Weekly Progress and Savings

Friday, May 16, 2014

In the several Weekly Progress and Savings that I've posted previously, I've unintentionally focused on the "savings" more than the "progress."  It's pretty darn rewarding to see actual dollars saved that can be put toward goals.  But budgeting "progress" is equally, if not at times more, worthy of focus because to me progress is staying within our budget!

While listening to Dave Ramsey's radio show this week, a caller detailed her situation and asked Dave's advice.  Her husband made $150k salary (they are a one income household) and they had $150k in debt (not including the house).  $90k of that debt was credit card debt.  Dave's conclusion was "you are living on $200k a year and bringing in $150k" and advice was clearly to change their spending habits and get on a written budget.  It just goes to show that you can be broke on any income. 

Living within your means, regardless of how much means you have, is worth celebrating!

And if you aren't currently living within your means, it is never to late to start.  For the woman caller, it took $90k on a credit card before she got mad enough to change their situation.  We all have different breaking points, but let's hope each of ours is at significantly less debt.

All that to preface that savings this week is:  $7.00

But, in perspective, that is okay because at least $0.00 was to debt!

What we accomplished within our budget this past week:
  • We spent all day last Saturday painstakingly staining the outside of our screened porch. Cost: between $60-$70.  Savings from doing it ourselves: easily several thousand.  And the pride and satisfaction from completing a project like that from start to finish:  of course, priceless.
  • After this exhausting 7 AM-6 PM work, we treated ourselves to Mexican food and margaritas at a restaurant!  Since we have all but cut out restaurant eating, this was a treat - and we still didn't break bank!  And I must say it was especially good...absence makes the heart grow fonder, or more grateful perhaps.
What we have put off for another day:
  • Depending on how much you have read of my blog, you may or may not know that we moved several months ago.  Unlike some people in my family who magically settle-in and decorate within several weeks (you will not be named, but if you are reading then you know who you are :-), we are still in the thick of settling and arranging and decorating.  I have ideas for family room curtains, roman shades and pillows (which mostly will be DIY) and I'm anxious to begin!
  • Clothes...I'm in need of some Summer tops and my husband needs some work boots for around the house (current pair is being held together with duct tape!).  I honestly don't even have the time to shop, but I'll get around to it one day.
This coming weekend brings with it no costly projects that I know of.  Plus we are putting stuff in a garage sale which I hope brings in some money.  Maybe next week I can start on the DIY decorating!

Have a great weekend and thanks as always for reading!

Stacy

No comments:

Post a Comment

 
site design by designer blogs