December Budget Overview

December marked my third whole month of using the YNAB software* and I really feel as if I have a handle on the program.  I'm looking forward to taking my budgeting to the next level in 2008 where I'll be tracking all of our expenses, including The Husband's, and our actual income not just an estimated average.

Just in previous budget overview reports, Included in my numbers below are ALL of my expenses plus whatever expenses The Husband told me about or gave me copies of invoices/receipts for. Again, not included are his everyday expenses (dry cleaning, the occasional grocery stop, his prescriptions, gas and car expenses, and his lunches). I'd estimate his expenses this month at about $150 - 200.

The expenses outlined below are categorized just as they are in my YNAB budget. The first number is the amount spent in that category in December. The second number is the difference (+ more) or (- less) between December's number and November's.

In December, I/we spent a total of $6,090.63 (that's $2,461.43 more than in November).

Here's the breakdown:

Auto Expenses -- $1,543.39 (+450.65)

• Insurance -- $387.40
• Gas -- $193.03
• Loan -- $904.15
• Maintenance, Repairs, Tires -- $58.81

Charity -- $365.00 (+179.00)

• Offerings -- $365.00

Food -- $805.27 (-9.85)

• Groceries -- $660.92
• Eating Out -- $144.35

Gifts -- $748.57 (+269.47)

• Immediate family -- $109.71
• his family -- $261.58
• my family -- $256.86
• other -- $120.42

Household -- $130.17 (-18.76)

• Consumables -- $31.47
• Durables -- $27.19
• other -- $71.51

Housing -- $1,640.10 (-331.54)

• Mortgage -- $1,640.10

The Son -- $85.17 (-46.13)

• Allowance -- $6.00
• Clothing -- $79.17

Kids -- $48.66 (-91.34)

• Books & Materials -- $11.66
• Equipment & Rentals -- $35.00
• other -- $2.00

The Daughter -- $146.35 (-2,789.40)

• Allowance -- $24.00
• Clothing -- $122.35

Medical/Health -- $269.21 (+117.55)

• Co-pays & Deductibles -- $233.70
• Prescriptions & Meds -- $10.00
• Vitamins/Supplements -- $25.51

Personal -- $56.83 (-57.59)

• Other -- $17.05
• Stupid Tax -- $23.60
• Toiletries -- $16.18

Recreation -- $47.28 (+21.00)

• Entertainment -- $47.28

Utilities -- $204.63 (-154.31)

• Cable & Internet -- $60.59
• Phone -- $144.04

Well, there you have it.  See you next month -- with what I hope will be an even more accurate look at our monthly financial details.

Related posts:

1. November Budget Overview
2. October Budget Overview
3. January Budget Review — Our First Complete Budget Month
4. I’m back? Yes. I’m back!!
5. Day 252: PJ pants & a Mortgage Payment