Today, it hit me that our budget isn't enough for our needs. I say that, I should probably say something more like "needs". In quotes and all. I've come to the realization that my "needs" probably aren't really needs at all, and maybe I should readjust my "needs" into needs - no quotation marks necessary.
It takes me a while to come to these realizations. Even longer to actually act on it. I can't help but thinking that maybe the economy is getting to me and my family. Surely it can't be ALL my fault. Are groceries really that much more now? Perhaps.
What we do here at the MOTR Casa is called the Envelope Budget. You set a budget for things like bills, groceries, gas, stupid school odds and ends, etc. You label envelopes and put the allotted money in said envelope. When the envelope is empty, you're out of your budget for that item. It works for spur-of-the-moment people like me. Sometimes I find myself doing what my mom used to refer to as "robbing Peter to pay Paul" I'll snag a little out of the medical envelope for a gallon of vodka or something like that. But for the most part, it works. Until today.
Today, I needed to run to the grocery store for diet dog food (I'll explain later) and a few other things. I was torn between which store to go to, I mean, I'm about to drive by Walmart and they are cheaper. BUT, the kids' school is doing some fundraiser with Hy-Vee receipts. What to do, what to do? Save gas and a few bucks at WalMart while losing a few dignity points and grimmacing at the apparent required screaming kid. (Ever notice it's a constant at Walmart?) Or tack on a few cents for the sake of my sanity and contribute to the fundraiser for my children's education? That's when I remember, "You hate Walmart. Nothing good is in Walmart. Your therapist said Walmart was unhealthy for your soul." And so, I pass right on by WalMart and head to HyVee. HyVee is a local grocery store here in the Big O. They have bigger aisles, good produce, and more importantly competent and happy and helpful (gasp!) employees. I feel happy and successful when I leave HyVee. When I leave Walmart, I feel violated.
I get in, shop, and whip out my envelope, it's Peters - you know - to pay Paul. Translation: I left my Groceries envelope at home, but just used my Entertainment envelope money that was in my purse, resolving to put the money back when I get home. I get out. I'm yapping on the phone with my mom, when I get home and go to take the money back to Paul (Follow me with the nice analogy, folks) and I cannot find Peter's envelope. I panic, then think, and realize I left it at the check out lane. AAAACK!
I get back in the car, and lecture myself all the way back to the store: "Can't IMAGINE why you can't keep a budget, Les. I mean, just leaving your budget envelope with MONEY IN IT at the store, can't see why you can't get a grip on your budget, LAME ASS!" I'm holding my breath, because it's 50/50 it's still there. Yes, anyone could have snagged that money. But it's HyVee. Good happy and let's not forget helpful employees.
I get there, walk in, go to my line, the nice and lovely lady is still there, I say, "Did I leave an envelope here?" Holding breath....holding breath....flashing nice trusting smile....holding breath
"You sure did! We figured you'd come back for it! I'll go get it for you."
They get it, give it to me, and I go to open it, when I see they've taken extra precaution and taped it. Fascinating, taping it shut, a new level of budget discipline. I'll consider it.
This would have never happened at Walmart. I'm just sayin.
That's how I roll.
I always learn something new