My Frugal Miser - November 2023 Expenses

  We were degenerate gluttons in November.

• Earlier this year I researched high quality luggage and decided Monos was the best brand for me.  They had an aggressive Black Friday sale - 40% off plus a free gift- so I finished out my luggage needs.  Accompanied by a lifetime guarantee, I don't expect to spend much for luggage in the future.
• On Black Friday I used my $50 Saks credit offered by the Platinum AMEX.  Net of the credit, I spent $120 and received a $75 gift card, 3 pair of socks and two shirts.
• I paid car insurance... ouch! (It's for both of us though)
• I paid the annual fee for the American Express Platinum card.  I almost canceled, but the credits I receive each month just barely outweigh the expense, so a net positive.
• Property taxes were due on our house, and they were crazy expensive.  Next year I will qualify for homestead exemption which will help a little.
• We spent way too much on Thanksgiving dinner.  Besides a couple decent restaurant meals, I spent more on groceries than usual. 

Fun

We love adventures.  Spending on experiences makes us better humans.  

• We're going on vacation later this month.  I prepaid for a rental car and bought airline tickets instead of redeeming points in order to achieve a higher status level on United for 2024... I'll be Gold next year.  
• I also added $300 to my cruise balance for our December cruise to take advantage of a Chase Offer ($35 back on $100 purchase, across three different cards). 
• Lastly, Margaritaville at Sea had a Black Friday sale.  We've never cruised on this line so I bought a 2 day cruise.

November Expenses:  $15,275

$1,503 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$695 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$554 Clothing/ Personal Care
$1,656 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$1,011 Food

$40 Health and Dental

$8,402 Household/Home Repairs

$24 Unreimbursed Job Expense

$457 Reimbursed Job Expense

$0 Interest Expense

$656 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$20 Taxes

$257 Utilities