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.

Getting With The Program

I've had a couple days to get used to the changes that need to be made around my house.  You don't realize how much buying things at the grocery store becomes a habit that supports your eating habit.  I spent all day today trying to stock up on the right kind of low carb low sugar foods while still getting what I want.  What I realized is what I want is to continue eating like I have been but lose weight.  Since that's not going to happen I think I'll give this new style of eating a try.  I really don't need that much pasta and bread and I obviously don't have losing weight all figured out so it really does seem like it's worth a try.
One thing I noticed is how expensive all the foods are that are low carb, high protein and produce.  Luckily since my husband just quit nicotine gum we are saving $200 a month there.  Also, if we eat out less it should all even out in the end.  Even though the beginning of a lifestyle change is hard I know it will be worth it in the end. 
I am so thankful for my stationary bike and incredibly walkable neighborhood.  Exercise is the one consistently goal orientated thing I do and it really makes me feel better.  I skip days sometimes and the next day I always dread it a lot less because it really does help.  Of course, if life get busy it can easily go out the window.  

Restaurant Addicts Diet: New Neighborhood

We moved two weeks ago to my dream neighborhood and it's as great as I hoped it would be.  I live in the middle of shops and restaurants, my apartment is nicer and I'm having more fun.  My commute to work has gone from a 15 minute walk to at least 25.  While this is not my favorite in the morning, it seems to be helping me maintain my weight.  I have one month until my birthday and 10 year anniversary and I really think I can kick it up a notch and lose a few pounds.  The interesting thing about a fun and lively neighborhood is people tend to pay attention to their grooming which in turn makes me more interested in looking my best.  I'm making meatballs and salad tonight to kick off the week on a low carb note.  Another perk of my new place is I live less than a block from a Safeway grocery store so keeping up on ingredients is easier than ever. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: I Hate Eating In!

I have had it with eating in!  It's SO much work, I feel like I'm not saving as much as I had hoped and I know I haven't lost any weight.  This will be my fourth day in a row eating in and I just can't take it anymore!  I hinted to my husband by saying I hate eating in, but do you think he suggested we go out? No, of course not!  He's happy to lay around at home while I make dinner and clean up.  And don't get me started on all the grocery shopping.  I feel better now that I've gotten that off my chest.  It's a gloomy Monday, and I'm just feeling grumpy. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Week Four

I can't believe I still have enthusiasm for this project!  It must be the challenge of saving money and the hope of losing weight while I do it.  So far I'm not sure how much progress I've made on either goal.  It seems like I must be saving money so that is great. I've become a bit obsessive about my stores loyalty programs and gas rewards points which adds some fun to it. I plan to use Mint at the End of October to compare to August and September and see how spending in both grocery and restaurant categories compares.  Losing weight is harder to judge because of what I'm doing on the weekends.  This is the first week that losing weight is going to become a focus.  The last three weeks I've just been focusing on not ordering take out or going to restaurants and adding wine to the list of consumables for the day.  Tonight I'm making chicken enchiladas for the first time.  I bought the sauce and pre cooked chicken at the store so I'm really just assembling dinner, which is the way I like it.  My goal is to eat in 5 days this week and exercise 4 times or at least 2 1/2 hours.  I've been to the store twice today and two stores yesterday, so this better be a kick ass week!