August is the month that we are in lock-down, financially speaking. My goal is to (using the extra paycheck of the month and limited spending) squeeze $4,250 for the property tax. I've already paid the mortgage (nothing additional) and made a $700 tuition payment to the high school, so those are out of the way. I'm leaving $1,500 for the fixed bills, and $1,250 for living.
My strategy:
1) Shopping only at Aldi's for groceries. Good-bye Sam's Club for the month. I will miss the ease that you bring to my life by brining in large quantities of food.
2) Shopping loss leaders for BTS. There aren't a lot of things that we need to actually by. Uniforms are pretty much in place, with the exception of a pair of uniform pants for younger daughter ($35 have to be brand-specific).
3) Limiting driving, grouping errands
4) Library for books/movies/video game rentals
5) Having the proper attitude and mind-set
August goals
July 23rd, 2013 at 01:09 am
July 23rd, 2013 at 01:15 am 1374538511
July 23rd, 2013 at 01:18 am 1374538706
Well, it's a three-paycheck month, and I've already paid the mortgage and tuition, so it there will be more funds to squeeze from.
July 23rd, 2013 at 01:21 am 1374538907
July 23rd, 2013 at 01:41 am 1374540118
I'm limiting dryer use for towels only, getting creative with the food we have, and bumping the thermostat up.
July 23rd, 2013 at 05:40 pm 1374597625
The 1st year will feel tight but the relief seeing these large expenditures covered makes it far easier years two etc. Initially I moved any sums saved in categories like Food, Utilities and Household Operations to avoid slippage and keep me motivated to find tiny reductions. It was a terrific learning experience to see how $ 2. or $10. or $25. by year's end added up to a significant sum. While I fretted that everyone would feel pinched and resentful, they embraced the challenged of doing 'it' for less.
July 23rd, 2013 at 05:44 pm 1374597866