I totally blew my $100 grocery budget this month! I haven’t tallied it all up yet, I will post the actual numbers in my month end spending post. But at least the overage was due to stocking up on some things that were on sale. I was almost out of the coffee pods that I use so I bought several bags. I won’t need these again for many months. Aldi had an excellent sale on butter. It was advertised at $2.49 a box with a limit of 6 per person. When I got home, I noticed that it actually rang up at only $1.99 per box (1 lb. boxes)! I froze most of it, and this will last me quite a while even with holiday baking coming up. I also bought another half-gallon of my coffee creamer while it was still on sale for $5.99 (a dollar off). So, I’m OK with the overage since it wasn’t frivolous spending.  

Thanksgiving went really well. My brother always hosts it, but I wasn’t sure if he would be up to it this year with his wife just passing away in September. My niece decided that she really wanted to keep the tradition going, so she decided to do most of the cooking and have us all over. I am very close to my niece and offered to come over and help her if she wanted. At first, she declined, I think she wanted to do it all on her own, but a few days before she called and asked if I would assist. I think she was a little nervous, she is a good cook but never pulled together a big traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 8 people before. She did an outstanding job, and everything was delicious! We had a wonderful time. I hope everyone here enjoyed your holiday as well! 

I’m almost totally done with my Christmas shopping! I got everything on-line and did snag some great deals. I’m well within my Christmas budget so far. I also started my Christmas decorating today and am making swift progress. I’m feeling ahead of schedule this year.

Tomorrow, I’m having my usual people over for Sunday football watching. I’m making sloppy joes and buying some premade potato and macaroni salad.  We have a leftover apple pie from Thanksgiving for dessert. Keeping it simple!

After a cold snap last week, it has warmed back up a bit, with rain expected tomorrow. I’m just happy the heat hasn't been kicking on as much this week. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Yesterday I went to the Verizon store to switch my mobile service back to them from Mint Mobile, and to buy a new phone. I was all ready for an aggravating experience, but it was just the opposite! The customer service guy was awesome. I explained to him that I was a previous customer and wanted to switch back to Verizon and I needed a new phone. He asked what kind of phone I was interested in, and I told him a Samsung Galaxy, newish model and he said, I can offer you free one. He came back with a brand new, sealed, in the box phone! He then transferred everything over from my old phone, made sure everything was working properly, and got me all signed up. The plan I picked was unlimited talk, text and data with a bunch of extra stuff included for $80 a month. I’ll get $10 off a month for using auto pay. So right around $70 a month. I know it’s expensive, but it’s reliable, and I like being able to walk into a store if I have a problem and can talk with an actual human who knows what they are doing. I’m OK with technology in general, but there are times when I need some help and it really stresses me out. After limping along with Mint Mobile for the last 3 months I am so happy to have everything working well again. I looked up my new phone online and it is retailing for between $500 -$650. I am very happy with my decision, and the money I had earmarked to spend on a new phone I can now keep in my savings. 

I did investigate Ting, which only rated as average coverage in my area, Consumer Cellular, which just felt a lot like Mint Mobile to me, so I wasn’t willing to chance that again (even though I know a lot of people use it and have no problems), and AT&T, which didn’t offer any deals on phones I was interested in, and the customer service rep was less than helpful. I’m so glad to have this taken care of and that I got a free phone!! 

Groceries: I am already at $97.76 spent and its only mid-month. Some of that was stocking up on my coffee pods. But I don’t need anything else, and I should be able to get through the rest of the month without needing to spend anything more. I bought an 18 count of large; store brand eggs and the regular price is now up to $5.19!! That is just crazy to me. The last time I bought them the regular price was $4.99. With my store card discount and my senior discount, I paid just $1.34. I had some really good store e-coupons, one for $1 off a one lb. store brand butter and $3 off a rotisserie chicken. My receipt says I saved a total of $8.86 cents using my club card, e-coupons and senior discounts. It all adds up! 

After a few weeks of absolutely beautiful weather, it has abruptly turned cold with highs only in the mid 40’s. It was nice to have a couple of months of low-ish utility bills, but the heat is kicking on so I’m dreading to see these winter bills. I set my thermostat at 69 degrees during the day and 66 at night to try and save while still feeling comfortable.

Have a good rest of your week!

Income Total: $1400.00

     * $1200 Recurring monthly retirement account distribution  

     * $200 Swagbucks and My Points earnings (cash out to PayPal) 

Total Spending: $1279.53

Total Savings: $120.47 (difference between monthly income and monthly spending)  
 
Fixed Expenses: 
Verizon bundle (internet, cable): $167.43

HVAC and water heater contract: $29.95
Condo Fee (includes water) $190.00 

Health Care: (includes health, dental, vision, prescription plans) $477.78 
 
Variables: 
Utilities: $76.57
Gasoline: $39.97
Groceries: $83.92
Health: $50.26 (co-pays, scripts refills, vitamins and personal health care items) 
Take Out/Dining Out: $31.10

Shopping: $0

Household: $14.63

Funeral Expenses: $92.75 (flowers and sympathy cards)

Entertainment: $25.17

* Condo is paid in full 
* Car is paid in full (2017 Camry) 
* No other debt

I'm happy to have been able to sweep some money into savings, and that my grocery spending was under my $100 budget. Take out was a bit high due to my sister and BIL visit.