Tightening the Belt in September
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| Photo by Pixabay |
Wooo, I juggled to pay the start/ end of month bills without touching all the sinking funds that can't be replaced before the next big bill. It means a very slim discretionary fund for September so I'm looking ahead at being creative with every non fixed budget item, possibly through October too. My plans are to not touch the contract income because I'll still need to pay taxes on it, so don't truly know my net, and it's earmarked to pad travel funds for 2026 and 2027. I'll put it in a CD and earn a touch more passive income until it's needed.
I'm still not clear what the expectations are for MILs 85th birthday party expense wise. I'm doing the cake, cake plates, forks and napkins. That'll be about $100 and have worked it into my September spending window. Since I wasn't part of any planning on venue, food, guest list and decor, I'm making a "playing dumb" decision to assume that her two children and she herself are covering those. I offered to do the cake and had a positive response to that with nothing else said, so going with that as my contribution.
My shopping strategy over the summer paid off in that there's still a lot of meat in the freezer and some stocked up items in the pantry. I can hold off buying many things not on sale/ loss leaders, though, many basics are wiped out. Same with household supplies. I'm going to challenge myself to that same $75 reduction I met in August.
Entertainment wise, it's maybe time to use gift cards this fall for any meals out. I've got a couple still for local pubs, an Applebee's, an Uber Eats, and a range of coffee cards. There's still a a few free community concerts and a couple nights of book club. I have an AAUW dinner that I paid for a while back. Of course, it's football season so inexpensive game day gatherings should keep me busy for a few months.
Soon I'll look at what I need for cash for my trip and order British pounds. While there's a foreign transaction fee, I hope to still use my credit card simply to avoid carrying too much cash, but I need to reimburse my friend for expenses she incurred, specifically London hotel and tickets for a few events.
Fall, when you don't have kids or yourself going back to school, can be a naturally frugal season. It's the start of soup and stew weather, no AC or heat needed so utilities are lower, great seasonal fall vegetables, and easy meetups for walks or backyard fires. It's my season.
It sounds like you have a really strong financial game plan going on. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying but as everyone is experiencing, things are expensive.
DeleteI think that is a lovely gift you are giving to your MIL
ReplyDeleteNot long now till you arrive here !
Siobhan x
I had a nightmare last night that I forgot to pick up the cakes and overslept the day of the party. Good thing I have no real responsibility.
DeleteSounds like you have a plan - that is good. Fall is a cheaper time of the year in my book. I agree soups, little heat or air, using up all the garden veggies - just lovely.
ReplyDeleteA huge pot of soup and homemade bread makes great football fare.
DeleteKudos on the planning. I am looking hard at the fall months on the belt-tightening front; we live frugally, but I would like to tighten it up a notch!
ReplyDeleteI say I'm frugal, then I have months like August.
DeleteFall here is like summer 2.0, alas. Your cake contribution sounds reasonable!
ReplyDeleteNo doubt we'll get another hit streak, but I think we're done with 80°+
DeleteSounds like a very good plan, Sam.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Belinda.
DeleteIf you have a debit card, the easiest and cheapest way to get British pounds is to use an ATM once you arrive in the UK. That’s how I always get local currency when I travel outside the US. Plus I lived in the UK for a couple of years and always got pounds this way, just let your bank know that you’re traveling before you leave. Have a wonderful time! Kathy
ReplyDeleteJust came here to say the same thing. I always use my bank card in the airport terminal too!
DeleteMy cousin was here from the Netherlands in May. Most ATMs wouldn't take her debit card and yes, she contacted her bank before traveling.
DeleteNow I've got a conundrum. I'm researching how to transfer to her directly as well.
DeleteWe buy most items bogo at Publix or 2 fo1. The Pig has some good deals. We found bscb $2.49/lb last week, Starkist tuna $0.89/lb. It works for us, at least.
ReplyDeleteYou're masters at sales it seems.
DeleteAye, fall cooking in crockpots and big pans of stews and chili go far.
ReplyDeleteDo you get fall? I'm looking forward to a chicken pot pies too.
Deletegreat plans Sam! I'm excited for your upcoming trip and the motivation to have cash to cover everything. Goals certainly can make for frugal decision making.
ReplyDelete$100??? How many people are expected? I'd be hitting the Dollar Store for all the disposables.
Realistically, I'll bet there's 125 minimum. She has tons of cousins ( she's the oldest on both sides of her parents family) plus lots of siblings, nieces, nephews, and all her old friends and friends from card clubs and circles . I ordered a full plus a 1/2 sheet cake, based on the pet cake piece guide, and a small decorated round that will be the official birthday cake with her name. I'll just grab disposables at Sam's as well as leftovers can be used for other things at the lake.
DeleteHoly moly that's a lot of people!
DeleteYeah, his mother is very much connected to everyone she's ever met in life, lol. Granted, she does have a very full social circle and would dream of not inviting everyone. I might have mentioned, but we had the smallest of all her 4 kids weddings and we invited 300 people, of which over 270 actually came.
Delete"wouldn't dream of not inviting everyone"
DeleteThe cake offer was very sweet of you. I would bail and go to Publix or SAMS bc I am not a confident baker. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteI am doing Sam's Club. No way I'll bake for a party this size. I did make a Nothing Bundt copycat once for her birthday cake along with a blueberry pie. My husband, MIL, BIL, and two nephews and a niece all had August birthdays but it was just immediate family.
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