November Budget Diary
I felt like titling this post: November Budget Diary, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly! I started the month strong with all of these lofty goals and then I succumbed to some spending, mostly good deals but still… Here is a look at my month day by day!
Nov. 1
- Free carwash
- Changed car/house insurance (estimate yearly savings -we were adding a new driver and current insurance was outrageous- $1800)
- Closed out October budget and added flexible spending categories
- Planned out November budget
Nov. 2
Haircut J (savings $20)
Nov. 3
Canceled Amazon prime music: $8.99 monthly savings
Nov. 4
90c off gallon at Kroger: filled up tank!
Nov. 5
Found a Lego solution using shelf and basket we already had so no money spent!
Nov. 6
No spend
Nov. 7
Sold ottoman for $15 and put it towards pedicure (out of pocket $27)
Nov. 8
- Soap for bathrooms, TjMaxx: $18
- Christmas shopping: used $11 store credit at Lowes and Home Depot to go towards gem storage organizers (out of pocket $20)
Nov. 9
Bought turkeys for Christmas 1 at 49c a lb and 1 at 69c a lb
Nov. 10
Influenced to buy 2 cream sweaters at Target. Used 30% off and $10 coupon: total $22.73. Here is one of the sweaters.
Nov. 11 and 12
Skirt from Billabong $50 and 2 tops from BelongUSA for $40
Nov. 13
No shop
Nov. 14
Casserole meal using what I could find in pantry and freezer!
Nov. 15
Personalized stockings: $40 total for 6
Nov. 16
- Made a return at TJmaxx so total spent on clothes for teen: $60
- Free 8×10 at Walgreens
Nov. 17
Drove 1 hour each way to get my friend to cut my hair, haircut $35
Nov 19-26 Beach Vacation
Spendy but used vacay money, did not buy anything for myself there (which I usually do) so bought a dress at Target (full post coming soon) for $23 (40% circle offer, yay!)
Nov 29
I ordered two pairs of earrings from a local crafter that I found through Instagram. They are made from vintage doilies and they are quite fun and light! This pair I will be part of my Christmas outfit! $29
Nov. 30
Went shopping with my sister in law to pick up my mother in law’s birthday present: we found King size sheets at Gabe’s ($15 using a coupon) and found the perfect comforter set for $39.99 at Belks.
This was a very enlightening exercise! I definitely get tempted to shop pretty often and while I made some good decisions and saved on certain things, I really should have spent a little less on myself. My first purchases are the mustard dress from Target, the sweater above and the pair of earrings I shared.
A bientôt!
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14 Comments
Penny
That’s a very pretty Target dress.
Well done you for doing this budgeting. Maybe I should, hmmm? I will think on it. I aleady write down all my charity shop buys but don’t put a date on the buy. Actually I have decided that I will do exactly what you’re doing in January. Think I have to get Christmas over before I start.
Thanks Mireille – that was such an interesting post
mimifce
It helps me evaluate what I buy and makes me realize what I am spending. I usually don’t do a day by day but it was interesting to do it that way. We shall see what December brings!
Jennifer
Wow you did you good!! 6 stockings for $40!!! That’s such a good deal.
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
mimifce
Someone shared a small business on Insta that was having a sale and I jumped on it! I am using them as decor as we already have the ones we’ve been using for years.
Joanne
Oh tell me about it; we have 2 new drivers and I’m pretty sure by the time we add the third we will have more than tripled our car insurance!! I’m so jealous you managed to find turkeys so cheap for Thanksgiving. The prices you listed per lb are what we normally pay and I buy 2; one for Thanksgiving and one for later in the winter but this year turkeys were nearly $2 a lb!! so I only bought the one for Thanksgiving.
mimifce
That’s crazy! I just stocked up on some meats at Kroger today as they had some stuff marked down. High bill today but worth it!
jodie
It’s so hard when you are out and about and see great things not to buy them. I just bought some more jewelry today, ugh, LOL!!
But it’s so good that you keep track,
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
mimifce
Yes, I have a hard time when I see things that I really know I would wear.
Marsha+Banks
I like this way of keeping track of your spending. But, I am Christmas shopping right now, so my budget would look terrible! All of my gift receivers are at the age where items are more expensive! But, I do love showering them with gifts I’ve chosen for them. Maybe I will do this after the first of the year! I really do like the daily spend idea.
I am so glad we don’t have any kids driving…those days were harrowing because I was always worried about them being in accidents as well as the insurance going up because of accidents. We only had a couple and none were their faults! Most importantly, they were never hurt.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
mimifce
Thankfully most of our Christmas shopping is done but I won’t be keeping track of anything but clothes this month.
Michelle
Imo, you did well! Your purchases are lovely, and things you’ll enjoy for many years. The doily earrings are unique. How fun! I know for myself, I struggle in not wanting to pass up a good sale, but there are so many now, it can quickly get out of hand.
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
mimifce
While I spent more than I planned to, I am not really upset about any of those purchases. The sales at Target definitely helped: I wouldn’t have bought them otherwise.
Jayne
You have inspired me to write a diary myself! Thankfully it’s only a couple of days into December. I was going to do a no spend December but realized it wasn’t realistic. So instead, I am just going to start with tracking. I am impressed by all the savings you were able to take advantage of and all the fun & affordable pieces you added to your wardrobe. The target sweater is my favorite!
mimifce
I am trying to have a balance: like you no spend is often unrealistic but I can definitely spend less. It is an eye opener to see what all those extras we spend money on. I won’t do it for everything this month but will keep track if I buy anything for myself (very grateful for the money gift from my mom in law that I will use thrifting: it doesn’t count as spending).