One of the goals I set for myself in order to build up the savings account/EF was a weekly transfer of $37.50 to the Vanguard Account.

I've successfully managed to do that for five consecutive weeks. I'm hoping to up it to $50 once we are a bit more stable.

The good news is we are close to getting the property tax monkey off the back and are building up the vacation fund for a cruise in late October/early November. I had a discussion with a friend whose a religious DR Follower and she had some words about what Baby Step I should be on before taking a vacation (suggesting financial irresponsibility). My thoughts which I shared on that are a cancer diagnosis changes one's thinking. And DH came through his bout easily (no chemo or radiation/though he had to deal with a subsequent blood clot that complicated things for months). And if I waited until I paid off untold medical bills we'd probably never go on a vacation, and family time away making memories is at the top of the list for us.

So, onward to savings and vacation is what I say.

Cruised into second half of July very satisfied with spending, or precisely how little spending was actually being done.

That changed in one week. In one week I spent $48 on a soccer uniform (still far less that what I spent for Club Soccer), $28 on uniform shorts for high schooler (the only clothing item I needed to buy for BTS! thanks to old uniform still fitting 8th grader, and uniform exchange for high schooler), $10 at used book store for summer reading books, $44 for Panda Express (younger daughter was home for this week from summer camp job).

Younger son was invited on an last-minute road trip from the Midwest to CA (he is flying home with me on 7/30). He cost me $60 for new flip flops, sun glasses, ear buds, water bottle, some snacks and $20 spending money. He and my stepdad left this morning and have already hit the Arch in St. Louis.

I also stocked up on snacks for younger daughter returning to camp for three weeks ($15).

The only good news is that most of the spending is done for BTS and trips, etc. Grocery spending will be minimal since everyone is away again, so back in the saddle starting tomorrow.

Hope UFMC is going well for other participants!

I'm counting it half over. I'm participating but not stringently and am spending as I need to.

Here are the numbers: (For 7/1 through 7/15)

Groceries - $175

Gas - $75

Other - $126 ($90 was soccer camp for high schooler, remainder was a birthday gift, two clothing items from Goodwill, and miscellany such as batteries and gas for lawn mower).

We have also amassed $500 in the vacation fund. Our goal is a cruise in late October. That should be achievable.

How is everyone else doing?