Layout:
Home > Cheap Gas, Budgeting 3rd paycheck

Cheap Gas, Budgeting 3rd paycheck

March 31st, 2018 at 01:52 am

A few weeks ago I used a coupon at a local grocery store where the first time you transfer a prescription you get $2/gallon off (up to 20 gallons)

2nd month you get a $25 gift card, 3rd month you get $30 worth of meat.

Wednesday night I was on empty, and DH had 1/4 of a tank ... so before he went to work we filled up with the 20 gallons of gas - $.59/gallon.

We had $22 in the gas budget, so cheap gas was a good thing!

Thursday night when I showed DH I had upped our gas budget to $350 he groaned and exclaimed -why that much?! (I had talked to him about this at least 2x previously ... but I guess it didn't sink in til the number was in black and white ...)

So I reminded him that the last few months we'd been spending roughly $330 - 350 each month, and having to WAM from other places. It hit him that his gas was averaging to $10/day.

*he's a delivery driver and does get some cost for a delivery fee for gas

I'm curious if this will cause him to drive the much more fuel efficient vehicle a bit more ...

(It's hard on his back and shoulders - the CRV is so much easier on him.)

---
I had a 3rd paycheck this month.

Usually I'd do 1/3 each to EF, Student Loan and then whatever project we're working on funding.

But this time I put $100 to EF, Pet fund, Vacation fund and then after discussing with DH ... $100 to housecleaner fund and to yard work fund.

I'm planning on posting an ad on nextdoor for someone to come in for 4 hours.

*Must have experience with multi-cat households
*Must be good at organizing
*Must be able to work on Sundays

I think I had some other things I was thinking too, but forget.

I plan on having the person work with me the first hour or so on helping me get the kitchen organized better. Then deep cleaning kitchen, then bathroom, then laundry room, then floors/carpets.

After that, we have agreed to $50/mo for return visits (2 hours)

My hope is that if some of the deep cleaning stuff gets done that I never get to, that I'll be better motivated to keep up with the surface cleaning.

DH also said he'd pick up some of the mowing.

Yardwork - we are going to hire someone to come help get the yard cleaned up - pulling volunteer trees, cleaning up berry bushes, etc. Then hopefully it'll be easier to keep up with ...

--
We have checked listings, and there is very little in our price range that appeals. C has also dropped off the face of the earth, so I'm guessing he drove by our place ... Oh well. Neither of us really relish the idea of everything involved in selling/buying/moving. So for now, the subject is dropped.

--

my left arm isn't doing any better. In fact, it may be worse. I probably will give it one more week with the elbow brace, and then call my doc for a PT referral. Frown

7 Responses to “Cheap Gas, Budgeting 3rd paycheck”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1522500168

    I don't think you will regret the help with the yard and housework. And getting it done, even without moving will help you enjoy your space more. I hope your arm gets better soon!

  2. Amber Says:
    1522500412

    I've been complaining about $30 a week in Gas, I can't imagine $10 a day.
    As far as your arm, don't put it off call the doctor asap

  3. Dido Says:
    1522605761

    PT should help a lot; I agree with Amber, don't put it off longer, just go!

    GFY on the outside help. I have started doing this (with my outside work currently, planning some help with an organizer for May) and it makes a difference. When you are working there are only so many hours in a day and week, and other, higher priorities like resting and focusing on quality relationship time to pursue.

  4. rob62521 Says:
    1522615861

    I'm sorry about your arm not improving. Hope it does or you can get some relief soon.

    Good score on the cheap gas. Too bad you can't get that deal more often.

  5. Bluebird Says:
    1522625486

    I'm so happy you decided to hire someone to help with yard work and cleaning/organizing! If I lived close by, I would help you organize 😊 One of the things that helped me 20+ years ago from Flylady for the everyday chores, is to time yourself to see how long the chore really takes. I used to despise emptying the dishwasher (I did not grow up with one). When I timed myself, it only took 5-6 minutes, including drying the underside of the glasses that collect water. I was shocked! I've timed numerous chores, and it's so much easier now that I know how long things really take.

  6. creditcardfree Says:
    1522674175

    Bluebird, I do that too! Time myself on chores I dislike, usually floors. If I lived nearby, Laura I would also help! Smile

  7. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1522720355

    Thanks all!

    CCF - I am looking forward to the help! I appreciate ya'll saying you'd be willing to help me if you were nearby. Wouldn't it be fun to be near each other so we could drop in and help each other out as needed? A true community.

    Amber - Yeah, I know. My gas is about $35 - 40/month. At least his mostly is covered by the delivery fees. Though it was much less when he was mostly driving his Prizm.

    Dido - I put in a call to my doctor today - just have to give her the name of the PT person someone rec'd to me, and they'll send my info to them.

    Rob - Wouldn't it be nice to score cheap gas all the time? Smile
    Bluebird - If I lived nearby you, I'd empty your dishwasher for you. Smile That's one job I've never minded. Now vacuuming on the other hand ...

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]