Perhaps a New Savings Strategy

 
 
 We have another rare weekend with no external commitments on the calendar.  It is a beautiful, though cold, winter morning, perfect for getting some puttering done around the house, some home cooking and baking, and good walk once properly bundled. I will need to do a store run, but I think milk, bread, bagels, yogurt, and eggs might be all we need and I can pantry plan for the week.  I could walk to the store, but would need to go separately from walking pup, so not quite sure if I am ambitious enough for two long walks.  Here's a few pictures out our back door, and with pup lounging in his bed, enjoying the morning.

I spent the early hour I was up getting all my on boarding business taken care of for my new job on the employee website.  An option I have that wasn't available to me before was doing multiple deposits to different bank accounts rather than just a straight checking direct deposit.  I'm noodling around doing a nominal percentage to both our family savings, and a small account I have of my own.  We both have one, started with small amounts of inheritance money.  We've both tapped into ours to help the older kids over the years with a first car, camera equipment, and rent security deposit.  We felt the use of the money was in line with the intent of our loved ones; not quite a hand out to the kids, but a gift to help them get launched into the grown up world.  

I think if I send a percent or two to that account, we might not miss it at all, and I can slowly build it back up a bit to have in place for DD#2 and for any unexpected expenses that might arise with either of the older kids moves or career changes.  We are pretty disciplined about moving  most surplus income into our savings, but I think we probably keep more of a buffer in checking than needed, and then justify extra little expenses.  I'm looking at all the strategies, big and small, that families use to manage the leaks in their bank account, and direct more to long term savings. Are any of you using multiple pay deposit strategies in order to increase their savings rate? How do you maintain the discipline to not touch those other accounts for daily expenses? as always, your thoughts and suggested links to those wiser than me are appreciated.

He does a good job monitoring the wine bottles.



He alternates between his bed and rug,
choosing the rug if he get's too hot.



The light, but big flaked snow is calming.



The red maple sleeps until spring.



Not a good picture, but I love that the flakes
 are so individually visible falling on top of our
 big pine tree in the back yard.