What a messed-up week for Hubs. He is still in his “new-to-him” rig. This morning, he decided that if they fix the issues, it *might* not be too bad of a truck after all. All of this, of course, is subject to change as different dash lights and noises occur. Hubs could be back to thinking it is a pile of garbage by the end of the day, but hey, let’s think positive!
This week Hubs is moving trailers which isn’t a usual routine for him. It probably sounds as though he is moving cars around a parking lot. Not so. He is relocating these trailers several hundreds of miles to different terminals. The original plan was for him to bobtail (drive without a trailer) back to where his old truck and trailer are, hook up to that trailer, and be back to his usual routine.
Lately, I think many of my posts are more about Hub’s job than A Dime at a Time. I’ll spin it in that he makes the money, and I do my best to stretch every dime! Unless something should change, I doubt I’ll be going anywhere for the remainder of the month. With that being said, here are our spending totals for January.
Groceries: $209.54. Not too shabby. I include cleaning products, paper products, along with health and beauty in this category.
Pet: $39.73. Cat food and cat litter. Unless next month we decide it is time for her to cross Rainbow Bridge, the cat shouldn’t need anything next month.
Prescriptions: $15.40. Our medications fluctuate since some can only be refilled monthly, and others are three-month supplies.
Gifts: $57.61. This also included two sympathy cards I sent out.
Gas: $78.44. I sure am glad I’m not doing as much driving. It has become painful to fill up my car.
Electric: $73.76. Compared to last year, we did use less per day, so that was a win. Plus (according to the bill), it was much colder than last year.
Household: $29.53 spent on replacement sheets. While technically this could have waited, I like knowing I have a backup set in the closet.
Misc: $14.50 for a car wash.
Haircare: $33 for Hubs. He usually goes to a place that is cheaper in the city. With his messed-up month, he got his hair cut while out on the road.
OTR: $306.30 This is the cash Hubs took with him for being over-the-road. It also includes two meals he charged. This is another higher expense because of (hate to repeat it!) his messed-up month! Being in hotels, all of his breakdowns, and now switching trucks…well, it adds to his food expense.
Additionally, we had to pay our third of the property taxes for MIL’s house, our mortgage, cell phone, car payment, recurring subscriptions, and our bi-annual auto insurance bill. I’m not sure why we didn’t get our monthly attorney bill, so that will be higher than usual for next month.
I’m pleased that I succeeded in tracking every dime we spent in January. There are a few categories I did not include here, such as sinking funds, savings, etc., but they were all accounted for. One thing I am doing differently regarding our budget is not setting limits. That isn’t to say that I will spend to my heart’s content. I am focusing on mindful spending. By watching (and tracking) our spending and keeping our eyes on our goals, I know we will achieve them!
Do you totally heat with wood? Around my area both propane and the cities natural gas prices have gone up crazy. When my son called Great Plains (gas company) as cost more than doubled they said it all was because of the Texas costs from last year!
Yes, we do! We have two 1000 gallon tanks, which we top off once a year. We have propane for our stove, hot water, and hot water heat (boiler system.) Given the cost of propane, I am doing my best to keep our woodstove going to offset what we might need for propane. The cost is crazy right now!