So Glad August is Done

It's with a glad heart that I welcome in September.

I'm not a person who goes crazy over all the fall apple/pumpkin stuff.  It's just that Summer weather has never been my favorite.  Growing up in the South, even as a child, I didn't care for the hot, sweaty weather that goes from April to October.  It's not much better up here in PA either this year with all this rain and long strings of days with high temps.  I am so done with it for the year!  Just another couple of days from what the folks versed in all things weather are saying, and we'll be heading into cooler temps.  Ahhhhhh

And this whole Summer has basically sucked as far as I am concerned since we have done NOTHING.  Eldest son came for a few days to visit in July but we have gone nowhere and done nothing......no trips, no day trips, nada!   We basically dog sat our daughter's dog 3 times in August while daughter was off galavanting the country from Austin to Boston to Alabama.
 The only respite from my boring days has been going out to lunch with Hubs.  We have seen an uptick in eating lunch out in August if you look at my Eating Out page.  That has been our financial "splurge" this Summer. 

Nothing fun outside of going to Rite-Aid and Weis.  Oh, the decadent life I lead.....lolz
It's a good thing I am not a high maintenance woman who can entertain herself easily(see-trips to Rite-Aid and Weis).   8-)))

September is going to be about enjoying the cooler weather and spending more time outside while I can.  We've got a couple of chores to do before the weather turns cold--putting the garden to bed, sealing the wood on the deck against Winter and moving the patio furniture back into the shed.
The house needs some deep cleaning too but I can do that on rainy days.

Onward to Fall!

Sluggy

2018 Income & Spending Report.....August Update

Now that we are living on an annuity(like a pension) and 401K$ withdrawals(retirement savings), 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.

But this money leftover at the end of each month, at least for now(as we find our new financial "normal")won't be saved toward a yearly Savings Challenge.  This leftover cash will go into a "Slush Fund" for now to be used if we have any emergencies come up during the year.  If we still have Slush Funds at the end of the year we'll decide then what to do with those funds.

I have set up a page to track the Slush Fund.  Click on the tab marked "Slush Fund 2018" at the top of the blog.

  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 August 2018 report--

I had 2 goals for August......
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 fun may be to apply 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 2018.

I have to report that we finished up August in the black.
The extra amount we ended the month of August with?.......$2445.91

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in August---

* Monthly annuity payment of $3218.16(after tax withholding)
* RMSA(Healthcare account)reimbursement of $1813.48
* One third of 401K withdrawal balance(after funding Sinking Fund)for August of $615.69 #
* Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $384.51

Total "Income" for August......$6031.84

# We made a 3rd quarter 401K withdrawal in July of $6K.  After withholding for taxes due we got $5147.07 net.  $3300.00 of that gets put into the Sinking Fund to cover irregular bills coming due this quarter(house insurance in Aug., LTC insurance and school taxes in Sept). $1847.07 is the balance of the 3rd quarter 401K withdrawal.  This got divided by 3 and gives us $615.69 extra in July to add to the income for the month(Aug. and Sept. also got $615.69)for general expenses.


Expenses in August---

* Healthcare Premium for August was $1813.48.(paid with RMSA reimbursement)
* Variable Expenses in August came to $1772.45


Sinking Fund--The balance in the Sinking Fund coming into August was $3857.48.  The homeowner's insurance was due and paid-$648.00   The Sinking Fund goes into September at $3209.48.


We went into August with $19,805.85 in the Slush Fund.
Add in August's overage of $2445.91 to the Slush Fund and it stands at $22,251.76 going into September.

Outgo

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

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  Phone charges and internet were approximately the same as in July.(Within $1 or so).
*  The electric bill was $26.02 lower than last month.
*  The gas card bill was $18.26 lower than July.
*  The cash WAM withdrawals were the same as last month.
*  The health insurance premium was the same as in June.

HERE are the BAD THING

*  The water bill was $2.29 higher than last month.
*  The c/c bill was up $307.97 higher than in July.
*  There was a $147.29 private charge card bill.

The Food Budget costs for August are in another post, which is located HERE.  Food costs are covered in the credit card payment(sometimes our WAM cash too).

So we end August in the black with $2445.91 in new general overage to add to the Slush Fund.
The Sinking Fund goes into September standing at $3209.48

FINAL THOUGHTS on August---
It was a good month in terms of low spending/bills.  We didn't really ''do" anything special this month other than eating lunch out a few times and didn't buy many "wants"(Hubs did buy a few books and I bought some underwear/clothing) so there were few bills beyond the usual and necessary.

THOUGHTS going forward into September 2018----This month there are two irregular bills due(school taxes and long term care insurance premiums).
The WAM withdrawal will be the same in September, $200.
I don't foresee any extraordinary bills other than the c/c bill will be higher.  Trips expenses will be mostly on the October  credit card bill.

So how was your August financially?
  

Did you spend less than the income you had in August?
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 off any debts or put extra toward your mortgage principle or into savings, in an emergency fund or a retirement account?
Or did you blow it on a want?

If you posted 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!

Make this year was the one were you clean up your finances and pay off your debts.
Plan to set something aside if you didn't already or increase what you have banked now for your future self.
Or pay extra on the principle of your mortgage if your house isn't already paid off.

Live below your means and keep some change for a rainy day....because no matter how sunny it is in your life now, dark clouds come along and you'll be glad you have that umbrella to keep you dry.

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Enjoying the Last of the Morning Glories" Edition--

Fairly soon my flowers here will be history for another year.  Between the weather turning colder(not yet)and both of the dogs eating the vines they can get to(yes they are EATING the vines lolz)I haven't got much longer to enjoy these beauties.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

This  is what was planned--

1. Sunday--Leftover turkey breast w/gravy, roasted broccoli

2. Monday--various meat leftovers and squash and onions

3. Tuesday--Anniversary Dinner Out(36th)

4. Wednesday--Something out of the freezer

5. Thursday--Lobster, Cole Slaw, Mac and Cheese

6. Friday--Leftovers or BLTs
7. Saturday--Pizza(homemade), Salad

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Leftover turkey breast w/gravy, roasted broccoli

2. Monday--various Meat leftovers, Roasted Broccoli

3. Tuesday--Anniversary Dinner Out(36th)

4. Wednesday--TV dinners(various)

5. Thursday--Sausage, Squash and Onions, Mac and Cheese

6. Friday--Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Sliced Tomatoes
7. Saturday--Chili and Cornbread

Last week saw 4-5 nights of home cooked dinners, 1-2 night of leftovers/fend for yourself/tv dinners, 1 night of Take-Out or Eating Out.  
I didn't buy any lobster last week because I found other clearance/pantry deals to use up the rest of the monthly grocery budget including some discount meats(sausages, fryer chicken).  We also didn't make a pizza either.
Maybe I'll get some lobster this week if I want to splurge out but haven't checked the PC ad yet to see if they are still on sale.

Trips to Weis, the Shursave Market, Walmart, Target and the Farm stand brought the weekly food spending to $110.63 and the monthly total to $398.20.
I have 0 days left in my shopping month for August and have $1.80 left in the food budget that I didn't spend. 

My savings percentage last week was 59.62%(without Rite-Aid trips)and August's monthly savings grand total came to 58.50%.

Leftovers going into this week......chili, cornbread, squash and onions, small piece of London Broil.

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

1. Sunday--Fish, Coleslaw, French Fries

2. Monday--Steak, Corn, Deviled Eggs

3. Tuesday--Chicken Fajitas

4. Wednesday--Spaghetti and Meatballs(freezer), Salad, Garlic Bread

5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--BLTs
7. Saturday--Eggplant in Hoisin Sauce, Rice

This week will see 6 new meals cooked, 1 night of leftovers/FFY, 0 nights of Take-Out/Eating Out.
Maybe one less new meal if we have enough leftovers for 2 nights.  Not sure since Hubs often eats leftovers for lunch(he doesn't care for cold sandwiches).

What needs buying for this menu? Steaks, Corn, Mushrooms, Salad Greens, Milk

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?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week? 

Sluggy

Rite-Aid Porn on Sunday

Went up to Rite-Aid this morning to get some deals.

First I bought this on my card........

3 x Playtex tampons on sale=$20.97
1 x Colgate toothpaste on sale=$3.99
1 x Oral B toothbrush on sale=$4.00
1 x Crest mouth wash on sale=$4.00
2 x Russell Stover pumpkins on sale=$1.00
SubTotal........$33.96

Coupons Used
1 x $6 wyspend $30 CatalinaQ=$6.00
3 x $2/1 Playtex tampon IPQ=$6.00
3 x $2/1 Playtex tampon In-AdQ=$6.00
1 x $2/1 Colgate In-AdQ=$2.00
1 x $2/1 Colgate ManuQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Oral B toothbrush ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Crest mouthwash ManuQ=$1.00
Coupon Total.......$24.00

$33.96-$24.00=$9.86+.14¢tax=$10.10 paid for with Bonus Cash.
I earned back $7 in new Bonus Cash($3 Oral B, $3 Crest, $1 Russell Stover)so "spent down" the BC by $3.10.
I also earned $7.50 in Ibotta rebates(3 x $2.50 Playtex)making me "up" $4.40 overall after cash back.

Then I bought this on daughter's card...........

4 x Suave Pro shampoo on sale=$12.00
4 x Suave kid's shampoo on sale=$12.00
1 x Crest mouthwash on sale=$4.00
1 x Oral B toothbrush on sale=$3.67
2 x Crest toothpaste on sale=$8.00
1 x Colgate toothpaste on sale=$3.99
2 x Russell Stover pumpkins on sale=$1.00
SubTotal.....$44.66

Coupons Used
1 x $4 wyspend $40 CatalinaQ=$4.00
4 x $2/2 Suave In-AdQ=$8.00
4 x .50¢/1 Suave kids item IPQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Crest mouthwash ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Oral B toothbrush ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Crest toothpaste ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $2/1 Colgate toothpaste In-AdQ=$2.00
1 x $2/1 Colgate toothpaste ManuQ=$2.00
Coupon Total....$21.00

$44.66-$21.00=$23.66+.92¢tax=$24.58 paid for with Bonus Cash.
I earned back $21.00 in new Bonus Cash($3 Crest mouthwash, $3 Oral B, 2 x $3 Crest toothpaste, 4 x $2 Suave, $1 Russell Stover)so "spent down" BC by $3.58.

I also earned back $8 in cash rebates through Ibotta($6 Suave, $1 Crest mouthwash-Scope variety, $1 Oral-B toothbrush)making this a $4.42 moneymaker after cash back.

I also noticed my L2CQ for the Crest toothpaste didn't come off so I took the receipt back in with a $1/1 Crest paste ManuQ to substitute for the one that didn't come off and got $1 back in a post coupon situation.....that makes this a $5.42 moneymaker.  ;-)

I'll probably go back later this week if the Playtex rebate is available again on my account and do it on my son's card(along with the pumpkins and some Crest which will be free after sale/Qs/BC).

Now I am off to process some more veggies for canning and the freezer.
What are you up to today?


Sluggy

2018 Food & Toiletries Spending........August Edition

Onward to August's food spending report.......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for AUGUST 2018.

I have posted August'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 August.  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 & tax where applicable. We are a family of 4-5(3-4 at home this month). No "kids" under 22.

*****************

BREAD OUTLET
OOP  $10.50
Value  $38.41
Savings  72.66%

FARM
OOP  $29.60
Value  $73.99
Savings  59.99%

MAINE SOURCE
OOP  $20.68
Value  $49.87
Savings  58.53%

OLLIE'S
OOP  $5.89
Value  $18.64
Savings  68.40%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/PP/BC  $719.77
Value  $719.77
Savings  100%

SHURSAVE
OOP  $138.28
Qs/Ads  $128.83
Value  $267.11
Savings  48.23%

TARGET
OOP  $0.00
Value  $99.29
Savings  100%

WALMART
OOP  $25.68
Value  $48.47
Savings    47.02%

WEIS MARKETS

OOP  $165.07

Qs/Ads  $198.25

Value  $363.32

Savings  54.54%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%, Target at 100% and the Bread Outlet at 72,66%.  My worst savings rate was at Walmart at 47.02%.  If your worst savings rate is well over 40% that's great, right? ;-)

I shopped at 9 different stores this past month.  

TOTAL Out of Pocket for August..........$398.20

TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales...$561.40

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.........$959.60

TOTAL Savings of ................................58.50%

TOTAL Out of Pocket for August.....$398.20
TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales....$1281.09
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid.....$1679.29
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items........76.29%

This closes out the August food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....
August was on target spending wise($400)with $1.80 to spare.
Go me!  I was on track to be around $300 in food spending but then some good shopportunities came along and I stocked up on some items for later this year.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went Up by 7.02% in August 2018 to 76.29% compared to July's 69.27% savings average.
The free stuff from Rite-Aid skewers my averages but without R-A I am at 58.50% savings.  So even without R-A we are doing well on the "savings" front.

With 8 months accounted for, I have spent a Grand Total of $3469.28 on food/toiletries in 2018 which is a 73.24% savings rate for the year so far and averages out to $438.73 spent per month in 2018.  We are heading back down toward my $400 a month average target again and that's a good thing.

LOOKING AHEAD To September.......
Keeping with a $400 food budget for September.   Hubs and I will be away for a few days in September but otherwise things will carry on as normal.  Maybe I can stay under budget for September.....here's hoping! ;-)

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

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in August?
*  Do you track your yearly food spending?
*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons vs. 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