April Week 2

I was awesome this week! I only spent on two things:

• Groceries
• A package of markers for me

I did go slightly over board on groceries as I purchased deeply discounted steaks and a pork loin instead of picking one. I’m not regretting it as I’m once again building our pantry and we’re menu planning. This week we’re making Mexican Rice and shrimp pasta

The markers were a definite splurge but I couldn’t resist them as I have a few adult colouring books but most of my markers have dried up. I’m considering it a mental break cost and giving it to myself.

The rough part of this month is that when my internet/phone bill came in much lower than budgeted in March I didn’t clue in to the fact that this meant that costs had been pushed over to April. So that bill is $70 more than budgeted.

Where does this leave me? In a tight spot but it just means reminding myself of the difference between wants and needs.

How did your week go?

April Week 1

I tend to reconcile my budget weekly to ensure that I don’t forget why I was spending but once my finances got under control I stopped posting weekly. As I’m trying to be uber frugal I’ve decided to revisit this habit as it’s a great way to keep me on track.

The first week of April has been crazy!

I’ve spent a lot of money but I’ve also done a lot of things:

• hosted sleepover
• Went to a museum
• Went to a play
• Lunch with a friend
• Breakfast with another
• Celebrated 2 birthdays

I’m still on track to be on/under budget but I do need to pay special attention to:

• eating out: I’ve got one more date and that’s going to have to be it
• entertainment: nothing is planned but I’ve only got a a little bit left in this line
• groceries: I’m on track but need to be cognizant of my spending so menu planning is key

How’s your week been?

Change and Rebirth

I recently returned to work full time. It is wonderful but exhausting and I realize I’m not the person I was before the concussion.

That woman couldn’t wait to have lunch with friends, enjoyed staying an extra thirty minutes to finish tasks, and was patient. The person I am now craves that hour alone to read or nap, is ready for the end of the day, and is much quicker to snap at any mild inconvenience.

Needless to say I’ve been in a foul mood for the last few weeks as I’m not me yet. Last night I had a bit of a revelation: that woman is gone. She needs to be mourned and acknowledged but I need to stop trying to be her. Instead I need to tune in to the current me.

This person has some great qualities, she:

• enjoys long walks
• doesn’t binge watch Netflix
• Takes her time to cook
• goes to be early
• doesn’t drink nearly as much ( I didn’t drink a lot previously, under the recommended amount for women but I’m now a one glass of wine a week gal)
• significantly cut sugar (no more dessert for lunch)
• is not addicted to caffeine
• Still reads like crazy

I haven’t blogged a lot since getting hit and I wondered if this was another interest I had lost, if my mind just was not letting me focus. I don’t think so. I think blogging is harder for me now as I no longer want to be near a screen as much.

While I haven’t been posting, I’ve been reading. It takes me longer to formulate my thoughts, which in turn make me feel like I’ve missed a window to jump into a conversation. I will return to blogging but I suspect I’ll make it a weekly post for a while as I slowly get my feet back under me.

The concussion was hard, not as bad as some but worse than others, and it definitely changed me. Some of that change was immediately good, while other pieces need to be accepted. This is how I feel:

Which is much more powerful than waiting to return to the person I was.

Photo from here.

 

 

Monthly Debrief: March 2017

I’m a bit late reviewing my month and though it spent like I was spending lots I feel I did pretty well.

 

TRACKING

•  # Buy nothing days : 16
• # times used S’mores Maker (aiming for 6 uses in 2017): 0 – I suspect this will be pulled out in the summer
• # times ate out/purchased take out: 8
• # activities with loved ones: 12
• $ saved at Costco: $39.00
• % over or under budget: 5% over budget

CELEBRATE:

• We were very responsible with our first trip to Costco
• We did really well on our pantry challenge

DIP INTO SAVINGS/CREDIT

• No savings were dipped in for this month

KEEP IN MIND

• This was the first month on my new, tighter budget. So while I was over budget, I still spent  less than last month. This challenge is going to be a frugal reset for me and will hopefully result in me putting more money towards the kitchen reno.

OVERALL

Job well done, though I really need to bring that eating out line under control. Part of the cost is that ML and I are going out together more right now so I pay for both of us which inflates the amount spent. Since it’s something I enjoy doing with him, it means that I need to be selective about who I go out with and where we go if I want to have at least one nice meal out a month with him.

Image courtesy of arztsamui at FreeDigitalPhotos.net