Women in Red Savers 2017

[seriousthistime]

Yes, thirty-five weeks!  

My first was born at 36 weeks.  We were able to bring him right home, and he had no trouble at all.  He grew like a little weed.  

Anxious to hear the good news, TheHaitian!  

[sealy]

update


sealy 01/15/17 $5,000 goal $15,000

[forwardwego]

keep up the good job sealy 

[forwardwego]

Update $13320 (Start $12165, Goal $32000)

2017 FUND	Present	Goal	% Met	$$ Needed
EF Bridge	5200	10000	52	4800
Veh XF	500	1500	33	1000
Med XF	500	1500	33	1000
Rental Margin	1690	10000	16	8310
DD invest/gift	3700	5000	74	1300
Rusty J Boxer Pt2	1530	2000	76	470
Weekly Challenge*	200	2000	10	1800
TOTALS	13320	32000	41	18680

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

12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31
32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41
42	43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51
52	53	54	55	56	57	58	59	60	61
62	63

I am a creature of habit and these new goals feel weird... going to need some breaking in time

Making just A little update...as a WIR Saver I've learned to feel good about the little updates. 

Happy Friday    WIR Savers!

[finnime]

Finnime - 1/21/2017            $33.35   [ $2,996.50 ]

	Saved	Goal	% Saved	Periods Completed
Weekly Challenge	$15.00	$1,378	1.09	03/52
Daily Dime Challenge	11.30	$954.20	1.18	19/365
Penny Challenge	7.05	$664.30	1.06	19/365
Total    EF	$33.35	$2,996.50	1.11%

I know it works, but this still feels an impossibly puny start. I'm going to go with "The Profit" advice and trust the process.

[sealy]

thank you

[Saving4Norway]

Fund	2017 Goals	Last Month	This Month	% Met	Roses
Summer School?	3000	0	1000	33%
Denmark 2018	5000	0	0	0%
Vehicles	1000	0	0	0%
Gifts&Donations	2000	0	0	0%
Palm Springs 2017	500	0	500	100%
Motorcycle Trips	1000	0	0	0%
Santiago de Campolo	1500	0	0	0%
Home Improvement	2000	0	0	0%
Cultural	2000	0	0	0%
Vacay Prop	1000	0	0	0%
Sisu	500	0	500	100%
Christmas	500	0	0	0%
Quilting/Crafting	1000	0	0	0%
TOTAL	21000	0	2000	10%

Saving4Norway 1/20/17 $2,000 (Goal $21,000)

[Saving4Norway]

This year appears to be higher than my usual annual plan. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to go to Summer School so I'm saving for both possibilities. When the time comes, I'll thin out the categories.

[Jaguar]

I will not be doing a January Update because of this Ontario government snafu, but I'll be paying them the total. This ain't stopping me, I'll get on here with a good update on April 28th if not sooner. This puts me behind, but only for a wee bit, when I'm over with it, I'll be over it. I'm still saving.

[forwardwego]

Jaguar Your determination will get you there 

[shanendoah]

shanendoah: 1/25/2017 $40 (Goal: $480)

2nd paycheck, 2nd auto-deduction. This is what I need to do, but it doesn't feel as much like an accomplishment when I'm not going in and moving the money myself.

[trimatty471]

Trimatty471:

My 2017 Goal as of 01/01/2017 is $13,615.

This consists of:
ROTH $1200
Freedom $5000
Vacation $2000
College $800
Sinking $550
Repairs/Replace $2565 (This is for home and auto)
Holiday $1500

My beginning balance is $2,850. This consists of unused monies from 2016 holiday that got swept into vacation and money accumulated in the last quarter of 2016.

Balance needed is:  $10,765.

How? 
I have automatic savings of $150 per paycheck to fund my goals.  This will take care of $3900 at the end of the year.
I plan to fund the rest through:  deposits, OT, refunds, bonus, swagbucks, Ebates, Ibotta and gifts.

I intend to update my progress at the end of every month. (Really.  I set an automatic reminder) 

[trimatty471]

Jan 25, 2017 12:45:21 GMT -5 trimatty471 said:

Trimatty471:

My 2017 Goal as of 01/01/2017 is $13,615.

This consists of:
ROTH $1200
Freedom $5000
Vacation $2000
College $800
Sinking $550
Repairs/Replace $2565 (This is for home and auto)
Holiday $1500

My beginning balance is $2,850. This consists of unused monies from 2016 holiday that got swept into vacation and money accumulated in the last quarter of 2016.

Balance needed is:  $10,765.

How? 
I have automatic savings of $150 per paycheck to fund my goals.  This will take care of $3900 at the end of the year.
I plan to fund the rest through:  deposits, OT, refunds, bonus, swagbucks, Ebates, Ibotta and gifts.

I intend to update my progress at the end of every month. (Really.  I set an automatic reminder) 

To get this started I am participating in an Uber Frugal Financial Challenge for the month of January.  Since I have a tendency to go over board in spending money on food, my plan is to reduce my eating takeout/dining out.  And to live off of 1 of my disposable checks for the month.  And banking the other.

So far so good.  I only ate out 3 times.  Two were pre-planned before the challenge:  birthday dinner (falls under "holiday" spending) the other was treat.  And the third.  Well, I had a craving.  For the rest of the month, I have been cooking.  This is EXCELLENT for me.  I have reduced frivolous spending tremendously.


I am thinking of extending this challenge for the rest of the year.  
I will have to see.

[Deleted]

Jan 25, 2017 11:32:57 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

shanendoah: 1/25/2017 $40 (Goal: $480)

2nd paycheck, 2nd auto-deduction. This is what I need to do, but it doesn't feel as much like an accomplishment when I'm not going in and moving the money myself.

The result is the same and if you can accomplish it with much less effort then why not? 

About half my savings goals are on autopilot.  The only ones that aren't are ones I just hope to fill with periodic extra money like tax refunds, extra paychecks, bonuses etc...it keeps me from blowing these "windfalls". 

[shanendoah]

Jan 25, 2017 13:32:13 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jan 25, 2017 11:32:57 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

shanendoah: 1/25/2017 $40 (Goal: $480)

2nd paycheck, 2nd auto-deduction. This is what I need to do, but it doesn't feel as much like an accomplishment when I'm not going in and moving the money myself.

The result is the same and if you can accomplish it with much less effort then why not? 

About half my savings goals are on autopilot.  The only ones that aren't are ones I just hope to fill with periodic extra money like tax refunds, extra paychecks, bonuses etc...it keeps me from blowing these "windfalls". 

Because the effort makes me feel like I'm doing something. 

The "set it and forget it" method is best for me right now, partly because the amount is so small/my budget is so tight, that I might not come move the money on my own, so I've got the auto-transfers set up. But I still *like* micro-managing my money, so it's hard to let go of that.

[Jaguar]

My money that comes in is all direct deposited into my bank accounts. I'll either be WOO HOOing on February 10, or you won't see me cause I'll be on the phone with Revenue Canada giving them shit so bad their ears will ring for years.

Seriously either they straighten this out for February 10th, or else I'm calling someone who will get them straightened out. I am completely finished dealing with them.

[regecko]

regecko, 01/25/2017, $8,472.30, Goal = $12,000.00

	Saved as of 1/25/17	Overall Saved:	Goal:	% Completed:
Dental Appliance	$1,752.90	$1,752.90	$2,000.00	87.65%
Tattoo Money	$311.07	$403.00	$750.00	41.48%
Next Vacation	$1,489.69	$1,489.69	$2,000.00	74.48%
Tiny House	$563.63	$563.63	$1,500.00	37.58%
New Car	$1,390.47	$1,390.47	$1,550.00	89.71%
Small Vacations	$275.53	$275.53	$500.00	55.11%
Gutters	$1,134.97	$1,134.97	$1,700.00	66.76%
Car Maintenance	$362.41	$362.41	$500.00	72.48%
House Maintenance	$1,191.63	$1,191.63	$1,500.00	79.44%

These are my goals for 2017 so far, although as I knock some out I will probably add some more somewhere down the line. Some goals are accounts where I will need to withdraw over the year, so as long as I am still contributing as scheduled I'm going to count the overall amount saved towards my goal progress. My Tattoo Money fund will get drained in March when I sit for my first appointment, so I'd like to continue to contribute to that so when I go back for the color, I'll be able to pay cash. I also plan to raid Small Vacations in March - I'm going to Boston and that's where I plan to empty that account! Then I will start filling it up again. 

Most urgent on my list is paying for the dental appliance. Insurance has hemmed and hawed over whether or not they will cover it. At this point, I would rather have the full amount in my pocket so that way if insurance won't pay, I'm not left hanging. If insurance does contribute, then I will take whatever is leftover and distribute it towards other goals. 

[azucena]

Jan 13, 2017 12:57:11 GMT -5 azucena said:

Jan 3, 2017 11:21:03 GMT -5 azucena said:

Goal $0/$10,000 by March 31

I don't mind being left out of the smiley and updates because I've set it up differently. I just like the accountability of posting here.

Paycheck transfer of $1006 so $1006 / $10,000 goal by 3/31

I've projected fwd and $10,000 by 3/31 should be "easy" because I've since heard that my net bonus will be about $7000, so I'm going to stretch my goal to $15,000.

1/18 sold household items $100 for $1106

1/27 paycheck transfer of $1028 for $2134

1/27 insurance payout of $800 for $2934 (you may have seen my YM thread about my 2006 van being backed into.  I've decided not to fix the cosmetic damage and to pocket the payout).

Jan has been an excellent month.  I've brought my lunch to work almost every day and we've only spent $200 in restaurants instead of our typical indulgent $400.  My husband has been watching the savings grow and has joined in looking for our new house online.  Hopefully we've gained some real momentum.

Summary $2934/15000 by 3/31 house down payment fund

[forwardwego]

Update 1/27/2017 $13459 (Start $12165, Goal $32000)

2017 FUND	Present	Goal	% Met	$$ Needed
EF Bridge	5260	10000	52	4740
Veh XF	500	1500	33	1000
Med XF	500	1500	33	1000
Rental Margin	1700	10000	17	8300
DD invest/gift	3730	5000	74	1270
Rusty J Boxer Pt2	1530	2000	76	470
Weekly Challenge*	239	2000	12	1761
TOTALS	13459	32000	42	18541

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

12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31
32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41
42	43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51
52	53	54	55	56	57	58	59	60	61
62	63

Making just A little update...hoping next Friday's update will be more. 

Happy Friday    WIR Savers!

[TheHaitian]

Jan 27, 2017 9:17:01 GMT -5 azucena said:

I've since heard that my net bonus will be about $7000, so I'm going to stretch my goal to $15,000.

Nice!!!

But how did your husband react to that?

[azucena]

Jan 27, 2017 21:00:52 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

Jan 27, 2017 9:17:01 GMT -5 azucena said:

I've since heard that my net bonus will be about $7000, so I'm going to stretch my goal to $15,000.

Nice!!!

But how did your husband react to that?

I'm not sure if you're referring to my recent posts about him overspending. If so, we've made a habit of saving almost all of the bonus since I started earning them so it's become expected.

You may also be referencing his unease about me earning so much more. He hasn't seen the bonus numbers on paper yet so it really hasn't bothered him. However in putting together our taxes he saw that I pay quite a bit more in taxes than he makes. Then he started a conversation about how at least he's helping to save us about $6k in daycare fees with his 50% discount. Our youngest is 4.5 but has a late bday so will miss the kindergarten cutoff by 3 days and need 2 more years of care. We plan to keep her at their current school for one and then pay twice as much for one year of prek at our church school where we send dd1. So in about a year, he's talking about reinventing himself and maybe moving into the business side of daycare which hrs always said he doesn't want to do or moving into corporate somewhere where he's sure he can make more than his current $25k. Anyway, in my mind we have more than enough money coming in so I'm trying to stress that it's best for our family that his career continue to maintain flexibility to make my career easier. I sometimes work long hours and travel 1-2 times per month.

He knew we had maxed my 401k for the first time this yr, but didn't realize that $18k is also close to his $25k salary until the tax paperwork. He's not dumb, just numbers aren't his thing

Anyway thanks for asking thehatian because it helps to "talk" it through.

And, I never want to come across as bragging particularly in this thread where everyone is working so hard to save and I've learned so much. I can truly understand what it's like as my dad was a farmer and made $30k while my mom stayed home with 5 kids. Dhs parents are both blind so they relied on disability payments and his income when he started working at age 14. I get that I am extremely blessed in my current position.

[Saving4Norway]

Jan 28, 2017 8:40:45 GMT -5 azucena said:

Jan 27, 2017 21:00:52 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

Nice!!!

But how did your husband react to that?

I'm not sure if you're referring to my recent posts about him overspending. If so, we've made a habit of saving almost all of the bonus since I started earning them so it's become expected.

You may also be referencing his unease about me earning so much more. He hasn't seen the bonus numbers on paper yet so it really hasn't bothered him. However in putting together our taxes he saw that I pay quite a bit more in taxes than he makes. Then he started a conversation about how at least he's helping to save us about $6k in daycare fees with his 50% discount. Our youngest is 4.5 but has a late bday so will miss the kindergarten cutoff by 3 days and need 2 more years of care. We plan to keep her at their current school for one and then pay twice as much for one year of prek at our church school where we send dd1. So in about a year, he's talking about reinventing himself and maybe moving into the business side of daycare which hrs always said he doesn't want to do or moving into corporate somewhere where he's sure he can make more than his current $25k. Anyway, in my mind we have more than enough money coming in so I'm trying to stress that it's best for our family that his career continue to maintain flexibility to make my career easier. I sometimes work long hours and travel 1-2 times per month.

He knew we had maxed my 401k for the first time this yr, but didn't realize that $18k is also close to his $25k salary until the tax paperwork. He's not dumb, just numbers aren't his thing

Anyway thanks for asking thehatian because it helps to "talk" it through.

And, I never want to come across as bragging particularly in this thread where everyone is working so hard to save and I've learned so much. I can truly understand what it's like as my dad was a farmer and made $30k while my mom stayed home with 5 kids. Dhs parents are both blind so they relied on disability payments and his income when he started working at age 14. I get that I am extremely blessed in my current position.

Azucena, Just so you know, in venting the pressure of your unequal salaries, you have always seemed compassionate about it and I've never felt your posts have been in any way whiny with "first-world problems". I think I've heard that money issues are one of the top stressors that can lead to divorce and it's obvious that you care deeply for DH's feelings.

[Saving4Norway]

Fund	2017 Goals	Last Month	This Month	% Met	Roses
Summer School?	3000	0	1000	33%
Denmark 2018	7000	0	0	0%
Vehicles	1000	0	1000	100%	Jan
Gifts&Donations	2000	0	0	0%
Palm Springs 2017	500	0	500	100%	Jan
Motorcycle Trips	1000	0	0	0%
Santiago de Campolo	1500	0	0	0%
Home Improvement	2000	0	0	0%
Cultural	2000	0	0	0%
Vacay Prop	1000	0	0	0%
Sisu	500	0	500	100%	Jan
Christmas	500	0	0	0%
Quilting/Crafting	1000	0	0	0%
TOTAL	23000	0	3000	13%

Saving4Norway 1/28/17 $3,000 (Goal $23,000)

Hmmmm, it's unusual to have an extra $1000 at the end of the month to add to savings... When will I realize which bill I didn't pay?

[seriousthistime]

2017 Savings

	2017 Goal	Added	1/28/2017	% Saved	Roses
Gifts	$  2,600	$100	$200	7.7%
Travel	$  2,000	$60	$300	15.0%
EF increase	$  2,600	$100	$200	7.7%
Weekly Savings	$  2,078	$78	$156	7.5%
Moving	$  2,000	$75	$150	7.5%
Sweep Fund	$  2,600	$205	$205	7.9%
Total	$13,878	$618	$1,211	8.7%

Seriousthistime, $1,211, 1/28/2017 (Goal $13,878)

Finally got some money into the sweep fund (the money left in my checking account before my paycheck is deposited).  

It's good to see new Savers joining us!  Here's a question for the new folks ... what made you decide to join us?  Have you been reading for a while, did you just find us, have you been saving all along but just want the extra accountability, or what?  It's always interesting to see what brings people here.

The first smilie updates will be done around February 3.  Please get your updates in by then. 

[finnime]

Finnime - 1/28/2017            $53.44   [ $2,996.50 ]

	Saved	Goal	% Saved	Periods Completed
Weekly Challenge	$25.00	$1,378	1.81	04/52
Daily Dime Challenge	16.70	$954.20	1.75	26/365
Penny Challenge	11.74	$664.30	1.77	26/365
Total    EF	$53.44	$2,996.50	1.78%

Slowly, slowly, sloooooooooooowly I save.

Jumped up a couple of weeks - only had tens, a five and two one dollar bills, plus a pile of change.
One month in, and just over $50. If I put aside spare change at the same rate for the year, then $600.

[trimatty471]

Jan 28, 2017 13:42:49 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

2017 Savings

	2017 Goal	Added	1/28/2017	% Saved	Roses
Gifts	$  2,600	$100	$200	7.7%
Travel	$  2,000	$60	$300	15.0%
EF increase	$  2,600	$100	$200	7.7%
Weekly Savings	$  2,078	$78	$156	7.5%
Moving	$  2,000	$75	$150	7.5%
Sweep Fund	$  2,600	$205	$205	7.9%
Total	$13,878	$618	$1,211	8.7%

Seriousthistime, $1,211, 1/28/2017 (Goal $13,878)

Finally got some money into the sweep fund (the money left in my checking account before my paycheck is deposited).  

It's good to see new Savers joining us!  Here's a question for the new folks ... what made you decide to join us?  Have you been reading for a while, did you just find us, have you been saving all along but just want the extra accountability, or what?  It's always interesting to see what brings people here.

The first smilie updates will be done around February 3.  Please get your updates in by then. 

[trimatty471]

Why?  I joined because I wanted the extra accountability.  

[finnime]

I joined because - need to accrue an EF;; various threads in WIR and Money have referred to this thread, and I read some older posts and figured you are a very positive group. I need that right now.

I like the approach of each saver doing what works for her, with accountability. I need that, too.

[Jaguar]

I joined cause it's on WIR so it's got a better positive feel, and it makes me accountable to myself.

[Deleted]

All income for January is in, so here's my update for February.  It's going to be a very lean month for us.  I had to cut a lot of discretionary spending to add to these categories.  Thankfully, we just got a quarter of beef this week as payment from the neighbor for letting him plant corn on our field last year, so that should help the grocery bill.  We were buying a lot of hamburger the past few months. 

As a side note, I don't know why I have car maint and kids activities on here.  I spend it as fast as it comes in (kids activities for sure)...it's not really savings.

Fund	Goal	Current	Needed	% Complete
2018 Roth	$5500	$400	$5100	7.27%
Pr. High School	$3800	$800	$3000	21.05%
Replacement Car	$3600	$0	$3600	0.00%
House Maint	$2600	$100	$2500	3.85%
College	$2400	$400	$2000	16.67%
Vacation	$2000	$0	$2000	0.00%
Kids Activities	$1000	$280	$720	28.00%
Car Maint	$1000	$150	$850	15.00%
Christmas	$1000	$50	$950	5.00%
Philmont	$500	$50	$450	10.00%
Total	$23,400	$2,230	$21,170	9.53%