May Madness

Monday, May 09, 2011

As suspected, it was good that I didn’t transfer our extra money into savings.  Between the graduation, Mother’s Day, and extra gasoline for travel last week, we have used all of the money left from last week, as well as  two-thirds of the most recent part-time paycheck.  And unfortunately, we have used the Visa card for several items, including a celebration dinner for our daughter’s graduation, and new eyeglasses for Mr. Struggle.

Here’s the breakdown: 

Carry-over:  $327.12

Expenses:    $8.34 postage

                        7.52 toiletries

                   107.66 groceries

                   125.09 gasoline

                     52.74 gifts (Mother’s Day)

                       7.99 haircut (with coupon)

                     16.16 cell phone re-charge

                     18.49 fast food   

                   100.00 gift (graduation)

Income:  $169.53 part-time earnings

Current balance: $52.67   

The kids were all three home over the weekend, and we had a few guests, also, so groceries took a bigger chunk of the budget.  We also had to buy gas for travel to the graduation, to an out-of-town airport to fetch and return Miss S1, (who flew home for her sister’s graduation), and to Struggle Jr.’s university to move him out of his dorm and home for the summer.    I’m pleased that we haven’t moved into negative territory with the checkbook balance, given the lack of time I have had to keep an eye on the balance. 

We took the relatives to a nice Italian restaurant for a late lunch before the graduation ceremony.  We were very pleased with the food, décor, service and even the prices.  Including tip, lunch for 8 was $132.  We got out easy because of the special lunch menu prices. I was pleased that it went so well, especially because we hadn’t been to the restaurant (we weren’t familiar with many places in the town where our daughter went to college).  We also gave Miss S2 a pair of pearl earrings to match the necklace we gave her for high school graduation, and a check for $100.

Mr. Struggle had his telephone job interview last week, on his day off.  I left the house, as before, because it makes me so nervous to listen.  He seems to think it went well, and said the next step would be a face-to-face interview, should they feel the same.  He asked about relocation assistance and they did not rule it out.  I am feeling much more hopeful about the situation.  The new job would be in a touristy and historic area that is doing better economically than our current town, and we both loved the area when we have visited there.  Surely, I would be able to find a job there, too.  I have just about given up finding anything here.

How is your job hunt going?  Do you think the employment market is improving in your town?