August Expenses

We were a little over budget for August, but only because the budget wasn't accurate to begin with. I had forgotten to include anticipated expenses to celebrate our grandchildren's birthdays. We normally aren't able to do that when the actual event occurs, so we do it at the next available time. Which was in August!

Anyhow, not a bad month, considering we're in a very expensive country.

We had a budget of $2,175 CAD ($1,568 USD) for the month of August.

And we spent $2,500 CAD ($1,853 USD).

Here's how it all broke down... (all figures in $CAD)...

Fuel: Higher than planned, but only because we filled up Igor just last week so that expense was charged in August, but we are starting off September with a totally full tank of gas. We spent $681 on fuel. That includes driving from Ontario to Nova Scotia, as well as filling daughter Lindsey's minivan once, and topping up Igor with a full tank of gas.

Propane: We filled Igor's tank at the beginning of the month. Total was $15.35.

Groceries: We kind of shared the grocery bill with Lindsey and family since we were generally eating together. The portion we paid for came to $501.

Meals out: We did not eat out at all during the month of August.

Alcohol: Booze is very expensive in Nova Scotia. The beer that I normally buy in expensive Ontario is $2.80 there, and $4.20 here! So there wasn't very much beer being consumed! We did manage a box of wine once a week. Total came to $205, and you don't get much for that kind of money around here.

Miscellaneous: Total of $140. We spent $57 on cellular access, although half of that was towards the end of the month so will be used in September. And a couple of other minor items. Ruth bought some clothes at the charity shop. And $22 on a Sportsnet subscription so I can watch Blue Jays baseball.

Entertainment: Total of $829. We treated the family to Tidal Bore Rafting when everyone was here at the beginning of the month. And then we took grandson Cameron deep sea fishing for his birthday. Both activities were a lot of fun!

Overnight: Zero. We boondocked our way out here at the beginning of the month and we've been parked in our daughter's driveway for the rest of the month.

Motorhome: Our insurance and registration is paid annually, but I include a monthly expense here for $45.34 just to make our reporting more accurate. And I topped up the transmission fluid, and changed the engine oil and filter, Total came to $128 for everything.

And that's it. Total came to $2,500 CAD ($1,853 USD).

Of course we actually spent much more than that, but it was renovation items and capital expenses on our motorhome Igor. All included in our report yesterday.

September is difficult to budget for, but I've come up with a planned total of $2,396 CAD ($1.776 USD) for the month. We're going to be taking a leisurely route back to Ottawa over a two week period. Then my annual guy's weekend away. The we're hopping on a plane to visit my sister outside of Calgary for six days. We're got tickets with Air Canada ("We're not happy until you're not happy") and their pilots are talking about going on strike on September 17th, so we'll see. 

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