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We did it!

February 10th, 2011 at 07:40 pm

We made it to payday! No overdrafts, no borrowing from savings, no getting caught off guard by check clearing unexpectedly. A HUGE sigh of relief! The balance in our checking account last night was $4.07, but we made it. I know many of you may think I am celebrating a silly thing, but I feel like running down the street shouting about it. We had gotten into a cycle of going backwards further and further with every month and now we are actually going the other way! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!

Ok. I'm better now. The much anticipated YNAB update came out this morning so I spent about an hour moving things around in my budget/register to work right. They added a couple of great features so I no longer need to worry about "tricking" it into doing things the way I want with the credit cards. Allows me a chance to have everything back in one place so I can think about retiring my old spreadsheets. Who am I kidding....I LOVE my spreadsheets and they aren't going anywhere!

Did my menu planning for the week and made out my grocery and Target lists for tonight. I really hate grocery shopping, but am extra anxious this week because I know I have to stick to a budget for the month and don't want to spend too much this trip. I know it sounds silly, but this is the first time I have ever grocery shopped with an actual budget amount. I have always just shopped then adjusted the "budget" to reflect what I spent. I am determined to not do that this time. I don't want to be surprised by the amount when I get to the check out but don't know how to do that other than using a calculator, but I am afraid that it will get cleared out and I will have to start over half way through. Anyone have any hints?

5 Responses to “We did it!”

  1. PNW Mom Says:
    1297371735

    Congratulations! Savor every victory no matter how small....sometimes it's the little things that keep you motivated!

    Good luck at the grocery store....you can do it!

  2. LuckyRobin Says:
    1297373402

    I think it's great. You set a goal for yourself and you achieved it. What's not to be happy about?

    As for grocery shopping, you're shopping with a list, correct? Is your list pretty much in order of where stuff is in the grocery store? If it isn't, change it. If it is, as you check each item off, jot down how much it costs (not the price per pound but what the actual dollar amount you will be paying). Use your calculator every fourth item to get a subtotal, then write down the subtotal next to last item you put in your cart. Four more things go in, subtotal those with the one above it, and so on. That way if you do clear your calculator, you're only going to have to go back a few items to what your last subtotal was and not have to enter in every single thing again. It works for me, because I'm forever hitting the wrong buttons.

  3. mimipaula1 Says:
    1297384131

    Just get a blank envelope and jot down totals; for instance, 2 plus 3 equals 5--I jot down 5--5 plus 7 equals 12, I jot down 12. I guesstimate (round up to next dollar if cents are over .50) and usually hit within two-three dollars. Can't mess with calculator while buying groceries; guess I'm always punching wrong buttons! Anyway, hope this advice helps!

  4. mamas debt time out Says:
    1297391520

    Good for you! I have been there (still there) and more than a few times have been less that$4! As to staying on track and budget at the grocery store...I tried that last week. Lucky Robin has some great suggestions too. Definately break it down by where everything is or topics... Meat, Vegies, Fruits, Dairy,snacks. It also helps tweak the menu if something is on sale.

  5. scottish girl Says:
    1297418309

    Congratulations!

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