How the Money Management October 2024

      I pay the household bills and my credit card at the end of the month/ first few days of the new month. October was expensive, but in a known or intended way, (after adopting the kitten was decided.) I had several one off expenses budgeted for and some flexible spends also in the budget. Here's some of those:

• 2nd half property taxes
• Teacher license fee
• Fingerprint fee for said teaching license 
• Oil and air filter change
• Six month car insurance premium 
• Meals out to celebrate my daughters' marathon achievements 
• Kitten vet bill, extra tests ...then spaying. ( Shared expense with son)
• Donation to an old classmates fundraiser for a health crisis
• Gift cards for my friend for quick meals to and from her many out of town medical appointments for breast cancer treatment 
• Clothes dryer heating element went out so had a repair bill...but better than cost to replace the dryer. 
• Halloween treats for the neighborhood ( and proud that no one dug into the stash early)
• Lots of Physical Therapy co-payments and paid charges for items not covered by insurance ( leg lifter, cane, ice machine rental). 
• Dental co-payment for my daughter. She's had way too many issues the last year but hopefully getting resolved. 

     I also had some savings wins, most by calendar or happenstance. Some quite small yet still helped offset the above.

• I've maxed my 401K so no longer have that paycheck deduction, increasing my take home pay significantly for the rest of the year.
• Submitted receipts through last Friday in October for Medical Reimbursement from my flex account. 
• I earned a few gift cards through surveys and cashed in a Target gift cards from the MS Rewards for a baby shower gift for a coworker. Also used discount and Target Circle credit to get another baby gift for a friend of my daughter's. Both were delivered right to new parents free of charge so saved me and them time. 
• Rolled CD's for another 6 months at same good interest rate. Saw the return on the previous time period. Hopefully I increased my payroll deduction enough to offset the taxes that I'll incur on the CD interest.
• Gifted produce by daughter, daughter's coworker, and a neighbor. 
•  Son brought home meals several times from the job he works helping out his cousin. These were very much appreciated and made easy packed lunch for my Tuesday office day. 
• My daughter preferred to have "girl's dinner" aka finger foods, appetizer, small plates, instead of going out for her birthday. I splurged on nice extras but still cost effective compared to another meal out. She brought leftovers for football snacking on Sunday.
• Used VISA that gives unlimited rewards when there was no upcharge for using credit card and will pay of the balance. My rewards balance is getting quite sizeable and will offset holiday costs or help with a mini get away.

     I made a few splurges like meals out and a few nicer bottles of wine, gifts or contributions to the holiday tables. As I said in my Dreams post, I want my money to go to things that matter and save where less priority. With that lens, October was successful.