We’re adjusting well to our new life and I’d say getting more and more settled here each day. It’s hard to believe it’s been over two months since we moved. I still have a pang or two each time I think about an old neighbor (hi Katy–thanks for reading!!), our church, and friends and I wonder how long it’ll make me choke up to keep driving past Madison rather than take the freeway exit.
With a new job and a new income Erik and I had a good ‘ol budgeting chat a few weeks ago. We hadn’t been doing a great job of deciding where our money was going to go. We knew where it was going and how much,etc. but we weren’t really in control of each dime like we wanted to be and weren’t being accountable to our goals when it came to money. And…if we end up staying here in Chicagoland after these two years we’ll need to have a good downpayment to be able to afford a house (they’re ridiculous around here–just crazy!!)
So, now that we’ve got a fixed income and know what to expect as far as expenses go (please oh please don’t curse me with a unexpected major appliance death now that I just said this on Mr. Internet!!) we’ve started a new plan.
Here it is.
I’m sure you’re all puzzled about the stack of monopoly money and bad artwork. What we’ve decided to do is something called the envelope system. BUT. I’ve changed it up a bit. I like our credit card that earns us points and we pay it off every month, so we like using it and getting free stuff. The envelope system usually tells you to put cash into labeled envelopes with certain categories on them (bills/home, car, groceries, clothing, entertainment, etc.) So, instead of using cash in these I came up with the idea of using monopoly money. Fun, huh!
We start with a certain amount of money in each category for the month and a set amount for savings and our tithe. Throughout the month Erik records all we spend in specific budget notebook so we can have another way to keep track and somewhere to look back throughout the month or year if needed.
During the first two weeks I blew our grocery money big time. My parents came into town to visit and we went camping for a weekend. What can I say, but I went a bit crazy on the food and I wasn’t prepared for this at all!
That left us with a whopping $39 from September 14th until the end of the month. Oops. Fortunately, I finally found a good but cheap grocery store nearby and I also discovered the art of using more out of our pantry! I went to the store earlier this week, got everything I needed for five meals, plus some other needed things and I still have $12. Wahoo. I was pretty excited to meet this goal of mine and feel a lot more organized in our life.
Erik’s been excited to finally be on the same page as far as spending/money goes and now we’ll be able to save more for a house downpayment.
I’m curious, do you readers budget your money? Do you have goals for your money? Are you trying to be good stewards of the gifts God has given you? Do you know where all your money’s going or do you have a fun system you use?
If you don’t I triple dog dare you to try writing down everything you spend in a month. It might shock you how much you spend on your lattes, chocolate addicion, or lunches/dinners out. (It certainly shocked me!!)
p.s. I’m really curious about your system or how you do it–please share 
