Budget Review: 01/16/09 - 02/12/09

I am a month late in posting this, with all that has been going on this past month I just haven't had the time to get to it until now. Anyway, here is how we did last month...

Rent $1,400, Actual $1,400
Renter's Insurance $25.23, Actual $25.23
Repairs/Maintenance $10, Actual $5.45
Groceries $200, Actual $347.73 = $147.73 over budget
Restaurants $40, Actual $65.03 = $25.03 over budget
Car Payment $307, Actual $307
Gas and Oil $200, Actual $195.98
Repairs/Tires $290, Actual $290
Kids Clothing $30, Actual $22.50
Prescriptions $15.04, Actual $17.62 = $2.58 over budget
Doctor $40, Actual $20
Kids Classes (Ballet/Tap) $39, Actual $39
Miscellaneous $50, Actual $50.23 = $0.23 over budget
Kids Allowance $8, Actual $8
Gifts $15, Actual $15
Hair Care $20, Actual $20.95 = $0.95 over budget
Blow Money $10, Actual $10
Cleaning Supplies $50, Actual $50.56 = $0.56 over budget
Toiletries $150, Actual $113.78
Entertainment $30, Actual $39.07 = $9.07 over budget
Electricity $85, Actual $74.26
Water $75, Actual $76.23 = $1.23 over budget
Gas $275, Actual $243.58
Cell Phone $85, Actual $87.27 = $2.27 over budget
Land Line & Internet $85, Actual $85
Trash $44, Actual $44
Cable $45.34, Actual $45.34
Visa #1 $124, Actual $0
Visa #2 $95, Actual $95
Store Card #1 $50, Actual $54
Store Card #2 $21, Actual $62
Student Loan $241.45, Actual $241.45
Medical Bill $144.62, Actual $144.62

I am much happier with the way we handled this month's budget vs. last month! All that red may make it look like we didn't do very well, but in most categories we only went over by a few cents or dollars. The worst categories for us were all food related, which we know is our weak spot. Not an excuse, just an acknowledgment that we know what areas we need to work on!