Over the hump and on our way to being debt free!

Today was the day there was money in the bank again! Bobby got paid and I was able to replenish our envelopes. We are on day 12 and we're over the hump. Last month's bills are all paid and so are all the charge cards. We are on our way to being debt free - at last!

I hit the bank first thing and made a withdraw. I felt like I won the lottery - all that cash between my fingers. REAL money! I brought my envelopes with me and filled them right there in parking lot - well, in my car, in the parking lot.
Surprisingly, some of them still had cash in them. (actually this was not a surprise since we now know where all of our money is going) My initial draw of $225 on the first of the month, was all we had 'to get by' until today. We made it to day 12 with $120 left! I am amazed at our restraint. Really, I am! We only spent money on gas and groceries and Bobby had a work function that required $50. I sold one of our cribs on craigslist and got 50 bucks. That was 50 less bucks I need to withdraw today.

After the bank,we headed to BJs. I put gas in my mini-van - used a single twenty dollar bill and filled my tank 3/4 of the way.
I had planned my BJs trip carefully. I only buy items there if I have a coupon. I got my BJs coupon booklet in the mail a few days ago and clipped what I needed. Diapers, wipes, Orange Juice, chicken nuggets, Bread, oatmeal, apple juice, eggs and cheese. (LandoLakes American cheese is $3.49 at our BJs. It's 6.99 at Giant. Sometimes I even have a coupon and I can get it for 2.49!) My bill was $93.03. I had $18 in store coupons. I added my items up before I got to the register and knew that I needed $75.03. My BJs envelope had $75 in it and I happened to have 3 pennies in my wallet. Easy Come, Easy go.... but - success. I was pleased.

Later, I went to Giant. I had been busy planning this trip all week. I had a coupon for every item except for 4. (I need to make a dessert for a party this weekend and needed $4 worth of ingedients.) I wish there were coupons for lunchmeat!
I had only taken $60 cash with me, so I had to stick to my list. When I ordered my ham at the deli counter, the deli guy said "is it okay that I went a little over?" To which I replied "no. well, how much does it come out to be?" It was only a few cents more than what I had planned, so I took it. He aplogized, and I told him I'm on a strict budget. Take that, deli man!

My bill came to 105.39.
After coupons and bonuscard savings I paid 57.42. I got 4 candy bars and a can of fruit for free, a bag of veggies for .34 and some dishwasher tablets for .84. It was a good trip.

So, our envelopes are full again (except for BJs, which was short lived) We even have an envelope for 'fun' This is our 'blow money.' ya know in case we decide we want to go out for ice cream or buy a magazine.

We're already looking ahead to next month where there will be new expenses... lawn care, swim lessons, and oil changes. It's fun to have a plan and even more fun when the plan comes together.