Budget Defense

I've been re-reading The Millionaire Next Door. One of the concepts that I really like is "playing defense" in regards to wealth. When you play defense you are saving money; playing offense is earning, or creating wealth. I like thinking in those terms; I get it. I loved the story in the book where the husband tells his wife he is giving her 8 million dollars in stock and she tells him how much she appreciates it, but keeps on clipping her coupons. She plays great defense!

I haven't been playing the best defense lately. I've been behind on my coupons for quite a while and it seems like I've been throwing money around. I picked up my Bug last Wednesday and plunked down $1071. Then, we paid another $379 on Friday to fix the a/c unit at the house. Add to that Easter purchases and a quick road trip down to see my parents and I have a bit of a financial headache. Quick, lower the lights before it turns into a migraine.

Spending always tips the scales for me. I have found myself, not for bad reasons, spending a large sum on repairs. It seems like when I have money to spend on the big things, it's easier to spend on the little things. But not spending on the little things, or playing budget defense, is how I was able to spend on the big things without it becoming a disaster. I've got to get back to that defensive mindset and this last weekend and the coming week are not helping.

I spent quite a bit on Easter. We took a great trip down to see my parents. That always requires spending on gas if nothing else, but it was far easier to spend on the road this time. We stopped at the half way point in both directions. On the way down, we bought drinks and snacks. On the way back, I filled up the car and we bought drinks. I just didn't have it together enough to pack a cooler. Heck, we barely made it out the door as it was. I also spent a pretty penny on Hoot's (our nickname for DS) Easter Basket and trimmings.

This week, I am on vacation. We're having a garage sale on Friday and Saturday. I've got to go put a listing in the paper and buy supplies to make a few signs. I also have to consider food as my parents are coming to help and dump some of their own things. So, again, I find that I will be needing to spend a bit more than usual. Here's hoping I can make up for some of my spending with a great garage sale!

In the meantime, I will begin to work on April's budget soon. We have the Saturn's car tags coming due and the Tax Man will be taking a small bit around the 15th. The new month should help me get back into the groove of the No Buy thing. I certainly hope so.

On the home front: The opossum has been missing. I haven't seen him in at least 3 or 4 weeks. Did he run off with the white opossum? I'm not really sure. I've kind of been missing him. I haven't had a marsupial stalker watching me through the window in weeks.