The beginning of the journey is not one that is easy, particularly a financial one that sometimes is opposite of everything you’ve been conditioned to doing. This journey can expose patterns and beliefs you aren’t even aware of, some of which may have been subconsciously growing since childhood.
Let’s take a look at how the numbers came out for this pay period, then take a closer look.
My written budget had $1,391 allocated for fixed bills. The actual total due of these bills was $1,309.77. The amount paid for fixed bills is $1,244.71.
For what is listed as cash envelopes for this check, I budgeted $379. I actually spent $920.31.
Notes on fixed expenses:
- The $60 for credit card #3 is not one I am obligated to pay every month, but pay when I can because I have contributed to the outstanding balance. I still have this $60, but it has not been paid yet.
- I discovered my utility gas bill is supposed to include another provider charge, but it’s not consistently applied on the bills. Perhaps the secondary provider doesn’t provide the charges to my provider in time for the bill, but I know they will catch up. I put $30 to the side to cover this additional charge when it shows up on a future bill.
- My Verizon bill included overage charges, and I changed plans mid-cycle last month.
- I did not pay the full Verizon amount as budgeted because of some increases in variable expenses. (Not a good practice, but one that had more fluctuation because the bill is not actually due until the 15th.)
Takeaways and points to work on:
- At $135.11, I definitely need to get better on eating out. I hate cooking (a whole other post; it’s really bad. It is not a passive or mild dislike. We’re talking Dante’s Circles of Hell level.)
- Gas was good – I was underbudget, but I also was very conscious of not making any unnecessary trips.
- I didn’t break out hobby as a separate category, but I need to. This was just an oversight. I also need to “shop my stash” as I really don’t need any planner supplies.
- Medical & Household – I apparently ran out of everything at the same time.
Even with additional income, I spent $350 more than I had. This is clearly not sustainable. Considering $122.21 of this was on credit cards, that’s money I really didn’t even have!
No judgment here – we’re just getting started.