I don't know why I ever think it is a good idea to eat a cheeseburger. They always make me sick these days, between the gross feeling I get and the heartburn that lingers for hours. (I feel the same way about hot dogs, but the siren song seems too strong.) Add to that the fact that cheeseburgers seem to be getting more expensive and today created the perfect budget/stomach storm for me.
Tony and I had to attend a memorial service this morning for a very dear friend of ours. He passed away earlier this week and I guess mentioning him in the blog is fitting because he was certainly one of the most money-savvy men I've ever known. John was always researching ways to save money and giving advice to us on how to invest and save our own money so we'd be prepared for retirement. I know Tony found his advice invaluable on many occasions. We will certainly miss him, for that and so many other reasons.
After we left the service, I was starving. Crying always makes me hungry, and it was lunchtime anyhow, so we decided to go through a drive-thru on the way back to the office so we wouldn't waste any time eating once we got back. (Fridays are busy and we need to focus hard on making money, not on eating. As Tony always says, lunch is a crutch.)
The Golden Arches beckoned and we gave in. I got a cheeseburger meal and Tony got a nuggets meal and we spent $10.40 of our hard-earned money on food that made me want to give up eating forever about 45 minutes after I ate. I had heartburn so bad the inside of my ears hurt, a phenomenon I was not familiar with before I got pregnant. Now, sadly, it is a near-constant state for me. Knowing that we had just spent 1/5 of what we had budgeted for "fun" for the whole month made it that much harder to swallow.
The moral of the story? Don't eat cheeseburgers when you are pregnant. And pack a sack lunch if you are going to be out around noontime.
Oh, we also filled up the car, but we had so many fuel points, we actually came in UNDER budget on that line-item. The tally so far:
Groceries - $64.60 of $400 spent, leaving $335.40
Fun - $10.40 of $49 spent, leaving $38.60
Gas - $33.90 of $45 spent, leaving $11.11
And it's only the 4th. Twenty-four lean more days to go. And NO MORE CHEESEBURGERS.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Day 3 - Groceries
Last night was grocery shopping night here in the house. (Mom and I like to shop on Wednesday because everyone in Northern Kentucky goes to church on Wednesday night and we have the store practically to ourselves. It's just one of the things to love about Northern Kentucky living.)
We tried a new store last night, too - one just down the road from us, but in a different direction. The Kroger we normally frequent has a terribly busy parking lot made worse by the addition of 22 cart returns. I swear, there is a cart return for every three parking spots at the Kroger in Union. It is ridiculous. If someone can't walk six parking spots to return a cart, they don't deserve to eat their groceries. But I digress.
The store was pretty much the same, although it was disconcerting that it is basically the mirror image of the store we normally shop. Instead of turning left inside the door to begin shopping, you turn right. Mom was confused the entire time. She must have asked me five times if I'd switched directions on her. I just hit her with a frozen pizza and moved on.
But, the shopping trip was a success. We got lots of food, saved some serious money with coupons and came in under my budget figure. Total, we spent $161.52. Our share of that is $64.60, which leaves $335.40 in the grocery budget for the rest of the month. Now, this weekend, I have to go to Sam's Club because we are out of Kleenex and Fig Newtons, so I will have to practice restraint there. It is so easy to spend $200 without batting an eye at Sam's.
Oh, and for the coupon mavens, we saved $48.62 total between Kroger's plus card stuff and the regular and e-coupons I had. It came out to 23%, which isn't my record, but as long as I stay above 20% in savings, I feel pretty good.
We tried a new store last night, too - one just down the road from us, but in a different direction. The Kroger we normally frequent has a terribly busy parking lot made worse by the addition of 22 cart returns. I swear, there is a cart return for every three parking spots at the Kroger in Union. It is ridiculous. If someone can't walk six parking spots to return a cart, they don't deserve to eat their groceries. But I digress.
The store was pretty much the same, although it was disconcerting that it is basically the mirror image of the store we normally shop. Instead of turning left inside the door to begin shopping, you turn right. Mom was confused the entire time. She must have asked me five times if I'd switched directions on her. I just hit her with a frozen pizza and moved on.
But, the shopping trip was a success. We got lots of food, saved some serious money with coupons and came in under my budget figure. Total, we spent $161.52. Our share of that is $64.60, which leaves $335.40 in the grocery budget for the rest of the month. Now, this weekend, I have to go to Sam's Club because we are out of Kleenex and Fig Newtons, so I will have to practice restraint there. It is so easy to spend $200 without batting an eye at Sam's.
Oh, and for the coupon mavens, we saved $48.62 total between Kroger's plus card stuff and the regular and e-coupons I had. It came out to 23%, which isn't my record, but as long as I stay above 20% in savings, I feel pretty good.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Austerity Project, Day 2
Okay, so when I posted about getting teary-eyed at the thought of not doing anything for my anniversary, it obviously touched a nerve. Several incredibly generous friends and family members stepped forward to make sure that Tony and I had a good third anniversary, and I was, as usual, overwhelmed by how wonderful everyone I know is. Say what you will about the state of humanity, people are kind and generous. To everyone who made offers, thank you so much. Just knowing that you thought of me and of Tony when I know all of you have your own struggles and needs was the best anniversary gift I can think of. I promise to pay it back or forward or sideways whenever the opportunity presents. You all make me want to be a better person. (As usual.)
The offer we did accept was made by my family - we have a communal change jar here in the house that we all put money in throughout the year and then we are supposed to use the proceeds for a group activity. Everyone else agreed that Tony and I should take that money and spend it on an anniversary dinner. In fact, they insisted, and Mom already made reservations for us at a very nice place. Sometimes living in a group home can be pretty awesome, I must say.
Today was a pretty mundane day for the budget. However, Mom and I have to go grocery shopping tonight, so we spent last night gathering our coupons and making a detailed list. I like to plan out the meals a week in advance and then shop for the specific items we'll need, along with the staples we go through every week, like bananas and milk. (This drives Mom insane, who would rather just let the spirits take her at the store and when it comes to dinner. Take her out to eat, that is.) My goal is to come out of the store with our share being less than $75, which means I have to spend less than $190 total. For most of you, that probably seems like a horrifying amount. But to feed five adults three meals a day plus snacks and dessert, that's actually pretty good. I'll report back tomorrow. (And for all you coupon junkies, I'll even let you know how much I saved, although you'll be disappointed. I'm not one of those ladies who can save more than she spends. I lack the dedication to the cause and the snazzy notebook.)
Wish me luck!
The offer we did accept was made by my family - we have a communal change jar here in the house that we all put money in throughout the year and then we are supposed to use the proceeds for a group activity. Everyone else agreed that Tony and I should take that money and spend it on an anniversary dinner. In fact, they insisted, and Mom already made reservations for us at a very nice place. Sometimes living in a group home can be pretty awesome, I must say.
Today was a pretty mundane day for the budget. However, Mom and I have to go grocery shopping tonight, so we spent last night gathering our coupons and making a detailed list. I like to plan out the meals a week in advance and then shop for the specific items we'll need, along with the staples we go through every week, like bananas and milk. (This drives Mom insane, who would rather just let the spirits take her at the store and when it comes to dinner. Take her out to eat, that is.) My goal is to come out of the store with our share being less than $75, which means I have to spend less than $190 total. For most of you, that probably seems like a horrifying amount. But to feed five adults three meals a day plus snacks and dessert, that's actually pretty good. I'll report back tomorrow. (And for all you coupon junkies, I'll even let you know how much I saved, although you'll be disappointed. I'm not one of those ladies who can save more than she spends. I lack the dedication to the cause and the snazzy notebook.)
Wish me luck!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Austerity Project, Day 1
Here we are - February 1st. The beginning of our month of nothing.
And it is already hard. Two things happened in the last 24 hours to make this a more difficult project than it already was.
First, we received a letter from our homeowners association (also known as the Axis of Evil.) They've been jacking us around about our satellite dish for months. Seems the dish, which sits on the same wall as our air conditioner, electric and gas meters and all our vents, is an eyesore. Never mind that this is the place the home builder wired for the stupid thing. Never mind that we are the very last house in the entire development and you can't see the dish unless you are sitting directly in front of our home. ON A DEAD-END STREET.
In order to appease the HOA, we spent more than $900 (that we didn't have) on trees this summer to mask the offending dish. Unfortunately, the trees are not full-grown yet, so there is a sliver of space between our house and the first tree, and if you pull your car into that exact sight line, you can still see the dish. Therefore, we had to have my brother fabricate a trellis (cost: $100 for materials) to cover the rest of the view. The problem is, the ground has been frozen solid ever since we finished the trellis. Nevertheless, the HOA expects us to magically get this thing installed.
Long story short, we have to spend at least $50 this month to rent an auger to install the stupid trellis, buy concrete that will set in below-freezing temperatures and get it all done before the end of the month or "RISK LEGAL ACTION." So we are looking at about $75 in extra costs that we have to pull from the grocery/meds budget. And my level of rage at the HOA is building all the time. It hardly seems worth it to put up with these petty tyrants just to get city water and sewer.
Second, Mom started peppering me with questions about what Tony and I are going to do for our anniversary. February 9th is our three-year wedding anniversary, and neither of us have ever managed to stay married this long, so it's kind of a big deal. Not to mention that it will be our last anniversary as just a two-some, before the baby arrives. I had hoped we could do something nice - go out to dinner, maybe spend a night away from the crowd somewhere. But, we will be doing nothing. I will admit to getting a little teary-eyed telling Mom that, but I realize that the more important thing is that Tony and I enter our fourth year of marriage solvent rather than having a tasty meal or overnight getaway.
So, I told her that we would be writing each other love letters. To which Tony responded that he's not writing any stupid letter.
Good to know that the romance survives, no matter what.
And it is already hard. Two things happened in the last 24 hours to make this a more difficult project than it already was.
First, we received a letter from our homeowners association (also known as the Axis of Evil.) They've been jacking us around about our satellite dish for months. Seems the dish, which sits on the same wall as our air conditioner, electric and gas meters and all our vents, is an eyesore. Never mind that this is the place the home builder wired for the stupid thing. Never mind that we are the very last house in the entire development and you can't see the dish unless you are sitting directly in front of our home. ON A DEAD-END STREET.
In order to appease the HOA, we spent more than $900 (that we didn't have) on trees this summer to mask the offending dish. Unfortunately, the trees are not full-grown yet, so there is a sliver of space between our house and the first tree, and if you pull your car into that exact sight line, you can still see the dish. Therefore, we had to have my brother fabricate a trellis (cost: $100 for materials) to cover the rest of the view. The problem is, the ground has been frozen solid ever since we finished the trellis. Nevertheless, the HOA expects us to magically get this thing installed.
Long story short, we have to spend at least $50 this month to rent an auger to install the stupid trellis, buy concrete that will set in below-freezing temperatures and get it all done before the end of the month or "RISK LEGAL ACTION." So we are looking at about $75 in extra costs that we have to pull from the grocery/meds budget. And my level of rage at the HOA is building all the time. It hardly seems worth it to put up with these petty tyrants just to get city water and sewer.
Second, Mom started peppering me with questions about what Tony and I are going to do for our anniversary. February 9th is our three-year wedding anniversary, and neither of us have ever managed to stay married this long, so it's kind of a big deal. Not to mention that it will be our last anniversary as just a two-some, before the baby arrives. I had hoped we could do something nice - go out to dinner, maybe spend a night away from the crowd somewhere. But, we will be doing nothing. I will admit to getting a little teary-eyed telling Mom that, but I realize that the more important thing is that Tony and I enter our fourth year of marriage solvent rather than having a tasty meal or overnight getaway.
So, I told her that we would be writing each other love letters. To which Tony responded that he's not writing any stupid letter.
Good to know that the romance survives, no matter what.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Austerity Project, Day 0
Tomorrow's the big day! Not that today is any different. I'm really trying to not be one of those people who, right before starting a big diet, have a binge day. So, no online shopping, no eating out, no going to three movies tonight just because starting tomorrow I can't. That would be irresponsible, and until we get the rent check from our condo, impossible.
I promised that today I would write about our policy of accepting gifts and treats this month. Because we live in a communal house, every once in a while, someone gets a bug and decides to "treat" everyone to dinner or a movie or something. This is a lovely, generous impulse and we've all done it at one point or another in the time that we've been living together. The only problem is that none of us really have the money to do that. Everyone is either retired and on a fixed income or unemployed and on a fixed income or Tony and me, who have had no income to speak of for years. No Diamond Jim Bradys here.
The policy I've decided on for the month, then, is that we aren't allowed to accept "treats" from anyone else. In order to encourage greater fiscal responsibility in the entire house, if we can't afford to do it on our own, we don't do it. If everyone else wants to eat Chinese or go out for a movie, Tony and I will graciously decline and stay home. If we can't afford it, we don't do it.
I believe very strongly in paying one's own way in the world. I know Tony feels the same way. I've tried very hard my entire adult life not to take any handouts or help from people. I feel terribly guilty when it does happen, especially if that person didn't really have the extra money to give. I understand that generosity is a good impulse we shouldn't deny, and I am often generous to a fault myself, but I just think that, at 30, I should be completely independent. Hell, I felt that way at 20. I will admit, I lived with my mom for three months after my first divorce in order to save some money to get my own place, but I hated feeling as though I was going in reverse. Even though the place I ended up living was pretty awful (the Papa John's guy got mugged on my doorstep, and I did have to crawl on the floor one time when I heard gunshots nearby), it was still mine. And my first mother-in-law was incredibly generous with me, but I always felt as though I could never really "own" the things I was given because I didn't earn them or pay for them myself.
So the point of this month is not to embrace austerity for ourselves and take advantage of everyone around us. Tony and I have to make tough decisions. We can't have our cake and eat it, too. We can't just bat our eyes at the dinner table and flash an empty wallet, hoping someone else takes pity and picks up the check. We need to admit where we are, embrace it and get through it. In the end, I hope it will build some character for us.
I promised that today I would write about our policy of accepting gifts and treats this month. Because we live in a communal house, every once in a while, someone gets a bug and decides to "treat" everyone to dinner or a movie or something. This is a lovely, generous impulse and we've all done it at one point or another in the time that we've been living together. The only problem is that none of us really have the money to do that. Everyone is either retired and on a fixed income or unemployed and on a fixed income or Tony and me, who have had no income to speak of for years. No Diamond Jim Bradys here.
The policy I've decided on for the month, then, is that we aren't allowed to accept "treats" from anyone else. In order to encourage greater fiscal responsibility in the entire house, if we can't afford to do it on our own, we don't do it. If everyone else wants to eat Chinese or go out for a movie, Tony and I will graciously decline and stay home. If we can't afford it, we don't do it.
I believe very strongly in paying one's own way in the world. I know Tony feels the same way. I've tried very hard my entire adult life not to take any handouts or help from people. I feel terribly guilty when it does happen, especially if that person didn't really have the extra money to give. I understand that generosity is a good impulse we shouldn't deny, and I am often generous to a fault myself, but I just think that, at 30, I should be completely independent. Hell, I felt that way at 20. I will admit, I lived with my mom for three months after my first divorce in order to save some money to get my own place, but I hated feeling as though I was going in reverse. Even though the place I ended up living was pretty awful (the Papa John's guy got mugged on my doorstep, and I did have to crawl on the floor one time when I heard gunshots nearby), it was still mine. And my first mother-in-law was incredibly generous with me, but I always felt as though I could never really "own" the things I was given because I didn't earn them or pay for them myself.
So the point of this month is not to embrace austerity for ourselves and take advantage of everyone around us. Tony and I have to make tough decisions. We can't have our cake and eat it, too. We can't just bat our eyes at the dinner table and flash an empty wallet, hoping someone else takes pity and picks up the check. We need to admit where we are, embrace it and get through it. In the end, I hope it will build some character for us.
Austerity Project, day -1
Okay, so today's day -1 because we are still technically in January and the project doesn't start until February 1. I promised yesterday that I would tell you how I would track myself and my temptations and as soon as I finished the blog yesterday, the temptations started. So we'll start there.
I'm pregnant. Occasionally, that means I have food cravings (Actually very occasionally. The biggest craving I seem to have most days is to never have to think about or eat food again. Crippling heartburn will do that to you.) But yesterday, for lunch, I really really wanted Wendy's chicken nuggets. But, it wasn't worth it to me to use the gas to go to Wendy's, spend the $2 on nuggets and then whatever else I would want, and what Tony wanted, too. So I had an apple, a piece of cheese and some crackers. And that was pretty tasty, I gotta say. If I weren't doing this project, though, Tony and I would have probably blown $10 at Wendy's and never batted an eye.
So that's how it works. I'll keep track of the things I would normally mindlessly spend my money on and then feel better about not doing it. Or something like that. I think the hardest part will be that we still "need" some things for the baby (diaper cream, baby monitors, etc.) but I'm committed to wait until March to get any of it. Let's all just keep our thoughts focused on baby girl NOT coming to the world three weeks early, 'cause that would TOTALLY screw up my plan. Plus, I want it to be warmer when she gets here. I wouldn't want to go from a nice warm belly into February in Northern Kentucky, that's for sure. Heck, I don't want to go from a nice warm HOUSE into February and I'm actually equipped to regulate my body temperature.
When we do spend money, whether for groceries or gas or drugs (prescription medications, people), I'll write about it here, tell exactly how much it cost and then subtract it from my total allowance for the month. If we get any windfalls (like we win the lottery or someone starts anonymously mailing us $20 bills) I'll detail that and add it to the allowance. Any emergencies, you'll know about them, too. But just know that I have Sarge on a strict diet and exercise regimen to prevent any further vet visits. He'll be healthy if it's the last thing I do.
Tomorrow, a few more rules about accepting gifts and treats and we'll be ready to go.
I'm pregnant. Occasionally, that means I have food cravings (Actually very occasionally. The biggest craving I seem to have most days is to never have to think about or eat food again. Crippling heartburn will do that to you.) But yesterday, for lunch, I really really wanted Wendy's chicken nuggets. But, it wasn't worth it to me to use the gas to go to Wendy's, spend the $2 on nuggets and then whatever else I would want, and what Tony wanted, too. So I had an apple, a piece of cheese and some crackers. And that was pretty tasty, I gotta say. If I weren't doing this project, though, Tony and I would have probably blown $10 at Wendy's and never batted an eye.
So that's how it works. I'll keep track of the things I would normally mindlessly spend my money on and then feel better about not doing it. Or something like that. I think the hardest part will be that we still "need" some things for the baby (diaper cream, baby monitors, etc.) but I'm committed to wait until March to get any of it. Let's all just keep our thoughts focused on baby girl NOT coming to the world three weeks early, 'cause that would TOTALLY screw up my plan. Plus, I want it to be warmer when she gets here. I wouldn't want to go from a nice warm belly into February in Northern Kentucky, that's for sure. Heck, I don't want to go from a nice warm HOUSE into February and I'm actually equipped to regulate my body temperature.
When we do spend money, whether for groceries or gas or drugs (prescription medications, people), I'll write about it here, tell exactly how much it cost and then subtract it from my total allowance for the month. If we get any windfalls (like we win the lottery or someone starts anonymously mailing us $20 bills) I'll detail that and add it to the allowance. Any emergencies, you'll know about them, too. But just know that I have Sarge on a strict diet and exercise regimen to prevent any further vet visits. He'll be healthy if it's the last thing I do.
Tomorrow, a few more rules about accepting gifts and treats and we'll be ready to go.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Austerity Project
Well, long time no see! Things have been...busy...around the Coutsoftides house. We have been working hard, we've been pregnant (still are, in fact), we've been stressed, we've been happy. Usually all in the same 10 minute period.
But now, it's time to get serious. Baby girl is due in seven weeks. Our checking account is dwindling more quickly than I ever thought possible. (Backstory: Tony and I have been living on our savings account, plus a little from the business, for nearly two years now. NOT EASY. The business is doing well, but the electric company probably isn't going to start accepting loose change to pay the bill any time soon, so we have to be very careful the next few months.)
Every month, it seems, the budget flies out the window. Tony needs a root canal. Our medical insurance doesn't cover maternity care, so we have to pre-pay for the birth and everything that goes along with it. (Not that I'm complaining - we are getting a heck of a deal, but $400 a month is still pretty steep.) Sarge got sick and racked up $1000 in vet bills. We've been taking some hits, in other words.
So we find ourselves at the tipping point. We know that the business will only continue to grow, but we can't pay ourselves enough yet to cover all our monthly expenses. The savings account is nearly non-existent. So what are we to do?
The answer, it seems, is nothing. For an entire month. At least.
I'm going public with this (which any of you who know me will understand is very difficult because I'm usually loathe to admit that I'm struggling with anything, especially my finances, which I view as incredibly private. But at a certain point "We're doing just great!" starts to make you feel like a fraud.) to keep us honest. I want to chronicle the next 28 days, tracking all our expenses and temptations to make sure that we don't give up and spend ourselves into bankruptcy.
Here's the plan:
1. Tony and I have already paid our bills for February - mortgages, car payments, etc. We know exactly how much is left in the account. It's enough to cover mid-month bills and roll over a bit for March. I'm not particularly inclined to reveal what that is, just because the number gives me the shakes. It's that low.
2. Our budget for groceries is always $400. In the hostel we operate here, we split the grocery bill five ways, but Tony and I front the money and then are reimbursed weekly. We just have to make sure our 2/5 share doesn't exceed $400. Shouldn't be too hard, even though we eat every single meal at home - breakfast, lunch and dinner 365 days a year. No free office lunches here.
3. We have a few prescriptions and over-the-counter medications we take on a regular basis, plus it is cold and flu season, so I'm allotting $150 for medications and potential doctor's visits. I feel that's generous. (Note to Tony: STAY HEALTHY. Note to self: STAY EVEN HEALTHIER!)
4. Tony and I have $49 in cash and two $25 gift certificates for restaurants. That's our fun money for the entire month. We are not allowed to spend anything beyond that. AT ALL. Basically, no dining out, no shopping, no movies, no nothing.
5. Because we don't drive very much, I'm allowing one fillup of the car. That averages $45 with our Kroger fuel points.
In summary, we have $550 for groceries, $45 for gas and a little fun money. And 28 days to NOT spend it. Anything we don't spend gets rolled over for March, because I have a feeling this is going to be a half-year of austerity.
Tomorrow, I'll let you know how I am tracking us and our temptations. Oh, and if anyone would like to play along at home - perhaps we're not the only ones facing a time of sweating it out - let me know. I'd love the company.
But now, it's time to get serious. Baby girl is due in seven weeks. Our checking account is dwindling more quickly than I ever thought possible. (Backstory: Tony and I have been living on our savings account, plus a little from the business, for nearly two years now. NOT EASY. The business is doing well, but the electric company probably isn't going to start accepting loose change to pay the bill any time soon, so we have to be very careful the next few months.)
Every month, it seems, the budget flies out the window. Tony needs a root canal. Our medical insurance doesn't cover maternity care, so we have to pre-pay for the birth and everything that goes along with it. (Not that I'm complaining - we are getting a heck of a deal, but $400 a month is still pretty steep.) Sarge got sick and racked up $1000 in vet bills. We've been taking some hits, in other words.
So we find ourselves at the tipping point. We know that the business will only continue to grow, but we can't pay ourselves enough yet to cover all our monthly expenses. The savings account is nearly non-existent. So what are we to do?
The answer, it seems, is nothing. For an entire month. At least.
I'm going public with this (which any of you who know me will understand is very difficult because I'm usually loathe to admit that I'm struggling with anything, especially my finances, which I view as incredibly private. But at a certain point "We're doing just great!" starts to make you feel like a fraud.) to keep us honest. I want to chronicle the next 28 days, tracking all our expenses and temptations to make sure that we don't give up and spend ourselves into bankruptcy.
Here's the plan:
1. Tony and I have already paid our bills for February - mortgages, car payments, etc. We know exactly how much is left in the account. It's enough to cover mid-month bills and roll over a bit for March. I'm not particularly inclined to reveal what that is, just because the number gives me the shakes. It's that low.
2. Our budget for groceries is always $400. In the hostel we operate here, we split the grocery bill five ways, but Tony and I front the money and then are reimbursed weekly. We just have to make sure our 2/5 share doesn't exceed $400. Shouldn't be too hard, even though we eat every single meal at home - breakfast, lunch and dinner 365 days a year. No free office lunches here.
3. We have a few prescriptions and over-the-counter medications we take on a regular basis, plus it is cold and flu season, so I'm allotting $150 for medications and potential doctor's visits. I feel that's generous. (Note to Tony: STAY HEALTHY. Note to self: STAY EVEN HEALTHIER!)
4. Tony and I have $49 in cash and two $25 gift certificates for restaurants. That's our fun money for the entire month. We are not allowed to spend anything beyond that. AT ALL. Basically, no dining out, no shopping, no movies, no nothing.
5. Because we don't drive very much, I'm allowing one fillup of the car. That averages $45 with our Kroger fuel points.
In summary, we have $550 for groceries, $45 for gas and a little fun money. And 28 days to NOT spend it. Anything we don't spend gets rolled over for March, because I have a feeling this is going to be a half-year of austerity.
Tomorrow, I'll let you know how I am tracking us and our temptations. Oh, and if anyone would like to play along at home - perhaps we're not the only ones facing a time of sweating it out - let me know. I'd love the company.
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