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Home > Finally, we're ahead. Yay for the $400 budget.

Finally, we're ahead. Yay for the $400 budget.

February 27th, 2015 at 02:06 pm

I've spared you guys the (most) of the misery of my complaining about our austerity budget of $400 a week for everything. It's actually for the most part gone well. And, it's not been as hard as I thought it would be overall. I've even managed to cut the weekly grocery budget from more than $200 to about $150 to $175, and I have no idea how! I feel like I'm shopping the same, but maybe I'm just getting better at cooking and budget meal planning.

Anyway, the point is. I knew if we stuck to it, one day there would be a big pay off. Today, that day has come! It was payday today, and because we stuck to the budget, the credit card bill is paid in full. The mortgage is paid and we managed to pay nearly $2260 in principal. (about $1000 extra). AND we have money left over in the bank for the next two weeks.

DH also got a small bonus from work, which was enough to fully fund my IRA shortfall for 2014 ($1993) and put some money in savings. If we hadn't been on the budget, I'm not sure we would have been able to do as much with the extra.

So yes, it might be snowy outside but it's sunny days moneywise. And hopefully, we're on the path to smoother sailing.

8 Responses to “Finally, we're ahead. Yay for the $400 budget. ”

  1. NJDebbie Says:
    1425046092

    Nice, keep up the good work!

  2. CB in the City Says:
    1425046965

    What nice rewards for your austerity!

  3. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1425049252

    Sunny days-- very good!

  4. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1425070880

    That's awesome!

  5. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1425082041

    Great news!

  6. snafu Says:
    1425100699

    Wow! I think you've done an awesome job of making a plan and sticking to it. The results are terrific. I wish I could convince others that meal planning can result in noticeable savings to be redirected to CC, retirement plan or whatever goal you wish. Kudos for paying an extra $ 1K on the mortgage.

  7. scfr Says:
    1425234686

    Good for you - excellent work. Perhaps the grocery budget success is because it was at the front of your conscious mind? And congratulations to your husband on the bonus - it doesn't sound like a small one in my book!

  8. ThriftoRama Says:
    1425237038

    Well, I guess I meant small as in it wasn't like we hit the lottery, but it was very welcome!

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