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Eye Opener

October 9th, 2013 at 09:45 pm

I have a budget. It is broken down into weekly - based on my pay. Today....I realized that even though I have a budget, I'm not following. I am to a point. But, I am spending money on random crap and not even realizing it. Which means I am not following it. I have been tracking my spending for October. This is not something I usually do. Sometimes I will pay attention to my cash spending, but when I looked at all my entries of what I am spending.... wow. 1.29 for itunes, 2.86 for a snack, 14.36 in out to eat lunches in 2 days....and I didn't "BUDGET" for those. So, my eyes are open. A budget doesn't matter if there are small (or even big) purchases made without acknowledging the budget. When I wonder where my extra $32 a month is going - well the answer is itunes, car wash, snack, lunch, etc. I made a spreadsheet to actually compare what I spent to what I budgeted. This out to be disgustingly interesting.


And I realized that I am a shifter. I will shift money off of something to cover something I did. So I will never get anywhere if I am just moving the money around instead of not spending the money.


(I feel like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation when he just starts going off and calling his boss all those names....and he ends in Hallelujah, Holy Sh*t. Where's the tylenol..... Only I am yelling at myself Smile

6 Responses to “Eye Opener”

  1. ThriftoRama Says:
    1381352922

    I'm feeling the same way lately. The spending has gotten out of control lately!

  2. creditcardfree Says:
    1381353715

    It happens to all of us at one time or another. I think tracking everything daily will really help you. First you see what you are doing and then it makes you question whether to buy something because you will have to write it down/track it! Keep up the good work!

  3. starfishy Says:
    1381355769

    good for you for looking at reality and having an "ah-ha" moment! i need to have a similar one and soon. Smile

  4. TashaC. Says:
    1381358824

    I have just started tracking my Oct spending after not tracking for....more than 2 years!? I need the eye opener too.

  5. looking forward Says:
    1381386687

    Yup. I've done that same thing where you just move the money around. Then I have to snap out of it and realize I'm not making any progress, only fooling myself.

  6. rob62521 Says:
    1381452513

    But you have found out that you are doing this so you will be watching yourself...this is a good thing!

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