Technically, I spent more time in the car than running but…*cue Jay and Bey*

Variable Expenses Budget: $500.00
Spent Today: $60.81
Variable Budget Remaining: $114.87

October Income Goal: $2,500.00
Earned Today: $0.00*
Earned To Date: $779.64*
Goal Remaining: ($1,720.36)

And just like that, my variable budget for the remainder of the month looks…slender. I already know that I’m going to need at least $40.00 in gas to get through the remainder of the month based on my current gig schedule. I am hoping there aren’t too many other surprises. In an effort to eat at home and eat better, I have meal prepped for the remainder of the week and shouldn’t need to spend money on groceries. I am planning to join a couple of friends at one of their homes on Friday evening so I will likely need to buy a bottle of wine or some other gift. All of that said, I have been far more conscious of my spending each day because I have been aware that I would need to report it. I count this as a win.

I completed my first 5K, actually, it was mostly an obstacle course where you run in between, and I had a great time. I went with a friend who is also looking to get in better shape and we had a great time. I am already looking to sign-up and train for a proper 5K around Thanksgiving. Afterward, I showered and headed home. I picked up my mother, who has been a bit lost after the death of her dog, and brought her back to the city to a large state park. We had an awesome time walking and chatting. My parents live more than an hour away from me, so between gas and popsicles, it wasn’t particularly frugal but it was definitely worth it.
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*Income is reported as cash on hand. Some gigs are 1099 gigs (taxes not withheld) and some gigs are W-2 gigs (taxes withheld) and it would be tough to distinguish between the two in a neat way. Instead, I will report cash in hand, and money set aside for taxes and expenses related to gig work will have a budget line item each month.