I don't keep track either. Poor budget planner. Spend way too much - around $2k. nm
Posted By: PhillyGirl on 2006-12-05
In Reply to: I don't keep track - MontanaMT
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According to my vacation planner
where I go Wyoming, Utah and the like is west, leaving from Denver-have been to California but am sure will enjoy wherever it is. Going solo, my family do not want to join me in my vacations. Oh well, I will send them a postcard.
free menu planner
go to kraftfoods.com - they have a free menu planner that will help you - they have lots of food options to choose from.
I don't keep track
I buy stuff over the entire year. We also adopt a family for Thanksgiving and Christmas and spend around $500 on them.
I do it because I feel it is better to keep track..sm
than to ignore things and hope it all works out! I will have three daughters all with periods in the same month. How in the world would I know if anything is wrong in their monthly cycles if I am not keeping an eye on things? In this hectic world of non-stop activity I feel more comfortable knowing in advance when/if something is wrong. My mom always kept tract of mine and it was a good thing. I was so busy with dancing, sports and just being young that I didnt realize I had missed my period. When confronted about it we were able to get to the doc and get a handle on what was wrong. I feel just letting the kid be responsible to let me know she missed her period is just plain ignorant. You can let a kid be responsible for homework, pets, et cetera, but as a mother I am still in charge of her health and well being and if that means tracking periods then so be it.
We are going to the dog track with friends. sm
we have been doing this for years. Only spend a couple of dollars on each race (we really don't know what we are doing LOL) and then we play the slots. A couple of years ago I hit $2000.00 on "The Big Cheese". We only go once or twice a year so that makes it even more fun.
How tough is it to track taxes
Have a job offer but am worried about going IC.
I keep track of my daughter's periods too - sm
Numerous reasons...
I have a genetic blood disorder and I need to know these things. If my mom had been a little more vigilant with mine, I would not have bled for 31 days straight and ended up in the hospital for severe anemia at the ripe old age of 11.
The cause was not discovered then either. I nearly bled to death in birthing my oldest. It was years later that they discovered the reason for it.
One of my daughters has tested negative for the same disorder, the other will be tested when she gets her periods on a regular basis.
The next reason is convenience. Each of the girls have their preferred "products" and I need to know who needs what and when so there is not a HUGE fight over why there isn't any of this or that.
Next reason, both girls are very active in sports and other extra cirricular activities. Being on the go and getting caught without is never fun. I make sure they are prepared.
Lastly, one of the girls is horribly hormonal. Towns have a warning siren before a tornado hits right? I need a warning for our little hormonal hurricane.
They don't care that I keep track and understand why I do. No biggee to them.
they have some system now that they can sign up for to track who views sm
their myspace. not sure how it works because i didn't sign up for it, but i see it posted all the time. i view my daughter's friends sites all the time. noone has said anything to me yet about it, but i do communicate with a lot of them on there as they are friends and any friends of my children are friends with me as well. they know i wouldn't going ratting off on them unless it was something majorly in the wrong.
My husband is a runner and is very active in his track club.
He drives me a little crazy, because it's nothing for him to run 10-miles for a "simple" workout. But he does a lot with the club by setting up races, some of which benefit charities. And he's very good, by the way. He's finished well in national track meets. He's also the treasurer for our son's boy scout troop. I'm an assistant scoutmaster and do all of the outside stuff with the kids. Hubby HATES camping, hiking, backpacking. But that's the stuff for me! Our interests overlap in a few areas, but there have been times that we even take separate vacations. (Lots of people gasp at that.) But, occasionally, we can combine them. He's running in Maine next year, and I know that there is a river that passes in front of our hotel. I'm bringing my kayak! He can run all he wants! :)
Does anyone know the price of a stamp these days? I have lost track. I have some old ones,
want to mail some cards, but not sure if I can paste enough together to make enough postage? What is the price of one stamp now? Thanks
I had calendar on fridge kept track of rotated weeks
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Budget??
 What is your price range?????
According to DH, our budget is $1,000
But more likely I'll spend about $1350. We have 3 kids. We usually get them 1 big gift to share and then round it out with smaller gifts. This year, they're getting a trampoline. It'll probably run around $400 and then about $200 on individual gifts.
The breakdown of the other $350:
Parents $150, Grandma $25, Gift Exchange $60, Siblings (from my kids $20, Niece/nephew: $40, Teacher Gifts $30, Student Gifts: $15.
The remaining $30 will go to Toys for Tots! Each of my kids like to pick out a $10 gift to put in.
I have 3 siblings and 1 that's married, so we all put our names into a drawing and buy each other a $30 gift. My brother that's married also has 2 kids, so our kids exchange gifts. Of course, my 2 unmarried siblings also buy small gifts for my children, so we always get them a little something from them -- usually lottery tickets or a gas card for Sheetz. $10 used to fill 'em up, but now it'll probably just buy them a hoagie and chips. We do our exchange party on Christmas Eve. It keeps the kids entertained and gives them a little "preview" of what's to come. I have to say I enjoy Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. It's so much more relaxed, not as much work (we order pizza and wings), and the kids aren't as tired since they didn't get up at the crack of dawn.
Teacher gifts kill me. It's hard to find something nice for under $10. I usually go for a coffee mug with a Christmas scene or teacher saying on it and fill it with candy.
Of course, DH thinks I do all this for Christmas for $1000, but why tell him and spoil it? We do a Christmas Club for $1000 every year and I just buy the other stuff here and there.
We already got our Christmas gifts for ourselves -- a 46-inch LCD TV for DH and a Dooney & Bourke purse with matching wallet for me.
Now you all got me excited again about shopping next week. I've got my list ready and haven't cashed my Christmas Club check. I always wait until the day before Thanksgiving to do that so I know I won't spend it on anything else.
For those of you below who posted that you don't shop on Black Friday. Let me just say that I don't go out early for the best deals -- but rather just to watch the chaos of it all. I sometimes snag a deal or 2, but I learned a long time ago not to wait until Black Friday to get the most sought after items. Best to get them in Sept or Oct. 
How much is your Christmas budget? sm
Our family budget is $1000 and that covers gifts for 19 people, including "Santa" for the 2 kids. What about your house?
Christmas Budget
We usually spend about $300 on each chlid (2) and we don't have too many more people to buy for so it's hard to estimate how much more we spend on the others. Of course having a 12 year old that wants all the big ticket items this year, it gets kind of tricky.
I don't make a budget.
Only have 3 children and a very small extended family to buy for. I doubt I spend over $600 between them all.
Need to set up a budget for my 22-year-old DD.
She really overspends in this area and I need to show her how to manage a little better and about sacrifices. Bills first and then play. With the gas prices on the rise it is going to be tough having any left over.
You said budget? Do not think inside WDW
is for the budget minded. Maybe I am wrong but even eating in the park is $$$ most of the time. I would only stay inside the park if only going to WDW because of the fact you get to start earlier than the outside group and have maybe a few more perks. Lots of motels outside Mickey land offer buses that take you back and forth to the park. Oh, BTW, I am in my 60s and I have not outgrown Mickey and Minnie yet!
Christmas budget....
I never spend a lot at Christmas. I have one daughter to buy for and 2 nephews (a new one this year!). Other than that, the rest of the family members get something handmade. This year they will be getting wickless candles that I make and sell to sit on warmers (they got these and warmers last year) and I'm also embroidering flour sack towels. I'm hoping to find an iron-on pattern to fit each person. My family and my boyfriend's family love anything handmade and it really saves me. Plus, I hate to buy them something that they probably won't use or don't need. As far as the nephews, I will probably spend about $30. For my daughter, I pick a few things off her list and that's all she gets. I think this year is going to be a little more than usual for her, probably around $400, only because 1 of the American Girl things she wants is retired and I have to get it off eBay! My boyfriend and I do not buy for ourselves, but we may get another game or 2 for the Wii. For my daughter's teachers, last year we did candles and they went over well, so I'm doing that again. :)
No budget, but don't really buy gifts.
Hubby and I only give gifts to people we live with. Which means, we give gifts only to our children. But even for the kids, we don't focus on the gifts. They each get about three gifts and a stocking. Everyone is nearly grown now, ages 17, 18 and 20. DH and I haven't exchanged Christmas gifts in over 20 years. We simply go out and spend time together during the season. We'll have a really nice dinner somewhere, or go to a show, something like that.
I've tried very hard to stay away from the materialism at Christmas. It's just not what it's about.
we always vary the budget
We have no discipline. If we have a good year or bad year it shows. Sometimes the kids remember the bad years, but so do the grown ups!
Tell her they are on a tight budget and if she wants those people there
she can pay for them ;)
Our standard budget gathering is
meatball sandwiches, pasta salad, green salads. If I'm in the mood, I'll make the meatballs myself, but it's easier to buy bags of them from one of the big box mart type places. The giant cans of Don Pepino's spaghetti sauce are really good and cheap, too.
Has he ever had to live within a budget? Truly supported himself w/o sm
mamma's help? I would take a very hard look at my marriage with this man. If he is controlling now (and controlling where you go and how you spend IS control), this will not change. Financial carelessness is a serious issue; you will be saddled with his debt for many years if you are not careful. Do go to Suze Orman's website and/ or get some books by her from your library; I recommend "Women and Money".
It sounds to me like your warning bells are going off. Please listen to yourself and don't get burned. Take care and give us an update.
they always request more to cover what others don't send - plus what their budget won't buy -
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My lunch-budget is however many lines I miss when
the poster is seeking advice on lodging, on a budget
nm
Make a list of budget/spending priorities for your self employment income
Dave Ramsey's book has a irregular income planning sheet. Basically you list your expenses with the cash flow sheet. With any steady income you allocate it. For irregular income, make a list from the cash flow sheet of what needs to be paid first. Keep a culmulative total.
No just spend a day there. nm
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I think this is about what I spend
I'm not sure yet, but I think it's about $200 a month. But there are people posting who spend less than that for several people!
I hardly ever use coupons. It just seems like most of the time they are for stuff I never use. No one doubles coupons up here, ever. This mountain community caters to tourists, so things are more expensive on the weekends, when the skiers and boaters are here. I avoid going to town at those times.
No, I would not go. If that means he goes and you spend TG by yourself so be it.
After enduring 13 years of the "in-laws" I gave my husband an ultimatum - either them or me and I meant it. I was not putting up with them anymore. Fortunately, he chose me and his kids, and our lives have been so peaceful for the past 6 years without them in it! I just severed the ties.
Good luck with your situation. I really feel for you.
My mom always says "stay away from those who disrupt your inner peace." I listened to her advice.
I pay $85 in a big city, but she does spend 45 sm
minutes or so washing, cutting and styling may between chin and shoulder length hair. Five minutes is ridiculous. I don't see how they can even do a good job in that amount of time.
Yes, I know $85 is high (plus tip). I have just had so many hack jobs at less money that I got scared and went to a trendier place in the city.
For so many of the students they spend more
time with the teacher than they do with their parents. These teachers are preparing these kids to be the future of our country someday. Look at the money that atheletes make for playing a game. It is ridiculous.
Spend most of the $$$ on the grandkids now.
Give our four kids and spouses $50.00 per couple to purchase something they would like. Usually my husband will give the men a pocket knife or some small tool (under $15.00) the women get a Christmas ornament for the tree each year. Used to spend more on them before they had their own children. Probably spend $75.00 each on each of the seven grandchildren. Always ask for nothing from them, as I feel that Christmas is really for the kids and now grandkids. They don't need to spend their money on us and we really need nothing. I usually will spend about $200.00 on my husband. Don't exchange with parents per their request (only 1 set left), or with my or DH siblings (too many). Just happy if everyone can stop by for the dinner which we hold every year for the family. Also, I pick things up all through the year, to help spread out the spending, which helps.
Make sure you lie down and spend
some time on several. We are happy with ours, and I think it's a Sealy. It's the one that doesn't transfer motion because DH is bigger than me and he moves around a lot.
Make sure you lie down and spend
some time on several. We are happy with ours, and I think it's a Sealy. It's the one that doesn't transfer motion because DH is bigger than me and he moves around a lot. Ours has a pillow topper. I believe it's best to have layers of different types of foam for the most comfort.
I hear bad things about the memory foam types. Not only do many people find them hot, they don't perform well for activities that aren't sleeping, if you know what I mean. I've never had one, but the problem was described as feeling stuck and not being able to move right.
I think the adjustable air mattresses sound like a ripoff and I was not impressed when DH insisted I lie down on one at the store.
How much do you spend on groceries....
per month, & how many in your family? Anything special adding to (or subtracting from) the bill, like vegetarian diet? What part of the country do you live in?
Just curious.
I'm in Florida and spend about $175/wk for 5 sm
I'm in Florida, and it is me, my husband, our 2 kids (son 7 and daughter 11), and my father-in-law, and I swear my FIL, who is 5Ǝ" and 158 lbs, eats more than my husband, who is 6Ɖ" and 345 lbs. FIL had to have a feeding tube put in last July, and I had to cut down meals by half because we were having so many leftovers and wasting money. Just when I thought I had it figured out, he was able to get the tube removed, so I'm back to making meals for an army. I just wish I had his metabolism as he just does not seem to gain weight and even had to go on high-calorie Ensure when he had the feeding tube to gain weight. I shudder to think of what my grocery bill will be when my son hits puberty  I don't buy stuff for lunches here at home as we (FIL and I) will just eat a sandwich or leftovers from the fridge
As far as special foods, we don't really buy anything out of the ordinary. I buy frozen vegetables instead of canned unless it is for a recipe, and for a while we were buying meat at a butcher shop but have had to cut that out for now. It was really good but was close to DH's work, and if he couldn't pick it up while he was in the area, it was a 45-minute drive. I cook most things from scratch, except lasagna because I hate making it. Once a month, we have a luncheon at church that I bring a dish and a dessert, and I cook Wednesday night dinner there one night per month, but I get reimbursed for the Wednesday night dinner. I do include paper products and toiletries in with my grocery budget but that's it, and I usually go to Sam's once a month for those.
I have it easy compared to my parents though. My dad got paid once a month, and there were 4 kids at home all the time, 5 when my sister came up during the summer. They used to have 3 grocery carts slap full of food, and my mom figured out that it took something like 18 boxes of cereal to last a month, each one with a date marked on it so we didn't go through them too quickly. And to keep my brother from using a mixing bowl and a serving spoon to eat cereal  We also had a freezer to keep extra bread and other things, and my mom also used to mix in powdered milk when the gallon was half-way gone. I never knew until I was grown, so she definitely blended it well.
I think I spend less at the store when
we eat out/order in. Of course, then our "entertaining" budget increases. But some things are cheaper to just order in. For example, pizzas -- I can get 2 large pepperoni pizzas from the local pizzeria for under $20. If I buy them in the store, I spend about $15 and then have to cook them and my kids don't like the frozen kind as well. The frozen kind are also smaller.
I just got groceries this past Friday and spent $200. I had an entire cart full. In addition to the coupons I had, I also had a 20% discount on everything (one of those reward plans for spending so much the previous 2 months). I got value packs of skinless/boneless chicken breasts - buy 1 get 1 free -- $15 packs of chicken, breakfast sausage on sale, ham steaks on sale, plus my 20% off all that.
Overall, I think I spend somewhere around $150 a week on groceries. There are 5 of us -- me, my hubs, and 3 boys -- ages 6 to 11.
What I notice that I spend more on are school lunches. It costs $2.00 a day per child and I don't think they actually eat it. I'm thinking about packing my kids' lunches each day. $2/day x 3 kids = $6/day x 5 days/week = $30/week x 4 weeks/month = $120 for lunch. YIKES!!! I think I can do better than that if I pack them.
Will spend about $300 for the grandkids..
we don't buy for anyone else. DH and I buy what we want throughout the year. This year though he wants a metal detector, probably around $1200 and I have the same amount to do something with. We don't really buy gifts for each other but we do go away for Christmas week to a cabin in the mountains that we rent, no phone, no TV, have to drive 12 miles to get cell service. We relax, read, snowshoe, ski, bring the portable DVD player and catch up on movies, sleep late. That's our gift to each other.
maybe you should spend some more money
seriously
right!!???okay... they say they want us to spend money
to stimulate the economy
spending money is good...
okay... gonna give me some?
I really think some people/media are out of touch.
Good thing I work 10 hours a day. Otherwise, watching news, which is pretty much all I watch in my off time (a few murder real stuff shows), would drive me nuts.
just spend time only with him, get him something just for him. Hug him.
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The Obamas spend too much.... SO MAD
Seems to me like the Obama's don't have very good budget planning skills, at home or in the "office". People are losing their jobs, just like all the people laid off from Crystler, and hey she is wearing $600 shoes!!!! What a great example!!!
I wouldn't spend so much as a penny... sm
At any store that sells puppies and kittens. Why? Because they all come from puppy mills or other questionable "breeders" (despite their denials). I would never put money in the pockets of a puppy miller.
No its not unreasonable and I do want them to spend time with her (sm)
I try to be as encouraging as I can and I tell them how much she loves them. But honestly when they find out they have to go, they cry every time they think about it, even if it is days away, and then cry all the way there.
Do they spend time with your parents
and willingly or just how is time split up between the g'parents?
We all have a right to choose how we spend our time (sm)
If that makes you happy then fine. That would not make me happy. I am not "simpering" or helpless. Also not a slave.
He really doesn't want to spend his only vacation like that either and his ...sm
solution is to blow them off at the last minute with some kind of excuse.
I say we let them know now so his sister and nephew don't get there hopes up for the next six months.
You are right, for a woman to spend all her years
just raising her family and making a home, she probably would get more than us working people. I still would go for the jugular.
Yes, I spend 'way too much of my life in this - sm
chair! Good thing it's super-comfy! This is a really old house on a steep hill, and the whole house tilts a bit, so when I'm at my computer, everything leans leftwards!
This is my view from my computer desk, and why I have trouble concentrating on my monitor all day!
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