Budget Update: November 2021 – 1 Year Wedding Anniversary
Welcome to another edition of my monthly budget updates, where I break down my expenses by category and share the highlights and lowlights of the month!
So how was your November? Was it good, bad or meh?
November for me was… full. It went by in a flash. I worked, studied, and enjoyed life. Nothing to complain about, truly.
A lot of good things happened, but one of the things I’m most grateful for is marking 1 year anniversary with the wonderful person that is my spouse. Going through the pandemic lows with daily hugs and assurances, sharing meals and household responsibilities – all these things are exactly what I was looking for in a partner and I got it.
And now when I read about how they say your spouse selection is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make… I get it. I truly get it. The people who say it’s better to marry late (or not at all) than marry wrong are absolutely right.
(If you’re on the fence about the person, remember – if it’s not a yes, it’s a no. Thank you feminism and the women’s movement for giving me the ability to choose my own spouse)
Let’s get on to the budget part.
Budget Update: November 2021
In November 2021, I spent RM10,724.55. The top 3 top expenses were:
- Donations & Gifts (RM5,071.70) – Dad’s dusun project, Parents’ electric bill, Family dinner, AFS lifetime membership
- Utilities & Rent (RM1,276.90) – Gotta keep a roof over our heads
- Groceries (RM1,034.88) – Gotta eat
Cumulatively, the top 3 expenses make up 70% of my total November 2021 expenses.
My Spending Breakdown in November 2021
Here’s what I spent on in the whole month of November 2021, in their respective categories and from highest to lowest amount:
Yay of the Month:
#1 – Reached my income goal for the year
Reached the income goal I wanted to hit. I can take December off, yay 🙂
#2 – Did my medical check
Thanks to twitter, I realised the importance of getting a medical check-up AND found deals. My results were good. Some lifestyle adjustments needed but alhamdulillah no major issues 🙂
Personal thank you to everyone who helped to answer this Q (click to read replies).
#3 – Successfully cut my own hair
I cut my hair! Just the bangs/fringe part but it counts! I always get excited when I learn new skills that can save me money 😀
#4 – Gave 4 talks
I did:
- Jenis Pelaburan Patuh Shariah with MyAgeing™️ Financial Literacy and Educational Hub (MyFiLE), UPM
- Making and Managing Money: Solopreneur vs Enterpreneur with Dr Nur Aisyah, founder of IMAN Media Group
- Peluang Pendapatan Pasif dalam Salam & Kripto with Hi WEALTH
- Make your Money & Passion Work for You with SunLife Malaysia
#5 – Got another RM500 from GKP
Total received so far under GKP (Geran Khas Prihatin): RM6,500
#6 – Had a fun (and budgeted for) 11.11 shopping spree
Shopping sprees are better when it’s budgeted for 🙂 No guilt just whee
I bought:
- Covid test kits (responsible)
- Groceries (responsible)
- Kimchi kit (consider groceries so responsible)
- Snacks (not responsible but will reduce my grab delivery hopefully)
- Clothes from uniqlo (on sale and I need it so can consider responsible)
- A pair of jeans bought on impulse (Not responsible.. Dammit the countdown timer got me. But still within allocated fun budget)
- Ikea rug (purchase for new house, responsible)
- Paint by number kit (my allocated fun budget)
#7 – Misc
Read 3 books:
- How to NFT by CoinGecko
- MONEY SMART: Achieve Your Financial Goals Faster With Less! by KCLau
- The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness by Eric Jorgenson
Noteworthy shows:
- The Eternals at GSC (4DX screen)
- Selling Sunset Season 4 on Netflix
- The Mind, Explained on Netflix
Bought for myself (in addition to the 11.11 haul):
- 1 x book
- 1 x computer game
The book one I got with discount. Pretty happy about it!
I also managed to borrow a couple things I needed from family members, so that’s as good as a few hundred ringgit saved 🙂
Sold:
- A pair of shoes
Nay of the Month:
#1 – Unstable internet
I don’t know if it was just me, but my internet was quite choppy last month. Even my backup pocket WiFi was not working as good as it should.
It hit me at horrible timing, too. It got cut off during a webinar I was delivering. And during another webinar the following day as well. Honestly frustrated.
#2 – Busy weekends
I was working/studying almost every weekend in November. It’s good for personal development and income but also very exhausting. Can’t wait to get the life part in work-life balance back, in second part of December.
Things to Look Forward to:
- Completing CFP Module 4 exam
- Planning our travels at the end of the year (please no border shutdown please)
- Receiving keys to our new place (it’s taking a while but eh. It’s ready when it’s ready)
Well, that was my November 2021. How was yours? What’s your yay of the month, nay of the month, and something you’re looking forward to? Tell me in the comments section 🙂
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To read about my past monthly budget update, click here. Graphs are taken from my expense-tracking app Money Lover (find out your budgeting style)
