IntenseDebate - seattlegirluw

9 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - Finding Time in Today�... · 1 reply · +1 points

I've had to learn to just stop when I feel overwhelmed. Like you said, I take the time because otherwise it won't happen. And the more overwhelmed I feel, the less productive I become. By just stopping and resting, I come back refreshed. It also helps to have realistic goals for the number of things you try to do. It builds in free time and keeps you from getting swamped -- while still giving you the feeling of accomplishment.

10 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - MLK Day and Contentment · 1 reply · +1 points

I'm a worrier, so "content" is somewhat foreign. But I'm content that we were able to save up and meet our goal last year. I'll be more content when we have Tim's danged dental implants taken care of and can start saving to put money into positive things for the future (SEP IRA, mortgage, etc). And I'm content that we're finding a way among the loss of $766 in the budget.

10 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - Working till Your 80 Y... · 1 reply · +1 points

For reasons mainly out of our control, we have very little in retirement. So it's possible I will have to keep working for a long time. Hopefully, I'll be able to go down to part-time with some careful saving and investing.

And, sorry, I usually try not to grammar nerd but... it's you're, not your. I only mention it because it's in your headline and you want it to draw attention.
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10 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - Why Do We have Unexpec... · 1 reply · +1 points

Um... you just deleted my comment. Hope that was an accident?

An accident (our fault) totaled our car less than two weeks before I left for FinCon and my husband left for a different trip. It was harrowing to try to find a replacement, so I feel your pain.

As for why there are unexpected expenses... Because life is, at its core, random. And if you can't predict the future, you can't plan for everything. No matter how much you try.

Luckily, you *can* grumble about it extensively. Trust me on this one.
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10 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - What is Savings · 1 reply · +1 points

Unfortunately, we have too many savings goals and not enough to go around. The major focus right now is the $25,000 dental implant bill for my husband next year. Meanwhile, I'm funneling $50 a month into the emergency fund (about all we can spare) to help get that up to 3 months' living expenses.

Once the $25k is in the bank, we can focus on IRA contributions which are woefully behind. My goal will be to fully fund a SEP. Once we can comfortably do that, it'll be time to increase our mortgage payment. Once the house is paid off, it'll be saving for a rental property.

Never a dull moment, eh?
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10 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - The 3 Emergency Fund A... · 1 reply · +1 points

Interesting idea to be sure. We have an emergency fund and a savings fund, plus various subaccounts for other goals. So we have access to money if we truly need it. Like you, I have an IRA, but that's of course the absolute last resort.

10 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - Saver or Spender · 1 reply · +1 points

I was raised a saver. I've gotten a little lax (by my standards) and started spending a little bit more than I used to. Blame my husband for that one, but it does mean I'm slowly learning to live in the moment from time to time.

Still, my overall attitude is to put away money first and spend what's left.
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10 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - Making the Best of Fin... · 1 reply · +1 points

I'd hope that the emergency fund would only be used for, well, emergencies. So any expense over $500 probably isn't under their control.

That said, there are ways that most people can put away even a little. Even when we were broke, I started putting $100 into a Roth. I just had the bank transfer out $25 a week. I rarely missed it, and it was better than nothing.

I think people get so mired in their goals that they get discouraged when they think they can only make incremental progress. But one woman built up a $10,000 emergency fund on $10 a week. It took her forever, but she did it.
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10 years ago @ Moneywatch101 - The Real way to get ou... · 1 reply · +1 points

Laser-like focus is key to be sure. One way to make sure the money doesn't disappear into the budget ether? Make payments each time you get paid. When we were paying off debt, I got a monthly check, but my husband was on unemployment, meaning weekly checks.

So each week when the check was deposited, I'd divvy up some money and throw it at the various cards. It kept us honest. Unfortunately, nowadays we only get monthly checks, so I have to plan for a full 4 weeks. Granted, now we're out of debt, so it's just a matter of making sure money goes into savings.
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11 years ago @ I Pick Up Pennies - I made it through the ... · 1 reply · +1 points

Oh my yes. And I was able to get the signed estimate and check in the mail by noon. So that's one more thing off my plate. Now to find an oral surgeon to talk about Tim's implants for a third and hopefully last opinion.

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