This month has been so busy (school starting back up, making a major life change, two shows), that until I actually created August's financial report, I had no idea what my monthly spending looked like. As it turns out, between showing at least a small amount of restraint and my husband's generosity, my bills were fairly manageable for August.
For around $1,200, I was able to take a lesson from Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer of Symphony Dressage Stables, and take Izzy to two shows. Three out of town trips created a bit of a fuel bill, but with the current price of gas, even my gas guzzler couldn't get that bill too high.
My board bill is now a little higher, and since I moved in a week early, I did have to pay for an extra week. It was worth it though as Izzy really needed the bigger space. And now that both boys are on Platinum Performance, I am not spending nearly so much on supplemental feed. Of course, beginning in September I'll be paying $113 a month for that.
I was saved a lot of money this month by my super generous husband. First, he paid for my trailer's running board to be repaired. While not a huge expense, it was more than the entries to both shows.
He also paid to have my truck's air conditioner recharged. For years it has slowly been on the decline, but I just thought its poor performance was due to age. I could kick myself for waiting this long to get it checked out. The last straw was when Best Friend and I were coming home from a show that was almost three hours from home while it was ... wait for it ... 108 ℉. It was an insane drive. Again, that bill was less than $300, but it's more than half my board bill.
September's bill will probably run a bit higher again as I am planning on Taking Izzy to a clinic and that Platinum needs to be paid for. All in all, 2016 is looking like it might actually be cheaper than 2014, when I first started tracking my expenses. I am just as busy, but the economy seems kinder, at least for this dressage rider.
How about you? Do things seem financially easier in 2016, or is it always a struggle?
My board bill is now a little higher, and since I moved in a week early, I did have to pay for an extra week. It was worth it though as Izzy really needed the bigger space. And now that both boys are on Platinum Performance, I am not spending nearly so much on supplemental feed. Of course, beginning in September I'll be paying $113 a month for that.
I was saved a lot of money this month by my super generous husband. First, he paid for my trailer's running board to be repaired. While not a huge expense, it was more than the entries to both shows.
He also paid to have my truck's air conditioner recharged. For years it has slowly been on the decline, but I just thought its poor performance was due to age. I could kick myself for waiting this long to get it checked out. The last straw was when Best Friend and I were coming home from a show that was almost three hours from home while it was ... wait for it ... 108 ℉. It was an insane drive. Again, that bill was less than $300, but it's more than half my board bill.
September's bill will probably run a bit higher again as I am planning on Taking Izzy to a clinic and that Platinum needs to be paid for. All in all, 2016 is looking like it might actually be cheaper than 2014, when I first started tracking my expenses. I am just as busy, but the economy seems kinder, at least for this dressage rider.
How about you? Do things seem financially easier in 2016, or is it always a struggle?
