Income & Spending....the March Edition

Now that we are living on an annuity, 401K$ withdrawals 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.

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 2022.

This month I also had a goal to survive the move and have a little fun.  So far, so good.;-)

I can report that we finished up March in the black.

The amount we ended the month of March with?...$1,606.35

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in March---

*  Monthly annuity payment of $3,235.81(after tax withholding)

*  SS income of $3879.00

*  Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $170.23

*  Stock Dividend of $19.11

Total "Income" for March....$7,304.15

Expenses in March---
* Irregular bills in March were $1,180.55

* Variable Expenses in March came to $2,246.26

* Health insurance premiums totaling $2,270.99

Total Expenses....$5,697.80

$7,304.15-$5,697.80=$1,606.35

Slush into March of $61,183.25 in that Fund, add the overage of $1,606.35 in March and we get $62,789.60 into April 2023's Slush Fund.
The Slush Fund on it's Page(tab at the top of the blog)shows an addition of $1,606.35.

Outgo

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

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  The cell phone, WAM, Health Premium and internet were the same as last month.

*  The water bill was $3.08 lower than in February

*  The electric bill was $166.17 lower than last month.

*  My Amazon c/c was $145.85 lower than in February.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  Hubs Amazon c/c was $13.75 higher than in February.

*  The Mastercard c/c was $78.72 higher than last month..

*  We had irregular bills due in March too--

  *   Long Term Care quarterly premiums of $784.55

  *  Federal 2022 taxes paid of $330.00

  *  PA 2022 state taxes paid of $66.00

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

FINAL THOUGHTS on March 2023---Regular bills were nice and low.  We did have 3 irregular bills come due this past month  but those didn't tip the scales out of our favor.

THOUGHTS going forward into April 2023--

Still having limited mobility(now it's my bum knee)so we still need to unpack stuff. ugh.

Louisiana state taxes will get filed in April(and we will owe about $700).  

No other irregular bills due in April but the lawn tractor purchase and cruise excursions will be paid for in April on credit cards(and promptly paid off).

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   

What's on the Dining Table

The "New Toy" Edition.....

                     

                                 

It's Spring in the South and Hubs bought his long waited for lawn tractor. 

It's his first ride-on as we now have 5+ acres to groom and a push mover isn't going to "cut it". lol

His birthday is this week so can I tell him that's his birthday present? hehehe

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned.......

1. Sunday--Cheese Ravioli, Caesar Salad

2. Monday--Salmon, Veggies TBD

3. Tuesday--?

4. Wednesday--?

5. Thursday--?

6.  Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

And here's what actually happened........

1. Sunday--Cheese Ravioli, Caesar Salad

2. Monday--Salmon, Spinach Souffle

3. Tuesday--Pizza Hut pizza, Salad

4. Wednesday--leftover filling used for more Tacos

5. Thursday--KFC chicken, corn, cole slaw

6.  Friday--Fend for Yourself

7. Saturday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

There was way too much take out since Hubs couldn't remember to take food out of the freezer in time and I was little help being down with my bad knee.  The only day I "cooked" was Monday after that I was laid up through Friday with my knee.  After my knee shot I helped with Saturday's dinner.

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

*  1 pack of Burritos(Hubs)

*  1 half gallon ice cream(mine)

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

*  some Cheese Ravioli

*  a hunk of Salmon

* a Spinach Souffle

*  3 Pork Tenderloins

Last week we both hit Dollar General on Saturday and I forgot about a trip to Shopper's Value the previous Friday before my knee gave so that March shop goes onto April's tally.  We spent a total of $62.16 on both shops. 

This brings our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $62.16 for April so far.

There are 27 shopping days left in April.

I've earned $0 on Ibotta in April.

I've earned $0 on Checkout51 in April.

I've earned $2.00 on Coupons dotcom in April.

I've earned 75 points from food shopping on Fetch.

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in April.

I've earned 0 SB from food shopping on Swag Bucks in March.

That's $2.00 in rebates(not counting the Shop Kick/Swag Bucks/Fetch)on $62.16 of grocery spending so in reality it's $60.16 in food spending after the 3 rebate apps I count.

My savings percentage for the last week was 23.27% and the monthly savings total for April comes in at 23.27% so far.  

Leftovers going into this week.....1 pork tenderloin, 1 piece of pizza, more leftover taco filling, taco shells, 2 pieces of KFC chicken, 

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

1. Sunday--Taco Salad using more of the leftover taco filling.

2. Monday--On his own as I am dog sitting at Daughter's house

3. Tuesday--Catfish and Veggie TBD

4. Wednesday--Birthday dinner out for Hubs

5. Thursday--Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad

6.  Friday--Grilled Chicken, frozen Veggie TBD

7. Saturday--Halushki

We had a bit of food waste this past week.  I had gotten some OM lunchmeat on a deal at Kroger(plus an Ibotta rebate on it)but the sell by date wasn't checked and part of the package went bad before we got around to using it all. sigh.

What do I need to buy to fix everything on this menu?  Don't need to buy anything if this menu actually happens.  Knee is still dicey at this point so Hubs may take over cooking duties again at which point, game on. lolz

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 deals on food at your stores this week?  It's Easter deals at more store this week so get those loss leaders you need.

Sluggy 

Food Spending....the March Edition

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

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for MARCH 2023.

I have posted March'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 March.  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. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
****************

BREAD OUTLET

OOP  $26.49

Value  $53.79

Savings  50.75%

DOLLAR GENERAL

OOP  $8.70

Value  $22.50

Savings  61.33%

KROGER

OOP  $229.43

Qs/Ads  $128.41

Value  $357.84

Savings  35.88%

SHOPPER VALUE

OOP  $31.89

Qs/Ads  $14.57

Value  $46.46

Savings  31.36%

WALMART

OOP  $177.28

Qs/free Gift Cards $69.87
Value  $247.15
Savings 28.27%

*********************
My best 2 Store Savings Totals were at Dollar General at 61.33% and the Bread Outlet at 50.75% .

I shopped at 5 different stores in March.   8-)

TOTAL Spent in March................$473.79

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards....$253.95

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.....$727.74

TOTAL Savings of ............................34.68%

This closes out the March food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....another less than stellar month for food spending.  I'm ok with it given my physical limitations in March and the fact that about $100 of this was dog food.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went DOWN by .36% in March 2023 to 34.90% compared to the February's 35.26% savings average.  

With 3 months accounted for, I have spent a Total of $1,329.93 on groceries/HBA /paper goods in 2023.

2023 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$1.329.93

2023Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$2,035.94

2023 Grand Total Saved...............................$706.01

2023 Yearly Savings Total..............................34.68%

The average per month amount spent is $443.31 in 2023 so far.

LOOKING AHEAD to April 2023...Other than splashing out for an Easter dinner I don't have any plans food wise other than eating down the freezer.  While not jam packed it's pretty full.  I'll have Hubs or myself pick up loss leaders we will eat in April but hope to keep food costs lower than in March.

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 March?

*  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

Frugal Friday....the March 31st Edition on Saturday

 Welcome to Frugal Friday on Saturday! 

There are so few Frugal wins this past week......

*  No grocery store trips.  Been eating out of the freezer, fridge and pantry or Hubs bought food out and brought it home.

*  No more home health or wound care copays nor going out anywhere else so that's frugal right?

*  I found money!  

Last Friday we went out for a catfish dinner at lunch at a place next to a "casino" and a pawn shop.  I found a quarter in the ladies room.

Total Found in last Week.... .25¢
Total Found this Year.......$1.01

That's all for this past week.  See, I told you it was a slow week for frugal. ;-)

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

Sluggy   

Moussaka Recipe

 

A reader asked for my Moussaka recipe so I dug it out and realized I haven't made it in years.

Here 'tis....

Ingredients

* 1.5 lbs. ground lamb(can use beef or a combo of the two)

* 3 medium eggplants 

* Salt

* 1/2 cup olive oil

* 2 onions, sliced thin

* 1 clove garlic, crushed(I used minced)

* 2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped

* 1 cup of tomato puree

* 1 teaspoon basil, chopped or dried

* 1/2 teaspoon all spice

* 1 Tablespoon parsley, chopped or dried

* 3 Tablespoons butter 

* 3 cups milk

* 3 Tablespoons flour

* 3 eggs-room temperature

* Pinch of nutmeg

* 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

* salt and pepper to taste

Cut eggplants into thin slices, sprinkle them with salt to remove that bitter taste and leave for 15 minutes.  Rinse slices and pat dry.  Then brush slices with oil and put on greased baking sheet.  Bake at 350F for 15 minutes.  Turn slices, oil tops and bake another 10-15 minutes.  Saute onion in small amount of leftover olive oil until soft.   Then add lamb(or beef)and brown until cooked through.
Add garlic, tomatoes, puree, allspice, basil and parsley.  Stir and simmer 15 minutes until thickened.

In a casserole pan alternate layers of eggplant and meat mixture, ending with a layer of eggplant on top.

For the Bechamel sauce--Melt butter, stir in flour until "cooked" then add the milk off the heat.  Bring this mixture to a boil, then simmer 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and beat in eggs.(Temper your eggs by adding some of the milk mixture to your beaten eggs, while whisking the whole time, then slowly whisking all your eggs into your milk mixture.  Season to taste(nutmeg, salt, pepper).  Pour sauce over moussaka then top with cheese. 
Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until browned on top.  Cool before dishing out so it holds together.

Since tomatoes aren't in season you can substitute canned crushed tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes.

Making Moussaka is a production, much like making a Lasagna or Eggplant Parm but it freezes well so you can keep half for another meal at another time.

Now that I've typed all this out I want some Moussaka! lol

Sluggy