Income & Spending....the October Edition

Now that we are living on an annuity, 401K$ withdrawals, personal savings and social security payments, I am still going to keep track of our monthly spending and income, and hopefully we'll still be able to live BELOW our means and I'll have some leftover monies each month lto tuck aside.

We went into retirement in June of 2017 with no debt, no mortgage nor a car payment.

I am trying to be as transparent as I can with how much is coming in and how much is going out. 8-)

On to the October report--

I have 2 goals for October.....

The 1st is to actually finish the month in the black and not the red.

The 2nd is to try to have a little cash leftover at the end of the previous month to tuck back into a slush fund.  This slush fund may be applied toward unforeseen bills that are coming due in subsequent months, to spend on "extras/wants" during the year or to just sit there and grow until the end of 2024.

*  I do not include/report on our retirement accounts here, just the non-retirement ones.

I'm happy to report that we finished up October in the black.

The amount extra we ended the month of October with?....$11,826.72

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in October---

*  Monthly annuity payment of $2,530.11

*  SS income of $3,828.70

*  Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $1,446.90

*  Quarterly 401K Withdrawal of $6,215.06

*  Refund from Insurance of $2,900(I'll count what the cruise company refunded when it arrives)

Total "Income" for October....$16,983.25

Expenses in October---

*  Irregular bills in October were $1,957.87

*  Variable expenses in October came to $2,491.23

*  Medical Premiums in October were $707.43

Total Expenses....$5,156.53

$16,983.25-$5,156.53=$11,826.72.

Slush Fund coming into October of $71,441.92 and the addition of $11,826.72 in October, our end of October 2024 Slush Fund comes to $83,268.64.

The Slush Fund, on it's own page(tab at the top of the blog), shows an addition of $11,826.72

Outgo

As for the variable expenses this October, here are the good and bad side of things.....

Here are the GOOD THINGS

*  The water bill is the same as the previous month.
*  The WAM was the same as in September.
*  The electric bill was $61.52 lower than the previous month
*  The Joint Mastercard was $64.24 less than in September.
*  Hubs Aviator card was $780.06 less than last month.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  The cellphone bill was .04¢ higher than in September.
*  The My Amazon card was $19.04 higher than last month.
*  Hubs Amazon card was $120.08 higher than in September.
*  My Aviator card was $4.99 higher than last month.
*  We had House Insurance due to the tune of $1,260.23.
*  We had a Vet Bill due in the amount of $355.00.
*  We paid a Doctor copay out of the regular account for $20.00.

The Food Budget costs for October are in another post HERE  Food costs are included in the credit card payments(mainly but sometimes our WAM cash too).

FINAL THOUGHTS for October 2024---Financially it was an exceptionally good month.  The 401K quarterly withdrawal and getting most of our money back that we paid on that cruise we couldn't take(I'll count the last bit when it hits the bank account.).  We did take a $22K+ hit with having to buy a car but we knew that inevitable as Hubs car was on it's last legs and that gets accounted for in November.

GOING FORWARD INTO November 2024--Bills will be coming in for the car and some c/c bills and we won't have a 401K withdrawal to balance that out.  Hopefully we'll receive the rest of the cruise  refund this month. We will mostly likely run a deficit in November but that's ok.

Here's hoping 2024 treats us all even better financially! 8-))

So how was your October financially?

Did you spend less than the income you had in September?

Did you stay within your budget or not?

What did you do with any money leftover at the end of the month?

Did you pay down/off any debts or put extra toward your mortgage principle or into savings, in an emergency fund or retirement account?

Or did you blow all your excess monies after bills were paid on a "want"?

If you post your financial progress on your own blog, leave a link in the comments so we can  go check out your progress too and celebrate or commiserate with you!

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table....Nov. 10th to Nov. 17th

*Sorry this post is a day late but Monday was our semi-annual "medical safari" to Mississippi(which involved a 7+ hour car ride).  That's where the closest to us Dermatologist who actually practices Medical Dermatology is located.  But unless I go out of remission with my HS, it will be the last as they now have approval to do telehealth appointments. Yay!!!

The "This Is Weird" Edition.........

Remember when I posted a photo from my local Walmart of an employee's photo saying that they "back a product"(it was corn dogs I think).
Well I found another sign.  Evidently Nick backs these little plastic bowls(for sauce or dipping I think).
My guess is they hang one of these signs on products that are not moving(selling).  If you associate something with a person it sells better?  I don't know but I have never seen this sort of marketing strategy before at Walmart.  Now I can hunt for these photos when I go there.  Just another way to keep grocery shopping exciting. lolz

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week...........

1. Sunday--Tuna Subs

2. Monday--Chicken Strips, Squash and Onions

3. Tuesday--Salmon, Sweet Potato Fries

4. Wednesday--(Look Away Anne!)Liver and Onions, Mashed Potatoes, Beets

5. Thursday--Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

7. Saturday--Beef w/Stir-fry Veggies

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Tuna Subs(homemade)

2. Monday--Chicken Strips, Squash and Onions

3. Tuesday--Salmon, Sweet Potato Fries

4. Wednesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

5. Thursday--Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Take-Out Pizza (I was not up for cooking), Leftover Squash

7. Saturday--Leftover Pizza, Salad

The liver didn't happen. (Keep breathing Anne.)  Maybe this week.

What got taken out of the freezer last week....

*  Chicken Strips

*  Salmon

*  Ground Beef

*  Meatballs

What got put into the freezer last week....

* 2 lbs. of Meatballs

*  1 lb. of Beer Brats

* 4 Chicken Biscuits

                    

Last week we spent $135.54 grocery shopping.  $66.26 of that was actually October 31st sending that got left off of last month's tally.  So it ends up in this current month.

Total shopping comes to $135.54 for November.  There are 19 shopping days left in November(counting from yesterday, when this should have posted).

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $98.14 on Ibotta in November.

I've earned $15.57 on TaDa in November.

I've earned $22.84 on Checkout51 in November.

I've earned $50.88 on Aisle, etc. in November. (Haven't gotten my Nature Valley rebate yet from June.  At this point I am giving up on this one.  That product went to the food bank long ago.)

I've earned 1,487 points on Fetch from food shopping in November.

I've earned 11,654 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in November.($46.61)

I've earned 19,349.07 points on My Points in November.(not sure what the conversion rate it here)

I've earned 1 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in November.($)

That is $171.86 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/MyPoints/Swag Bucks/TaDa/The Insiders were I earn gift cards)on $135.54 of grocery spending so in reality it's negative $36.32 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending(but I do count any rebates on those items) so it's a win/win--the food bank gets a large donation of goods and I get a lower grocery bill.

My savings percentage for the last week was 35.24% and the monthly savings total for November comes in at 35.24% spent.

Leftovers going into this week.....au gratin taters, catfish, 2 hamburgers and sweet potato fries.

Here is this week's food plan.....

1. Sunday--Leftover burgers, sweet potato fries.

2. Monday--Dinner somewhere on the road

3. Tuesday--Salmon, Spinach Souffle

4. Wednesday--Chicken Parm, Salad

5. Thursday--Liver, Taters, Beets

6. Friday--Sautèd Scallops, Veggie TBD

7. Saturday--Spiral cut Ham, Veggies TBD

Liver moves to this week(sorry Anne)and I am using that damned ham in the freezer this week.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week? 

Sluggy

Frugal Friday...the Nov. 8th Edition on Sunday

Sorry I am late with this post but I had a Radiofrequency Ablation early Friday morning so I was out of commission for a few days. I am finally feeling relief and up to doing my usual things.

There are a few Frugal wins over the past week.....

* Did two PT sessions this week before the RFA procedure, no charge.  My last two sessions are next week.

*  I got a freebie this past week at the grocery store.....

I used a Velocity OTC offer to get this jar of Taco Bell Salsa Dip for Hubs.

*  I did the "Buy 3, Get $5 Off " Offer at Kroger in their personal care section to get these items.....

After Coupons, sale prices and the additional $5 off this was a .03¢ moneymaker and if the KCB works on the shampoo(I used a paper Q and not the digital Q)it should become a $3.03 moneymaker. 8-)

*  I did some other shopping, mostly for the food bank..........

Raspberry cocoa, a jug of Cat Treats, 2 boxes of Stress Tea. 4 graham cracker pie shells, 2 bags of pasta, 2 bags of cough drops, 4 tubes of kid's toothpaste, a Degree deodorant and a container of Airborne.  I already talked about the Kroger "Buy 3, Save $5" items.

*  When we went to checkout at Kroger on Saturday I found this hanging out of the Catalina machine there............

A $3 off your next shopping trip coupon.

Yes please! lol  There was also a coupon for $ off Beneful dog food, which was also used when we went back later that week.  And another $1.50 off your next shopping trip coupon came out.  8-)))

*  We did no eating out last week though Hubs did bring a pizza home Friday as I was in no shape to cook. ;-)

*  We also had no food waste last week.

*  The a/c and heat were not used most days and our electric bill came and it was $72 for the month.  Nice.

*  Had a semiannual checkup at the neurologist last week.  Every thing is stable and no medication changes were ordered.

*  I found money!  

I found a quarter lying on the ground under the carts outside of Aldi last Friday.  We picked up a quart of Greek yogurt and some bagged salads there.

                                          

I found a dime in Walmart at one of the self-checkout machines on Saturday.  I consider that my reward for braving Walmart crowds on a weekend. ;-)

Total Found last week..... .35¢

Grand Total Found this Year.......$9.07 & 5.30 Euros

That's all I got and all I can do right now.

Any frugal wins in your neck of the woods?  Let's hear all about them!

Sluggy   

It's The Economy Stupid

 

Like James Carville said during Clinton's first campaign, "It's the economy stupid."

I would also add this time around it was also the Open Borders.

Sluggy

Food Spending.....the October 2024 Edition

Onward to October's Food Spending Report.....

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for October 2024.

I have posted October's totals on the Total Grocery Savings Page located HERE and have updated the Totals there. 
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in Octohyhhber.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Sum.  My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods, Pet Food. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
****************

BROOKSHIRE'S 

OOP  $30.16

Sales  $18.85

Value  $49.01

Savings  38.46%

DOLLAR GENERAL

OOP  $12.23

Sales  $20.47

Value  $32.70

Savings  62.60%

KROGER

OOP  $431.31

Qs/Gift Cards  $318.05

Value $749.36

Savings  42.44%

LOWE'S

OOP $19.52

Value  $26.00

Savings  24.92%

WALMART

OOP  $156.75

Qs/Gift Cards $83.76

Value  $240.51

Savings  34.83%

********************
My best Store Savings Total was at Dollar General with a savings of 62.60%.  My worse rate was at Lowe's with 24.92%.  Not a bad savings rate average overall though.

I shopped at 5 different stores in OCTOBER.  

TOTAL Spent in October......$649.97

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards....$517.67

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.....$1,167.64

TOTAL Savings of........44.33%

This closes out the October food/toiletries/etc. spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month....

On the surface our spending was a little high but that doesn't figure in all the rebating cash I got back.  Even so, we had a goodly savings percentage over regular retail anyway.

The Monthly food spending savings percentage went Up by 4.14% in October to 44.33% compared to September's 40.19% savings average.  

Since we have an adequate income and food should be a pleasure in life(no way am I going to eat unseasoned rice and beans for my remaining days like some people-because I don't have to). I will buy quality food and pay the price at the register.  I may not like the price but I will deal with it.

With 10 months accounted for, I have spent a Total of $5,984.68 on groceries/HBA/paper goods/etc. in 2024.  Food prices have gotten to the ridiculous level, haven't they?

2024 Yearly Total Value of Items  $11,829.88

2024 Total Saved   $5,845.20

2024 Yearly Total Spent  $5,984.68

2024 Yearly Savings Total of  49.41%

The average per month amount spent is $598.47 in 2024 so far but that's before all the rebate monies are added in.

Remember that I withdraw all my cash rebate monies(Ibotta, Shopmium, TaDa, Checkout 51, Swag Bucks, My Points and other miscellaneous rebates-Aisle, Tremendous, Sampoll  etc. and have it sent to my Paypal)at the end of the year and add it back into my food budget, so at the end of the year my food spending will go down.  I don't add in all the cashed out savings until the end of the year,

The other savings apps like Fetch, Shop Kick, Kroger Cash Back that let us get free gift cards(or $ off your grocery total-Kroger Cash Back), those are added back in when I cash those points in along the way.  Alexa app gave me Amazon credit onto my account but I don't buy food on Amazon(sometimes I buy dog food there)so I really don't know how to count that and it's defunct now so I won't worry about that bit.

Because I don't like to let money sit in these rebate accounts and Paypal, I send $$ to my bank account throughout the year.  So far I have sent $2,717.68 from various rebating programs and through Paypal to my bank.  If you add in all that my food spending at the 10 month point in 2024 comes in at $3,267.00 or $326.70 per month.

Besides all I sent to my bank account I have more $ sitting in these various rebating programs as well as in Paypal.  This is not counting Alexa, ShopKick or Fetch, which all comes out in gift cards or Amazon credit.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NOVEMBER 2024.....

After we went through and organized the freezer, I am trying to eat down freezer/pantry in November and it seems like most of my grocery spending lately has been for Food Bank donations.  I hope to spend less in November than in October but time will tell.  Inflation is still crazy high so spending is more than I'd like it to be.

Gone are the days of a $350 grocery budget.

If you have other ideas or guidelines you follow please leave a comment and share your thoughts with us all.

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in October?

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  It's really not that hard or time consuming; just keep your receipts and either track it in a notebook or on a spreadsheet.

*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons versus buying at regular retail price last month, if you track that sort of thing?

*  What are your methods for keeping your food spending in check?

*  Is anyone out there up for tracking expenditures and trying to spend less but still eat well?

Sluggy

I Can't Believe It!

 

The McRib sandwich is returning soon to McDonald's! 

It's a great day....

Sluggy

This!

Sluggy

Poor Peanut the Squirrel

 I just had to share this meme, stolen from Joe at Fat in Indiana.

My sentiments exactly......

Government overreach at it's finest.

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table.....the Nov. 3rd to Nov. 9th

The "I Wouldn't Spend Money on This" Edition.......

This was a free after rebate tv dinner from "Real Good".  It was more than double the price of a Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice one(never seen this brand go on sale)and about as thrilling as the others.  The BBQ sauce was strange tasting too.   I'll pass on this next time.  I wish my store carried their plain bagged chicken.  That I could have dressed up to be edible.

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned for last week...........

1. Sunday--Leftover Brisket, Green Beans, Mac and Cheese(Hubs only)

2. Monday--Catfish, Leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Something from the Freezer

4. Wednesday--Something from the Freezer

5. Thursday--Something from the Freezer

6. Friday--Something from the Freezer

7. Saturday--Leftovers

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Leftover Brisket, Green Beans, Mac and Cheese(Hubs only)

2. Monday--Catfish, Leftover Green Beans

3. Tuesday--can't remember

4. Wednesday--I had a free after rebate TV dinner

5. Thursday--Rotisserie Chicken, Carrots, Au Gratin Taters

6. Friday--late lunch(I had a Salad and Strawberries later)

7. Saturday--So memorable I can't recall it lol

If your meal plan is just "something from the freezer" it's hard to go off plan. lol

I probably had a salad and strawberries(had a lot of strawberries)on Saturday and Hubs cut into his massive pot of chili.  Tuesday's dinner is lost to the mist of time. ;-)

We had a rare food waste last week.  I uncovered some collards in the freezer that were freezer burned so those got pitched.  I can't remember the last time we had any food waste beyond that. 8-)

What got taken out of the freezer last week....

*  Beef Brisket

*  Catfish

*  Don't remember

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  Ice Cream Cones

*  Chicken Biscuits(there was a deal)

                    

Last week we spent $175.79 grocery shopping(not counting the days in November).

Total shopping comes to $649.97 for October.   There are 0 shopping days left in October.

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $266.37 on Ibotta in October.

I've earned $3.00 on Shopmium in October.

I've earned $0.01 on TaDa in October.

I've earned $32.11 on Checkout51 in October.

I've earned $118.69 on Aisle, etc. in October. (Haven't gotten my Nature Valley rebate yet from June.)

I've earned 28,510 points on Fetch from food shopping in October.

I've earned 11,572 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in October.($46.28)

I've earned 6,679 Points on My Points in October.(not sure what the conversion rate it here)

I've earned 2,644 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in October.($26.44)

That is $420.16 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/MyPoints/Swag Bucks/TaDa/The Insiders were I earn,  gift cards)on $649.97 of grocery spending so in reality it's $229.81 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending(but I do count any rebates on those items) so it's a win/win--the food bank gets a large donation of goods and I get a lower grocery bill.

My savings percentage for the last week was 33.39% and the monthly savings total for October comes in at 44.33% spent.

Leftovers going into this week.....leftover carrots, au gratin taters, catfish, chili and the leftover rotisserie chicken got turned into chicken salad.  All of this will be lunch fodder as there isn't enough of any item for meals for 2.

Here is this week's food plan.....

1. Sunday--Tuna Subs

2. Monday--Chicken Strips, Squash and Onions

3. Tuesday--Salmon, Sweet Potato Fries

4. Wednesday--(Look Away Anne!)Liver and Onions, Mashed Potatoes, Beets

5. Thursday--Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

7. Saturday--Beef w/Stir-fry Veggies

I can easily see what's in the freezer now and make a plan.  We have everything for these meals(except provolone cheese for the subs).  Except for the cheese mentioned we need nothing from the store this week.  I may still go and cherry pick some deals since Thanksgiving is near and there will be stock-up deals and pick up some more items for the food bank too.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week? 

Sluggy

Tax Plans of Each Candidate Compared

No matter who wins this election, the outcome will bring tax implications for every taxpayer. 
Here's an informative video from a licensed CPA about the legislation each candidate is proposing  should they win that would impact various taxpayers.

Sluggy

Frugal Friday....the Nov. 1st Edition on Saturday

There are a few Frugal wins over the past week.....

*  I got released from Wound Care a week ago Friday so I can get back to PT now.  What a shit show that was.....though I had a great time chatting with the Occupational Therapists who came to change the bandages twice a week.

*  I got a few freebies this past week at the grocery stores.....

First was 5 cans of chili.  Jack Links is now making chili and there is a 
Buy 1, Get 4 cans free offer.  Hubs is the only one who eats chili but I hope he doesn't love this kind because it's pricey. lol

Then I got a container of juice boxes and some gluten-free graham crackers another day and they had full price rebates.  These are headed to the food bank.

Then a container of Taco Bell dip and a bottle of Starry soda yet another day.  Both were free with OTC offers.  The white bag on the left holds 4 lbs. of sweet potatoes.  While those weren't free, they were an incredible .20¢ a lb. at our local Walmart.  I should have gotten more but 4 lbs. is a goodly amount.

We went to a different Walmart on Wednesday, the only one in this area that carries this product.  It had a full price rebate and I plan on keeping this.

Another freebie I picked up at Kroger, a Real Good frozen item.  I would have preferred their bag 'o chicken but all ours carries is a tv dinner deal.  I had it for dinner last week.  The chicken is not breaded(that's ok)but the bbq sauce was weird tasting.  The veggies were a hot mess...at least the broccoli was as it was all shredded up.

We hit Lowe's last Sunday too. There was a deal on My Points on the Method and Meyer's brands of cleaners.  There was also corresponding offers on Checkout 51.  Between the two offers these were free or better than free.

*  My mouse died........

Last Saturday I could no longer revive it by rolling the battery inside.  So I hopped on Amazon and on Monday a new sleek model was delivered......

It changed colors on the under carriage and doesn't need a battery.  And it's purple too!!

*  We bought a car!

Hubs' car was on it's last legs so we've been researching what to replace it with.

We found a great deal at Enterprise locally, went in, test drove it and bought it.  It's a 2023 Malibu with 35K miles on it.  They even gave us $2K for his car as a trade in(so now we don't have to worry about what to do with it).  It was part of the Enterprise Corporate Fleet and was well taken care of.  We put the bulk of the purchase price on Hubs American Airlines card for the miles.  We'll pay it off this coming week.

*  I found money!  

I found a penny by the pharmacy in Walmart on Saturday.

I found 2 pennies in Walmart on Tuesday.

I found  a penny in Kroger last Tuesday.

Total Found last week..... .04¢

Grand Total Found this Year.......$8.72 & 5.30 Euros

That's all I got and all I can do right now.

Any frugal wins in your neck of the woods?  Let's hear all about them!

Sluggy