Another month gone already! February was a busy month!! My roommate came to visit, I did some babysitting, I practiced my ASL for a weekend, I got the flu, D had a pond hockey tournament, and Valentine's and Family Day were in there too. Here is how my spending went this month, the budgeted amount is in brackets.
Car and Gas (15%) ACTUAL: 11%
Phone (4%) ACTUAL: 3%
Food (4%) ACTUAL: 7%
Restaurant (4%) ACTUAL: 5%
Personal/Medical (6%) ACTUAL 5%
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 4%
Gifts (2%) ACTUAL 1%
Education (2%) ACTUAL: 9% Paid Teacher's Membership
Entertainment (4%) ACTUAL 6% Bought comedy tickets on Wagjag
Everything Else (3%) ACTUAL: 6% Includes snorkel set, and photos
TOTAL (48%) ACTUAL 57%
And I thought I was going to be under for sure! This was my budget and it works this month again because I made more than I budgeted that I would. The OCT membership, and the comedy show tickets was what did me in. I bought 8 tickets that are good until September. It's an hour drive to get there but it was a good deal.
However, I also managed to SAVE! Budgeted amount in brackets again.
TFSA (35%) ACTUAL: 46%
Christmas (5%) ACTUAL: 8%
Computer (3%) 8%
RRSP (6%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 8%
TOTAL (52%) ACTUAL 69%
So you must be thinking that I overspent because 57%+69%=126%?? Well true. But really I did not overspend my earnings. I budgeted a certain amount per month based on what I TYPICALLY make. I may go under or over this typical amount and I'll save accordingly.
Again I am happy with the way this month went. I DID go over my budget in spending but I also went over my savings. Hope we have a good March!
March is D's birthday, Daylight Savings Time, SPRING, and St. Patrick's Day. D's B-day is in less than 2 weeks so will need to think about that more. Looking forward to 3 payday April already :)
Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Budget. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
January Spending
Well January was a short month for me since we were gone for half of it! I am not going to include trip expenses in my January budget. I already did another post on what it cost for our trip if you would like to read it here. The budgeted amount is in brackets.
Car and Gas (15%) ACTUAL: 28% This was due to fixing my door and driving A LOT.
Phone (4%) ACTUAL: 4%
Food (4%) ACTUAL: 0%
Restaurant (4%) ACTUAL: 1%
Personal/Medical (6%) ACTUAL 11% Geeze haircuts are getting more expensive!
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 0%
Gifts (2%) ACTUAL 1%
Education (2%) ACTUAL: 12% Signed up for an ASL course
Entertainment (4%) ACTUAL 0%
Everything Else (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
TOTAL (48%) ACTUAL 56%
Oops, went over. The hair was too expensive. I need to look into cutting that down, luckily I only get it done once every two months or more. The ASL course was also a one-time thing, will not happen in a typical month. Same as the car repairs, I had to fix my door and get an oil change which is more costly than a typical month.
However, even with this spending, I also managed to SAVE! Budgeted amount in brackets again.
TFSA (35%) ACTUAL: 38%
Christmas (5%) ACTUAL: 12%
Computer (3%) 15%
RRSP (6%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 12%
TOTAL 77%
I ended up saving a lot. So you must be thinking that I overspent because 77%+56%=133%?? Well true. But really I did not overspend my earnings. I budgeted a certain amount per month based on what I TYPICALLY make. That's the amount I want to spend on certain things and the rest can sort of be extra (I was going to say snowflakes but they really wouldn't be them). Anyway, I may go under or over this typical amount and I'll save accordingly.
All in all, I am happy with this month. I got a pretty good start to my savings and spend on some practical things. No entertainment or miscellaneous spending this month! Hope we have a good February!
Car and Gas (15%) ACTUAL: 28% This was due to fixing my door and driving A LOT.
Phone (4%) ACTUAL: 4%
Food (4%) ACTUAL: 0%
Restaurant (4%) ACTUAL: 1%
Personal/Medical (6%) ACTUAL 11% Geeze haircuts are getting more expensive!
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 0%
Gifts (2%) ACTUAL 1%
Education (2%) ACTUAL: 12% Signed up for an ASL course
Entertainment (4%) ACTUAL 0%
Everything Else (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
TOTAL (48%) ACTUAL 56%
Oops, went over. The hair was too expensive. I need to look into cutting that down, luckily I only get it done once every two months or more. The ASL course was also a one-time thing, will not happen in a typical month. Same as the car repairs, I had to fix my door and get an oil change which is more costly than a typical month.
However, even with this spending, I also managed to SAVE! Budgeted amount in brackets again.
TFSA (35%) ACTUAL: 38%
Christmas (5%) ACTUAL: 12%
Computer (3%) 15%
RRSP (6%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 12%
TOTAL 77%
I ended up saving a lot. So you must be thinking that I overspent because 77%+56%=133%?? Well true. But really I did not overspend my earnings. I budgeted a certain amount per month based on what I TYPICALLY make. That's the amount I want to spend on certain things and the rest can sort of be extra (I was going to say snowflakes but they really wouldn't be them). Anyway, I may go under or over this typical amount and I'll save accordingly.
All in all, I am happy with this month. I got a pretty good start to my savings and spend on some practical things. No entertainment or miscellaneous spending this month! Hope we have a good February!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Last Years Budget and Spending
Well I tracked my spending last year for 10 and a half months. I stopped in November when Excel no longer let me input numbers. I purchased Excel and have the CD but no longer have the product number so the CDs were useless.
Anyway, this is what 10.5 months looked like for me:
I spent approximately $2800 on my car!! Eeek, hopefully less this year. No major car repairs *crosses fingers*
I spent just over $600 on eating out. Most of this was spent in the summer months when D and I went on more dates.
I spent a little over $300 on food. Most of this in the summer and early fall when I did a lot more baking.
I spent about $1000 on CLOTHES?!? Eeek this cannot happen again. I did buy some shoes, and a couple of coats last year but I can't even REMEMBER any other big ticket items! That is just sad.
I spent just under $200 on Education which includes my membership fee, applications, etc.
I spent about $1000 on Personal/Medical which includes prescriptions, dental, make-up, hair. I don't think this will change for 2011.
My phone was about $550. This will likely go up for 2011 if anything if I decide to get a new phone and I added text messaging to my plan last summer.
I spent about $800 on GIFTS. Eeek that seems high too. But I include when I take someone out for lunch or dinner. Also had birthdays, special occasions and a close friend's wedding.
The worst one was $1500 on what I labelled "Everything Else." I cannot even tell you everything that this contained. It was mostly entertainment though (books, going out, drinks, wii and board games, gym, fabric, crafts, toys, movies). Definitely too high. I need to track this one better this year.
I paid off $5000 in debt!
I made the most money in April (income tax!) and least amount in January.
I spent the most money in May. I saved the most money in April and the least amount in January and June (tied).
Hopefully I can do better in 2011!!
Anyway, this is what 10.5 months looked like for me:
I spent approximately $2800 on my car!! Eeek, hopefully less this year. No major car repairs *crosses fingers*
I spent just over $600 on eating out. Most of this was spent in the summer months when D and I went on more dates.
I spent a little over $300 on food. Most of this in the summer and early fall when I did a lot more baking.
I spent about $1000 on CLOTHES?!? Eeek this cannot happen again. I did buy some shoes, and a couple of coats last year but I can't even REMEMBER any other big ticket items! That is just sad.
I spent just under $200 on Education which includes my membership fee, applications, etc.
I spent about $1000 on Personal/Medical which includes prescriptions, dental, make-up, hair. I don't think this will change for 2011.
My phone was about $550. This will likely go up for 2011 if anything if I decide to get a new phone and I added text messaging to my plan last summer.
I spent about $800 on GIFTS. Eeek that seems high too. But I include when I take someone out for lunch or dinner. Also had birthdays, special occasions and a close friend's wedding.
The worst one was $1500 on what I labelled "Everything Else." I cannot even tell you everything that this contained. It was mostly entertainment though (books, going out, drinks, wii and board games, gym, fabric, crafts, toys, movies). Definitely too high. I need to track this one better this year.
I paid off $5000 in debt!
I made the most money in April (income tax!) and least amount in January.
I spent the most money in May. I saved the most money in April and the least amount in January and June (tied).
Hopefully I can do better in 2011!!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Gail's Budget and My Budget Compared
Many of you already follow Gail Vaz Oxlade. She is wonderful :) Anyway one of her resources is her interactive budget where you can add your own budget to this nice worksheet online here. Love it! It's really fun to play with.
It's even fun to fantasize about one day having a NET (he) too! More money to play with when you have a double-income.
Anyway I plugged in my budget #s (which I wrote about yesterday) into her interactive budget. Turns out:
I'm way under what she recommends for housing (I'm at 0%, she recommends 35%).
I'm about on par with Transportation (I'm at 15.38%, she recommends 15%).
I'm over what I should be with Life (I'm at 32.69%, she recommends 25%).
I'm under what she recommends for Debt (I'm at 0%, she recommends 15%).
And I'm way over what she recommends for Savings (I'm at 51.92%, she recommends 10%).
This is all okay though because I'm still saving lots and spending less than I make. All is good.
Now she also breaks down your Life expenses into a monthly and weekly budget which is nice if you do the jars. My weekly budget for life's variable expenses would look like:
Transportation: $46.15
Food: $11.54
Entertainment: $27.69
Clothes/Gifts: $19.62
Everything Else: $27.69
For a total of $132.69 per week.
Good to know that I should be keeping my variable spending under that amount weekly.
It's even fun to fantasize about one day having a NET (he) too! More money to play with when you have a double-income.
Anyway I plugged in my budget #s (which I wrote about yesterday) into her interactive budget. Turns out:
I'm way under what she recommends for housing (I'm at 0%, she recommends 35%).
I'm about on par with Transportation (I'm at 15.38%, she recommends 15%).
I'm over what I should be with Life (I'm at 32.69%, she recommends 25%).
I'm under what she recommends for Debt (I'm at 0%, she recommends 15%).
And I'm way over what she recommends for Savings (I'm at 51.92%, she recommends 10%).
This is all okay though because I'm still saving lots and spending less than I make. All is good.
Now she also breaks down your Life expenses into a monthly and weekly budget which is nice if you do the jars. My weekly budget for life's variable expenses would look like:
Transportation: $46.15
Food: $11.54
Entertainment: $27.69
Clothes/Gifts: $19.62
Everything Else: $27.69
For a total of $132.69 per week.
Good to know that I should be keeping my variable spending under that amount weekly.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
2011 Monthly Budget
Now this budget is likely to also change monthly due to having a changing income. But it's a good guide for typical months with 8 days of teaching work (numbers are rounded, hence why it doesn't add up to 100%):
Car and Gas 15%
Phone 4%
Food 4%
Restaurant 4%
Personal/Medical (prescription, dental, make-up) 6%
Clothing 5%
Gifts 2%
Education (courses I take, schools I apply to) 2%
Entertainment (dates, movies, drinks, books) 4%
Everything Else (charity, fees)3%
TOTAL 48%
Now I hope to NOT go over this budget most months. I think I will be able to generally keep it under. I can also take money from some areas to pay for others, but I will do my best to keep the spending under 48% of my typical income.
Now I don't just plan to spend and not have savings. So also here is a monthly SAVINGS budget:
TFSA 35%
Christmas 5%
Computer 3%
RRSP 6%
Travel Fund 3%
TOTAL 52%
Now if I earn more then that will likely mean that I will put more into savings. If I have a low income month then savings also may be hit. Obviously I will try to do save more than this each month but it depends on the month. I also may not put any money into RRSPs until I have enough for a pretty good lump sum, so some months RRSP will have $0 added.
I tracked my spending for 11 months last year and never posted any of it. Not sure how many of you would actually be interested in seeing how I spend each month, but I think I may start posting it this year to keep me on track. It may also encourage me to spend less and save more. Might be good motivation!
Car and Gas 15%
Phone 4%
Food 4%
Restaurant 4%
Personal/Medical (prescription, dental, make-up) 6%
Clothing 5%
Gifts 2%
Education (courses I take, schools I apply to) 2%
Entertainment (dates, movies, drinks, books) 4%
Everything Else (charity, fees)3%
TOTAL 48%
Now I hope to NOT go over this budget most months. I think I will be able to generally keep it under. I can also take money from some areas to pay for others, but I will do my best to keep the spending under 48% of my typical income.
Now I don't just plan to spend and not have savings. So also here is a monthly SAVINGS budget:
TFSA 35%
Christmas 5%
Computer 3%
RRSP 6%
Travel Fund 3%
TOTAL 52%
Now if I earn more then that will likely mean that I will put more into savings. If I have a low income month then savings also may be hit. Obviously I will try to do save more than this each month but it depends on the month. I also may not put any money into RRSPs until I have enough for a pretty good lump sum, so some months RRSP will have $0 added.
I tracked my spending for 11 months last year and never posted any of it. Not sure how many of you would actually be interested in seeing how I spend each month, but I think I may start posting it this year to keep me on track. It may also encourage me to spend less and save more. Might be good motivation!
Monday, November 15, 2010
How Often Do You Update Your Budget?
I wonder how often you update your budget? I used to update it daily, or whenever I spent or saved something, which worked out to be almost daily. Now I update it about once a week and that is due to the fact that my spreadsheet is no longer on my computer, it's on my external hard-drive, and the fact that I'm getting lazier with it. It's still accurate when I update it though so it really doesn't make a difference.
How often do you tweak/change your budget? I have a column in my budget that I try to stick to approximate values monthly based on the low average I make each month. With my income fluctuating so much it's usually off and I no longer have debt so that one is off by a lot. I just try to spend a low amount and save a high amount each month. It works but I think I could do better. I think I may try to tweak the budget a bit more for the new year since some items are obsolete and others need to be added (car fund, computer fund).
D and I made bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers last night. They were as good as they sound! WARNING though, if you do make them, wear gloves when cutting and scraping out the insides of the jalapenos. We did not and I touched below my eye and he touched his eye after we both rinsed our hands and they were BURNING! It was quite funny afterwards, but painful at the time!!
I am also getting my hair cut and highlighted today. I cannot wait, it's been since September I think, usually I go every 3 months to extend the budget but it's needed now. I think I will ask for them to thin my hair out a little too, I think that might make it a bit easier to straighten.
How often do you tweak/change your budget? I have a column in my budget that I try to stick to approximate values monthly based on the low average I make each month. With my income fluctuating so much it's usually off and I no longer have debt so that one is off by a lot. I just try to spend a low amount and save a high amount each month. It works but I think I could do better. I think I may try to tweak the budget a bit more for the new year since some items are obsolete and others need to be added (car fund, computer fund).
D and I made bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers last night. They were as good as they sound! WARNING though, if you do make them, wear gloves when cutting and scraping out the insides of the jalapenos. We did not and I touched below my eye and he touched his eye after we both rinsed our hands and they were BURNING! It was quite funny afterwards, but painful at the time!!
I am also getting my hair cut and highlighted today. I cannot wait, it's been since September I think, usually I go every 3 months to extend the budget but it's needed now. I think I will ask for them to thin my hair out a little too, I think that might make it a bit easier to straighten.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Budgeting on No Income
I haven't been working very much this summer. I have received two paycheques in July and one GST cheque which have been helping me a lot this summer. I also have $1000 in vacation money that is unused. I asked XBF to take it or give it to his family but he refused.
So now that money will help fund other things this summer. I depleted my vacation fund but would like to bring it back around $500 in case I decide to do some travelling this year I will have some money on hand. It's a small start, but I have also been thinking about teaching overseas and that will be a start for that as well.
I also over contributed to my Christmas/Birthday fund because I was thinking of buying XBF something big for his bday in September. But since we are no longer together my Christmas fund is at $800 and I think that I could stop funding this and be totally prepared for December.
My TFSA is at $2050 and my goal is $4000 for this. I want to add more to this soon. Also my RRSP is non-existant right now and my goal for that is $1000. I want to get a start on this as well. Not sure if I should use my regular Scotiabank or perhaps ING to start a retirement savings plan. Any suggestions?
I still want to leave some room for other things like my car, entertainment, etc. I will be receiving a small paycheque this friday from working 2 days in July, but I do not know when I will receive another paycheque as I have not been working lately. Maybe I will cash in my EUROS today.
So now that money will help fund other things this summer. I depleted my vacation fund but would like to bring it back around $500 in case I decide to do some travelling this year I will have some money on hand. It's a small start, but I have also been thinking about teaching overseas and that will be a start for that as well.
I also over contributed to my Christmas/Birthday fund because I was thinking of buying XBF something big for his bday in September. But since we are no longer together my Christmas fund is at $800 and I think that I could stop funding this and be totally prepared for December.
My TFSA is at $2050 and my goal is $4000 for this. I want to add more to this soon. Also my RRSP is non-existant right now and my goal for that is $1000. I want to get a start on this as well. Not sure if I should use my regular Scotiabank or perhaps ING to start a retirement savings plan. Any suggestions?
I still want to leave some room for other things like my car, entertainment, etc. I will be receiving a small paycheque this friday from working 2 days in July, but I do not know when I will receive another paycheque as I have not been working lately. Maybe I will cash in my EUROS today.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That
I mentioned before that a teacher thought of me when he knew he would be going on a trip in May. He spoke to me, he spoke to his two principals requesting me, they approved. However today it fell through. He is no longer going. It was still nice of him to consider me, and hopefully something else will come up. It would have been 6 straight days.
I have been busy working lately and am enjoying it! I think I will be able to put at least $1000 toward debt this month AND next month, and hopefully more if the work continues to come in. I have nothing else booked at the moment! I keep redoing my monthly budget by adding more to debt and savings depending on how many days I work.
My GST cheque also came in today. I will deposit that tomorrow. I am also trying to save up for a dentist appointment next month, AND two all-season tires. May will be an expensive month.
If I don't work tomorrow I am going to drive to BF's by noon. Otherwise I will just leave after work. I THINK that we are going to see "The Last Song." It's a Nicholas Sparks book made into movie. Has anyone seen it? We also have his prom to go to on Saturday night. I need to pick out what shoes I'm going to wear tonight. I'm looking forward to it. Hope he saves a dance for me :)
I have been busy working lately and am enjoying it! I think I will be able to put at least $1000 toward debt this month AND next month, and hopefully more if the work continues to come in. I have nothing else booked at the moment! I keep redoing my monthly budget by adding more to debt and savings depending on how many days I work.
My GST cheque also came in today. I will deposit that tomorrow. I am also trying to save up for a dentist appointment next month, AND two all-season tires. May will be an expensive month.
If I don't work tomorrow I am going to drive to BF's by noon. Otherwise I will just leave after work. I THINK that we are going to see "The Last Song." It's a Nicholas Sparks book made into movie. Has anyone seen it? We also have his prom to go to on Saturday night. I need to pick out what shoes I'm going to wear tonight. I'm looking forward to it. Hope he saves a dance for me :)
Monday, March 1, 2010
February Spending, March Goals
February was an expensive month. I spent a total of $1669 eeeeek! The breakdown:
Expenses (Total $959)
Car - $506 (I had some repairs, an oil change, not typical)
Food - $4
Restaurant - $22
Clothing - $0
Gifts - $6
Personal - $77 (pills and some foundation)
Education - $50 (applied to several jobs)
Phone - $42
Everything Else - $252 (this was for some books, $26 mailing fee, fabric, and some CC payment leftover from Jan, no interest was paid at least)
Debt (Total $300)
Family loan - $300
Savings (Total $410)
Christmas/Gifts - $60
TFSA/E-Fund - $250
Travel Fund - $100
Wasn't a great month with car expenses and buying books I really didn't need.
Looking forward to March, I want to spend way less on my car. At least $300 to my family loan again. I'm hoping at least $400 also to savings. I also want to get my hair cut and highlighted. I hope to be busy with work this week to help with these things!
Expenses (Total $959)
Car - $506 (I had some repairs, an oil change, not typical)
Food - $4
Restaurant - $22
Clothing - $0
Gifts - $6
Personal - $77 (pills and some foundation)
Education - $50 (applied to several jobs)
Phone - $42
Everything Else - $252 (this was for some books, $26 mailing fee, fabric, and some CC payment leftover from Jan, no interest was paid at least)
Debt (Total $300)
Family loan - $300
Savings (Total $410)
Christmas/Gifts - $60
TFSA/E-Fund - $250
Travel Fund - $100
Wasn't a great month with car expenses and buying books I really didn't need.
Looking forward to March, I want to spend way less on my car. At least $300 to my family loan again. I'm hoping at least $400 also to savings. I also want to get my hair cut and highlighted. I hope to be busy with work this week to help with these things!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Change of Budgets...
Yesterday was payday and I am going to put $1000 toward my family loan. I will update my progress bars to reflect this change. My original goal was to put all my effort into debt-repayment before starting any sort of savings plan. However I spoke with my family yesterday about this and they said that it's okay if I want to take my time paying them back. I will aim for $3000 by the end of February and hopefully the rest by July.
I think what I will do is send in a cheque to ING and open up an account there. Then start contributing some money each month to start a TFSA with ING. I also think that I am going to change my budget, as it is not really working that well for me. I often end up overspending in certain areas and underspending in others depending on the month. So I think that I will take an approach that Jessie has taken and plan my budget dependent on each paycheque. This will also be helpful because I have such a variable income.
I think what I will do is send in a cheque to ING and open up an account there. Then start contributing some money each month to start a TFSA with ING. I also think that I am going to change my budget, as it is not really working that well for me. I often end up overspending in certain areas and underspending in others depending on the month. So I think that I will take an approach that Jessie has taken and plan my budget dependent on each paycheque. This will also be helpful because I have such a variable income.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Check This Out
Browsing through some sites the other day I came upon this site talking about unemployment rates in the United States. I'm sure it's similar to Canada's. It's quite interesting to see especially for visual learners :)
In other news, I got paid today yay! It was a good paycheque as I worked almost full-time during that pay period. My next pay day will be quite small as I only got one full day of teaching in the past two weeks, however I did work a day and a half at the local rec centre as well.
I was also reading a lot of blogs yesterday and think that my original goal to payback my family by the end of February may not be the best use of my money especially since they have told me many times that they don't care when I pay them back. I asked them if it was okay if I paid them $3000 by the end of Feb and then the rest in the near future and they said of course. So I was thinking it would be more beneficial if I started putting at least SOME money into savings, as I have none. By the way have a look at Jason's post here about the difference saving early can make on your retirement. Quite amazing, although so are return interest rates of 10%, but still it gets the point across quite clearly.
I am going to make a 2010 budget plan soon that is going to have to change from my current plan which is basically 80-90% goes toward debt. It was my priority and I'm glad I finished my OSAP that way, but I think now with only my family loan left, that it is important to start saving as well.
In other news, I got paid today yay! It was a good paycheque as I worked almost full-time during that pay period. My next pay day will be quite small as I only got one full day of teaching in the past two weeks, however I did work a day and a half at the local rec centre as well.
I was also reading a lot of blogs yesterday and think that my original goal to payback my family by the end of February may not be the best use of my money especially since they have told me many times that they don't care when I pay them back. I asked them if it was okay if I paid them $3000 by the end of Feb and then the rest in the near future and they said of course. So I was thinking it would be more beneficial if I started putting at least SOME money into savings, as I have none. By the way have a look at Jason's post here about the difference saving early can make on your retirement. Quite amazing, although so are return interest rates of 10%, but still it gets the point across quite clearly.
I am going to make a 2010 budget plan soon that is going to have to change from my current plan which is basically 80-90% goes toward debt. It was my priority and I'm glad I finished my OSAP that way, but I think now with only my family loan left, that it is important to start saving as well.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Barely Blown Budget
Try saying that 5 times fast!
I do not know how to copy and paste my excel worksheet like some of you. So if someone can tell me how to save it properly so that I can add it to my blog that would be oh so helpful!
Anyway this is the monthly budget broken down as Budgeted/Actual
Transportation 100/26 (my brother filled up my car twice for me, such a nice guy)
Food 25/56 (I bought groceries for some family meals I cooked, and spent $17 on lunches out)
Entertainment 87/59 (Going out with the boyfriend, and playing bingo with my mom)
Clothes & Gifts 60/96 (I bought a hoodie for a football game, and a few bingo tickets for my parents)
Everything Else 23/62 (Bank fees, fabric and batting for sewing projects)
Okay yes some sections are way over and others are way under, but overall this month has Put me over budget by $4. So close.
Also in October was the Shopping Trip Budget which was $1000, I spent $837. However afterward I also bought the boyfriend an anniversary gift for $74, and his family's Christmas gift for $143. So originally I was under budget with the Shopping Trip, however since then I have gone over it with the Christmas shopping by $54.
Now technically this does put me over budget. But I am almost done my Christmas shopping now, just need to buy for my brothers, my dad and something small for two friends of mine and have not included the Christmas budget I have for that. So if I can purchase the rest of the gifts with $256 ($300 minus the $54 I was over budget on the shopping trip) then I am set. I figure I will be under budget with this. I hope you do not consider this "cheating."
In addition, I paid $1500 to OSAP this month. Where I only made $1200 plus $30 babysitting and $74 GST cheque. So overall I may have gone a few dollars over budget but I think it was still a successful month. Bring on November!
For November I think I will keep my budget the same, although I think I could change some things around. Also I think I want to keep track of my no-spend days and aim for 20 days this first month.
I do not know how to copy and paste my excel worksheet like some of you. So if someone can tell me how to save it properly so that I can add it to my blog that would be oh so helpful!
Anyway this is the monthly budget broken down as Budgeted/Actual
Transportation 100/26 (my brother filled up my car twice for me, such a nice guy)
Food 25/56 (I bought groceries for some family meals I cooked, and spent $17 on lunches out)
Entertainment 87/59 (Going out with the boyfriend, and playing bingo with my mom)
Clothes & Gifts 60/96 (I bought a hoodie for a football game, and a few bingo tickets for my parents)
Everything Else 23/62 (Bank fees, fabric and batting for sewing projects)
Okay yes some sections are way over and others are way under, but overall this month has Put me over budget by $4. So close.
Also in October was the Shopping Trip Budget which was $1000, I spent $837. However afterward I also bought the boyfriend an anniversary gift for $74, and his family's Christmas gift for $143. So originally I was under budget with the Shopping Trip, however since then I have gone over it with the Christmas shopping by $54.
Now technically this does put me over budget. But I am almost done my Christmas shopping now, just need to buy for my brothers, my dad and something small for two friends of mine and have not included the Christmas budget I have for that. So if I can purchase the rest of the gifts with $256 ($300 minus the $54 I was over budget on the shopping trip) then I am set. I figure I will be under budget with this. I hope you do not consider this "cheating."
In addition, I paid $1500 to OSAP this month. Where I only made $1200 plus $30 babysitting and $74 GST cheque. So overall I may have gone a few dollars over budget but I think it was still a successful month. Bring on November!
For November I think I will keep my budget the same, although I think I could change some things around. Also I think I want to keep track of my no-spend days and aim for 20 days this first month.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Budgeting
Budgeting can be tricky! I do enjoy it though, did I just say that? I like the challenge of creating a budget and sticking to it. Right now because I do not have many living expenses (living at home) it makes it fairly easy. However, having a job where my income fluctuates so much each month can make it tricky to be accurate.
I like to use Gail's Interactive Budget (http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/articles_f/article31-3.htm) for several reasons. First it's free! Nothing against those that you have to pay for, but for me this works. I also like that it breaks up variable and fixed expenses, and then goes a step further and breaks down the variable spending into weekly jars. Trying to stay within those means or under is the challenge. Who doesn't like a challenge?? I find that from personal experience, as well as by watching TDDUP that many couples who have crazy over-spending actually have money left over once they are on the jar system!
So my budget, a little unusual because I have no money in housing or savings! That will change as soon as this debt is paid off, I have big plans for that! :)
Monthly Budget
Transportation $100 (gasoline, repairs)
Food $25 (grocery store)
Entertainment $87 (restaurant, dates, gym membership, games, books)
Clothes/Gifts $60 (clothing, b-day, anniversary gifts)
Everything Else $23 (bank fees, prescription)
The rest of my income goes to my cell phone bill ($40), and debt repayment (minimum $262). This varies each month because my income does as well, but I generally pay about $800-1000 toward debt repayment. Now that it is all out there, I will try to stay accountable!
I like to use Gail's Interactive Budget (http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/articles_f/article31-3.htm) for several reasons. First it's free! Nothing against those that you have to pay for, but for me this works. I also like that it breaks up variable and fixed expenses, and then goes a step further and breaks down the variable spending into weekly jars. Trying to stay within those means or under is the challenge. Who doesn't like a challenge?? I find that from personal experience, as well as by watching TDDUP that many couples who have crazy over-spending actually have money left over once they are on the jar system!
So my budget, a little unusual because I have no money in housing or savings! That will change as soon as this debt is paid off, I have big plans for that! :)
Monthly Budget
Transportation $100 (gasoline, repairs)
Food $25 (grocery store)
Entertainment $87 (restaurant, dates, gym membership, games, books)
Clothes/Gifts $60 (clothing, b-day, anniversary gifts)
Everything Else $23 (bank fees, prescription)
TOTAL $295
The rest of my income goes to my cell phone bill ($40), and debt repayment (minimum $262). This varies each month because my income does as well, but I generally pay about $800-1000 toward debt repayment. Now that it is all out there, I will try to stay accountable!
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