September Financial Update

September was a very off month financially for us. We had increased funds coming in with a three paycheck month and DH corporate bonus, but huge, beyond budget outputs with increased costs for DD2's activities, fundraisers for people in need, and hurricane relief. I am not even sure how to track any more the progress towards our savings goals, and since I am so far from reaching it, I'm going to just summarize year to date progress. 


Annual Savings Goal          $40,417

Cash Savings Increase        $ 6,591
(since January 1, 2017) Financial Goals Achieved
Fully Fund Roth                  $13,000

Total Savings achieved      $19,591


Goal Balance                     $20,826

 It is pretty obvious that unless we hit the lottery numbers, we are not going to even save 1/2 of the balance. There are the still positives. DH has hit the original assumption for his 401K, so we will be able to add to the long term savings goal through his payroll set aside the next three months, so we will need less make-up funds. I'll hit the 24K max in mid November, so will have more cash to put aside in November and December even with Christmas expenses as my pay checks will be larger.

Still in focus are the long term savings by maxing Roth and 401 K accounts and the $8,000 college fund target. Some of the targets we are letting go or reducing are the household fund and vacation fund. After the purchase of the new couches downstairs, we have not done any repairs or enhancements. DH and I have three days together next week and will see what we can DIY or do on the cheap. We'll and start a new savings target for 2018. 

It is clear that if we do want to do a big family vacation next summer, we will have to take the funds in part from an existing savings account. With recent national tragedies and weather related catastrophes, building these memories with my family is important. I see the trade offs possibly being driving the same car for a year or two longer, perhaps delaying retirement by three months, or taking only mini vacations for the next five years. We are doing just fine. I will continue to save where I can, and spend where it matters and as long as the number stay in the black, life will be good.