At last Santa gets to have a well earned rest and things in our house return to normal. I started to count up the costs of Christmas over the last three weeks, and it came to a terrifying $800.00 well actually it came to $796.93 but I rounded it up. This total included all gifts, all food, all booze, and stamps. Normally I spend on average $200 for each of my Grandchildren, so progress and cutbacks have been made, and when I start budgeting for Christmas 2011, I will have an idea of how much I will have to put aside to cover the expenses.
My budget is completed and will be posted before New Years Eve, but till then here is last weeks spends in all their glory.
Spends from 19th Dec.- 25th Dec. 2010
My budget is completed and will be posted before New Years Eve, but till then here is last weeks spends in all their glory.
Spends from 19th Dec.- 25th Dec. 2010
| CAR EXPENSES | ||
| 2010-12-19 | Petrol | $25.00 |
| 2010-12-21 | Petrol | $30.00 |
| TOTAL FOR CAR EXPENSES | $55.00 | |
| CHRISTMAS 2010 | ||
| 2010-12-24 | Entertainment | $100.00 |
| 2010-12-24 | Gifts | $206.87 |
| TOTAL FOR CHRISTMAS 2010 | $306.87 | |
| DEBT | ||
| 2010-12-24 | Lion Finance | $25.00 |
| TOTAL FOR DEBT | $25.00 | |
| ENTERTAINMENT | ||
| 2010-12-23 | Night Out | $40.00 |
| 2010-12-24 | Alcohol | $34.00 |
| 2010-12-24 | Coffees and Cakes | $14.00 |
| TOTAL FOR ENTERTAINMENT | $88.00 | |
| GROCERIES | ||
| 2010-12-19 | Aldi | $68.65 |
| 2010-12-24 | Woolworths | $70.56 |
| TOTAL FOR GROCERIES | $139.21 | |
| HOUSEHOLD | ||
| 2010-12-24 | Telephone Bill | $100.00 |
| TOTAL FOR HOUSEHOLD | $100.00 | |
| SPENDLESS YEAR | ||
| 2010-12-20 | Spend Less Day | $0.00 |
| 2010-12-22 | Spend Less Day | $0.00 |
| 2010-12-25 | Spend Less Day | $0.00 |
| TOTAL FOR SPENDLESS YEAR | $0.00 | |
| TOTAL | $714.08 |
ya know less than 800 is not that bad. I was at 1/2 that and I didn't have food and gas nor grand kids to buy for. So pat yourself on the back.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome amount to achieve! Especially if it includes all the extras...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I went over in Christmas spending a bit, but I've yet to figure it out. I must have "stolen" money from other categories, because I'm still in the black!
Glad Santa's on vacation....and that we have another 363 days to go!
Good for you with the $800!!!! That is a great amount to have set! :) Especially since you typically spend way more... I bet they were just as happy too!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had an amazing time this Christmas! I look forward 2011 blogging!
I'm pea green with envy! I saved $800 but had to borrow from savings to make up the difference! Next year I'll have to save way more than $800 or cut back somehow. The most expensive item is my annual trip to Toronto with my daughter - probably spent $800 just on that alone! I'm in a bit of a smoshboggle as far as my new budget goes - it just doesn't seem possible to save up for so many things as WELL as pay down debt. I've got to prioritize somehow...still working on it!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your profile says you have 6 years and 3 months til retirement and your ticker says 4 years and 5 days - which is it? I ask because I'm at about 3 1/2 years and it would be cool if we were both in the same ballpark as to retirement date!
ReplyDeleteAhh how observant of you Jane, the profile date for my retirement was correct at the time I printed it, but when I added the ticker it would only allow me to go to 2015 instead of 2017. I was hoping that at the end of the year I would have more options and be able to change it, and that nobody would notice LoL The reason for 2017 was so I would have reached my long service payout. But I know I,m not going to make it all the way, as my body is falling apart from the physical work. Maybe after I have paid off my debts I will implement a category called long service amount and save towards being able to retire earlier.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification - it's the teacher in me that spots those little things lol!
ReplyDeleteMy date when I'd receive FULL pension is 2016 but I'm saving like mad in hopes to leave in 2014 on a reduced pension. Course that could change if I don't have enough $$ but I'm going to try my darndest:) I'd rather have more life than $$ but we have to be able to survive!
You did an amazing job at $800. I'm impressed. I have yet to add up all of our Christmas gift purchases but will be working on that this week.
ReplyDeleteYou did great and it's all accounted for!
ReplyDelete