March 2021 Update

Did you know libraries exist? And they're free!

Not much exciting happened in March except my discovery of the library. I need to make the embarrassing confession that I have lived a mere 5minute walk from the library for almost two years and just.. never went. The suspicious millennial in me just couldn't grasp the idea that it was truly free.

I finally signed up to get access to dog training books and, they have everything. I've got a hold list 30items long, and a stack of unread books on my table because I have been going every Saturday. But on top of that, they have video games! I cannot express the excitement (and money I'm going to save!) finding out all these games are easily accessed. I often put off purchases because $70 for something I might not love is a lot. The library fixes that.

I also went back to the office in March. My cardio and thighs are going to love the 10kms (each way!) that I'm riding, but my ah... sit bones do not like it. It also takes up a good chunk of the day that I've been filling with podcasts. But on the upside, I can go to the markets now and buy ridiculous amounts of fruit n veg for dirt cheap. On one trip I bought about 10kg worth, for about $8. It's pretty amazing.

Goals For 2021

The exact same as 2020. I think we all agree to write off 2020.

Goal #1: 50% Savings

Yet again, the actual goal is for this 12 month period to sit comfortably above 50%. Ideally, I'd like to bring the 3year rate up as well, but we'll see how that actually goes.

March Rate: 44%

2021 Average: 46%

Three-Year Average: 33% 

Goal #2 Reduce Average Spending by 10%

The goal is to reduce my average spend by 10% from January 2019 - bringing it down below $4,400 (a nice rounded number).

March Spend: $4,454.06
2021 Average Spend: $4,331.29

Goal Spend: $4,400 (or less)

Spending

Here's what I spent in March, which includes the save-to-spend amounts.  

Category	Spent	Budgeted	12 Month Average
Home	$1,240.76	$954.17	$974.66 (up $12.59)
Over Budget. 2 rents and the power bill. This house is painfully inefficient.
Investment Property 1	$1,100	$1,100	$1,218.30 (down $44.16)
On Budget. The mortgage, and $550 set aside for later.
Home turned IP2	$950	$950	$745.68 (up $31.40)
On Budget. The mortgage, and $100 set aside for later repairs.
Personal Bills	$137.10	$137.50	$129.53 (up $0.82)
Under Budget. New health insurance premiums :( time to shop around methinks.
Groceries	$196.67	$200	$217.49 (up $0.03)
Under Budget. Back in the office means I'm finally able to buy cheap veggies again. The other day I bought all the veggies for dinner, tomatoes for lunch and some fruit for $6. Love it
Pets	$300	$300	$319.53 (up $20.63)
On Budget. My puppy is now officially an agility dog! Well, we paid for a club membership and attend regular classes. I've made $300 the budget, and any time I'm under I'm saving the difference as 'pet insurance'. I'll reassess this in Febraury 2022. This month I put aside $25.
Roller Derby	$95.33	$166.67	$141.90 (down $2.05)
Under Budget. I paid dues, and bought some new gear. But the new gear was mostly paid for with money I'd already set aside.
Travelling	$50	$105	$50.00 (up $4.17)
Under Budget. Just putting aside money for the future
Comfort Food	$25	$50	$32.43 (up $2.08)
Under Budget. Chocolate. Mostly chocolate.
Car	$199.00	$200	$736.59 (up $16.58)
Over Budget. A tank of petrol and starting to save for the inevitable repairs. I have $150 saved.
Donations	$52.21		$5.60
Donation to the Black Dog Institute. They tackle mental health and suicide prevention.
Other	$107.99	$183.33	$215.47 (up $2.50)
Under Budget. A few bits and pieces but mostly, good quality shoes. The last pair of Asics I had lasted me 5 or 6 years. Including being gifted to me from a friend, gifted to my mum cause I didn't like them, then gifted back to me. Happy to spend $100 on shoes with that kind of longevity.
Total	$4,454.06	$4,119.17	$4,787.18 (up $41.77)
Total ex. Donations	$4,401.85		$4,781.58 (up $37.42)
Over Budget. Most of this is the g'damn power bill. This house sucks for it.