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Ready for Summer

March 18th, 2017 at 09:25 pm

February is always rough. This year was absolutely one of the worst financially. Cross fingers, though, I think things are starting to stabilize this month. I am not even going to go into how far backward I went. Trying to focus on positive and move on. I might (should) come clean later.

I have started my part time job. It will be good for me. I think bringing in a little bit more money than normal is just the beginning of the benefits. I also get to make people smile and be productive in a work environment. It is a nice change. Extra training also meant extra pay at the start which was a relief.

I noticed that I am judging all my purchases by the hours I would need to work the part time job to pay for it. I have spent practically nothing this month. Realizing things would cost x hours both sucks and is great. I really like hourly wages over salary. Changes my whole mindset.

Which brings me to my very, very, very little spending this month. About $30 in gas, $9 in dining out, and $75 in households which over $60 was medicines and supplements (still sick). I haven't even grocery shopped yet in March as I had stocked up in Feb and my parents quick picked up a few (milk and pretzels) things I needed. I will need to go this weekend, though.

Even though February was rough, I think I personally am in a good spot. If I keep on this path, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I can do it!

5 Responses to “Ready for Summer”

  1. CB in the City Says:
    1489873761

    Yes, you can! I am in a similar spot, hunkering down to spend nothing at all these next few days and facing another frugal month. And as a contract worker, I too am much more aware of how long I must work to, say, fill up my tank, or buy kitty litter. Eye opening!

  2. Guppy Tender Says:
    1489880617

    My measure point is how much of my house will this pay off. The cost is controlled by the fact that I want to get this debt, that I have put myself into. Yes, how much money I am earning also comes into the equation of not spending as well.

    I ended up with high expenses in March, but I am determined to keep expenses down in the coming month. Hopefully will be able to do so.

    So glad we can encourage each other.

  3. Wink Says:
    1489883154

    You can do it! Mine is retirement. Before I go to buy something I always think, I could put this money into my retirement fund and inch that much closer to freedom!

  4. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1489899535

    Eli I went through this whole exercise for about 5 months in 2015 where I did the same thing! It was a real eye opener. I used the hourly rate after tax as this is what I get to spend and called it "Money Mindfulness". I'm glad I'm not the only one who has done it because while it was an eye opener I wasn't sure if I was nuts or not!! (I couldn't see anyone else really doing it). An example is last night I went out with friends for dinner and drinks and I would have had to work for just under 2 hours. It was well worth it though Smile.

  5. snafu Says:
    1489930828

    Sounds like you've made huge strides forward. Brilliant to track spending decisions against hours needed to work. Some of us completed the declutter system outlined in 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.' By the time I finished donating all the stuff no longer used or needed I was shocked. The sums spent and effort to care for stuff that no longer served our needs made me sad. I'm still shell shocked. Every dollar is now given a 'job' a few days in advance of any spending. Planned spending is making a huge difference, even when overseas where currency exchange and medical intervention was harder to gauge.

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