Our Budget

**mh3rdwheel** · 06-22-2011, 06:35 PM

I hate shopping for clothes for myself too,. Have you checked out good used stores. There is one in my are called Bird's Nest, they are a cosignment shop and they sell designer clothes for kids, (babies thru teens to woman, I don't know about men) strollers, etc. the prices range from $1 to $4 for Old Navy, etc. in excellent shape. i am going to check it out when I have the time and money,.

**Anna43** · 06-22-2011, 10:32 PM

I think you're doing a good job. I think I would continue the $100 car fund and would put something into savings. $1,000 in today's economy is a very small baby step. I'd continue adding something each month to savings until it equals 6 months expenses.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 06-26-2011, 07:47 PM

If you drive a beater, then I would keep what you currently have built up in the car repair fund. maybe just don't add to it. Then if you have to use it for a repair, replace it over a few months and then quit funding it again. It only makes sense to be prepared.

We always kept a minimum of $2000 in our baby EF, with a family of 6, we felt (and were right many times over) that $1000 wasn't enough.

As for the clothing - shop consignment stores and goodwill to get the best deals. Plus there are plenty of sales out there. Take inventory of what you have and figure out a few key pieces that you can add to get you through the summer. Purchase those items for as little as possible and then come fall do the same thing. I see no reason to have a set $50 a month budget for clothing. Just get the few pieces you need and then put what is leftover towards the debt snowball. Good luck!

**gmarie** · 07-02-2011, 11:53 AM

The electric bill for May and June was $119.34. The previous two months was $281! Love the summer!

I'm sooo not buying an AC. We have been surviving with only the ceiling fans, keeping most of the shades closed during the day, and cold showers - and we are fine. So far.

**gmarie** · 07-02-2011, 09:00 PM

Wow, so we are able to come up with $4100 for the snowball once we receive all checks for the month! This does not include the income from the phone books. So excited! I transferred the money to pay off the private student loan with the cash we have now, and updated my signature. ;-)

Love seeing so much progress in one month!
Praying that we can repeat for at least the next 2 months!

**gmarie** · 07-10-2011, 01:38 PM

Update: So we just finished the last of 5 phonebook delivery routes! Will be in extra $500 or so for our snowball!

I put an ad out to babysit on Fri and Sat nights, and am meeting with a mother tomorrow for occasional Saturday night babysitting. I am married to a chef so I am home alone on weekend nights anyway. I could at least be making extra money!

I have thought about waitressing, but I have zero experience in a restaurant. I am keeping my eye out for the rare "no experience needed" ad.

Any other ideas for Fri and Sat night jobs are welcome!

Most weekend jobs require Sunday - and I absolutely refuse to work on a Sunday unless it's WITH my DH!

Anyway, I can't wait to know what it feels like to be driving 3 year old PAID FOR car!

**frugalfriend** · 07-11-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by gmarie

Any other ideas for Fri and Sat night jobs are welcome!

Dave talks about pizza delivery being pretty good pay.

**MTS04** · 07-11-2011, 04:03 PM

Check out your local bowling alley. Sometimes they have desk openings for weekends.

Also, nursing homes usually need part time receptionists. Friday and Saturday evenings would be big. Thats when a lot of visits happen.

**gmarie** · 07-11-2011, 04:47 PM

Thanks for the suggestions!

I submitted what was supposed to be the last phone book route today (per DH's strict orders!) but somehow another 500 books ended up in my car!

And another is on reserve!

I've told him he doesn't have to help! I actually enjoy waking up at 5 am... it feels great!

But these two ARE the last. There are no others in our area.
How can I pass up another $180 this week??

**gmarie** · 07-11-2011, 09:26 PM

The babysitting meeting went well. One of the twins stuck her tongue out at me. Not sure if that means she doesn't like me or she was just being cute. They are adorable but hyper 5 year old twins and the parents seem laid back.

I am going back on Thurs while the parents are home for a paid trial run and from there it will be every other Sat night for 3-4 hrs. The pay is higher than I expected for easy babysitting. So I am happy, but a little nervous. I haven't watched kids for pay since high school!

**Greebo** · 07-12-2011, 08:17 AM

Got your life insurance yet? If not, I've got the dry pasta ready.

**gmarie** · 07-12-2011, 02:05 PM

ha ha no, not yet but I have been researching some options and planned to make a decision this week! Thanks for the reminder. :-)

**Russ** · 07-22-2011, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by gmarie

ha ha no, not yet but I have been researching some options and planned to make a decision this week! Thanks for the reminder. :-)

Well?

**gmarie** · 07-22-2011, 11:15 PM

Found a local broker who sells the carrier I want, am waiting for his quote (ran my own quotes but who knows, maybe he can find something cheaper...) and plan to sign an app asap.

My only concern is that I would prefer to pay annually to save money, but it will mess with my end of summer goal. Hate to pay anything monthly if I can avoid it.

Thanks for asking. ;-)