Write a budget summary every Thursday in 2012.

did it today. having a dinner party on sunday so have to buy stuff for that. want to buy some gifts but not go overboard. already bought some stuff (thank god)

maybe doing some wrapping (already have paper) will help me feel more prepared without spending money.

did this today!!

i’ve been slacking on this a little bit but I want to get back to being really good at it. i have read in a lot of places that money is one of the things that couples fight about a lot. i’m experiencing some serious (biological imperative!) to get into a relationship (even though i don’t see any clear indicators) from research that being in a relationship actually makes women happier, it might even make them less happy… but i’ve also read that happier people tend to form relationships, so on the other hand, if i can be a happy, happy person (not manic, definitely not manic – that’s bad. but happy in a real, natural, healthy way.)

maybe being in a good, healthy relationship could just be an indicator of my general happiness as a person. and my own personal health.

sooo… back to the budget. it seems like most people fight about money. does this mean that most people in the usa don’t have enough money? why are we fighting about money? too many commercials telling us to buy stuff? too many credit cards? to much credit card debt? the american dream of having “all the stuff you always wanted to buy”? commericalism/capitalism? the spender vs saver personality dilemna? i’m not sure… it’s scary to think that most people in the usa might not have enough money (even to have basic stuff?) or at least don’t think they have enough money.

when i look at my life, it seems pretty nice, nice house, a car, clothes, organic food, dancing, health care. I think i have everything i need. and the other stuff, friends… my cat. no boyfriend… i’ve read that married people are usually more highly educated and wealthier. but i feel like i have everything i need.

ideas to reduce arguments about money:
-get a spending plan
-create an agreement
-be financially transparent

doing ok with this. did it today. used my credit card a bit but have it frozen again… might have to use it for taking my cat to the vet, but going to talk to my mom about paying the rest of the bill beyond the vet exam.

did it today… i’ve been good about this… managing my money. hope to have my credit card paid off by january… i’ll have so much extra money when that happens… and knowing i don’t have any debt will be a big weight off my shoulders too

:)

worked on my budget today which was good as my phone bill was overdue… it’s so easy to overlook bills or budget… vacation is distracting and sometimes i just want to forget i have to pay for things, especially things that aren’t tangible like phone bills.

but they have to be paid!!!!! and i would definitely definitely REALLY miss my internet!!!

I had an issue about 2 months ago where I overdrafted, and then another one this week (an overdraft) luckily I had money in my savings account. it was a 12.50$ fee, and sometimes they will reverse the fee but she couldn’t this time because the last one was only 2 months ago…

i was so disappointed in myself that I let this happen again. I have been struggling really hard to pay closer attention but I get careless. I set up so now once a month I have a “financial day” where I dig in deep and really check out my finances.

But once a week I need to really look at my budget, and at least look at my checkbook. I couldn’t find my checkbook last week, which was part of the problem.

I think this time I am going to start paying for my dance classes in cash, which will make it easier. There’s no record of me paying them (with cash) but hopefully they will take my word for it. that way I don’t have to wait a month or something for the check to clear.