Tonight I sat down and updated my budget for the month-to-date.  It's shockingly bad.  Here's the who/what/where/how much of our spending thus far in March:

12-Mar-08	McDonald's	Dining	$9.28
12-Mar-08	McDonald's	Dining	$7.57
10-Mar-08	Carl's Jr.	Dining	$10.22
3-Mar-08	Sheridan's	Dining	$7.43	$34.50
10-Mar-08	Blockbuster	Entertainment	$5.67
5-Mar-08	Café Sip & Play	Entertainment	$15.26
3-Mar-08	Blockbuster	Entertainment	$3.78	$24.71
10-Mar-08	Fred Meyer Gas	Gas	$60.34
6-Mar-08	Shell	Gas	$52.26
1-Mar-08	Shell	Gas/Automotive	$46.48	$159.08
11-Mar-08	Safeway	Gifts	$37.84	$37.84
10-Mar-08	Fred Meyer	Groceries	$246.87
10-Mar-08	Albertsons	Groceries	$2.49
4-Mar-08	World Market	Groceries	$1.49
4-Mar-08	Wal Mart	Groceries	$109.31
3-Mar-08	Trader Joe's	Groceries	$73.40	$433.56
3-Mar-08	Doctor's Visit	Healthcare	$20.00	$20.00
5-Mar-08	Angie's List	Home Repairs	$27.00	$27.00
10-Mar-08	Target	Household	$100.87
10-Mar-08	Wal Mart	Household	$33.91
10-Mar-08	Wal Mart	Household	$20.41
4-Mar-08	Walgreens	Household	$3.15
3-Mar-08	Target	Household	$23.90
3-Mar-08	Fred Meyer	Household	$76.51
3-Mar-08	Target	Household	$79.02	$337.77
11-Mar-08	The Barber Shop	Personal	$18.00	$18.00
			$1,092.46	$1,092.46

To clarify what this chart represents, I've subtotaled each of the categories so you can get an idea of our spending.  We've spent $433.56 on groceries so far this month and even more shocking, we've spent $337.77 on household stuff.  I am cooking for company and I did also invest in some canning jars to replace all my old dying tupperware, so that was around $40, but I can't imagine what other stuff I've been buying that I didn't really NEED.  I honestly thought I'd been doing well this month!  I can't remember anything other than diapers, paper towels and coffee.  I think that's why budgeting is so frustrating to me.  We spend so much and seem to get so little enjoyment out of it!  I can think of a million things I'd rather spend my money on than toilet paper and chicken breasts, but that's where it all seems to go.  I can't think of a single thing I've bought for fun and yet we're already way over budget.