Income & Spending 2021....the September Report

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 September report---

I had 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 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 2021.

I can report that we finished up September in the red.
The amount we ended the month of September with?....-$1,092.83

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in September---

* Monthly annuity payment of $3,222.24(after tax withholding)
* RMSA(Healthcare account)reimbursement of $1,971.99
* Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $486.87

* Dividend check of $18.27

Total "Income" for September.....$5,699.37

Expenses in September---

* Healthcare Premium for September was $1,971.99(paid for with RMSA reimbursement)
* Irregular bills in September were $3,303.04(school taxes, long term care premiums)

* Variable Expenses in September came to $3,489.16
Total Expenses....$6,792.20

$5,699.37-$6,792.20= -$1,092.83

Slush into August of $39,033.52 in that Fund, subtract $1,092.83 and we get $37,977.07 going into September's Slush Fund.
The Slush Fund on it's Page(tab at the top of the blog)shows a subtraction of $1,092.83

Outgo

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

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  Internet was the same as in August.

*  The WAM was the same amount taken as last month.

*  The electric bill was $4.52 lower than in August.

*  The gas bill was $92.58 lower than last month.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  The water bill was $3.87 higher than in August.

*  The cell phone went up by $31.83 from last month.

*  The MC c/c was $876.17 higher than August.

*  My Amazon Visa was $127.96 higher than last month.

*  2 irregular bills were due in September--School tax bill(paid early for a small discount, quarterly Long term Care Premiums

The Food Budget costs for August 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 September---I knew it would be a "negative" month going in because I paid for some of the December cruise stuff early but I didn't take money out of the non-retirement accounts to cover that until October 1st because I wasn't home until Oct.  Once we get to October's numbers it will all even out. ;-)
 

THOUGHTS going forward into October 2021---No irregular bills coming due in October. yay!  Trying for a low spend on everything(food, misc., etc.)in October too.  I've already bought candy for the Trick or Treaters too.  No trips planned. Just blah, blah, blah.....stay home and putter when not trying to eBay stuff and cart stuff off to the food bank.  October should be stellar once the cruise $$ hits the account and we sit our butts home. ;-)

So how was your September 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 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

Food Spending 2021......The September Report

  Onward to September's Food Spending report......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for SEPTEMBER 2021.

I have posted September'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 September.  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(2-3 eating at home this month). No "kids" under 25. 
*****************

ALDI 

OOP  $21.80

Value  $39.56

Savings  44.89%

CVS

OOP  $0.00

Value  $4.99

Savings 100%

HARRIS TEETER

OOP  $3.00

Value  $3.99

Savings  24.81%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/BC/Gift Cards  $761.21

Value  $761.21
Savings  100%

SHURSAVE

OOP  $3.80

Value  $3.80

Savings  00%

TARGET

OOP  $11.81

Value  $26.57

Savings  55.55%

WALMART
OOP  $266.24

Qs/free Gift Cards  $242.94
Value  $509.18
Savings  47.71%

WEIS

OOP  $39.29

Qs/Sales  $42.79
Value  $82.08
Savings  52.13%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%, CVS at 100% and Target at 55.55%.

The worst rate was at Shursave at 00%. (Guess which store Hubs shopped at? lol)
I shopped at 8 different stores in September.  

TOTAL Spent in September.................$345.94

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards...$324.63

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased....$670.57

TOTAL Savings of .............................48.38%

TOTAL Out of Pocket for September w/R-A..............$345.94

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards w/................$1,085.44
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid...$1,431.38
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items....................75.83%

This closes out the September food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....

While I was away and not cooking for half+ of the month, I was shopping when I came across good deals so the food spending didn't cease when I went on my trip.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went DOWN by 6.77% in September 2021 to 75.83% compared to the August's 82.60% savings average.  Still a great savings rate!

With 9 months accounted for, I have spent a Year-To-Date Total of $2,950.27 on food/toiletries in 2021.

2020 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$2,950.27

2020 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$15,385.81

2020 Grand Total Saved...............................$12,435.54

2020 Yearly Savings Total.............................80.82%

The average per month amount spent is $327.81 in 2021 so far.

My Ibotta rebate, Coupons dotcom and Checkout51 totals for the year so far through September comes to $2,319.03 once I cash out.  Put that next to a full spending of $2,950.27 for the year so far and I've "actually" spent only $631.24 on food/toiletries for the year or an average of $70.14 per month.  Plus I've been able to donate to the food bank and share my haul bounty with others.

I think that is awesome. 8-)))

LOOKING AHEAD To October 2021.........Nothing special going on this month in terms of food and spending.  While I was gone our chest freezer died.  Hubs sprang into action and saved all but the ice cream 8-(((, bought a new freezer, got it home and got the food back into it's new cold home.  I'm looking to eat down the frozen stuff and the old dogs in the pantry so October will be a lower spend month.  Not putting a firm number on the spending but I'll be happy with anything under $300.

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 September?

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?  It's really not that hard or time consuming; just have 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 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

This Week on the Dining Table

 The "Back Home and Meal Planning Again" Edition...

My sister in-law is very much into home decoration. She drug me to a Home Goods one day I was visiting, looking for stuff to put on her fireplace mantel to decorate for Fall.  I showed her these skulls with oversized light bulbs in them but she didn't appreciate my input it seems. lolz

I feel like one of these skulls lately when it comes to meal planning....nothing in my head and I need inspiration like a giant lightbulb above me. 8-)

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned--

There was no plan as I was at Sissie's house most of the week and she was in charge of the cooking/meals.  It's nice to have a vacation from life once in awhile. ;-)

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--I don't remember, sorry Sissie

2. Monday--Pork Filets, Mushroom Gravy, Acorn Squash

3. Tuesday--"Must Go" Dinner(assorted items)

4. Wednesday--Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Acorn Squash leftovers
5. Thursday--FFY(home now)

6.  Friday--BLTs

7. Saturday--Chinese Take-out(I had soup and dumplings)

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

* Nothing

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

* Bacon

I spent $163.48 on food/toiletries/HBA the last 2 weeks at too many stores to name. lol  This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Grand Total to $345.94 for September. I stayed under $400...go me!

We are on to a new month and there are 27 shopping days left in October.

I've earned $228.48 on Ibotta in September.

I've earned $22.51 on Checkout51 in September.

I've earned $11.50 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in September.

I've earned $4.50 from Aisle.

I've earned 8843 points from shopping on Fetch in September which equals $8.84.

I've earned 11,895 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in September which equals $47.58.

I've earned 35,430 SB from food shopping on Swagbucks in September which equals $35.43.

That's $266.99 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $345.94 in grocery spending so in reality it's $78.95 spent after the 4 rebate apps I count until I cash out on the other three apps. 8-)))

My savings percentage for the last two weeks was 48.36%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for September and the monthly savings total for September comes in at 48.38%.(w/out R-A).

Leftovers going into this week....not much I can find.  Hubs did a good job of eating up everything he made.  We are in the process of processing tomatoes from the garden however.  Not sure if I'll "can" them or just put the jars in the fridge.  Depends on how many we get.

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

1. Sunday--Manicotti from the freezer, Tossed Salad, Garlic Bread

2. Monday--Tempura Scallops, Fish, Brussels Sprouts, maybe Potato Wedges

3. Tuesday--Broccoli and Cheese Soup, Cornbread

4. Wednesday--BLTs
5. Thursday--Leftovers + Cuke and Tomato Salad

6.  Friday--Beef Pie

7. Saturday--FFY

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Not a thing.  I'll be trying to stay out of the grocery store this week and eat down the freezer.  The store ads are crap this month.  Weis(PMITA)has gone from a weekly ad to a monthly one(the "weekly ad" is just highlighted specific items from the monthly ad).  I am attempting to take a break from Ibotta in October and I am down to $20 or less in BC on 2 of my Rite-Aid cards(no BC on the other 2 cards).

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

 

3 Frugal Fridays Reports on Sunday.......the October 3rd Edition

I've been away since Frugal Friday September 10th this is a multiple week edition so here we go!.....

*  Drove my car on the trip down to VA and MD.  It gets great gas mileage(maybe not so much on the trip home as my car was PACKED with stuff!).  I also waited to get to VA to refuel on the way down as gas prices are lower there and I made sure my gas tank was full before I left VA and again, I topped off in MD right before crossing into PA-the land of high gas taxes-which saved a few dimes or so.

*  I finished off numerous Ibotta Bonuses over the course of the 2+ weeks I was gone.  I stopped in Delaware on the way down at a Walmart(no sales tax in DE), found a freebie or 2 in VA stores, and a few finds in MD stores too.

* The aforementioned food bank donation in Hubs car from the Sept. 10th FF post got taken up to the Church by Hubs while I was in VA for the win! 8-)  And I've already started another donation box.

*  I traveled to VA via the Eastern Shore as it's the most direct route.  Leaving on a Thursday rather than Friday meant saving monies at the Tolls in Delaware because they jack them up to $3 each on weekends(Fri.-Sun.). There was the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tolls that route though but at least that hadn't gone up on price since my last trip.

*  I had some quality time with my brother, sister in-law and Sissie and her hubs on this trip for another win!!

*  I used an Applebee's gift card to pay for a lunch out with my Sister in-law.

*  I saw a childhood friend(who had come to my mom's funeral in 2000 but I otherwise hadn't seen since we moved away from my childhood home in 1974).  She took me out for lunch and it was nice to reconnect with her.

*  I bought red and white wines at Aldi in VA.  The Aldis in PA aren't allowed to sell wine/beer.  I'd rather pay $2.95 + tax for a bottle rather than the $10 the cheapest wine I would cook with for sale in PA.  Between how much I already had and the 4 bottles I bought I am good on wine for stews, soups, sauces until next year.

*  The a/c at home was not used while I was gone(though we needed it further South in both VA and MD(but those weren't my electric bills). lol

*  I picked up some Xmas presents(more like stocking stuffers)for cheap or free(Rite-Aid).  I also used a Q and Sissie took me to CVS to use it, netting me a free lip balm.  I guess that "purchase" put me over a Beauty Buck reward amount because now I have a $3 ECB to use. argh!  Here we go on the CVS merry-go-round again. lolol

*  I found money!

A penny at a Rite-Aid in Delaware.

A quarter at a Mickey D's drive-thru I stopped at to get an Iced Tea somewhere on the Eastern Shore.

2 quarters at Aldi in Va.  One in a loose cart and the other on the ground.

Another quarter lying on the floor in Kroger in VA.

.15¢ in the check-out line at Chick fil-A.  Sis in-law wanted to get drinks there so I gave her cash for that and then got out of the car and stood in front of it and scooped this up before motioning her ahead.  Kim and I are going to die by being run over in a drive-thru line I fear. ;-)

2 pennies in one of the many Rite-Aids I went in while in VA.

.27¢ at the Mickey D's by Sissie's house in MD.  I pulled the "jump out of the car" maneuver again. lol

Another quarter at Aldi in MD.

A bunch of change Sissie gave me(since she didn't put any on my bed before I arrived)at the bar.  She doesn't like change in her wallet and was cleaning it out.  I was in the right place at the right time. lol

A quarter in the soda machine outside of Walmart while I was waiting for Sissie to pick me up after she went to Kohl's and Aldi.

A dime I scooped up from the Mickey D's drive-thru when I stopped for an iced tea after leaving Sissie's house for the ride home.  There was also another dime and a nickel but I couldn't reach them while hanging out of the driver's seat of the car. Stupid short arms! 8-(

Money Found These Weeks....$2.78
Money Found This Year.....$17.91

What frugal wins did you have the last couple of weeks?
Let us know all about them!

Sluggy

Still Looking for the Giveaway Winner!

The latest giveaway winner, D Fuller, has Not gotten in touch with me yet.  I will give them until tomorrow, Saturday, at noon EDST, before choosing another winner for the Alaskan prizes.

So DFuller needs to contact me by noon on October 2nd to claim their prizes or forfeit them.

Sluggy