Our monthly budget update does not change much.
It is primarily fixed expenses, like rent, phone bills and car insurance, which remain the same month after month. Even the amount budgeted to our miscellaneous line (more on that here) stays the same most months.
So instead of giving a line-by-line breakdown for our monthly budget update, I do something a little different. Each month, I share five highlights from our budget, along with three goals for the month to come.
Here is the update for May 2019.
Monthly Budget Updates: May 2019
In May, we…
- Paid $2,273.00 toward student loans
May was a bonus pay month for both of us! As a result, we were able to put more than usual toward the loan. This $2,273.00 total is a $450.00 minimum payment plus $1,823.00 extra.
- Booked flights
Vacation plans are coming together! Yes, we still go on vacation, even though we are in debt (more on that here). This fall, we will be heading to Newfoundland and in August, I’ll be going to visit my best friend in Ontario.
- Dropped some cash on concert tickets
My best friend and I are going to see the Jonas Brothers when I visit! I am so excited! This will be our fourth time seeing them together? Something like that. I’d say in terms of price, we’re about mid-range. We spent more in 2009, but I think we spent less in 2013. Either way, it is going to be amazing!
- Booked a weekend getaway in July
We’ll be staying at a cabin in the woods for a weekend near the end of the month — of the grid with no cell service or Internet connection. I cannot wait.
- Completed my performance review at work
Which means I will get getting a small raise soon!
June 2019 Goals
Looking ahead, in June, we will…
- Start researching and booking vacation accommodations
Now that we have dates, it’s time to look at places to stay. We’re visiting a new area of Newfoundland this year, so I’ll have some research to do. I’m very excited about it!
- “Finalize” the summer budget
We made some changes to our budget (I talked about it here) so I need to make some adjustments to our spreadsheets for July and August to reflect that. I use quotes on finalize because I really do see our budget as a living document, which means it’s designed in some ways to respond to our lives.
- Clean the junk out of the spare room
In other words, sort what can be donated and chuck the rest. It’s time.
Your turn! How did May turn out for you? What are your goals for June?
Photo by Shopify Partners from Burst
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