It’s the end of a month again, so we’re here to take a look at the state of our finances. I like to go through a list of end of the month budget questions at the end of every month to see if there is anything I need to—or want to—change as we move into a new month.
For us, May was an expensive month. There were some costs for summer activities that I hadn’t planned for; we had a death in our family and had to spend money on travel and food; we had some car trouble that cost more than what we had in our car maintenance sinking fund. But it was still a better month than it could have been if I didn’t regularly check in on our budget!
If you don’t have a budget, then you probably will want to start there. See my post on how to start a budget!
If you do have a budget, then here are some things to think about as May comes to a close. Consider this post your sign to do a May budget recap and help you get some perspective so you can stay on track for the rest of the year.
End of the Month Budget Questions | May Budget Recap
Did you actually track your spending?
If you did, great job! If not, what kept you from doing it? If you’ve been tracking digitally, maybe you need to switch to a good old notebook and pen.
How much did you spend last month?
Look at any categories where you spent more than you expected, and see if that was just a one-off or if you need to overhaul something more substantial in your budget.
Will you be planning to spend more or less on a certain category in the coming month?
Two of our children just got phones. While they will be paying for the majority of the monthly cost, we are paying for a portion of it, so I need to adjust that in my budget.
Here is a list of the deals from the new Harris Teeter weekly ad that will run through 6/4. Get Blue Bunny ice cream for 14¢ and more.
Procter and Gamble Deal
- Get $10 Prepaid Mastercard when you spend $30 on select Procter and Gamble Products
- Bounce Dryer Sheets, 130 ct, $9.99
-$5 Gift Card WYB $20+ or $15 WYB $50+ on participating products: Tide, Gain, Bounce, Downy, 9 Elements Laundry, Bounty, Charmin, Cascade, Dawn, Gillette Shave, Venus, Olay body or skin, Crest Toothpaste, Oral-B Power, Vicks Sinex, Pampers, Herbal Essences or Head & Shoulders,, Online rebate - Downy Rinse, 48 oz, $12.99
-$5 Gift Card WYB $20+ or $15 WYB $50+ on participating products: Tide, Gain, Bounce, Downy, 9 Elements Laundry, Bounty, Charmin, Cascade, Dawn, Gillette Shave, Venus, Olay body or skin, Crest Toothpaste, Oral-B Power, Vicks Sinex, Pampers, Herbal Essences or Head & Shoulders,, Online rebate
-$3.50/1 Downy Rinse & Refresh Fabric Softener, Walgreens eCoupon
(use $3.50 off, makes it $9.49) - Downy In-Wash Scent Booster, 18.2 oz, $12.99
-$5 Gift Card WYB $20+ or $15 WYB $50+ on participating products: Tide, Gain, Bounce, Downy, 9 Elements Laundry, Bounty, Charmin, Cascade, Dawn, Gillette Shave, Venus, Olay body or skin, Crest Toothpaste, Oral-B Power, Vicks Sinex, Pampers, Herbal Essences or Head & Shoulders,, Online rebate - Dreft Laundry Detergent, 54 oz, $12.99
-1000 points WYB Dreft items, excl All Purpose Cleaner, Wipes, to Go Stain Remover, limit 4, enter code N0REC before first receipt to get 2000 Bonus points, Fetch Rewards (EXP 5/31) mobile app - Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent, 113 oz, $12.99
-$5 Gift Card WYB $20+ or $15 WYB $50+ on participating products: Tide, Gain, Bounce, Downy, 9 Elements Laundry, Bounty, Charmin, Cascade, Dawn, Gillette Shave, Venus, Olay body or skin, Crest Toothpaste, Oral-B Power, Vicks Sinex, Pampers, Herbal Essences or Head & Shoulders,, Online rebate Read More→
Headed to the beach this summer? Get a nice price on all the beach essentials at Walmart. Grab beach chairs, towels, sunscreen, & more!
Deal Ideas:
Mainstays 2-Pack Folding Low Seat Beach Chair – $39 (reg. $44)
Time and Tru 2-Pack Mesh Beach Tote Bag – $10.69 (reg. $15)
Better Homes and Gardens 4-Pack Oversized XL Beach Towel – $29.98 (reg. 44.98)
Alba Botanica Sunscreen Spray – $10.48
-$3 Walmart Cash Back
makes it $7.48
Head to The Home Depot to get this 3-Piece Wicker Patio Set for just $112.10 (reg. $399)! This is a steal! Plus, shipping is free!
This set is made of an all-weather resin wicker with a powder-coated steel reinforced frame. The tabletop has a tempered glass design.
This offer is good for a limited time only. Shipping is free.
Shop more Patio Furniture deals at The Home Depot!
Get yourself a new sling bag at Amazon for just $9.99 (reg. $20)! You can carry all you need in this convenient and lightweight bag.
Available in black only, this sling crossbody bag has two mesh pockets on each side, great for carrying an umbrella and water bottle. There are multiple compartments inside that can fit a small tablet, keys, earphones and other essential items.
Go get yours today! Shipping is free with Prime or free with orders of $35+.
Here is a list of the deals from the current Walmart ad! Get good deals on eggs, All laundry detergent, Tide stain remover, and more.
Toy Deals
- LEGO Duplo Mickey & Minnie Birthday Train, $23.99
-$4.00 Walmart Cash, limit 1
(makes it $19.99) - Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Fishbowl Learning Toy, $17.38
-$2.00 Walmart Cash, limit 1
(makes it $15.38) - LEGO Duplo Classic Brick Block Building Set, $23.99
-$4.00 Walmart Cash, limit 1
(makes it $19.99) - LEGO Duplo My First Organic Garden Brick Box, $35.99
-$8.00 Walmart Cash, limit 1
(makes it $27.99) - LEGO Duplo Town Family House, $19.61
-$2.00 Walmart Cash, limit 2
(makes it $17.61) - LEGO Duplo Truck & Tracked Excavator, $15.99
-$2.00 Walmart Cash, limit 2
(makes it $13.99) Read More→
The Lands’ End Memorial Day Sale has been extended for one more day! Go get 50% off everything plus an extra 10% off swim!
This offer is good thru today only, 5/29. Use code EXTENDED to get the offer. You’ll also get free shipping on all orders over $50!
Deal Ideas
Prices shown are after coupon code has been applied.
Women’s Chlorine Resistant Bandeau Tankini Swimsuit Top – $37.32 (reg. $82.95)
available in four colors
Women’s Chlorine Resistant Pinchless High Waisted Bikini Bottoms – $26.07 (reg. $57.95)
available in eight colors
Women’s Chlorine Resistant Soft Cup Tugless Sporty One Piece Swimsuit – $28.20 (reg. $82.95)
available in lots of prints
Women’s Textured Tie Shoulder Midi Dress – $49.97 (reg. $99.95)
available in three prints
Here is a list of the deals from the new Kroger weekly ad that will start on 5/29. Get Kroger eggs for $1.99, All detergent for $2.49, and more.
Mega Event Grocery
- Save $2 off each item WYB (3+) participating products, Prices listed are after instant savings.
-
A.1. Sauce, 15 oz, $2.99 - Bubly Sparkling Water, 8 pk. 12 oz, $2.99
-$1 off buy (2) Off the Eaten Path 4.5 oz, or Stacy’s pita chips 4 oz+, AND (1) bubly sparkling water 8-pk printable - Cape Cod Party Size Kettle Chips, 13-14 oz, $2.99
- Cedar’s Pita Chips, 6 oz, $2.49
-$1/2 Cedar’s product (sign up) printable
(makes it $1.99 ea.) - Cheez-It Multipack, 20 ct., $7.99
- Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Bread, 24-27 oz, $4.99
- Deer Park Natural Spring Water, 24 pk. 16.9 oz, $2.99
- Dunkin’s Coffee or K-Cups, 11 oz or 10 ct., $6.99
- Gatorade Sport Drinks, 8 pk. 20 oz, $6.49
- General Mills Family Size Fruit Snacks, 40 ct., $6.99
-2500 points WYB General Mills Snacks, purchase $30, limit 1, enter code N0REC before first receipt to get 2000 Bonus points, Fetch Rewards (EXP 5/31) mobile app Read More→
This is the start of a new two week ad for CVS with deals running through 6/8. Plus we have all new month long deals at Walgreens that will run through 6/29.
Head to the full lists to get all the coupons mentioned plus make a shopping list:
