October Finances

October is over and with that we are staring hard and fast at the end of 2018. Where did it go?

Well, I know where our grocery dollars went this past month! We spent $141.42 on groceries, and another $5.84 on household items (aluminum foil and plastic wrap, primarily). That comes out to a whopping $147.26 for the month. When I plug that figure into the year's running total, our monthly average is now at $176.99.

There was a large expenditure in October that I did not count into the overall food costs. We hosted a reception for opening the 40th Symphony season and those costs—food, ice, related items—came to $107.63. At least $35.00 of that, three bottle of prosecco that did not get opened, will carry forward to the end of season reception we are already planning.

Our eating out this month was heavily influenced by rehearsal and concert schedules. Warren was either on the road or held up at the auditorium for several meals. There were also some "let's just get something" meals as we navigated hospital time with mom and dad. As a result, we spent $52.84 this month eating out.

I look at November and think this will be a month of more eating out due to my quarterly trip to Mayo Clinic next week and the annual Percussive Arts Society International Conference in Indianapolis the following week. Oh, we will pack a lunch and take some snacks, but the reality of the road trips is more eating out. On our list for Indianapolis is Shapiro's Delicatessen, a Jewish deli there since 1905.

An aside: How did I not know about Shapiro's until this year, when I read Buttermilk Graffiti by Edward Lee (#135)? In looking back at my September finances post, I see I raised the same question there. Clearly this has been weighing on me! I am incredulous because except for one year in San Antonio, PASIC is always in Indianapolis. Again, how did I not know?

On to November. We'll see what it holds.