Or at least, not too much. This is going to be a “decompress” day from the busy, hectic week we just finished. And the weather is cooperating. This is the view in both directions from our front step. A light rain is coming down, and it is very still. Notice the flag. Right now it is about 67 degrees, and we’re supposed to be heading for a high of 72.
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So it’s going to be a great day for baking brownies, and doing basically not much of anything. Harry does have a few items on his agenda for the day, but we’ll see how that goes. So far we’ve had a very leisurely morning. It’s almost 10:30, and so far our major accomplishment for the day has been watching CBS Sunday Morning while we enjoyed our coffee. Harry at this moment is in the kitchen cooking some bacon and french toast for breakfast.
We were talking over our coffee about a new budgeting strategy that we are going to be starting in a week. Right now we basically use credit cards for everything. We don’t carry a balance – everything is paid off the following month when the bill comes, but still! When that monthly bill comes, or I check it online, our reaction is always the same. What did we spend so much money on? We have tried various strategies to be more aware of our monthly spending, like writing all of our purchases down as we make them, checking the total daily, etc etc. But still our credit card bill is always way more than we want it to be. SO, this past week, Harry and I went and opened up another account at our credit union. This is going to be our spending account. We ordered debit cards, which hopefully will come this week. One week from tomorrow (assuming our cards have arrived by then) we will make the switch from credit to cash. Each pay period we will transfer over a set amount to our new spending account, and that will be it! Our spending money for the next two weeks. We are both looking forward to our new method of controlling our expenses and spending. I will let you know how it goes!
Well, I’ve just been informed our breakfast is almost ready, so I guess it’s time to wrap this up for now. Ahhh, nothing better than a relaxing Sunday….
That is a GREAT idea about the budget!! I wish we had done that before retirement/full-timing. We are not rich(this is why LOL) but before retirement I usually bought whatever I wanted (within reason of course) without any regard to budget numbers. The grocery store was one of my demons. I would get my cart and throw things in the buggy without regard. Always in a hurry! I usually didn't even have a shopping list. Now I plan our meals and shop accordingly. It hasn't been too hard but it has taken adjustment. Good for you guys!!
ReplyDeleteI am encouraged about the weather. Many of our friends north of us have reported fall like temps...I know they will eventually make their way down here. :-)
Take care and enjoy your "nuttin" day.
Mike & Gerri (happytrails)
I make a budget. We track everything. HOWEVER, it seems every month we are hit with an unexcepted major expense. Tires, emergency trip back to Louisiana due to Len's mother's illness, our monthly share of her nurshing home costs, one of our children needing financial assistance, repairs to fifthwheel hitch, deductible on insurance following accident with fiver, etc, etc etc. It never seems to end. Fortunately we saved for years to get to this point but is sure would have been nice to not have to dig into those investments already.
ReplyDeleteBut - having a budget is better than not having a budget. Congratulations of coming up with another way to keep yourselves on track.
Very good idea! Budgeting is so important, even if you stray from it just a tiny bit. It will become very important on the road, so good to be learning how to stick to it now.
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