November was a wild ride.  Our income was near record breaking (for us), our expenses reasonable by comparison, and my wife’s company laid off the entire national sales force (click on spreadsheet below). 

September was a normal income month and a high expense (click on spreadsheet below). 

August was an amazing month – enormous income and large expenses (click on spreadsheet below). 

Our total income for August was $17,679.78, our second largest income month EVER.  The only larger month was December 2011 ($25,449.19, which included proceeds from a recreational vehicle sale).  Our income was huge this month because of my wife’s awesome quarterly bonus ($13,750 gross, $9,839.22 net). In addition to our regular paychecks, my received a $25 company reimbursement.  We also received $50.00 in credit card cash back rewards, a $50.00 gift for my sons 529 Plan, and we earned $3.22 in interest income from our online savings account. 

In July we spent a total of $13,051.92.  We had many rare expenses this month, starting with a $561.81 water bill (broken sprinkler) and $397.03 gas/electric bill (darn A/C). We also went on vacation to Canada($1,865.36), bought a new car battery ($125.91), insurance for our new SUV ($165.97), a portable A/C unit for my son’s room ($173.24 after a $150 gift card), various costs for my wife’s reunion.  We were busy this month!

Next month (September) should be a much more normal income month and hopefully, a mellow expense month.

July was a somewhat higher than average income month and large expense month (click on spreadsheet below). 

June was another outstanding income month and an above average expense month (click on spreadsheet below). 

Our total income for June was $10,456.04.  In addition to our regular paychecks, my wife received a third “extra” paycheck this month.  She also received a 1.75% merit raise that was backdated to April.  In addition to my wife’s awesomeness, we received a completely unexpected $473.02 property tax refund (major blessing!).  My wife received $40 in company reimbursements, we received $75 in credit card rewards, and we earned $3.55 in interest income from our online savings account. 

In June we spent a total of $8,787.81.  Large infrequent expenses included $425.24 for 6 months of auto insurance and $80 in gifts.  We also gave our nanny a $25/week raise.

July should be a fairly average month in terms of income and expenses.

May was an excellent income month and a large expense month (click on spreadsheet below). 

Our total income for May was $11,571.83.  In addition to our regular paychecks, I received a third “extra” paycheck this month and my awesome wife earning a quarterly bonus of $2,325 gross ($1,937.89 net).   My wife also received $43 in company reimbursements, we received $75 in credit card rewards, and we earned $2.47 in interest income from our online savings account.  I want to take a moment to say that we feel very blessed.  This income allows us to pay our mortgage, save for retirement, live a comfortable lifestyle, etc. and it is only because of God.  We do not deserve it, but pray that we use it to His glory.

Things are starting to settle down a bit.  April brought an average income month and, thankfully, decreased spending (click on spreadsheet below). 

Our total income for April was $7,591.52.  Our regular paychecks saw a bit of an increase this month in the form of a 1% raise for me ($704.60/year) and my wife changing her filing status to M2 ($200.15 net increase per check that began her 2^nd check of the month).  We received $50 in credit card rewards, $43 tax refunds ($41 Fed & $2 State), a $50 gift to our baby’s 529 Plan, and earned $1.77 in interest income from our online savings account. 

We continued our spending spree in March, albeit at a reduced rate. Our income was fairly typical (click on spreadsheet below).

Our total income for March was $7,484.97. In addition to our regular paychecks, my wife received $131.92 in reimbursements from her company (includes February internet & meal and March internet). We also received $75 in credit card rewards, a $35 rebate for purchasing an energy efficient washer, and earned $1.37 in interest income from our online savings account.

We did a little more shopping in March for our new home and spent a total of $9,560.07. Our spending over the past three months has been shocking: $22,902.72 in January, $14,038.03 in February, and $9,560.04 in March. At least the trend is going in the right direction. Some of the larger one-time expenses in March included $667.63 for ADT security installation, $400 for a security door, and $275 to our tax accountant.

Next month my check will be a smidge larger thanks to a 1% raise that my company provided all employees. This is a good sign as we have not had any raises for 4 years. The only large, non-reoccurring expense planned in April is $850 for a security camera system installation.