there are six weeks until the new year begins, but i am not waiting to begin to make some (well-deserved & overdue) changes in my life.
i've talked a little bit about the small debts that will be paid off by the end of december (brent, apt. complex) and how those will free up some money for me come january. but, for the first time (yes, an overdue first!), i am putting myself on a real budget. at first i thought i would limit myself to 100$ per pay period, but since i'm just starting out, i'm allotting 150-200$. this money will go towards groceries, gas, bad habits, errands, eating out, stool time @ stooly's..basically anything that isn't a bill payment will come out of this chunk. that frees up about 800-900$ per pay period to go towards bills & debt-payments. eventually, i do want to come down to 100$ for two weeks, but i think that'll take some getting used to for sure!
so, my daily spending budget/plan is that once my paycheck shows up in my account, i go get the allotted amount and that's what i use for my purchases. this is mainly so i quit using my debit card so much, especially for stuff under 10$ (i think that's stupid). having cash on hand ties into the next change, which is saving money.
i need to start somewhere....so, i read in real simple about an easy savings plan. every time you get a 5$ bill, you put it in a seperate part of your wallet. then, when you get home, take the 5$ bill(s) and put them in a special envelope. you open a savings account (at a bank other than where your other accounts are, so you won't be tempted to make withdrawals or transfers) with the minimum amount. then, every time you accumulate 50$, make a deposit. i think it sounds easy enough and will be fun to watch the money grow.
the easiest way to save money? take a break from looking for someone special. i used to do m.c, then i gave eH a try. eH is more expensive for month-to-month, so in december, i am going to cancel. it's the easiest way to save 50$/month. ouch! and, i usually forget so it automatically renews (and doesn't send the reminder until after it's been paid)..not this time, i've wrote it down in my planner!!
i really do believe that if i stick to these plans, i will be able to both pay off my debts and save money..which used to seem impossible. c'mon financial freedom!
i've talked a little bit about the small debts that will be paid off by the end of december (brent, apt. complex) and how those will free up some money for me come january. but, for the first time (yes, an overdue first!), i am putting myself on a real budget. at first i thought i would limit myself to 100$ per pay period, but since i'm just starting out, i'm allotting 150-200$. this money will go towards groceries, gas, bad habits, errands, eating out, stool time @ stooly's..basically anything that isn't a bill payment will come out of this chunk. that frees up about 800-900$ per pay period to go towards bills & debt-payments. eventually, i do want to come down to 100$ for two weeks, but i think that'll take some getting used to for sure!
so, my daily spending budget/plan is that once my paycheck shows up in my account, i go get the allotted amount and that's what i use for my purchases. this is mainly so i quit using my debit card so much, especially for stuff under 10$ (i think that's stupid). having cash on hand ties into the next change, which is saving money.
i need to start somewhere....so, i read in real simple about an easy savings plan. every time you get a 5$ bill, you put it in a seperate part of your wallet. then, when you get home, take the 5$ bill(s) and put them in a special envelope. you open a savings account (at a bank other than where your other accounts are, so you won't be tempted to make withdrawals or transfers) with the minimum amount. then, every time you accumulate 50$, make a deposit. i think it sounds easy enough and will be fun to watch the money grow.
the easiest way to save money? take a break from looking for someone special. i used to do m.c, then i gave eH a try. eH is more expensive for month-to-month, so in december, i am going to cancel. it's the easiest way to save 50$/month. ouch! and, i usually forget so it automatically renews (and doesn't send the reminder until after it's been paid)..not this time, i've wrote it down in my planner!!
i really do believe that if i stick to these plans, i will be able to both pay off my debts and save money..which used to seem impossible. c'mon financial freedom!
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