February is a done deal. The numbers look pretty, but that's mostly because my income taxes came through, so the "Financial" category shows an income tax expenditure of -$1,818. The federal government, it seems, pays me to live here.
I have to admit that as the numbers started to gel as the month came to a close, I very nearly decided to abandon this challenge. I looked back on my spending, and even though it's higher in a lot of areas than any good mustachian should allow, there really aren't any decisions I regret making. After a week or two of contemplation, I did go ahead and buy the steam cleaner I mentioned upthread. I'm not sorry.
What's really holding me back from the SR I'd like to have is the fact that my 18-year-old is still costing me a significant amount of money, even though she's technically an adult. It does show up as a big spending category, but in reality it's much more of a parenting issue than a spending issue. I'm trying to be patient and hope that she gradually takes over more of it, or all of it, and stops...ummm...doing dumb things with her money.
BUT with all that said, I've also realized that this challenge is REALLY helping with my grocery budget. I came in under budget for the first time in [many, many months], just because I want the number to look nice for you people. :)
ETA: I’m taking the spreadsheet down because the name changes didn’t save and this version showed our first names. Too lazy to start over.
