Birthday Week #2

This week was my daughter's birthday.. double! She got older one day and we celebrated on another. This week my expenses are summarized on groceries, birthday costs and gas.

My gas expense has increased $3 per week since the beginning of the challenge. During the last two weeks, I have been out driving more due to birthday shopping. Also, I have been assisting my sister, who needs a ride for work/school during some days. Moreover, I have been attending some sports games at another town. All these trips, plus the gas price increase, has allowed the need to refuel at shorter spans of time.

I went to the supermarket last Friday and spent approximately $145, the greatest amount during this challenge yet. The bill was split into two, one side was the food for the birthday party (appetizers, refreshments, cups, silverware, plates, paper towels, tablecloths, birthday cake, candle, and candy for souvenirs). The party was Santa themed, so some appetizers that are usually consumed on Christmas were a bit pricey. The other half of the groceries was on snacks for school, breakfast items and such. Many of the food items that were bought for the birthday can and will be used for regular consumption, as well.

Below a list of the expenses on April so far:

Expenses on April	Cost (monthly)
Internet Bill
Daughter's school	$200.00
Cellphone Bill	$27.88
Electricity Bill	$33.18
Water Bill	$35.85
Rent	$300.00
Gas	$59.00
Food	$180.28
School miscellaneous	$1.00
Entertainment
Church	$2.00
Emergency	$4.00
Other	$18.31
Actual Total	$861.50

Extra paycheck expense:

Expense	Total
Party	$128.36
Summer Camp	$180.00
Enrollment (1/3)	$150.00
Oxygen Sensor	$54.78
Total	$513.14
Extra Paycheck	$535.63
Available	$22.49

The money left from the extra paycheck will be used for shoes. My daughter and I need new shoes! Obviously, $22 will not be enough, so the Other tab will go a tad up.

Cheers,

Mushu

Welcome Rainy April

It feels like I have not written since forever, probably because it has almost been forever. Eleven days already gone in April, incredible! I know, I know, I missed March's summary; please don't beat me up so hard, among work, daughter's school, sports activities, exercise and getting ready for a birthday party soon, time flew by. Would you still be interested in reading the summary in mid-April? Let me know.

Now, how has the rainiest month of the year been treating me? Pretty good. I have an extra paycheck this month, which makes things a lot easier. I will be using the extra cash for the birthday necessities, pay for summer camp in advanced (gets me a discount), save a third for school enrollment next year and buy my car an oxygen sensor to improve gas performance. Gas is getting pricey, so this last expense will be a most needed one. I'll be left with $0 from that paycheck, but all things that are taken care with that money are important for me. I should save 10% of that paycheck, since the goal was to save 10% of what I earn. But, since, I was not expecting to get an extra paycheck, I'll use it all, because, basically, I need to do so.

This past week I've done a little spending getting things that I need for my daughter's birthday party coming up. I still have some shopping to do. Nonetheless, I have really saved some money due to the nature of what my daughter wanted as her birthday theme. I asked her on late January this year, and my daughter being the preppy little girl who loves parties and Christmas, decided that her birthday should be about Santa Claus. Yep, you read that right: somewhat Christmas party in April. So, I am using my Christmas decorations and I'm just preparing some extra stuff with cardboard along with other party favors. I will be getting assistance with the food that will be served that day. However, I am not spilling too much details because I want to write a special blog about birthday parties on a budget. Don't roll your eyes, I promise it won't be like the March Summary. I pinky promise... there, things got real.

Remember when I talked about how the last few weeks of March were full of birthday gift expenses? Well, the first few weeks of April are not the exception. I have, already, bought my daughter her birthday gift, another gift for her cousin's birthday party coming up this weekend, and a gift for a baby shower that will be hosted the week after. I had already purchased some things for the future mother of a baby girl (she has two boys and has been waiting anxiously for her female offspring), but I got her two extra outfits to go with the other things. Consequently, April has a lot of gift spending as well.

Bills were, also, taken care of this week, including: cellphone, water, rent, school, and electricity. I have not yet received my daughter's child support assistance to help pay for school and groceries. Yet, thankfully, I have the extra paycheck that has allowed me to manage not to spend my accumulated savings, until my next paycheck. Due to the timer placed for the water heater, I have reduced my electricity bill by a 32% (almost a third), saving some cash to invest in other things.

So, I believe April began as a pretty good month. Lets hope this stamina can keep up.

Below my spending for April up to now:

Expense on March	Cost (monthly)
Internet Bill
Daughter's school	$200.00
Cellphone Bill	$27.88
Electricity Bill	$33.18
Water Bill	$35.85
Rent	$300.00
Gas	$39.00
Food	$85.67
School miscellaneous	$1.00
Entertainment
Church	$2.00
Emergency
Other	$18.31
Actual Total	$742.89

For extra paycheck info, see below (the only actual paid expense is the party supplies one, but the other money I have it kind of reserved... until I pay myself back the money that I used for the bills mentioned above. Thing I'll do when I get my second monthly paycheck.)

Expense	Total
Party	$19.65
Summer Camp	$180.00
Enrollment (1/3)	$150.00
Oxygen Sensor	$54.78
Total	$404.43
Extra Paycheck	$535.63
Available	$131.20

xoxo,

Mushu <3