Where Does Your Money Go?

My husband and I started a Total Money Makeover this month.

First we opened an additional account at the bank to make deposits for what is called our emergency fund. Boy! Does it feel good to stick money in there to build up so that when "life happens" it is there for us to use and not going on to a credit card!

It's amazing when you begin to watch your money how aware you become of the needless spending we can sometimes do.

Take a ride with me to see how easy that happens..........

You pick up your son/daughter from school and they tell you that they need a notebook and some highlighters for school.

So, off you go to Wally World to get what they need. You walk into the store and get the supplies and out of no where Oreo Cookies are 2 for $3.50. Well, what a deal and you grab the cookies. Heading to the check out line and waiting your turn, your eyes are checking over the new magazines on the stand. Well by gosh Better Homes and Garden has 221 ways to reorganize your home and you sure could use that. (3.50). Almost up to the register and your son/daugher is thirsty and you realize you are too. Okay, lets grab a soda for each of us at 1.28 each. And so you leave.

Heading out and driving along you see the Farmers Market and think..."Oh, lets stop there for a minute to see if they have any homemade applebutter". You stop and are so delighted about the lady that is selling those adorable handmade kitchen towels that hang on the fridge handle and they are only 3 for 6.50! You justify how cute 2 of them would look in your kitchen and you'll also give one to mom for her kitchen.

You forget about the applebutter because you just realized you need milk. So, you go to the little corner store on your way home, run in, get milk and your in line once again waiting. So, you grab the Sunday paper and wait your turn. (1.50 for paper) Your now ready to check out and you see a new scratch lottery ticket that looks "fun" and you figure "Oh why not", I need fun. (2.00)

So, there is your quick trip to the store for notebook and highlighters and you did need milk, however, you also spent roughly $20.00 on things that you did not 'need'.

Does this happen once a week to you? Four times a month? Or more?

If so, that could be at least a 100.00 that could of went into your emergency fund OR paying extra on a debt that you have.

Start telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.

It really adds up!