I just figured out my total spending for the month and broke it down into categories.

Eating out or take out: $196.65
This is due partly to the fact that I work 12 hour shifts during the week and 10 during the weekend so when I get out of work I do not want to cook. I need to plan dinners ahead and cook them on my days off and freeze for later.

Groceries: $%348.25
I know it is probably more than that I just misplaced some of my reciepts.

Gas: $100 and maybe more just for me as my husbands employer pays for his gas.

Unnecessary: $215.88 and probably more.
This was due to items purchased for in laws coming as well as some items for DD2. Oh and Yankee candles for MIL and my Sis when I visit her at the end of the mont.

Miscellaneous: $225.46
Cap and gown
DD2 lunch money
Best Buy cash payment for 2yr warranty

Medicines- $45

Grand total not including bills, some items put on Lowes card, the new computer, and DH lunches for the week (since I can't track that) is: $1,131.24

Savings with coupons: $18.25

This is bad. Now I know what I need to work on .

I have not been able to get online due to computer issues. Our computer was 4.5 years old and the hard drive was dying. Best Buy said they could replace the hard drive for $300 or I could buy a new tower for $500 or more. However, I could get a whole package for $750 so that is what I did. It has a flat screen 19" monitor and it will take some getting used to. I put this purchase on my Best Buy CC and will make monthly payments on it.

My ederly neighbor that fell last week is home. She is waiting to see the ortho doctor. She has a broken arm and bruises everywhere including a black eye. I am going to go over there in a little bit and check on her. She really needs to have a visiting nurse to come check on her.

My in-laws were here from NC this past weekend and stayed for two nights. As a result of them coming I spent too much money on getting the house ready. I had to replace three rugs due to my pekignese wearing them out with his claws. Whenever he goes to lay down on the rug he rakes them with his claws as if he is digging a hole to lay in. I also bought some mulch and flowers to replace the dead ones in my pots outside. We also bought food and wine for Sat. night and had my parents over for dinner as well.

I am going to see what is in our pantry and freezer and see if I can get away with using all that up so I do not have to spend much on groceries this coming week. DH has some venison a friend gave him so he will make chili with that this weekend.

Well off to see the neighbor!

Yesterday I went to Walmart Super store (I really dislike this store and I usually go to the Walmart supermarket but I needed a bath rug) and I spent $24 on unnecessary items. I bought DD2 two pairs of shoes the ballet style for school at $7 a pr and a pretty tank top for $7. Neither were necessary but I know she mentioned she wanted more shoes like her one pair and I knew she would like the top. I have decided that from now on I will NOT grocery shop at the superstores.
Yesterday I went out front and saw the weirdest thing. People were in the middle of our road surrounding a lime green chair. I then noticed that an elderly lady was sitting in the chair and realized it was my neighbor. I went over to her (noone knew her because they live too far down the road). She had fallen in the street and scraped up her knees and when the paramedics came they said she broke her shoulder as well. I went to her house and got her purse and locked up her house and called her son. She is 90 years old and lives alone but she is very able bodied and independant. I pray she is ok.

DD1 came home from work last night and said she had a bad headache. She had taken a Motrin earler but it did not work. She threw up a couple of times and I explained to her that she had a migraine and just needed to lay in the dark. She was scared because her cousin died at her age 5 years ago from a brain anuerysm. I finally took her to the clinic. I work at one of the branches of this clinic so we do not have to pay a co-pay. However, I did fill a script for Imitrex (pharmacist said the 10 pills without insurance were $250 !!!!) I paid $25 for them and as we were pulling away from drive thru DD says I feel better now. What!! Why didn't you tell me before I paid for the pills?!? I do not have $25 to throw away. She said well now Daddy can have them when he has a migraine. She is right but everytime I try to save or pay ahead or stay on budget I end up spending $ in some other way.

We went and picked up DD1's car today. Total was $1,911.01. At least she has reliable transportation now to school and work. After all is said and done I will owe my parents $800.00.
I went to Super Target afterwards and spent approx. $45. I bought a throw rug for DD2's room previously $20 on clearance for $12. I also bought a table runner for the foyer table for $7.50 previously $15.00. The rest was food.
I would not have bought those last two items if if were not for the fact that my in-laws are coming to visit this weekend. They moved from Fl last year as did my sister to N. Carolina. My inlaws to the mountains and my sister outside of Raleigh. I am trying to get the house in shape before they get here as it has been a little neglected lately. We replaced all of interior doors from the cheapy flat panels to 6 panels. We are slowly going to get the house ready to sell in the future. We are using our Lowes cc and when we sell the house we will use some of the profit to pay the card off (as well as others).
It is supposed to storm here tonight. Today has been very hot and humid but weirdly very windy too. We will stay home tonight and have fetuccine alfredo with chicken and sun dried tomatoes, salad, and crusty french bread for dinner. Yumm!!

I am. Every time we get 2 steps ahead we fall 5 steps back. Here is what our financial state looks like right at this moment:
DD1's car in shop $1911.00 to fix (have to borrow the money from my parents and pay them back)
My door handles on the back doors of my van are broken and to replace them will be $420 for parts and labor (One is completely broken off and the other barely hanging so when that one goes we will not be able to open the doors from the outside. This is not covered by warranty.
I forgot to include a $242 payment in my check register and I used my debit card since then and I have incurred $75 in fees.
My tax refund is $2600 but we owe the $2100 from a 2005 error so they will take that off the top and I will give the rest ot parents for the car.
Our computer is messed up and needs to be taken to be fixed and I need to purchase windows xp so that will be approx. $350.
I am very frustrated!!!