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May 2011 Budget Report

5 Responses to “May 2011 Budget Report”

1. snafu Says:
   June 2nd, 2011 at 05:08 am 1306991305
   1306991305
   The stock market will be bumpy for several months because all the economic reports range poor to gruesome. We'll eventually see improvement when jobs increase. Much worse in Greece where the government is bankrupt.
   
   I don't mean to appear critical but your list indicates you have given yourself a lot of flex. How much spending is discretionary? How much did you spend eating out in the last 3 months? How much did you spend on convenience food? My issue is that these foods are unhealthy, full of sodium, unpronounceable chemicals, and fat by a half dozen names.
   
   
   
   

2. Petunia 100 Says:
   June 2nd, 2011 at 04:44 pm 1307033041
   1307033041
   Hi Snafu,
   
   I operate on the premise that stock markets will always be bumpy, so I just ignore that and continue along with my investing plan. I am confident that over time, my investments will grow for me.
   
   I don't really track money spent on eating out. I have found that broad categories work better for me. Any eating out that I/we do has to come from either Visa allowance or cash allowance. Most of the items I lump into those categories are indeed discretionary.
   
   I welcome any feedback, and appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.

3. snafu Says:
   June 2nd, 2011 at 09:39 pm 1307050759
   1307050759
   do you still feel..."Spending is THE area in my financial life which needs the most improvement" written in your blog? I know you could do so much better than $25. in savings and enjoy wonderful, healthy meals with the very best of local ingredients. We in the frozen north wish for such access.
   [it was so cold here today, I ended up heating lemonade and drinking it like hot tea...isn't that awful]

4. Petunia 100 Says:
   June 2nd, 2011 at 10:40 pm 1307054423
   1307054423
   Yes, I definately feel that spending is my downfall.
   
   I agree that $25 to savings per month is a small amount. Recently, I decided to cut back my main savings contribution and redirect the money to my credit card debt. I have reached 3 months of take home pay in my main savings and I would like to be rid of my credit card debt. I go back and forth on this.
   
   We do have wonderful fresh produce in my area, year round. IMO, it is one of the main perks of living here. I have visited the midwest and was shocked at the lack of fresh produce in the grocery stores, the condition (wilted, old) of the produce, as well as the high prices of the produce.
   
   To tell you the truth, I've been feeling that I was doing pretty well with my groceries. I include household supplies in my "grocery" category, pet food, and my son's school lunches. I am feeding myself, my 34 year old nephew, my 15 year old son, and 3 dogs. I spent $384 last month (May). Do you feel my grocery bill could be significantly better?
   
   

5. snafu Says:
   June 3rd, 2011 at 01:56 am 1307066170
   1307066170
   You're doing grrr-eat on groceries; could you do better on discretionary spending on restaurant lunch, eating out generally? Understandably, restaurants charge 2-5 times more for a meal. A couple of drinks cost more than the entire bottle! Many restaurants are mostly using frozen, prepared, *Costco like* bagged/boxed foods which have a lot of unhealthy preservatives.
   
   Many have Components from China and other 3rd world countries who do not follow the same rules. Right now there are e-coli outbreaks from foods shipped from Europe that has caused some deaths. [don't know if these are on your news reports] The issue is those COMPONENTS. Really scary.

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