Mint.com

Has anyone out there ever used Mint.com?  A few months ago, a gal in my MOPS group told me about it and so I decided to give it a go.  Oh boy, was it eye opener.  First off, I realised that most of our money was going to one store in particular.  Any guesses on what store? If you guessed Target, you were right!

Let me go on my Target rant.  First off, I absolutely LOVE Target.  Theres no surprise that most of our money went there every week.  It is so clean, and child friendly (with the double 'fun' cart, as my kids call it).  The dollar bin is always fun, with little surprises, for ONLY a dollar!  You can get clothes, food, and household stuff all in one place...whats not to love!  But its a money pit for me.  And I am being serious.  I cant seem to leave target without spending 100$!  Those little dollar bin items add up.  For example, the other day I was there to get diapers (I love Target diapers...they are so cute with the spots all over them) and dish soap.  Two items...are you following me.  And then the dollar bin called out to me... cute little easter hats and gloves.  So I picked them up, 2 hats and 2 pairs of gloves.  But wait, what is that, oh its little purses... ok, so 2 purses.  Oh wait, little baskets....oh and easter towels...and....you following me.  So going into Target for 2 items, turns into 20 very easily.  Thankfully I had self control and was able to walk away....Victory! But honestly, it was hard.  Thats why I have vowed to stay away from Target until I can trust that I will be able to walk away more.

So back to mint.  I love that you can set little budgets, and goals.  Since looking into buying a house, we have really had to tighten our purse strings.  Chris and I are pretty frugal with some things...but with others, like grocery shopping, eating out, and going places for special treats, we just are awful with.  We have never had heavy mortgages or bills to worry about, and so this past month we have 'pretended' to have that.  And it has been hard!  I have already gone over on my food budget...which is something I am going to have to readjust accordingly.  Life is going to be changing for the Parry's once we get a house... but Im liking the lessons in self control and budgeting it is teaching me.   And with the help of mint, Im able to accomplish that much easier.

So in conclusion...check out mint. com.  I cant rave about it enough.  Its free and super easy...just takes some time to set it up!