Here is a breakdown of my expenses for January.
| Household | $66.72 |
| Rent | $450 |
| Entertainment | $30.94 |
| Transportation | $102.82 |
| Food | $182.79 |
| Travel | $152.70 |
| Phone | $30.94 |
| Health | $80.85 |
| Total | $1087.76 |
My January expenses were about $500 lower than in December which was a significant improvement. I think I’ll have a good shot at getting my expenses below $1000 this month.
Entertainment was for movie concessions and my Regal Unlimited monthly membership fee. It was slightly lower than the previous month since I only went to the movies twice. I hope to see more movies this month. If I don’t buy popcorn this total will still be lower.
Transportation expense was for gas and parking at the dental clinic. This expense will probably be about the same this month.
My travel expense consisted of $99 for the annual fee on an American Airlines credit card, $42.45 in taxes and fees on an airline award ticket, and $11.25 in manufactured spend expense. The AA card will give me 60,000 miles which I plan to redeem for several hundred dollars of trips. The $42.45 was for taxes and fees on my premium economy award ticket on Virgin Airlines from Hong Kong to London. That ticket would have cost about $1500 if I was paying out of pocket. Getting it for 22,000 miles and $42.45 in taxes and fees was a great bargain.
My food expense was over $60 lower than the previous month. While this was a significant improvement I want to get it even lower. I need to have less junk food and fast food and more grocery store food.
My phone bill was normal. It will usually be in the $28-$35 range and I expect it be in that range this month.
My health expense was for one month’s dues for a fitness center membership and $70 for a dentist visit. I have another dentist visit this month. I’m not sure what it will cost. I’m hoping it won’t be too much more expensive than the previous visit.
Household expenses were down quite a bit from the previous month since I didn’t have any big purchases for the month. I did spend $50 for internet. This was my last installment for internet and I’ll have free internet from now on until I move out of my apartment.
This month I have a good chance of keeping my expenses under $1000. How was your month?
You are doing a great job. I don’t track my expenses but since my income is the same every month, I gauge myself on the money that is left at the end of the month. IT was very good month.
Thanks, Sam. Glad to hear you had a good month and hope this month is going well.