I allocated $50 per 2 weeks per person. It's the 7th of the month, and we have spent about $27 per person so far. We are quite close to our goal this time, however we did eat out of the pantry for a few days. So far no lunch spendings for both of us, and no breakfast out apart from the 2 coffees we got. We want to have this work even when we start the university soon.

Today is the last working day for 2007! I have to say I made some money mistakes this year. Not bringing my own lunch to work has cost me hundreds of dollars this year. Just like a lot of other people, I go over my budget at the grocery store and on lunches. I guess I underestimate myself on how much I DO eat. So one of my goals to be added to my list for 2008 is to stay within the budget on groceries, and bring brown bag lunches to work.

We spent around $400 for Christmas on gifts. I think I could have managed to spend about $100 less and cut back on a few people, but it's all fine in the spirit of Christmas. What I would really enjoy for Christmas is I think not having to travel, and just staying in surrounded by friends and families by the fire place, talking, reading, listening to music or watching good movies on the tele and drinking good wine. I really do not care for all the hustle and bustle and people rushing through. For the next Christmas, we plan to make it much low key and spend a lot less. We might go back to catching good movies in the theater or on dvds and getting Chinese take outs. Chinese take outs are so much better on cold winter days, don't you think?

2008 is when I intend for us (me and my sidekick) to be completely debt free. It seems possible as of now, but who knows what surprise expenses will pop up. I find budgeting very difficult. So my goal for 2008 is for us to discipline ourselves to remain within our budget. Anything that is not in the budget, we will just have to do without. I hope we can obtain this goal. If anybody can share any budget success stories, that would be awesome.