I have now entered a very *special* stage in my life. This *special* stage involves an assault on two fronts — food and money.

Budgeting food and and money – that is.

Oh, budgeting, let me count the ways you make me miserable, hungry, listless, and bitchy. No wait, let me first liken you to something everyone is probably familiar with these days… DEMENTORS.

In other words, Budgeting = Dementors.

With the economy the way it is these days, I’m sure everyone has had a taste of the evil budgeting dementor. So you know that feeling I’m talking about. But, I’m in a little deeper.

You see… I am now budgeting both money and calories (aka counting calories) in a heroic effort to lose some weight. I guess now that it’s been a year since I’ve had Noob Baby, I can’t really use that “I just had a baby” excuse as I stuff five 3 apple fritters down my pie-hole. So I figured it was definitely time to do something about eating healthier. And as you get older, it turns out your metabolism just isn’t the way it used to be. Not only do I have to eat healthier, but I should be exercising TOO! Cruel Gods!

Well let me tell you the fastest way to destroy a woman, commonly known as BOTB (Bring On the Bitch). Take away her shopping and eating privileges. Finito. End of story.

I’m really bad at keeping up with the budget thing if I don’t have accountability in the form of visual aids. Graphs help a lot. So, I’ve been using these two iPhone apps to help me stay miserable on track: Mint.com and Lose It!

The first app and free website, Mint.com, enables you to set up a monthly budget and set limits for each category (i.e. food, kids, shopping, etc.). It also allows you to link your credit cards and other finances (401, checking, etc) all to that one website so it is neatly organized for you to view. As you swipe your credit card with shameless exuberance at Target, it will update your budget automatically on Mint.com. And of course, I love that it has graphs. The graphs move along as you spend money, and a helpful little indicator will tell you where you REALLY should be at the point in the month. I’m still working on staying below that line. *clearing throat*

Lose It! is for my calorie counting endeavors. I use this on my iPhone to help me record what I’m eating each day. It also sets up a calorie budget for you when you enter your weight, age, height, and your goal weight. It also gives you an estimated date for when you will meet your goal provided you STARVE YOURSELF… I mean, stay within budget. If you don’t have an iPhone, there are also free websites that allow you to do the same thing: Calorie Count or The Daily Plate.

So now that I’ve turned a new leaf and am embarking on this journey of removing all happiness from my life (joking joking, Noob Daddy and Baby) …. I could use any tips from you about either saving money or saving food.

Now pardon me while I go drool on my food coupons.