Well, I broke down and ordered a new remote control for the bedroom tv. It has been missing for almost 2 weeks now and I am going slight crazy! (with dish network the tv is useless without that remote!) I found a used one for $20 less than what Dish was wanting for it! It should be here tomorrow.

In other news, I think there is a bagel thief on the loose in my neighborhood! I went to get a bagel out of the freezer this morning to take to work and I can't find them! There should be 6 cheese bagels left somewhere and they are no where to be found!!! So although I thought I had planned for the day, I had to go through a drive through for something to eat today. Bummer. But now I know not to depend on a bagel for tomorrow morning!

Remote - 6.99
Lunch - 7.00
Gas - 21.00

I think I have a problem. I am addicted to studying my bank account in Quicken. I have my budget for the next two months in there and I find myself constantly looking at it and tweaking the budget for things I remember. It is almost concerning to me. I could spend hours looking at the budget just making sure that I have thought of everything(which of course I haven't). I find myself doing this when my budget is in order and there is light at the end of the tunnel. When I blow the budget and feel that there is no hope, I barely even look at the budget. But for some reason, when I have it all worked out and am comfortable with it, I spend alot of time making sure that everything is ok. Not sure why I do this. But if I do this, I tend to know where I stand more readily and am not willing to vary. I guess this works for me.

I have spent this morning updating my pages. The credit card balance page and the monthly goal tracking page are both up to date with the most current balances and information. Things are looking good. I am glad that I have updated the information. It will help me be able to look back at the payments and see the progress made.

Today is a NSD, second one in a row! My friend and her children are coming over for dinner - DH made broccolli and cheese soup. YUM! DOn't intend on leaving the house.

I resisted the call of the donuts this morning! I really wanted donuts. And when I went to pick up my daughter, I thought I might stop and get some. But I resisted!!! I came home instead and got a bowl of cereal!

Today was a NSD. Yea!

I re-configured the budget yesterday. It looks like I will be back on track by the end of January. But, I have cut it close the next two weeks. So any extra spending will definately throw it off whack again. Wish me luck!!

It has been a while since my son has had all of his friends over. Last night he had 4 friends over. They got here around 10:00(and had eaten at McDonalds on the way). I woke up this morning and the basket that was full of an assortment of chips was empty! The bread was gone. The milk is low. Soda is gone. It looks like a thief came and only took the food! So I ventured out to the grocery store this morning.

Spent $88 at the grocery store. Not bad for me. I didn't do the binge shopping and only got the items that I knew we needed.

My Daughter is having her friends over tonight. Always interesting when there are a bunch of 11 year old girls in the house!

Hope everyone has a great NEW YEARS EVE!

We have lost the remote to the bedroom tv. Ordinarily that wouldn't be that big of deal because we could actually get up and change the channel. But since we have the new complex dish network where two tvs run off of one receiver, the tv is basically useless. There is no way to even get the information screen off of the tv!! So I spent the day catching up on the mound of laundry to make sure that it wasn't in there. It is possible that my daughter packed in her bag(due to a strange set of events) but I won't know for sure until tomorrow when she gets home.

DH went hunting this afternoon and my cell phone was dead. I had an extremely quiet afternoon! Rented a movie on ppv and took a nap! Perfect!!

I didn't leave the house today so I had a NSD!

We went to Home Depot today so that my DH could spend his gift cards. They were burning a hole in his pocket. He only spent $4 over the gift cards...excellent for him. We then went to Walmart and I spent less that $20 on only the items that was on my list. DH bought me several shirts and sweaters for my Christmas present. I was in desperate need. I have two sweaters that i wear and one is as old as my 11 year old daughter! It was a nice gift.

He also gave me some money toward the household. He has been out of work for a couple of months and just started working last week so I wasn't expecting it. (we keep our finances seperate) This really helps me out with the budget.

Totals for the day:

Gas - $10
Walmart - 19.02

total for the day 29.02

Today was a very good day. My kids were very happy with their presents(as I knew they would be). Spent the afternoon playing monopoly with good friends and family. Had a blast. Kids went to their fathers until at least Saturday. Tomorrow will be a heavy cleaning and laundry day.

Today was a NSD! YEA! My husband took me to dinner at waffle house, but that didn't come out of my money. Hopefully tomorrow will be just as good.

Today was a pretty good day spending. I had to get gas and I had to get lunch meat to keep at work for my lunches.

Grocery - 6.17
Gas - 22.75

Total Spending - 28.93

My daughter had a violin performance yesterday. My husband and I were both starving afterward and although we were about 9 miles from home, in our previous spending life, we would have driven straight to the Hardee's across the street. However, we stuck it out and went home to eat. I realize that this may seem like the obvious thing for some of you, but not too long ago, I had troubles avoiding eating out for convenience, especially when I am with someone else. This was really a huge thing for me. I have found that my cravings for the fast food have died down too.

I am also having a hard time making the right decision on another issue. My best friend has MS and has not been able to work for quite some time. Her husband has been saving for Christmas and I thought it was all taken care of. She told me last night that although they have the big presents, they don't have any presents under the tree(oogling presents until Christmas is part of the fun for small children). Since I love her kids like my own, I am starting to feel guilty about the amount of money i spent on my children(which was a minimal amount this year). Well, not exactly feel guilty, but more like horrible that I can't help her kids more. My sisters have purchased quite a bit in addition to what I have purchased, so my kids each have more than a few presents under the tree. If my BF had told me earlier, I would have gone right out and purchased at least a couple of things per child to go under the tree. But now I have exhausted my Christmas budget...and if I do buy anything, it will seriously throw my regular budget out of whack, unless I can figure something else out. The old me wouldn't have cared. The new me is fighting a raging battle against the old me. For now the new me is winning.

Why does doing something right for myself also make me feel so bad?

I finished my shopping this weekend! YEAH! I stayed within $50 of my budget as well! Another YEAH! My daughter has to finish up her shopping, and my son has to do his. But they both already have money for that.

Since I finished my shopping, this weekend was a spendy one. We spent $171 at Walmart. This looks really bad, but when I divided among the people we bought for(that was already budgeted) and the household items we bought, it really isn't that bad, especially since it had all been budgeted for! I went to the grocery store on Saturday and spent $123. I forgot that my children would be out of school and at home the next couple of weeks and they needed simple things to cook for lunch/breakfast. This wasn't planned, but usually I spend about $300 when I overspend at the Grocery store, so this is actually quite an accomplishment!

I had to make some minor adjustments to my budget, but it is still on track. I even managed to get some presents wrapped and under the tree yesterday!

I haven't been good about writing daily spending logs, so I am trying to get back on board. If I bog, than it keeps me on track!
My daughter had her cheerleading Christmas Party last night. There was a sign on the door that the gym would be closed next week...i got excited,until I found out that she would still have practice!!(I don't mind my daughters activities,, but the gym is 30 minutes from our house and I don't get home until 8:45 on those nights). Oh well...we will be there.

She and I went to dinner at my friends restaurant(my standing Thursday night dinner date). I picked up dinner for husband and son as well. It was "kids eat free night" so I didn't do too badly.

Dinner - $26.

Total - $26

I have a standing dinner date on Thursday nights, but that is all the money I spent today! And I got the $100 refund from the doctors office!

Dinner - 9

Total - 9.00

I am not including the Christmas money spent in this blog. I have budgeted for that(and am still under budget!)

We went to pick up a present at Bargain Barn last night. It was late when we left so I succombed to the lure of fast food again. But I don't feel bad about it this time. It feels different when you are out late and get something as opposed to just stopping on the way home because it is easier. I guess that is what I need to realize.

Gas - 21.00
Taco Bell - 13.11

Total - 34.11

Yesterday was a NSD for me! My husband spent $18 on gas...but that filled him up! Gotta love the cheaper gas prices!

Gas - 18.00

Total - 18.00

Yesterday was a NSD! YEA! My husband took the kids to school so I was able to sleep late. Very Nice!

I seem to have fallen off the wagon as far as eating out goes. My daughter had a band performance yesterday and we went out eat afterward. Starting today, I am back on the wagon! No More Eating Out!

Dollar General 7.75
Mexican - 31.66

Total for the day - 39.41

Happy Birthday to me! Yes today is my birthday and I have done absolutely nothing constructive! Daughter was in parade and then dinner with my parents. Nice day.

Spent $6.69 at Zaxbys for 1 sm Coke, 1 lg coke, lg coffee and 6 cookies while waiting for the parade to start. And while we were there, I filled up because their gas is .20 less than ours. I only had half a tank, but filled up anyway.

Zaxby's - 6.69
Gas - 11.00

Total - 17.69

Well, I went a little overboard today. I bought cream cheese to take to work...but I keep leaving it in the fridge at home. So I stopped at Ingles to get cream cheese for my bagels. I haven't stopped for breakfast in a couple of weeks. GO ME! Then I did get lunch at Quiznos...I had never been there and had to go out at lunch. If I don't have to leave work, than I don't get tempted. With tomorrow being my Birthday, my husband and I decided to go out to dinner.

My son had a doctors appointment and I had to prepay for tickets to a band concert this weekend.

Ingles - 3.74
Quiznos - 6.50
Blue Jeans(dinner) - 30.74
Doctor - 40
Tickets - 13

Total - 93.98

Tomorrow will start my not eating out again.

Today was a great day spending wise. I filled up my gas tank and had to get a couple of items at the grocery store.

Gas - 20.50
Groceries - 7.75

Total - 28.25

Oh! And I ordered a couple of books from B&N online. I saw in another post about a book called "debt proof your marriage". It looked like I needed so I ordered it as well as another one by Mary Hunt. - 15.19

Total - 43.44

Today has started as a spendy day...I gave my husband $50 for gas and such. He is going to get the tags for our cars, which are due Saturday and I bought a portable car heater that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I stopped and got cigarettes and a coke this morning(yes I am a smoker, but I only allow my self one pack a week). I went to Rite Aid and got a bottle of ibuprofen to keep in my desk to avoid what happened yesterday. I also got a few stocking stuffers while I was there. All before 8:30!

Had to stop at Ingles for laundry soap on the way home(I have to use a special kind that Dollar General doesn't have). I read somewhere that you spend about $20 each time you "run into the store" for something your forgot...that is very true! Spent $19. Went to Roses for ice cube trays...our icemaker broke and I love ice! Have been buying bags of ice...going through 2 a week! So this is really going to save money.



Rebels Pantry - 5.83
Rite Aid - 17.91
Advance Auto - $20.31
Husband - $50
Tags - $117
Ingles - 19.61
Roses - 6.42

Total - $237.08

Well, today will be a NSD. I went out the door and left my purse at home! I have no way to spend any money. I filled up yesterday and I have bagels and coke at work so I really don't need anything...except some tylenol because my head is killing me!!! But I will get through it.

Today was a spendy day...I filled up the gas tank and went to the grocery store. I had not been in a while, so we were in desperate need. Plus side is that I won't have to go to the store for a while because I didn't buy junk. I bought actual food! I haven't stopped for breakfast in a couple of weeks. My sister found me some cheese and onion bagels at Costco. They are wonderful!

Gas...$26
Groceries(Ingles)...202.19
Groceries(Dollar Gen)...33.75

Total for the day = 261.94

I curbed my spending today. No breakfast out...lunch at work. Spent 27.50 to fill up my car(down from almost $60 2 months ago to fill up!)

My daughter called at 6:00 and needed a new binder for school tomorrow for notebook check. So I ventured out to Dollar General(which for me to leave once I get home is monumental!). Got her 2 new binders. Went ahead and got butter and eggs(we were completely out!) while there so I wouldn't have to stop tomorrow at the grocery store. Also got french fries for dinner tonight(was going to eat tomatoe soup with the sandwiches, but since they had the french fries, I went ahead and got them.) Son needed headphones for ipod, so picked them up cheap at DG. Grand total at Dollar General was $18.70.

Gas 27.50
Dollar General 18.70

Total for the day = 46.20

So far I have not stopped for breakfast any day this week. That means that I have saved $3.57 per day for 3 days. That comes to 10.71 so far this week that I haven't spent that I normally do.

AND...my daughter wanted to stop at McDonalds yesterday on the way home but since I already knew what we were having for dinner and it was all planned, I told her no. Savings = $12(roughly for the whole family to eat)

BUT...I did stop to get bagels and cream cheese to keep at work. Including my impluse buy of donuts while at Ingles, I spent $12.43. So I am still $1.72 in the hole for breakfast this week, but I don't have to get breakfast for the next two days(or next week since it is a short week), so that should put me over the top. The McDonalds denial last night however puts the total for the week at $10.28 that I have made a concious decision not to spend.

GO ME!

I stopped at Ingles this morning to purchase bagels(see previous post about bagels past their prime). I looked in the deli section, but no Asiago bagels. But while I was there, I succumbed to the smell of the fresh donuts(doesn't help that I had a dream last night that I was back working in the donut shop, my very first job!) Bought 2 donuts and a think of milk. Also got the bagels so I won't have to stop anywhere for a while. Important lesson learned = I am an impulse buyer. I have to avoid all temptations.

Ingles = 5.47(saved 1.41 with advantage card)

I found some bagels in the freezer at home(4) an then I went to Ingles on the way to work this morning and spent $6.96 for cream cheese and coke to keep at work. That is what 2 days of breakfasts would have cost me and I have breakfast until at least Thursday!

Well, the bagels in te freezer are definately past their prime. Will have to stop to get another bag in the morning. I have a frozen pizza in the freezer here at work that will work until dinner, so I won't go hungry and I don't have an excuse to go get something for lunch.

Ingles - 6.96

Total for the day = 6.96

I did really well this weekend(it helps when you don't leave home!)

I had to stop at Ingles and get dog food/cat food on Friday, but then I didn't spend anything again until Sunday, when I had to get gas.

I did fall into the "it's late and I am hungry trap" on Friday. I picked my son up at the movies at 9:00 and I was starving(hadn't been home yet). Zipped through the drive through at Taco Bell, the make it so darn convenient!

Ingles - 19.48
Taco Bell - 6.07
Gas - 20.00

Total spending for the weekend = 45.55

I was tempted to stop at Taco Bell on the way home from dropping my son off. I tried to talk myself into it...I am the only one home and surely that $6 won't make that big of difference. But in the end, I didn't stop. I came home and in the process of finding something to eat.

YEAH for me!

Just by having kept up with my spending for the last couple of days, I can see where I need to make adjustments. Instead of stopping each day at the coffee shop for a bagel, I could purchase a bag of them and keep them at work(just have to sacrifice the asiago cheese flavor). this is going to be hard for me to do. But I am going to try my best.

I have spent $95.18 since Tuesday morning, and only $40 of that was for gas. The remaining $55.18 was all for eating out! In 3 1/2 days! That is nuts! I can't believe that! This is the slap in the face that I needed to realize that I spend too much money eating out. I had no idea...when I spend a little hear and a little there, I didn't realize how much I spent! No wonder I don't have the money to go to the grocery store! I spent it a little at a time each week! And rationalized it to myself!

this is the first time that I have been compeletly honest about my spending. I am so glad that I found this site!