Saturday, September 25, 2010

Tallying Up September

I know I'm a little early but I thought it would be a good idea to add up my expenses before I go grocery shopping tomorrow. For the past few months I have been just going on a "feeling" of how much I have spent in a month. Then, at the end of the month, I have added up the money spent and surprise, surprise, I'm over budget. Taking that approach for the last 6 months has put me in a big hole. I added up September expenses thinking that there was no way I could have spent it all and I came up negative $40. Darn. I'll have to borrow another $20 from October and buy dog food and enough fruit, lettuce and carrots to get me through the week.

Because my bill to myself has grown to over $1,400 (a whole extra mortgage payment!) I decided I would have to use my bonus, the one I got instead of a raise, to pay myself back. I was hoping to use that bonus for my extra mortgage payment this month but oh well, I only have so much money to work with and it seems that I already spent it, can't spend it again! After I subtracted my bonus that still leaves a negative $700 plus I am still hoping to buy 2 plane tickets for the holidays. I really must try harder to be under budget next month. Unfortunately the weather is not helping. 98 today and 97 tomorrow. The air conditioner only took 2 days off this month. The next electric bill might be the biggest of the year!

7 comments:

Lizzie @ her homeworld said...

WE all know its your four legged friends doing the spending. They need to get jobs to get you back on track! In truth it is probably worth falling a little behind for the improvement in quality of life, for you and knowing that they have a life, for them.
Lizzie

Dave said...

Daizy, I may have mentioned in a comment last month about how my electric bill was an all-time high, 50% higher than it had ever been (previous high was for the same July-August period in 2009). I am happy to tell you that for the latest period (August 20-Sept 20), my bill has returned to normal, so my electricity budget won't get busted again.

I hope your electric bill gets a breather soon so you can do something more useful with the money than give it to your local power company.

Daizy said...

Lizzie, that is mostly right! Dog food, dog treats, gas to the vet, adoption events, the dog park, leashes, collars, extra air conditioners...it adds up fast. It is good to find out how expensive this little hobby is before I quit my job, that way I can plan for it.

Daizy said...

Dave, glad to hear you electric bill is under control again. I look forward to that day. Maybe next month for me.

KoBold said...

Big thumbs up for the doggies. I would say they are worth their cost. Judging by your blog entries, you feel better with them and a longer mortgage time than without them but sooner out of mortgage.

KoBold said...

Feel better? I should have said HAPPIER.

Daizy said...

Kobold, yes the doggies make me happier and a bit crazier but they definitely take my mind off my own worries. So I would say they are a happy distraction