Last Monday was when I made a public commitment to sticking to a $300 per week cash budget. I said then that I would come here every Monday and give a report on how we did. So, here is the report for the first week of Cash Monday.
We went to the bank and drew out the cash, and divided it up between us. FabGrandpa got to hold $120 and I got to hold $180. Yeah, I was the divider, and I also was the one who had to pay for more stuff, so I got more money. It’s just like that around here.
We went out to breakfast 4 times (all at Cracker Barrel); we drove out to Brenda once (about a 250 mile round trip); we drove up to Sedona once (about a 325 mile round trip); we ate lunch out twice (once for Mexican food, once for gluten free pizza in Sedona); we bought groceries, cigarettes, high dollar vitamins, and ice cream and milk at the convenience store (very high dollar!!!). As you can see, we had a very good time of it.
This is NOT how we live every week, but it was our first week on this budget, and our first week in town with our friends. So, we went driving more and out to eat more than we usually do, and will probably be doing more of the same this week.
The bottom line: We have $36.80 left of our $300 this week. Week one, on budget.
Lori says
That is great! Isn’t it a great feeling to not feel deprived of doing things, and still have money left over? I can’t remember from your previous post on this, but what are the plans for the left over cash? Are you carrying it over to the next week, or setting it aside for a special item or occasion?
Annie Jones says
Yay for you! 🙂
Susan says
You did really good considering all the eating out. I believe your plan will work!
Sandra says
Congratulations! I can’t believe you did it with all that eating out!
Christine says
Congrats! It just goes to show that you can still have fun on a budget.
Devi says
Bravo! and kudos. now save that 36 bucks, squire it away and forget all about it. you’ll be happy you did.
Talina says
That is great! Budgeting money totally makes a difference in how well you live within your means.
Gaelyn says
Right on! What a great week.
I’m going to have to try a budget.
Anonymous says
Why not pull out one of your Christmas stockings right now and add the “leftover money” to that each week. The you can have fun with it at the after Christmas sales without even feeling it.
lupingirl says
Good job – bank that for me!
PG says
bravo!
Jacki says
So what are you going to do with the remainder? I always put ours in savings, because that is the point of me trying to stay below budget.
Linda's Place says
sounds like ya’ll had fun….keep up the good work. We always have money left over from our “allowance”. It’s great to always have cha-ching in the old pocket. Kudos mY Seester!