Income & Spending Report.....the March 2020 Edition

*Kim over at Out My Window blog is having computer issues and can't get into her blog.  She is ok(and as far as I can tell hasn't killed her Hubby yet)just can't blog right now.*

Now that we are living on an annuity and 401K$ withdrawals(some months), 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.

  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 March report---

I had 2 goals for March.......
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 2020.

I can report that we finished up March in the black.
The amount we ended the month of March with?.....$1,494.29

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in March---

* Monthly annuity payment of $3,222.24(after tax withholding)
* RMSA(Healthcare account)reimbursement of $1,883.76
* Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $452.37
* A small 401K withdrawal of $1,129.16(the Mar. part of the 1st quarter withdrawal)
Total "Income" for March....$7,634.08

Expenses in March---

* Healthcare Premium for March was $1,883.76(paid for with RMSA reimbursement)
* Irregular Bills in March came to $2,416.19
* Variable Expenses in March came to $1,839.84
Total Expenses....$6,139.79

$7,634.08-$6,139.79=$1,492.29

Slush into March of $20,858.22 in that Fund to take into April with the $1494.29 overage brings Slush to $22,352.51. going into April
The Slush Fund on it's Page(tab at the top of the blog)shows an addition of $1,492.29 for March.

Outgo

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

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  Phone charges and internet were approximately the same as last month.(Within $2 or so).
*  The electric bill was $52.94 lower than in February.
*  The WAM taken was the same as last month.
*  The main c/c bill was $70.17 less than in February.
*  The gas bill was $57.50 less than last month.
*  The water bill was $3.52 less than in February.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  We had a small $15.26 charge on my Amazon c/c.
*  We had a $100.96 Kohl's c/c payment due.  I had items to return(which would have lowered that bill)but since the brich and mortar stores are closed for the duration, I'll have a credit-around $25-with them once I can return those goods.
*  We had 3 irregular bills due in March-the annual sewage bill which I pay early/in full in March for a discount, the County tax bill which I also pay early/in full in March for a 5% discount, and our Long Term Care quarterly premiums.  That's $2,416.19 total in irregular bills paid in March. It is what it is......

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

FINAL THOUGHTS on March---
March is always a high bill month due to 3 irregular bills being due at the same time.  Between the $1K+ from the piece of quarterly 401K withdrawal we took in January, the Federal tax refund,a Dividend and my small blogging revenue check we more than covered the bills and had a fair amount of leftover income when March was over.
I am bummed that my non-retirement accounts too a big interest generated hit in March and April will be no better.
We did move some money in our 401K back into one stock went it tanked mid March and we have made $10K there. yay us!  Let's hope it doesn't tank again or even worse! lolz


THOUGHTS going forward into April 2020----

Well who the hell knows what April will throw  at us all, right? ;-)
It's all a crap shoot for all I know in April.  Let's see.....all of PA has a stay at home order so I can't go anywhere and as long as I stay off online shopping sites we can't spend any extra money.
The electric bill should continue to go down(yay!)in April as well as the grocery bill(or not).
There may be more take-out in April if it keeps me from harming someone I'm trapped in this house with....I'm just sayin'. lolz
We have no irregular bills in April. yay!  The only irregular bills this second quarter are car insurance in May and Long Term Care Premiums in June which we can easily handle with regular monthly income.
We do have to pay state taxes from our state return sometime this quarter(they extended the deadline like the Feds did for the Federal returns)but that's not a big burden($60 or so).
Hubs being retired means we haven't lost a job here with the economic turmoil of the pandemic though Ex-College Boy has until this is over.  I am just thankful he hadn't moved out into his own apartment before this all happened or his finances would be in worse shape.  My other two are still employed as is the son in-law.  I feel for those who's world has been turned upside down.....
While a $1,200 check from the Feds will be a small token of relief it isn't going to go far if you've lost a job for who knows how long.

Financially at least, Hubs and I are in a good place going into April. 8-)

So how was your March financially?
  

Did you spend less than the income you had in March?
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!


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Birthday" Edition................

Yesterday was Hubs' birthday.  He is now early SS age. woohoo!  He picked out a maple brown sugar cinnamon cake with maple frosting.

I made him wear this necklace to blow out his candles. LOLZ

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning-

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

1. Sunday--Leftover Chicken, Potato Salad, Green Beans
2. Monday--Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Asparagus, Cranberry Sauce
3. Tuesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Veg TBD

4. Wednesday--Turkey or Chicken Enchiladas, Beans and/or Rice

5. Thursday--Pork Teriyaki and Veggie Stir-Fry, Rice

6. Friday--Ham, Corn Casserole
7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Leftover Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Green Beans
2. Monday--Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Asparagus, Cranberry Sauce
3. Tuesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Green Beans

4. Wednesday--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself

5. Thursday--Leftover Turkey made into Enchiladas, Spanish Rice(I didn't eat)

6. Friday--Domino's Pizza
7. Saturday--Leftovers

Last week saw 3 nights of home cooked dinners, 3 nights of leftovers/FFY, and 1 night of Take-Out.  No meals out obviously but some take-out happened.
I didn't make the ham or pork teriyaki since we had enough leftovers and I didn't need to cook more food.

What got put into the freezer last week....
* Nothing

What got taken out of the freezer and used.....
* 2 halves of Turkey breast
* 1 hunk of Beef roast
* 1 bag of Green Beans

1 trip to Weis(PMITA)Markets by Hubs this past week brought spending to $22.6 brings my April Total spending on food so far to $22.66.

I've earned $6.10 in Ibotta rebates in April so far(mostly at Rite-Aid on allergy meds).

My savings percentage last week was 0%(without Rite-Aid trips)and April's monthly savings total comes in at 0% so far(w/out R-A).   Needless to say Hubs made the one trip to Weis, he didn't use coupons or look for sale items and paid full retail for everything he bought. *shudder!*


I have 24 more food shopping/spending days in April.

Leftovers going into this week.....a few Asparagus stalks, Beef Stroganoff, Rice, 3 large Turkey Enchiladas, 1 helping of Spanish Rice.

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

1. Sunday--Baked Ham, Deviled Eggs, Corn Casserole, Green Beans
2. Monday--Leftover Beef Stroganoff, Rice and Green Beans
3. Tuesday--Risotto with Asparagus and Mushrooms, Salad

4. Wednesday--Fajitas

5. Thursday--Burgers, side dishes TBD

6. Friday--Tuna Noodle Casserole
7. Saturday--Pork Teriyaki Stir-Fry w/Veggies

What needs buying for this menu? 
Maybe some milk and fresh fruit(as we only have a couple apples left).
The Risotto will use up the leftover asparagus, the Fajitas the mushrooms, and I have fresh Snow Peas to put into the Teriyaki dish(so we may have that earlier in the week but it will definitely get made this week).
Unless Hubs and Ex-College Boy hit the ham to make sandwiches this week we'll have enough leftover for another full dinner using it.

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

Trying to Remain Calm By Escaping Reality

Sorry if taking my blog offline for awhile gave anyone a panic attack.  I didn't mean to do so.
It's nice to know a few folks noticed though. lolz
Believe me if I ever take this blog private I'll let everyone know in plenty of time so y'all can sign up.

I was just doing some maintenance on the ol' blog and I really needed some time to get away from being online too.

I've been on edge--between RL stuff, being cooped up with Hubs and not feeling great(I've been so jittery and my hands are shaking like a whore in church).  I probably need my Vitamin D checked again to see if it's too low again, but that's not going to happen anytime soon.

I've got some Cymbalta left from when I was on it a year or so ago when I was having a rough patch with depression that I was all set to dispose of.  I am thinking I may want to go back on it short term instead. ;-)

Trying to stay away from the news as much as possible helps.

Today is Hubs birthday too which is making me nervous.  He just expects so much on his birthday(gifts, attention, etc.)and I keep waiting for him to explode because his birthday isn't living up to his expectations.  Plus we can't go out for his birthday dinner so he's grumbling. 

He wouldn't go get himself a cake at the Weis bakery so I'm having to dig through my stash and see what cake mix I have plus I'm cooking Easter dinner today instead of next Sunday.

Between cooking, I'm watching some lighthearted musicals from the 50's/60's, specifically one called "Bells are Ringing".  They made it into a movie starring Judy Holliday and Dean Martin in 1960.

This show has always held a special place in my heart as I was in a production of it in Summer Stock back in 1979.  I was a chorus member who had a one word solo in the number "Simple Little System".

I was the gal you sang, "Rockinghaaaaaam" in this number...........


Incidentally the Bookie, Sandor, and President of Titanic Records in the film was played by Eddie Foy, Jr., the son of the famous vaudevillian Eddie Foy.  There was a movie made called "The Seven Little Foys" starring Bob Hope as Eddie Foy, Sr. back in 1955. 

This is a fun number too called "Drop That Name".........




The tune below is called "Hello Hello There! In the musical it takes place in a subway car, in the film they moved it to people waiting for the crossing sign to change in a NYC street corner and essentially took out the singing.
In the production I was in, I played a bag lady in this subway scene. The music gets faster and more frenetic as the number goes along and the bag lady ends up humping a young gay man on the subway car seat by the end of the number.  lolz



I was also one of SuesAnswerphone's customers, an opera singer name Madame Grimaldi in that production who is heard but never seen.

Here's a Judy Holliday Tour de Force that was dropped from the film(but in the show)but this clip of it survived and lives on.......



 And this one of my favorite's called "Salzburg".  Sue of SuesAnswerphone company is in love with the Bookie Sandor(who runs "Titantic Records")and needs money.  Jean Stapleton(of "All in the Family" fame-Edith Bunker)originated that role but I couldn't find a clip of her from the film version.  Stapleton had a wide range from drama to comedy and had a set of pipes too in real life.



 And one of the popular hits of the time was in this show.........



I hope everyone is having a good day. 
Wash your hands and stay safe!


Sluggy

Frugal Friday.....the April 3rd Edition

This week's Frugal Friday, albeit an abbreviated one from here at Chez Sluggy.......

*  No Freebies or still even sales ads from Weis this week.  I sent Hubs to Weis yesterday for 6 items. rah
I do have to send him back this coming week for my free or reduced price Easter item(ham, turkey, etc.)using my accumulated points. Oh, that should be fun explaining to him how that will work. lolz

*  I found money(and this will be the last change for awhile)...........

Last Saturday I found this dime on the mat in front of the register at Rite-Aid.

Found Money This Week...... .10¢
Found Money This Year so far....$44.65

*  On Tuesday Hubs and I rode down to Taco Bell for free taco Tuesday at their pick-up window....

We also got something else too because 1 taco each wasn't going to cut it. lol

*  I forgot to mention that the last time I was in Weis this printed out at the register.......

I had bought Ben and Jerry's the previous trip, not that trip.  Looks like the Catalinas at Weis are lagging or something.
I used this Cat at Rite-Aid last Saturday on some coffee I bought to spend down my BC on one of my cards.

*  My online clothing order arrived, everything was correct and fit.
Still no $20 R-A debit prepaid card they owe me from February....sigh.....I guess I have to call them.

*  I earned a whole .10¢ on Ibotta this past week.

*  Gas is down to $1.99 here at two stations.  Not that it matters, as we don't need gas now because we can't go anywhere. lolz

* Since I'm stuck at home(well I am usually home anyway!)I'm working on some sewing projects and some decluttering projects.   We are contemplating getting paint to finish painting the downstairs too.  I have to keep Hubs busy and out of my hair, don't I?

*  When I had Hubs get the WAM for April yesterday I had him get $200 extra for take-out.  The only Chinese place still open here only takes cash or checks, no credit/debit cards.  I see a lot of Chinese take-out in the coming month so I'll keep an envie of cash for that.

Not much from here this week.
What frugal wins did y'all have?


Sluggy

Living In the Time of Pandemic....Being Normal as Possible

Sometimes I look out my window and think the world has gone mad.

This happened last week at a grocery store I frequent...............

This incident made the pages of that bastion of yellow journalism the NY Post, as well as was covered on the national network news by NBC and Fox.

During my last trip to the Weis(PMITA)Markets grocery store on 24 March I heard a customer in line at one of the regular check-out registers yelling, "We're all gonna die!  This thing is going to kill us all!!  Nobody will escape it!"  over and over again.  I don't know why management didn't escort him out of the store or at least duct tape his mouth shut.

The next door neighbor's wife, he reports, walks around the house and cries all day.  They are both elderly like us and the husband still goes to work now 2 days a week.  But he wishes he went more often because of how this thing is affecting his wife. Being around somebody this distressed all the time wears on a body so I'd want to go to work too. ;-)

I spent down all my Bonus Cash as of Sunday when I bought 3 bags of Robin Eggs malted milk balls, using a $2/3 ManuQ.  I had to pick up Ex-CB's Rx that day anyway at Rite-Aid.
I'll be earning new BC on 2 accounts/cards on April 5th from this Bonus Cash Challenge but R-A has gone back to having 60 days to use or lose the BC due to the pandemic.

Ex-College Boy is still furloughed until further notice.  He got paid for the first two weeks they were closed by his company but since Sunday he is now laid off.  He has applied for Unemployment this week.

The Daughter is still having to report to work in Louisiana but her husband has been given the ok to work from home so they both are still working.  This solves their dog's problem as she has not adjusted to their new house yet(and she may never adjust to being left alone because she's "special").  Daughter has been buying meal kits online or getting take-out delivered so as to stay out of the grocery stores.  I hope their budget can keep up with that expense.

Eldest, who is a teacher, is sitting home playing World of Warcraft(after he spends a minimum of time uploading lessons to some Google platform for his students)in his underwear and day drinking.
Their school district can't seem to get their shit together enough to do online classes and they aren't grading any student during this so he has little to do.

I had to send him this last week.........

A box of toilet paper.  He was down to his last 2 rolls and after going to every store in his town he couldn't secure a pack of tp so I sent him a supply.
Every time he's here to visit I ask him what he needs, to go into my stockpile and take what he wants but he rolls his eyes at me and says, "thanks but no thanks".  And all my kids use to make fun of me for having a stockpile of goods.
But who's having the last laugh now, huh?!?

Eldest and I share a morbid sense of humor so I told him I was making him a mask out of this fabric to weaar if he needs to go out in public..........

With the number of cases in our county now(almost up to 400) Hubs and I have made a decision that if anything(drugs, groceries, take-out)need picking up in April he'll go do it and I am quarantined for the duration.  With my suppressed immune system(due to being on a biologic drug)and my history of asthma/breathing problems he's our "canary in the coal mines". ;-)

Other than disrupting my weekly routine of grocery shopping/Rite-Aid shopping this shouldn't be so hard, right?  I'm usually a homebody anyway if not on an occasional trip somewhere.

But staying home and eating comfort foods snuggled in your pjs watching tv of your own volition is different than being told you can't leave home and you HAVE TO do those things.
It's in your mindset.

We all need to give ourselves permission to do nothing or to at least get less done.
We are in a crisis here and things are NOT normal even if we want to pretend they are.
We are ALL stressed in some way or another......if not financially due to less/no work and less/no pay, then our daily routines are disrupted and we are all anxious about friends and family members and about our own health.

I've been listening to a lady on Youtube for years.  She runs an organizing business in Houston Texas and calls herself the "Clutter Fairy".  She use to tape a monthly local meeting/talk and put it online but went to a weekly virtual coaching session/meeting the beginning of this year.
I found Tuesday's session very enlightening, even if you don't need organizing help.

Pay attention to the first 20 minutes or so of this vlog......


We are all facing a fire hose right now so give yourself some Grace and don't push yourself too hard!

I am trying to keep my own routines in place to give my life some structure(and trying not to kill my spouse)but I am giving myself grace too.
I got some comments on my March Grocery Spending Report about not tracking spending right now because well, pandemic!  Some may feel tracking food spending may be just too much to handle with everything else on their plate, but that's ok.  For me though, it would be a cop-out.  I need to maintain that part of my routine on the blog, as well as tracking monthly spending, meal planning(even if the plan goes off the rails)et al.

I do have to say that I am in a better place mentally now than I was going into March.  Not pandemic related directly but when Hubs signed us up for a medical plan back in Dec. for 2020 we didn't know that Cigna(our insurer)was having issues with Geisinger(the dominant healthcare system in this area-of which  ALL our doctors are part of).  Talks were ongoing until the end of February so until the 29th of that month,  Cigna would still cover all medical charges from Geisinger as in-network.
The last we heard beginning of March Cigna and Geisinger never came to a resolution so we needed to find new doctors asap.
Just trying to find a non-affiliated Geisinger doc around here was difficult but to find one that would take me and my myriad of health issues on what impossible.  I found one but he would refuse to prescribe me any opioid under any circumstance.  This opioid crisis is sad but the over reaction to it by legitimate healthcare providers around here for people with legitimate chronic pain issues is ridiculous!  I was having to choose between seeing out-of-network doctors(mine)and having to satisfy another $4K in payments BEFORE the deductible was met for the year or seeing a doctor who refused to write me pain meds.  I spent much of March hoping I didn't get sick with anything(Covid-19 or not)and need to go to the doctor.

We contacted Cigna again on April 1 and it seems they came to an agreement with Geisinger and those docs/facilities will remain in-network but neither entity contacted us patients about this!!!
So we let them both know how pissed off we were(and we still are).
Next sign-up time Cigna can kiss my fat white behind goodbye!

And I'll close with this prophetic music video of Joe Diffie, a second tier country artist and writer we lost last week to Covid-19.
He was born 24 days before me so this hits close to home.
I've always enjoyed his music may his soul rest in peace.


 

Stay home if you can, stay safe and wash your hands!

Sluggy