Weekly check-in (better late than never)

hoffse · December 2013

Hi all,

Meant to post this earlier this morning, but things at work got craaaaazy. Like, massive changes crazy. More on that once I have better details because it sort of turned my world upside down.

Following Xstatic's suggestion to do weekly check-ins, let's start with the following:

1) How MM was your weekend?

2) Any progress toward goals?

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget?

brij2006 · December 2013

1. We spent $56 on groceries, and $1.47 for a car part at NAPA. Probably the best weekend we've had in a very long time.

2. Just set up a lot of goals, and started Friday.

3. A lot of changes. We really buckled down on our budget, and I'm trying to make it a goal to only spend $250 this month on groceries and toiletries. It could get interesting.

CuriousKiddosMama · December 2013

1) How MM was your weekend? Our weekend was pretty good. The only money we spent was when I went to the Coach outlet with my sister, and I got a bag and a wallet for under $100 because of all the sales, plus the extra coupon I got in the mail. And this was pocket money. My DH never left the house, and he was happy to just sit at home with our LO in front of the fire.

2) Any progress toward goals? Yep, just sent in a check for 3 months worth of college fund for LO. I had to go back through the bank records to see how many months they hadn't withdrawn for, made a phone call, and they won't withdraw until MAY!!! that would be 1/2 a year wasted if I hadn't noticed that it didn't come out on the first of this month. Van is almost paid off, we were able to save 1800 to pay it back this month, and budgetted to repay 2k the next 4 months and it will be paid off. We are on beans and rice for the most part, but that's okay! The van is such a convenience for the baby, that it is really worth it.

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget? Hopefully a pleasant surprise in the next month or so. DH usually finds out if there will be raises and bonuses in January. Hopefully he will be in line for a nice raise this year since the company was pretty profitable this year, and they just gave 2% for the last 2 years.

hoffse · December 2013

Wow Brij - $250/month is intense! But I'll be interested to hear how you work that

Mine are:

1) $20.19 on groceries at Target; $5 at Chick-Fil-A for lunch (I'm weak).

2) A little progress toward goals. H gets Amazon gift cards for using a certain research product at his law school. Our goal was to get his books for $400 or less total for next semester using those gift cards. Well he must have used every opportunity for points available because we reached that goal with $166.90 total spent out of pocket on books for next semester! Not bad when the starting price was over $650.

3) Many many big changes coming up. Without divulging too much info, it looks like I'm going to be starting a new job next month. I'll give more details about the drama behind it (because there's been loads of drama over this) once things are official. But if all goes as planned, I'll get a huge raise, a 401(k) with an employer match (I think - and mine currently doesn't have a match), and I'll be working literally one block away from my H. That will mean we get to see more of each other once he begins his job in the fall, since we will be close enough to meet for lunch, etc. I'm crossing every finger and toe I have that this comes through officially in the next couple of weeks.

But a preview of the drama: it's not just me who will probably have a new job. It's a large group of us. So yeah. The holiday party next week (with those left behind) is likely to be the most awkward 2 hours of my life.

Wulfgar · December 2013

1) MM: Real good, used my cash envelopes for groceries and gas. Was over on groceries by under $5.

2) Still racking up medical bills, got my first cavity in over 27 years and two of my original fillings need to be replaced for a cost of $415 which I will have done this Friday. We will also owe roughly $400 to get our wills done and other important paperwork. Also if we don't conceive this month we will spend $145 to get me tested. MW has some testing done that shows we might need some help to conceive our 2nd.

3) MW is going to work 6 hours this weekend to help us pay for our medical bills. I was promised a bump up in pay grade at work this year, hopefully my boss can slow down enough to put in the paperwork to make this happen. This would help our cash flow. In the next few months MW will get a referral bonus that will help us also.

vlagrl29 · December 2013

1) How MM was your weekend?

Friday - $9 for a papa murphys pizza. Stayed in to put the xmas tree up

Saturday - $45 dinner out

Sunday - 0 - we were inside all day because DH was having another bout of vertigo, his worst yet and I was taking care of him and DD. Very Long Day!

2) Any progress toward goals?

Not huge progress, but I did transfer $220 this weekend into our efund from a job I got and that makes the efund total $3700 now.

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget?

I don't think so. Nothing I can foresee anyways.

Xstatic3333 · December 2013

Thanks for starting this @hoffse, and good luck with the potentially exciting career developments! Definitely keep us posted how it goes!

1) Our weekend was okay. I was able to pick up a dive class to teach, which will mean a small (100ish) windfall for our house fund when I get paid in a few weeks. However, taking advantage of sales for Christmas presents and paying off what we charged on our TG travels put us both over budget for this pay period, meaning no house fund contributions. It bums me out, which I guess is good-it will keep me honest to avoid this feeling in the future.

2) As I covered above, no progress towards our DP fund goal this week. However, H still made his above-minimum, budgeted "snowball" payment on his car, and I made $325 total in extra student loan payments, so not a total failure here.

3) Yes! For one, we will be done with Christmas shopping which is a huge issue; despite all of the wonderful advice I've gotten here, I have not been able to break the cycle of big Christmas spending that I was raised with. I'm just afraid of hurting my parents, who have been so generous with me. Also, December is my bonus paycheck month and January is H's, so we will budget for extra debt and DP payments (split 50/50) a couple of times over the next two months. Finally, my employer match for retirement is kicking in this month. Since my organization is tiny, they just cut me a taxable extra check for 5% of my monthly salary that I can deposit into my Roth IRA. Between this and my current contribution rate, I'll be able to max it out starting with the 2014 tax year. Hooray! Any bonus retirement funds will be able to go to a new Roth IRA for H.

lifeonthehill · December 2013

1) Horrible. We spent $250. We ate out twice. Picked up booze, groceries and BC. Also we started Christmas shopping for his family. It was our first weekend with me not having to work so we knew it would get spendy.

2) We were hoping to be able to put $1,500 in the bank by the 15th and its looking like we will be able to put in $1,900 which is very exciting.

3) No changes yet. DH got a concussion last night while coaching a hockey game. Puck to the head. He seems fine but we are preparing for an ER trip if his appointment with the campus nurse goes poorly. Which will kill our plan financially.

smbenevides1989 · December 2013

1) My weekend was not that bad. I did spend a little more than budgeted, but I bought some items that I do not have to buy next week so it will even out my spending. I had received a bunch of coupons when I did black friday shopping, so I went out and finished buying some stocking stuffers and little gift grabs for DD's class. I should have spent about $81, but with all my coupons, I only spent $11.

2) My goals don't start until January 1st, since we are still recovering from an unexpected expense to DH's car from last month. I guess my only goal that I have accomplished so far is that every gift except two (a gift card and gift basket) has been bought, wrapped, and placed under the tree.

3) DH is supposed to go for a car in March, but with the way the end of the year is looking for used car deals, I may take the opportunity to push back one bill to complete the DP of the car, then use the tax refund (when we do get it) and pay down the debt quicker. But if the cars don't bite, then everything should remain on track.

SmrBrd2012 · December 2013

1) How MM was your weekend?

It wasn't great but it could've been worse. We went to a pajama themed Christmas party this weekend so:

Sat:

Pj pants for H: $13

Booze H wanted to bring as a good guest= $52 (WAY too high...will be talking to him about that...)

Gift Swap gift= $14

Hair cut tip (used a groupon that I already bought weeks ago): $15

Coffee: $4

Sun:

I paid our cell phone bill...$115

2) Any progress toward goals?

Nothing really. I did notice that H spends too much on fancy beer so going to try to put a stop to that with some kind of limit.

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget?

We haven't done any Christmas shopping yet and I have no idea what to get anyone.

I keep flip flopping with the idea of not exchanging gifts with H but we will probably end up doing so.

cbee817 · December 2013

1) How MM was your weekend? Not great- DH and I went to the outlet mall and spent a bunch of $.. it was on clothing we needed for work and it's our x-mas gifts to each other, so it was planned for. We had to get groceries too.

2) Any progress toward goals? I did sign up for the dependent care FSA account through work- $5,000 will be deducted pre-tax to help with the day care expenses this year. DH and I are getting a list together of small fixes to complete in case we do need to put the house up for sale and will probably be looking more seriously this spring and summer at houses in the other school district. Ideal would be brick exterior, 2,000+ sq ft, nice woodwork, hardwood floors throughout (including kitchen), 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, eat in kitchen, and 2 car garage.

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget? No changes yet- I get a yearly review in January with a raise (3-5%) in April. DH's salary is fixed each school year, so he won't see any changes (probably 3%) until September.

Xstatic3333 · December 2013

@SmrBrd2012 fancy beer is a tough one for us too since we both love it! If you think your H would enjoy it, I suggest home brewing. It's easy and fun, and you make your money back after 2-3 batches. A starter kit could even be a good Christmas or birthday present (they run $50-60).

SmrBrd2012 · December 2013

@Xstatic3333

H was never really into it until his brother started dabbling in craft brews. They actually brew together now sometimes at BIL's place but he likes to buy his own as well. Otherwise it would have been a sweet Christmas present idea

He mostly just wanted to get our friends interested in good beers, which I get, but still...they are SO expensive!!

brij2006 · December 2013

@hoffse Good luck with the new job and opportunity. Sounds like it's a great transition for you, and it will be nice to be closer to your H during the day.

Also, the $250 food budget may get a bit tricky, but we have meat in the freezer and I'm one that always stocks up on things when they go on sale. So our cupboards are already full of food items. I will just need to get inventive with recipes.

Ducktale · December 2013

1) How MM was your weekend? -Ok. Technically went over budget on groceries, but we have so many parties to bring dishes to pass. And we were pretty far under the week before, and have some food in the freezer, so for the month overall I don't think we'll go over. Got 3 sweaters for $40 (coupons and sales), I need winter clothes. Bought a few more Christmas presents, I think we'll go a little over budget on those, but I expect that, and it won't be major. Gave some money to a collection at church. So spent money, but it was mostly planned/budgetted, so it's fine.

2) Any progress toward goals? Have an appointment to meet with our financial advisor in a few weeks go roll over my 401k into MY OWN IRA, and will also discuss life insurance options.

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget? I start my new position in January, it's a promotion and my salary will increase by $16,000 annually. Very awesome.

hoffse · December 2013

@Ducktale - congrats on the promotion! That's huge!

orangehills · December 2013

1) How MM was your weekend?
Not too bad- spent $13 on lunch Saturday and $8.75 for a movie, and then just money on gas and groceries which are part of the budget. We did the ugly sweater fun run, but that was paid for awhile ago. That is super fun btw!

2) Any progress toward goals?
No! This month is tight with gifts, and I have to get new tires. 2014 will be better. I'm looking forward to some bonuses too lol

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget?
Not really! None that I know of anyway

Belthil · December 2013

1. How MM was your weekend?

Pretty good. We spent $12 on groceries that H couldn't find/our grocery app didn't update during the week and we needed for a potluck family dinner Saturday. We also bought new toys and treats for furbaby.

2. Any progress towards goals?

We sold furbaby's old kennel for some cash which will go directly into the bank and will help us out this month. I'm also going to sit down with my financial advisor to discuss the best way to tackle my sl.

3. Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget?

Yes, still waiting on my exam results. If I pass then my income will increase.

Erikan73 · December 2013

1) How MM was your weekend?

Went to Lowe's and spent some money that added up faster then expected. Part was for a christmas gift which I will be reimbursed for a large portion of it by siblings. Other items were to help with drafts on doors & windows to help keep house warmer

2) Any progress toward goals?

Had appointment with Financial Advisor last night & started the ball rolling for the purchase of Life Insurance policy and we do have 2014 bugdet set up (but will need tweeking once we get final life insurance policy costs back)

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget.

Not that I foresee, but getting bonus next week which will be used to pay down debt. The money from debts we've been paying will go towards paying larger amounts each month towards other debts, so it's not like we'll have extra money in our pocket, but the debts will be going away faster

mana8503 · December 2013

1) How MM was your weekend?

Friday - I was a spender (for once). Went out to the movies and dinner with CWs after our holiday party - $30

Saturday - $0

Sunday - Cracker Barrel $30, Groceries $120 (stock up run).

2) Any progress toward goals?

We were going to pay off our last CC this month, but H's job got iffy over Thanksgiving (long story). He decided to stay where he's at now ( I posted about him taking a new job with a 1099), but it's still rocky. So I scheduled to pay half of it off this month, and half next month. Puts us a bit behind in our snowball schedule, but it beats pulling out of savings.

3) Any changes on the horizon that will affect your budget?

H's job gets slow after the holidays. We will be adjusting the snowball on his bring home pay for Jan and Feb, then it should pick back up. It's nice to have that wiggle room during this time of year.

Also with the Continuing Resolution expiring January, my job is once again at the mercy of our congress and them getting along! So we will see if I get furloughed again.

Weekly check-in (better late than never)

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