Using this forum as a means of improving my life

[wanttogetbetter10]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

You are doing great!

Thanks a lot!! This forum has really kept me going and motivated.

Day 15

Haven't bought work clothes for a LONG time - so I checked out the Goodwill just down the street from my condo. Found a nice Express shirt for $3.95! Only could find one though. Also, staying up late tonight to work on my start company's business plan (patent pending on a product - exciting!) - so I bought a coffee to keep me going for 3 or 4 hours.

$3.95 - Goodwill
$2.10 - Coffee

DAY 15: $6.05

Total after 15 Days: $945.46

$74.56 - Unnecessary (8%)
$99.62 - Reimbursable (11%)
$43.76 - Groceries (5%)
$56.00 - Family / Friends (6%)
$102.23 - Gas (11%)
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance (15%)
$412.50 - Rent (44%)

[wanttogetbetter10]

Day 16

So the girlfriend and I are moving - rent will be $100 more per month but I will be knocking down my commute by more than 60 miles per day. So it should at least be a wash. Had to pay that security deposit though. I also paid a personal debt in the amount of $670.50.

$425 - Security Deposit (Rent)
$670.50 - Debt Payment

DAY 16: $1095.50

Total after 15 Days: $2,040.96

$74.56 - Unnecessary (4%)
$99.62 - Reimbursable(4%)
$43.76 - Groceries (2%)
$56.00 - Family / Friends (3%)
$102.23 - Gas (5%)
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance (8%)
$837.50 - Rent (41%)
$670.50 - Debt Payment (33%)

[wanttogetbetter10]

Day 17

This begins documenting a rough weekend in the spending department.

$26.91 - Gas
$53.25 - Clothes
$1.69 - Reimbursable

DAY 17: $81.85

Total after 17 Days: $2,122.81

$74.56 - Unnecessary
$101.31 - Reimbursable
$43.76 - Groceries
$56.00 - Family / Friends
$129.14 - Gas
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance
$837.50 - Rent
$670.50 - Debt Payment
$53.25 - Clothes

[wanttogetbetter10]

Day 18

This begins documenting a rough weekend in the spending department...(ctd.)

$10.50 - Unnecessary


DAY 18: $10.50

Total after 18 Days: $2,133.21

$85.06 - Unnecessary
$101.31 - Reimbursable
$43.76 - Groceries
$56.00 - Family / Friends
$129.14 - Gas
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance
$837.50 - Rent
$670.50 - Debt Payment
$53.25 - Clothes

[wanttogetbetter10]

Day 19

This begins documenting a rough weekend in the spending department...(ctd.)

$144.16 - Friend's Bachelor Party


DAY 19: $144.16

Total after 19 Days: $2,277.37

$85.06 - Unnecessary
$101.31 - Reimbursable
$43.76 - Groceries
$200.16 - Family / Friends
$129.14 - Gas
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance
$837.50 - Rent
$670.50 - Debt Payment
$53.25 - Clothes

[wanttogetbetter10]

Day 20

This begins documenting a rough weekend in the spending department...(ctd.)

$39.98 - Groceries


DAY 20: $39.98

Total after 20 Days: $2,317.35

$85.06 - Unnecessary
$101.31 - Reimbursable
$83.74 - Groceries
$200.16 - Family / Friends
$129.14 - Gas
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance
$837.50 - Rent
$670.50 - Debt Payment
$53.25 - Clothes

[wanttogetbetter10]

Day 21

ZERO...bout time.


DAY 21: $0

Total after 21 Days: $2,317.35

$85.06 - Unnecessary
$101.31 - Reimbursable
$83.74 - Groceries
$200.16 - Family / Friends
$129.14 - Gas
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance
$837.50 - Rent
$670.50 - Debt Payment
$53.25 - Clothes

[bjl584]

Now that you have almost a month's worth of records of your spending, it may be a good time to sit down and look at the big picture and see what can be cut, trimmed, modified, etc.

I didn't see it in any of your posts, but did you list your savings? I think that it's a good time to start taking the money that you will be saving on the spending side and start putting it into some savings vehicles. An emergency fund would be my first priority.

I see that you haven't gambled at all. Good job.

[wanttogetbetter10]

Brian - Good advice and thank you. I plan on doing that very soon...

Day 22

Zero again...like it.


DAY 22: $0

Total after 22 Days: $2,317.35

$85.06 - Unnecessary
$101.31 - Reimbursable
$83.74 - Groceries
$200.16 - Family / Friends
$129.14 - Gas
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance
$837.50 - Rent
$670.50 - Debt Payment
$53.25 - Clothes

[wanttogetbetter10]

Day 23

Ended up having a crazy day and in effect bought lunch with a coworker...dammit!


DAY 23: $10.17

Total after 23 Days: $2,327.52

$95.23 - Unnecessary
$101.31 - Reimbursable
$83.74 - Groceries
$200.16 - Family / Friends
$129.14 - Gas
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance
$837.50 - Rent
$670.50 - Debt Payment
$53.25 - Clothes

[wanttogetbetter10]

Day 24

More gas - I can't tell you how excited I am to shorten my commute here in ten days or so! That should cut my gas bill by at least half. I'm looking forward to creating the first budget can actually be worth something!


DAY 24: $33.25 - Gas

Total after 24 Days: $2,360.77

$95.23 - Unnecessary
$101.31 - Reimbursable
$83.74 - Groceries
$200.16 - Family / Friends
$162.39 - Gas
$156.82 - Monthly Utilities / Insurance
$837.50 - Rent
$670.50 - Debt Payment
$53.25 - Clothes

[wanttogetbetter10]

For tracking / analysis purposes I've transitioned my initiative to an amazing budgeting tool. I recommend you check it out if at all interested! https://www.pearbudget.com/spreadsheet

[jaine]

I like this idea - but I'm puzzled about why you categorize socializing as "unnecessary"? Why not categorize it as "socializing"?

Also, have you tried mint.com? It will track all of this for you, assuming your purchases are electronic. I check mint.com daily and it's very useful.

[Johngate2100]

Wake up early in the morning and try to have suggestion from every one.Just post one question and till the evening you will find good answers.That helps you a lot.