Day 30 – Friday, October 30th
Hung out with Meredith and watched tv at the house she was staying at over the weekend.
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $44.41
Day 31 - Saturday, October 31st
Kelly called in the morning and invited me to go the States to go dress shopping with her. She treated me to lunch while we were there. That evening I went to a Halloween party but my costume came out of my closet and the few snacks I brought came out of my food budget.
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $37.28
Day 32 - Sunday, November 1st
Church, lunch at Mom & Dad’s and then table top gaming with friends. No purchases!
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $30.15
Day 33 – Monday, November 2nd
The last few weeks of Square Dance have been free because we’ve had beginners starting. Tonight we started paying again.
Purchases: $6.00
Final for the day Under by $1.13
To date Over by $29.02
Days 30-33
Days 23-29
Yikes! I didn’t realize I was so behind! I've been tracking on my excel spreadsheet but I haven't posted the narrative that goes with my purchases.
Day 23 – Friday, October 23rd
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Under by $29.70
Day 24 - Saturday, October 24th
Birthday Gift $15.00Purchases: $33.79
Dinner at Greek Islands $18.79
Final for the day Over by $26.66
To date Under by $3.04
Day 25 - Sunday, October 25th
Dinner at Greek Islands, yes again, two days in a row. This is what destroys my budget!
Purchases: $16.66
Final for the day Over by $9.53
To date Over by $6.49
Day 26 – Monday, October 26th
My new size CM pages arrived but I realized I still need some old size ones. Luckily I could still get them. (total is approximate. I don’t have the receipt with me but I want to get this posted)
McDonalds for lunch: $5.12
Creative Memories: $64.92
Purchases: $70.04
Final for the day Over by $62.91
To date Over by $69.40
Day 27 - Tuesday, October 27th
Unfortunately there’s no magic mileage cheque to offset this purchase.
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $62.27
Day 28 - Wednesday, October 28th
Back to Starbucks after church. We’re all counting down until the egg nog lattes are available (next Tuesday!)
Purchases: $3.53
Final for the day Under by $3.60
To date Over by $58.67
Day 29 - Thursday, October 29th
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $51.54
Days 19-22
Day 19 – Monday, October 19th
When I do up these entries I use my bank balances, from my chequing and Visa accounts along with the receipts in my wallet. Because I posted last on Monday the charges that I made online on Sunday weren’t reflected in any of those places yet.
So what did I buy Sunday? I ordered pictures and scrapbook pages. I haven’t scrapbooked in awhile because I ran out of both and Sunday I decided I couldn’t handle it anymore!
Purchases: $141.12
Final for the day Over by $133.99
To date Over by $203.38
Day 20 - Tuesday, October 20th
Okay, before you freak out because I’m so far over, note what happened on Tuesday. I got my mileage cheque from driving to Vernon.
I also joined the local Genealogical Society which is a $20 fee for the year. Peanuts compared to the benefits of being a part of the group.
Mileage Cheque +422.38Purchases: $-402.38
Society Membership -20
Final for the day Under by $409.51
To date Under by $206.13
Day 21 - Wednesday, October 21st
Tim Hortons instead of Starbucks. So much cheaper!
Purchases: $1.19
Final for the day Under by $5.94
To date Under by $212.07
Day 22 - Thursday, October 22nd
Murphy heard I had money. Actually, I shouldn’t blame it on him. I knew this was coming, I just put it off.
Lunch with Mere - $6.83
New Battery (including labour) - $189.8
Purchases: $196.63
Final for the day Over by $189.50
To date Under by $22.57
Days 16-18
Day 16 – Friday, October 16th
I bought a VCR. Read about it here.
Purchases: $22.47
Final for the day Over by $15.34
To date Over by $78.10
Day 17 - Saturday, October 17th
Purchases, nada. I went to a wedding but I was cheap and didn't get a gift. I probably shouldn't admit that...
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $70.97
Day 18 - Sunday, October 18th
Embriodery floss from Michaels. How can you have (access to via my mom) four boxes of floss and still be missing four colours?!?! and when did floss go up to 49 cents a skein?!?!
Purchases: $5.55
Final for the day Under by 1.58
To date Over by $69.39
Days 8 - 15
Day 8 – Thursday, October 8th
I went for a walk with friends and then bought ice cream. Counter productive. I know :P
Purchases: $5.99
Final for the day Under by $1.14
To date Under by $4.89
Day 9 - Friday, October 9th
Mom, Dad, Aaron and I drove to Alberta.
Breakfast from Tim Hortons: $7.34Purchases: $25.69
Lunch and snacks from Smitty’s: $18.35
Final for the day Over by $18.56
To date Over by $13.67
Day 10 - Saturday, October 10th
I went grocery shopping with Mom and Aunty Candace and then we drove up to Red Deer for my Uncle’s 60th birthday party.
CandyLand Game: $11.40Purchases: $45.38
Tim Hortons: $1.67
George’s Pizza & Steak
House: $30.51
Final for the day Over by $36.45
To date Over by $50.12
Day 11 - Sunday, October 11th
One of my goals for this trip was to buy a winter coat. In BC I can get away without having one. In New York and Ontario I’ll need one. I’m not including the purchase of the coat in my daily limit because it was budgeted for separately. I will include the rest of my purchases that day though. The whole family went to the new mall in Balzac and entered via the Bass Pro Shop…Dad’s new Mecca LOL
Yogen Fruz (treated Brittany and Candace as a thank you for helping me find myPurchases: $22.35
coat: $13.17
Starbucks: $3.20
Fudge from the Bass Pro Shop: $5.98
Final for the day Over by $15.22
To date Over by $65.34
Day 12 - Monday, October 12th
Monday we celebrated Thanksgiving and I didn’t realize until writing this that I never left the house!
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $58.21
Day 13 - Tuesday, October 13th
Driving home.
Lunch at ABC: $10.00Purchases: $13.25
Drink for the road: $3.25
Final for the day Over by $6.12
To date Over by $64.33
Day 7 - Wednesday, October 7th
Typical Wednesday, Starbucks after church.
Purchases: $3.15
Final for the day Under by $3.98
To date Over by $60.35
Day 8 - Thursday, October 8th
Met Mere for lunch
Purchases: $9.54
Final for the day Over by $2.41
To date Over by $62.76
Day 2 - 7
Saturday I left for a conference. Work paid for pretty much everything while I was there. This is what came in over and above :)
Version 2 Day 2 - Friday, October 2nd
I treated myself to Starbucks before work on Friday.
Purchases: $6.62
Final for the day Under by $0.51
To date Under by $7.64
Day 3 - Saturday, October 3rd
I misjudged my time in the morning and had to grab a quick lunch while on my way to pick up a the board member I was carpooling with to the conference.
Purchases: $4.83
Final for the day Under by $2.30
To date Under by $9.94
Day 4 - Sunday, October 4th
I spent the morning sight seeing and taking only pictures. In the afternoon I went to the mall but all I bought was a drink...and a snack...and some of the new "instant" coffee (which I haven't even tried yet!)
Purchases: $9.75
Final for the day Over by $2.62
To date Under by $7.32
Day 5 - Monday, October 5th
I was trapped in meetings for most of the day. In the late afternoon I escaped and went and stimulated the local economy - read: scrapbook stores :D
Purchases: $24.96
Final for the day Over by $17.83
To date Over by $10.51
Day 6 - Tuesday, October 6th
Again trapped in meetings. I didn't go out this time though.
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $3.38
Day 7 - Wednesday, October 7th
Meetings in the morning. Driving in the afternoon. Skipped Starbucks after church.
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Under by $3.75
Reboot
Yes I fell off the wagon. With a resounding “thud”. This is WAY harder than I thought it would be. So, as of October 1st, I’m trying again…which could be hard because I’m going to have wacky internet over the next little while but I’ll keep track at least and maybe post later. Wish me luck!
Version 2 Day 1 - October 1st
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Under by $7.13
Day Twenty Four: September 9
Starbucks after church: $2.94Final for the day Under by $4.19
To date Over by $148.28
Day Twenty Three: September 8
Somehow mid week it's a lot easier to not spend money.
Purchases: $0.00Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $159.60
Labour Day Weekend
Day Twenty: September 4
Liquidation World (a local store) was having some *crazy* sales this weekend. I got four pairs of shoes...well, three pairs of flip flops and a pair of sandles and a skirt for twenty five cents each!
That offsets the sunglasses I bought. I'm not one to spend a lot of sun glasses. Ten dollar ones are perfectly fine for me BUT, I won a $100 gift certificate from the radio so I splurged and got some Nine West ones. This entry would be so much better with pictures but I haven't had time to take them yet and I don't really want to delay it so:
Liquidation World: $2.09Final for the day Over by $40.56
Iris the Visual Group: $45.60
Saved? at least $150!
To date Over by $164.69
Day Twenty One: September 5
On the way over to Mom & Dad's in the morning I had to stop off at the grocery store. I picked up a latte while I was there...and spilled it while I was driving. The whole thing. All over the floor. Not good :(
Spilled Latte: $3.10Final for the day Over by $6.07
Tim Hortons Ice Capp: $2.49
Canada Line Ticket: $2.50
Latte that I actually got to drink: $3.10
"Chicken Soup for the Country Soul" from a used book store in Vancouver: $2.24
Canada Line Ticket: $2.50
To date Over by $170.76
Day Twenty Two: September 6
Quiet day. My only purchase was a latte (I really need to break this habit!) before bible study.
Latte: $3.10Final for the day Under by $40.56
To date Over by $166.73
Day Twenty Three: September 7
No purchases.
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $159.60
Week Three
It was a busy weekend and then a crazy week so here it is Friday and I'm finally updating.
Day Fourteen: August 29
I shopped at the Farmers' Market in the morning and made a potato salad for the bar-b-que I went to in the evening but all of those expenses fall under the food budget. Other expenses for the day:
Ice Cream on my way back from the BBQ: $4.50Final for the day Over by $9.37
PNE Gate Pass for Sunday:
$12.00
To date Over by $121.69
Day Fifteen: August 30
PNE! Most of my expenditures were for food...good fried food :D
Parking: $12.00Final for the day Over by $28.37
Poutine: $5.00
Half a deep fried Mars Bar: $2.50
Black Cherry Slush drink: $2.50
"Beef on a Bun & Texas Taters: $7.00
Poster pictures: $2.00
Carmel Apple: $4.50
To date Over by $150.06
Day Sixteen: August 31
I went to Jenna's for dinner. No expenses.
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $142.93
Day Seventeen: September 1
McD's for lunch. I had a coupon! But still. McD's for lunch. $4.71
Final for the day Under by $2.42
To date Over by $140.51
Day Eighteen: September 2
Starbucks after church: $3.83Final for the day Under by $3.30
To date Over by $137.21
Day Nineteen: September 3
Finally some good news. I got my mileage cheque for the past few months. Unfortunately, I also had accumulated some bills that needed paying. What's with that?!?!
Mileage Cheque: PLUS $81.24Final for the day Actually Under by $13.09 if you can believe it
Revenue Canada: $26.53
Deductible for
Dentist: $25.00
Michaels: $10.11
Baby Shower Gift: $13.65
To date still Over by $124.13
I want to lie or edit the numbers before posting them but I can't. This is the truth. Now to quit spending and come back to being over! Interesting to note though, in this week I was actually under my limit for four out of six days. It's just the days I was over, I was WAY over.
My horoscope for today made me laugh: "You need to hold back from any serious financial dealings -- things are crazy enough as it is! Also, your mind is on more spiritual matters, and that makes it harder to focus on facts and figures."
That's as good an excuse as any!
Day Thirteen: August 28
I have needed gold embossing powder for forever. I bought an embossing tool with a Michael's coupon months ago. Then I got a VersaMark pad. Today I finally got my powder...also with 40% off. And I set of Martha Stewart stamps that I have been coveting. They were on for seven something (from $21)
I popped into my LSS to say good bye because she's closing up shop on Monday and everything there was 70% off.
Michaels: $12.03Final for the day Over by $14.09
LSS: $9.19
Saved: $30 or so!
To date Over by $119.45
Day Twelve: August 27
Lunch at home, supper at home. No purchases. Yeah me!
Purchases: $0.00Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $98.23
Day Eleven: August 26
One last lunch with Seth and Brittany.Lunch at the Thai House: $11.00
Starbucks: $3.89
Hot Chocolate after church: Free! (because she forgot to put it on the bill and then said "forget it" woohoo!)
Final for the day Over by $7.76
To date Over by $105.36
Days Six to Ten: August 21-25
I started this entry last week.
Journalling on Friday
I've been getting lazy with lunch. Because I'm so close to home, and I talked work into letting me have an hour for lunch, I've been in the habit of going home to eat. Of course if you don't have TIME to go home (like today, because I had an appointment over lunch) then you have to grab something somewhere. Eating out, especially at lunch, is a one of the expenses I'm trying to avoid.
Journalling on Monday
Something my "$7.13 a Day" limit doesn't account for is when you have visitors in town and your expenses sky rocket. I don't really know how I'm going to reconcile this other than to say I dipped into the reserves this weekend and now that it's Monday, I guess we start again? Here's the damage:
Day Six: August 21
McDonalds for lunch: $5.97
Daiso: $8.96
Purchases at the Summer Night Market (read about our adventures here)
Parking: $5.00
Purse: $15.00
Wheel Cake: $1.00
Sweet Potato Balls: $1.00
Mango Drink: $4.00
Skewers: $3.00
Spring Rolls: $2.50
Starbucks: $3.10
Total $48.53
Final for the day Over by $41.02Day Seven: August 22
To date Over by $42.09
The day started out well. We went for breakfast and Dad picked up the bill. The rest of the day was relatively inexpensive minus some last minute grocery items.
Breakfast: free!
Drink & Snack: $2.65
Parking: $3.00
Canning lids & magazines: $14.37
Total $25.02
Final for the day Over by $12.89Day Eight: August 23
To date Over by $54.98
Sunday was brutal cost wise. We had some miscommunication and I could have gotten a free pass to the aquarium but my family is notoriously horrible for planning and communicating so I missed the opportunity. I was pretty miffed but it wasn't worth making a big deal over it. Still, the bottom line hurt. Read about our adventure here.
Walmart: $10.33 (camera batteries and chips, my contribution to our picnic lunch)
Tim Hortons: $2.49 (breakfast!)
Vancouver Aquarium Admission: $28.00 (ouch!)
Red Robins: $15.00 (dinner)
Tim Hortons: $1.19 (yes twice in one day but, combined? Cheap!)
Mini Golfing: $7.00
Total $64.01
Final for the day Over by $56.88Day Nine: August 24
To date Over by $111.86
Back at work and I didn't go out afterwards.
Final for the day Under by $7.13Day Ten: August 25
To date Over by $104.73
I was in meetings from 9am to 7pm and the only benefit is that they have to feed you :D
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $97.60
Day Six & Seven
KABOOM!
That's all I have to say for now. I'll update soon. Suffice to day, the "weak"end is called that for a reason :P
Day Five: August 20
Mom, Dad, Seth, Brittany and I had dinner in White Rock yesterday and then we walked along the beach before getting ice cream.
Fish & Chips: (with a drink and tip) $12.84Final for the day Under by $8.71
Ice Cream: $3.00 (it was actually a lot more but it was cash only so I made Seth cover the balance for me)
To date Under by $0.69
Day Four: August 19
Again, zero purchases (made easier by the fact that I had dinner at Mom & Dad's :))
Purchases: $0.00Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Under by $8.02
Day Three: August 18
Day three. Here's were things get a bit wonky. I didn't have any "discretionary" purchases but I did finally go grocery shopping (I've been unconciously reverting to peanut butter for a week because I'm low on food). The thing is I went over on my limit on groceries so now I need to make up the difference by keeping my over/under, way under. Oh for the day when I don't have to pinch pennies!!!
Purchases: $0.00
Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Under by $0.89
Day Two: August 17
Day Two. Again, only one expense. I finally mailed out the swap I've had on my counter for over a week.
Postage $5.50
Final for the day Under by $1.63
To date Over by $6.24
Day One: August 16
Each entry will be a day behind because I don't have internet at home and I want to make sure that I capture ALL spending for the day in my entry.
Day One of this (project? experiment? exercise? what would you call it?) was Sunday, August 16, 2009. I had one expense.
Lunch at Milestones $15.00
Final for the day Over by $7.87.
Welcome to the Over/Under Blog
I paid off my car in June 2009. That leaves my only outstanding debt as the amount owing on my credit card. In order to maximize the amount I am paying on it, but still have some spending money left over, I re-worked my budget and realized that after my “four walls” (rent, utilities, phone, etc) are paid, I am left with approximately $100 every two weeks. $50 a week or, $7 dollars a day with one dollar left over. The blog title “Seven dollars a day” wasn’t available so, as a nod to my online persona “agent713” I have dubbed this blog “$7.13 a Day” (technically it’s $7.14 but that doesn’t sound as cool)
My goal here is to record my discretionary purchases and keep track of how close I am to the seven dollar mark. Now there is leeway built in because above my $7/day I have my grocery and gas budget. If I skimp on them I’ll have extra. I’m hoping to not do that though. So, wish me luck and enjoy the ride. It will be a bit of insight into what I spend my “spending money” on too so may you’ll get to know me a little better.