Why we do this
We started tracking our spending because we were tired of the vague feeling that money was “just disappearing.” Turns out, it wasn't disappearing — it was going to DoorDash, subscription services we forgot about, and kitchen gadgets that promised to change our lives.
Making it public was the scary part. But we realized that accountability works better when someone's watching. Even if that someone is a stranger on the internet who thinks we spend too much on entertainment.
We don't share our income. We don't share our net worth. We don't share individual transactions. What we share is where our money goes — the categories, the percentages, the patterns, and the mistakes.
The goal isn't to be perfect. The goal is to be honest. And maybe, in the process, help someone else think about where their money goes too.
Our Rules
Every dollar gets categorized. No rounding, no 'miscellaneous' black holes.
We publish within the first week of the following month. No delays, no excuses.
Commentary is honest. If we overspent because we were lazy, we say that.
Dumbest purchase is mandatory. No month gets a pass.
No income, net worth, or individual transactions. Spending patterns only.
We never tell anyone what to do with their money. This is descriptive, not prescriptive.
Questions people actually ask
Isn't this weird?
A little bit! But talking about money shouldn't be taboo. We share what we eat, where we travel, what we watch — why not what we spend? The weirdness is the point. It keeps us honest.
Are you showing off?
We intentionally don't show our income, net worth, or investment accounts. This is about spending patterns and accountability, not flexing. We overspend on dining out and buy dumb stuff — not exactly flex material.
Why no income?
Income is irrelevant to the lesson. Whether you make $50K or $500K, spending 21% on food when the average is 13% means the same thing: you're overspending on food. Percentages are the great equalizer.
Is this financial advice?
Absolutely not. We are two people who once paid $89 for a water bottle that vibrates. Please do not take financial advice from us.
Where does the data come from?
We categorize every transaction manually at the end of each month. It takes about 30 minutes. We use our bank and credit card statements. No fancy tools — just a spreadsheet and stubbornness.
What are the LA averages based on?
The BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey for the LA metro area (Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim MSA, which includes Orange County/Irvine). We use 2023-24 data — the most recent available. BLS publishes this annually with a ~9-month lag, so 2025 data won't be out until late 2026. Categories are simplified to match ours.
Can I do this too?
Please do. The world needs more financial transparency. You don't need a website — a shared spreadsheet, a blog post, or even a group chat works. The format matters less than the honesty.
How long will you keep doing this?
Until we get bored, go broke, or finally figure out how to stop ordering DoorDash on Tuesday nights. So... probably forever.