So, I had a realization about my goals. I realized that I'm not a good budgeter. I don't mean that in the sense that I go over the amount that I have to spend, but in the sense that I just can't seem to say groceries will be X amount and nothing over that. I think I need to step back from the mentality of setting a dollar figure to every little small expense and realize how much progress I've made. I need to just allow myself to track expenses, keep expenses down, and continue to pay off my student loans and save money.

I feel really good about this new idea, I'm much better at the big picture anyway It's not like I spend on frivelous things, I just don't want to make myself worry about each little small expense, you know? I've spent so long worrying about just living expenses . . . now that I actually have SOME disposable income I still live in the mentality of pay check to paycheck. Which is great, because I automatically budget myself, but I need to stop worrying about the small stuff and see the bigger savings goals.

I guess this seems like kind of a small idea change - and maybe a bit crazy - but it is kind of a big mentality change from the goals I was trying to reach. I don't want to be a yo yo budgeter, always going on and off budget. I just want to have a lifelong spending/savings goal and plan. I guess I'm not articulating this very well, sheesh . . . and I always seem to make these posts so long . . .

Well to wrap things up, my new updated goals for November . . .



- Stay within my budget for everyday expenses Try to cut where possible.

- Put $450 extra towards student loans to stay on track for 4/2006 and 9/2006 payoff.

- Put additional needed to make short term savings goal (about $75)

- Allow my crazy budgeting/limiting of spending self to make at least one purchase on myself (not something I HAVE to buy, just something I want)

I seriously can't remember the last time I allowed myself to make a purchase just because I wanted something. Sometimes you just have to splurge