So how did my budget fare this month?
Here’s the budget for January 2008. As you can clearly see, I went OVER budget in 2 major categories: electronics & travelling.
Everything else pretty much came under budget or wasn’t even spent at all (Clothing, anyone?)
Electronics
They’re really all one-off purchases (scanner, external hard drives for backing up work), but there’s going to be ONE LAST major electronics purchase coming up either this month or next (probably next) – a laptop…
So I can imagine that one pretty much wiping out at least half of my Emergency Fund. But hey, what can a woman do? When she needs a personal laptop, she needs a personal laptop!
Travelling
I had actually budgeted perfectly, but unexpectedly I realized I could go up earlier than I had originally anticipated in December when I bought my tickets ahead of time to get the best price, but since they are NON refundable and NON exchangeable, I got screwed.
Oh well, I have to take my time with BF when I can. And besides, he’s footing 50% of the bill, which means that what you see up there is not really indicative of what I ended up paying. In fact I may have come under by a bit..
Other than that, my budget was pretty accurate this month, especially with the not spending much on toiletries/clothing unless they’re the essentials.
I also have quite a bit leftover in Groceries / Going out / Starbucks / Entertainment because I quite simply don’t have the time to wander around in a mall or see friends as regularly as I used to, so I just don’t spend the cash. Most of my time is spent with BF, and we don’t use/need much cash to be happy/entertained (phew, what a relief!)
I’m really surprised at the Groceries budget, but I suppose it makes sense considering I’m not even around on weekends, and I only buy food for my lunch, a bit of breakfast in the morning and a bit of a light dinner (usually fruit).
I think I’ll keep it at that level though, just in case in some month I decide to eat more.
Update: $400 for rent is what I’m giving my parents instead of the $1500 they wanted before. Tres reasonable right? Considering I’m also buying my own food, etc
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
Andrea: Actually that’s not my real spreadsheet.. that ‘s just a summary OF my spreadsheet that’s way more intense than that 😛 BUt no one needs to be subjected to my madness…
Ms M&P: Yes, a lot of my purchases are being made ahead of time instead of in a timely fashion.. I need to get a cellphone today too (new), because my old one is driving me BATTY…
bitterbabe: Thanks!!!
Wow you still did pretty good though! I like the way you set this up – I need to take tips from you!
I love that you track every penny. I’m still working on that. And hey, January was a huge budget busting month for me too, but I think for both of us it was more like paying for expenses now that we would have incurred later on. You were under budget on a lot of things too!
I’m impressed with your spreadsheet.
Great job on the grocery savings, and only $5 eating out? Great! Also, I see that you’re kicking your Starbucks habit.
Canadian Saver: Ugh I really can’t live without my laptop but I need a personal one, not a work one 🙂
Sharon: LOL… I just had to put that in there, it’s a vice. I know it.
SavingDiva: Emergency Fund *blush*… hence why the drop from $2200 to $1700….
I didn’t plan for those tech purchases, it was more of a: OMG I DO need them!
I like the Maybelline mascara too, quite cheap.. but I really have all the makeup I need.. to be honest, if my skin would stop bloody acting up, I’d do away with most of the makeup except for eyeliner… 🙂 Without it people think I’m tired or cranky
The Ex: I don’t know if I’ll get one this year. I hope so! It’d come in handy…
I’m going to be buying a laptop too! Tax refund? Helloooo!
Since it looks like you went over budget by about $500, where did the extra cash come from?
I’m impressed that you didn’t spend any money on make-up…I spent less this month, but I did spent about $15 at the drugstore (Maybelline mascara is my new friend, the one in the green tube).
I love that you have a category for Starbucks!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I really enjoy yours, I am adding your info in my list of blogs I enjoy 🙂
And I agree about the laptop, I couldn’t go more than a couple days without mine!!