Expensify!

Despite my best efforts at tracking my expenses, when I am doing my budgets I always seem to have money left over that I know I spent, but can't remember on what. The other day I downloaded an application for my blackberry that I am hoping will help me out with this. It's called Expensify, and as you probably guessed, it's an expense tracking application.

Basically whenever you spend money you input the amount, the merchant, and a comment. It is then uploaded to the website (www.expensify.com) where you can view all your expenses. You can chart them so it easily adds them up for you and everything. And the best part is that this app is free! I am hoping that this will really help me out!

Budget Recap

Here is my budget for March 4-17. As I think I mentioned before, I don't do a monthly budget anymore. Instead I do a two-week budget to go along with when I get paid. This is really the easiest way for me.

Budgeted/Actual

Income: $818/$849.34

Rent: $150/$150

Car: $118.24/$118.24

Insurance: $100/$100

Cell Phone: $68/$68

Gas: $50/$20

Food: $60/$67.89

Going out: $20/$31

Emerg Fund:$25/$25

Amex: $75/$121

Misc: $50/ $13.75

Course fund: $100/$94

Actual Income minus Actual spending: $40.46

So it says I had $40 left over but I definitely forgot a few expenses cause I did not have anything left over. lol I always do that. The good news is that during my trip to Ottawa I didn't spend any more than the $300 I had saved. This covered everything from food to activities etc. I had the $50 gas gift card from Toyota so that was awesome!

Weekly Spending

I haven't posted much budget wise lately but I promise I'm getting back into it. I am now doing by budgets in two week time frames according to my pay periods. I find this the most sensible way to do it. I get paid on Fridays so my budget starts that Friday and goes until the second Thursday after. I hope that makes sense to you guys. So i've decided that when I post my weekly spending it will go Friday - Thursday to coincide with my budget.

So here is my weekly spending from Feb 4th (payday) to Feb 11th.

Fri - 2.65 lunch, $2.62 ice cream, $27.09 mandarin, gas $22.00

Sat- $3.44 fries

Sun: $0

Mon: $10.77 breakfast, $3.04 food basics

Tues: $3.44 fries

Wed: $2.92 food

Thurs: $3.13 fries

Total: $81.10

Basically I spend all my money on food. This is because I live with my parents and they suck at grocery shopping which means I am always buying lunch at work. Today though, I did go out and get some frozen dinner stuff to take to work this week. Even though its not necessarily less money spent overall, its probably less calories overall. There was some good ones on sale for $2 each such as lasagna, canneloni etc and all are under 400 calories. I also got some of those Crispy Minis (dill pickle is my favourite) and some vanilla yogurt. So hopefully I won't be spending anything on junky food this week!

Oh except I do have that Bon Jovi concert on Tues (tres excited!!!!) and I think we are maybe going out for dinner before hand. So there will be some money spent there but oh well.

Weekly Spending

Ever since my old laptop started dying I got kinda lazy with tracking my spending. But I am back at it again. I've tracked my spending for this past week, and I've already made a budget for my next paycheck.

Here is what I spent this week:

Sun: $0

Mon: $0

Tues: $14 dinner, $5.25 movie (yay cheap night)

Wed: $2.09 food at work

Thurs: $3.13 food at work

Fri: $.79 and $2.35 hospital food, $8 Mcdonalds

Sat: $4.65 food at work

Total: $35.01 Food, $5.25 Entertainment

Definitely could have not got the fast food, but we had a death in the family so Friday was not a cooking day. Really happy about 2 days of not spending though.

September Recap

I just realized it is Oct 12th and I forgot to post my Sept. spending. So here goes:

September 2010 Budget
	Budgeted	Actual	Difference
Income
Regular:	$1,100.00	$978.36
Other:		$73.84
Total:	$1,100.00	$1,052.20	-$47.80
Expenses
Rent	$200.00	$200.00	$0.00
Phone:	$68.00	$70.00	-$2.00
Car	$236.48	$236.48	$0.00
Insurance	$199.08	$199.08	$0.00
Gas:	$50.00	$32.00	$18.00
Food	$96.44	$143.19	-$46.75
Makeup & Personal Items:	$30.00	$72.28	-$42.28
Clothing:	$50.00	$18.96	$31.04
Misc:	$50.00	$34.93	$15.07
Going out:	$20.00	$10.95	$9.05
Savings:			0
Emergency fund:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Investments:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Travel Fund:			0
other savings
Total:	$1,100.00	$1,117.87	-$17.87
Actual income minus spending			-$65.67

Of course I went over in the "Food" category because I ALWAYS DO. Grr. I did great with gas, as usual which is why I love my car! lol I also didnt spend too much on clothes which was good but I still overspent in general. :(

I have decided that instead of doing a monthly budget, instead I am going to make a budget every 2 weeks starting the day that I get paid. I will budget according to what bills are due in that time frame and also setting aside money for rent, car insurance etc. (For example, my rent in $200 a month so I set aside $100 from each pay, etc.) I think this will be easier from now on.

August Recap

August 2010 Budget
	Budgeted	Actual	Difference
Income
Regular:	$1,100.00	$1,137.57
Other:		$115.24
Total:	$1,100.00	$1,252.81	$152.81
Expenses
Rent	$200.00	$200.00	$0.00
Phone:	$68.00	$72.54	-$4.54
Car	$236.48	$236.48	$0.00
Insurance	$199.08	$199.08	$0.00
Gas:	$50.00	$56.00	-$6.00
Food	$96.44	$105.36	-$8.92
Makeup & Personal Items:	$30.00	$33.66	-$3.66
Clothing:	$50.00	$91.51	-$41.51
Misc:	$50.00	$374.06	-$324.06
Going out:	$20.00	$4.50	$15.50
Savings:			0
Emergency fund:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Investments:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Travel Fund:			0
other savings
Total:	$1,100.00	$1,473.19	-$373.19
Actual income minus spending			-$220.38

Ok so August was not quite as non-spendy as I would have liked it to be. Mainly because I decided it was time for new glasses. So $260 later ($60 exam and $200 glasses) I've finally got some. Even though I will get some money back for them, I've included the whole cost in my spending. Then when I get the money back I will include that as extra income.

I did have some extra income due to a paycheck from an extra shift I took at another store awhile ago, plus the new sales tax credit.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to make a budget because I don't actually make any effort to stick to it. I mean, I update my spreadsheet atleast once a week, but it's not like I look at it and say to myself "Oh I've spent x amount on food already I can only spend x amount more." I think this is something that I should really try to do because making having my hours cut really sucks for my wallet.

I have my exam in two weeks (yikes) so I am trying to use all extra time to study, but once that is done I am going to make an effort to apply to other pharmacies, and if I can't find a second pharmacy job then well I guess I will have to take any job. I want to be able to pay more rent to my parents because they could really use it, plus I want to save money for courses I have to take after this exam, a new computer, and some sort of vacation at some point in time. *sigh*

I Officially Love Weddings

This weekend I went to my friends wedding that I had told you guys about. Let me just say I had a fabulous time. The friend is a former co-worker that I met a few years ago(at my current job) who no longer works there but we have always kept in touch and hung out here and there. She moved about 30-40 minutes away so we don't hang out as much as we used to. I went with another former co-worker as neither of us really had a date to bring.

They got married in a catholic church, with a typical religious-type ceremony. The church was so beautiful but actually kind of dark for picture taking. And during the vows I couldnt really hear anything.

Afterwards the reception was under a tent in her parents backyard. It was an open bar AND free cab rides home, which I thought was very nice and thoughtful.

All in all, it was super fun and great to meet some new people, have some drinks and dance the night away! Kinda makes me wish I was getting married just so I can plan a huge party! Speaking of which, I came across the website called Budget Savvy Bride. Its full of great ideas! Each week they have a "Budget-Savvy wedding of the week" featuring a couple with pics of their wedding, break-down of the budget and they answer a few questions. I absolutely loooove looking at people's wedding pictures and seeing unique ideas. Here is a few that I loved:

"How well do you know the couple crossword"..a way to keep people entertained while they are waiting for you to arrive at the party. Kind of cute I thought, maybe a little too Hick-ish for some?

Candles in jars and/or chandeliers hanging from trees, so cute and romantic and potentially very inexpensive.
Vases filled with water with flowers inside (left pic). So elegant and pretty. Definately doing this when I get married!

Here is the cost breakdown of what this wedding cost me:

Dress: $33.76
shoes: $45.19
gift/card/gift bag: $29
Motel room: $35
Cab ride to party:$5 (free coming back)
Total: $147.95.

Not too bad but its a good thing I had someone to split the gift and hotel room with!

July Recap

July 2010
	Budgeted	Actual	Difference
Income
Regular:	$1,250.00	$1,271.87
Other:		$245.25
Total:	$1,250.00	$1,517.12	$267.12
Expenses
Rent	$200.00	$200.00	$0.00
Phone:	$68.00	$67.79	$0.21
Car	$236.48	$236.48	$0.00
Insurance	$215.33	$199.08	$16.25
Gas:	$70.00	$10.00	$60.00
Food	$140.00	$181.62	-$41.62
Makeup & Personal Items:	$50.00	$18.42	$31.58
Clothing:	$75.00	$33.76	$41.24
Misc:	$60.00	$206.67	-$146.67
Going out:	$35.19	$14.38	$20.81
Savings:			0
Emergency fund:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Investments:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Travel Fund:			0
other savings
Total:	$1,250.00	$1,268.20
Total income minus total spent:			$248.92

In July I made some extra income from:
-GST rebate : $95. 25
-birthday money: $100
-cheque from Angus Reid forum: $50

The GST money I put on a credit card and the $150 I put into my savings account. This is the account I had written the cheque for $350 for my exam in Sept so I was like paying myself back kind of.

You guys are probably wondering how did I only spend $10 on gas right? Well thats because I filled up at the end of June and that lasted me until about July 20th when I put in $10 which lasted me until the end of the month :) I LOVE my car!

I did overspend on food this month but hardly bought any makeup or clothes. The only item of clothing I bought was the dress for my friends wedding.

The MISC items are things such as: liscence plate sticker ($74) alcohol, stuff from Michaels, printer ink, sisters birthday present etc.

I'm going to have to re-do my budget for August as I am going to be making quite a bit less (more about that coming).

June Recap

Even though those of us who live in Ontario got an extra $100 (HST rebate) I still went over budget. Here is what I spent:

June 2010
	Budgeted	Actual	Difference
Income
Regular:	$1,250.00	$1,233.20
Other:		$100.00
Total:	$1,250.00	$1,333.20	$83.20
Expenses
Rent	$200.00	$200.00	$0.00
Phone:	$68.00	$70.99	-$2.99
Car	$236.48	$236.48	$0.00
Insurance	$215.33	$199.08	$16.25
Gas:	$70.00	$52.00	$18.00
Food	$140.00	$179.82	-$39.82
Makeup & Personal Items:	$50.00	$147.09	-$97.09
Clothing:	$75.00	$91.41	-$16.41
Misc:	$60.00	$115.08	-$55.08
Going out:	$35.19	$39.70	-$4.51
Savings:			0
Emergency fund:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Investments:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Travel Fund:			0
other savings
Total:	$1,250.00	$1,431.65
Total income minus total spent:			-$98.45

In July I will have some extra income because there is the GST cheque, plus I took an extra shift at another store next weekend. I am also waiting for $50 from a survey panel. So that is a plus, BUT I have to renew my liscence plate stickers. :( Stupid Ministry of Transportation! It's like Happy Birthday now pay up!! I think I am just going to do it online, so I won't have to drive myself to the other side of town just for that!

May Recap

May 2010 Budget
	Budgeted	Actual	Difference
Income
Regular:	$1,250.00	$1,258.57
Other:
Total:	$1,250.00	$1,258.57	$8.57
Expenses
Rent	$200.00	$200.00	$0.00
Phone:	$68.00	$70.99	-$2.99
Car	$236.48	$236.48	$0.00
Insurance	$215.33	$199.12	$16.21
Gas:	$70.00	$57.00	$13.00
Food	$140.00	$183.74	-$43.74
Makeup & Personal Items:	$50.00	$19.86	$30.14
Clothing:	$75.00	$45.77	$29.23
Misc:	$60.00	$113.99	-$53.99
Going out:	$35.19	$54.25	-$19.06
Savings:			0
Emergency fund:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Investments:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Travel Fund:			0
other savings
Total:	$1,250.00	$1,281.20	-$31.20

Sorry I have not posted much lately! Sometimes I get in like a rut and don't really know what to blog about, or I feel like my life is not exciting enough to be blogging about! lol.

So all in all May was not bad. I did overspend a little, but not by a huge amount. And the good news is I haven't put any new charges on my credit card.

One of the most exciting changes you might notice is that my car insurance payment has gone down! I am really surprised because they sent me a renewal notice saying that rates in Ontario are going up. So I thought oh isn't that great. Another reason I'm surprised that it went down is because it hasn't been one year yet (still 1 payment to go). Anyways so it used to be $215 and now its $199. So that's about $16 a month or $192 dollars a year. Not really as low as I would like it but oh well it's a start. Everyone says it goes way down once you turn 25 so I can't wait for that one!

April recap

April 2010 Budget
	Budgeted	Actual	Difference
Income
Regular:	$1,250.00	$2,087.11
Other:
Total:	$1,250.00	$2,087.11	$837.11
Expenses
Rent:	$200.00	$200.00	$0.00
Phone:	$68.00	$136.59	-$68.59
Car	$236.48	$354.72	-$118.24
Insurance	$215.33	$215.33	$0.00
Gas:	$70.00	$34.00	$36.00
Food	$140.00	$137.28	$2.72
Makeup & Personal Items:	$50.00	$64.88	-$14.88
Clothing:	$75.00	$62.89	$12.11
Misc:	$60.00	$140.23	-$80.23
Going out:	$35.19	$27.00	$8.19
Savings:			0
Emergency fund:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Investments:	$50.00	$75.00	-$25.00
Travel Fund:			0
other savings		$100.00
Total:	$1,250.00	$1,597.92	-$347.92
Total Income – total spent:			$489.19

Ok so I had 3 car payments this month since there was 3 paydays, and also 2 cell phone payments, one at the start of April for March's payment and then one at the end of the month for Aprils payment.

In the "other savings" I had put so far an extra $100 for going to ottawa, but I am not going anymore because plans fell through. So instead I am putting that money towards going away on the weekend for my best friends birthday. So this is some extra money for gas and going to the bar etc.

So I still did great this month because of the extra pay! But even though it says I have $489 left over, some of that went towards my credit cards so I really didnt have that much left over. I actally put almost $300 towards credit cards which are almost at $0 now. That still leaves almost $200 not accounted for...I am definately forgetting something but I don't know what..I guess I am not as diligent with recording money spent as I thought I was!

March Recap

March 2010 Budget
	Budgeted	Actual	Difference
Income
Regular:	$1,320.00	$1,231.53
Other:
Total:	$1,320.00	$1,231.53	-$88.47
Expenses
Rent:	$200.00	$200.00	$0.00
Phone:	$68.00	$68.21	-$0.21
Car	$236.48	$236.48	$0.00
Insurance	$215.33	$215.33	$0.00
Gas:	$70.00	$58.00	$12.00
Food	$160.00	$126.60	$33.40
Makeup & Personal Items:	$50.00	$21.10	$28.90
Clothing:	$75.00	$9.04	$65.96
Misc:	$60.00	$11.00	$49.00
Going out:	$35.19	$69.00	-$33.81
Savings:			0
Emergency fund:	$100.00	$100.00	$0.00
Investments:	$50.00	$50.00	$0.00
Travel Fund:			0
other savings
Total:	$1,320.00	$1,164.76	$155.24

So March was not too bad..I kept under budget pretty much. I need to readjust my expected monthly income, because with the hours being cut a bit I am making a bit less now.

April is going to be good! There is going to be a few streams of extra income like: GST, extra paycheck from a shift I took at another store in March, working today (Good Friday), going for 5 hours of training on my day off, and the fact that there is 3 paychecks this month! So April is going to be good income wise!

P.S. Sorry I haven't been around much lately! Sometimes I get into these little "ruts" so to speak where I just don't know what to write.