I have decided to post my weekly spending for the previous week on Fridays so you know how my cash has been flowing for the week. Please note that I get paid on the last day of the month so my cash flow net effect will usually be negative until the last day of the month.
This does not mean that I am adding to my debt, it just means that the money coming in is less than the money going out because bills are due starting on the first but I don’t get paid until the last day.
So again to clarify (since I get so many questions), this shows the cash FLOW for the month. On Day 2 of every month I will have a negative FLOW because I have paid rent etc so money has LEFT my checking account. I have not had any money come in on Day 2 of the current month since I got paid on day 27 or 30 or 31 of the previous month so that income is counted for LAST month.
Income for the month to date: $318.40
Expenses for the month to date: $1982.43
Net effect: -$1664.03
Since the last posting I paid the internet bill at $50.96 on my rewards card so that I can get some points and the payment for that is already slated in ING to go out next week. I spent a lot of money on eating out and other things this weekend as I spent some time with friends. I have decided to count that as part of my miscellaneous and fun money budget so that it does not mess with my regular budgeting amounts for the month.
Some of the money drain for the weekend was as follows:
- $20.59 on food
- $8.84 on coffee
- $12.98 on shoes
I got $28 in advertising and found two pennies on the ground when I went to do laundry. I just realized that I do not account for the cash I use for laundry in these weekly reports, because it is part of the ‘miscellaneous’ money that I think is too trivial to mention.
I spent $50.61 on household items and $36.51 on food for the week and redeemed a $0.75 coupon at CVS. I also filled up my tank to the tune of $25.28 which is my first fill up for the month, while the electric bill came in at $79.29. I am glad that it is getting cooler and I can wear more clothing for a while before needing to put on the heater so that my electric bill can go down. I do have $100 budgeted for electricity each month but I do not want to be spending close to that all the time. Right now I want everything to stay under budget so I can put all extra money towards saving for my next car.
I will see you guys and gals later as I continue my journey to save money and become debt free!!!!
I agree, by doing this, you can easily keep track of your expenses and compare them to your income. See how much you are saving.