I had to run a few errands after work today - bank, gas ($53.02), and grocery store. I actually made out my list beforehand - about ten things - then promised myself that I could have two impulse buys, but no more. And I did it! I usually walk casually up and down the aisles looking for things I might need, but this time I went straight to where I needed to go, got my things, and left. I did add a head of lettuce, as we had just run out, and some pull-up diapers for ds1. We have tentatively started potty training, although we are not going full-speed ahead until we get back from Vegas. I did not want to saddle my mom with that while we were gone! So I got those "Feel and Learn" pull up pants from Pampers with a $2 coupon. I am hoping that if ds1 is uncomfortable in a wet diaper, he will start going on his own. He does really well on the potty when he is naked, but if he is wearing a diaper, he could care less if he is wet or messy. From what I read, this is a sign that he is not ready, but I feel we should at least start trying because he has the ability to do it. The more I read, the more confused I get! Some books say all kids can be trained by 2-2.5, others say not to push until he shows he's ready or else you will make it harder in the long run...AAAHHHH! I hope we figure it out soon. Lately we've been throwing Cheerios in the bowl and having target practice that is working for now, but I can't quite picture him doing this forever
Anyway, I spent $36.78 at the store. I am going to split this into groceries/non-groceries in order to track spending better. $19.03 was spent on two packs of diapers and a pack of dry-erase markers. So that leaves $17.75 on groceries. This was almost all for fresh fruit, veggies, and milk, so there was little room for coupon use.
I just received an e-mail from half.com. I sold my first book! I had put two books on about a month ago with no response. Last night I went back in to lower the price and add one of Dh's textbooks. It would have only gotten $6 at ebookdrop.com, but it sold for $30 in one day at half.com! It was in terrible shape (which I explained in the description), but I figured some college student who was looking to save a few books wouldn't mind. He bought it used for about $40, so paying $10 for a college text is not a bad deal at all. I won't count the money yet until we get it, but that will be another $30 in income!
January expenses: $176.73 + .25 (cup of coffee from work coffeepot - you can either pay a weekly fee or pay by the cup - since I rarely drink it, I just pay for a cup when I want one) + 53.02 (gas) + 19.03 (diapers, household) + 17.75 (groceries) + 62 (DH's bought a flash drive off E-bay, but was able to pay for most of it from his Paypal account from his last two sales - we only had to pay $12) = 328.78
January income: $551.41 + 317 + 30 (DH's E-bay sale) = 898.41