What tightwad goals are you working on?

**Shell** · 05-29-2004, 09:52 AM

Almost six months have passed since New Year's and I think it is a good idea to review some of the goal's we've set for ourselves and reflect how far we've come and things we are still working on.

Oh I'll start,

well as most of you know I've finally paid off all my credit cards which is a goal I've been working on for over a year!

I have continued to put money into my emergency fund and now that my credit cards are all paid off I have extra money and I am now making DOUBLE payments into my account.

I have continued putting money away for my retirement and also started an education fund for my daughter. Oh yes and made dh get a life policy.

I have also gotten dh to start his own monthly retirement fund!

Now, for things I am still working on since my New Year's resolution:

-spending too much on clothes and gifts
-piddling away a little here and a little there
-keep bringing lunch to work
-cut back grocery bill
-go to the library & used books stores
-check out thrift stores

OK since Jan 1st how have you done with your New Year's resolutions?

**slowtypinwoman** · 05-29-2004, 09:56 AM

We are getting ever closer to paying off the c.c.'s We also started an IRA for Michael and hope to get one going for me as well in '04. The one thing I'd like to start working on when the cc's are paid is making double car payments.

**Shell** · 05-29-2004, 10:00 AM

Doubling up on your car payment sounds like a great idea!

**Early Bird** · 05-29-2004, 10:46 AM

Getting the emergency fund healthy.

Working the budget to allow for all these little expenses that pop up -- newspaper $75; scout registration $40 (for whole family); etc.

**PrairieRose** · 05-29-2004, 12:00 PM

Great thread Shell!

We have paid off all our debt except for the warehouse and shop that houses our main business. When we bought this we paid $120,000 (4 years ago) and we now have it down to $77,500. We are paying extra on that monthly and continuing to make the bi-annual payments as well and should be able to pay it off in 3 yrs. You can bet I'll be throwing a virtual keg party when we do that!

Other than that we've been putting 10% of our income into savings faithfully and paying cash for all purchases of any kind. We've put money into our retirement fund and our emergency fund is fully funded as well.

It feels so wonderful to watch a little nest egg grow. Keep up the good work girls, it snowballs really fast.

**guest2** · 05-29-2004, 12:37 PM

We've been steadily paying off the credit cards and trying to reduce our out of pocket expenses. We've also found a way for our kids to be able to start earning their college credits at home.

**bmiltimore** · 05-29-2004, 01:35 PM

Great thread, Shell!

When I turned 29 yrs old (DEC 2003) I made a resolution to be in a better finanical position by my 30th birthday. It is now almost June and all the CC's are paid off and I now am putting money into savings.

I have been packing my lunches for work and cooking at home more.
I am TRYING to lower the utility bills by turning off lights and using less water.
I keep myself away from the shopping malls and now go to garage sales when I get the urge to splurge!
I am washing work clothes at home instead of taking them to the drycleaners.

It is such a better feeling to know that we are saving each month rather than going deeper into debt!

**Shell** · 05-29-2004, 02:03 PM

Bmiltimore you are doing so well. You set a goal and went for it. WTG! Isn't it a wonderful feeling to feel like you are in control of your finances and putting money away for a rainy day? You should be very, very proud of yourself!!!!

**Shell** · 05-30-2004, 08:43 PM

I was reading today how important it is to actually write down your goals. When people take the time to write down what they want studies show there is a MUCH bigger chance of it coming true. So write down those goals and then make smaller steps how you are going to get there.

For example, when I set the goal to save money in my emergency account I didn't just say to myself, "I want an emergency fund." I wrote down how I was going to do it. What day I would deposit it by and how much I would deposit. In total I have now saved $5,600.00. Some of it is in my saving account and some is now locked up.

This is also true for my retirement fund. I didn't just wish it to happen. I set up an appointment with a life agent and had my funds taken directly out of my account. I don't even miss that money and I've been doing it since I was 18. I am now 36.

So set your goal then be specific how you are going to do it. Once it becomes a habit it is easy.

**CAGmomof2** · 06-01-2004, 04:13 PM

We are still working on getting rid of needless things.
Decluttering.
Cooking by scratch mostly.
Couponing.
Saving Money.
Emergency Fund Challenge.
Paying off Debts (one LensCrafters CreditCard,Housepayment,Medical Bills.)
Making our Life for Simple and Simplistic.
Doing without things we don't really need.
Going without most of our wants so we can have our needs meet and have extra money to spare.