The main reason I’m doing this is that DH and I are now in that phase where we’re “living on a fixed income.” We’re both 95% retired – any money we get from working is gravy – and while our income is quite decent, with a pension, SS and my RMD, our expenses – especially housing, because we live in a high cost area – are substantial. So I want to see what we’re spending on so, if/when necessary, we can make some wise choices.
It’s always good to track where funds go—you can’t make mindful choices if it just magically appears and disappears. Some folks do it via computer, some just write everything down manually.
When I was a student, decades ago, I just wrote every single expense on an index card—fresh card each week. I knew to the dime where and what I was spending! It also served as a check—do I really want to buy x and have to write it down? (Food diaries CAN have similar effects.)
For me, when we were tracking expenses, it made more sense to use categories: food, paper goods & cleaning supplies, entertainment & gifts, utilities, insurance, transportation, medical, donations, etc. It didn’t seem good to have all Costco purchases as food, since they often were electronics, household or non food. If the categories are inaccurate, you don’t get a very good feel for how you are spending and where. Also If you have too big an “other” or “ misc” category, that can make it tough as well.
We’ve been tracking our expenses through Quicken for years, but I have my own spreadsheet that I can manipulate. You really have to be disciplined in keeping your receipts and separating the expenses to track properly. My grocery bill are typically in 3 categories…food and beverage, household cleaning and supplies, and personal care items (toothpaste, floss, deodorant, etc,). I have tons of categories and it really gives you a snapshot on what you are spending. My spreadsheet is for the calendar year, and I have all expenses I think I will have upcoming each month in that year. Then I try to challenge myself to not spend that much in some categories. I love doing this stuff.
Christmas was a bit more than I had planned on spending especially with our ski trip to Utah, but we had a great time. I have definitely slowed down spending this month and plan to keep it that way through the spring.
We did have a very expensive night out last Saturday staying in a lovely hotel downtown and a $700 dinner bill for 4! Fortunately it was all a business expense for a side gig we have so I don’t have to include it in my spending for the month.
Well, how did January go for everyone? Mine went well. The only mindless spending I did was $25 on a new collage poster for my son’s room that doesn’t even live here. I keep two 24 x 36 collage posters of him and his life as decoration. They fit in 2 nice frames that fill the room. I replaced one with his old girlfriend in a few of the pics and it was 6 years old anyway. I don’t know why it was bothering me so much, but it was. I have his current serious GF in a lot.
Other than that…no makeup, no clothes or shoes, skincare… nothing. The only thing I bought was a pillow for reading for $14, but I don’t consider that mindless. DH and I almost went out tonight, but we held strong. Ate dinner home and will have cocktails and try to find a movie on Netflix.
Let’s see how we all do for February.
I was doing pretty good until the polar vortex…
Needed to find a new pair of boots and decided to buy new bedding.
We want on vacation… talk about mindless eating and drinking but we have not bought a single trinket! That’s a first for us. Not even a traditional ornament for the tree. 
February is just beginning, but I already blew the money on the mirrors for the MB… And cat needs dental work… sad. I don’t mind spending money on the cat, I am sad that she has to endure the stress and the pain!!!
We head out on vacation tomorrow, and have another trip planned for the long weekend. Won’t be a cheap month for us, but it’s not “mindless spending” either.
I feel like I’ve spent nothing the last two weeks because weather has kept me away from stores and I just didn’t buy anything online cause I was busy doing other projects in the house when I was home.
I have to say I have a hankering to do a nice leisurely TJ Maxx and Home Goods trip!
I will say that overall I am not a winter clothes lover so I am not so tempted to go looking for clothing. I want to save all my clothing $$ for spring and summer! So clothes or clothes sales is not a draw for me.
I’m wearing the red/navy plaid flannel PJs from Gap, with a matching top. Outfit cost $20? It has kept me warm and looks good enough to wear when having a friend for dinner.
Unfortunately, my friend broke my paring knife, so I have more shopping to do.
We had an expensive January to be sure with going to my sons wedding in a distant state and extending the trip to spend more time with friends and family coming for the wedding and then a few more days with my brother and wife who came from England - had a wonderful time but ooh, that credit card balance 
. The good news is the rehearsal dinner came out to just a little over half the maximum I told son we would pay (He organized it as he lives there and we do not) and it was excellent. Good choice of restaurant by him and everyone kept thanking me and saying how great it was (all I did was pay the bill).
Feb will need to be a frugal month. We won’t mention the shoes I just ordered ?
I fell off the February freeze wagon today. Valentine’s Day is coming and each dentkid (plus 2 SOs) looks forward to a Valentine box.
But, I went to the grocery store and only replaced what we had used up in the previous week. Working through the pantry and freezer.
We’re spending $8,600 on a new furnace in February. I’m sure I can make up for it by using coupons at the grocery store.
Well $500 for car repair today. That will make for a more expensive February and it’s only the 6th!
We are getting a quote on a new boiler next week. The current sucker better last through at least a month or better two! Not ready for boilerless existence when it is being replaced…
Sent D a box—things she left behind or couldn’t fit in her suitcase + some extra treats. As a bonus, it doubles as both what she wanted and a few surprises so it will be her Valentine’s too. Because I bought the Forever stamps at Costco—100 @$49.75, it took 26 stamps + $.05 to mail medium flat rate box. I think that was a savings over purchasing the flat rate stamp.
I filled up my car 12 days ago and thank to the polar vortex and snowpocolips still have a half a tank left!
Just ignore my thread about potentially buying a Kindle…
I’ve been looking at replacing an ancient (I mean like 7 years old) iPad for a couple of years - so while I can certainly live life without one, I do find it to be not wasteful spending - I know it would get a lot of use - either an iPad or a Kindle!
Answered your thread. But iPad, every day. I got a new iPad last year and it’s so great. I had an older one and upgraded and am so in love.
Sort of failing at spending freeze February. Got to get back on the wagon
Well, I haven’t done too poorly, except I went shopping yesterday. Bought a couple spring tops. Those have been the only mindless splurges. We’ve spent quite a bit in airline tickets for our vacations this year, but I don’t consider that mindless.
The one thing I’m trying to hold strong on is a jumpsuit I tried on yesterday at WHBM. It looks great, but I really have no place in mind to wear it. It’s more dressy than your average jumpsuit, and I don’t attend too many classy garden parties. I think it would even look out of place at most venues, unless a fancier restaurant. I can get it for $113 with tax, but it seems like a waste if I have it in my closet for just “sometime”. Sigh. It’s actually a little heavy for summer, too, being lined and polyester. My obsession is probably from watching the Oscars and everyone dressing up.
It’s so beautiful, though. Trying to hold strong.