My Frugal Miser - April Expenses: $1,527

Finally, a month where I beat my goal.  Although I spent $1,527 last month, my goal excludes the $510 I spent on vacations.  I set a monthly goal of spending less than $1,250 on everything except vacations and home repairs.  In April, I only spent $1,017.  Victory!

Even better, $370 of the month's spending was a non-cash expense for depreciating my car.  So, my cash spending was only $647.

I had help in a couple of ways.  First, there were no semi-recurring expenses such as car insurance (that'll be in the May report).  Second, I won $268 playing video poker at the Hard Rock, which more than offsets the $98 I spent elsewhere on entertainment.  I was even a glutton again when it comes to food, as we spent $309 on that category.  Our trip to Puerto Rico accounts for a major part of the food expense.  Take away Puerto Rico and we spent less than $100 to eat last month.  

April Expenses:  $1,527

$392 Auto ($3 for gas, $389 for depreciation)

$39 Bank Fees

$40 Clothing

$0 Computer

($171) Entertainment (movies, gambling, alcohol) - income this month

$309 Food

$7 Gifts Given

$158 Household/Housing/Home Repair
$0 Home Insurance

$141 Health and Dental Insurance

$0 Investment Expenses

$0 Medical/Dental

$0 Miscellaneous

$4 Personal Care

$0 Subscriptions

$0 Taxes

$116 Utilities

$510 Vacation and Recreation

April Expenses, Excluding Vacation and Home Repairs:  $1,017