It's been such a strange month.  The computer breach messed with everything, and just when I think I've done all the cleanup, something else happens.  Today I realized that my electric bill was not withdrawn from my new bank account.  When I went into my electric account online, I found that I had deleted the old bank account information but apparently did not successfully add the new one.  The bill was overdue, so I made a one-time direct payment and then updated my autopay with the new bank account into, per their online instructions.  After I did that, the account was still showing that I had not paid, so I called to verify that I did.  The person I spoke to said that it was pending and would be withdrawn today.  I checked my bank account a few minutes ago and there is no pending payment there.  I guess I just have to trust that it will all look right tomorrow.

I thought I was all done with spending this month, but I was surprised to find a $99 payment to AAA from my Discover card.  Nothing wrong with that, I just had not expected it yet.  So that threw my fees/services category into a "big ticket" item, rather than a variable.  Meaning it will tap savings.

Anyway, here is the breakdown:

Housing: $795

Home Repair/Maintenance: $590 (rug cleaning and new pads)

Fees/Services:  $356 (computer service agreement, tollway pass, AAA membership fee)

Utilities: $178

Gifts/Charity: $116 (two birthdays and a scholarship donation)

Personal: $101 (haircut, pads)

Medical/Health: $64 (premium, OTC meds)

Vacation/Travel: $54

Phone: $52

Groceries: $48

Eating Out/Takeout: $46

Clothing: $37

Gas: $23

Entertainment: $16

Laundry: $16

Vet/Pet Supplies: $12

Furnishings/Equipment/Decor: $11

Grand Total: $2515

Variables: 74%

Big Ticket items: $946 (ouch!)

I'm tracking big ticket items because I want to be able to predict how much to divert into savings proactively.  So far I'm averaging $620 a month.  Higher than I want it to be, but it is what it is.