July 2012 Budget Challenge

[Abby5]

Three Shopping Lists for bare-bones shopping and food preparation:
1. food emergency shopping list
2. bare-bones-empty-wallet shopping list
3. money-saving 100 shopping list

http://www.justpeace.org/shopping.htm#Bare Bones Empty Wallet

I think I would die!! I can't eat even 1/4 of the lists

[Valiant]

I think I would die!! I can't eat even 1/4 of the lists

This is meant for regular budgeting, but also for disaster preparation...if something happens in your town or city, it is usually widescale, and immediate help or even timely help may not be available, so it is wise to have on hand many of these items, just in case, and a freezer stocked with jugs of drinking water.

[Abby5]

This is meant for regular budgeting, but also for disaster preparation...if something happens in your town or city, it is usually widescale, and immediate help or even timely help may not be available, so it is wise to have on hand many of these items, just in case, and a freezer stocked with jugs of drinking water.

Really?? Does anyone do this?? I guess I would die...I am allergic to 90% of the list

[itchy54]

Abby, i am with you on this one. I am also allergic to many of those things and many others i just would not eat....
I have my emergency food...huge bag of rice, canned fish, canned tomatoes and beans, lots of water, oats and huge containers of protein powder and many other things.
guess it just depends on what you can eat and what you can afford.

[Abby5]

Abby, i am with you on this one. I am also allergic to many of those things and many others i just would not eat....
I have my emergency food...huge bag of rice, canned fish, canned tomatoes and beans, lots of water, oats and huge containers of protein powder and many other things.
guess it just depends on what you can eat and what you can afford.

Thanks itchy....I thought I was alone

[lekate]

Sorry I haven't been vocal the past few months, but tracking my spending was almost driving me crazy.

I have however paid off my Mastercard Debt!!! YAY!!! Including the 1000$ I dropped on it late last month for a TESOL course. I'm learning to cut the cord. I really just don't want to use it, or leave it in my wallet as a crutch. I've always left it in there, for 'just in case', just in case what? an emergency? or a "superamazingcan'tpassupthissale" emergency.

I've decided the course of action is to keep setting aside money for savings, I need to open up an RRSP (need to decide on which bank, any tips?) to save for that, and to focus on living and experiencing things instead of owning material items!

I redid my blog, it'll be more of an existential crisis outlet for me, and where I can update about my upcoming travels (Moving to South Korea in Sept).

I hope everyone's having a wonderful July :D

[sweet sparrow]

*YAY* about no more MC debt and *OH WOW* about South Korea! I hear it's incredibly beautiful there. And the food! I would gain 300 lbs!! Sooo good! Keep in touch on your blog!

I have however paid off my Mastercard Debt!!! YAY!!!

I've decided the course of action is to keep setting aside money for savings, I need to open up an RRSP (need to decide on which bank, any tips?) to save for that, and to focus on living and experiencing things instead of owning material items!

I redid my blog, it'll be more of an existential crisis outlet for me, and where I can update about my upcoming travels (Moving to South Korea in Sept).

[lucy16076]

Sorry I haven't been vocal the past few months, but tracking my spending was almost driving me crazy.

I have however paid off my Mastercard Debt!!! YAY!!! Including the 1000$ I dropped on it late last month for a TESOL course. I'm learning to cut the cord. I really just don't want to use it, or leave it in my wallet as a crutch. I've always left it in there, for 'just in case', just in case what? an emergency? or a "superamazingcan'tpassupthissale" emergency.

I've decided the course of action is to keep setting aside money for savings, I need to open up an RRSP (need to decide on which bank, any tips?) to save for that, and to focus on living and experiencing things instead of owning material items!

I redid my blog, it'll be more of an existential crisis outlet for me, and where I can update about my upcoming travels (Moving to South Korea in Sept).

I hope everyone's having a wonderful July :D

Definetly try a bank with NO fees, like ING direct or PC financial for your RRSP's & every day banking. All banking done online, but reps always available on the phone for assistance. I'm with both & have never had any issues
Good luck!

[surfacerising]

Wow some of you did great!! This month was great for us!

Over paid my phone bill last month so that was free this month!!
$14 for internet
$80ish for hubby's bday party
maybe around $250 in groceries?? we did just move and needed essentials, so not to bad in my mind!
no idea what we spend in cash, about $30 a week

we only make aroud $800 a month after rent, so we're trying to keep things tight!

[lekate]

Definetly try a bank with NO fees, like ING direct or PC financial for your RRSP's & every day banking. All banking done online, but reps always available on the phone for assistance. I'm with both & have never had any issues
Good luck!

I already bank with ING and PC I was leaning towards ING for my RSP, but I'm not sure! Decisions!

[Valiant]

Haven't been able to update for awhile due to illness, son's illness and housing renos. Lots of trouble and chaos right now.
Will update my July budget asap, and am now starting the thread for August Budget.

[Valiant]

Updated first post with final tally.