Sunday, March 22, 2015

Average Daily Spending

Right now my average daily spending for 2015 is $17.09 a day.

I ended last year with an average of $18.40 a day but I also lost track of spending for a few months last year.

This year I haven't been reporting an average daily spending for the month like I had been doing because I'm finding it easier to stick to my budget overall and keep my spending down by looking at the bigger picture (the average daily spending for the year). I know, that's ironic since I keep track of "daily spending," but it seems to be working.

My average daily spending for March is at $16.16 a day. I'm pretty happy with that!

2015 is just about 1/4 over. That's crazy but I'm really proud of my spending habits and fiscal responsibility so far this year. The $17.09 a day has afforded us to purchase ahead of time several gifts for upcoming birthdays. I've actually started stocking up on some things. If you've been reading for very long you will know that I am NOT good at "stocking up." Even if there's a great sale I hate forking over a large sum of money for anything. But this year it seems I'm turning over a new leaf. We have enough (Pantene) shampoo and conditioner (the kind we prefer) to last for MONTHS and I got a great price on it. We have 96 rolls of toilet paper! (I'm infamous for buying 6 packs of the stuff/ NOT a good way to save money) I hate buying toilet paper so I'm very happy to report that I've finally started stocking up on it when I find a great price on a kind we like. I can't say I've been purchasing GMO free, organic food like I'd prefer but we also have really not been eating out. I've been cooking at home, most often from scratch (I've fallen in love with from scratch chicken and dumplings soup). Our total food costs are really hanging out around $12 a day too and that makes me smile. Clothing is not something I ever budget and really I never buy new clothes for myself. This year within the $17.09 a day spending I've been able to get myself new socks, I think I had two new pair of lounging around the house pants/ jogging walking pants, and I bought a new pair of work pants. In summary I'm really happy with my spending this year!

I don't want to rush things but I'm excited for the second quarter of this year. I feel like it's going to be even better than the first (I mean in all reality I shouldn't have to buy shampoo or toilet paper <huge smile>). Spring is coming. Gardening with begin. Fresh air is so invigorating! You can just call me a happy camper... ooh, camping, that's a good idea too!

13 comments:

  1. You are really doing awesome....on one note we are STILL at eating out only 2 times this month (except 1 night at Chick-Fil-A, but we had free coupons) but now Sprouts is my new nemesis!!! Sprouts, if you don't have them is a Trader Joe's/Whole Foods kind of place with incredible prices and the best quality produce & cheese I've ever seen. We went there Friday and spent $16 and I went back today with my friend who wanted to check it out because she had never been there and I spent ANOTHER $20 - we have fruit & veggies coming out of our ears :) Now I just have to make sure we eat it all before it goes bad.

    At least that $20 is less than one meal out so I'm ahead of the game, right? HOWEVER, SHE WHO SHALL NOT SPEND MONEY.....spent money :(

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    1. We don't have Sprouts, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods anywhere near here. I know about Whole Foods, and have been to Trader Joe's in Chicago but never heard of Sprouts. Hey, no matter is sounds like you're doing excellent!!!

      Having only eaten out TWO TIMES this month, Sue you've saved so much money. I hope you are squirreing away some of that savings for your trip. You guys are saving so so so SOOOO much money eating at home these past few months!

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  2. What is a good price for you for toilet paper? I can't seem to get it any lower than $4.99 for a 12 roll but it is really.....excuse the pun....crappy quality.

    I also have "air conditioning" in my pajama pants so told my daughter that the other day and she's like "um.....TMI" but then I mentioned that little tidbit was for Mother's Day coming up so hopefully I'll get some then :) Until then.....I'll just keep sewing them up!

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    1. I have spent years, and that's a sad reality, trying to find a decent quality toilet paper that costs the least but doesn't clog the toilet... I feel like I could be a toilet paper reviewer at this point. I've FINALLY found one that I really like. The Charmin basic.

      At our store the 24 pack sells for $11.99. I buy it when it goes on sale for $9.99. I get store rewards in certain categories. "Paper products" is one of the categories and since toilet paper (and flush-able wipes for the kiddo) are the only paper products I buy I'll fill up the category with toilet paper when it goes on sale. If I buy three packs of 24 rolls on sale and a big bag of flush-able wipes I'll get a $5 store reward.

      In short I spend about 34 cents a roll on toilet paper on average. Before recently I'd been averaging much closer to 50 cents a roll. I can not stand cheap one ply toilet paper.

      And my lounging pants, before picking up the new pairs absolutely had air conditioning built in as well.

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  3. I'm like you, I am very picky about toilet paper and hate the cheap stuff. I used to get it at Sam's but I honestly don't think it was the best deal. Going to have to keep my eye out and buy in bulk when I see it....if it goes that low out here - our groceries, oh heck, our EVERYTHING here in California seems to be more expensive than anywhere else!!!

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    1. Even here in Michigan we're aware that life is more expensive in California :)
      Must be pretty nice there, LOL

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  4. Ummmmm - NO - it is supposed to be 85 on Friday - in MARCH!!! If my kids weren't here I would be gone in a minute!!! I was born on the east coast but grew up in Miami, Florida - don't want to mover there either :)

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    1. Haha! But you do have the redwood trees. Those are actually at the VERY top of my must see list. I've wanted to see them all my life.

      Wow, born on the east coast, grew up in Florida, and now reside in Cali.;You've got some ground under your shoes! I've traveled a pretty good bit but I was born and raised right here next to good old Lake Michigan (Gosh, take it back.. I was born in Detroit but only lived there like 2 months). Lived in a few cities right here but they're all neighboring each other. I can't say I have any desire to live elsewhere (only dream of Alaska because of the "wild and free" aspect).

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    2. I promise I am NOT always on line, but it sure seems like it! I keep commenting on your posts right after you post them, LOL

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  5. Well, obviously I am on-line quite a bit too :) I was born in Trenton, N.J., lived in New Hartford, N.Y., Heightstown, N.J., Cocoa Beach, Fl, and then we moved to Miami when I was in middle school. Have only lived in San Francisco & now Folsom (for 24 years) in California. Yep, guess we moved around quite a bit when I was a kid :)

    You have to put the redwood forest on your bucket list - along with Yosemite - nothing like it in the world!

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    1. I'm telling you the redwood forest is at the very top of my bucket list! I need to see those trees!!!

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  6. I love the way that you track your spending. I had hoped once our son went away to college our costs would go down. They really haven't. I keep trying but I feel I fail at times. We get $200/week for food gas and any other little thing. About $75-$100 goes for gas so there is nothing that I can do about gas costs but food costs I can't seem to get under $100 for just 2 people. Its gross.

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    1. I've found that tracking my spending this way really helps me keep on top of my budget. Food costs are horrid though. I hate shopping so much!

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