Monthly check-in March/April (newish format)

als1982 · April 2016

Changing things up a bit...

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?

formerlyjessica490 · April 2016

Changing things up a bit...

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

Goals: Add more to vacation and savings, open up ROTH accounts, pay more to furniture bill, house projects

We were able to complete all except open the ROTH's. We need $2500 each to "invest" in the market, so right now we putting money aside just to get to that goal. We were able to save a ton of money this month which is good. I also figured out that we have 8 months of an e-fund in light of layoff's at work but I want to add more $ later in the year to include "fun money" into that

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Keep saving for vacations and house projects. We need a new sidewalk and are putting in a fence this spring/early summer so we are saving for those 2 things. We also have $1K left on the furniture bill. We will just keep being careful what we spend. We will also keep adding to our ROTH accounts

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

Short- Sidewalk, fence, need to buy some bushes/plants, need to mulch, maybe re-seed some areas in the yard.

Long term- Keep savings for a long wedding weekend in Sept and a Sandals trip in 2017. We have some fall house projects but haven't been planning for them yet. H's lease is up in December so we may extend it or pick out a vehicle to purchase this time

We just need to keep saving away, having H work some OT and being careful with spending

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

Always be saving for something and pay yourself first!

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?

Used to, not anymore

cbee817 · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

Yes- saved $1,000, 529 plan auto withdrawl for the girls. We are under a 90 day review with our state tax refund, but I have not been asked to supply anything. Our state budget just passed yesterday so maybe they were waiting on that before they submit refunds. That $ will go to our vacation fund.

**Update** - state refund will be deposited on the 5th.. good news!

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

save $1,500, 529 plan withdrawl for the girls, up 401K match 1% (from 11 to 12%), DH changes 403b match to 10% (from $100/paycheck).

I got a 8.2% raise and promotion (as well as a 1.176% employee incentive bonus) this month! So excited- it'll really help out with the updates we want to do to the house this summer (upstairs bathroom gut, replace some wood siding on the house, new porch floor, and possibly a new front door).

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

Short: cash flow the house repairs this summer. DH and I talked about moving, but for now, we're really happy in our house and neighborhood. DD#1 is doing great at school there and we're able to afford other things for them (vacations, dance class, summer camps, and even more as they get older) and not be tied to a huge mortgage/high taxes (in DH's school district where we were looking to move). Every year we'll reevaluate especially if our current district has to do further consolidations that we feel are not beneficial.

Middle: keep saving for vacations, girls' college, home repairs, and I'm going to need a newer car at some point (currently drive a 2003 honda civic). DH's car will be paid off in 2019 (0.9% interest), the house in 2025 (4.0% interest).

Long term: savings for retirement through 401K, 403b, Roths, and our pensions. I think I will get bought out of the pension by my employer at some point, but DH has a state pension that's very stable.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

I don't really know if this is motivation, but for DH and I, it has helped to have realistic goals and not be stressed out by "good" debt (all of our credit cards are paid in full each month- the only debt we have is a car loan and our mortgage). We would love to put extra on our mortgage and car to be 100% debt free, but right now, having that money go to retirement/girls' 529 plans/savings/vacation fund is more important to us.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate? I do not.. not a fan of being tricked.

labro · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

I think our main financial goal was to stick to tracking everything in YNAB and that was kind of a bust. I lost track because I kept returning and re-ordering things from HD as part of our small master bath remodel project and I got tired of revising all the entries.

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Definitely stick better to tracking everything. We're really great about groceries, gas, and eating out, but not great about hardware store trips, random purchases, etc.

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

Short Term - Try to cut back on expenses as much as possible outside of the necessities and any house update projects we have planned before we get ready to list.

Middle - Pay off my car. I'm not quite halfway there but it's moving right along. I'm really really looking forward to just being able to start banking my whole paycheck in December rather than putting it towards all of our debt.

Long - Savings for retirement - 401k is doing well. I'm banking extra money every month in order to max out my Roth IRA at the end of the year. Once my car is paid off we're opening another Roth IRA for H and I guess at that point we'll figure out what else we can be doing to save for retirement.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

Saving money is not an easy path or a lot of fun, but when you start and when it becomes a habit it feels REALLY awesome to see your checking account grow, to feel confident in where your money is going every month, to see your debt disappear faster and faster, and to be able to have fun with your money for once rather than having to stress over whether you have enough to make it every month.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?

No. We used to do stupid pranks when we were kids but it's not really my thing. The whole day kind of irritates me.

brij2006 · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

Get another $400 put aside for drywall and insulation in the garage, cash flow Garth Brooks tickets and the hotel, and get the grocery budget at/under $400.
Accomplished all of them with flying colors. We have an additional $400 left over. YAY!

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Keep the grocery budget at $400. Going to continue to meal plan and make things from scratch.
Plan for $600 in landscaping, yard chemicals, and garage materials. Hoping that will be enough.

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

Short: Save up the cash to insulate, heat, and drywall our garage. We have our envelope almost full with what we need. :-) Just putting a bit aside each month for it.
Middle: Trying to figure out sinking funds for everything we need to plan and save for, and prioritizing what is most important with them right now.
Long: Figure out our plan for saving up to remodel the kitchen.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

Take Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. It's life changing.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?
Not really.

lbonga1 · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

My goal was to put all of what I earned from one of my jobs into savings for our downpayment fund. I was able to accomplish it, plus some! We put $2250 total into savings.

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Same goal. Also, I interviewed for a position in my new field yesterday, so hopefully I get it! I was sent home with a project "quiz" that I have to turn in by Monday, and if they like what they see they'll bring me in for a second interview.

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

Short: get a new job.

Middle: Beef up our emergency fund.

Long: Save for and buy a house.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

Take it one step at a time. It's easy to lose motivation if you start out trying to climb a mountain instead of a mole hill. That's why the debt snowball method works; you're able to pay off smaller debts and stay motivated by making those accomplishments early on.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?

Nope.

PurpleBookmark · April 2016

March
1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?
To put some money into savings, which we were definitely able to do this month which was great!
April
1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?
This month my main goal is to keep my grocery budget in check. I've done so well at Aldi's I've actually been able to lower the grocery budget officially, now I need to stick with it.
Status of Ongoing Goals
1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?
Short: Stick to the budget
Middle: Save more money towards regular savings and also house savings
Long: Possibly purchase a home
GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice
1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?
You can do a lot even on a small income. If you budget carefully, shop carefully, and focus on the fun things in life that are free or low cost you can really do a lot with what you have.
GTKY Bonus:
1. April Fools - Do you participate?
No, I don't think I ever have

bmo88 · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

Continue paying off DH's student loan debt--accomplished
Pay another grad school payment--accomplished
File taxes--accomplished

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Increase my 401k contributions--filed the paperwork last week
Increase DH's ROTH IRA contributions--set an increase to occur this month
Hit $25,000 in e-fund--set up tax refund to go straight to e-fund and increasing this months savings contribution--will put us at 7 months expenses in e-fund

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

12 months expenses e-fund: Since we hit 7 months in e-fund, would like to get to 1 year saved up. We were moderately aggressive about saving before, but will slow down a little now. Once all of DH's student loan debt is paid off (in November) we will increase e-fund savings again.
Max out my 401k contributions annually: I have increased it this month and will be contributing $5k annually, so I am long way to the $16,500 max. But once grad school is paid off (April 2017), I plan to increase it to $12,000 annually and keep working my way up.
DH max out ROTH IRA: He will do this in November once his student loans are paid off.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

Read a lot, ask questions and talk with others. Talking about money can be difficult, but the more you do it, the more comfortable you become. If you are comfortable talking about finances, then you become comfortable making changes, learning from mistakes and wanting to figure out ways to improve.
Read financial blogs of people who were once in your situation. It's really motivating and empowering to read about others who started where you are and have reached a great place financially.
Set specific, time bound goals for your finances. Just like anything else in life, if you aren't specific and you don't give yourself a deadline...you likely won't accomplish it. Even if it is small like, save $25 a week or reach $1,000 in an e-fund within 1 year, that is motivating and a start.
Figure out your own path. A lot of people will say, "Oh the only way is Dave Ramsey" or "Suzie Orman has it all figured it." But the reality is, no one program works for everyone. Pick, choose and try out things from different methods until you figure out what works best for you.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?

No.

splotch716 · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

I wanted to decrease my spending at Target and continue paying my snowball. We purchased a new to us car at the end of February. I felt the need to purchase a second car seat for the second car, so that was a little spendy. I was still able to pay my debt snowball as planned.

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

We have our first car payment and increased car insurance due this month. We have already worked it into the budget. I am also waiting for a job offer, which would be at least a $6000 raise, up to $11,000. I should know more tomorrow. I also want to continue with my debt snowball payment.

We will have to put our DD in daycare for a few weeks. My MIL usually watches her but is having a second back surgery this month. We have to find temporary daycare for our DD while my MIL recovers. The good news is they said they would help pay the difference between what we pay her and what the daycare charges.

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

Short: Continue paying down my debt and increase my income.

Middle: Continue attempting to get DH on board with the snowball and DR plan. I would like to eventually go to FPU.

Long: Pay off all of my debt and start saving for retirement.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

It takes a lot of work and can be tough. Just don't give up. In the end it will be worth it.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?

No. I was always the person people would play pranks on:( I remember in 6th grade one of the "cool girls" offered me an oreo. I was shocked and excited until I bit into it and it had toothpaste as the cream filling.

short+sassy · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

Get tenants for my new duplex. No .

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Get tenants for my new duplex and it WILL happen this month. I finally have my ad up, plus now I'm signed up as a "qualified" landlady with the Section 8 (housing assistance program), which will make things a little easier and smoother if I end up with a tenant(s) on that program. I'm also going to post an ad for the small side today in the "available housing" area of Section 8's website.

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

My goal for this year was to buy 1-2 more rental properties and I closed on one a couple weeks ago. My long term goal is to reach at least $4,000/month in net rental income cash flow (not counting the rent from the other side of my personal duplex). With this most recent purchase, plus the rent I should shortly be getting from my new duplex, I'm now about halfway there! I should achieve this goal by the end of next year. Though that is assuming I'll have my f/t job through the end of next year. Alas, that is a dicey assumption.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

Do whatever you can to keep your income greater than your expenses, through maximizing your income and mitigating your expenses as much as possible (within reason). Even if it doesn't start out as a large difference, having excess income each month will open a world of opportunities. Whether that's for retirement planning, savings, debt repayment or a combination of all three.

Guard and improve your credit score like it is buried treasure. Because it is.

If you'd like to own a house someday, which I highly recommend for the majority of people, formulate a plan to achieve that goal now, because it might take a number of years to save for a down payment. Have a good e-fund in place before buying. If possible, a 20% down payment (I realize that might be impossible in HCOL areas).

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?

No, in general, I've never been a fan of pranks.

csuave · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

Goals are very loose for us overall. Our main goal is to keep our EF at a certain (high) level and then cashflow everything else. H has been at a well paying temp job for two months now so we are making progress. We don't know how long that job will last though so still being conservative.

Yes, we made huge progress. I got a very large bonus at work and our tax refund was larger than expected. We have also done well on creating income from renting our guest room and cutting down on the food bill by mystery shopping.

Both Roth's funded for 2015, EF level achieved, mini vacation planned for the end of April, and mini vacation during March all accomplished.

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Stay the course. H is on schedule to pay off his credit card debt with his next paycheck! It will be good for our relationship to have that past us and, as long as he keeps working, we can start planning for larger goals. Our taxes went up for our house increasing that monthly payment by a few hundred. We have been able to adjust to that in the budget.

We will need to cash flow landscaping expenses (and roll up our sleeves to do this project), set aside savings for next season's hockey ticket purchase, and we are planning an increase in fun money spending to go out a few times this month.

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

We are making progress on ST goals as described above. Next is to pick more LT goals to work on. Our only debt will be H's SL and our mortgage. Both have similar, low rates. SL is slightly lower, maybe by .5%, and is lower in total amount. I'm thinking we'll put a plan in place for that since the market is kind of eh right now and because we get a nice deduction from mortgage interest.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them?

Start now. The earlier you set goals and save for retirement the more freedom you will have down the road.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate?

No but my work usually does something funny along the lines of a you tube video. It is nice to have some laughs at the office.

hoffse · April 2016

1) March financial goals - cash flow our California trip. I am still adding up bills, but I think we made it!

2) April financial goals - stay the course and try to have a lighter month so we can boost our savings a little bit

3) Short-term goals - finish the last few house projects (and try not to add anymore for a little while)

Mid-term goals - start our debt snowball at the end of this year and increase our efund by $5K. We are on track for both, and they shouldn't be an issue

Long-term goals - Possibly a master bath remodel and begin saving for house #2

4) Lurker advice:

-Buy life insurance

-Buy less house than you can afford

-Pay attention to your finances, but don't set such crazy financial goals that you are constantly stressed or unhappy when you are doing well enough to be making some progress toward (reasonable) goals. Honestly, I think some of us on this board take it way too far. I know I am guilty of that.

5) I forgot about April Fools this year

smetter04 · April 2016

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?

One major goal was to complete the transfer to a new bank, and we did complete that. Dividends from our new credit union posted on the 31st and we're already happy with our decision to switch. However we still haven't purchased life insurance

Also we cash-flowed Easter expenses (food, liquor, chocolate) but we went way over budget. Next year we need to buy less beer, stock up on liquor each month ahead of Easter so it doesn't hit all in one month, and buy less chocolate.

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?

Since April is a 3-paycheck month, we'll be saving more (3 of my paychecks, instead of just 2) but we'll also have more 'spending' money. We plan to purchase new bicycles (budgeted $400 for both, but I'm not sure that's realistic), and cash-flow a few things for the house. I'd also like to make a larger payment toward H's student loans.

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?

Short term: funding our bathroom remodel and kitchen updates. We have the money saved up for the bathroom, and technically have enough for the kitchen but don't want to spend all of our savings so we need to look into a HELOC.

Middle term: purchasing life insurance, making sure retirement is on track, paying off H's student loans once and for all. I need to get some quotes for life insurance & we need to decide how much to get, and also need to find a financial advisor we click with. Easier said than done.

Long term: Continue updating the house both for our personal satisfaction/functionality, and for resale eventually, as in 5-10 years down the road.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them? Keep receipts and track your spending. Start budgeting - it won't be perfect at first, but keep at it and lurk around here, and you'll find ways to improve and soon it will be second nature.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate? No I don't.

als1982 · April 2016

smetter04 said:

March
1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?
One major goal was to complete the transfer to a new bank, and we did complete that. Dividends from our new credit union posted on the 31st and we're already happy with our decision to switch. However we still haven't purchased life insurance
Also we cash-flowed Easter expenses (food, liquor, chocolate) but we went way over budget. Next year we need to buy less beer, stock up on liquor each month ahead of Easter so it doesn't hit all in one month, and buy less chocolate.

April
1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?
Since April is a 3-paycheck month, we'll be saving more (3 of my paychecks, instead of just 2) but we'll also have more 'spending' money. We plan to purchase new bicycles (budgeted $400 for both, but I'm not sure that's realistic), and cash-flow a few things for the house. I'd also like to make a larger payment toward H's student loans.
Status of Ongoing Goals
1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?
Short term: funding our bathroom remodel and kitchen updates. We have the money saved up for the bathroom, and technically have enough for the kitchen but don't want to spend all of our savings so we need to look into a HELOC.
Middle term: purchasing life insurance, making sure retirement is on track, paying off H's student loans once and for all. I need to get some quotes for life insurance & we need to decide how much to get, and also need to find a financial advisor we click with. Easier said than done.
Long term: Continue updating the house both for our personal satisfaction/functionality, and for resale eventually, as in 5-10 years down the road.
GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice
1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them? Keep receipts and track your spending. Start budgeting - it won't be perfect at first, but keep at it and lurk around here, and you'll find ways to improve and soon it will be second nature.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal
1. April Fools - Do you participate? No I don't.

Okay, out of sheer curiosity.... Liquor for Easter?

smetter04 · April 2016

als1982 said:

smetter04 said:

March
1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them?
One major goal was to complete the transfer to a new bank, and we did complete that. Dividends from our new credit union posted on the 31st and we're already happy with our decision to switch. However we still haven't purchased life insurance
Also we cash-flowed Easter expenses (food, liquor, chocolate) but we went way over budget. Next year we need to buy less beer, stock up on liquor each month ahead of Easter so it doesn't hit all in one month, and buy less chocolate.

April
1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them?
Since April is a 3-paycheck month, we'll be saving more (3 of my paychecks, instead of just 2) but we'll also have more 'spending' money. We plan to purchase new bicycles (budgeted $400 for both, but I'm not sure that's realistic), and cash-flow a few things for the house. I'd also like to make a larger payment toward H's student loans.
Status of Ongoing Goals
1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them?
Short term: funding our bathroom remodel and kitchen updates. We have the money saved up for the bathroom, and technically have enough for the kitchen but don't want to spend all of our savings so we need to look into a HELOC.
Middle term: purchasing life insurance, making sure retirement is on track, paying off H's student loans once and for all. I need to get some quotes for life insurance & we need to decide how much to get, and also need to find a financial advisor we click with. Easier said than done.
Long term: Continue updating the house both for our personal satisfaction/functionality, and for resale eventually, as in 5-10 years down the road.
GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice
1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them? Keep receipts and track your spending. Start budgeting - it won't be perfect at first, but keep at it and lurk around here, and you'll find ways to improve and soon it will be second nature.

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal
1. April Fools - Do you participate? No I don't.

Okay, out of sheer curiosity.... Liquor for Easter?

We host Easter for my side of the family, which is about 25-30 people. And we're Polish and like to drink. Don't take this the wrong way - we definitely don't get drunk at Easter! That wouldn't be good. But, it's our family's custom to have the full bar available at parties, especially holidays. It's our way of properly hosting. We bought a new bottle of Jack Daniel's for Easter, and at the end of the day there were only a couple drink's worth left.

als1982 · April 2016

@smetter04, I want to come to your family functions! My moms side will occasionally serve wine at holidays, but my dad's side would never. In fact, ours was the first family wedding where alcohol was even served (and our family is HUGE, as in 80-90 people at Christmas).

March

1. What were your financial goals for the month and were you able to accomplish them? Keep plugging away at H's student loan, and yes - we're very excited that the first digit in March flipped to a one! This feels like a huge milestone!!

April

1. What are your financial goals for the month and how will you accomplish them? Same as it's been, our student loans. It's going to be hard this month, as I have some pretty major dental work scheduled. Fortunately, insurance will cover half, but we'll probably still end up owing $1,500 out of pocket. We'll be able to easily cash flow that expense, but our student loan payment will take a major hit.

Status of Ongoing Goals

1. What are your short, middle and/or long term goals, and what are you doing to accomplish them? Short term goal is to have our student loans paid off. We should still have that done in the next 5-6 months. H had $65K from undergrad and grad school and I had $20 from grad school, so it will be good to have those completely gone. After that, we're going to double our mad money, hire a house cleaner, and double our mortgage payment. Ideally, I'd like to have our mortgage gone by 2020.

GTKY Bonus: MM Lurker Advice

1. What would you like to share with someone just starting out on their financial journey to help motivate them? Live way, way under your means. Screw the Jones's. A beater car will get you to work just the same as one with a car payment, but the ride will feel a whole lot better! It's never to early (or starting amount to small) to begin saving for retirement. Also, dream big when it comes to your financial goals. Will willpower and work, you can and will accomplish them and shape the direction of and choices available to you in life!!

GTKY Bonus: Seasonal

1. April Fools - Do you participate? Nope.

Monthly check-in March/April (newish format)

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