Need motivation to bring up my EF...

**FrugalMomof3** · 10-22-2006, 01:48 PM

I only have $46 in my EF, it's not much but I need motivation to help me build it up.

I want to put in atleast $20 every 2 weeks (I would like to put $30) but then I think wow $40 a month is only $480 a year, it would take me forever to reach $2000 (or a little over 4 years).

I am thinking that I have to have the mindset that each time I make money from ebay, web design, etc... to atleast put half of what I make towards it but everytime I make some money hubby needs this or we need that, I feel like I am at a total lose and will never even reach $100.

Please ladies give me some motivational tips, etc.

**Mojjo** · 10-22-2006, 02:28 PM

I like the idea of putting half of your extra "earned" money in the EF. Does DH "need" the money because he knows how much it is? You could maybe lowball the amount then. How about rebate money or money saved from the food budget from coupons? Could you add that?

**JustJoy** · 10-22-2006, 03:05 PM

My EF is with ING. If I had to deposit the money myself, I'd never do it! LOL! So I set it up where they automatically take a specific amount out of my checking account every month and transfer it to my ING savings account. Doing it this way... I don't even miss the money

**Stella** · 10-22-2006, 03:45 PM

I do mine via electronically also. I get $$ taken out of my paycheck and it goes to savings, checking and EF. I don't even miss the money that comes out of there because I don't see it. If you are able to do put in even $25every two weeks it helps with that extra bit. If you realize that you do need it, you can always take it out to get yourself out of a bind.

**Telephus44** · 10-22-2006, 03:49 PM

I think you're on track with putting away 1/2 of the "extra" money. I put aside a fixed amount every week (automatic transfer so that I don't think about it) plus anything "extra" I get - rebates, money from selling on Half.com, heck, even birthday presents. Last month it worked out to $32, and so far this month I'm at a big fat zero.

**Michelle** · 10-22-2006, 05:11 PM

I have mine at ING. It's much harder to spend the money when you need to wait a couple of days for it to be transfered from there to your bank account. Soon I am going to set it up so that it's automatically taking out a certain amount weekly for our EF.

**starsapphire** · 10-22-2006, 05:13 PM

Just keep putting that $20 every two weeks in the EF. Putting in half of whatever extra money you make is a good idea. Don't keep future tripping about how this money will only be x amount at the end of the year, that will only discourage you. Focus on the positive and distract yourself from the negative thinking. Our minds are always messing with us with the 'shoulda, woulda, coulda's and if onlys, don't get stuck in that mental trap. Give yourself a pat on the back every time you move money into that EF, no matter what the amount is.

**Mopsiehoney** · 10-22-2006, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by starsapphire

Just keep putting that $20 every two weeks in the EF. Putting in half of whatever extra money you make is a good idea. Don't keep future tripping about how this money will only be x amount at the end of the year, that will only discourage you. Focus on the positive and distract yourself from the negative thinking. Our minds are always messing with us with the 'shoulda, woulda, coulda's and if onlys, don't get stuck in that mental trap. Give yourself a pat on the back every time you move money into that EF, no matter what the amount is.

Here here! I couldn't have said it better!

**autumnlynn** · 10-22-2006, 07:35 PM

I also have money automatically transferred to Ing. Even small amounts add up to make big amounts. Just get nto the habit of putting money back. At the end of the year, isn't it better to have $480 in savings for an emergency or $0? I know you can do it.

**marei** · 10-22-2006, 11:58 PM

My dad told me that if I looked after the nickels and dimes the dollars would look after themselves. Even a small amount on a regular basis adds up - don't worry about the balance, just keep plugging away.