First off, I now have $400 in my kitchen fund! The cabinets will be under $2k, appliances and countertop will probably push it to around $4k, so that's what I'm aiming for.
Secondly, we just got news for BF's graduation his parents are giving us a vacation anywhere in the world. So, kitchen might have to wait a little bit longer than anticipated, but for a vacation it will be worth it! We've never taken a real vacation. I mean, I've never gone anywhere for a week, ever! I can't wait!
Annnnddd I've gotten kind of compulsive about checking my retirement. It was going down down down, now it's back up to where it was before it started dropping. I know I still have 43 years, but it stinks seeing my small amount in retirement go kapoof!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Checking High to Low
I read alot about checking accounts putting higher amounts through before lower amounts, but I've never really been able to keep track if that's really true since I used debit for everything. Since I've successfully completed almost my entire first month on the "cash diet," I have only used my debit card for bills and our mini overnight vacation. My gas literally took almost an entire week to clear the bank to let other charges I made after it go through.
It went in the following order:
ED transfer- $100
Hotel room- $83
Groceries- $39
Gas- $26 ($1 over budget too!)
When it should have been hotel, gas, ED, then groceries. Of course, it's a good thing it pulled the savings money first, but I was getting pissed off that whole week my gas I charged wasn't showing up because if I didn't fill up on the exact same day every two weeks, I probably would have forgotten about it. It sure looks like the high to low is true after this though!
It went in the following order:
ED transfer- $100
Hotel room- $83
Groceries- $39
Gas- $26 ($1 over budget too!)
When it should have been hotel, gas, ED, then groceries. Of course, it's a good thing it pulled the savings money first, but I was getting pissed off that whole week my gas I charged wasn't showing up because if I didn't fill up on the exact same day every two weeks, I probably would have forgotten about it. It sure looks like the high to low is true after this though!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Curtains.
If ever a homeowner asked me what the best purchase I made for my home was, it would have to be my curtains. I bought them for the looks, and the floor sample was really soft. Ok, so it sounds like a pretty girly excuse to buy them, but they are seriously worth every cent I paid for them. The $35 pricetag for these things sounded pretty ridiculous to me at first, for ONE panel. However, I eyed these bad boys for months before buying them for the living room, and it took me another few months before I decided I absolutely needed them in our bedroom. Not just because they're so sexy, but because they actually have a purpose.
They're extremely thick, and block out the sun when it's right in that super bright spot. They block out the heat when it's really hot out. They block out the cool air when it's cold out. And they really are the best looking curtains I've ever seen. I just pulled back the curtains and the cold air around our old windows is just trapped behind these curtains. I could gush for hours.
You must purchase!
Home Remodeling.
My BF and I paid for the complete bathroom remodel in cash when we first moved in. It had waterproof vinyl walls with gold trim from the 1970's, the original 1951 tub complete with mold, mildew, and rust, and the toilet was held up by a 2x4 (that is, until you sat on the toilet, then the wood gave way). We made it completely modern, completely redone from the studs, including labor, for only $5k. New tub, toilet, walls, trim, tile walls, tile floor, sink, plumbing pipes, water faucets, lighting, light switches and outlets. Nothing survived, yet I still can't understand how people can spend $25k in a BATHROOM. I got some pretty pricey, name brand items too. And I love them!
Now that we've lived here for almost a half year, I've gotten an itch to remodel the kitchen. It had original 1950's STEEL cabinets on top, and the 1980's remodel white laminate bottom cabinets with a cheap sink and gold flecked formica countertops. The appliances haven't been replaced since the early 90's, but the oven was disgusting and the W/D were broken, so we replaced them before moving in. I have this small obsession with Ikea, so we bought uppers and absolutely love them, so we're going ahead and redoing the whole kitchen in the same cabinets, and replacing the dishwasher with an energy star one that won't leave spots on everything. I found the prettiest Wilsonart laminate countertops to match the white appliances (laminate and white! amazing, I know) and gray walls. I estimated it will all be around $4,500 doing it ourselves with the help of my father. That's rounding up, as I know there are always surprises!
I knew it would be a fixer upper, which is why i was able to negotiate it $30k under market value, but I had no idea it would only cost us $10k to fix everything we wanted/needed to! We had a clog in our main water pipe last week, which was $500 to unclog, but it was worth it for a piece of mind after they sent the camera down there to make sure it was clear. It was backed up for a long time (the PO hadn't lived there for almost a year after his wife passed away) so we weren't completely surprised some problems would arise down the road.
This afternoon I actually set up a separate account in my Emigrant savings account for my Kitchen Remodel Fund. I told BF once it hits the estimated cost goal we can start shopping. I can't wait!!
Now that we've lived here for almost a half year, I've gotten an itch to remodel the kitchen. It had original 1950's STEEL cabinets on top, and the 1980's remodel white laminate bottom cabinets with a cheap sink and gold flecked formica countertops. The appliances haven't been replaced since the early 90's, but the oven was disgusting and the W/D were broken, so we replaced them before moving in. I have this small obsession with Ikea, so we bought uppers and absolutely love them, so we're going ahead and redoing the whole kitchen in the same cabinets, and replacing the dishwasher with an energy star one that won't leave spots on everything. I found the prettiest Wilsonart laminate countertops to match the white appliances (laminate and white! amazing, I know) and gray walls. I estimated it will all be around $4,500 doing it ourselves with the help of my father. That's rounding up, as I know there are always surprises!
I knew it would be a fixer upper, which is why i was able to negotiate it $30k under market value, but I had no idea it would only cost us $10k to fix everything we wanted/needed to! We had a clog in our main water pipe last week, which was $500 to unclog, but it was worth it for a piece of mind after they sent the camera down there to make sure it was clear. It was backed up for a long time (the PO hadn't lived there for almost a year after his wife passed away) so we weren't completely surprised some problems would arise down the road.
This afternoon I actually set up a separate account in my Emigrant savings account for my Kitchen Remodel Fund. I told BF once it hits the estimated cost goal we can start shopping. I can't wait!!
Introduction.
I'm 22, I have 3 months expenses in an EF, I own a 864 sf home, no debt other than mortgage, paid for Miata in great condition, I'm dating a wonderful guy who got me where I am financially, I contribute 12% to my retirement for the full company match, which equals 22% all together, and I've become obsessed with home remodeling and decorating. I chose long ago not to have kids, not just because I don't have the energy or patience for one, but I like a nice clean, organized home, and not wasting my money on a brat... and that's me in a nutshell.
I don't have some great debt payoff plan, I don't have awesome investments to brag about, but I am proud of how far I've come along at such an early age. The big driving factor was that I skipped on college to go to work, earning me a decent salary before most people my age. I don't mind not having alot of money. I don't care about the Joneses. I like my nice simple life, small home and car, and my little, kid free, family. I will be updating this frequently with where my finances stand. My biggest thing I am looking forward to now is a new kitchen. More on that later.
I don't have some great debt payoff plan, I don't have awesome investments to brag about, but I am proud of how far I've come along at such an early age. The big driving factor was that I skipped on college to go to work, earning me a decent salary before most people my age. I don't mind not having alot of money. I don't care about the Joneses. I like my nice simple life, small home and car, and my little, kid free, family. I will be updating this frequently with where my finances stand. My biggest thing I am looking forward to now is a new kitchen. More on that later.
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