Alright let’s see what happened here.
The 2nd half of our Hong Kong to Canada leg cost me: $508.54
That’s meals and snacks, the hotel, the Dreams Come True park… but this still seems like a lot.
Monthly bills: $2038.54 same as always
Groceries: $320.01… down by over $100 due mainly to being out of the country the first part of the month
Snacks and drinks and fast food: $22.76, because most of it is in the travel expenses.
Gas: $135, down over $100 again, thanks to travel in the first part of the month
Kids activities: $78.49 one movie and swimming lessons.
There was Christmas (I’m done with all my shopping) and some SF spending starting up (my bike and tandem attachment, registering M for her preschool).
Total in: $3121.44
Total out: $3735.56
DAMMIT.
Mother of All Things 
I understand exactly how you feel. I looked at my November numbers this morning and I was not happy with them. I don’t see December’s numbers shaping up to be much better either. Luckily I generally spend less in January and I should get a tax refund early in 2017, here’s hoping I’ll have some savings to speak of by the end of the first quarter of 2017
My life
It astounds me, how expensive things are these days….particularly kid related things. My son is 12 and all of my colleagues at work who have children of the same age are forking out mortgage payments worth of cash on sports, travel to sporting events, equipment and membership dues for being on the teams …. I don’t even know how they manage to buy food after all that plus the price of living and keeping utilities running. Then there’s birthdays and friends birthdays and Christmas/holidays.
Even though it’s hard to watch Colt never get invited out to play or to friends birthdays, it’s a lot cheaper than most families have it. I’m kinda glad he took after me and has no interest (or ability) in sports at times.
Anyways, don’t feel alone in the struggle…is all I’m saying. Just keep your mind ahead to your next trip and keep doing what you’re doing. It’ll work out in the end. 🙂
My numbers are just as upside down too. Ugh.