Living Paycheck to Paycheck

End of the third week! 

Income (from beginning of May):

Paycheck: $1204.98
VA State Tax Refund: $165
Revolution Money Exchange Pay-Out: $35
Federal Tax Refund: $1529
Money Paid Back to Me: $100

Total: 3033.98

Expenses (for this week):

Gas: (Three trips):  $147.75
Tolls: $35
Groceries: $84.17
Internet: $44.99
Gas Bill: $38.84
Target Bill Payment: $105.47 (Since this was for last month, this includes stuff from my party, my mom’s birthday, a couple general expenses).
Charity Donation: $30

How does this look for my Bare Bones Budget Categories?

Category 1:  Rent/Utilities/Phone/Internet/Food — $275.43 / 1,345
Category 2:  Savings — $1010.61 / 250
Category 3:  Loans — $262.72 / 262.72
Category 4:  Gas/Tolls/Car Insurance/Car Maintenance — $330.89 / 480
Category 5:  Entertainment/Gifts/Clothing/Donations/Miscellaneous — $135.47/ 70

NET EFFECT: $2015.12 / 3033.98 OR $1015.12 / 1204.98 if you look at what I actually earned for the month so far and take away the $1000 I put into my Money Market account from my tax refund.

Coming soon: another paycheck and a big ol’ rent payment.

About once a week I’m going to try to post what I’ve spent…for everything.  This is for my second week.  I’m also going to include money I’ve received.

Income:

Paycheck:  $1204.98
Revolution Money Exchange Payout: $35
VA State Tax Refund: $165
TOTAL: $1404.98

Expenses:

Gas: (Two trips):  $102.51
Tolls: I’ll post this when the $35 is automatically taken from my account.

How does this look for my Bare Bones Budget Categories?

Category 1:  Rent/Utilities/Phone/Internet/Food — $107.43 / 1,345
Category 2:  Savings — $10.61 / 250
Category 3:  Loans — $262.72 / 262.72
Category 4:  Gas/Tolls/Car Insurance/Car Maintenance — $148.14 / 480
Category 5:  Entertainment/Gifts/Clothing/Donations/Miscellaneous — $- / 70

NET EFFECT: $528.90 / 1404.98

I was able to avoid shelling out money for Mother’s Day by using a gift card I’d received at Christmas, so I was pretty happy about that.

About once a week I’m going to try to post what I’ve spent…for everything.  So, so far for May:

Student Loans: $174.01
Car Loan: $88.71
Cell Phone: $47.79
Loudoun County Car Tax: $64.39
Electric Bill: $45.85
Groceries:  $13.79 (Milk, eggs, allergy medicine)
Gas: $36.??
Tolls: I’ll post this when the $35 is automatically taken from my account.

How does this look for my Bare Bones Budget Categories?

Category 1:  Rent/Utilities/Phone/Internet/Food — $107.43 / 1,345
Category 2:  Savings — $-64.39 / 250
Category 3:  Loans — $262.72 / 262.72
Category 4:  Gas/Tolls/Car Insurance/Car Maintenance — $36.?? / 480
Category 5:  Entertainment/Gifts/Clothing/Donations/Miscellaneous — $70