The past two weeks, I have swiped my debit card only 3 times! (and I have to admit I enjoyed the 3 times I got to swipe it!)
I had $100 in cash to last me two weeks. We’re serious about this new budget, folks! Gazelle Intensity as Dave Ramsey says. It’s now John’s favorite saying. I might say it every now and then too, but my tone may be a tad bit sarcastic. 🙂
We have survived two weeks on the budget and are about to start our next two weeks. Another $100 cash and don’t. swipe. your. debit. card. (sigh…this is much tougher for me than it is for John, but my lack of swiping the debit card has done wonders for John’s anxiety, so it makes it worth it.)
I thought I’d share the breakdown of how I spent my $100 the last two weeks. Um, I might have a tad bit of a problem – but then again, if you’ve read my blog for long, you know all about my Dr Pepper addiction.
Here’s the break down:
$38.49 on Dr Peppers (Sonic, Classic 50’s…you get the picture….I’m a little spoiled. I want a fountain DP with a ton of ice. Don’t even try to argue with me – it does not taste the same coming from a can.)
$3.25 at Dollar Tree (for bins for our recycling. We are saving the planet, one plastic baby food container at a time. But I may be canceling out the good with all my Sonic cups.)
$4.02 at Hallmark (cards…another one of my favorite things)
$7.95 at Walgreens (I print a lot of photos)
$24 at Hobby Lobby (scrapbook supplies for a retreat I didn’t even end up going on)
$21.09 on eating out
Total spent = $98.80
Confession: I did swipe the debit card to buy myself a scarf for $11 – Happy Anniversary to me!
Overall, John and I did pretty good these first 2 weeks. We had money left in our account to roll over to this current pay period, which is really tight for us since our house payment comes out. We were also able to put back a little bit of money for something we are saving for – a new camera. We are. not. putting it on a credit card. We are saving and when we have the cold. hard. cash. we will purchase it.
I wish I could say I’ve embraced this budget, but more than once I have kicked and screamed and moped around. I don’t like discipline, yet I’m being disciplined – I have to be a better steward. I have to get a grip on my spending habits once. and. for. all.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” ~Hebrews 12:11
We don’t even know each other but I follow your blog via my friend, Janet Belleme. Our family went Gazelle Intense a few years ago and it was THE.BEST.DECISION. we have ever made. It is hard-not going to lie. We paid off approximately $140,000 in 22 months as a teacher and firefighter (not exactly well off professions-those public servants). You can do it!!!! I will be praying for you to not feel the urge to spend.
Jeannette – That is awsome! What a great encouragement to my husband and I. The only debt we have is his student loans and our house payment. Our first goal is to knock out those student loans quick 🙂 Thanks for praying – I definitely need it! I have a problem getting the urge to spend! 🙂
I saw the title of this post and immediately knew what you were writing about. We Dave Ramsayed for our adoption and it was super hard but paid off. We are back at it–now tackling student loans. So I hear you loud and clear! And great job!!
I had no idea you followed Dave’s plan for your adoption – cool! Good luck tackling those student loans. That’s what our goal is right now too!