House Update

So, as some of you may know, my family and I have been in the process of building a new home. We have done some of it, but mostly it has been done by a contractor. They said that they are hoping that it will be done within 2 weeks, but I'll believe that when I see it.

We will need about $2000 at closing to cover the closing costs of switching from a building loan to a mortgage plus the extra stuff we had done on the house that we will owe the contractor. We have $2500 right now and while that is enough, I really don't want to wipe out our savings. My husband was hoping we would get enough back from taxes to help us put more in savings, but we are only getting about $300 back, mostly due to the fact that he was on unemployment at the beginning of the year.

So, we need money saved and we need it fast. When I was looking at my budget for February, we have very little that will be left over to go in savings. We have some things that we are going to put on Ebay and Craig's list to help us get some extra money (bowflex, calipers for machining, a bin of McD and BK toys from late 90s - so if anyone is interested let me know lol).

We are also on a strict budget. I just keep telling myself we're broke. There is no extra money to spend. I was going to go to a Zumba event in Elmira this weekend, but decided we need that $15 in savings, plus it would have cost us for the gas. All in all, I am better off going to Zumba at my gym because it is already paid for.

My husband's biggest issue is eating out and spending money on coffee and other crap. I know it's hard because he is going back and forth to the new house several times a week, but we have both decided to take control of this issue. So far we have eaten at home every day since last Thursday. Tonight's dinner is Chicken Paprikash (recipe from South Beach diet cookbook). Next we will work on the coffee issue. It really does all add up.

What ways do you save money or make extra money when time is running out? Let me know by leaving a comment. And for all those in the Northeast - stay warm. It's going to be cold later!! brrr. I am sooooo ready for spring already.

Envelope System for Budgeting

We have decided that we are spending too much money 'here and there'. Well, actually I decided. LOL. Although my husband does agree we are getting low on money. A few bucks a day really add up.

So, we have decided to start the envelope system for our expenses. These would only be for things like groceries, gas and we have a miscellaneous category. All our bills (except rent) are automatically sent out each month. If you haven't heard about the envelope system it is a way to budget your money where you have envelopes marked with each expense. You put the amount you have budgeted for the week (or month) in cash in the envelope and when the money is gone, it's gone. Dealing with cash helps people because they can actually 'see' how much money they have. With a debit card or even a check, you sometimes don't realize how much you really are spending until later.

We will be putting $50 a week in the envelope for gas (this is a little high but if the price keeps going up, we may be up to $50 to fill our tank again soon), $60 a week for food and $20 a week for miscellaneous. I am hoping that this will curb all the extra spending on coffee at the gas station and other spending.

How do you manage your money? Do you have any tips on budgeting or how you keep your spending now? Leave a comment for me and let me know.