So, the one thing I forgot to share in the discussion on allowances (and thank you for all of the discussion!) is that Andy and I too are now getting an allowance. This idea was Andy's brainchild, and, quite honestly, I spent a lot of time pushing away this one. I guess because I have always lived the budget like what was leftover after bills was fair game. This is not the best way to do things. From what I have read, you budget every dime down to 0, whether it is going to bills or savings. I didn't want an allowance. It would make me more accountable.
But Andy pressed on, and this month, I relented. So on the first of the month, I handed him and myself half of our allowance (we get the other half mid-month on my payday). I have to say that I love having that cash in my wallet to use or not. I actually took me until yesterday to spend any of it. My niece was over for the day and I told her I would treat for lunch. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I realized that I would have to, gulp, take it out of my allowance. To my niece, who will probably read this, I am glad I did, BUT I then drove to Wendy's (her choice) trying to figure out how to most cheaply get lunch. Luckily, she only wanted a cheeseburger and fries which I was able to get off the value menu.
This brings me to another thought, though. As I was driving, and this was more of the issue of how to pay as little as possible, I had a hard time choosing what to get for me. I have been a little more diligent, shall we say, in making more healthful choices. My thyroid is not totally in line yet, but I am really trying to make an effort in what I eat. So here was the dilemma-do I get myself something off the value menu knowing I would spend less but consume calories I don't need or do I get something healthier and watch my discretionary fund dwindle? I opted for the salad with grilled chicken, happy that I made a healthy choice, but sad that it cost a whole lot more!
Needless to say, now that I have an allowance, I am not going to be offering to treat as much!