Expense Update for November 2019

After reaching FIRE about 4 years ago, I began to massively de-clutter and organize everything I owned. My garage was filled with useless things untouched for years!

I started listing everything I knew I no longer needed on eBay, Offerup, Letgo, etc. During the years, I sold well over $20,000 worth of goods.

I’m not an extreme minimalist by any means but life is so much better with less things. It feels like losing that excess weight making you feel lighter and nimbler.

It’s important for me to understand what I own and why. Learning to spend my resources more meaningfully and effectively is an ongoing area I am trying to improve.

Tracking your expenses is a great way to understand how you manage your resources and an important part when it comes to building wealth.

A great free software I use to help track my expenses is Personal Capital.

Here are my expenses for November 2019!

 

 

Expenses

Insurance: $753.

Groceries: $647.

Restaurants: $197. This month we dined out and had some amazing Thai food, Japanese ramen, Japanese sushi, BBQ chicken place, pho, Mexican, and even Mc Donald’s! I was craving a big mac…👀

Utilities: $175.

Mobile Phone: $123.

Shopping: $99. Amazing black Friday deals and gift cards helped keep my shopping expense down this month. Mostly gifts.

Auto (Gas): $74

Home (Landscaping): $40

Clothing/Shoes: $21

Dues & Subscription: $15. I hate recurring expenses, so I keep this part as low as possible. However, I know many industries are moving towards the subscription model, so I expect this area of my expenses to rise over the years.

Travel (Transportation): $14. This includes parking fees, toll road fees, and Lyft.

Total: $2,158

 

Conclusion

This year, I focused on getting my spending category in “shopping” under control. Last year, I spent $6,955.84. This year it’s less than $3,000. I’m more than satisfied with my progress! Far lower than I had anticipated.

I spent dramatically less in shopping, but I never felt I had to sacrifice much. It was easy once I realized how much I already had.

After years of selling and de-cluttering, much of the items remaining are ones that won’t sell easy. I’m now donating and throwing away more than I sell at this point. I’m much more choosy when it comes to what materialistic things I allow to enter my life.

F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence Retired Early) not only brings freedom financially but also to your mind. It’s easier to become more efficient when you don’t have the many worries that come with being in the rat race.

Not a bad month at all! Till next month! Thanks for reading! 😊