Budgeting

on Thursday, December 3, 2009

We are still drawing up a budget and expect to make more changes after this month is over. We had a budget but completely fell off the wagon last month. This is the last month in this year and while many people wait until January to start over we decided that there is no time like the present to get our finances in order.

Income - $2350

Reoccurring Bills – $285

M’s Student Loan - $200

S's Credit Card - $50

E-fund- $150

O’s Savings- $5

Travel - $5

Gas - $170

Retirement - $65

O’s Class - $90

Groceries - $60 x 4 = $240
Phone - $55

Ez-pass - $30

Rent - $900

Electric - $50

What's left ($55) - Fun Money

Anything above the income amount will be transferred from our checking accounts to our E-fund via "Snowflake". A snow flake is any small amount of extra money we can use to either increase our savings or pay down debt. Right now, we are increasing our E-fund as it is under $1000. We are recommitted to saving up and hopefully will be there by our wedding anniversary.

-M

December Meal Plan

on Wednesday, December 2, 2009

We are attempting to plan a month worth of meals. Usually, we do not have a plan on Wednesday and Thursday because we're all out of the house or busy at dinner time. I'm working, S is sleeping and O is at Grandma Julie's.

December 1 - No plan

December 2 - Chili in the crock pot

December 3 - 5 - No plan. We are going to be out of town Friday and Saturday night.

December 6 - Hot Dogs with Mac and cheese and a veggie

December 7 - Baked Ziti or Stuffed Shells

December 8 - BBQ Pulled Pork

December 9-10 - No plan

December 11 - Pasta with marinated tomatoes and mozzarella

December 12 - Chicken Divan

December 13 - Out with BIL

December 14 - Meatloaf in Crock pot

December 15 - Veggie stir-fry with rice

December 16 - 17 - No plan

December 18 - Sweet and Sour Chicken

December 19 - Taco Pasta

December 20 - Quiche

December 21 - Veggie Lasagna

December 22 - Mac and Cheese

December 23 - 27 - No plan. We are eating at S's parents on Christmas and then visiting my parents for the weekend.

December 28 - Cheesey Broccoli Chicken with Rice

December 29 - Lentil Soup

December 30 - 31 - No plan

Here's to hoping we are able to stick to this more nights than we don't.

-M