<strong>Starting Balance</strong>: $74.64

<strong>Spent:</strong>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Groceries:</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">Weekly Groceries: $47.14</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">Other Expenses:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;">Diapers:   $12.00</p>
<p style="padding-left: 90px;">Target:     $ 10.00 - storage tubs for children's outgrown clothes</p>
<p style="padding-left: 150px;">$  15.00 - 3 folding chairs that were on clearance</p>
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<p style="padding-left: 60px;">Total Spent: $ 84.00</p>
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<p style="padding-left: 60px;">Balance:  $-10.64</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>We Went OVER OUR BUDGET!</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We're not excited that we couldn't accomplish this challenge, but we're also very encouraged! We're learning a lot, and this month is not over yet and we're not stopping.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We looked back over where we overspent and noticed that most of the overspending was completely unnecessary, however we also had some unexpected expenses that were more "seasonal" and we were not prepared for those.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">So, we've got 2 weeks left and we hope to spend as little as possible. It has been so nice to see the extra money in the bank and know that we can pay extra towards our debt at the end of the month!</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>What I've learned this week</strong></span></p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>I have to bring snacks with us when we go out. </strong>We were heading to a doctors appointment and were about 1/2 hour early. I realized when I was driving there that I forgot to eat breakfast and was STARVING! Claire was demanding snacks and I had nothing to offer. I was <strong>NOT PREPARED!</strong> Burger King happened to be on our way and I threw away my self control and got in the drive-thru. I am not proud...</li>
	<li><strong>We should budget for yearly house maintenance like weatherproofing. </strong>We rent our house but we have found that it gets very drafty in the house in the winter. We decided that we needed to weatherproof the windows to try to save some money this season. It was not expected, therefore it took a chunk out of our month's budget!</li>
<strong> </strong>
	<li><strong>Some things can wait</strong>: I did not have to buy the knobs for the dresser I'm repainting, that could have waited a few weeks. I also could have waited a few weeks for the weatherproofing stuff. I need to learn to be patient and really evaluate the need to know if it's an immediate need or if it can wait.</li>
	<li><strong>Somethings can't be planned</strong>- Claire has been having a really hard time sleeping this past week. Finally after 3 days of very little to no sleep, I decided to try something. I picked up a cheap pillow and sheet set at Target and tried to make her feel like her bed was now a "big girl" bed. It worked! We also ran out of infant tylenol and Caleb decided to cut 2 more teeth this week...</li>
	<li style="text-align: left;"><strong>I will be staying home</strong> <strong>much more</strong>- I feel like we blew it this week and now we'll have to pay the price for the rest of the month. I'll be spending most of my days at home next week. Canning applesauce and apple pie filling. I have plenty of groceries and don't plan on spending much money on groceries for the rest of the month. We'll have to get very creative to meet our goal!</li>
</ul>
<strong>This is tough, but I really know why we're doing it! Let's see if I can make $74.00 stretch 3 weeks!! </strong>