BF and I have agreed to start celebrating various holidays the day after, when everything is 50-75% off. I don’t think the Godiva chocolate I just bought for $3 is going to taste any different then it would have yesterday for $10.

• $3 Godiva
• $16 O’Malia’s Grocery
• $25 H&R Block
• $170 Dentist
• $25 Visa
• $7 Chase
• $25 AMEX
• $200 state & federal taxes

This Friday is payday, so the increase in spending was my diligent bill paying. Visa and AMEX (the ONLY two balances I have left) were both offer a reduced minimum payment so I took advantage of it and threw the remainder of my regular payment in my ING account. Both cards have 0% till this fall and I have enough money in my ING to pay off both, so I’m just letting the interest accumulate until the balances are due.

I was very proud of myself this morning for tackling my taxes through H&R Block (which is offering free federal filing), until I got an email saying I inadvertently put a space in one of the EIN and I’ll have to correct, print, and mail everything.

I ended up owing money, but not nearly as much as I had anticipated. All the tax calculators estimated $1,000+, and it turned out to only be $200. I’ve never been so happy to owe money in my life.

That is my dog, Oliver, and for the last six months, I’ve been spending far too much money on him. Just yesterday..

• $5 Three Dog Bakery
• $30 PetSmart

We went to PetSmart last night for an $8 nail trim and walked out with a new collar, a rubber toy, and a brush.

The doggie bakery is just a few blocks away, and our trips have tapered off since the cold weather hit, but I’m sure they will gear up again this spring. He actually knows which door to stop infront of when we walk past.

My new goal is to spend no more than $40 per month on Oliver, which includes two nail trims ($15), food ($15), treats and toys ($10). I’m not anticipating this being too difficult, since we have a stockpile of treats and toys from Christmas to last quite some time.

I’m obviously not including vet bills and emergencies, but I have special money set aside for that for right now, and am working on adding it to my budget.

How much do you spend on your pet every month? Am I way off on my new goal? Too high? Too low?

A girl needs groceries.

• $7 Aldi
• $18 Kroger

I know not everyone is a fan of Aldi, but I am. They pay their employees well (they offered me a job when I was fresh out of college), they offer great products (go ahead and check the labels, that generic catsup is made by big name ketchup), and how can you not love a big bag of groceries (including eggs, juice, cottage cheese, butter, and Pringles) for $7?

I love to go to the movies, but it can get pricey. After tickets, drinks, and popcorn, you’re well over $30 a couple. The Five Buck Club from Kerasotes Theatres offers tickets to movies that have been in the theatre for two or more weeks for $5. Kerasotes sends an email once a week letting you know the discount movies and times for the upcoming week, and that’s all there is to it. There are participating theatres all over the mid-west, and all you have to do is give them your name and address and they’ll send you a discount card.

Order a kids popcorn and pop (free refills!) and you’re in the movies for less than the cost of a full price ticket!

Who knew not spending money was so easy?

• $71 utilities

If you’re worried about sticking to your budget on Valentine’s Day, try White Castle! I thought their billboards were a joke for the longest time, but you can actually make reservations and get a Cupid Crave Kits for a mere $10.99.

The Cupid Drave Kit includes eight cheeseburgers, one sack of fries, two regular soft drinks, coupons and keepsake items. I must admit, I’m extremely intrigued by what White Castle could be offering as keepsake items.

The Cupid Crave Kit is available through drive-thru too, but either way you have to call and make a reservation, because supplies are limited!

Photo courtsey of Natalie.