so I we spend a bit extra … 1 week ago

Finally all caught up with my expense recording.
Time to go grocery shopping … 2 weeks ago

Not a bad total … could I have forgotten something? I traveled, we had several guests … and yet we came in under average for spending. (If I were keeping track of income here too it would show extra income in April as well.) 2 weeks ago

the details of my life, for those interested 2 weeks ago

Here’s mid-April 2 weeks ago

Here’s to the first week of April … 1 month ago

This month I spent twice what I earned. Oye. Vey. 1 month ago

I can hardly keep up with you! 1 month ago

Well, on top of buying tickets for Cali this month, I’ve also decided to go to the island of Götland for my week of spring break, to do some WWOOFing. I’m really looking forward to it, but I wince as I look at the month’s expenditures.

And on top of that I suddenly decided to think of myself as a health nut, and I bought chia seeds for 161sek – probably the most expensive single food item I’ve bought since we arrived.

Pancake’s thinking of taking his two weeks of spring break and spending them in Sicily. He’s found inexpensive tickets, and I’m encouraging him to go. So if you’re enjoying watching me outspend my earnings this month, the fun’s not over yet! 2 months ago

Well, on top of buying tickets for Cali this month, I’ve also decided to go to the island of Götland for my week of spring break, to do some WWOOFing. I’m really looking forward to it, but I wince as I look at the month’s expenditures.

And on top of that I suddenly decided to think of myself as a health nut, and I bought chia seeds for 161sek – probably the most expensive single food item I’ve bought since we arrived.

Pancake’s thinking of taking his two weeks of spring break and spending them in Sicily. He’s found inexpensive tickets, and I’m encouraging him to go. So if you’re enjoying watching me outspend my earnings this month, the fun’s not over yet! 2 months ago

We bought our tickets to Cali last week, so all of the surplus money in our account is now gone. :(
Still, we’re going to Cali :) 2 months ago

Starting off March right … with unusual expenditures. And hopefully we’ll have flights to Cali purchased this month too … so March is gonna be off the charts.
:) oh well. 2 months ago

This total is missing the first week of February, when I was struggling with excel. So it’s an inaccurate total, but I’m still pleased with my spending v. saving actions this month. Looking forward to March! 2 months ago

We paid rent today, which is our biggest expense. So far this month, all of our expenses combined don’t total as much as we pay for rent. I’ve pulled in some extra money this month doing this and that; combine that with a low spending month and we’re definitely on track to head to California in June. 2 months ago

Now that I’m getting used to recording expenses using excel, it’s going quickly and I don’t dread doing it. 3 months ago

I finally got a handle on how to use excel to record my expenses. This shot is minus the first week, when I was using excel in a bassackwards way that was neither efficient nor screenshotable. Pancake helped me work out a better system, but between hearing that my previous efforts were for naught and having to figure out new (and at times not entirely intuitive) things about excel, I was ok with letting a week’s worth of February go to the trash. So this total isn’t so accurate, but I’m onto a good system now. Loveinthecure, I’ll post screenshots from time to time for your sake, sweetie. 3 months ago

Kaiser 20.00 (neurology appointment for #2)
Winco 28.84 (a few groceries) 3 months ago

Bakers – 6.57 (lunch)
Cost Plus – 7.55 (owl hook for closet renovation) 3 months ago

Subway 16.50 (lunch with Kevin)

MONTHLY BILLS:
Sprint 98.55 (cell phone)
American Express 221.69 (spa day and xmas gifts) 3 months ago

The Barn – 12.00 (lunch)
Winco Foods – ( stuff for dinner) 3 months ago

Costco – 62.48 – wipes, cascade, sandwich bags, toilet tissue 3 months ago

I’ve started recording my spending in an excel file. It’s a bit cumbersome to do this (change always is), but I think it’ll be easier and faster in the long-run, it’ll allow me to view my expenditures in a more meaningful/useful way, and it’ll teach me how to use a basic, common program that I’m still unfamiliar with.

I do like to post about my spending here though. I’m not sure why, it’s just a habit I’ve enjoyed creating/cultivating. Maybe I’ll post occasional spread sheet screen shots.

^{Yeah, that sounds super exciting…}3 months ago

Mathis Brothers – $3048.86 – new ORANGE sofa for the front room (Big enough for MAJOR movie nights)
Gas – 30.76 (Honda) ?? (Mazda)
Del Taco – 5.80 (Daddys lunch)
Pretzels – 15.50 (snacks and drinks at the Mall)
Nike Factory Store – 39.27 (new shoes for the 10 year old)
Templo Del Sol – $46.30 – dinner for everyone (Granny and Goose included)

TOTAL: 3 months ago

Starbucks – 7.00 – a latte and a ham breakfast sandwich
my lunch was free, a student bought it for me.
Bakers – 5.60 – daddy and son’s lunch
Stater Bros – 58.03 (groceries)
Lowes – 263.55 – wood for new closet organizer
Jack in the Box – 15.50 (food for the boys and a drink for daddy and momma)
Monthly Bills:
Mortgage 1200.00
Water 54.80

TOTAL: 3 months ago

January’s final tally is really low compared to an average month’s spending. That’s the combined result of a few purchases that I lost receipts for (though not so many, really), and the first week of January being spent under the umbrella Pancake’s parent’s hospitality. So despite traveling to Como and Copenhagen this month, and also playing hosts a couple of times, we’re looking great as far as saving for a summer trip to California goes.

Oh, and did I mention that I worked a decent amount of extra hours this month, PLUS I edited a good-sized PhD thesis and received a few thousand sek in exchange, PLUS another 1,000 or so sek for some tutoring work I’ve been doing on the side. I’ve been feeling stretched thin and at times disconnected from the present moment – I really should take it a bit easier on myself with all these extra projects – but I feel great when I reach the end of the month and can see definite progress toward my Cali goal/dream.

Food = 0 sek

Health & Body = 0 sek

Home Items = 0 sek

Bills = 0 sek

Other = 35 sek
30 sek – skate rental
05 sek – helmet rental

Food = 0 sek

Health & Body = 473 sek
327 sek – contraception
049 sek – body lotion
069 sek – face wash
028 sek – pads

Home Items = 0 sek

Bills = 0 sek

Other = 0 sek

Food = 35 sek
10 sek – onions
25 sek – tortillas

Health & Body = 0 sek

Home Items = 0 sek

Bills = 0 sek

Other = 25 sek
25 sek – bird seeds

Food = 242 sek
15 sek – apricot jam
25 sek – pinto beans (2 cans)
28 sek – oat milk
15 sek – corn (2 cans)
25 sek – tortillas
15 sek – lettuce
20 sek – lettuce
23 sek – tomatoes (2 cans, organic)
20 sek – vanilla ice cream, vegan
19 sek – apple sauce
37 sek – frozen peas (2 bags)

Health & Body = 0 sek

Home Items = 0 sek

Bills = 0 sek

Other = 0 sek

Food = 53 sek
46 dkk – fruits (=53 sek)

Health & Body = 0 sek

Home Items = 0 sek

Bills = 0 sek

Other = 0 sek