Ways and Means: May

Here's what's been happening so far. My "budgeting" has basically been "tracking," as I've been nowhere close to my budget for months. In fact, I've been at least a thousand dollars over my proposed budget each month. I'm operating in the red! Also, as George pointedly pointed out, since my monthly income doesn't match my expenditures, what I'm really doing is digging into my savings.

I have to reiterate here: "What savings?"

Money in equals money out, my accounting system is very simple. For some reason this bothers George highly and she'd prefer if I declare what I have in the bank as "income." That will not be happening as it just confuses me. Instead I'll just continue as I've been doing. Which is overspending.

This month, the one where I was committed to getting underneath my budget, started off so well. About twenty days in, I was right on pace to limbo under my desired number. I was getting all ready to crow about my fiscal restraint and impending victory. (We're doing this thing now where the most budget blower-er gets their photo showcased on the Budget Club GroupMe. It's for public shaming purposes, obviously.)

Instead I've somehow managed to spend about 185% of my budget, which means it's been my worst month since January. Yes, I'm regressing. What follows is a pathetic attempt to absolve myself of my sins.

My big ticket items this month were an investment in my future. Namely a MoviePass and Citibike. For the low low price of $125 and $95 respectively, I'll have free movies for three months and bike share for a year. MoviePass is about forty bucks a month and for that you get to watch up to one movie a day. So far in June, I've already used it three times, what a steal right?

My initial hopes was that Citibike would replace my taxi-ing or some subway-ing but it's more likely to just cut down my commute. (I say "commute" like I have places to be. That is all lies, as we know.) At best, I think Citibike will shave off a handful of taxis each month. Maybe. After observing how traffic rips through Manhattan streets, it's probably a great idea for me to ride around as little as possible in the city. I mean, until I get a helmet at least. AMR already helped me pick out some safety lights -- which I belatedly found out each Citibike already includes -- and soon I'll be armoring up my noggin. My Citibike key hasn't arrived yet, but I'm really excited to cut my to/from subway commute from a ten minute walk to a three minute ride.

What? Getting a skateboard last month was supposed to be for commuting too? I've gone out on it four times already! Exactly what are you trying to say?

Travel fees were a doozy this month too. This upcoming adult camp will cost about five hundred total, including the puddle jump from San Diego to San Francisco. I'm sure you'll agree that for a once in a lifetime experience, that's dirt cheap. Plus, I had to change my ticket back from California for a hefty fee because George requested that I stick around long enough to overlap with her and Ameer's trip back home. So that should be exorcised from my budget I say.

Other than those subscription services and the travel, I was damn close to sticking on the rest of my budget. I mean, I only went about 120% over on dining out and playing, and despite doubling up on groceries, shopping, and gifts, they were all for good causes. Amazing causes even.

Amidst all this doom and gloom and one step forward equals five steps back, I'm in semi-decent shape because book money dropped in, and with a surprise to boot. The damn thing hit the bestseller list and with that came a bit of a bonus. Woohoo! How's that for unexpected news? So not only has my career just peaked, I'll be able to glide into the summer footloose and fancy free. Unless I want to take this opportunity to secure my financial future for fall. Although that just sounds like too much foresight.

Here's hoping to a cheapo June as I spend most of it at home in burritoville, right after a Vegas wedding weekend that will drain me of any monies I've accumulated. Already, buying the ticket to a fancy club has been ghastly. It's okay though because when in doubt, hit the roulette table and bet it all on black!

• ATM Visits: Six times, no fees
• Dining out: Forty times, high of $45
• Cabs: Seven
• Shopping: Various Amazon stuffs, one music album, a movie download, five books
• Play: Four movies, Rub-a-Grub party, a couple of drink nights
• Biggest expenses: Camp Grounded ($360), Flights and change fees ($300), MoviePass ($125), CitiBike Annual ($100), Hakkasan ticket ($85)