Expensive Month of May

[tripods68]

Just paid off:

$3700 booked summer vacation in June

$2500 Advanced payment 3-months supporting our parents for helping babysit our 2 kids.

$5000 Private tuition daughter's next school year

$2000 Water system

$13,200 total

Last time we spent over 13k in a month was last summer's home renovation of our old house that we sold last year.

Granted we anticipated this were coming due, it's was hard to write a check/debit at once on one fell swoop. It's time to reload the bank account savings for next year.

Other than Christmas and property tax due in Dec, I think we are done spending on major expenses for the year.

[disneysteve]

Oh, I know that feeling well, though not all in one month fortunately.

We've taken a couple of weekend trips recently, we're spending $2,000 to go to Florida this month for 2 days to attend a party, $5,000 for a family trip to Arizona in June, a couple thousand to go to Kentucky for our anniversary, and the next to last college tuition payment is due in August.

I'm hoping that once the final college tuition payment is made in December, we'll be able to start socking away more money.

[phantom]

I'm going through a string of expensive months. We're getting the basement finished, and between payments to the contractor and purchasing materials, it's been a constant drain since March. Add to that paying for my husband and daughter to join me on a business trip, property taxes, and car repairs, and spending has been much, much higher than usual.

Even when you save up for big expenses, it's still sad to see that money leave the bank accounts and the balances go down. Some of the spending has been offset by a large tax return and a good fortune with my ESPP. But, balances are still going down, and that still makes me a little sad.

At this point, the construction is almost done, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, we still need to buy furniture and a fridge for under the bar, and I'm very tempted to just buy the least expensive options I can find, regardless of value. I think I have spending fatigue.

[97guns]

That's a pretty good chunk of change but pales in comparison to my recent outflows, around 50k since December to build a house overseas, finally finished up snd sending my last payment next week, doesn't include any of my vacations or gold buying

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Just put down $50k earnest money on a house we're closing on next month.

$5k gift to friend

booking some stuff for our summer trips and possibly putting a deposit down on private school. Lots of stuff to take care of.

[disneysteve]

$5k gift to friend

Can I be your friend, too?

[Milly]

For the last 3 years (since I started tracking), March has been inexplicably 30-50% over the average. Other than car insurance due, I really don't know what it is. When I review the purchases, it is just a couple extra things here or there.

I guess somewhere deep in my subconscious, March is either my stock up month, catch up month, or get the things I've been holding out on month. The good news is February and April tend to be very low spending months. I guess I'm financially bulimic in the spring.

[snafu]

never heard the term financially bulimic before but it fits April in our household year after year... income tax, car tags, annual vehicle [2] and home insurance, TFSA [Cnd ROTH-like], landscaping supplies, summer wardrobe replacement/needs, 3 month chronic condition RX, this year bill for 3 month out of country adventure due 4/8/17. DH says his head's reeling!

[Thrif-t]

Ugh I drained a good chunk out of our emergency fund the first 3 months of the year!!

Decided to get the whole first floor repainted. Then came property taxes. Then DH's car needed a LOT of repairs! Then I ran over a nail and when I took my car to get the tire fixed they wouldn't cause my tires were bald, so I bought 4 new tires (it really was time I just lost track with having 4 cars to keep up on). Then we had some non toxic mold in our attic we had to have removed. Then I got a new life insurance policy(paid the year premium for the discount) Then we switched home, auto and umbrella policy providers and the new company provides a substantial discount for paying yearly...so ya. And, oh ya paid off our vacation this summer. Oh but wait, I'm not done, have 105k miles on my Honda and need to do the big timing belt water pump change to the tune of $1200. Ya ok now I'm done...till something else pops up!

[TexasHusker]

How about the bevy of graduation and bridal gifts in May? Enough to choke a large mule.

[TexasHusker]

Ugh I drained a good chunk out of our emergency fund the first 3 months of the year!!

Decided to get the whole first floor repainted. Then came property taxes. Then DH's car needed a LOT of repairs! Then I ran over a nail and when I took my car to get the tire fixed they wouldn't cause my tires were bald, so I bought 4 new tires (it really was time I just lost track with having 4 cars to keep up on). Then we had some non toxic mold in our attic we had to have removed. Then I got a new life insurance policy(paid the year premium for the discount) Then we switched home, auto and umbrella policy providers and the new company provides a substantial discount for paying yearly...so ya. And, oh ya paid off our vacation this summer. Oh but wait, I'm not done, have 105k miles on my Honda and need to do the big timing belt water pump change to the tune of $1200. Ya ok now I'm done...till something else pops up!

The timing belt/water pump is a $350 job at a reputable independent shop.

[disneysteve]

The timing belt/water pump is a $350 job at a reputable independent shop.

I often see posts like this and I wonder how much of this is geographic variance. Over the years, I've tried several independent shops on the recommendations of friends. I've never found one that was significantly cheaper than the dealership and I've also never found one that gave anywhere near the level of service provided by the dealership, most notably the free loaner car while my car was being serviced. Even when the independent place was somewhat cheaper, the expense of renting a car for a couple of days ate into that savings.

[TexasHusker]

I often see posts like this and I wonder how much of this is geographic variance. Over the years, I've tried several independent shops on the recommendations of friends. I've never found one that was significantly cheaper than the dealership and I've also never found one that gave anywhere near the level of service provided by the dealership, most notably the free loaner car while my car was being serviced. Even when the independent place was somewhat cheaper, the expense of renting a car for a couple of days ate into that savings.

Depending on the mechanic and his tools, this is a 2-3 hour job. If your dealer is quoting you 2 days for the job, I wouldn't term that any sort of good service. Lazy service at best.

Assuming $75 an hour labor, you're at 200 or so bucks plus a belt (cheap) and a water pump is $100-130 with exchange of yours.

So $350 is about right.

Your "free" loaner car and fresh cup of java from the dealer is running you $700 or more.

You'd be out less money going to an independent and having a Rolls Royce limo you around for the day.

[disneysteve]

So $350 is about right.

Your "free" loaner car and fresh cup of java from the dealer is running you $700 or more.

How do you suggest someone go about finding these mythical mechanics who will do $1,000 jobs for $300. As I said, I've tried a few independent shops and they weren't that much cheaper. Once I added in the rental car expense, it worked out close to even and it was more of a hassle.

[TexasHusker]

How do you suggest someone go about finding these mythical mechanics who will do $1,000 jobs for $300. As I said, I've tried a few independent shops and they weren't that much cheaper. Once I added in the rental car expense, it worked out close to even and it was more of a hassle.

I feel quite sure there are mechanics in your neck of the woods who aren't charging $300 per hour labor.

$75 an hour is plenty, anywhere in the country.

http://www.answers.com/mobile/Q/What_is_the_hourly_rate_charged_to_customer_at_an_auto_repair_shop

You're getting ripped off.