On the last day of the year, I like to compare what I've spent to what I've spent in other years. It always surprises me how similar the total is, even though the years are very different, and I have put my money in different buckets, so to speak.

This year I spent $343 less than I did the year before. Yep. I suppose my low income puts a cap on my spending year after year -- there is only so much I can spend, without getting into serious trouble.

So, comparing categories -- my housing costs were a bit less, because for one month I didn't pay assessment fees. This was because my property manager changed vendors and the date due was changed from the end of the month to the beginning. Really just a superficial difference. My actual monthly fee was higher than it was last year. And it will be higher again in the coming. year.

My car cost me significantly less this year -- that's because last year, I bought it, paying a large down payment. This year I had a few repairs and some maintenance, but for most of the year I didn't drive, due to the accident that took away my driving privileges (and yes, I'm still hoping to get them back). 

I spent more on gifts -- on average, almost $100 more per month. Many reasons, I think. Kids are older, things are more expensive, family continues to embrace rather extravagant holidays. I am just dogpaddling, trying to keep up.

Utilities were about $7 more per month, despite all the drama and gnashing of teeth in the news about how they were costing so much more. They didn't cost me much more.

Insurance was actually less. That's because I suspended my auto insurance for several months while the car was parked and not used. It's being used now, by my son's family, so I'm paying the insurance again. Any day now (I keep saying this!) I will find out if my license is permanently revoked, in which case I'll be cancelling the insurance and selling the car.

Vacation costs were higher -- on average about $50 a month higher. This was mostly due to the expensive Amtrak trip out west; otherwise, I think they would have been the same or lower.

Home repair/maintenance was way higher. I hardly spent anything last year, but this year I had new shower walls installed, along with improved plumbing. Not cheap, but so glad I did this.

Groceries were quite a bit more expensive. I averaged $130 a month, whereas the year before it was only $71! Almost double. And that's because of higher prices, but also because not having a car for 3/4 of the year changed the way I could shop -- I couldn't get to Aldi, I couldn't buy in bulk -- I couldn't buy anything I couldn't carry on the train! It really made a difference.

Medical/health was higher, too. That was mostly because of the accident -- the ER visit, and all the subsequent testing. Couldn't be helped.

Fees/services were about $20 a month more on average. I know I had to buy my own Microsoft Office, and the work permit for the bathroom upgrade was pretty expensive. Other than that, I think it was pretty much business as usual.

I spent more on Furnishings/Equipment/Decor, but that was mostly because my refrigerator died, and I had to replace it.

Taxes were a bit higher. Not too bad, many people were worse off.

I ate out more, spending on average about $20 a month more. That was another casualty of not having a car. So many times I was stranded away from home, and hungry, too hungry to wait for the bus. And sometimes I treated myself, because I was feeling sorry for myself.

My phone bill was higher. I think that was because I was using data more. Playing more games.

Entertainment was a bit more, nothing significant.

Personal spending was more, due to losing my hairstylist at Supercuts, and settling on another salon which was, of course, more expensive. Also -- shorter haircut, requiring more trimming.

Household supplies -- was less! I don't know why.

Clothing/accessories -- I spent about half as much as the year before. Not doing much shopping for fun, and my wardrobe seems to be holding up for most purposes.

Fares/parking -- temporarily, I was paying a lot more per month, but once I got my ride-free card (a benefit for seniors) I didn't have to buy train and bus tickets.

Laundry -- a bit less. I've restricted myself to one day a week; maybe that helped.

Gas -- well, I've hardly spend anything at all on gas.

Vet/pet supplies -- my one fish is costing me about the same.

I'm worried about the coming year, financially speaking, and I hope to spend less and sock away more. But this exercise has shown me that so much is out of my control. All I can say is that I will continue to do my best.

I celebrated with my local son and his family yesterday. On the real Christmas Day, I will open packages mailed to me by my son in Oregon. A few days after New Years Day, I will host a luncheon and gift opening with my ex and his wife, and my local son's family will join in that as well.

Christmas spending has topped $600. I still have gifts to buy for my ex and his wife, but am otherwise done.

I have also spent $730 on my vacation to Oregon. A big chunk of that was the Amtrak ticket. And by the way, I will probably not do Amtrak again. My trip home was delayed by more than six hours, and involved a bus ride in the the middle of the night. Not fun. Not Amtrak's fault, it was due to a freight train derailment. But still. A lot of money for an uncomfortable trip. I did get a $125 voucher for a future trip, but it has to be used on one trip only, with no money back if the ticket is less, so I'm not sure how I'm going to use it.

I have a big auto insurance payment scheduled in January, even though I am not driving. My car is being driven, so it must be insured. If, in fact, I am ultimately denied the restitution of my driver's license, I will dispose of the car and cancel the insurance.

I paid all my medical bills. I still haven't touched my savings, but I expect I will have to in January. That's okay. It's there for times like these.