When reviewing my finances for 2018, I mentioned my desire to look at them on a monthly basis in 2019. Justin and I spent a little too much in 2018 and let our finances get the best of us. Maybe by looking at our finances monthly (and let you guys/gals keep me in check), we will do better this year.
That's the goal anyway.
Here's month #8 for 2020:
Spending:
Compared to Last Year –
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| compared to last year (green this month, yellow last month) |
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| compared to last year (green this year, yellow last year) |
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| compared to last year (green this month, yellow last month) |
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| dotted line = last month, green line = this month |
Where We Spent Our Money:
Top 10 Merchants:
1. Apple (replacement phone, case, replacement charging cables, headphone adaptors, secondary cable for laptop)
2. Amazon
3. Michaels (picture frames)
4. Electricity
5. Lowes (home projects, hanging pictures)
6. Patagonia (Justin clothes)
7. Everlane (Justin clothes)
8. Costco
9. Toco Giant
10. Publix
Top 10 Categories:
1. Shopping
2. Food & Dining
4. Bills & Utilities
5. Auto & Transport
6. Fees & Charges
7. Personal Care
Budgeting:
✗ Restaurants – over
✗ Hair Appointments -over
– Gas & Fuel – at
✓ Groceries –under✗ Restaurants – over
✗ Hair Appointments -over
✗ Everything Else – over
Net Income:
Debt:
student loans
I had some issues changing a loan's information, so it looks like we owe more than we did at any other point this year, but we don't.
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| credit cards |
How Did I Do On My Financial Goals for August?
✓ Pay Knights of Columbus dues.
✓ Submit tire warranty info
✗ Decide on returns.
✗ Continue listing things for sale online (maybe 5?)
✗ Adjust budget based on work schedule.
Numbers:
Overview of the Biggest Impacts This Month:
1. Replaced my phone.
August has been quite stressful for my husband and I as our landlord reconsidered our living situation. Would we be staying or would we be going? And the pandemic made things even more exciting as we went on a search for a rental property. With impending stock goals, how would we handle the extra spend? What would 2021 look like for us in terms of finances and living space?
* Loan Payoff Date 7/1/24 (improved by a month)
* Credit Card Payoff Date 8/1/21
* Emergency Funds: $14,622• 401K $57,477.28
• Credit Scores: 766 /800 (Justin), 755, 747 (me): down for me, up for Justin
Overview of the Biggest Impacts This Month:
1. Replaced my phone.
2. Cashed out from a survey site for $500
3. Turned in tire warranty! Woot!
4. Justin lost weight and we had to get him new clothes.
5. We did some housekeeping -- fixing a leather couch with leather paint, buying the stuff to frame and hang pictures, buying curtains
What went wrong this month?
1. I dropped my phone last month and thus needed to either fix the phone or replace it.
2. My husband losing weight was both good and bad. Needing clothes that fit was an issue.
3. We never made time to look at our budget.
4. Having to look for apartments last minute.
5. I didn't accomplish my goals.
What went right this month?
1. Turning in the tire warranty.
2. Returns.
3. Cashing out for $500
4. Making a sale on Poshmark
5. We were under budget for groceries!
Financial plans/goals for September
1. Figure out our living situation first and foremost.
2. Look at budget and make adjustments.
3. Decide what the plan is for stock options.
Extras:
4. List 5 items on Poshmark/Ebay.
5. Make sure all returns are completed.
August has been quite stressful for my husband and I as our landlord reconsidered our living situation. Would we be staying or would we be going? And the pandemic made things even more exciting as we went on a search for a rental property. With impending stock goals, how would we handle the extra spend? What would 2021 look like for us in terms of finances and living space?
While we haven't quite worked it all out, that is the plan for September. That is our goal -- to figure all of that out.
I realize for many of you, the pandemic has taken a toll financially. How have you weathered the storm? Were you able to get out of a lease you couldn't afford? Were you able to find a place you could afford? Have you made any lifestyle changes because of covid? What do you anticipate happening as the year continues?
Financial Resolution Goals 2020
