Budgets & Planning

One of the most important things in Household Management is the budget. One doesn't have to stick to it like glue, but use it as a guide to help you save money. Over the years I've heard the same phrase used by everyone I know, "If only I had more money." It didn't matter if the person was making $25,000 or over $100,000 per year, the sentiment was always that same. Those who complain about money usually live way above their means, I know, I used to be the same way. Today we're going to change all that for those who wish to learn how to change their lives around, and live a more frugal life.

Budgeting doesn't have to be a hardship, nor does it have to be rocket science. Majority of people hate the idea of creating a budget, and you want to know why? They don't want to face the reality of not spending their money wisely.  For example, most people would rather say they bought their cup of morning coffee at a nearby specialty shop, rather than say they made it at home. These same people would rather go out for lunch everyday instead of bringing their lunch to work. They would also rather stop at a restaurant on their way home from work every night, rather than cook their own dinner. On the weekends the pizza or Chinese food delivery guy can be seen knocking at their door like clockwork.  So let's break this down.

Specialty coffee $5 per cup x 5 days = $25 x 4 = $100

Lunch $12.50 x 5 = $62.50 x 4 = $250

Dinner $20 (without cocktail) x 5 = $100 x 4 = $400

Takeout $35 x 2 = $70 x 4 = 280

                Grand total for the week $257.50/$1030 per month.  < that's rent, mortgage, vacation money

Let's look at this another way. If that person purchased a basic coffee maker for $35.00, large can of coffee $10, filters, sugar and creamer $10, and made their own coffee (pre-set to brew before they got out of bed of course) their total outlay for the entire month for that steaming liquid of life would only be $55 compared to $100 - total savings $45. Now let's talk about lunch and dinners. It's ok to go out to dinner with friends once a week, but every night, come on don't you have laundry to do, or house cleaning to do? I digressed from lunch and dinners. If you don't know how to cook, then invest in a cooking class, or a basic cookbook and teach yourself. In fact, invite those friends over and you can all learn how to cook. However, if you know how to cook and you're being lazy, stop being lazy. Make up a simple meal planning list, a grocery list, go shopping and make your own lunches with leftovers from your own dinners. You can save a ton of money. Here's a simple menu to use.

Chicken with rice and veggy. Buy a sleeve of chicken {5 pieces} $10.00 (5 meals), Bag of Rice $4.00 (6-8 meals), Bag frozen veggy $3.00 (1 cup per meal, 5 meals)  = $17.00 divided by 5 meals $3.40 per meal.

Pork Chops with mashed potatoes and veggy. Buy package w/8 chops (4 or 8 meals) $15, either fresh potatoes $5 per bag, or premade mashed potatoes 2/$6 (1 person eating, three servings per package), bag of veggy $3 = $29 divided by 4 (2 chops per meal) $7.25, but if you eat only one chop per meal then the price would be $3.63 per meal.

Meatloaf with veggy  Buy large package of chop meat $11 and divide into 4 equal parts - two for mini meatloaf, 1 for 4 meatballs and the last for a hamburger or two. Bag of veggies $3,

Spaghetti & meatballs Use the meat from the chop meat to make 4 meatballs - 2 for this meal and 2 for additional meal, bottle marinara sauce $2.99, box of spaghetti $1 = $7.25 divided by 2 meals = $3.37 each meal.

Angel Hair pasta with sausage, pesto and garlic Box of Angel Hair pasta $1, package of pesto sauce $1.99, little powdered garlic in sauce, Italian sweet sausage $5.99 (6 links -2 per person. 3 meals) price per meal $3.00

As you can see by this example meal schedule not only will you eat good, but you'll also have leftover's for lunches too, whereby saving you money each week. Plus, if you buy the suggested meat package with multiple pieces of meat, you'll already have fixings for next week's meals. Do the take out delivery or restaurant visits once a month as a treat instead of every week. You don't realize just how much that adds up until the end of the month and you don't have any more money.

Now when you create your budget, you will be able to smile, knowing that you don't have to fear those budget numbers.

Next: Filling that Freezer