As a reminder, my husband pays the "big bills" like mortgage, phone, car, and electricity. I pay for groceries and the pets and that somehow evens things out. But this month the secret is that my husband took the dog to the vet, so that $600 bill went to him instead of me. That felt sneaky and I asked him if he wanted me to pay him back, but he said it was fine. I put money into savings since I didn't have that bill.
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Savings ($500, 17.5%) - I mean, look at me go.
Groceries ($463.57, 16.3%) - Friends, my husband ALSO paid for the Costco trip this month. I am a lucky duck that groceries came in this low.
Pets ($401.31, 14.1%) - This would have been four digits if not for Dr. BB paying for H's vet appointment. This is food for the girls and a lot of medicine for both of them (Apoquel for H's allergies, probiotic and joint supplement for Zelda Belda).
Clothing ($366.15, 12.8%) - I am getting my summasummasummatime groove on. I bought some new lightweight tops that are appropriate for work and some new sandals.
Also, this is the maybe the best purchase I made all month. I bought some sweatbands. I have a permanent anklet that I got with my niece last October. It is not a smooth situation and it has torn up multiple sheets, so I was wearing socks to bed to make sure we didn't have to buy more sheets. Well, I was telling my niece about it/complaining about how I hate wearing socks to bed and she suggested that I buy a sweatband to wear instead. AND IT WORKS. TWEEN GIRLS KNOW THE ANSWERS TO EVERYTHING.
Gifts ($341.27, 12%) - Birthdays! So many greeting cards! #noregrets
Bills ($285, 10%) - Home/car insurance and water/sewer.
Personal care ($172.40, 6%) - Haircut, pedicure, makeup. I have said it before and I'll say it again, it takes a lot of work to be an average looking woman.
Cars ($160.81, 5.6%) - Gas twice and new tags for the VW's plates.
Fitness ($63.30, 2.2%) - Yoga classes through the summer. My regular Tuesday night fitness class doesn't run during the summer, so I sub in yoga on Wednesday nights.
Eating out ($45, 1.4%) - I had dinner out twice and coffee once. Woot!
Entertainment ($34.31, 1.2%) - Spotify subscription, parking when I was on an adventure in Madison, and I bought an ebook.
Health ($24.24, <1%) - I'm over here buying masks like it's 2021. We have two friends who are actively being treated for cancer and another who is being treated for a different health condition with chemotherapy. I buy and wear a lot of KN-95s so I can keep them safe. I see A LOT of people in my work and don't want to bring all the bugs I interact with back to my friends.
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What's a great purchase you made in May? Is it as great as sweatbands that mean you can stop wearing socks to bed?
Booyah for savings taking the top spot! Yeah yeah I know it's because Dr. BB picked up a vet tab and a Costco run, but still.
ReplyDeleteMy numbers look funny for last month. I spent big bucks on things for the new house, but that's a one time expense. Travel is abnormally low since I used mostly points for my Chicago/Austin trip. My pet costs were $16, but that's 100% due to timing. PSA: $16 per month is abnormally low for pet expenses.
$16!!! I can't even imagine a number like that. We get Zelda's food every three weeks, so I'm looking at $55/month at a bare minimum!
DeleteYou had dinner out twice and coffee out once and it only cost 45$! That is incredible
ReplyDeleteWell, I had small taco bites with friends in Madison once - it came to about $14 (two tacos and some Mexican street corn) and I just gave the rest for a tip. Then when Dr. BB was not home for dinner, I had a flatbread which was about $13-14 and I left the rest for a tip. My coffee is less than $5, so I just leave whatever is left for the tip.
DeleteIf you don't get appetizers, drinks, desserts, and you're frugal, this can be done! Also, I live in a low cost of living location. Maybe this can't be done elsewhere. Hey, everyone, move to southeastern Wisconsin!
Yes, I would love to know (like Patricia) where you're eating out so cheap! To answer your question, I don't think any purchase would be as great as the sweatband purchase for me, because wearing socks to bed would make me INSANE. I get way too hot when I sleep and socks would be the crowning blow.
ReplyDeleteRight? During the winter, it was okayish, but I nearly lost my mind when it started getting warmer. Genius idea!
DeleteYou know, you could have just cut the foot off of a worn pair of socks and saved yourself from buying the sweatbands. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, banking the savings. I fear that I'm going to have a big pet expense this month. Piper is showing his age and some signs of dementia. I'll know more later (and probably after spending a thousand dollars).
I don't have many pairs of crew socks that would have the elastic at the right place. Crew socks hit my surgical scar at just the exact wrong place, so I have ankle socks and knee socks and not much else. The sweatband is incredibly comfortable, though - sometimes I forget to take it off in the morning! It was $11 well spent!
DeleteOh, no! Piper! Sending him good thoughts and cheap vet appointment vibes.
The best money I spent in May was on a massage which was my treat for enduring another session of fire exposure therapy. I got a boogie 85 minute massage and it was wonderful. I'll drop another sizeable amount tomorrow when I get my hair cut and colored!
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy how polarizing massages are. I despise them and hate being touched by a stranger, but some people claim they are so relaxing!
DeleteYES! Hair care is so important. I fully support you spending $$$ on it.