Money Matters Monday - 2013 Budget

Ugh.  Money.  Mondays.  Not the two most desirable topics, especially together.  However, in an effort to keep myself accountable, and try to interest you in my little blog, I am going to use Mondays to talk about money - lack of it, acquiring of it, saving of it, whatever pops into my mind or confessions I need to make.  Maybe I can give you some pointers or you can leave some pointers for me!  Let's help each other save more and live more fully in the coming year.

So, with that in mind, I need to talk about budget.  I need one.  Well, I need a better one.  I have been doing a better job for the past few months at making a written budget, keeping track of every expense (even the $1-$2 trips to the vending machine at work), and trying to lower some areas of spending - like eating out - while trying to increase other areas - like paying down debt or building an emergency fund.

I came across another blog the other day about a family that decided to not eat out at all for an entire year.  Wow!  I was inspired and motivated.  So, I tossed the idea around to the 3 boys and the other girl in the family.  To my surprise, they were in agreement that we should try to eat at home more.  Not only will we probably become healthier by doing this, but I believe we will also save lots of money.  On average, our family eats out to the tune of $350-$500 a month.  Woah!  In two or three months I could have my $1000 emergency fund if we stopped eating out.  This is going to be a real challenge for my family since we are constantly on the go with ball games and practices.  It's going to take some planning and preparation on my part.  But I'm willing to try.  If I can save that much money (and it's honestly a little more than that because that is just the amount out of only my paycheck each month) then the extra prep will be worth it.  My realistic goal is to limit our eating out or pick up food, including pizza delivery, to once a week.  With a family of 5, that could bring that number down to $250 or less.  Still saving money, though.

So, my suggestion to all of you on this Money Matters Monday is to make a budget for 2013, or at least a goal worksheet.  Take a look at your expenses and see where you can make adjustments and save more money for a rainy day shopping trip, a vacation, or add to that retirement or emergency fund.  Since I'm asking you to make goals, here are mine:

1.  Have a $1000 emergency fund.  (I know we should already have one but we don't.  This is why this is numero uno.)
2.  Save for educational trip to Spain in June 2013.
3.  Save for family Christmas vacation in December 2013.  This year's goal is Hawaii.  (We dream big!)
4.  Pay off TV loan early (will be paid in full in January 2014 anyway).
5.  Pay off vacation club package by October 2013.

I have other goals but these are the top 5.  What are your top 5 money goals for 2013?

Be blessed!

My daily inspiration to achieve my goals.