ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Dec 17, 2017 10:12:15 GMT -5
I used the envelope system when the kids were in school...mainly because we didn't have much money. I like to use cash now but I also like the rewards back on my credit card so I guess it is a toss up. I do know that I spend a lot less when I use cash because I will actually look at the price and make sure I have enough cash but when I am using my card I just pick up what I want. I want to try to go back to spending just a certain amount on groceries, etc. Maybe after the first of the year when I am going to try to save half of my take home pay.
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Dec 17, 2017 10:24:56 GMT -5
ilovedolphins, sounds as if you should join the Savers in 2018. Why not set some goals, or just one big goal? Have you figured out a dollar amount goal for your attempted savings? What fund will you put it in, or will you divide it up among funds? You can see we have people doing it both ways, just tracking the money put into a single account, and people splitting their savings into numerous funds. What's your style? Then when we start our 2018 thread, we can get you into the routine of posting your updates and sharing thoughts. This board is a great inspiration for me. We share our challenges and success, and keep savings close to the top of our list of things to do. We'd love to see you here in 2018!
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Dec 17, 2017 11:56:28 GMT -5
I will watch for your new 2018 thread and join in! We had a year of heavy cash flow going OUT, and now is time to buckle down and plan/replenish. This might help keep me accountable and focused, and I enjoy other's savings tips.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Dec 17, 2017 13:16:11 GMT -5
How many of you have followed Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps and/or taken Financial Peace University? I took the last 1 1/2 yrs ago but never did the cash envelopes. I have always put the stuff on 1 card and paid it off but have noticed the balance creeping up...which means spending was creeping up. Started using cash envelopes for spending this month. I have a cash envelope for groceries $400, toiletries/paper products $50 dog food $50, entertainment $30, restaurants $150, clothing $70 and miscellaneous $50. Gas is still on a card that will be paid in full each month. We have been eating out of the pantry and we bought 1/2 a beef and a pig this last year.....so meat in the freezer and I saved each month all year for Christmas. So far (12th of month) I have only spent $100....$50 from toiletries/paper goods and $50 from the miscellaneous.....all spent stocking up on toilet paper, paper towels, laundry soap, dryer sheets and dishwasher soap. Target has the buy 2, get $5 gift cards on most of that stuff right now.....stocked for probably 6 months and $30 in gift cards!! I think I like this.....hard for me to part with the cash!! Anyone else find that? Teachermom I follow the Baby Steps and went through FPU maybe 5 years ago. I and could never do the cash thing though. I don't have the emotional attachment to cash that he talks about and it just slips through my fingers. I am also horrible about keeping track of it physically and would actually lose it. Instead YNAB and the "virtual envelopes" were my salvation. I started that in 2008 and I've never had so much control of my money or less financial stress. I'm with you on the cash thing --- once I have withdrawn money from the ATM it no longer exists, I consider it spend. So handing over cash is like getting a freebie. Now with a CC on the other hand I look at the cost at least 3X. Once when I consider buying, once when I checkout and lastly, when the CC bill comes. It makes me more conscious of my spending and I carry very little cash because of this quirk of mine. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2017 13:32:49 GMT -5
I have a last minute Hail Mary! I received a bonus check I wasn't expecting that takes care of the first two goals on my list!  | Fund | 2017 Goal
| Current | Needed | % Complete
| 2018 Roth
| $5500 | $5500 | $0 | 100.00% | Pr. High School
| $3800 | $3800 | $0 | 100.00% | Replacement Car
| $3600 | $3600 | $0 | 100.00 | House Maint
| $2600 | $200 | $2400
| 7.69% | | College | $2400 | $2400
| $0 | 100.00% | Vacation
| $2000 | $2800 | ($800) | 140.00% | Kids Activities
| $1000 | $2275 | ($1275)
| 227.50% | Car Maint
| $1000 | $2400 | ($1400)
| 240.00%
| | Christmas | $1000 | $207 | $793 | 20.70%
| | Computer | $1000 | $1000
| $0 | 100.00% | | Philmont | $500 | $500 | $0 | 100.00% | | Total | $24,400 | $24,682 | ($282) | 101.16% |
minnesotapaintlady, $24,682 12/03/17 (goal $24,400) |
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teachermom
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Post by teachermom on Dec 17, 2017 18:07:12 GMT -5
So far.....still doing great with the envelope system and using cash. Spent $43 out of groceries on some fresh fruit, milk, etc. Still eating out of the pantry and stock we have. Spent $3.22 out of the eating out....we went to Costco to pick up prescriptions and had hot dogs.  I call that a win! Had a free date day yesterday.....our insurance agent had a free showing of the new Star Wars and gave us treat bags with water bottles, chips and candy bars. Then that night went out with friends to see the Christmas displays at 2 different places that are free!! Another win!! Still haven't decided my goals for next year but have some time before the new page is up and running. Teachermom |
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sealy
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Post by sealy on Dec 17, 2017 23:27:19 GMT -5
I’ll be starting over next year. I’m sick of myself but not too much. I just want to get back to where I was last March. I was so close to being debt free now I’m just not happy with how this year is ending. I’m happy to be alive though so I’m just going to hang in there and start over. 😢
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nikiz628
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Post by nikiz628 on Dec 18, 2017 9:25:23 GMT -5
I’ll be starting over next year. I’m sick of myself but not too much. I just want to get back to where I was last March. I was so close to being debt free now I’m just not happy with how this year is ending. I’m happy to be alive though so I’m just going to hang in there and start over. 😢 Hang in there! 2018 is a fresh start, and you KNOW you can do it! |
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teachermom
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Post by teachermom on Dec 18, 2017 10:36:49 GMT -5
sealy I think that 2017 was that way for a lot of people. Hang in there and kick butt next year!! Teachermom
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2017 10:47:54 GMT -5
I’ll be starting over next year. I’m sick of myself but not too much. I just want to get back to where I was last March. I was so close to being debt free now I’m just not happy with how this year is ending. I’m happy to be alive though so I’m just going to hang in there and start over. 😢 I have been blessed for the past few years, but I've had my fair share of shit years too where just keeping everyone fed and the house payment made was a win so I get how you're feeling. As I tell my kids all the time when they fall down, "Shake it off!". Just get up and head forward again. |
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sealy
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Post by sealy on Dec 18, 2017 11:05:42 GMT -5
Thanks Minnesota. I will.
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sealy
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Post by sealy on Dec 18, 2017 11:06:37 GMT -5
sealy I think that 2017 was that way for a lot of people. Hang in there and kick butt next year!! Teachermom Thanks teachermom. |
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sealy
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Post by sealy on Dec 18, 2017 11:07:29 GMT -5
I’ll be starting over next year. I’m sick of myself but not too much. I just want to get back to where I was last March. I was so close to being debt free now I’m just not happy with how this year is ending. I’m happy to be alive though so I’m just going to hang in there and start over. 😢 Hang in there! 2018 is a fresh start, and you KNOW you can do it! Thanks nikiz |
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Dec 18, 2017 11:15:08 GMT -5
I am really hoping to be able to get another star before next year. I am so close on my savings. Of course than I will need to restart my house fund sometime next year when it gets depleted for the new water heater and a few other essential items I know need to be replaced coming up.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Dec 18, 2017 20:54:01 GMT -5
I just made a table budget for my 2018 budget, basically something I can work off of each month, so I don't have to figure out the formatting for a new table each month. DONE!
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forwardwego
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Post by forwardwego on Dec 18, 2017 21:02:44 GMT -5
Welcome back sealy, glad to see you back. |
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teachermom
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Post by teachermom on Dec 18, 2017 23:48:00 GMT -5
Question: Anyone know when the new post will be up? Just wondering so I can post my goals there when it is ready.
Teachermom
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Dec 19, 2017 9:47:59 GMT -5
teachermom, I can open up the new thread this evening. This one will stay open until a few days after the New Year, after I get the smilies updated and forwardwego finishes the shoutouts. I love that so many Savers are ready to go with 2018 goals!
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teachermom
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Post by teachermom on Dec 19, 2017 10:19:49 GMT -5
seriousthistime Thanks!! I think it is because 2017 was challenging for so many people and they are ready for bigger and better in 2018!!! I know that I am.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Dec 19, 2017 15:49:00 GMT -5
It's not perfect, and I certainly hope to save more, but for now, I've gone in and scheduled my auto savings transfers for next year, and I've doubled what I was saving this year - so $50/paycheck ($100/month). Like I said, I hope there will be more, but this will be the set it and forget it amount.
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Dec 20, 2017 9:54:17 GMT -5
The 2018 WIR Savers thread is now open.
Please post your 2018 goals in that thread.
Please post your final updates for 2017 in THIS thread.
Thank you!
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forwardwego
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Post by forwardwego on Dec 20, 2017 10:11:26 GMT -5
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Dec 20, 2017 12:48:27 GMT -5
Great job, forwardwego! I think your balances are amounts saved minus amounts spent, right? Would you have roses for those last two accounts if you hadn't taken money out to use for those purposes? Great job on the weekly challenge! Can't wait to see your 2018 goals. |
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Dec 20, 2017 15:18:39 GMT -5
teachermom, I can open up the new thread this evening. This one will stay open until a few days after the New Year, after I get the smilies updated and forwardwego finishes the shoutouts. I love that so many Savers are ready to go with 2018 goals! The 2018 WIR Savers thread is now open. Please post your 2018 goals in that thread. Please post your final updates for 2017 in THIS thread. Thank you! Just say in this thread when you want this thread unpinned/pinned and locked and then I can do that to both 2017 & 2018 threads. Save on savers, woo hoo! |
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forwardwego
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Post by forwardwego on Dec 20, 2017 19:56:42 GMT -5
Great job, forwardwego ! I think your balances are amounts saved minus amounts spent, right? Would you have roses for those last two accounts if you hadn't taken money out to use for those purposes? Great job on the weekly challenge! Can't wait to see your 2018 goals. Thanks Serious! But no, I still wouldn't have gotten the last 2 roses. My savings really nose-dived the last couple months, so 80% feels good. Like so many Savers I'm ready to wrap up 2017 and make a fresh start for 2018. I appreciate your support, and the votes of confidence also from megaptera, jaguar, and nikiz. |
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Dec 22, 2017 0:51:59 GMT -5
Wow, I was just checking my January Budget and I got some savings to put towards my needs, woo hoo! I didn't think I had anything at all to put on the books for January 2018, but I do.
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Dec 22, 2017 11:18:14 GMT -5
Snapdragon 12/22/17 --- $ 9388.38 / $ 10,000 -- update
Car/House $ 2001.14 / $1500  Savings $ 4001.96 / $4000 Travel $ 3385.28 / $4500 New Totals $ 9388.38 / $10,000 I couldn't wait and went ahead and transferred money so that I got another rose/star on the board.
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seriousthistime
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Post by seriousthistime on Dec 23, 2017 10:47:10 GMT -5
2017 Savings
| 2017 Goal | Added | 12/29/2017 | % Saved | Roses | | Gifts | $ 2,600 | $300 | $2,600 | 100.0% |
| | Travel | $ 2,000 | $180 | $1,860 | 93.0% |
| | EF increase | $ 2,600 | $300 | $2,600 | 100.0% |
| | Weekly Savings | $ 2,078 | $280 | $2,078 | 100.0% |
| | Moving | $ 2,000 |
| $2,000 | 100.0% | | | Sweep Fund | $ 2,600 | $0 | $1,170 | 45.0% |
| | Total | $13,878 | $1,060 | $12,308
| 88.7% |
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This is my year end update with anticipated automatic deposits into the various funds from my last paycheck of the year. I'm doing it a few days early since I'll be out of town. Happy New Year, all!
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sealy
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Post by sealy on Dec 23, 2017 22:12:43 GMT -5
Welcome back sealy, glad to see you back. Thanks forward. |
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sealy
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Post by sealy on Dec 23, 2017 22:20:55 GMT -5
I plan to try and save $10,000 again and this time tell only y’all since last time it went out so fast once they knew I had money saved.
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