Where did it all go, Blanche?

As I recall, that was the opener of a very old telly ad for Mastercard.   The point being, by using a Mastercard you always knew where your money had been spent.  Clever marketing.

Update to 2021.  I use Quicken.  My financial records go back to 1999.  Yes, I'm OCD about money.  Income, outgo.   I have a belt and suspenders approach to my personal finances.  Quicken and multiple Excel spreadsheets.  But Quicken is my oracle.

Yesterday I paid my last bill for 2021.  Once the data was entered into Quicken/spreadsheets, and all were backed up, it was time for the annual "where did it all go?" report.  I consulted my oracle.  

I spent 53% of my 2021 income, saved 47%.  Highest expense categories were: condo, medicare insurance and cash.  Here's what really interested me.  Comparing 2021 with 2020, my overall expenses in 2021 exceeded 2020 by only $61.05.  It doesn't get better than that.  My budget plan works.  

Here are my 2022 New Year's resolutions:

-- Stay healthy.  Wear my mask.  Practice social distancing.

-- Stick to my budget.

Wishing all the joy and bounty of the New Year.

Penny Pincher

Decking the Halls 2021

My halls are decked for the holidays.  

In a niche - between step cabinet and armoire - stands my bling tree in all its silvered glory.  A skinny four foot tall fake tree, complete with two strings of multi-colored lights and random fake pine cones, it was a $10 flea market purchase a few months ago.  For the holidays it's topped with a silver star, festooned with chained ropes of silver bead necklaces, the only ornaments are silver bells.  After the holidays I'll put the silver away and trim the tree with multi-colored bead necklaces in chained ropes.  I have no place to store the tree other than where it stands, so I'll enjoy it year 'round.

A friend of mine used to say "You can't overdo for Christmas."  He was right.

Knock yourself out.  Deck your halls, enjoy the holidays.  

Joy to all.

Penny Pincher