Lofty Goals

So I have a mission this week... I hesitate to mention it, because I am a little nervous.  I got mad at Allen last week when he said he wanted to give me a set amount of cash for groceries.  Not that I have been overspending.  I guess just to work more on a cash basis for pretty much everything.  But after I got mad, I thought about it and realized, hey, maybe my husband is not actually a complete idiot, but has rather a good idea.  And maybe I can turn this into a challenge for me.  So this next Friday, I am getting $75 in cash (that is $25 less than I've been spending).  That will be all my groceries and paper products/bath/body/etc.  Everything really.  So I'm kind of excited. Plus I downloaded this handy-dandy Excel Savings Tracker.  It is super cool.  It lets you set a budget goal for the month and track all your spending, coupons and savings rates.  I started using it January 1, and so far I am right on track with my goal of $300 for the month of January... Now I'm not making any promises, but my real goal (the one inside my head that I've been too afraid to put down on paper) is to cut that $75 by $5 each week until I get to $50 per week.  Ideally, I would like to put that $50 (the other half of my grocery budget) into savings for some specific goals.  We shall see.  I am also getting really really excited about starting back at The Haven Shelter (hopefully this Thursday)... I'm hoping one of our first classes back after the holidays will be something to do with budgeting so I can share some of my excitement with people who will benefit from it.  

***Also, just to update anyone who is praying with me during the Daniel fast:  Allen was able to register for 1 class this semester.  It is 3 credit hours... He really really needs to get into Anatomy & Physiology I, because he has 3 sciences that must be taken in order before he can apply to the nursing program.  If he got into each class when he needs it, it will still be next Spring before he can first apply to the program.  January 7th (that's this Thursday) is the last drop date for this semester.  Allen will be waiting at his advisor's door at 8am FRIDAY MORNING to see if he gets in to A&P... Please pray with me that this crazy schedule will somehow work out so he can get started!