Wins and Losses

brij2006 · May 2016

We haven't done something like this in a while.

What have been some money wins and/or losses you've had lately?

brij2006 · May 2016

Wins:
- We found a new sitter that we feel comfortable with, and she's cheaper than our current one as well as claims her income on taxes. So we'll be able to write this expense off.

- H tore apart his daily driver to figure out what was wrong with it. It ended up just being a broken clamp. Cost $3 at the auto store. We budgeted $150.

- My commission check for my sales in April is awesome. It's going to help out so much with some needed roof repairs to our house.

Losses:
- We had 2 good friends lose their parents this week. So we gave to their memorials as well as brought over food. I did not budget for this extra expense at all.

- We have 2 weekends of travel this month. Adding up the expenses of it all, I'm realizing what other things we could do with that money and am kind of regretting telling our friends and family that we can come for a visit.

- Switched DD to H's health insurance. Now I'll just hold my breath that she doesn't have a major claim, because his deductible scares me.

cbee817 · May 2016

Wins

- 8.2% raise and promotion at work. I wasn't really expecting that much- we usually get a 2-3% raise every year so the extra was great. And we also got a small 1.2% bonus this year as well- that went right to the vacation fund.

- DD#2's day care prices are not going up for the 2016-2017 school year (has always been $2/day increase). This is great because it's her last year there and she'll be in the pre-k program during the morning with wrap-around care in the afternoon.

- DH's mom is going to get DD#1 off the school bus Monday - Thursday and I will get DD#1 on the bus every day and off the bus on Friday for the 2016-2017 school year. This saves us $168/month in after school care and makes DD#1 very happy.

Losses

- I don't even really consider this a loss because I love my new car, but we now have 2 car payments and a mortgage (the 3 loans total about $136,000 which is quite reasonable). Both car payments are 48 months at 0.9% financing and DH is almost 1 year in. I got a good price for my old car (2003 honda civic) and the time was right to get a new one because it wasn't an emergency and we didn't feel pressured. The girls love it too- they don't bump their heads anymore and have room.. if you have 2 kids, 2016 subaru foresters are pretty legit.

- We're gutting our upstairs bathroom this summer. Expecting it to be between $6-$7,500.. but we get a brand new bathroom that we definitely need! We're going to start buying pieces this month and hope to have everything ready to go for DH's first week of summer vacation.

hoffse · May 2016

Not all of these are related to money, but I'll list them anyway.

Wins

-My grandpa made a last-minute decision to visit my parents this week. He lives in Wisconsin so we rarely see him. H and I will go to GA this weekend so we can see him, and I'm excited about it.

-My SIL is pregnant with our first niece, and other than bad morning sickness everything is great. I am STOKED that we are getting a niece in a few short months! I can't wait to teach her to say "Girl Power"

-My birth control was $50 less this month than last month. I have no explanation for it, but I didn't question it! That was a nice surprise.

-My H has a "pop trial" in Talladega today that he found out about yesterday. He'll get about $50 in mileage for it.

-We realized last night that we have enough points to go to Vegas and stay at the Venetian for a couple nights. We haven't made a firm decision about that yet, but H proposed the idea as a joint 30th birthday celebration (for me) and finishing my LLM degree, both of which will happen in October. He had the idea while we were watching Hell's Kitchen and I commented for the 527th time that I really want to try Gordon Ramsay's beef wellington, lol. I have only flown through Vegas, but I have never spent any time there! I think it could be a lot of fun.

-A partner on the executive committee told me that they are contemplating a $10K raise for associates mid-year. Nothing is set in stone yet, but it would be AMAZING if that happened, and I don't think he would have told me unless he was pretty sure they were going to approve it.

Losses

-The Italy trip has ended up being more than we normally spend on this kind of thing because we're trying to make it really special for my parents. It's made for a tight spring. That being said, we are done paying for it now and it's going to be worth every penny.

-We had a surprise wedding to attend this past month. Literally, we had about a week's notice that it was even happening. Thankfully we have a gift budget, but it was $100 we weren't expecting to spend.

-I cracked my iPhone screen in California and finally paid to get it fixed when the glass started to fall out, and I could no longer avoid it. $145. Ugh.

-The guy who introduced me to my H passed away this week (drugs). We had lost touch in the last few years, but it was still pretty upsetting. Mostly it just felt weird. There is a memorial service for him in June, and I am on the fence about whether we will go or not. It's in Chicago.

Thankfully, the good definitely outweighs the bad right now.

Xstatic3333 · May 2016

I'm sorry about your friend, @hoffse. That's so tough.

WINS:

1. Since our trip in March we have paid off about $3,000 in small, low-interest debts between medical refunds, tax refunds, and bonus paychecks.

2. We're also adding to our e-fund again, $100 a paycheck from each of my paychecks.

LOSSES:

1. Also since our trip, H had his car broken into ($350 for a new window) and got a flat tire ($120). We had to do a repair on our lawnmower ($120) and I've had to pay for a bachelorette party ($100) and two wedding gifts ($100 each).

2. One of my dive students accidentally damaged the pool where we teach by clanking his tank down on the side and chipping the tile. I may need to personally pay for the repair, which is bull, but in the diving world the instructor is responsible for all. I'd be mad enough to quit if I weren't TTC anyway, which means a year off once I'm successful. When I get back into it post-baby, I'll probably find another shop to work for.

3. Our vet wants to do a dental cleaning on the pup, and gave us an estimate of $700-$1,100. I have so many reservations about the whole thing. He has a heart condition, and although he's not supposed to be at increased risk under anesthesia our trainer told us that she wouldn't do it (and she's also a vet tech) because she's seen dogs die in similar situations in the past. Additionally, H's aunt's dog just died after an infection originating from a dental cleaning. It's primarily to save one specific tooth, which was in bad shape already when we adopted him and probably can't be reversed by our tooth brushing at this point. The trainer says to just let it fall out. H is very opposed to spending the money. I feel pangs of guilt about the whole thing every time I look at him now and just don't know what to do. I'd part with the money if he really needs it, but want to make sure it's worth the risk and feel like they aren't giving me enough information to make that decision. End vent.

short+sassy · May 2016

Wins

--Finally got one of the units for my rehabbed duplex rented out. Extra $800/month (total, not net)

--Two more hotels were added to my route for my p/t job. Two had been deleted at the beginning of the year, so now I'm back to the status quo. Still a win! It's an extra $180/month that I got to add BACK into my budget.

--Moved departments at my company. Not more money, but more job security.

--Small loss, but both my H and I need to get a passport for the trip to Istanbul/Rome we are planning in September. $135 fee per person!!! I'd been expecting half that, at most. We're going Friday to get the deed done. At least it is money spent for a good cause .

Losses

--This is from March, but my car insurance went up $20/month from last time. Car insurance is HIGH where I live and that is about a 10% increase. It's also even with paying the premium 6 months at a time to help save.

--My flood insurance for my primary home went up $40 for the year, which is a bit more than a 10% increase to my premium. Not a huge deal, but it already irks me greatly I'm charged a $250/year pure fee on top of my premium, just because the house is a multi-family. Even though it's my personal home.

--Not really a loss, but I'd been neglectful of grocery shopping and had only been buying the basics for a few weeks. Went on a huge Costco/Winn Dixie trip to stock up this weekend. $460 in groceries...ouch. Though I did have a $119 "check" to use at Costco from my annual rewards for my Amex Costco card.

csuave · May 2016

Wins

-We will pay off H's SL tomorrow!!!!! That will leave the mortgage as our only debt and that is at a low enough interest rate that it isn't a priority.

-My mom and dad came to visit for the weekend. It was beautiful weather and we had a great time. It was nice to see my mom happy and having a good time on Mother's Day.

-H has two fun mystery shops this weekend. One is up to $100 reimbursement at a restaurant and the other is a movie reimbursement. We are excited to see Captain America Civil War for free and with snacks!

Losses

-Building up a really big cc bill with buying a new dehumidifier this month and tickets for Thanksgiving travel. But we will get about 5% back on the cc for those purchases so that will be something positive.

-With H being at an hourly job I am reluctant for him to take much time off and that will put a damper on summer travel.

-My computer just got upgraded at work and I am on a newer version of Office. It should be a win, but it is SO annoying that things have changed. It is really throwing me off my work game today.

Other/vent

-My terrible with financial decisions friend just quit her job because she couldn't stand it?! She is already in debt and will really be struggling to make ends meet now. smh

Mustard76 · May 2016

Wins:

- Our landscaping cost about $600 less than we were budgeting. That's a huge savings, since we didn't really have that much work done.

- H was home last week and this week, so our dog gets a two week break from daycare. That's $250 in my pocket.

Losses:

- Finding a painter has been really hard and frustrating. We're calling every place we can find, but no one is returning calls. I'm not opposed to painting myself, but H and I each work six days a week, so it would take us months to finish what we could hire someone or a crew to do in a few days.

- My parents' move is taking forever. Waaaaaay longer than anticipated, further complicating the painting issue. I'm not even home on my day off because I'm out at their house. I'm happy to help, but I thought it would be over by now.

formerlyjessica490 · May 2016

Wins-

- I won an annual award at work this year and I took home $500 in cash

- Our new sidewalk and mulch bed edging will be installed next week and we saved up for it in cash over the last few months

- We scored a good deal on 2 new storm doors for the front of our house so those will be installed in 2-3 weeks.

- We are cashing in all our coins we've been savings up, hopefully it will pay for our anniversary dinner on Friday night

- I just had a preliminary interview for another position at my company, I hope it's more $ and hope I get it if so

Losses-

- I have a feeling we won't be able to get a fence put in this year...I'm bummed, but I will push to save up money for it even though we have other projects to do

als1982 · May 2016

Wins:

Received notification yesterday that the 15% raise accompanying my promotion went through and that will be back paid from May 1.

Joined the board of a local nonprofit, which includes the largest philanthropic pledge I've made to date. It feels awesome to be able to do that!

Losses:

Garage door died last month, but we're stalling to replace it until the heat becomes unbearable.

Paid for car died last week and had to buy a new one taking on a $11,500 loan.

Expensive dental work last month costing more than $1,000 out of pocket.

Lots of small unexpected expenses as a last minute bridesmaid, a family funeral and a graduation.

hoffse · May 2016

Reported.

crunchymommy15 · May 2016

I'll play! I'll go with the last 6 months or so

Wins:

- our solar panel install was a huge success, the company worked with us on getting a grant from the state to keep initial costs down and we got 30% of the cost back on our federal taxes. throughout the winter (least ideal solar energy conditions) our electric bills were about half what they usually are, and we should build up credit over the summer so they're even less next year.

- our tax return (thanks to solar and energy efficient window up grades, and donating the old windows) was substantial this year, which padded all our new baby expenses.

- thanks to restucturing at work I should be getting a raise to bring my salary back into the industry-standard range.

losses

- I've had some PPD related medical expenses come up, i try not to think about it.

-PPD/PPA related, we've been a little less MM than usual to address some of the issues that drive some of what i'm feeling. I've invested a little more than usual in my wardrobe and I've decided that for the short term I'm paying someone to clean my house.

-we're fighting with our contractor from last summer to get him to come out and finish several projects, this hasn't cost us anything yet, but I'm afraid that getting out house out of an under construction state is going to cost a significant chunk of change.

Wins and Losses

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