The owner of Pearachute, a company I contract for and write about on my page frequently, thinks this number is bologna.
I, for one, agree with her. This seems soooo low. Although I have weeks where I'm disciplined and frugal, most weeks we succumb to take-out meals multiple times, and, well, if we are talking about entertainment, a trip to the movies one time costs us well more than $56.
So I kept a diary last weekend of my spending. I actually think last weekend I spent a little bit less than normal. I also think I have to factor in here that DFW has a relatively low cost of living compared to many other big cities in this country, which is why it is so appealing to families.
What do you think? Are the numbers above accurate?
Our weekends are fairly busy (and frantic), with each one
being a bit different. This weekend, for us, actually started on Friday because
my husband works a 9/80 schedule, which allows him every other Friday off. My
youngest, Corinne, who turned five in October, is not yet in kindergarten, so
she is home with us on Fridays while her big sisters attend first and third
grade.
This Friday Corinne and I wanted pedicures, and there is a
new salon that opened not far from our house that was offering $10 pedicures. I
couldn’t resist! We got fabulous pedicures that cost us $28 total including
tip. After pedicures, we met Brad for Potbelly at lunch and spent $21. I then
went for a run before heading up to school to co-manage my daughter Adelynn’s
Destination Imagination team. We had practice until 6 pm on Friday, so I
brought the kids a bunch of snacks. I spent $15 on fruit snacks, apple slices
and potato chips to hold seven kiddos over until dinner time! To end our day,
we went to a free ice skating party at our local mall. My girls started ice
skating lessons about six months ago and have really taken to the ice. The
party on Friday was totally free, but Adelynn was starving after Destination
Imagination. She and I grabbed dinner at the mall food court while we waited
for Brad to arrive with my younger daughters, who ate at home with Dad. We
spent $15 on dinner. After the party, Adelynn and Brynna (my middle daughter),
headed to a friend’s house for a sleepover.
Total spent on Friday: $79
Saturday morning I actually ran a 5K that supports a local
charity in town while my girls slept in at their friend’s house (the race entry
was $30). Corinne got a lazy morning with Dad while I managed a sub-30 5K at 12
weeks pregnant! After I got home and got everyone fed, we headed off to a Girl
Scout Cookie Booth. My older two girls are both involved in Girl Scouts, and we
love it. They have done some incredible activities (including Medieval Times,
camp outs, iFly, and so much more!) with the money they have raised selling
cookies. This year, both my girls want to sell more than 2,000 combined boxes
(I did not mistype that number!). Not only does the money they raise support
all kinds of activities they get to do with their troops, they also earn free
days at summer camp here in North Texas with all the boxes they sell. So we went
to our local Walgreens from 1:30- 4:30 to sell cookies. Halfway through, they
got a treat for good behavior and awesome sales. I spent $8 at Walgreens on
snacks and treats. After we got home, I was too lazy and worn out to cook, so
we ordered pizza and had a family movie night! We watched Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets, which I just finished reading to the girls. We spent $30 on
Domino’s pizza.
Total spent: $68
Sunday morning I got up before my crew and made breakfast-
hashbrowns, eggs and bacon. They loved it! After running four miles, I got
Adelynn and I ready to go to another cookie booth (did I mention how many boxes
my girls want to sell?) at the mall. Once we got to the mall, Adelynn talked me
into Jamba Juice smoothies for lunch. I spent $11. Brad took my younger two
girls up to the skating rink at the mall to practice. We love that our skate
tuition includes free skating during any public session. The lessons can be
pricey ($135 per girl for a 7-week session), but they enjoy it so much! Adelynn
and I left the mall at 3 and I swapped girls with my husband. Brynna and I then
worked a cookie booth at 7 Eleven for an hour and sold a lot of boxes! 7 Eleven
loves hosting Girl Scouts in our area and allows the girls free fountain
beverages or hot chocolate (and coffee for mom!) when they work a booth, which
is an awesome incentive for my kids. They love hot chocolate! We then headed
home to prepare for school on Monday and have dinner at home.
Total spent: $11
Weekend spend total: $158
