Assess my budget please

[Amila]

I figured I would post this as a new thread.

Ok so I thought of a plan, or a budget actually. I am surrendering my debit card to DH, and having him give me $250 a week for food/gas/spending.

$70 of that is gas (that is for ONE fill up- I usually fill up twice, so thats a goal), I am alloting $100 for food (our CSA starts this week) so it will be for groceries/meat/milk/etc., and the rest is spending/entertainment.

So $80 a week extra. I am going to try to save $30 of that for a movie for DH and I or take-out one night, and the remaining $50 is what I get for the week. Sounds like a lot, but its only $10 a day. I often spend $50 a DAY :

My main vices are Target, BRU, and the mall- all of which are about 20 minutes away. I have a playdate every other week in that area, so I am going to allow myself to go to those places ONLY on that day that I am already out there. That should save on gas.

I order diapers from www.diapers.com, in bulk, so I don't know how to allot for that, but otherwise thats it.

DH gets $250 a week also- but $200 of that goes to his gas : He has a work truck and drives all over creation.

It seems like $2000 a month on food/gas/spending is a LOT, but compared to how I am spending now, it is probably going to save at LEAST $500.

Thoughts?

[zersha]

I'm not sure about the other areas, but what is your plan for cutting your gas budget in half?

With rising gas prices, unless you have some significant plans for cutting your driving, I don't see how that will work. Are you just cutting down, combining trips, biking, walking, etc?

That just sent up a red flag for me because you said your were filling up twice and planning on only budgeting for one fill up, but unless you have plans in place, that won't work.

Do you drive to work, kids activities, shopping, etc.? That will also affect how much control you have on cutting back.

Good luck though, I've been trying to cut back too. I usually use one tank every 2 weeks that costs about $55. Hopefully this summer I'll get used to planning ahead and using the bike or walking.

[sarafi]

Originally Posted by Amila

I figured I would post this as a new thread.

Ok so I thought of a plan, or a budget actually. I am surrendering my debit card to DH, and having him give me $250 a week for food/gas/spending.

$70 of that is gas (that is for ONE fill up- I usually fill up twice, so thats a goal), I am alloting $100 for food (our CSA starts this week) so it will be for groceries/meat/milk/etc., and the rest is spending/entertainment.

So $80 a week extra. I am going to try to save $30 of that for a movie for DH and I or take-out one night, and the remaining $50 is what I get for the week. Sounds like a lot, but its only $10 a day. I often spend $50 a DAY :

My main vices are Target, BRU, and the mall- all of which are about 20 minutes away. I have a playdate every other week in that area, so I am going to allow myself to go to those places ONLY on that day that I am already out there. That should save on gas.

I order diapers from www.diapers.com, in bulk, so I don't know how to allot for that, but otherwise thats it.

DH gets $250 a week also- but $200 of that goes to his gas : He has a work truck and drives all over creation.

It seems like $2000 a month on food/gas/spending is a LOT, but compared to how I am spending now, it is probably going to save at LEAST $500.

Thoughts?

Baby steps are a good thing! Start where you are and try to cut back even more when you get used to the budget mentality. It is definately hard at first.

Can I ask, what is a CSA? I keep seeing this and don't understand what it means.

[heatherweh]

Your budget confused me. I think I need to see it all laid out. I recommend using the cash in envelope system. Write what you spend the money on write there on the outside of the envelope so you can see where your money is going.

Cutting back on gas is a good goal, but can be hard to do, if your tanks on empty and you have to be somewhere you end up breaking your budget. When DH and I budget we allow ourselves the use of the debit card for fuel because its something we need, but that's just how we do it.

$30 per week entertainment ($120 per month)
$100 per week groceries ($400 per month)
$50 per week spending cash ($200 per month)
$70 gas per week

Is that right?

I don't think that will be hard to do AT ALL. What about gifts, would they come out of your spending budget? Clothes? Toiletries? Haircuts? If so then I think you're in good shape. Try to track what you spend and not use your card for at least 1 month and see how you go. If it is easy then try and tighten it up a little bit more, just adjust as necessary. Maybe you can cut back on your personal spending and start a little high-yield savings account or something to see how greatly your efforts are actually being rewarded. Good luck!

[Sophiasmomma]

Our budgets are actually pretty simliar

But I actually save alot of money since I cloth diaper.. I bought diapers back when I had DD(inital start up few was about 300) and now they have beeen used through both kids and another on the way so thats one way to save and not have to budget for the diapers..

I also went from 75.00 a week of spending to 40.00 I can use it for whatever money and it usually ends up for either coffee andsomething for the kids or towards a lunch/playdate for me and the kids..
I try to be alot more concience of my spending and when I go to Target or BRU which are my favs I stick to my list! it really helps alot!!

[yukookoo]

how doi convince DH to sell MY car even though we are upssidedown on it????

oops meant to post new topic

[Denvergirlie]

Originally Posted by sarafi

Can I ask, what is a CSA? I keep seeing this and don't understand what it means.

Community Supported Agriculture

One buys a "share" and invests in a local farm, on a weekly basis the CSA (farm) will give out veggies, fruits and often other items as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communi...ed_agriculture