Daily Debt Journal 15
Today’s spending sure seemed like it was just a few things from the store, but we quite easily spent over $100 again. Half that being groceries and the other half filling up the car with some good ol’ near-$3 gas.
Something amazing has happened the last couple weeks though. I’m now totally aware of what we’re buying, and I almost take each purchase as a personal slap in the face. Some sort of transformation happened lately where I just take more notice of things even though much of this spending is very much the same as before. (i.e. gas)
Have any of you gone though such a transformation? I’m wondering if this is something that’s just happening because we’re kinda new to all this, or if it’s something that you continue to feel while living more frugally.
Today’s Progress:
- Earned - $0
- Spent - $104 (groceries & gas)
- Debt Reduced -$0
Debtbeater
September 25th, 2007 at 11:17 am
We went through exactly the same thing when we started to account where all of our money went to, and how much we were spending. It does take a while to get used to. The fact that you are so aware of how you are spending your money is a good thing!
September 26th, 2007 at 5:53 am
I didn’t do the step of tracking for three months where my money was going, and so I did not have that “slap in the face” experience. I just set what I considered to be a reasonable budget of $100 per week for gas, groceries, and misc. stuff (I need to buy only food for me and a 62-lb lab/aussie mix dog, in case you are wondering why it’s only $100). I just look at it as a challenge — how can I manage my spending so that I will have extra money left at the end of the week. I always seem to have between $5 and $25 left at the end of the week, and I add this to my savings account.
I am more aware now of where my money is going, and I find that I delay purchases and set aside extra money for things. Now I do not just go out and buy clothes. I think about buying something for a while, sometimes over a few weeks or months, and then I make the best purchase I can (which is not necessarily the cheapest option). For example, I held out for a month before buying socks, so that I could buy organic cotton socks made in the USA that were a bit pricier than the foreign-made stuff at the local big box retailer. When I make sure my purchases reflect my values, I do not have regret over what I am buying.
When I hear how much people spend on groceries, eating out, and entertainment, I am really surprised. Especially at people who not only watch TV, but PAY to watch TV. I guess that for people who have been spending a lot in the past, it would come as quite a shock to find out where the money goes.
September 27th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
I’m glad others can relate. It is a good feeling, yet an overwhelming one at times. Thanks for sharing guys!
@speedy - We’re actually pretty tight trying to get by w/ $600/mo on groceries, and we’ll probably have to bump it up to $700 because it’s just too tight. I remember the days of sub-$100 budgets, but it certainly didn’t have children in the picture.