Stacking Pennies . . .

My year end goals were:
-4k in Roth
-4k towards student loan
-10-15% towards retirement (with hopes of having about 15k by end of the year)
-10k total in HYSA (starting balance, under 3k)

So far I have:
-3.7k in Roth (93% complete)
-2100 towards loan (58%)
-about 12k in 401k (currently contributing 13%)
-about 6.5k in the HYSA (65%)

I'm way ahead on the Roth IRA, on track for the my 401k, and a little behind on the other two. Percentage wise, I'm the furthest behind on the student loan repayment fund, however, it really is less than 2k to accumulate through the rest of the year. I think the hardest one will be the 10k in savings, especially since I may have to use some of that money to visit the boy by airplane when he moves. I currently automatically deposit 300 per a (bi weekly) paycheck, but even if I don't dip into it I'll come up about 1k short. I should be able to sneak a little extra in out of my year end bonus, and maybe I can make it happen!

I take distance education masters class, which are fully reimbursed by my work once complete. Last semester, I didn't want to bankrupt myself and take the 2k out of my accounts, so I paid a fee to pay in installments. This time, I paid the bill upfront with money that will go back into my student loan account. It was a good feeling, a true sign of progress

I think there may be a slight self-righteous attitude about how to deal with market swings floating around. All the "smart" pf bloggers are buying now, or wishing they could buy at the very least. Or rather, most are staying the course. While I have yet to read anyone say they are pulling out of the market, or even cutting back, I have heard some nervous chatter. This nervous chatter seems to get bombarded with comments about how perhaps the nervous poster doesn't have the stomach for the stock market.

This is the first time I've ever been "in the market" during a dip, and it would be a lie to say that I don't notice and abhor the fact that my 401k contributions aren't even keeping it level. Of course it makes me nervous! No one likes losing money, even though I know, deep down, that I'll make money in the long run and that I'm not retiring for years and years. It is much more fun to see my accounts and net worth grow rather than stagnate!

Still, I think I am able to handle it. I'm not changing anything, and I'll keep investing as planned. Just because I'm nervous doesn't mean I am not suited for investing! It just means my net worth updates will be much less exciting to me.

I'm glad I frame my goals in terms of "contribute $x to this", so market conditions have little bearing on whether I can accomplish them!

Speaking of goals, a mid month spending checkup may be in order. I've nearly spent my "eating out" budget (don't I always!) but am on track for grocery and probably gas. I'll be buying a plane ticket soon (!) but I have been stockpiling small amounts of money in a travel fund that I can use for that, so it should be an almost transparent purchase. I haven't spent close to my budget on personal, entertainment, or clothes. Things are looking good.

The BF's parents were in town this past weekend, and they treated us all weekend. I spent 8.50 on the Bourne Ultimatum for us before they got here, but other than that, it was on them. I enjoyed the treat, and they wouldn't have allowed us to pay for ourselves.

Although they are much older than we are, we both went into lucrative fields and can make about as much money as our parents. With 25 years of experience nursing, I think my mom makes about the same as I do, but she can make much more when she works overtime (I'm salaried). My dad's wages fluctuate, as he is self employed, but I think he makes less than my mom.

I've found myself thinking about money more than I would like to. When we discussing my boyfriends sister, I had a strong desire to find out how much money she makes. She has a MS in accounting and CPA certification, and his mom has mentioned several times "she makes good money" and they just bought a brand new car. I went so far as to google salary data, but didn't find any solid numbers, so I gave up.

But really, who cares? I make more money than a lot of people my age. I also make less money that a lot of people my age. I think the more important thing is, I'm careful with my money. It isn't that I don't splurge on unnecessary items, but it is that I know that I'm splurging and I make sure that I believe it is worth it.

I hear a lot of buzz about how young people today aren't careful with their money, but I must run with a different crowd. Everyone I know is saving at least 8% in their 401ks. Some are taking advantage of the employee stock purchase program. I don't know anyone who carries a balance on their credit cards, and most seem savvy about things. Many friends are probably less frugal than I am, but most were lucky enough to have no student loans. Anyway, I like that my friends are starting out on the right financial foot.

Speaking of the right foot, I finally convinced the boy to get a high yield savings account, along with his first credit card! I'm so proud, and it only took me 6 months of telling him the virtues of online accounts. :)

I'm driving to see my family this weekend and riding with my sister. She asked if we could split gas, and I obliged. Part of me thinks it isn't fair because we are taking their SUV, and I'm hardly saving anything by carpooling with them. But being frugal is good, being cheap is annoying. She stays home with my nephew and I know I make more than her husband. It would be really rude of me to be a cheapskate when I know they are trying to buy a house. Besides, plane tickets were around $500 at the cheapest!

I made some pseudo-goals for July, but I see now they weren't defined well. I'm not going to report progress on them, except to note I did not reduce eating out as planned. Ah well. It'll be very low all fall, as my love will no longer be in town with me.

1. Finish reallocating my 401k (as much as possible without incurring short term trading fees)

2. Contribute 700 to my HYSA fund. This is sort of an e-fund, but more just a general savings fun (100 more than auto deposits)

3. Keep 401k contributions at 13% and contribute the pre-planned 100 to Roth (basically a "stay on track" goal

4. Contribute $550 to the student loan payback fund.

5. Keep restaurant spending below 100 (seems easy, but it's my weakness!)

6. Study for GRE more, take it, and rock it! =) Not financial, but personal development at least.

7. Apply for 3 or more jobs and continue to update resume.

8. Work over time 2 weeks (at least 6 hours)

Wow, a lot of goals! I think they are all achievable, but still challenging enough to not be trite!

My year end goals were:
-4k in Roth
-4k towards student loan
-10-15% towards retirement (with hopes of having about 15k by end of the year)
-10k total in HYSA (starting balance, under 3k)

So far I have:
-3.7k in Roth (93% complete)
-2100 towards loan (58%)
-about 12k in 401k (currently contributing 13%)
-about 6.5k in the HYSA (65%)

I'm way ahead on the Roth IRA, on track for the my 401k, and a little behind on the other two. Percentage wise, I'm the furthest behind on the student loan repayment fund, however, it really is less than 2k to accumulate through the rest of the year. I think the hardest one will be the 10k in savings, especially since I may have to use some of that money to visit the boy by airplane when he moves. I currently automatically deposit 300 per a (bi weekly) paycheck, but even if I don't dip into it I'll come up about 1k short. I should be able to sneak a little extra in out of my year end bonus, and maybe I can make it happen!

I take distance education masters class, which are fully reimbursed by my work once complete. Last semester, I didn't want to bankrupt myself and take the 2k out of my accounts, so I paid a fee to pay in installments. This time, I paid the bill upfront with money that will go back into my student loan account. It was a good feeling, a true sign of progress

I think there may be a slight self-righteous attitude about how to deal with market swings floating around. All the "smart" pf bloggers are buying now, or wishing they could buy at the very least. Or rather, most are staying the course. While I have yet to read anyone say they are pulling out of the market, or even cutting back, I have heard some nervous chatter. This nervous chatter seems to get bombarded with comments about how perhaps the nervous poster doesn't have the stomach for the stock market.

This is the first time I've ever been "in the market" during a dip, and it would be a lie to say that I don't notice and abhor the fact that my 401k contributions aren't even keeping it level. Of course it makes me nervous! No one likes losing money, even though I know, deep down, that I'll make money in the long run and that I'm not retiring for years and years. It is much more fun to see my accounts and net worth grow rather than stagnate!

Still, I think I am able to handle it. I'm not changing anything, and I'll keep investing as planned. Just because I'm nervous doesn't mean I am not suited for investing! It just means my net worth updates will be much less exciting to me.

I'm glad I frame my goals in terms of "contribute $x to this", so market conditions have little bearing on whether I can accomplish them!

Speaking of goals, a mid month spending checkup may be in order. I've nearly spent my "eating out" budget (don't I always!) but am on track for grocery and probably gas. I'll be buying a plane ticket soon (!) but I have been stockpiling small amounts of money in a travel fund that I can use for that, so it should be an almost transparent purchase. I haven't spent close to my budget on personal, entertainment, or clothes. Things are looking good.

The BF's parents were in town this past weekend, and they treated us all weekend. I spent 8.50 on the Bourne Ultimatum for us before they got here, but other than that, it was on them. I enjoyed the treat, and they wouldn't have allowed us to pay for ourselves.

Although they are much older than we are, we both went into lucrative fields and can make about as much money as our parents. With 25 years of experience nursing, I think my mom makes about the same as I do, but she can make much more when she works overtime (I'm salaried). My dad's wages fluctuate, as he is self employed, but I think he makes less than my mom.

I've found myself thinking about money more than I would like to. When we discussing my boyfriends sister, I had a strong desire to find out how much money she makes. She has a MS in accounting and CPA certification, and his mom has mentioned several times "she makes good money" and they just bought a brand new car. I went so far as to google salary data, but didn't find any solid numbers, so I gave up.

But really, who cares? I make more money than a lot of people my age. I also make less money that a lot of people my age. I think the more important thing is, I'm careful with my money. It isn't that I don't splurge on unnecessary items, but it is that I know that I'm splurging and I make sure that I believe it is worth it.

I hear a lot of buzz about how young people today aren't careful with their money, but I must run with a different crowd. Everyone I know is saving at least 8% in their 401ks. Some are taking advantage of the employee stock purchase program. I don't know anyone who carries a balance on their credit cards, and most seem savvy about things. Many friends are probably less frugal than I am, but most were lucky enough to have no student loans. Anyway, I like that my friends are starting out on the right financial foot.

Speaking of the right foot, I finally convinced the boy to get a high yield savings account, along with his first credit card! I'm so proud, and it only took me 6 months of telling him the virtues of online accounts. :)

I'm driving to see my family this weekend and riding with my sister. She asked if we could split gas, and I obliged. Part of me thinks it isn't fair because we are taking their SUV, and I'm hardly saving anything by carpooling with them. But being frugal is good, being cheap is annoying. She stays home with my nephew and I know I make more than her husband. It would be really rude of me to be a cheapskate when I know they are trying to buy a house. Besides, plane tickets were around $500 at the cheapest!

I made some pseudo-goals for July, but I see now they weren't defined well. I'm not going to report progress on them, except to note I did not reduce eating out as planned. Ah well. It'll be very low all fall, as my love will no longer be in town with me.

1. Finish reallocating my 401k (as much as possible without incurring short term trading fees)

2. Contribute 700 to my HYSA fund. This is sort of an e-fund, but more just a general savings fun (100 more than auto deposits)

3. Keep 401k contributions at 13% and contribute the pre-planned 100 to Roth (basically a "stay on track" goal

4. Contribute $550 to the student loan payback fund.

5. Keep restaurant spending below 100 (seems easy, but it's my weakness!)

6. Study for GRE more, take it, and rock it! =) Not financial, but personal development at least.

7. Apply for 3 or more jobs and continue to update resume.

8. Work over time 2 weeks (at least 6 hours)

Wow, a lot of goals! I think they are all achievable, but still challenging enough to not be trite!

My year end goals were:
-4k in Roth
-4k towards student loan
-10-15% towards retirement (with hopes of having about 15k by end of the year)
-10k total in HYSA (starting balance, under 3k)

So far I have:
-3.7k in Roth (93% complete)
-2100 towards loan (58%)
-about 12k in 401k (currently contributing 13%)
-about 6.5k in the HYSA (65%)

I'm way ahead on the Roth IRA, on track for the my 401k, and a little behind on the other two. Percentage wise, I'm the furthest behind on the student loan repayment fund, however, it really is less than 2k to accumulate through the rest of the year. I think the hardest one will be the 10k in savings, especially since I may have to use some of that money to visit the boy by airplane when he moves. I currently automatically deposit 300 per a (bi weekly) paycheck, but even if I don't dip into it I'll come up about 1k short. I should be able to sneak a little extra in out of my year end bonus, and maybe I can make it happen!

I take distance education masters class, which are fully reimbursed by my work once complete. Last semester, I didn't want to bankrupt myself and take the 2k out of my accounts, so I paid a fee to pay in installments. This time, I paid the bill upfront with money that will go back into my student loan account. It was a good feeling, a true sign of progress

I think there may be a slight self-righteous attitude about how to deal with market swings floating around. All the "smart" pf bloggers are buying now, or wishing they could buy at the very least. Or rather, most are staying the course. While I have yet to read anyone say they are pulling out of the market, or even cutting back, I have heard some nervous chatter. This nervous chatter seems to get bombarded with comments about how perhaps the nervous poster doesn't have the stomach for the stock market.

This is the first time I've ever been "in the market" during a dip, and it would be a lie to say that I don't notice and abhor the fact that my 401k contributions aren't even keeping it level. Of course it makes me nervous! No one likes losing money, even though I know, deep down, that I'll make money in the long run and that I'm not retiring for years and years. It is much more fun to see my accounts and net worth grow rather than stagnate!

Still, I think I am able to handle it. I'm not changing anything, and I'll keep investing as planned. Just because I'm nervous doesn't mean I am not suited for investing! It just means my net worth updates will be much less exciting to me.

I'm glad I frame my goals in terms of "contribute $x to this", so market conditions have little bearing on whether I can accomplish them!

Speaking of goals, a mid month spending checkup may be in order. I've nearly spent my "eating out" budget (don't I always!) but am on track for grocery and probably gas. I'll be buying a plane ticket soon (!) but I have been stockpiling small amounts of money in a travel fund that I can use for that, so it should be an almost transparent purchase. I haven't spent close to my budget on personal, entertainment, or clothes. Things are looking good.

The BF's parents were in town this past weekend, and they treated us all weekend. I spent 8.50 on the Bourne Ultimatum for us before they got here, but other than that, it was on them. I enjoyed the treat, and they wouldn't have allowed us to pay for ourselves.

Although they are much older than we are, we both went into lucrative fields and can make about as much money as our parents. With 25 years of experience nursing, I think my mom makes about the same as I do, but she can make much more when she works overtime (I'm salaried). My dad's wages fluctuate, as he is self employed, but I think he makes less than my mom.

I've found myself thinking about money more than I would like to. When we discussing my boyfriends sister, I had a strong desire to find out how much money she makes. She has a MS in accounting and CPA certification, and his mom has mentioned several times "she makes good money" and they just bought a brand new car. I went so far as to google salary data, but didn't find any solid numbers, so I gave up.

But really, who cares? I make more money than a lot of people my age. I also make less money that a lot of people my age. I think the more important thing is, I'm careful with my money. It isn't that I don't splurge on unnecessary items, but it is that I know that I'm splurging and I make sure that I believe it is worth it.

I hear a lot of buzz about how young people today aren't careful with their money, but I must run with a different crowd. Everyone I know is saving at least 8% in their 401ks. Some are taking advantage of the employee stock purchase program. I don't know anyone who carries a balance on their credit cards, and most seem savvy about things. Many friends are probably less frugal than I am, but most were lucky enough to have no student loans. Anyway, I like that my friends are starting out on the right financial foot.

Speaking of the right foot, I finally convinced the boy to get a high yield savings account, along with his first credit card! I'm so proud, and it only took me 6 months of telling him the virtues of online accounts. :)

I'm driving to see my family this weekend and riding with my sister. She asked if we could split gas, and I obliged. Part of me thinks it isn't fair because we are taking their SUV, and I'm hardly saving anything by carpooling with them. But being frugal is good, being cheap is annoying. She stays home with my nephew and I know I make more than her husband. It would be really rude of me to be a cheapskate when I know they are trying to buy a house. Besides, plane tickets were around $500 at the cheapest!

I made some pseudo-goals for July, but I see now they weren't defined well. I'm not going to report progress on them, except to note I did not reduce eating out as planned. Ah well. It'll be very low all fall, as my love will no longer be in town with me.

1. Finish reallocating my 401k (as much as possible without incurring short term trading fees)

2. Contribute 700 to my HYSA fund. This is sort of an e-fund, but more just a general savings fun (100 more than auto deposits)

3. Keep 401k contributions at 13% and contribute the pre-planned 100 to Roth (basically a "stay on track" goal

4. Contribute $550 to the student loan payback fund.

5. Keep restaurant spending below 100 (seems easy, but it's my weakness!)

6. Study for GRE more, take it, and rock it! =) Not financial, but personal development at least.

7. Apply for 3 or more jobs and continue to update resume.

8. Work over time 2 weeks (at least 6 hours)

Wow, a lot of goals! I think they are all achievable, but still challenging enough to not be trite!

My year end goals were:
-4k in Roth
-4k towards student loan
-10-15% towards retirement (with hopes of having about 15k by end of the year)
-10k total in HYSA (starting balance, under 3k)

So far I have:
-3.7k in Roth (93% complete)
-2100 towards loan (58%)
-about 12k in 401k (currently contributing 13%)
-about 6.5k in the HYSA (65%)

I'm way ahead on the Roth IRA, on track for the my 401k, and a little behind on the other two. Percentage wise, I'm the furthest behind on the student loan repayment fund, however, it really is less than 2k to accumulate through the rest of the year. I think the hardest one will be the 10k in savings, especially since I may have to use some of that money to visit the boy by airplane when he moves. I currently automatically deposit 300 per a (bi weekly) paycheck, but even if I don't dip into it I'll come up about 1k short. I should be able to sneak a little extra in out of my year end bonus, and maybe I can make it happen!

I take distance education masters class, which are fully reimbursed by my work once complete. Last semester, I didn't want to bankrupt myself and take the 2k out of my accounts, so I paid a fee to pay in installments. This time, I paid the bill upfront with money that will go back into my student loan account. It was a good feeling, a true sign of progress

I think there may be a slight self-righteous attitude about how to deal with market swings floating around. All the "smart" pf bloggers are buying now, or wishing they could buy at the very least. Or rather, most are staying the course. While I have yet to read anyone say they are pulling out of the market, or even cutting back, I have heard some nervous chatter. This nervous chatter seems to get bombarded with comments about how perhaps the nervous poster doesn't have the stomach for the stock market.

This is the first time I've ever been "in the market" during a dip, and it would be a lie to say that I don't notice and abhor the fact that my 401k contributions aren't even keeping it level. Of course it makes me nervous! No one likes losing money, even though I know, deep down, that I'll make money in the long run and that I'm not retiring for years and years. It is much more fun to see my accounts and net worth grow rather than stagnate!

Still, I think I am able to handle it. I'm not changing anything, and I'll keep investing as planned. Just because I'm nervous doesn't mean I am not suited for investing! It just means my net worth updates will be much less exciting to me.

I'm glad I frame my goals in terms of "contribute $x to this", so market conditions have little bearing on whether I can accomplish them!

Speaking of goals, a mid month spending checkup may be in order. I've nearly spent my "eating out" budget (don't I always!) but am on track for grocery and probably gas. I'll be buying a plane ticket soon (!) but I have been stockpiling small amounts of money in a travel fund that I can use for that, so it should be an almost transparent purchase. I haven't spent close to my budget on personal, entertainment, or clothes. Things are looking good.

The BF's parents were in town this past weekend, and they treated us all weekend. I spent 8.50 on the Bourne Ultimatum for us before they got here, but other than that, it was on them. I enjoyed the treat, and they wouldn't have allowed us to pay for ourselves.

Although they are much older than we are, we both went into lucrative fields and can make about as much money as our parents. With 25 years of experience nursing, I think my mom makes about the same as I do, but she can make much more when she works overtime (I'm salaried). My dad's wages fluctuate, as he is self employed, but I think he makes less than my mom.

I've found myself thinking about money more than I would like to. When we discussing my boyfriends sister, I had a strong desire to find out how much money she makes. She has a MS in accounting and CPA certification, and his mom has mentioned several times "she makes good money" and they just bought a brand new car. I went so far as to google salary data, but didn't find any solid numbers, so I gave up.

But really, who cares? I make more money than a lot of people my age. I also make less money that a lot of people my age. I think the more important thing is, I'm careful with my money. It isn't that I don't splurge on unnecessary items, but it is that I know that I'm splurging and I make sure that I believe it is worth it.

I hear a lot of buzz about how young people today aren't careful with their money, but I must run with a different crowd. Everyone I know is saving at least 8% in their 401ks. Some are taking advantage of the employee stock purchase program. I don't know anyone who carries a balance on their credit cards, and most seem savvy about things. Many friends are probably less frugal than I am, but most were lucky enough to have no student loans. Anyway, I like that my friends are starting out on the right financial foot.

Speaking of the right foot, I finally convinced the boy to get a high yield savings account, along with his first credit card! I'm so proud, and it only took me 6 months of telling him the virtues of online accounts. :)

I'm driving to see my family this weekend and riding with my sister. She asked if we could split gas, and I obliged. Part of me thinks it isn't fair because we are taking their SUV, and I'm hardly saving anything by carpooling with them. But being frugal is good, being cheap is annoying. She stays home with my nephew and I know I make more than her husband. It would be really rude of me to be a cheapskate when I know they are trying to buy a house. Besides, plane tickets were around $500 at the cheapest!

I made some pseudo-goals for July, but I see now they weren't defined well. I'm not going to report progress on them, except to note I did not reduce eating out as planned. Ah well. It'll be very low all fall, as my love will no longer be in town with me.

1. Finish reallocating my 401k (as much as possible without incurring short term trading fees)

2. Contribute 700 to my HYSA fund. This is sort of an e-fund, but more just a general savings fun (100 more than auto deposits)

3. Keep 401k contributions at 13% and contribute the pre-planned 100 to Roth (basically a "stay on track" goal

4. Contribute $550 to the student loan payback fund.

5. Keep restaurant spending below 100 (seems easy, but it's my weakness!)

6. Study for GRE more, take it, and rock it! =) Not financial, but personal development at least.

7. Apply for 3 or more jobs and continue to update resume.

8. Work over time 2 weeks (at least 6 hours)

Wow, a lot of goals! I think they are all achievable, but still challenging enough to not be trite!