that matter, Watched the NEWS just after thanksgiving, you know the *WAHOO* that comes with it.  I will admit, I have shopped on black Friday MANY times, however this year is NOT one of them.

You can look at my post from yesterday, and it is easy to see that I have NOT be in support of our local stores this year.   Don't get me wrong, I love to support the local economy, however at christmas, I feel it is better to be smart and buy online, rather then "boosting" the economy with debt that I will have to take care of later.
Chris and I have gotten our fair share of "deals" on black Friday.  The year we had Liam, we got a big 50 in TV and a PS3 both for great prices, however, I feel that if we would have just watched what we wanted we could have gotten the exact same items for the same price, without having to wait in line and "FIGHTING" for our items.

Beyond that... When you are shopping the SALE can suck you in.

I honestly hate to admit it, but I have been this lady.So excited for sale, that I have more items then I can carry.  And I don't feel that I am aline, but I get BUYERS REMORSE Big time!! Even worse after a black Friday sale.  Last year we went out shopping, and since the line at our wonderful WAL MART was massive I had time to look at what I had planned to buy and ended up with a few movies and a $10 coffee pot (that was the only thing I wanted last year). I was proud of myself, however thie year, I did the (in my opinion) right thing

.

I however didnt shy away COMPLETELY.  I had almost all of my gifts sitting in my amazon shopping cart, and I pulled up the site a few times between thanksgiving and cyber Monday, and made a few purchases FROM what I already had in my cart.  I did NOT add any items over those days, I just tried to get a deal if I could.  And honestly most of the "deals" at the stores were still more then the cost online. 

This is how I keep to my budget what tools do you use.  


For the record, I try to support local companies when I can, even more when it comes to items that you cant find in stores.  However I don't however really shop at big box stores for items I can get on amazon.  You don't have to like me because of it :( sorry guys! I am just Honest! 

Chirstmas Budget Building

Hubby and I planned out our budget this year like so...
We wanted to make this year alittle bigger (I know Dave would be screaming at me, but well, it is my money and I have every right to be stupid with it, and if I can own up to it, it is good... RIGHT?)
 My baby really doesn't need anything, but we like to make a big deal of Christmas.
My Liam, is GROWING so fast, and the things we wanted to get for him were more expensive so we planned to spend the bulk on him.

And Chris and I dont need much, so for the most part we get eachother the stuff that we want/need and go from there.

Ewan:  $50-100
-Bath Toys
-Stand up toys
-Clothes

Liam: $300-400
-3ds
-ps3 games
-Movies
-PJ's

Chris: $250
-Toys/Fun
-Games
-Needs (clothes etc)

Ashten: $250
-Whatever "santa" wants to bring me

That sad to say puts us at a Budget of close to $1,000.  YES that is alot for christmas, but this blog is about me being HONEST! and yes, that is a smaller budget for us.

However those arent the only people we shop for.  So we had a plan for that as well

Parents: $100 each (200 total)
Chris' siblings: $50
Lily's siblings: $50
Nieces and nephews: $100 (we have 6)
Close friends: $50
Other friends: $50
Employees: $100-$200 each (200-400 total)
This adds ANOTHER $800-1000.  Yes there we go a TRUE number of christmas.  And I am the FIRST to admit that is ALOT of money. 
However, going into it with this idea, makes things MUCH better

This is how we have kept track of the spending

Location	Price	Total	Person
Costco	80	80	Chris
Amazon	5.00	85.00	Ewan
Amazon	16.00	101.00	Chris
Amazon	35.00	136.00	Ewan
Amazon	5.00	141.00	Twins
Amazon	100.00	241.00	Parents
Amazon	40.00	281.00	Ewan
Amazon	69.42	350.42	Chris
Zuiliy	20.97	371.39	Ewan
Zuiliy	37.95	409.34	Liam
Zuiliy	23.00	432.34	Twins
Costco	30.00	462.34	Lily
Point	26.50	488.84	Friends
Amazon	11.47	500.31	Lily
Amazon	53.98	554.29	Lily
Amazon	100.00	654.29	Lily
Amazon	148.64	802.93	Liam
Amazon	307.63	1,110.56	Liam
Amazon	130.00	1,240.56	Chris
Amazon	22.99	1,263.55	??
Game Stop	213.19	1,476.74	Liam
Paypal	30.94	1,507.68	Lily
Game Stop	42.63	1,550.31	Liam
Amazon	33.48	1,583.79	Chris
Paypal	13.76	1,597.55	Chris
Castle	53.43	1,650.98	Chris
Dave	87.98	1,738.96	Sis & Lily
Tea	80.00	1,818.96	Friends

 I love google docs.  It is something that I can update ANYWHERE I go and I can see what is going on.

From this I also can look at what we are doing and how much is where.  When I look at the account every few days, I see what we have spent where and we can break it down.  I also can figure out where I have spent money.
We have spent OVER budget on a few people,.. Namely Liam! :) and we still have a few last min things ot get, however Telling your money where it is going is VERY helpful.

I feel that the MOST IMPORTANT thing about a christmas budget is to be HONEST.  That is what we have done this year, even though we SHOULD spend less, knowing we are spending less then last year, and getting better is the best we can hope for.

What are your plans to save during the christmas season?