My October Budget:
Rent, Elec, Cell: $450 (listed together because they're all split with BF)
Groceries: $40
Transport (bus pass): $54
Food on Campus: $65
Insurance: $26.75 (that's 1/3 of the total quarterly payment)
Salsa classes: $30
Entertainment&Misc: $50

Total: $715.75

Estimated Income:
17 nights @ average of $60 => $1020
4 lunches @ average of $10 => $40
2 paychecks @ average of $45 => $90
Total $1150

Income-expenses: $434.25 on to savings!!

Note, my income is estimated. I'm a waitress, and there will be some nights I make $120 and some that I make $40... it all depends. So if I make more, great! It all goes into savings. Not to mention, I think I'm going to work a couple extra nights hosting. My boss usually pays me with gift certificates that I can use all over... including to get my hair done, and by december it's gonna really need it. He always gives me my tips in cash, though, so it ends up balancing out nicely. And my rent,etc is an estimate as well, considering our cell bill and electric change from month to month.

I may be able to pare down how much I spend on food on campus as well. I'm gonna start buying the plain coffee instead of the starbucks thingies I like so much. And perhaps encourage my friend to go to subway instead of the cafeteria one day... get cheap deli sandwiches and pack the sides! (that was BF's idea... I think he's a genius sometimes)

I just really need to get my butt into gear. I've got a lot of saving ahead of me before next semester. I may still have to take out a very small loan, but I'd prefer not to. Books are going to be expensive enough. grr. Well, I'm off! Salsa class tonight! yay!