So I did my spending totals, with the expectation that I will not spend any money today.

I spent $3400 this month, and this is how it breaks down.

Medical/Health: $1127. The big factor here was paying the out-of-pocket cost for my surgery and the subsequent ER visit.

Housing: $989. Double payment on mortgage, assessment fee -- and still less than my former rent!

Clothing: $331. Bought a winter coat and two pairs of short boots, as well as a few Goodwill bargains.

Groceries: $140. I can do better. Just need to get my act together.

Gifts: $114. Not bad for the month before Christmas.

Furniture/Equipment: $112. Folding chairs and sweater dryers.

Fares: $105. Monthly train pass. I get a $30 discount from my employer.

Utilities: $96. Yay! This even counts cable & internet!

Eating Out: $96. Boo! Too high.

Vacation/Travel: $61. Cheap Thanksgiving trip.

Phone: $55. Prepaid. Every time it runs low, I get charged $55. My monthly average is around $35.

Household Supplies: $42.

Gas: $40.

Entertainment: $30 (2 movies & Netflix)

Miscellaneous; $24

Personal: $18 (mostly for haircut)

Laundry: $15 (did a couple of loads for free over Thanksgiving)

So... Spending overall was a little high, but mostly driven by those high medical bills. I would really like to keep it below $2500, however.