Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Nov 15, 2013 11:21:00 GMT -5
Something I realized about my situation just this morning: My last day at my job with Bard was November 4, 2011 My first day with Smith & Nephew should be November 25, 2013 This means I will have been out of work at a full time non-temp job for two years and two weeks. How did I do this ? Nothing was repossessed, I did not lose my home, I had medical coverage through 2012, I still hosted exchange students and kept us all fed. The cats did not starve to death and I even managed a trip to Seattle to visit my parents. AND I still have money in my savings account AND did not touch my retirement funds. I think it is an example of prayer really working ... and being a natural tight wad.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Nov 17, 2013 13:30:59 GMT -5
Update: 12 NSD and 2 CSD
I am still here. Trying to continue to keep up with all of the grading as well as the housework. Doing well on school stuff but falling behind on some of the housework. I will soon have a few days off for Thanksgiving holidays so I hope to catch up by then.
Also, I have been busy with remaking items as well as designing new pieces for the upcoming craft shows I have between now and Christmas. My friends and I have participated in several so far and still have more to go. Any little bit of cash I make goes into buying replacement supplies but it feeds my hobby so I am happy as I have managed to at least break even the last several years. My replacement list continues to grow -- mainly with the basics supplies. I plan to continue to fill the cart and order once all of the shows are over as I will then have a complete list of all the itlems I am very low on. I have picked up a few items locally if I absolutely need them to complete an item that was ordered but have not had to do so recently. So I seem to be getting better with inventory control. Honey -- Welcome back to the boards. I missed your comments. Where are the girls from this year?
Well back to the grind. Will check in when I can.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 17, 2013 19:55:01 GMT -5
3catslady: 13 NSD, 4 CSD, 0 eating out days.
$135.71 -$36.42 groceries - $3.37 sodas +$65.01 work check +$100.00 rent from kids - $2.04 sodas ______________ $258.80 balance
I think I am doing good this month. I can't wait until next month. I have 3 $10 gift cards to buy for Christmas or maybe 5 depending on who is coming home for Christmas. My sweeper died and I don't have a mop any more so I have to buy those things.
Question for you who use spreadsheets: How do you figure out what account get how much? I want to set up a new-to-me car account, housing account (for fixing up this place), and an emergency account. All I have right now is a checking and a saving account. I was tired of trying to keep 2 checking and 2 savings accounts separate. I ended up paying fees for not having enough in the accounts so I closed them and put them in the ones that haven't charged me anything yet. I still have the "book bank" in my drawer and I don't want to use it except in a real emergency. By real, I mean life or death for either me or the cats.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 17, 2013 23:14:28 GMT -5
Ombud, I have 1 checking account for transfer between DS's checking and mine for rent, my checking account for everything and my savings account. Neither one charges if I go under $100 because I am over 65 years old. I also get free checks. That is all I have besides my "bank book". I was just wondering how to set my spreadsheet up to divide my savings into categories and what percentage to use for each.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 18, 2013 9:32:17 GMT -5
3cats, for my goal savings (non-retirement), I have a main checking and EF, plus a secondary savings only at a different CU. Rather than close an old account, I converted the separate CU savings into a car fund so I wouldn't touch it for anything else.
But for my travel fund, I didn't want to open another savings account. So what I do is keep track on my spreadsheet of how much I put monthly into my EF savings account specifically earmarked for travel use. So, although the savings account officially has several thousand in it, my Excel spreadsheet says I've added $1050 earmarked for travel and used $650 of that for travel. I just keep track of it personally. I made a tab in my Excel spreadsheet to track in/out in my fake 'travel fund'. I can PM you an example of my spreadsheet tracking if you want.
For smaller goal savings, like car insurance, I actually keep greenbacks in an envelope hidden at home.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 18, 2013 9:33:46 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 7 CSD/2 NSD
Well, as expected, no new CSD's this weekend. But my dinner parties went well, and everyone had a good time. So, now that that's over, back to the salt mines!
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ses
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Post by ses on Nov 18, 2013 12:12:23 GMT -5
3cats- I have 2 checking accounts and 2 savings accounts All $ amounts are just round examples.
Savings#1--this is my "master" account. All income are deposited here. $2000/mo.
Checking#1--"housing" account. This holds my current mortgage payment($600) + the next months payment + the amount for my insurance deductible ($1000) my goal is to add four more months of mortgage. This will guarrentee 6 months of housing in case of major disaster . ($1200+$1000 minimum) (Goal $4600) One of my big fears is being homeless.
Checking#2--Regular monthly expenses ($1200) +2 month EF (total $2400-$3600)I leave this EF in my "master" saving account so I don't see it in my checking account and be tempted to spend it.
Savings#2--Auto and Insurance fund($200/mo) I am going to have to replace my car soon too. I am going to "online" shop around to figure out what I might have to pay, then use an online calculator to figure what my payment would be to finance for three years and then start saving that amount from checking account #1(minus the $200 I am already saving in this account) I want to have at least half, if not the whole cost, saved before buying.
Any extra money after I reach my goals for each account I save 50% to housing, 25% to my regular EF and 25% to my car fund.
I am not really good at Excel so I find it just as easy to keep a paper and pencil spreadsheet. I am very specific about keeping it updated. I did not reach any of my goals overnight, it took years and I still have to work to stay on top of things. If my goals are met then I would add to my EF.
I hope this makes sense. If you have any questions PM me.
edit to add--I need to start a "book" savings account at home. I seldom have actual cash at home in case I couldn't get access to the bank. That is a good idea. I have a bazillion old books and could easily make my own "bank"
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 18, 2013 22:27:23 GMT -5
ses, My "book bank" is actually a bank. It has keys to open it. I have $375 in there right now and I have $22 more to go in but I don't put it in until I get $25 and then I gumband them together. I just wanted to know how you decide what amount to earmark for car and house and emergency. I am trying to get my savings up to 3 month's expenses. It seems to be taking a long time and I am getting discouraged. I know it takes time. I just need to hold on to what is going on. Thanks for the percentages. That is sort of what I wanted. At least that gives me somewhere to start.
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ses
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Post by ses on Nov 19, 2013 11:06:15 GMT -5
3cats--I picked those percentages because I basically have only three accounts and my fear of losing the house. If my car was a real issue, I could always have that be my 50% account. I am flexible. I guess it all depends on priorities at the time.
I have seen the "book banks" you are talking about, but I have so many old books and some glue and thought to save some pennies. Whatever system I use it is still a good idea.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 19, 2013 11:23:15 GMT -5
ses, My "book bank" is actually a bank. It has keys to open it. I have $375 in there right now and I have $22 more to go in but I don't put it in until I get $25 and then I gumband them together. I just wanted to know how you decide what amount to earmark for car and house and emergency. I am trying to get my savings up to 3 month's expenses. It seems to be taking a long time and I am getting discouraged. I know it takes time. I just need to hold on to what is going on. Thanks for the percentages. That is sort of what I wanted. At least that gives me somewhere to start. FWIW: For specific goal savings funds or sinking funds, I decide first how much I need to end up in it by a deadline, then divide it by months and set about tucking away. For my car replacement fund, for example, I did some browsing at the kinds/ages of cars that I'd be interested in, noted the approximate listing prices and made that my goal. It's not a % of savings or income, it's a particular target number like 'save $10k by mid 2014'. How I get there is then up to me. Ditto for my vacation fund, insurance fund, and Roth IRA. For housing costs, I think there's a general guideline of 1% to 5% of the house's cost saved annually toward repairs. You could start with the low-end of that number if it's too large of a goal right now. If you need smaller goals than just 'save 3 months expenses', try breaking it down to particular expenses. First, save 3 months of your electric bill, then 3 months of the phone bill, then 3 months of insurance, etc etc. Making the goals more manageable can make them more doable.
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ses
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Post by ses on Nov 19, 2013 17:04:26 GMT -5
Rocky--really excellent points!!!!!!!
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Nov 19, 2013 18:40:30 GMT -5
Update: 14 NSD and 2 CSD
3 cats -- Just a few comments. I have a series of mini-accounts within my checking account. (My late DH used to refer to them as my squirrel accounts -- hence my username of moneysquirrel). I just hide the total in my main register which I keep in Excel. (I love Excel) I try to set a reasonable goal for each category (I have about 12) and I do attempt to put a little in each on a regular basis. I am flexible enough that if I have to move money around I can but I don't like to do so. I do something similar to what many posters on the savers' thread but I had my system in place years before I even heard of Women in Red. I think you have made a lot of process over the years and you need to come up with a system that works for you. My main accounts are as follows -- Insurance, Taxes, House, Car, Retirement, and EF. Others are gifts, travel, medical, clothing, and so on. The amount I try to put aside varies as to need. I try to look at past expenses and try to put aside enough to handle those. Others are the wish funds and I try to just put a little aside each month. It is amazing how just a little at a time makes progress. Just like you do with your cash "bank book" every little bit helps. Good luck in coming up with a method that works for you.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 20, 2013 9:21:29 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 8 CSD/2 NSD
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Nov 20, 2013 17:31:54 GMT -5
$33.14 after Thanksgiving shopping + 35 in rewards dollars with 2 gifts to go
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 20, 2013 19:42:32 GMT -5
3catslady: 14 NSD, 5 CSD, 1 eating out day.
$258.89 beginning balance -$6.21 soda -$15.01 gas -$55.20 stamps -$17.00 pizza and soda +$132.52 my check ____________________ $297.99 ending balance
Almost the end of the month before I ate out. I think I did pretty good on that account.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Nov 20, 2013 20:38:13 GMT -5
You did great!!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 21, 2013 12:37:25 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 9 CSD/2 NSD
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Nov 21, 2013 13:31:40 GMT -5
3cats - I also only have one savings bank account. I just keep a break out of specific funds for specific uses in my excel spreadsheets. The bank may think I took out $100 from my general account but I know it was for something specific. This is my example below - very rough idea of what is in my Excel sheets. My actual has spaces for dates and more descriptions. Account Type | Starting Balance | Change Type | Change Amount | Final Balance | General Savings Acct | 800.00 | Deposit | 50.00 | 850.00 | Cat Care Acct | 2,800.00 | Withdrawal | -100.00 | 2,700.00 | New Washer Fund | 150.00 | Deposit | 30.00 | 180.00 | Total Bank Savings | TOTAL | | | 3730.00 | Cash on Hand | 600.00 | | | 600.00 |
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 22, 2013 22:06:43 GMT -5
3catslady: 16 NSD, 5 CSD, 1 eating out day.
$297.99 +$50.00 rent from the kids __________ $347.99
Tomorrow I am going for groceries. I need a phone card also. I want to get a sweeper and a steam mop. Not sure I am going to get the mop but I am going to get the sweeper. It is a necessity. I'll wait and see what I come home with. I have the money for both because I have been saving for them. I just don't want to spend it because I have these irrational fears that something is going to go wrong as soon as I spend that money. I don't have that much in savings if something does go wrong and my credit score isn't high enough for me to get a loan so I will be royally screwed. Just some fears that I am facing right now. Sorry about the rant.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Nov 23, 2013 21:34:22 GMT -5
Update: 16 NSD and 2 CSD Had a few spend days this week -- major grocery run and several other things picked up at HD and CVS. Also had to get a wedding gift -- therefore spend days. But overall not too bad for this month. Looking forward to sleeping a little later this coming week as I have off from school. Will use the time to catch up on projects around the house and to plan for the end of the semester -- exams are only a few weeks ahead. Can't believe that we are at this point already in the school year. Wishing all of you goodnight.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Nov 24, 2013 18:33:38 GMT -5
Got gas. See you all next month. Im done. $4.47 left
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Nov 25, 2013 23:00:29 GMT -5
Update: 17 NSD and 3 CSD
Did a little shopping today before the weather came in. Got two items on my needed and budgeted list so I am counting it as a CSD. I know I have to get a few items at the grocery on Wednesday and feed the car as well but I plan to spend tomorrow at home finishing up the cleaning and working on some little projects. Wednesday will be my major food prep day. Friday I plan to stay home as well -- no way am I planning to go anywhere near a mall on that day.
In case I don't get a chance to check in before Thursday I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 26, 2013 9:07:27 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 11 CSD/2 NSDHopefully this was the last of my planned spendy weekends for a while. Dinner and a movie on Saturday, dinner and a movie yesterday, work, errands and everything else in between. Whew, I'm pooped! I'm volunteering to take some friends' kids for the afternoon this weekend, but it should be less spendy (but certainly not less work! )
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Nov 26, 2013 15:46:10 GMT -5
Well, I am locked in for all of my winter and spring classes and should not have to take out anymore student loans. I will be applying for scholarships (I had an invite to one, but I didn't have all of the info they needed to apply for it- like the number of reference letters) to supplement financial aid if needed for the fall semester.
I miss everyone a lot, but you will all be happy to know that I have all A's and B's in my classes.
Honey- I am sooo proud of you. I hope your first day at the permanent position went well.
Still struggling with Momma Bear, who is now not driving. However, there has been a serious convo about what I can and can't do for her and what I will and won't and how things are getting ready to change drastically.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and lots of hugs!
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Nov 26, 2013 15:51:52 GMT -5
Confession time. Had to go back to the grocery store for a few more items and put them on a charge card. So I'm negative
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 27, 2013 9:05:11 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 12 CSD/2 NSD
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Nov 27, 2013 19:03:53 GMT -5
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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ses
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Post by ses on Nov 27, 2013 21:28:09 GMT -5
HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING EVERYONE
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 27, 2013 22:51:47 GMT -5
3catslady: 20 NSD, 6 CSD, 2 eating out days.
$347.99 -$107.33 groceries +$139.08 my check -$37.00 car registration _____________________ $342.74 Balance
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 28, 2013 12:17:47 GMT -5
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL
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