As everyone knows, there has been brutal weather across the country, and a lot of it was settled right here. I did not go out of the house much, since the wind chills were 20-30 below, and it went on like that for weeks. It does make for a low-spending month, however.
It didn't make any difference in auto insurance, though! That was $2022 (semi-annual payment). It just keeps climbing. Housing was $799. It will be higher next month, when the new assessment fees kick in. $50 more per month! Utilities are inching up, $240 this month. But I didn't pay much for groceries -- only $80. I am continuing to shop very strategically, and I'm careful use everything I buy. My freezer is full of leftovers, and they will get eaten. Whether I like them or not!
Entertainment was a little high because of our family football pool, in addition to streaming services - $74. I spent $60 on gifts -- some leftover Christmas giving. $50 for my phone, $33 for a haircut and some body wash, $30 for gas, $29 for household goods, and $19 for consumable household supplies. Eating out set me back $26. Laundry was $16, and I spent $12 on a car wash and $12 on a little jaunt to visit with a friend.
Altogether I spent $3,516, and if I hadn't had that high insurance bill it would have been very low indeed.
All last year I was worried about my son who works for the government. He went without a paycheck for a long time (but he did get it all in the end). And I was never confident that he wouldn't be fired without cause.
Now I'm worried about my other son, who has worked for Amazon for about ten years. Not as a driver, but as a manager in their drone delivery research department. He was let go a few weeks ago. He has severence for five months, but no health insurance as of yesterday. He is the sole breadwinner in his family. He is in his late 40's. I am so worried. And I am so tired of being worried.
Please, 2026, get better!
February 3rd, 2026 at 04:33 pm 1770136407
February 5th, 2026 at 03:26 pm 1770305216
You commented on your expenses...are you seeing an increase in grocery prices for those things you have to buy to fill in between the freezer meals?