Accountability Buddy Update :)

My e-mail to Monica April 13th:

Hi Monnie,

Just wanted to let you know I did better yesterday in my trip to Topeka.  My totals added up and my change matches. :)

I also have a clearer image of what's in my savings and checking, since the cost of the Symbicort and whatnot.

I actually had the man at Target do separate transactions so that I paid from my grocery fund for the coconut oil, and put the scents (candles) on my debit card!  That kept it crystal clear so I think that's a good practice.  Even if you pay in cash for both, just to have separate receipts helps.

What I have started noticing is that I used to buy a LOT on impulse, and I didn't realize how MUCH I spent on things I didn't really need or use.  That makes it much easier not to spend, realizing that what I am buying now is actually of value to me.  Makes it a lot easier to put things back, thinking through if I'll actually use it or if I actually need it.

Also results in cherishing what you own!  E.g. my nightgowns are really almost more dear to me now because they are quite functional and pretty and I don't need new ones. :)  PJ's have always been a weakness in the past but now I just love the PJ's I own more. :)

Anyway - all that being said, here are the numbers:

Withdrew $270:

• $130 for rent

• $100 for grocery

• $20 for fru fru

• $20 for car expenses

Still had in envelopes:

• $13 for grocery

• $25 for car expenses

• $6 for cigarettes

Spent:

• $230 in rent (envelope)

• $103 in grocery (including wine)

• $25 of this is an Amazon gift card which will go towards the stuff to make laundry detergent (totaling $30 so will buy next week)

• I didn't get a $30 gift card because I couldn't figure at that moment exactly how much grocery I had left and wanted to play it safe

• left $10 in envelope

• $48 in car (very exciting stuff)

• took $3 from fru fru to cover this

• $6.29 scented candles (SMSB debit)

• $2 coffee (fru fru)

• $0 in gas

• $0 in cigarettes (still have 2-1/2 packs at home) :)

Remaining in envelopes:

• $15 in fru fru (need to deposit $3 to cover an Amazon movie rental or move $3 to scents)

• $10 in grocery

• $6 in cigarettes

Remaining in debit account: $105.18

• $50 SSPX

• $35 gas

• $10 clothes

• $3.71 scents

Savings account: $1657.59

• $268 car

• $180 Christmas

• $1209 Emergency Fund

• $50 SSPX

• $35 gas

• $10 clothes

• $3.71 scents

The cost of fitness is not in debit so there is $30 missing somewhere.  I think it's because I overspent on fru fru last week through Amazon instant video (a few hit my checking account last week that are $2.99 apiece).  I'm going to keep a closer eye on the cost of those and be stricter about subtracting them from Fru Fru.

I don't know if this made sense but hope so :)

Take care and thanks for your support!

And her reply:

Thanks for the update!! That all makes sense to me, except one part - which probably makes sense to you and that's what matters most. :) I just wasn't sure about this - 

"Remaining in debit account: $105.18

Do you mean that the $105.18 is spoken for by the items below it (leaving roughly $6 as buffer)? Or are the items listed still in the account, but after they're debited, you'll have $105 remaining? 

That was the only thing that I wasn't sure about... everything else made sense, and sounds great! It sounds like it's getting a little smoother and you're finding those unaccounted for money-leaks (like buying groceries on impulse). That's a big and very helpful step! 

I clarified:

That means the 105.18 is divvied into those categories with about $6 as a buffer :)