These roundups include mine/joint expenses, but not any of T’s blow money, which also includes any work lunches and the odd work expense.
Clothes and grooming – Mostly my new Trilogy Everything Balm – a godsend and my new holy grail of skincare. Packed with natural oils (including rosehip), it’s totally transformed my parched skin. It’s also good for the rest of the body – dry spots, eczema etc. I’ve heard people compare it to Elizabeth Arden eight-hour cream, even.
Debt repayments – T trucking along with repaying me, albeit slowly as his hours fluctuated this month.
Dining and bars – A little higher than usual; we had some wicked Indian food at Diwali, dumplings and soup at hidden gem/diamond in the rough New Flavour restaurant; wonton soup when I was sick; and other miscellany.
Entertainment – Two ridiculously overpriced drinks at Vector Arena on Metallica night, our Fatso subscription, and a rogue $20 withdrawal I can’t quite place.
Groceries – We shop on weekends. It was a five weekend month. Amazingly, we’re right on target taking that into consideration.
Holidays – T’s charter fishing trip I booked for his birthday.
Home expenses – Replacing our TV/laptop.
Mystery shopping – This month included purchases of a meal and drinks out and a long necklace from Max (reimbursed, obviously).
Savings – as usual, only counts T’s and “extra” savings on my part, not regular savings (44% of my net, woot!)
T fun – Xbox subscription, which had to be paid by credit card.
Utilities – ever so slightly lower than usual thanks to our AECT dividend which was credited to our power account, but almost made up for by higher cellphone/Sky TV bills.
Vehicle and transport – $100 new car battery, $101.40 bus, leaving less than $200 on gas which is nothing short of primo.
So far, frugal November isn’t off to the best start. We’re talking $50 on clothes – I found the perfect pair of summer sandals, and T has to buy some shirts for work. Also, our quarterly contents insurance payment is due. It also looks like some car expenses will be rearing their ugly head – necessary but painful.
Still, who can dwell on the negative when the weather is this glorious???
T does blow?!? That could seriously put a dent in your savings. gotta stop that habit.
hahahaha, sorry. I don’t know why my mind jumped there…luckily I amuse myself at least.
where do you buy that magic trilogy product?
Looks like you had fun this past month!
haha, i thought the same thing! he does blow?!?! then i realized what she meant…
You can get them at pharmacies. Or Farmers, which I prefer cause it’s cheaper 🙂
I would like to hear more about your mystery shopping experiences and how much you make from it. Thanks.
Check out these posts and let me know if you have any further questions: http://eemusings.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/is-mystery-shopping-worth-the-time/
http://eemusings.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-mystery-shopping/
good job! pie charts make me swoon! i don’t know what it is, but I love seeing and comparing myself to other people’s budgets. i think of ways of where i can save more and trim more, etc. i love new ideas.
You have a handle on the fiscal things quite well.
Those rogue withdrawls creep in on us as well. Who can remember everything…
16% in savings sounds great! I’m sure it will be more without the tv/laptop replacement next month!