U.S Government spent less in November 2014

The U.S government spent less money this past November than the same time last year, but still spent more than it gathered.

Government spending reached almost $57 billion over the amount of money it received in November, according to Reuters. However, the deficit was lower than the over $72 billion analysts were predicting. The news comes from information released on Wednesday by the U.S Treasury Department.

In November 2013, the government deficit was $135 billion, MarketWatch reported. Comparing it to this year’s deficit, spending was down by more than half. For the current fiscal year, beginning in October and ending next September, the U.S deficit is $179 billion, over one-fifth less than the beginning of the previous fiscal year.

MarketWatch also reported that an official from the Treasury Department said the month’s deficit would’ve been higher had there been no date shifts on the calendar. Government benefits were sent to people in October since the first day of November fell on a Saturday this year.