Budget Update - What Went Wrong

So. Three days until pay day. Zero dollars in envelopes (except travel, which we haven't touched).

We've actually been able to maintain our savings, so far.

I think two things happened this pay period:
1. Medical expenses. While we're reimbursed for the medical expenses that insurance doesn't cover through my flex program, it takes about a week. During that time, we have to float the expense in our budget. It comes out okay in the end, but it makes for some tricky organization during the wait. I'd like to build up about $100 in a medical float account for this, and am working on it!

2. Eating out. The truth is that we just can't afford to eat out, and we decided to do it anyway. Though I have to admit that the 2-for-1 burger night and the happenstance of a celiac waitress (who got a very nice tip for making sure our kids got GF food!), was worth it! As we're able, I'd like to build a bit more into the budget for this kind of family outing.

In some ways, a budget that is too restrictive is just too hard to maintain for a long time, so I'd like to find a way to loosen the budget just a bit. However, in other ways, I think that it's just easier to get used to it than to fight it. For example, it's been hard for me to spend this clothing budget, because it's hard to go out and "spree" shop, then go back to being really strict with money.

I did spend some of the budget, though, on the following, at Target:

1 black basic cami, with shelf bra: $8.99
Ditto in white: $8.99
1 bra: $10.99
Fall jacket: $24.99 (this really felt like too much of a splurge, but I really love it)