After years of searching, I have finally found something that works to help stabilize my budget so I don't run out of money before I run out of month. It's so simple that it's scary. It works for me anyway. I think each person has to find what works for them.

I have a skeleton budget on a 4x6 index card for the entire month with all usual expenses: mortgage, electric, gas for car, gas heat, groceries, insurance, cat food, savings deposit, and credit card payment, etc. Whenever a new payday rolls around, I use a new index card for the budget for that payday with the expenses and amounts for the next two weeks based on the skeleton budget referred to above. For each item, I have an amount budgeted for that item. Whenever each one gets paid, I mark through it and add the date paid. If I only use part of the allotted amount, I mark through it and add a note with the amount left in that category. If I am at a store and want to buy something out of the ordinary, I can check my card to see how much I have left and what I need to leave room for so that I know if I can afford to buy the item I want. It is for this reason that the budget be on an index card so that it is portable. I can keep it at all times in my purse. I found it does not help to have a budget on my computer because I can't see it when I really need it.

I have been doing this for about 6 months. At first, it was difficult, because I would want to buy something and see based on my card that I could not afford it. It helped me to really distinguish my wants from my needs and make better choices. I have also paid down my cc #1 from nearly $5000 to about $2900 in just around two years in a two adult, one income household.

Another cool thing I have been doing is to use the amount I save at the grocery store and make an equal payment to cc #1. I also use pocket change to pay part of the grocery bill and so I also make a payment to cc #1 equal to the pocket change amount. Sometimes, I don't really save anything, so I don't make a payment.

Hi, everyone. I get paid tomorrow and so I am sending more money to debt, savings, retirement, and regular expenses. I have already written a check for deposit to savings reference below, paid the gas bill, allocated for 1/3 of the mortgage, and made a payment to credit card #1. I also wrote a check for payment on plumbing work we had done, but that is not a debt.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2583.93

$40.00 regular savings deposit
$25.00 car savings deposit
$25.00 car savings deposit
$20.00 slush deposit
$5.00 escrow savings deposit
$5.00 medical savings deposit
$5.00 hvac savings deposit
$5.00 professional savings deposit
$5.00 AAA/car tax savings deposit
$100.00 cc #1 payment

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2818.93

I forgot to say that this month is a 3 paycheck month for me, so I have allocated extra funds towards savings and debt repayment. After buying groceries and other necessities, I will contribute more to debt repayment.

Hi, everyone. I got paid today, so I am sending more money to debt, savings, and retirement.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2367.23

Regular Savings Deposit $40.00
House Savings Deposit $25.00
Car Savings Deposit $25.00
HVAC Savings Deposit $5.00
Medical Savings Deposit $5.00
AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit $5.00
Escrow Savings $5.00
Extra Left in Slush From Last Payday Sent to cc #1 $20.00
DH's Payment to cc #1 $66.70
addendum: Slush Deposit $20.00

cc #1 balance is now $3067.30!!!

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2583.93

Hi, everyone. I get paid tomorrow, so I am sending more money to savings, debt, and retirement.

Old 52 Week Challenge: $2229.23

$40.00 regular savings deposit
$20.00 car savings deposit
$20.00 house savings deposit
$5.00 hvac savings deposit
$5.00 medical savings deposit
$5.00 tax/aaa savings deposit
$5.00 tax prep savings deposit
$5.00 escrow savings deposit
$50.00 cc #1 payment
$20.00 xfer to cc #1 from last payday's slush

New 52 Week Challenge: $2364.23

This brings cc #1 down to $3123.75!!!

Hi, everyone. I get paid tomorrow and so more money is going to savings, retirement, and debt.

Old 52 Week Challenge: $2041.93

Regular Savings Deposit $40.00
Car Savings Deposit $20.00
House Savings Deposit $20.00
Medical Savings Deposit $1.00
Tax/AAA Membership Savings Deposit $1.00
Tax Prep Savings Deposit $3.00
Escrow Savings Deposit $5.00
DH's payment to cc #1 $66.70

New 52 Week Challenge: $2198.63

This brings cc #1 balance to $3221.75.

I have a Pinecone deposit coming in a day or two. I will send it directly to cc #1 when I get it.

Hi, everyone. I overspent some last week, but I am determined not to let it get me down. I was sick with a sinus infection and eating badly, so I wound up buying things I probably did not need. I will be eating a lot of things from my garden for the next couple of weeks. I did use $0.42 pocket change to pay part of my grocery bill today. I will send that same amount to cc #1.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2040.94

$40.00 regular savings deposit
$50.00 cc #1 payment

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2130.94

Here are my meals for the coming week:

1) Thai Curry Salad -

Hi, everyone.

I got some snowflakes earlier this week, so I am reporting that and amounts for my payday tomorrow. I have decided to save in advance for our fees to have our taxes done, as every year, it seems to creep up on us and I wind up taking it out of regular savings - not good. Here are my numbers:

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1791.20

mrrebates rebates totaling $11.04
cc #1 DH's payment 5/2 $66.70
regular savings deposit for 5/6 $40.00
slush deposit 5/6 $20.00
car savings deposit 5/6 $30.00
hvac savings 5/6 $7.00
2016 tax prep savings 5/6 $6.00
AAA/prop tax savings 5/6 $10.00
medical savings 5/6 $6.00
cc #1 payment 5/6 $50.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2037.94

This is amazing. I have saved or paid off more than $2000 and it's not even June yet!

I am doing a food challenge this week and next to see how little I can spend on food for my lunches and such. I am growing my own kale, lettuce, and green onions, so I have plenty of makings for lunch during that time. I will have some pocket change to put towards my grocery bill and will send the matching amount to cc #1.

I also have a $3.00 payment coming from Pinecone, but I will add it in when I get it.

Hi, everyone. I got a payment from pinecone today, so I am sending it right to cc #1 before I have a chance to spend it on shiny baubles.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1601.93

Pinecone payment $3.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1604.93


Also, I apparently miscalculated what the balance on cc #1 would be after an earlier payment. After this $3.00 payment, the balance is a whopping $3467.42!



I am going to start setting aside funds each payday, about $40 or so, to get invisalign braces next year about this time. It is something I have been wanting to do for a long time and I have just finally gotten fed up with the problem. I will put the money in my medical savings.

Hi, everyone.

I just got a rebate of $18.02 for a purchase I made earlier.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1583.91

rebate $18.02

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1601.93

Hello, financially savvy neighbors! I will get paid tomorrow and have already paid all bills due, including phone/internet, electric, gas, and 1/2 of the mortgage.

Here are my 52 Week Challenge numbers.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1393.91

regular savings deposit $40.00
professional savings deposit $40.00
car savings deposit $20.00
house savings deposit $20.00
slush deposit $20.00
cc #1 payment $50.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1583.91

Also, my payment of $31.31 hits cc #1 tomorrow, which will bring cc #1 balance to $3519.69.

Oops. I forgot to add my regular savings deposit of $40.00. It is an automatic transfer, so I forget about it sometimes. I have adjusted my numbers.

Hi, everyone. I have been paid today, so I have allocated more money for debt, savings, retirement, and bills. Here are my numbers.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1091.82

Regular Savings Deposit $40.00
Car Savings Deposit $20.00
House Savings Deposit $20.00
Professional Savings Deposit $40.00
Slush Deposit $20.00
cc #1 payment $40.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1271.82

I should be getting my Toluna check any time. It is for $25.00. I previously wanted to use it for cc #1, but I will be attending a conference in a nearby town in April. I have most of the funds set aside already in professional savings, but need more. I really did not think I was going to get to go. I am also going to pay whatever savings I have at the grocery store to cc #1. I will also use some spare change to pay some on the grocery bill and do the same with it.

Hi, everyone. I get paid again tomorrow, so I have already allocated funds to go to savings, debt, and bills. My retirement comes out of my pay before I see it.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance $678.14

Deposit to Car Savings $20.00
Deposit to Regular Savings $40.00
Deposit to House Savings $20.00
Deposit to Professional Savings $20.00
Deposit to HVAC savings (eventual replacement) $3.00
Deposit to AAA/property tax savings $4.00
cc #1 payment $50.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance $835.14

I found a penny in my desk at work today. I will use it to pay part of my grocery bill Saturday.

I am going to do a pantry challenge, as I think I have been spending too much on food and need to scale back to pay more on debt. I have been really busy and stressed out with a big project at work, the biggest part of which will not end until about the beginning of April. In an effort to keep myself sane, I need to get out of my building at lunch and think about something else. I need to find a way to do that involves buying less stuff when I do it. I can't do the usually obvious things like bringing a sandwich or some kind of pasta/rice dish from home, as I can't eat grains. I think I will try to do something like buying a vegetarian salad and taking a package of tuna and some fruit with me. That makes my salad at least $1.00 cheaper. I can also use my fountain card (I already do most of the time). This strategy should help me to still say sane and get a break from work while also not breaking my budget.

Hi, everyone. I get paid tomorrow, so I am bringing my numbers up to date here.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $673.14


cc #1 extra payment from tax refund $465.86

cc #1 extra payment from pinecone deposit $3.00

deposit to slush $20.00

regular savings deposit $40.00

car savings deposit $20.00

house savings deposit $20.00

HVAC savings deposit $2.00

AAA/car tax savings $3.00


New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $1247.00

WOO-HOO!

I think this will bring cc #1 balance to $3716.54. That's a lot lower than it has been in a long time.

I also cashed in my rebates at mrrebates. It was almost $11.00. I will get it at the beginning of March and count it towards the challenge then.

I get paid tomorrow. I have already paid both cc bills, allocated for 1/2 of the mortgage, and made out a deposit to savings.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $379.04

cc #1 payment $50.00
cc #2 payment $20.00
House savings $30.00
Regular Savings deposit $40.00
Professional savings deposit $20.00
Escrow savings deposit $2.00
Tax/AAA Savings deposit $7.00
HVAC Savings deposit $5.00
Slush Deposit $20.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $573.04

Hi, everyone. I got paid today. I have already allocated for 1/2 of the mortgage, mailed a deposit to savings, and paid the gas and electric bills. I also made a $75.00 payment to cc #1. Here are my numbers.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $5.00

$ 40.00 Regular Savings Deposit
$ 20.00 Car Savings Deposit
$ 20.00 House Savings Deposit
$ 2.00 Escrow Savings Deposit
$ 2.00 Professional Savings Deposit
$ 2.00 HVAC Savings Deposit (for eventual replacement)
$156.60 Principal Paid on Mortgage
$ 75.00 cc #1 payment

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $322.60

As for my car issues, my car had made a weird noise a couple of times recently. It sounded to me like the starter. When I called a mechanic, I scheduled an appointment to bring it in. I had him listen to the sound. He got a weird look on his face. He said it sounded to him not like the starter but the fly wheel. Anyway, the mechanic said later that to fully diagnose would take a minimum of 8 hours labor at $70.00 per hour. That's not counting the cost of the part needing to be replaced or labor for replacing them. Ugh. I have been so careful with this car because it has a slight oil leak and power steering fluid leak and have watched those like a hawk, but had no idea about this.

Hi, everyone.

It looks like everyone who participated in the 52 Week Challenge in 2015 had tremendous progress on their goals. I, for one, have really enjoyed the 52 Week Challenge this year and also the support from all of you on my goals. My goals listed below for 2016 are primarily concentrated on debt payoff again, but I will also be saving money too.

1) Increase my retirement contribution by 0.15% in January.

2) Continuing contributing to savings as normal.

3) Continue making cc #1 payments of $100.00 per payday and also $67.48 out of my husband's monthly check.

4) Contribute any survey money, rebates, etc. towards cc #1 payoff.

5) Grow as much of my own food as I can and buy as much other food organic as possible through local or other sources. This will help me to eat as clean as I possibly can for my own health. I also intend to save some produce as I possibly can with a Foodsaver. I know I can do carrots this way.

6) I will continue using the fountain card as a way to challenge myself to spend as little as possible on beverages while I am at work. I will funnel my savings to cc #1.

7) For awhile, I have been using my pocket change as a way to pay part of my grocery store bill. I will continue this.


Here is the link to the chart you can use. I did not use the chart, as I needed to contribute specific amounts to accomplish my goals of debt payoff.

Hi, everyone.

My payday is tomorrow, because Friday is a holiday. More money is going to debt, savings, and retirement. Here are my numbers. I have already paid the trash bill, water/sewer bill, and allocated for 1/3 of the mortgage.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $5863.18

$40.00 Regular Savings Deposit
$60.00 Car, House, Car Lic/AAA, and HVAC Savings Deposit
$100.00 cc #1 payment
$3.00 Pinecone payment to cc #1
$20.00 slush deposit
$66.70 DH's payment to cc #1

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $6152.88

Hi, everybody.

I got another Pinecone deposit. I am forwarding it directly to cc #1 as we speak.

Tomorrow I and my husband both get paid and will be paid and I will send $100 and $66.70 to cc #1 also. I have to go out of town for a bit today and will spend a little bit, but whatever is leftover I am sending to cc #1 also. By the time I pay that and account for my savings deposits, I will be breaking $6K on my 52 Week Challenge this year! Woo-Hoo.

I am so happy I made it these past two weeks without having to break out the credit card for an "emergency" as a result of my doctor's visits.

See you tomorrow for updates!

My resolutions, financial and otherwise, will be:

1) Increase my retirement contribution by 0.15% in January.

2) Continuing contributing to savings as normal.

3) Continue making cc #1 payments of $100.00 per payday and also $67.48 out of my husband's monthly check.

4) Contribute any survey money, rebates, etc. towards cc #1 payoff.

5) Grow as much of my own food as I can and buy as much other food organic as possible through local or other sources. This will help me to eat as clean as I possibly can for my own health. I also intend to save some produce as I possibly can with a Foodsaver. I know I can do carrots this way.

6) I will continue using the fountain card as a way to challenge myself to spend as little as possible on beverages while I am at work. I will funnel my savings to cc #1.

7) For awhile, I have been using my pocket change as a way to pay part of my grocery store bill. I will continue this.

Hi, everyone.

It was payday yesterday for me, so I have already allocated for 1/3 of the mortgage (in a 3 payday month), allocated for car insurance, and paid the electric bill. I also found a penny on the ground outside a store today. I used $0.69 I had in pocket change to pay for part of my grocery bill.

I got my latest mortgage statement and I paid $155.36 in principal last month. Woo-hoo!

So, here are my update 52 Week Challenge numbers.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $5592.82

$20.00 slush deposit
$40.00 regular savings deposit
$50.00 cc #1 payment
$155.36 principal paid on mortgage

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $5858.18

I will delay making more cc #1 payments until the end of the coming week because of some other expenses.

I will not be going anywhere for the holidays or having company. My challenge for the next two weeks will be to make as many meals as possible from the food I already have. I will have about $135.00 unexpected expenses at a chiropractor in the next two weeks and want to make sure that does not impact the food budget or other areas unnecessarily.

As part of my recent exercises in gratitude, I have come to realize that whatever my problems, I am incredibly blessed. I have a husband who loves me, friends, a job, a car to get around, money to buy what I need and some of what I want, and the ability to grow food. In the past six months, I have donated food, pet supplies, household goods, clothing, and other items to 1) my college campus's food pantry that serves students in financial need, 2) a local domestic crisis center, 3) the local humane society, and 4) my college campus's office that serves international students.

Hi, everyone.

I get paid again tomorrow, so more money is going to debt, savings, and retirement. I have already written checks for the gas bill, savings deposit, internet/phone bill, and allocated for slush deposit and 1/3 of the mortgage. I get paid 3 times this month, so I am dividing the mortgage up into 3 parts.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $5371.68

$20.00 Slush Deposit
$40.00 Regular Savings Deposit
$20.00 House Savings Deposit
$20.00 AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $5471.68

I will also make a larger than normal payment to cc #1, but I have not decided on the amount yet.

Hi, everyone. I got paid today and so more money went to debt, savings, and retirement. I am doing so much better than I ever dreamed I would on this challenge. For the first time in well over a year, the regular savings account is over $1,000.00. Woo-hoo! I have worked really hard to get it there.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4919.02

$40.00 Regular Savings Deposit

$20.00 Slush Deposit

$22.75 cc #2 Payment (made a purchase on the card - this brings the balance to $0)

$50.00 cc #1 Payment

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $5051.77


I have also been stocking up on some foods that we use a lot when I see them on sale. This has helped me to level out the grocery budget better. I have also had good success with the fountain card this week. I will likely be making another $5.00 payment to cc #1 next week.

Hi, everyone.

My 52 Week Challenge is going great, better than I ever even dreamed. I feel so blessed. With Thanksgiving coming up, I feel that I should recognize that I am blessed with, among other things, 1) good health, 2) finances in good shape and improving, 3) friends, family, and a husband who all love me, and 4) a good job.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4727.02

$40.00 Regular Savings Deposit
$20.00 Car Savings Deposit
$20.00 House Savings Deposit
$15.00 AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit
$75.00 cc #1 payment
$20.00 slush savings

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4917.02

My challenge to limit trips to convenience stores has worked out famously with only 2 trips this week as opposed to daily trips previously, sometimes multiple times per day. All other food and beverages have been brought from home, prepared at work using teabags I brought to work with me, or purchased at work using my new fountain card.

Hi, everyone. I get paid tomorrow. I have already allocated funds for 1/2 of the mortgage and written out checks for a savings deposit, the trash bill, and the water bill.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4552.02

$40.00 Regular Savings Deposit
$5.00 AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit
$5.00 Escrow Savings Deposit
$23.00 House Savings Deposit
$22.00 Car Savings Deposit
$75.00 cc #1 payment

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4722.02

Hi, everyone. It's a day off, heck two days off, for me, but I still got paid today, so more dollars are going to savings, debt, and retirement. I have already allocated for 1/2 of the mortgage payment and car insurance.

Old 2015 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4392.02

$40.00 Regular Savings Deposit
$20.00 Car Savings Deposit
$20.00 House Savings Deposit
$20.00 AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit
$20.00 Slush Deposit
$40.00 cc #1 payment

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4552.02

Hi, everyone.

I just got paid today, so more money is going to debt, savings, and retirement.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4114.10

Regular Savings Deposit $40.00
cc #1 payment $75.00
Car Savings Deposit $20.00
House Savings Deposit $20.00
Escrow Savings $10.00
AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit $10.00
Slush Deposit $20.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4309.10

Hi, everyone.

I got paid yesterday, so more money went to debt, savings, and retirement. Here are my amounts.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance $3820.11

Regular Savings Deposit $40.00
Slush Transfer $20.00
DH's payment to the credit card #1 $67.45

New 52 Week Challenge Balance $3947.56

Also, other recent frugal activities include 1) planting kale, spinach, and arugula for a winter garden, 2) buying clear plastic containers cheap to use as covers for garden when it gets really cold this winter. I plan to plant some lettuce tomorrow. This winter garden will contribute significantly to my being able to eat organic veggies this winter without breaking the bank.

Old 2015 52 Week Challenge Balance: $3700.11

Car Savings Deposit $20.00
House Savings Deposit $20.00
House Escrow Deposit $10.00
AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit $10.00
Regular Savings Deposit $40.00
Slush Deposit $20.00

New 2015 52 Week Challenge Balance $3820.11

Hi, everyone. I get paid again tomorrow, so more money will be going to debt, savings, and retirement.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $3570.11

Regular Savings Deposit $40.00
Car Savings Deposit $20.00
House Savings Deposit $20.00
Car Tax/AAA Savings $20.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $3670.11

I plan to also pay $100.00 to cc #1 tomorrow.

Hi, everybody. Well, it seems I have only about $243.00 left of the reimbursement and my husband and I have chosen to use it for both of us to go see a new doctor in town.

Tomorrow, I get paid and so here is my update of the 52 Week Challenge. As always, more money is going to debt, savings, and retirement.

Old 52 Week Challenge Balance: $3392.66

Car Savings $20.00
House Savings $20.00
Regular Savings $40.00
Slush Deposit $20.00
cc #1 payment $77.45

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $3570.11