My Frugal Miser - July Expenses: $8,964

I had two large expenditures in July.  I made the last payment to the contractor who remodeled our bathrooms, and at the end of the month I took the Sonata in for several repairs.  With over 110,000 miles, the cost of upkeep will be higher.

Food spending was high.  We traveled for work, and ate out more than normal.  We also had an unexpected trip to Birmingham to attend a funeral.  I treated my mom to dinner one night, and during the entire trip we were eating in restaurants.

July Expenses:  $8,964

$1,557 Auto ($72 gas, $99 for moped insurance, $1,387 for service)

$52 Bank Fees
$0 Clothing

$0 Computer

$317 Entertainment (movies, gambling, alcohol)

$460 Food

$0 Gifts Given

$4,394 Household/Housing/Home Repair
$0 Homeowner's Insurance (annual payment)

$28 Health and Dental Insurance (prepaid 2017 health insurance premiums in December 2016)

$0 Investment Expense
$1,419 Interest Expense*

$85 Medical/Dental

$0 Miscellaneous

$6 Personal Care

$0 Subscriptions

$0 Taxes
$63 Sharing Economy Expenses (tolls, car washes, etc.)

$438 Utilities

$144 Vacation

*Interest expense includes student loans and the loan on my car.  As both rates are below 2%, I am completely comfortable paying the interest each month and investing the money that I would otherwise use to pay off these loans.  In July, I paid $1,380 to E*Trade for "hard to borrow" interest on a short sale of Sears Holdings stock.