Introduction and Guidelines
Posted 01-09-2009 at 10:28 AM by hyacinthgirl
I'm Kristen.
Wife to Anthony, mother to Jeremiah (12/05), Jacob (6/08) and Noah (6/08). I'm lucky that I get to stay home with my kids, and part of that job for me means trying to make our one income go as far as it can!
This blog is going to document my attempt to make it through 2009 on a $1200 budget. I was inspired to do this by Erin of JANE4girls $800 Annual Budget. In 2008 she successfully shopped for herself and her 3 daughters on a budget of $800 -- She even had $7 and change left at the end! I am grateful to her example and will be using a similar budget to hers as far as what I am including. My budget is larger mainly to account for the fact that as of 1/2/09 I have two 6-month-olds in diapers and my three year old son is potty training in Pull Ups. I figure the extra $400 should help me cover the extra costs that diapering will incur-- it amounts to an extra $33.33 per month.
There is a more detailed savings breakdown at http://boysonabudget.blogspot.com/ and that blog will also feature pictures and more updates.
My $1200 budget WILL INCLUDE:
* All food
* All health and beauty items (non-prescription medications, hair care, soap, toothpaste, makeup, etc.)
* All cleaning supplies (this includes air fresheners and other scented things like Glade candles)
* Eating out
* Any money I spend on acquiring coupons: eBay, trading supplies like stamps and envelopes, newspapers and magazine costs
* All non-clothing or non-prescription baby needs: diapers, food, bath supplies, if we have to purchase any formula
The budget WILL NOT INCLUDE:
* Clothing, gifts, car payments or repairs, mortgage payments, home repairs, monthly bills, gas, or coupons I trade for with Register Rewards or on-hand Gift Cards.
Any money I earn from rebates, surveys, promotions, auctions I run or "stockpile sales" will be added back into the yearly budget, so long as the items are related to the budget. For example, if I purchase a number of razors for cheap (or free!) and auction or sell them at a later date I will add that money back in.
I will be keeping my $1200 budget in a separate savings account. When I spend money on anything in the budget I will transfer money out of this savings account into my checking account to cover it.
My costs will be kept as low as possible through use of coupons, rebates, and store promotions like double coupons or Register Rewards. With some work and dedication I'm sure my family can do this
Wife to Anthony, mother to Jeremiah (12/05), Jacob (6/08) and Noah (6/08). I'm lucky that I get to stay home with my kids, and part of that job for me means trying to make our one income go as far as it can!
This blog is going to document my attempt to make it through 2009 on a $1200 budget. I was inspired to do this by Erin of JANE4girls $800 Annual Budget. In 2008 she successfully shopped for herself and her 3 daughters on a budget of $800 -- She even had $7 and change left at the end! I am grateful to her example and will be using a similar budget to hers as far as what I am including. My budget is larger mainly to account for the fact that as of 1/2/09 I have two 6-month-olds in diapers and my three year old son is potty training in Pull Ups. I figure the extra $400 should help me cover the extra costs that diapering will incur-- it amounts to an extra $33.33 per month.
There is a more detailed savings breakdown at http://boysonabudget.blogspot.com/ and that blog will also feature pictures and more updates.
My $1200 budget WILL INCLUDE:
* All food
* All health and beauty items (non-prescription medications, hair care, soap, toothpaste, makeup, etc.)
* All cleaning supplies (this includes air fresheners and other scented things like Glade candles)
* Eating out
* Any money I spend on acquiring coupons: eBay, trading supplies like stamps and envelopes, newspapers and magazine costs
* All non-clothing or non-prescription baby needs: diapers, food, bath supplies, if we have to purchase any formula
The budget WILL NOT INCLUDE:
* Clothing, gifts, car payments or repairs, mortgage payments, home repairs, monthly bills, gas, or coupons I trade for with Register Rewards or on-hand Gift Cards.
Any money I earn from rebates, surveys, promotions, auctions I run or "stockpile sales" will be added back into the yearly budget, so long as the items are related to the budget. For example, if I purchase a number of razors for cheap (or free!) and auction or sell them at a later date I will add that money back in.
I will be keeping my $1200 budget in a separate savings account. When I spend money on anything in the budget I will transfer money out of this savings account into my checking account to cover it.
My costs will be kept as low as possible through use of coupons, rebates, and store promotions like double coupons or Register Rewards. With some work and dedication I'm sure my family can do this
Total Comments 1
Comments
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What a great plan! I wish you good luck on this endeavor. I will surely check your blog and get tips on how you DO it.
" I can do it too... I can do it too..." (telling myself this now)Posted 01-09-2009 at 10:40 AM by isavealot5
