2021 Women in Red Savers

[Saving4Norway]

Serious, wishing you and your family the very best. <3

[Saving4Norway]

Month	2021 Goals	Saved	% Met
B of Jan	2500	2500	100%
E of Jan	1	60	6000%
B of Feb	2500	2500	100%
E of Feb	1	0	0%
B of March	2500	2500	100%
E of March	1	0	0%
TOTAL	7503	7560	101%

Saving4Norway 3/2/21 $7560 (Goal $7,503) 

[shanendoah]

Update: shanendoah [Q1]: $1,000 02/25/2021 (Goal: $4,000/$10,000 03/31/2021)
ROTH C [Q1]: $1,000 02/25/2021 (Goal $3,500 03/31/2021)
Savings [Q1]: $0 02/08/2021 (Goal $500 03/31/2021)
Tax Refund Savings [Q1 or Q2]: $0 02/09/2021 (Goal $6,000 03/31/2021)

Moving along on the ROTH IRA for C. The IRS refund money may not be in savings for long. I'm in the process of getting estimates for major landscaping in the front yard. It's coming out to be anywhere from $5-10k more than I was quite prepared for. Or at least that's where the first estimate came in. I'm getting two more. If they all come in that high, I may put off doing anything this year, and instead maybe just hire someone to come maintain the front lawn this year.

[snapdragon]

Feb 28, 2021 19:08:50 GMT -5 forwardwego said:

Good evening WIRSavers. Apologies for the late shoutouts. I struggled with motivation.  
I'm proud of each and everyone of you for your participation so far in 2021.

Everyone is struggling right now I think. But that is alright things are getting just a wee bit brighter every day. 

Thank you for doing what you do forwardwego

[steph08]

UPDATE: steph08 $24,115.57 3/2/2021 $18,730.98

Savings	Start	Previous	Current	Difference	Goal	Percentage Saved
Emergency Fund	$13,505.79	$14,547.22	$16,199.00	$1,651.78	$15,000.00	107.99%
DD1 529 Payback	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$2,700.00	0.00%
DD2 529 Payback	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$2,700.00	0.00%
DD1 Savings	$3,110.40	$3,166.98	$3,202.71	$35.73	$3,500.00	91.51%
DD2 Savings	$2,114.79	$2,170.87	$2,206.37	$35.50	$2,500.00	88.25%
401K Savings	$0.00	$831.92	$1,663.84	$831.92	$11,000.00	15.13%
401k Employer Match	$0.00	$221.84	$443.65	$221.81	$2,884.00	15.38%
DD1 529 2021	$0.00	$100.00	$200.00	$100.00	$1,200.00	16.67%
DD2 529 2021	$0.00	$100.00	$200.00	$100.00	$1,200.00	16.67%
TOTAL	$18,730.98	$21,138.83	$24,115.57	$1,723.01	$42,684.00	39.07%

[Rukh O'Rorke]

UPDATE!

Rukh O'Rorke [1] Saving Goals for 2021

Account	Goal	Added	Saved	Percent
401k	$26,000	$1,095.96	$5,479.80	21%
HSA	$7,600	$296.15	$1,480.75	19%
EF:MM	$5,000	$250.00	$1,250.00	25%
EF:ETFs	$5,000	0	0	0%
Total	$43,600	$1,642.11	$8,210.55	19%

Rukh O'Rorke [2] Multiyear EF Goal

$12,318.72  (Start=$11,066.31 / Goal=$20,000)

5/26 paychecks for 2021

Still just slogging along....

[snapdragon]

Snapdragon Update 03-05-21 - $4579.73 / $5000

Car/House $ 4579.73 / $5000

New Totals $ 4579.73 / $5000



Another step in the right direction.

I am looking forward to taking some time for myself in the next few months...thinking of vacation and just being able to relax and pick at things at my leisure. Just taking the incentive and telling my boss that I am already thinking about vacation....they choked just a bit, I am taking it though. 

[speechchick71]

Hey all: seems like 2021 has been rough for a lot of us. I have not been saving much and need to update my numbers before I can post anything. I have made very little progress. I started the year with my BF having worsening and the improving back problems with a major decline in the middle of Feb. He's in such bad shape and will likely need surgery. We'll know on Monday. He's in his mid 30s and hasn't been able to work in a month. And just as this was happening, my cat that I've had for 15 years went from being a relatively normal adult cat to an old man in a matter of 48 hours. After multiple appointments to drain a gland, then suture, meds, and nights with little sleep I ended up having to say goodbye to him which broke my heart...and it's still hurting. That little fur ball went all over this country with me...even to Hawaii. He was such a good companion. The bf was a great support until he fell apart. I feel like it's been one big stress event after another. I have saved very little. In fact, I'll just post my tagline and call it good for this month.

I'm still working on savings but if the year keeps going the way it has been thus far, I don't think I'll meet my goals.

Speechchick71, 3/6/2021 $1200 (Goal: $20,000)


seriousthistime: thinking of you and that little baby!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Mar 6, 2021 9:48:09 GMT -5 speechchick71 said:

Hey all: seems like 2021 has been rough for a lot of us. I have not been saving much and need to update my numbers before I can post anything. I have made very little progress. I started the year with my BF having worsening and the improving back problems with a major decline in the middle of Feb. He's in such bad shape and will likely need surgery. We'll know on Monday. He's in his mid 30s and hasn't been able to work in a month. And just as this was happening, my cat that I've had for 15 years went from being a relatively normal adult cat to an old man in a matter of 48 hours. After multiple appointments to drain a gland, then suture, meds, and nights with little sleep I ended up having to say goodbye to him which broke my heart...and it's still hurting. That little fur ball went all over this country with me...even to Hawaii. He was such a good companion. The bf was a great support until he fell apart. I feel like it's been one big stress event after another. I have saved very little. In fact, I'll just post my tagline and call it good for this month.

wishing you better times ahead.

[bobosensei]

I'm a bit confused about my pay statement.  I qualify for benefits at my new job starting March 1, but I see no deductions or contributions on my statement.  I'll have to check with HR tomorrow.  I've never worked a job as a professional where I didn't qualify for benefits on day 1 of the job so it was odd enough I had to wait 3.5 weeks, but I'm curious now what is going on since my check doesn't show any amounts for 401k or medical.  I was sent benefits cards for March 1 start date, and already used my vision insurance.  I also haven't been paid every 2 weeks since I was in college 17 years ago, so I'm having to navigate those new waters as an adult with more than just a cell phone bill for the first time too.  I'll have more progress to report mid month.

Name	Current	Goal	% Saved	Spent
ROTH 401k	$1138.61	$9,500	12%	$0
ROTH IRA	$1500	$6,000	25%	$0
HSA	$1050	$3,550	30%	$0
Brokerage	$700	$2,500	28%	$0
House Expenses	$0	$8,000	0%	$0
Total	$4,388.61	$29,550	14.9%	$0

bobosensei, 3/7/2021, $4,388.61 (Goal $29,550) 14.9% complete 

[forwardwego]

UPDATE 3/14/2021 $3300 (Goal $15000)

GOAL	Goal Amount	$$ To Date	% To Date	$$ To Go
JPPCU CUSHION	1000	1000	100
PERIODIC EXP	5000	1200	24	3800
INVEST	5000	500	10	4500
CASH STASH	1000	600	60	400
Fitness Camp?	3000	0	0	3000
TOTALS	15000	3300	22	11700

[shanendoah]

bobosensei - You won't see anything on your paycheck for retirement or medical until you are eligible. So if you aren't eligible until March 1, you won't see any deductions until the first paycheck that is paying you for March 1 and on.

[bobosensei]

Mar 8, 2021 13:21:59 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

bobosensei - You won't see anything on your paycheck for retirement or medical until you are eligible. So if you aren't eligible until March 1, you won't see any deductions until the first paycheck that is paying you for March 1 and on.

Ha! I feel dumb, but thank you. Yes, now I see the March 5th check only pays through Feb. 27. Having been paid bimonthly for so long it didn’t even think of the week lag.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

UPDATE!

Rukh O'Rorke [1] Saving Goals for 2021

Account	Goal	Added	Saved	Percent
401k	$26,000	$984.00	$6,463.80	25%
HSA	$7,600	$296.15	$1,776.90	23%
EF:MM	$5,000	$250.00	$1,500.00	30%
EF:ETFs	$5,000	0	0	0%
Total	$43,600	$1,530.15	$9,740.70	22%

Rukh O'Rorke [2] Multiyear EF Goal

$12,568.72  (Start=$11,066.31 / Goal=$20,000)

6/26 paychecks for 2021

lowered my 401k contribute just a bit for rest of year to max, would go over at previous rate. New system at work much more flexible, can change on own rather than submitting a form.

I had put in my autocontribute of 250/paycheck a while ago, seemed iffy, seemed a stretch, but everything is pretty even keel finance wise and even with maxing everything can keep it up no problem. It won't meet my 10k a year goal for EF so maybe time to up it a bit. Thought I would have to rely on my RI work for that but seems I won't. I got a schedule for 6-7 projects from RI client 1 and 1 for RI client 2 for 2021 - the one for client 2 is about twice as large as all the ones from client 1 combined. If was tough to commit to it as so busy with day job, but I did. still have 100k in bank for household upgrades. Will think about special stuff to do with RI income to pamper myself.

[plugginaway22]

Crazy month it has been, but hopeful in many ways. So many more people are getting vaccinated which makes me much less anxious about going out and about. I am spending money this month (patio set, handyman, DH tools, flooring). The justification is that there has been no travel expense!  Oh yes, and plant season is about here which means money at the garden center.

My 2020 bonus is scheduled for next week's payroll and I plan to put about 8000 of it into my 401k. This is the year I won't max so I am trying to get as much in as possible, hoping to hit about 16k for 2021. 

My savings for this month will likely be down or non-existent, ha-ha. Happy Spring to all.

[teachermom]

Update:

Been just plugging along...working on my home. 

Goal #1

Teachermom $5247.99 3/22/2021 ($0.00 1/1/2021, Goal $5800)

Goal #2

Teachermom $450.00 3/22/01 ($0.00 1/1/2021, Goal $1800)


So close on Goal #1....getting hardwood floors done on April 12 (well....that's when they start). Price came in much lower at just under $3800.....so leaves me some extra for other updates and fixes that arrive. 

Good luck everyone!
Teachermom

[shanendoah]

Update: shanendoah [Q1]: $6,000 03/29/2021 (Goal: $4,000/$10,000 03/31/2021)
ROTH C [Q1]: $3,500 03/29/2021 (Goal $3,500 03/31/2021)
Savings [Q1]: $2,500 02/08/2021 (Goal $2,500 03/31/2021)
Tax Refund Savings [Q1 or Q2]: $0 02/09/2021 (Goal $6,000 03/31/2021)

Our tax refund hasn't come yet. I think it's being treated as mailed/paper submitted instead of electronically submitted. However, we did get our stimulus and that's what has made it into savings.

[paynointerest]

March 2021 update

Pay-no-interest: $32,500.00 (Goal: $58,200)

	Goal	Saved	% of Goal	Amt Spent
My 403b	$19,500	13,100	67%
My 457b	$19,500	100	1%
Tax Invest Acct	$6,000	1,300	22%
DH2020 Roth	$6,000	6,000	100%
MY2020 Roth	$6,000	6,000	100%
DH 403b	$12,000	6,000	50%
Total	$58,200	32,500	47%

March was good savings wise.  It was also good because I got the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and get my second dose on April 10th. I'm really excited to go out to eat at a restaurant again.  I miss it so much!

It looks like everyone is hanging in there...this year has been a hard year and I try to have hope that we will be out of this soon.  I don't know if this will help anyone on this thread -- I am taking a free class on Coursera called the "Science of Well-Being" by a Yale professor.  The readings and video lectures are interesting and I'm learning ways to rediscover how to find my internal happiness.  I recommend it if anyone thinks it could be useful for them.

Stay safe and stay well!

[seriousthistime]

Name	Start	Current	Goal	% Saved	Spent
Emergency Fund	$2,000	$2,000	$2,000	100.0%
Gifts	$14	$2,300	$2,300	100.0%
Travel	$2,310	$3,663	$5,000	73.2%
Property Tax	$2,785	$6,423	$5,500	108.4%	$2,728
Periodic Expense	$0	$1,000	$2,000	50.0%
Weekly Savings	$227	$588	$1,605	36.6%
Total	$5,560	$15,974	$18,405	86.8%

Serious this time, 4/1/2021, $15,974 (Goal $18,405)



Weekly Savings

				$5	$6	$7
$8	$9	$10	$11	$12	$13	$14
$15	$16	$17	$18	$19	$20	$21
	$23	$24				$28
$29	$30	$31	$32	$33	$34	$35
$36	$37	$38	$39	$40	$41	$42
$43	$44	$45	$46	$47

Hi Savers, I should be able to do a smiley update this weekend.  Can you please get your updates posted by Saturday night?  I hope to do the smilies on Sunday.

Update on the Little One:  My grandson continues to grow and with attentive medical treatment his condition is improving.  Breathing and digestion are his issues. He has made progress on both fronts.  He still requires assistance for both, but is no longer on a ventilator and has been weaned to less invasive breathing assistance (with several more trials of increasingly less invasive breathing assistance to go).  They are still trying to figure out his digestion issues but are focusing on one issue at a time.  He now weighs what a small-ish full-term newborn would weigh.  I think we have several more months to go before he can be discharged home. But things are looking up, and there is a faint light at the end of the tunnel. 

ETA: updated for a 4/1/2021 transfer.

[nidena]

Item                                    Goal            Current

3-6 Months                        $6,000        $634.06
Home Improvements (1)    $15,000       $207.87
CD                                    $1000         $1000.54
Funeral Travel Expenses     $1,000        $385
TSP                                $10,000        $1041.44 (passive savings)
Schwab Roth                    $57,000       $500
IRA-Rollover                    $60,000        $14,673.63
Annuity xfer in 2023                            $5,421.51


Total                            $145,000        $23,864.05


Nidena 3/30/2020 $23,864.05 (Goal $145,000.00 WIRS20 of 2020)

No real determined savings just yet.  I did set up a Roth in order to transfer funds after I got paid--didn't make sense to drop already-taxed funds into the Traditional IRA once I thought about it--and I've set up automatic transfers with an intent to max out each year.

There's an interesting story about my taxes that I'll be sharing on the Racers thread in the next couple days if you want to read it.  It involves being coded as living in Iowa all of 2020 even though I lived there JUST 28 days last year.

I'm excited about my progress here, though, because I haven't made any super concentrated effort but my savings is up nearly $4,000; slow and steady will get me there.

[debthaven]

Big news ... we are signing to sell the Wonky Studio next Friday!!! We're selling it at a loss, but at least we'll finally be rid of it!

Unfortunately I won't be building up my savings as much as I'd hoped. We are in the process of renovating another small apartment that hadn't been renovated in 70 years (literally). Those renovations cost more than planned ... what a surprise!

Also, there was a screw-up with the bank. Long story short, we ended up with a shorter-term loan than what we wanted. 

But at least we'll FINALLY be rid of the Wonky Studio!!!

SO happy to read your good news seriousthistime !

[debthaven]

Oh wow paynointerest  ! I did that course during the first lockdown last spring! I had wanted to do it for quite a while, and finally had the time! 

I enjoyed it immensely! Six of us signed up for it at the same time (two friends in the US, two friends in the UK, and DH and I.) I was the ONLY one of us who actually did it. Their loss! I even paid extra for the certificate because I thought it might be useful for me going forward. (A waste of money but that's OK LOL).

I LOVED having to "do homework" rather than assign and correct it LOL. 

I'm not sure it taught me very much that I didn't know, but LS is an engaging lecturer, and I was quite floored to see the "hard science" behind many things I had already guessed.

I did it EXTREMELY seriously. To me the best thing was to confirm that I was "on the right track" for "happiness", and that my goals and aspirations were the right ones for ME. I was happy (and surprised) to learn that traits such as empathy, kindness, relationships, could be valued quantitatively as well as qualitatively.

IMO there's good reason it is literally the most popular course in the US. It's a wonderful course that I'm sure you can incorporate into your teaching. Enjoy!!!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Mar 30, 2021 7:50:30 GMT -5 seriousthistime said:

Hi Savers, I should be able to do a smiley update this weekend.  Can you please get your updates posted by Saturday night?  I hope to do the smilies on Sunday.

Update on the Little One:  My grandson continues to grow and with attentive medical treatment his condition is improving.  Breathing and digestion are his issues. He has made progress on both fronts.  He still requires assistance for both, but is no longer on a ventilator and has been weaned to less invasive breathing assistance (with several more trials of increasingly less invasive breathing assistance to go).  They are still trying to figure out his digestion issues but are focusing on one issue at a time.  He now weighs what a small-ish full-term newborn would weigh.  I think we have several more months to go before he can be discharged home. But things are looking up, and there is a faint light at the end of the tunnel. 

ETA: updated for a 4/1/2021 transfer.

sounds like he's a little fighter!

conintuing to send good thoughts for him!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Apr 1, 2021 15:31:54 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Oh wow paynointerest  ! I did that course during the first lockdown last spring! I had wanted to do it for quite a while, and finally had the time! 

I enjoyed it immensely! Six of us signed up for it at the same time (two friends in the US, two friends in the UK, and DH and I.) I was the ONLY one of us who actually did it. Their loss! I even paid extra for the certificate because I thought it might be useful for me going forward. (A waste of money but that's OK LOL).

I LOVED having to "do homework" rather than assign and correct it LOL. 

I'm not sure it taught me very much that I didn't know, but LS is an engaging lecturer, and I was quite floored to see the "hard science" behind many things I had already guessed.

I did it EXTREMELY seriously. To me the best thing was to confirm that I was "on the right track" for "happiness", and that my goals and aspirations were the right ones for ME. I was happy (and surprised) to learn that traits such as empathy, kindness, relationships, could be valued quantitatively as well as qualitatively.

IMO there's good reason it is literally the most popular course in the US. It's a wonderful course that I'm sure you can incorporate into your teaching. Enjoy!!!

oooh - I'll see if I can give it a whirl!

congrats on unloading that troublesome studio. Hope you enjoy the de-stressing process.

[seriousthistime]

Apr 1, 2021 15:06:35 GMT -5 debthaven said:

Big news ... we are signing to sell the Wonky Studio next Friday!!! We're selling it at a loss, but at least we'll finally be rid of it!

Unfortunately I won't be building up my savings as much as I'd hoped. We are in the process of renovating another small apartment that hadn't been renovated in 70 years (literally). Those renovations cost more than planned ... what a surprise!

Also, there was a screw-up with the bank. Long story short, we ended up with a shorter-term loan than what we wanted. 

But at least we'll FINALLY be rid of the Wonky Studio!!!

SO happy to read your good news seriousthistime !

You've waited for this for so long!  Good things come to those who wait.  

[azucena]

Feb 26, 2021 12:30:14 GMT -5 azucena said:

Feb 5, 2021 9:35:56 GMT -5 azucena said:

Belated payday deposit of $431.

DH went back to work last week and will get his first check 3/15 - Hooray.  He's picked up fast food for breakfast and lunch every day back - BOO!  So expensive, wasteful, and not healthy.  He's finally past the starbucks every morning since we've been making our own coffee during covid and bought things he likes.  Now, it's donuts, mcds, etc.  Just plain old irritating esp since we carved out money for him to spend as he pleases so I wouldn't see it.

Good news on the horizon in March as I got a 2% raise and a 15% bonus.  My company actually adjusted our results upward to reflect how hard we worked in 2020 even though the financials weren't great due to all the covid life insurance claims.  Ah-mazing!

Azucena 2/26/2021 $1,954 out of $30,000 (7%)

I've been remiss in posting my updates.  I've developed a system that seems to work for us and don't have to put in as much time babysitting.  In March, I was blessed to receive a bigger bonus than expected as my company made a one time increase to the formula to offset all of the covid life ins claims that we paid out and to recognize that we all busted our butts to bring in a tremendous amount of new business in 2020.  I put about $13k of the bonus into savings and paid for a few long weekends this summer.  I also made smaller deposits from March paydays. 

DH got a raise which makes his net check about $100 higher.  We agreed that he could increase his personal spending to from $200 to $300/month.  This works for us so I don't have to see his kickstarters, gaming, and way too much fast food during work breaks.

We thought we were being so savvy removing our escrow when we refinanced and setting the home ins to annual pay to save the modal fee.  We were laughing at ourselves as we realized that $1400 hit in March along with $1000 for annual car ins, $300 umbrella policy, $500 life ins for each of us.  D'oh.  Made me want to puke to watch all of those come from the bonus that I worked so hard for, but that's adulting.

Then, I paid for a few summer camps for about $1000 total - less than usual $3500 we spend since I'll continue to wfh, but enough to give them some things to safely do.  And, we decided to try the neighborhood swim team to give them daily practice.  The $100 each for them wasn't bad until I realized there was also a $50 swimsuit each.  Always something lol.

In positive news, we're within $500 of having $100k liquid savings.  That would be a huge new milestone for us.  I know that's too much to keep, but we both grew up poor and with DH's health issues, it makes us both feel completely comfortable.  Retirement is funded, $250k mortgage at 2.5% will be paid off in 14 yrs.  Kids college is the lacking factor but we intend to help with loans after they graduate so they have skin in the game.

Azucena 4/2/2021 $16,889 out of $30,000 (56%)

[seriousthistime]

Apr 2, 2021 9:34:44 GMT -5 azucena said:

Feb 26, 2021 12:30:14 GMT -5 azucena said:

Kids college is the lacking factor but we intend to help with loans after they graduate so they have skin in the game.

That is what we did.  The deal was, you graduate and we will pay your loans. If you drop out, the loans are on you. 

With grad school, one kid got a generous stipend and tuition waiver from a private university.  The other attended a pricey school that did not give a stipend or tuition waiver (that type of degree does generally not come with such), so we had a discussion about how she really had to be sure she would complete it, because dropping out at any point without finishing would crush her under the weight of those loans. They both finished and went on to land well-paid jobs in their chosen fields. 

[snapdragon]

Snapdragon Update 04-02-21 - $4704.80 / $5000

Car/House $ 4704.80 / $5000

New Totals $ 4704.80 / $5000


A few more steps done. I signed the paperwork to close K's probate this morning. It's weird to know that she will have been gone 6 years in June. Dad's is still open and will be for some time yet but it is nice to have some small bit closed out and me not having to think or worry about it.

Everyone have a safe and sane Sunday dinner. Sending hugs to everyone who needs one and thinking happy thoughts for everyone.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

UPDATE!

Rukh O'Rorke [1] Saving Goals for 2021

Account	Goal	Added	Saved	Percent
401k	$26,000	$984.00	$7,447.80	29%
HSA	$7,600	$296.15	$2,073.05	27%
EF	$10,000	0	$1,750.00	18%
Total	$43,600	$1,530.15	$11,270.85	26%

Rukh O'Rorke [2] Multiyear EF Goal

$13,160.29 (Start=$11,066.31 / Goal=$20,000)

7/26 paychecks for 2021. Crossed 5 figures for 2021 savings   and just over 1/4 of the way to the goal.

I decided not to do an ETF at all for my EF money and bought some individual stocks in my EF. Changed my 2021 goal just to reflect the money I want to put in there, the multiyear EF is a little puffed up today as the stocks did well this past week, adding a few hundred that I did not. Been keeping this money out of the market to be safe, but feel like I have sufficient safety built up now to start investing some of it. Thinking of this more as the taxable account now. Feels good.

CEO mentioned bonuses - so will see what happens next month. I realized that with our new 401k system, I worked out to max on my regular payroll by years end and said "no" to contributions from any bonus checks. then I wondered - will I miss out on the 3% match? we get 4% no matter what but an additional 3% match on first 6% contribution - and I wondered if I would miss out - so put in to contribute 7% off any bonus, and will reconfigure my regular paycheck contribution as needed.  

[Annie7]

OK, I'm ready to start tracking my Savings goals. I will be spending most of the savings when I need to. I will tweak things as I go along. 


Annie7 3/31/2021 $29,200 (Goal $76,000)

	Goal Amount	Saved $	Amount to Go	Needed By	% Met
Auto Maint	1,000	1,000	0	5/1/2021	100%
AC Replacement	10,000	10,000	0	8/1/2021 (?)	100%
Roof Replacement	30,000	0	30,000	2023 (?)	0%
Emergency Fund	35,000	18,200	16,800	4/1/2022	52%
Total	76,000	29,200	46,800		38%