August - tomorrow will be a new month -- a new start

**imagine** · 07-31-2009, 09:49 AM

I'm so excited for a new month. A clean slate in the money/budget/tracking book. A fresh start.

July was a out of the ordinary month. Summer and fall collided -end of summer stuff, back to school stuff. Busy month that "causes" more conviences bought

I am so ready for a new start a time to get back on track. Get back to frugal ways

Any one else ready/excited for a new month?

**rsbs** · 07-31-2009, 09:57 AM

I'm here with you!

Not only was July expensive, but next week I am paying off a credit card - and my CAR! I am SO exited about August & a chance to start over!

**dmarie** · 07-31-2009, 10:22 AM

Yes i'm making a commitment to myself i'm going to spend less at the grocery store and every were else and i would like to shop once a week and that's it. If we run out make due with what we have until the following thursday (day i do my shopping on)

**Grainlady** · 07-31-2009, 10:59 AM

July was an unexpectedly expensive month for us too. Gas has gone up quite a bit, so it's back to limited car use. I got kinda lax with that, especially when we had company earlier in the month. The good news about August, there aren't any "expensive" holidays to contend with...just the heat.

**Bournecrazy** · 07-31-2009, 11:11 AM

wow its August already tomorrow. How the times flies and i dont know what ive do with it.

August is going to be tighter than normal money wise, but DBF has his 21st this month and we are going to the Safari Park (there is an offer on at the moment you get free entry tickets to visit again when you buy each ticket) we are going htere mainly because i want to go. you are able to drive your car around the park and thru the animal inclosures. I have bought 2 presents for him so far maybe get a final one next week.

I have a wedding to attend, but good this is that i do not need to buy ANYTHING whatsoever for it. no clothing or shoes

After DBF birthday the next holiday for me is christmas but i need to save some cash to get fireworks with for November. I love bonfire night. Halloween doesnt get celebrated.

**ilovechocolate** · 07-31-2009, 11:13 AM

July was terrible on my budget----just awful.

August will be better------it HAS to be---couldn't be worse....

**Jamielane** · 07-31-2009, 11:30 AM

Well I had some budget issues this month to. Back to school stuff (ugh) my Moms birthday, 4th of July bbq we had to contribute to and then didnt enjoy at all ( we wont make that mistake again) . Hopefully August wont be so bad. We dont have any bdays this month except MIL and thats just a card. She banned gifts a few years ago. I have 90% of back to school finished and then its just regular bills in August (I hope).

**tervsforme** · 07-31-2009, 12:04 PM

I HAVE to start getting extra tight with my budget starting in August. The August statement for my Chase card will show the increase in payment from 2% to 5% and that will be brutal for me until my overtime starts the end of September. I've been selling stuff on E-Bay and will be listing a few larger items on Craig's List tonight. I need to make up as much difference as I can. I have one month's of the extra payment in my savings, well EF, but I'm trying my hardest not to touch it. It's going to be rice and beans and beans and rice for me for about 6-8 weeks. Then I should be able to breath a little bit. The good thing about this Chase thing is that I will be paid off a lot quicker and since my interest is so low, the majority of my payment will be going to principle. I think I figured it will be like over 90% going to principle so that is one good thing.

**mauimagic** · 07-31-2009, 12:29 PM

Great attitude to start a new month! I agree - this has been a strange summer and I am ready for a new start. Try to do it everyday, but somehow a new month sounds like a fresher start KWIM?

We are going back to tracking every penny spent - helps so much. And planning - definitely the other key to success!!

**pollypurebred39** · 07-31-2009, 02:53 PM

tervsforme, I'm hearing ya on the beans and rice bit. August and September I expect to be brutal $ wise. The household income will cease, that's the food budget and all those other things except roof over our heads ect.. Thank God I have some meat in the freezer for my youngest. His diet is protein dependent. We've got the garden, and I have some pantry items like rice, beans and flour. My husband can bring home leftovers from the pizza shop so that's a bonus, we won't starve but it's going to be extremely tight $ wise *sigh* just when things were going so well too, we were closing in on getting our second credit card paid off

I'm glad it's not the holidays

, that would really stink. That said we've got a family reunion that I need to make something for this month. They just may be getting garden vegetables! I think after this is said and done I need to budget and envelope for food emergencies, it never occured to me. Walking around thinking I've got this envelope budget thing down cold and then WHAM!

Yeah, I don't see August being a good month here.

**Mom23boys** · 07-31-2009, 04:23 PM

I am with you; I am ready for a new month!! July was also expensive for us. The check engine light came on in DH's truck. We took it to the dealer to only find out the part that needed repaired WAS NOT covered under the warranty. Go figure! Anyway, we had to pay for the repair bill. Our 46" projection screen tv went out too! :pullhair: So, we had to buy a new tv, but I am sorry to say that we downsized a little bit. We now have a 40" tv that was a great deal. The first weekend in July was expensive as well. My step-dad asked is we would take him on a trip to Shreveport-Bossier one last time before he passes. Of course, DH nor I could say no. So we paid for my mom and his hotel room and our hotel room, all meals, all the gas, etc. The only thing my mom and him had to put out was gambling money. It wasn't something we planned, but I just could not in my heart say no to him. I was disappointed that his two sons chose not to go and make memories that will last a lifetime. My step-dad has told us, including my two youngest sons, thank you for making one more memory with me. I have also spent way too much in gasoline and fast food because every weekend I travel to my mom's home to help her with my step-dad and sometimes even make a day trip there to help her fill out some paper work or talk to an insurance rep because she is so confused. I know they only live 2 hours away one way, but I always take my youngest son with me. (By the way, we didn't charge anything. We used savings only when we needed too.)

Ok, anyway. I am ready for August. I am ready to get back into a routine. I start back to work on the 17th and the kids start on the 24th. It may be an expensive month because of school clothes shopping, but I only have to buy for one child this year! WOOHOO!! It still will not be as expensive as July!

**frugalfranny** · 07-31-2009, 04:34 PM

Always excited for a new month but they sure are flying by fast.

My ugly time of year will be starting soon......the insurances start in about a month, then Xmas, taxes aren't far behind.......we get our property tax statements on Valentine's day.......lucky us!

**firefly615** · 07-31-2009, 04:40 PM

This will be a "hold-on-tight" month for me too. I have a large insurance payment due with my DD now driving. Also three kids to prepare for school (one of whom is off to college). Back to work provisions for me too!

Unfortunately this all falls on the one month I do not get paid!! (School teacher here)

I have a good deal in savings and I know I will be fine, I am just making it my goal to get by without touching the savings. Wish me luck!

And best of luck to make this a happy frugal month for us all, whatever the goal!

**VanVivCam** · 07-31-2009, 05:07 PM

I am so ready for a new month and a new me! Bring on August. I have been away from this site and not doing too well on my budget and finances. I will also start fresh this month and really track my spending and use those coupons.

Happy August!

**hotprincesscm** · 07-31-2009, 05:11 PM

It's great! It will be back to school shopping for me this month for my boys! So It will be tighter than normal...I have some money aside for it, but not enough...so any "extra" money will be going towards that! I don't plan on going over board this year. New shoes, and 1 or 2 new outfits a piece and that's it! Other than the school shopping I plan on packing away as much money as I can towards paying off Credit cards...It's getting within reach now...Not too bad..But still enough that it stresses me! I'm going to keep track of all my spending, to hopefully keep it in perspective for me! Good luck to you all with your budgets and fresh starts!