Comments on: DD’s Monthly Expenses – December 2008

By: DD’s Monthly Expenses - December 2009 :The Happy Rock

DD’s Monthly Expenses - December 2009 :The Happy Rock — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:16:32 +0000

[...] Last December we only spent $3903.52, so clearly the wheels fell off this year. Sure last year we didn’t pay for our health insurance, but quite a few other categories were higher last year (Daycare, Groceries, Electricity). We just plain spent a lot this year. [...]

By: Debt Destroyer

Debt Destroyer — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:41:01 +0000

Thanks again for the comments. I really appreciate them.

@ Jessica W, Cassy, & Dennis – I agree that it’s normal to overspend in December, but like I said earlier, it just didn’t feel right after the previous months of trying to save.

@ Surviving a Recession – That total didn’t include gifts. We bought her a ballerina bar for $25 (that is in the gift category).

By: Dennis

Dennis — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:05:08 +0000

Well, i think you had to go like this in last month because of the Christmas and gift spending. It is normal and something that everyone is facing at the end of the year.

By: Surviving A Recession

Surviving A Recession — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:18:11 +0000

27.36 – B-Day party

My daughters birthday is the hardest thing for me not to spend every dime I have. I would spend it in a heart beat.

Actually, I am pretty good at not over doing it. Although i really want to. I just tell myself the money i don’t spend on the party I’ll put in a 529 for her college.

By: Cassy

Cassy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:40:12 +0000

I am quite sure, that the majority of people suffer from big expenses during the Christmas holidays. That is why I usually start preparations to Christmas in advance. I try to buy Christmas gift during the year- a gift by gift. Thus, with the Christmas arrival I have the gifts for everyone, whom I want to make a present. Beside of, I have some free time and money to spend on other things. Believe me, getting Christmas gift in advance is the best option to spend your Christmas celebrations out of stress.

By: Your Money Relationship - Carnival of Money Stories #93 - BCS Edition

Your Money Relationship - Carnival of Money Stories #93 - BCS Edition — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:06:18 +0000

[...] at The Happy Rock goes over their December monthly expenses. Let’s just say it was a rough [...]

By: Jessica W

Jessica W — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:02:32 +0000

Well, i think you had to go like this in last month because of the Christmas and gift spending. It is normal and something that everyone is facing at the end of the year.

By: Out with the Old, In with the New | The Happy Rock

Out with the Old, In with the New | The Happy Rock — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:40:34 +0000

[...] to receive free updates. Thanks for visiting!As most of you know, I list my monthly expenses ( here is last month’s) to help track where my family is spending our money. Not only is it good for us to see where [...]

By: Debt Destroyer

Debt Destroyer — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:27:02 +0000

Thanks for the comments.

@ Discover – You’re right, if I take gifts out, it’s a normal month. But it just felt sloppy. I think I should’ve picked a different month to start my envelope system.
And if you thought the electricity jumped that month wait until you see the next bill.

@Helen – I might have to switch to a plan like that. Now that I’m paying cash for a lot of things, my “cashback” system will not be as fruitful as it normally is.

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:06:46 +0000

Christmas is also usually a big spending month for me, but I was glad that the biggest expense, gifts, was already taken care of, as I had started saving up for it at the beginning of the year. In January ’08, I estimated how much I would spend on Christmas gifts, and divided by the no. of paychecks for the year. After that, I did an automatic deduction towards my Christmas sub-account. It was such a relief and load off my mind knowing that I didn’t have to worry about overspending on gifts and adding to cc debt. I actually underspent and had a little extra left over! Highly recommend this as no one needs the extra stress during the holidays.