Stacking Pennies . . .

Comparing this month to last month:
Rent: +40 (new lease, rent was raised)
Utilities: -70 (Due to cable bill!)Grocery: -70 (not sure why, perhaps because I encouraged boyfriend to chip in groceries since he was eating EVERY meal at my place)
Charity: +20
Eating out: -3 (very close...)
Gas: -80 (strictly due to NOT taking a 1000 mile road trip as I did in previous month)
Personal: +130 (got hair done this month)
Auto Care: -120 (no need for repair this month, only oil change)
Gifts: +50 Both mothers and fathers day presents were bought this month
Travel: +800 =) Went on a vacation this month!!!

Next months targets:Reduce Eating out to about $65--this should allow at least one nice meal with the boyfriend paid for by me, plus a lunch or two out with coworkers if invited
Gas: Probably will increase, as I'm planning at least one long trip, but prices are lowering slightly
Personal: Should be only around $20-$30, unless I enroll in Yoga lessons, which would increase this
Auto care: Barring emergencies, shouldn't have any expenses here
Gifts: I'm thinking this will be about $50-$100.... 3 year anniversary is this month!

I'm also due to receive about 2000 next month in tuition reimbursement. I'm considering dumping it into my Roth IRA (reaching the max for the year), thus freeing up 350/mo for the rest of the year for my other goals. That is the goal I'm closest to reacing--sort of the a "investment snowball" rather than a debt snowball psychological trick of reaching my goals.

Then I would continue with my other goals, using an autosavings of 300 paycheck to my HYSA, and focusing whatever else I could come up (including the 350\mo I'd now have free) with towards another HYSA account I plan to pay towards my student loans once they start accruing interest again. Once that account reaches its year end goal, I'd funnel all extra funds into my straight savings account.

Another option is a compromise option. Put 1000 towards the Roth, 500 for each of the other accounts, and reduce montly contributions to 160/mo to the Roth. Or something to that effect. I'm sort of an all-or-nothing type of girl, so I am less interested in this.

In fact, I've pretty much talked myself into the first approach! I have about 2 weeks before payday, so I'll mull it over until then.

Another plus, starting in august my HSA contributions are maxed and I'll have another 200/m (minus taxes) free!

I went on a (planned) vacation, though it wasn't planned to happen this early in the summer. I also visited the dentist and found out I'll have to spend a pretty penny there this summer. I am kicking myself for choosing the cheaper dental insurance, but I also really care about my teeth and do not want to wait until 2009 to fix them (dental coverage is for 2 yrs). I can use my HSA to pay for some of this, but I'm not sure the exact ammount in it, and I already use 40/mo on birth control. Those are my extra expenses.

I'm also *considering* a cosmetic procedure to adjust my gums, and would love to do whitening, but I suspect those are $300/pop and not at all necessary. So I will wait--at least until the end of the year for the gums, and the whitening... well forget that for now, my teeth aren't bad and white strips are only about $30.

I think I'm going to miss my "in the black" goal date for a few reasons. First, my final project for my masters class hasn't been graded, so I most likely won't get my tuition reimbursement until the following paycheck. Second, the vacation wasn't accounted for in the goal... So that's almost 1k down. Booo. I think it'll just be a one paycheck slip though.

I'm considering working some overtime in order to get a little extra cashflow. I don't need it, but overtime is available and I am spending more this summer than I was in the winter. There is a six hour minimum to count it, and by my calculations, that will net me about... 250 extra dollars in my paycheck (2 wks) if I do just the minimum, and 350 if I work an extra 8 hrs a week. This week it is already too late, but I guess for the next 2 weeks I will plan to do at least 6 hours of overtime, and a reach goal of 8. I think the pay period starts on the weekend, so perhaps I'll come in for a bit. There is no shortage of work, though I may have to be added onto another aspect of the project. That wouldn't be half bad, and I will learn something new!

I also have to get in gear to take the GRE this summer. How about August 1st? Far away, but not too far...

Comparing this month to last month:
Rent: +40 (new lease, rent was raised)
Utilities: -70 (Due to cable bill!)Grocery: -70 (not sure why, perhaps because I encouraged boyfriend to chip in groceries since he was eating EVERY meal at my place)
Charity: +20
Eating out: -3 (very close...)
Gas: -80 (strictly due to NOT taking a 1000 mile road trip as I did in previous month)
Personal: +130 (got hair done this month)
Auto Care: -120 (no need for repair this month, only oil change)
Gifts: +50 Both mothers and fathers day presents were bought this month
Travel: +800 =) Went on a vacation this month!!!

Next months targets:Reduce Eating out to about $65--this should allow at least one nice meal with the boyfriend paid for by me, plus a lunch or two out with coworkers if invited
Gas: Probably will increase, as I'm planning at least one long trip, but prices are lowering slightly
Personal: Should be only around $20-$30, unless I enroll in Yoga lessons, which would increase this
Auto care: Barring emergencies, shouldn't have any expenses here
Gifts: I'm thinking this will be about $50-$100.... 3 year anniversary is this month!

I'm also due to receive about 2000 next month in tuition reimbursement. I'm considering dumping it into my Roth IRA (reaching the max for the year), thus freeing up 350/mo for the rest of the year for my other goals. That is the goal I'm closest to reacing--sort of the a "investment snowball" rather than a debt snowball psychological trick of reaching my goals.

Then I would continue with my other goals, using an autosavings of 300 paycheck to my HYSA, and focusing whatever else I could come up (including the 350\mo I'd now have free) with towards another HYSA account I plan to pay towards my student loans once they start accruing interest again. Once that account reaches its year end goal, I'd funnel all extra funds into my straight savings account.

Another option is a compromise option. Put 1000 towards the Roth, 500 for each of the other accounts, and reduce montly contributions to 160/mo to the Roth. Or something to that effect. I'm sort of an all-or-nothing type of girl, so I am less interested in this.

In fact, I've pretty much talked myself into the first approach! I have about 2 weeks before payday, so I'll mull it over until then.

Another plus, starting in august my HSA contributions are maxed and I'll have another 200/m (minus taxes) free!

I went on a (planned) vacation, though it wasn't planned to happen this early in the summer. I also visited the dentist and found out I'll have to spend a pretty penny there this summer. I am kicking myself for choosing the cheaper dental insurance, but I also really care about my teeth and do not want to wait until 2009 to fix them (dental coverage is for 2 yrs). I can use my HSA to pay for some of this, but I'm not sure the exact ammount in it, and I already use 40/mo on birth control. Those are my extra expenses.

I'm also *considering* a cosmetic procedure to adjust my gums, and would love to do whitening, but I suspect those are $300/pop and not at all necessary. So I will wait--at least until the end of the year for the gums, and the whitening... well forget that for now, my teeth aren't bad and white strips are only about $30.

I think I'm going to miss my "in the black" goal date for a few reasons. First, my final project for my masters class hasn't been graded, so I most likely won't get my tuition reimbursement until the following paycheck. Second, the vacation wasn't accounted for in the goal... So that's almost 1k down. Booo. I think it'll just be a one paycheck slip though.

I'm considering working some overtime in order to get a little extra cashflow. I don't need it, but overtime is available and I am spending more this summer than I was in the winter. There is a six hour minimum to count it, and by my calculations, that will net me about... 250 extra dollars in my paycheck (2 wks) if I do just the minimum, and 350 if I work an extra 8 hrs a week. This week it is already too late, but I guess for the next 2 weeks I will plan to do at least 6 hours of overtime, and a reach goal of 8. I think the pay period starts on the weekend, so perhaps I'll come in for a bit. There is no shortage of work, though I may have to be added onto another aspect of the project. That wouldn't be half bad, and I will learn something new!

I also have to get in gear to take the GRE this summer. How about August 1st? Far away, but not too far...

Comparing this month to last month:
Rent: +40 (new lease, rent was raised)
Utilities: -70 (Due to cable bill!)Grocery: -70 (not sure why, perhaps because I encouraged boyfriend to chip in groceries since he was eating EVERY meal at my place)
Charity: +20
Eating out: -3 (very close...)
Gas: -80 (strictly due to NOT taking a 1000 mile road trip as I did in previous month)
Personal: +130 (got hair done this month)
Auto Care: -120 (no need for repair this month, only oil change)
Gifts: +50 Both mothers and fathers day presents were bought this month
Travel: +800 =) Went on a vacation this month!!!

Next months targets:Reduce Eating out to about $65--this should allow at least one nice meal with the boyfriend paid for by me, plus a lunch or two out with coworkers if invited
Gas: Probably will increase, as I'm planning at least one long trip, but prices are lowering slightly
Personal: Should be only around $20-$30, unless I enroll in Yoga lessons, which would increase this
Auto care: Barring emergencies, shouldn't have any expenses here
Gifts: I'm thinking this will be about $50-$100.... 3 year anniversary is this month!

I'm also due to receive about 2000 next month in tuition reimbursement. I'm considering dumping it into my Roth IRA (reaching the max for the year), thus freeing up 350/mo for the rest of the year for my other goals. That is the goal I'm closest to reacing--sort of the a "investment snowball" rather than a debt snowball psychological trick of reaching my goals.

Then I would continue with my other goals, using an autosavings of 300 paycheck to my HYSA, and focusing whatever else I could come up (including the 350\mo I'd now have free) with towards another HYSA account I plan to pay towards my student loans once they start accruing interest again. Once that account reaches its year end goal, I'd funnel all extra funds into my straight savings account.

Another option is a compromise option. Put 1000 towards the Roth, 500 for each of the other accounts, and reduce montly contributions to 160/mo to the Roth. Or something to that effect. I'm sort of an all-or-nothing type of girl, so I am less interested in this.

In fact, I've pretty much talked myself into the first approach! I have about 2 weeks before payday, so I'll mull it over until then.

Another plus, starting in august my HSA contributions are maxed and I'll have another 200/m (minus taxes) free!

I went on a (planned) vacation, though it wasn't planned to happen this early in the summer. I also visited the dentist and found out I'll have to spend a pretty penny there this summer. I am kicking myself for choosing the cheaper dental insurance, but I also really care about my teeth and do not want to wait until 2009 to fix them (dental coverage is for 2 yrs). I can use my HSA to pay for some of this, but I'm not sure the exact ammount in it, and I already use 40/mo on birth control. Those are my extra expenses.

I'm also *considering* a cosmetic procedure to adjust my gums, and would love to do whitening, but I suspect those are $300/pop and not at all necessary. So I will wait--at least until the end of the year for the gums, and the whitening... well forget that for now, my teeth aren't bad and white strips are only about $30.

I think I'm going to miss my "in the black" goal date for a few reasons. First, my final project for my masters class hasn't been graded, so I most likely won't get my tuition reimbursement until the following paycheck. Second, the vacation wasn't accounted for in the goal... So that's almost 1k down. Booo. I think it'll just be a one paycheck slip though.

I'm considering working some overtime in order to get a little extra cashflow. I don't need it, but overtime is available and I am spending more this summer than I was in the winter. There is a six hour minimum to count it, and by my calculations, that will net me about... 250 extra dollars in my paycheck (2 wks) if I do just the minimum, and 350 if I work an extra 8 hrs a week. This week it is already too late, but I guess for the next 2 weeks I will plan to do at least 6 hours of overtime, and a reach goal of 8. I think the pay period starts on the weekend, so perhaps I'll come in for a bit. There is no shortage of work, though I may have to be added onto another aspect of the project. That wouldn't be half bad, and I will learn something new!

I also have to get in gear to take the GRE this summer. How about August 1st? Far away, but not too far...

Comparing this month to last month:
Rent: +40 (new lease, rent was raised)
Utilities: -70 (Due to cable bill!)Grocery: -70 (not sure why, perhaps because I encouraged boyfriend to chip in groceries since he was eating EVERY meal at my place)
Charity: +20
Eating out: -3 (very close...)
Gas: -80 (strictly due to NOT taking a 1000 mile road trip as I did in previous month)
Personal: +130 (got hair done this month)
Auto Care: -120 (no need for repair this month, only oil change)
Gifts: +50 Both mothers and fathers day presents were bought this month
Travel: +800 =) Went on a vacation this month!!!

Next months targets:Reduce Eating out to about $65--this should allow at least one nice meal with the boyfriend paid for by me, plus a lunch or two out with coworkers if invited
Gas: Probably will increase, as I'm planning at least one long trip, but prices are lowering slightly
Personal: Should be only around $20-$30, unless I enroll in Yoga lessons, which would increase this
Auto care: Barring emergencies, shouldn't have any expenses here
Gifts: I'm thinking this will be about $50-$100.... 3 year anniversary is this month!

I'm also due to receive about 2000 next month in tuition reimbursement. I'm considering dumping it into my Roth IRA (reaching the max for the year), thus freeing up 350/mo for the rest of the year for my other goals. That is the goal I'm closest to reacing--sort of the a "investment snowball" rather than a debt snowball psychological trick of reaching my goals.

Then I would continue with my other goals, using an autosavings of 300 paycheck to my HYSA, and focusing whatever else I could come up (including the 350\mo I'd now have free) with towards another HYSA account I plan to pay towards my student loans once they start accruing interest again. Once that account reaches its year end goal, I'd funnel all extra funds into my straight savings account.

Another option is a compromise option. Put 1000 towards the Roth, 500 for each of the other accounts, and reduce montly contributions to 160/mo to the Roth. Or something to that effect. I'm sort of an all-or-nothing type of girl, so I am less interested in this.

In fact, I've pretty much talked myself into the first approach! I have about 2 weeks before payday, so I'll mull it over until then.

Another plus, starting in august my HSA contributions are maxed and I'll have another 200/m (minus taxes) free!

I went on a (planned) vacation, though it wasn't planned to happen this early in the summer. I also visited the dentist and found out I'll have to spend a pretty penny there this summer. I am kicking myself for choosing the cheaper dental insurance, but I also really care about my teeth and do not want to wait until 2009 to fix them (dental coverage is for 2 yrs). I can use my HSA to pay for some of this, but I'm not sure the exact ammount in it, and I already use 40/mo on birth control. Those are my extra expenses.

I'm also *considering* a cosmetic procedure to adjust my gums, and would love to do whitening, but I suspect those are $300/pop and not at all necessary. So I will wait--at least until the end of the year for the gums, and the whitening... well forget that for now, my teeth aren't bad and white strips are only about $30.

I think I'm going to miss my "in the black" goal date for a few reasons. First, my final project for my masters class hasn't been graded, so I most likely won't get my tuition reimbursement until the following paycheck. Second, the vacation wasn't accounted for in the goal... So that's almost 1k down. Booo. I think it'll just be a one paycheck slip though.

I'm considering working some overtime in order to get a little extra cashflow. I don't need it, but overtime is available and I am spending more this summer than I was in the winter. There is a six hour minimum to count it, and by my calculations, that will net me about... 250 extra dollars in my paycheck (2 wks) if I do just the minimum, and 350 if I work an extra 8 hrs a week. This week it is already too late, but I guess for the next 2 weeks I will plan to do at least 6 hours of overtime, and a reach goal of 8. I think the pay period starts on the weekend, so perhaps I'll come in for a bit. There is no shortage of work, though I may have to be added onto another aspect of the project. That wouldn't be half bad, and I will learn something new!

I also have to get in gear to take the GRE this summer. How about August 1st? Far away, but not too far...