Here are the things I learned:
- I spend a fair bit on Brady-related things. I knew that, but it was maybe a bit more than I thought. In this two-week time it was stuff for his prize store, snacks when we had to make after-school trips into a larger town 20 or 30 mins away, a DS game he earned through good behavior, and the trip to pumpkin patch and corn maze.
- I spend a lot on extra groceries. I try and stick to a base grocery budget of $60 per week. But in between I use my cash to buy extra stuff on sale or that we want.
- I like to buy a protein bar in the afternoons on the way home from work. This is how I avoid my afternoon slump and sugar craving!
- Some goes to church every Sunday, not enough probably, but some at least.
- A car wash cost me $3.25!
- I am happy to report I have started buying Christmas presents early to avoid the crunch/stress/rush. I bought 3 for hubby already.
If I'm going to continue with the protein bar kick, I probably better buy them in a larger amount at the grocery store rather than at Casey's every day where they are nearly $2! Yikes! And I need to focus more on the Dollar Tree for Brady's prize store items.
I really like keeping a record of this and will keep doing it.
How about you? Did you keep or have you kept a record of spending, and what did you learn?
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I don't but I should. It is surprising to find out where things go when otherwise you might just swipe and forget it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really trying to do it every week now and it is making a big difference.
DeleteHello Steph!!
ReplyDeleteThis is Alicia with ChosenCalledChasing! Thank you for coming by my blog to show your support!
I am ashamed to admit that I constantly swipe my card and hardly think about it! I think my wake up call was when I ended up spending 40 dollars on fast food in one week! When I have the kids and we are out and about, I quickly run through a drive thru for a peace of mind! Those little things add up and end up costing a lot!!!
It's so easy to do! I don't have a debit card and honestly don't miss it. Some day they may phase out checks though!
DeleteWhat a neat challenge!!! I'm sure mine would reflect a lot of Diet Coke and snacks. I'm such a visual eater and impulsive snacker. I'll have to try this out sometime. I do Quicken, but my husband and I have been wanting to try the cash envelope system for a while now.
ReplyDeleteOh geez, I get too many protein bars and mints to munch on! It adds up fast.
DeleteI put all my spending and income into a program like Microsoft Money. It helps me see where my money is going. I have been doing this for years but I am not great at it. I check up every few months
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea. Hubby handles most of the bills, but I wanted to keep a track on my spending cash as well.
DeleteThis is a great round up of your expenses. We always think we know how much we're spending but undoubtedly there are leaks. Thank you for your honesty :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit eye opening for sure :)
DeleteWe spend more than we want to most of the time as well. We live on a estimate budget and one that isn't 100% rigid. We do have times where we just go through a don't spend. Right now I'm paying some high medical bills. So no extra spending for the next three months.
ReplyDeleteGood thing I am making most of our Christmas Gifts we need to give away.
Making Christmas gifts is such a great idea! I've done that in years past and need to get on it this year!
DeleteI want to try this again after the holidays. I've done it before and that's when I realized I spend way too much money on unnecessary toiletries...like yet another bottle of shampoo! I want to track our grocery expenses to see where we can cut down there.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised at where some of it was going and ways I could change if I put thought into it.
DeleteCool insights about the challenge!
ReplyDelete