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Archive for April, 2008

Budget Committee Meeting

April 11th, 2008 at 09:56 pm

When dh and I got serious about our finances, we started having bi-monthly budget meetings. It may sound a bit silly, but it was the only way I can get his input on anything. Otherwise, he just tells me to handle it all.

At our last meeting we took a closer look at our "life happens" mini-accounts (auto, dental, etc). They have not made much progress in the past 10 months. We decided to take the same approach with those accounts as we would with a debt - snowball. Starting with the one closest to being fully funded, we will add extra money there. When that one is done, we will focus on the next. The idea is that this will eventually free up money to go into the house and full EF funds. It will also give us a bit more of a safety cushion.

I am glad dh is taking an interest. It takes some of the pressure off me. The budget meetings have been a wonderful finanacial tool for us.

Jury Duty

April 7th, 2008 at 11:14 pm

I did my civic duty today and went to jury duty. That meant missing work and, since I am a part time employee, receiving no work pay. Thankfully I was given a strike by one of the lawyers and can return to work tomorrow. I did end up spending all day there. My only spending was $5 for lunch. I decided it was too hard to pack a lunch for jury duty.

This Past Week & Update

April 6th, 2008 at 02:50 pm

First I updated the totals for my goals. The vehicle fund had its first addition. Hopefully we will not need another vehicle for several years so that will be a long term fund.

The house fund got a small addition. We have a very long way to go with that one. I try to focus on the fact it is going up and not how much we are lacking.

The emergency fund did not get an addition. In fact we had to take some money out of the smaller fund at our local bank. Dh needed a root canal, and it was a bit more than what we had in the dental account. Then we had decided to get our propane tank filled as the gas company was having a sale(!). We got almost 50 cents a gallon off the regular price. We were $37 short in that account as we would normally get a delivery in two months. However with the discount it was smarter to fill up now. All total I need to add $53 back into our small EF. Then we can focus on the full EF again.

I finished up the first week of work. Suprisingly it was much easier to adjust to the schedule this time around. I feel the next 10 weeks will go by quickly. The first paycheck will not arrive until the end of this month. That will be split between the EF and the house fund.

I Don't Owe, but Off to Work I Go

April 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 pm

Today was my second day back at the part-time teaching job. This money will go into savings. I have been packing snacks to take to work so there is no extra spending. I was even good and ate lunch at home despite the temptation to pick up take out on the way home.