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Post by suzwantstobefree on Jan 21, 2011 7:11:37 GMT -5
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shelby
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Post by shelby on Jan 21, 2011 13:01:01 GMT -5
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shelby
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Post by shelby on Jan 21, 2011 13:13:14 GMT -5
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shelby
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Post by shelby on Jan 21, 2011 13:21:33 GMT -5
Shelby (1/20/2011) $6
Goal total = $7000 EF = $5000 Vacation = $1000 Couch = $1000
This goal may be a little high for 1 year, but I will keep racing it until the goal is met. I am putting half of my tax return in My EF so that might make it more realistic.
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Post by financiallyfreeinbc on Jan 21, 2011 14:41:29 GMT -5
FinanciallyfreeinBC 01/20/11 $44 222.72 (01/02/11 $5134.54 WIRS1) No, it’s not a typo. It’s insanity. DH got his severance payout from losing his job last week. It was shocking to see those numbers. Those numbers have traditionally been what we have owed in debt (almost) so seeing them without a negative sign was an emotional moment. To be honest, I was only expecting $37 000 so another bonus of $5000 was unexpected. We have allocated $15 000 each to TFSA (max contribution) as our 6 months of emergency funds in case either of us is unemployed. DH needs to get his opened but I have mine set up and the transfer will happen on Monday (should I be putting the grand total in the current total amount or should I just put what we have in savings??) I have put the rest into the savings account. I will be doing research for the new water system we want put in the house (that will take at least $4000). I also am thinking that we will now be putting $10 000 to RRSPs between the 2 of us. The rest can sit quietly, waiting until we see about vacation time for DH etc. No vacation? Keep saving until he has some and go somewhere really nice. I have to say that I don’t understand people today. DH was at his old job and the guys asked him “so, do you have plans for your time off?” He said “yep, finding a job.” They were totally surprised! They have no plans to do so. DH said “yeah, my wife told me that if I didn’t have a new job within a month of this one, I would be asking ‘do you want fries with that?’”. Apparently they gave him weird looks. And yes, I did say that. Glad he took it to heart. For me, being employed is security and I don’t handle not feeling secure well. DH started his new job at the beginning of the week. That, along with my friend paying me back and our continued close watch on the spending will help with our savings. I can’t wait to start planning for more home improvements. Gratitude-that my DH is a hard worker and went and got a job when he could have loafed around the house for a year like others have said they are doing, my family and friends being there for me when I was in a panic over DH’s job, my fur kids who bring me great joy, my wood stove when the weather is so cold! Oh, and that DH insisted we buy a new tv to celebrate the new job as well as go out for dinner. It was very very nice to treat ourselves for a change!! accounts | 2011 goals | Current | % met | Emergency fund me | 15000 total | 15000 | 100 | Emergency fund DH | 15000 | 0 | 0 | RRSPs | 10 000 | 0 | 0 | water system | 0 | 0 | 0 | vacation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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SaverBee
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Post by SaverBee on Jan 21, 2011 17:13:34 GMT -5
[ table ] Update: SUZWANTSTOBEFREE 1/18/11 1,798.67 (1/18/10 $15,000) [tr][td] Loan [/td][td] Need [/td][td] Have [/td][td] Difference [/td][/tr][tr] ...[td] Totals [/td][td] $15,000.00 [/td][td] $2,308.84 [/td][td] $12,691 [/td][/tr] Update: SUZWANTSTOBEFREE 1/21/11 2308.84 (1/18/10 $15,000) [/quote] Hi Suz! you might want to try moving the word table (in brackets)to be right in front of your first [tr] and then after your very last table line [/tr] place a closing table bracket: [/table] and your table should show up
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HappyCat
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Smiling's my FAVORITE!!
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Post by HappyCat on Jan 21, 2011 17:26:50 GMT -5
Congrats FinanciallyFreeinBC!! I want to be just like you when I am a big saving cat!!
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Post by suzwantstobefree on Jan 21, 2011 17:35:18 GMT -5
Update: SUZWANTSTOBEFREE 1/21/11 2,289.67 (1/18/10 $15,000) Loan | Need | Have | Difference | Property Tax - Rental | $2,900.00 | $0.00 | $2,900 | Insurance - Rental | $700.00 | $0.00 | $700 | Insurance - Auto | $1,200.00 | $0.00 | $1,200 | Vacation - 2011 | $3,500.00 | $0.00 | $3,500 | New Car Fund | $2,500.00 | $0.00 | $2,500 | Emergency Fund | $4,200.00 | $2,289.67 | $1,910 | Total | $15,000.00 | $2,289.67 | $12,710 | |
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Post by suzwantstobefree on Jan 21, 2011 17:40:19 GMT -5
[ table ] Update: SUZWANTSTOBEFREE 1/18/11 1,798.67 (1/18/10 $15,000) [tr][td] Loan [/td][td] Need [/td][td] Have [/td][td] Difference [/td][/tr][tr] ...[td] Totals [/td][td] $15,000.00 [/td][td] $2,308.84 [/td][td] $12,691 [/td][/tr] Update: SUZWANTSTOBEFREE 1/21/11 2308.84 (1/18/10 $15,000) [/quote] Hi Suz! you might want to try moving the word table (in brackets)to be right in front of your first [tr] and then after your very last table line [/tr] place a closing table bracket: [/table] and your table should show up [/quote] I thought I deleted it before I went to work this morning. It was a mess and I didn't want to mess with it (too little time). Sorry 'bout that but I have fixed it now Thank you for the suggestions!!!
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Post by suzwantstobefree on Jan 21, 2011 17:44:16 GMT -5
P.S. I really think I can make my goals this year -- finally I see some light at the end of the debt paying/cash saving tunnel. Like Financially Free - there are so many things I am thankful for and feel blessed that I am able to do better financially then at any other point in my life. I am truly blessed
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SaverBee
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Post by SaverBee on Jan 21, 2011 18:08:33 GMT -5
shelby - VERY good idea to put some of your tax refunds towards your EF savings goal. It's ok if your savings goal seems too high for 1 year, it's good to have something to plug away at it and have something that you are savings towards Suz - glad the table is working for you, and looks like you are off to a great start, the light at the end of the tunnel is really shining bright! financiallyfreeinbc - Congrats to your hubby on finding a new job so soon after he was let go from his old one! HappyCat - your avatar gives me a huge smile everytime I see it LOL
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Post by suzwantstobefree on Jan 21, 2011 20:45:24 GMT -5
Suz - glad the table is working for you, and looks like you are off to a great start, the light at the end of the tunnel is really shining bright! I feel like a grown up - Thanks Saverbee January was really good for me, I had an escrow check and I got my rent check (more or less on time). So far for February, it looks like the possibility of my taxes being finished up (hoping for a refund which will increase the EF), rent check, and perhaps (fingers crossed) a bonus from work. The goal is a little over $1K per month which will get me there by the end of the year.
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Saving4Norway
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Post by Saving4Norway on Jan 21, 2011 20:59:56 GMT -5
Shelby and FinanciallyFreeinBC - I am so... proud, inspired, lots of emotions... that you are taking your 'windfalls' of sorts and making the conscious decision to save significant portions of this money! Financially Free had mentioned gratitude. What an incredibly important aspect that I had never thought of! I'd like to share mine... Mom introduced me to 'credit' at 16 years old. She got me my own American Express that was separate, yet linked to her account. She taught me from the very beginning that you don't spend what you don't have - that credit cards 'are' paid off at the end of every month as they are proof to companies that you are dependable to always pay what you owe. I don't know why but mom didn't do this with my sisters and thus they learned their credit lessons through bad choices and hard times that lasted for years. Fortunately, we are all now on the higher end of the learning curve and all successful in our own ways. A toast Thanks Mom for helping me learn to respect money/credit at an early age. You've saved me from lots of heartache. With love, Your Favorite Daughter (no mom, the other one...)
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redracerris
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Post by redracerris on Jan 21, 2011 23:11:05 GMT -5
Okay, I should be here for a short time, then it's back to my debt racing. DH and I emptied our mini EF of $1000 to buy a new used car. So now I want to build that back up. redracerris 1/21/2011 $40 (1/21/2011 $40 WIRS) Fund | Goals | Jan1st | Current | YTD | Spent | % Met | EF | $1,000 | $20 | $40 | $40 | $0 | 4.00% |
Once the pay checks from my new job start rolling in, hopefully I'll have more going towards that. As for if we have tax refund, it will all go towards debt. suz knows what I'm dealing with as far as debt goes I wish I could say that I'll be here longer, and I might start coming here more the more debt I have paid off, but for now it's the mini EF.
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HappyCat
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Post by HappyCat on Jan 22, 2011 0:07:58 GMT -5
Thanks SaverBee! I will try to send LOTS of money to savings so I can post over and over again. I loved the picture as soon as I saw it and the quote is from the movie "Elf".
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SaverBee
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Post by SaverBee on Jan 22, 2011 1:48:53 GMT -5
With love, Your Favorite Daughter (no mom, the other one...) TOO funny hehehe... HappyCat - I see from your sig that your CC Bal has gone down YAY! redracerris - Welcome!! I think it's great that debt racers are taking up a savings race too, no goal or contribution is too small Best of luck on your debt race and many more saving races to come! And as all PP have mentioned, I too am grateful. I have parents who are allowing me to stay rent free (but contribute to groc, gas and bills), so that I can sock away the better part of my checks towards owning my own home. I know what a huge favor they are doing for me, and am not taking it for granted at all. In appreciation I will be setting aside some parent retirement money as part of my savings goals for the next few years, to make up for all those years they've let me live rent free
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The Home 6
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Location: Bourbon Country
Favorite Drink: Wine. With a wine chaser.
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Post by The Home 6 on Jan 22, 2011 7:49:20 GMT -5
Finaciallyfree that's great that your DH got a new job! Shelby way to go with planning to put tax money in savings! Responsibility is the way to be! I haven't been around lately, since I have been applying for jobs like CRAZY. I thought DH was onboard with putting money away into a retirement account (since we are approaching 30 and don't have one yet ). But his stepsister emailed him...wanted to know if he would go in halvsies on the washer and dryer SHE bought for their mom for Christmas. So no retirement account money this month, it is going to my in-laws. I have had it. I am going to get a job, even if I have to pay all of my paycheck to the daycare. Maybe it will be the shock that DH needs to wake him up and say, 'hey, maybe we shouldn't be sending money all the time to my family. Maybe they need to stand on their own 2 feet.'
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redracerris
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Post by redracerris on Jan 22, 2011 10:25:34 GMT -5
The home 6 That it definitely something that needs to be talked about with your husband, but be careful to tread lightly because it sounds like he is very close with his family. You don't want to put him in the ultimatum of "It's me or your family", or make him feel like it's that way when to you it's not.
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Post by writer88 on Jan 22, 2011 12:49:51 GMT -5
FinanciallyFreeinBC - Your post put a gigantic smile on my face. I have known you for awhile, now, from our time together on the WIR Racers. I know the blood, sweet, and tears you shed to reach this magnificent accomplishment. You're my hero! My -felt congratulations,
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Post by financiallyfreeinbc on Jan 22, 2011 13:19:57 GMT -5
Thanks all. Everyone seems to think that we are "rich" now. Not really... we now have a full emergency fund and we have money for RRSPs and a home improvement. After that, it's "gone"! (so crazy!!!). I am really grateful that I have the WIR (international group) who supported me while getting out of debt and now this group to cheer on the saving side of debt. This whole board has been a HUGE part of my success.
Gratitude is something I started posting on the debt side of things. It helped me remember that no matter how frustrated, how slow I felt things were or how crazy life was that I had so much to be happy and grateful for. Big, small... anything!
Writer, it is awesome that I am your hero since you are mine! I am so very glad we are here together!
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teachermom
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Post by teachermom on Jan 22, 2011 19:07:41 GMT -5
Financiallyfreeinbc.......That is because you are "rich" compared to most of the world. No credit card debt, fully funded EF, funding retirement, paying cash for remodels. That is "rich" compared with most. Enjoy it! Be proud that you have made great decisions.
Teachermom
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Post by writer88 on Jan 22, 2011 21:31:01 GMT -5
Saver Bee: In appreciation I will be setting aside some parent retirement money as part of my savings goals for the next few yearsAs a widow and parent of four adult children who live at home and pay token rent in lieu of expenses, I believe your parents would prefer that any money you set aside go towards your wedding and/or education and/or buying an apartment. I sure would if I were them. ffinbc - Me too
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HappyCat
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Post by HappyCat on Jan 22, 2011 22:19:00 GMT -5
SaverBee: Yes, thanks for noticing. I eeked out $200 to the cc and $25 to savings. I am starting a new job on Jan 31 and am being a little conservative because I am unsure how long I will be without a paycheck during the transition. Once I get the cash flow back on a steady track and know how much I have to work with (I took a pay cut to get out of a 2 hour per day commute) then I will start making more progress. I am hoping to have my CC paid off in 6-8 months (or as soon as possible) and then become a committed savings cat!
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Saving4Norway
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Post by Saving4Norway on Jan 23, 2011 15:23:34 GMT -5
Hi All! I have updated smilies and roses on Page 1, Post #20. If you're relatively new, we track our updates noting the amount we started with and where we're currently at. We earn different smilies equivalent to the amounts we've saved. (I know it might sound a little goofy, but for me, it's crazy how fun and motivating it is watching the smilies grow!) We also track the individual account goals we reach with roses. If/When you ever notice that I've made a mistake, please call it to my attention. Welcome to redracerris! A huge [glow=red,2,300]thank you[/glow] to whomever gave me a dose of karma - it worked! Not only did it tickle me pink, but it also has motivated me to stretch a little extra this month. Thank you!
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teachermom
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Post by teachermom on Jan 23, 2011 16:12:44 GMT -5
Saving4Norway......You are welcome!! You do a great job!
Teachermom
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Post by suzwantstobefree on Jan 23, 2011 20:24:52 GMT -5
Norway - thanks for updating our smiley's. I am here from the WIRR's board and I know that it is really important to me to have a motivator like the smiley's to keep me going. With that being said - you earned Karma from me too!!!!
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munjoyhill
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Post by munjoyhill on Jan 24, 2011 9:43:00 GMT -5
Update Munjoyhill 1/24/11 $2,600 (1/1/11 $2,000) Item | Savings Goal | 1/24/2011 Balance | Need | % Goal Met | Mortgage Only EF | $8,000 | $2,000 | $6,000 | 25% | Oil/K-1 Heating | $2,000 | $500 | $1,500 | 25% | Taxes-House 2012 | $2,170 | $0 | $2,170 | 0% | Taxes-Condo 2012 | $2,750 | $0 | $2,750 | 0% | Christmas 2011 | $1,000 | $0 | $1,000 | 0% | Misc Med Expenses | $1,000 | $100 | $1,000 | 0% | Totals | $16,920 | $2,600 | $14,320 | 15.4% |
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SaverBee
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Post by SaverBee on Jan 24, 2011 14:09:07 GMT -5
I believe your parents would prefer that any money you set aside go towards your wedding and/or education and/or buying an apartment. I sure would if I were them. writer88 - you are on point with your observation, they would prefer that I set it aside for myself, for whatever needs may arise. Parents are always selfless in that way, and rarely allow their children to do something selfless in return. The money I'm setting aside as a "thank you" amounts to 7% of my total savings goals right now, so it's not setting me back too much. I know that they won't willingly take it, which means it will most likely sit in my account as a back up emergency fund, but it makes me feel good that I'll have it there for them should they need it. P.S. That is so awesome that you are helping out your 4 children. Please, if they want to thank you after the fact and they can afford it, LET THEM!! As the "child" in this equation, I get a sense of accomplishment and pride that I can give to my parents as they've always given to me. ;D P.P.S. I guess I could disguise it as a Family Vacation Trip Fund and then they won't object too much
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SaverBee
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Post by SaverBee on Jan 24, 2011 14:27:00 GMT -5
HappyCat - congrats on the new job and a shorter commute. Hopefully that will mean less stress and that you will see some savings from taking trips to the pump less The home 6 - just wanted to second what redracerris wrote, tread lightly, but DO have the talk. Maybe you can approach it by saying that you'd like to make sure that your household expense and future are budgeted for and covered before allotting money for ANY extras. Then sit down and figure out how much is needed for all of your expenses (EF and Retirement included) and then whatever is left over is free to use. Wish you luck!!
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Post by writer88 on Jan 25, 2011 2:47:34 GMT -5
SAVER BEE: P.P.S. I guess I could disguise it as a Family Vacation Trip Fund and then they won't object too much Bingo, you've got it! ;D
My siblings and I are always doing stuff for my parents (M=87 yrs; D=90 yrs). Birthday presents, here, vacations there. And now my kids are doing mini-TY's for me: Flowers for the garden, earrings, new serving platters, etc, though I never lose sight of their real gift to me - nachat - A Hebrew word meaning deep pride and pleasure in who they are as people.
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