Friday, August 24, 2007

Make It A Bronze One

On the rare occasions that Brad and I argue, it's always, inevitably, about MONEY.
Me spending it, him pinching it, and the difference between the two.

He thinks my goal in life is to drive us straight into financial ruin and I think his job in life is to ensure the quickest route to the looney bin for me by making me stay home ALL DAY LONG.

Obviously, if I leave the house, I spend money.

And he really doesn't make me stay at home, but it feels that way.

So three weeks ago he decides to lay down a challenge like no other. In the past, these challenges have always been met with "sure honey, I'll do my best" and end with him banging away at the keyboard as he shows me all the Target and TJ Maxx purchases on the bank website. This time, however, I decided that I will show him that I am committed to our financial plan and vow to do my very best.

Yeah, about that? It sucked.

So for the past three weeks, THREE WEEKS PEOPLE, I have been given just a mere 400 dollars FOR EVERYTHING. Food, gas, clothes, random bills, etc. And in those three weeks, we went to Seattle, which, hello, you could easily spend $400 smackers on that trip alone.

And you know what?



I DID IT!!!!!

Oh yeah baby, I am a money saving rock star. I planned for every last penny and even made sandwiches for our road trip so there would be no stops for hungry, whining kids. I went shopping last Saturday with my girlfriend Kelly and didn't buy a single thing. Not one single thing!

I know. I'm amazing. I deserve a statue smack dab in the middle of Road 68.

So now that my time is up and I proved myself to be a trustworthy adult, guess what I want to do....

GO SHOPPING! Guess I better check the budget first.....

8 comments:

tharker said...

That's so awesome Karen! I need to have a bit more willpower in the money saving dept. too. I would be so proud to drive by your statue on 68. Maybe they can put it right next to the GINORMOUS horse on Chappel Hill!

Melissa said...

You are awesome!! I don't think I could do it.... not with a trip involved! So, where are ya gonna go shopping? Kohl's has all their summer stuff on clearance... :D Wait... is there a Kohl's up there??

Heather said...

There will be in a few months, or maybe it's closer to weeks now.

Alicia Leppert said...

Karen, you really don't know what a blessing it is though that you and Brad are so balanced out when it comes to spending money. You could be like Bill and me and both don't care and spend money you don't have and then you're really screwed!

Marilyn said...

Way to go Karen. I'm positive I could learn a lesson from you. Luckily, my husband NEVER looks at our bank account.

Brooklet said...

Good job! I know this is incredibly nerdy, but I feel like budgeting is such a rush. I love charting out how much I should spend, how much I should save, etc. It doesn't mean I actually stick to my budget, but its fun to plan, nevertheless.

::lindsay said...

Jared and I are the same way. He saves it and I spend it. I probably shouldn't show him this post because it'll give him ideas...

Sarah said...

Good job, sticking to a budget is hard but it does make you feel great, like you've won something.