July Challenge Update: July 11-17

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It’s been a crazy week for my July challenge. There has been a lot of buying and returning — primarily travel-related and clothing. I will try to be more diligent with my online orders, and hold off purchasing clothes until September. I’m definitely a work in progress as far as online spending.

In other news, I decided to go ahead with the bone stimulator ($2,000) for my foot, because I will try anything before surgery. That will come directly out of our Health Savings Account fund.

An Unexpected expense.

I spoke with my son this week. He is still on deployment and unfortunately got Covid as did most of the sailors on his ship. He told me he was pretty sick for a while but thankfully he is now on the mend. He was vaccinated and boosted, so I imagine he contracted the new variant while in a port. He never asks for anything, but this time he asked for snacks. I was out the door as soon as I ‘hung up’ the phone (as any Mama would do 😉 ). $180 later (and worth every penny), a 14x14x14 care package was on its way. 🙂 Included items: Vitamins, Emergen-C’s, cough drops, toothbrush, soups, mac and cheese (add water), cookies, beef jerky, chips, and candy (the non-chocolate variety, as chocolate would melt). It was filled to the brim. He is in a port now, so I hope his package will get to him soon!

An idea of what I sent. 🙂 (via)

Without further ado, here is my July 11-17 spending:

• Groceries & Eating Out: $51.00
• Misc.: $3.00
• Pets: $99.86 (dog food and dog pool)
• Misc. travel: $99.00 (Travelon backpack/cross body bags)
• Mom & Dad: $38.00
• Spontaneous Giving: $180.00

Total spend: $371.86

It is clear that I won’t make my $750 challenge, especially since I’ll need to do a large grocery shop soon. Unexpected expenses will always pop up, and as long as I can keep my usual categories within limits, I’ll still be able to sock a little money into savings.

How was your week?

June Spending: Week 4 update

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Every Monday during 2022, I am posting an update on what I spent for the week (variable spending only) as a way of keeping myself accountable for my impulse spending. Also, to see my true savings, I am tracking items I was tempted to buy but didn’t.

This week has been a pretty quiet week. The only ‘extras’ I have spent this week were a pool float for the pool and ice cream treats for the grandkids. Money well-spent if you ask me. 😉

What I spent from June 20 – 26:

• Groceries/Eating out: $68.81
• Pool float/Ice Cream: $41.00 (the ice cream was double the pool float!)
• Mom: $53.00 (a new coffee pot)
• Pet Meds: $221.85 (Heart meds and flea and tick for 12 months) RETURNED. Waiting for refund.

Total: $384.66

How was your week?

Weekly Spending Update: The cost of playing the return game.

Every Monday during 2022, I am posting an update on what I spent for the week (variable spending only) as a way of keeping myself accountable for my impulse spending. Also, to see my true savings, I am tracking items I was tempted to buy but didn’t.

This week I ended up spending $60 in return fees with no products to show for it. UGH. The return refunds have yet to hit my bank account. It’s so frustrating, but I only have myself to blame. All items were purchased impulsively, with no real thought behind them. I failed to wait at least 24 hours before making the purchases, and I didn’t double-check the return policies.

I finally put some controls in place for online spending, and I’m hoping it curbs the ugly spending monster that still lives inside me. the impulsive spending.

Without further ado, my June 13 – 19th spending:

• Groceries: $167.00 (Stock up from BJ’s)
• Eating Out: $50 (lunch for Father’s Day)
• Personal Care: $64.00 (Hair color from salon, sunscreen)
• Home Maintenance: $229.20 (annual filters, broom)
• Mom: $39.76 (dinner sent)
• Spontaneous giving: $55.00
• Weight Watchers: $42.95 (3 mos.)
• Miscellaneous: $39.73 (books)
• Gifts: $17.00 (Father’s Day)
• Return fees: $60.00

Total: $764.64

Returns: ($40.12) (Phone case and charger)

Total: $724.52

I thought this week was a low-spend week until I totaled everything up. Almost $800?? The good news is that I won’t have to buy filters for a year, and I’m saving almost $250.00 by coloring my hair over the next two months instead of going to the salon. I guess it wasn’t too bad, except for the return fee. 😦

Here is a monthly recap of my spending for June so far:

Week 1: $1,660.73

Week 2: $321.13

Week 3: $724.52

Total variable spending: $2,706.38

That seems high for three weeks in a five-week month. I will need to slow way down on the spending if I want to meet some savings goals.

How was your week? How does my spending compare to yours? Please share!

Weekly financial update.

Every Monday during 2022, I am posting an update on what I spent for the week (variable spending only) as a way of keeping myself accountable for my impulse spending. Also, to see my true savings, I am tracking items I was tempted to buy but didn’t.

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This week I received the two wallets I ordered last week. The Fossil wallet arrived damaged, missing its’ strap. The Italian wallet came in the wrong color. I have already returned the Fossil wallet (free return), but unfortunately, Italy will charge me a return fee. I will lose $30. (Rest assured I will be taking extra caution before I purchase items from now on, especially with regard to their return policy.)

Wasting money these days actually hurts. In fact, as I evaluate this week’s spending, I’m disappointed that I ‘impulsed’ the tech purchase. I will be returning it, as I wasn’t paying attention to the details of the charger pod. My IPhone 11 is not ‘magsafe’, so the charger may not work as well. Returning items is such a hassle, as you have to wait several weeks before they credit your account. The by product of impulsivity, I suppose. 😦

Here is my spending for June 7 – June 13:

• Eating Out: $78.09
• Groceries: $157.00
• Gas Fill Up: $64.60
• Auggie: $6.00 (dog treats)
• State inspection: $20.00
• OTC meds: $5.00 (Vitamin D prescription)
• Clothes: $103.89 (Replacement Tshirts, leggings)
• Tech: $52.01 (phone case and charger pod)
• Misc.: $59.04

Total: $545.63

RETURNS:

• Fossil Wallet: ($79.50)
• Italian Wallet: ($145.00)

Total Returns: ($224.50)

Total Spending: $321.13

With inflated prices everywhere, it’s more imperative now than ever to be extra vigilant in my everyday spending. I’m committed to keeping our retirement timeline, and every dollar saved is going to help. To that end, I’m giving myself a new challenge. For the month of JULY, I will be having a NO SPEND. Details to follow!

How was your week? Any wins? Losses? Please share!