Budget Update October 2024 – Besties Staycation
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 October?
For me, in October 2024 I prioritised rest and social interactions rather than work and while there is a twinge of guilt there, I am very happy. There were a lot of good news and updates in my personal life, my family and friends that I can’t help being giddy all month.
Some people have noticed and commented oh Suraya you don’t update RoR as much anymore. I know. The only reason I can do this – take a long break – is thanks to my savings. That’s what it’s for, that’s the point of having it. So I can take breaks whenever I want.
Sometimes I think to myself God I’m so lucky, how did I get this lucky? Yes I worked hard but not as hard as some other people – do I deserve this? Is this a test? Will it last OH GOD PLEASE I HOPE IT LASTS.
Then I stop myself from overthinking and just like, just enjoy it Suraya. So what if good times don’t last. Worrying now is worrying twice.
Anyway. Sorry if this feels like gloating but this is my personal (finance) blog and I can write whatever I’m feeling. And truthfully this is how I feel.
Now let’s get on to the budget part.
Budget Update: October 2024
In October 2024, I spent (a relatively low) RM6,654.43. The top 3 top expenses were:
- Utilities & Mortgage (RM1,371) – Half mortgage
- Groceries (RM1099.50) – Gotta eat
- Social (RM881.76) – Besties staycation, eat out
Cumulatively, the top 3 expenses make up 52% of my total October 2024 expenses.
(My belief is, if you want to save money, trim first from the top 3 expenses rather than cut out a few ringgits from other already-low expenses)
My Spending Breakdown in October 2024
Here’s what I spent on in the whole month of October 2024, in their respective categories and from highest to lowest amount:
Yay of the Month:
#1 – Besties staycation
After literal years of talking about it and months of planning, my best friends and I finally managed to have a staycation together.
It started off so ambitious! We were going to fly somewhere and leave our kids behind (husband take over!) but in the end all of us took our kids HAHAHAH
But it was fun and I wouldn’t change it any other way. We found a huge penthouse that can house everyone and had awesome meals and even took matchy matchy pics together.
Over 20 years of friendship. May we last forever. I love them so much.
#2 – Lowest monthly spending of 2024
RM6.6k monthly spending in October 2024 is my LOWEST monthly spending of the year! That’s a feat in itself woohoo
Actually quite big ya the difference between months with travel and months without travel. Hehe.
#3 – Made a crucial life decision (not adding another car)
As Toddler Mika is approacing preschool age, we are faced with a hard question: which preschool to send him to?
Happily, there are quite a few options and for us we are happy to pay for quality childcare and early childhood education.
After weighing all the options, it boils down to 2 options: the option that requires a new car, and the option that doesn’t.
Option 1: Send Mika to childcare centre A. Registered under KDM. Requires a new car for our household
— Suraya: bestselling Bergaji & Pokai book (@surayaror) October 8, 2024
Option 2: Send Mika to childcare centre B. NOT registered under KDM but walkable so no need new car
Prices for both centres are comparable. Which??
We are currently a single car household and tbh I know eventually I’ll have to get a car for myself. However if I can delay it, I’d prefer that. I love driving but car maintenance is not something I enjoy (I don’t think many people enjoy this lol, its just something you do).
So we’ve decided. Option 2 it is.
#4 – Bitcoin went to 70k levels!
As of writing time, bitcoin went to $70k levels. It almost broke previous all-time highs, but didn’t.
I’m not ashamed to admit I’m waiting for bitcoin ATH again. Waiting for that dopamine hit, like a druggie HAHAHA
#5 – Discovered Netflix offers FREE mobile games
Not sure when Netflix started offering this but I just found out so sharing here: your Netflix subscription comes with free mobile games!
Just found out Netflix comes sith FREE mobile games?? Just search in Netflix app.
— Suraya: bestselling Bergaji & Pokai book (@surayaror) October 21, 2024
They're good games too. Just spent 2 hours on Terra Nil – wanted to buy it but procrastinated cos it was RM61 on Steam. Not the exact same on mobile ofc but still very very fun pic.twitter.com/Ky7wfq3F8F
Ps. – I recommend Terra Nil game! Such a good strategy game – the aim is to turn a barren wasteland into thriving ecological spaces. Love it love it love it
#6 – Misc
Read 0 books 🙁
Bought for myself:
- Some items from IKEA warehouse sale from Personal Shopper
- A headband
- Some skincare
- A kitchen scale (why I wait so long for this! changes everything!)
- Teeth scaling session
Nay of the Month:
#1 – Spent a lot on eating out
Between Dates/Travel, Social and Food categories, I guesstimate I spent ~RM1000-1500 on eating out? This is in addition to RM1099 in groceries ya.
Honestly I can afford it plus much of that is belanja PLUS I lost weight in October. But the guilt still lingers. I’m still not used to splurging.
#2 – My (second) ASBF application was most probably rejected
After waiting for a couple of months, I got news from the bank agent that they wanted me to prove *additional* sources of savings/investments. Take note I’ve submitted my income tax filing (I earn okay), one of my investment portfolio with healthy amount in it, and they probably know my credit score as well (its very good if not excellent).
So I give up. I do have more investments I can show but by this point I’m tired and I refuse for them to be this invasive into my personal finances. Don’t want to give me loan, fine. I can live without it.
One good thing happened, though. When I tweeted my frustrations, I got some amazing replies giving solutions to self-employed people on accessing financing.
One thing I didn’t know is its possible to do a ‘FD pledge credit card’ – something like you deposit XXXXX amount and in return the bank allows you to have a credit card with that amount of credit limit. So that’s cool.
Click the tweet below to read the replies.
Penat lah application cc/loans kena reject sebab self-employed. Dah show income tax statements, proof financial portfolio pun kena reject. Aside from cari kerja, what can I do?
— Suraya: bestselling Bergaji & Pokai book (@surayaror) October 28, 2024
Things to Look Forward to:
- Planning for December trip
Well, that was my October 2024. 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)
