Back on the mainland
Posted onWhat a wonderful weekend back on the island! I was able to pick up a few extra hours at the arena, so I made around $115. J got to meet a few of my friends, I got to meet a few of his relatives, and we also spent Saturday during the day, just milling around the city. It was great ... except very, very tiring. I don't exactly feel refreshed this morning. The only saving grace I have is this coming weekend will be another long weekend for me and J, since we're heading to Calgary on Friday afternoon, and won't be back until Monday evening. :) Although, we'll be traveling so much, and I know we're going to be pretty busy ... so I should try to rest up this week and take it easy.
Also, I thought about how I was going to accomplish the April Budget Challenge (mine is to only spend $50 on dining out) ... I always use my credit card to buy everything, just because I get 1% cash back. But for April, I'm just going to take $50 out and stick it in an envelope in my purse. And once I run out of that money, that's it for the month. I think this is the only way I can keep my dining out expenses under control. It's so easy just to whip out a debit or credit card, and all those little purchases add up! So that's what I'm going to do starting April 1st.
Do you have a strategy for the April Budget Challenge?
Labels: monthly challenge, travel
My strategy was the exact same thing as yours.
I am always over budget on groceries because I charged them and it was easy to lose track. I plan on using a cash envelope to prevent that. It really seems like the best way to ensure you don't go over - if the money's gone, it's gone and that's it.
While I haven't officially signed up (but here's me wanting too), I am going to spend less on clothes by cleaning out and organizing my closet and trying to wear things in it I haven't in awhile. This way, I will realize that I have plenty to wear and not feel tempted.
I was already planning on using an envelope for my April Challenge, seems like great minds think alike! :-)
I had this same sort of problem with an old GM Visa. I would use it to buy everything and did not pay attention to all the little purchases adding up. It definitely takes discipline to use a rewards card properly.