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simple budget :: revisiting purchases

9/4/2017

4 Comments

 
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September is something like a second new year, as we start to move into autumn + a new school year starts. I feel a little renewed resolve towards my budget as things become a little more routine once again.

One step that I have taken over the past couple of years is to write down all of our purchases...from groceries to gas...monthly. I put off doing it for a long time, because I just didn't want to have to do it. Now, every few days or once per week, I just go through our purchases and note them under the corresponding category. My budget lists how much I have allotted to each category, so I can easily see how my purchases are adding up.

A further check is to go back at some point(s) (now is the perfect time) ;) to look over each of those purchases + to assess what I think of them months later. Have I realized that I really didn't need that thrifted button down shirt? It was a good price + it fit well + I really like it...but it doesn't really serve a need in my closet...and it's already in the donate pile. Since I'm trying to send as much money toward our mortgage as possible, those dollars would have served a more lasting purpose there.

It can be tough to forgo each + every "treat" along the way...and I really wouldn't want to do that...but some turn out to be better than others. Noticing that disappointing purchase helps train me mentally to avoid the next one.

Revisiting purchases...it's a good thing.

Love,
Jane
4 Comments
Priscilla link
9/4/2017 06:07:03 am

I revisit purchases, too, Jane. Mine is an electronic format instead of hand written, but yes, it's helpful. Good for you for making extra mortgage payments. We are trying to pay off debt, too (unfortunately, we have THREE loans, ugh . . . they SEEMED like good ideas at the time). BTW, I really like your feature photo on this post. It's very simple and very artistic at the same time.

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Jane link
9/4/2017 11:44:24 am

Debt stinks! It's hard to just throw money at a big hole...but worth it. Thank you for the photo compliment!! So sweet! :)

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Heather link
9/4/2017 10:18:34 am

I have been thinking about this lately, too, and I like the way you put it. :) Sometimes I think I should just stop shopping altogether until everything I have is rags, because, try as I might to be organized and thoughtful, I seem to continuously make mistake purchases. Already, for fall, I purchased a cowl-neck shirt at the consignment store that, once I actually got it home, I wished I hadn't bought. But you can't return consignment! And my two pairs of skinny jeans that I splurged on last year are too tight (I think they look okay, but aren't comfortable) and I wish I could trade them for flowy jumpsuits. I'm feeling really frustrated with my capsule wardrobe right now and the lack of funds to start over. *sigh* But, yes, hopefully I'll eventually learn from my mistakes! :)

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Jane link
9/4/2017 11:40:32 am

Feels like the story of my life. I want to just have a few well loved pieces that I am happy to wear to shreds...but...but...but...
In the last few weeks, I've sold a few things...and I'm setting that money aside for a few replacements + trying to get it a little more right. Always learning! :)

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