We've refinished the bathroom, fixed and inspected both cars, paid for Scouty's summer camp, gone on a mini-vacation, registered and paid ahead for next year's preschool, thrown Scouty's big 4th birthday party, purchased our gardening containers, fence and supplies, gotten pictures taken and framed of the girls and more... all in the past month.
It was a total flurry of spending.
I need to get a grip on things before I start cracking down and admonishing Kurt for buying himself lunch, like he does like... once every two months. (Compared to the many coffees and teas and lunches and play dates that I take the girls out for, Kurt spends pretty much ZERO money, EVER.)
So, for the month of May, we're not going anywhere, or agreeing to any activities that cost money. So, don't tempt me by inviting us out for lunch or to play at awesome, fun Toys To Try. If you ask me, I'll say yes, and then it will be all your fault that my family is languishing in the poor house.
We'll eat at home, all month. No exceptions. (Not even when I realize that we don't have any juice boxes to pack with Scouty's lunch and so I decide that we'll just stop and get her Subway instead of taking both girls to the grocery store.)
We'll attempt to stick closer to home to save on gas. I won't make this a NO EXCEPTIONS rule, because... we're not going to spend the rest of our lives in the south hills. We have a membership at The Children's Museum, for example and friends who live in other neighborhoods that we're going to visit, for sure. However, I'll try to engineer our bored, time wasting activities near our house.
We'll take advantage of parks, libraries, the play area at the mall... although that's risky because of mean, tricky Teavana and the workers there who totally get paid a commission for making you buy something you never would have agreed to if you weren't being swindled by their magical fast talking.
I'm tired of feeling out of control about how much we're spending. I'm sick of having a house full of stuff that there's no place for. I just want to feel calm and empty in all the good ways and organized.
You can click the 500 dollar month at the top of this page to keep track of how we're doing with this project... how much I'm spending, what we're eating, what we're cutting back on and where we're spending our time.
I want to be able to go on a trip to The Outer Banks next summer, just the four of us. I want it to be quiet and isolated. I want both of my girls to love the sand and the waves together.
Wish me luck!
I feel you! We are really trying to stretch a buck these days, and it seems impossible. I thought summer would be a little easier in terms of smaller grocery bills, but it has been so rainy that I don't know if we will be able to get a garden planted. I keep trying to find free things to do with my kids, but again, the rain is an issue because the parks aren't an option. I realize there are bigger issues in the world, but when you're broke, it sure feels like a major burden. I'm hoping your budgeting will give me new inspiration!
ReplyDeleteyou can do it! it's not easy being frugal and watching every penny but it is very rewarding at the end of it all :) cant wait to see your photos from your beach vacation! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck and be strong. I know you can do it!
ReplyDeleteyup!! i totally get this! this is a horrendous month for us as far as spending goes but we did that for a few months recently. it's hard! we'll get back track here soon enough, i hope.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on this! Between having to unexpectedly buy a new car and the impending birth of another human, we need to get extra thrifty. In my nesting insanity I'm seriously considering somehow having a yard sale as a way to both de-clutter (our basement is filled to the brim!) and make a little extra moo-lah.
ReplyDeleteI will only ask you to do free things like playdates at my place and the park and we can save together. And I won't let Eliot eat up all LuLu's puffs!
Also, if you don't mind, please post all the recipes you will be using for this month.
Also, do you buy frozen fruit for smoothies, or freeze your own?
I think this is great! My fiance works for a band, so we've been lucky in that we've gotten to go to a lot of cool places for very cheap... Once you start traveling often though (especially when you have an old dog who requires a sitter), it adds up. Last summer we decided that I'd go on less of these trips (which are work to him anyway), and when he was home, we'd focus on creating "staycations." We did stuff like "dinner in" fondue nights, photograph taking in the park, etc. It was honestly much less stressful than all the travel and we did save money. This of course is in addition to other money-saving tactics like lots pasta. But it goes to show you can still (at least try) to find creative ways to have fun on a budget.
ReplyDeletexo,
melissa
I can totally relate. When it rains financially, it pours. Best wishes sticking to your budget!
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY need to do this myself! The thing that will be our downfall is eating out, and I KNOW we waste a ton of money doing it. At this point, I think the only thing that's gonna help me is drawing up a menu plan and forcing myself to stick to it. Now, if I can just find a spare couple of hours...
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your quest!
oh! i just LOVE the outerbanks! good luck; it'll be tough, but you can do it! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I know all about this! Good luck in your efforts. May it be a thrifty month.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime check out my blog today. There is something over there for you...promise, it's totally free (:
I kept my on the fly subway visits, they save your butt. Big changes here were that we cook at home almost every night now and we try to choose a few important events or activities to attend instead of trying to go to all of them. Gas is expensive even when you cut back, blarg. I've been able to budget for everything we need and a little fun stuff. I still worry and I would like to save more. It isn't like the Laissez Faire spending of my youth. I hope it helps give little B a healthier attitude about money too. I make him earn his video games, hehe.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your $500 month! That's tough, but I'm sure you can do it! I've fallen behind on your blog in the last few days, but I'm going to try to catch up soon. In the meantime, I feel compelled to send you something to make your $500 month a little easier. If you'd like to send me your address at sadiedesignsca@gmail.com I'll send a surprise package your way!
And to answer your question, my recent post title was actually from the Nirvana song I posted at the end, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's in an Elliot Smith song, too. I LOVE Elliot Smith. Just discovered the song Thirteen. So beautiful and perfect. Really and truly. Have a great Friday!
Thanks, everybody! With a little help and reminding, I've been doing great, so far. haha, and it's like... day 3, already.
ReplyDeleteI put an extra link at the top with the recipes I'm using this week. I'll keep filling it up as the month progresses, so check back if you're interested.
It's our first 500 dollar month day at home ALL DAY with no preschool or distractions, and I've already thought that we should go to Chuck E Cheese and to get coffee... but then I said, no! We're gonna hit up the park and the library, instead!
Feather, I have some stuff that I'd like to sell, too... but I can never find the motivation and time to have an actual garage sale. We should have one together before you pop!
ReplyDeleteAnd also, I buy frozen berries and pineapple, usually. Sometimes i use fresh fruit and ice, or i freeze our own bananas!
Amanda-- it's been so rainy and cold, I know! I've already planted some things during a warm week where I was fooled into believing warm spring was actually here, and I hope they all make it! And I know what you mean about money feeling like a burden! Ugh. I just want to get to a place where we have some savings.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, stick to your guns on this one. You will make that trip happen! It will be worth it. There are lots of fun things you can do that doesn't cost a thing.
ReplyDeleteCompletely inspired. I am a friend of Heather's and click on over from her fb. So glad I did! You've given me hope that we can "survive" on less, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so open and honest.
In 2003 I blew my back out and had to
ReplyDeleteStop working. We had to make tons of sacrifices but in the end, we value things more...each other ;)