Do you ever wonder how other family’s finances work? I am not a financial role model by any means, but maybe you can be encouraged by reading about our struggles and successes in the money area.
Spending
Oh. My. Goodness.
After a very “spendy” August with a move and some disorganization on my part, I had planned on having a very frugal September. Things did not work out as planned.
My three teenage girls (all with abundant flowing locks) ran out of hair products at the same time and many of our household products needed to be restocked. I spent $123, which is well over my $50 toiletry and household budget. We also spent $108 on clothes and shoes ($50 budget), $75 on eating out ($50 budget), $25 on gifts (not budgeted). My grocery shopping total for September was $526.81 ($125 per week for six people), which was only $26.81 over for the month, but still over budget.
Saving
Some of that extra money came from our savings and some of the categories in our Freedom Account (read more here). We at least have the most immediate categories funded and we have $115 saved towards Christmas, but it was basically shuffling money around within the categories rather than actually saving any money.
October Goals
Our goals for October are to truly focus on reining in the spending so we can save money for Christmas and our emergency fund. I realize that Christmas is not an emergency, but it is nice to be able to give our children something. We set the budget at $50 each per child for a gift, and $150 for Christmas activities like dinner out on Christmas Eve and some other fun activities we plan, so $350 total by December.
I would love to also have at least $200 saved into our emergency fund.
Just a reminder, start thinking about how to pay for Christmas now so that you don’t resort to using your credit cards. Print out my Christmas Master Gift List here (scroll down to the Christmas Gifts Section of the post) to help you plan.
Were you able to meet any financial goals in September? Leave a comment so we can encourage each other! 🙂
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September was not a good month for us! I’m A SAHM of a 4 month old, and we got in a car accident and lost our car! We did not have any in savings, an had no wiggle room in our budget whatsoever, for a new one (it was paid off, so we didnt hve a car payment, praise God!) we went through the house and found tons of stuff to sell—mostly small things, but hey! Every little bit counts. My hubby drives a 2 door truck to work that won’t hold all 3 of us, so the baby and I are home all week (cabin fever much?) lol. But my hubby interviewed for a promotion, so sending major prayers up! It’s so encouraging to read other’s stories about financial struggles (not that it’s GOOD, but it’s helpful to know that others go through similar things and it’s not just us!)
I have gotten so frugal this last month, it’s not even funny! Lol.
I am so sorry about your accident Courtnie! It’s terrible that you lost your car, but I am thankful that you were not injured. Hopefully the promotion will work out and will be able to get another vehicle soon, but good for you for being content and doing your best in the meantime. 🙂
I didn’t realize I was the only nutter out there sharing our budget details every month 😀
September was ok here! We didn’t use a Credit Card and everything got paid for, for now I call that a win. I’m going to have to hunt down your other months and read about your journey!
Hi Brittanie! Definitely a win anytime you resist using the credit card! 🙂 You can find our Living on Less Than $28,000 A Year Series here and you can use the search to find our other financial updates. 🙂
Right there with you, Kimberlee 🙁
We did quite well with our grocery budget (60€ per week) but ate out a lot. Plus we’ve been on holidays and overspent on health stuff. I was, however, able to “finish” my 1k emergency fund.
Right now I’m in a why-is-there-so-much-month-left-at-the-end-of-the-money situation but my goals are:
Start saving vigorously since we might celebrate Christmas next year with a little addition to our small family ^_^
Finally pay off the remaining debts (just waiting for the OK while letting the money work for me)
Good for you for finishing your emergency fund Andrea! I am sure that feels great. Congrats on your new baby too!
Well, I would like to say that I had a GREAT month finances wise…but alas that is NOT the case. My internet went out so that was a service call. My auto brakes went out so I had both front and back replaced. I felt a little blue sooo yep I spent money on flowers ( mums)…they are dying now 🙁 . But overall I can say that I did not go hungry, I was not sick and I have a job…so I will say that although last month was not good…there is next month and I will say “PRASE THE LORD FOR THAT!!”
Great perspective Larabelle! Yes, there is next month. 🙂
We had our emergency fund fully covered and then my husband broke a tooth in half. $650 later our emergency fund was looking a little lean. My husband has been able to work some Saturdays to restock our fund. So thankful that we had the money set aside for once.
Ooh, sorry about the broken tooth, but thankfully you had the money and did not have to charge it on a credit card! Hopefully we will both have a better October. 🙂
Oh September is always a mean month for us too…It’s part back to school and auto insurance that always hit. Bad month for that. We too are working on saving and repairing before things go bad. So here’s to a frugal October and Thankful November. At least we are always trying.
Yes, just keep moving! That’s my motto. 🙂
My goal for September was to get our freedom fund back up to $3K. We had a *very* expensive month, and we use that fund so we don’t have to dig into our EF or long term savings. I was very happy to get that back up! 🙂
Good for you Carla!
I spent very much last month. I am so sorry for that…
I notice our emotions influence a lot on financial issues. I tend to spend more when i am feeling alone or sad.
Maybe you could help us writing about finances x emotions!
God bless you!
That is a great idea Sandra–thanks!