CB in the City

I made it through the month spending 99% of my variables. My average for the year is 91%, so I'm doing all right.

The big total in gifts/charity came about from my donations to two of my grandchildren's college funds. This happened in September, too.

The tax was my second installment of property tax.

Vacation -- a little trip to visit BFF in Indiana, and my Thanksgiving trip.

Nothing else really stands out. My grocery bill was low because of the traveling I did. The personal category was a little high because of a haircut and stocking up on some toiletries.

December is starting out with a bang -- as it does. I have spent $103 on Christmas gifts and some supplies for Christmas dinner. This morning I spent $29 on groceries.

I reserved a room for two nights in Orlando for the wedding I'm attending there. I had to charge $308 for the deposit, which basically covers one night. It will be an expensive trip, but worth it, I think. Most of the spending will occur in January.

I'm back at home after a really nice Thanksgiving trip to my brother's house. I spent $80 on gas and food, and $5 for a special Christmas card for a friend. When I got home I spent $6 on a car wash and $4 on laundry. I've spent 98% of my variables (my spending allowance.)  But today is my son's birthday, and there are plans afoot to either go out to dinner or get takeout, so I'm not going to be able to stay under 100%. At least I already have his gift.

In two more days, when the month turns, I will start ordering Christmas gifts from Amazon. The house is already decorated, and my dinner is planned, but nothing will be bought until shortly before the dinner (December 17). So I'm in a kind of relaxed mode right now, before the craziness begins!

I'm pausing now as I get ready to travel tomorrow for our family get-together in Michigan. I have promised to bring green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and a dump cake. This morning as I assembled my ingredients, I realized that I forgot to buy the yellow cake mix for the dump cake, so it's back to the store. Yesterday I spent $44 for ingredients. I logged that expenditure in Gifts/Charity. As it is a gift to the family, similar to hosting, just not at my house.

Since my last post I have bought a Christmas tree ($50), birthday gifts ($103), groceries ($37), takeout ($11), and a painter's smock ($4). I have paid the second installment on my property tax ($356). I have spent $13 on donations.  I have spent 85% of my variables, and I still have a trip ahead of me. But 'tis the season. 

I enjoyed the painting class I took at the community center, so I am contemplating taking the next one in December. I am also contemplating buying some paints and brushes and canvases so I can practice at home. The painting I produced in class was pretty bad, but I think I can improve with practice, and I do enjoy the process. Anyway, the next class, if I sign up for it, is $20. I probably won't buy art supplies until after Christmas, and after my trip to North Carolina and Florida in January.

I've had a busy week. I drove down to Indiana to attend a birthday dinner for BFF, then spent another day and a half there. My costs for that little trip were $41 for gas and food. I also had to replenish my tollway pass ($40) and then my AARP subscription renewed ($16). While in Indiana, I went shopping with BFF at Goodwill, where I bought two pairs of jeans and some gift wrap for $18. After coming home, I sent $250 to my Oregon son for my granddaughter's birthday and college fund. (In a few days I'll do the same for one of my local grandsons). I've spent $10 on laundry so far this month, and $9 for a healthy lunch from Farmer's Fridge. And I spent $20 to sign up for a painting class at the community center. So.... I've spent 56% of my variables for the month, and it hasn't even been two weeks. Time to really slow it down.

Well, as I said before, November is going to be challenging. I have already spent 29% of my variables. That included a $30 medical copay, $20 in groceries, $10 for hair conditioner, $38 for deoderant (6-pack from Amazon), and $24 for a haircut. It also includes my medical premium and my streaming expenses, which are actually fixed, but it's just easier this way. Medical and entertainment categories include a lot of true variables and I'd rather not split the categories. Too much explanation, I know, and only meaningful to me.

Tomorrow I will go to a cookout at my ex's house, and I'll buy potato salad to take, and probably a bottle of wine as a late birthday present. On Tuesday I'm going to go down to BFF's house and there I will attend a birthday dinner for her and another friend. I'll spend a day there and come home on Thursday to attend a free Tai Chi class to see if I like it.

My big expenses this month are the second installment of my property tax, birthday presents for my granddaughter, grandson and son, and college fund donations for the two grands having birthdays. And there will be a trip to my brother's house in Michigan for Thanksgiving, and food expenses for that event.

And after that comes Christmas, and a trip to Florida for my nephew's wedding. Which may include a side trip to NC! Whew! A lot going on.

It wasn't a big-spending month, though it felt like it at times. The last few weeks I really struggled to come in under 100% with my variables. I actually spent 102%, but I felt that was pretty good. There were no big ticket items this month, and that kept the grand total down.

The car and my wardrobe were most expensive this month. I had an oil change and also replaced several filters. In the clothing category, I bought some short dressy boots and a zip-up hoodie.

In the FED category, I logged the replacement battery for my cell phone. I wasn't sure where to put that, but in the end decided it was an equipment expense.

The gifts were Halloween candy and cards, and food that I took to a friend's funeral.

My grocery bill was so ridiculously low because family members of the man who died, who had traveled some distance for the funeral, had bought groceries to use during their stay here. They didn't use them all, and they gave the surplus to me. So I really didn't have to buy much.

This coming month I have three birthdays, and the second payment of my property tax. So, yeah, another challenging month.

The phone battery cost more than I expected -- I don't think I was really listening when the price was quoted. Anyway, after the deposit was deducted and tax was added it was $65. When I went to pick it up, I pulled up in front of the shop and reached for my phone to pay for parking -- of course, it was in the shop. Duh. I could have paid the old-fashioned manual way, which I figured would take more time than I would spend in the shop, so I took a chance and skipped it. When I came out, of course, a parking patrol vehicle was pulled up nearby. There was no ticket on my car, so I quickly pulled out and left. But I will bet anything I'll get a ticket in the mail.

I went to the grocery store this morning to get tomato paste for spaghetti sauce. While there, I saw that Breyer's now makes a non-dairy ice cream from oat milk. I bought a carton, which was expensive, but among the groceries my friends gave me there was a carton of root beer. I thought it would be fun to make root beer floats with some of those, as I am not a big soda drinker. Well, the ice cream wasn't that great, so I rather regret the purchase, but now I know.

I spent $7 for those two items.

I still have plenty of food, so I should be fine if I don't make any more impulse buys.

I got a notice that another $30 bill was added to my medical account. I'll pay that on November 1.

A couple of updates -- I made a math error and it turns out I have only spent 83% of my variables. That is more comfortable. And it includes a modest grocery bill of $18 that wasn't in there before.

It also includes a $20 deposit to the cell phone repair business. They have ordered a new battery for me, which will be about $75, but the $20 will be deducted from that. I am hopeful it will come in tomorrow, but that would be the earliest possible date. I am a bit worried because a swollen battery is dangerous. I didn't realize that until after I had made the decision to get a new battery rather than a new phone. Had I known that, I probably would have opted for the new phone, as the safer option. But at least this option is cheaper, as long as my phone doesn't blow up!

I still have two and a half weeks to get through with only $124 (not counting regular bills). I should be able to do this, but I sure do get tired of this.

I went to my grandson's volleyball scrimmage last night, which lasted three hours! And the only seating was hard bleachers! Still, fun to watch, even though my grandson was disappointed in his team's performance, and his own. To make this financial -- my grandson managed to lose track of his own personal volleyball, which cost $80. Luckily, we found it at the end, stuck in the bin with all the balls belonging to the sports center. And guess who found it? Moi. It surely must have been my thrifty radar.

I dawdled over my entry too long, and forgot to copy it, so it's lost. So now it's the short version.....

I have spent 90% of my variables, which is basically my spending allowance for the month. It's been a crazy beginning to the month. I won't go into all the details again, but I was involved in helping friends with a death in the family, and a lot of fallout from it. I wasn't home very much and that led to unusual spending patterns.

Things are back to normal again. The good part about the above is that the friends gave me a lot of groceries they couldn't use, and this will really help me get through the month.

I'm not done spending yet. Later today I'm going to see if I can get my cell phone fixed. The back is separating from the phone, which I think is due to a swollen battery. It can be fixed with a new battery, if that is indeed the problem. We shall see.

Grand Total                 2231

Variables                       99%

The big number this month is gifts -- because of two grandsons' birthdays, and my donations to their college funds.

Medical was a bit high, too, though it was mostly co-pays. More to come.

But all in all, I kept it in line. Should be able to transfer $600 to savings.

I was expecting to see my annual payment for condo insurance withdrawn this month. It hasn't happened yet, so it will probably appear on Monday.

Yesterday I finished up the month's grocery shopping and hit $100 (for the month) on the nose -- with one caveat. I accidentally double-scanned an item so I had to go back and get reimbursed. Luckily, it was no problem.

Today I bought some facial serum, and it was $28 after cashing in a $5 reward from Walgreens. I've spent $100 on cosmetic items this month, as well as groceries. But I only bought three things -- the serum, a twin-pack of retinol night cream, and eyebrow gel. What price beauty? As much as sustenance, apparently. Well, these products will last a while.

Tomorrow is my grandson's birthday. Today I withdrew $250 -- $200 for his college fund and $50 for his gift. I also bought a couple of cards for $10. One is for him, the other is for my son, whose birthday is in February. It just happened to be the perfect card for him, so I bought it.

I did a little juggling and correcting, and my variables are now at 85%.

We will have a little party tomorrow.

On Tuesday, I'll do my last grocery shopping trip of the month.

I've had a hankering for a Reuben sandwich, but when I shopped last week I did not want to buy a corned beef brisket -- way too big. I was at Aldi, so deli options were limited. So I bought canned corned beef, thinking, how bad can it be? It was pretty bad. I will have to think of other ways to use it up. Corned beef hash, for sure, and I can also make a sandwich spread with mayo and relish, like tuna salad.

It's very salty. I doubt I will buy it again.

Wow, has it really been ten days since I posted? That doesn't seem right, but it seems it's true.

I spent $24 for groceries this week, and $5 on household supplies (bleach). I paid $115 in medical fees, and there are more charges in the percolator. It's been a time of many medical appointments. Nothing scary, though. Just getting things checked out, and getting a thumbs-up.

I spent $33 on clothes from Goodwill. I am losing weight (yay!) and needed a few items that would fit better. On the same day I treated myself to lunch at Panera for $14. 

A few days ago I ordered a phone grip for my sister on Amazon and had it delivered to her - $10.

I think that's mainly it -- variables are at 90%, mainly driven by that medical spending.

This evening I'm going to another suburb to get my RSV shot. It wasn't available at my Walgreens. I assume it will not cost me anything, but we will see. I made an appointment for the new COVID booster for a week from today. That will be close to home.

I went to a garage sale yesterday and found a gift for BFF -- a lusterware cream and sugar set. She likes lusterware -- I hope she feels she can add more to her collection. It was $6. Her birthday is coming up in November.

I sent $250 to my Oregon son -- the $200 for my grandson's college fund, and $50 for a birthday gift.

I intended to grocery shop today, but I was too tired after a lousy night's sleep. So far I'm not doing any better tonight! I did manage to do some laundry - $2.

I got a notice that I owe $75 for medical bills -- haven't paid it yet, though -- I'll do that when I get my SS payment next Wednesday. The $75 is my share for an x-ray and doctor visit for my arthritic knee, and for the Mohs surgery on my face. I thought that was pretty good insurance coverage!

Right now my variables are at 55%, which doesn't count the $200 college money. That's a big ticket item, different bucket.

I have already spent 39% of my variables, which is basically my monthly spending allowance. And it doesn't really seem I have bought much.

Yesterday I got the car washed for $5, spent $2 on laundry, and ordered a fascia blaster from Amazon for $13.  The day before, I spent $5 at Cold Stone Creamery (had a $5 gift card, but the smallest container of sorbet I could buy was $10.) I also spent $1 on parking that day.  And the day before that it was time to buy aquarium filters. I bought two boxes, because the second was half-price. I've gotta lotta filters! That was $36.

About the fascia blaster. I have figured out that a lot of my pain is from tight fascia -- basically all over. I hope this will help. It's a hand-held roller with bumps on it. I've tried the foam roller bit, so don't recommend that! I am not agile enough to get down on the floor and roll myself around! LOL. I've been here a long time; I'm an old lady now!

The weather has cooled off and it looks like it will stay cool in the 10-day forecast. I might take down my air conditioners. One of them -- the one I had so much trouble installing because the wings fell off, is sitting at a drunken level now and I'm a little bit afraid it might fall out the window. I might just have to get a new one next year -- one that fits the space better. This one is actually a little too small for the room In terms of BTU.

I began the month with some spending on skincare. I bought scar cream, to tackle the surgical scar on my face that is threatening to become keloid, and I bought two jars of retinol night cream. I also bought some brow gel, in what I hope is my last attempt to find a solution for my graying eyebrows. Maybelline XPress Brow, in their lightest brown. It's better than anything I have tried before. That's $104 altogether, jeesh. I've also done a couple of loads of laundry and bought a cheap lunch at Sam's. And I sent in $36 to join the family football pool, an annual event.

After some very nice days, the heat is back. I haven't turned on the AC, however. The lower humidity makes it bearable.

Grand Total                 1740

Variables                     100%

This was my lowest-spending month this year! Even though I spent more than usual on medical, and I bought some clothes and new sheets. It helped that there were no big-ticket items this month.

I transferred $3K to savings. That's what happens when I keep my spending in line.

Just when I need to conserve cash, here comes the wheel tax. I had to pay it; it's due September 1, and I had forgotten about it. I thought I had paid it when I got the new car in February, but apparently I just transferred the information and didn't pay anything. Well, now it's done. Only $45, thanks to my senior benefit.

Wheel tax is like a resident sticker. It allows me to park on the street without getting ticketed.

That leaves me with only $14 for the rest of the month! Mind you, I have plenty of money available, but keeping my spending within a strict limit is what makes my budget work. This is a goal, not a necessity.

As for the medical test I had yesterday -- it was inconclusive so I'm getting a consult with a surgeon on September 13. I did not have to pay anything up front, as I thought I might, but the bill will come eventually. As will the next one. Sigh. As they all say, medical expenses take a big bite out of the budget when you reach a certain age. And I'm there.

I bought a few groceries, which brought my spendable moolah down to $61. Variables are at 92%.

Today I'm driving an hour away to get a diagnostic test. Doctor's orders, I must do it. Driving to this faraway location was the only way I could get an appointment quickly. I am not sure how well insurance will cover this; I may have some out-of-pocket expense. This won't affect my variables; it will be a "big ticket" item for sure.

It's very, very hot today, and I regret having to be on the road. Thank goodness for AC in the car! When I was young, it was unusual to have AC in the car; now it's pretty standard. That's a good thing!

I had some surprise company -- friends who took the train into Chicago and needed a place to crash before they continued their trip. A sleeper couch and the floor were not the best accomodations, but they didn't complain. Before they left we had the chance to visit and shop and eat out a few times.

I have spent 90% of my month's variables budget! I can't blame it all on the company. I also bought a new jacket for $38. Unexpected spending, but I'm chalking it up as a late birthday present for myself.

Now, with 13 days left in the month, can I spend only $77? We'll see, I guess.

I certainly don't regret the surprise company. It was a great time.

Yesterday I met BFF in the halfway city. We celebrated my recent birthday at a Bob Evans (haven't been there in ages!) and then shopped. I had some birthday coupons to use. I spent $22 at Kohl's for a hoodie and I bought a stocking stuffer for $2 at DSW. That's it! BFF treated for lunch and for ice cream afterwards at Cold Stone Creamery.

Today I'm going grocery shopping. There are three Mondays left in the month and I can only spend $13 on each of them to stay within my limit. I'm going to Walmart first, to get bread, and then I'll get a few things at Aldi.

I also plan to walk at the community center indoor track and make a stop at Home Depot to get weatherstripping for the air conditioners. I did get all the windows and AC units put back -- I should say my son did. It was really nice to have air again. Though today is nice and cool and I don't need it.

Variables are at 64% halfway through the month, but the spending should slow down from here.

My eye doctor's appointment was the best. My eyes have not changed appreciably. I do not need glasses for distance vision, my cataract is still very small, and my retinas are in good shape. The appointment did not cost me anything because it was covered by my Medicare Advantage plan.

The next day I went to my GP about the pain in my knee. He referred me to a walk-in sports clinic, and I went there right away. They x-rayed my knee, and the verdict was that my meniscus was fine but I did have substantial arthritis. Which was no surprise. Physical therapy was recommended. I'm still mulling that over, because my knee now does seem to be getting better on its own.

Yesterday I went to the dermatological surgeon and had the Mohs procedure done to remove skin cancer from my cheek. I was lucky in that it took only one pass. They did insist on giving me stitches, since it's on the face, and supposedly the outcome will be better. After the anesthesia wore off, it was pretty painful and a bit swollen (both of which I was warned about). I finally took Tylenol and had a decent night. Today I'm better, but my vanity is suffering because I can't wash my hair, and it really needs it!

While all this was happening, I was informed that TIAA, which holds my retirement fund, was hacked and my information compromised. I froze my three credit report accounts. I already have credit monitoring that I was given after the Experian hack. TIAA has offered services with Knoll, but I think this is going to be enough. The hackers didn't get access to money, just to personal information.

And now for the windows. They have been washed, though it took longer than projected. I am waiting for my son to respond that he can help me get it all back together. There are 24 storm windows and 12 screens that have to reinstalled, as well as the AC units. I washed the 24 storm windows myself, and that was quite a job. The new squeegee made it easier, but I don't think I did a perfect job. C'est la vie.

I have one window with a broken chain (as opposed to the more usual cord found in vintage windows). I have called a window repair company and they charge a minimum of $277 (odd figure!) for a service call. Other companies have not responded, so I suppose eventually I will have to pay this. With the chain broken, it is almost impossible to raise the window.

So, a lot going on. Tomorrow is my birthday. My BFF is coming up, and we are all going out for pizza in the evening, hopefully at a venue with nice outdoor seating. Hopefully, because the weather may not cooperate. Anyway, that's what's going on in my world.

Yesterday I went ahead and ordered the AC frame from Amazon, also some double-sided tape and weatherstripping. I also bought a professional-grade squeegee.  All because of window-washing and all the juggling around I have to do because of it. The screens and storms are now out, and the AC units sitting on the floor. Thank goodness it is not too hot, because I am sealed in here. And the washers have not even shown up yet.

I also threw in a phone grip, because I keep on accidentally turning off my phone.

Altogether I spent $78.

The storms are pretty dirty, so I will have to wash them myself. That's why I bought the squeegee. I've never had a good one.

In a few minutes, I will leave for the eye doctor's office. Hopefully, this won't be expensive!

August is starting out with some mild spending. I spent $31 on groceries ($11 over my limit). I'll have to make it up later. I also spent $6 on reusable straws. This was at Aldi. I've spent $4 on laundry, $42 on OTC medications, $12 on dryer sheets (from Sam's), and $16 on clothing from Goodwill -- two tops and a pair of exercise pants, very good buys. 

One of my window air conditioners has pretty much lost its accordian side panels. They are falling apart, and when my son and I installed the unit this summer we kind of jerry-rigged something to make do. However, when I came home from Oregon I found that a storm had knocked a hole in the setup and water came in. I scrounged up some plastic pieces and closed off the space, but it won't last. I need to get real replacement panels. I have picked out something from Amazon that I think will work, but I have to get the okay from my son, because he's the one who's going to install them. And he knows more about that kind of thing. I have picked out a sturdy set, and it will be about $50 along with the weatherstripping and tape. It will be worth it if it will keep the elements out. And it will look a lot better.

I'm going to the eye doctor on Monday and will most likely get glasses. Then on Tuesday I have an appointment with my GP. My knee is somewhat improved but I want to figure out just what's wrong and what I need to do next. Then on Wednesday, I go the dermatological surgeon and get the skin cancer removed.

Window washing is going to be done on Monday and Tuesday, so I have to remove screens and take down the air conditioners (thus making it even more important that I get the proper accessories to properly reinstall!) Oh, it's going to be a week.

I was told to schedule an dermatology appointment for a full body scan. I called this morning and was first offered an appointment one year from now! After the scheduler looked at all locations in my group, she found an opening for February 1 in a suburb about a half hour away. Crazy. I am on a waiting list for any opening that comes up sooner than that. Apparently, we are really deprived of dermatologists in this area.

What a month this was. Not only did I have the vacation in Oregon, but I just got back from a long weekend at my brother's house. I went up to attend a memorial service for my sister's ex-husband. In addition to that, we did some eating out, and of course there was gas to buy. 

And then there was the semi-annual auto insurance payment.

Here is how it all broke down:

Insurance - $1180

Housing - $769

Vacation/Travel - $631

Utilities - $201

Fees/Services - $190 (Traffic ticket and legal fee)

Medical/Health - $81

Entertainment - $64

Gifts/Charity - $44

Groceries - $38

Phone - $38

Gas - $29

Personal - $27

Household Supplies - $22

Laundry - $16

Eating Out/Takeout - $9

Car Washes - $6

Grand Total - $3345

My variables this month ended up at 110% spent.

The bright spot was that with all the traveling I didn't buy much in the way of groceries.

Yesterday I got out and did my walking at the community center, strength training at the gym, and did a little shopping, too. I spent $14 at Mariano's for groceries and $22 at Sam's Club for paper towels. Variables are at 79%.

Apparently I overstressed my knee while I was at the gym, and today I am in pain and hobbling around. The only solution is rest, so I will just have to lay low for a while. That's too bad because I really wanted to get back into walking every day, but I know that's not going to be a good idea.

I am back from my visit with my Oregon son. It was a wonderful time. I was so glad to see him getting around, improving every day. He is still experiencing pain, but his doctor tells him this is normal, especially with two major surgeries in such a short time frame.

This vacation was more expensive than my usual. In addition to the airfare and hotel costs, which I already shared, I spent $35 on ground transportation, $112 on eating out, $32 on activities, and $70 on baggage fees. But it was worth it.

I returned home yesterday night, very tired and jet-lagged, and I'm still getting over it today.

One of the best pieces of news was that even though his position at work has been eliminated, he has a new position at the same level, and he started on Monday, on a shortened schedule.

Not so great news was learning that the spot on my cheek was skin cancer, but it is the "not scary" kind. Basal cell carcinoma. I have an appointment to have to removed on August 9.

Yep, I did. And I was caught by a red light camera, so I have to fork out $100. I wouldn't have believed it, but they have video proof. In my defense, it happened during the time I was so worried about my son, so I really wasn't in my right mind. I had no idea on that day what I had done.

On the same day I got the notice, I got my payout from the Google class action lawsuit. It was $95, so that almost pays for the ticket.

I just noticed that my July statement shows no change in my mortgage balance. I assume that's because of the July 4 holiday. But I printed out the two statements and I'm watching.

I've been very frugal with daily expenses but I did treat myself to lunch through a drive-through today - $5. Variables are at 20%.

I looked at my airline ticket for next week's trip to visit my son -- I realized that the plane leaves at 6 am, which I apparently didn't think was a bad time when I booked the ticket, but I forgot I would have to be there two hours earlier, plus the airport is about 40 minutes away. WHAT WAS I THINKING? I am not at all comfortable with taking an Uber in the wee hours, not to mention I'm not sure I would be able to function at that time. So I decided to book a room at the airport hotel the night before. It's way more expensive than I thought it would be -- with the fees tacked on it's $303, which I think is outrageous, but maybe it's typical these days. Anyway, I'm going to do it, it will make for a much better start to the day, which is going to be a long one.

I won't make that mistake again! I'm sure I went for this ticket because the price was better, but I will have to remember that I'm an old lady now, and a mid-day flight is a much better option, whatever the price.

I grocery shopped yesterday at Mariano's (a rather upscale store owned by Kroger). Aldi is my go-to store, but I go to Mariano's when I need popcorn. I spent $23. Then I picked up a prescription from Walgreens for $15. 

I hardly ever grocery shop on Saturday because it's so busy, but I was out of some key items and didn't want to wait any longer.

After days of no rain and smoky skies, we had non-stop rain today, and then a flash flood alert. It has expired, so there's no danger. I'm glad for the rain; we needed it so badly, maybe not all at once, though.