This pay period I did pretty well in most of my budget categories. Utilities were $50 cheaper than usual, so I put that into my long-term savings. Actual grocery expenditure was only $60 of the $100 I originally allotted. Dry cleaning was $14 of the $25 I set aside. Spending on gas was about half of what I allotted. And I gave up all alcohol for lent (lots of reasons behind that one, tougher than sticking to a budget!!!), so naturally my dining out spending will likely be half of what it usually would.
But here's where the trouble begins..
Mom's birthday was Wednesday. Tuesday night I decided to take the 45 minute drive ( 20, since I was already halfway there for work) to see her - but she was not home, so I bought her flowers & chocolate (real gift was at my apartment still), and left the card I had planned to mail with the gifts. Extra gas used - no mother to see.
Wednesday night I came out of the office to a flat tire. Tipped the AAA guy $5 that I wasnt expecting to spend.
Thursday I got off work early, so I drove back home (again) and took Mom to dinner. Extra $30 from my dining out budget I did not anticipate, but the food and the company were amazing, so I count it as worth it!
Friday had a chiro appointment - usually I only have one a month, this is the 2nd in two weeks. Good bye $50.
And Saturday boredom and a failed attempt to get my flat tire fixed (wait so long I probably wouldnt have made it by the time they closed) let to shopping trip at the nearby mall. EVERYTHING was on sale. In particular, a shirt I have had my eye on since January was on clearance + extra 30% off. I broke my own rules and did not put the shirt on hold, and picked a second up in the process.
So while I have enough cash to pay the *wince* credit cards that I put the chiro, shirts, and birthday dinner on (rule #3 broken), I will either a) cut back next month's free spending & pay with the next check b) not give to charity.
I dont think I should compromise on b), so please understand if I turn down a few extra lunch dates.
Total $$ blown: $12 gas, $15 flowers, card, chocolate, $5 tip to AAA, $30 dinner out, $50 chiropractor, $43 shopping spree = $155.
Not the worst I've ever done, but as I budget down to the last penny, that is $155 that I don't get to spend next month :(.
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