Ain't No Cure...

It's barely July, and I seem to have those dreaded summertime blues. *sigh* Really? My budget has too many variables for comfort this month. But, then again, I have too many variables for comfort this month. I guess that's just it in a nut shell.

I have a few days off for the Fourth of July, then a few more at the very end of the month. Extra time off without plans makes me crazy. Even if I just plan to stay home and play with Hoot, I like to have some idea what I'm going to do. I also have a weekend off right in the middle and the word "beach" has come up more than once. Hello? You know there's a budget right? Well, if you peruse my budget, you'll see what I mean.

$300 for miscellaneous? WTH? Okay, I'll tell you. There is a small chance we may add to the household soon. We've been talking dog for quite some time and our life just isn't complete without fur on the furniture. It's been over 3 years since Miss Lissie passed away and there is constant talk. I've been trying to hold out until after our September trip (yes, I have said this for the last few years) but this year I really mean it. We want to get a dog that is still young, but maybe past the big chew. There is way to much to be chewed in this house, and heaven forbid we get a puppy devoted to eating Hotwheels. So, we have talked a lot about a rescued dog. I'm not even sure it will work out, but there is a chance a basset hound mix might need a good home soon, and if that is the case, we're going to meet him. I wanted to make sure that if it happened, I was covered. I have no idea if he would come with a bed, or kennel, or whatever he's used to having, so I pumped out a miscellaneous category of epic proportions. If the pup doesn't work out, I might (that's only a might,) consider using part of this budget to spend a weekend at my parent's house and go to the beach.

The birthday budget is also quite large this month. My brother in law is going on a mission trip to Africa this fall. We want to help, so we are giving him our check for $100 as his birthday present. Two birds and all. My niece is having her 16th birthday, even if she is anything but sweet. I feel like 16 is a marker that needs a little bit more of a present, even if I can't decide what that will be. She has gotten a car, so it may be as simple as a gift card for gas.

I've added an eating out category for this month. I wasn't going to at first, but I have a big event to plan at work and let's face it, when it's super hot outside, who wants to cook? Hopefully this will just be a one month thing. I guess I'd rather budget it than face it being over budget due to circumstances I'm too lazy to control.

Liquor store budget. Did I mention my melancholy? Well, there's always a bit of a perk for me when I get some alcohol into the mix. A trip to Spec's can really improve my mood. No, I don't drink often and with the whole No Buy thing it is even rarer. But, there's just something about summer that calls for cold beer and margaritas. I haven't been to Spec's since Christmas Eve, and well, that was over SIX MONTHS AGO! Don't I get points for that? Honestly, I really wanted to give myself a $100 budget for this and put some beer and wine back in the fridge. But, concessions have to be made even if I want to give a liquor pushing rabbit (a reference to their super cute, yet retro mascot) some serious cash.