I feel like I just
got done writing this post for last month and here I am writing another one
already! I'm sure I don't need to tell
you that time is flying by. My girls are about to be out of school for the summer, today is their last day! Amazing.
Well, I can't really
say this was an uber thrifty month I'm afraid.
It was actually one where there were a lot of expenses, some were
unexpected. But that is how life goes so
you have to punt and make the best of it.
Thankfully, and I am
always grateful about this, I was able to pay all of our monthly expenses ahead
of their due dates including our mortgage.
I pay the mortgage almost a month early and it makes a huge difference
in how it affects the principal balance.
One thing that has
impacted us this year is our higher than normal electric bills. Thanks to a rough winter we've been hit
pretty hard in that area this year. I
never run the heat in May, but this year we did need to use the infrared heater
and electric fireplace quite a bit with all the rain and colder temperatures we
had. The last week however, we haven't
used any heat at all and I'm hopeful we are done with it for awhile.
I was not able to
put as much toward my debt elimination goal as I had hoped, but I did make a
sizeable payment. I'm way ahead of
schedule on that but I'm getting anxious to be done with it. I also did not put anything into my regular
savings account, but I did do my regular deposits into my retirement accounts.
We even squeezed in a weekend getaway |
In May I put insurance
on the motorhome, fortunately RVs aren't real expensive to insure like your
regular vehicles are, and the truck was due for renewal on the registration as
well as a new emission test.
Then my girls needed
to register for the summer music program and I won't say no to that. The youngest tried out for cheerleader and
made it so we had that expense for uniforms as well. Again, can't say no to that one either. Along with that both girls needed new summer
bus passes so they can get to all of their activities.
Free wood from the giveaway bin near where I work Can't beat that price! |
As far as the home
improvement expenses on the motorhome last month I was really careful about
that. April absorbed most of those
expenses with the bathroom upgrade and a new microwave. In May I scrounged around the house and in
the garage for supplies and managed to complete projects with what I already
had on hand.
As I head into June
thriftiness will be on my mind as I continue to work on my financial goals and
accomplish a few things around the house and with the motorhome. I already know we have a few expected
expenses coming up, but we also have a back to school plan in place to keep
those costs to a minimum this fall. I'm
pretty excited about that.
As long as we stay aware of costs, I think we continue to be frugal. You are truly a success story. My mom, up until she passed away, at age 72, always bought cheap notebook paper, pens, and composition books during back to school sales. That was her 'thing' and I loved her for it.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I love those composition books.
DeleteFrugality is an ongoing habit. I am frugal but I would also have paid for a cheerleader uniform and music camp.
ReplyDelete:) :) I couldn't and I wouldn't. :) :)
DeleteI agree with you on saying yes to music and cheerleading for your girls. There are some things that are worth sacrificing in other areas for. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to my girls....
DeleteI really enjoy doing these things for them and that I am able to do it is even better!!!
I think money spent on experiences and instruction is worth every penny. You can always acquire more things and make more money but you will never get this time of their lives back.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I view it too Anne! What is really great is that they rarely ask for stuff. It seems it is always knowledge and experience based things that are important to them. Me too!
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