August 7, 2011
It’s been a while since I’ve posted one of these. Over six months, in fact. I have been keeping track of some months but it’s been sporadic. Life has been consuming.
In the past six months I’ve ….
– been traveling which still hasn’t been fully documented.
– loving my Doggle (talk about for better or for worse!)
– started, stopped, got sick of planning, budgeted for (on paper), and started saving for a wedding that I still haven’t actually started planning again.
– consolidated all of our phones onto a cheaper cell plan to save money.
– gone to My Mecca (SDCC) with bloggy friend.
– generally worked on surviving the master plan of earning my way up the ladder. I need a new plan, this one is beyond exhausting and doesn’t leave any time for real life.
There was far more spending than saving in the daily scheme of things but in the background, the automated investing and savings allocations are ticking along, doing their jobs. I had a glance over my Vanguard funds’ performance the past four months to find that they’ve horrifically lost all their gains of this year:
Huge losses. Just huge. Given the turmoil in the government this month, I can’t say August’s losses were a surprise but it’s an eye-opener.
And except for that last item (working my tuchus off) which, though it paid off, has me pondering those workaholism tendencies, infiltrating all corners of my life again, it’s not necessarily the worst way to have spent many months. More rest, though, would be wonderful, and I want (nay, need) to see far more progress in the savings ledger in upcoming months.
With the state of the economy, the uncertainty of the jobs market, the recent downgrade of the credit rating, it’s time to do massively better.
This isn’t just prompted by general concern for the state of the union or personal insecurity, though. I’ve done that “what happens in case of a layoff” exercise a thousand times. And I’ve done it in real time. This isn’t that faux-planning; this stems from wanting to grow beyond the rat race.
When I start making choices in the near future, I want real choices, not just be limited to picking from the limited array that my employer at the time is offering. Which means that if we want One Frugal Girl’s flexibility if we decide to start a family and get thrown a curveball in the process, or if we want to consider adoption, or we want to move out of the Bay Area, we definitely need financial security in multiple forms.
Besides, working into an early grave isn’t precisely the endgoal, and staying in this routine, driven by my need to achieve in the confines of a traditional environment, is setting myself up for that very thing.
January 8, 2011
Overall, a fairly solid increase from last year, I’d say, across the board through another rather turbulent year.
During 2010…
My mom’s health… huge turn for the worse. The downward spiral continues. I still can’t accept the disintegration of my family unit as I knew it and still struggle with the fact that this idiot won’t grow up. But PiC managed to save the year.
I combated the depressing months of job-hunting and fruitless interviews with massive decluttering efforts. Then I landed a job and had to move. Enter all sorts of soul-wracking guilt and abandonment remorse. And more shockingly, a measure of peace and the slow drain of rage from my life. It turns out moving was good for me. So is cohabitation. Which was also a surprise.
Cooking and cleaning became a more regular and pleasant part of life, and as predicted, work kicked my butt for months. I was miserable, regretted it, detested it, and ultimately said, there is no way you’re going to beat me. Eventually, I prevailed over the worst of the problems, and the rest are just part of the job.
I’ve been quiet here for lack of energy and brainspace but that’s slowly coming back.
There’s been travel, there’s been life, there’s been love. There’s finally a sense of potential again, and to be perfectly honest, that scares the skivvies offa me.
Looking forward…
There’s a lot of work still to be done. My parents need moving, but my dad’s become much more proactive in working on these things I’ve been talking about for years. While I still don’t necessarily agree with some of his decisions about my mom as they’re born of stress, short-sighted, and made in a “spare the daughter and spare her money” mode, he’s trying his best and I can push them to do what needs doing when it comes to their health. Their dental repairs are nearly complete now. Only two more months of treatment to go. Thank goodness the pain is gone and the worst of the uncomfortable treatments are over.
My dearest dog is slowly fading. She’s not got a lot of time left and my dad doesn’t really like the idea of my taking her away with me since he can take care of her pretty easily as she whiles her hours away in the sun or lounging nearby. He’s probably right, but my heart aches at the thought of not being with her. I guess I always thought I could keep her happy and healthy with me by force of will.
We might adopt a dog eventually but not a puppy. We can’t be there for a puppy like we once were as kids.
[But they are so cute. For the record.]
It’s going to be a really busy year in quite a few respects.
January 1, 2011
Having skipped November, but knowing how much was spent, roughly, and how much has still gone unreimbursed, I was expecting some devastation on the NW front. It’s not great but it’s not terrible either.
Of course when I started crunching the numbers, my mind was definitely in a different place. Now it’s in a morass of logistics that haven’t even begun to start touching on budget yet so that’ll be a different post.
I’m a little bit glad that we haven’t combined finances yet. Apparently I failed to communicate with words to PiC my feelings about not needing or wanting a diamond. I just formed my opinion so long ago that it seemed like surely I would have mentioned it to him by now. I just never thought any engagement ring residing on my finger should ever cost more than a hundred dollars, at best. (I’m pretty sure that number was more generous but the closer I got to writing this, the less money I think is reasonable for a bauble …. it’s gorgeous and he spent all kinds of time picking out what he wanted for me and I don’t want to be an ingrate but .. I don’t think an engagement ring is necessary! Not for me.) That said, it’s gorgeous and I can’t really, erm, return it to put his money back in savings or anything!
Yeah that sounds terrible.
I’m sorry, it’s hard to wrap my head around the idea he spent real money on this ring. I love him and I love why he did it and he knew it was entirely unnecessary, just taking me some time to reconcile.
Also, he was snickering when I mentioned doing my snapshot because the month of November was terrible for my finances and now I know why. *faint* At least he didn’t go in debt.
Investing: Slow and steady, it’s finally adding up a bit.
Savings: I’m increasing the cash savings by 3% to compensate for the payroll tax holiday. I’ll have to add another fund type, clearly.
Spending: It’s possible we might have to adjust our grand travel plans after all, I’m not sure about spending $2000-3000 on a big ole trip now that we have a big unknown on the horizon. Maybe not canceling but adjustments may be necessary.
That’s all my brain has room for right now. Ta!
October 31, 2010
Back on the horse!
Contrary to last month’s assertion that I was going to just move forward and not look back, I took some time to fill in all the blanks of the past weeks’ spending and income. It didn’t take more than an hour or so and helped PiC and I have a good conversation about getting to grips with our spending as a household.
That was long overdue and makes me feel one heck of a lot better about now having a plan. We’ve got a spending spreadsheet so we’re both updating to see the same picture together and will be targeting a $400 monthly food budget. [Yes, we eat too much. We’re cooking at home a lot more but we are piggies and one of us treats other people far too much. Ahem.]
One of my private loans came up this month, hence the leap from $12,630 to $15,900. I’m looking to reinvest again so that means I’ll keep the bit over $3000 and throw the $12,630 back into the investing pool. It takes nearly five years to come due so it’s what I’d consider a mid-term investment.
I also banked that surprise bonus and snowflaked all my bits of freelancey income towards the travel fund. It’s a little selfish since the other practical funds need attention but they will always be supplemented by the expense fund if necessary. The travel fund doesn’t get that luxury – it’s either funded or I don’t travel.
November’s rent is already covered because of a really stupid mistake. The October rent was already paid at the end of September but because it came out in the month of September, my brain didn’t click and I jumped mid-October to the conclusion that I hadn’t paid so I cut another check. Everyone roll your eyes with me. Who pays rent twice in a month?? Still, let’s take it as a good sign that it didn’t break the bank.
Speaking of banks, I moved a big chunk of money to Smarty Pig just in time for them to drop the interest rate to 1.75%, which is still higher than the 1.1% at ING. Excellent timing, self.
Overall, since I’m still occasionally sneezing about my parents’ financial situation via my financial situation, I’m still on the prowl for better places to store my money for higher interest rates (hah) and more income-producing opportunities.
October 3, 2010
This entire month has been so busy as to be unreal, so it stands to reason that I’m having trouble believing the net worth is real.
Every single weekend was booked: hosting friends, driving back to LA, traveling to Oregon, hosting half a dozen houseguests for days. Every weekday was booked: I started an intensive pain care program, had a birthday, and worked every weekday.
The numbers aren’t fudged, but I have felt a poor steward of my money for not quite knowing where every penny is or has gone. The last notation on my cashflow Excel sheet is September 15th, for heaven’s sake; it doesn’t make sense that it’s gone up without close shepherding. In any case, a fraction was thanks to automated savings and contributions, the rest is due to the vagaries of the market and interest payments. Next month, the phrase “keeping bills as low as possible” will be an honest factor in that. We’ve been feeding about ten extra mouths this month, I’d just be lying.
To kill that feeling of unsteadiness, I paid all my bills a few days ago, took a deep breath and I’m doing some therapeutic cleaning today to clear my head and make a fresh start. Let’s take on October!
August 31, 2010
I definitely waited for the last paycheck of the month before putting this month’s snapshot together because I’ve already paid up September’s rent and paid down a 4-digit bill for the start of the Dental Bills (deep breath).
The expense account took a hit for quite a number of reasons and as we gear up for the fall, I’ve got a ton going on, so it’s only going to get worse. The medical bills are going to almost immediately drain the rest of the Parental Medical Fund so the balance will have to come out of the Expense fund. Remember, I use that to pay all bills and try to keep a few months’ worth in there at any given time so I’m not living paycheck to paycheck. I still worry quite easily when that number drops drastically, though.
A really old pension account finally rolled over into my Vanguard account, that huge uptick in retirement accounts has nothing to do with gains in the market.
I’m going to be traveling for a three day weekend in September, and I’ve got a ton of guests in town another weekend of the same month. PiC will be traveling yet another weekend, and then I’ve got to prep for a business trip in October. Before you know it, November and December are lined up right behind that with their thumbs out for a lift of multiple birthdays and holidays. Whoo! This is why planning is so very important.
As for generating extra income, I’ve been rather dismal at that. Any number of excuses really, but regardless, the end result is feeling (quite) a bit pinched after Hometown Expenses are paid, to the tune of 70-80% of my income. This most certainly needs to change!
I have been talking about second jobs (part-time or freelance) but I always get the evil eye from PiC who thinks I already work too hard. That may be, but I’ve still got bills to pay, and savings to pile up! Truthfully, there has to be a way to generate more income without unduly stressing my own health. I ought to have learned that lesson by now.
In the meantime, I’m reverting to an old method of keeping calm: noting everything financial in a notebook. That’ll help me keep track of reimbursements and other “hidden” money moving around in my system.
How goes the month for you, friends?
August 1, 2010
Katamari Accounting: I think it’s time to roll as many accounts into one as possible.
- 1. The Retirement Funds are now spawning a 4th account due to the rollover I initiated a couple days ago. Let’s make that one Roth and one “massive” IRA.
- 2. The e-fund is spread across CDs, and savings accounts in two different banks. I’d like to have two big honkin’ CDs: One is already a $15K 5-year term CD, the other might well encompass the rest of the cash as well as the soon-to-mature Prosperish Loan.
- 3. Pin Money, Moving and School just can’t make up their minds what they really want to be so they should just become Parental Medical Funds.
Financial Planning: Once I reorganize my finances, I need to help a friend structure some investments from an inheritance. We’re talking multiples of what I have personally, but not so much more I couldn’t create a cohesive plan.
Progress: It’s been a niggling thing in the back of my head that I haven’t been paying my fair share OR saving. This month’s increase, even after I paid a great deal of credit card bills off, is both surprising and puzzling. I’ve now redirected a small chunk of the direct deposit, previously all toward the expense account, to actual savings starting this month. Which brings me to ….
Urges and Splurges: In the spirit of absolute honesty, seeing my number go up when I don’t have a specific account that looks like it’s going begging makes me want want want. But ……..
Spending: As usual, binging and purging. By which I mean, I don’t get nice new clothes, underthings, hair ties, new phone, new anything that’s not strictly necessary so that I can spend several thousand dollars on my parents. They have both woefully neglected their dental care and I had no idea how bad it was until recently. I knew my dad needed dentures soon but just found out that many of his teeth are bad and so are Mom’s. I estimate that the costs will start around $10,000 for basic care.
Freelancing: If I want any extras in my life, I’m gonna have to work for it! Time to go hunting for more work.
Reality Check: Beyond that, in less than five years, I’m sure that Mom will need more assistance than Dad can provide. Heck, in two years, she could require a full scale assisted living situation and I don’t have anything near enough saved for that. Looking above, a whole $107K looks like a really tidy start until you realize that I may soon have to spend $60K/year on assisted living for my parent(s). Then I’m nowhere near ready for the future.
