Women in Red Savers 2016

[seriousthistime]

Update

	Goal	Added	5/20/16	% Saved	Roses
Travel	$1,500	$60	$721	48.1%
Moving fund	$1,500	$0	$686	45.7%
Pet care	$3,120	$120	$1,200	38.5%
Weekly savings	$2,028	$78	$780	38.5%
Total	$8,148	$258	$3,387	41.6%

Seriousthistime, $3,387, 5/20/2016 (Goal $8,148)

[Ombud]

Revamping due to serious setbacks -- posting new goals soon

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 5/20/2016 $11979 (goal $24000)

2016 FUND	Present	Goal	% Met	$$$ Needed
Homestead EF	1960	2000	98	40
Vehicle XF	760	1500	50	740
Medical XF	760	1500	50	740
Retirement Gap	1230	9600	12	8370
SL Payoff	5000	5000	100
DD Wedding Pt 1	1040	2000	52	960
Rusty J Boxer Pt 1	540	1000	54	460
Weekly Challenge*	689	1400	46	755
TOTALS	11979	24000	49	12021

*Weekly challenge/53 Friday summary

1	2	3	X	5	6	7	8	9	X
11	12	13	X	X	X	17	18	19	X
X	22	23	X	25	26	27	28	29	X
31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	X
X	42	43	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
X	X	22

14+10+22+24+20+4+50+16+40+52
+48+30+15+21+51+49+47+46+41
+45+44=689

Very happy to be closing in on 50% of total goal. 
Also happy to have all accounts except the retirement gap account with less than $1K needed. 

Savings will probably build more slowly through the rest of May and June (which is when my 6 month auto insurance premium is due), but hope to pick up the pace again in July.

[seriousthistime]

May 20, 2016 11:54:30 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Revamping due to serious setbacks -- posting new goals soon

Oh dear!  Is everyone okay?

[scrgrl47]

Update! scrgrl47 05/22/16 $24,068.86 (Goal: $43,050)

Go savers!  

Tax return went straight to my LT savings, wohoo.  No news on the job hunt, my "day job" got busy and I haven't been paying enough attention to the future.  It will come. 

Fund	Last Update	Change	Current Balance	Goal	% Complete
College_1	$400	$100	$500	$1,200	41.7%
Rowing	$420	$100	$520	$1,200
Mom	$500	$125	$625	$1,500	41.7%
'17 Deduct	$600	$150	$750	$2,000	37.5%
Vacations	$800	$200	$1,000	$2,400	41.7%
HSA	$1,031	$258	$1,289	$3,350	38.5%
Car	$1,800	$450	$2,250	$5,400	41.7%
Retirement	$2,435	$600	$3,035	$7,500	40.5%
LT Savings	$11,080	$3,020	$14,100	$18,500	76.2%
Total	$19,066	$5,003	$24,069	$43,050	55.9%

[seriousthistime]

Hello Savers,

Just a "heads up" that I will be doing the next updates the evening of June 1.  Please get your updates in no later than 5 p.m. Central time, June 1. 

The following Savers are missing in action.  Please post an update!

PauletteG, speechchick71, chiver78, gracendignity,sealy, Rocky Mtn Saver

And please don't forget your tag lines. 

Thank you in advance.  

Hope all is well with you in Saver Land. 

[Saving4Norway]

May 20, 2016 11:54:30 GMT -5 Ombud said:

Revamping due to serious setbacks -- posting new goals soon

I hope everything is OK!

[teachermom]

Woohoo!!! Check amount for the end of the month posted....time to make my budget and figure out my savings!!

Teachermom

[Saving4Norway]

May 24, 2016 16:37:33 GMT -5 teachermom said:

Woohoo!!! Check amount for the end of the month posted....time to make my budget and figure out my savings!!

Teachermom

Already? We have to wait until the 31st.

[teachermom]

Saving4Norway I have to wait until the 31st to get it but we use Skyward and our check info shows already. This check has my tripay on it so extra $$$!!!

Teachermom

[shanendoah]

shanendoah: 5/25/16 $3,050 (Goal: $7,250)

	Current	Goal	%
Launch Fund	$550	$1,250	44.0%
Family Savings	$2,500	$6,000	41.7%
Total	$3,050	$7,250	42.1%

Staying on track. Checked today and Pop Tart's account has a total of $3,100 in it (goal is $10k by 2022, so we're on track), and our general savings is over $18k. I'm pretty happy with that.

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 5/27/2016 $12072 (goal $24000)

2016 FUND	Present	Goal	% Met	$$$ Needed
Homestead EF	2000	2000	100
Vehicle XF	760	1500	50	740
Medical XF	760	1500	50	740
Retirement Gap	1240	9600	12	8360
SL Payoff	5000	5000	100
DD Wedding Pt 1	1040	2000	52	960
Rusty J Boxer Pt 1	540	1000	54	460
Weekly Challenge*	732	1400	52	668
TOTALS	12072	24000	50	11928

*Weekly challenge/53 Friday summary

1	2	3	X	5	6	7	8	9	X
11	12	13	X	X	X	17	18	19	X
X	22	23	X	25	26	27	28	29	X
31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	X
X	42	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
X	X	22

14+10+22+24+20+4+50+16+40+52
+48+30+15+21+51+49+47+46+41
+45+44+43=732

One fun thing is that even though the increase in dollars was small, the 50% milestone was reached, and earned a   for main EF 

Savings will probably build more slowly through June (which is when my 6 month auto insurance premium is due), but hope to pick up the pace again in July.

[Jaguar]

My savings took another dip and I'm not saving anything for June. Things are changing, but I know I'll get back on the saving wagon on June 30th.

[Deleted]

Update for June.  I took $1500 of the 2K gift from my Dad and put it towards the 2017 Roth.   The van is having issues, and I bought two new tires so even though it SAYS I have $750 in my car maintenance.  I do not.  It keeps getting sucked up. 

Way ahead of schedule for 2016, but I'll tell you what, I'm getting kind of sick of it.  I went on a mini spending spree the last couple weeks with the other $500 from my Dad and it was pretty sweet. 

Vacation is coming up soon and having $1000 (plus a bunch of free hotel nights with point), to use without worrying about it is going to be soooo nice.  Gone are the days of putting everything on CC and worrying about how to cover it later.

Fund	2016 Goal	Current	Needed	% Comp.
2016 Roth	$5500	$5500	$0	100.00%
2017 Roth	$5500	$4700	$800	85.45%
Replacement Car	$3600	$3600	$0	100.00%
College	$2400	$1200	$1200	50.00%
Vacation	$3000	$3000	$0	100.00%
Pr. High School	$3750	$2200	$1550	58.67%
Car Maint	$1000	$825	$175	82.50%
Christmas	$1000	$1000	$0	100.00%
Sea Base	$500	$500	$0	100.00%
Y Membership	$500	$500	$0	100.00%
Total	$26750	$23025	$3725	86.07%

eta:  Oops.  Forgot to actually change the numbers from the table I quoted.  We're good now!

[megaptera]

UPDATE

megaptera: 5/31/2016 $12,095 [1/1/2016 $0.00 / Goal: $19,500.00]

Savings	Current	Goal	%
Land	$6,895	$12,000	58%
Car	$3,000	$3,000	100%
House	$3,000	$3,000	100%
Christmas	$300	$1,500	20%
Total	$13,195	$19,500	68%

Hope everyone has a great week!

[snapdragon]

Snapdragon 6/01/16 --- $5179.36 / $10,000 -- update

Car/House $ 500.90 / $1500

Savings $ 1594.70/ $4000

Travel $ 3083.76 / $4500

New Totals $ 5179.36 / $10,000

[movinonup]

movinonup 06/01/2016 $6,344.85 (Goal $24,829.61)

	Saved	Goal	% Saved	Periods Completed
Monthly Challenge	$460.00	$780.00	58.974%	6/12
Weekly Challenge	$576.00	$1,378.00	41.800%	14/52
Daily Challenge	$58.85	$671.61	8.763%	26/366
Skiing	$0.00	$2,000.00	0.000%
House Addition	$5,250.00	$20,000.00	26.250%
Total	$6,344.85	$24,829.61	25.554%

I discovered that I paid my architect in January, so I have given myself credit for saving another $2,000 for my house addition.  I have another bill, so once I pay that this week, I will add that to my savings total for my house addition.  I caught up with my monthly challenge, having saved six of the twelve months and over 50% of the total.  I hope to get to 50% saved for my weekly challenge next month.     

-movinonup

Corrected Tagline.  Thanks, forwardwego.

[forwardwego]

nice work movinonup ... your tag line needs changed to reflect your new total 


ETA: Looks Good! Good Thursday morning Savers 

[seriousthistime]

Updates 

	Stars	Name	Amt Saved	Goal	% Saved	Roses	Smilies
1		azucena	$40,675	$50,000	81.3%
2		bankergurl	$18,253	$12,000	152.1 %
3		chiver	$105	$1,378	7.6%
4		forwardwego	$12,072	$24,000	50.0%
5		gracendignity	$750	$3,000	25%
6		megaptera	$13,195	$19,500	68.0%
7		minnesota paintlady	$23,025	$26,750	86.1%
8		movinup	$6,345	$24,829	25.6%
9		Ombud	$10,200	$11,100	91.9%
10		Rocky Mtn Saver	$300	$1,000	30%
11		Saving4Norway	$10,750	$20,000	54.0%
12		scrgrl47	$24,069	$43,050	55.9%
13		sealy	$1,696	$12,400	13.7%
14		seriousthistime	$3,387	$8,148	41.6%
15		shanendoah	$3,050	$7,250	44.1%
16		snapdragon	$5,179	$10,000	51.8%
17		Sugilite	$115	$9,000	1.3%
18		teachermom	$3,962	$15,100	26.2%
19		TheHaitian	$15,835	$40,000	39.6%
20		tobinikui	$3,500	$5,000	70.0%

[seriousthistime]

forwardwego  will be doing the shoutouts soon.

I know she will not toot her own horn, so I just wanted to toot it for her.

With this update, forwardwego went from $3,213 saved to $12,072.  (Wow!)  She increased her goal to $24,000, has met 50% of the new goal, and earned two roses!  (Double Wow!) That's a huge jump, forwardwego.  I would love to have you say a few words of encouragement to the rest of us.  Care to share any wisdom or suggestions with the rest of us Savers? 

[teachermom]

Way to save everyone!!! You are doing amazing and smashing those goals!!

Didn't get my update in yet as I haven't had a chance to get to my computer at home and post it. 4.5 days of school left!!! Graduation was last night....finals for the rest of the kids next week! On the downhill slide!!

Teachermom

[forwardwego]

Thank you for the shout out seriousthistime !

One of the most important things to remember is that YOU/WE CAN do this. If plan A doesn't work, that's ok. Now you know to try something else...& go right on to plan B. Try automatic deposits or automatic transfers to savings. Try a visual aid. Put your change in a jar. Ask a friend to help. Write down your goals. Journal your feelings about why you want to succeed at savings. Keep trying and trying and trying, and find what works for YOU. 

Here's what I think is working for me:
I got honest with myself, and with my DH. Honest about what we were doing, where the money was going, and what is important. And I wrote it down. I try to keep it pretty simple, so that it makes sense to me. We sold DH's motorcycle, & it makes me feel good that we did the right thing with that $$. There are a lot of "fun" things to do with a chunk of money like that, but being a WIR saver and having my goals written down & plan already in place before hand helped me do the best thing. I'm also getting better at identifying the little holes in my "financial bucket" and correcting them, because there is likewise a lot of fun things to do with $10, but having a goal and following the plan helps me do the right thing with that too.

[forwardwego]

SHOUTOUTS :

azucena Congratulations on yet another personal savings record!
What is your plan for your current house, selling it? Did you and your DH have time for your financial plan meeting? If so, what changes do you plan?

bankergurl 152% to goal...that's one and a half dancing bananas very nice!
You mentioned that you are open to suggestions for goal adjustments...I'm wondering about your retirement account(s)? Are those contributions maxed?

chiver78 Hey there! Are you still on track with your calendar savings? Pop in for a shout and a tagline 

megaptera  Congratulations on being at 68%. And even though your rate of savings has decreased, your pace is still strong and steady, and you are more than on target. Your DH's decrease in pay seems well worth it to have more stability at the job. That just reinforces the fact that savings and margin (between income and outgo) means freedom to make such choices that improve quality of life. Congrats on your "new-to-you" paid for truck, and a paid for car on the horizon.
Do you have a piece of land or an area picked out that you are saving for?

minnesotapaintlady You are so close to earning your  . It's understandable that you are a bit weary. Nice work using $1500 toward the 2017 Roth, and it sounds like the mini spending spree and your upcoming no-debt vacation will boost your mood & energy. Sure feels good to have it prepaid doesn't it? It sounds like that is a turnaround for you. What has helped you turn that around?

movinonup Nice work catching up on your monthly challenge, and the plan to be on target for the weekly challenge this next month. Also kudos on paying for the house addition as you go. I think it's good to record that success here and get credit where credit is due. 

Ombud I'm glad you checked in, but sorry to hear there are setbacks. 
Please let us know how you are doing. We're here for you and ready to cheer you on. 


Saving4Norway Looking forward to seeing where your next rose will pop up. 


scrgrl47 Over $24K saved! Nice work sending the tax return bucks straight to savings.
And you said it well: "No news on the job hunt, my "day job" got busy and" ... "It will come."
Sometimes we need to focus straight ahead, and (in time) there is time for a further focus, and patience pays. Please keep us updated on both the saving and the job hunt. 

seriousthistime Thank you for the updates! And for tooting my horn  . It was good for me to think about what is working for me, and try to share that. Good job for you being right on target for your savings goals. 

shanendoah Once again you are right on track, plus a bit. Congratulations on general savings of over $18K and on being on track for PopTart's long term goal.  Do you do automatic savings? What do you think has contributed to your consistency? 


snapdragon You are also on pace plus some at 51.8%  Very nice!! (Also it's nice and easy to work the percents with your goal total of $10K)   I like that you have made simple goals, and have included a balance of home, savings, and travel money.  Where would you like to go with your travel money? 

Jaguar It's good to see you as always .

I'm sorry your savings has suffered another dip, but it's good that June 30th will be a turnaround. How often do you get paid? Monthly? Do you do automatic savings?

teachermom Yea for wrapping up the school year  , and for your paycheck with the extra $$$ to use in your savings. What is tripay?

tobinikui Thank you for sharing the wonderful news that your baby girl is home and thriving. It's helpful to be reminded of what is most important. Good development to have your take home pay climbing back up about $300/month. Your financial wheels will pick up traction soon.     Thanks also for sharing your experience about the bank closing your credit card because you hadn't used it for a while. It is good to have those longstanding accounts on your credit report, and a shame to lose one.  But when I think of the year you've had,  I think of the circus act where they spin plates on poles. I'm amazed at how well you have done at keeping your plates spinning. 


Looking forward to your updates gracendignity and sealy ... You don't have to do the tables, you can just do a tagline with your name, total, and date. Do what works for you.   


Shoutouts to PauletteG  speechchick71  Rocky Mtn Saver  TheHaitian How have you been? Let us know how you are doing 

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 6/3/2016 $12324 (goal $24000)

2016 FUND	Present	Goal	% Met	$$$ Needed
Homestead EF	2010	2000	100
Vehicle XF	770	1500	51	730
Medical XF	770	1500	51	730
Retirement Gap	1300	9600	13	8300
SL Payoff	5000	5000	100
DD Wedding Pt 1	1100	2000	55	900
Rusty J Boxer Pt 1	600	1000	60	400
Weekly Challenge*	774	1400	55	626
TOTALS	12324	24000	51	11686

*Weekly challenge/53 Friday summary

1	2	3	X	5	6	7	8	9	X
11	12	13	X	X	X	17	18	19	X
X	22	23	X	25	26	27	28	29	X
31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	X
X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
X	X	22

14+10+22+24+20+4+50+16+40+52
+48+30+15+21+51+49+47+46+41
+45+44+43+42=774

Very happy to have KO'd the 40's line of the weekly challenge 

[azucena]

Previous updates

    3/29 deposited bonus of $2671 for a total of $38,511
    4/4 federal tax refund $510, jumped into a new tax bracket (yay, boo) so refund was less than expected but I really shouldn't complain $39,021
    4/8 $550 from paycheck $39,571  I think this is a new record for my savings account, I know for sure $40,000 will be
    4/18 State tax refund of $493 for a total of $40,064 (new personal record)
    4/22 paycheck transfer of $100 for a total of $40,164
    5/3 withdrawal of -166.11 for a total of $40,000 (cc payment was due)
    5/6 paycheck transfer of $675 for a total of $40,675 (new personal record)

New updates
5/11 daycare reimbursement $830 for a total of $41,505
5/20 paycheck transfer of $100 for a total of $41,605
6/3 paycheck transfer of $1003 for a total of $42,608

Yes, we will sell our current home for about $150k and hopefully end up at breakeven on it. We purchased it at the end of 2006 which probably coincided with the top of the market for the St Louis area For several years, we were underwater, so at least we've bounced back to hit breakeven.  If we found a house for $200k with our $50k down payment, our monthly payment should be roughly the same or even decrease because I think we can get a lower interest rate. We haven't been able to refinance since we were underwater.  In reality, I can see spending $250k for the right house and area.  With my actuarial designation, I've doubled my salary since we bought the first house, so we can afford a bit more.  Definitely not looking go overboard though.

I've spent some time putting together a list of what needs to be done to our current home to make it show ready.  I also have a list started of must haves and ideals for the new house.

End of school year meant my preschool teacher husband was quite busy.  We have time scheduled this weekend to go over the budget and work out a potential moving timeframe.  I also have next week off work because I'll be driving the kids back and forth to vacation bible school.  I plan to get the housecleaning and organizing (something I love, but never have enough time for) caught up.  Our church is having a yard sale fundraiser the following week, so I've already started a box and will be adding to it with the focus of what do I want to pay to move.

[teachermom]

forwardwego Tripay is extra "days" above and beyond the 180 that we are paid for on our contract to cover things we have to do outside the school day like grading, parent teacher conferences, Special Ed IEP meetings, Open House, etc.....every district is different but we get 7.5 days for that and 6 days that are extra teacher training during the year.....so a total of 13.5 extra days pay. We get 6.5 on our November 30 paycheck and 7 on our May 31 paycheck. Nice to get something  but really doesn't make up for all the extra time teachers put in throughout the year. For example, this summer...I have to move my classroom to a new building (not  by choice either)....that means packing, etc., plan for new classes I am teaching, travel to Denver for a 4 day conference and travel home, etc.....all without pay although they paid the plane ticket to Denver, conference and hotel.

Have been exploring different options for jobs but so far nothing that will pay me what I make and I would be going to a 12 month work year. Guess I am sticking it out for a few more years.

Teachermom

[Ombud]

I was (1) laid off 4/27/16, (2) DS has had surgery for osteoblastoma so he's temporarily disabled, (3) although his tenant was evicted per courts 5/1 she dn move out so it's 7 months free rent despite owing on that mortgage, (4) major pipe break causing hemorrhaging H2O × 5 hours and over $700 to fix pipe, and I'm overwhelmed. Yes, part of it is my headache but if you know my family ....

Ombud $800 ($5500 by 12/1/16 goal)

[shanendoah]

seriousthistime - I don't have automated savings. I perhaps should, but I don't. I like moving the money to savings myself. So that's probably part of why I am consistent - I LIKE doing it. The other is that each month we get snowflake money - adoption support for Pop Tart. We will get that every month until she graduates high school. The day I deposit that check is the day I move money into savings. Truthfully, the check is $400, and I save $600/month, so that check doesn't cover all of the savings, but it is what triggers me to do it.

[TheHaitian]

TheHaitian : 06/01/16 ----> $19,502.46 / $40,000.00

A lot have been going on! Lost my job AGAIN, twice in 3 months (feel this is related to my first job/inner circle) or I have some really bad karma following my ass! I was able to land another job but 7 hours away requiring us to sell our current house and relocating. Also first IVF cycle did not work and just did transfer yesterday for second IVF cycle (fingers crossed)! I need some really good news right now!

I spent down the savings a bit with my job loss and most likely will not reach the 18k goal for 401k (out of work for 12 weeks this year so far and hopefully that is IT) but still chugging along!

Account	Account Goal	Account Balance	Spent Money	Total Saved	Difference	% Goal
Savings	14,500.00	4,000.00	7,700.00	11,700.00	2,800.00	80.69%
C - Retirement	18,000.00	4,314.00	0.00	4,314.00	13,686.00	23.97%
S - Retirement	7,500.00	3,488.46	0.00	3,488.46	4,011.54	46.51%
TOTAL	40,000.00	11,802.46	7,700.00	19,502.46	20,497.54	48.76%

[sealy]

I'm here. mainly lurking. I have $800 saved in an
online account. I plan to work part time this summer