So we moved into our new apartment last Sunday. It's been a slew of arguments on and off. But I think we finally came to the conclusion last night that we both just need time to settle in. We are only people.

But, it's been great. I don't think we'll be spending very much money. We've been packing lunches and eating in every night. It's been less than a week and I'm already tired of sandwiches. I'm sure we can find something else to pack for next week.

And I've been doing some meal planning in order to keep us in a budget. Basically, I look at what's on sale (for meats) in our local grocery store and get recipes online for those meats. The first grocery shopping trip was expensive. Thankfully, it won't be as expensive the rest of the time.

But we are still going to be spending more than we've earned for this month because of the cost of moving. Next month will be better financially. As far as the living goes, we're still getting settled, but everything is going to be okay. My dad is coming over on Saturday so I'm really excited and I want to have our place clean by then. Yay!

Yesterday, DH's boss told him she is selling a light blue sectional couch for $100. We were originally looking at a sectional from Ikea that would have cost us $800. I was also browsing Craigslist for used sofas/sectionals, but I wasn't finding anything in good condition and for a decent price. So this came at a perfect time. Even with the fees for a storage facility for the next 49 days, it evens the price out.

She is also selling a queen sized mattress, frame, and box spring, but I'm not sure what the price is on that. We do need a new mattress though. Ours is foam, not memory foam, just foam, and it's killing my back. I'm really excited.

We found a place to live. We are moving out at the end of October. If I could move the date up closer I would. I am just so excited. It's our first place! We have been shopping a few times, and honestly, it's been amazing. Now, we found out that Hubby got a job that he was going for with AT&T. It's a premisis technician job. Basically, he installs UVERSE TV. I'm so happy for him.

He's been looking for a full time job for over a year now and he finally got one. And it gives us a significant raise in income, about $400 extra a month. And with our move approaching, it couldn't come at a better time. Ugh, I'm just so excited!!!

I feel so hyped lately. I found a survey website that actually pays you to take their surveys and got my first payment today! I found that shell added a rewards card and signed up for that. And I already use a BP credit card to cash in on their savings. Super exciting stuff!

Hubby and I began a new budget. Our old one just wasn't working for us. I mean, we weren't trying as hard as we need to be to get where we want to go. I've taken away our credit cards again and we're only using debit. So if we don't have the money in checking, we don't have it. We spent a lot of our savings on Christmas presents, so we're bringing that back up. Now, we're above $1,000 again. Our goal for that is somewhere between $3,000 and $4,000. I have no idea when that's going to happen. Right now, we're very focused on spending little and bringing in a lot.

We should have our BP credit card paid off again at the end of this month and we'll be working on the Capital One card again. It's gone up because of interest, but we'll be okay. I have no doubt. We had started using the credit cards again and that's why I had to remove them from our wallets. I figure, if we need money, we'll dip into savings.

Honestly, I'm tempted to close all our credit cards and just live on debit, but right now, it's how we're building our credit, paying them off and then working well. It's always a challenge to stay on budget.

We have paid off my Hubby's MC. And we have our savings up to $677.58.

Two additions:

$169.54
+ 1.00
+ 1.00
--------
$171.54

First one is for the stocks going up today. The second is for undisclosed reasons.

We've made our first car payment. Ah! So scary and nerve-wrecking. I made a larger payment than what was due, so we should be ahead of schedule.

I can't wait for this car to be paid off. I'm never doing this again!

I finished my first baby blanket. I think it's great, and I posted it on Etsy and Craigslist earlier today, but I haven't gotten any hits on it. Anyways, thought I'd post it on here. Hopefully it'll sell and I can get some extra income.



If you or someone you know is interested, you can buy it at my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/hospitablegirl?ref=top_trail for $30.

We're having a no spend day today. So we added $1 to our savings account. We also had an automatic transfer yesterday of $25.

$200.79
+ 25.00
+ 1.00
-------
$231.79

In one of my last entries, I wrote that I'd be thinking of ways to make money. Well, I figured that on my spare time I can crochet and make baby blankets and sell them. I'm thinking between e-bay and craigslist. E-bay is good because it's beyond local but you have to pay fees. Craigslist is good because there's no fees but it's only local. Ideas? Suggestions?

Got some gas yesterday at the tune of $3.77. Had a gift card too! So I didn't even pay for it! Added $3.77 to my savings.

$202.02
+ 3.77
--------
$205.79

I had to buy bird food, but I had a coupon for $2 off. So, I'll add it to my savings.

$200.02
+ 2.00
--------
$202.02

My savings account is still sad. We did get Xbox live accounts now, so hopefully that'll help control the bored spending. Our savings account only has $200. I was hoping to have it at $600 by the end of the month, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. And our credit card debts haven't faltered that much either. I wonder why. I'm not making as many hours at work. It's the slow season. Maybe I should think about getting a second job. I make enough, I'd still like to save more and I have my budget at bare minimum already.

Hm...I wonder what we'll do next.

I feel like every week I look at the budget and think, "this is definitely doable". And every week I fail miserably on staying on budget. We just can't seem to contain ourselves.

We had some of my tip money lying around so we used that to buy some cheap lunch. Then, before dinner time is rolling around, I'm dying to go out and spend money. I think I'm a bored spender.

When I work, I feel no need to spend money because I'm at work. I'm doing something. On my days off, if they're like today, where I'm at home all day, I feel the need to go out and buy something. Food, games, books, anything.

Hubby and I took a drive over to GameStop. We didn't buy anything, but we left feeling very unsatisfied. Instead of buying anything, we came home and decided to cook dinner and watch a movie at home. It's hard for me to not go out. Most of my friends aren't in debt though. And so they can afford to be less frugal than us.

And now we have a car loan to pay off. I can't wait to get rid of that. Still working on that debt payoff, but we're making good strides every month.

We should payoff the car sooner than expected as long as we stay on our budget.

I just wish it was easier. Some days are harder than others. But tomorrow my weekly budget resets. I can hold out until tomorrow... Staying strong.