Banker Gurl's More Bang For Your Buck!

Another one bites the dust! So excited to be doing so well on our goal list so early in the year! I asked DH what he would like to do with the $250 per paycheck that we had been putting towards the Home Improvements, and he said he would like to keep it going to Home Improvements even though our yearly goal is met. This is money from his Track/Cross Country Coach pay, so I am leaving this up to him. He wants to replace our patio door and also put in underground sprinklers this year, and as other home owners out there know, there is always something to be upgraded or fixed, so I think that is a good idea to keep adding to that pot.

The next 3 goals on the list (Anniversary Cruise, Cushion, and HSA) are on autodeposits that will meet those goals for the year. So for now I am going to be adding to our Vegas fund (trip is in July) to give us a little extra fun money for being so good on our savings this year. After that I am hoping to put the Long Term EF up to $2K (I know this is still small, but we really have all of our ING savings as an EF if it was needed) and then make some GOOD extra payments on the house for Sept-Dec. For now we will keep going with our $400-$600 extra payments per month.

Current Focus = Home Improvements $7,115/$7,000 – Goal Met!

Current Balance $27,725.00
-$28.00 to Roth IRA
+$3.00 Even Out Amount
+$100.00 Retirement Hold Account
+$200.00 ING Las Vegas
+$250.00 Home Improvements
+$350.00 April 2013 Escrow Amount
New Balance $28,600.00

ING $25,625.00 ($5620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$1100.00
HSBC $1875.00
Total = $28,600.00

Wow ten days without a post...that may be a record for me! Well today I went through our movies (I'm still working in that dumb extra room, but it is slow...and not steady). I took out 15 VHS (yes we still have some of those) and 3 DVDs for the rummage sale. We have been trying to transition our VHS to DVDs so we check out the $5 bin at Walmart and get them from there when we see them. Today we found 2, Indepence Day and The Sandlot. Still probably have close to 45 movies to move over. Saves a ton of room on the movie shelf.

Yeah we met our New Car Goal!! Next payday will meet the Home Improvements Goal for the year as well! After that we will be bulking up for a little extra fun money for our Vegas trip in July, and then hitting the Long Term EF hard along with the MORTGAGE!

Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,865/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $10,055/$10,000 - Goal Met!!

Current Balance $27,070.00
+$5.00 Even Out Amount to get ING to $25K, LT EF
+$100.00 HSBC Anniversary Cruise
+$100.00 Retirement Hold Account
+$200.00 ING New Car
+$250.00 Home Improvements
New Balance $27,725.00

ING $25,000.00 ($5620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$850.00
HSBC $1875.00
Total = $27,725.00

I think I probably missed an update on this, but this is to my best recollection.

10/9/12 Brunos Pizza - Free Calzone $6.99
10/9/12 Brunos Pizza - Free Pop $2.29
10/16/12 Pita Pit - BOGO Free Pita $6.79
10/24/12 Gloria Jeans - BOGO Free Drink $5.09
10/27/12 Bonanza - Discount on meal $3.00
10/27/12 Cold Stone Creamery - Discount on 2 $3.34
10/30/12 Brunos Pizza - Free Med Pizza $10.99
11/2/12 Bonanza - Discount on meal $3.00
11/2/12 Bowling - BOGO Free Game of Bowling $4.50
11/19/12 Space Aliens - Free cup of soup $2.99
11/28/12 Brunos Pizza - Free dessert $3.99
12/19/12 Simonsons - .05 off per gallon .55
12/19/12 Simonsons - Free Fountain Pop $1.49
01/15/13 Rock'n 50's - BOGO Free meal $8.50
02/20/13 Space Aliens - BOGO Free Wrap $8.00
03/09/13 Rock'n 50's - BOGO Free meal $8.50
_________________________________
Total Saved $79.96

Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,615/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $9,855/$10,000

Current Balance $27,170.00
-$112.00 to ROTH IRA
+$12.00 Even Out Amount
New Balance $27,070.00

ING $24,695.00 ($5620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$600.00
HSBC $1775.00
Total = $27,070.00

My 401K finally hit $25K! Yippee! I can't wait till my 401K dollars are more then my age in years...currently at 28 y/o and 25K...so shouldn't be too much longer!

Not seeing too much in this weeks add..I did go get my free jelly beans though!

Gold Emblum Sour Jelly Beans 7oz Bag (Bought 2)
Regular Price $1.19
-.20 Sale price
*Received .99 EB
Final Price - 2 Bags Free!!

Moved $1000 from the cash for Home Improvements to the ING Home Improvements.

Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,610/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $9,855/$10,000

Current Balance $27,170.00
-$1000.00 Home Improvements (cash)
+$1000.00 ING Home Improvements
New Balance $27,170.00

ING $24,795.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$600.00
HSBC $1775.00
Total = $27,170.00

Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief 4oz (Bought 2)
Regular Price $6.49
-$1.50 each sale price
-$1.00 each CVS coupon($2.00 off 2 toothpaste)
*Received $4.00 EB each
Final Price - Both Free!!
(Marked $2.50 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 2 for $2.50 each at 6/15/13 rummage sale
Profit = $5.00

Thermacare Heat Wraps (Bought 2)
Regular Price $3.99
-.50 each sale price
*Received $3.49 EB each
Final Price - Both Free!!
(Marked for $3.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 1 for $3.00 at 9/5/13 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 1 for $3.00 on 3/17/14 to coworker

Glade Premium Room Spray (Bought 16)
Regular Price $2.00
-$1.00 each Sale Price
-.55 Mfr coupon (16)
Final Price .45 each!
(Marked for $1.50 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 5 at $1.50 each at 6/15/13 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 4 at $1.50 each at 8/23/13 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 6 at $1.50 each at 9/5/13 rummage sale


Special K Snacks (Bought 4)
Regular Price $4.49
-$1.99 each sale price
Final Price $2.50 each!
I love these and they are great for snacks at work, my favorite are the Multi-Grain Crackers (taste like Wheat Thins) and the Sour Cream and Onion Chips.

March 2013 Savings Update

Regular Savings:
Home Maintanence ING $5015
Cushion $2650
HSA $7900
New Patio Door(cash) $1600
Escrow - $1155
September 2013 $1805 - Complete
Short Term Emergency Fund $1015 - Complete
Long Term Emergency Fund $1015 - Complete
New Car $9855 - Complete
Vacation - $3025 - Complete
Anniversary Cruise $1775
Total Regular Savings = $36,810.00

Retirement Savings:
Retirement Hold Account $900
Roth IRA $6735
Rollover IRA $870
401K $24,725
403B $18,400 (est)
Total Retirement Savings = $51,630.00

Total Savings - $88,440.00

Up $3370 from last month! WOO!

Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,610/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $9,855/$10,000

Current Balance $27,120.00
+$12.59 ING Interest
+$37.41 Even Out Amount
New Balance $27,170.00

ING $23,795.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$1600.00
HSBC $1775.00
Total = $27,170.00

Wowsa we are really moving up lately! $27K will be very short lived as DH is booking our Vegas trip tomorrow, but still fun while it lasts.

Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,610/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $9,845/$10,000

Current Balance $26,245.00
-$28.00 to Roth IRA
+$3.00 Even Out Amount
+$100.00 to ING Retirement Hold Account
+$200.00 to ING New Car
+$250.00 to Home Improvements
+$350.00 to ING Escrow for March 2013
New Balance $27,120.00

ING $23,745.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$1600.00
HSBC $1775.00
Total = $27,120.00

March 2013 Mortgage Payment

Balance $114,300.00
+$261.94 Interest
-$1218.88 Regular Payment
-$1043.06 Principle Payment
New Balance $112,300.00

Yeah no more Escrow!

Happy with the extra payment for the month, though I will say it should have been more. I was pretty irresponsible on our weekend away. Every once in awhile I get tired of being responsible and go a little crazy..lol. Well anyways it is still a good chunk gone and down $2K for the month. Getting closer and closer to breaking the $100K mark!

Worked 12 hrs OT this week and am a little behind on the deals...trying to catch up!



Target

Poise Feminine Wash (Bought 3)
Regular Price $3.89
Price Marked Down to $2.99
-$3.00 Mfr Coupon (3)
Final Price - Free!! 3 free!
(Marked $2.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 3 for $2.00 each at 9/4/14 rummage sale
Profit = $6.00

CVS

Brookside Dark Chocolate Trial Size (Bought 2)
Regular Price .69
*Received .69 EB
Final Price - Free!!

Wow this is the highest we have ever been! I requested my Escrow be closed on Wednesday and got the check for it in the mail on Friday, so fast!

Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,360/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $9,645/$10,000

Current Balance $25,445.00
+$788.33 Escrow Funds
+$11.67 Even Out Amount
New Balance $26,245.00

ING $23,120.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$1350.00
HSBC $1775.00
Total = $26,245.00

Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,360/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $9,645/$10,000

Current Balance $24,795.00
+$200.00 to ING New Car
+$100.00 to ING Retirement Account
+$100.00 to HSBC Anniversary Cruise
+$250.00 to Home Improvements
New Balance $25,445.00

ING $22,320.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$1350.00
HSBC $1775.00
Total = $25,445.00

I emailed my mortgage lender and she is closing out the Escrow Account. She advised it will be about a week and we should receive a check for the funds (est $700). I changed the name of my Long Term Emergency Fund to Long Term EF/Escrow Account and will put the $700 in there once it is received and set up my autodeposit.

I got $116.79 in the mail today!
-$100.00 check from FIL
-$10.00 Gift card to TJ Maxx from my work
-$6.79 Yearly Menards Big Card Rebate

And NO bills! What a great mail day!

I went through every file in my temporary file and cleaned out all of the 2012 paperwork. Moved it all into the permanent file box. Had a huge stack of papers that I was able to get rid of as well. Always makes me happy to make the house a little lighter.

Recently I have been looking over some of the different coverages we have and we do need to look into different home owners coverage. I have heard I can get it much cheaper from other carriers. So that is something I will need to look into soon.

Lots of free stuff this last week at Menards. I didn't get everything because some things I already had a lot for the rummage sale or I didn't think it would sell well.

Not sure on the original prices as I don't have the add anymore and they don't put that on the receipt, but everything below was FREE after rebate! I was going to keep the dish soap for the stockpile, but my Mom tried it and said it wasn't very good, plus I have a ton of Dawn in the stockpile. So into the rummage sale inventory it goes!

*ETA - I have now sold everything in this entry and made a profit of $40!

Dishwashing Soap 24oz Bottles (Limit 4) - Marked $1.00 each for rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 4 for $1.00 each at 6/15/13 rummage sale
Profit = $4.00

Hand Saw (Limit 2)-Marked $5.00 each for rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 2 for $5.00 each at rummage sale
Profit = $10.00

Grime Wipes(Limit 2)-Marked $2.00 each for rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 1 for $2.00 at 6/15/13 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 1 for $2.00 at 9/5/13 rummage sale
Profit = $4.00

Reach Tool(Limit 2)-Marked $5.00 each for rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 1 for $5.00 at 6/15/13 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 1 for $5.00 at 9/5/13 rummage sale
Profit = $10.00

Paint Brushes 2pk (Limit 4)-Marked $3.00 each for rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 3 for $3.00 each at 9/5/13 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 1 for $3.00 at 9/4/14 rummage sale
Profit = $12.00

I moved the last of the Bingo Money from at home to the ING account. One less money "bucket" to keep track of.

Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,110/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $9,445/$10,000

Current Balance $24,795.00
-$1000.00 from Bingo Money (cash)
+$1000.00 to ING New Car
New Balance $24,795.00

ING $22,020.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$1100.00
HSBC $1675.00
Total = $24,795.00

I moved some funds around since we got the Federal tax return and met 2 more goals! Now on to the Home Improvements and New Car Goals.  Home Improvements – DH puts $250 per paycheck in there, so that will be met in about 2 months. New Car – I will be transferring the last of the Bingo Money ($1000) to that account soon. I also cancelled the auto-deposits that I had set up ($100 bi-weekly to LT EF and $100 bi-weekly to Sept 2013) and started a new auto-deposit of $200 bi-weekly to New Car. So that goal will also be met within the next 2 months. Making some serious progress!

Current Focus = Long Term EF $1,000/$1,000 – Goal Met!
Current Focus = September 2013 $1,800/$1,800 – Goal Met!
Current Focus = Home Improvements $6,110/$7,000
Current Focus = New Car $8,445/$10,000

Current Balance $24,795.00
*No changes
New Balance $24,795.00

Bingo Money (cash) $1000.00
ING $21,020.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$1100.00
HSBC $1675.00
Total = $24,795.00

Our Federal Refund came in today! $1961!! YEAH! Can't wait to see how much of that we have to put towards the mortgage principle for March. We are going on our mini trip the weekend of Feb 15th, so will know by the 18th how much extra we have for the mortgage.

Got my State Tax Return today! YEAH! Put it in savings until DH's BD trip.

Current Focus = Long Term EF $640/$1000

Current Balance $24,540.00
+$115.00 State Tax Return to LT EF
+$250.00 Cross Country Pay to Home Improvements
-$112.00 ROTH IRA
+$2.00 Even Out Amount
New Balance $24,795.00

Bingo Money (cash) $1000.00
ING $21,020.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$1100.00
HSBC $1675.00
Total = $24,795.00

Rapid Sleep PM (Bought 2)
Regular Price $1.99
*Received $1.99 EB
Final Price - FREE!!

Venuz Razor (Bought 2)
Regular Price $6.99
-$2.00 Mfr Coupon
*Received $4.00 EB
Final Price .99!! (Free on CVS GC)
(Marked for $5.00 each for rummage sale)

Skintimate Shave Gel (Bought 2)
Regular Price $3.99
-.55 Mfr Coupon
*Received $2.00 EB
Final Price $1.44 each (Free on CVS GC)

Re-Nu Contact Solution 12oz (Bought 2)
Regular Price $9.99
-$2.00 Sale Price each
-$1.50 Mfr Coupon each
*Received $5.00 EB each
Final Price $1.49 each! (Free on CVS GC)
I do use this product, but already have 3 bottles in the stockpile so decided to sell these.
(Marked for $4.00 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 2 for $4.00 each at 6/15/13 rummage sale
Profit = $8.00

Scored big again!


Tresemme Shampoo and Conditioner 3oz (Got 12!!)
Regular Price .99 each
-$2.00 off 2 CVS Coupon Machine Coupons
Final Price 12 bottles for FREE!
These are perfect for travel!

Clairol Nice and Easy Hair Color (Bought 5)
Regular Price $9.29
-$6.97 Clearance Price
-$2.00 Mfr Coupon each
Final Price .32!! (Free on CVS GC)
(Marked for $3.00 each for the rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 1 for $3.00 at 9/5/13 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 1 for $3.00 at 9/4/14 rummage sale
*ETA - 1 did not sell so I donated on FB
3 left to sell

Clairol Natural Instincts (Bought 2)
Regular Price $9.29
-$6.97 Clearance Price
-$5.00 off 2 Mfr Coupon
Final Price +.18 Money Maker Each!!
(Marked for $3.50 each for rummage sale)
*ETA - Sold 1 for $3.50 at 6/15/13 rummage sale
*ETA - Sold 1 for $3.50 at 9/5/13 rummage sale
=$7.36 Profit on Natural Instincts!!

Current Focus = Long Term EF $525/$1000

Current Balance $24,500.00
+$13.08 ING Interest
+$26.92 Even Out Amount
New Balance $24,540.00

Bingo Money (cash) $1000.00
ING $21,015.00 ($4620.00 Bingo Money)
Home Improvements(cash)$850.00
HSBC $1675.00
Total = $24,540.00

February 2013 Savings Update

Regular Savings:
Bingo Money $1000
Home Maintanence ING $5010
Cushion $2610
HSA $7695
New Patio Door(cash) $850
September 2012 $945
Short Term Emergency Fund $1010
Long Term Emergency Fund $525
New Car $9670 - Complete
Vacation - $3025 - Complete
Anniversary Cruise $1675
Total Regular Savings = $34,015.00

Retirement Savings:
Retirement Hold Account $820
Roth IRA $6580
Rollover IRA $870
401K $24,585
403B $18,200 (est)
Total Retirement Savings = $51,055.00

Total Savings - $85,070.00

Up $3820 from last month! WOO!

Thanks to some advise from Beawealthywarrior and mjrube94 for suggesting the closing of the Escrow Account. I called my mortgage company and they advised all I need to do is send them an email and they will close the Escrow account and send the funds to me.
They just made the payments from this account, so there is only about $400 in there now, and once I make my Feb mortgage payment there will be over $700. Once I make the payment for Feb then I will send the email and open a new savings account for the Escrow. The plan will be to do an automatic deposit of $350 per month.
So instead of my mortgage payment going up $100 a month, it will actually be going down $300 a month. SWEET!

Lets do good news first..

Taxes are done! Filed them last night and got a text (love that!) confirmation that they have been accepted by the IRS. $2076 is our total refund. This is a lot more then normal, so I was very surprised. I know many say to try to reduce your withholdings so that you are not giving the IRS an interest free loan, and I agree with that, but it is nice to get a couple grand back in one lump sum. I would prefer it to be less then $1500 though, $2K seems to be getting high, so I need to look into changing that a little.
This year DH is deciding what to do with the money. The plan is to put the $76 into savings. Then the $2000 we are taking on a mini get away for DH's BD in March, either going to MN or SD for a little casino time. We have a system when we gamble (penny machines! LOL) that we put in $10, and if we get that up to $20 or higher then we will cash out, and we won't play that specific money again. That wat we are guaranteed to not go home empty handed. This system works very well for us so that we can play a long time without losing a lot. Anything that we bring back we will put against the mortgage principle. Who knows maybe we will even come home ahead!

And now the bad news......

Got a notice from the mortgage company yesterday that our Escrow Account came out behind last year, and to make up the difference our monthly mortgage payment is going up $94.05 a month. So almost a $100 jump and no extra reduction of principle. YUCK. I am hoping whatever we bring home from the tax refund and put towards the house will help balance out the additional monthly amount. It's a bummer, but we will still make great headway this year.