BeckyD_214's Journal

Today, mediocre

(BeckyD_214) — Thu, 15 Jul 2004 17:10:42 PST

Today I ate 2 meals out, but ate both for a total of $5.

All in all, a mediocre saving day.

Budgeting specifics -- little things

(BeckyD_214) — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 04:03:39 PST

I estimated what I spend yearly on stuff that I don't even think about; Stuff I've gotten into the habit of buying, even though it doesn't give me that much satisfaction.

My estimated total on magazines, and most of the food and beverages purchased outside my home came to an extra...

Adding up

(BeckyD_214) — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 03:29:09 PST

I started saving my change in a jar a week ago. I buy a lot of things with exact change (I'm not using the system in the article on this site). I'm also not saving for Long-Term Investment. I'm saving for the fun things that I have traditionally put on my credit card.

I have...

Temptations avoided - 2

(BeckyD_214) — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 03:13:23 PST

I was invited by a dear friend to go to Chicago next weekend. My friend lives in a very small apartment with a roommate. Well, roommate is going out of town, freeing up the couch for me. (The last time I went to visit, I paid for hotel costs. No, actually, I'm STILL paying for...

Temptations avoided - 1

(BeckyD_214) — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 03:01:49 PST

Yesterday, I looked into computer software to make calendars. The nice kind, with portrait photographs. The only place I've found so far offered free software to design the calendars. Printing requires either buying additional software, or taking the design to one of their locations.

One...

Money saved yesterday

(BeckyD_214) — Tue, 13 Jul 2004 06:41:04 PST

Yesterday, I rented a movie and ate in twice, when I was tempted to have lunch and dinner out, and see a movie in between. I was out with my niece. I brought her home, cooked, and watched the movie we'd rented. It was just as nice a time.

Gifts and Invitations -- Impromptu

(BeckyD_214) — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 05:03:59 PST

This year, I'm getting serious about budgeting. I have my 'play' money budgeted. If I'm invited somewhere with enough time to plan, I'll save for it out of that money. If I can't pay for the activity without busting the bank, I won't go. Same for gifts that 'come up'. (Wedding,...

Money attitudes

(BeckyD_214) — Mon, 12 Jul 2004 04:48:19 PST

Most of my financial ineptness comes from my attitude about money, rather than ignorance or actual deficit in income. The money skills I learned growing up don't work as well now that I have a little discretionary money.

I tell myself that "I deserve XYZ"
I buy smalll things...

First things first

(BeckyD_214) — Sun, 11 Jul 2004 09:13:41 PST

The very first financial goal I need to work on is paying off my credit card debt. Once I am free of 22.9% interest payments on stupid stuff I couldn't afford 5 years ago, I'll be in a much better position to prioritize my other spending.

Learning to live within my means minus...

Getting Started

(BeckyD_214) — Sun, 11 Jul 2004 09:10:07 PST

I'm mildly fond of the quote, "I try to take it one day at a time, but sometimes, several days gang up and attack me at once."

I feel that way about money sometimes. I know the difference between wants and needs, and I can be very frugal while meeting my needs. But once I indulge...