How I spent the week
Posted on January 22, 2011 6 Comments
I’m trying to be more conscious of my spending lately. There are so many events I want to experience and people I want to spend time with, I don’t need to waste my money on frivolous things. So I tried to be good this week, but my days were really uneven. I had a few disciplined days, and a few really spendy days. And now it’s time to be honest with myself and use this space to review my purchases and see how I did.
Monday
Spent $10 on a CTA pass
Tuesday
Made $300 car payment
Wednesday
Zero spend day!
Thursday
Networking lunch with new contact at Bistro Pacific (Sushi) – $18.82
Friday
Cinnamon scone for breakfast - $2.50
Macy’s – New gloves, 180′s earmuffs, hat, and scarf – $105.80 (Not sure if I’m keeping the hat and scarf – was $49 at 40% off)
— Quick note: it was a zero degree day, all my gloves had holes in them or were lost, and I lost my earmuffs. Freezing. Had already checked at Old Navy and Gap since I got $2 gloves there last year but everything was sold out. I knew there was a sale at Macy’s, so I went there. Unfortunately, even on sale, every item was still more than $15. I ended up with the pricey stuff but I kind of need it. Too bad I had to buy it all at once.)
Dinner with a friend at Veerasway: $29.97, then $10 for dessert and tea
Saturday
Brunch at Revolution Brewery (bought coffee for a friend and also split the cost of a growler) – $16
Concert tickets: Arcade Fire & The National (April) – 2 tickets @ $61 each; Dispatch ticket (June) $30
CVS: Got $20 back from a purchase I made last week (insurance kicked in), spent $8.48 on rock salt (for the ice slick outside my apartment) and toothpaste
Dinner at Barclay’s – $32.95
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Grand total: $656.52
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Mostly this is all OK. I had four meals out this week, which isn’t typical, but one was a networking lunch, one was with someone I haven’t seen in two years, and two were with my best friends. I usually shoot for one or two meals out per week, so I’m about $60 over on my restaurant budget. All good stuff though and nothing too pricey so I don’t regret it.
I do regret the Macy’s tab. I would have loved to get all that outerwear for closer to $40 or $50 total, but with this weather, gloves alone cost $35 to $40. You know the saying “There’s no bad weather, there’s just the wrong gear?” Well, that gear costs money, unfortunately. Definitely could find something cheaper online in June, but when your gloves blow a hole, you need new ones then and there.
And the concert tickets? Well, those are the kind of things that I save for. Something’s got to get me through the long cold winter!
So for next week? I’ll do a better job of monitoring my restaurant tab. Not hitting any retail other than the grocery store. Not planning on buying any concert tickets either. Need to book a hotel room for Charleston, though.
All that said, it’s amazing how quickly all the little purchases, meals out, entertainment, and more can add up. Granted, most of it is budgeted for, especially the $300 car payment, but it’s still a bit of a shocker to see it all on paper. It’s been a while since I logged a week of spending. Hopefully I can spend a little less next week.
Category: Money
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6 Responses to “How I spent the week”
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January 23rd, 2011 @ 4:24 pm
Its hard but getting rid of the car payment really opens up the budget. It took us 2 years after selling our brand new car to get back to a 2007 model vehicle in cash. But when you dont have a car payment its much easier to save money. The worst part is selling your car and if you owe more than its worth having to pay the difference just to pay off the loan, then pay cash for the next car. But if you can do it, so worth it!
January 24th, 2011 @ 1:30 pm
So no spend day means no spending money whatsoever?
Meaning that if I have not spent money in 3 days but one of those days my automatic payment for my cell bill cleared that is not considered a no spending day?
I’ve been to Chicago few years back during one of the Chicago’s coldest weekends and I understand need to have gloves, hats, etc. Do you ever shop at TJ Maxx and Marshalls? I’m sure you can find things cheaper there. Also signup for Macy’s e-mail they send you coupons (if you are in to coupons) every week.
January 24th, 2011 @ 5:01 pm
Tanja – I debated whether or not the car payment should negate the zero spend day, but decided that since it’s money out of my pocket, it should count as a spend. The definition of “Zero Spend” is really up to the individual. For me, I need to be mindful of what I’m buying WITHOUT forgetting about monthly payments.
That said, it’s a really good question to pose. I guess technically I didn’t spend all of this since most of it went on my charge card. Hmm… I’ll have to think about this.
Re: TJ Maxx/Marshall’s yes, I do shop there. It just wasn’t easy to get there this week – and Macy’s is two blocks from my office. There were actually cheaper items at Macy’s, but for things like fleece-lined micro-fiber/windblocking gloves you typically need to spend a few dollars more vs. chenille or fleece only. The “fashion gloves” just don’t always cut it.
January 24th, 2011 @ 5:02 pm
Ryan – The car payment isn’t a sore spot for me. It’s actually the only loan I have, and I paid off my student loan 100% before taking on the car payment. I was paying my student loan at $300/month, too, so I just swapped out that one for this one. My monthly budget didn’t change. I’m cool with it!
January 24th, 2011 @ 6:10 pm
I read a lot about no spending days and I guess they are different thing to different people.
When I think of no spend days I do not think of my bills but just “incidentals” like coffee/tea/other addictions, snacks, lunch (instead of packing one from home) restaurants, unnecessary clothes, DVD’s and such.
I figured since I already have a budget for bills, groceries, etc., even incidentals, so anything I do not spend in “incidentals” categories would be a bonus for other savings/category overages.
And again if I buy something on my credit card (to get the points and is paid off within 15 days) Do I count it as the no spending day? Because technically I did not spend the money yet
When you think about it I can cheat all the time – I buy something on the CC and pay it off when my mortgage or other bill is due – with that cheat sheet I can have many no spend days.
Considering all that I’m not sure if the no spend days really make sense to me. I think I will just stick to the budget and things will be good.
January 25th, 2011 @ 7:54 pm
Yeah, Tanja, I think the definition is entirely subjective. I’m sticking to a budget — but the days I don’t spend anything at all (no incidentals, no payments, nothing on the credit card, NO EXPENSES) I just call out as “no spend days” to give myself a little recognition. Just a small personal thing I’d like to reward myself for.