I was able to update my Freedom fund bar at the very bottom of the page. I hit the mark for this month.
As far as the decorating budget, I haven't hit it yet. I might be able to put a little towards it, but DH and I want to try to go to Egypt so I feel it would be better to try to put that money towards an experience we can enjoy together instead of more stuff for a house (its our forever house hopefully so there will always be time for that). We will see how the end of the month pans out.
As far as $600 a month...that's a bust, LOL. You would think by now I would just change it to a more managable amount. The problem is, I end up finding these deals, like Louboutins on consignment.... I mean come on....
So I am kinda buying once in a lifetime things, they just seem to come up because I LOOK for them which could be a huge problem.
The next 2 months are a bust because my DH's bday is next month, valentine's day (not a big expense but we still like to celebrate), and our anniversary (9yrs), morrocco and egypt are in March but I will still try to keep it managable.
Lets just say my goal for the next 2 months are to hit the freedom fund and the decorating goals (not in march though,maybe).
Showing newest posts with label finances. Show older posts
Showing newest posts with label finances. Show older posts
Hey.... Book Review and Update
I promise I will get with it. I have so many updates swimming in my head. Mainly year end reviews that I am late with. I have actually been socializing more, can you believe it. I am quite the homebody.
Househunting is not going so well still. We put an offer in on a home. Its a beautiful home that used to be worth a lot of money but now is worth exactly what we offered. Problem is there are multiple bidders and they are willing to OVERPAY especially since we think homes here are too pricey to begin with, our 1st house was only 69k. We don't know what to do!!!!!!
We are reasonable bidders. I will tell you about all the homes we have lost to date
house #1 listed at 298k we offered 298k plus to pay 6k in closing, we got outbid. this is the one house that I think was truely worth what it sold for. It sold for 310k in a neighborhood of homes worth 360k, so instant equity.
house #2 listed at 308k, we offered 302k plus 6k closing, and lost. I think the house sold for 301k eventually, dont know if the buyers got concessions
house #3 was the shortsale but it was taking too long, it is still on the market right now
house #4 was listed at 400k, we know they sold one for 395k (it was one of those cookie cutter neighborhoods), we offered 395 plus screens (since when did a home not have screens) plus 8k towards closing (they were offering this as a bonus anyway, matching the house credit)
now house #5 used to be 525k, listed at 379k, only worth 333k. these homes are really nice, never should have been 525k, could probably be justified at 379k but comps only support 333k. we offered 333k clean. we were the lowest. If a house is only worth 333k why are people overpaying by over 40k????
So alas, we are stuck again. And I keep going back and forth between wanting a small house or townhouse near downtown to be near everything which would take a dramatic downsize. I would be totally with that. In fact I would take it as a start all over type of thing and my DH is down. We don't want kids so it would be perfect for us.
Oh yeah and the reason why I say condo or townhouse blocks from downtown is because the homes here look like garbage IMO. This is a new city so the homes are mainly midcentury. YUCK YUCK YUCK. And it seems like no one bothered to remodel or update anything in their homes so you end up close to the city (driving distance) in an expensive ugly house that needs updates.
Or moving to a huge dream minimansion in the burbs. I have seen some of the dreamiest homes that used to be around 800k now in my price range but its strictly family homes-get in my car to do anything even check the mailbox- type homes
*sigh*
Anyways I want to mention that in all these months of research, I have became so freaking smart that me and my realtor/lawyer and like freaking masterminds (probably a little too over analytical, DH thinks thats why we wont have a house for a long time he thinks we are "cheap"). I think we are both financially prudent especially since these houses are so freaking expensive. I don't know anyone that has spent this much on a house. I wish we lived back in the midwest (minus the snow). I get sick to my stomach everytime I think about it.
I will recommend this book which I think is a must read for anyone before purchasing a house. Awesome book that covers you from start to finish!
100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask: With Answers from Top Brokers from Around the Country
In the meantime..... any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Househunting is not going so well still. We put an offer in on a home. Its a beautiful home that used to be worth a lot of money but now is worth exactly what we offered. Problem is there are multiple bidders and they are willing to OVERPAY especially since we think homes here are too pricey to begin with, our 1st house was only 69k. We don't know what to do!!!!!!
We are reasonable bidders. I will tell you about all the homes we have lost to date
house #1 listed at 298k we offered 298k plus to pay 6k in closing, we got outbid. this is the one house that I think was truely worth what it sold for. It sold for 310k in a neighborhood of homes worth 360k, so instant equity.
house #2 listed at 308k, we offered 302k plus 6k closing, and lost. I think the house sold for 301k eventually, dont know if the buyers got concessions
house #3 was the shortsale but it was taking too long, it is still on the market right now
house #4 was listed at 400k, we know they sold one for 395k (it was one of those cookie cutter neighborhoods), we offered 395 plus screens (since when did a home not have screens) plus 8k towards closing (they were offering this as a bonus anyway, matching the house credit)
now house #5 used to be 525k, listed at 379k, only worth 333k. these homes are really nice, never should have been 525k, could probably be justified at 379k but comps only support 333k. we offered 333k clean. we were the lowest. If a house is only worth 333k why are people overpaying by over 40k????
So alas, we are stuck again. And I keep going back and forth between wanting a small house or townhouse near downtown to be near everything which would take a dramatic downsize. I would be totally with that. In fact I would take it as a start all over type of thing and my DH is down. We don't want kids so it would be perfect for us.
Oh yeah and the reason why I say condo or townhouse blocks from downtown is because the homes here look like garbage IMO. This is a new city so the homes are mainly midcentury. YUCK YUCK YUCK. And it seems like no one bothered to remodel or update anything in their homes so you end up close to the city (driving distance) in an expensive ugly house that needs updates.
Or moving to a huge dream minimansion in the burbs. I have seen some of the dreamiest homes that used to be around 800k now in my price range but its strictly family homes-get in my car to do anything even check the mailbox- type homes
*sigh*
Anyways I want to mention that in all these months of research, I have became so freaking smart that me and my realtor/lawyer and like freaking masterminds (probably a little too over analytical, DH thinks thats why we wont have a house for a long time he thinks we are "cheap"). I think we are both financially prudent especially since these houses are so freaking expensive. I don't know anyone that has spent this much on a house. I wish we lived back in the midwest (minus the snow). I get sick to my stomach everytime I think about it.
I will recommend this book which I think is a must read for anyone before purchasing a house. Awesome book that covers you from start to finish!
100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask: With Answers from Top Brokers from Around the Country
In the meantime..... any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Budget/Fitness Update
I figure for my sake its better to post as I go but will still do a wrap up at the end of the month
Here is where I am at now:
Entertainment (movies and magazines) $48
Clothing $76
Food $41
Health and Beauty $215
Total: $380
I have pending returns of...
Gap $34
Anthropologie $160
Spiegel $120
totaling $314
Left to spend: $220 ($534 after returns are credited)
As far as vanity insanity (still in effect)
I am due to deep condition so I will prob do it on sunday
I have completed 10 miles this week, so I have 10 more to go
Nails are OK
Everything else is OK
How are yall doing?
i cannot believe this year is almost up, almost time to look back on our resolutions we all posted the beginning of the year and see how we did and start thinking about new ones for next year
I just wanted to let you guys know
I am back to my budget. I know I have had some setbacks, but I am 98% sure I will still make my goals for the year. I was able to barely squeek up the savings bar and the car bar. We are working with the original $600 this month so we shall see. Well now I have $540 left but keep reading, LOL.
We did not plan on getting a home but since we have been good with finances and debt, we are in a good position to get one (we found one but its a short sale so we will see how this pans out, lord willing it will be quick and smooth). If it takes too long to close, we will move on.All the homes we love seem to be short sales, its almost no avoiding it. Kinda sad at the same time. We seen homes that were beautiful outside, but left in shambles inside from people vacating, leaving personal belongings behind. None of em ever left that stainless steel reefer though, LOL.
We did not know we qualified for the tax credit because we did own a while ago, but we do so who wants to miss out on $8000 right. That means that I may be a lil short on my freedom fund goals because we may have to pay closing costs, but no biggie I guess, this particular deal we didn't ask for any money because it can potentially be such a sweet deal. The fund will still be plenty stacked though with diligence on our part. I am actually getting all into decorating again, buying books and magazines, imagining what "home" will be like.
I also wanted to let you all know that sephora already got me for $60. The Calvin Klein palette is something that I had my eye on when it was featured in Allure way back when so I was glad to get that. I also threw in some other new items from their sale section. As you can see, I also signed up for the Bare Minerals sample, is it any good?
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Alright all, take care. Did Sephora get yall for anything this month?
ps. for mac fall trend collection, i am only getting the quad (not feeling the lightest shade though) and probably the fragrance.
i have been doing well kinda. i have ordered 5 of those nail polishes (i love em, so rich and creamy) that came out and the photorealism quad from 2 or 3 collections ago.
i have been very curious about mac style black but i dont think i would actually wear the colors so we shall see on that one.
what have you all been buying?
***and will be posting that video later today or tomorrow so stay on the lookout. it has been a loooong time huh?
We did not plan on getting a home but since we have been good with finances and debt, we are in a good position to get one (we found one but its a short sale so we will see how this pans out, lord willing it will be quick and smooth). If it takes too long to close, we will move on.All the homes we love seem to be short sales, its almost no avoiding it. Kinda sad at the same time. We seen homes that were beautiful outside, but left in shambles inside from people vacating, leaving personal belongings behind. None of em ever left that stainless steel reefer though, LOL.
We did not know we qualified for the tax credit because we did own a while ago, but we do so who wants to miss out on $8000 right. That means that I may be a lil short on my freedom fund goals because we may have to pay closing costs, but no biggie I guess, this particular deal we didn't ask for any money because it can potentially be such a sweet deal. The fund will still be plenty stacked though with diligence on our part. I am actually getting all into decorating again, buying books and magazines, imagining what "home" will be like.
I also wanted to let you all know that sephora already got me for $60. The Calvin Klein palette is something that I had my eye on when it was featured in Allure way back when so I was glad to get that. I also threw in some other new items from their sale section. As you can see, I also signed up for the Bare Minerals sample, is it any good?
| Item# | Qty | Price | Amt | Description |
| 1112283 | 1 | $17.50 | $17.50 | ck Calvin Klein/Purple Variation Eyeshadow Quad/104 Purple Variation |
| 1160506 | 1 | $19.50 | $19.50 | ck Calvin Klein/Fashion's New Face Signature Collection ($55 Value)/Fashion's New Face Signature Collection |
| 1179324 | 1 | $18.00 | $18.00 | Sephora Favorites/Splashstash Waterproof Deluxe Sampler ($65 Value)/Splashstash Waterproof Deluxe Sampler |
| 1094838 | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Sample/Giorgio Armani Armani Code Sheer Eau de Toilette - 0.05 oz |
| 1141274 | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Sample/Tocca Beauty Brigitte Eau de Parfum - 0.05 oz |
| 1167618 | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Sample/Kenzo Eau de Fleur Silk Eau de Toilette - 0.05 oz |
| 1129386 | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Bare Escentuals/bareMinerals Bonus Gift - Golden Dark/bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation 10-day Trial in Golden Dark With Mini Brush |
| Merchandise Total: | $55.00 |
| Gift Wrap Total: | $0.00 |
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| Order Totals: | Merchandise Total: $55.00 Tax: $5.22 Order Total: $60.22 |
| Charge to Credit Card : | $60.22 |
ps. for mac fall trend collection, i am only getting the quad (not feeling the lightest shade though) and probably the fragrance.
i have been doing well kinda. i have ordered 5 of those nail polishes (i love em, so rich and creamy) that came out and the photorealism quad from 2 or 3 collections ago.
i have been very curious about mac style black but i dont think i would actually wear the colors so we shall see on that one.
what have you all been buying?
***and will be posting that video later today or tomorrow so stay on the lookout. it has been a loooong time huh?
Book Review: Work Less Live More: The Way to Semi-Retire
This book could not have come at a better time. It is geared toward people that are thinking about early retirement or "semi-retirement". It kind of reminded me of that book I reviewed a long time ago called your money or your life. If you are like me, feeling frustrated with jobs, not liking to be held to the direction of other people, having an urge to escape the hamster wheel, you will love this book.
It walks you through deciding if early retirement or semi retirement is right for you. Various forms of retirement. It helps you figure out if you can decide to do it now or if you need to put yourself in a financial position so that you can do it later. It helps you to develop a spending plan, ideas to fill your time when you take the plunge, etc.
I got this book from the library, but I am going to buy it for a reference I can fall back to along the way.
As you all know, that is what my sidebar freedom fund is all about. I am planning on retiring or semi retiring at the age of 30. Yep I said it! I have only told my close family and friends what I plan on doing. For me that means that I am freeing myself from full time work so that will enable me to fulfill other things that I want to do in my life. I don't want to go to a full time job and if I do decide to continue employment, I want to do it part time, on my own time, in a low stress position (may work 3 days a month or less to keep up my professional license and certifications for "insurance" and because I worked hard for them).
As the book states, also having a spouse that loves their job is important, well not important but it makes the financial situation much easier. My DH loves his job but he will also end up being an early retiree so eventually this book may help him out whenever he decides he no longer wants to do it or when he fulfills his career obligations to retire.
I want the hours of my life to belong to me. I am less than a year from that goal and I made up my mind about this almost 6 months ago and have not once went back on this decision. My DH and I make great money, as you can see, I am able to buy almost anything I want, more stuff than I would ever use in a lifetime, but this is not what is important to me. I am a tiny scared to leave my great salary and my security and benefits but......
Owning my life is the most important thing in my life!
So as I go thru this journey I will now be able to document it publicly. The word is out, my boss is aware, so I don't feel like I have a big secret to hide.
Things that I have been doing thus far are saving, working on being debt free (i think this is the most important thing, and will be accomplished), and continuing to live WELL below our means. I haven't been able to hit my self imposed budget all the time, but I am feeling more satisfaction knowing that I am still saving and that my dream is going to come true.
To Be Continued....
Yum
I tried this in my shake today and it was awesome. I was so skeptical so I got my hands on some samples. It doesn't taste grassy or green at all! I am so tired even though I swear this perked me up to about 80% capacity, LOL. Better than coffee I think but I will keep experimenting. I have a bigger tub of the chocolate that I will try once my sample packs run out.
I used
1 scoop protein powder
10oz vanilla soymilk
1 sample pack in the berry flavor
1 cup of strawberries
2 teaspoons of cane sugar (probably could omit, didnt need)
I am taking a class so I am in it during the day although I usually work nights so this flip flop in time is kicking my butt! I also did my long run with my running partner yesterday which was an 8 miler so that doesn't help matters.
I will probably be going on a trip back to the states sooner rather than later so my budget is nil since I have to buy an unexpected plane ticket. Don't expect an update at the end of the month financially because of this. I am already way over so it does me no good.
Anyway, just wanted to keep you all updated and let you know why videos may be more scarce this week as well as quality posts.
Financial Update
Financial Update for the month of June 2009
First remember because of paris, my budget for this month was 1400 (plus euro I had already been saving up that don’t factor into this budget) then I got a reimbursement from work of 220 so that leaves me at 1620.
Clothing (counting the purses etc) $1049
Entertainment $80
Groceries $200
Health and Beauty $252
Other (incidentals in france) $30
Total spent: $1611 (what….. under budget)
Can you believe I finally stayed true to my word and did not go over budget?
I have news that may put a wrench into my plan though. We were going to wait to buy a home but there may be a tremendous opportunity to buy a nice nice home at a low low price. Because of that, we may temporarily suspend paying the car off early (we only have about 6 months left and its paid off) and divert all money into savings until further notice that way we can put a HUGE downpayment on the home, ya know avoid PMI and all.
It kinda goes against what financial advisors usually state which is paying down debt first but I am confident that we may still be able to do both. I just would like to have more money in the bank for just in case costs of getting a new house.
If we don’t go thru with it then we can just cut a check Dec 31st for the remaining balance of the car or resume payments as usual. If we decide fairly soon that we don’t want to buy yet, then we can just keep our plans as we have them now.
We don’t know what we want to do yet but on the next financial update, you will surely find out what’s up because I hope to know what we are going to do by then also. This is not a decision to rush into and something that requires much thought and contemplation. Either way we would be totally debt free as I have planned but the though is
Do we want to be totally debt free by target date and rent rather cheaply (which sounds so freeing) and continue saving
Do we want to manage a mortgage, a down payment for the home, pay off the car and the small amount of student loans that we were going to tackle for 2010 and not be debt free (our only debt by target date will be our home, NO OTHER DEBT)
Both are totally doable without added stress so…..
Budget for this month is $750 (factored in new running shoes. I hope to make it under $601 though)
***edit*** my budget this month will be 1350 because I have been invited to go on a trip (i may or may not go though, we'll see
First remember because of paris, my budget for this month was 1400 (plus euro I had already been saving up that don’t factor into this budget) then I got a reimbursement from work of 220 so that leaves me at 1620.
Clothing (counting the purses etc) $1049
Entertainment $80
Groceries $200
Health and Beauty $252
Other (incidentals in france) $30
Total spent: $1611 (what….. under budget)
Can you believe I finally stayed true to my word and did not go over budget?
I have news that may put a wrench into my plan though. We were going to wait to buy a home but there may be a tremendous opportunity to buy a nice nice home at a low low price. Because of that, we may temporarily suspend paying the car off early (we only have about 6 months left and its paid off) and divert all money into savings until further notice that way we can put a HUGE downpayment on the home, ya know avoid PMI and all.
It kinda goes against what financial advisors usually state which is paying down debt first but I am confident that we may still be able to do both. I just would like to have more money in the bank for just in case costs of getting a new house.
If we don’t go thru with it then we can just cut a check Dec 31st for the remaining balance of the car or resume payments as usual. If we decide fairly soon that we don’t want to buy yet, then we can just keep our plans as we have them now.
We don’t know what we want to do yet but on the next financial update, you will surely find out what’s up because I hope to know what we are going to do by then also. This is not a decision to rush into and something that requires much thought and contemplation. Either way we would be totally debt free as I have planned but the though is
Do we want to be totally debt free by target date and rent rather cheaply (which sounds so freeing) and continue saving
Do we want to manage a mortgage, a down payment for the home, pay off the car and the small amount of student loans that we were going to tackle for 2010 and not be debt free (our only debt by target date will be our home, NO OTHER DEBT)
Both are totally doable without added stress so…..
Budget for this month is $750 (factored in new running shoes. I hope to make it under $601 though)
***edit*** my budget this month will be 1350 because I have been invited to go on a trip (i may or may not go though, we'll see
Another CD I am excited about....
I havent bought music in a while... I am definately excited about this CD and Mos Def's and rap hasn't made me excited in a while, I can't wait till my budget starts over July 1st. In other news my job finally paid me the $220 they owed me for the past year and I signed up for the Munich Marathon for sure.
Budget as of right now is $250 minus $90 marathon reg fee= $160 (yeah baby!)
Naked Honey Haul (small Financial update)
I was able to limit myself to 3 items
1. the salve
2. the buckwheat eyeshadow
3. the queen bee lip glass
as far as finances... i have about $200 left for the rest of the month... i think that is very doable (i even have euro left). hopefully i do not go over. what saved me was stacking euro. even when i dont have plans, i budget euro every month like a bill in case i do end up going to a winery or something. the present that i bought for my DH also does not count towards my fun money, it counts towards a misc category already in our household budget (as for the gifts for family members as well).
i really love that speedy purse that i just bought but i have listed it on ebay. i have had good luck selling 100% authentic items so oh well. if if does sell i will have more money left and then i am going to go ahead and look for a 35 or a 30. if it doesn't i wont be mad because i love it but the neverfull is huge too so i wanted one that wasnt so huge.
***edit to add*** i just sent another extra payment to the car.... almost at the 50% mark that I missed. (i did the calculations out thru the whole year and was pleased to note that both goals can still be done by December 31st, they may even be done before December 31st)
OK so for Paris it's definately all about the Hermes
I was able to snatch this beauty up on the low, that will satisfy my need for a new bag. Consignment is OK with me as long as its in great condition. I think the last bag I bought on consignment was last year and it was my travel sized Vutton Keepall (the 50 or 55 i forgot).
This is the speedy 40. I have a feeling its going to be a HUGE purse but oh well. It was between the 30, 35, and 40. I have an old style 30 from the french co that was passed down to me from a relative. Its pretty beat up but still I have one so I went with the 35 or 40 and I found this one.
Budget left for June (yes this comes out of June budget because I started getting paid for June yesterday) $1069 (i bought some vitamins too)
That may seem like a lot but remember that I have to pay for incidentals and stuff during travel plus the scarf.....
I was so lazy yesterday I didnt do anything but sleep an off day away. I am actually about to try and go back to sleep. My plan is when I wake up, see if the store has all the stuff to make the recipe i have been talking about, get to the post office (which also has limited hours), and knock the 3 mile run out of the way.
I also want to do a video on my May favorites because I haven't done them in a while
I have been asked to do a post on my favorite purses but I dont have my handbag collection here. I can show the ones that I do have though for those that are interested but the real aresenal is at home in the states.
Take care Ladies....
Midyear Check Up (almost, hey june is right around the corner)
Here are my 2009 financial goals (just look at the bold print for updates)
1. We have to pay off this darn car LOL (the only other debt we have is student loans, we will snowball these after we pay off the car because the car is a ripoff for all intents and purposes and needs to go asap) as you can see by my bars on the left side. we are doing awesome but still behind. by the end on june we will have paid off 39.2% and should be around 50% so we have to work on that
2. I have started a new savings account. This account is starting at $0 and was created for a specific purpose. It is a freedom fund, thing is it will most likely be used as a downpayment fund for a new house more than likely because I don't think in my freedom we will have to touch it and in the high cost area we want to live in and with the economy the way it is, we will need it more for that. Anyway... the goal is to have a MINIMUM of 15,500 in this account by Dec 31, 2009. (trust me guys, we have other substantial savings, i havent been shopping all this time and working and not saving) same with this, at the end on june we are targeted to be at 40.6% so behind there as well
3. I want to bump up my retirement fund another 9%. I am doing this because I want to cheat. I think if I roll it over to an IRA (maybe) I will be able to contribute more than the 5,000 yearly allowed. Get it. LOL (i am such a crook, I hope this works, gotta look into it). we are still doing over the minimum and technically we have bumped 15% more than we did but i want to make just my "401K" 17-20% and right now total for all investments we had been doing 20% and we are probably doing about 35%. My goal is to get to about 42-45% by the end of the year. that is very doable.
4. Read 2 finance/career/personal growth books a month (this will be easy peesy because its all I read)! of course i have been doing this, you all have been watching
5. I need to stick within my $600 a month fun money budget (aside from any special occasion trips, they come out of another budget). I need to teach myself what it feels like to not spend out the wazoo so I can see if I really want to "retire so soon". i have not been doing this. i am not going to even tell ya about may because when i was in rome, i had to come out of pocket (missed my flight) for another ticket and i gave up after that! i hope i can do it in June. you would think i would just change it, but i really need to learn how to stick to this amount because it will be what i will have to make it on as my fun money once/if i "retire"
***i just wanted to add that my dh has been going over the $600 by about $100 also consistently. we both want to keep working at it to get better but he is admittedly doing better than me***
June Budget ($1400)
we shall see..... wish me luck for june
1. We have to pay off this darn car LOL (the only other debt we have is student loans, we will snowball these after we pay off the car because the car is a ripoff for all intents and purposes and needs to go asap) as you can see by my bars on the left side. we are doing awesome but still behind. by the end on june we will have paid off 39.2% and should be around 50% so we have to work on that
2. I have started a new savings account. This account is starting at $0 and was created for a specific purpose. It is a freedom fund, thing is it will most likely be used as a downpayment fund for a new house more than likely because I don't think in my freedom we will have to touch it and in the high cost area we want to live in and with the economy the way it is, we will need it more for that. Anyway... the goal is to have a MINIMUM of 15,500 in this account by Dec 31, 2009. (trust me guys, we have other substantial savings, i havent been shopping all this time and working and not saving) same with this, at the end on june we are targeted to be at 40.6% so behind there as well
3. I want to bump up my retirement fund another 9%. I am doing this because I want to cheat. I think if I roll it over to an IRA (maybe) I will be able to contribute more than the 5,000 yearly allowed. Get it. LOL (i am such a crook, I hope this works, gotta look into it). we are still doing over the minimum and technically we have bumped 15% more than we did but i want to make just my "401K" 17-20% and right now total for all investments we had been doing 20% and we are probably doing about 35%. My goal is to get to about 42-45% by the end of the year. that is very doable.
4. Read 2 finance/career/personal growth books a month (this will be easy peesy because its all I read)! of course i have been doing this, you all have been watching
5. I need to stick within my $600 a month fun money budget (aside from any special occasion trips, they come out of another budget). I need to teach myself what it feels like to not spend out the wazoo so I can see if I really want to "retire so soon". i have not been doing this. i am not going to even tell ya about may because when i was in rome, i had to come out of pocket (missed my flight) for another ticket and i gave up after that! i hope i can do it in June. you would think i would just change it, but i really need to learn how to stick to this amount because it will be what i will have to make it on as my fun money once/if i "retire"
***i just wanted to add that my dh has been going over the $600 by about $100 also consistently. we both want to keep working at it to get better but he is admittedly doing better than me***
June Budget ($1400)
- For Paris I want to have 300 euro in spending money (already withdrawn from atm), i may buy a hermes scarf or a vuitton purse if dh agrees that we can swing that so i am budgeting about 800 dollars. i have already paid the room. so i think a budget of 100 euros a day for incidentals is great.
- my spending fun money will be $600
we shall see..... wish me luck for june
Financial Update
Over Budget, LOL
I did update my finance bars because even though I took that trip to the states and DH and I did some big spending (think millions of beauty products for me, a laptop and a new gun for him), we still didn't live beyond our means (everything is paid for with onhand cash), we just didn't save as much as we should have which is OK because it didnt cause DEBT and still saved some.
I am confident that we will still meet the goals we set. I hate losing. As you can see when I write down (type) my goals, I hardly ever fall short.
Since I did go over budget for the last 2 weeks in April, I will tell you what I bought/spent.
One month I will hit the nail on the head. I think I have only made it 1 month on budget. Lets see how May will do being that I have a mini vacation then. I don't expect to spend much and pretty much have budgeted for it so i will be starting off May with a budget of $1100. The breakdown being
Anyone been to Paris and can tell me how much they think I would need to budget for incidentals on a 4 day 3 night stay? I know it is slightly more expensive there and my travel books sucks.
I want to travel somewhere in August. I also think I want to go alone but am not sure.I need help so comment and answer this question. I am thinking Barcelona because its a beach town so it may be more laid back to where I hang out on a populated beach all day and walk around. Have a dinner, and chill in my room or whatever and be fairly safe.
I did update my finance bars because even though I took that trip to the states and DH and I did some big spending (think millions of beauty products for me, a laptop and a new gun for him), we still didn't live beyond our means (everything is paid for with onhand cash), we just didn't save as much as we should have which is OK because it didnt cause DEBT and still saved some.
I am confident that we will still meet the goals we set. I hate losing. As you can see when I write down (type) my goals, I hardly ever fall short.
Since I did go over budget for the last 2 weeks in April, I will tell you what I bought/spent.
- Plane ticket to Rome $220 (the taxes were more than the ticket, seriously?)
- Clothing $175
- Entertainment $140
- Groceries $50
- Makeup/Health and Beauty $130
One month I will hit the nail on the head. I think I have only made it 1 month on budget. Lets see how May will do being that I have a mini vacation then. I don't expect to spend much and pretty much have budgeted for it so i will be starting off May with a budget of $1100. The breakdown being
- $300 for my part of lodging in paris (i am sure we will have to secure this soon)
- $200 for spending money in rome (i already have some of the money saving so i am going to get some euro and hopefully not spend it all so i will have about 220-250 euro) our activities are something like this, admission to various places about 60 euro, my travel partner wants to do a pub crawl (yes she is a tad younger, single, and eclectic, but I love her the same) which is 20 euro plus whatever (i am not going over 40 euro), then i will have about 120-150 euro for incidentals. i am not buying clothing or anything so i think i will be good.
- $600 for my normal monthly budget that i dont seem to stick to, LOL
Anyone been to Paris and can tell me how much they think I would need to budget for incidentals on a 4 day 3 night stay? I know it is slightly more expensive there and my travel books sucks.
I want to travel somewhere in August. I also think I want to go alone but am not sure.I need help so comment and answer this question. I am thinking Barcelona because its a beach town so it may be more laid back to where I hang out on a populated beach all day and walk around. Have a dinner, and chill in my room or whatever and be fairly safe.
- Barcelona
- Portugal
- London
I could not resist + a financial update
I just spent $22 on nailpolish! (koknockout.com)
It was a little pricey and yes I am over budget (i did just get reimbursed for work expenses and an overpaid cable bill from when we moved), but nevertheless... according to my set budget I am now way over. I have spent $1220 this month, a good chunk of which is my Paris ticket. I am doing my update early because my budget is caput and I know it will be caput next month while I am in the states but we shall see. (that reminds me, my job owes me $220 reimbursement for a class I took a while ago). My budget that I set for myself is for all my frivouslessness and I work hard so I should not feel bad, but I still spend a lot of money on nonsense. I have been hitting the savings mark as I want to but it still feels funny to look and see how I spend my discretionary income. Oh Well.....
- plane ticket $350
- health and beauty $250 (including makeup)
- clothing $300 (vacation and workout clothing in need of replacement
- food $150
- entertainment $150
- dining out $20
February Financial Update
After that post yesterday about the shoes, I realized that since we (DH & I) got tax money that we were not expecting, when I spent I stopped keeping track. I think I probably added about $700 onto my regular budget giving me about $1300.
- Hello Kitty was $240 (got my order, i love it all, well i like the quad and love the rest)
- Clothes were about $700 (counting my boots from yesterday, they tipped the scale)
- Groceries were about $200 (i still think this is high)
- Entertainment $236 (dvds, mags, paid for an upcoming trip, etc)
How I spent my money Last month
So my monthly budget for food and incidentals is $600. I received $171 back in refunds from stuff purchased in Dec that was returned or OOS. So....
Clothing $23 (can you believe this!!!!)
Dinner out $16
Entertainment $165.60 (to include magazines, itunes, trips, etc)
Groceries $165.70 (which i think is excessive also but oh well)
Health and Beauty (this one is the kicker) $326.70 and it was mostly on makeup
Home $56 (included stuff like candles containers lightbulbs etc)
Work related $18 (like dry cleaning or something, tracking for tax purposes)
That is where my $771 went. Had it not been for my returns, i would have had to practice restraint or i would have went way over
As you can see on the sidebar, the savings is ahead of schedule and the paying off the car is ahead of schedule.
I am now just trying to stay on track. I am shocked that i didnt buy that many clothes this month but i guess i kinda went crazy in Dec and look how much i spend on health and beauty, what does that say about me? I dont see it going down this month because of the hello kitty launch and the stuff i was wanting to buy for gifts and also the stuff i was wanting to buy that i was talking about yesterday.
the thing about next month is that i will not have that $171 cushion so i will have to have even more discipline. if we do our taxes this month though, after saving some, i know we will use a little to spend. we never get very much back though unless its from deductions, we dont overpay from our checks (which is a good thing by the way).
Clothing $23 (can you believe this!!!!)
Dinner out $16
Entertainment $165.60 (to include magazines, itunes, trips, etc)
Groceries $165.70 (which i think is excessive also but oh well)
Health and Beauty (this one is the kicker) $326.70 and it was mostly on makeup
Home $56 (included stuff like candles containers lightbulbs etc)
Work related $18 (like dry cleaning or something, tracking for tax purposes)
That is where my $771 went. Had it not been for my returns, i would have had to practice restraint or i would have went way over
As you can see on the sidebar, the savings is ahead of schedule and the paying off the car is ahead of schedule.
I am now just trying to stay on track. I am shocked that i didnt buy that many clothes this month but i guess i kinda went crazy in Dec and look how much i spend on health and beauty, what does that say about me? I dont see it going down this month because of the hello kitty launch and the stuff i was wanting to buy for gifts and also the stuff i was wanting to buy that i was talking about yesterday.
the thing about next month is that i will not have that $171 cushion so i will have to have even more discipline. if we do our taxes this month though, after saving some, i know we will use a little to spend. we never get very much back though unless its from deductions, we dont overpay from our checks (which is a good thing by the way).
Financial Update
So as you can see, I am very lax with my goals, meaning that if I have some extra money I save some and I spend some.... Just to check in (i will do a detailed check in around feb 1st). By the way when I do that sheet, the only extra money that I counted is money for returns. Any extra cash and what I bought will not be reflected in that budget report.
We had some "unexpected money" so I have $60 burning a hole in my pocket. LOL. as you can see though, i am actually ahead for savings. i think i will be at about 13% at the very end of this month when I only need to be at 8.3%.
For our car, our payment is not due until the very end of the month, but when that is updated, expect us to be at 8.3% which is right on target.
As you can see, it is possible to save and still get some of the things that you want, you just have to really learn to cut back and live below your means. I have about 2 weeks left so we shall see if I stay in budget. With the returns that I was talking about, I ended up going from $600 + $171 in return money (i am pretty sure, i dont have my pda in front of me) = $771 for a January budget. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
We had some "unexpected money" so I have $60 burning a hole in my pocket. LOL. as you can see though, i am actually ahead for savings. i think i will be at about 13% at the very end of this month when I only need to be at 8.3%.
For our car, our payment is not due until the very end of the month, but when that is updated, expect us to be at 8.3% which is right on target.
As you can see, it is possible to save and still get some of the things that you want, you just have to really learn to cut back and live below your means. I have about 2 weeks left so we shall see if I stay in budget. With the returns that I was talking about, I ended up going from $600 + $171 in return money (i am pretty sure, i dont have my pda in front of me) = $771 for a January budget. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
"You will just have to enroll next October"
That is the response my DH got after he found out that his new application for a FSA at his job had been missed! Along with
"Oh I must have forgot to enter it" ....blah blah blah "next enrollment period". The next enrollment period is next year in October!
My DH does bills, I do investing and savings. I am livid right now! I am so mad I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I have an even more sinking feeling because my DH is non-confrontational and its sad, but I don't know if he will fight HARD enough for this big mistake worth thousands of dollars. That's sad ladies right! He is smart and capable but I want to be in control of it(something I am working on).
He was actually OK with that response and presented it to me in a nonchalant manner over our conversation today. I tried very hard to let him know that this lady is "f**king stupid" "you're losing thousands of dollars" and even a "you've been raped in the a**" which I hope is bound to make any man take action LOL. (i said all of this calm and loving because really I am pissed at her not him)
He doesn't understand the FSA that much because it is a new healthcare benefit to him and thats cool but do you ladies think I made him understand the detriment of this lady's mistake?
I calmly told him "Honey, I trust that you will take care of this and fight for your money" followed by a "I have to get off the phone now because I feel like I want to throw up, Love You"
"Oh I must have forgot to enter it" ....blah blah blah "next enrollment period". The next enrollment period is next year in October!
My DH does bills, I do investing and savings. I am livid right now! I am so mad I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I have an even more sinking feeling because my DH is non-confrontational and its sad, but I don't know if he will fight HARD enough for this big mistake worth thousands of dollars. That's sad ladies right! He is smart and capable but I want to be in control of it(something I am working on).
He was actually OK with that response and presented it to me in a nonchalant manner over our conversation today. I tried very hard to let him know that this lady is "f**king stupid" "you're losing thousands of dollars" and even a "you've been raped in the a**" which I hope is bound to make any man take action LOL. (i said all of this calm and loving because really I am pissed at her not him)
He doesn't understand the FSA that much because it is a new healthcare benefit to him and thats cool but do you ladies think I made him understand the detriment of this lady's mistake?
I calmly told him "Honey, I trust that you will take care of this and fight for your money" followed by a "I have to get off the phone now because I feel like I want to throw up, Love You"
For accountability purposes (finances)
Okay in life we all make dumb choices, okay maybe not so smart.... Ours (meaning DH and I) has been financing "luxury" vehicles. I will admit it is more of a guy thing (I have had the same car since 1998 or 1999) and it is hard to holler no to something that is not breaking the bank (especially when as you all can see, my DH allows me to be pretty liberal with spending) so....
A lot of this is driven by the fact that I have really been thinking about "retiring" very very much sooner rather than later. I mean way soon if you get what I am saying. To do that and make it much easier there are some things that need to be done.
Here are my 2009 financial goals
1. We have to pay off this darn car LOL (the only other debt we have is student loans, we will snowball these after we pay off the car because the car is a ripoff for all intents and purposes and needs to go asap)
2. I have started a new savings account. This account is starting at $0 and was created for a specific purpose. It is a freedom fund, thing is it will most likely be used as a downpayment fund for a new house more than likely because I don't think in my freedom we will have to touch it and in the high cost area we want to live in and with the economy the way it is, we will need it more for that. Anyway... the goal is to have a MINIMUM of 15,500 in this account by Dec 31, 2009. (trust me guys, we have other substantial savings, i havent been shopping all this time and working and not saving)
3. I want to bump up my retirement fund another 9%. I am doing this because I want to cheat. I think if I roll it over to an IRA (maybe) I will be able to contribute more than the 5,000 yearly allowed. Get it. LOL (i am such a crook, I hope this works, gotta look into it).
4. Read 2 finance/career/personal growth books a month (this will be easy peesy because its all I read)!
5. I need to stick within my $600 a month fun money budget (aside from any special occasion trips, they come out of another budget). I need to teach myself what it feels like to not spend out the wazoo so I can see if I really want to "retire so soon".
So there you have it. As soon as I find some goal bar trackers, I will put them in a sidebar so you all can see how I am doing (yall know for me that is going to be so hard LOL).
A lot of this is driven by the fact that I have really been thinking about "retiring" very very much sooner rather than later. I mean way soon if you get what I am saying. To do that and make it much easier there are some things that need to be done.
Here are my 2009 financial goals
1. We have to pay off this darn car LOL (the only other debt we have is student loans, we will snowball these after we pay off the car because the car is a ripoff for all intents and purposes and needs to go asap)
2. I have started a new savings account. This account is starting at $0 and was created for a specific purpose. It is a freedom fund, thing is it will most likely be used as a downpayment fund for a new house more than likely because I don't think in my freedom we will have to touch it and in the high cost area we want to live in and with the economy the way it is, we will need it more for that. Anyway... the goal is to have a MINIMUM of 15,500 in this account by Dec 31, 2009. (trust me guys, we have other substantial savings, i havent been shopping all this time and working and not saving)
3. I want to bump up my retirement fund another 9%. I am doing this because I want to cheat. I think if I roll it over to an IRA (maybe) I will be able to contribute more than the 5,000 yearly allowed. Get it. LOL (i am such a crook, I hope this works, gotta look into it).
4. Read 2 finance/career/personal growth books a month (this will be easy peesy because its all I read)!
5. I need to stick within my $600 a month fun money budget (aside from any special occasion trips, they come out of another budget). I need to teach myself what it feels like to not spend out the wazoo so I can see if I really want to "retire so soon".
So there you have it. As soon as I find some goal bar trackers, I will put them in a sidebar so you all can see how I am doing (yall know for me that is going to be so hard LOL).
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