Ugh! DH's first check for the month was harsh. Hardly seems worth the stress. Granted, he's got 30% pretax going into his 401K but we're not going to look at those accounts and just ride longer. Timing is odd though for bills, as I won't be paid until Friday but bills need to be sent today. I was over aggressive in what I put in savings a few weeks ago, but I have a few cash deposits to add to checking today, and we will just scrape by. We'll hold off on the sinking fund account for property and home owners insurance, and the $200 sinking for other irregularities, until Friday. We're supposed to be getting some federal return back, but already paid into state, basically a wash but the funds would come in handy now.
At least no tapping into the cash savings account is needed and I'm still on track to cash flow the trip, using a bit of tucked away gift money. We're behind about $1,000 in saving the equivalent of DH's salary for the year, but I'm not deterred as this is more a timing delay. That's still the goal, but I've got ground to cover. This was an unusual couple of weeks, beyond travel, so I'm not expecting to make up much ground this month. We stocked up before leaving. DH had a lot of grab and go expenses in the VISA, most likely because he was trying to use his breaks to take care of pup. I've got a tiny bit of help this month. One of the two health insurance premiums are waved. There was such a savings in the company health cost in 2020 with no one going to the doctor short of emergencies or Covid that the refund was enough to off set one premium per employee. I'll take it!
Entertainment the rest of the month should be low key. There's vacations and spring break for the trivia people so I'll likely only play once or twice. DH loves tournament time so between state highschool tournaments and March madness on TV, he'll be entertained. I've got books to catch up on. March is just bleak weather wise, so any days with sun and temps above freezing I'll try longer walks, now that I am primed, but it's treacherous out there dodging ice and melted snow patches. It's a good month to watch pennies. A few money related goals/ actions for the month:
- Get Federal refund deposited
- Get estimate for the bathroom
- Prep boxes for garage sale ( aiming for city wide first weekend of May)
- Pickup doing MS Rewards points
- Take care of a reimbursement
- Clean up savings projection calendar to current ( without stressing)
It's now under 22 months until DH retires. I'll keep watching those pennies as we keep focused on the prize.
These are commendable goals. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI suspect your mindfulness will make it all work well.
Hopefully the planning will give the results we want.
DeleteThe month is 1/4 done, and it's a low spend. I had a No spend January, and extended it through February, though I failed. This month is low-spend, but kids are growing weary. Honestly, though, it should be easy because, (and this sounds mean) DD is having surgery today, so she won't be up for much of anything for a while. (Deviated septum causing chronic sinusitis--DH and I figured she should get the surgery now while 1) she is not in school and 2) she is on our health insurance.
ReplyDeleteFailed, or made strides? I'm choosing to look at budget challenge misses as good efforts. I'm giving husband favorites this week so hopefully he'll be ok sitting out in dining out since we both did so much last week.
DeleteSounds like you are on top of things Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteUntil something shifts and it all crashes with me falling from that too, lol.
DeleteMost of your post went over my head, I'm afraid - but I'm happy if you're happy! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's the stupid US system of making sure you self save for retirement. No one will swoop in when the money dries up. So, it means tucking things away now.
Deletethe countdown is on! Sounds like you are doing great with all the planning and I've no doubt you will succeed.
ReplyDeleteI kep saying, nothing requires me to retire at a set time, and that helps my nervousness.
Deletethat's true. I just don't want to be 72 years old, like my neighbor, and still working a f/t job (and she commutes there!).
DeleteGood luck with your "short" month. Some months just happen like that.
ReplyDeleteWe are also planning on March Madness being our big entertainment for the month. I like it as much as TheHub does and will always find some Cinderella team to be for.
I'll likely make a bracket for fun. Something to pay attention to. I like following a Cinderella team or two as well.
DeleteI love that you were over aggressive on savings and now are short. I know all about that. But you can always adjust. I find even if I have to pull some out or rob Peter, the more I it in the better habit I develop, and some if some of it stays all the better.
ReplyDeleteYep, we're doing a lot of moving around chairs to make everything fit. I shouldn't have to tap into what was put in savings, but cash is lean the rest of the week and month.
DeleteSince you are always, or so it seems, on top of things, I am sure you will get through this with good planning. Be careful with bum knee and that tricky ice when it is melting and refreezing.
ReplyDeleteWalking the dog sucks this time if year. In roads he gets filthy, and in the park, I risk the ice and standing water.
DeleteCounting down the months to retirement is pretty exciting! Our social lives are starting to ramp up again, which means expenses. It's a bit of getting used to and rejigging our budget to accommodate the extra fun times.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad our budget tightness is due to fun and not an emergency. We'll, DH's paycheck was scary. April and May starts a new social season for us, so need the rest of March to be thrifty.
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