October Budget Challenge

My cousin Erica just wrote about her October Challenge.  You can read it here.  I am on board with her and so here is what I am going to work on this month along side of her.

With buying a house, having things to replace that is was not necessarily on the list of "to do's" yet. It has become interesting in our house at times. Needless to say here are some of our ways of budgeting as well.


Grocery budgeting....last night I made a game out of our monthly menu. I am tired of picking the whole month for menu as I usually get "I don't like this" or "really this again". So we each had to put down 5 meals on post it notes (non-sticky). I am not putting them on a calendar as I want to be able to draw from the pile (continuing the game) each day and that is our winner for the day. We have 5-6 grace days for leftovers or making something completely off our menu post its.

Coupons...are my enemies. I hate clipping as I either forget to use them, the store doesn't accept (Sam's Club) or they expire by the time I use them. I am hoping to change that factor.

Eating out...We did good in September as we only ate out for Harry and I's birthdays. October will be an exception for our "honeymoon weekend" but other than that I have a goal not to eat out.

Date night...Not really worried as Harry and I rarely get this. With the exception of October for our "honeymoon weekend".

Cooking and baking...shouldn't be hard as I love to do both, right?  I love to do this for everyone else but for at home.  There is something to be said for when you have company come over or you are taking to someones house as they just had a baby, been in hospital, etc.  There is a satisfacation of helping someone out or entertaining.  But when it comes to every day life, well it is a struggle for me.  Sounds crazy, I know.  I am going to work on having more healthy choices for meals, snacks and desserts every day for my family as well as entertaining and families in need.

Lights...Even with the energy efficient light bulbs throughout the whole house I am trying to convince the entire family that when you leave a room to turn off the lights. Ellaree is notorious for this as she just walks out of the room. But when she is in a room, all the lights need to be on! Drives me nuts!

My list could go on and on but you can see where I am trying to cut our budget, replenish emergency fund and put some in our savings.  Would you like to join Erica and I and get on the budget wagon?  Let us know how you do your budget, your goals, etc.