I got my cousins gift today - yea! I need to take DD out to shop for toys to donate, as we haven't done that yet and it's something we do every year.

It's been a busy, but fun day so far, and there is still the performance tonight to get through. And then one tomorrow and one Sunday. It will be fun for DD. The dress rehearsal went well last night, and they all looked adorable. I actually got chills when their part came up. I'm so proud of DD. She's the youngest one up there.

Going to put my feet up for a few minutes before moving on to the next thing...

I bought sampler boxes of handmade truffles from a shop here in town for DD's teachers. I also picked up a couple of Ben and Jerry's gift certificates for a birthday party tomorrow afternoon. That leaves something for my cousin, and then I *think* we're all set.

DD has her first Nutcracker performance tomorrow evening. Tonight is the dress rehearsal. Last night was a rehearsal on stage, and a few of us parents that stayed to help out peeked out from the wings to try and watch. It looks like it will be cute, all those little mice.

I feel like I'm spinning my wheels today, doing something but getting little accomplished. At least the gifts for the teachers are taken care of now. I've had truffles from this shop before and they are wonderful!

I have two tutoring students now instead of one, so that's a bit of extra cash coming in most weeks. It's actually my daughter's teacher's daughter. And it's supplementing as opposed to remediation, so it's a nice change of pace in that regard.

I sold two ponchos last Sunday to friends at church. Took the money and bought more yarn to make up some more!

Shopping is close to done. I'd still like to do something for DD's teachers, so I need to get my act together PRONTO. I also need something for one of my cousins. Aside from that, I think we're just about done. I have four different recipes to get to for my baking still, but I'll get to them. I've done the shopping, so it's a matter of just getting it done.

Spent the entire day in bed. This migraine started Thursday and got worse as the days went by, not better. I'm up now, and keeping down some excedrine, which is a good sign. But day 2 of trying this new program was a total loss. On to day 3....

DH and DD picked out our Christmas tree today. It looks nice with the lights on it, and we'll decorate it tomorrow. I'm hoping to do some baking tomorrow as well.

We watched the Bolshoi's Romeo and Juliet this evening on DVD. It's pretty long, but DD watched much of it. She'snow asleep on the couch next to me.

We spent $15 at a soup/lunch fundraiser after church this morning. Also went to Starbucks today. It's been an expensive weekend for dining out.

12/1 - 12/4:
Groceries: $57.01 (goal: $295)
Dining: $23.55 (goal: $160) (still need to add in Friday's dinner)

Total: $80.06 (goal: $455)

I opted to skip the coffee stop again this morning. What's come over me? Other than mailing a book and buying stamps, it's been a no-spend day. DD has a Nutcracker rehearsal this evening from 5-6:30, so I'm thinking the three of us may grab a bite to eat out afterwards.

12/1 - 12/2:
Groceries: $57.01 (goal: $295)
Dining: $0 (goal: $160)

Total: $57.01 (goal: $455)

I had a good trip to the grocery store today. I made a list and only bought one extra thing - ice cream.

This week is flying by. I can't believe tomorrow is already Friday.

November's food totals were low, but I think that had more to due with all three of us being sick quite a bit, and being at my parents' house for the holiday.

12/1:
Groceries: $57.01 (goal: $295)
Dining: $0 (goal: $160)

Total: $57.01 (goal: $455)

I love the first of the month, adding up all the interest earned the prior month. With money at ING earning so much more than my regular savings, we're seeing more interest right there. Very nice.

Thought about stopping for coffee this morning - opted to come home and make some tea instead. Saved some money there!

11/1 - 11/30:
Groceries: $262.68 (goal=$295)
Dining: $144.53 (goal=$160)
Total: $407.21 (goal=$455)

Gas: $143.16

I don't know how much we spent on coffee and such while on the road, so I'm going to estimate $30. Food-wise, we're doing well. Helped to be at my parents' house for the long Thanksgiving weekend.

I got some good deals today while Christmas shopping, ioncluding tend ollars for a porcelain doll for DD. She is asking Santa for a 'china doll', so hopefully she's like this one. It's even dressed as a ballerina, so it's like it was meant to be. Got it at Ross, of all places. The box is beat up, so we'll just take it out and set it next to her stocking for Christmas morning.

I picked up some LED Christmas lights for the house too. I tried to get some last year but waited too long and couldn't find any. Target had them, so I got four strands. Hopefully that will be enough.


11/1 - 11/28:
Groceries: $262.68 (goal=$295)
Dining: $125.27 (goal=$160)
Total: $387.95 (goal=$455)

Gas: $143.16

I got a request for another poncho today. Pretty exciting.

11/1 - 11/23:
Groceries: $223.01 (goal=$295)
Dining: $95.27 (goal=$160)
Total: $318.28 (goal=$455)

Gas: $101.50

I'm keeping DD home yet again. Hopefully she'll be well enough tomorrow to go see her friends and teachers before the holiday weekend. Should be a low-key day today. It's frustrating, being sick. But I feel a little bit better compared to yesterday, and DD seems a little bit better as well.

11/1 - 11/21:
Groceries: $223.01 (goal=$295)
Dining: $88.67 (goal=$160)
Total: $311.68 (goal=$455)

Gas: $101.50

DD and I are both sick, so I'm keeping her home today. I really hope we're better before Thursday.

Haven't been spending much money lately, although DH and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie last night (despite my coughing!). It was a good movie, thought not nearly as good as the book, of course. They had to cut out a lot of character and plot development, and still the 2.5 hours seemed to fly by.

I mailed in the Rx reimbursement form on Saturday - that check will be good to have.

11/1 - 11/20:
Groceries: $223.01 (goal=$295)
Dining: $72.07 (goal=$160)
Total: $295.08 (goal=$455)

Gas: $101.50

The fire yesterday got a whole lot scarier than I thought it might, but we're all fine. Wound up having dinner at the in-laws' house.
Today I have the flu or something. I'm achy and coughing, and my throat hurts. What fun. Hoping for a low-key weekend after yesterday.

I don't anticipate any big spending today. I've kept DD home from school, as there are brush fires in our area today. The winds are blowing in our favor, but it is scary nonetheless.

I got my first $25 gift certificate from the local yarn shop. You get one every time you spend $275. Yes, I've spent that much on yarn there over the past year or two. Actually, my mom has bought some too and put it on my account, so it isn't all me. But a lot of it is, lol. Oh well - there are worse things to spend money on, and I'll be able to sell some of the things I make. I sold a poncho to DD's teacher yesterday. She asked me to make her one after she saw one I was wearing, so I did.

I bought three day-old bagels at the coffee house today. Normally one bagel runs me about $2, but I got the three of them today for $1.75. We'll see how they last. I ate one just now that was absolutely fine.

I still need to get reimbursed for a book I bought, and I have over $300 in Rx receipts to submit as well. I need to do this.

11/1 - 11/17:
Groceries: $223.01 (goal=$295)
Dining: $72.07 (goal=$160)
Total: $295.08 (goal=$455)

Gas: $68.63

We had a pretty good dinner last night. The 99 cent store had a pack of 6 focaccia breads and they made for good little pizza crusts. I picked some home grown oak leaf lettuce for a salad and we had some apple slices. Simple but tasty.

I'm surprised that our grocery spending has already reached over $200 for the month. I honestly don't feel like we have that much food at home either. Hmmm....better make sure we eat out of the frig, freezer and pantry well for the next week or two if we're going to come in at or under budget.

11/1 - 11/15:
Groceries: $223.01 (goal=$295)
Dining: $67.72 (goal=$160)
Total: $290.73 (goal=$455)

Gas: $68.63

Still need to add in Friday's dinner and today's gas fill-up...

11/1 - 11/13:
Groceries: $223.01 (goal=$295)
Dining: $29.75 (goal=$160)
Total: $252.76 (goal=$455)

Gas: $68.63

I think I've gotten everything worked out for my newsletter. DH helped me learn how to do something in the database, and now I just need to send out a few more tests to make sure all the links and images and whatnot are working properly.

We're going out to dinner tonight with DH's parents, to Macaroni Grill. I'm looking forward to it. I think it's our first meal out for the month. Mine, anyway - DH had a working dinner a couple of nights ago. I've bought coffee and tea here and there.

I splurged on a passage today. I've been feeling rotten for weeks now, and I'm hoping this will help loosen things up and let my body heal a bit. I'm going to drink more water than usual today to help move things along and get the toxins out. All three of us are fighting head colds.

I sold a book today for $5 at half.com.

DD and I still need to make our vegetable barley soup. I got hit with a two-day, in-bed migraine Sunday and Monday, and that sets everything back a few days when it happens.

No spending so far today.

I've spent the last couple of hours fiddling with DivaTribe's newsletter and its layout, formatting, etc. If I can make one thing work, it's going to look so much nicer. And if it looks nicer, I can start selling ad banner space in it, instead of just text links. There are actually two things I need to take care of. I'll get it done before my self-imposed deadline of next Wednesday.

11/1 - 11/10:
Groceries: $138.58 (goal=$295)
Dining: $18.80 (goal=$160)
Total: $157.38 (goal=$455)

Gas: $68.63

Organic milk is already more expensive as it is, and today the store was out of store brand, so I had to get the Horizon brand. Yikes. :O

DH has a working dinner this evening, so it's just DD and I. I'm planning an early dinner for the two of us, followed by getting into jammies, hanging out together for a while and making it an early night altogether.

11/1 - 11/9:
Groceries: $138.58 (goal=$295)
Dining: $18.80 (goal=$160)
Total: $157.38 (goal=$455)

Gas: $68.63

11/1 - 11/7:
Groceries: $120.52 (goal=$295)
Dining: $10.05 (goal=$160)
Total: $130.57 (goal=$455)

Gas: $35.28

Tuesday -
11/1 - 11/8:
Groceries: $120.52 (goal=$295)
Dining: $14.55 (goal=$160)
Total: $134.97 (goal=$455)

Gas: $35.28

DH and I were both wiped out this evening and were ready to just go out for dinner, but DD was also really tired, and we figured the experience might not be such a great one. So we did some simple cheese quesadillas with bell pepper and black beans, and some sliced apples. It was simple, healthy, and cheap. I'm glad we opted to stay home.

I took care of my prescription mix-up, but still need to follow up on the book I bought and the car insurance.

I walked to the fabric store today. It's about a mile roundtrip, so it doesn't take long to walk it, and it saves wear and tear on the car, and a wee bit of gas too. Good for my health as well - I need to get moving more often. Bought the knitting needles I needed for a new project and managed not to buy any yarn while I was there, tempting though it was.

Busy weekend ahead of us - fun stuff, but busy nonetheless.

11/1 - 11/4:
Groceries: $85.37 (goal=$295)
Dining: $10.05 (goal=$160)
Total: $95.42 (goal=$455)

Stopped by Sbux this afternoon for a peppermint mocha (yummy) and forgot to ask for it to be decaf! Oops. Hopefully I won't be tossing and turning tonight.

DD and I are going to make vegetable barley soup this weekend. I bought ingredients for it today, and she's looking forward to it.

Things I still need to follow up on - fill out form to get reimbursed for a book purchase, call insurance regarding our second car, and fill out form to get reimbursed for my recent Rx purchases. Those cost upwards of $375, but I think I'll get all but $60 back. I'm hoping so anyway - that's how it's worked out in the past.

11/1 - 11/3:
Groceries: $85.37 (goal=$295)
Dining: $7.45 (goal=$160)
Total: $92.82 (goal=$455)

Last month was good in terms of sticking to our budget for food. We're going to try it again this month.


11/1:
Groceries: $0 (goal=$295)
Dining: $2.15 (goal=$160)



10/1 - 10/31:
Groceries: $300.48 (goal: $295 or less)

I bought some fabric today to make next year's costume. It was marked down 70%, and then I had a coupon for another 10% off my entire purchase. I already have a pattern, so I got a good deal on next year's costume. And, I have a year to make it.

10/1 - 10/30:
Groceries: $300.48 (goal: $295 or less)

Paid some bills today, including car insurance for 6 months. That was over $600. I need to call about our second car. It's 11 years old and barely driven once a week. I suspect we're insuring it for more than it's worth.

Tomorrow and Sunday dinner is already taken care of. Tomorrow night the in-laws are coming over and we're having homemade pesto over spaghetti, and salad. My MIL is bringing dessert. Sunday, we're going to a potluck/Halloween party. And then Monday is Halloween, so we'll do something easy for dinner here that night. And that gets us through October, about as close to the dining out budget and grocery budget as we've been. Knock on wood that I haven't counted our chickens too early...

I decided to use last year's costume, rather than make myself a new one for this year. My mom made DD's costume - Tinnkerbell - so that's taken care of as well.

I'm almost done with a sweater I've been working on. The front, back and sleeves are all finished; now it needs to be blocked and assembled, and to have the neckband knitted. I hope when it's all done that it fits, and that I like it. It looks pretty so far. I started a poncho tonight out of cheap Red Heart yarn, just to play around with a new pattern.

10/1 - 10/28:
Groceries: $300.48 (goal: $295 or less)

It's getting gray outside. I don't mine when it rain - in fact, I like when it rains - but I hate when it's just gray and gloomy.

Not much else to say. Feeling sort of glum myself.

10/1 - 10/27:
Groceries: $300.48 (goal: $295 or less)

Taking DD to the dentist today, and I have four prescriptions that need to be refilled. Fun fun. Two of those prescriptions are mail-order, so I'll get three months of each one for $40 each. The other two I'll get reimbursed for, so ultimately they'll be $20 each out of pocket, but the initial cost before submitting to insurance will be over $100.

--later--
Dentist was $186...and a cavity-free check-up.

10/1 - 10/26:
Groceries: $224.96 (goal: $295 or less)
Dining: approx. 144.29 (goal: $160 or less)

Total: $369.25, or $14.20/day (goal: $455, or about $14.68/day)

Gas: $146.82

DH made coffee for me this morning. That was nice.
I need to mail a book today - I should have done it by now, so today is a must.

10/1 - 10/25:
Groceries: $224.96 (goal: $295 or less)
Dining: approx. 124.41 (goal: $160 or less)

Total: $349.37, or $13.97/day (goal: $455, or about $14.68/day)

Gas: $146.82

Checking in on goals -

1. Take out $160 cash for restaurants and coffee for the month for me and DH. (Did this, and stil have some cash left)
2. Keep grocery spending