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Ruminations on Spending

March 25th, 2015 at 01:49 pm

Yesterday was my second no-spend day in a row. Today will not be one, however. I'm going downtown after work to attend a board event. This one is Dutch treat, so I'll be buying my dinner (at Panera) and there might be some taxi cost, too. The restaurant is not very close to the station.

We had a lot of rain last night that swept away a lot of the snow. However, it's supposed to get cold again tomorrow. I know March doesn't mean that winter is over, but I had such high expectations!

I'm really getting down to a system on my grocery list. As soon as I run out of something, or run low, I enter it on my Out of Milk app on my phone. Then, before I shop, I go through the list and pick out the must-have items. If that's below ten, then I decide what else makes the cut by what's on sale, what coupons I have, etc. I'm having fun with this! And it really is amazing how well a single person can get by with only ten purchases a week. I am even counting toiletries and pet food/litter! (However, I don't count anything I get at PetSmart -- like aquarium supplies -- that is another trip).

I am keeping track of my variables spending this month -- making sure I can stay under my post-retirement allowance for variables. With the month coming to a close, I am under half my allowance. That's great, because I know there will be months I am over! What I count as variables are: food, vet/pet supplies, medical expenses, parking, clothing, car repair/maintenance, furnishings, grooming, entertainment, household supplies, laundry, gas, fees/services, vacation/travel and home repair/maintenance. Whatever I don't spend will go into the slush fund. I can draw from the slush fund when there is an overage, but never more than the slush fund holds! That's the idea.

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “Ruminations on Spending”

  1. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    March 25th, 2015 at 03:05 pm 1427295915
    1427295915

    oops. duplicate.

  2. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    March 25th, 2015 at 03:06 pm 1427295969
    1427295969

    It would be a big change to me to only buy ten items per shop. Since we usually take the car shopping, it's hard to pass a sale that is worthy of a stock-up.

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    March 25th, 2015 at 03:22 pm 1427296925
    1427296925

    I love a slush fund!

  4. CB in the City Says:
    March 25th, 2015 at 03:57 pm 1427299052
    1427299052

    I used to do stock-up shopping as well. But now that I have to carry it up three flights of stairs, it's not very appealing!

  5. Shiela Says:
    March 26th, 2015 at 12:55 am 1427331307
    1427331307

    You are doing amazing with your grocery shopping, I'm very impress.

  6. My English Castle Says:
    March 26th, 2015 at 01:27 am 1427333228
    1427333228

    This is sort of puzzle game for you, isn't it? It's fun!

  7. CB in the City Says:
    March 26th, 2015 at 01:29 pm 1427376544
    1427376544

    Yep, it's a game! Who says frugality isn't fun?

  8. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    March 26th, 2015 at 06:50 pm 1427395848
    1427395848

    On the weeks I don't go to Walmart I generally keep to ten items or less - because I have to carry them 1/2 mile. Smile

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