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Archive for December, 2010

I am so motivated!

January 1st, 2011 at 12:01 am

I'm so glad I started this journey on Christmas day instead of January 1st. It's given me more time to think about what I want out of 2011.

Feeling inspired, I returned a few purchases I made over the past several weeks. I always keep the tag on until I am ready to use the item. My credits are:

Target $12.50
Macy's $47.68. (I owe 7.56, net credit $40.12).

Target is cash credit, Macy's is store credit.

The total credit($60.18)is going to the "OH NO" fund. A portion will be funded this month and the balance next month.

I have a tendancy to stock up on items needlessly.
I'm going to deplete before replenishing. The only exception would be extraordinary deals & toiletries (eg. kleenex, TP). One example of an extraordinary deal is Quaker Oats Granola bars - 8 pack. Target usually has them on sale for $2.09 a box. I picked up (4) boxes of "holiday themed" granola bars for 47 cents. Yes, 47 cents a box just because they were considered "holiday". Always check expiration dates.
These are good until June 2011.

Good bye 2010, Hello 2011!

Happy New Year to all!

How did that happen? :)

December 30th, 2010 at 02:05 pm

The devil made me do it! LOL!

The problem with not working between x-mas and New Year's is time to shop. (Not a good thing). Target had 75% off x-mas themed items. I purchased
granola bars, nuts, coffee and yes, candy for the office candy jar. I also purchased fleece jackets for my chilly morning walks. I went grocery shopping and
my fridge/freezer are full. All of these purchases were charged to my credit card so the funds are coming out of January's budget.

Food $83.06
Incidentals: $35.00
Clothing: 37.29
Hair $47 (partial expense charged to card)
Wine $60.17
Pet $20.27

I went over in some categories so the fund were deducted from others. The math doesn't lie. I only have $104.21(including $20 TJ's gift card) left for the month.

I am not discouraged. Certain items need replenishing (gasoline, pet food, perishables).January is a long month and I'm determined to meet my challenge head on and succeed. Bring it on 2011!

On a side note, I'm entertaining at home this eveing.
My cost $7..for wine. My friends are bringing the food and movies and great conversation.

$15 for 3 hours of parking??

December 29th, 2010 at 12:48 am

I finally made an appointment to get my hair cut.
I purchased a deal from TIPPER, $30 for a cut and half off any hair color treatments. The highlights were $47 so the total was $77 (not including tip). I live in the Los Angeles area and let's face it, everything cost more and this was definitely a deal.
Did I need the highlights, no. Did I want them, yes.
I don't spend on myself very often. I get my hair cut twice a year (maybe). I sometimes stretch it
longer depending on the cut. I find cheap cuts don't last as long nor grow out well.

My peeve is parking cost. I foolishly parked in the garage adjacent to the hair salon. The salon doesn't validate. In the future, if I return to this salon I will arrive at least 15 minutes early and search for cheaper or free parking even if it means walking several blocks. Lesson learned.

January's Budget

December 26th, 2010 at 10:17 pm

My budget is month to month. Whatever is left over after paying my fixed expenses will determine what I can spend in other areas. Here's January:

Food $200
Gas $70
Incidentals $20
Pet $50 (I care for a few homeless critters in addition to my own so this amount can vary from month to month)
Wine $50 (Yes, I need my wine)

Ironically, I only had $370 after my fixed expenses but received a $20 Trader Joe's gift card for Christmas which brings it to $390 (just what I needed). I love it when that happensSmile

Anything left over is going to my "OH NO" (aka: Emergency) fund.

I also sell on e-bay occasionally, babysit and do pinecone surveys for extra money. My goal is to increase my income.

I just had a big bowl of soup that I made a few days ago and now I'm ready for a walk.

Happy New Year! (sort of.......)

December 24th, 2010 at 08:44 pm

Instead of starting Jan 1st, I'm taking a leap early (Dec 25th). Most of the festivities are done by Christmas and I'm off work until Jan 3rd. This gives me an opportunity to:
A) Create a new workable budget. I've always budgeted for the big items(house payment, insurance, car payment, etc. )but the little things get in the way and I seem to blow it by month end.
B) Clear my head of the clutter and focus on my goals.
C) Exercise more
D) Explore creative cooking. It's a love/hate thing with me depending on my mood. Smile

To start my new year off, I made a delicious vegetarian vegetable soup containing all organic ingredients. Total cost $12.80. Minimum serving (6). Cost per serving $2.13!

Wishing all a glorious holiday and HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Extreme frugalism

December 5th, 2010 at 04:36 am

As most of us deal with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I am already thinking of the New Year and the sacrafices I need to make in order to reduce my debt and make ends meet. I am going to attempt extreme frugalism. It's going to take everthing I have to perservere but with a little faith, I think I can do it Smile