Starting Over
farfalla2011
member
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Budgeting....
I would post this on MM, but most are in a completely different place in life than most of us.
How do you stick to your budget? Specifically cutting eating out, movies, etc. Now with being single, I like to hang out with friends which is usually in the form of shopping, eating out, grabbing drinks, going to a movie, and so on. I don't want to be that person that never goes anywhere other than work and home because then I will never meet anyone, but I really need to get some control on my budget. Also, what do you usually do with your friends without spending much money? I'm in desperate need of some ideas because my finances are really stressing me out 
**nestie formerly known as thegastons**
Re: Budgeting....
Maybe you could just explain that money is tight and you'd love to spend time with them without dropping a ton of money. How about hosting some movie nights or dinner in with your friends? Then maybe they could take turns the next time, you know?
I definitely like your ideas. And they may work even better now because one of them is getting ready to have her second baby any day now and she is a SAHM. Meeting in instead of out will hopefully allow her to come more often too.
I just hate having to say anything about money being tight, especially since I don't really see it getting any better for quite a while (like a year or more) unless by some miracle I get an awesome raise next month. I know its my own stupid pride thing, and I'm sure they'll understand. I just hate that I bust my butt everyday and am still broke. /vent
I'd bet that if they are SAHM(s) and having another baby, they might be tight for money also! I also second finding some free activities in your area. I recently did a free self-defense class with friends and it was a riot!!
Ditto PPs to check the newspaper for free stuff. In my town, the first Friday of every month, the art galleries downtown are open for free, and they serve free wine and cheese. Every Friday during the summer, there are free outdoor concerts. Check to see if your library or community center has any cool adult learning programs or classes or workshops, as those are usually a decent price.
As far as eating out, try to pick the cheaper things on the menu, try to go during happy hour when restaurants have specials, only have one alcoholic drink and then switch to water (or just drink only water), and remember that beer is cheaper than wine is cheaper than mixed drinks is cheaper than specialty cocktails (usually). Try a matinee instead of evening movie. Go out for dessert instead of for dinner. If you usually frequent a particular bar/restaurant, see if they have a loyalty/rewards program and/or keep an eye out for coupons.
Also ditto PPs on hosting people. Have a card game night, or a board game night, or a movie night at your place. It's not too expensive to provide chips and soda (tell people to BYOB). Someone else can host next time!
Thanks ladies! You all have some great ideas!!
I've considered off and on about going to a cash budget for spending other than bills, I just haven't done it. I actually lurk a lot on MM, but don't usually post much. I already feel like from reading I know most of the things they would tell me and the things I need to do and I'm slowly working on them, but I have the whole complication of dealing with XH since several of our financial things are still co-mingled a year later.