January proved to be
a perfect start to the brand new year. I
was extra careful with my spending and kept our expenses to a minimum. To begin the year off on the right foot I
first paid all of our monthly expenses - utilities, car payment, savings
commitments, etc. - ahead of their actual due dates. I always feel empowered when I am able to do
that.
Mid month I paid
next month's mortgage payment over two weeks early. I've been doing that for over three years now
and it seriously impacts the principal balance each month. I knew it would be a good thing to do, but I
didn't realize it would be that dramatic.
I also contributed a sizeable chunk to my savings goal as well as my
retirement goal.
The big haul for the month |
I stuck to my
grocery and non food budget and kept that expense in check. We ate what we had on hand in our pantry,
refrigerator and chest freezer. I made
meal plans, we ate leftovers and were mindful of food waste. It worked out just fine.
Personal expenses
were kept to a minimum as well. I spent
less than $12 on some journaling supplies and four large gift boxes that were
on clearance for 64¢. I have plans to
use those gift boxes next Christmas. I
also spent $13 on crafting supplies at the dollar store and have managed to get
a good jumpstart on holiday and birthday preparations already.
Craft supplies from the dollar store |
Around the second
week of the month I treated us all to a new pair of fuzzy socks we picked up on
a post Christmas clearance rack. Toward
the end of the month I used a $50 gift card I had acquired from my credit card
rewards points to add a new pair of slacks plus a top I found on clearance at
Dillards. I spent $16 out of pocket for
my new work outfit. I also spent $32 + tip at the salon for a new haircut, which will hold me for quite some time.
We used our Netflix
and Amazon memberships quite a bit to keep us entertained with movies and television
programs. I started a new shopping list
on Amazon, but did not buy anything. We
went to the movies on discount day and used a $10 gift card to lower the cost
even more spending only $6.50 for tickets for all three of us. We also attended my daughter's band concert
one evening, which was free.
We loved the movie and have enjoyed listening to the soundtrack on Youtube |
I purchased one tank
of gas at the beginning of the month and was mindful of our fuel use by
combining errands as much as possible in order to make it last. I only drove when I really needed to and we
stayed home quite a bit which, for us, has been a real treat. Surprisingly, I ended the month with just
under a quarter tank of gasoline still left in the car.
I am very happy with
how it all went with our finances this past month. At no time did we feel deprived of anything,
in fact it was quite the opposite.
Plenty of fun activities and a few treats like a movie and fuzzy
socks. And I have a new hairstyle and a brand new outfit to
wear to work. It was a very good January!
Thank you so much for doing these. You give me encouragement and determination to save even more on my own. (And we've already saved a bunch by paying on a loan mid-month, because of your suggestion.) Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteBtw, here's my monthly report:
http://cindybrick.blogspot.com/2018/01/frugal-hits-misses-january-report.html
Cindy that is so nice to hear. Thank you and I will be sure and check out your post.
DeleteI want to see your new hairstyle! :)
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of warm socks, I just found some new socks that really keep my feet warm (usually they stay cold and clammy - in all weather). You mentioned before that you have a problem with keeping your feet warm too. The socks are from Uniqlo and are from their Heattech line. They actually really work even though the material looks thinner than what you would normally think would be warm. I was very surprised - and they're inexpensive.
D.
Oh bless you, I hate having my picture taken. LOL
DeleteI will check out the socks. I did luck out and found some really great dress socks at Nordstroms that I wear to work. My feet have been very warm, even last year when the weather was so cold. I wish I could remember the brand. I'll have to go in there and see what they are. ;)