Women in Red SAVERS 2013

[Ombud]

GS2 joined the jazz band late & it's due in February ~~~~ barely made it but its there

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Ombud, your grandkids are very fortunate to have you willing and able to help them out! Kudos for that!

[murphath]

twinmama85:
So nice to see you posting again. Looks like you have come through your separation stronger than ever. There's a "chipperness" to your posts!

[redruby]

Yes, doing the challenge backward does seem like it might be better, but January and December are both hard months, so I guess it will all work out in the end. I love challenges cut into bit size pieces.

[Saving4Norway]

Yeah OMBUD for your first rose of 2013!!!!

[Ombud]

Im proud of this one even though it changed annual goal to $15,000. It was a last minute addition due next month ;D

[p8nt]

Hello Savers!!! I've finally made it to the 2013 thread with some numbers. I am guessing my payroll department really messed up (once again) and didn't change my deductions for my final pay out. I was expecting at least $12K after taxes and I ended up with less than $9K. I haven't slept well in 2 nights but got up at 5 am this morning and decided that it is what it is, and I'll make the best of it. I paid off every single bill (less mortgage and student loans) and paid off a tiny credit card I had run up a bit while getting my DD19 settled into her new place last week. She was so stressed out with moving to a new place where she knew no one, and starting at a new college... well, I guess I indulged her wants to try to make her feel better. Once we went and toured her new campus, she seemed a lot more relaxed. (And she had a nicely decorated and supplied home to live in)

I'm really sticking to using Mint.com because I want to track every penny. No more spending unbudgeted money. I haven't got my part-time job yet and I'm going to be showering and heading down there soon to bug the manager. My budget is counting on 20 hours a week at minimum wage while I do my student teaching for the next 16 weeks.

I've rambled on here so I'll do my update in a separate post.

[p8nt]

Update
P8nt 1/12/2013 $10,877.00 (01/12/2013 $10,877.00)

June 1, 2013 goal: $11,000.00
Employed December 31, 2013 Goal: $15,220.00
Unemployed December 31, 2013 Goal: $12,000.00

Fund	Goals	Starting	Current	Remaining	% of Goal
Emergency Fund	$11,000.00	$1.25	$9,658.00	$1,342.00	88%
Vacation Fund	$3,000.00	$0.00	$0.00	$3,000.00	0%
Summer Course	$1,220.00	$0.00	$1,219.00	$1.00	100%
TOTAL	$15,220.00	$1.25	$10,877.00	$4,343.00	71%

I'm leaving that $1.25 hangin out there as my starting balance because I NEVER want to forget what it was like to not have ANYTHING saved.

[HappyCat]

RedRuby: It is hard to start in reverse...especially in January. I have a small "bonus pay" coming in Mid Feb and I am going to start with that...catch up all the previous weeks and go forward. I had too many things to cross off my list in January...I hope that isn't cheating.

[Saving4Norway]

HappyCat - In the grand scheme of things I don't think that's "cheating" at all. The goal is to save money and the method is a fun little game/challenge. So what if you tweak the pattern a bit. Just be sure to stick with it and no harm done, right?

[teachermom]

Happycat......I am only paid 1x per month so I just put in $10 for Jan. I agree with S4N.....the point is saving.

Teachermom

[twinmami30]

Im doing the challenge as well but I will end up with $15 this month (I get paid weekly on thursday and five thursdays this month) I feel like I have all this saving buckets lol. I was given a piggy bank for christmas by a friend that says wine fund on the front and this my challenge fund... cant wait til I make it to the end of year!

[twinmami30]

How many of you use Mint.com? I always had a account but pretty much inactive for about two years but earlier today I updated everything and I love this little treasure. Everything all in one place.. love it!

[twinmami30]

okay another thing I re-registered for the change they will be doing on the boards in the next couple of weeks. I changed my user name to PayPat30 it stands for the beginning of my sons names and their birthday. Figured it would be less confusing with twinmama85

[HappyCat]

Thanks S4N and TeacherMom: I have decided to keep my weekly challenge at the credit union instead of the jar in the closet. It's just easier to transfer it over then go to the ATM, take it out, etc... and you are right, S4N...less tempting. When I update in a few days I will add a category for 2013 Challenge $1,378.

twinmami30: You can also like Mint on FB. I like having their tips and articles showing up in my newsfeed...much for fun than politics and bad jokes.

[teachermom]

Savers.......if you have a Mint.com account.....go in and set up a new goal for this year and be entered automatically for chance to win $500 every week this month. They choose 2 winners a week!!

It would be awesome if one of us wins!!!!

Teachermom

[twinmami30]

So funny that you say that Happycat because after thanksgiving I cleaned up my FB deleting useless pages and adding more groups and interests to where I am now.. thanks!

[FemaleSam]

UPDATE - I was able to add a little to the 2012 IRA.

Fund	Goals	1/1/2013	Current	% Met
Retirement savings-2013	$11,500	0	0	0
Rental roof replacement	$10,000	$0	$0	0.00%
Rental savings account	$13,285	$2,585	$2,585	19.46%
IRA - 2013	$5,500	$0	$0	0.00%
HSA - 2013	$3,100	$0	$0	0.00%
IRA - 2012	$5,000	$1,500	$2,186	43.72%
HSA - 2012	$3,050	$0	$0	0.00%
Holding account		$0	$0
Total	$51,435	$4,085	$4,771	9.28%

FemaleSam 1/13/13 $4,771 (1/1/13 $4,085; Goal $51,435)

[twinmami30]

a little bummed..updating my checkbook and realized that i went a little crazy in the last week. Overspent in categories I shouldnt have AND misbalanced my check balance and now totally underbudget. Gosh where do you find the self control to not spend. When looking at the purchases and transactions it was for things I could have done without ex: A new coffeemaker only because the older did not have a timer instead of waking up earlier in the morning, a new traveling coffee mug because I loved the color, dinner at the mall because didnt feel like cooking, spending money on a sale at CVS because I wanted to use up my coupons even though I didnt need them, unnecessary trips to the market... ugghhh I really need a intervention..

[HappyCat]

Twinmami30: I am right there with you! I have a very strict budget through March 31 in order to accomplish my savings goals that I set for myself and take care of several items that must be taken care of (i.e., glasses and eye exams for myself and Kitten2, dental work, etc). I was SO proud that I paid for car repairs and tuition this week in cash (I still am!) but TOTALLY forgot that..Hey..Kitten2 might actually need BOOKS and SUPPLIES for those classes which start TOMORROW. I also spent too much on food this weekend and bought 2 books that I NEED but don't have to have until two weeks from now. Luckily I can cover it but it puts a glitch in my budget further down the line that I will have to fix at some point if I want to meet my goals...which I DO and WILL!!
It is an ebb and flow. Some weeks you win and some weeks you fall short. The object and goal is to make the best decisions you can and dust yourself off when you fall short. There are no perfect people!!.
ETA: In my humble defense, I did buy the books that I need at Amazon USED and saved over $60 on the total purchase so at least there is that.

[twinmami30]

Aww thanks HappyCat for reassurance but I get so bummed because I have been doing this for so long to know that this is where it all starts. Im so tired of living check to check and not being able to handle emergencies. I am 34 years old and sadly have never had more than $200 in any account for more than a week before Im back to double digit numbers and overdrafting. I decided back in November of last year that Im done with this so started with first catching up on all my bills and paying in a timely manner. I have managed that and now continuing with automatic savings. Its frustrating because I know that I can do this as long as I stop sabotaging myself..

[murphath]

twinmami30:
You should really be giving yourself a pat on the back and a big hug. You've come so far in such a short period of time. Throw in the divorce situation and we should really be throwing you a parade. I think people tend to be much harder on themselves than they should be.

You're a strong, capable woman! Remember that.

Perhaps you need to budget a bit of money each week that you can use/blow however you want so the guilt will go away! I budget $20 week for this purpose. Sometimes I use it all, sometimes I don't. Whatever is leftover, I put in my top drawer. I'm always surprised how much is there at the end of a couple months. I'll use it to go out to lunch with a friend, buy something special or whatever. The point is that you need to be able to splurge a little bit and can factor that into the budget.

At 34, you have a long time to save for the future. Keep up the good work.

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Twinmami, don't beat yourself up too much. Have you considered going cash-only for a while? I did it with envelopes for a year or so, and it greatly helped me make better spending choices. For me, having to hand over physical greenbacks is a real disincentive to buying things, and knowing exactly how much I have left in my weekly envelope helps me when it comes to spending on unnecessary items.

[Saving4Norway]

Does change scare anyone else?? I see our tables don't look quite the same anymore. And I'm missing lots of smilies for the savings milestones. Hmmmm. <placing head between knees> I don't think I feel so good...

[Ombud]

Mine doesn't even show up as a table. It did before. And my history was lost as I couldn't get on & had to restart

[HappyCat]

The books/supplies that I stupidly FORGOT came to $267...so I have to add that into the budget...but that little glitch just rolls right on through the entire plan. I had an aggressive plan to be $3,500 funded by March 31 but it's a little tight...so I've re-worked the plan to a more manageable comfort zone and we'll see. Things are tight until mid Feb but after that I should be able to make real progress.
Ahhh....most of the cool smileys are gone!

PS: On the cute side, my daughter rescued an abused kitty back in July.  We had just lost a beloved cat and weren't sure we were ready to take him permanently.  Well, he won our hearts and his name is Baxter - the fun thing is that he looks EXACTLY like the kitty in my avatar that I've had for years.  It's kismet!

[Ombud]

The only purpose of this post is to see if I can get my table back


OMBUD: 1/12/13 $1987 [1/1/12 $0, Goal = $15,000]

2013	GOALS	1/3/13	1/11/13	YTD	BAL DUE	% MET	ROSES
ROTH	6000	0	55	55	5945	1%
GS1 2014 Band Trip	1250	0	0	0	1250	0%
Prop Tax / Ins	3250	912	0	912	2338	28%
Holidays	400	170	0	170	230	43%
Summer Vacation	3000	0	0	0	3000	0%
GS1&2 Marching Band	700	0	450	450	250	64%
GS2 Jazz Band Trip	400	325	75	400	0	100%
GRAND TOTAL	$15,000	1407	580	1987	$13,013	13%	1

  

[Rocky Mtn Saver]

Wow, Ombud, it's only the 15th of January and you already have a rose!! Good job!

[SaverBee]

Happy 2013 everyone!! It's so great to see all the new and returning Savers! My post frequency went down to 2 updates per month in 2012, but I still follow all of your stories, they truly motivate me to do my best. Here's a little bit about me I'm a SoCal gal in my 30s, joined WIRS in 2011 and have been saving towards a house the past 2 years. In 2012 my then bf (now FIANCE, yay!) , started house hunting - we are almost a year into our search but haven't found a place yet. This year my main savings goals will be to save up towards 1st year's mortgage and for a wedding later in the year, possibly 2014. Also wanted to point out that my $30k annual savings is possible only because I've been fortunate to live rent free with my parents (I contribute to gas and grocery bills). I estimate that I will be saving less than half this amount after we purchase a home since I will be taking on mortgage, bills and car payments with this move, scary but exciting at the same time.   

[SaverBee]

...and here's my first Update post of 2013! New categories include a Wedding fund and the Mortgage fund split into quarters (this tracks my estimated half of the mortgage and splitting into 1/4 just helps me see how many months ahead i've saved). I'd love to add back in a vacation fund but there's no money to go towards it right now, so I'll need to revisit that after the wedding

SaverBee: 01/15/2013 $1,250 (Start= $0 / Goal= $30,000)

ACCOUNTS	Goal	Previous	Current	Left to Go	% Goals Met	Roses
RETIREMENT
Roth 2011	$5,000		$-	$5,000.00	0.00%
HOME RELATED
PropTax	$1,000		$-	$1,000.00	0.00%
Bills	$500		$-	$500.00	0.00%
Mortgage Q1	$2,250		$1,250.00	$1,000.00	55.56%
Mortgage Q2	$2,250		$-	$2,250.00	0.00%
Mortgage Q3	$2,250		$-	$2,250.00	0.00%
Mortgage Q4	$2,250		$-	$2,250.00	0.00%
Maintanence	$500		$-	$500.00	0.00%
Insurance	$1,000		$-	$1,000.00	0.00%
REGULAR
Emg Fund	$4,600		$-	$4,600.00	0.00%
Wedding	$8,400		$-	$8,400.00	0.00%
TOTAL	$30,000		$1,250.00	$28,750.00	4.17%