2015 Expenses

[Iggy aka IG]

Happy New Year, gals!

So, any new/revised financial goals this year? 

[Apple]

We'll see what happens job wise in the next few weeks, figure out if it's going to cost me more just to work, or if I get better options.

However, financial goal to save like crazy for the big summer vacation is still on the list.  

[Deleted]

My goal is to build up my personal savings and the house maintenance fund.  Both took a hit when we had to replace the HVAC system last June and now have to do some exterior waterproofing. That's $10,000 in house maintenance, and none of it is for anything cosmetic.

I converted $4000 of my IRA to my Roth IRA. If the tax consequences aren't bad, I'd like to at least convert each remaining working year what I am putting in my 457 each year--about $5000.

That's pretty much it. It would nice to get a raise, no matter how small, but that takes an act of the legislature. So I just have to figure out how to keep expenses down.

[Malarky]

Just paid $10,000 for the new roof for the house and garage this morning.  

Thanks to YM, I've been saving the $ in anticipation of needing it. 

Next on the agenda:  New fence for the back yard.  I'm thinking $3,000 is generous.  It's really only a few panels but I know how that goes.  Also considering removing the hedge and putting a fence along the driveway.  DH is opposed since our side neighbors have killed the majority of the hedge, but I'm sick of looking at their garbage.  DH will probably win this one and save us a ton of money. 

Other than that...normal expenses.  Unless we can get DS to go back to college.  And DD gets accepted to college.

I need to dramatically increase my alcohol budget.

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2015 18:13:50 GMT -5 Malarky said:

I knew I was overlooking something important. 

[Malarky]

Jan 2, 2015 19:01:12 GMT -5 southernsusana said:

Jan 2, 2015 18:13:50 GMT -5 Malarky said:

I knew I was overlooking something important. 

It's the alcohol, isn't it?  Not saving for the fence.

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2015 20:28:05 GMT -5 Malarky said:

Jan 2, 2015 19:01:12 GMT -5 southernsusana said:

I knew I was overlooking something important. 

It's the alcohol, isn't it?  Not saving for the fence.

You got it!

[ZaireinHD]

March 2015 will be one year I'm out on my own.
I have lots of goals to manage
and so far I'm doing ok and hoping to get them under better control this year!
starting with how much a spend on food per month! Looking to cut that down by half!

[marvholly]

Everything is close to the same for me. Since I reduced some insurance expenses in 2014 I upped my weekly grocery & household stuff spending allowance for 2015. Also, since I have 2 40th bdays, 2 possible weddings and at least 1 possible birth this year I upped my gift spending allowance.

[Blonde Granny]

I believe most of our new house expenses  happened in 2014.  In learning how to use YNAB in the last few days, I have been able to actually put in expenses that until now were just done using monthly income.  I'm looking forward to February when we actually keep a detailed list of what was spent.

I think we can still avoid dipping into any retirement funds, but time will tell.

[Happy prose]

I'm trying to increase my personal savings, outside of my 457. I'm extremely frugal, but do give in to 'wants'. This year I'm going to try necessities only.

[whispering17]

I had an ocular stroke last September. I have beenoff work ever since. My disability payments are all messed up due to a person at work putting the wrong SS# on ALL the paperwork. I resubmitted everything on 12/20, so hopefully payments will start soon. Just saw my Doctor today and he took me off work till 2/28/14.  With the family leave act, I only have 12 weeks in which my employer will guarantee me my original job back.  That is up as of 1/1/15.

Mt original plan was to retire in April of 2016.  but once my disability payments are done...(or if they ever start)  I will file for SS and go ahead and retire.  Right now, I am living on my emergency fund and hope to build it back up a little with some of the disability payments that I hope to receive (hahaha...wishing for money in the mail!!)

So I am gearing up for retirement mode for 2015,  I rent this place and will have to move to something cheaper before I actually retire.

fun or what??

Dos anyone have any extra alcohol laying around  I could have?  I cannot afford to buy my own right now

11

[Blonde Granny]

I am so sorry to hear about your medical situation.  Wishing you all the best for 2015 and hope things fall into place quickly for you.

[Peace77]

Jan 3, 2015 9:43:55 GMT -5 whispering17 said:

I had an ocular stroke last September. I have beenoff work ever since. My disability payments are all messed up due to a person at work putting the wrong SS# on ALL the paperwork. I resubmitted everything on 12/20, so hopefully payments will start soon. Just saw my Doctor today and he took me off work till 2/28/14.  With the family leave act, I only have 12 weeks in which my employer will guarantee me my original job back.  That is up as of 1/1/15.

Mt original plan was to retire in April of 2016.  but once my disability payments are done...(or if they ever start)  I will file for SS and go ahead and retire.  Right now, I am living on my emergency fund and hope to build it back up a little with some of the disability payments that I hope to receive (hahaha...wishing for money in the mail!!)

So I am gearing up for retirement mode for 2015,  I rent this place and will have to move to something cheaper before I actually retire.

fun or what??

Dos anyone have any extra alcohol laying around  I could have?  I cannot afford to buy my own right now

11

You should immediately apply for SSDI (social security disability income).  There is a 5 month waiting period from the time you apply.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

So far in 2015, we've bought a new mattress ($1800), a new microwave ($300), and a new exercise bike ($700).  And we need to replace part of a fence later this spring.

I think my goal is to keep our savings account replenished for things like this.

[Blonde Granny]

Jan 3, 2015 7:28:48 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

I'm trying to increase my personal savings, outside of my 457. I'm extremely frugal, but do give in to 'wants'. This year I'm going to try necessities only.

Happy, you give in to wants, we definitely need to stop "the stupid".  And without going into detail  , we have a very long list of stupids in the past few years.

[Peace77]

So far, I've paid off a credit card.  

We took a client to Starbuck's but we used gift cards and didn't spend our own money.

[Iggy aka IG]

My goals:

Start and contribute to a 2014 Roth IRA
Replenish my EF
Contribute to the 2015 Roth
Pay off the bit of remaining debt
Begin a vacation fund

In order to do all this, I must continue to increase sales here at the office. 

[marvholly]

Jan 8, 2015 21:44:20 GMT -5 @patstab said:

Since we finally have decided my husband will retire Dec 10th of this year, this is our year

Save full 401k and over 55

Pay for rest of remodel at rent house

Pay for some type of lot/house/?? in Florida

Put rest of money in checking for later years expenses

i do NOT believe your Dh will ctually retire in Dec OR if he does that he will stay retired. I suspect he will get WAAAY yoo bored.

[coffeegrl]

I have two goals for this year. 

1. Pay down at least half of my credit card debt.
2. Track my income and expenses through monthly spreadsheets and, by doing so, be able to actually create a budget for such things as groceries, gas, etc. and then stick to that budget.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 9, 2015 11:42:36 GMT -5 coffeegrl said:

I have two goals for this year. 

1. Pay down at least half of my credit card debt.
2. Track my income and expenses through monthly spreadsheets and, by doing so, be able to actually create a budget for such things as groceries, gas, etc. and then stick to that budget.

Coffeegrl, I started using Excel several years ago and it really works for me.  I know some people pay for YNAB, use mint, etc.  After six months, and again at the end of the year, I total up each line item to ensure I'm staying on track, and to see what I can cut the next year.

[coffeegrl]

Jan 9, 2015 11:47:53 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Jan 9, 2015 11:42:36 GMT -5 coffeegrl said:

I have two goals for this year. 

1. Pay down at least half of my credit card debt.
2. Track my income and expenses through monthly spreadsheets and, by doing so, be able to actually create a budget for such things as groceries, gas, etc. and then stick to that budget.

Coffeegrl, I started using Excel several years ago and it really works for me.  I know some people pay for YNAB, use mint, etc.  After six months, and again at the end of the year, I total up each line item to ensure I'm staying on track, and to see what I can cut the next year.

Iggy--I really like excel spreadsheets. I use them quite a bit for things at work. I think, for me, the simpler the better, and excel is already a part of my Microsoft Office package and not something else I have to pay for. Again, that's just what works for me. YMMV

[motherto2]

2014 was an expensive year for me. Both kids moved back home after deployment, college graduation. That in itself was expensive - food, electric, helping them get furnished with their new place. I'm still paying cell phones and insurance to help them get started, but that hopefully is looking to end soon. So my goals for 2015:

1) pay down credit card that saw way too much use this last year

2) hopefully lower some of my expenses, such as food and gas and use less electric

and biggest goal - start letting them stand on their own two feet! 

[whispering17]

I healed from the stroke and went back to work on 3/2/15.  (was off 5 months)

My boss is being an incredible ass so I am giving notice of retirement on Tuesday

I've been back 2 months and the stress is too much. I have forgotten so much of the procedures and I don't care anymore.

So wish me luck.  People are telling me I will be ok....so I sure hope so.

[msventoux]

May 2, 2015 22:22:03 GMT -5 whispering17 said:

I healed from the stroke and went back to work on 3/2/15.  (was off 5 months)

My boss is being an incredible ass so I am giving notice of retirement on Tuesday

I've been back 2 months and the stress is too much. I have forgotten so much of the procedures and I don't care anymore.

So wish me luck.  People are telling me I will be ok....so I sure hope so.

Good luck!  I'm glad you recovered from your health issues.

Sorry that you had such a tough time getting back into the swing of things at work...and that your boss is being an ass!

Is there a low stress part-time job you could pick up if you needed to shore up your reserves a bit?

[Apple]

Jan 2, 2015 16:08:06 GMT -5 Apple said:

We'll see what happens job wise in the next few weeks, figure out if it's going to cost me more just to work, or if I get better options.

However, financial goal to save like crazy for the big summer vacation is still on the list.  

Well, the job is still costing me an extra few hundred a month (which will hopefully be reimbursed once I can finally go to court).  However, I managed to make my goal for vacation savings!  I hope to not use all I set aside for it, but it's nice to know we have breathing room and can afford to splurge a little if we find something we really want to do.

[Apple]

May 2, 2015 22:22:03 GMT -5 whispering17 said:

I healed from the stroke and went back to work on 3/2/15.  (was off 5 months)

My boss is being an incredible ass so I am giving notice of retirement on Tuesday

I've been back 2 months and the stress is too much. I have forgotten so much of the procedures and I don't care anymore.

So wish me luck.  People are telling me I will be ok....so I sure hope so.

Best of luck, and may you spend the retirement relaxed and healthy!

[TheOtherMe]

May 2, 2015 22:22:03 GMT -5 whispering17 said:

I healed from the stroke and went back to work on 3/2/15.  (was off 5 months)

My boss is being an incredible ass so I am giving notice of retirement on Tuesday

I've been back 2 months and the stress is too much. I have forgotten so much of the procedures and I don't care anymore.

So wish me luck.  People are telling me I will be ok....so I sure hope so.

Stay healthy and the best to you in your retirement.

[Iggy aka IG]

May 2, 2015 23:00:26 GMT -5 Apple said:

May 2, 2015 22:22:03 GMT -5 whispering17 said:

I healed from the stroke and went back to work on 3/2/15.  (was off 5 months)

My boss is being an incredible ass so I am giving notice of retirement on Tuesday

I've been back 2 months and the stress is too much. I have forgotten so much of the procedures and I don't care anymore.

So wish me luck.  People are telling me I will be ok....so I sure hope so.

Best of luck, and may you spend the retirement relaxed and healthy!

[whispering17]

I retired 5/15/15. SS was very good to me and paid me 6 months in arrears  SS along with my pension  gives me enough to live on w/o having to touch my 401k money.  yayyyy.  I was so afraid I would be eating cat food.  My life is frugal as always and I will be fine money wise.

I learned so much from these forums that it put me in the right place to not have to worry so much. 

 

I will not have a life of travel and exotic ports but I will be able to take a small vacation every couple of years.

Thank you all for your well wishes.  I am completely healed now and out of the stress for good.