Budgeting

New to 2007 is an attempt at budgeting! Yup, you heard me - I've never actually worked off a budget before. Why? Well it's simple. It's taken all our monthly income (and more) just to buy food basics, fill up the car tank once and cover things like school fees, car repair and clothing replacement (not cupboard-stocking - just replacing the stuff that falls apart or gets horribly outgrown). My budgeting has been merely to stick most of my salary in the credit card account, use the remainder in the cheque account for cash withdrawals, and get any medical aid refunds paying out into savings (not that we've used a doctor in years.. but it's the thought that counts, occasionally).

This year it's a different story. With R50,000+ needed by August, a Land-Rover Guinness World Record trip in April (petrol! repairs!), dad coming out for a month's visit in March, an excursion/adventure in May/June, Camino to walk in Sept/Oct (with child-care at home to sort out) and a business to get up and running a.s.a.p. it's taking some thinking.

But it's also taking no thinking - strangely enough. I've found that simply expecting to be able to do it, noticing the opportunities that come along and being open to receive has already done some amazing stuff. This week alone I've had a few surprise chances to negotiate business (over and above the day-job that pays most of our food each month) - and that R50,000 is looking doable!

Add to that a definite plan to stash cash, a further paring down of already frugal spending, and we're not only going to get out of our deep dark financial hole, we may end up a lot better off than expected.

I wrote something in my journal last night that I'll hint at here. It's a year of gifts. I've found great joy in giving to others, and delighted in receiving too. The more I give, the more unexpected gifts seem to turn up at my doorstep. And not just the kind of gift you can unwrap. An open heart, willing to love, has found me at peace with others in a way I've never been. A recognition and respect of the spark of fellow-humanity in those around me has led to being better treated myself. Open doors to my home have led to open doors back into the world. Sharing who I am without reserve (well, usually.. :-) ) has seen it reciprocated in deep and valuable friendships. And a whole lot more.

OK, so I'm a bit off the budgeting theme - but when have you ever known me to stick to the point? :-)

As the first payday of 2007 approaches, the list of things to buy and acquire is immense. But this time around I'm not throwing "numbers in the bank's computer" around willy-nilly. There's a plan in place, a mastery of what I have to work with, and a budget. Control-freak? Perhaps. But it's going to give a very large step in the right direction, and a base from which to build one awesome future. For all of us.