I am really trying to stick to my budget this month-it's been in the adjusting phase for the past few months, since I've been trying to figure out how much I need to spend. Before this, I just sort of spent blindly, crossing my fingers that I'd have enough. That seems crazy now! I am certainly not perfect about my budget, but to not even plan it out...that stresses me out just thinking about it.
This month I made both my eating/drinking out budget and my grocery budget a little smaller, based on last month's totals. The eating out is going really well. I still have $93.55 left in cash, and I have a cheap weekend coming up (free work dinner and drinks, roommate's birthday, which I budgeted separately, and then the LOST finale on Sunday.) This is the area that's usually the most difficult, but I feel really good about where I'm at with this one!
On the flip side, I don't know if I can stay under budget for my groceries this month. Part of it is that I have been forgoing eating out, so I spend more. Also, I am really tired of my go-to cheap bulk recipes. They're good, but I've just eaten them a little too often. So, I bought groceries that I can't stretch as far. Also, I needed TP, shampoo, and toothpaste this month, all of which came out of my grocery budget, and none of which are expenses every month. As of now I have $46.32 left for groceries this month (until June 4th, my next payday). I think it's doable if I do some very strategic planning and have discipline.
What parts of your budget are the most difficult for you to stick to?
Lately it's the eating out part of the budget. But then I usually steal a bit more from my other areas and make it balance. Less snowflakes toward debt, but at least I'm breaking even!
ReplyDeleteI have done a budget every payday for 3 years, so I feel like I kinda have it down to a science. Seldom to I go over budget. The reason for this is that when I get paid I pay everything including my extra debt payment and savings. This means that I only have a limited amount of money to work with until the next payday. Sometimes money gets really tight, but it is just a reminder that money is finite. If things got tough enough to be considered an "emergency", I will use my emergency fund. I haven't had to do this often.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck
Absolutely it is the food part, whether it be groceries or eating out/take out. I am slowly getting better but it sure is a work in progress.
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