Happy Monday! The weekend flew by too quickly — I’ve had several long weekends and a vacation recently, so getting back to a full workweek will be a challenge. It’s been a while since I worked a complete week, and I’m bracing myself for the workload ahead.
I watched Boardwalk Empire last night. It’s one of my favorite shows, though last night’s episode felt a bit slow. I’m curious to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
On Friday I was a bridesmaid at a close friend’s wedding. It was a beautiful day and the bride looked stunning — easily the prettiest wedding I’ve attended. It was also my first time standing up as a bridesmaid, which made the day extra special.
The winner of my Swagbucks giveaway is Kristen B. (Swagname: kbon). If that’s you, please send me an email to claim your prize.
Spending
We didn’t spend much this past week. We picked up a new tie and shirt for W at H&M, which came to around $40. I also had expected wedding-related costs; hair and makeup for the wedding added up to $102 in total.
Food spending has been intentionally low. We’re focused on cooking at home more often — the meals are generally healthier, less expensive, and there’s no wait time or driving involved. It’s been working well for us.
Extra Income (does not include income from our main jobs)
Extra income has been solid this month, and I’m hopeful for a strong September and a productive remainder of the year. I’m planning a full switch to self-employment — I have a date in mind but I’m keeping it private for now. I’m feeling more confident about taking the leap and will share details soon.
We’ve been actively reducing our monthly budget so we can live comfortably on a lower income while still saving. The primary focus has been trimming food costs and choosing inexpensive activities like kayaking, biking, and hiking to stay active and have fun without spending much.
I’ve started looking into health insurance but haven’t completed my research. I need to dive deeper soon — if you pay for your own coverage, how much do you pay per month?
Being healthy
Last week wasn’t my healthiest, largely due to a busy schedule filled with wedding events. Still, I managed to eat relatively well overall. Even when life gets hectic, I try not to stress about occasional lapses — the week was worth it and full of great memories.
We’ve been biking a lot lately, though a recent heat wave — temperatures around 100°F combined with high humidity — has made riding uncomfortable. I’m hoping for cooler weather soon so we can get back to regular rides.
Wedding planning
Wedding planning has slowed down lately, but I have a few key tasks to complete by the end of October: find a caterer, book music, and send save-the-dates. Those items are top priority.
I still need to choose bridesmaid dresses. I like the idea of different styles for each bridesmaid, and I’m leaning toward short cream dresses. Some people worry that cream competes with the bride’s gown, but our wedding party has different looks and hair colors, so it shouldn’t create confusion. I’m also considering blush or peach as alternatives — subtle, romantic tones that complement a variety of styles.
We’re brainstorming cost-saving ideas for flowers. I want abundant floral arrangements — picture rectangular reception tables covered in flowers and candles, with well over a hundred small vases and jars. Rather than spending thousands, we’re considering planting and picking our own wildflowers, buying bulk blooms, and arranging them ourselves. If you’ve done DIY wedding flowers or have tips on bulk purchases, I’d love to hear about your experience. Another way we’re saving is printing photos at home using our HP inkjet printer and cartridges.
My wedding dress should arrive soon — I’m excited and hopeful I made the right choice buying it before trying it on. Fingers crossed it looks as good in person as it did online.
How are you doing with extra income, spending, and health?
Share what’s working for you: any budgeting tips, side-income ideas, or ways you stay healthy while keeping costs low. I’m always interested in learning what helps others balance finances and wellbeing.