Layout:
Home > Page: 2

Archive for March, 2005

Can't Find money anywhere? Try an Enveloping Technique

March 1st, 2005 at 04:25 pm

Can't find an extra twenty bucks anywhere? Paycheck too tight and bills got you in a bind? Join the club! LOL
Actually, I was chatting to a fellow boarder about "freed up cash" and while she prefers to invest her money in mutual funds, I like the feeling of cold, hard cash in my hand, know what I mean?

As per her request, here is my enveloping system. i'm sure there are a plethora of enveloping schemes out there but hey.. this one works for me Smile Hopefully it helps inspire others to quit habits or adopt a good one Smile
***********************************************
Envelope #1:Nails: January 3, 2005: My wrapped nails were wayy too long to function. I was too lazy to go take out money (the salon I frequent has to be one of the last places on earth that does NOT accept credit/debit cards. I cracked open a manicure kit my mom got for christmas and went to work on my talons. Granted my nails are no longer the ornate spectacles they once were... they serve their purpose now.
Nails & brows $25.00 (wrapping+ design+ generous tip ) X 3 visits a month.
EOM Saving: $75.00 (I still do my eyebrows though lol so it's actually $60.00)


Envelope #2 :Habit bye-bye! January 22,2005. I saw an anti-smoking ad that hit home. Really. I crushed my cigarettes and haven't picked one up since. The last price I paid for a pack of cigarettes was $7.29. I've condensed the price to $7.00 for accounting purposes
Cigarettes: $7.00 (I smoked a pack every other day)
EOM Saving: $112.00 (YIKES!)

Envelope #3: February 1 2005: Coupons: Hubby buys the paper anyway...so now I simply clip the coupons and take them with me when I food shop. I take out the amount of the coupon (face value) at home and also the in store coupons at the commissary. Started February 1.
Shopping: 2X a month.
EOM Saving: $18.00

Envelope #4: Recycling Cans: Ha! To most it's an odd thing to do. Would you turn down $5.00 if you found it laying on the floor? That's what I found laying in my recycling bin in January. Hubby had friends over a few times so I separated the cans and have yet to redeem the cans for February. I wonder if anyone recycles the cans at my college? lol
EOM: ??? (i'll update when I change the cans)

Envelope #5: Changed Mind Account: Hubby wanted to see Ray and Constatine. I turned it down last min. Instead of going to go see them ($9.50 a ticket is not my idea of fun anyway) Hubby gave me the money. The second portion of this envelope covered gambling "Play money". Usually we spend ALOT in AC since we're both wannabe pro players- well not anymore. I tucked away my portion of play money BEFORE we got there. Good thing I did.. lady luck sat at someone else's table.
EOM Saving: $338.00

I could go on further but I wouldn't want to bore... these envelopes are all money that I won't hesitate to part with in the course of ONE MONTH. Rhetorical Question for ya: Do YOU have lil habits you can stand to part with ? IF so.. start your own envelope Smile

Credit Card Clinginess

March 1st, 2005 at 03:52 pm

After watching the online version of PBS "The secret history of the Credit Card", I was a little curious as to how much certain cards charge after the initial "honeymoon period" (you know.. the 0% Apr until blah blah 2005). Sickening.

A certain bank in AMERICA (change the preposition from in to OF)
The pretty lil 0% until November offer jumps to 10.99% and if we make just 2 late payments at any point.. it jumps to 28.99%!
Sounds like the loan sharks found a way to legitimize loan sharking!!!

Man am I glad we've joined the deadbeat ranks. And to think.. last year I spent 10 months paying for a lousy fetuccine alfredo plate at Applebees (they forgot to take out the tomatoes) and clothes that no longer fit my kids . Ughhh.

February Re-caps

March 1st, 2005 at 12:52 pm

Budget re-cap: February 2005

********************************
Saves:
Bank totals: $1292.00
Goal: $8000.00

Checks:
Projected carryover: 800.00
Actual: 226.00

Difference -574.00 (It's ok.. I knew it would happen lol)

Envelope Total month of February: $522.60!!!(HOLY MOLY)!!!!

(FYI The Envelope system is money that would have been spent REGARDLESS if it was in the budget or not. These are (or once were) my smoking habits, money saved in coupons, recycling soda cans, trips to movies, etc)

Now i'm beginning to see why I was always broke.


<< Newer EntriesOlder Entries >>