Women in Red Savers 2017

[seriousthistime]

<deleted by my own carelessness>

[forwardwego]

Update 5/26/2017 $17291 (Start $12165, Goal $26000)

2017 FUND	Present	Goal	% Met	$$ Needed
Veh XF	1500	1500	100
Med XF	550	1500	36	950
EF Bridge *	5700	6000	95	300
Rental Margin	2445	10000	24	7555
DD invest/gift	4000	4000	100
Rusty J Boxer Pt2	2000	2000	100
Weekly Challenge	1096	2000	54	904
TOTALS	17291	27000	64	9709

$50 base + (sum of $12 thru $63) = $2000

12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24		26	27	28	29		31
32	33	34	35	36	37	38
		44		46	47	48	49	50

*EF/Bridge Goal is adjusted downward from original goal of $10K to $6K. I retired on April 28th and this fund will be steadily going down. The purpose/need of this fund is because my employer runs long in processing time for pensions. But when the paperwork is finalized I will get a retro amount. I need to stretch the fund until then, or tap my HELOC.

[Jaguar]

Here is where I'm at now with saving, slowly but surely ......

Saving Funds	Saving Goals	Current Saved	Percentage Saved	Woo Hoo Factor
Gateway Voyage Cds	$705.00	$705.00	100%
Comfort Needs	$475	$475	100%
Moving Fund	$2,300	$98	4.3%	waiting .....
Apple Air 2	$1,280	$0.00	0.00%	waiting .....
Padding Fund	$1,500	$0.00	0.00%	waiting .....
GRAND TOTAL	$6,260	$1,278	20.47%	waiting .....

Jaguar - 28/5/2017 - $1,278 - ( NEW GOAL - $6,260 )       =

I'm focused now on getting at least $1,000 in my Moving Fund Account as a Christmas gift to myself. I'm going forward ......So I looked on Apple's website, I believe I can get a refurbished Apple Air2 or something, much cheaper than what I'll be saving for.

[seriousthistime]

May 28, 2017 13:02:25 GMT -5 Jaguar said:

Here is where I'm at now with saving, slowly but surely ......

Saving Funds	Saving Goals	Current Saved	Percentage Saved	Woo Hoo Factor
Gateway Voyage Cds	$705.00	$705.00	100%
Comfort Needs	$475	$475	100%
Moving Fund	$2,300	$98	4.3%	waiting .....
Apple Air 2	$1,280	$0.00	0.00%	waiting .....
Padding Fund	$1,500	$0.00	0.00%	waiting .....
GRAND TOTAL	$6,260	$1,278	20.47%	waiting .....

Jaguar - 28/5/2017 - $1,278 - ( NEW GOAL - $6,260 )       =


I'm focused now on getting at least $1,000 in my Moving Fund Account as a Christmas gift to myself. I'm going forward ......So I looked on Apple's website, I believe I can get a refurbished Apple Air2 or something, much cheaper than what I'll be saving for.

Jaguar, when I think of where you were a few years back, with saving... can I just say you have made amazing progress?  




And YAY!  for your second rose!  Nice job. 

[Jaguar]

Oh thanks yes I'm so focused on saving now and going forward, these are really good to have goals.

[snapdragon]

Things are up in the air for me. Savings is paused while I deal with parent issues.

Mom has been moved into a care facility and now I have to clear out her place due to it being sold and I am in another state. I have until August 1 - but here is the list if things that are happening for me in the meantime.

I can't find the POA that I know I have and need to go to OR and look through Mom's paperwork for her copies that I mailed to her. That is this weekend.
Dad has another surgery in early June.
I need to get my car in for a recall ending by July 31.
Attempting to do a homeowners meeting the week after the 4th of July.
I am going to Jamaica in mid July for 4 days and when I come back I need to finish with Mom's stuff.
Than I am cat sitting for my dad in August for ?

Thank goodness I actually am taking time for me in the Caribbean. 

So everyone keep plugging along.     

[nikiz628]

UPDATE 

May 1, 2017 7:18:59 GMT -5 nikiz628 said:

MAY 29TH ---- UPDATE

2017	Start	Present	Goal	Still Need
E.F.	$2,016.87	$1,240.56	$3,000.00	$1,759.44
Roth	$0	$2.88	$1,000.00	$997.12
DS 1 Savings	$1,300.19	$1,447.39	$1,500.00	$52.61
DS 2 Savings	$278.10	$400.00	$400.00	GOAL MET 3/2
Disney Fund	$200.00	$787.48	$2,000.00	$1,212.52
TOTALS	$3,795.16	$3,878.31	$7,900.00	$4,021.69

NikiZ628 5/29/2017 $3,878.31 (Goal $7,900.00 WIRS2&7)

 So, obviously our E.F. took a hit with the fuel pump replacement on my Acadia. About $800 roughly was moved out of it to help cover costs. The SUV is STILL waiting to go in to the shop, they said the part came in today and they believe they can get it in tomorrow afternoon for service. Hopefully I will be able to put some of that $800 back when it's finished! 

Disney fund increased thanks to my money making apps and websites- I had a really good month on those (plus I put a little bit of our yard sale money in this fund as well). 

[seriousthistime]

May 26, 2017 9:03:23 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Savers, we are approaching the end of the month.

Please get your May updates posted by the afternoon of June 2. 

Thank you!  

And remember I challenged each of you to invite someone who is not now a Saver to join us?  Have you done that yet?

Reminder for updates:  see above.

And a request for HELP!  Our friend forwardwego has had something come up and can't do the shoutouts this month.  Do I have any volunteers who can step forward and do the shoutouts after I get the smilies posted?  

ETA: See messages #407 and #411 for forwardwego's most recent shoutouts.  You can PM me for further info. 

[megaptera]

No goals yet, except not go into debt (except mortgage(s)) and continue maxing retirement. Both are still being accomplished.

We're finally moved into the new house. Old house still needs quite a bit of work and cleaning, but hopefully we can list it for sale in the next month or two. Carpet needs replaced, and roof needs repaired, but we've got some savings for that.

Getting there.

Keep up the great work everyone!

[Deleted]

Update for June.  I'm starting to think I bit off more than I could chew this year. 

Fund	2017 Goal	Current	Needed	% Complete
2018 Roth	$5500	$3100	$2400	56.36%
Pr. High School	$3800	$1600	$2200	42.11%
Replacement Car	$3600	$3600	$0	100.00
House Maint	$2600	$100	$2500	3.85%
College	$2400	$1200	$1200	50.00%
Vacation	$2000	$2000	$0	100.00%
Kids Activities	$1000	$460	$540	46.00%
Car Maint	$1000	$375	$625	37.50%
Christmas	$1000	$107	$893	10.70%
Computer	$1000	$750	$250	75.00%
Philmont	$500	$500	$0	100.00%
Total	$24,400	$13,792	$10,608	56.52%

minnesotapaintlady, $13,792 5/31/17 (goal $$24,400)

[trimatty471]

May 1, 2017 7:26:31 GMT -5 trimatty471 said:

Update:

trimatty471, 5/31/2017 $10,729.49 (Goal $17,405)

2017	GOAL	CURRENT	NEEDED	COMPLETE
ROTH IRA	1,200	1,200	0	100%
Freedom	5,000	1,125	3,875	22.50%
Vacation	2,000	2,000	0	100%
College	800	800	0	100%
Sinking	550	550	0	100%
Repairs	1,250	1,250	0	100%
Holiday	1,500	698.67	801.33	46.58%
Renovate	5,105	3,105.82	1,999.18	60.84%
Total	$17,405.00	$10,729.49	$6,675.51	61.65%

[movinonup]

movinonup 06/01/2017 $1,213.21 (Goal $25,325.95)

	Saved	Goal	% Saved	Periods Completed
Monthly Challenge	$160.00	$780.00	20.513%	4/12
Weekly Challenge	$196.00	$1,378.00	14.224%	10/52
Daily Challenge	$82.21	$667.95	12.308%	33/365
Skiing	$0	$2,500.00	0%
House Addition	$775.00	$20,000.00	3.875%
Total	$1,213.21	$25,325.95	4.790%

I figured out how to make my budget work a little better.  I cancelled a Variable Universal Life Insurance Policy.  I was over-insured due to my wife's inheritance, so I will save my monthly premium and get the Cash Value of the policy back.  I also reduced my contribution to my retirement account a little.  In the meantime, I can't just not add a little to my savings that I track here, so I knocked off a few more entries on my challenges.  It's not impressive, but it is progress.

-movinonup

[bankergurl]

New renter is moved into Rental #2!  Rent is $1500 and we should be able to put $1300 of that into savings every month!  Few more weeks till we need to pay for the deck and we will go down about $3K-$4K, but at least it is done and we are still in a good place.  For now we will keep chipping away!  Hoping now that the renter is moved in that things can slow down a little bit and we can enjoy the summer!

May 26, 2017 = $20,130.00

+$25.00 FB Sales

+$1300.00 June Rent for Rental #2

+$50.00 My Payday to Our Savings (6/2)

+$75.00 My Payday to Mom Loan Savings (6/2)
+$2.72 Cap360 Interest

+$7.28 Even Out Amounts

+$5.00 Accumulated Interest on Rental #1 Account
May 26, 2017 = $21,595.00

Accounts	1/1/17	2/1/17	3/1/17	4/1/17	5/1/17	6/1/17
Local Savings	$2,510	$3,455	$7,025	$8,595	$9,295	$10,490
GC Savings	$2,025	$2,875	$2,900	$2,910	$3,425	$3,735
Cap360 - Us	$1,620	$1,875	$2,135	$2,335	$2,540	$2,800
Cap360 - Mom Loan	$900	$1,105	$1,265	$1,415	$1,570	$1,805
Cap360 - Rental Deposit #1	$1,260	$1,260	$1,260	$1,260	$1,260	$1,265
Cap360 - Rental Deposit #2	-	-	-	-	-	$1,500
Totals	$8,315	$10,570	$14,585	$16,515	$18,090	$21,595

52 Week Challenge
2017 Total = $508.00(We have paid weeks 1-20 and 46-52)

Banker Gurl 6/2/17 $21,595 (Start=$8,315/Saved $14,885-Spent $1605= $13,280/Goal $22,000/Remaining to Goal $7,115)

Roses Earned: 

Laughlin Trip

[seriousthistime]

Just topping by to complain: I had the updates/smilies all set to go, hit "create post" and the dreaded Internal Server Error screen popped up. I couldn't get it back.

I'll try again tomorrow night.  It just figures this had to happen on the start of a very busy weekend.  

[chiver78]

it's been awhile since I posted in here, thought I would update. it's very not awesome, but it ends on a positive. 

after an enlightening morning which included the realization of a major fuckup on my part that required me to empty my calendar fund jar AND cancel the additional $250 payment to my ugly balance only to still come up $1.42 short at next payday, topped off with a very nonchalant attitude about all of it from my roommate.....I took the pups for a walk to clear my head (and not kill the roommate). I decided to pull the trigger on the balance transfer early - the one that some of you helped me crunch numbers for. well, did I get a surprise when I went in to take care of the details! there was a new offer waiting for me. 0% until October 2018 now. so I start the process of inputting account numbers, and I see a notice underneath that says this offer is also allowed to take a direct deposit to a checking account for the same promotional rate and it will be available in 1-2 business days. wait, what?? 

so, new plan of attack - I put in for $6500 to be deposited into my checking account. with this, I will do the following, in this order:

$6500    1. wipe out all $2400 of the remaining balance on the card that resets to ugly in August.
$4100    2. pay off the $1800 that resets to ugly next month (I confirmed again last night that is how payments would be allocated at this point). 
$2300    3. pay $2000 to the card I was going to send $3000 to with the original transfer plans. 
$300      4. keep this as breathing room in case Murphy shows up. (phew)

now I have all that $ that I had planned out as payments to that first ugly balance, that I can now reallocate earlier than expected. 

I am so relieved right now, I could almost cry. 

[finnime]

Awesome, chiver78.

[chiver78]

and I guess I earned some brownie points with karma in doing a Wish visit today. I decided I was hungry, so I stopped at the sports bar on the way home and got a calzone so I would have leftovers for dinner. I decided to play a Keno ticket just for something to watch while I wait. second game on my ticket, $100 winner. day, made.

[seriousthistime]

Updates!

	Stars	Name	Amt. Saved	Goal	% Saved	Roses	Smilies
1		azucena	$19,599	$15,000	130.7%
2		azucena  [2]	$3,439	$2,500	137.6%
3		bankergurl	$21,595	$22,000	98.2%
4		chiver78	$171	$1,378	12.5%
5		finnime	$566	$2,997	18.9%
6		forwardwego	$17,291	$27,000	64.0%
7		Jaguar	$1,278	$6,260	20.5%
8		minnesotapaintlady	$13,792	$24,400	56.6%
9		movinonup	$1,213	$25,325	4.8%
10		nikiz628	$3,878	$7,900	49.1%
11		Poptart	$50	$500	10.0%
12		regecko	$11,174	$12,000	85.7%
13		Saving4Norway	$7,200	$23,000	31%
14		sealy	$10,061	$15,000	67.1%
15		seriousthistime	$5,877	$13,878	39.4%
16		shanendoah	$610	$480/$960	127.1%
17		shopaholic814	$7,354	$20,700	35.5%
18		snapdragon	$8,718	$10,000	87.2%
19		teachermom	$9,840	$72,000	13.7%
20		TheHaitian	$11,667	$42,500	27.5%
21		tobinikui	$11,852	$23,210	51.1%
22		trimatty471	$10,729	$17,405	61.7%

Good job, Savers!  We've got more stars in the night sky and our rose garden is blooming like crazy!

[tobinikui]

Account Name	Goal	Saved	Remaining	% Complete
Taxes	$7,200.00	$3,600.00	$3,600.00	50.0%
Insurances	$4,560.00	$2,280.00	$2,280.00	50.0%
Christmas	$2,000.00	$800.00	$1,200.00	40.0%
Random	$1,000.00	$400.00	$600.00	40.0%
ER Fund	$5,000.00	$2,603.56	$2,396.44	52.1%
DD	$2,200.00	$2,200.00	0	100.0%
DS	$750.00	$750.00	0	100.0%
DSD	$500.00	$500	0	100.0%
Total	$23,210.00	$13,133.56	$10,076.44	56.6%

Tobinikui: $11,851.50 on 6/4/2017 (Goal: $23,210.00)

GRRRrrrr.... I missed posting in time for smilies again. *sigh* Then again, if that's my biggest frustration, then life isn't that bad, I guess.

Our automated savings continue chugging along. And thus far, whenever I "borrow" from the Random account, I've always been able to pay it back. We've had close to $5k worth of car, big purchases, and legal expenses this year, and while I've been borrowing from other accounts to cover payments, I have been very lucky to be able to always put it back! Thankfully, we've hit the point where those big expenses should finally come to a halt. We have one small "bonus" that will still be coming our way at some point (which will go straight into the emergency fund!), but there's no telling when that will happen.

I also added in two small additional savings accounts (that I am NOT tracking here) for car maintenance, and for vacations, giving each $100/month. And, with everything finally levelling out, I was actually still able to put my pre-planned huge payment towards our minivan. Earlier in May, I wasn't sure if that was going to happen, but it did! If I can stick to our plan, we should be able to pay it off entirely in less than 12 months. *crosses fingers, eyes, arms, toes, legs, etc.*

This has been a crazy year so far. I calculated the amount of time I've missed from work, due to various appointments, and it was almost 25 days worth - mostly in 2-3 hour increments here and there. I was almost jumping for joy when I realized I only had two appointments (thus far) on the calendar for June, totaling less than 5 hours. Maybe I'll actually be able to get a project or two done at work! Phew.

I've hit rock bottom in terms of my own health - at least two different doctors lately have said, "well.... you've gained a little weight since the last time we saw you....." Well, yes, yes, I have. Thanks for noticing. *sigh* But, it's DEFINITELY time for me to start prioritizing myself. When your wedding & engagement rings get tight, and your clothing options get so limited that you have to buy new clothes for the season (literally, I was down to 2 pairs of jeans; no shorts, khakis, dress pants, nadda). (Thank you, Memorial Day sales!) Well, it's time. I have been wearing my DH's Fitbit this past week, walking during lunches at work, and in a rather miraculous occurrence, I was able to make a double batch of chocolate chip cookies (for a bakesale, and to give to neighbors) yesterday, and only ate ONE, several hours after they were made, rather than the 10+ scoops of raw dough I would have usually eaten. (Don't judge.)  Anyway, the kicker was when DH and I went for a walk with the kids last weekend, and I realized that I was literally carrying the equivalent of our almost 3 year old around with me, ALL THE TIME. He's very big for his age - 43 lbs and 40" tall (and not even 3), and I've gained that much since getting pregnant with #2 back in 2015. Ugh. All of those realizations put together? Well, this momma is gonna start focusing on ME for a bit! (Wish me luck!) When I'm good, I'm really good (with food); but when I'm bad? Well, I gain 43 pounds in 2 years. *gag*

Anyway.

It's great to see everyone making progress - slow progress IS STILL PROGRESS! I think we all (*ahem*, I) need to remember that sometimes!

And just for fun - here's a dancing banana.

[seriousthistime]

Jun 4, 2017 9:43:33 GMT -5 tobinikui said:

Account Name	Goal	Saved	Remaining	% Complete
Taxes	$7,200.00	$3,600.00	$3,600.00	50.0%
Insurances	$4,560.00	$2,280.00	$2,280.00	50.0%
Christmas	$2,000.00	$800.00	$1,200.00	40.0%
Random	$1,000.00	$400.00	$600.00	40.0%
ER Fund	$5,000.00	$2,603.56	$2,396.44	52.1%
DD	$2,200.00	$2,200.00	0	100.0%
DS	$750.00	$750.00	0	100.0%
DSD	$500.00	$500	0	100.0%
Total	$23,210.00	$13,133.56	$10,076.44	56.6%

Tobinikui: $11,851.50 on 6/4/2017 (Goal: $23,210.00)

So Tobinikui, I think your tagline might be wrong.  I think it shows the old amount saved. 

Should it be: Tobinikui: $13,133.56 on 6/4/2017 (Goal: $23,210.00) ?

Nice job, by the way.  Your savings are really adding up!

[tobinikui]

Jun 4, 2017 10:22:43 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Jun 4, 2017 9:43:33 GMT -5 tobinikui said:

 Tobinikui: $13,133.56 on 6/4/2017 (Goal: $23,210.00)

Good catch Serious & thank you!

I must have spoke too loudly yesterday & Murphy overheard. After posting my numbers above, I went to do laundry downstairs and noticed some water on the floor. Our water heater was starting to fail and water was seeping from the bottom (not from a valve, of course!). So...... close to $700 later, for an in-stock water heater, connections, wrenches, etc., we now have a new hot water heater.

Thankfully, my husband & father were able to swap it out & there were no labor costs. My husband thinks I'm a bit OCD about money, but even he admitted that it was a huge relief to be able to go to the store & just buy what we needed, without worry or stress. This is *exactly* why I put so much time & effort into our finances!

New goal - cash flow this unexpected expense to the max possible!

[Saving4Norway]

Fund	2017 Goals	Last Month	This Month	% Met	Roses
Summer School!	3000	3000	3500	117%	March
Denmark 2018	7000	0	0	0%
Vehicles	1000	1000	1000	100%	Jan
Gifts&Donations	2000	700	2000	100%	June
Palm Springs 2017	500	500	500	100%	Jan
Motorcycle Trips	1000	1000	1000	100%	March
Santiago de Campolo	1500	0	0	0%
Home Improvement	2000	0	0	0%
Cultural	2000	0	600	30%
Vacay Prop	1000	500	1000	100%	May
Sisu	500	500	500	100%	Jan
Christmas	500	0	200	40%
Quilting/Crafting	1000	0	0	0%
TOTAL	23000	7200	10300	45%

Saving4Norway 6/5/17 $9,000 (Goal $10,300)

Hey Fellow Savers,

This will be my last post until the end of August/beginning of September. Soon I'm heading to Norway for summer school, which will be 6.5 weeks. I've saved several thousand dollars so I'm in an ideal financial situation to live my dream without money being a concern. Never in a million years would I be in the position I'm in if it weren't for the lessons I've learned being in the WIRSavers group. Keep up the great work everyone, and I'll check back in when I return.

[chiver78]

my direct deposit BT hit my checking account today, already.... although it still says "processing" and will likely clear tomorrow. ahhh....sigh of relief.

one thing I forgot to mention the other day is that the reason I was running as tight as I have been us that I was (too?) aggressively trying to pay off that ugly reset balance before the reset. i would have gotten there in the schedule I was working, but clearly that wasn't the best idea. one of the good things about the way I did this transfer is that now I can actually pay off that balance (I would not have been able to transfer it from citi to citi.) whatever I pay off first after the dust settles will be a *little* less aggressively than my plan for that balance.

[teachermom]

chiver78 Sounds like you have figured out your balance transfers and are in the process of paying off the portions that are resetting. Have you figured out what your snowball will be now? Good luck! You are on your way!

Teachermom

[chiver78]

Jun 6, 2017 15:40:59 GMT -5 teachermom said:

chiver78 Sounds like you have figured out your balance transfers and are in the process of paying off the portions that are resetting. Have you figured out what your snowball will be now? Good luck! You are on your way!

Teachermom

no, not quite. that new number will depend on a few things - the new payment for this promotional offer and the new payment for the remaining balance on the BofA card I'm not paying off completely, for starters. then I need to take a good look at my cash flow spreadsheet to see what's actually a reasonable number to snowball. I had started with the $250/paycheck right when my raise kicked in......except that there was an error in the system and my raise wasn't actually that much. but, in order to meet the super aggressive payoff schedule for the ugly card, I kept the number anyway. I don't think I'm far off from that, but it definitely needs to come down a little bit. 

I should be able to figure this out by this next statement cycle, one would think? I'm pretty sure I know which card I'm attacking next - a CU card whose rate is resetting to 14.x with June's statement. there's about $8k on that card. 

[snapdragon]

Snapdragon 06/07/17 --- $ 7003.67 / $ 10,000 -- update

Car/House $ 1643.78 / $1500

Savings $ 3042.64 / $4000

Travel $ 2317.25 / $4500

New Totals $ 7003.67 / $10,000

Some new updates --

1 - My mom passed on Sunday so I am working on her estate. Luckily I was able to visit her on Saturday.   She was in a lot of pain and now she is not.
2 - I am headed to Jamaica for a destination wedding in July. This was all planned out a few months ago and so I am going. I believe that the break will really help me mentally. I am just gonna to push the pause button for about a week. Something happy to look forward to.

[chiver78]

BT has posted, and I've set up payments for #1 and #3 to be w/d tomorrow the 8th. I will call for #2 as soon as my officemate leaves and I can close the door. that one is BofA, which is where my checking account is as well, and they can do the payment over the phone - so I can again confirm that it is being allocated the way I intend. 

next payday (16th), I will replace the contents of the calendar savings jar and pick up where I left off. the cash flow low point of the remainder of the year is next week, which is what caused my stress last weekend. hopefully I'll be able to figure out in the next couple weeks what my new numbers are for debt payoff.

big picture though, my next biggest interest rates are 18.49%, $8k that resets in September, or 14.74%, $8k that resets this month. what say y'all? neither would be paid off by September. both send BT offers all the time (thinking ahead to the next move, if needed) and each has a $10k limit available to use. 

as always, thanks in advance! 

[teachermom]

chiver78 I would work on the 18.74% that resets in Sept. It will be the most interest. Snowball as much as possible to it. As far as BT goes, if one arrives....I would try to get as much as possible to 0% through a BT and snowball the rest. Problem is it isn't very much that is available but every little bit helps as long as you can allocate your payments to the higher rate.

[chiver78]

oh, I would never lump a promotional BT on top of a remaining balance. the comment about getting offers all the time was for once the balance was paid off completely - i.e. move something that had an interest rate *at that point* to a 0% promo. 

thank you!

[seriousthistime]

Jun 7, 2017 12:13:39 GMT -5 snapdragon said:

Snapdragon 06/07/17 --- $ 7003.67 / $ 10,000 -- update

Car/House $ 1643.78 / $1500

Savings $ 3042.64 / $4000

Travel $ 2317.25 / $4500

New Totals $ 7003.67 / $10,000

Some new updates --

1 - My mom passed on Sunday so I am working on her estate. Luckily I was able to visit her on Saturday.   She was in a lot of pain and now she is not.
2 - I am headed to Jamaica for a destination wedding in July. This was all planned out a few months ago and so I am going. I believe that the break will really help me mentally. I am just gonna to push the pause button for about a week. Something happy to look forward to.

I'm sorry, snapdragon.  Even when expect someone to pass soon, it is still a blow when they do.

I'm glad you can go to the destination wedding.  You are long overdue to push the pause button and take some time for yourself.