February was a low income month and high expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot).  My wife was on unemployment most of February but started a great job at the end of the month.

Our total income in January was $4,773.15.  In addition to my paychecks, I received a small monthly bonus of $276.47 gross ($166.15 net).  I also received $596.02 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement.  My wife received $1,620.00 in unemployment.  We earned $10.72 in interest income from our savings account.

This month, we spent a total of $10,736.19.  Over twice what we made this month, thus the reason we dipped heavily into savings.  Some of our larger, non-typical expenses included $1401.09 in household items and $1,002.18 in groceries.

Next month will be my wife’s first full month at her new job.  The extra income will be a major blessing.

January was an amazing income month and high expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot).  Although my wife was laid off on December 31^st, she received a generous severance package  and bonus in January.

Our total income in January was $24,573.04.  In addition to our paychecks, my wife received a $21,500 gross (12,938.72 net) severance and a bonus of $12,500 gross (7,500 net).  I received $582 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement.  My wife also received $810 in unemployment. 

This month, we spent a total of $15,745.12.  A huge amount of money for us, but much less than our income for the month.  Some of our larger, non-typical expenses included $1653.13 in dinning (mostly due to hosting a large party), $960 annual concert pass, and $1,344 in car servicing.

Next month, our income will be a lot less because my wife does not begin her new job until the end of February.  That being said, we plan to use her severance to float us by until her first paycheck.

December was a great income month and reasonable expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot). Sadly, my wife and her team were informed that they are being laid off as of 12/31/15. Thankfully, they put together a generous severance package for her.

Our total income in November was $18,110.35. In addition to our paychecks, my wife received $4,489.54 (net) for cashed in PTO and I received a monthly bonus $2,764.10 gross ($1,584.05 net). My wife also received an $800 auto allowance and a $150 in company reimbursements. I received $481.58 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement. We also received $287 in preschool reimbursement, and earned $4.10 in interest income from our online savings account.

This month, we spent a total of $10,724.62. Relatively low compared to our income for the month. Some of our larger, non-typical expenses included $1,407 in gifts (Christmas), $1,024 in household items, and $181 in clothing.

Next month, my wife will receive a severance and bonus totaling $34K gross. We plan to bank as much of this as possible to provide us a cushion as she looks for a new job.

November was a great income month and high expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot).

Our total income in November was $18,592.90. In addition to our paychecks, my wife received a $11,500 gross ($6909.37 net) quarterly bonus. This was a huge blessing! She also received an $800 auto allowance and a $150 in company reimbursements. I received $547.35 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement. We also received $307 in preschool reimbursement, and earned $1.35 in interest income from our online savings account.

This month, we spent a total of $12,368.07. Some of our larger, non-typical expenses included $2,219 in vacation and $699 in auto service.

Next month, I will be receiving a monthly bonus.

October was a good income month and larger than average expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot).

Our total income in October was $11,883.87. In addition to our paychecks, my wife received an $800 auto allowance and a $150 in company reimbursements. I received $649.54 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement. We also received $276 in preschool reimbursement and earned $0.31 in interest income from our online savings account.

This month, we spent a total of $11,513.75. Some of our larger, non-typical expenses included $197 in auto service, $192 in clothing, and a $522 electric bill.

Next month, my wife should receive her quarterly bonus.

September was a good income month and lower than average expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot).

Our total income in September was $13,616.29. In addition to our paychecks, I received a $3,440.72 ($1,819 net) monthly bonus. My wife received an $800 auto allowance and a $150 in company reimbursements. I received $726.31 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement. We also received $307 in preschool reimbursement, and earned $0.20 in interest income from our online savings account.

This month, we spent a total of $10,398.44. Some of our larger, non-typical expenses included $1,179 in groceries, $489 in household items, and a $695.06 electric bill.

Next month, my wife should receive a ~$6,000 bonus, which will help us get our savings back on track.

August was a huge income month and huge expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot).

Our total income in August was $19,906.25. In addition to our paychecks, my wife received a $12,500 ($6,283.77 net) quarterly bonus and I received a $4,700 ($2,222.94 net) monthly bonus. My wife received an $800 auto allowance and a $834.64 in misc company reimbursements. I received $661.99 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement. We also received $307 in preschool reimbursement, and earned $0.19 in interest income from our online savings account.

This month, we spent a total of $17,239.07. Some of our larger, non-typical expenses included $1,811.71 in groceries, $3,448.60 in household items, and $558.76 in dinning.

Next month, my wife and I have resolved to get our expenses down…way down.

July was a good income month and another large expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot).

Our total income in July was $14,005.09. My 25% 401(k) contributions began kicking in this month, so my paychecks and bonus check were greatly reduced as a result. In addition to our paychecks (I received a 3^rd “extra” paycheck this month), I received a $4,611.74 ($2,187.63 net) monthly bonus. My wife received an $800 auto allowance and a $150.00 company reimbursement for internet service. I received $650.94 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement. We also received $110 in preschool reimbursement, and earned $0.19 in interest income from our online savings account.

This month, we spent a total of $11,470.19. Some of our larger, non-typical expenses included $2,459 in nanny/babysitting, $1,309 in household items, and $425.45 in dinning.

Next month, my wife and I will both be receiving bonuses so it will be a large income month.

June was a strong income month and a crazy expense month (see spreadsheet screenshot).

Our total income in June was $12,011.83 (my first full month of income at my new job). In addition to our paychecks, my wife received an $800 auto allowance and a $150 company reimbursement for internet service. I received $438.38 in auto allowance and mileage reimbursement. We also received $250 in preschool reimbursement, $165 in gifts for our daughter (deposited into 529 Plan), and earned $4.80 in interest income from our online savings account.

It’s hard to write but in June we spent a total of $24,281.01. Definitely the largest month we’ve had since I’ve began tracking in early 2007. The big ticket item this month was $10,118 for my wife’s elective surgery. I also had $292 in lab fees, $457.87 in auto service, and $3,187.45 in “household items”. Household items is becoming a catch-all for stuff that should probable get its own line item…eventually.

Next month, our income will drop a bit as my 25% contribution to 401(k) kicks in. Interestingly, my HR department called me to make sure that I meant 25% and not $25 dollars per check. I know it’s a large percentage, but it only amounts to $13K/year plus whatever is contributed from my monthly bonuses.

May was an AMAZING income month and a reasonable expense month when compared to our income (see spreadsheet screenshot).

Our total income in May was a whopping $22,510.29, making it our 3^rd largest income month since I began tracking in 2007. The big game changers were my Wife’s quarterly bonus of $8,200 gross ($4,080.42 net) and our tax refund of $9,118. In addition to our paychecks (only one week from my new job), my wife received an $800 auto allowance and a $315.01 company reimbursement for internet service and meals. We also received $250 in preschool reimbursement, $215 in gifts for our daughter (deposited into 529 Plan), and earned $2.55 in interest income from our online savings account.

In May, we spent a total of $13,376.69. A ton of money, but a lot less than we made, thankfully. A couple of items like my car payment and fuel for Car 2 will be partially offset by reimbursements from my company next month. We had a big birthday party for our 1-year old daughter, which resulted in a $844 entertainment expense. Nanny/babysitting costs were also higher his month as we increased the hours due to me going back to work.

Next month will be my first full month at my new job, and thus, my first full month of paychecks.  We were looking forward to a nice bump to our income, but we were hit by AMT last year, so we will likely increase our 401(k) contributions, reducing our net income.  Craziness!