month 1 of ∞
January 2026
Where our money went (and the $89 we wish we could get back)
total spent
$0saved
0%categories
1 over avg
Savings Rate
25%
target
25%
On target. Don't get cocky.
vs. LA Metro Average
How we stack up against BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey data for the LA metro area.
The LA metro area (Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim MSA) includes Orange County, where we live. Uses 2023-24 data because the 2024 release was delayed three times (data quality issues + appropriations lapse) and finally published Dec 19, 2025. MSA-level data uses 2-year averages for larger sample sizes.
| Category | Ours | LA Avg | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 61% | 30% | ouch |
| Groceries | 6% | 8% | slightly under |
| Dining Out | 4% | 6% | slightly under |
| Transportation | 7% | 16% | nice |
| Utilities | 2% | 7% | slightly under |
| Entertainment | 3% | 4% | ~average |
| Shopping | 3% | 3% | ~average |
| Health | 2% | 7% | slightly under |
| Subscriptions | 1% | 3% | slightly under |
| Other | 11% | 16% | slightly under |