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.
January 1st, 2025 at 01:51 am 1735696302
January 1st, 2025 at 08:12 pm 1735762370
I know you love to help your family, but if your son is using your car, I think you could ask him to pay at least some of the insurance.
I think you could ask him or his wife to ‘give’ you a few hours each month in ‘errand time’ at their convenience, and use that to go to Aldi, Costco, or wherever. Keep a list of what you need/want at each place and resist the urge to offer to treat everyone to a meal to ‘make up’ for the inconvenience. Be a gracious receiver!
Also, I order non perishable food from Walmart and Target and I have my groceries delivered. I have always been carless and used a taxi to grocery shop - the delivery costs are the same - even with a generous tip - as the taxi. it requires some planning but it saves a lot.
January 2nd, 2025 at 03:46 pm 1735832810
January 2nd, 2025 at 08:05 pm 1735848316
As for my son's family helping me, I have failed to mention that they help me often, and they actually get peeved at me when they think I'm being too independent (which I am). So that's not an issue. I was just trying to explain why, in hindsight, the groceries were more expensive than they have been before. There are other reasons, too, which I didn't mention -- mainly eating a better diet, both healthwise and quality-wise, not always grabbing the cheapest thing. I'm okay with it. I was just musing, more than anything else.
January 3rd, 2025 at 05:19 am 1735881555
January 3rd, 2025 at 09:42 pm 1735940553
I think a lot of us have had some bigger bills this past year as prices have increased. Although we are doing OK, one major thing could wipe out a lot of what we have and it is scary. I remember years ago on "The Golden Girls" Rose was volunteering at a homeless shelter and she was talking to some of the women and how she said she learned how easily it was to have a few major things effect your life and that's how some became homeless. And then Rose said, "that could be me!" It hit home for me years ago and I remember it.
Hopefully 2025 will be a much better year for you.
January 9th, 2025 at 04:40 pm 1736440825