monthly spending summary: january & february 2011

like most people, one of my new year's resolutions was to save money in 2011. to help me keep track of my spending habits and figure out where i need to cut costs, i've decided to post monthly updates and see if i manage to stop spending as much. i welcome any advice and tips in order to decrease my monthly totals!

based on previous years' spending habits, i've created goals in several categories as follows:
DINING - Includes all restaurant and food purchased not in a grocery store: $200
BEAUTY - Includes all beauty products purchased, haircuts, manicures, etc. : $166.67
FASHION - Includes all clothes, purses, and accessories purchases: $333.33
MONTH TOTAL*: $700
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JANUARY 2011
DINING:  $250
BEAUTY: $240 - average ($/item): n/a
FASHION: $0 - average ($/item): $0
MONTH TOTAL*: $490
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FEBRUARY 2011

DINING: $300

BEAUTY: $150 - average: $37.50/item

FASHION: $350 - average: $350/item

MONTH TOTAL*: $800

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i started off on the right foot, but returned to my regular spending habits in february. luckily the total of the two months is less than the budget/goal fore the two months. where did i go wrong in february? the sunglasses are all to blame... but i really don't regret buying the sunglasses, i love them too much.

*Monthly spending does not include fixed costs such as transportation, cell phone bill, internet, tv, groceries, etc.