I am working on paying off any debt that I have (a lot). In doing so I've decided that I need to get myself in check and use a budget. These are every single one of my purchases since I have gone cash only for the most part. Bills are not included as they are in their own account and are all autopay.

Coins are not really counted as they are kept in my coin holders and used as needed regardless of allocation. I do note purchases below and consider the amount with totals though.

July 4 to July 10, 2026 ——————————————————————

Weekly Budget: $300

Actual Used:

• Groceries - $160 ($160 left)
• Eating Out / Fun - $60 ($60 left)
• Personal - $20 ($20 left)
• Gas - $40 ($40 left)
• Flex - $20 ($20 left)

Thoughts: I considered increasing my groceries budget to $200 this week but it felt excessive. I did go over the previous week but this was due to a change that couldn't be helped. I'll try $160 again this week and then adjust.

June 27 to July 3, 2026 ——————————————————————

Weekly Budget: $325

Actual Used: $295.05

• Groceries - $160 (-$34.56 left)
  • $101.84 @ Meijer
  • $44.90 @ Walmart (Office Food)
  • $7.51 @ Dollar Tree
  • $40.31 @ Meijer
• Eating Out / Fun - $65 ($4.23 left)
  • $44.97 @ Texas Roadhouse - Dad's Birthday Dinner
  • $4.37 @ DQ
  • $0.28 @ Circle K - change used
  • $11.15 @ Meijer Gas Station
• Personal - $20 + $20 Rollover ($0.28 left)
  • $39.72 @ UPS - Shipped Books
• Gas - $40 ($29.95 left)
• Flex - $20 ($0 left)

Thoughts: The flooding that kept me at home for most of the week definitely cut down on my spending at the beginning of the week… I've decided that any money left over will roll over to the following week. It will not be additional funds except in the case of "Personal". I will just adjust my withdrawals from the bank accordingly.

I ended up being under the total for my budget this week but I overspent in two categories and only just had enough in my personal section of my budget to cover a shipment. A client insisted I borrow the books and then decided to move to the other side of the country… I never even read them. I don't have to worry about them now though!

June 20 to June 26, 2026 ——————————————————————

Weekly Budget: $254

Actual Spent: $223.16 ($263.14 before paid back)

• Groceries - $100 ($0 left)
  • $35.55 @ ALDI
  • $13.38 @ Save-a-Lot
  • $52.87 @ Walmart (Office Food - Flex Used)
• Eating Out / Fun - $40 ($0 left)
  • $16.73 @ Fazoli's
  • $4.58 @ DQ
  • $0.85 @ Circle K for Fountain Drink - change used
  • $0.85 @ Circle K for Fountain Drink - change used
  • $15.67 @ Captain D's
  • $7.20 @ Wendy's - Dad's Burger
  • $1.32 @ Chick-fil-A - Flex Used
• Personal - $20 ($20 left)
• Gas - $40 ($0 left)
  • $40.00 @ Buc-ee's ($3.299/gal)
• Flex - $54 ($10.84 left)
  • $1.80 @ Walmart (Grocery Overflow)
  • $16.70 @ Save-a-Lot (Grocery Overflow)
  • $39.98 @ Walgreens - Dad's Meds - Paid Back
  • $6.83 @ Chick-fil-A (Eating Out Overflow)
  • $17.83 @ Steak 'n Shake - Da'ds Dinner (Eating Out Overflow)

Thoughts: It looks like I will need to up my grocery budget. I am proud of my not spending as freely as I was previously. It feels good. I feel like I can really accomplish something doing this.