September Budgeting Challenge

[Deleted User]

I know some of us from the 15 day no spend challenge are still going strong. At the end of the last challenge we were talking mixing it up.The reason why most of us were doing the challenge in the first place was to put more money into savings. Instead of a strict no spending thing this month I want to trim my budget, and cut out as much frivolous spending as possible in order to put a certain amount of money into savings.

I think something like this would be simpler and more constructive. That way we won't feel guilty for getting an ice cream cone or something. We'll start September 1st. The only rule is that by the end of September you put x number of dollars into savings. If you already put a certain amount in it has to be x amount extra. We're doing an extra $100 on top of what we already put in. Your number can be whatever you're comfortable with.

I'm so proud of everyone who participated last time. We all did our  best and came out better for it. I hope next month can be just as good.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

LBib

I'm in. If we're ever going to redo the kitchen we need to start putting money towards it.

[Deleted User]

nonniedee said:

Ooh, may I join this time? H and I were just talking about this. I'm super cheap, and he's a spendthrift. I want to make a plan he can follow.

That's how DH and I are. He's much better at being financially cautious than I am. My impulse spending has gotten better but I'm still pretty bad. I'll be happy to have you with us.

@aditigirl I understand how you feel. It can be really tough when you feel like all you do is work and pay bills. I hope this helps some.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

erikaja6

I'd like to join. We spent a lot of money this month (vacation) and I planned to start a strict budget in September anyway. So, it will be good to have some support/accountability.

thebanich

I want to participate. I'd love to start working on my September budget now but Mint is an asshole.

Also... we aren't sure how much DHs check is going to be this year. They got a raise but we don't know whats happening with his supplement etc.

I'm using my extra $40 a paycheck to pay down credit card shit.

PeanutButterFox

I'm in. We need to do something. We have virtually no savings and are stuck in a shitty house and I"m sick of it. I need to crunch some numbers.

MrsT0514

@aditigirl‌ it seems like you and I are in very similar situations. Our budget has been tighter than tight for a while, more so bc we're boycotting credit cards and trying to pay them off. It sucks feeling like we never get any "fun" money to spend and weve been saving nothing. As soon as pay day comes, its gone, just by paying bills. So I can totally relate.

I guess it'd be a good idea for me to join in the challenge! I'll have to start small due to our tighter than tight budget at the moment. Maybe like putting $50 in savings this month (well for September).

MrsT0514

bumwaters said:

I am in. We currently do not save much. We have been semi frivolous, but with baby due in 18 days and my paycheck nearly disappearing, it's time to get into action!

this is us too (except I'm due in January). I only work PT to boot, and the money has been close to nothing (im a waitress and its been awfully slow), so I've only been bringing in maybe 150-200/wk...but thats been paying for groceries. So once I have this baby and I'm not working at all, im sorta wondering where that money will come from and how it will affect our budget.

fitmama418

I'm in! My goal starting this Friday's check is to actually start putting money aside for November/December (mine, DH's AND DD's birthday month plus our anniversary plus Christmas). This is a good chance to put extra away in savings though, too!

steponalego11

I am in. We are in the process of saving for a down payment on a house in the next 6-10 months and planning for baby #2. We have been spending a lot this summer in extra food (eating out, expensive dinners) and booze. We live in a shore area so with the season wrapping up this weekend it's the perfect time to reign it in.

[Deleted User]

@mkquinnwedding That's so great. I admire your discipline. If you can't get the file to attach try uploading it to tiny pic or something similar. Sometimes I have to do that when TB won't let me attach something.

[Deleted User]

Do you all want to do a daily check in like last time or maybe just something weekly?

[Deleted User]

SweetSouthernMomma08 said:

guiltypleasures said:

Do you all want to do a daily check in like last time or maybe just something weekly?

IMO, weekly, but if someone is having a bad day or something, I think they should feel free to post about it in their own thread...but that is just IMO.

What about a check in at the beginning of the week and we can just bump the weekly thread for bad days/vents/AWs/questions?

flyingsaucer

I am in. We actually just did our budget and we are trying to stick to our goals next month!

[Deleted User]

uconnhuskie007 said:

speaking of budgeting for sept, when do you guys prepare your budget for the following month? 

We're getting ready to sit down and do ours now. We always do it during the last week of the month. There's no special reason it just became a habit for us.