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Be part of us for the February 2024 finances replace from the Canadian Finances Binder household. See how we handle our cash, be taught from our errors, and attempt for monetary success.
For those who’re new to CBB, this can be a month-to-month finances breakdown so you may see how we spend and get monetary savings.
We apply a zero-based finances to an Excel spreadsheet I created and provide all weblog subscribers without cost.
Why I Share Our Month-to-month Finances
I stay up for placing this publish collectively because it lets us see the place our cash was spent.
A finances additionally acts as a diary on your bills so you may look again to see success and failure.
In any case, we will solely achieve success if we be taught from the errors we make alongside the best way.
Our finances replace additionally lets readers know that we’re NOT excellent and should make modifications like everybody else.
We use the instruments (Free finances Binder), and I hope you will have downloaded your free copy.
If there’s any data that you just’d prefer to know or clarify about our finances, please share your feedback under or reply to this e mail.
Alright, let’s get into this.
Dialogue February 2024 Finances
Once more, it was a comparatively quiet month for us; nevertheless, we did dabble with the net app TEMU.
Everybody has their views concerning the app, however as a finance blogger, I wished to know the hype.
We positioned a number of orders over the previous two months and realized two issues.
All the time learn the measurements of what you’re buying.
You’ll find some bargains if what you’re in search of.
I’d like to learn suggestions from anybody who makes use of or has used TEMU. Reply to this e mail or remark under.
The plan is to write down a weblog evaluate concerning the app to let different readers learn about our expertise and anybody else who needs to share.
Benefit from the learn, and as at all times, I recognize your variety suggestions and solutions within the remark part.
Percentages For Our February 2024 Finances
The year-to-date share chart is one other method to chart our family finances.
February 2024 Family Finances Percentages
Financial savings of 48.00% embody investments and financial savings based mostly on our web earnings.
Our life ratio of 27.85% comprises all the things from groceries, leisure, miscellaneous gadgets, well being/magnificence, clothes, and so forth, all of that are variable bills.
The life ratio is over once more this month, which we attribute to additional well being purchases in bulk, as described under.
Our home and automobile are paid for, and we’ve zero client debt; nevertheless, we nonetheless pay property taxes and upkeep charges of seven.60%.
The projected bills of 11.56% can change based mostly on what we encounter month-to-month, resembling a brand new merchandise we have to save for.
Grocery Breakdown February
A reader emailed me asking if I may share what we bought for groceries in February.
We attempt to discover one of the best costs utilizing the Flipp App, coupons, and bargains by way of Flashfood and decreased in-store pricing.
Chances are you’ll discover that we bulk buy gadgets resembling apple juice from Zehrs.
Our son drinks plenty of it blended with water, and we bulk purchase when PC Optimum Factors can be found for juice.
Additionally, our son could have ARFID, which stands for Avoidance/Restrictive Meals Consumption Dysfunction.
Avoidant/restrictive meals consumption dysfunction (ARFID) is a reasonably new consuming dysfunction. Kids with ARFID are extraordinarily selective eaters and generally have little curiosity in consuming meals. They might eat a restricted number of most well-liked meals, which may result in poor development and poor vitamin.
Youngsters Well being
We purchase meals for him to attempt, and he both likes them or doesn’t.
I typically present what he doesn’t prefer to our neighbour with three youngsters.
I additionally buy gadgets to create recipes on the weblog, though I do know no enterprise compensation for these bills.
Zehrs
Ice cream cups $3.79 (Meals Fundamentals bought out)
Organika French Vanilla Yogurt x 2 50% off $5.50
Protein Crisps x 2 50% off $2.94
Blackberries 50% off $2.50
Blueberries x 2 $3.44 Sale
Bosc Pears x4 $3.87 (new for son to attempt)
PC Apple Juice Not From Focus x 6 $24.00
Giant Eggs $3.79
PC Wiltshire Bacon x5 50% off $20
Nescafe Immediate Espresso x 3 Sale $4.99-$2.00 coupons
PC Apple Juice NFC $12.00
Truetaste Milk 1% x 2 Member Worth -$4.00 $10.00
Harvest Crunch Salad Package x 2 50% off $6.00
PC Mushrooms 50% off $1.75
Gala Apple Bag Member worth $5.99
Blueberries Contemporary $3.44 Sale
Frozen Shrimp x 3 Sale $24.00
Oatmeal Cookies Bakery (me…) 50% off $3.50
Earned 17,500 PC Optimum Factors
Earned 3000 PC Optimum Factors
Earned 1200 PC Optimum Factors
Walmart
Sealtest Milk 1 L Diminished $1.29 x 2
Fuji Apples $4.23
Dijon Mustard $1.97
Bananas $0.98
Shrimp $9.97
Kale Diminished $2.06
Consumers Drug Mart
2 x PC Caesar Salad Package 50% off $6.98
Date Squares 50% off $3.14 Ya, I do know I’ve a unbelievable recipe, however it was a type of nights the place the date squares received the battle.
Costco
Purelife water x 3 $3.29
Fairlife Chocolate Protein Drink $42.99
Kirkland Greek Yogurt $11.49
Bran Buds $9.99
Taster Alternative Immediate Espresso x 2 $12.99
Kosher Dill $6.99
Hellmans Mayo $8.50 Sale
Nano Yogurt Drinks x 2 $10.00 every Sale
Salmon $34.99
Mini cukes $5.49
German Salami x 2 $14.99
Bavarian rye Bread $4.99
Keto Tortilla $6.49
Amazon
Dill Mustard $7.99
1 Internet Carb Mr. Tortillas $28.00 40 pack
Triscuits x2 $5.00
Meals Fundamentals
Choice Bran Flakes $4.44
Avocado Bag $3.98
Premium Bananas $1.70
Asparagus $1.88
Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt x3 50% off $9.00
Choice Espresso Cream 3 x $2.97
Flashfood App February
Sadly, I don’t have the precise merchandise because the app wipes it out. I’m taking screenshots now, so I’ve them for reference.
If I bear in mind accurately, we bought giant blocks of Saputo mozzarella cheese, yogurt, and milk.
$24.00
$5.48
$14.99
$10.47
52-Week Financial savings Problem
In December, I began a 52-week Financial savings Problem and requested my readers in the event that they wished to take part.
Under is the jar we created to save lots of the cash for twelve months.
Our son acknowledged that he wished to take part, so it was determined that he would save his allowance or some other cash he earned.
Within the financial savings jar for February, there may be $20 or $5 weekly for his allowance, totalling $40 for 2024.
We don’t rely the additional days; we solely rely the complete weeks month-to-month.
Under is a CBB fan becoming a member of us within the financial savings problem and holding herself accountable by sharing with all of you.
Hey, it’s me, TFSASaver, with my replace.
My purpose for every cash to save lots of is $62.
I saved the next:
$8 bought 2 small gadgets
$40 (I talked myself out of shopping for any lotto tickets this month) and transferred that cash into my financial savings account.
$20 used $20 value of PC Optimum factors at my grocery store and took $20 and put it straight into the financial savings account.
Word: I’ve to switch the cash instantly, or I’ll overlook to do it!
This problem makes me extra aware concerning the pointless “needs” I face through the month.
We additionally had no unplanned eating out this month (1 deliberate event with household), So I be ok with that.
Thanks!
Nice query from our reader under. If anybody needs to reply her, go away a remark.
An concept for a Query and Reply is concerning the lottery.
How a lot can folks reduce by chopping out this “tax on the silly,” as I inform myself, although I consistently see adverts selling the lottery?
It’s an space of weak point for me.
Grocery Meals Financial savings Jar January 2024 Replace
Why will we monitor our grocery reductions for the complete 12 months?
Monitoring Our Grocery Reductions For One 12 months + Free Printable
I’ll tally it on the finish of the 12 months to see how a lot we saved shopping for decreased meals merchandise.
Learn the 2023 Finish of 12 months Grocery Meals Financial savings Jar Evaluate.
We saved $146.72 for February utilizing coupons, rewards apps, and Flashfood.
To date, in 2024, buying discounted meals has saved us $280.93.
That’s Superior!!
February 2024 Estimated Finances and Precise Finances
Under are two tables: Our February 2024 Finances and our Precise Finances.
Our February 2024 month-to-month finances represents two adults and a 9-year-old boy.
Finances Color Key: It’s a projected expense when highlighted in blue.
Since Might 2014, we’ve been mortgage-free, redirecting our cash into investments and residential enchancment tasks.
Spending lower than we earn and budgeting has been the simplest method to repay our debt and get monetary savings.
This sort of finances is a zero-based finances the place all the cash has a house.
Estimated February 2024 Finances
We could not want all the cash we budgeted for in every class. Nevertheless, it’s higher to be over or beneath finances for bills.
Don’t overlook to finances for projected bills as a result of your complete month can fail as a result of not planning.
Precise February 2024 Finances
Canadian Banks, We Use
Breakdown Of Our February 2024 Finances
Under are a few of our variable bills from February, other than investments that I’ll talk about.
February 2024 Finances Class Modifications
Our finances classes remained the identical in February, other than a mathematical error I made final month for telecommunications.
Since then, I’ve rectified that by lowering our month-to-month bills to $180, though this modifications continuously as Spotify, Rogers, and Freedom Cellular could enhance costs.
I can’t complain with Freedom; they’ve charged me solely $21 for years, and I get 11GB of information month-to-month.
The most important perpetrator is often Rogers; yearly, we might even see Spotify enhance by $1.
Family Payments and Bills February 2024 Finances
Under is an evidence of the finances classes from February 2024 that had been over finances or want clarification.
Grocery Finances February 2024 Finances
Our month-to-month grocery finances is $900 plus a $25 stockpile finances.
We spent $842.00, or $58, beneath finances for our February groceries.
That doesn’t occur typically, however when it does, it’s a cheerful time on the CBB dwelling.
Groceries are our most formidable competitor, because it’s a struggle between finances, mouth, and abdomen.
Pet Bills
In February, our pet bills of $350.00-$301.75 = $48.25 got here beneath finances for our two cats… a miracle!!
There was one other med cost for Large Ginger, as his nostril is just not bettering.
It will get crusty, which we thought was meals, generally, however once we wipe it with a heat wipe, there may be blood.
We purchased him particular meals for $69 this month from Chewy, a singular new Canadian pet meals firm from which we order.
Nevertheless, we don’t assume he’s allergic to his meals. The opposite possibility is to get blood assessments achieved to see what comes up.
New Moist Cat Meals Alert!
We could have found out a model of meals Mr. Black Snack Cat likes known as Dashi Delights.
It prices round $24 for a 12-pack, so it’s not low-cost, however at the very least he eats all of it.
Typically, I discover that they need contemporary meals and received’t eat leftovers as they get crunchy. (I don’t blame them.)
Large Ginger loves his meals however not a lot the snacks, and he prefers Fancy Feast creamy varieties resembling Florentine.
The fee is cheaper than the Dashi Delights, however each cats will eat it.
If we may return and do it once more, we’d doubtless persist with dry cat meals, though the vet stated that moist cat meals can be acceptable.
Stability is essential, even with pets, and that’s a wrestle now that we’ve them in our routine.
In addition they every have a bowl of dry cat meals that they eat between meals or once we aren’t dwelling and they’re hungry.
Generally Large Ginger has moist meals with a aspect of dry, haha!
Our cats are complete opposites.
For those who personal a cat or cats, how do you entertain them each day? Our cats whine once we are dwelling to play all day till they sleep.
Hit reply or remark under and suggestions you can provide us.
Don’t get upset if we tousled cat parenting guidelines. We all know.
Well being And Magnificence
Budgeted $270- $474.70 precise well being and wonder bills means we had been over finances by $204.70 in February.
The overage primarily comes from shopping for in bulk merchandise, resembling iron capsules from Amazon that had been out of inventory for months.
Sadly, Mrs. CBB wants a specific model of iron capsules as she is borderline anemic proper now.
Additionally, she bought whey protein powder to extend her each day protein numbers.
Sadly, the whey is just not working for her because it offers her abdomen issues, resembling an excessive amount of gasoline.
She discovered a brand new firm that makes a vegan plant protein powder and has fallen in love with it.
Not solely does she don’t have any gasoline, however she additionally has no chalky style, and she or he says the flavours are so good.
To get free delivery, she needed to spend x quantity of {dollars}, plus that they had a sale on gingerbread protein powder, so she stocked up.
I’ll have extra information on the corporate and product as quickly as I can get you all a reduction code to save lots of you some cash.
A pitstop at Costco meant we stocked up on paper towels, face wipes *for our son), bathroom paper, and different family requirements.
Lastly, she bought a SkinCeuticals product for round $132 for her superb strains and blemishes.
Since she has a limonene allergy, she is restricted within the varieties of well being and wonder merchandise she will purchase.
FlashFood App
Each one who indicators up will get a $3 credit score, a freebie provided by Flashfood for brand new app prospects.
Use my referral code, MOCD28ZN4, to get the $3 credit score, and your first buy have to be over $15.
For the report, FlashFood retains altering the referral earnings from $3 to $5 for brand new members who join free.
So you could get roughly cash based mostly on how they really feel for the month. It’s free cash, so no complaints right here.
We spent $54.94 on groceries utilizing Flashfood, though I don’t know the financial savings. I’ll work on monitoring that for March.
PC Optimum Rewards Factors 2024
We began 2024 with beneath 7 million PC Optimum Factors, or $6830, and now at $6390, or 6,937,857 factors.
I do know a lot of you would possibly assume this can be a huge variety of factors, and we agree.
The method of saving them began after our son was born in 2014.
Between diapers and system, we amassed factors quicker than we may spend them.
Sure, we’ve redeemed many occasions, however solely throughout their Mega Bonus Occasion at Christmas.
Redeem 250,000 factors for $500; I consider it was $600 at one level.
TD Visa Money Again Quantity
Our TD Visa has a money again stability of February 29, 2024, which is $413.25.
Canadian Tire Triangle Rewards February 2024
Sometimes, my bills are placed on my Canadian Tire MasterCard other than Costco CIBC MasterCard for gasoline and groceries and PC World Elite MasterCard for groceries.
We additionally solely store on 20x or 30x the Triangle Rewards days!
Dream Air Miles
I’m including Air Miles as a result of they emailed Mrs. CBB, and we realized we hadn’t invested a lot curiosity in this system.
Most factors are from our home and automotive insurance coverage, which supply Air Miles.
There was a degree the place we had to decide on Money Miles or Dream Miles.
Since my household lives within the UK, we felt the Dream Miles would have labored greatest for us.
I hope to discover this program in 2024 and would love suggestions from all of you who make investments the time into constructing miles.
Hit reply and inform me about your Air Miles experiences.
February 2024 CBB Internet Value Replace
After tallying three rewards playing cards, we discovered $8222.33 in money/rewards to redeem.
This quantity is just not factored into our web value, though $1292.33 of Canadian Tire rewards and TD Rewards are money.
The funding portfolios elevated by $45,541.68 or 4.49% in February.
In February, I invested in my RRSP by about $10,500, which was the obtainable room.
We elevated our web value by 2.15% or $34,005.76 in February.
If in case you have any particular questions on how we make investments our cash, please remark under, and I’d be pleased to reply them.
Till Subsequent Time!
That’s all for our February 2024 Month-to-month Finances.
I will probably be again in April to evaluate our March 2024 month-to-month finances.
If there’s one thing you’d prefer to see in our month-to-month replace, hit reply to this e mail.
Thanks for stopping by, and please subscribe if you’re new to CBB to get my weekly weblog publish and month-to-month e-newsletter.
Learn our finances updates from 2012-current.
Mr. CBB