So my Uber Frugal March ends today, and it was not frugal! :(
I blew it in a couple of categories, groceries, eating out and household items.
Despite planning for a very cheap month of groceries I was $150 over! This was due to being sick and requiring some easy on the stomach foods I did not have in stock, also I had quite a few (well wishing) visitors to feed and I also just seemed to lose the plot the last week of the month. I did buy a few expensive items (like ground pepper $16) that will last a significant amount of time, so it will save me future expense.
I also ate out a few times and purchased takeout a few times because I was just sick and tired. Blah, easy excuse. My only saving grace was I bought nothing in this category for 6 weeks prior. April, I am back on the nothing at all in this category train.
The last big expense for me was household items but I am stocked up for a pretty long time, so I can't complain too much. I took advantage of sales / coupons so it was long term frugal and short term budget busting.
Luckily I did get a modest tax return this month, plus some additional side job funds so I was still able to throw a chunk at debt. Really my main focus on sticking to a budget is to pay off my debt, so as long as I am throwing as much as reasonably possible at it each month I can not complain. April will be much better, I have lots of extra hours to work, I am feeling much better and because it is such a busy season at my job I won't have time to spend money.
I also brought back a few cheap but healthy recipes from my student days that I haven't really eaten in years. (I have no idea why) I made a GIANT tuna casserole with plenty of veggies for a total of about $10 and it amounts to at least 8 meals for me. Silver lining of the month, tuna casserole is back on the menu rotation. :)