This is a summary of every dollar I have spent so far in 2021! I am not including my investing dollars because it’s pretty cut and dry. I maxed out my 401K and my Roth IRA this year and the total for that is $25,500. Plus, technically those dollars are not “spent”, they are invested =D.
Let’s dive in.
Non-Negotiables
This is the category of things I HAVE to pay for, hence, “non-negotiables”. Luckily for me, they are usually a set dollar amount.
Monthly Bills
I do live with my partner, however, these costs below are just mine.
- Rent – $3,464.34
- Electricity – $184.34
- Internet – $330.00
- Phone Bill – $330.00
- Car Insurance – $570.00
- Car Loan – $2,427.90
- Insurance – $174.66
- Gas – $134.64
Least Favorite Expense
I do not like paying $404.65 each month for my car. This is especially true because I am in walking distance to most of the things I like and I am currently working from home.
The silver lining, I guess, is that I only have a little over $7.3K left to pay on this loan!
Most Favorite Favorite
This does not exist for my bills. Lol. I cannot think of any bill that I am “excited” to spend on.
Total Spent on Monthly Bills Thus Far: $7,615.88
Food
I mean…I do need to eat. However, do I need to spend as much as I do in order to fuel myself?
Most likely not. Bottom line, I can certainly trim down in this section.
- Groceries – $741.82
- Eating Out – $1,287.26
- Alcohol – $55.99
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
Hmm, maybe the alcohol as I have temporarily stopped drinking.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
Truly, I enjoyed all the crab boils we’ve spent our money on.
Total Spent on Food and Alcohol Thus Far: $2,085.07
Habbi-Doggo
We got a dog from the county shelter in late March and he has been such a joy. When we took him to the vet though, we discovered he had both Tick Fever as well as Valley Fever.
We’ve been treating both these symptoms and I have bought him…more than one toy.
Below is the total expense we have spent so far on vets, medications, doggy day camp, training, etc.
- Our Dog – $1,321.20
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
Every single ball I bought because he doesn’t like playing with them.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
PetSmart Training! He recently passed beginner training. We will most likely start on intermediate sometime in the Fall. Classes are 6 weeks and $120.
Total Spent on Our Dog Thus Far: $1,321.20
NEGOTIABLES
Ahh, the negotiables. Variable and sometimes questionable expenses over the past year.
Travel
My travel costs for 2021, so far, included two trips to Mexico. I am planning a trip to Portland, Mexico and Vegas for the second half of the year. I think my travel costs for this year will ultimately be around $5-5.5K when it is all said and done.
- Travel – $1,713.33
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
Does not exist. I loved both trips.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
The pricey dinner we had in Puerto Vallarta. I had the most amazing seafood pasta and drinks to go along with it.
Total Spent on Travel Thus Far: $1,713.33
Entertainment
Usually this would include things like Top Golf, game night, trips to the movies, etc. In covid times, it is mainly just the costs associated with HBO & Hulu.
- Entertainment – $119.26
- HBO & Hulu – $167.52
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
I really do not think I have one in this category. Although, seeing that Hulu/HBO costs me over $300 a year doesn’t sit well with me.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
We did Top Golf at the top of the year and that was a lot of fun.
Total Spent on Entertainment Thus Far: $286.78
Gifting
This is split into three categories. Donations that I make (mostly to organizations focused on mental health and social justice), gifts for others and my family.
Gifts to others is probably not the best name for the category. Sometimes I am just covering the cost of a night out. Other times I am deliberately sending money to someone.
- Donations Made Thus Far – $1,086.65
- Gifts For Others – $1,152.43
- Family – $149.00
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
There is not really a least favorite expense for this one. Technically some of the money in my “gift for others” were spent on members of my family. Family is most earmarked for a time someone had asked for cash for something.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
One of my best friends got married this year and I helped to pay the cost for the bachelorette party.
Total Spent on Gifting Thus Far: $2,388.08
Things For Our Home
This section encompasses things like toothpaste, trash bags, storage units, etc.
- Stuff We Bought For Our Home – $327.14
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
We got a Roomba and then returned it. It was not as good as we had hoped at picking up dog hair.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
I really like these industrial storage units we got from Home Depot. It has a total of 6 shelves and really helps us keep organized.
Total Spent on Our Home Thus Far: $327.14
Wellness
Basically money spent on spa days and massages.
- Wellness – $255.10
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
I got some essential oils off Amazon that were not the best. After about 10 minutes in the diffuser, I cannot smell the scent.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
There is this spa not too far from my home that I absolutely love! I had the best facial there.
Total Spent on Wellness Thus Far: $255.10
Personal
For this category, I include all the knick knacks I bought online. Think things like books, workout gear, candles, etc.
This also includes haircuts, subscriptions and dues for the organizations I am a part of.
- Personal – $1,136.55
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
There are probably like five books I bought that are still standing on my shelf that I still need to read. Also, I hate my Instapot.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
Thinx underwear.
Total Spent on Personal Thus Far: $1,136.55
Whomp Whomp
I have mixed feelings about this section. Some things, I found tremendous value in. Others, I could have done without.
Self Improvement
This section encompasses items such as career coaching. LinkedIn Learning, a business coaching program, Live Richer Academy and other courses/activities I bought in the hopes of becoming a better me.
- LinkedIn Learning – $325.45
- Career Coaching – $822.50
- LRA – $59.94
- Ellevest – $54.00
- Business Coaching – $590.00
- Python Course – $466.65
- Other – $62.17
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
Without a doubt, the business coaching. I signed up for this program that seemed like it would help me with my various ventures. It did not.
Not going to share the specific coaching service here because I think it can help some people. I think it is mainly for individuals who do branded business – think coaching. However, that is not me so I feel like I wasted $590.00
At least I can write it off. However, I wish that I can say I got value from it.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
Career coaching! I did Career Coaching with two organizations. Originally, I had purchased an Ellevest “Career Pivot” package. If you are an Executive Member, that will run you $497.50. Then, I discovered Mechelle Parker at MVP Consulting. After I had a 15 minute consultation with her I knew I HAD to hire her.
I truly enjoyed my coaching package with Mechelle and everything I learned from her. Additionally, I would certainly recommend her over Ellevest.
The career pivot package at Ellevest was, in my opinion, not worth it.
What my Ellevest coach did help me get clarity on was negotiations, however, I could have just bought the single session instead of the package.
Total Spent on Self Improvement Thus Far: $2,380.71
Shopping
Money spent on clothes I arguably did not need.
- Shopping – $440.86
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
This olive green button up shirt that is really uncomfortable and gets super wrinkly.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
By all means, my Brooks running shoes.
Total Spent on Shopping Thus Far: $440.86
Online Business
Lol. This was me trying out ideas and paying for things like hosting this website. I thought about breaking it down into subsections but laziness won.
- Online Business – $1,223.89
LEAST FAVORITE EXPENSE
A majority of the expenses would fit in this category. Silver lining, at least I tried out the ideas I had and know what works and what doesn’t. Other silver lining, my ideas brought in more money than they cost.
MOST FAVORITE EXPENSE
Probably my Canva Pro subscription.
Total Spent on Online Business Thus Far: $1,223.89
Reflection On My Spending Thus Far
So the total dollars I have spent so far in 2021 sums up to $21,147.59.
There were some things I spent on that truly made me happy. Alternatively, I also blew my money on some stupid shit. I do not think the second half of the year will continue like the first half.
For example, I am not planning on doing business coaching and I most likely will be reigning in my food budget. I think for the second half of 2021, I might end up spending just under or around $20,000.
Do you track your spending? What are some of your favorite things you have bought so far this year? Let me know down below.