How has your spending been this month?

[catsareme]

Clearing out brush, grading the drive (prep before asphalting), adding a dusk-to-dawn light at the entry gate and replacing an outside light damaged by the elk during the winter severely depleted the home maintenance fund.  Now it's back to work replenishing the account.

[countrygirl2]

Not bad, we had the NY trip but not that much for gas and we don't stop at a hotel.  We munch along the way but no big deal there either.

Groceries as usual too much but had so condiments to replace so did. Probably spent $200 for all that.  I have to buy a new printer and I ordered some books.  DD is getting new shoes but out of her fund.  We are going to get little guy some shoes while here, he is wearing summer krocs and going to find him shoes, I have him a shoe measuring device I bought him before to try and help get him the right size.  He has wide feet like the rest of us so think its going to be a problem, durn. 

[buystoys]

The siding that was put on the house just three weeks ago has to all be pulled off and redone.  Fortunately, the company is picking up the cost of that.  Unfortunately, we just had Leaf Filters installed, so have to pay someone to come take the gutters down and then come back and put them up again. 

YTD we're slightly under budget right now, but we'll end the month slightly over by my estimate. 

[Deleted]

Spending in June was horrible, and it will spill over into July.

My sister always visits in June.  We go out to eat almost every day, usually for lunch.  This year, though, it was frequently dinner because DH was in the hospital.  She was stuck at home all day with the dog, so I wanted to get her out of the house for a few hours.  

Our "guest room" is really the sunroom, which has air conditioning through a window unit.  That always increases our power bill because it runs 24/7 for the two weeks she is here.

And then there is the insurance switch.  Previously, my insurance was primary for DH and Medicare acted as a supplement.  We had a copay for prescriptions, but no other bills.  Since June 1, we have been on a Medicare Advantage plan provided by my employer (state of Alabama).  We have easily spent $600 on medical expenses in one month on just him.  It was $250 before his recent hospitalization.  What they say about retirement and medical expenses is true: it hits you hard.

But it is ok for right now.  We have the money without having to go into savings . . . yet.

[TheOtherMe]

I consider myself lucky.  As a federal retiree, between Medicare and my federal BCBS plan, the only co-payments I have are prescription drugs.  

[Blonde Granny]

I;m even more fortunate: between Medicare and ChampVA (offered by the VA) for dependents who have/had spouses who have a disability rating of 100% Permanent and Total, I have no copays for anything, ChampVA is my Medicare supplement (at no cost) and all my RXs come from the VA at not cost. But, let's get this straight......it may not cost me anything, but my DH paid for this benefit with his life.

[countrygirl2]

I have no problem with vets and others insurance, I say good for you, you all paid your dues. We thought hubs would have a good retiree plan too and they cut us off at our knees a few years back when they did away with it.  That hurt, was part of our retirement planning.  But thankfully he had time to save and recoup and knew it was coming.  But man that is our highest expense in retirement and I expect it to get much worse.  I have to refigure, its over $1k a month now I think with the newest drug and once I hit that donut hole not sure.  I know that has been changed this year not sure what happens except my out of pocket will increase.  But I'm thankful we can still pay it, hope we always can.

[resolution]

June has been pretty rough so far. I spent $400 on tickets for a work trip that won't be reimbursed until September. Another $400 that won't be reimbursed for DH to come with for the trip. I also spent $500 so I could go along on DH's work trip, and another $500 to extend the hotel stay. Then I spent $1000 to replace a broken washing machine and $300 to replace a broken window air conditioner. I also changed to a cheaper cell phone service, but it required me to pay one year up front for $180. Fortunately we have both worked some overtime this month, which should help offset some of the extra expenses.

We need to remove a big tree from the yard for $1000 but the arborist is backed up until August, so that expense won't be incurred for a couple of months.

[catsareme]

We're covered by Tricare For Life and Medicare.  We get our prescriptions through the mail instead of traveling to the military pharmacy.  It costs us $7 for a 3-month supply of each prescription but the convenience is worth it.  We're fortunate with our healthcare benefits but DH's health issues/disabilities from his military service is a high price to pay.

[vetswife]

I am fortunate to have Medicare and Tricare for Life also, but my husband paid a high price for it with lifelong disability and pain.  Fortunately, so far I'm pretty healthy myself so I don't cost them a lot, not yet anyway.


In other spending mine has been out of whack this month due to getting some back pay and catching up on some things I had been putting off till the back pay came in.  We'll see how this month goes.  I do have a trip to NYC planned with my daughter but have already put aside money for that.  Only three birthdays this month, on GS2 turning 16, GGS1 will be 4 and GGS2 will turn 2.  The GGSs will get snacks for their gift as they have tons of toys and clothes.

[Blonde Granny]

Thank goodness the month of June is over! Day one of July has started with a no spend day. I plan on July 2 being the same.

I had forgotten I have a CD coming due August 8,so plan on cashing it and using that money to replenish the saving account that was hardest hit by my poor financial planning.

[catsareme]

One July a no-spend day.  Two July had two errands with purchases, both covered by discounted gift cards.  I hope to have as many frugal days as possible as the second week this month has a big project, necessary but pricey.  I plan to have the bill paid off in six months or less.

[buystoys]

Well, my July and YTD are already blown.  The compressor went out on my car AC.  It's going to cost me a bundle to get it fixed.  I don't know if I can catch up on the yearly budget for this big of a bill, but I'll try!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Not gonna go there.....

We leave for Turkey and already for this trip I have bought 3 new pair of khakis, a new skirt, a new backpack, and there will probably be a few more things before we leave.  

[Artemis Windsong]

A big grocery shopping trip last Tuesday.

[Blonde Granny]

I mentioned once before that for me, July has started the same way June ended. Lots of unexpected expenses that are draining my checking account. Naturally, I want this to STOP!!

on edit: According to YNAB I'm over $12 for the month on groceries, and $16 over in the misc. column (that my late DH told me never to have, sorry dear).

[Deleted]

So far July has been OK.  Normal stuff.  We spent about $200 on clothes.  Plus had to register one car.  We have $200 to finish paying on DD's summer camp.  Went on 1 quick camping trip, but didn't send too much ($150).  

Stepson has decided to take us up on an offer to pay for college.  He gets a good bit of aid and is going to community college, so we don't have a number on that yet.  

ETA: I forgot we are finally getting a will done and that starts at $900.

[catsareme]

Pulled the trigger and had the driveway asphalted ($34000+).  Now to get the HELOC paid off before the interest rate goes up...again!

[countrygirl2]

July with another trip to New York and more money on the AC, plus seems like more expenses this month. Will see how it goes this month.

Today I spent $56 filling the truck up, hubs brought it home empty.  $20 for lunch, I had a bento box of tempura shrimp and veggies, was so good.  It was $15.07 and I gave the waitress a $20, she just said thanks, wow.  But ok I guess.  Then $66 for groceries, and $2.26 for a diet soda.  Ran my truck through the car wash and got the works so another $20.  So about A $166 or so today.  Nothing special either.


Oh and a couple days back I ordered a wood filing cabinet, hubs wanted to get it for me in March for an anniversary gift and I wouldn't let him, was a bit short at the time.  Wayfair had this one supposedly 50% off and still $570. I know stupid. It just that where it is, its visible from everywhere and the old used metal one I bought looks awful with our other nice furniture.  I know that is totally wasteful.  It includes free delivery to the garage but I bet its one heavy item for hubs to get in the house. This one is assembled, I bought a nice bathroom storage cabinet from them for $100 again free shipping and its really nice so I hope this one is also. We have a huge lateral file cabinet in the basement that is full also.  Lot of real estate, hubs files for overseas taxes, other miscellaneous stuff.  Likely should go through it one day.

[catsareme]

Oy, July was a mega-expensive month due to the driveway project and then just before the month was over we received notification of increased rates in our homeowner and car insurance along with an increase in the rate for our solid waste pick-up.  

[Blonde Granny]

July is over, and so far the first 2 days of August have been kind to me. Time will tell...........

[NoNamePerson]

Auto insurance renews this month along with car tag. I wonder if Sam's has any 50 lbs of rice left since I may be eating beans and rice this month.

[Blonde Granny]

Aug 2, 2019 9:30:42 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Auto insurance renews this month along with car tag. I wonder if Sam's has any 50 lbs of rice left since I may be eating beans and rice this month.

Are you admitting to us that you have failed at having a 2-3 year stock pile of food available in your basement?  Shocked I tell you, shocked!!!  Even if you don't have a basement, there must be a way you can achieve that goal/

[NoNamePerson]

Aug 6, 2019 7:59:53 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

Aug 2, 2019 9:30:42 GMT -5 NoNamePerson said:

Auto insurance renews this month along with car tag. I wonder if Sam's has any 50 lbs of rice left since I may be eating beans and rice this month.

Are you admitting to us that you have failed at having a 2-3 year stock pile of food available in your basement?  Shocked I tell you, shocked!!!  Even if you don't have a basement, there must be a way you can achieve that goal/

Well, the basement is out since not much above sea level but I should have it in the attic I am a "the sky is falling" failure of the highest order.

I did forget to add to that spending list that I also need a new mattress and box springs not to mention that my desktop is on it's last leg (shhhhhhhhhhhhhh). I made the comment to my kiddo about needing mattress and pc - he asked if I would be sleeping on my PC - he knows my priorities. But I do have two iPads as backup!!

[snapdragon]

I really don't want to think about my spending for this month. It is going to be a expensive no matter which way I go. So I am going to enjoy the time and keep a eye on my expenses so it doesn't get crazy and I want to beat myself up later on.

[vetswife]

So far so good this month.  No unexpected expenses have come up.  I have ordered a few small items I need from Amazon.  Last month was expensive with a trip to NYC with DD and DGS but was well worth it.  Next week I'll be going to see friends in Austin; hope to keep expenses under $100.00.  We'll see.

[TheOtherMe]

Day 6 and only one expenditure that was unplanned, but it's okay because I sold two concert tickets I should not have bought.

[Iggy aka IG]

Largest commissions check ever last month.  And let's just say I have my agency has been very generous with donations and sponsorships.    I did buy a few things for the house including new bar stool cushions and soap dispensers.  Oh, and I bought a plane ticket. 

For me the saying the more you make the more you spend is definitely true.

[Deleted]

Mine has been ok.  I restarted YNAB 4, which I never could get the hang of before.  It seems to be going fine this time around.  I'm not using all the bells and whistles because they aren't part of the old program.  The new one is subscription based.  Anyway, it has forced me to be more intentional with my spending.

But it hasn't even been half the month yet, and nothing except an unexpected $80 at the vet has come up.  

[TheOtherMe]

I got crazy and booked a flight.  That blew this month's budget.  Travel is in October, so that month's budget is also blown.