Firstly, are we impressed by that pie chart, or what? What can I say - I loves me some pie. I've just gotta figure out how to make it look less distorted, but one challenge at a time. ;-)
I was surprised by several things - some good, some bad. Otherwise, and generally speaking, there were some purchases that were made that I wouldn't call "monthly" (more like once in a lifetime...or once every ten years - like an ottoman purchase), but I seem to have some sort of purchase as such every few months or so, so I included it in the chart. There are other areas that, some months, get more cash put towards it (such as the "Pets" category) - but not this month. Then there are the stationary ones - such as the Visa bill, which never gets added to and always gets paid automatically every single month. The "can always depend on you" bills that will be AWESOME to finally pay off.
What shocked me most, though, was the clothes/home goods/gifts chunk. I don't BUY clothes that much - I just got a few maternity items. So, much of this was actually purchased for home projects from Lowe's (and that $179 ottoman from Target didn't help, either). Secondly, while it doesn't LOOK like much, our eating out is crazier than I expected. It really makes me think...and think...and think...until I will inevitably change, change, change. :-)
My groceries are mad crazy, too, but I already knew that. I've already set a new goal for myself to get it down to a) a twice-a-month shopping trip, b) for a certain set price (ie such-and-such amount for the month, divided by two), and c) in cash. Let's just call it getting closer to living simply on cash. Technically, I do that now, but I don't consider a debit card technically "cash". It's still plastic, and it's still a co-dependent tool towards self-ignorance. There were years that I shunned owning one...man, what happened?! So, anyhoo, it definitely does makes me go through the "I'd like to get that, but..." thought process on pretty much every purchase. Oh, and I'm going to try to go back to an Aldi/Hannaford symbiosis - what one can't get me healthily and cheaply (ie Aldi's bananas or all-natural juice or awesomely delicious, cheap hummus) the other will provide. Spending $20 in one place and $60 in the other is fine, especially with how much $20 gets you!
Oh, and I figure this will help provide an economic stability when looking at the grocery budget +1. I'd like to keep the budget at the same amount, actually - totally crazy? Maybe. I'll adjust as needed, of course. No amount of pride or strictness to self-induced life rules would keep our kid from gaining proper nutrition. You can't complain with TRYING out a budget, though.
Some surprising "good" pieces of the pie? My "entertainment/phone" (really just my Verizon and Time Warner bills) amount is tinier, by comparison, than I expected it to be. I guess that whole going cable-free thing is workin' for me. Oh, and the avoidance of purchasing a smartphone, let alone any phone with a data plan. We're not proud...although, in this case, we totally are.
Cash withdrawals were actually, again, relatively small. That may be shifting, especially when I'll be using the money to purchase other pieces of the pie (groceries, etc). And, come to think of it, the cash advances went towards certain pieness, as well, so it probably shouldn't even count. But it does, and I'm pretty happy with it. Always like to have some cash in the ol' wallet. You never know.
So, there it is - a pretty disjointed (but what blog post isn't?) public display of...well, pie. What's next? I'm trying to analyze what parts of the pie are necessary (car, mortgage, etc) and what can be shaved further (groceries a tad, home stuff definitely, etc). And that's where I'll leave ya.
Any random budget suggestions that you think we all should know? What works for you? Do tell!
I was surprised by several things - some good, some bad. Otherwise, and generally speaking, there were some purchases that were made that I wouldn't call "monthly" (more like once in a lifetime...or once every ten years - like an ottoman purchase), but I seem to have some sort of purchase as such every few months or so, so I included it in the chart. There are other areas that, some months, get more cash put towards it (such as the "Pets" category) - but not this month. Then there are the stationary ones - such as the Visa bill, which never gets added to and always gets paid automatically every single month. The "can always depend on you" bills that will be AWESOME to finally pay off.
What shocked me most, though, was the clothes/home goods/gifts chunk. I don't BUY clothes that much - I just got a few maternity items. So, much of this was actually purchased for home projects from Lowe's (and that $179 ottoman from Target didn't help, either). Secondly, while it doesn't LOOK like much, our eating out is crazier than I expected. It really makes me think...and think...and think...until I will inevitably change, change, change. :-)
My groceries are mad crazy, too, but I already knew that. I've already set a new goal for myself to get it down to a) a twice-a-month shopping trip, b) for a certain set price (ie such-and-such amount for the month, divided by two), and c) in cash. Let's just call it getting closer to living simply on cash. Technically, I do that now, but I don't consider a debit card technically "cash". It's still plastic, and it's still a co-dependent tool towards self-ignorance. There were years that I shunned owning one...man, what happened?! So, anyhoo, it definitely does makes me go through the "I'd like to get that, but..." thought process on pretty much every purchase. Oh, and I'm going to try to go back to an Aldi/Hannaford symbiosis - what one can't get me healthily and cheaply (ie Aldi's bananas
Oh, and I figure this will help provide an economic stability when looking at the grocery budget +1. I'd like to keep the budget at the same amount, actually - totally crazy? Maybe. I'll adjust as needed, of course. No amount of pride or strictness to self-induced life rules would keep our kid from gaining proper nutrition. You can't complain with TRYING out a budget, though.
Some surprising "good" pieces of the pie? My "entertainment/phone" (really just my Verizon and Time Warner bills) amount is tinier, by comparison, than I expected it to be. I guess that whole going cable-free thing is workin' for me. Oh, and the avoidance of purchasing a smartphone, let alone any phone with a data plan. We're not proud...although, in this case, we totally are.
Cash withdrawals were actually, again, relatively small. That may be shifting, especially when I'll be using the money to purchase other pieces of the pie (groceries, etc). And, come to think of it, the cash advances went towards certain pieness, as well, so it probably shouldn't even count. But it does, and I'm pretty happy with it. Always like to have some cash in the ol' wallet. You never know.
So, there it is - a pretty disjointed (but what blog post isn't?) public display of...well, pie. What's next? I'm trying to analyze what parts of the pie are necessary (car, mortgage, etc) and what can be shaved further (groceries a tad, home stuff definitely, etc). And that's where I'll leave ya.
Any random budget suggestions that you think we all should know? What works for you? Do tell!
This is Shauna Bishop again! We should definitely get together and talk sometime! My friends refer to me as "the budget lady." We have a 0 balance budget, meaning every penny has a home each month before the month starts. I use Mint.com to track my spending/payments.
ReplyDeleteThe past three years have been a major lifestyle change for my family. we have a made a commitment to living simply (and cheaply.) When my husband lost his job very unexpectedly three years ago we thought we were in big trouble. We did a lot of prioritizing and totally changed our lifestyle. We have learned how to live comfortably on one income and I think we are better off than we have ever been. If you are interested in checking out my system, I'd be happy to share! I've got lots of tips on doing more with less. Ask Colleen for my number if you'd like to get together to check out the diapers or anything else! I hope to hear from you!
Also - Mint.com makes pie charts for you! -Shauna
ReplyDeleteHi, Shauna - I've tried Mint before. Unfortunately, my credit union won't link up to the site, so it's kind of useless for me right now. Thanks for reaching out, though! I'd love to hear more about your budgeting and diaper tips. Your mom already gave me your number - I'll try to call you ASAP but we've been a tad busy lately. Once things die down, I'd love to touch base. :-) Thanks, again!
ReplyDeleteI use First Source Credit Union. It didn't work when I first tried, but I filled out a request and they added it. No rush for calling - we're always around! -Shauna
ReplyDeleteOOh I like it!
ReplyDelete