Welcome!
Posted on November 29, 2004 7 Comments
Budgeting, much like quitting smoking, is a necessary evil. If I can quit smoking, join a gym and run a 5K in one year, I can surely adhere to a budget. But budgeting is not as easy as it seems! There are pretty things screaming “buy me!” at every turn, family fundraising events, cheap flights waiting in my inbox… just saying no to all every personalized offer is exhausting. I work hard, I make money, and I want to spend it! Turning down a fabulous pair of shoes keeps me lying awake at night, imagining all the great outfits I could wear with them.
An ounce of me thinks that if I can write about the purchases I don’t make – get them out of my head – it may become a creative outlet for venting my frustrations. But more than just venting, I can look back with pride (I hope) at my savings, commend my own restraint and learn from others’ experiences who choose to comment here.
This year is my first real attempt at fiscal responsibility. I always have paid my student loans and credit cards on time, but I have not saved anything during my first working years out of college. And that scares me.
During the past month, I started a savings account and a 401K (yay!). I’ve been trying to track my budget on a spreadsheet for the past few months, but for some reason it never seems to explain how I can spend $100 on one night out with the girls. I’m trying to cut back on expenses, mainly the ones that go to department store make-up, shiney new shoes every season, manicures, pedicures and clothes.
The holiday season adds an additional level of budgeting stress, which is why I’m starting this blog now. My usual thinking is, “Stick to the budg…OOH! Banana Republic has 50% off on sweaters! I can buy two for myself!” But this season I really want to do better. So here I am.
I welcome your comments, words of encouragement, investment advice or tales of restraint! Now let’s go have a martini…Oops! Maybe we can just make one at home, save a few dollars and invite our best friends over for Sex & The City reruns!
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7 Responses to “Welcome!”
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August 15th, 2005 @ 5:49 pm
Very interesting insights! I was wondering, what do you think is an acceptable percentage of your income to spend on entertainment?
September 23rd, 2005 @ 11:54 pm
i recently started having money taken out of bi-weekly paycheck and deposited into a xmas club acct. at my bank. i took the raise that i had recently received to do this. i figure if i never see it, i’ll never miss it.
December 6th, 2005 @ 5:08 am
this is the first time that i have been to this site. i found it to be very motivational. i will be checking this site out guite often. thanks!!!!!!
December 15th, 2005 @ 5:00 pm
Amazing!
) and what, you are also a cancerian!
I have just come across your blog linked form another blog and jus found that i am running similar blog like you!
You will not belive that everything is same as your blog(even color
boy! i am going to change my blog color
See by yourself ;
http://theonerichman.blogspot.com/
January 3rd, 2006 @ 4:01 pm
Great slaps-on-the-back for your efforts! You may want to check our crown.org for any more suggestions, from a very Christian perspective. My hubby and I over 26 years have raised 11 kids, given 20% and more to charity, bought and paid down our house, and stayed out of debt due to similar goal-setting as you have done. Have you considered using most of the savings to instead pay down your debt? Interest percentages aren’t as important to us as clearing the air of debt.
June 26th, 2006 @ 5:45 am
Nicole:
I could see no othe way to contact you!
Have you ever reviewed any personal finance websites? We have one we’d like your feedback on before we take it live.
Let me know… berry@tahlequahevents.com
Ugghhh, sounds so spammy and amateur…sorry!
Thanks,
Berry
July 23rd, 2006 @ 3:46 am
best way to save is to put your raise into an account that comes right out of your check, credit union x-mas fund. if you can swing putting more into it, you won’t feel bad when you do spend. good luck