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: $12.03
LSS: $9.19
Saved: $30 or so!

Final for the day Over by $14.09
To date Over by $119.45

Day Twelve: August 27

Lunch at home, supper at home. No purchases. Yeah me!

Purchases: $0.00

Final 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 $41.02
To date Over by $42.09

Day Seven: August 22
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 $12.89
To date Over by $54.98

Day Eight: August 23
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 $56.88
To date Over by $111.86

Day Nine: August 24
Back at work and I didn't go out afterwards.

Final for the day Under by $7.13
To date Over by $104.73

Day Ten: August 25
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) $12.84
Ice Cream: $3.00 (it was actually a lot more but it was cash only so I made Seth cover the balance for me)

Final for the day Under by $8.71
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: $0.00

Final 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.