Budget With Training Wheels

We are almost through the first pay period on our new budget and it's been a learning experience. First, I noticed that as the start of the budget approached I started buying things like I was about to lose everything to bankruptcy.  The upside is I really did need face lotion and toilet paper.  I feel like it has been a success even though we ran out of money before the next payday.  We definitely thought more about everything we did and made some great and some not so great choices.

Here is what I learned about us, we like to go out at least once a week and it has to be on the weekend.  If we go out on a weeknight, we will still want to go out when Friday rolls around.  Not going out on the weekend feels like a punishment, and the fun we had earlier in the week is long forgotten.

Sometimes you need things that aren't food and household necessities.  Last week my hairdryer blew up and I had to go get a new one.  I was really frustrated that it happened right when I was feeling sensitive about money, but I realized that's how life goes and just went and bought a new one because I needed it.

Forgetting to use a coupon when you're feeling the pinch of a restrictive new budget is very upsetting!  I was in such a state about my dryer breaking that when I rushed over to the store to buy a new one before work I forgot to use a $10 coupon and I almost cried.  That's when I realized I need to settle down and not freak out.  This is a new lifestyle for the foreseeable future so I have plenty of time to practice.  I can't wait to start the next pay period, I know I can put what I learned so far to good use.

Financial Identity Crisis

This has been an expensive year to say the least.  We were recently lucky enough to go on a three week vacation to Southern California.  I had a wonderful time and even had my best ever visit to Disneyland.   Buying a house that hasn't been updated since 1986 has been an education in all the little things that can eventually give out in a home.  Add to that the fact that our couch was too broken to move again and things start to add up.  

It's not like we have ever been frugal.  Last year we went to Hawaii and Disneyland and, as my weight shows, we love to go out to eat and drink.  We have been having fun on credit for far too long and I'm afraid the jig is up.  Suzi Orman taught me you have to live in your financial truth, and we have been living a lie.  

As I sit here today I am in over $30,000 debt, and I just bounced a check.  I'm in my 40's now and there is no excuse for this.  We make plenty of money annually to live a perfectly great life, but we have been living beyond our means for so long that now we have a situation.  Thankfully nothing bad has happened, yet.  The fear is always that a job loss could put us out on the street or something catastrophic because we have less than zero.  This was a very stressful realization, but I'm very glad that my husband was willing to bring it up and not let us ignore it any longer.

September 15th will be the beginning our financial New Year.  I keep hearing people refer to September as the other fresh start so why not a financial overhaul.  We have agreed on a set amount of spending money from each paycheck that will be deposited into the new account we opened.  All of our spending that is not for household bills such as mortgage and utilities must come out of that account.  I'm currently lobbying for hair cuts to come out of bills because it's not like I really have a choice, and I already only go 3 times per year if that.  

On vacation I lost my Chanel sunglasses that I had had for almost 10 years.  I admit I cried more than is reasonable for a pair of glasses, but I think I knew then that I would not be getting new ones for a long time.  I had wanted them since I was a teen and finally got them in my 30's.  I used to enjoy putting them on and, no matter what I was wearing, I always felt put together.  I went to the boardwalk fun center and bought 2 pairs for $14 because that's what I can afford.  Perhaps I'll call them my financial truth glasses.  

False Start

I swear I should be able to predict some things by now.  For example, I will usually go bonkers right after posting my new years resolutions.  Everything started off right on track, I came home from work Friday night and we hung out and ate at home.  Saturday started off with brunch (with a coupon) then the remodeling show (coupon) followed by happy hour (reward credits and a gift card) then things got out of hand.  We ended up on the roof deck of a hotel with a bunch of people and not a coupon in the mix!  So basically I can't spend any money or calories for the next month.  Luckily I had a great time!
Now it's time to get serious.  I have been riding my bike which has been a pleasant experience, I would like to get back to 8 miles in 30 minutes then we can change it up.  It's time to mix in some weights, but I kind of dread it.  It's hard to commit to weights some times because at the moment I feel totally bloated and I just want to do some cardio and sweat it out.  Also, I think it helps me with my attitude which is another goal.  However, the science is irrefutable and I have to make it work.
I'm almost excited to start cooking.  I have a tendency to get excited about starting things, but the follow through is another story.  I have two recipes in mind that I'd like to try so maybe I'll grab some pictures and let you know how it goes.  Here's to the first fresh start of 2016!

Truth Hurts

Sometimes you have to face the actual truth about yourself and it can really be a shock.  My husband works hard and makes good money but we still use credit cards and aren't where we would like to be financially.  The reason is me. 
We both like to go out, but I like nice places.  He would be just fine sitting at home all summer but I plan trips.  It's a tough pill to swallow, but I have to really look at this behavior and do something about it.  I need to find a way to make dining at home as enjoyable as going out!  I like how we don't watch TV or work on our computers.  I know I have talked about this before, but I like to have a conversation!!!!  This is clearly the issue, or I need to get a full time job.  The choice is mine. 

Life Diet

This week felt like a really tough one.  I worked a lot, and had a few weeknight social engagements which I find makes it hard to maintain focus.  All that said, I did manage to bike for 30 minutes every day this week even if it meant setting my alarm to do it before work.  I also have kept above 10,000 steps every day and logged my meals all but dinner on Wednesday before seeing Dream Girls. It was really fun and it's always great to support local theater.
More good news,  I convinced my husband to join my at home Biggest Loser team.  He favors a lower carb program when he watches what he eats, so I am going to take that into consideration for meal planning.  He mentioned that he's already tired of the almonds I got him so I may have to cave and get some cashews even though I like to be cheap.  He is also trying to kick his diet Coke habit which I think is going to be hard but worthwhile. 
Things are going better with our money diet.  We increased our 401k contributions to maximum and will definitely feel the pinch of that when it starts being deducted.  We have had some low moments when an article or news report tells a bleak tale of the tech industry or lower returns now than in the past.  I imagine everyone worries about these things, but the older we get the more immediate the issues become.  My main money saving tactic has got to be cutting down on expensive out meals and drinks.  That is really the bulk of my spending and has the biggest potential for pay offs.  Ugh!!!!!!! 

Any Day Now

Maybe I'm an optimist, or maybe I fit the definition of insane for once again thinking I'm really on track this time.  Either way, I do feel hopeful and what I would call motivated.  I have not lost any weight since last week, but I went out of town for a few days and didn't gain any.  I have set a goal for this Friday and I am going to do everything I can to achieve it.  So far I am having luck with the other non weight goals that I have been setting which is something.  Here's how last week shaped up with a 3 day vacation in the mix.

Recap:

• 10,000 steps 6 of 7 days: I exceeded 4 of 7 and was less than 1,000 away 2 of 7
• Plank 6 of 7: I made it 4 of 7
• Food log 5 of 7: I made it 4 of 7 but exceeded calories 3 of those 4 times
• Bike 3 days 30 minutes: Did it!!!  This was my real win for the week.

I felt that these goals were achievable, and that I will meet or exceed them this week.

 Goals for this week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days
• Log food 5 out of 7 days
• Plank 6 out of 7 days
• Bike 3 times for 30 minutes or more 

I went to the beach last weekend and had a really great time.  I don't feel like I busted either my calorie or money budgets which feels great!  I have a busy time at work coming up, and I am a little nervous about resisting the urge to treat myself to things just to make myself feel temporarily better.  I am going to pick out a nice restaurant that I would like to go to next time the occasion arises so that I don't burn an opportunity on mediocre. 
I still have not used my credit cards!  This is a huge win for us!  We went to the beach this weekend and it would have been so easy to use the vacation special event excuse.  The less I spend the more I think about what I'm spending.  I have had a few bumps along the way such as only bringing one bottle of wine this weekend and having to pay $3 more to purchase it at the beach.  Live and learn. 

The Goals Helped Let's Try It Again

I have a diet pattern that is rearing it's ugly head.  I tend to gain weight at the beginning which is SO unmotivating!  I had salty foods and an all day brunch celebration this weekend, and despite doing pretty well up until then, I am right back where I started last week.  I have no one to blame but myself so that sucks, but it does mean it's within my control to change.  Here's how the goals shaped up last week:

Recap:

• 10,000 steps 6 of 7 days: I made it 3 of 7 and far exceeded on those 3 days
• Plank 7 days: 6 of 7!  Not bad, I think that's my new goal.
• Food Log: 5 of 5!  
• Bike 3 days 30 min: One day 30 minutes

I was broke last week, and I still did not use my credit cards!  I wanted to so bad and I resisted!  I carefully set up my finances for the next 2 weeks until my next payday, and I am really hoping I can manage my money better than last time so I'm not counting change the day before payday.

Goals for this week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days
• Log food 5 out of 7 days
• Plank 6 out of 7 days
• Bike 3 times for 30 minutes or more

Change Is Hard

This whole save money lose weight plan is quite difficult.  So far I haven't lost any weight, but I have been very tight with money.  Mostly because I don't have any left after putting as much as possible on my credit cards.  I have several motivating factors to succeed at both things right now which means I have to really step it up.  We have just purchased tickets for Hawaii and I don't want to feel fat or broke on vacation.  Ironically the stress of my goals makes me want to eat and spend money.
Today I rode my stationary bike for the first time in a very long time.  I plan to combine the steps I've been getting with some additional biking.  What I have been doing is great, but it clearly isn't enough so cross training seems like a good solution. 
Saving money is hard because I like to go out and do things and that costs money.  I have been making a concerted effort to go to less expensive places when I do go out and I have even been cooking at home this week.  One thing I have noticed is the less expensive things don't seem to be as diet friendly.  I need to work on portion control when I cook at home, and look for ways to eat less starch. 

Holiday Weekend On A Budget?

Lately I have been giving more thought to my financial diet than my calorie diet.  I don't think I have really changed my weight, but I wouldn't know for sure since I haven't weighed in for a few days.  It's super hot in Portland right now which luckily makes me crave salads and other lighter fare.  On the other hand, it makes for the perfect excuse to go out.  For example it's going to be almost 100 degrees today and all I can think about is going somewhere with industrial strength air conditioning and taco salad. 
 The other thing swaying me to the dark side is it's a holiday weekend that I have turned into a holiday week.  I love the fourth of July because in Portland it's Waterfront Blues Festival weekend.  This year we went for it and got passes with seating so we don't have to bring chairs and stake out a spot for the entire day.  With that comes a higher price tag and the question of how to maximize our fun and not spend more than necessary. 
I have been checking out all the restaurants within walking distance and have selected several at a lower price point.  We have also gone through the performance schedule to determine when we may be at home.  I'm really hoping that some initial planning will really pay off in the end.  However, my biggest goal is to have a great time and really enjoy myself.  We have already spent a fair amount for this experience and the weather looks perfect.  I want to relax and have fun, and with that comes managing expectations.  I have a tendency to get super excited and build things up too much.  With that said, I am very cautiously excited.

Restaurant Addicts Diet: First Budget Meeting

My husband and I had our first sit down talk about our budget.  I was feeling angry from the minute I got up knowing it was coming, but we went through with it and I'm glad we did.  I decided that it seemed like a good idea to go out to dinner and discuss it on neutral ground with no distractions.  Plus any excuse to go out before the hammer comes down. 
It went great!  We chose a less expensive place close to home and sat outside, we couldn't help but have a nice time.  We agreed before we left home to do this process in stages and that stage one is getting all the information together.  Luckily I had written out our expenses and due dates already.  Then we chatted about where we can make cuts and what expenses are fixed.  It was nice to be on the same page and talk about the future. 
Places we can make cuts are on electricity, I'm having the dryer looked at since it takes 90 minutes to dry a load.  I turned heated dry off on the dishwasher and we agreed to turn on lights when we leave home.  My husband also agreed to use the Safeway rewards card which was a shocker!  Comcast seems to be the hard one to nail down.  They make it very difficult to compare plans apples to apples, but we are going to look at that for the next meeting.  It was great to find out how much less we're spending on transportation since we moved.  All in all I would call the first meeting a success and I can't wait to pick out a budget conscious restaurant for the next meeting.
As far as my diet goes I'm definitely stagnant.  I am getting a lot of walking in which I love, but I'm also taking all the great opportunities I have been getting for free parties through work.  Oh well, at least they're free.  And with all this walking I am racking up calories/dollars on my fitbit for The Weightless Project, I'm up to $19.85 since I signed up!!!  I do love summer!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: The Budget Talk

One of the things I love most about my husband is, for the most part,  he likes the same things I do.  The only problem with that is we both like to go out to eat and spend money on having fun.  Some relationships have conflicts about money because one is a saver and one a spender, we have conflicts because we each try to be the saver every once in a while and everyone ends up feeling resentful.  I really think we have started to reduce the amount of money we're spending, but it's not enough.  With goals such as; pay off credit cards, save for a condo and still go on vacation we need to make some serious changes. 
We have decided to sit down and make a budget.  I'm not entirely sure what that means, but it pisses me off immediately.  My husband is a computer guy so he seems excited about making spreadsheets in google docs.  I don't enjoy change so all I can think about is "how is this going to affect the fun that we have?"  My rational side totally gets that being out of debt and having a secure future will make my life more fun in the long run, but the other side of me wants to go out to dinner to make myself feel better about feeling bad about needing a budget! The first thing I need to do is make a list of our monthly fixed expenses, so at least I have a project that I can focus on.  This weekend we have several cheap and fun things planned that will help me visualize how this is possible.  I can have plenty of fun and still save for the future, right?!