Before going on errands yesterday, I ran my report in Quicken that tells me how much is left in the Everyday Expenses budget. I was thrilled--it looked like there was lots of wiggle room, and it was ok to take advantage of whatever deals I came across.
But when I got home, I discovered to my horror that I'd never taken last weekend's receipts out of my purse and entered them in Quicken! Much more of the budget was gone than I'd realized.
By that point I had already bought some extra grocery items at Aldi and Wal-Mart, and worst of all I invested in a 30-pack of beer for $18. It was a pretty good deal, and will probably last us all summer--but we sure didn't NEED it, especially if it meant blowing the budget. I never would have bought it, had I been organized enough to know the true budget balance remaining.
Aargh! I guess this makes a good case for Flash's Visa debit card idea. Even if you forget to record what you've spent, the remaining balance on the card wouldn't lie.
Well, at least now I can drown my sorrows with the beer. 
Disorganization and Beer
March 31st, 2006 at 01:52 pm
March 31st, 2006 at 03:46 pm 1143819980
March 31st, 2006 at 05:37 pm 1143826672
March 31st, 2006 at 06:14 pm 1143828878
April 1st, 2006 at 12:26 am 1143851192