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 to 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 September report--
I have 2 goals for September.....
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 2025.
* I do not include/report on our retirement accounts here, just the non-retirement ones.
I have to report that we finished up September in the Black.
The amount extra we ended the month of September with?....$1,799.70
Income or Fund in September We Can Access
The "income" in September---
* Monthly annuity payment of $2,530.11
* SS income of $4,104.00
* Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $1,022.58
* Stock Dividend of $20.79
* eBay Profit of $1,163.88
Total "Income" for September....$8,456.96
* Irregular bills in September were $2,847.30
* Variable expenses in September came to $3,139.25
* Medical Premiums in August were $670.71
Total Expenses....$6,657.26
$8,456.96-$6,657.26=$1,799.70
Slush Fund coming into September of $81,984.50 and the addition of $1,799.70 in September, the end of September 2025 Slush Fund comes to $83,784.49
The Slush Fund, on it's own page(tab at the top of the blog), shows an addition of $1,799.70
Outgo
As for the variable expenses this September, here are the good and bad side of things.....
Here are the GOOD THINGS
* The WAM was the same as last month.
* There was no Mastercard bill in September.
* The electric bill was $2.13 less than last month.
* Hubs Aviator card was $997.71 less than in August.
HERE are the BAD THINGS
* The water bill was $26.28 more than last month.
* My Aviator card was $350.12 more than in August.
* The gas bill was $2.62 more than last month.
* The gas c/c was $40.98 more than in August.
* We had Long Term Care premiums due last month.
* I had $57.10 due in co-pays in September.
* Hubs had a $157.55 doctor bill due in September.
* We now have a storage bill of $74.20 each month until we move.
The Food Budget costs for September are in another post HERE. Food costs are included in my credit card payments(mainly because I buy the food but sometimes these costs come out of our WAM cash too).
Final Thoughts for September--We had LTC premiums. and some dr. co-pays. Plus that storage bill now each month until we move out of here. These one-offs(and the storage bill)are ugly but we'll survive. ;-)
Looking ahead to October--I've got TKR surgery on the horizon. That's what I'm focused on for now. 8-/
No. Expensive month. I paid cash for a two bedroom two bath new single wide mobile home, or trailer as we call it in these parts, that will be my “retirement” house and my oldest son will live with me and inherit when I croak. I am putting it on the family farm. Since I paid cash for that sucker, I am broke lol. For those who seem to flip out about single wides (not you) I will be installing a storm shelter eventually. Right now I have to concentrate on getting money for perc test done for septic ( where I put it on farm depends on perc test) then septic tank, water lines, and electrical lines. New single wides with delivery, taxes etc are now over 50 grand. I wish I had bought it pre pandemic bc it would have been 25 grand. Oh well. I still plan to continue to work for now (live near youngest). Will divide my time between these two kids. Their dad handles the middle son now who has mental issues bc I can’t handle him. I help their dad financially with that kid. So I guess work until I can’t. Shrugs.
ReplyDeleteCindy in the South
Glad you're getting back on track with a new home for retirement. Work until you need to stop is a plan. I hope everything works out.
DeleteIt is just the two of us and we live below our monthly income. I have a small retirement from Florida and TBG has two retirements along with social security. We have no debt and try to put the majority of what I make still working into our savings because even just the basics of food, taxes and insurance is getting more and more expensive. I hope everything goes well with your knee surgery!!
ReplyDeleteThanks on the good wishes Lori. I;m hoping this one is a piece of cake(the other one was not-so-much).lol It's a new procedure where they don't cut the muscles and tendons so recovery time in less.
DeleteLifestyle inflation is so bad for your bottom line and a lot of people don't see it until it;s too late!
I hope your surgery goes well Sliggy! I am also interested in the new procedure because I have knees I can tell will need something within a few years. I do hope your recovery time and pain is significantly less this time around. Cindy in the South
DeleteResearch "Jiffy Knee".....The originator is teaching ortho surgeons around the country how to do it. There are 3 in Birmingham who do this technique.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Cindy in the South
DeleteThis surgery technique sounds interesting. Tommy and I both have wonky knees. This might help. Good luck on your surgery.
ReplyDeleteI hope your knee surgery goes very well and your recovery too, Sluggy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Belinda. 8-))
DeleteWhat is WAM money
ReplyDeleteWalking
ReplyDeleteAround
Money
you did well. I don't post actual monthly figures, because I have many family members who read my blog and they don't need to know exactly how much we have!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds quite sensible to watch a budget when there is no more income coming in but what you have.
ReplyDelete