I cannot believe it is almost December already. I am feeling a lot of anxiety right now. Especially in the finance part of my life. Sometimes I feel very secure and I feel like I am on the right track, but right now I don't. I am hoping that I can stick with my December budget...very strictly. I need to do it. Not just for the financial side of it...but so I can teach myself to be disciplined and know that I can do it.


And as the year is coming to an end...I feel like this has been kind of an overwhelming year for us. Buying a new house, starting a business, step daughter's senior year, and trying to pay off debt. Its been the most expensive year. I guess I am grateful for survival.

Since I got cancelled from my 2nd job tonight, I plan to use that time to do a food inventory. That way when I go to the store on Saturday I can try to get just the bare minimums. We should have Thanksgiving leftovers to last us for a couple of days and I think I bought extra eggs and milk with my Thanksgiving money. I do want to try to get some good deals on food my husband can take to the shop for lunch and I want to get plenty of rice and soup for me to take to work. Our goal is to try to cut our spending for December.

I do plan on hitting some Black Friday sales. Hopefully I get what I am after, but if not...I will just have to find other ways to be frugal.

So Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for this site and all of my Financially Focused Friends!

I am posting my December budget. I feel like I need some guidance. I am not getting anywhere. I know that I still spend when I shouldn't. I don't go crazy, but here and there I indulge. So...here is my budget for December and my debt (not including mortgage and student loan). If I could just knock out my credit cards, I could move that payment money to my student loan. And I should say that my actual estimated take home is $2072.00 but I estimated low for some wiggle room. Other things that are important... we live in the country and work a lot, so I am not willing to give up our Dish. It is sometimes our only entertainment. Since we live in the country we do not have any other options for internet or electric providers. Ready for suggestions or enlightenment.



IN:
Husband $1456.00
Household $420.00
Payroll $1960.00

OUT:
VEH GAS -$250.00
GROCERIES -$160.00
CELL PHONE -$170.00
SPEC. INSUR -$48.00
CAR INSUR -$115.00
EATING OUT -$75.00
CASH -$20.00
MEDICAL/RX -$80.00
ELECTRIC -$285.00
DISH -$72.25
INTERNET -$61.10
HEALTH INSU -$420.00
CHRISTMAS -$80.00
CC REPAY. -$80.00
MORTGAGE -$1356.50
STUDENT LN -$65.00
CLEAN. SUPP -$10.00
PET -$10.00
HOUSE SAV -$20.00
CLOTH/OTHER -$20.00
SAVINGS -$90.00
WATER BILL -$70.00

IN: $3836.00
OUT: $3757.85
REMAINING: $78.15

This budget does not include my 2nd job. Take home on that is estimated at $70.00/wk. Half will go to SAV and half to Credit Cards. At least that is my plan.

Well, I got my AFLAC checks in yesterday. I will be able to deposit those into savings to make up for the money I took for the wasp/staph incident. I will still have to figure out a way to put back the money for our college trip tonight/tomorrow. About $100 overall. I would say that I could just deposit my paycheck from the restaurant when I go back, but I am beginning to wonder if they will want me back. They went 10 days without me...maybe they will just tell me not to come back. Ugh. Although the extra time at night has been nice, especially since I haven't felt great, I would like to work a little longer and really make some progress on my debt and savings. I guess we will see. I should probably call them and see what they say.

I will be the first to admit that I am no where near where I need to be. I don't always make the best decisions....and sometimes I spend money that I shouldn't. But I come to this website 5 times a week....multiple times a day....so I can learn and grow. If anything, at least I am becoming more "aware." And I am slowly becoming more disciplined. So thank you to those who are encouraging and that offer advice. Because I think we can all learn something. Especially when it comes to money.

Sunday the 21st, I was stung multiple times by a wasp. He was on my seat in my car...I leaned back...he stung me...and then stung my hand multiple times when I put my hand back there. (not knowing what was going on). Everything seemed normal, BUT apparently it wasn't. I got a staph infection from it. My hand and finger started swelling up last Tuesday (9 days after the episode) and finally by Thursday I had to go to the Urgent Care Clinic. 2 shots, 2 antibiotic prescriptions, and a copay later....I think I am finally getting better. I had to take money from Savings to cover the Dr, but luckily I will get checks back from AFLAC that I can use to replenish.

BUT...I am having to make an unplanned trip out of town this Thursday. My step-daughter wants to go visit a college a couple of hours away. So it looks like I will be paying for a hotel room for one night and maybe one dinner. Cheapest room I could find that wasn't too sleazy looking was $66.00. So, unfortunately I feel like I'm taking some steps back. Especially since I can't work my 2nd job right now because of the infection. (Sigh) Maybe I'm not going backwards...just treading water.