I began my week slow. Refueled my car and did some grocery shopping on Tuesday. Lists work wonders, you get exactly what you were looking for and buy nothing else, so you stay on budget. Who knew? I used to make lists all the time, I just did not stick to them. Another lesson well learned.
On Wednesday, I was invited to a good friend's birthday gathering, so I couldn't say no. This involved going out with my two honey boos and a group of friends to eat a local hamburger restaurant. The ambiance was good and the food was great. Prices were not bad, but I couldn't go crazy. I ordered the day's special: nachos, ate half there and saved half for lunch the next day. My daughter had some chicken tenders with fries. My partner offered to pay our bill, but I just couldn't let him. He ended up paying for my daughter's meal (after much insistence on his part). I paid $8.91, tip included. I had a lot of fun with some good people, so I believe it was well worth the almost $9.
My electricity bill came really high this month $50, instead of the $30 I had approximates for. I had connected an inline water heater that I used to not use. So my electricity bill was really low. But these past months have been really cold and I was tired of heating water in the microwave. Yet the bill came too high due to the water heater's inefficient system; I am buying a timer to control when the water is heated.
Sunday came and I had programmed to visit my cousin who recently had a baby. She lives far away and was visiting her mom's, so it was a perfect setting. But then the trouble began, one of my other cousins knew the other one was in town and decided we should finally go out, an outing we were postponing since December. Oh, boy, did my wallet hurt, already. We were a little group of 8.We went to a local restaurant, which has a really good and cheap menu variety for kids and average prices for adults. This time, I just could not afford getting a decent plate for $10-$14, plus paying a $5 kid's plate, taxes and tips; it would result in approximately $20 or more. So I decided, to get my daughter a plate; kids should never be accountable for a parent's bad decision. If I decided to accept the invitation, go out and take her along, then she should be treated as is, not mattering my financial situation. Everything went well, food came and we were all talking and having a good time. But then it happened, from a corner as I saw 5 piña coladas approaching our table. My daughter and I had arrived later than everyone else to the get-together, so they had ordered beforehand. Now, my frustration comes because my daughter loves smoothies, frappes, piña coladas and the like, so imagine how my breathing got heavy and my heart sank. I did not look at her; I just could not bare to see her little face as she watched everyone get the refreshing drink.
I knew, just there in that unbearable moment, how every parent who is in a budget feels when they cannot give their children something they know they love. I couldn't get it, that drink alone would be $5 or more, and we couldn't afford it. We kept on eating, and since I had told her before we were only getting food and no drinks (just tap water), she did not ask. What little blessings we have, and sometimes take for granted. Thankfully, one of my cousins decided she no longer wanted more of her drink and offered it to my daughter. I think I love her more now since that moment, and I don't think I thought that I could love her more. Friends and family are great, they understand. We should be grateful, I know I am. It's in moments like these where we have accountability of those who care for us the most.
Below my expenses up to this week:
| Expense on February | Cost (monthly) |
| Internet Bill | $37.20 |
| Daughter's school | $200.00 |
| Cellphone Bill | $27.88 |
| Electricity Bill | |
| Water Bill | $23.71 |
| Rent | $300.00 |
| Gas | $53.00 |
| Food | $122.41 |
| School miscellaneous | $2.00 |
| Entertainment | $39.55 |
| Church | $2.00 |
| Emergency | |
| Other | $112.99 |
| Actual Total | $920.74 |
Still have $76.26 left before my next payday. This week is my birthday, meaning I will have many free meals. Yay, free things!
See you next week,
Mushu
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