Our grocery spending was low this month, which means the extra money can go to pay back our extra spending on D's new tires. I'm very relieved; that was an unexpected expense! I worked hard to keep it low, and next month we'll be in California for Thanksgiving, so there will be a week when we won't buy groceries. So November should be low, too.

Which is good because December is always right at our spending limit for groceries due to Christmas dinner!

Other unexpected expenses: gave a donation to Fs school for the Annual Fund. That comes out of our dining out budget. Also last month's repair to our shower faucet. And F's piano cost more this semester than we were expecting, so that money needs to come from somewhere until we adjust next year's budget.

In unexpected windfalls: I got a coupon for a free ice cream cone for my birthday next week from Baskin Robbins. Glad I signed up for that! And my mother sent me money for my birthday and decided no strings attached after all, but I loved people's suggestions of holding on to the money for a time when there is something I want. The only thing I can think of right now is a new cheese grater; ours has fallen apart after about 20 years of use - I think it would have lasted forever without the plastic, so next one won't have plastic. I have a coupon for Bed and Bath.