Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tuesday, trying the envelope method

     Thanks for all the support on my decision to not work so hard.  Even though it will mean not getting out of debt as fast I feel it is better for my health and peace of mind.  Funny thing is my boss that sent the nasty texts and threats has not called, texted, and was not at bank last night.  It is like he dropped off the face of the earth.  So if I have not heard from him by the 15th, I will write him a letter with our resignation.

     Yesterday I put $125.00 in an envelope labeled house payment.  I decided on $75.00 a week for gas.  These two have to be funded first because they are our biggest expenses.  I have another envelope for food, but I am not sure what to put down.  We had to fill hubbies car last night and it was $46.00.  He will be able to get through Friday and the end of the week when we will have to fill again.  So obviously $75.00 is not enough the weeks he drives.  I will add to this envelope before the end of the week, but next week when he does not drive we should spend a lot less.  I can roll over anything left over from the week before. 

     We also went to the grocery store last night.  We bought milk, 2 loaves of ww bread on sale and two packs of hubbies diet soda.  Spent $12.78.  He wanted to refill his meds and I said no.  He has enough for the next week and they refill at a 3 month supply and with 3 meds that will be $90.00.  So I will have to make sure I have a envelope for meds.  Since I have never done this before it will be interesting to see how it works.  Right now it will be living from day to day just to fill the envelopes.  I have forbidden Hubby or myself from writing checks.

     Summer ballet starts this morning and I have a lot of work to do in the shop   So I am going down to the studio to get things started and then I will come home and sew.  I have several people who want to pick up today and I certainly need the money.

     We are completely out of meat.  I cooked a salmon that was frozen last night.  We have plenty of salad and veggies, but I am going to have to find a meat sale and stock up.  Right now it will be day to day.  Just starting and funding this plan is taking everything I have and then some.

     I am hoping to have enough summer ballet checks to cover the rent so I don't have to go to savings.  We will see.

    Out My Window:  It was beautiful yesterday!  I mean in the 80's and sunny.  But we are back to cool this morning.

Have a great and productive day!

Kim

9 comments:

  1. Glad you are at peace with your decision. Your health is more important than the extra money. I haven't been able to get on board with the envelope system. I'll be interested to hear how it works for you. I need a meat sale, too! I have a package of chicken and a package of shrimp left and then it's rice and beans! I need milk and that's all that's left in the grocery budget this week so the gang is going to have to suck it up!

    Have a great day :)

    Sarah

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  2. Gla you're putting your health first!! We live from budget envelopes/jars as well & my categories are: food/misc/gifts&clothes/fun/meds/EF/Xmas/GF food & Organic meat. I do my budget update every Thursday if you're interested in seeing how we dole it out... :) Good luck!!

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  3. I don't use envelopes but I do have a weekly amount in my budget for food and gas. $100 weekly for food and $50 weekly for gas. I don't know if this would work for you but I find I spend less if I shop daily for the evening meal (that's what they used to do in the "olden days" - the daily marketing) because then I'm only buying a couple of items, in and out real quick and I don't buy unnecessary food/junk items. Lately I've been spending less than $100 on food but more than $50 on gas so I may need to readjust my figures a little.

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    1. I plan to do the same thing. My butcher is two blocks away and I can pop in and out for meat. I have plenty of potatoes and veggies in the garden. I know I will spend less if I just go in and get a lb. of this or that. I am all for stocking up but right now that is not an option.

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    2. That's a really interesting idea, Jane. I've never thought of it that way. I guess I've always heard that the more you go to the store, the more you end up buying, but you're right. If you're only buying for one meal, you won't pick up the extras. I'm going to have to think about the possibility of trying that out. Thanks for the tip!

      Sarah

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  4. I went back to the envelope system this week. It works the best for us especially now that I will be out of work for a few weeks.

    They fill our meds for 3 months at a time to and it drives me bonkers!!!!!!

    J

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  5. I have been thinking about going to the envelope system as well. But I have honestly been too scared to start. Will look forward to seeing how you do.

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  6. I never could get the hang of the envelope system. I do better paying everything at the first of the month, and from there deciding how much for food, gas and fun. I was too tempted with carrying cash around. Writing out the checks and subtracting it all from the account, told my brain...no money left.

    Since I am cooking from scratch more, I go to the store less. I pickup the basic/staples the first of the month(retirement payday) and then just shop once a week for other food items.

    I think you will be so much better off leaving that stressful job. I cleaned and organized for over 17 years..it is a thankless job most days. Not working nights you will have more time to focus on your finances and think up other, easier ways to make more money. It will happen.

    This could be God waiting for you to "step out of the boat" as my husband did last December. Just wait and see how fast God will move. Our heads are still spinning.

    blessings, jill

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  7. What an unpleasant work situation that sounded like. I would surely write a letter to your manager's manager, just so they are aware. Nobody should be treating people like that, even less in a work-type situation. I find the envelope system rather interesting, but I guess I like getting some rewards out of the stuff I buy (like points and stuff). Let us know how it works out for you guys!

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