It’s hard to believe I’ve been writing for six years and tracking my expenses for five years. I will no longer be tracking my expenses, but I do want to show you my 5-year comparison. My annual housing expense will decrease by $8,950 when I finish paying off my mortgage in three years. I’m really proud of myself for drastically reducing my alcohol consumption. I might quit completely in the future. I’m also proud about cutting out fast food. I no longer consider restaurants (fast or regular) a treat, and my body is thankful.
I really don’t like driving, and I’m considering selling my vehicle. Considering how infrequently I need it and overall cost of ownership, it’s cheaper to take taxis on the rare occasions I can’t walk or ride my bicycle. Vehicle insurance increased quite a bit again in 2024.
I have never missed cable, and it’s unfortunate that I didn’t cancel it sooner. I love all the free movies I’ve been watching on my plug-in device. Other than a belt and maybe a few small things, I haven’t bought clothes in about ten years, and I have no need to buy them again.
As grocery prices increased, I had fewer opportunities to buy good deals in bulk, and I started depleting my inventory from my freezer and pantry. I also stopped buying almost anything that requires me to use the stove instead of the microwave. I really don’t like cooking.
| 2023 Total | 2022 Total | 2021 Total | 2020 Total | 2019 Total | |
| Alcohol | 89.24 | 357.65 | 411.94 | 271.33 | 287.82 |
| Automotive | 1,888.74 | 1,187.35 | 1,510.77 | 959.82 | 1,519.26 |
| Banking | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 34.55 |
| Bird food | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 21.65 | 42.00 |
| Charity | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 |
| Cleaning | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 16.28 | 46.26 |
| Clothes | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 19.47 |
| Cosmetics | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 14.04 |
| Electronics | 0.00 | 54.07 | 25.79 | 0.00 | 24.76 |
| Fast food | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4.10 | 1.36 | 25.07 |
| Gambling | 34.00 | 29.00 | 32.00 | 29.00 | 33.00 |
| Gifts | 105.77 | 75.61 | 117.94 | 82.99 | 171.01 |
| Groceries | 224.68 | 440.69 | 374.81 | 522.12 | 464.57 |
| Housing* | 16,904.04 | 16,672.42 | 19,373.66 | 11,034.58 | 26,677.18 |
| Hygiene | 87.64 | 73.58 | 72.00 | 120.61 | 74.97 |
| Medical | 22.71 | 224.42 | 145.84 | 203.65 | 309.11 |
| Office | 24.36 | 32.44 | 49.47 | 24.36 | 27.05 |
| Restaurants | 7.00 | 9.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 36.12 |
| Snacks | 79.16 | 74.37 | 73.23 | 55.44 | 44.06 |
| Utilities | 2,259.38 | 2,277.88 | 2,108.91 | 2,410.44 | 3,042.59 |
| $21,826.72 | $21,608.48 | $24,400.46 | $15,853.63 | $32,992.89 |
*I bought a new roof in 2021 (insurance paid for most of it).
*I paid 2020 property taxes in January 2021 and paid no property taxes in 2020, and I continued paying property taxes each January instead of my old tax method of doubling years since it no longer helps me.
*I bought a new A/C and paid 2018 and 2019 property taxes in 2019.
Linda 🙂
Here are other helpful posts in addition to the links above: Previous Articles
The Heart of Frugal Living 
Congratulations on a great achievement. Not having a car would be difficult for me. I wear very old clothes, but they do eventually wear out.
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