This doesn't count any fixed bills or planned budget spending only items that I could if need to cut back on at any time.
Eating out - $547.89 - over $92.89
Groceries - $1394.95 - under $230.05
Non-food - $48.30 - under $146.70
Clothes - $241.23 - under $213.77
Grooming-$190.86 - under $4.14
Gas -$113.91 - under $146.09
HH items -$285.34 - under $234.66
Fares-$95 -under $100.00
Entertainments -$285.45 - over $90.45
Garden -$116.36 - under $78.64
Gifts -$278.70 - under $111.30
Donations -$134.80 - over $69.80
Medical -$1001.88 - over $91.88
Misc. - $125.00 -under $4.00
Personal -$930.11 - under $239.89
Totals -$5789.78 - under $1361.22

Because I have kept up with my excel budget I am still able to still post my annual summary.

Medical is only amounts not budgetted for or gap between my medical benefit and the outlay plus any other medical outlay not in budget.
Donations to medical / cancer and red cross appeals plus odd donations here and there.
Entertainment I have been buying some DVD's online and other outings over the year.
Eating out - My social life has picked up and venues are more expensive these days.

I will need to cut my expenses somewhat for 2016, as I am having some operations and the out pocket is in the 1000's I have save most of this money but will need to be replaced in the future to build my finances back to a healthy level again.

No Spending Days 167

All credit cards are up to dates and all bills paid.


Strategy - Track your daily spending down to the cent by writing it down daily.

Here is my summery for May

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month; I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Review for May budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$27.40
Groceries===$125=== =$167.59
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35=====$95.00
Grooming===$20 ====$35.95
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$1.50
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35====$57.50
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$118.30
Misc ======$10========$121.00
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$90.99

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $715.23 over by $165.23 on general spending.

This is because I have paid deposit of $121.00 for Awing for one of my windows with another two being paid by my insurance company. I also had a medical bill out pocket of $118.30 from skin specialist. Taking out these two items of $286.30 I still am under in my spending $428.93.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $335.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was over by $42.59 this period.

Strategy - Track your daily spending down to the cent by writing it down daily.

Here is my summery for April.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month; I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Review for April budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$62.75
Groceries===$125=== =$103.45
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20 =====$23.96
Gas======$20=======$26.40
HH items===$40======$15.75
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35====$52.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$51.11

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $335.42 under by $214.58 on general spending.

This saving went into medical bills over this period.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $30.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $21.55 this period.

Strategy - Review your bills every six months so that you are still saving money with your changes that you made since renewed or changed bill companies. Change your habits if you can't change the company.

Here is my third period summery for March.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month; I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Review for March budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$37.15
Groceries===$125=== =$41.30
Non-Food===$15=====$2.00
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$7.10
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35====$5.80
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$273.85
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$36.19

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 15 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $423.39 under by $126.61 on general spending.
This saving went into medical bills over this period.
Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $29.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $83.70 this period.
Strategy - Track your daily spending down to the cent by writing it down daily.

2nd Monthly Financial Summery for 2015
Here is my second period summery for February .

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last few months I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Review for February budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$29.20
Groceries===$125=== =$45.36
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20 =====$24.00
Gas======$20=======$13.15
HH items===$40======$6.60
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$42.70
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$63.45

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 16 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $224.46 under by $347.41 on general spending.
This saving went into some of my huge bills over this period.
Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $825 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $79.64 this period.

Strategy - Try to buy brand name groceries on special when you can at 40% off or better.

Here is my first Summery for January period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last few months I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Review for January budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$31.00
Groceries===$125=== =$58.72
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$12.80
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15 ====$20.00
Garden =====$15 ======$86.60
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$25.50
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$18.20
Misc ======$10=========$4.00
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$70.59

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $347.41 under by $202.59 on general spending.
This saving went into some of my huge bills over this period.
Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $390 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $66.28 this period.

Strategy - Don't believe all the advertising you see on TV or in the mail you didn't know you wanted it 15 minutes before you saw that advertisement.

2015 will be Living Lean year as I can and being on age pension. My goal and challenge is Living Lean on a Pension.

I have no other extra income other than my pension, so I have to be as crafty as possible to make it my dollars s-t-r-e-t- c -h further than before.

I do have a little amount put aside for rainy day. Which I use when I need to and pay this rainy day account back out of my saving I can find in my frugal living challenge and any saving I can make on getting low bills which of late are increasing instead.

I will try cut back on my food, entertainment areas and personal allowance. I do better with challenges by focusing on certain areas than trying to do it over all challenge in all areas at once.

I will try to reduce my spending on what spend in the supermarket and on treats in personal allowance areas to start with.

I still wish to go on holidays this year, that about 4 months way. I will try to keep expenses down to minimum as I will be staying most nights with family.

Supermarket Spend Challenge - Try to spend less than half over the next 15 weeks.

Normal amount allowed = $472.00 - Target $230 over 15 weeks starting on Friday when my next monthly period starts. Note all my budgeting periods are 28 days in length.

Personal allowance and entertainment will try cut by 30% for now and go lower if I can do so.
.
So my motto will stand for another year or two.

It's real hard to come up with $1000 but it's easy to find 1000 ways to save a dollar or two!
So let's go and find those 1000 ways to save a dollar challenge and see what's amount is at the end of 12 months.

Annual Summary Daily Living Allowance parts of my budget for 2014

Here are my final totals for last year.

Eating out- $455---------- $393.65---------under target by $61.35
Groceries -$1625-----------$1213.41 ------under target by $411.59
Non-Food -$195------------ $59.42 ---------under target by $135.58
Clothes -$455---------------$401.96 --------under target by $53.04
Grooming -$260-------------$171.37-------under target by $23.63
Gas -$260------------------- $233.46------- -under target by $26.54
HH items -$520-------------- $558.10 ----- over target by $38.10 > Ninja + Curtains
Fares -$195-------------------$84.00 ------- under target by $111.00
Entrainment -$195-----------$368.95-------- over target by $176.95 > Camera
Garden-$195------------------$152.11-----------under target by $42.89
Gift & Donations -$455-------$250.34 ---------under target by $171.15
Medical & Diabetic-$910------$1755.84 -------over target by $845.84 > Dental + Medical
Misc. -$130----------------------$1.00 -----------under target by $129.00
Personal Allowance-$1170----$956.94 --------under target by $213.06

Daily Living Allowance allotted amount for 2014 was $7150 and I spent total $6697.04 under target by $452.96.
I will review some categories for 2015.

Even with being over in three categories, I still manage to come under my budget allotment for 2014.
This included new camera and major dental work excess plus updating my wardrobe this year.

This does give me the idea that I am subconsciously set myself amount to spend then holding back on some things if I think that I have to cut on my spending because I spent a lot more in one area that was needed like the medical with a lot of pocket expense or having major renovations done have to be a lean year with another lean year in 2015.

One thing this summery proves that averaging out over whole year is better than worry if you go over month as you can try to cut on other months.

Ok this Daily Living Allowance is the area that I will be working on to stretch and find any extra money I can. I also am looking at cutting back other on bills where I can.

So I will just track out of pocket medical, medicine and vitamins, glasses and diabetic section in this section of Daily Living Allowance. Allowing around extra $1500 for these items in next year tallies.
I do have major house maintenance to be done here for 2015 so I am looking at out of pocket bill of $5000. I will need to replace in capital deposit account over next year or so.

No Spending Days 163 of 365 days

So 2015 Challenge will be 'Living Lean on a Pension ?'

Strategy - Review your bills every six months that you are still saving money with your changes that you made since renewed or changed bill companies. Change your habits if you can't change the company.

Here is my Financial Summery for November period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

My review for December /Early January budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$33.50
Groceries===$125=== =$68.57
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35=====$121.49
Grooming===$20=====$51.49
Gas======$20=======$31.61
HH items===$40======$37.60
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$20.49
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$482.50
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$171.85

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $1019.05 over by $469.05 on general spending.

If you took my dental bill excess out of above, I would have been under by $13.48.

This period covered some season gifts and food buying and I had a few huge bills this period.

I took advantage of Summer Clothing Sales and bought 10 new pieces for my wardrobe.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $29.94 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $56.44 this period.

Strategy - Try to buy brand name groceries on special when you can at 40% off or better.

Here is my Financial Summery for November/Early December period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Here is my review for November/December budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$25.70
Groceries===$125=== =$80.34
Non-Food===$15=====$8.48
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20=====$2.50
Gas======$20=======$33.11
HH items===$40======$7.40
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 =====$27.46
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$89.14
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$12.00
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$75.79

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 12 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $362.02 under by $187.98 on general spending.
This period covered some season gift and food buying

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $1815.15 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $44.66 this period.

Strategy - If store or generic brands are cheaper than and just as good as brand name ones then buy them.

Here is my Financial Summery for November period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for November budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$22.22
Groceries===$125=== =$45.88
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35======$5.00
Grooming===$20=====$5.25
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$3.00
Fares== ====$15 =====$20.00
Entrainments== $15 ====$329.95
Garden =====$15 =====$40.00
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$18.20
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$156.59
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$28.97

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $675.04 over by $125.00 on general spending.
I bought a new camera as my best camera was broken and it my treat for the year as I am having dental work done for my birthday gift this time.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $354.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $79.12 this period.

Strategy - Don't believe all the advertising you see on TV or in the mail you didn't know you wanted it 15 minutes before you saw that advertisement.

Here is my Financial Summery for October/November period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for October/November budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$28.75
Groceries===$125=== =$45.10
Non-Food===$15=====$5.50
Clothes ====$35======$26.80
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$70.35
Fares== ====$15 =====$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$108.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$30.20
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$21.75

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $364.45 under by $185.55 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $78 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $79.90 this period.

Strategy - Only buy what you will use when shopping without a list


It's about time I started posting on here.

Here is my Financial Summery for October period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for October budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$27.45
Groceries===$125=== =$122.68
Non-Food===$15=====$2.59
Clothes ====$35=====$37.68
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20======$16.35
HH items===$40======$16.95
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$216.70
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$74.80

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $530.15 under by $19.65 on general spending.
Out of pocket medical expenses were again high this period.
Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $104.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $2.32 this period.
Strategy - Put in writing what you are worried about and see the figures then work out an action plan.

I will catch up one day here.
Here is my Financial Summery for September period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for September budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$53.30
Groceries===$125=== =$92.45
Non-Food===$15=====$4.87
Clothes ====$35=====$49.00
Grooming===$20====$24.00
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$129.20
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 =====$49.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$495.55
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$100.86

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 8 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $1020.23 over by $470.23 on general spending.
Out of pocket medical expenses were very high this period.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $65.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $32.55 this period.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Running behind here. Update
.

Here is my Financial Summery for August period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for August budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$24.50
Groceries===$125=== =$113.63
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35=====$86.99
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20======$21.55
HH items===$40======$115.50
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ====$6.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$15.00
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$85.14

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 14 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $481.31 under by $68.69 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $30.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $11.37 this period.

Strategy - Try to drink water with your meals when you are dinning out and if you on a special diet try to stick to it as best you can.

Here is my Financial Summery for - June period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.
Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for June budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$24.30
Groceries===$125=== =$173.50
Non-Food===$15======$13.68
Clothes ====$35=======$2.00
Grooming===$20=======$9.13
Gas======$20======$24.48
HH items===$40======$4.00
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15 ====$50.00
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 =====$35.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$6.00
Misc ======$10=========$1.00
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$101.80

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 11 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $463.89 under by $86.11 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $240.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was over by $48.50 this period.

Strategy - Track your daily spending down to the cent by writing it down daily.

Here is my Financial Summery for - May period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for May budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$42.20
Groceries===$125=== =$94.00
Non-Food===$15===== $7.00
Clothes ====$35======$37.00
Grooming===$20=====$42.00
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$37.00
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 ======$11.60
Gifts & Donations ==$35 =====$0
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$186.30
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$51.47

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 10 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $508.57 under by $41.43 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $455.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $31.00 this period.

Strategy - Don't spend your forward bill money on trivia, it's been put aside for a purpose and keeps you stress free.

Here is my Financial Summery for - April period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

My review for April budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$12.50
Groceries===$125=== =$121.43
Non-Food===$15===== $1.18
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20=====$15.00
Gas======$20======$31.91
HH items===$40======$85.50
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 =====$1.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$54.95
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$100.09

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $424.18 under by $125.82 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $186.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $3.57 this period.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Here is my Financial Summery for - March period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$35.00
Groceries===$125=== =$87.66
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20======$35.32
HH items===$40======$37.80
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15 ====$10.00
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$48.45
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$60.28

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 14 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $276.71 under by $273.29 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $240.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $37.34 this period.

Strategy - Don't believe all the advertising you see on TV or in the mail you didn't know you wanted it 15 minutes before you saw that advertisement.

Here is my Financial Summery for - February period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$38.35
Groceries===$125=== =$67.26
Non-Food===$15======$10.80
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$37.80
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15 ====$9.00
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$2.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$58.60
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$27.54

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 19 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $251.35 under by $298.65 on general spending.

This month I spent money on 4 pairs of shorts that came out of clothes were an out of pocket expense of $36.00. Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $1221.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $57.74 this period.

Strategy - Don't spend your forward bill money on trivia, it's been put aside for a purpose and keeps you stress free.

I had a look at this thread as is quick to look in this blog than find the recipe on my computer. I found some beans and chickpeas in my freezer and wish to use some of them up this coming month. Along with other meats in freezer I try to use some of these in my menu planning.

CHICKPEA CURRY
Chickpea and Spinach Recipes
Pumpkin & Lentil Stew
Thai Creamy Chicken Satay
Broad Beans Provencale
Sri Lankan Vegetable Curry
[under Recipes on the first page]

Here is my Financial Summery for January period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$23.80
Groceries===$125=== =$101.91
Non-Food===$15======$4.65
Clothes ====$35======$36.00
Grooming===$20=====$22.00
Gas======$20=======$43.13
HH items===$40=======$17.80
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$3.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$8.00
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$56.60

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $332.89 under by $217.11 on general spending.
This month I spent money on 4 pairs of shorts that came out of clothes were an out of pocket expense of $36.00. Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $230 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $23.09 this period.
Strategy - Track your daily spending down to the cent by writing it down daily.

Annual Summary Daily Living Allowance parts of my budget for 2013

Here are my final totals for last year.

Eating out- $455---------- $497.84---------over target by $42.84
Groceries -$1625-----------$1390.22 ------under target by $234.78
Non-Food -$195------------ $85.01 ---------under target by $109.99
Clothes -$455---------------$65.00 --------under target by $390.00
Grooming -$260-------------$80.98--------under target by $179.02
Gas -$260------------------- $173.81------- -under target by $86.19
HH items -$520-------------- $504.44 ----- under target by $15.56
Fares -$195-------------------$146.76 ------- under target by $48.24
Entrainment -$195-----------$79.50-------- under target by $115.50
Garden-$195------------------$158.40-----------under target by $36.60
Gift & Donations -$455-------$262.68 ---------under target by $192.32
Medical & Diabetic-$910------$1999.54 -------over target by $1089.54
Misc. -$130--------------------$2.00 -----------under target by $128.00
Personal Allowance-$1170----$648.43 --------under target by $521.57

Daily Living Allowance allotted amount for 2013 was $7150 and I spent total $6094.61 under target by $1055.39 I will review some categories for 2014.

Even with being over in two categories, I still manage to come under my budget allotment for 2013.
I had dental work done with no rebate for one of them. Going to a Hotel for Christmas dinner was another expense I didn't count on.

This does give me the idea that I am subconsciously set myself amount to spend then holding back on some things if I think that I have to cut on my spending because I spent a lot more in one area that was needed like the medical with a lot of pocket expense or having major renovations done it would have to be a lean year with another lean year in 2014.

One thing this summery proves that averaging out over whole year is better than worry if you go over month as you can try to cut on other months.

Ok this Daily Living Allowance is the area that I will be working on to stretch and find any extra money I can. I also am looking at cutting back other on bills where I can. We will have a very large hike in medical and household insurances this coming year as I haven't received the bill, I don't know how much it will be as yet!

I know that my medical out of pocket costs will much higher for 2014 in there will be Dentist, 2 specialists visits with out of pocket. So I will just track out of pocket medical, medicine and vitamins, glasses and diabetic section in this section of Daily Living Allowance. Allowing around $1500 for these items in next year tallies.

No Spending Days 174 of 365 days

Strategy - Review your bills every six months that you are still saving money with your changes that you made since renewed or changed bill companies. Change your habits if you can’t change the company.

Here is my Financial Summery for - December period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$15.30
Groceries===$125=== =$106.83
Non-Food===$15======$2.50
Clothes ====$35======$34.00
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40=======$21.46
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15 =====$26.50
Garden =====$15 =======$47.90
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$37.48
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$11.90
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$4.00

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $307.87 under by $242.13 on general spending.

My watches required new batteries that came out of clothes were an out of pocket expense of $34.00 and I never spent much of my personal allowance. Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $245 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $18.17 this period.
I had to watch my spending this period as my outgoing on bills and major projects were over $16000 this period. That they all have been paid for now.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Here is my Financial Summery for November - December period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$170.35
Groceries===$125=== =$174.87
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35======$5.00
Grooming===$20=====$2.00
Gas======$20
HH items===$40=======$11.08
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$164.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$176.90
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$65.70

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 14 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $789.90 over by $239.90 on general spending.

My new glasses was an out of pocket expense of $171.00 and deposit for Christmas lunch $125 at hotel again this year were some of the expenses that took it above budget this period.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $400.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was over by $49.87 this period.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Just the 13 th period still to come after 2 January.

11th Monthly Financial Summery for 2013
Here is my Financial Summery for November period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$27.40
Groceries===$125=== =$176.51
Non-Food===$15=====$10.00
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20=======$72.55
HH items===$40=======$8.00
Fares== ====$15 ======$10.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 =====$9.50
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$11.50
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$1268.10
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$83.38

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 10 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent ($1667.44-$1260) under by $142.56 on general spending.

My dentist bill was an out of pocket expense of $1260 which I had been saving for a while.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $1685.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was over by $51.51 this period .

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Here is my Financial Summery for October period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$37.00
Groceries===$125=== =$66.22
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35=====$8.00
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40=======$35.00
Fares== ====$15 ======$10.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 =====$9.50
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$24.20
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$5.90
Misc ======$10===========$2.00
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$118.70

Note only one amount is a No Spend

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $316.52 under by $290.41

No Spending Days 11 of 28 days

Personal allowance covers health drinks , lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

** 3 year subscription to Diabetic living $87.00 - 39%off @ $4.83 per copy (RRP $7.95 x 18 copies)

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month, it was $2053.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $58.78 this period.

You can see that I am saving for something! A dentist bill that is will show up in period 11.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Here is my Financial Summery for August-Sept period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$36.30
Groceries===$125=== =$86.37
Non-Food===$15====$19.95
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40=======$59.30
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 =====$2.00
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$5.50
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$42.34
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$38.65

Note only one amount is a No Spend

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $290.41 under by $259.59

No Spending Days 14 of 28 days

Personal allowance covers health drinks , lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month, it was $85.00 this period.
Grocery allotment $125 for each period under by $38.63 this period
You can see that I am saving for something! A dentist bill that is will show up in period 11.
Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Here is my Financial Summery for July -August period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my first review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$32.09
Groceries===$125=== =$152.79
Non-Food===$15====$4.00
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20=====$19.00
Gas======$20=======$36.95
HH items===$40=======$8.00
Fares== ====$15 ====$40
Entrainments== $15 ====$50.00
Garden =====$15 =====$14.00
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$13.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$146.60
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$32.36

Note only one amount is a No Spend

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $525.19 under by $24.81

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Personal allowance covers health drinks , lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month, it was $33.00
Grocery allotment $125 for each period over by $27.79 this period
This period we had our EKKA show and I went for one day only this year plus a visit to the eye specialist and now need to see him yearly.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.