A new car on the goal list this year, a re-fi on the list next year, my budget is perplexed. It's tight, it's gasping for breath. It is squeezed and has little room for error. So once again I blog my journey though the financial land mines, this time of 2012.
My father, a blue collar worker, father of nine, retired at 55. I treasured his and mom's (A stay at home mom) financial wisdom. Dad always said its not how much you make its what you do with it that matters. He lived what he preached.
So I dispense with my income figures and concentrate on my spending.
My January spending budget at a glance (after: taxes, 401K, Insurance, Auto fund):
Into Short-term savings:
Auto registration 63.33
Auto service 121.88
Propane tank fill & rental 104.88
HOA 25.00
Education 10.00
Medical/Dental 30.00
Real Estate Taxes 250.00
Homeowners ins 75.00
Pay Directly:
Tithe XXXX
Mortgage XXXX
Auto - Gas 900.00 (we live 50 & 70 miles RT from jobs)
Cable 169.79
Electric 113.87
Cell 227.65
CC XXXX
Life Ins 206.03
Variable Spending (envelopes):
Food 100.00
Clothing 45.00
Entertainment/Dining out 20.00
Gifts (Incl Christmas fund) 44.00
Household 25.00
Misc 41.60
A litte tight, but definitely doable.
OUTGO:
12/31:
Deli - 4 sandwich/chip/drink party pack (Coupon) 2.46
Frozen Yogurt ($10 coupon) 2.74
Netflix subscription 7.99
1/1:
Safeway: Toilet paper 17.99/pkg (30 roll bonus pack), on sale 13.99. When buying 2+ price drops to 10.99, had $2 coupons. Original cost 77.72. OOP 39.19 (.326/roll)
Walgreens: Tide 8.99 (50 oz), on sale 5.99, $2 coupon. Orig cost 9.71. OOP 4.47 (.089/oz) I haven't checked my new machine, I'm curious to see how many loads and how long it will last.
BLESSINGS:
Family invited out to lunch by another family at church who wanted to treat us
Free Starbucks (coupon) -Venti frappuccino
Free Starbucks coffee - Starbucks refillable travel mug for Christmas w 31 free fills
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