It’s not even Christmas yet but I’m already thinking about the boundaries that I have to establish for next year’s gift giving. The thing is…this year has been really, really expensive. Let me list the reasons why:
- I fixed a number of issues in my tiny place
- I bought out my Verizon contract (side hustling)
- Paid off some cards…then charged them up again (sigh) Refer to my Depression and spending post.
- Bought a ton of baby onesies as I had 8 friends, yes, EIGHT friends have their first little person. That’s a lot of babies.
- Yes, I wondered what was in the water that my friends were drinking!
- I bought a new wardrobe replacing my depressed years wardrobe
- I went to FinCon
- I PREPPED for the next year, but that’s a post for another time
So, going into 2015 I have decided that things are going to be different and I want to simplify several things.
2015 General Budget!
- Food-I will be growing food in my Community Garden again and doing the 6 months at $240 and $40 the other six months. $1680 (for the year)
- Clothing-I really don’t need any clothes and I’ve budget $500 for the year because I will be going to 2 weddings next year. I don’t have dresses that will work right now…but, I’m going to go to the thrift store and try to rock some thrift store action. (About $1000 less than 2014)
- Travel-This line item will be discussed further in another post. I’m still trying to figure out a couple of things. Specifically, I really need the dates for FinCon15 so that I can lock in some other trips that I am planning.
- FinCon15-I absolutely want to spend at least 1/2 of what I spent last year. Stefanie from The Broke Beautiful Life wrote a phenomenal post about how she only spent around $150 for FinCon. Baller. Game on.
- Debt-Am over it. So, I’m paying off all credit cards and the deadline is July 24 (my birthday) I did really well until I had bout of depression 🙁
- Gifts-I’m only purchasing 2 wedding gifts (going to 2 weddings) and I’m budgeting $150 per couple, and gifts for my Mom and Grandma. I will be making coffee table books for them for Christmas and probably purchasing a few gift certificates as well. I’ve also told my friends that I won’t be purchasing gifts for the babies next year. They are all getting cards and love. That’s it.
- Fun-I will be focusing on free things but I will be ramping up the dating in 2015. SO, I’m trying to think about the cost of:
- Happy Hour-I usually average $30. That’s usually including appetizers/drinks/entrees/dessert/and coffee 🙂 $360=2 a month for 6 months
- Dinners Out-Specifically in the summer. I like to go to those 5 course meals that usually cost around $75 for everything. I will limit this to 2 this year $150
- Snowboarding-I will try to do a barter for my accommodation costs. So…around $400-$800 from February-March.
- Derby Party (also considered charity)-I already have my fascinator $100. I love this event and the money goes towards 1 or 2 students to attend college for 4 years-FULL RIDE!!
- Golf-maybe once a month. Yes, I love it. During the warmer part of the year. $150 (3 times)
- Coffee-$60 Because I love meeting people for coffee.
- Fun Total: $1620
- Budget total (excluding debt) equals $4450
- I will look into ways to barter or get a deal on the different events that I’ve expressed interest in participating. I will of course spend a lot of time hiking, riding my bike, and walking around.
*What my fascinator looks like!*
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I am an obsessive foodie, but not self-righteous with it, love travel, meeting new people, helping you look good, and am freaked out by people who don't enjoying reading...something! Grab a Perrier, read my blog, feel free to drop me a line! Hope to hear from you soon.
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Love the plan!
As for the friends having babies, speaking as a mom – they probably will make out just fine without the gifts anyway. Here is an idea, though (if you have the time). Take mom’s picture with the baby (don’t have her pose and smile – just see a moment and capture it). That’s it – don’t have to frame it or anything. Mom will be behind the camera and will have all sorts of pictures to document this time but she won’t be in any of them. And no one will offer.
I absolutely love that idea Kirsten. The problem is I have a ton of friends who live overseas. I will put this gift giving plan into action for next year though. Brilliant.
Hello Michelle,
It;s very nice to visit your blog. It seems like you had a very busy year this year and that is great you are already thinking about your budget for next year. I applaud you that you will be out of debt by July. That will be an awesome feeling I am sure.
You seem to have a very simplified and effective plan. I must admit I am impressed with your budget total of $4,450. A lot of us can learn a huge lesson from your simplified plan. Thanks for sharing and I hope we can continue to connect.
Hi Nate, thanks for visiting! I will be writing another post about why my budget (outside of set expenses) is so low. That post will be published sometime in January. This year has been crazy and I’m looking forward to next year…Who knows if I’ll be out of credit card debt by July but that’s the goal.
Impressive that you can predict a lot of things in the coming year! I have to kind of take it month by month unless it’s really big things like a trip. And of course as a freelancer it totally depends on my income, which has quite frankly sucked since July. I also need to work in some kind of clothing budget as my stuff is quite literally falling apart. It really takes such a huge backseat though to so many other things, for instance I’d rather get my hair cut more regularly than I need a new top or shoes. Anyway, sounds like a great plan!
Well, two things are easy because they are weddings. So, I already know what’s up with that. There’s so much stuff that I do myself that I’m finally able to take some line items out of the budget. Also, my mortgage is CHEAP. So, that’s a fixed cost that I can work around. That’s for January 🙂 I already replenished my wardrobe this year so I don’t need clothes and I don’t need new shoes. I will be talking about the budget in a post next month.
I really want to know the FinCon dates & location too :)! Good call on hitting up thrift stores for your fancy dresses–I’ve had great luck finding good used dresses for weddings in the last few years. I think people often wear dresses like that once and then drop them off at the thrift store! Score for us! Hope you find something good.
I’m impressed that you’re planning so far in advance for next year–congrats!
I’ve had amazing luck finding beautiful clothes used, so I’m going to continue embracing the thrift life! I usually have a multileveled plan happening (3, 6, 9, 12 months) obviously as things happen I tweak the plan. But, given how incredibly predictable (read boring) my life has been for the past 10 years it’s pretty easy to do this.
OMG I love that fascinator! I also am waiting on the FinCon dates as I’d like to plan a trip to somewhere in Europe next year during the low season. I think it’s great that you’re already setting yourself up for a successful 2015 and I can’t wait to see it happen for you. You deserve it.
The FinCon dates are the last pieces to a very intricate puzzle!!I appreciate the support and encouragement 🙂 We’re going to ROCK next year!!
I love that you’ve gotten so much done with your budget for next year! I am getting my own apartment next year and I went ahead and did a tentative budget but if I want to make headway on my goals, I am going to have to figure out how to make more money. This is tough because I work and go to school both full time. Sigh.
I’ve spent A LOT of time working on my budget for next year. I’m writing a post about it and will publish it in January. Congratulations on having your own apartment, it’s going to be so freeing!!! You will figure it out. Just pace yourself 🙂
I love that you are looking a whole year ahead! It really helps when saving up for bigger expenses. I’m guilty of budgeting only 1-2 months ahead of time, which isn’t so smart now that I think about it since I already know what major expenses I will have in 2015. Also, $4450 is awesome, hopefully you can stick to that number!
I should say that that budget is for variable expenses and obviously doesn’t include: housing, health insurance, etc. But, those other costs don’t fluctuate so I have a pretty good idea what I’m spending per month (has been the same for years).
Whenever I ask my sister want she wants for my niece, she always says NOTHING. She has so much stuff already.
That’s good to hear because none of my friends are getting purchased gifts in 2015! LOL!