Debt $ense

Thanks to both my debt repayment and an improvement in my 401(k) balance, I’m less than $5,000 in the red overall!

I have to say, it feels good to be able to say that. I won’t be in the black until the end of October, assuming I get at least some return on my 401(k), but that’s a whole lot closer than it seems.

I hope it also will be a kick in the butt to remind me why I’m scrimping and saving and encourage me to save as much as possible, not treat my weekly money as something I have to spend. I was doing well for several weeks, but have slipped back into my habit of running around the corner at night for dinner rather than bringing it from home. I haven’t gone outside the bounds of my budget as yet, but only because I haven’t been spending money on nonfood items, something that isn’t sustainable long term.

I’m trying to come up with some sort of sustainable incentive plan to reward me for coming in below budget on my household expenses, but haven’t come up with one yet. Something to muse on through the weekend, I suppose.