We just had our budget meeting for May. A little later than usual, but still in the first week so that's good. This month was a breeze compared to last month. April had some growing pains in it, but it was definitely worth it.
We started budgeting in January 2013, using Mint.com to set-up different categories and allocate our spending. What we didn't have during January, February and March was "fun" or "blow" money as people out in the blogosphere like to call it. We had categories for shopping, entertainment and restaurants which probably encompass most of our normal "fun" money type expenses. Well, those plus travel, especially for me and all my game conventions!
In April, Jason specifically asked for a category that would be his own so that he knew exactly how much he could spend rather than having a nebulous amount in the aforementioned categories. So, we picked an amount and I set-up two new categories in Mint: "Jason Fun" and "Stephanie Fun"! We have equal amounts to spend on whatever we want. We also have the amount carry over from month-to-month so that if we don't spend the full month's worth, the surplus will roll over to the next month (and vice versa).
For April, we both finished with a surplus, mainly due to birthday presents from his family that we didn't deposit into our bank accounts until April.
I had kind of resisted the idea, but I'm glad we did it. It helps remind me that I have money that I can actually spend! I tend to spend money in mini-sprees. I'll hit up a few places all in one week and then chill on spending (other than groceries and eating out) for the next few weeks. So knowing that there's this amount in the budget that I can spend is kind of liberating. It's also nice because I don't feel guilty about spending it. I know it's an agreed to amount in the budget, so it's not like I'm spending money we don't have!
I think he likes it too because he can buy his video games or books or whatever else and not have to worry that I'm going to be upset that he's spending all the money and I'm not. I was getting upset about him spending our "restaurant" money on going out with his friends, so now that comes out of his fun money, so that avoids all arguments. And I can go out for my BFF lunch with Shane and not worry about Jason being upset that I spent $50 on lunch. It's a win-win!
Overall, I've been actually enjoying the budgeting. It's a little weird, I know, but it's nice to talk about it actively, instead of just sort of talking about it whenever a problem comes up. I like that we're on the same page. We both know exactly how much is coming in and going out and where it's going. It prompts discussion about the future, both short-term and longer.
Next up: Should I roll over my 401(k) to Vanguard?
Showing posts with label Jason. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jason. Show all posts
Monday, May 06, 2013
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Off the Market
As of a couple weeks ago, I'm officially off the market!
It's kind of weird really. At the start of this blog, I was married to my first husband and then over the course of events, got a divorce and then chronicled a lot of what was going on in my life, but especially my dating life! I wonder if that means the next step will be my married life? Seems like the next step...
Either way, my boyfriend, ISTJ, better known now as Jason (yes, the same as my first husband) asked me to be his wife! And as my friend Edward said... I took the "very old-fashioned" route and said, "Yes!"
The Boyfriend becomes the Fiance
On July 8th, we went out for lunch after church and then Jason drove past my exit (for the third time this week! We had a couple "false alarms" earlier in the week, but third time is the charm or so they say). Luckily, this time, it didn't involve Mulholland Drive!
Instead, we drove up to the Getty Center.
It was a beautifully gorgeous day with the perfect LA weather! The kind that makes you never want to leave LA! We went up to the top floor of the South Pavilion, which has an awesome view of the Los Angeles. There, Jason pointed out the various places around LA where we'd gone during our relationship, including Manhattan Beach, where we had a very long, tense walk just a couple months into our relationship, during which I came this close to breaking it off with him, but then didn't. Divine intervention?*
After recounting our various escapades around the city, the trips, the restaurants, the activities, he started with all the mushy stuff about how much he loved me (and many other sweet things that will remain private). He then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I didn't have the heart to crack a silly joke. So instead, I said, "Yes!"
Here's a snapshot of the ring... I picked it out a few weeks beforehand, so I knew the proposal was imminent. We decided to go the non-traditional route ring-wise. It also has a matching necklace, but I haven't taken a good picture of that yet, but I love it just as much as the ring.
The Aftermath
Then we sent emails, texts, made calls to all the appropriate people. It was his parents anniversary, so that should make it easy to remember!
The After-Aftermath (aka: the Emotional Aftermath)
It's been weird. But in a really good way. I eloped the first time I got married, so the total time between "engagement" and "marriage" was about four hours. This time, it's gonna be a whopping 2 1/2 months! Since the first part of the engagement was consumed with my Jeopardy! obsession, I can now relax and focus on the wedding itself, which should be relatively simple and easy to plan. Mostly because I'm not a girly girl, so I have no big "wedding" dreams that need to be fulfilled.
Emotionally, I've been feeling closer to him every day. My day in the Jeopardy! studios was super-intense and he was there for me and so supportive in every way, which I completely appreciate. I'm in awe of his support and caring for me. It's a little unreal sometimes. Sad to say, but I haven't had very many people in my life that I feel like I can count on like I can count on him. My goal is to be the same for him. Someone he can depend on to be his friend, confidante and lover. I don't think that will be too difficult.
All of this just serves as a daily confirmation that I made the right choice in saying yes!
An "after" pic with our beloved Los Angeles in the background:
Looking forward to many more adventures!!
* Turns out I had a "love language" I didn't even realize I had! Acts of service! So, we were fighting over the dishes, but really I was feeling unloved because he wasn't helping me. Luckily, we got it ironed out...
It's kind of weird really. At the start of this blog, I was married to my first husband and then over the course of events, got a divorce and then chronicled a lot of what was going on in my life, but especially my dating life! I wonder if that means the next step will be my married life? Seems like the next step...
Either way, my boyfriend, ISTJ, better known now as Jason (yes, the same as my first husband) asked me to be his wife! And as my friend Edward said... I took the "very old-fashioned" route and said, "Yes!"
The Boyfriend becomes the Fiance
On July 8th, we went out for lunch after church and then Jason drove past my exit (for the third time this week! We had a couple "false alarms" earlier in the week, but third time is the charm or so they say). Luckily, this time, it didn't involve Mulholland Drive!
Instead, we drove up to the Getty Center.
It was a beautifully gorgeous day with the perfect LA weather! The kind that makes you never want to leave LA! We went up to the top floor of the South Pavilion, which has an awesome view of the Los Angeles. There, Jason pointed out the various places around LA where we'd gone during our relationship, including Manhattan Beach, where we had a very long, tense walk just a couple months into our relationship, during which I came this close to breaking it off with him, but then didn't. Divine intervention?*
After recounting our various escapades around the city, the trips, the restaurants, the activities, he started with all the mushy stuff about how much he loved me (and many other sweet things that will remain private). He then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I didn't have the heart to crack a silly joke. So instead, I said, "Yes!"
Here's a snapshot of the ring... I picked it out a few weeks beforehand, so I knew the proposal was imminent. We decided to go the non-traditional route ring-wise. It also has a matching necklace, but I haven't taken a good picture of that yet, but I love it just as much as the ring.
 |
| The non-traditional engagement ring designed by Symmetry (Greek designer)... 18K white gold, custom made with two raw diamonds, two blue sapphires and one pink sapphire |
The Aftermath
Then we sent emails, texts, made calls to all the appropriate people. It was his parents anniversary, so that should make it easy to remember!
The After-Aftermath (aka: the Emotional Aftermath)
It's been weird. But in a really good way. I eloped the first time I got married, so the total time between "engagement" and "marriage" was about four hours. This time, it's gonna be a whopping 2 1/2 months! Since the first part of the engagement was consumed with my Jeopardy! obsession, I can now relax and focus on the wedding itself, which should be relatively simple and easy to plan. Mostly because I'm not a girly girl, so I have no big "wedding" dreams that need to be fulfilled.
Emotionally, I've been feeling closer to him every day. My day in the Jeopardy! studios was super-intense and he was there for me and so supportive in every way, which I completely appreciate. I'm in awe of his support and caring for me. It's a little unreal sometimes. Sad to say, but I haven't had very many people in my life that I feel like I can count on like I can count on him. My goal is to be the same for him. Someone he can depend on to be his friend, confidante and lover. I don't think that will be too difficult.
All of this just serves as a daily confirmation that I made the right choice in saying yes!
An "after" pic with our beloved Los Angeles in the background:
 |
| Jason & Steph in the South Pavilion of the Getty Center |
Looking forward to many more adventures!!
* Turns out I had a "love language" I didn't even realize I had! Acts of service! So, we were fighting over the dishes, but really I was feeling unloved because he wasn't helping me. Luckily, we got it ironed out...
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