Category Archives: Spending Reports

Dec6

Spending Report November 2016

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I think I would have been happy with my spending in November, but then my dad died and I had to buy a $605 last minute plane ticket to the homeland. Sigh. Big thanks to all the people who helped me with money, parking, transportation, food, and love (which, of course, is priceless) during the whirlwind trip to my dad’s memorial service.

If you are interested in how this spending report project came about, you can read this post: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2015/12/31/spending/. If you want to see spending reports from previous months, type “spending report” into the search bar.

11-1-15 Hey! The month started off with a $5 refund for my review of the Simple Shower. Today’s total spent will reflect the refund. Today I ran errands and prepared for my trip down South. Total spent: $761.49 (I spent a whole month’s worth of money in one day to do something I didn’t even want to do. Sigh.)

$605 plane ticket

$22.19 to post office to send (among other things) cute clothes to my friend’s kids

$33.42 to Wal-Mart for supplies (including two water containers I needed, one of which, unfortunately fell out of my van and busted within the week)

$26.28 for groceries

$2 for a bottled coffee drink to wake me up at 3am for my drive to the airport

$5.75 for bulk nutritional yeast

$71.85 for gas

11-2 through 11-3-16 I didn’t spend any money for two days, even though I was traveling on the 3rd. Yippie for bringing my own snacks and filling my water bottle from a fountain. Nothing spent

11-4-16 I hadn’t brought an extra shirt and realized my dad’s wife would notice if I was wearing the same one from the day before, so I stopped at a thrift store. I’d also finished reading my book on the airplane the day before, so I needed reading material for my return trip. Total spent: $4.47

50 cents to Goodwill for book

$3.97 to Goodwill for shirt (finding something made from 100% cotton that fit, I actually liked, and hid my tattoos from my obnoxious family members: priceless)

11-5-15 Today I was in transit back to my van. Again, I brought my own snacks and filled my water bottle from a fountain in the airport. Nothing spent

11-6-16 Today I went went into the city to visit my friend before heading to my next house sitting gig. My phone autopayment went through. Total spent: $56.59

$11.60 for public transportation

$10 burrito and tip

$34.99 phone autopayment

11-7-19 I’m spent the few days until my house sitting job starts in a town with a nearby truck stop and Wal-Mart where I can park and sleep. Total spent: $13

$1.09 to Panera for bagel and internet access

$11.91 for groceries

11-8-09 Today I spent most of my day in Panera, working on my book and my blog. Total spent: $49.40

$7.91 to Panera for breakfast and lunch

$30 I was time to renew my membership with House Sitters America, so I did

$7.50 to Little Caesar’s for a pizza (This total might be a little off. The guy working the counter didn’t give me a receipt, and I was so flustered by a $6.99 instead of a $5.55 Hot-n-Ready pizza that I forgot to ask for one.)

$3.99 for a pen with a light for writing in the dark. (Amazon.com gave me a $5 off coupon just for signing on to their app. I signed on, got my coupon, and used it to buy this pen, which usually sells for $8.99, including shipping.)

11-9-16 Today I bought the cover for my book and spent most of my time working on my book and my blog. Total 

This is the cover of my book.

This is the cover of my book.

spent: $55.14

$1.99 to Panera for coffee and internet access

$2.17 to Dollar Tree for dental floss and batteries

$3.98 for two strings of battery operated LED lights for van

$1 for yogurt

$46 for book cover

11-10-16 I worked on my book and blog for a few hours this morning, then bought groceries to get me through the next three weeks of house sitting in a very small town where I suspected food prices would be high. Total spent: $56.13

$2.39 to Panera for a drink and internet access

$4.20 to Taco Bell for breakfast (It cracks me up that I spent 420 at Taco Bell.)

$23.84 for groceries

$25.70 for gas

11-11 through 11-14-16 I stayed at the house I was sitting and didn’t spend any money. Nothing spent

11-15-16 I went into town today and bought a money order to PAY OFF MY DEBT and mail some books. Total spent: $81.77

$72 for debt repayment

$1.20 to post office for money order fee

$6.17 to mail two books and a collage

$2.40 to bargain store for a couple of pound cakes

11-16-16 I stayed in the house again. Nothing spent

11-17-16 I sold a hat, so I had to go to the post office to send it. Total spent: $2.62

11-18-16 I stayed in the house. Nothing spent

11-19-16 I went to town, took a free walking tour, looked at the exhibit at the free museum, and walked around the cemetery. Nothing spent

11-20- through 11-23-16 I stayed in the house. Nothing spent

11-24-16 Today I figured out I have both a business PayPal account and a personal PayPal account, and I had money in both accounts! I moved money from one account into my checking account. I used some of the money in the second account to by myself a winter holiday present of books about living portably. Total spent: $25.12

11-25 through 11-27-16 Nothing spent

11-28-16 Today I gave a $5 donation to Wikipedia. I use Wikipedia all the time, so I figured I should make at least a small donation during the site’s fund drive. Total spent: $5

11-29-16 I ran some errands in town. Total spent: $33.94

$2.35 for five large envelopes and two bungee cords

20 cents to library for two copies of my insurance card

$2 to grocery store for two onions and pound of rice to get me through the next three days

$1 for an egg roll snack

$3.09 to post office to mail book

$25.50 for gas

11-30-16 I stayed in the house and wrote blog posts. Nothing spent

Total spent for the month: $1,144.87

 

 

 

 

Nov23

October 2016 Spending Report

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Once again, I must apologize for waiting so late in the month to post this report. November has really gotten away from me, and the spending reports have really been bringing me down. I know October will turn out to be a particularly expensive month, since I went on a little visit to San Francisco and paid for a lot of restaurant food. Several of the places I bought food didn’t hand me a receipt, so I’m not positive I included all expenses this month, but I think I did.

If you are interested in how this spending report project came about, you can read this post: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2015/12/31/spending/. If you want to see spending reports from previous months, type “spending report” into the search bar.

10-1 through 10-2-16 I was still on the mountain with nothing to buy. Nothing spent

10-3-16 Today I went to civilization for my days off. Total spent: $251.13

$2.17 to Taco Bell for breakfast

$100 for debt repayment

70 cents for money order

$18.31 to Wal-Mart for supplies

$6.33 for groceries

$9.99 for glucosamine

$16.26 to the sporting goods store for a new Luci Light

$68.11 for gasoline

$19.51 to AutoZone for new windshield wipers

$9.75 to Panera for lunch and internet accesss

10-4-16 I picked up a few things before I went back up the mountain. Total spent: $37.83

$2.05 to Panera for coffee and internet accesss

$6.02 to Little Caesar’s for a pizza

$1.19 to Dollar Tree for 2.5 liter bottle to use with my Simple Shower

$28.57 for groceries

10-5-16 I was back on the mountain with nothing to buy. Nothing spent

10-6-16 The autopayment for my phone went through. Total spent: $34.99

10-7 through 10-9-16 I was on the mountain working, with nothing to buy. Nothing spent

10-10-16 Today I was in civilization for the days off before my last week of work. Total spent: $9.99

$3.28 to Panera for a bagel and a drink and internet access

$6.71 for groceries

10-11-16 Today I ran errands before going back up the mountain for my last week of work. Total spent: $70.35

$6.27 to Panera for coffee and breakfast and internet access

$15.02 for groceries

$1.49  for ice

$47.57 for gasoline

10-12 through 10-16-17 I was on the mountain for my last week of work with nothing to buy. Nothing Spent

10-17-16 Today I left the mountain at the end of the season. Hello civilization. Total spent: $23.51

$3.01 breakfast/lunch at Taco Bell

$20.50 gas

10-18-16 Today I visited California friends. Total spent: $15.21

$2.88 for lunch from the supermarket

$12.33 for dessert and tip (My friend bought dinner, so I treated for dessert.)

10-19-16 Today I started my visit in San Francisco. Total spent: $24.60

$7.10 for public transit

$17.50 for gasoline

10-20-16 Today I ate lunch, walked around the Mission District, and bought some cute clothes for my friend’s kids at a thrift store. Total spent: $14.21

$8.50 for lunch and tip

$5.71 for kid clothes

10-21-16 Today I did more walking in the Mission District. I ate lunch and bought a couple of little things. Total spent: $12.30

$1 for a used book by one of my favorite authors. (I read it in about 15 minutes and decided I didn’t want to keep it. I think I wasted the dollar.)

$1.30 for cookies from a Mexican bakery

$10 for lunch and tip

10-22-16 I spent most of the day in a great library, working on my blog and otherwise using the internet. In between working at the library, I had to eat. Total spent: $19

$10.50 breakfast and tip

$8.50 dinner and tip

10-23-16 Today, I only spent money on breakfast. My friend treated me to the opera and dinner! Total spent: $10

10-24-16 Today I left the Bay Area and headed to my house sitting gig. Total spent: $38.45

$8 for breakfast

$4.30 for public transit

$26.15 for groceries

10-25 through 10-28-16 I’ve been staying in the house with the dogs, working on my book. Nothing spent

10-29-16 I went to the grocery store today. Total spent: $10.57

10-30 through 10-31-16 More staying home and working on the book. Nothing spent

Total spent for the month: $572.14

 

 

 

Oct10

September 2016 Spending Report

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Look at me getting the spending report posted early this month!

(If you are new to this blog, you can read about how this spending report project started here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2015/12/31/spending/. You can also find the spending reports from previous months by typing “spending report” in the search bar.)

9-1-16 I thought my phone auto payment went through today, but when I got to civilization, my service had been turned off because I hadn’t linked my account on my my new debit card. Luckily, I was able to reinstate my account, and I didn’t lose my phone number. Nothing spent

9-2 through 9-5-16 I stayed on the mountain and didn’t buy anything. Nothing Spent

9-6-16 I had an appointment with a dentist today for a routine exam and cleaning, so I traveled to civilization. Total spent: $366.72

$2.17 to Taco Bell for breakfast

$8.75 for laundry

$275 for dental services

$34.99 phone payment

$21 for gasoline

$6 to thrift store for yarn. (I successfully avoided purchasing postcards and a notebook I didn’t need.)

$1.90 to Wal-Mart for food

$1 to Dollar Tree for envelopes

$7.92 for groceries

$7.99 to Panera for lunch and internet use.

9-7-16 I spent another day in civilization. Total spent: $106.33

$1.89 to Panera for coffee and internet use

$36.76 for gasoline

$14 as I once again I succumbed to the siren song of the Asian buffet. The food wasn’t as good this time, and I won’t be back. Lesson learned.

$34.93 for a water flosser recommended by three dental professionals.

9-8 through 9-10-16 Nothing spent

9-11-16 I had lunch today with coworkers. I ordered the delicious fish and chips, which were worth every penny. I also bought ice. Total spent: $16.61

9-12-16 Nothing spent

9-13-16 Today I mailed off some infinity scarves and a hat. Total spent: $22.05

9-14 through 9-18-16 Nothing spent

9-19-16 Today I made my last trip to civilization for the month. Total spent: $205.86

$2.17 to Taco Bell for breakfast.

$10 for laundry

$100 for debt repayment

70 cents for money order

$5.16 to Wal-Mart for paper towel holder (the one from the free box broke) and a can opener (the one I had for over two years quit opening cans)

$47.54 for gas

$9.75 to Panera for lunch and internet access

$30.45 for groceries

9-20-16 Total spent: $1.89 to Panera for coffee and internet accesss

9-21 through 9-23-16 Nothing Spent

9-24-16 Total spent $2.69 for ice

9-25 through 9-26-16 Nothing spent

9-27-16 Total spent: $10.64 to post office for postage

9-28 through 9-30-16 Nothing spent

Total spent for the month: $732.82

 

 

Sep26

August 2016 Spending Report

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I apologize for being so tardy with this month’s spending report. As I’ve said before, I’m tired of this game and disappointed by the amount I am spending each month. However, I still think this exercise is a beneficial one. I continue to believe it is good to know how much I am actually spending, although it is rather depressing. I thought I was living on just a few hundred dollars a month. HA!

(If you are new to this blog, you can read about how this spending report project started here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2015/12/31/spending/. You can also find the spending reports from previous months by typing “spending report” in the search bar.)

8-1-16 I was in civilization today. It was the anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s birth. I ate an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream for breakfast in celebration. Total spent: $134.35

$5.59 to grocery store for ice cram and tortilla chips

$8.68 to Dollar Tree for batteries for my small fan

$43.14 for gas

$23.43 for groceries

$8 to Panera for breakfast, lunch, and internet access

$4.50 for laundry

$34.99 autopayment on phone

$6.02 to Little Caesar’s for a pizza

8-2-16 All I bought today was ice. Total spent: $2.69

8-3 through 8-8-16 I stayed out of civilization. Nothing spent

8-9-16 I picked up my mail today and sent off some items. Total spent: $10.01

8-15-16 Today I was back in civilization. Total spent: $152.06

$5.25 to Etsy shop for pendants to use in gifts

$2.17 to Taco Bell for breakfast

$7.50 for laundry

$8.71 to Panera for coffee, lunch, and internet access

$3.36 for groceries

$100 for dept repayment

$.70 to Wal-Mart for money order

$11.43 to Dollar Tree for supplies

$12.94 to Wal-Mart for laundry detergent (huge savings over buying those little boxes of detergent at the laundromat) and hair scissors (so I can trim my own bangs)

8-16-16 Today I finished my errands in town and did some more work on the blog. Total spent: $88.65

$31.17 for groceries

$51.04 for gas

$3.21 to the post office

$3.23 to Panera for coffee, a bagel, and internet access

(You will notice I successfully avoided buying a pizza during this trip to Babylon.)

8-17 through 8-21-16 On the mountain for five days and Nothing spent.

8-22-16 It was back to civilization today, and I succumbed to the siren song of the Asian buffet. Total spent: $34.73

$14 for buffet and tip (Believe me, I ate all I could.)

$11.23 for groceries

$9.50 for laundry

8-23-16 Today was another day in civilization. Total spent: $82.10

$13.14 for groceries

$43.92 for gas

$2.05 to Panera for coffee and internet access

$22.99 oil change

8-24-16 I spent an extra day in civilization due to fire on the mountain. I stupidly left my rug in the dryer on Monday night, so I went to the thrift store today to replace it. (I paid $6 for the rug last summer, plus I’d just spent money to wash and dry it. Grrrr!!!) Total spent: $12.39

$8.50 to thrift store for new rug ($4), necklace for a gift ($1), greeting cards (30 for $2.50), and four magazines ($1)

$2.70 for groceries (I bought hummus and cracker and yogurt at discount grocery store instead of eating lunch at a restaurant)

$1.19 to Panera for coffee and internet (Price reflects $1 discount I got using my loyalty card.)

8-25 through 8-27-16 I stayed on the mountain. Nothing spent

8-28-16 I prepared for the next day’s trip to a National Park. Total spent: $51.06

$42.89 for gas

$2.15 for ice

$6.02 to Little Caesar’s for a pizza

9-29-16 Today I visited a National Park, where I successfully spent no money. I did spend some money while I in civilization before and after. Total spent: $14.29

$1.62 to gas station for coffee

$2.62 to thrift store for yarn (I’ve been on a yarn bender.)

$10.05 for groceries, including food for dinner instead of eating out and $4.29 for calcium supplements, since I woke up with a leg cramp last night.

9-30-19 Today I cooked and ate breakfast in the park instead of eating at a restaurant. I also sent a big package to a friend before I went back up the mountain. Total spent: $27.35

$2.19 to Panera for drink and internet use

$2.92 for ice (I spent 12 cents per pound more on ice in the shopping center where I already was so I wouldn’t have to drive across town where ice is cheaper. Did I save or waste money by doing this? I have no idea. I did save time and aggravation. )

$22.24 to post office to send a package priority mail (including tracking and insurance) with four infinity scarves (gifts), plus ten bracelets and nine hats for my friend to sell. I ran out of tape as I was sealing the package, and apparently this post office doesn’t offer free priority mail tape any longer. I ended up paying the USPS $3.49 for a roll of tape. Ripoff! But again, I saved time and aggravation by not leaving the post office to make a special trip to Dollar Tree.

Total spent for the month: $609.68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aug3

July 2016 Spending Report

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I got my spending report together a little earlier this month. I’ll be glad when my debt is repaid in a few months and I don’t have to worry about it anymore.

7-1-16 My phone auto-payment went through today. Total spent: $34.99

7-2 through 7-4-16 Three days on the mountain with nothing spent

7-5-16 Today was my weekly trip off the mountain. Total spent: (a whopping) $254.88

$15 for laundry

$2.17 to Taco Bell for Breakfast

$5.43 to Dollar Tree for batteries for my fan

$81.53 for gas (my gas tank was nearly empty when I rolled into Babylon, so I needed a lot of gas)

$100 for debt repayment

$.70 to Wal-Mart for money order charge

$16.72 to Wal-Mart for supplies

$25.42 for groceries

$1.89 for coffee and internet use at Panera

$6.02 to Little Caesar’s for a pizza

7-6-16 Today all I did was buy some stamps at the post office. Total spent: $15.38

7-7 through 7-10-16 Four days on the mountain with nothing spent.

7-11-16 I made my reservation on the shuttle for my August trip to a National Park. Total spent: $25

$15 to shuttle service

$10 for lunch and internet use (I lost the receipt, so this is an estimate)

Total spent: $15

7-12-16 Today I went to Babylon again. Total spent: $98.48

$6.75 for laundry

$23.15 for groceries

$43.25 for gas

$5.43 to Dollar Tree for supplies

$17.71 to Wal-Mart for supplies

$2.19 to Panera for a drink and internet use

7-13-16 nothing spent

7-14-16 I had to drive to buy ice today. Total spent: $2.69

7-15 through 7-18-16 Four days on the mountain with nothing spent

7-19-16 Today I spent most of the day using the internet. I bought fries and a drink at the restaurant where I posted up all day. Total spent: $5.08

7-20 through 7-21-16 Two days on the mountain with nothing spent

7-22-16 I had to drive to buy ice today. Total spent: $2.99

7-23 through 7-24-16 Two days on the mountain with nothing spent

7-25-16 Today was the last town run of the month. Total spent: $96.85

$7.75 for laundry

$1.95 to Taco Bell for breakfast (I got the senior discount again)

$1.61 for ice

$1.89 to Panera for coffee and internet use

$30.38 for groceries

$55 for gas

$6.02 to Little Caesar’s for a pizza

7-26-16 Today I mailed a book and a collage to a friend.  Total spent: $3.97

7-27 through 7-28-16 Two days on the mountain with nothing spent

7-28-16 I drove to get ice today. Total spent: $2.69

7-29–16 Nothing spent

7-30-16 It’s been so hot, and I needed ice again today. Total spent: $2.69

7-31-16 I ended the month with nothing spent.

Total spent for the month: $545.69

Jul25

Spending Report June 2016

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Once again, it is late in the month, and I am only just publishing my spending report for the previous month. I’ve grown tired of this project, and I’m disheartened by how much money I’ve been spending.

To further complicate things, I lost the spending report document I wrote up yesterday and saved as a Word file. I was trying to do two things at once, and managed to replace the document with a blank page. Sigh. I tried to restore the document and couldn’t figure out how to do it (even with the help of my computer guy). Sigh. So here I am, starting over…

6-1-16 Once again, I thought I’d spent nothing on the first day of the month, then remembered the auto-payment for my phone. Total spent: $34.99

6-2 through 6-5-16 Four days on the mountain with nothing to buy. Nothing spent.

6-6-16 I went to Babylon today to use the internet and get supplies. Total spent: $44.65

$17.18 to Wal-Mart for supplies

$.03 to Taco Bell for breakfast (I actually handed the cashier $2.17, but I’d just returned something at Wal-Mart and received $2.14 in cash.)

$2.09 to Dollar Tree for supplies

$6.02 to Little Caesar’s for a pizza

$6.93 to Panera for internet use and lunch

6-7-16 Today I finished up in civilization and headed back up the mountain. Total spent: 56.09

$1.89 to Panera for coffee

$35 for gas

$16.74 for groceries

$2.46 to post office

6-8 through 6-12-16 Five days on the mountain with nothing to buy. Nothing spent.

6-13-16 I tried to use the internet today, but the store I went to halfway down the mountain was closed. Total spent: $6.11

$3.11 to post office

$3 for ice

6-14-16 I had to go halfway down the mountain in the other direction to use the internet today. Because I made a 50 mile round trip, I had to get gas too. Total spent: $46.94

$35 for gas

$11.95 for lunch and tip and internet access

6-15 through 6-19-16 Five days on the mountain with nothing to buy. Nothing spent.

6-20-16 Back to Babylon today for internet and laundry and supplies. Total spent: $21.85

$11 for laundry

$.75 for water

$1.95 to Taco Bell for breakfast (The cashier gave me the senior discount. I had to decide if my frugality was greater than my vanity. Frugality won. As a friend said, to someone who’s 18, a 45 year-old person doesn’t look much older than a 55 year-old person.)

$8.15 To Panera for lunch and drink and internet access

6-21-16 More internet use and gathering supplies today in Babylon Total spent: 96.98

$1.14 to Panera for a bagel and internet use

$55 for gas

$39.75 for groceries (I was sick, so I spent extra money on juice and fresh fruit and immune support gummies.)

$1.09 to Dollar Tree for paper towels

6-22 through 6-27-16 Six days on the mountain with nothing to buy. Nothing spent.

6-28-16 Today I used the internet at the small-town mountain store, and bought ice there too. Total spent: $3.50

6-29 through 6-30-16 I closed the month out with Nothing spent.

Total spent for the month of June: $311.11

Finally, a month in which I spent a reasonable amount of money. It’s about time.

 

Jun20

Spending Report for May 2016

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My apologies for taking so long to post my May spending report. June has been really busy for me, and to be honest, I’m not so excited about the spending reports these days. I thought the reports were going to show how great I am at living on little money, but instead, they are showing I’m barely capable of taking care of myself. Sigh.

However, since I am not one to quit a project once I’ve started, I will carry on with the spending reports for the rest of 2016. Here’s the report for May 2016.

5-1-16 I thought I’d spent nothing today, then I remembered the autopayment for my phone bill. Total spent: $34.99

5-2-16 Today I left Babylon. Total spent: $69.26

30 cents for 2 gallons of water

$7.44 to Sprouts for Bragg’s liquid aminos (price reflects a 5 cent credit for not using the store’s bag)

$65 for gasoline

$3.79 to Taco Bell for breakfast (I love their potato, egg, and cheese grilled breakfast burritos.)

47 cents to send square Mother’s Day card

5-3-16 Today I bought some food and took a shower. Total spent: $6.73

$6.48 for food

25 cents for hot shower

5-4-16 Today finally got the title and registration on my van taken care of. Total spent: $67.34

$10 for debt repayment (that I do not want to discuss)

$1.20 for money order

$55.50 for van title and registration

64 cents to McDonald’s for ice cream in celebration of the van’s title and registration

5-5-16 Laundry was today’s big activity Total spent: $14.85

$5.50 to wash and dry my clothes

$7.36 for pizza buffet (including tip)

$1.99 for ice

5-6-16 I bought plastic drawers at a thrift store, in hopes of better organizing the van. Total spent: $5.50

5-7-16 Today I bought some more groceries and took another shower. Total spent: $4.92

$4.67 to grocery store from ice, cheese, and eggs

25 cents for hot shower

5-8-16 Nothing spent

5-9-16 Today I paid off a portion of the debt I incurred when I had to rent a room during my time working scoring student responses to standardized tests. Total spent: $102.77

$100 to folks who loaned me money

$1.20 to post office for money order

$1.57 to mail free coloring book to my friend’s kid

5-10-16 Today I sent a small gift to a friend who’d recently had surgery. Total spent: $27.11

$2.12 to Family Dollar for colored pencils

$24.99 to post office to mail packet to friends and for 60 postcard stamps

5-11-16 Every time I go into town, I spent money. I need to learn to stay in the wilderness. Total spent: $35.55

$1.99 for ice and $1.11 for food to grocery store

$30 gas

$2.45 to mail jewelry order

5-12-16 Finally, nothing spent

5-13-16 I went to the post office again today, and stocked up on inexpensive food at the discount market. Total spent: $6.17

$1.57 to send free coloring book to a different friend’s kid

$4.60 to discount market

5-14-16 Today I hit the road, heading to my summer job. Total spent: $99.51

$6.11 to grocery store for food and ice

$37.50 to Wal-Mart for supplies

$55.90 to Circle K for gas and a slushy

5-15-16 Today I made it to the overnight stopping point of my trip. I arrived early in the afternoon, so I took care of some errands. Total spent: $115.57

$41.98 to Pilot for gas and coffee

$42.37 to TA for gas and (possibly the worst tasting I’ve ever encountered) ice

$4.50 to wash and dry my clothes

$1.72 for dinner (at McDonald’s so I could use the free WiFi and an electrical outlet)

$25 for haircut, including tip (which was way more than I’d planned to spend)

5-16-16 Today I made it to Babylon on my way up the mountain. I bought the rest of the supplies I needed to start my summer job. Total spent: $189.72

$45 for gas

$24.40 to Trader Joe’s for food

$17.17 to Wal-Mart for supplies (that I couldn’t find at the last Wal-Mart I stopped at)

$64.49 to Dick’s Sporting Goods for the privacy tent where I will take my showers this summer

$3.66 for a delicious meal at Del Taco

And I just remembered, I got an oil change at Jiffy Lube before I went up the mountain. The receipt must be with my maintenance records. I’m too tired to trudge out to the van, so let’s call it $35.

5-17-16 Today I rode with my co-worker to job training. We stopped a couple of places before and after. Total spent: $5.63

$1.29 for a bottle of cold water

$4.34 to Dollar Tree for C batteries to power my small fan

5-18-16 I rode with my co-worker to training again today. He needed to stop in town, so I ran into Dollar Tree and bought cooking spray for the inside of the pit toilets. Total spent: $2

5-19 through 5-22-16 I spent four days on the mountain with nothing to buy. Nothing spent

5-23-16 Today was my day off. I went to Babylon and spent money. Total spent: $427.63 (WHAT?!?!? I had to check my math. But yes, I paid off one debt and paid on another and ended up spending over $400 in one day.)

79 cents for pumpkin empanada at Mexican supermarket

$1.09 to Taco Bell for breakfast (What can I say? I was still hungry.)

$4.34 to Dollar Tree for Supplies

$14.37 for groceries and ice

$6.02 to Little Caesar’s for Pizzaa

$1.99 to post office to mail…something.

$3.28 to Target for hair gel (After paying $25 for a haircut, I figured maybe I should do something to make it look good, or at least as good as possible.)

$46.94 to Wal-Mart for supplies

$2.25 for water

$4.50 to wash and dry clothes

$1.40 to Wal-Mart to pay for two money orders

$100 on repayment of debt I will not discuss

$225 to pay off debt for room I had to rent while working (see 5-9-16)

$20 for graduation present

5-24-16 I headed back up the mountain today. Total spent: $32.24

$30.35 for gas

$1.89 for coffee

5-25 through 5-30-16 I spent five days on the mountain with nothing to buy. Nothing spent

5-31-16 Today I went to the closest outpost of civilization to use the internet. I felt as if I should support the store where I was utilizing the internet (and I needed ice anyway), so I bought ice and lunch there. Total spent: $8

$3 for ice

$5 for lunch

Total spent in May: $1,255.49

Depressing! I was much happier to be in denial and think I was frugal.

For anyone who may have forgotten and for folks who just recently began reading my blog, one of my goals for 2016 is to keep a record of every penny I spend this year. Each month I give a report on what I bought and how much I spent in the previous month.

To find out how this project came about, go here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2015/12/31/spending/.

Other spending reports can be found here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/02/01/spending-report-for-january-2016/, here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/03/01/spending-report-for-february-2016/, here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/04/02/spending-report-for-march-2016/, and here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/05/01/spending-report-for-april-2016/.

May1

Spending Report for April 2016

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If anyone doesn’t know or has forgotten, one of my goals for 2016 is to keep a record of every penny I spend this year. (To find out how this project came about, go here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2015/12/31/spending/.) At the beginning of each month I give a report on what I bought and how much I spent in the previous month.

I’m pretty sad about my spending report for April 2016. I was doing really well until I was told I needed four new tires. (Read about my tire saga here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/04/29/tires/ and here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/04/30/tires-a-cautionary-tale-continued/.)

My insurance came due in April too. I prefer to pay for six months of insurance at a time so I can save money. Because I moved my insurance to a new state when I renewed my policy, my premium for six months increased $120

As follows is my spending report for April 2016.

4-1-16  Today I spent 50 cents for hot water when I took a shower at a campground. Total spent: 50 cents

4-2-16  Today I went to town. I always seem to spend money when I go to town. Total spent: $26.54

79 cents for a brand new collapsible funnel

$20 for gas

$5.75 to the supermarket for cookies to contribute to a party and ice

4-3-16  Nothing spent

4-4-16  Nothing spent

4-5-16  I went back to town today. Total spent: $10.55

$3.50 to the post office for postcard stamps

$2 at thrift stores, for, among other things, two Rubbermaid containers for with lids for holding ice in my cooler and a Klean Kanteen water bottle in fantastic condition

$5.05 for food at the discount grocery store

I did NOT eat at the pizza buffet today. I wanted to. I really, really wanted to, but I told myself no.

4-6-16  Today I headed to the big city for a house and pet sitting job. Total spent: $51.65

$40 on gas in the van

$11.65 to Wal-Mart for double sided tape (which is crap–I should have paid for higher quality), interdental brushes, a tub to go under my bed to hold up the board under the memory foam so I don’t spend the entire night trying not to roll towards the front of the van, and two pairs of boot socks which were on sale for $1 a pair.

4-7-16  Back in the city, I hit a couple of thrift stores and bought some groceries to get me through my time house sitting. Total Spent: $23.82

$19.32 for groceries

$4.50 for art supplies for chicken project and yarn.

4-8-16  Nothing spent

4-9-16 Today I bought my four new tires (cringe) and handed a dollar to a man flying a sign. Total spent: $416.83

$415.83 to Discount Tire for tires

$1 to panhandler

4-10-16  I need boots for my summer job. I went online today and found a pair on Ebay that were still in great condition and substantially less than they cost new. I also went to Panera (where I was given a free bagel every day of the month of April) to write for a few hours. Total spent: $54.85

$46.40 for work/hiking boots

$8.45 to Panera for a drink and later a salad

4-11-16  Today I moved to the Airbnb room I rented to stay in while I worked scoring standardized tests. (If you wonder why I haven’t mentioned paying for that rental, it’s because I haven’t yet. I borrowed money to pay for the room, and haven’t repaid the money yet. That payment should show up in the May spending report.) I mailed two packages and bought some groceries before I moved in. Total spent: $50.72

$9.82 to post office

$2.98 for brown rice (There was a GREAT sale going on; two pounds of rice for $1. I should have bought ten pounds)

$37.92 to discount food store on groceries

4-12-16  Nothing spent

4-13-16  Nothing spent

4-14-16  I ran some errands after work. Total spent: $27.49

$6 to Goodwill for jars to use in making ghee, and for two shirts and a pair of jeans (The clothes were only $1 per piece!)

$1.49 to the supermarket for half a gallon of milk

$20 for gas

4-15-16  My big Friday treat was dinner at Taco Bell. Total spent: $2.37

4-16-17  Today was half-price day at Goodwill. After work, I hit a couple of stores. Total spent: $7.95

$2.49 for a birthday present book

$5.46 for two books for me, yarn for infinity scarf projects, and an sleep mask made from corduroy for a young man I know who is soon going off to collage

4-17-16  Today I made ghee, and had to buy butter and cheesecloth at the supermarket. I haven’t decided if the project was a success or a failure. Total spent: $11.69

4-18-16  Nothing spent

4-19-18  Driving to and from works uses gas. Today I had to put more in the van’s tank. Total spent: $20

4-20-18  I stopped at Dollar Tree after work to get an envelope in which to mail the chicken art. There was nothing big enough for my chicken art needs. However, I found nice adult coloring books and bought three as gifts. I also bought a stylus to use with my new phone. Total spent: $4.32

4-21-16  I could barely stay awake at work today and had to buy a cup of coffee from the machine in the break room. After work I found the box I needed to mail the chicken art. Total spent: $1.72

55 cents to coffee machine

$1.17 to Wal-Mart for box to ship chicken art

4-22-17  Today was payday. In celebration, I ate fried chicken and steak fries I picked up at the supermarket when I was buying tea to get me through the sleepies at work and a couple of other food items. Total spent: $11.73

4-23-16  Nothing spent

4-24-16  Today I went to the grand open of an international supermarket. I bought sriracha sauce, a pack of toothbrushes, and a tube of sunscreen. Total Spent: $5.48

4-25-16  Today I mailed the chicken art and paid for six months of insurance (cringe). Total spent: $380.95

$8.45 to post office to mail package

$380.95 for six months of insurance

4-26-16  Nothing spent

4-27-16  My temp job ended yesterday and I moved out of the Airbnb room today. I stocked up a the discount food store and took care of some things with my van registration and residency. Total spent: $79.46

$47.46 to discount grocery store for food

$32 MVD

4-28-16  Today I went to a junior high school play and took care of some more van registration details. Total spent: $33.95

$5 admission to play

$28.95 to MVD

4-29-16  My monthly phone payment was charged to my debit card account. (I get a discount for using autopay.) Total spent: $34.99

4-30-16 Last day of the month, and I bought supplies I’ll need for the summer.  Total spent: $36.58

Total spent in March: $1.294.14

Excuse me while I go off somewhere and feel depressed.

To read my other spending reports, go here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/02/01/spending-report-for-january-2016/, here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/03/01/spending-report-for-february-2016/, and here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/04/02/spending-report-for-march-2016/.

 

 

 

 

 

Apr2

Spending Report for March 2016

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For anyone who may have forgotten and for folks who just recently began reading my blog, one of my goals for 2016 is to keep a record of every penny I spend this year. (To find out how this project came about, go here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2015/12/31/spending/.)  On the first of each month I  give a report on what I bought and how much I spent in the previous month.  (To read January’s spending report, go here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/02/01/spending-report-for-january-2016/. To read February’s spending report, go here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/03/01/spending-report-for-february-2016/.) As follows is my spending report for March 2016.

3-1-16  My only expenditure today was my phone bill. Total spent : $27.78

3-2-16  I had the van’s fuel pump replaced today and ran some errands. Total spent: $276.89

$267.13 to my mechanic to have a new fuel pump installed

$5.42 for a shirt to wear to a job interview

$4.34 for supplies from Dollar Tree

3-3-16  I ran errands and paid my mailbox rental today. Total spent: $53.28

$19.47 for mailbox rental

$1 to Goodwill for a shirt I LOVE

$1.10 for parking

$2.16 for lunch at Taco Bell

$29.55 for groceries at discount (scratch and dent) supermarket

3-4-16  All I bought today was gasoline. Total spent: $37.93

3-5-16  Today I stayed where I was house sitting and wrote. Nothing spent

3-6-16  More writing and not leaving the house. Nothing spent

3-7-16  I had to bring the van back to the mechanic due to a fuel spill on Friday, He fixed the problem, but to be sure, he had me fill the gas tank as full as I could get it. Total spent: $33.60

3-8-16  Stayed busy writing. Nothing spent

3-9-16  More writing. Nothing spent

3-10-16  Writing. Nothing spent

3-11-16  Nothing spent

3-12-16  Today I worked at a carnival selling lemonade, but I didn’t buy anything but a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop to get me going in the morning. Total spent: $3.44

3-13-16  Since I only drank half the cup of coffee yesterday (it was STRONG), I made iced coffee with the other half this morning, and I didn’t have to buy any more. Nothing spent

3-14-16 This evening I stopped at the supermarket for toilet paper and picked up two packages of reduced- for-quick-sale organic cheese. Each pack of the cheese was marked $1. When I scanned them at the

This is the bargain cheese I scored for 12 and 1/2 cents per package.

This is the bargain cheese I scored for 12 and 1/2 cents per package.

self-checkout machine, it spit out a coupon for $1.75 off two packs of that brand of cheese.  My total cheese cost was only a quarter! Total spent: $1.75

3-15-16 Today I participated in a mock Jury. I was way early, so I decided to wander around in the air-conditioned luxury of the supermarket in the same shopping center as the law office where the mock jury was being held. In the supermarket, I saw phones compatible with my cell phone service (Net10) on sale. Smart phones that were usually $49.99 were on sale for $9.99. I’ve been using the same phone for almost four years (that’s 392 in phone years),  the letters were worn off some of the buttons, and I was concerned the thing was going to give out on me in some random town and I’d have to pay a lot to replace it. Also, yes, I was seduced by the   smart phone bells and whistles. Total spent: $14.12

$10.86 new phone

$3.26 to Dollar Tree for screen saver film for phone and other supplies.

3-16-16  Today I went to the post office. Total spent: $6.08

3-17-16  Today I took a shuttle to Las Vegas, and bought cheese puffs during our refueling break. My friends treated me to dinner. Total spent: $2

3-18-16  My friends and I went out to dinner at Red Robin, where one of my friends got a free burger for his birthday. Total spent: $13

3-19-16  Today I went to Costco with my friends and bought a sun hat better than the one I had. Total spent: $14.05

3-20 through 3-27-16  During the rest of my time in Vegas, I didn’t spend any money. My friends treated me to custard one afternoon and dinner one more time, but mostly we were busy volunteering and cooking food for the participants, which we also ate. Nothing spent

3-28-16  Today I mailed two collages and a necklace and used the last of a restaurant gift card. Total  spent: $7.94

$4.50 postage

$3.44 for tip and candy at restaurant

3-29-16  Today I browsed at a thrift store, bought some stamps, and bought some food. Total spent: $12.50

$3 to thrift store for fifty postcards, a plastic accordion folder to hold clippings for future collages, and other odds and ends

$7 to post office for twenty postcard stamps

$2.50 to discount (scratch and dent) grocery store

3-30-16 Today I activated my new phone and paid for thirty days of service. I also treated my friend to lunch. Total spent: $57.89

$38.89 for thirty days of phone service

$19 for lunch for two, including tip

3-31-16 Today I mailed a book and some photos, washed my curtains and rugs, bought groceries, and went back to the thrift stores. Total spent: $33.28

$5 to laundromat for washing and drying

$11.33 for groceries at regular grocery store

$4.85 at discount (scratch and dent) grocery store

$4 at thrift store for plastic container for ice, zippered purse for new cell phone, carpet, and postcards

$2 at Catholic thrift store for three one-gallon glass jugs (25 cents each!), a bag for holding plastic bags, and small plastic container for holding ice.

Total spent in March: $595.53

I am knocking wood and hoping I’ll have no more van repairs to pay for in April. It would be nice to save a little pile of money.

Mar1

Spending Report for February 2016

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Folks who follow my blog know that I set a goal for 2016 of recording all of my spending. (To find out how this project came about, go here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2015/12/31/spending/.)  Each month I give a report on what I bought and how much I spent in the previous month. (To read January’s spending report, go here: http://www.rubbertrampartist.com/2016/02/01/spending-report-for-january-2016/.) As follows is my spending report for February 2016.

2-1-16 Today I mailed books to folks who requested from me through BookMooch and a package to a friend. Total spent: $21.28

$19.90 to the U.S. post office to mail packages

$1.38 to Fry’s for two packages of tofu on sale for 69 cents each.

2-2-16  Today I had to pay my mailbox rental, and I bought some hemp cord . Total Spent: $27.27

$19.47 for mailbox rental

$6.39 to Wal-Mart for hemp cord

2-3-16  Today at Goodwill I bought a wooden bowl and supplies for a craft project. Total Spent: $8.80

2-4-16  Nothing spent

2-5-16  Nothing pent

2-6-15  I bought lunch, browsed in thrift stores and had the oil in my van changed today. Total Spent: $34.07

At the first thrift store, I spent $1 on a pair of pants and 50 cents on a book to give to a friend.

It was half-price day at Goodwill. I spent $5 for three books and a Scala brand raffia hat.

I spent $5.43 for a pizza from Little Caesar’s (and it was delicious!)

I gave Meineke $22.14 for an oil change. The guy doing the oil change told me transmission fluid was leaking and tried to get me to pay an additional $39 for them to figure out where the fluid was coming from. I told him I would take the van to my regular mechanic.

2-7-16  I ordered blue hemp cord for a custom necklace. Total Spent: $7.80

2-8-16  I spent the day with a friend who’d invited me to see The Lady in the Van (starring Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings) with him. Since he said he’d treat me to the movie, I treated him to lunch. Total Spent: $19.92

2-9-16  I handed a dollar to someone flying a sign. Total Spent: $1

2-10-16  Today I went to the post office, then used a coupon for free pancakes at IHOP.  Total Spent: $24.39

I gave the U.S. post office $19.36 to mail more books.

I spent $3.03 on a glass of orange juice at IHOP and left a $2 tip.

2-11-16 Today I used birthday coupons. Total Spent: $24.06

I got a free pastry (big enough for two servings) at Panera and spent $1.94 for a coffee to go with it. (Purchase of the coffee was not required to get the free pastry.)

I did have to buy something at Arby’s in order to use my coupon for a free milkshake. I spent $2.12 on curly fries.

I also spent $20 on gas for the van.

2-12-16  Nothing spent

2-13-16  Nothing spent

2-14-15  A friend and I spent the day in Jerome, AZ. Total Spent: $20.51

I spent $7 on admission to Douglas Mansion Museum.

I spent 51 cents on a souvenir penny to send to a friend.

I spent $13 on lunch, including tip.

2-15-16 I brought the van to a transmission specialist today to have the leak(s) repaired. There goes any thought I had of spending less money this month. Total Spent: $538.75

The transmission work cost $531.99.

While the work on the van was being done, I hung out at Denny’s and spent $4.27.

Later I used an about-to-expire buy-one-get-one-free coupon for shrimp tacos at Del Taco. I spent $2.49 for dinner.

2-16-16  Today the Lady of the House and I went to the Goodwill Clearance Center. I shopped with a $10 gift card that had been given to me. Later I washed and dried a comforter at the laundromat. Total Spent: $7.41

I went a little over my $10 gift card budget at the clearance center and spent $1.41 cash money.

I spent $6 at the laundromat washing and drying the German down comforter I bought with the gift card.

2-17-16  I went off to BLM land to spend a few quiet days. I had to mail a package and get supplies before I left civilization. Total Spent: $40.98

I spent $20 on gas at the Circle K.

I paid the U.S. Post Office $13.80 to mail a package to a friend.

Ice and supplies cost $7.18.

2-18-19  I was in the middle of nowhere today. Nothing spent.

2-19-16  Another day in the middle of nowhere. Nothing spent.

2-20-16  I went to Goodwill to find a cover for my comforter. Later, I unexpectedly ate dinner at a restaurant with my host family and their extended family. Total Spent: $18.50

At the first  Goodwill, I caved in to consumerism and spent $6 on four bowls I like a lot but don’t need (I may return them) and two books.

At the second Goodwill, I found a 100% cotton, Company Store brand cover for my comforter for only $2.50. (It was half-price day again.)

Dinner was at the Spaghetti Factory, and I managed to keep my dinner and tip to $10 by ordering an appetizer for my meal. The folks I was eating with didn’t want the ice cream that came with their meals, so I scored a free dessert.

2-21-16  Nothing spent

2-22-16 I had a birthday coupon for pancakes at IHOP. I had coffee to go with the flapjacks, and I left a $2 tip. Total spent: $4.59

2-23-19  Nothing spent

2-24-16  Nothing spent

2-25-16  Today I was out and about. Total spent: $5.52

I gave $1 to a lady flying a sign.

I spent $4.52 at Safeway on food for my lunch.

2-26-16  Nothing spent

2-27-16  I was out and about again today, and bought food for lunch at Trader Joe’s. Total spent: $4.05

2-28-16  I went to a potluck today. I cooked potatoes. A ten pound bag of potatoes only cost $1 more than a five pound bag, so I got the bigger bag. I only used half of the potatoes, so I know what I’ll be eating for the rest of the week. Total spent: $26.19

I spent $20 on gas for the van.

I spent $6 on ingredients for my potluck dish at Safeway.

2-29-16 I gave $1 and change to a panhandler in a grocery store parking lot. He caught me off guard while I was on the phone, so I didn’t count the change before I gave it to him. Let’s call it 50 cents. Total spent: $1.50

Also, I know at some point in February I spent $2.37 on three more packages of tofu that were on sale for 79 cents each. I forgot to write down that purchase, so I don’t know when I made it.

Total spent in February: $838.06

On the last day of February, I found out the van needs a new fuel pump. The expense will go on March’s tally. It’s always something.