subway: 10 dollars
Alcohol: 16 dollars (went to a wedding and it was a cash bar and then we went to a bar afterwards and got a beer, luckily we aren't big drinkers- we had a total of 3 drinks together)
Total spent this month: 400 dollars
So it looks like we will be going over the 400 budget this month considering we have 12 more days in the month and are already at our limit. I might not to adjust the 400 dollars since we like to eat out (although I would like to cut back on some of this) and this is our main form of entertainment, socializing. Plus I am including alcohol (not that we spend much on this) and toilet paper and all that stuff as part of the food budget.
Shopping:
Jcpenny: 61 dollars (2 pairs of pants for husband (50 dollars), and 2 shirts for me (9 dollars)
Gap:12 dollars (one pair of work pants)
Wedding: 100 dollar cash gift
The gap pants are a size 4, and I really am a size 6 (used to be a size 4 until we started eating out way to much!). They fit but are very tight at the waist, hopefully this will motivate me to workout more, since many of my clothes are too tight. The pants were super nice and like 80 percent off, so I brought them but need to lose a couple pounds to make them not so tight, if I don't lose it I will have to give them to my sister who is the same height but like 15 pounds thinner!
Just a thought on cutting down on your food budget. You mention that going out to eat is your main form of socializing, so I am guessing that you eat out with friends. If that is the case then I suggest something we did years ago (and need to get back into doing) which is getting together with friends for a potlock. Since we were the only ones with kids (and funny still are...) we always hosted (so the girls could be home and go to bed on time and we didn't have to pay for a babysitter). I always made the main dish (sometimes meaty and sometime vegetarian) everyone else brought something, dish to pass, alcohol (wine/beer/martini nights). I used to let people know what I would be making for a main dish and they would offer to bring something (salad, bread, dessert). It cost me less to make a main dish for 10 people than to go out and eat at a restaurant for DH and I. We got our socialization and saved money. Over time other people planned the meal (they would bring everything for the main dish and cook it here, while everyone socialized) and we would only be responsible for a side dish or dessert. If everyone is able to host, then I would recommend a true potlock. Have everyone bring a dish to pass and the person hosting takes care of the "main dish". The person hosting chooses and lets everyone know. PASTA is a great fun and cheap dish and so many ways to make it. We did this weekly, then over time went to every other week and then to once a month and now it is just when schedules mesh. We had a good group for a while that always came out, we added people, lost people and it was all good. We would end the night playing card games, a board game or watching a movie. A GREAT SATURDAY night without a big bill.
ReplyDeleteIf it is just you and your DH going out on Saturday night as a way to get out of the house, I suggest you think outside of the restaurant. A romantic living room picnic (don't forget the blanket and candles). In the nicer weather you can have a real picnic, or tailgate before a movie (drive in if you have one). Check out if your area parks have any entertainment. We have Shakespeare in the Park (Free and I bring a picnic) and Movies in the Park (at two locations) The Movies in the park I do with my girls but it is still a great night out and a fun meal that doesn't cost me a lot.