In all of my excitement, I forgot to grab my pre-packed lunch AND dinner that I put out on the counter. I won't even be able to salvage it! I made a huge batch of my shrimp/whole wheat penne/creamy nutmeg concoction on Sunday to have for lunch and dinner on the run. I am volunteering tonight so I wanted to be frugal and meal plan ahead- I have savings goals in mind! I also won't get to enjoy my eggplant/roasted red pepper/goat cheese/tapenade on foccacia for lunch. Boo! Ah, sometimes even the best laid plans can't help you. Do you meal plan? If so, what's your strategy? The good news is that my favorite cafe has my favorite sandwich as their special today- turkey and cheddar with sliced apples and a maple glaze. I'll get over forgetting my food :)
Speaking of saving, for eight months out of the year last year I tracked my finances to the last penny using pearbudget. I cannot say enough good things about pearbudget! It essentially is a budgeting program where you set the budget, input your daily expenses and track what you are doing. There are monthly analyses/charts/all that good stuff. It might seem a little anal to some but it really helps to keep me accountable to my savings goals. Their customer service is top rate. A few weeks ago I emailed pearbudget to let them know that although I loved their service, I was no longer tracking my finances, and would they be willing to refund me my $30 (my subscription renewed automatically after a year)? Charlie from Pearbudget emailed me back less than ten minutes later letting me know that my account had been refunded. Then, a few days ago I decided that I was going to start tracking my finances again as of March 1. I emailed Charlie yesterday to see if they could "recharge" me and he got back to me within 5 minutes, suggesting I utilize their free month (there is no initial charge to use pearbudget- you try it for a month to see if you like it. If you do, it's thirty dollars for the year or three dollars a month) and go from there. How awesome is pearbudget!! So, if you are interested in budgeting/tracking your finances, check it out! **By the way, I am not affiliated with pearbudget at all, nor are they offering me anything to spout my praises about them. I am just a really satisfied customer! :) Do you follow a budget? Does it work for you?
Okay, what was the point of this post? Oh, right, exciting news! A few weeks ago, my good friend Laura indicated that her husband Jim was looking for some runners for the 12 person Ragnar Relay being held in New York the weekend of May 14-15. I have read about Ragnar in the blogworld and it definitely piqued my interest! In any event, Jim contacted me on Sunday and as of right now I am set to be on the Ragnar relay team! Eeep! The Ragnar Relay is a 12 person overnight relay race across 178 miles. Each team member runs three legs of the race, each with varying difficulties. 
I am really excited for this challenge but also fairly nervous- I don't want to let anyone on the team down! Have you participated in the Ragnar Relay? Would you? My friend Laura is coming along for the ride to provide support- I am excited!
I hope that you have a great Tuesday. Later this week I'll post my new race schedule and a full bridal shower recap. Have a good one!
I've never heard of this race, but it sounds super fun! I would love to do a team relay like this, but I've never seen anything like it in my area.
ReplyDeleteI've never done a relay race, but they always sound like SO much fun! Congrats on the great run!
ReplyDeleteWow, I've never heard of the race but it sounds exciting! Congrats :D
ReplyDeleteI don't follow a budget OR meal plan (*shame*) but that's because I don't ahem...have my own finances yet. Soon though!
Ummmm, hello that is my ragnar team!!!!!! Well not mine but I'm on it lol. Team BAD??!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you that you have an exciting new challenging race ahead. It sounds fantastic! I have been tracking all our family's spending in excel, TOO time consuming. Does pearbudget make it any faster? Also, just curious do you do your checking account the old fashion way on paper, or do you use a program for that? I need to cut down on how long it takes so I am looking for new ways. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!! I have signed up for my first relay race this year too! We are only doing 2 legs each, but it should be fun. Yours actually happens before mine, so I will be so excited to hear how it all goes for you. And any tips will be helpful. YAY!! So excited for you!
ReplyDeleteWe have a budget, and a relatively tight one at that given my SAHM/graduate student status. We "zero" out every check that ADP brings home and it has really helped us know where all the money goes.
ReplyDeleteI've never done a Ragnar Relay, but they sound great.
How exciting!!
ReplyDeleteI use a budget tracking software called Mvelopes. It has re-vamped my finances! It is the best thing I ever started (about 5 years ago).
How exciting!! I got a mailing about that relay and was really interested, but it's the same weekend as my marathon. It sounds like an amazing experience. How much will you be running in total?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your friend- you are nuts!!! Glad you are excited! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteRagnar sounds really cool!
ReplyDeleteI am horrible at budgeting. Jason has insisted that he be in charge of the finances which is fine with me! As far as meal planning, sometimes I do it for dinners, but that's really it.
Hi Katie,
ReplyDeleteIt is so funny that you would post about the relay! I just got a flyer on the Ragnar Relays in the mail the other day. I was looking at it secretly thinking how fun that would be to run with eleven other people and go on a little road trip:) I wish I knew more people who would be willing to run with me because I would totally do it and think it would be such a blast:) You will have so much fun!! I am really excited for you:)
I've done a relay race in track before....it was the 400m dash, and it was HORRID! I much prefer relaxed, slower-paced and longer-distance runs. I hope you enjoy the relay! :-)
ReplyDeleteI budget, sorta. I say I will NOT spend more than $300 on food. And I always do. :-(