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Been Away a Long Time!

June 20th, 2021 at 01:37 am

Its been a long time since I have posted (started blogging back in 2006). Hello to anyone who remembers me!

 

Reintroducing myself, I am a 42 year old married Mom of 1. My daughter finished her 1st school year (Kindergarten) during Covid. My husband and I, both working full time and have been employed remotely through the pandemic. 

 

Current Stats:

-Debt Free, except a $10k car loan and our house

-Household income of $195,290 in a medium cost of living area. 

-Outside of slush fund savings (Household, Annual expenses, Holidays, Vacation, etc), we have $45,332.15 in an Emergency Fund, $4,378.62 in a New To Us Car Fund, $7,440.31 in house renovations Fund. 

-Retirement funds (401k and IRA) total $505,449.96

-In 2020-2021, we cashflowed (PLANNED) projects of a new fence and upgraded deck, which was put to use while being home so much more. 

--My husband and I are putting 17% each towards our 401ks and about $400 to EF each month

-We just refinanced out home to a 15  year mortgage at 2.25% 

 

Upcoming goals:

Our family is getting to a good position, but we always have goals to strive toward.

I'd like our true Emergency Fund to stay at a 6 month emergency fund (net of what we currently make).  

We need a new stove soon. We're limping along and will for a bit more. 

We are looking to paint the house interior. We will handle what we can on our own, but there is some house settlement that we need addressed as well. The overtime I've saved will go towards that (but not all). 

We plan on a nicer vacation in 2022, but a few long weekend vacations in 2021 and will cashflow those. We just took a 2 night, 3 day trip to Great Wolf Lodge and used coupons, Groupon and Rakuten to save money. We also packed food, drinks and adult beverages for the room and ate outside of the 'resort' for some dinners. 

 

I hope that going forward, I will be able to catch up with everyone posting here and to be able to post an update at least once a week. 

Its good to be back!

Updates Abound!

July 7th, 2018 at 02:00 pm

I have finished 3 weeks at the new job and am liking it very much. I lucked out a lot with this and am very grateful!

During the time, I have been training & exhausted in the evenings after physical therapy for my hand. So I am just now getting around to updates (in no particular order)

- My severance from my previous employer hit my bank account today and went straight to the emergency fund! Just a little over $9.2k

- My new employer pays up to date, so I got paid one week on my first Friday with them and paid 2 weeks per normal pay schedule yesterday

-We have a lot of savings goals - one being a new to us car for my husband. We plan on putting $7k down and then 0% financing the rest. We prefer to keep savings up for the moment given so many issues this year (job loss/change, major medical bills, etc).

-Medical Fund needs to be replenished. We finally hit the out of pocket max and have about $900 left to pay in medical bills. I payment planned it out just to cashflow it instead of stealing from any other savings. Our HSA accounts have been depleted.

- Our 6 month car insurance bill is coming up. We pay it in full by cashflowing. We already have the funds ready to go and are starting to save monthly for the next one.

- CC debt is at 0% still so we are saving cash and paying down. My husbands card will be paid off by the end of the year. My card might be a month or two behind that.

- I set up a daycare FSA from my new employer. I am sad to say that they do not supplement the funding, but its still tax-free, so we are utilizing it!

- Been back on Weight Watchers and packing lunches and its been good for my waist and my wallet!

- I am part of a professional organization where I received an accreditation. To keep my certification, I need to be a member of good standing. My previous employer paid for the certification, recertification and the yearly fee. My new employer is still getting 'authorization. The organization gives a little leeway, but in case my new employer doesn't come through, I have the funds saved from overtime at my previous job.

-Spent a bit more on new clothes - needed more tops than I realized. My closet was very bare of work appropriate clothing! All cashflowed though!

-Now that I have a full paycheck, I am able to rework the budget. That will be the goal for this weekend!

Current Balances:

Debt:
Spouse Card: 8k
My Card $6.8k

Savings and Sinking Funds:
EF (after severance) $16,797.16
EF2 (different place) $21,000.00
Slush Fund (yearly expenses) $252.13
Home Upkeep Sinking $219.62
New AC Fund (we know this will be happening in the next 1-2 years) $167.47
Medical Sinking $280.62
Professional Fee Sinking $295
Memberships Sinking $13.31
Clothes Sinking $10.26
2018 Gifts Sinking $1285.89
Vacation $800
New Car Fund $6100.20
Daughter Fund (for long term savings outside of 529) $502.86

2018 Financial Goals and Vicarious Financial Position

January 1st, 2018 at 05:42 pm

My husband’s job is very stable. However, my work announced in 2017 that our work site will be closing in 2018. 400+ people at our work site. Many have already been given their severance and left. Several groups are still in the office. My team specifically is training a group to take over our work in another site, but the training is not going quickly. Upper management has no real idea what we do, so there is a very good chance that they will end our group before the other group has the required knowledge). So that should be interesting.

Of the people on the team in our state (8 plus our manager), 2 were given 120 day notice in November. They were the low performers. We have been ‘promised’ 90 day notice plus severance of 2 weeks per year employed. Which would be 8 weeks for me.

I have been applying without any luck. Part of it may be the last quarter of the year usually has businesses in my industry in hiring freezes and partly that there are a LOT of people in my field looking for jobs at once in a small area.

My position on the team has special knowledge and I am a Senior (assistant manager), so my position will likely not be eliminated until almost the end (HOPEFULLY). I am looking and have been doing insane amounts of overtime while I can.

This crush of OT + stress of losing my job has led to health problems, stress and all kinds of not fun things. I have to limit the OT for mental and physical health reasons in 2018.

The result of my losing my job is that I was in very specific industry sweet spot where I had responsibilities of a salaried person, but because of a job classification, was deemed hourly and given unlimited overtime.

My salary was also high and overpriced for the area.
Therefore, we are expecting a significant income loss. I will lose 20-30k in OT income plus I will likely lose around 10k in salary income. This is a horrible hit for us. We will persevere though!

That being said, my goals for 2018 are very fluid, financially.

• I have a goal of an average 15-20 OT hours per 2 week pay period while at the current job
• Continue monthly networking events
• Revamp household budget
• Meal plan weekly in an attempt to lower all household expenses.
• Continue tracking all personal and household spending
• Complete cash only gifts/holiday spending in 2018
• Find a new job
• No new debt
• Payoff existing debt
• Post here weekly at least. Helps for accountability
• Continue 16% 401k contribution personally until new job/budget reset

2017 Financial Goals Final Update

January 1st, 2018 at 05:15 pm

Financial:
1. Get Renter Out – COMPLETED – Had to go through full eviction process. No recouped rent obtained
2. Sell Townhouse – COMPLETED 11/29/2017
3. Cash only gifts/holidays/Christmas. I include all birthdays, holidays, cards, Christmas, Thanksgiving groceries, my daughter's birthday party in this category, so it seems big. I need to add $1249 to this fund in 2017 – COMPLETED within budget
4. Pay off small debt at 0% before it runs out in 2018 $3481.09. Part is medical expenses that I am hoping to just cashflow paying the card for instead of using funds from my HSA. But we will see. – PARTIALLY COMPLETED – moved to another 0% card some balance due to financial changes through year
5. Keep up OT to pay Rental Townhouse Mortgage so we don't have to utilize any further savings – COMPLETED until Sale process
6. Add to Emergency Fund by $5000. Stretch goal is $8000. This would be significantly dependent on goals 1 and 2. – COMPLETED AND EXCEEDED $17k saved
7. No new debt [FAIL – small amount]
8. Continue FB sales of household and baby items. - COMPLETED
9. Continue 16% of salary to 401k - COMPLETED
10. Continue contributing to Childcare FSA for $1666.67 contribution from employer (Automatically set up already). - COMPLETED

Financial Updates (from EOM Aug/Beg Sept)

September 12th, 2017 at 02:38 pm

401k Update (Self only)

Personally Contributed $11,710.92 YTD
Company Matched $4,391.84 YTD

TOTAL Contributions YTD: $16,102.76


RETIREMENT UPDATE
Current Personal Retirement Balance Total (without Spouse) $141,464.07 (UP from $119,755.27 on Jan 10th)



Health SAVINGS UPDATE
H.S.A Cash Amount: $43.24
H.S.A Investigated Account: $1743.20
Y.S.A (H.S.A) Account: $1916.36

Health Savings Accounts Total: $3702.80


Non-Mortgage DEBT UPDATE:
CC B (0%) $6,281.41
CC P (0%) $2,171.38
CC W (0%) Furniture Purchase $1754.35
CC B (PIF Monthly) $48.48
CC AZ (PIF Monthly) $66.31
CC T (PIF Monthly) $208.44

TOTAL: $10,530.37

SLUSH FUND SAVINGS UPDATE (to be used throughout the year as irregular expenses occur):

Facebook Kid Sales (sale & purchase of items for the 2 year old via yard and FB sales) $199.50
Facebook House Sales (sale & purchase of items for the house) $41.00
Clothing Fund: $60
2017 Gifts Fund $1271.00
2018 Gifts Fund $140.13 (all from free sources of income)
House Slush Fund $329.94
Home Upkeep $52.29
Medical Slush $93.26
Auto Slush $320.84
Membership Slush $52.48
2017 Gifts Fund $1271.00
Car Insurance Savings $195 (paid bi-yearly)


REGULAR SAVINGS:
Joint Savings: $500.19
EF1 Savings: $13,000
EF2 Savings $3855.03
2018 Gifts Fund $587.23 (all from free sources of income)
Nephew UGMA Acct: $947.74
Daughter UGMA Acct: $300.01
Daughter 529: $752.81
CC Repayment: $184



April Goals Better Late than Never

April 7th, 2017 at 03:02 pm

1) OT Hours Goal: 30 hours
2) Savings (not including sinking funds, 529 or kid savings). $300
3) Debt Repayment (0%) $200
4) Cash flow rental townhouse mortgage payment (from OT) $1009
5) Sell a min of 5 items on FB Sales Site
6) Pack lunches of 15 In-Office days in April, I will pack 12 times
7) Continue tracking all personal & household spending
8) Professional Tasks:
a. Complete 1-2 webinars
b. Update resume
c.
9) RENTAL UNIT:
a. Place for sale
b. Keep upkeep
c. Pay electric & water

10) Keep up calculations for utilizing OT to keep on track to max out 401k this year
11) Research larger house purchases:
a. Fence
b. Blinds for family room
c. Pressure washer
d. New bed & frame for master bedroom

March Goals Update

April 4th, 2017 at 08:03 pm

1) OT Hours Goal: 60 Hours this month to cover mortgage on rental that is being prepped for sale, $300 per paycheck into savings and a 1/2 of the car repair I put on a 0% card [NOT MET – WORKED 44.92 HOURS OF OT IN MARCH]

2) Savings: $1046 (including Savings but not sinking funds, 529 and Kid Savings). [Actual Savings: $1410.03]

3) Debt repayment $400 (including the partial car repair) [Actual Debt Repayment: $551.05]

4) Cash flow Rental Townhouse Mortgage Payment: $1009 (from OT) [DONE]

5) Sell 8-10 Items on FB Sales Site. Baby items plus household items [DONE – sold over 52 items]

6) Pack Lunches a minimum of 3 times a week (only work in office 4 times per week, work 1 day remote) [FAIL]

7) Do Alt Income tasks (Bing, mypoints and mycoke rewards) [DONE]

8) Continue to track all personal & household spending (I don’t bother with DH’s personal spending – no need to know how much he spent on lunches, etc when it’s his fun money) [DONE]

9) Professional Tasks:
a. Mail Professional Membership recertification paperwork [DONE]
b. Complete 1-2 webinars [DONE]
c. Update resume [FAIL]

10) RENTAL Unit:
a. Complete repairs [DONE]
b. Meet with realtor about putting up for sale [DONE]

11) Meet Tax Professional – Appointment set for 3/7/17 [DONE]

12) Keep up calculations for utilizing OT to keep on track to max out 401k this year [DONE]

13) Research/plan for bigger house purchases: [FAIL]
a. Fence
b. Blinds for 1 room
c. Pressure washer
d. New bed and bed frame for master bedroom

March Goals

March 6th, 2017 at 07:53 pm

1) OT Hours Goal: 60 Hours this month to cover mortgage on rental that is being prepped for sale, $300 per paycheck into savings and a 1/2 of the car repair I put on a 0% card

2) Savings: $1046 (including Savings but not sinking funds, 529 and Kid Savings)

3) 3) Debt repayment $400 (including the partial car repair)

4) Cash flow Rental Townhouse Mortgage Payment: $1009 (from OT)

5) Sell 8-10 Items on FB Sales Site. Baby items plus household items

6) Pack Lunches a minimum of 3 times a week (only work in office 4 times per week, work 1 day remote )

7) Do Alt Income tasks (Bing, mypoints and mycoke rewards)

8) Continue to track all personal & household spending (I don’t bother with DH’s personal spending – no need to know how much he spent on lunches, etc when it’s his fun money)

9) Professional Tasks:
a. Mail Professional Membership recertification paperwork
b. Complete 1-2 webinars
c. Update resume

10) RENTAL Unit:
a. Complete repairs
b. Meet with realtor about putting up for sale

11) Meet Tax Professional – Appointment set for 3/7/17

12) Keep up calculations for utilizing OT to keep on track to max out 401k this year

13) Research/plan for bigger house purchases:
a. Fence
b. Blinds for 1 room
c. Pressure washer
d. New bed and bed frame for master bedroom

February Goals - Update

March 6th, 2017 at 07:37 pm

1) OT Hours Goal: 54 hours in the month FAIL: 27.80 hours. Was sick the first week of the month and did not worry about doing OT.

2) Savings: $1046 (including House Savings, 529 and Kids Savings); Actual: $1061.64

3) Debt repayment $100; Actual: $157

4) Cashflow Rental Townhouse Mortgage Payment: $1009 – GOAL MET

5) Sell 5-10 Items on FB Sales Site – Sold 2 items and a 10 pack of clothes

6) Meal Plan all 4 weeks - FAIL

7) Limit lunches out to 4 days in the month - FAIL

8) Do Alt Income tasks (Bing, mypoints and mycoke rewards) – Did, but not consistently

9) Continue to track all personal & household spending (I don’t bother with DH’s personal spending – no need to know how much he spent on lunches, etc when its his fun money) - DONE

10) Keep within budget for Atlantic City Trip. Budget $200 for DH & I. We have a free room, are bringing drinks & food, have coupons for meals and are planning on only playing a few penny slots and enjoying time with our friends. - DONE

11) Professional Certification Tasks:
a. Attend Chapter Event - DONE
b. Complete 2-3 webinars - DONE
c. Sign up for recertification & start paperwork (once work pays) – DONE (Work submitted payment as well)

12) RENTAL:Unless paid up by Day 11 after court date (where the renter agreed to all amounts owed and the judge said we have the right to evict), the PM company will fill Writ with courts for 24 eviction. That would be on Monday the 6th, so wish us luck - DONE - Eviction complete. Repairs started and hoping to put on market asap

13) Set up tax appointment - I normally do our taxes, but with the rental, the rental income loss, etc, I am going to a professional for this year only - DONE

14) Start sale process on townhouse - Pending

15) Keep up calculations for utilizing OT to keep on track to max out 401k this year - DONE

February Goals

February 1st, 2017 at 09:17 pm

1) OT Hours Goal: 54 hours in the month
2) Savings: $1046 (including House Savings, 529 and Kids Savings)
3) Debt repayment $100
4) Cashflow Rental Townhouse Mortgage Payment: $1009
5) Sell 5-10 Items on FB Sales Site
6) Meal Plan all 4 weeks
7) Limit lunches out to 4 days in the month
8) Do Alt Income tasks (Bing, mypoints and mycoke rewards)
9) Continue to track all personal & household spending (I don’t bother with DH’s personal spending – no need to know how much he spent on lunches, etc when its his fun money)
10) Keep within budget for Atlantic City Trip. Budget $200 for DH & I. We have a free room, are bringing drinks & food, have coupons for meals and are planning on only playing a few penny slots and enjoying time with our friends.
11) Professional Certification Tasks:
a. Attend Chapter Event
b. Complete 2-3 webinars
c. Sign up for recertification & start paperwork (once work pays)
12) RENTAL:Unless paid up by Day 11 after court date (where the renter agreed to all amounts owed and the judge said we have the right to evict), the PM company will fill Writ with courts for 24 eviction. That would be on Monday the 6th, so wish us luck
13) Set up tax appointment - I normally do our taxes, but with the rental, the rental income loss, etc, I am going to a professional for this year only
14) Start sale process on townhouse
15) Keep up calculations for utilizing OT to keep on track to max out 401k this year


January Goals Update

February 1st, 2017 at 08:42 pm

JANUARY Financial Goals: Update
1) Pay $463.08 towards 0% Debt: ACTUAL PAID: $866.09
2) Sell 5-10 Items via FB sales site: 7 ITEMS SOLD - Made $18 in Alt income from FB sales
3) Work 60 hours of OT: ACTUAL WORKED: 60.26 Hours
4) Meal Plan each week: COMPLETED 3 OF THE 4 WEEKS WITH A PLAN (It’s a start)
5) Calculate what is needed to meet Professional Re-Certification
a. Make step by step plan: DONE
b. Start request for employer to pay for recertification: APPROVED, PENDING PAYMENT
c. Pay to join Local Chapter (not covered by employer) $30 fee annually: DONE
d. Sign up for 1st Chapter Event (Free with membership): DONE

Month Goals for January

January 2nd, 2017 at 03:41 am

Mix of personal, work & financial

1. Pack breakfast and lunch for work 3 of the 4 days per week we are in office. There are 2 holidays in January, so the Monthly Goal would be to pack 17 times this month.

2. Drink 48 oz of water every day. Its more than my annual goal, but I want to have a great start.

3. Exercise 3-4 times a week for a minimum of 30 days. My schedule is hectic, so incorporating this time will be a challenge. Once I start working it in regularly, I hope it will be easier.

4. Eat Healthier (nonspecific goal either than high protein, low fat, added dairy)

5. Pay $463.08 towards 0% debt

6. Work 60 hours of OT

7. Attempt to sell 5-10 Baby/Household Items

8. Meal Plan each week

9. Calculate what is needed to meet Professional Re-Certification. Make step by step plan. Start request for employer to pay for recertification. Make plan for if they refuse to pay.

2017 Goals

January 2nd, 2017 at 03:21 am

Financial:
1. Get Renter Out
2. Sell Townhouse
3. Cash only gifts/holidays/Christmas. I include all birthdays, holidays, cards, Christmas, Thanksgiving groceries, my daughter's birthday party in this category, so it seems big. I need to add $1249 to this fund in 2017
4. Pay off small debt at 0% before it runs out in 2018 $3481.09. Part is medical expenses that I am hoping to just cashflow paying the card for instead of using funds from my HSA. But we will see.
5. Keep up OT to pay Rental Townhouse Mortgage so we don't have to utilize any further savings
6. Add to Emergency Fund by $5000. Stretch goal is $8000. This would be significantly dependent on goals 1 and 2.
7. No new debt
8. Continue FB sales of household and baby items.
9. Continue 16% of salary to 401k
10. Continue contributing to Childcare FSA for $1666.67 contribution from employer (Automatically set up already).


Health/Household
1. 30 Minutes of Activity 3-4 times a week. So for the year 156 days of a minimum of 30 minutes activity. The Stretch Goal would be 208 days of a minimum of 30 minutes of activity.

2. 5 days a week of hitting 48 oz of water per day. I am terrible with water. So I am setting the 5 of 7 days goal with a stretch goal of 7 of 7 days. (260 days of the year/stretch 365 days).

3. Eat healthier. I don't want to put a weight loss goal on it, but that essentially is my goal. To have more energy, stamina and to lose weight.

4. Mealplan each week.

Work:

1. To refocus myself in the position. I have been feeling burnt out and want to expand my experience in a few areas. I will not be sharing the specific steps
because its work specific.

2. Finish completing requirements for my career accreditation. Need to re-up at the end of the year.

2016 GOALS update

December 29th, 2016 at 01:02 am

2016 GOALS:
1. Keep contributing 14% to 401k (plus 6% match)[increasing to 16% as of 3/18] COMPLETED. CURRENTLY 401K CONTRIBUTION FOR MYSELF IS AT 16% AND WILL STAY THAT WAY INTO 2017
2. $2500 to HSA (PLUS $1500 Company Match). Already set up COMPLETED
3. $3333.33 to Childcare FSA (PLUS $1666.67 Company Contribution) COMPLETED
4. Cash only Birthdays/Holidays/ChristmasCOMPLETED
5. Increase New Home Fund by $8000 COMPLETED AND USED FOR NEW HOME DEPOSIT/CLOSING COSTS
6. Increase EFUND by $946.81 GOAL POSTPONED DUE TO PURCHASING NEW HOUSE
7. Increase Vacation fund by $274.86 GOAL POSTPONED FOR NEW HOUSE PURCHASE
8. Increase Nephew Savings by $500.05 INCREASED BY $400 AND GAVE $100 CASH AT CHRISTMAS INSTEAD
9. Increase Medical Savings by $483.69 POSTPONED DUE TO NEW HOUSE PURCHASE
10. Increase Car Savings by $442.68 POSTPONED DUE TO NEW HOUSE PURCHASE

This year, we purchased a new house, rented out the old one, had a renter stop paying after 2 months, cashflowed several large purchases. I will do a post of this years 'financial change', but it is significant and I am happy!

LOTS of Updates - Sorry!

August 26th, 2016 at 06:14 pm

It's been a while since I've posted - been super busy these last few months. We moved in July, finally got a renter into our townhouse last week, I am working OT, but not as much as before, been sick off & on and generally been living a lot.

We have had a LOT of social obligations. Never dull for me!

-My daughter turned One this month. We had a little party that my mom paid to be in a restaurant (she HAD to do my nieces and didn't want to be seen as favoring my sister's kids - that was her choice).
-Last weekend, I was at a bachelorette party.
-This weekend, my husband is going to the bachelor party.
-In September, we are attending a housewarming for friends (child friendly event)
-In September, we are attending a friend's house party (kid friendly)
-In October, we have 3 weddings - 2 out of state

We also are waiting for the rental income to come in. We have a renter, but are also using a property management company. Because of the renter starting mid-month and the PM fees, we won't see a full month's rental income coming to us until the middle of October, which will go to the 11/1 mortgage payment.

I have lots of cashflowing/savings goals -
-cashflowing budget deficit
-cashflowing wedding events/gifts/travel
-save 1 month Rental Mortage buffer
-save 1 month New Mortgage buffer
-Save 5k Rental Efund
-Cashflow tickets to an event in Oct
-cashflow new furniture

Fun stuff, people! I will say, that we are not revolving any credit card debt as we have been spending a lot. I am so thankful for overtime!

I also want to note that usually I buy Christmas gifts all year long - but not this year as I didn't want to move all the stockpile of gifts! So I need to get busy on that Smile

FINALLY have 100k in Retirement accounts!

May 27th, 2016 at 02:08 pm

I have been posting about being so close to the 100k goal. I have been within a few hundred dollars and checking every week.

I got paid today and usually wait until Monday to check, but because of Ceejay's post, I checked this morning and I officially have $100,660.76 in my retirement accounts (not including anything in my husbands!)

Woohoo!!

Getting Back into fully tracking spending is tricky

April 12th, 2016 at 07:09 pm

Tracking spending was a lot easier when I was one person. Now, we are a family and its harder. So I am tracking all personal spending for myself and all household spending. What my husband does with his personal spending won't be included. MUCH easier this way. (To be clear, we both contribute equally to the household, its just his individual checking is used for day to day expenses that I might not see).

Yesterday, I spent $1.50 on a soda at work (I know, bad!) and $40 on baby clothes.

I have been given so many hand me downs and utilized used clothing groups to supplement each new size. However, as summer gears up, my hand me down seasons are not quite matching up to my daughter's growing/size. So I am having to purchase a few things like sleepers/summer pjs and pants to supplement all the other clothing we have.

I haven't really bought new for her except once or twice, but Carters was having a great deal and I was able to buy 2 pairs of pants, 2 footie pj sets, and 2 3-piece summer pj sets for $40.00. I will 40 rewards points (75 = $10 gift card), used Ebates ($1.00 cash back) and a 3% rewards credit card.

Ugh at the price, but I am happy with the purchases as we should be all set for summer now!

The only thing we may need is some shoes towards the end of summer, but no need to worry about that yet.

Savings Updates and Reading old blog posts

April 5th, 2016 at 05:56 pm

Still excited to see that its been 10 years for me with SavingAdvice. I have been reading through my first year's blog posts. SO neat to see/remember how my day to day life was then.

New Home Fund:
Amount Added MTD: $822.53
Total Added YTD: $9,132.53

EFund (savings plus cash):
Amount Added MTD: $210
Total Added YTD: $585.61

Slush Fund:
Amount Added MTD: $130
Total Added YTD: $450.49

Medical:
Amount Added MTD: $93
Total Added YTD: $578.14

Home Upkeep:
Amount Added MTD: $114.74
Total Added YTD: $264.98

Automotive:
Amount Added MTD: $33
Total Added YTD: $343.60

Vacation:
Amount Added MTD: $0
Total Added YTD: $50.05

Membership:
Amount Added MTD: $0
Total Added YTD: $39.23

Gifts Fund:
Amount Added MTD: $0
Total Added YTD: $433.20

Kid Savings (Daughter):
Amount Added MTD: $0
Total Added YTD: $9.33

Kid Savings (Nephew):
Amount Added MTD: $0
Total Added YTD: $178.01

Daughter 529:
Amount added MTD: $0
Total Added YTD: $170.00

Payday! Mini Goals Update

March 18th, 2016 at 07:39 pm

Today is payday. This check includes my bonus and raise.

I had lowered my 401k contribution to just the match for this paycheck only. I already have increased it back to 16% for the next check.

With this check, I have been able to put aside the following:

$4279 to new home fund (cashflow, overtime plus bonus)
$155 Medical Savings
$80 2016 Gifts
$13 Membership savings
$15 Emergency Fund
$5 Clothing Fund
$20 Automobile savings
$31 cash savings
$130 Slush Fund
$50 Home Upkeep Fund



MARCH Savings (since I won't be paid again until 4/1)TOTALS are as follows:

New Home $4,857.32
Efund $15
Slush Fund $130
Home Upkeep Fund $50
Medical Fund $170
Automobile Savings $20
Vacation $20
Longwood $13
Clothing $10
2016 Gifts $109.25
Nephew Car $16.90
Baby Savings $10
529 $10
TOTAL for March: $5431.47



2016 Mini Goals (Goal End Date 4/30/2016)

*Goals are the dollar amount I want to add to these accounts and not the new total*

1. Extra Splurge on CC $155/$155 Goal
2. Car Savings $310/$343 Goal
3. Medical Savings $470/$493 Goal
4. Nephew Savings $45.19/$486 Goal
5. Efund $104.53/$936 Goal
6. New Home Fund $8300.76/$10,334 Goal

update on mini goals for 2016

February 20th, 2016 at 05:28 pm

Goal #1: Pay off extra entertainment splurge on credit card $155 COMPLETED January

Goal #2: Car Savings: $343 added by 4/30 $214.14/$343

Goal #3: Medical Savings: $493 added by 4/30 $290.87/$493

Goal #4: Nephew Savings $486 added by 4/30 $14.70/$486

Goal #5: E-Fund Savings: $936 added by 4/30 $89.45/$936

Goal #6 New Home Fund: $10,334 added by 4/30
$3436.26/$10,334


*Notes:
-Added $310.13 to Automobile Expenses, but then took $95.99 out for a new battery, so $214.14 is net

-Added $300.01 to Medical Savings, but then took $9.14 for a medical bill, so $290.87 is net

Update on 4/30 Mini Goals

February 11th, 2016 at 03:37 pm

Time to update standings of Mini Goals with a 'goal date' of 4/30/16. I am chugging along very well!

Mini Goals through 4/30 Status:

Goal #1: Pay off extra entertainment splurge on credit card $155 COMPLETED January
Goal #2: Car Savings: $343 added by 4/30 $290/$343
Goal #3: Medical Savings: $493 added by 4/30 $290/$493
Goal #4: Nephew Savings $486 added by 4/30 $0/$486
Goal #5: E-Fund Savings: $936 added by 4/30 $75/$936
Goal #6 New Home Fund: $10,334 added by 4/30 $2501/$10,334

January Savings Totals

January 29th, 2016 at 08:25 pm

Even though its not the end of the month, exactly, all my budget has been allocated for this month.

Any cash I have left from my carrying around/entertainment budget will get thrown into my change jar.

Funds for these savings come from salary, overtime, FB sales, etc. The amounts were how much was added, not what the total in the savings account is.

New Home Fund +$1,351.64
Baby Fund (for future expenses) +$50.00
EFund +$29.38
Home Upkeep Fund +$50.00
Medical +15.00
Automobile +$180.00
Vacation Fund +$10.00
Membership Fee +$13.00
Clothing Sinking Fund +$5.00
2016 Gifts Fund +$75.00
Baby's Savings (will be starting 529 or something soon) +$50.00
Nephew Savings (for school/car) +$14.37
Cash Savings: $146

TOTAL $1,989.39 YAY Overtime!

1/22 Paydate - meeting goals!

January 23rd, 2016 at 08:07 pm

I was paid yesterday and able to send quite a bit to saivngs/goals:

CC entertainment payoff $155
Gift savings $60
Clothes savings $5
EF savings $15
Car Savings $200
New Home Fund $935
House Slush Fund $130



Mini Goals through 4/30 Status:
Goal #1: Pay off extra entertainment splurge on credit card $155 – COMPLETED
Goal #2: Car Savings: $343 added by 4/30 $200/$343
Goal #3: Medical Savings: $493 added by 4/30 $0/$493
Goal #4: Nephew Savings $486 added by 4/30 $0/$486
Goal #5: EFund Savings: $936 added by 4/30 $0/$936
Goal #6 New Home Fund: $10,334 added by 4/30 $935/$10,334


Overtime Plan - through April 30th 2016

January 20th, 2016 at 12:35 pm

Currently, my office has unlimited OT and with the baby being soooo good. I am able to put quite a bit of time in in the evenings and on the weekends. I am lucky to be able to work overtime from home, which makes this possible.

My husband & I want to move/sell the house around April/May, so I am pushing to meet a lot of different goals using overtime plus my already budgeted amount per month.

These mini goals (all dependent on OT) are as follows. These are all stretch goals, but meeting as many of them as possible is a fun goal!

1.Pay off extra entertainment splurge on credit card $155

2.Car Savings - $80 (4 months of $20/mo automatic savings) plus $263 in OT [To meet goal of $500 by April 30th]

3.Medical Savings - $60 (4 months of $15/mo automatic savings) plus $433 in OT [To meet goal of $500 by April 30th]

4.Nephew Savings - $0 auto savings plus $486 in OT [To meet goal of $1000 by April 30th]

5.Emergency Fund - $60 (4 months of $15/mo automatic savings) plus $876 in OT [To meet goal of $1000 by April 30th]

6.New Home Fund – Auto Savings Total of $2345 plus $600 from extra paycheck plus $7389 in OT [To meet goal of $20,000 by April 30th}. ***We have additional home savings outside of this***


With Friday's Paycheck (overtime plus any automatic savings), I will:

1. Put $155 to the entertainment spending - MEETING THAT GOAL

2. Put $200 to the auto savings fund ($180 OT plus $20 auto savings)

3. Put $935 to New Home Fund ($600 OT plus $335 budgeted auto savings).

Great start!!

January Goals

January 12th, 2016 at 12:34 pm

Lots of fun stuff to do in the midst of germs just rotating between people in my house. The baby & I alternate being sick!

1. Put $60 budget towards cash only gifts 2016
2. Work Min 8 hours of OT per week to go towards goals [already exceeding this goal]
3. Put $600 from OT towards New Home Fund
4. Put $240 from OT towards car savings


Recap of 2015 Goals

January 2nd, 2016 at 04:44 pm

2015 Goals Recap:
1. Contribute $8k to 401k
EXCEEDED GOAL - total increase in retirement accounts - $14,718.81
2. Pay off CC TY $1087.11(Paid off Feb 6th) COMPLETED GOAL
3. Pay off CC FR $5762.60 (Paid off Mar 6th) COMPLETED GOAL
4. Pay off CC BA $9257.35 (paid off August 10th) COMPLETED GOAL
5. Pay off Car Loan $1595.93 (Paid off April) COMPLETED GOAL
6. Cash Only Gifts - Birthday AND Christmas COMPLETED GOAL
7.Spouse Paying off the last of the credit cards he came into the marriage with. NOT COMPLETED - BUT VERY CLOSE

2015 Alternative Income Totals

January 2nd, 2016 at 04:41 pm

I utilize alternative income as part of my birthday/holidays/Christmas fund. In 2015, I collected $852.30

Alternative Income totals 2015:
Gift promotion $10
cc rewards: $566.53
ebates $36.23
change jar $76.2
Bing $20.99
inbox $40
mypoints $25
settlement $28.35
insurance reimbursement $49

My 2016 Goal for alternative income through things like Mypoints, Ebates, Coke Rewards, Credit Card rewards, etc is $200. Much less this year as I giving a break on credit card promotions for a while. I will use for normal purchase rewards, but am not opening new cards as we are looking to sell/buy a new house this year.

2016 Goals

December 31st, 2015 at 09:57 pm

1. Keep contributing 14% to 401k (plus 6% match)
2. $2500 to HSA (PLUS $1500 Company Match). Already set up
3. $3333.33 to Childcare FSA (PLUS $1666.67 Company Contribution)
4. Cash only Birthdays/Holidays/Christmas (add $1294 to 2016 Gifts Fund)
5. Increase New Home Fund by $8000
6. Increase Efund by $946.81
7. Increase Vacation fund by $274.86
8. Increase Nephew Savings by $500.05
9. Increase Medical Savings by $483.69
10. Increase Car Savings by $442.68

Planned Friday's Payday! (bonus in check)

March 19th, 2015 at 01:27 am

With Friday's payday, I will be able to accomplish quite a few things.

-Bringing my Efund to over 1k (have separate savings, but this is the true baby Efund)
-Paying off Car Loan
-Paying off a Credit card
-Paying $354.88 to the last credit card!

The New balance on the last cc will be $8718.89 after that payment. I will also be putting $43 to it from leftover fun money.

After that, I plan on putting $1168/month towards the Card.

I REALLY want to have it paid off by the time the baby comes. After those payments, plus about $900 extra from an extra paycheck in May, I will still be $3103.89 short of that goal.

I am waiting for the approval for a new position to be created on my team. Once that happens, I will officially move into the new role, which comes with a new salary. However, I will not count that chicken before it hatches. If the money comes, it goes straight to this cc.

So my new goal is to get creative and find the money to pay off that debt before August, when the baby is set to come. Wish me luck!!

Soooo close to meeting my Mostly Free Christmas 2012 Goal!

June 23rd, 2012 at 08:28 pm

At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to have a mostly free Christmas this year. I have used Swagbucks, MyPoints, Cashcrate & InboxDollars, survey sites, and a few credit card rewards to meet this goal.

I cashflowed approx $66 as I found things I liked for future gifts.

I earned $147.07 in Amazon Gift cards (plus $79.99 that I used for a reel lawn mower).

I earned $437.67 in cash - through rewards, gift cards, ect that I turned into cash.

This totals $651.13.

My goal is 760.38 which includes budget for:
-gifts for family/friends
-my boyfriends end of November bday
-my 2 nephew's bdays (in December)
-my neices bday in the fall
-fudge for coworkers/neighbors
-homemade coasters
-mom's bday in Late october
-Christmas cards
-Uncles card/postage to england
-small decor additions
-work friends Happy HOur
-big New Year's Eve outting - funds for weekend

Once I reach the goal (and I will based on Mypoints cards about ready to cash in) - I will work to build a gift budget for the rest of birthdays in the year and eventually 2013's budget. My swagbucks earnings have taken a bit of a dive lately, so I will have to work to maintain this level. I find this fun Smile


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