Rocky Mtn Saver
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 9:40:57 GMT -5
Posts: 7,461
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jan 5, 2012 12:09:08 GMT -5
I had a reimbursement check come in today, so I'll go ahead and update with the new numbers. Yay! entlzha 01/05/12 $2,190 (01/04/12 = $1,918; Goal = $8,250) Fund | Dec 2012 Goals | Jan 1st Start | Current | % Met | Emerg Fund | $2,000 | $752 | $752 | 37.59% | Roth IRA | $1,300 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | Car Fund | $3,000 | $1,134 | $1,156 | 38.55% | 2012 Vacation | $500 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | HSA | $1,200 | $32 | $282 | 23.46% | Goal Savings 1 | $250 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | |
Hey, Norway, I changed my screen name to something more pronounceable! Will that confuse things?
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nalto
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 15:31:54 GMT -5
Posts: 777
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Post by nalto on Jan 5, 2012 17:20:56 GMT -5
Count me in. I know I didn't update much, and I probably won't much this year, but right now I'm at $10k and I want to be at $25k by years end. I don't have any real "goal", I'm just throwing money into savings (at the end of the month) until I'm done with school. I should be able to hit my mark, but the whole paying cash for school might slow me down. I don't think I'll spend too much money on other stuff since I'll be working full time and taking 20 credits, so that should be enough to keep me out of spending trouble nalto 1/5/12 $10,000 (1/5/12 $10,000) ETA: I think I'm going to open an account for my "change." So if I have $100 in checking, and I spend $12.75 on groceries, I'll move $7.25 to the account. That way, I'll have an even number in checking and a nice little stash of cash by the end of the year.
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SaverBee
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 30, 2010 14:18:38 GMT -5
Posts: 111
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Post by SaverBee on Jan 6, 2012 23:08:23 GMT -5
happycat do you have an island picked out to visit? I've visited Maui and Kauai once and loved both! Will plan a trip to visit the remaining islands someday S4N oooh glad i can help pump you up as you all do for me ;D I plan to snowball this year and only put in money into 1-2 categories to start, so first few months will be slow and ramp up in the fall, geez I dont know if i have the patience for that heheh babybear19 your P.S. disclaimer, too funny to planning ahead! Rocky Mtn Saver or rms f.k.a entlzha?? hehehe welcome and that's a nice cap to the end of the first week of the year! nalto dont have to worry about your savings being a bit on the slow side since paying for school in cash is also saving you from paying interest on student loans later on. Will you be reporting on you "change" account? It should be interesting to see how fast it adds up.
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HappyCat
Familiar Member
Smiling's my FAVORITE!!
Joined: Jan 15, 2011 21:26:20 GMT -5
Posts: 657
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Post by HappyCat on Jan 6, 2012 23:36:30 GMT -5
SaverBee: I lived in Hawaii (Oahu) in the early 90s when my kids were little. This time my friend who is a military nurse is going to the big island of Hawaii for training and will have a paid hotel and rental car. She invited me to come hang out with her for the week and it will only cost me air fare and fun money. It's the perfect vacation because we will have fun best friend time but I will also have some "me" time while she is in training. I haven't seen her for a few years and I REALLY want to go. I am having trouble finding a plane ticket under $900-$1000. I don't really want to spend that much but it will be during the high tourist season so I will take the best deal I can find. Does anyone have any tips on finding plane tickets for less?
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sealy
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Joined: Dec 22, 2010 2:49:52 GMT -5
Posts: 956
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Post by sealy on Jan 7, 2012 0:11:45 GMT -5
A little about me: I am a single mother with 4 kids; DS #1 is 25, DS#2 is 23, DS#3 is 14 and DD is 12. I used to be a math teacher now I'm a full time high school counselor. I had a decrease in my funds since changing to this new job but I really like being a counselor.
In my spare time I love to quilt and travel. Right now, I'm working on a hand pieced quilt using a pattern called Patchwork of the Crosses by Lucy Boston. I've been working on it for almost 2 years. It will be so beautiful once its finished. I am in the process of saving for a house.
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sealy
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 2:49:52 GMT -5
Posts: 956
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Post by sealy on Jan 7, 2012 0:12:22 GMT -5
UPDATE well only a tiny one Accounts | Goals | Last Month | This Month | Spent | % Met | Roses | Vacation | $3500 | $15.05 | $15.06 | | 0% | | House down payment | $15,500 | $15,500 | $15,500 | | 100% | | House upgrades | $35,000 | $9,512.64 | $9,602.34 | | 27% | | Emergency Fund | $20,000 | $0 | $0 | $1,650 | 0% | | Sculpture | $5,000 | $1,500 | $1,500 | | 30% | | Retirement | $30,000 | $59.06 | $59.10 | | 0% | | Investments | $3000 | $284.04 | $302.96 | | 09% | | Vehicle | $1000 | $0 | $0 | $24.01 | 0% | | Gifts & Donations | $1500 | $9.05 | $9.06 | | 0% | | TOTALS | $109,500 | $26,879.84 | $26,988.52 | | 25% | |
Sealy: 01/6/2012 $26,988.52 (1/5/2011, $6,551.79)I'm going to be turtling for awhile while I take care of my debts. My savings total is still going up which makes me happy. I hope y'all don't mind but I'd like to leave my tagline the way it is.
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dsunshine
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 17:18:41 GMT -5
Posts: 103
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Post by dsunshine on Jan 7, 2012 14:06:44 GMT -5
Hello, some of you will recognize me from the WIRR West board. I have read these first two pages and it does make me want to join, especially since I have had goals for years and never met one of them and just recently became serious about this. But first, I have a question for you all... For your savings, what institution are you using and what is the percentage rate you are getting? I have 3 different savings accounts. One with my local bank, one with ING and one with TD Ameritrade. I was going through them today and realized that my local bank is only giving me 0.05%. The TDAmeritrade is giving 0.00999% (0.01%) and ING is giving me 0.797%. None of them have much in it, but I have recently decided to focus more on my EF than paying off the last debt early. For now it makes sense to close my TDAmeritrade account and transfer that money to ING. I will also keep the local bank savings with only $400 ($300 minimum for no monthly charges) because it is linked to my checking for overdraft protection (no, I don't overdraft often and haven't in over a year). Since I have started focusing on my EF I have saved up almost $1000, but realized I have it in my local bank. Looks like it is not doing me any good there. So, are there any institutions out there giving a better % than what I am getting at my ING? Okay so I guess that is 2 questions Thank you in advance.
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twinmama85
Well-Known Member
Have a blessed New Year!
Joined: Dec 28, 2010 9:48:38 GMT -5
Posts: 1,627
Today's Mood: Blessed
Location: Home
Favorite Drink: Wine
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Post by twinmama85 on Jan 7, 2012 16:38:51 GMT -5
I use Ally online bank and my savings acct rate is at .89% right now (it was just over 1 not too long ago, expecting it to go back up) and it is completely free, dont you have maintain a balance or anything and it is extremely simple
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dsunshine
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 17:18:41 GMT -5
Posts: 103
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Post by dsunshine on Jan 7, 2012 19:29:24 GMT -5
Thank you, twinmama. Ally seems to be about the same as ING. Looking at my overall for the year on ING I noticed it was over 1% for more than 3 months this year.
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DVM gone riding
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 23:04:13 GMT -5
Posts: 3,383
Favorite Drink: Coffee!!
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Post by DVM gone riding on Jan 7, 2012 21:05:00 GMT -5
I use smarty pig--i like having all the little "goal" accounts--and right now it is 0.7%, I also have an ING acct which I think is about the same, SP had been higher when I stared. I also have a CU which gives me 7.5% on the first 750 and some unknown rate after that--some algorithm I have never understood. Needless to say I make SURE 750 stays in those accts no matter how I have to move it around!! They do it for both the checking and savings accts. I write two checks a year for the most part--to the property taxes.
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Saving4Norway
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Joined: Jan 1, 2011 18:27:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,383
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Post by Saving4Norway on Jan 8, 2012 16:45:30 GMT -5
Celebration: Day 8 of the New Year and my savings plan is still intact. We'll see if I can go another 8 days. If so, it might be the longest surviving resolution I've ever made, LOL! dvm - Yowza guy is fine with me for $75K. I don't know what it looks like off the top of my head but when I need to use it, I'll figure it out. THANK YOU! BabyBear19 - Hello and welcome back! You have so many new things to be excited for - a new DBF, a new residence, a future wedding, a future baby-babybear... WOW! Having a plan will make all the difference. Sealy - You mention your debts might slow you down a little... May I ask? Are those debts ones that you think you might payoff this year? If so, you can count on us to cheer you to the finish line, even if we are "the Savers." dsunshine - Welcome! It's nice to have you join us! We would be happy to support you setting and REACHING some of your goals this year. As for your question, my CU has a similar program to dvm's. I also keep some liquid cash in a MM acct in our E*Trade portfolio, it gets somewhere in the neighborhood of 1%. It's a beautiful day here in the Pacific NorthWet. (Not wet at all actually.) So I'm about to go outside and do some raking. Best wishes to all of you!
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swtchks98
Initiate Member
Joined: Aug 10, 2011 13:53:42 GMT -5
Posts: 66
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Post by swtchks98 on Jan 8, 2012 22:11:08 GMT -5
Hello Everyone~ I sure hope I am doing this right. I was a long time on and off lurker and I think I am finally ready to actually post! I was able to payoff all my debt (with the exception of the house) by the end of 2011!!!! Now I am ready to save - and pay a little extra towards the house. It's me, DH, DD, and DS and a whole zoo of pets! I have automatic savings plans already set up to build my EF and savings accounts for the kids. Below is mostly from my "free money" that I now have since paying off debt. I know I can do it!! Accounts | 12 Goals | Last Month | This Month | % Met | Roses | New York Trip | $3000 | $1500 | $0 | 50% | | Prop Tax | $2000 | $0 | $0 | 0% | | Extra House Pymnt | $4000 | $0 | $0 | 0% | | Savings | $2500 | $0 | $0 | 0% | | TOTALS | $11500 | $0 | $0 | 0% | |
Swtchsk98 1/8/12 $11500 (1/1/12 $0)
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nalto
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 15:31:54 GMT -5
Posts: 777
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Post by nalto on Jan 9, 2012 11:38:33 GMT -5
nalto dont have to worry about your savings being a bit on the slow side since paying for school in cash is also saving you from paying interest on student loans later on. Will you be reporting on you "change" account? It should be interesting to see how fast it adds up. Since you asked, I'll do that. I started with $100 (my initial deposit at SP), and I'm currently at 134.34.
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murphath
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Joined: Dec 22, 2010 16:12:33 GMT -5
Posts: 1,981
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Post by murphath on Jan 9, 2012 11:59:34 GMT -5
happycat: They say you should book air travel on a Wednesday--that seems to be when they do a lot of deals. Don't know if it's true but I tried it for our trip to San Diego (from NorCal). Each fare was $20 less than the day before. You don't have to travel on a Wed (we're going on a Monday), but the reservation needs to be booked on a Wednesday. Hope that made sense. I need my coffee.
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Saving4Norway
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Joined: Jan 1, 2011 18:27:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,383
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Post by Saving4Norway on Jan 9, 2012 21:22:12 GMT -5
Congratulations on paying off your debt, swtchks! I'm happy to see that you've already got an automatic deduction going for your EF. Glad to have you off the bench (lurking) and in the game (posting).
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HappyCat
Familiar Member
Smiling's my FAVORITE!!
Joined: Jan 15, 2011 21:26:20 GMT -5
Posts: 657
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Post by HappyCat on Jan 9, 2012 21:57:51 GMT -5
Thanks Murpath! I will check into that. I am actually waffling (if that is really a word) on my decision to go. Yes, I would love to see Nurse Bestie and since it's only airfare/fun money it would be the cheapest way to go...but I really want to be responsible this year and reach my savings goals and pay off the car loan and last credit card. I'm really tired of worrying about $$ and I've resolved to get ahead of the big rolling ball this year. I haven't decided against yet so we shall see how it works out. Nalto: Funny you should mention that because I was considering similar advice a friend gave me. She rounds up to the next $5 and transfers that to savings.
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mak
Initiate Member
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 9:12:51 GMT -5
Posts: 62
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Post by mak on Jan 9, 2012 23:05:54 GMT -5
Mak 1/1/12 $0 (1/01/12 $0/ Goal =$16,000)I am back! I am starting out at zero again and just recording our savings for this year (not including 401ks). My goal is a little more aggressive than last year. I guess only time will tell if we can make it. We have just completed moving to YNAB rule 4, so most of my savings will probably happen at the end of the month once we have budgeted our income for the next month. Fund | Goals | Previous | Newly Added | YTD | % Met | House Down Payment | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | Cabin | $5,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | Emergency Fund | $1,800 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | Christmas | $600 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | Boat Storage | $600 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | Medical | $1,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | Furniture | $1,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | Family Vacation | $1,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | TOTAL | $16,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | |
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nalto
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 15:31:54 GMT -5
Posts: 777
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Post by nalto on Jan 10, 2012 11:45:38 GMT -5
Nalto: Funny you should mention that because I was considering similar advice a friend gave me. She rounds up to the next $5 and transfers that to savings. Do it! Then we can just sit back and watch the savings grow!
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HappyCat
Familiar Member
Smiling's my FAVORITE!!
Joined: Jan 15, 2011 21:26:20 GMT -5
Posts: 657
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Post by HappyCat on Jan 10, 2012 22:19:06 GMT -5
Nalto: I think I will do that! Our savings will go from this to this in no time!
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Saving4Norway
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Joined: Jan 1, 2011 18:27:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,383
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Post by Saving4Norway on Jan 10, 2012 22:56:08 GMT -5
Update - Squeezed out more money for a rare mid-month contribution. Awesome! Fund | Goals | Last Month | This Month | % Met | Roses | HELOC Payback | $10,000 | $0 | $2,000 | 20.00% | | USGP - Nov | $2,000 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | | Harley Trip - July | $1,500 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | | Vehicles | $1,000 | $0 | $1,000 | 100.00% | January | Gifts & Donations | $1,000 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | | Vacay Prop | $500 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | | Cultural | $500 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | | Christmas | $500 | $0 | $0 | 0.00% | | TBD | $0 | $0 | $0 | | | TOTAL | $17,000 | $0 | $3,000 | 18% |
Saving4Norway 1/10/12 $3000 (Start=$0 / Goal=$17000) ;D ;D ;D
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DVM gone riding
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 23:04:13 GMT -5
Posts: 3,383
Favorite Drink: Coffee!!
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Post by DVM gone riding on Jan 11, 2012 21:16:13 GMT -5
dvm07 update 1/12/12 $643.69 (1/1/12=$0 Goal=$5,900)So after some reflection on my goals and aspirations for the new year, I have decided to refocus on paying off debt and have revamped my goals accordingly. BUT next year I should be able to go gangbusters on savings Fund | Goals | Saved YTD | Spent | % Met | General Savings | $1,800 | $190.19 | | 10.6% | Car Needs | $300 | $30.63 | | 10.2% | Travel | $1,500 | $300.12 | | 20.0% | Presents | $150 | $16.36 | | 10.9% | Taxes | $1,150 | $106.39 | | 9.3% | Roth IRA | $1,000 | $0.00 | | 0.0% | Total | $5,900 | $643.69 | | 10.9% |
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twinmama85
Well-Known Member
Have a blessed New Year!
Joined: Dec 28, 2010 9:48:38 GMT -5
Posts: 1,627
Today's Mood: Blessed
Location: Home
Favorite Drink: Wine
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Post by twinmama85 on Jan 12, 2012 15:24:38 GMT -5
twinmama16 1/12/12 $200 (Start= $150 / Goal = $1,200) Accounts | Previous | Current | Goal |
[/td][/td][td] Difference[/td][td] %[/td][/tr] [tr][td] Christmas 2012[/td][td]$150[/td][td]$200[/td][td]$1200[/td][td]$50[/td][td]16.7%[/td][/tr] [/table]
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sealy
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 2:49:52 GMT -5
Posts: 956
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Post by sealy on Jan 12, 2012 22:35:19 GMT -5
Saving I'm hoping to be able to pay them down to 20% or lower by summertime.
I sure could use some cheering and one of those lil car thingys like twin has. I tried to add one but didn't understand how it works.
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HappyCat
Familiar Member
Smiling's my FAVORITE!!
Joined: Jan 15, 2011 21:26:20 GMT -5
Posts: 657
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Post by HappyCat on Jan 12, 2012 23:53:04 GMT -5
I've come up with another small savings trick. Even though I get paid every two weeks, my checks never end in the same amount. One week it may be $xx08.42 and the next it may be $xx12.28 and on the months where I have 3 paychecks (like February) they don't take any medical, parking or gym payments so I usually have and extra $175 on that check. So, in addition to the bi-weekly deposit of $150 to savings...I am going to count $xx00.00 for bills and transfer the change to savings. The 3rd paycheck weeks..it will still be $xx00.00 for bills and ALL the rest transferred to savings. I can preview my check online and I will set up the payments to go out the same day the check hits. Win! It's the little steps that are going to change everything!! Sealy: Have you been to tickerfactory.com and tried to make your ruler? First you pick the ruler you like, then the icon and plug in your numbers...then you copy and paste the url link into your user profile on Proboards?
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twinmama85
Well-Known Member
Have a blessed New Year!
Joined: Dec 28, 2010 9:48:38 GMT -5
Posts: 1,627
Today's Mood: Blessed
Location: Home
Favorite Drink: Wine
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Post by twinmama85 on Jan 13, 2012 0:38:34 GMT -5
Just click on my ticker and it will take you to the site and you can create your own ticker ;D not to toot my own horn, but i started the debt/saving ticker trend hehe!..got the inspiration from the baby tickers ive seen ;D
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tobinikui
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 30, 2010 8:59:54 GMT -5
Posts: 164
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Post by tobinikui on Jan 13, 2012 12:37:18 GMT -5
Happy 2012 everyone!! I am here, and participating for 2012 again, I just haven't posted my savings goals yet. Lots of (good) upheaval lately. Today is my last day at my first real adult job. I've been here just over four years. Next Thursday, I start a new job, which I am very excited for. So, I quit two jobs, I'm starting one new one, and I'm going from 60 hour weeks down to 40 hour weeks. The only "problem" is that I won't get a paycheck for at least 3 or 4 weeks after I start the new job. I will get a buyout of my unused vacation time from my old job, but even that will take 2 or 3 weeks to get to me. Also, we did some major home renovations over New Years (ripped out a spiral staircase, and put in a normal one), so the cost of supplies is currently all on the credit card. Once my buyout comes in and I start receiving paychecks at the new job, everything will pretty much wash out evenly, but I don't want to short our budget too much between now and then. Suffice it to say, everything feels like it's up in the air right now! I am incredibly antsy for everything to settle out so I know how much I'll be making and can start setting up my auto-savings goals. But, one thing at a time I guess.
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sealy
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 2:49:52 GMT -5
Posts: 956
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Post by sealy on Jan 13, 2012 22:20:10 GMT -5
I put it in my signature this time. I hope this works.
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sealy
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 2:49:52 GMT -5
Posts: 956
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Post by sealy on Jan 13, 2012 22:23:10 GMT -5
It's not working for me I tried to put it in the Url website and then in the avatar url neither one worked. where do i need to paste it?
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Saving4Norway
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 1, 2011 18:27:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,383
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Post by Saving4Norway on Jan 13, 2012 22:33:47 GMT -5
Happy Friday! I've been back to work (middle school) for 2 weeks now and I'm needing another vacation. I've not been keeping up with my correcting and have mounds of papers giving me the stink-eye. Does anyone else create their own problems by procrastinating - or is it just me? Happy Cat - I'd say yes, waffling is a real word, I do it all the time. ;D Your new savings strategy sounds like a great plan. Keep us informed about how it works for you. Mak - Wonderful to see you back in action for 2012! It's good to have goals that stretch us. You seem to be a dedicated saver, I'd bet you'll make your goal. dvm - Refocusing your efforts to payoff your debt is a noble endeavour. You still have a stong savings plan. twinmama - Good job on another steady update. Consistency is the way to go! sealy - I don't have any experience with those tickers so you and I will have to rely on others' advice. Be sure to keep us informed about your debt paydown so we can help you celebrate your milestones. tobinikui - Glad to have you back. Congrats on your new job and hang in there - it's frustrating while the paychecks kind of leave you hanging for a few weeks.
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Saving4Norway
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 1, 2011 18:27:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,383
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Post by Saving4Norway on Jan 13, 2012 22:36:27 GMT -5
Sealy! It's working! The print is really light but it's there.
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