be more mindful of my money

(which is mostly lunches and snacks, plus the occasional a carton of soymilk or a package of toilet paper for home)

Second week in January: $68
Third week in January: $67
Fourth week in January: $47

Last week: $19!

Yay! Of course I probably spent a little more at our main grocery store buying stuff to make or bring for lunch, but it certainly wasn’t $50 more.

Subgoal: Bring my lunch to work at least twice a week.

I think I am spending anywhere from $7-$15 for lunch every single day. That’s more than $200 a month! Ridiculous. I’m spending as if I had money to burn—which I don’t!

Now that we live together, the groceries are a joint expense (though we rarely shop together). He can be a real cheapskate, even about groceries. In some ways I love it, because my savings will add up that much faster, and I will have that much more money to spend on trips and the bigger-ticket items that I never seem to be able to save up for. (Like a new laptop… oh, baby, won’t a new Powerbook be nice!)

However, as I am getting used to being more mindful at the grocery store, part of me feels deprived or rebellious or something. I stand there in the frozen aisle looking at the tiny organic frozen pizzas that cost $8 and I think about what a long day I had and how I really don’t feel like cooking, and how I work hard for my money and I deserve to buy whatever I want, but I also think about my sweetie, who has more expenses and really needs to be frugal, and I really struggle to decide whether I need the pizzas or not.

I’m sure I will get used to it eventually and I’ll be able to feel like these are choices I am making myself, not rigid rules being imposed for me to rebel against. (Because they’re not rigid rules, and I can buy the fancy pizzas whenever I want, within reason.)

Making a household budget would help alot, I think. If we’re on track at the end of the month, splurge, and if not, don’t. That would be alot easier.

It’s a step in the right direction anyway.

Soymilk and frozen orange juice were the most expensive items on the list. Huh. I would have thought staples like that wouldn’t be so expensive.

Most if the time I just sign the little slip without even looking at it. Honestly! That is nuts.

I came home with groceries last night and my sweetie commented, “oh, you really splurged on groceries, huh?”

I had no idea what he was talking about. I guess I must have bought something expensive, something he usually only buys on special occasions.