Entries Tagged as 'Budget'

The 100 Calorie Pack Mark Up

Question:
What is the better bargain, a box of 100 Calorie Pack M&Ms or a package of Fun Size M&Ms?
Answer:

The Fun Size package costs about $2.00 less than the 100 Calorie Pack.
There are ten less calories in one Fun Size pack compared to one 100 Calorie Pack.
There are more servings in the Fun Size package. There [...]

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Category: Budget

Thrift Store Finds: Dressing Up My Nightstand for Only $11.00

I’ve been feeling like my bedroom is a bit too minimal for my taste, so I hit up some thrift stores a few weeks ago to find some accessories. On a very small budget I was able to find some attractive silver pieces to dress things up. I even gave some of [...]

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Category: Budget · Home Improvements

How To: Save Your Raise

 
While discussing my recent raise with one of my friends, they said “Don’t worry, it will be very easy to grow into.” I thought about it for a minute and decided I don’t want to grow into my raise. Instead, I developed a plan to reduce my debt and put the extra money into savings.
Here is my [...]

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Category: Budget

How To: Have Affordable Fun

Here are a few entertaining activities that have helped me stay within my budget and kept me from becoming a hermit since deciding to tighten my purse strings a few months ago.

Hiking and a picnic- Hiking is free, healthy, and energizing. Just pack up a lunch to take along and you’re set.
Museum tours - [...]

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Category: Budget

How To: Divide Up Your Budget

I have been evaluating my budget based on my income and spending trends to see how I measure up to the recommended budget allocations listed below.
Recommended Budget Allocations:
Housing with insurance 25-35%
Transportation with insurance 10-20%
Food 15% - 20%
Debts 10%
Savings 10%
Recreation 5%
Health Care 5%
Utilities 5%
Others 10-15%
These allocations are based on typical breakdowns I found in a few [...]

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Category: Budget

Getting the Flu on a Budget

I planned on trying the $100 Challenge again this week, but I got the flu. Being sick is surprising cost effective. The only things I have spent money on this week have been - cough syrup, cough drops,  movie rentals, a few smoothies and soup. That being said, I feel like I can’t keep an [...]

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Category: Budget

The $100 Challenge - How I Measured Up

I made it through the $100 Challenge. It was harder than I thought it would be, but I learned a few lessons that will help me budget in the future.
The Rules:

During a one week period I was only allowed to spend a $100 allowance on all out-of-pocket expenses including: food, gas and going out.
I [...]

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Category: Budget

$100 Challenge Mid-Week Review

I had an unexpected hit to the wallet today and now I’m 50 cents over budget. I must try to get through the next three days without reaching for my debt or credit cards.
Here is a breakdown of where the $100.50 has gone:
Thursday:
Groceries: $13.50
Happy Hour: $7.00
Friday:
Nothing: $0.00
Saturday:
Pizza with friends: $15.00
Sunday
Afternoon tea: $55.00
Gas: $10.00
I [...]

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Category: Budget

The $100 Challenge

In January I created my annual budget. I figured out what I could spend per month on out-of-pocket expenses. I haven’t done a very good job of tracking what I spend or sticking to my budget.
I decided to try an experiment starting on Thursday, March 13th. I call it the $100 Challenge.
The Rules:

I am only [...]

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Category: Budget