November & December monthly check in

Super late, but I finally got our November/December and year end numbers up. The numbers are for the last 2 months of the year, then the YTD (year to date 2021) numbers to show you how much we spent on groceries, clothing (shoes, accessories) and Christmas gifts.

Groceries/HBA/Cleaning

CVS : $1.20

Kroger : $42.03

Meijer : $5.69

Ollies : $5.09

Rite Aid : $7.93

Sams : $512.10

Wags : $71.61

Walmart : 88.63

Produce market : $93.15

Total OOP : $827.43

Earnings 

$31.80 Ibotta 

Redeemed for $45 Walmart gcs on Ibotta which were then used to purchase more groceries. 

My earned drugstore rewards are not included in this amount.I count them when I spend it. 

YTD grocery expenses (OOP) : $5610.70 

YTD  earnings  (Ibotta) : $482.95

So we averaged $467.59 p/m on groceries. I knew that the number would be high, but this is slightly less than we averaged ($500 p/m) about 3 years ago. I actually expected the amount to be higher, so I'm pleased with that total because we have a full stockpile. 

The reason why I don't deduct Ibotta and other earnings (Fetch, Kroger cash etc) from my total, is because I count it when I redeem the rewards. My expenses (OOP) is always after all coupons and rewards are deducted. If I deducted the earnings from my OOP cost, then I would be counting it twice. 

YTD Drugstore OOP : $544.88 (included in grocery total above)

YTD Drugstore earnings : $254.16

YTD Total Drugstore costs (after earnings): $290.72

Just to give you an idea of how my drugstore shopping paid off. I'm so very pleased with the numbers, because we are brand loyal when it comes to HBA. We have everything we need and much more. Paying $290 OOP for everything we have, is a steal. 

Yesterday I went to WAGS. There was a young woman checking out ahead of me. She bought a grocery bag (not full) of makeup (including face wash/cleanser. I remember this part, because it's the same cleanser I use...lol). The total came to $157.xx!!!!!! I could see the screen from my social distancing spot...lol. Holy mother of pearl! Who the heck pays that much for a grocery bag of stuff?! Definitely not me. Heck I paid less than double for a full year's worth of stuff for our family of 3. 

Now I'm not here to judge. I know that couponing is not for everyone. But had she purchased the same items at a grocery store (Meijer, Target, Walmart), she would've paid at least 1/3rd less for it. The drugstores have huge markups on everything!! I totally understand why some people shop like that and just pay for it without blinking. It's all about convenience. They can get in and out in no time. DH used to do that all the time, until the lightbulb finally went off for him. He's learned to just ask me if we have something, before just running to WAGS (his favorite) to buy it. Need a new electric razor, hair dryer, body wash, hand soap? I've got it all. Yes, I even stock up on electric appliances. Call me crazy, but my guys have seen how handy it comes in, especially during these uncertain times. We lack nothing, because mama (me) provides it all. 

MONEY EARNED (SIDE HUSTLE)

GCs Earned $145 ($60 Mypoints, $45 Swagbucks, $25 IGC, $5 Microsoft, $10 PG)

Rakuten : $49.63

Personal items (things we've had listed for the past 2 years) : $350.33

2021 Closet cleanout : $81.68

Big goal : $60.08

Drugstore items : $69.04

Total earnings : $755.76

Again, nothing listed. I had too much on my plate to still think of listing personal items. 

YTD Earnings :

GCs (point earning sites) : $730.00

Ibotta : $442.82

Personal items : $1182.35

2021 Closet cleanout : $425.38

Big goal : $701.11

Drugstore items : $254.16

Rakuten : 126.13

Total Earnings (excl Ibotta) : $3419.13

NOV/DEC EXPENSES (Clothing/shoes/accessories, Christmas gifts)

OOP : 535.76  (DS underwear & shorts) + Kohls BF shopping + rewards shopping

Less : $52.95  (DS Christmas gift I returned) 

Total OOP $482.81

I finally received my credit for DS's gift I returned. I also received my Big Fat Rakuten check. Check is a little more than usual for this time of year, since I started Christmas shopping early. My next check will be much smaller. 

YTD OOP (clothing/shoes/accessories, Christmas gifts) : $2425.66

YTD side hustle income (personal, closet cleanout, drugstore, rakuten) : $1988.02

YTD Balance ($537.64)

This is the first time (since I started reselling our old clothes about 12 years ago) that we are in the red. Last year was a very expensive year, due to shortages. If I add the Big goal earnings to that, we'd be in the black, but I don't want to do that. Besides, I know that I'll make back our Kohls Black Friday money, so I'm not too concerned about that. This year, the goal is to stay in the black. I'd also be happy to to make up for last year's shortfall, this year. 

Crazy as this might sound, I'm actually happy with our numbers. I know how much prices (of just about everything) increased last year. I shopped hard, stocked up on everything and barely used coupons on groceries. I was just in survival mode. So there you have it folks. Our numbers - The good, the bad and the ugly.

Have a great weekend everyone!