A bonus… well, Bonus!
Got a call from my manager.. I didn’t think I got a bonus this year, but turns out I did. So I can put an extra $1000 towards my debt repayment (ugh I know, pitiful, but $1000 is $1000!)…
And I’m going to take BF out to a nice restaurant since he’s been so sweet and considerate in feeding my half-starved ass every weekend with homemade goodies. 
It’s really great news because…
My parents raised my rent
From the original $400 which was the ‘grace period’ rent because of what I was going through, to $600. It’s reasonable considering it’s a big city and it was nice of them to let me back in, even though I’m really only here 4-5 days a week since I spend my weekends visiting BF.
I was caught off guard for March and robbed “Peter” (my debt repayment) to pay “Paul” (my parents), and it killed my plan to be out of debt by August, and shifted it to my being out of debt by October, which I know was only 2 months off… but still made me a tad unhappy.
But! With my bonus, I can throw about $1000 into my debt, which puts me somewhat back on the track to be done by September which means I’m only a month off schedule.
Can you believe it? By May 2009 I could potentially have cleared $53,500 in debt, since I started this whole debt repayment schtick in Nov 2006!
February Budget Roundup
Debt
I had hoped to put a big chunk into it this month but it was not to be with the unexpected charging by the airline, and the new MacBook I bought so I could separate my work from my life..
Emergency
Was only going to put in $200 into my emergency fund, but decided to up it to $685.11(basically the remainder) instead of putting it into Debt so that way I got more of a cushion for later, and to replenish some of what I took out for the later categories.
Retirement
Not the usual $690 I put in per month but that’s because I paused the ‘extra’ payments I’ve been doing to my retirement, and decided just to do my company retirement plan for now so that I’m saving SOMETHING, but… not more than I should since I have to really concentrate on debt.
Rent/Transportation/Cellphone/Medical/Dental
As expected.
Groceries
$72.19! A miracle! Probably because I haven’t really had time to eat to be honest, and BF has been fabulous feeding me for free on the weekends (I feel bad.. I ought to give him grocery money)
Eating Out
$19.71. Aint’cha proud? It was only in my lowest of low points that I had to buy something to eat or I would’ve fallen over from sheer hunger.
Starbucks
Surprisingly, I bought muffins and pastries, not the drinks. But nonetheless…
Long Distance
Had to clear my bill from last month, and next month it should be much lower.
Clothing
Totally unexpected. I couldn’t even go a bloody month in 2008 without buying clothes 
Although to my credit, December and January were my months to NOT buy clothes. BF’s lingerie surprise was actually what did me in because it opened the floodgates of spending, and I got winter boots and walking ballet flats, which didn’t help matters…
Ban in effect, as of NOW. Readers, you’re my witnesses..
Oh, and I’m still in the process of setting up my blog to start selling my stuff online. I’m starting with shoes, scarves, a pair of gloves and jewellery.
And I have to get on selling stuff on Amazon.ca, I have the account all set up and ready to go. Just a matter of doing it.
Phew!
Electronics
Kind of budgeted in January because I made the decision halfway through February to purchase a personal laptop (a MacBook) to separate my work from my life (and see how well that’s working out? I’m blogging while working)…. Anyway, it was about $1500 that I expected to pay, but then I bought iWorks (which in hindsight was silly.. I didn’t and still don’t need it), a silicone keyboard protector from iSkin.com, a Speck clear hardcover to prevent it from scratches (well worth the investment!), and commissioned Mrs. Micah to create a gorgeous laptop cover for it.
At least I wasn’t too far off the mark.
Toiletries
I spent an extra $6.66 (is that a sign?) only because I decided to use all of my points and stock up ahead of time on contact lens cleaner, moisturizer and of course, chocolate. 
Makeup
NIL! 
I’m slowly edging towards not wearing any… just concealer and eyeliner.
Entertainment
Had budgeted for $0, but spent $9.50 .. going to a movie I think. Unexpectedly.
Miscellanous
Bought a Mat & Nat laptop bag (hey, they’re going to be an exclusive Holt Renfrew brand I hear, so buy them while they’re still ‘cheap’), and a pair of sunglasses since my last ones were mysteriously lost….
Travel
Ah. Travel. Didn’t include the airline tickets in here, that’s in March’s budget (I put the money from this month into an emergency fund for next month… so maybe I should’ve reflected that here.. hmm), but this is just for the tickets up to see BF on the weekends.
Some weekends I went up early or came back late (damn holidays), but now I think I’m getting the hang of planning them properly so I don’t spend more money than required.
March Important Points Budget Overview
- Basically all my cash is being diverted into saving for a “Wedding” fund (basically entertainment/hotel costs for when I go to the 2 weddings this summer). I’m saving up the money in my EF ahead of time so that I don’t freak out when May/June rolls around and I have to spend $1200 in hotel/basic food/entertainment costs.
- $500 projected for March (those are confirmed tickets I purchased ahead of time), although schedules may change (I HOPE NOT)..
- Debt Repayment inching up to a healthy $1095, now that I have my expenses under control.
- Overall practicing of frugality for the month of March except for that thank-you-you’re-a-great-BF dinner I’m taking him out on because I got an unexpected bonus.
- January 2008 Budget Roundup
- FB Budget Talk – couple of changes
- August Month End + September Roundup
- Bit late out of the gate… but here’s my Budget Roundup
- FB’s General Financial Plan for August to October 2008
Sincerely, King Bitch
on Feb 27th, 2008
@ 3:47 PM:
OMG, you plan your budget so meticulously! I’m scared I won’t be able to do that when I go out into the “real world.”
I can picture myself four years from now, after I finish medical school, chronicling my attempts to get out of +$70,000 of med school debt while having fun at the same time on “Fabulously Broke in The City, M.D.”
You’re going to be debt-free this year? I’m excited for you.
Fabulously Broke
on Feb 27th, 2008
@ 3:57 PM:
SKB: I’m kind of ridiculous when it comes to organization and budgeting. It gives me a sense of purpose… and quite frankly makes me v. happy
You should see me as a PM on the project right now LOL
I’m going to be TOTALLY debt free next year!
But I’m clearing one of my major debts this year…
But that means I cleared $53,500 in less than 3 years :-O
I can’t believe it myself.
Mrs. Micah
on Feb 27th, 2008
@ 4:52 PM:
It’s great that the bonus came along right when it did. You are so close to being debt-free. 6 months ish? That’s awesome!!! Then all that money can start to making your emergency fund and investing nice and plump!
stackingpennies
on Feb 27th, 2008
@ 5:40 PM:
Chocolate is in toiletries?
That is great about the bonus!
Anonymous
on Feb 27th, 2008
@ 7:16 PM:
Ok, let me get this straight. You’re in serious debt. Your blog is titled “Fabulously Broke.” You’re selling off your belongings. You budgeted $200 for groceries but only spent $72 because you have someone feeding you for free, and/or you can live on oxygen and coffee alone, but yet you found almost $550 for clothing???
(head scratch)
Girl, you need a reality check.
Canadian Saver
on Feb 27th, 2008
@ 8:00 PM:
Congrats on that bonus!!!
I’m curious about your living arrangements (my parents help me lots too!)… do you live in their house?
Lady Luck
on Feb 27th, 2008
@ 8:09 PM:
OMG- you are INSANE with the planning!! I would SO benefit from doing this, but I don’t know if I’m ready to face reality yet.
Elisabeth
on Feb 28th, 2008
@ 7:42 AM:
I will now be avidly watching your budgets as it is time for me to organise my finances! Eep!
Fabulously Broke
on Feb 28th, 2008
@ 9:51 AM:
Mrs. Micah: Yes in 6 months I’ll be cleared ONE of my debts.. not both. Both will be done by 2009..
StackingPennies: Weird yes? But it happened to be part of the points that I had spent.. so .. I couldn’t really break it out you see
Anon: Uh.. $72 a month for groceries isn’t totally unreasonable for me considering that Dimples manages to make it work for her and her girl for $100 a month.
To clarify, I only get fed on the weekends for free and the rest of the week, I cook and buy in bulk and eat the same damn thing every day. I eat fruit and oatmeal for breakfast which is pretty cheap, I drink tea, I make sandwiches, and pasta with some veggies in bulk.
It IS possible to live on $72 of groceries. I also don’t drink pop, eat junk food on a regular basis, or buy cookies etc to stock the pantry.
I didn’t “find” $550 for clothing. I took it out of my emergency fund only because a dog chewed up my winter boots which I need for winter (reality check THERE), and I knew I had enough in my income coming up to deal with buying a couple of things here and there.
If you had been reading my blog regularly, you’d have noticed that I stopped buying clothes/shoes for quite a long time (periodically a couple of purchases), and even I earn enough to treat myself once in a while – what’s the point of living frugally and being so tight with money when you don’t spend some of it once in a while? I’ve been living on a pretty tight budget for the last year or so and am making strides to getting rid of all my excess stuff.
So maybe before you judge you should think about what you’re saying and instead of hiding behind being “Anonymous”, own up to what you’re saying.
At least I know I’m on the right track to get out of debt, so get off your high horse.
Fabulously Broke
on Feb 28th, 2008
@ 9:52 AM:
Canadian Saver: Yes I live with them, I pay (now) $600 in rent to cover utilities and shelter, but I pay for my own food + transportation, etc.
Lady Luck: When you are….
Elisabeth: Just start tracking your expenses. It’s the best way to begin.
Living Almost Large
on Feb 28th, 2008
@ 10:41 AM:
What’s the travel for? I’m confused if the airline tickets are in there for next month.
As for electronics, good job on staying pretty much in line. That is a way to easy a catergory to blow. MORE so than clothes. Clothes well you can say you don’t need it, but electronics, well it’s harder because you walk a fine line between needing and not needing and “borrowing” software etc KWIM?