Budgets are hard

I have a very big problem....I like to spend money. I love to buy clothes, shoes, and my biggest weakness is groceries! I can run into HyVee or Fareway for one thing and come out with two bags and $30 less in my pocket. So, I am putting myself on a budget. From now on we will have meal planning and lists made before I go into the grocery store.

I am also putting myself on a clothes buying freeze. I have so many clothes that they do not fit in my dresser or closet. (And, keep in mind that I have donated many clothes to the Junior League shop.) I just went through my coats and found I had over 10--just for me! So I have narrowed that down to six-one gray, one black, one Columbia, one red, one blue for fall, and one for spring. So, no clothes buying for four months.

My friend and co-worker Michelle is doing a neat idea where she is only wearing 30 items from her closet for 30 days. She has said it's a bit difficult to think up new outfits, so I am going to try that in a different way and just wear what I have in my closet for four months. That means no new pants, jeans, skirts, sweaters or jackets. However, there is my birthday in Feb. and Christmas coming up, so I am allowed to accept clothing presents. :-)

I am allowing myself to buy necessities like underwear, socks or accessories. Those are important, right?

I am also going to put myself on an allowance and hand the checkbook over to my husband. Then I will only be able to spend what I have and when it's gone, it's gone. Guess I'd better hand over my credit cards, too!

I am hoping this transition goes well, but I know it will be hard to not want to go shopping. I will just have to keep myself busy with knitting or something I keep meaning to do, like organize my clothing.

Wish me luck!

Menu Plans for Dec. 5-11

Sunday: Frozen pizza (haven't had this in months! yum!), salad, cookies

Monday: Leftover blueberry pancakes, eggs, fruit

Tuesday: Church dinner for me, Matt has leftover pizza

Wednesday: Pork chops with stuffing, cranberries

Thursday: JL for me, leftovers for Matt

Friday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggies

Saturday: Out of town for me, Matt on his own