For the last few years we’ve been automatically doubling our mortgage payment, with the extra going toward the principal. Now, this “gazelle intensity” 12 month plan calls for even more, which we weren’t able to do in September. That was by design, because there were a lot of expenses last month associated with homeschooling and the co-op that the kids are attending. Even though we planned for those expenses they ended up being more than we thought. We are recouping that money with the reduced grocery and car fuel expenses, so that looks OK. I also just noticed that I did NOT include my annual bonus in the budget for early next year. It isn’t a guarantee, so I think it’s a smart move to exclude that potential income. We don’t want to rely on that money so it will literally be a bonus, which is as it should be.
The budget did a great job of guiding us through Davin’s 13th birthday. We went out to eat at his favorite all-you-can-eat sushi bar, and we also got him the Samsung Gear VR headset. (Don’t worry, it’s not the exploding kind.) That was all accounted for, and we have similar plans for Christmas and future birthdays. Of course, I had to get the VR all set up so I could take it on a trial run. But the gift was absolutely for Davin, not me.
The only other outlier for September was car repairs. I was able to replace the brake pads on the van myself. I also replaced and fixed a grounding problem in the truck. Thanks Youtube! That allowed the repairs to be paid for cheaply, but it did take a day and half of my time. Fortunately I have that time available. I’m more and more inclined to embrace the DIY culture. It saves money, but it is also fulfilling to learn how to do something new, and then to go out and do it.
I so enjoyed throwing huge amounts of money toward the principal over the last two months, so it was kind of a bummer to have to hold back in September. We’re following a plan though, so we’ll stick with the plan. Actually, October will be similar because of Jaron’s college expenses. We’ll get that back in full once we file our income taxes next year thanks to the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Once we get through October, however, extra mortgage payments will really pick up again in November and December. Steady as she goes!