As my readers know, I haphazardly tracked my finances last month. I’m thinking of it as a trial run because I didn’t follow all my rules. Well, Mrs. Micah provided another nudge when she started her Where’s My Money Going Month.

So, here are my January results:

THE GOOD:
Credit card payment: OVER BUDGET $600 ($1800 total)
Extra income (thank you eBay): $900
AmEx charged a phony late payment. I caught it, disputed it and got the money back.
Organized! Saved all my receipts, used Mint, updated budget, used lil’ red book

THE BAD:
Fun money: OVER BUDGET by $213 (trip to DC)
Groceries: OVER BUDGET by $195 (I need to stop going to coffee and lunch)
Mobile phone: OVER BUDGET by $101 (largely due to work, most of which will be reimbursed)

THE UGLY:
Bottom line: OVER BUDGET by $209 (this was due to my plane ticket to Washington DC. My value fund is in deficit mode, which is not great, but I’ll pay it back)

I’m off to a great start for February:

  • My fun money is in my wallet.
  • I did my taxes ($1600 refund!).
  • I made $350 yesterday selling stuff.


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