This month I started tracking variables separately, so that's what I'm going to share. My goal is to keep everything in these categories under $760 per month. The first number is what was budgeted, the second number what was spent.

Groceries - $130 - $153
Eating Out - $60 - $98
Vet/Pet Supplies - $40 - $49
Car Repair/Maintenance - $50 - $38
Gas - $40 - $37
Gifts/Charity - $60 - $35
Laundry - $20 - $16
Medical/Health - $70 - $15
Miscellaneous - $5 - $10
Entertainment - $25 - $8
Furn./Equipment/Decor - $50 - $2
Fares/Parking - $20 - $2
Clothing - $40 - $1
Vacation/Travel - $60 - $0
Fees/Services - $30 - $0
Home Repair/Maint. - $25 - $0
Household Supplies - $25 - $0
Personal - $20 - $0

Total - $760 - $464

I'm practicing for retirement, so I didn't count work expenses, like the train ticket.

It looks like I may need to do some tweaking with the budget, but overall I'm pleased. I kept well under! I know not every month will be like this, though.

My groceries were high because of a K-Cup order to Amazon. Come to think of it, that's a work expense, isn't it? Oh well.

Eating out was high but much of that will go away, too, when I am not commuting.

Pet Supplies was high because I bought some aquarium equipment.

I know there will always be unders and overs. Hopefully, the unders will fund the overs in the future, if it all works out right!