Hey, FitnanceIQ family so here’s a review of my second week.
Now Week 2 was a bit different because I manage to readjust my costs at the beginning of the 7 days. This is how my week went:
- Headed to football practice
- Had a football game
- Had a client dinner
- Outings with family and friends
- Went to work daily
- Went to the gym
- Went to my volunteer
- Had a meeting with a client
Let me show the table.
Once again this week my goal was to spend within $30-50, but as you can see above the table shows that I spent $70.29 (in variable cost). This shows that I went over by $20.29. Even though I spent almost the whole amount on a client dinner, it helped me strategically not spend a dime the rest of the week unless getting bus fare. So here’s how I managed to have a steady week:
- Now the client dinner was the main expense that sidetracked my budget. This was simply based on not choosing the restaurant wisely. I now remember that on the weekends that dinners are more expensive than during the weeknights. Since it is getting warmer and attending meetings and outings will become more frequent. Try visiting either an affordable restaurant where meals are less than $15 per person (yes it’ is possible) or sharing a meal (depending on the person), there are so many cheaper options these days, just choose wisely.
- So in the second week, I started a new job; which means I had to depend on getting tokens so I had to manage to have enough tokens to get me from work and back. Once again I depended on my Dad dropping me close enough to work so I could easily just walk to work and save some money on tokens. Yes, when the tough gets going I learn to stretch whatever I have. And I stretched those tokens dearly!!!
- With having to get used to not working from home anymore, I also had to depend on having meals throughout the day. Let me tell you this!!! I did not spend a CENT on food during the working week. I was very lucky to have accumulated enough Starbucks points through special deals and to have 4 free drinks or meals. If there was a time I was killing time and doing work, I would go to Starbucks and use one of my free drinks. Also, I am very lucky for living at home still. Because we all go to work and lead busy lives but we manage to we make enough food to last for a day or two. Let me tell you!!! LEFTOVERS are life!!! I know friends that cook every day, kudos to them, but in our household, it is a bit tricky regardless I do not mind eating the same meal for 2 days or so.
- Outings with family and friends, I must say I do get lucky at times!!! When I’m out with my brother he normally pays for me. I try to do that to a minimum because I feel it for him!! However, it is BBQ season!!! Depending on the host they will either would like you to bring something or just bring yourself (I like to be respectful and attend a BBQ with something) But also there are so many things going on in the city that you could do for free or affordable.
- Here’s a link on Affordable things happening in Toronto:
– http://thriftytourist.ca/free-things-to-do-in-toronto/
– https://www.tripsavvy.com/cheap-or-free-things-in-toronto-1481795
– http://www.toronto.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do-in-toronto-this-summer
So the overall effect of spending earlier in the week it allows you to learn how to be frugal and stretch your budget efficiently. So who else has been doing this budget? Is yours $30? $50? Or even $75? I would love to hear others’ stories as well.