This has been such a busy month so far! Sorry for the delay! February was a pretty decent month in regards to my budget and goals, so here we go!
Click on the thumbnails to see the full budget photos:
This PearBudget spreadsheet really makes it easy to see where I’m spending money. Also of note, some individual things like rent, insurance, etc. aren’t listed here – but are all conglomerated under “regular expenses” in the second picture.
Towards the end of the month I got hit by a budget killer, but those numbers will be better reflected in my March budget update!
Here’s the breakdown for February!
Housecare: OVER -$3.65 – Again, cold weather = a slightly higher electric bill. I won’t stress over $3.65.
Groceries: UNDER $45.80 – This is huge for me! I was under last month, but this is significantly more than last month’s amount!
Dining Out: UNDER $23.09 – HALLELUJAH! This was a first in the entire history of my blog! Let us celebrate this now! <round of applause> Ok, now I already know that this won’t be repeated this month. Oh well.
Car Gas: UNDER $90.00 – This is 100% correct. This makes it look like I never drive, but I swear that I do. I drove to work 5 days a week, but my commute is about 6 miles total per day. Wow. That’s nuts, even for me.
Miscellaneous: OVER -$203.86 – This was a fun category this month. I added in my tax refunds to the budgeted amounts since I was planning to immediately spend the money to plan for my trip next month. I also bought a brand new mattress (in cash – not financed!) and that amount is reflected here as well.
Credit Card Payments: UNDER $50.00 – My other credit card payment happened at the top of March, so that number will be reflected there.
All in all, I’d say February was a win for me. Life got OUT OF CONTROL during the last week of the month, but I still managed to keep it together!
How was your February? Have any ‘gremlins’ attacked your goals so far?
One more BROKE TWENTY-SOMETHING 
My February was just like every other month. Work, sleep, work, sleep, etc. I really should try to budget better, I have a different strategy than you.
I use my credit card for everything I can, all month long, then pay it all of every month.
I keep a tally of what I spend throughout the month, compare it to my statement, and have a dollar amount (itemized, though not grouped like yours) of my expenses at the end of the month.
By paying my credit card off in full each month, I build my credit history and credit score while not accruing any interest on it.
Also, after glancing at your spreadsheet, I would say it might be more beneficial for you to pay your entire budgeted amount, or more, on your credit card. Unless, of course, the reason you only paid $30 was because your balance was only $30?
Keep on keeping on. I think I like this blog.
I think I mentioned in the post that the rest of my CC payment happened at the top of March, so that payment should be reflected on my March spreadsheet whenever I get around to posting it! 🙂 My goal once I get the CC’s paid almost all the way off is to use them for strictly recurring purchases – internet & car insurance (aka bills that I pay monthly already) – so that they still continue to show as active, but won’t be adding anything extra to my monthly budget.