Each month I update a spreadsheet. The main categories are pretty obvious - Gross Income, withholdings/contributions, net income, expenses, giving, and saving. I break each of those into more specific categories and accounts.
Question is, certain things are difficult to categorize, like short term savings for specific things and paying down specific debts early. I'm not sure how they fit into expenses OR savings. Here are the specific items:
1. Student Loan Extra Payment - $100/month
2. Auto Loan - will be my $250 standard payment for January but...
3. Auto Loan Extra Payment - This is ~$3800 for February - then the loan is gone :)
4. Future Auto Savings - will start as $150/month from checking to my taxable brokerage
How would you guys incorporate these?
Comments on my strategy are also welcome...
As you can see I am somewhat snowballing what WERE auto payments toward a combination of student loan paydown and short term investing to replace the car (permanent portfolio so it's not likely to plummet short-term). Car hopefully lasts another 2 years (heavy mileage for 1099'd work travel)
For the basic info, DW and I are putting $1300/month into 401k + roth + traditional IRA. Gross income fluctuates between about 5000 and 7000 on average. Recurring expenses targeted at roughly $2500. A master's degree program will bump that up to $2900 starting later this year. Recurring charity/gifts at $700. Happy to provide more info if needed.