The month of May has been a tough one for me, and I’m glad it’s over.
I have to admit, I tried to lift my foot off the spending pedal, but it seems to bite me in return when it’s for things I need. For those who plan to buy a house, I would highly suggest creating a budget for the necessary tools you’ll need if you plan to do it yourself or hire someone.
For example, I’ve taken a great interest in lawn care. With that in mind, I bought a riding mower, a dethatcher, and bags of seed and fertilizer. The tractor has made my life so easy that, as of now, I have no regrets. I can now cover fifteen square feet of land in less than an hour. Unlike spending a couple of hours with my push mower, it’s still useful for the areas I can’t reach with the riding mower.
Also, with the weather warming up, it was time to show the pool some love. Who would’ve thought it would take so many spending mistakes to understand how to maintain a pool, from cleaning it to the right combination of chemicals.
Other than that, it’s been nothing but learning curves and self-improvement.
Here’s a view of my expenses for the month of May 2024
| Mortgage | $2000 |
| Groceries | $18.16 |
| Fuel | $45 |
| Restaurant | $60 |
| Travel/Tolls | $17.25 |
| Mobile Phone | $0 |
| Internet | $106.99 |
| Home Improvement | $2502.23 |
| General Merchandise | $137.81 |
| Total | $4887.44 |
Dividends for May 2024
In May 2024, I received $39.72 in dividend income from six different companies. This marks an increase of $6.44 compared to last May.
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Div Income | $37.46 | $38.92 | $91.36 | $45.49 | $39.72 |
May 2024 Summary
I took the leap and spent some extra cash that month, even going over my budget by using my credit card to make my everyday life easier. I see every dollar spent as an investment for the long term. The goal is to get what I need, make it last, and pay for it over time. I’m hoping I won’t need to repeat these expenses any time soon.
So tell me, how was your month of May?
