Income & Spending....the April 2024 Edition

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 April report--

I had 2 goals for April....

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 2024. 

*  I do not include/report on our retirement accounts here, just the non-retirement ones.

 

I'm happy to report that we finished up April in the black.

The amount extra we ended the month of April with?....$5,916.83

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in April---

*  Monthly annuity payment of $2,530.11

*  SS income of $3,828.70

*  Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $680.88

*  Quarterly 401K Withdrawal of $6,215.06

*  Blog Revenue of $125.13

Total "Income" for April....$13,379.88

Expenses in April---

*  Irregular bills in April were $2,786.00

*  Variable Expenses in April came to $3,969.62

*  Medical Premiums in April were $707.43

Total Expenses....$7,463.05

$13,379.88-$7,463.05=$5,916.83

Slush Fund coming into April of $55,305.39 and the addition of $5,916.83 in April, our end of April 2024 Slush fund comes to $61,222.22

The Slush Fund on it's own page(tab at the top of the blog)shows an addition of $5,916.83

Outgo

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

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  The water bill and the cell phone bill(.08¢ lower)were all the same as in March.

*  The electric bill went down in April by $44.61

*  Hubs Amazon c/c bill was $389.11 lower than last month.

*  My Amazon c/c bill was $0.

*  The American Airlines c/c was $191.24 lower than in March.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  We had 2 irregular bills in April--

*  We had tree removal for $400.

*  We paid the Federal Taxes of $2,386.00(Will be adjusting our withholding so this isn't so bad next year.)

*  The WAM was $200 more in April due to taking a little extra $$ on our cruise.

*  The Mastercard was $1,844.79 higher than in March. Most of that was dog boarding we paid upfront while we were on the cruise.

*  Hubs Medigap Supplement went up by $9.41 per month as he had a birthday in April.

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

FINAL THOUGHTS for APRIL 2024---This month turned out a bit better than expected, even with paying Federal Taxes, dog boarding, etc.  Food spending was about half of what it was last month since we were not home and food shopping for about half the month.  The quarterly 401K withdrawal also was a bonus this month to keep us in the black.

THOUGHS GOING FORWARD INTO MAY 2024--That 401K$ quarterly withdrawal will come in handy in May what with State Taxes due and c/c spending on the Cruise will come due.

Here's hoping 2024 treats us all even better financially! 8-))

So how was your April financially?

Did you spend less than the income you had in April?

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 down/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 all your excess monies after bills were paid 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

Great Start to the Week! *Not*

 Monday was a "day".

I had to go get bloodwork done before my PCP appt. on Friday.  So I headed out mid morning on Monday to pick up the lab order and head upstairs from the PCP office to the lab.

So I got deep into downtown(where it was pretty deserted), pulled up to a red light and what do I spy on the corner diagonal from me?  A naked man.  *WTF*  On a Monday morning.

Ok, let me back up a bit.....the naked man wasn't actually naked.  He had something wrapped around his head(which obviously didn't keep his brain from leaking out!)and he was holding a rag/towel/piece of material over his groin.  ???

Beside me at the light in the other lane was a cop car.  Of course when he pulled up and saw Mr. Au Natural his lights when on and he crossed right over to the unclothed one to take care of the situation.
But see that was such a great way to start your Monday, right?

Then I get another block further and there is a single railroad track which I had never seen a train use in the 1.5 years we've been here, but of course I get there and the warning lights start flashing and the gates come down.  The engine approaching had 9 cars hooked to it and was doing about 2MPH AND he was blasting his horn over and over again.  And being so close to this tiny train procession the horn was very loud so by the time the train cleared the crossing and I was able to proceed my head was throbbing.  And I still had to get the lab slip from the dr. office.

Get to the medical facility, found a good parking space, got the lab slip and went to the elevator(there is only one)to get to the 4th floor lab.  And I waited, and waited, and waited.

Finally get in the elevator and it dumps me out on the 4th floor.  Then I have to remember which direction to go to find the lab.  Get to the lab to check in and look around me and I swear half the folks living here were in the lab to get bloodwork. ugh.

So I wait and wait and I swear they didn't have but one or two phlebotomists working that day.  After hour one of waiting we all began grumbling to each other about it taking an eternity to be called.  Someone said they should serve snacks and I said they needed one of those airplane carts they use to serve beverages and cookies.  Two people couldn't wait any longer so they went up to the receptionists and took their lab orders back and left so that bumped me ahead 2 folks.  I was counting who had been there before me to see how much longer and just as I was about to surrender and leave(but that would mean coming back Tues. or Wed. and I didn't relish that idea)they called me back.  The stick was quick and clean and I was out of there before you could say Bob's Your Uncle.

I got a couple of items at Walmart, since there was one right across the street.  And of course as I was walking out I remembered that I had forgotten to check for another items so I threw that shopping bag in the car and wheeled my cart back into the store. bleh.  Found what I was looking for and hightailed it out of there again.  Then I had to check at Kroger(also on the route home)for something but they were out of it but I picked up "nut juice" ala almond milk for Hubs.

Got my bloodwork results back online and I am astonished to see that none of the PCPs I've seen down here run a Lipids Panel as part of routine bloodwork.  I went back and checked on the last labs I had done with this doc and the other two docs who were my PCP and none of them ran the panel.  Seems to me(yet I am not a medical personnel)that if you have a patient on Cholesterol meds it would be standard practice to run a Lipids panel when doing their routine labs.  Hmmm.

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table....the May 6th Edition

The "Well I Know I Am Back in The States" Edition.....

Went up to CVS on Sunday as I had $3 in free money expiring.  Stepped out of my car and look at what I see in the parking lot? lol

I swear I didn't see a single discarded dental pick the whole time in Europe but as soon as we hit an American airport, BOOM!, used dental picks everywhere.  I saw 1 in the Charlotte airport and 3 in Dallas.  *SMH*

As I mentioned before I put on 13 lbs. during the cruise, but I've already taken it all off.  go me.

Onward to the meal planning!

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

1. Sunday--Cheeseburger(bun optional), Teriyaki Green Beans, Stuffed Mushroom Caps

2. Monday--Catfish, Shrimp, Green Beans

3. Tuesday--1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

4. Wednesday--1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

5. Thursday--Brisket, Baked Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Leftovers

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Cheeseburger(bun optional), Teriyaki Green Beans, Stuffed Mushroom Caps(ate before the power went out)

2. Monday--Dinner out-Catfish, Shrimp, Green Beans

3. Tuesday--Dinner out-1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

4. Wednesday--1/2 Subway Tuna Sub

5. Thursday--Brisket, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Teriyaki Green Beans

6. Friday--Rigatoni with Mushroom/Meat Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread

7. Saturday--Beef & Veggie Stir-Fry Teriyaki w/Noodles

What got taken out of the freezer last week....

*  Brisket(it was less than stellar)

*  Cheeseburgers

*  Cooked Ground Beef

*  1 bag Stir-Fry Veggies

*  1 bag Green Beans

*  2 slices Garlic Bread

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

*  1/2 lb. thinly sliced Beef for Stir-Fry 

Last week we spent $66.38 on grocery shopping for May. 

Total shopping comes to $66.38 for May.   There are 25 shopping days left in May.

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $21.50 on Ibotta in May.

I've earned $1.50 on Shopmium in May.

I've earned $0 on Alexa app in May.

I've earned $6.00 on Kroger Cash Back in May.

I've earned $1.56 on TaDa in May.

I've earned $0 on Checkout51 in May.

I've earned $5.49 on Aisle, etc. in May.

I've earned 1,610 points on Fetch from food shopping in May.

I've earned 12 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in May.($)

I've earned 0 Points on My Points in May.($)

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

That is $23.00 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/TaDa/MyPoints/KCB/Alexa)on $66.38 of grocery spending so in reality it's $43.38 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending.

My savings percentage for the last week was 52.41% and the monthly savings total for May comes in at 52.41% spent so far. 

Leftovers going into this week...Rigatoni in Sauce, Stir-Fry Beef & Veggies w/Noodles, 1 Cheeseburger, Hubs Chili.

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

1. Sunday--Leftovers(I had Stir-Fry)

2. Monday--Leftovers

3. Tuesday--Lobster cakes, Cole Slaw, Something else?

4. Wednesday--Salad, Soup?  Kind of warm here now for soup tho....

5. Thursday--Fish, leftover Cole Slaw, Sweet Potato Fries

6. Friday--Late Lunch Out, no Dinner

7. Saturday--???Whatever I pull out of the freezer

I am just feeling uninspired right now.  Like
Anne in the Kitchen", we have food, we'll eat something. ;-)

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?  

Sluggy      

April Food Spending 2024

Onward to April's Food Spending Report.....

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for April 2024.

I have posted April'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 April.  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, Pet Food. We are a family of 2(and 2 dogs).
****************

CVS

OOP  $.15

Sales  $13.03

Value  $13.18

Savings  98.84%

KROGER

OOP  $254.38

Qs/Gift Cards $271.51

Value $525.89

Savings  51.63%

SHOPPERS VALU

OOP $11.32

Sales  $10.24

Value $21.56

Savings  47.50%

WALMART

OOP  $272.70

Qs/Gift Cards $149.73

Value  $422.43

Savings  35.44%

********************
My best Store Savings Total was at CVS with a savings of 98.84%.  My worse rate was at Walmart with 35.44%.  Not a bad savings rate overall.

I shopped at 4 different stores in APRIL.

TOTAL Spent in April......$538.55

TOTAL Coupons/Sales/Gift Cards....$444.51

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased.....$983.06

TOTAL Savings of........45.22%

This closes out the APRIL food/toiletries/etc. spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month....

The Monthly food spending savings percentage went DOWN by 3.85% in April to 45.22% compared to March's 49.07% savings average.  A substantial decrease in savings rate but still over 45%

Since we have an adequate income and food should be a pleasure in life(no way am I going to eat unseasoned rice and beans for my remaining days like some people-because I don't have to). I will buy quality food and pay the price at the register.  I may not like the price but I will deal with it.

With 4 months accounted for, I have spent a Total of $2,227.39 on groceries/HBA/paper goods/etc. in 2024.

2024 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$2,765.94

2024 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items.....$5,356.50

2024 Grand Total Saved...............................$2,590.56

2024 Yearly Savings Total..............................48.36%

The average per month amount spent is $691.85 in 2024 so far but that's before all the rebate monies are added in.

Remember that I withdraw all my cash rebate monies(Ibotta, Shopmium, TaDa, Checkout 51 and other miscellaneous rebates sent to my Paypal)at the end of the year and add it back into my food budget, so at the end of the year my food spending will go down.  The other savings apps like Fetch, Shop Kick, Kroger Cash Back that let us get free gift cards(or $ off your grocery total-Kroger), those are added back in when I cash those points in along the way.  Alexa app gives me Amazon credit onto my account but I don't buy food on Amazon(sometimes I buy dog food there)so I really don't know how to count that.

LOOKING AHEAD TO MAY 2024.....

.

I am going to attempt to not grocery shop in May*gasp*.  I know I won't spend anything.  I have an impossible Ibotta Big Bonus($35 for 95 items!!!)so I really have no motivation to rebate this month(unless there are things for the food bank and I don't count those items in my grocery budget any longer). I have a packed freezer(and thankfully it was packed when the power went out, which helped keep the temperature down, but we did lose some ice cream *RIP*)plus lot of canned/boxes goods so the only thing I'll try to spend on this month is fresh produce.

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

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in April?

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

Storm in Louisiana

We got back from our cruise late on Thursday.  Spent the next few days un-jetlagging, unpacking and getting some fresh produce/groceries.

Then on Sunday evening this happened......(YouTube turned my videos into "shorts" so you'll have to copy these URLs and cut/paste them to see them.  They won't give me the code to embed these videos into my blog.)

https://youtube.com/shorts/ykuvWVb09KM?si=WKEef4WCDmQPVcd9  

https://youtube.com/shorts/duYJUd0Iojw

And we lost power. ugh.  Electric company said power would be restored on Wednesday night at 10pm.  Basically they just pushed out the timeline because really they had no clue when they'd have everyone back on the grid.

Luckily Monday was only in the high 70's and low humidity.  We just sat tight and lived as farmers-got up with the sun and went to bed when the sun did.  Couldn't do much but read.  I almost finished a book. yeah me.

We left the jam packed freezer alone but got a bag of ice for the fridge and placed it in there and shut the door.  Hubs went up to Mickey D's that day for coffee and got me a Diet Dr. Pepper.

On Tuesday the forecast was for high 80's and lots of humidity.  So we went out to Mickey D's so Hubs could have breakfast and I had this........

A Diet DP and a bag of sliced apples.  Guess how much that puny bag of apple slices cost??

$1.49 for 6 tiny slices of apple!!!  I remember when I got my kids a whole Happy Meal(including a bag of apple slices)for $1.49.  McDonald's is out of it's mind.......

The counter gal also gave me a Diet Coke instead and I went up to get the Diet DP so I ended up with two drinks. 

We also were able to charge our phones as the seating area was deserted in this Mickey D's as the breakfast rush was over.  Once our phones were up to 100% we ran over to Walmart.

I had bought 4 cans of tomato products there before we left town.  Each item had a $1 off Peelie Q on it but the folks manning the registers refused to let me use these Qs.  So I wrote to corporate and ended up getting a phone call from the manager of the store telling me to come in and they would honor the Qs.  Well it had to wait until after the cruise but I went in to get my $4 or I'd return the items.

Of course, the woman manning the CS desk had no clue about any of this so I showed her the email from Corporate on my phone and she returned to items, then re-rung them and used the Qs.  What a PITA!  But it was the principle of the thing, ya know?

So we went home and then headed back out later to Subway for dinner.

The first sighting of power company trucks near us!

While we didn't have a tornado come through, they did say we had "straight line winds".

Here's the Jehovah's Witness sign at the corner of an intersection we go by.  The day before this sign was at a 45 degree angle on that brick base.  You can see the bricks were broken on the right side.

Down the road the traffic lights were out.  UPDATE-When I went to Kroger on Friday those lights were finally working again.

Back at home we stopped for another bag of ice.  I had to move my refrigerated drugs to a cooler.

I had to throw away these 2 boxes of $$$ injectibles.  This is what I was on before I got changed to a different drug last year.  Ugh.

But I got my current drugs on ice and safe.

A few hours after we got home from Subway power was restored at our house. rah!

Sluggy