Because…”If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time!” ~ Zig Ziglar
Ever have one of those days where it feels like a struggle to get through every hour? When it came to our finances this past month, this is how every day seemed like to me, a struggle! April was rough! I can’t blame it on anything, in particular, just a lot of everything. Despite the challenges, we persevered. I’ve updated April’s goals in red. While it would be easy to feel defeated, I don’t. We still made progress, and I am thankful for what we did accomplish.
- Add $500 to our sinking fund (money we are setting aside for irregular expenses). This will be a real stretch and is going to take some creativity. This fund is still severely anemic, so knowing these variable costs are coming is giving me a push to pad this account. Increased it by $250.
- Earn $75 from Swagbucks. With my seasonal job starting mid-April, this also might be a stretch. We will see. Only made $25 but close to cashing out for another $25.
- Reduce baby step 2 debt by $1,000. Didn’t hit this goal last month (but came oh so very close!) so this is something I really want to achieve this month. Only reduced it by a little over $600. I’ll have the final figure on May 1.
- Cash flow hubbies dental work. Of course, this all depends on whether or not he can even get an appointment. Did not get an appointment, so nothing spent here.
- Cash flow hubbies eye glasses. We still have a little money in our health savings account, so that could cover either his dental work or his glasses. New glasses aren’t something he can put off getting as he accidentally broke his specs and now has the nerdy tape thing going on. Given that his glasses are at least three years old, it is probably time anyway. Plan to get him a spare pair via one of those online stores. Do any of you have any suggestions as we have never ordered glasses online before? Depending on the cost, we also might get him some prescription sunglasses as well. Hubby ended up getting three pairs, as he also needed safety glasses. Out of pocket for exam and glasses was a little over $500.
- Net $500 from my (very) part time job. Came close to hitting this goal. Netted $470.
May is almost here and with it comes new goals. Having started my seasonal job, I am simplifying my goals as life will be much busier. Fortunately, in this case, working more will also increase our income. Below is what I hope to accomplish.
- Increase sinking fund by $250. We have multiple things to cash flow in May, so this should be a reasonable goal.
- Earn $50 from Swagbucks. I need to keep reminding myself that every little bit helps!
- Reduce baby step 2 debt by $1,000. I am again setting the same goal. One way or another, this WILL happen in May!
- Net $500 from my (very) part time job. Only missed it by $30 in April, so I want to see this happen in May!
- $50 snowflake from working as a poll inspector for a local election. I’m only working 6 hours, so after taxes, I think this is about what I will net. You don’t get rich doing this, but again, every little bit helps. In regards to politics, other than working the polls and giving my opinion (of course not during an election!), this is about as close as I like to get!
May starts the 5th month of drawing a line in the sand and deciding to get out of debt. While we haven’t hit every goal we set, I still feel making them is vital to our journey. It gives us something to strive for. How about you? Have you set any financial goals for May?
My May goal is to survive the month without going into the hole. Being away from home more of the month than not I will put all the bills on autopay(or will pay them electronically from where I’ll be)and leave instructions for Hubs on what to pay and how much and when. Then I’ll pray he doesn’t forget and we get hit with interest charges. lolz I will have no control over Hubs and Daughter and what they spend on food/cash withdrawals for incidentals/online shopping(Hubs) for May so I’ll cross my fingers they can behave with the money.
You did so well knocking out the debt, increasing the EF, netting from your PT job even if you didn’t hit the goals. Look at how much you accomplished in the half full view, not the half empty view. 😉
Sluggy recently posted…2017 Food & Toiletries Spending…..April Update
Hide the plastic and leave cash along with a fully stocked pantry, of which I’m sure you already have! I hope for everyone’s sake; they don’t go nuts with spending!
Yes, despite the challenging month, I do agree that we still did well. Anytime there is a reduction, that is truly something to celebrate!
I have several. The first one is to get a jump start on saving for Baby Step 1. The second is to start saving to cash flow my annual summer trek to see my daughter in Missouri. The third is cancel the rest of the credit cards that does not have a balance. I am bound and determined to reduce the potential of increasing my debt.
Rhitter recently posted…On Thinking, Believing, Dreaming and Daring
Those are fantastic goals, Rhitter! Have you cut up those credit cards? Makes them so much harder to use! Not wanting to increase our debts is also what keeps me from using ours.
We are painfully alike with our debts. A mix of credit cards and a car loan. I love hearing about your progress and what you are doing to slay the debt monster. Helps keep me motivated. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Yes – I have cut up the credit cards that are still active. I don’t need that temptation. And you’re welcome! I hope my journey will inspire others to do something about their own situation.
Rhitter recently posted…On Continuing Killing My FICO Score
We need to get through May with Chris taking almost 2 weeks off for back surgery (gotta love being self employed) and having to pay for that surgery along with his new glasses (needs a safety pr as well). I have 4 work events as well this month that really mess up my weeks since they are on Wed/Thurs.
You are doing awesome!
Wow, Patti, you do have some challenges for May. I pray all goes well with your hubbies surgery. Back trouble is no fun. Your job sure is keeping you busy! Don’t let them overwork you!
Thanks for your words of encouragement. I’m eager to knock out some serious debt in May.
We were going to replace our hot water heater in May, but have decided to hold off, so that will save about $400. But, we also need a lawn mower. We sold our riding mower with the house and the previous owners left an old gas push mower here, but it’s pretty darn run down. We might wait until June to find a new one. Other than possibly that, I think we should be able to stay on budget with everything else for May. Water is going to go up because we are watering the grass seed, in between the rainy days. Thank goodness it’s been raining about every other day or so, so we won’t have to use so much water. I guess the reduced electricity bill will be offset by a high water bill :/
OneFamily recently posted…Look at those teeny tiny words
All about priorities! Don’t the stores have sales on things like mowers for Memorial Day? Even though you want to wait until June, you might get a better deal during that weekend. If you or your hubby are Veterans (or know someone who is), Lowes always gives a 10% discount and many other stores (Home Depot, TSC, etc.) also offer a discount at various times of the year. In our family, I happen to be the veteran! 🙂
Hope your water bills doesn’t increase too much. For some reason, I thought you had a well.
that’s a great idea to see if there will be some sales on Memorial Day. I have a Lowes credit card and they just sent new card and there was a 10% off coupon with it. We were on a well at our old house and will be on a well on our property, but here in town we are on city water, a first for me 😉
OneFamily recently posted…Look at those teeny tiny words
Take advantage of every discount! You may even be able to combine the discount with a sale price.
I think you did a good job in April. I appreciate that you are honest with everything. Pulling for you to reach more goals in May.
Thanks, Chris! Honestly is a must. I’d only be hurting myself if I weren’t! Feeling good about May!
I feel the same exact way about April – it was a struggle! I didn’t set any specific goals, but I certainly don’t feel like I accomplished much through the month. The end of the school year is always hectic, and I think it’s thrown me off all month, May will probably be even worse. Despite not meeting your goals, I think you did well – any progress is good progress! I haven’t sent any goals for May yet. Trying to get myself to pay off that pesky cc with our savings, but it makes me sick to think about!
Glad to see the end of April! I hope May surprises you with a much better month. Pay off the pesky cc. That will be HUGE progress! 🙂