Budget update

One week left in August, and while I said I was going to kick the budget's behind this month I didn't quite make it, BUT I stayed much further on track. And I have a great sense of where I'm going for next month. AND I'm feeling good about the $100/week plan.

Some potential budget-busters up ahead are a few birthdays (I really need to get a "gift fund" set up for year round expenses - maybe after the new year and possibly a raise!) and hosting book club - but I know I can come up with some perfectly delicious budget snacks if I just plan. The only two categories on my mint.com budget in the red for August are "shopping" and "gifts" - the first is mostly because of the shoes and alterations I had done on dresses for the Seattle trip as well as groceries. Then there's the "other" which I don't budget for and this month is basically car registration costs and AAA renewal. Again, things that aren't huge expenses but when there's no wiggle room, out comes the plastic. And now that the plastic is no more, next time I'll have to just find the cash.

Tackling the food expenses once and for all is my #1 goal in the short term. That means more planning, more cooking, and less wasting. I read yesterday that in our country we waste approximately 40% of our food! That's insane. I don't think it's quite so bad in my situation but there's absolutely room for improvement especially in terms of produce. And I absolutely don't need to waste my money (or my waistline) on processed foods - so out go the snack crackers and ice cream and treats. They are rare to find in my pantry, but I need to make them even more so.

I'll take one last look next week at the final breakdown, and it'll be onward to crushing September's budget! For now, I'll get my $80 "ration" from the ATM tonight after putting $20 of gas in the car. Man oh man do I ever miss that free Metro pass I had in grad school. I really didn't take advantage of it. Saving on the gas for my commute and having time to read sounds pretty enjoyable now that I'm not rushing back and forth to school. The irony, huh?