murphath
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 16:12:33 GMT -5
Posts: 1,981
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Post by murphath on Dec 31, 2010 19:33:04 GMT -5
2010 was a very good year--even with the ups and downs: 1. DH held on to a temp job through the end of the year 2. We actually increased our DS's college fund while fully paying for his junior year!! 3. Replaced the house windows, painted, and put in a new retaining wall: paid for all in cash!
2011 goals are: 1. Find a part time job for me (I retired from F/T last year). 2. Find a new part time or full time job for DH. His temp job ends in a week
I happened upon the Grocery Challenge thread @ 2 years ago. I can't tell you how much those ladies have helped me. I just did the totals for 2010: value of goods: $4,455.80 Out of pocket cost: $694.32. But I also received $362.99 in rebate checks and $273.35 in the Rite Aid Single Check Rebates. Those checks were deposited so if you subtract them, I actually spent $58.08 for $4,455.80 worth of goods/food. Most is stuff we use; some was donated or used for gift bags. For groceries for a family of 4-5 at any given time, we spent $3,509.55 which avgs. to @292.46/month. My goal for 2011 is to get that down to $250-260 month avg.
To the lady asking about bring lunch to work: you will save money, no question. I always brought my lunch to work but would buy a drink from the machine. How stupid that was: $1/day on a soft drink that I could buy in bulk for .25-.40 day depending on sale price. Do the math and you'll see what I mean. Besides, my lunches were always much healthier than the ones folks bought and they were usually envious of my goodies. Leftovers make great lunches!
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wackyaunt
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 30, 2010 18:49:28 GMT -5
Posts: 190
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Post by wackyaunt on Dec 31, 2010 20:25:54 GMT -5
In 2010, I had thought we were doing great and had stashed $4K saving on groceries, no boredom shopping, canning and freezing fruit/veggies this summer and I was really, really excited to see that in my EF, then came Dec and $3500 in car repair bills, so guess what? I will be back on that treadmill again this year too...so my goal is $1 more than last!
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naturallyfrugal
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 21:52:01 GMT -5
Posts: 160
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Post by naturallyfrugal on Dec 31, 2010 20:31:22 GMT -5
I would like to do better with coupons and expand my search for "free" items that I can donate. I mostly just look for things our family will use, but I would like to donate more to our local pantry.
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Post by tiredboomer on Jan 1, 2011 14:09:35 GMT -5
wackyaunt - you should be proud that you had that money in your EF for the car repairs and didn't have to resort to credit cards.
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telephus44
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 10:20:21 GMT -5
Posts: 1,259
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Post by telephus44 on Jan 4, 2011 16:01:23 GMT -5
2010 was a very interesting and eventful year for us. Overall, we came out ahead financially.
*Paid off 401K loan *Were able to pay off car insurance in 1 lump sum when it came due ($2k) *Passed 100K mark in net worth
DH changed jobs for a truck full of money, but also lost the new job and spent 2 months unemployed. He will be starting back at his old job in 2 weeks. Our son (age 4) was diagnosed with autism, and moved from a full time daycare situation to part time preschool/at grandma's house (grandma retired this year, and offered to do this for us). Quality of life is up and daycare costs are now non-existant.
For 2011, I'm still not sure. I have 5 goals that I'm trying to choose between. I have enough extra $$ to do some of them, but not all of them.
*Pay off both car loans (one will be done in Dec 2011 even without extra payments; the current total for both is $8K) *Increase EF from $3K to $5K *Fully fund Roth IRA *Max out a 401K (mine is at 10% of maximum allowable, DH's will be at 64% of maximum allowable) *Pay down mortgage to 185K so we can get rid of PMI (current balance is 199K, right now we do pay a little extra each month, but at our current rate we won't get to 185K until Dec 2012).
Right now I'm leaning towards 1, 2, and 3, but I waffle.
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vnot
Initiate Member
Joined: Dec 30, 2010 14:05:11 GMT -5
Posts: 73
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Post by vnot on Jan 4, 2011 16:29:32 GMT -5
2010 was both a good/bad year for me. I didn't work for about 8 months (went to school and previous employer closed down). I ended up spending a lot less than I did in 2009 but I also racked up more CC debt which was bad. But I found a FT job where I get benefits & 401K match. And I recently picked up couponing which helps my househould budget.
For 2011 I plan on paying off my CC's and putting more money towards my car loan. I put $4200 towards it last year and hope to do at least $6000 this year to pay it off early by end of 2012. I bought the car in 2009 for $17K. Increase savings too.
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pepperdoo
Established Member
Joined: Sept 23, 2012 11:50:29 GMT -5
Posts: 262
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Post by pepperdoo on Jan 7, 2011 18:19:43 GMT -5
Since I now have no more consumer debt other than my condo, I want to pay out my utilities ahead for 3 months. My cell phone is on a minimum plan (20.00 plus taxes and I don't use it for other than emergency purposes) , and it's been paid out for 3 months. My condo dues are also paid ahead 3 months. Next will be my heating bill.
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rubyslippers
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 19:32:42 GMT -5
Posts: 1,001
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Post by rubyslippers on Jan 7, 2011 22:17:11 GMT -5
Continue to save as I have been, but putting more towards retirement. I also keep a financial journal and this year besides keeping track of what I save in coupons, coins etc... , I plan to keep track of how much I donate to charities, both financial and tangible goods.
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Post by lovemylife on Jan 8, 2011 19:34:30 GMT -5
1.2010-Sad year with both my parent's passing away 6 weeks apart. 2. Looking forward to a Happy New Year since both my DH and I both retired. 3. Thinking seriously of selling our large home since it's just the two of us and sizing down to a small 2 bedroom. 4. Taking more trips and enjoying our retirement while we are both healthy.
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