Spending: Categories

So this weekend I was working on balancing the checkbook, which is never any fun. After I was finished entering in receipts and making sure the statements were accurate I decided to look at the breakdown of all my categories. Here is what I ended up with. Note this doesn't take into account how much money goes to the loans and the credit card.

Your thoughts, as always, are appreciated.

Year to date 11/09/08
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1. Housing 24.13%
2. Groceries 20.01%
3. Other Exp 6.798%
4. Medical:Doctor 6.359%
5. Interest 5.205%
6. Cash 5.204%
7. Gifts 5.129%
8. Utilities 4.628%
9. Medical:Medicine 4.526%
10. Auto: Fuel 3.950%
11. Auto: Service 3.88%
12. Cigarettes 3.01%
13. Auto: Insurance 1.75%
14. Phone 1.28%
15. Dining 1.23%
16. Trash 0.94%
17. Home Repair 0.82%
18. Loans to others 0.73%
19. Clothing 0.50%
20. Work Expenses 0.26%
21. Hobby 0.13%
22. Charity 0.10%

Spending: Cigarettes - Week 4

Today is the beginning of week 4 and I'm still not smoking, so that is a good thing. Yesterday at the store I purchased some more nicotine patches. They seem to be working quite well. I was shocked at the difference between the fancy NicodermCQ brand versus the generic Walmart brand. I have been using the Walmart brand since the beginning and the work great, plus they are half the price. I can get 2 weeks worth of patches for $20, much cheaper than smoking. I will be finished with my 10 weeks of patches just before Christmas. It seems like a nice Christmas present to myself.

There is a program here where you can call in and they will give you patches for free. I'm glad I didn't do that. I have stopped myself from smoking on more than one occasion with the following logic. "Why would I have wasted all this money on patches if I'm just going to start smoking again." I suppose that it's an interesting dependancy I've created. I quit smoking to save money and now the money I've spent to quit smoking is helping me to not start smoking again.

Habits: Balancing the Checkbook

In another day or so the bank statement will arrive. Every time I talk to someone at my bank they ask me if I want to receive my bank statement electronically. My response to them is no. In most situations I embrace technology. I understand that the bank is trying to cut costs by not having to print the statements. I suppose in some way they are trying to defer the cost of printing to me. I would most likely print out the email myself so I can put it in the drawer for safe keeping. Why should I have pay for the paper and ink. Then there is the environmental impact of printing.

Putting all of that reasoning aside, ultimately I know how I operate. If I don't get my bank statement in the mail, the old fashion way, then it won't sit on the table and mock me until I go and balance my checkbook. I need it as a reminder. I need it to remind me to get off my butt and take care of business. So for now I will continue to receive my bank statements the way I always have, in the mail.