Starting Balance: $250.00
Spent:
Groceries:
Local Market – $6.00
Gas Station – $1.50 – milk
Target – $4.62
Starbucks – $11.97 – espresso beans and syrup so I can make my coffee at home
Other expenses:
Target: $13.69- diapers
$ 2.99 – birthday card
Date Night: $5 (parking and dessert – dinner was covered by a gift card I received for my birthday!!)
Church event: $8 (preschool play-date picking pumpkins – usually well over $10 per person!)
Total Spent: $53.77
Balance: $196.23
What I’ve learned this week
- I can make yummy espresso drinks at home – See this pumpkin spice latte recipe for proof!
- I’ve already had to say “no” a number of times. It was hard but I just reminded myself that there is a goal to this madness!
- Target is a very dangerous place- I had to go to Target to pick up a microwave that we had budgeted for before we started “no spend month”. I also needed diapers… I walked out of Target spending an additional $8.00 then I really HAD to. Granted, those items were for a pretty cute little girl who just turned 3. After patiently waiting 3 weeks she was finally going to celebrate her birthday this weekend with family and someone had to make a cake!
- I should make cards – Cards are expensive, I can’t believe that the card for my daughter was $2.99! And did she appreciate it? NOPE it was quickly tossed to the ground to make room for unwrapping the gift! I know I could make a super cute card for her that she would enjoy just as much.
- I need to be more prepared for birthday’s and holidays… (more on Christmas planning coming soon!)
- I enjoy being home- I guess that’s way some people call it being a “stay-at-home-mom”. I’ve gotten more done in 4 days here at home than I have in a long time. I have a nice long list of projects to keep me busy and I’m excited to have a reason to stay put and get them started!
I’m actually really enjoying this challenge. I know it’s going to get harder as the weeks go on. But I’m up for the challenge!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I often ‘ground’ myself so as not to spend what I wouldn’t had I stayed home. It seems like every time I walk out the door I spend $100.00. I stock up on greeting cards at the dollar store (often two for a dollar) and the .99 cent cards that you can find at most stores that carry cards. This past weekend I went to a children’s consignment sale where I spent $45.00 on two sweaters, two dresses, two jumpers, three sets of PJ’s, three shirts, booties, hat, and play mat w/toys and extra mat and play mat w/mirror. pretty happy w/myself and I think that this $250.00 a month idea is great!