Low/No-Spend 2012 Challenge - Week 3 Recap

It's hard to believe that I just completed the 3rd week of the Low/No-Spend challenge.  How did things go?

Food: $60
Used so far:  $180 = FAIL
It seems that our weekly grocery bill has been consistently higher than what I budget for.  It could be due to the fact that I'm now bringing my breakfast and lunch to work, so I do need to buy more groceries.  I will adjust my budget for the next 2-week period.  Of course this past weekend I had to restock on diapers and baby wipes, which I didn't calculate into the budget.

Transportation: $120
Used so far: $60 = PASS
This is good news as it will help with the grocery overage.

Coffee Shop: $0
Used so far: $1.60 = tiny FAIL
I picked up a tea from the cafeteria last week.  Need to make sure I bring in some tea bags to work to store at my desk.

Lunch:  $0
Used so far: $7
Went out with the boys for lunch last week and gave into my craving for sushi.

Other:  $30
Used so far: $70 = FAIL
This money was spent on Saturday when we took the kids to the mall and afterwards went out for dim sum.  DH and I also went to my best friends engagement party at a lounge, so we spent $40 on Saturday night.  I consider my spending to be a fail, simply because I didn't need to splurge on a $7 cocktail at the lounge.

Health/Fitness wise:
Still consistent with the working out and cardio.  Still no hashbrowns, donuts or muffins.  I still can't believe that there was a time when I was having this junk food on a daily basis.

The number on the scale hasn't gotten smaller, but I do feel slimmer and some clothes that fit snug in the past are fitting more comfortably now.  I suspect that I won't lose any weight but will just see changes in my body shape.

Overall, the first 3 weeks of January have been great.  I've allowed myself a "cheat" meal once a week and even with those meals, I have been quite controlled in what I'm eating.

Oh.. and last week I thought I would take a peek at my last paystub of 2011 to see the total amount I spent at the cafeteria.  You ready for this?! .... $1200!!!  Last year I spent $1200 at my work cafeteria.  This doesn't even include the times I went to Starbucks or Tim Horton's, or the money spent on eating lunch at the mall or at nearby restaurants.