Getting aggressive with the budget!

**tangerine** · 07-22-2009, 05:36 PM

FH and I both work full time. We both get paid twice a month, and we've always saved my second paycheck straight away, we don't ever consider it as part of the budget.

My goal has been to get our budget down to or paychecks up to where we are only living on one income. I've been thinking about the best way to do it for a while and I'm going to put the plan into action starting in August.

Things I had to do:

*Cancel the cable. Been wanting to do this forever anyway!
*Cut grocery budget to $200. I'm going to put this on a grocery store gift card. I anticipate I'll have some money left over, too.
*NO more eating out. Not once. Not ever. If we do it has to come out of our "allowance".
*Cancelled my credit monitoring service. Nothing terrible has happened yet, I don't really see why I need it.
*Called and had my car payment date switched to later in the month.

Even with these changes, I will still have a surplus of $37 at the end of the month.

It feels SO good to know that if one of us lose our jobs we are still covered! If needed we could cut it down even more but we're not ready to give up our "allowance" yet. It keeps us both from getting stupid with the joint money.

I hope I can keep this up! The $200 groceries will be hard.

**Maine Girl** · 07-22-2009, 05:43 PM

Good luck to you...I am sure you will make it fine you have a plan and that is half the battle. That is a great idea

**frugalfranny** · 07-22-2009, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by tangerine

I hope I can keep this up! The $200 groceries will be hard.

I know you will do it......good luck.

How many are you feeding with the $200? What is included? Animals?

**tangerine** · 07-22-2009, 05:58 PM

Just feeding the two of us, and 2 cats. So the $200 also includes cat food, litter, and stuff like dish soap, laundry detergent, paper towels.

We already cook mostly from scratch, and we eat pretty well, I'm just worried I won't be able to afford as many fresh fruits and veggies. I know it's do able it will just take more planning than I'm used to.

**mauimagic** · 07-22-2009, 06:00 PM

You'll do well - have found that planning only gives me more power!! Good luck!!

**TigerGirl1226** · 07-22-2009, 06:00 PM

You should be able to do $200 with your groceries. You just have to be as aggressive with you list, coupons and sales as you have been with you other budgeting areas.

**Siebrie** · 07-23-2009, 04:38 AM

Is there a farmers' market nearby? I find the supermarket very confusing, because I cannot tell from their fruit and veg what is 'in season' and thus cheaper and tastier.

**Sassyclass** · 07-23-2009, 09:03 AM

You'll do fine. I agree with hitting the farmers market. Nothing in the stores compare to fresh, much cheaper, better quality, and someone who will come down on price if you sweet talk them. And give yourselves time to get use to the changes. If you aren't successful the first couple of months don't give up. Be stubborn and good luck.

Cat

**tangerine** · 07-23-2009, 09:37 AM

I do have a lot of really great farmers markets, I'm going to try to go once a week.

I just got off the phone with my car insurance agency. I was starting to freak out a little bit becaues it automatically drafts on the 16th every month and I still haven't seen it.

They said they used to charge a month ahead, but switched to a new system. Since my renewal is in August, I don't have a payment this month! What an awesome surprise.

**AmyBoz** · 07-23-2009, 09:48 AM

Great plan! I love to hear well-thought out ideas about saving money.

**Debbie-cat** · 07-23-2009, 10:07 AM

Great plan! You can do it!

**peanut** · 07-23-2009, 11:27 AM

Great stuff! You've made a commitment and a plan. That's good. All that's left is to put it into practice. I'm sure you'll do fine...you have shown you are organized and like to think things through ahead of time. Best of luck!

**strezzed** · 07-23-2009, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by tangerine

I just got off the phone with my car insurance agency. I was starting to freak out a little bit becaues it automatically drafts on the 16th every month and I still haven't seen it.

They said they used to charge a month ahead, but switched to a new system. Since my renewal is in August, I don't have a payment this month! What an awesome surprise.

Be careful! They may charge you for 2 months at once. Our insurance company did this with us - we were so happy, then wham. I hope it doesn't happen to you.