Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 4, 2011 9:10:06 GMT -5
DH and I started tracking all spending on 1/1/11 - we're 3 months into it now. On Friday, I thought about it and decided that I'm one of the leaks, because offhand, I've spent between 120-150 on food, snacks and booze in 3 months.
So I emailed DH and suggested it's time to put me on an allowance system. I suggested $25 a month for me, to cover those 3 categories and DH won't have to track them on the spreadsheet, instead he creates a new category of allowance.
I think it took him 24 hours to wrap his brain around the concept and then he agreed.
But really, that's part of the point of tracking your spending - to know where it's going so you can adjust accordingly. I think his Mom continues to track every penny but I'm not sure she ever adjusts until the sh!t was about to hit the fan...
|
|
|
Post by Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ on Apr 4, 2011 9:50:49 GMT -5
I don't know. $120-150 for three months is roughly $40-50 per month on those items. I take it the food part is stuff like eating out at lunch time? You are talking about $10-15 per week. Does not sound outrageous spending to me.
|
|
|
Post by pig on Apr 4, 2011 9:53:02 GMT -5
Yeah. Don't crimp yourself that much it will make cutting back feel like you're sacrificing. That's not a lot to be spending over three months on that kind of stuff.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Jul 6, 2024 16:50:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2011 10:10:41 GMT -5
120-150 over 3 months seems quite normal. Unless you are seriously struggling and close to the edge I don't see why cut back.
We give ourselves about 100/month as an allowance wich translate to about 25/week.
|
|
RoadToRiches
Familiar Member
Formerly "indebt"
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 11:08:00 GMT -5
Posts: 965
|
Post by RoadToRiches on Apr 4, 2011 10:11:52 GMT -5
15-25 bucks that's not a lot! Like Pig said, don't skimp or else the whole budget thing will fall apart because you will feel like you are suffering. It suppose to make you feel GOOD!
I allocate $60 per pay ($120 per month) for "fun" That's plenty for me. In my previous budgeting attempts, I would be stupid and just allocate some crazy low number like $50 for groceries and $20 for fun. lol.. You can't do that. Before I knew, I was thinking "Screw this stuff! This sucks! I feel like I am a prisoner!"
Come up with a number that is just right. Not too much, not too little.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 4, 2011 10:30:41 GMT -5
Actually, I'd rather be on an allowance system for these things. I was getting more unhappy about reporting to DH on my lunch spending and this way I won't have to. It IS takeout spending. The grocery budget includes frozen lunches, fruit and granola bars, etc. for my lunches.
And things are rather tight for us right now. DH is on an expensive diet right now, that includes a lot of supplements. He should be starting to add in more normal type foods in early summer.
And I want to go over the spreadsheets/budget because my gut feels like we should have more money than we do. Either I'm missing something (completely possible) or we need to sit down and have a serious talk. Actually, it's most likely both.
|
|
Clever Username
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 27, 2011 14:15:59 GMT -5
Posts: 1,313
|
Post by Clever Username on Apr 4, 2011 10:49:21 GMT -5
I've spent between 120-150 on food, snacks and booze in 3 months. If this is a problem. Then spending isn't a problem. On a yearly budget, this collumn would be rounded off.
|
|
|
Post by pig on Apr 4, 2011 10:51:03 GMT -5
By all means put yourelf on an allowance, most do. I give myself 40 a week as an allowance to spend on whatever I want. After a while I thought hmmm let me see how much of my allowance I can save. It wasn't long before I started putting my "allowance" aside and after not too long I surprised my wife with a new couch she has been wanting.
|
|
Clever Username
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 27, 2011 14:15:59 GMT -5
Posts: 1,313
|
Post by Clever Username on Apr 4, 2011 10:51:42 GMT -5
DH is on an expensive diet right now, that includes a lot of supplements. And you're on a modest diet, that includes a few enjoyable supplements too.
|
|
Clever Username
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 27, 2011 14:15:59 GMT -5
Posts: 1,313
|
Post by Clever Username on Apr 4, 2011 10:55:27 GMT -5
This message has been deleted.
|
|
Formerly SK
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 27, 2011 14:23:13 GMT -5
Posts: 3,255
|
Post by Formerly SK on Apr 4, 2011 11:00:08 GMT -5
We've recorded every penny spent for 15+ years. We each enter our spending (using receipts) into Quicken throughout the month. It helps us remain focused on our financial goals. I don't view it as "reporting to DH" what my spending is.
We also have separate allowance amounts every month. But, I still record (within my allowance) what I spend on eating out vs haircuts vs hobby spending. I do this so *I* know where my money is going, even though it has nothing to do with DH.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 4, 2011 11:18:13 GMT -5
DH is on an expensive diet right now, that includes a lot of supplements. And you're on a modest diet, that includes a few enjoyable supplements too. lol. I don't think his supplements are particularly enjoyable. DH has bad reflux/acid/tummy issues and this is supposed to cure/fix them. I think for me, being on an allowance is going to help me feel better about our budget.
|
|
Clifford
Established Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 15:19:53 GMT -5
Posts: 422
|
Post by Clifford on Apr 4, 2011 14:27:54 GMT -5
Are you hitting your overall monthly budget target? If so, then a few items that you enjoy should not be cut just to cut something.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Jul 6, 2024 16:50:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2011 16:01:07 GMT -5
I pay for lunches out and that type of thing out of my allowance.
|
|
|
Post by debtheaven on Apr 4, 2011 16:06:07 GMT -5
There's nothing wrong with putting yourself (as opposed to being put on) an "allowance", but I think 25/mo is way too tight. At 50/mo you'd cover all of that spending, and IMO that would help you ensure that you keep the rest of the budget. If you put yourself on too tight a rein, you'll end up either failing or blowing your budget.
As another person who, um, likes their wine, have you ever considered boxed wine? I actually started buying wine in boxes because our neighborhood trash pick up does not pick up bottles, we have to bring bottles to a bottle bank. I still have to go to the bottle bank but I now buy boxed wine (not for company though) and beer in cans rather than bottles (for DH) so now I have to go less often. We have a town-issued "recycling bin" that takes the empty wine boxes and beer cans.
Yes, I'm lazy LOL.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Jul 6, 2024 16:50:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2011 16:20:03 GMT -5
I assumed that the $25 would be in addition to an existing allowance. That is really tight!
Some nice wines come in boxes now . . .
|
|
|
Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Apr 4, 2011 17:35:43 GMT -5
...I can't deny that our allowance system works well... even with smaller amounts, it's good to have some money to blow on whatever...
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 5, 2011 8:11:59 GMT -5
The reason I included booze is that I'm STILL working on the bottle of wine I bought about 3 weeks back (1.5 L for under $9 on sale.) It took me over 3 months to finish off a small bottle of brandy (275mL maybe?) I got out of the habit of drinking during my pregnancies. And I'm trying to eat better too. So less meals out and less vending machine junk is a good thing too.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jun 2, 2011 10:23:31 GMT -5
bumped for dancinmama
|
|
RoadToRiches
Familiar Member
Formerly "indebt"
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 11:08:00 GMT -5
Posts: 965
|
Post by RoadToRiches on Jun 2, 2011 10:30:22 GMT -5
The reason I included booze is that I'm STILL working on the bottle of wine I bought about 3 weeks back (1.5 L for under $9 on sale.) It took me over 3 months to finish off a small bottle of brandy (275mL maybe?) I got out of the habit of drinking during my pregnancies. And I'm trying to eat better too. So less meals out and less vending machine junk is a good thing too. How do you keep that wine fresh after opening it?
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jun 2, 2011 10:44:25 GMT -5
The reason I included booze is that I'm STILL working on the bottle of wine I bought about 3 weeks back (1.5 L for under $9 on sale.) It took me over 3 months to finish off a small bottle of brandy (275mL maybe?) I got out of the habit of drinking during my pregnancies. And I'm trying to eat better too. So less meals out and less vending machine junk is a good thing too. How do you keep that wine fresh after opening it? There's a winery in Door County that sells these tight-fitting plastic wine bottle stoppers/corks that are amazing.
|
|