December is always a difficult month, financially. But this year it was not too bad. I exceeded my variables by 9%, but I had a few surprises, like needing a new phone and then needing a new Amazon firestick and remote. And the average of my variables spending was only 93%, so overall I did well.
I stayed within my Christmas budget of $1000, spending $989. That is not just gifts, but hosting a Christmas dinner, postage, gift wrap, cards etc. My total spending in the gift category was $1028, because there were a few non-Christmas gifts.
Anyway, here it is:
| Gifts/Charity | 1028 |
| Housing | 784 |
| Vacation/Travel | 373 |
| Furn/Equip/Décor | 287 |
| Utilities | 203 |
| Groceries | 94 |
| Vet/Pet Supplies | 62 |
| Car | 45 |
| Fees & Services | 40 |
| Phone | 39 |
| Gas | 38 |
| Entertainment | 37 |
| Medical/Health | 34 |
| Laundry | 22 |
| Eating Out/Takeout | 16 |
| Clothing | 8 |
| Household Supplies | 6 |
| Personal | 3 |
Grand Total 3119
The groceries were items not included in the holiday dinner. The vacation was mostly pre-payment for a hotel room on my upcoming road trip. The car expense -- wipers. The fee -- replenishment of my tollway pass.
Some of the pet supplies expense was for my fish, but some was food for my son's cat, who I am babysitting until tomorrow morning. I may get some of that back.
Of course, the phone and the firestick are reflected under "Furnishings/Equipment/Decor." The firestick was really cheap because I had Amazon credits to use.
My trip starts tomorrow. I probably won't be checking in until I get home, roughly around January 15.
December 31st, 2023 at 07:22 pm 1704050541
December 31st, 2023 at 09:40 pm 1704058818
December 31st, 2023 at 09:40 pm 1704058846
January 1st, 2024 at 12:29 am 1704068973
January 1st, 2024 at 06:37 pm 1704134224