26.3.09

Keeping in line: From riches to rags II


New blogs on how to be cheap that I found that I like:
http://www.screwyourecession.ca/
http://www.thebudgetbabe.com/
http://frugality.alltop.com/

It has been three weeks since I decided to get my funds under better control (see Riches to Rag post). I created a budget worksheet and created envelopes to put aside cash each week for the allotted categories (i.e. $92.31 for groceries and personal care items).

Well the problem with this system is that my funds are generally not allotted to me in neat, bi-weekly payments as most of world is. So trying to budget the $92.31 per week for my groceries and personal care items when I have emptied my cupboards and my Biotherm moisturizer for the past three weeks due to being in-between paycheques is simply unrealistic. Inevitably I am going to have to go out and stock my fridge, cupboards, and my makeup bag once again and go over this weekly allotment.

I will however still work with the monthly budget idea and check back with my receipts (or page of notes in my Moleskin) at the end of the month to see how I fared. With the $700 laid out for my cel phone bill already I see that I am already all out of whack in that department.

Mindfulness is my new method to my spending madness. So even though I went over my cel phone bill budget this month, I am researching new strategies to lower this amount for the future (i.e. Rogers charges 0.25 for every US text message – leaving me an additional $50 in charges every month – gaww). I have also started researching and scouring around to various blogs that give tips on how to navigate during these economic times. I listed a few of my favourites above.

Virgin’s ‘Screw you Recession’ is a great blog that is geared towards people in their 20s in how to save money. Most recent great tip – listen to radio on iPod instead of buying a lot of new music on iTunes. ‘Budget Babe’ is a great blog that shows you how to be trendy and look fashionable on a budget (lots of Forever 21). And finally 'All the top Frugal news' is the mega-guide to all blogs about mulah matters, it could take me a while to wade through all the good information on here.


So my first tip on saving money:
No more bottled water!

Not only is it environmentally friendly it is also wallet friendly. I am stocking up on my Sigg water bottles and going green. 

See Related Posts:
From Rags to Riches  VI: Curate your wardrobe 
From Rags to Riches V: Banish Big Box 
The Art of Consignment: From riches to rags IV
Cooking for dollars: From riches to rags III
Keeping in line: From riches to rags II
From riches to rags
Posted by Lisa ~ Urban Native Girl at 11:12 PM
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10 comments:

  1. quite witty ... i like!
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  2. May I suggest that a landline with a long distance plan my drastically cost your cellphone bill? :)
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  3. Check out "Poor Girl eats well" for food and "Shoutcast" for online radio. And if you have an iPhone, I think there is a Skype app coming out.
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  4. Couponing is one way to go...if you know how to organize yourself and use them at the right time, you should do pretty well. Scour the internet for deals before you head in store to purchase anything.

    Last weekend I needed new dress shoes for a party (and work). I browsed the ALDO website and found a pair that I actually liked that were $130, marked down to $60. I thought that was pretty good.

    Then I got to the store and they told me it had been marked down again to $39! If you hold off long enough and time it perfectly, you can reap in benefits like that! I think I managed to put an entire outfit together (that could be interchangeable after the party) for around $150.
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  5. $92.31 per week???

    you can cut that in half girl!
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  6. Loving your blog!
    I long for a day when I don't have to budget! Not sure when that is going to happen though LOL
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  7. Best way I have to control my spending is to withdraw money for two weeks. I have a daily budget ($20) which includes grocery, transit, gas, misc items. I don't spend that much a day (I pack my lunch etc.) so the remaining of the balance is put either towards a big item (Greyhound bus ticket, a short trip) or just clothes.

    I have another budget for bills... and I canceled my cell phone, prices are outrageous in Canada!
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  8. Yemoonyah - thanks those are great sites!

    Kavisolo- I love the Aldo story- I bought black leather boots there last year for like $50 from their outlet shore. Best to shop after season for the next year's season for sure. Tried coupons before but I always forget them . . .

    Peruchito- I am trying, will see how it goes next month. I do shop at No Frills though - it's not like I am all up in Whole Foods buying Himalayan sea salt varieties.

    Zhu & Braided Diva- thanks for checking in uggh budgets suck it's like a diet it makes me want to splurge.

    frandroid - the whole cel phone/land line issue is one that drives me crazy- i think i will do a whole blog devoted to it b/c I just can't get it right yet (travel to US more frequently now & thus US friends and business increase as a result)
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  9. Great links.

    I am actually wanting to adhere to a strict budget myself. I have always been frugal so this has been easy. I just want to make sure I am starting to save to buy some land in the north in the future. :)
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  10. Ojibway Migisi Bineshii - that is amazing a great reason to make it all worth it- peaceful land to get away to . . .
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