Tuesday, March 31, 2026

I started this again this month just like in February to keep myself in check not thinking I would publish it. It’s like airing your dirty laundry!

I recorded everything to the best of my ability but I could have missed a couple of things.

To note: this was our first full month as empty nesters.

Sunday, March 1 – $0 in person purchases but did order 3 pairs of shoes – BOGO 50% at DSW and Dr. Scholls – gold mary janes and gold Aerosoles and Sperries. I may not keep all of them. This has been a purchase(s) I have been sitting with for about a month. I have waited and waited to pull the trigger on some shoes I feel will “complete” my spring wardrobe.

Note: I returned the Sperrys. I just wasn’t sure they fit my vibe and after a couple of weeks I hadn’t worn them yet, so that told me to return them!

Monday, March 2 – +$40 tutoring, $3 in drip coffee at Starbuck’s, $13 consignment button down shirt for Mason for work – stopped on way to tutor at Starbuck’s. Ate all meals at home.

Tuesday, March 3 – invited to eat tomato soup with puff pastry by friend Elizabeth for $5 at Osteria – well, I spent $23 with tip! Kroger pick up $108 and Costco $191

Wednesday, March 4 -Publix $50

March 5 – Boutique grand opening, Lucias cafecito coffee shop – $14, French bakery $4, Fresh Market $21

March 6 – Pedicure $38 + $10 tip and Cultured $32 with Elizabeth. Cultured was closing/moving that location so it was the last day.

March 7 – Kroger with Mason $132 (most was for Mason to help him get started) let’s say $30 was for Tom and Amy, Martini’s $91, Old Navy order $78

March 8 – $7 beer with $1 tip after walking on a path right next to a brewery. I was going to make it a total no spend day but that’s ok. It was worth it!

March 9 – mah jong $15 gift for the mah jong teacher

March 10 – woohoo! No spend day! Went on a hike with Heather and Eddie Otis and ate all meals at home!

March 11 – It was bake the Amish Friendship bread day and I didn’t have enough flour or sugar or bread pans. Lucky day because bread pans were buy one get one free! $22

March 12 – $139 Kroger pick up

March 13 – Trader Joe’s wine store $35, Trader Joe’s Grocery $75, plant and candle purchases at plant BINGO $51

March 14 – Liquor Barn beer cheese for Tom and to take to party, chips, pretzels, chocolate $46, DSW Return +84 (decided to return Sperry boat shoes), cocktail bar $25, Pizza order $50

March 15 – Sister Kate bday present $42, gym $0, car wash $14

March 16 – Cold day! Amazon return $0, looked in a hardware shop/gift shop, looked in a new to me gift shop $0 NO SPEND DAY

March 17 – I made money this day! +$20 Facebook Marketplace sale of TB sandals, $3 at Starbuck’s for a drip coffee while tutoring, +$80 Tieks sale on FBM, +$40 for TB flats sale on FBM, +$40 for tutoring – up $177

March 18 – Amazon Return – I swear I didn’t order a replacement and it came anyway from my Monday return! $0, paid taxes on the boat and trailer but I am not counting that because this is my grocery and variables spending record. Ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at home $0

March 19 – afternoon mah jong game, did place an order for $50 for a mat for myself and walls/pushers for myself so that now I can host at my house and have a complete set. I also placed a LMNT replacement order and an eyeliner, brow pencil replacement order $37, – Paul’s Fruit Market $6, Gracious Plenty $10, Old Navy +22 and -$70 oopsie, Panera $9

March 20- Library $0, Bagel sandwich $10, Mexican for dinner $55 on a patio with friends

March 21 – Haymarket $6, Bagel place $20, ate leftovers at home for dinner on a Saturday – what?

March 22 – $111 Kroger pick up, $58 inside, $35 on drinks and food at free premiere event. Lol. The food hall was too tempting – I got a cocktail and Spanish patatas bravas.

March 23 – Gifts for four nieces/nephews approx $40 each, $43 nails for myself (gel), $10 tip

March 24 – small Kroger run $40, Michael’s $14 (Mah Jong tile bag), Rainbow Blossom $12, Jones Road Beauty $84 (finally clicked buy and bought Miracle Balm and What the Foundation)

March 25 – $11 Captain’s Quarters happy hour, $50 Feeder’s Supply

March 26 – nail fixed $0, Fresh Market $21, Kroger $16 – Tom’s baseball themed dinner, Derby event $0 (my friend treated me to my cocktail and we shared spinach artichoke dip)

March 27 – Trader Joe’s $35, Trader Joe’s Wine $40, Mexican take out $35

March 28 – Target $22

March 29 – coffee shop $13, Kroger $62

March 30 – +$40 tutoring, no other expenditures. I didn’t leave the house til tutoring! I made dinner in the morning and EO and I took two walks and read on the porch.

March 31 – Posting on this day so hoping no spending!

Groceries Grand Total:

$857 and this does include home supplies like dishwashing detergent, toiletries, and things like that.

This site says that the family of two adults spends $560 for two in 2026. I find that very, very low in this economy!

Clothing:

Clothing: $78 Old Navy haul (returned two blouses for +$22)

DSW: $135 – $84 returned Sperrys = $51 (gold Aerosoles kitten heels)

Dr. Scholls: $34

Old Navy return and bought more + $22 and -$70 spent $48

Take out:

Door Dash $70 Galaxie, $50 Parlour Pizza, $35 Mexican – Pretty proud of reducing Door Dash!

Would like to have more no spend days!

Anyway, I am not too disappointed. I did get out more and did buy more breakfast and lunch out for myself. I think it was so rare in January and February that I was ready for more breaks from making my breakfast and lunch in March. But, on the positive side, Tom has been taking his lunch almost every day!

Whew! I’m tired! How did you do in March?

Amy