In large part, 2008 was all about paying off consumer debt.
2009 was our lax year, we bought some photography equipment, and took a few trips.
In 2010, our goal is to save as much as we can for upcoming expenses, mainly a newer vehicle.
The other day, I got the itch of the travel bug. I had pretty much decided that we were going to take a weekend trip to visit a relative about 4 hours from where we live. We'd have to rent a car, and get a hotel, plus gas, food, etc. Then I got to thinking about it, and decided against that idea. We needed to recommit to our goal of cutting out all unnecessary trips, and just lay low for 2010, saving money.
The only trip that we might have to fund is my husband's 10 year high school reunion. He'd be the only one to go, and wouldn't have to pay for a place to stay. It's not 100% yet that he'll go, but we are preparing for the event that he does.
To help with our savings goals this year, I'm making an adjustment in my thinking in regards to our car fund. I am going to really treat our monthly "car payment" to our car fund as such- a payment that we HAVE to pay every month, just like a regular note to a bank. Last year, there were some months that I used that allocated money for other things. I want to adhere to this strictly each month this year. When we first thought of having to pay for my husband's airfare to his reunion, my first thought, was "oh, we'll just use the car fund money for that month to pay for the ticket." But, if that were a real bill, I realized, I wouldn't have that luxury of not paying. So, now, I'm just siphoning money into his travel fund, little by little, chunk by chunk. Even if that chunk is $5 or $10.
If I think about a whole year of just saving, that can seem pretty long and daunting, but hey, it's already February! I'm sure I'll get travel fever (or camera lens envy) another time or two (or three, or four) throughout 2010, but I'm keeping my eye on the prize.
The tortoise, not the hare, always wins the race.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010: New Year, New Decade
The end of the year, the end of a decade!
In the 2009, we paid off the last of our consumer debt, and I'm glad to report we have not accumulated any additional consumer debt since then. That was at the beginning of the year, and after that, we kind of slacked off from debt repayment. Thus, the lack of posts as of late.
Since then, we've bought some equipment for our photography hobby (which we want to turn into a side business), and went on a couple of vacations.
Now that we've gotten some stuff out of our system, I was feeling renewed again to set another financial goal for the new year. I really would like to set the goal of paying off the first of the 3 remaining student loans that we have, $12,000 roughly.
But, I can't get overzealous here.
We have some potential medical bills coming down the pike that'd we need to save for (hello, high deductible health insurance).
Also in the mix is the inevitable replacement of one or both of our vehicles. I'd like to pay cash, but for right now aiming for a decent down payment. We want to get a good, reliable used car that is only a couple of years old. We're still nursing them along, and have decided not to put anymore major investment into either one of them.
I think the best bet for right now is to just set money aside that we allot each month into savings, so we'll be able to contend with these things as they come up, instead of socking all of it to the student loan each month- like I'd love to do.
The intent is to start eradicating that loan as soon as it is possible. I'd like to start keeping my $126/month instead of sending it to Sallie Mae!
I'm gonna put up a progress bar for reminder and encouragement- even if it's several months before we can start paying it down.
Here's to the start of a great year! Happy New Year!
In the 2009, we paid off the last of our consumer debt, and I'm glad to report we have not accumulated any additional consumer debt since then. That was at the beginning of the year, and after that, we kind of slacked off from debt repayment. Thus, the lack of posts as of late.
Since then, we've bought some equipment for our photography hobby (which we want to turn into a side business), and went on a couple of vacations.
Now that we've gotten some stuff out of our system, I was feeling renewed again to set another financial goal for the new year. I really would like to set the goal of paying off the first of the 3 remaining student loans that we have, $12,000 roughly.
But, I can't get overzealous here.
We have some potential medical bills coming down the pike that'd we need to save for (hello, high deductible health insurance).
Also in the mix is the inevitable replacement of one or both of our vehicles. I'd like to pay cash, but for right now aiming for a decent down payment. We want to get a good, reliable used car that is only a couple of years old. We're still nursing them along, and have decided not to put anymore major investment into either one of them.
I think the best bet for right now is to just set money aside that we allot each month into savings, so we'll be able to contend with these things as they come up, instead of socking all of it to the student loan each month- like I'd love to do.
The intent is to start eradicating that loan as soon as it is possible. I'd like to start keeping my $126/month instead of sending it to Sallie Mae!
I'm gonna put up a progress bar for reminder and encouragement- even if it's several months before we can start paying it down.
Here's to the start of a great year! Happy New Year!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Swagbucks
A couple of months ago, I signed up for Swagbucks after reading online about it for awhile. (By the way, this isn't a sponsored/paid post.)
I have to say, that I'm quite impressed. I've already earned enough points to redeem for a $5 Barnes and Nobles gift card, and $10 through PayPal through every day searches that I would do anyway. Right now for 70 Swagbucks, you can get $5 CASH through PayPal. Nice!
It doesn't take long at all to rack up those points.
Check out Swagbucks, if you haven't already!
I have to say, that I'm quite impressed. I've already earned enough points to redeem for a $5 Barnes and Nobles gift card, and $10 through PayPal through every day searches that I would do anyway. Right now for 70 Swagbucks, you can get $5 CASH through PayPal. Nice!
It doesn't take long at all to rack up those points.
Check out Swagbucks, if you haven't already!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Recyling attempt: FAIL
In April, I blogged about getting back into recycling again. Well, to clarify, not actually taking the time to put recyclables into recycling bins, instead of trash, but the act of hauling 4 or 5 bins of recyclables one Saturday of the month between the hours of 8am-12pm- 20 minutes from my house- to a drop off station.
I know, in the grand scheme of things, it's a small price to pay. I guess I'm just too darn lazy. And I'm not a morning person, especially on Saturdays.
Before moving to where we live now, I was the Recycle Queen.
I got my mom and sister to start recycling.
It didn't faze me one bit to have bin after bin, box after box of recycling stacked in our tiny studio apartment, because on Recycle Drop Off day, it was only a couple of minutes drive.
Is there good news on the horizon?
Last week, my Mom told me that she heard on the radio that our area might get a recycling program!
Oh, please do so! Cuz I want to be able to recycle from where we live now!
I know, in the grand scheme of things, it's a small price to pay. I guess I'm just too darn lazy. And I'm not a morning person, especially on Saturdays.
Before moving to where we live now, I was the Recycle Queen.
I got my mom and sister to start recycling.
It didn't faze me one bit to have bin after bin, box after box of recycling stacked in our tiny studio apartment, because on Recycle Drop Off day, it was only a couple of minutes drive.
Is there good news on the horizon?
Last week, my Mom told me that she heard on the radio that our area might get a recycling program!
Oh, please do so! Cuz I want to be able to recycle from where we live now!
Half year update- better late than never
Hello! Long time, no blog. Over the last several months, I've taken up several hobbies (quilting, knitting, and photography) that have gotten me sidetracked from this blog. And honestly, ever since we've paid off our consumer debt, the momentum has been lost to post frequently. My main goal of this blog is for me to take time to pause and reflect on our current and future financial goals.
Here's where we are since we last checked in from the quarter year review (in blue are the updates):
Front burner goals:
These are goals that we would like to see happen first, and preferably in this order.
1. Pay off consumer debt ($1694.71). This was originally scheduled to be paid off by May 2009, but I'm anticipating sooner than that. (In the middle of that save about $1,000 for a trip to San Antonio in March for brother's graduation.) Yes. Paid off consumer debt in February. Paid for trip to San Antonio with cash. Same.
2. Get E-fund back up to $1,000. Yes. Got e-fund back up to $1,000 base. Same.
3. Save for and buy a DSLR camera. Yes, hubby bought his camera that he'd been waiting/saving for in cash in March. Same.
4. Get e-fund to $3,000. Not yet, but slowly. I've decided to put all extra monies here (cash back rewards, Pinecone, etc.)
5. Save for a trip to visit my good friend in California. This trip is in the works for September. Although we'd like to take this big grand adventure visiting different areas of the state, maybe a jaunt to Vegas- reality sets in- and we realize that that would be at the expense of our other savings goals, and it's just not in the cards at this point.
The plan is to see and explore around the LA area where my friend lives. This way we'll only have to pay for airfare, chipping in for gas, some food, any entrance fees, and souvenirs.
There are loads to see and do (many of them free) in that area. Overall, it'll be nice to visit with my friend, and get to see where she's been living the last several years.
Back burner goals:
These goals are listed as "back burner" but may later take precedence over any of those listed as "front burner".
1. Get e-fund to 6 months worth of expenses. Not yet. Same
2. Pay more than minimum payments to husband's student loan (current balance of 13,000). No. Same
3. Figure out what to do about husband's Roth contributions, which are currently on hold. I went ahead and resumed minimal contributions for his Roth. It'll probably be several years before we pay off the student loans/save for other things, so we felt that we should be contributing something in the meantime. Same.
4. Figure out what to do about our Automatic Savings Plans in ING. They're all on hold for right now, except HOA fees, which I scheduled to restart this month at $30. (So we'll be ready for the end of the year). I've started more ASPs in ING. Dog fund, Car fund, Travel fund, Household maintenance fund, and clothes fund. I know that I go back and forth with ASPs, but I think I'll stick to the plan with these. In the last couple of days I've had to go into the dog, car, and clothes funds. It was nice to have that set aside, and not worry about whether it would affect the budget.
**New goal** New to us car fund. This is really our next major goal, as we see this as prepaying a debt. Ideally, we'd like to pay for the car in cash, but that depends largely on how the two that we already have hold up. (10 and 18 year old cars). We're taking it day by day. After our trip, we'll funnel the money that we were putting towards travel fund each month to the car fund.
Hope you're having a great summer so far!
Here's where we are since we last checked in from the quarter year review (in blue are the updates):
Front burner goals:
These are goals that we would like to see happen first, and preferably in this order.
1. Pay off consumer debt ($1694.71). This was originally scheduled to be paid off by May 2009, but I'm anticipating sooner than that. (In the middle of that save about $1,000 for a trip to San Antonio in March for brother's graduation.) Yes. Paid off consumer debt in February. Paid for trip to San Antonio with cash. Same.
2. Get E-fund back up to $1,000. Yes. Got e-fund back up to $1,000 base. Same.
3. Save for and buy a DSLR camera. Yes, hubby bought his camera that he'd been waiting/saving for in cash in March. Same.
4. Get e-fund to $3,000. Not yet, but slowly. I've decided to put all extra monies here (cash back rewards, Pinecone, etc.)
5. Save for a trip to visit my good friend in California. This trip is in the works for September. Although we'd like to take this big grand adventure visiting different areas of the state, maybe a jaunt to Vegas- reality sets in- and we realize that that would be at the expense of our other savings goals, and it's just not in the cards at this point.
The plan is to see and explore around the LA area where my friend lives. This way we'll only have to pay for airfare, chipping in for gas, some food, any entrance fees, and souvenirs.
There are loads to see and do (many of them free) in that area. Overall, it'll be nice to visit with my friend, and get to see where she's been living the last several years.
Back burner goals:
These goals are listed as "back burner" but may later take precedence over any of those listed as "front burner".
1. Get e-fund to 6 months worth of expenses. Not yet. Same
2. Pay more than minimum payments to husband's student loan (current balance of 13,000). No. Same
3. Figure out what to do about husband's Roth contributions, which are currently on hold. I went ahead and resumed minimal contributions for his Roth. It'll probably be several years before we pay off the student loans/save for other things, so we felt that we should be contributing something in the meantime. Same.
4. Figure out what to do about our Automatic Savings Plans in ING. They're all on hold for right now, except HOA fees, which I scheduled to restart this month at $30. (So we'll be ready for the end of the year). I've started more ASPs in ING. Dog fund, Car fund, Travel fund, Household maintenance fund, and clothes fund. I know that I go back and forth with ASPs, but I think I'll stick to the plan with these. In the last couple of days I've had to go into the dog, car, and clothes funds. It was nice to have that set aside, and not worry about whether it would affect the budget.
**New goal** New to us car fund. This is really our next major goal, as we see this as prepaying a debt. Ideally, we'd like to pay for the car in cash, but that depends largely on how the two that we already have hold up. (10 and 18 year old cars). We're taking it day by day. After our trip, we'll funnel the money that we were putting towards travel fund each month to the car fund.
Hope you're having a great summer so far!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Somehow, I've managed to get another dog
The Universe really wanted me to get another dog. I mean, really. On a walk with our dog last week, a neighbor stops us to ask if we knew of anyone who might be interested in a little Chihuahua mix that she had rescued from roaming the streets. I did know someone- me! So, after meeting the little guy, we brought him home, and today we took him to the vet. They scan him... and he's got a microchip.
Oh nos! I've already gotten attached to the dog!
LONG story short, the dog ends up staying with us. The owner was working long hours; wasn't home a lot, and the dog kept escaping. So, we just asked if we could keep him, and they said yes!
Someone really wanted me to have him.
It was meant to be.
But, that, of course, means double the vet bills (eek!). Oh well, it's worth it.
Because of that, I really need to have my Vet funds account going again. I started putting away $50/month for their vet care. Just gotta do it- pay me now, or pay me later.
Oh nos! I've already gotten attached to the dog!
LONG story short, the dog ends up staying with us. The owner was working long hours; wasn't home a lot, and the dog kept escaping. So, we just asked if we could keep him, and they said yes!
Someone really wanted me to have him.
It was meant to be.
But, that, of course, means double the vet bills (eek!). Oh well, it's worth it.
Because of that, I really need to have my Vet funds account going again. I started putting away $50/month for their vet care. Just gotta do it- pay me now, or pay me later.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Earth Day Aftermath
Did anyone else see Oprah's Earth Day show yesterday? Heard about that garbage swirl in the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas? Whoa.
I've definitely fallen off of the wagon as far as recycling. Before we moved to our house, we were so good about recycling everything we could. It wasn't a big deal to do so because we lived closer to the recycling drop off site. (Living in an apartment, we didn't have cubside pickup like the houses do.) Now that we've moved away from there, it's a little bit of a trek to drop off our recyclables (because our new city doesn't have curbside pickup), and we usually miss the 8am-12pm window of time to get over there to drop it off (that ONE Saturday out of the month.)
Those are all excuses, I need to get with the program here. (And so does the city where we live!)
So, I want to make a better, concerted effort to start back recycling. The planet will thank me.
I've definitely fallen off of the wagon as far as recycling. Before we moved to our house, we were so good about recycling everything we could. It wasn't a big deal to do so because we lived closer to the recycling drop off site. (Living in an apartment, we didn't have cubside pickup like the houses do.) Now that we've moved away from there, it's a little bit of a trek to drop off our recyclables (because our new city doesn't have curbside pickup), and we usually miss the 8am-12pm window of time to get over there to drop it off (that ONE Saturday out of the month.)
Those are all excuses, I need to get with the program here. (And so does the city where we live!)
So, I want to make a better, concerted effort to start back recycling. The planet will thank me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
