[mommariffic]

So, I'm kind of disgusted with myself

We moved out to a kind of woodsy town in New Jersey to live a simple life, and I've been been spending far too much. I've been managing to buy things second hand, or only things I really need and starting to clear our home of plastic toys that have been given to our daughter...but, I find that my BUDGET is out of control.

Lunches out, buying things on impulse etc has been a theme with me.
I plan on ripping up my credit card, and working out a budget with my husband. Ideally, since we live where it's hard to get out - I'd like to do a monthly or bi-weekly budget, use cash only so I know what I'm spending, and try to cut down.

So, I guess what I'm rambling on for is because: where do I start?

What's a great website to look/print out coupons
What is your "stay at home mom budget.." if that's a good term
Where do you NOT cut costs, and what's the easiest way to buy things cheap

I'm exhausted, so maybe I'm not making sense, but I need help! I've always been terrified/terrible with money, and my impulsive ways make it hard now that I've got a kid.

Eh, so thanks in advance for my bubbling

 

[Jenelle]

First step is to figure out where EVERY penny is going. Either by writing it down, spreadsheet, a computer program, etc. If you don't have the numbers in front of you in black-and-white, then you won't be able to see the progress you are making and feel the sense of accomplishment. When you see those numbers going down (like eating out) or you see your savings going up as a result of skipping a lunch out every now and then, that is very motivating.

Do you keep track of every penny yet?

 

[LilyGrace]

I agree with Jenelle. If you want to be in control, you have to start with knowing what you're doing right now. Even G.I. Joe agrees that's half the battle right there.

When Dh and I sat down to figure out our budget here, I found out that his coffee habit was really adding up! He was spending $200/mo just on getting a quick cup on his way into work + a little snack. We set baby steps, cutting the money provided for that in half, but also adding the purchase of a coffee grinder, new pot, and giant carafe for him to take to work. Over the course of several months that quickEmart allowance went down to nothing, but an $8 bag of coffee beans got added to the grocery cart and he gained $50 personal money every two weeks. Yay!

Groceries. I'm usually pretty on top of this, but it had gotten out of hand. I ended up bypassing printable coupon sites and went directly to the manufacturer of foods we purchase, sending them an "I love your product do you have any coupons" email or searching their site for newsletters, coupons, etc. I also started meal planning better, making our own spice mixes and cutting down on eating meat. Each week we know exactly what we're eating and who's cooking it so there's no falling back on a frozen pizza or letting the pot roast spoil in the fridge because we don't feel like cooking it.

There are Excel templates available online for budgets that you might get some use out of. I downloaded a 2 week one and made my own monthly one so I could keep track of both immediate spending and total bills for that month.

You also might be interested in the Dave Ramsey book The Total Money Makeover and the support thread on this board. It is really great, having other people on the same journey to help motivate you.

 

[ewp11100]

try looking at you library for "total money makeover" by dave ramsey or similar it really helped me to have it explained out in book form. I could go back and reread parts book mark things that i needed to do. it gave me a timeline, what should i do 1st, next, ect. But I'm a book worm so may not work for everyone

 

[mommariffic]

The library is closed today, but I'll check out that book next week

We use Mint.com to track our spending, and that's how I realized I need to really become more frugal. We aren't in any kind of debt, but I'd like to start saving and living that simple life I promised myself

 

[SeekingJoy]

Great. Now that you know where your money is going, you can start prioritizing your spending. Each of us focuses on different areas to trim, whether that is transportation, impulse spending, eating out, utilities or something else.

If you want to post a recent month's expenses, we might be able to help you identify options for what to cut.

If it is purely impulse spending, you could join the No Spend thread. Or you can go all cash with your fun/impulse money so that when your $20 or $50 is gone, it is gone.