2015 Yearly Budget Report

This year was super busy with my new work schedule.  That meant that I didn't have the time to put into couponing, planning, and budget shopping like I normally would.  This equated to a lot of spending that I probably would not have had otherwise.  Also adjusting to life with a 1 year old was interesting this year.  By the time August came, he had figured out that he likes to eat, especially meats and dairy, and he eats a LOT.  But, overall I think the year went fairly well budget-wise.  Howard is eating more, wearing larger (and thus more expensive diapers), and dirty a lot more laundry.  So for 2016 I have planned to raise our monthly budget to $350.  This should create a buffer and allow for these extra expenses.  I don't think that I will use this every month, but some months I am sure I will be glad to have it.  Here is how our budget broke down over the course of 2015.  If you click a month, you can go to that month's page, and click on a week # and it will take you to my shopping trips for that week.  If that interests you -- I always like to see what people were able to get and for how much.  Any way, the monthly break-down for 2015...

• January: $286.80 oop, Earned $67.26 ($13.20 under budget!  I added this to Feb.'s money)
• February: $310.34 oop, Earned $44.09 ($2.86 remaining, added to March's money)
• March: $270.43 oop, Earned $50.04 ($32.46 remaining, added to April's money)
• April: $349.84 oop, Earned $61.29 (Zero Remaining)
• May: $274.73 oop, Earned $30.44 ($6.07 Remaining, added to May's money)
• June: $298.17 oop, Earned $65.65 ($8.76 Remaining, added to June's money)
• July: $317.30 oop, Earned $62.00 (Zero Remaining)
• August: $300.74 oop, Earned $19.25 (Zero Remaining)
• September: $297.66 oop, Earned $72.50 ($2.34 Remaining, added to October's money)
• October: $298.54 oop, Earned $36.50 ($3.80 Remaining, added to November's money)
• November: $296.91 oop, Earned $89.05  ($6.89 Remaining, added to December's money)
• December: $409.48 oop, Earned $71.64 (Zero Remaining - over budget)

Total OOP: $3,710.94
Total Earned: $669.71

$110.91 over budget for year.  No bueno.  However, this was pretty much just from December.  It seems that the rest of the year balanced itself out.

December's Budget Update

December was a CRAZY month.  We hosted 12 for Christmas dinner, which is a LOT for our little apartment.  But it was a wonderful meal, and we had an excellent time with our families!  That large meal, combine with work luncheons, other misc get togethers, and holiday baking = over budget -- whomp, whomp.  But that's okay.  Howard is also eating like a horse, growth spurt I guess.  He isn't snacking much, but he eats a lot at mealtimes, which is a good thing, but is expensive.  All that to say that I am increasing our monthly budget to $350 each month in the new year.  I don't think I will need it all every month, but I'd rather have it than not.  Howard is getting bigger by the minute it seems, and is more mobile than every, which means more expensive diapers, more laundry detergent, and more food.  This equals a need for more grocery money.  Anyway, below is the wrap-up for December's grocery monies.  I will be posting my yearly update for 2015 soon.

• Week #1: $80.65 oop, Earned $6 ECB's
• Week #2: $114.15 oop Earned $7 ECB's, and $0.25 Ibotta Rebate
• Week #3: $84.02 oop, Earned $6.89 ECB's, $0.50 Snap Rebate, $0.25 Ibotta Rebate, $1 Checkout 51 Rebate, and $25 Amazon Gift Card from Swagbucks
• Week #4: $77.61 oop, Earned $13 ECB's
• Week #5: $53.05 oop, Earned $10 ECB's, $1.50 Checkout51 Rebate, and $0.25 Ibotta Rebate

Total OOP: $409.48
Total Earned: $71.64
Total Remaining from December:  Zero!