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January total spending - massive overspend :(

February 3rd, 2014 at 04:22 pm

It would have been ok, if I just took the 1,050 option profit and stopped at that point. But I did not, so I lost it, and possibly more. So in total, we spent close to 900 more than we took home in January.

I'm not including the gift anywhere in these numbers, because the purpose of it is not to cover overspending.



This month I have GOT TO do better.
I will challenge myself to cut down food costs and some discretionary spending. The challenge is to see how much I can bring it down in February compared to last month.

7 Responses to “January total spending - massive overspend :(”

  1. TashaC. Says:
    1391445161

    Don't be too hard on yourself. The fact that you realize you spent more than you brought in is a big victory. Many people don't even realize it. I have months like that as well- where it makes me sick how much gets spent. The following month is usually so much better that it makes the first month seem much less significant.

  2. ThriftoRama Says:
    1391447724

    Wow. Your transportations costs seem very high! How much do you have left to pay on that car/truck? Any chance you could eliminate that?

    I do feel you. We're in a no spend month right now in an attempt to free up cash and right the ship financially.

    Also, we're looking for recurring expenses we can cut entirely (Inspired by the new book the $1,000 challenge). We just cut cable, and frankly, we don't miss it a bit.

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1391455159

    Good luck cutting back!

  4. scfr Says:
    1391455491

    Since you posted I am going to assume you are open to suggestions from the "peanut gallery" ... In addition to food that you've already mentioned (have you decided on an amount for February?), liquor jumps out as one that you could be cut easily.

    Would you get a discount if you paid life insurance annually or semi-annually?

    Good luck.

  5. EarlyRetirementJoy Says:
    1391619027

    Looking just at food, you spent over $2,000 in January for your family of three, which is $24,000 a year. Are you willing to make changes there in order to improve your cash flow?

    "I can't" is not an acceptable answer here, by the way. "Yes, I can," or conversely, "No, I don't want to" is, but either way, recognize you are making a choice, not having something forced on you.

    You could apply that focus to every aspect of your budget if you wanted. The tough love question is do you really, or do you just want to vent? At the end of the day, only putting something into action is going to affect change.

  6. Nika Says:
    1391621235

    Scfr, we don't buy that much liquer every month. It is just several items from my bar ran out, so I made an order to re-stock (Cointreau, 2 bottles of nice tequila, vodka). I had free shipping offer as a new customer, so I took advantage. Next month should be much less.

    We pay DH's life insurance annually, because it is like $3 a month in savings, but for my insurance there is no difference, so I autopay it monthly.

    EarlyRetirement, I am trying to cut food budget this month, without sacrificing stuff that is important (I'm not going to start eating at McDonalds to save money). Yes, eating out is a want (which I want to keep to some degree), but a lot of our budget is fresh produce and high quality meat and fish. So in spite of eating 2K worth of food per month, we are fit and both are size XS. But I am trying to get it down this month.

  7. EarlyRetirementJoy Says:
    1391780871

    Nika, DH and I are likewise trim and fit, with excellent annual physical results. We are vegetarian and average under $100 a week for food, mostly produce, grains and bean products. I cook frequently from Cooking Light, and make fab, flavorful food almost nightly. We run marathons, we hike, we bike centuries, so we clearly eat well. I haven't been in a McDonald's in over 20 years. :-)

    Similar to you and your DH I believe, we were very high wage earners before achieving FI and retiring, closer to 7 figures than 5. We are the epitome of 'The Millionaires Next Door' and the way to get there is pretty simple. Set up a lifestyle that is below your means, and stay there even as your income rises.



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