I'll have to download the credit card transactions and figure expenses, tomorrow.

I mentioned May sucked. I didn't write down one transaction. I couldn't tell you why. I did feel, looking back, that I was flying a bit blind not being able to download the credit card transactions. But, failed to mention that we seemed to be handling it just fine and managing expenses maybe even better than usual (January through April). Solution? Write every miscellaneous purchase down and discuss more ahead of time with dh. Which helps with the "me planning to buy x" and "him planning to buy y," and not really coordinating well at times. For some reason we never wrote anything down in May. I couldn't tell you why. DOH!

For May, I got out a piece of paper, and instead of writing "$200" across the top, like I usually do, I wrote "$0." We have $0 to spend. I don't really plan a no-spend month, and the $0 is an exaggeration. But it does set the tone. We didn't pay attention in May, and now we make up for it. For the record, I don't think dh gets it. LOL. It probably doesn't help with the communication to tell him we have $0 to spend, while spending money. But we did discuss our plans for the month. He wanted to spend $30 for kids' birthday. We may be treating his folks to lunch (long planned before - for their retirement). This is just a month where we discuss everything well ahead of time. & where we will say no more than usual. For one, I don't think we need to eat out at all this month (except as planned while out of town). To clarify - no eating out while at home. I will probably skip my once a week lunch outings, myself. I have 3 short weeks at work, so no biggie. I did not eat out this past week, for one.

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Interestingly, I was able to redeem $100 to my ROTH this month. Just about enough points on the AmEx to redeem $100. Will stop using that card and getting those rewards for 2 months it looks like, in exchange for $500 cash from Chase. So, was good timing for a BIG redemption.

Grand total for year? $350.

Between that, regular contributions of 10% gross income, and my $2k tax refund, we are well on our way to maxing out 2011. Over half way there.

I added $415 to my cash savings and earned $14 in interest this month. Well on our way to reaching cash savings goal, too.

For mortgage, have been adding $50/month, from payroll tax holiday. Only scrounged an additional $15 this month (insurance refund), in addition. That said, brought grand total of extra mortgage payments, to-date this year, to $605. This surpassed my goal of $600 ($50 x 12). So, I checked off the goal in my sidebar, and added my much more aggressive goal to get mortgage balance down to $199,999 this year. I am starting to think it is doable. It's been in the back of my mind, but wasn't confident it was possible, until about now. $500 Sapphire bonus being the swaying factor.

I did also transfer $1200 to short-term savings, per usual. May/June is slow for short-term (i.e. one-time) expenses. I did utilize the funds for $130 soccer sign ups and $150 for summer camp (for 2). Once I download the credit card tomorrow I expect to take a chunk for other things - I have to sort all that out. These were just the obvious things. I will find more. Short-term savings also buys us a little wiggle room for bad months like these.

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Interesting side not - after simplifying our money system and having so few bills (paying most everything possible through the credit card), I was not thrilled to add the Target and AmEx cards this year for rewards. The AmEx can not function alone since so many vendors won't take it. So, I am paying the Visa, Target and AmEx off monthly. Versus the usual one card to pay off.

It really hasn't been too bad in the end. I immediately pay the Target and the Visa balances off the first of every month. It is more bills to pay, but not a lot to keep track of in the end. Quicken makes it simple I guess. I pay the bulk of the credit card purchases (AmEx for now) off at the end of the month. My second paycheck every month covers that and the mortgage. On the first I pay all the rest of the non-chargeable expenses. It maybe adds 30 second a month (if that) to plug in two more payments on my online bill pay. I am relieved it has been so easy to manage, because the rewards are nice.