Author Topic: Saving to $10K  (Read 462472 times)

Mattrim

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #900 on: July 10, 2018, 01:13:54 AM »
@SansSkill

Yes, I'm using a company called Profit accumulator.  But there is another big company here in the UK called Oddsmonkey.  Once someone signs up to profit accumulator it gives you step by step instructions on what to do to gain promotional free bets with different bookies.  These are called Sign Ups.  There are 74 of these.  Then you have Casino sign ups.  There are 52.  Once you have completed  both of these you move onto reloads.  These are offers such as 'Bet £10 on England to win the world cup, and we'll refund your bet if you lose' etc.  They use these different offers to make money (because using exchange betting sites you can bet against this happening).  There are currently 125 reload offers available, but that updates daily.   You can look for promotions perosnally, but profit accumulator have a team who check all the T&C's of each offer and tell you which ones are profitable or not.

They also supply calculators which tell you how much to bet on your exchange sites etc.  There is a forum where administrators help you with any questions.  That costs £17.99 per month or £150 for a fully year.

I've looked into this a little bit myself a while ago (in Norway). The biggest issue seems to be that the betting companies detect that you do this and close your account. Have you experienced this so far, or heard anything about this?

haypug16

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #901 on: July 10, 2018, 07:49:43 AM »
Good job haypug! That's another little step closer to thread-graduation :)

Thanks, I actually found one for FREE! hoping it goes through and I pick it up next week. Hopefully they are not CL flakes! I'll have to rent a u-Haul but that's pretty inexpensive.

zeli2033

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #902 on: July 10, 2018, 10:33:33 PM »
Wowza, on vacation for the last couple of weeks and missed a few updates! Here's the end of June update, and I'll be hopping in shortly to hopefully run a mid-July update to get back to tracking things :)

End of May update

12/11/17: (47,400)
12/26/17: (42,469)
12/29/17: (39,190)
1/31/18: (28,165)
2/15/18: (26,399)
2/28/18: (21,735)
3/16/18: (19,339)
3/30/18: (16,099)
4/15/18: (13,183)
4/30/18: (11,771)
5/31/18: (6,744)
6/16/18: (3,153)
6/30/18: (1,596)

Assets [401ks, IRAs, HSA, Cash]: $56,630
Student Loan/CCs: (58,227)

Hopefully done with the large purchases/trips/etc so things should start getting back on track quickly! And we're THIS CLOSE to seeing a positive net worth for the first time ever, really. Exciting!

Dicey

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #903 on: July 10, 2018, 10:57:24 PM »
Good job haypug! That's another little step closer to thread-graduation :)

Thanks, I actually found one for FREE! hoping it goes through and I pick it up next week. Hopefully they are not CL flakes! I'll have to rent a u-Haul but that's pretty inexpensive.
Wow! Way to go, haypug16!

zeli2033

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #904 on: July 13, 2018, 07:31:38 AM »
Mid-July update - First time ever with positive Net Worth! Yahoooo!

12/11/17: (47,400)
12/26/17: (42,469)
12/29/17: (39,190)
1/31/18: (28,165)
2/15/18: (26,399)
2/28/18: (21,735)
3/16/18: (19,339)
3/30/18: (16,099)
4/15/18: (13,183)
4/30/18: (11,771)
5/31/18: (6,744)
6/16/18: (3,153)
6/30/18: (1,596)
7/13/18: 394

Assets [401ks, IRAs, HSA, Cash]: $58,281
Student Loan/CCs: (57,887)

It's small but it's real! And I expect these numbers to improve quickly since I'll be putting an extra payment toward student loans this month. This is coming a little earlier than anticipated what with having a couple of spendy months but a raise and a bonus that took effect made it possible. So excited to finally have a positive net worth!

Dicey

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #905 on: July 13, 2018, 08:10:56 AM »
Look out, zeli2033, it's amazing how it grows!

zeli2033

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #906 on: July 13, 2018, 08:40:07 AM »
Look out, zeli2033, it's amazing how it grows!

You are so right! When I'm in the middle of the grind and paying attention to the numbers on a daily basis, it can feel so slow. But when I actually take a step back and reflect on where we were at in the beginning of the year, I realize how astonishing and amazing it really is! The perspective shift is key.

Trifle

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #907 on: July 13, 2018, 08:50:17 AM »
Congrats @zeli2033 !!  Crossing over the zero is huge!   

Imma

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #908 on: July 13, 2018, 11:36:37 AM »
Look out, zeli2033, it's amazing how it grows!

You are so right! When I'm in the middle of the grind and paying attention to the numbers on a daily basis, it can feel so slow. But when I actually take a step back and reflect on where we were at in the beginning of the year, I realize how astonishing and amazing it really is! The perspective shift is key.

Your net worth grew by nearly 50k in a little over half a year! You're doing an amazing job. Imagine where you'll be in a year! If you continue like this, you will not only be graduated from this thread but from the next one as well!

Manchester

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #909 on: July 15, 2018, 04:24:16 AM »
@SansSkill

I've looked into this a little bit myself a while ago (in Norway). The biggest issue seems to be that the betting companies detect that you do this and close your account. Have you experienced this so far, or heard anything about this?

Yes, the phrase for it is being 'gubbed'.  Gubbings are pretty common, I've been matched betting for just over a month (with a week on holiday included) and already been gubbed by one site. 

It's not a big deal though...  There's over 300 bookies that constantly offer promotions/reloads.  You'd do really well to get gubbed by all of them without making some serious money.  Even once you're gubbed you can use those accounts to make small profits using a method called 'arbing'.  The other profit accumulator users on the forums say that you can 'mug bet' to reduce the speed/volume of gubbings.  This basically means acting like a normal punter. (betting on mobile devices, betting in-play, using accumulators, cashing out etc).  You can even match these bets so you only lose a small amount.  The bookie see's me place a £10 bet on the world cup final, in play, on my mobile phone.  Then I cash out with 10 mins to go...  But the bet 'only' costs me 50p, which is worth it to keep the account 'healthy'.  This looks good compared to me placing a £10 on a football game in the Colombian second division, two days before it takes place etc.

If you have any questions about it feel free to PM me.  I'm conscious that I'm taking this thread way off topic, especially considering there are only a few people on the thread who can do this side hustle legally! :P

Manchester

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #910 on: July 15, 2018, 04:33:28 AM »
@zeli2033

Well done!  You really are smashing through this.  Day to day this accumulation process IS slow.  Rome wasn't built in a day and all that... but you're well on your way to FIRE.  The amount your adding to your N/W is phenomenal!   

fluffmuffin

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #911 on: July 16, 2018, 07:20:16 AM »
7/13/2017: $2,238.41
8/1/2017: $2,771.40
8/16/2017: $3,071.40
9/1/2017: $3,202.61
9/15/2017: $3,502.63
10/2/2017: $3,807.67
10/16/2017: $4,021.00
11/1/2017: $4,121.00
11/16/2017: $4,208.73
12/1/2017: $4,267.73
12/15/2017: $4,532.82
12/30/2017: $4,864.78
1/16/2018: $8,114.78
2/2/2018: $8,424.59
2/19/2018: $8,431.24
3/30/2018: $8,614.89
4/16/2018: $8,742.36
5/1/2018: $8,905.80
5/16/2018: $9,005.80
6/14/2018: $9,020.38
7/1/2018: $9,112.55

7/16/2018: $9,421.18

Finally a pay period with nothing but routine expenses!!! Hallelujah.

Also, it's my one-year anniversary on this thread! I've added $7,182.77 to the down payment fund.

Spruit

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #912 on: July 16, 2018, 07:45:13 AM »
Woohoo, congrats! Looks like you will not be sticking around for another year, you're so close!

MrMovieM

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #913 on: July 16, 2018, 11:12:18 AM »
Getting Started Here. I work a seasonal job so now to December are prime earning times.

Balance as of July 16, 2018 - $3.00

Target is to save $9000 Emergency Fund, and the other $1000 in investments.


Candace

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #914 on: July 16, 2018, 11:53:17 AM »
Getting Started Here. I work a seasonal job so now to December are prime earning times.

Balance as of July 16, 2018 - $3.00

Target is to save $9000 Emergency Fund, and the other $1000 in investments.
Go, @MrMovieM, go! You'll find a lot of inspiration here. Speaking for myself, when I accumulated a reasonable emergency fund, it alleviated some anxiety. If you don't have anxiety, good for you - but it could increase your confidence.

MrMovieM

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #915 on: July 16, 2018, 11:54:46 AM »
Thanks Candace, I do get Anxiety around money, and have had for a few years. I cant wait for more peace of mind.

Tass

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #916 on: July 16, 2018, 12:21:50 PM »
You're in the right place! Lots of people in this thread started in the negatives, so you can consider yourself well on your way.

zeli2033

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #917 on: July 17, 2018, 08:58:39 AM »
Thanks for the encouragement Trifele, Imma and Manchester! So very appreciated.  And congrats on the progress you’ve made @fluffmuffin - you’ll be onto the next thread in no time!

Welcome, @MrMovieM! Happy to have you here.

Manchester

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #918 on: July 18, 2018, 03:48:49 AM »
Getting Started Here. I work a seasonal job so now to December are prime earning times.

Balance as of July 16, 2018 - $3.00

Target is to save $9000 Emergency Fund, and the other $1000 in investments.

Good luck!  I think $9,000 is a reasonable price to pay for good mental health and reduced anxiety.  You might find that have a few k in investments will help as well.  Whether you're investing or just saving at least you're not spending! :)

twocatsinaflat

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #919 on: July 19, 2018, 10:26:59 PM »
Quote
10/31/17: $678.64
11/30/17: $994.99
12/31/17: $1,304.58

7/19/18: $1,005.05

Getting back on the horse so to speak. Ended up taking a hiatus from the forums because the first half of this year was just crazy with graduation, engagement, etc. Savings definitely took a hit these last 6 months but back up to 1k again.

Manchester

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #920 on: July 23, 2018, 02:44:19 AM »
Just binge-read through this thread for motivation.  I am currently in the "Race to Positive Net Worth" thread sitting at -$52,806.31.

Manchester...love your chart!  I hope you don't mind if I use it to track my progress.

Can't wait to join you guys!!

Of course not!  I've robbed a few ideas off other posters on this forum. :P

I'll have a read on that thread and keep an eye on your posts.  You should feel free to post in here as well, we have a few people who're in a negative NET worth on here.  I don't think there is a better thread on the forum for support/motivation! :)

Manchester

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #921 on: July 23, 2018, 03:29:21 AM »
Hi Everyone. 

Here's my update for the month:

My current account is up £454.97.  This is a mixture of me slowing down my emergency fund savings (because I'm over my £2k target now), and some withdrawals from my matched betting came into my bank on Friday, so I've not reinvested a bit of it so far. 

Savings are up £83.75.  I send a fixed amount into our joint account each month.  This covers household bills, mortgage, etc.  I've been reducing the bills somewhat, so any extra I save I transfer straight into savings.  I also earnt 30p interest this month...   I'll be retired in no time. :')

My pension fund is up £517.48.

My matched betting accounts hold an extra £118.99.  I've also withdrawn £218.23 into my current account since I last posted an update.  The world cup has finished, so the bookies don't offer as many good offers now that there aren't as many big sporting events.  This next month could be quiet on this front.

I actually have 4p worth of credit on my credit card.  I accidentally transferred too much money across. :')






Total N/W increases this month is £1,175.33.  It's my third month in a row hitting £1k+.  I was only £27 off having my best month.  I went on a holiday which reduced my earnings slightly.  In April I was 54% off where I should have been at that point to hit my target.  Now I'm 20% off.  This three month burst has put me right back on track to graduate by Christmas! :)

Things are still rumbling on generating money for some much needed home improvements.  Any left overs will be invested.  This 'should' happen next month, but we're still waiting on the bank to pull their finger out!



As a side note it's really good seeing new people on here as well as old faces returning.  There's a few people who're on the cusp of graduating.  With all of your motivation I feel like FIRE is possible!

runbikerun

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #922 on: July 25, 2018, 03:44:45 PM »
As of payday today, I am one month from the magical 10k emergency fund. It's been a hell of a week - I interviewed on Wednesday for an internal transfer that would see my salary jump almost 25% and my commuting expenses fall to zero, and then today I received academic results confirming that I now have a designation that entitles me to a 6% raise. With a bit of luck, I should finish July with a full emergency fund and a major new financial target.

Well, that was an interesting month. A few expenses (mostly Hamilton tickets for while we're in the US for holidays) came up that effectively negated June's savings entirely, leaving me still a month away from the 10k mark. In the meantime, though, I've been offered (and have accepted) a new role which carries a significant salary uplift and a chance to regain a lot of control over the structure of my working day.

TexasRunner

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #923 on: July 26, 2018, 08:13:06 AM »
As of payday today, I am one month from the magical 10k emergency fund. It's been a hell of a week - I interviewed on Wednesday for an internal transfer that would see my salary jump almost 25% and my commuting expenses fall to zero, and then today I received academic results confirming that I now have a designation that entitles me to a 6% raise. With a bit of luck, I should finish July with a full emergency fund and a major new financial target.

Well, that was an interesting month. A few expenses (mostly Hamilton tickets for while we're in the US for holidays) came up that effectively negated June's savings entirely, leaving me still a month away from the 10k mark. In the meantime, though, I've been offered (and have accepted) a new role which carries a significant salary uplift and a chance to regain a lot of control over the structure of my working day.

Congrats!  That sounds like a great improvement!

Dicey

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #924 on: July 26, 2018, 10:12:50 PM »
^^This^^. Plus OMG for Hamilton.  Watch everything you can find on YT. Great show.

Rimu05

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #925 on: July 29, 2018, 10:30:07 AM »
In trying to modify this post I ended up quoting weirdly...

Total net worth = -$17,876
Car loan = -$6,899
Student loan = $-27,593
Credit card = 0 (It has been bothering me so I just used my savings. I couldn't do it anymore)



401K - $13,974
Checking - $120
Savings - 2500$


I had hoped to get my savings to $10,000, but having credit card debt really was gnawing on me so I just payed it off and plan to cancel the credit card or just put it aside for emergencies. I have reset my goals a bit. I want to pay off my car at the end of the year and have $6,000 in savings then. I want to start tackling student loan soon and not just paying the minimum.



In trying to modify this post I ended up quoting weirdly...


I have had zero good money habits in the last two months. I just went completely unrestricted with going out with friends. I am now back to reality where no more going crazy and time to go back to cooking and organization. I also started running this week so coming here to remind myself what my goals are.

Total net worth = -$16,062
Car loan = -$6,592
Student loan = $-27,393


401K - $14,723
Checking - $1301 (Bills not yet paid)
Savings - 2000$



haypug16

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #926 on: July 30, 2018, 07:42:43 AM »
I was on vacation the last couple weeks so I'm very far behind in all the MMM threads I follow. I hope everyone here is doing well and getting closer to graduation every day!

July was not a good month for me. I will be lucky to break even with last month. This is mostly due to my daughter's tuition for the upcoming fall (which I had saved in a 529 plan) and my Car Insurance which I pay all at once. The good news is that my Credit Cards will not have a balance carried forward :) even if my Net-Worth stays the same. I'll do an official update hopefully tomorrow.

haypug16

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #927 on: July 31, 2018, 08:03:17 AM »
July 2018 Update
3/31/2017 (52,848.85)
4/30/2017 (48,076.67)
5/31/2017 (47,110.22)
6/30/2017 (46,540.28)
7/31/2017 (44,354.10)
8/31/2017 (47,236.39)
9/30/2017 (42,436.10)
10/31/2017 (33,346.78)
11/30/2017 $(28,911.53)
12/31/2017 $(24,424.13)
1/31/2018 $(20,454.43)
2/28/2018 $(18,221.63)
3/31/2018 $(14,916.69)
4/30/2018 $(9,800.88)
5/31/2018 $(7,375.85)
6/30/2018 $(5,735.59)
7/31/2018 $(7,109.58) -$1,373.99 decrease : (

Bad month (for reasons listed above) but I'm getting myself back on track for the rest of the year and still think I can graduate by the end of the year. I was looking over my 2017 vs 2018 numbers and I've spend $3,500 less this year! Pretty proud of that. Goal for August is to get to $(4,000) and to have my yearly spending to be $6K less than 2017.

zeli2033

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #928 on: July 31, 2018, 08:27:29 AM »
ooof, I hate the spendy months haypug especially when it's for annual or hefty expenses (I had to pay car insurance this month as well). But keep it up! You'll be back on track in no time. We've been feeling the squeeze the last couple of months as well (actually in our case, it was spending with reckless abandon), I'm thinking about joining your Uber Frugal August gauntlet...

zeli2033

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #929 on: July 31, 2018, 08:33:24 AM »
End of July update

12/11/17: (47,400)
12/26/17: (42,469)
12/29/17: (39,190)
1/31/18: (28,165)
2/15/18: (26,399)
2/28/18: (21,735)
3/16/18: (19,339)
3/30/18: (16,099)
4/15/18: (13,183)
4/30/18: (11,771)
5/31/18: (6,744)
6/16/18: (3,153)
6/30/18: (1,596)
7/13/18: 394
7/31/18: 4,624

Assets [401ks, IRAs, HSA, Cash]: $61,577
Student Loan/CCs: (56,954)

Things are starting to get back to normal with spending levels. Since I'm steadily throwing extra money at the student loan, I feel confident that I'll be able to graduate this thread by end of September so that's the goal! Granted I think a couple of medical bills might pop up next month but fingers crossed it doesn't knock everything off track...

haypug16

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #930 on: July 31, 2018, 08:38:11 AM »
Zeli, everything always seems to come at once but I'm so glad I have found this site and I was much more prepared for the bills this year. I am thinking about making some changes to my Insurance in the hopes of getting some money back. The car is a 2009 Yaris and it seems silly to have collision coverage on something that could easily be considered totaled in an accident and I think it's current value is like $3K maybe $4K.

Anyway, come and join the Frugal August. It's my first time starting a Gauntlet :)

zeli2033

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #931 on: July 31, 2018, 08:45:50 AM »
I totally understand that feeling on collision coverage. But of course last year when I tried to go without it, we were rear-ended and thus had no coverage. Luckily we were in a rental car that I'd used a credit card to pay for and were able to leverage the rental car insurance clause. We didn't end up losing any money but that made us bite the bullet on collision insurance mostly out of fear. Once we have enough money to cover replacing our car if it were to be totaled and we're more financially secure, I will absolutely be making the push to start cutting back on coverage.

Once I wrap my head around a realistic uber frugal goal for August, I'll definitely be joining! Looking forward to it.

Imma

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #932 on: July 31, 2018, 12:49:51 PM »
Savings:
July 31:                 €2400
August 30:            €2000
September 27:       €1300
October 30:           €1400
November 30:        €1600
December 29:        €1100
February 1:            €1100
February 28:          €1300
March 29:              €1300
April 30:                  €800
May 29:                 €2300
June 28:                €3500
July 31:                 €3250

Investments:
July 31:                 €1985.37
August 30:             €2095.00
September 27:       €2253
October 30:           €2461
November 30:        €2622.06
December 29:        €2661.50 (didn't do the monthly transfer yet)
February 1:            €3021,56
February 29:          €3101,58
March 29:              €3160,54
April 30:                €3439.66
May 29:                 €3729.27
June 29:                €3890.53
July 31:                 €4106.20

Total:
July 31:                  €4385.37
August 30:              €4095.00
September 27:        €3553
October 30:             €3861
November 30:          €4222.06
December 29:          €3761,50 (+ 740 unpaid salary = 4501.50 )
February 1:             €4121,60
February 29:           €4401,58
March 29:               €4460,54 
April 30:                 €4239.66
May 29:                  €6029.27
June:                      €7390.53
July 31:                  €7356.20 ( + €70 on my credit card, so really €7426.20)

Goals for 31 December 2018:

Savings:            €3000   €5000
Investments:     €4500
Total:                €7500    €9500

One year in this thread and my net worth has nearly doubled!! Seems like a lot of people are getting close to graduating! I know what a spendy month feels like, we had one too :( We had some unexpected repairs - but at least the electricity is working again - I bought about €150 worth of clothes, took a train trip nearly every weekend and then there's tuition / books coming up as well.

I'm not a spendypants when it comes to clothes, but I need to look presentable for work and my work pumps needed to be replaced. There's only one brand of heels I can tolerate wearing and they are around €100/pair, but considering how often I wear them, that's not an insane amount to spend.

I also had a special occasion that I bought a dress for, which was about €40 and the day after that occasion we received an invitation to a wedding. With the new dress and new shoes,  I don't need anything for that wedding. I have a lovely vintage purse from the 60s that I got from my grandma that looks really nice with the dress. I also ordered another dress that I returned, which means I've got a +€70 balance on my credit card now. In my country, you can't use a credit card in the grocery store and and transferring the money back to my account costs money, so that balance is going to sit there until I order something else online. That slightly annoys me :)

From next month my savings are going to go up and down a lot. I'm starting a Master's and will pay tuition seperately for every class. I have also applied for a (0% interest) student loan for all these classes. I'm paying my tuition in full because there's a 5% fee if you pay in installments, but student loans are paid out in installments and only after you send in the invoice. This means it's good to have savings, even if your tuition is 100% covered by student loans.

( In this thread I'm only tracking investments and savings, so the student loans don't affect my progress here. I currrently have about €3k in student loans from undergrad and will add about €3-5k to that over the next two years, but my undergrad loans not due until next year, interest is close to 0%, and the minimum payment is related to income. We also have about €20k equity in our home, but I don't want to count my eggs before they are laid. )

fluffmuffin

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #933 on: August 01, 2018, 06:08:47 AM »
7/13/2017: $2,238.41
8/1/2017: $2,771.40
8/16/2017: $3,071.40
9/1/2017: $3,202.61
9/15/2017: $3,502.63
10/2/2017: $3,807.67
10/16/2017: $4,021.00
11/1/2017: $4,121.00
11/16/2017: $4,208.73
12/1/2017: $4,267.73
12/15/2017: $4,532.82
12/30/2017: $4,864.78
1/16/2018: $8,114.78
2/2/2018: $8,424.59
2/19/2018: $8,431.24
3/30/2018: $8,614.89
4/16/2018: $8,742.36
5/1/2018: $8,905.80
5/16/2018: $9,005.80
6/14/2018: $9,020.38
7/1/2018: $9,112.55
7/16/2018: $9,421.18

8/1/2018: $9,545.20

Not great but still moving in the right direction for now. Unfortunately, I'll probably have to take out some money by the mid-month update--I need to put down a ~$350 deposit for a wedding thing, and usually I can only cashflow ~$250 per paycheck. I have a WHOLE YEAR of not taking money out of this fund, so I don't want to break the streak. Buttttt my best friend is coming to stay with us next weekend. We'll do mostly cheap stuff (local hikes, free museums) but realistically we're also going to go to a couple of breweries and eat out at least once. So I can't just zero out my entertainment and eating-out line items like I normally would. Plus my fiance's birthday is later this month, and what was supposed to be a thoughtful/cheap handmade gift is going to end up being more expensive than anticipated (of course).

It sounds like July/August have been spendypants months for a few other folks as well. But that's okay! It happens and we will all get through it.

bcbaseballman

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #934 on: August 01, 2018, 07:28:03 AM »

2018
1/31 : (5949.05)
2/28 : (5288.30)
3/31 : (4273.93)
4/30 : (2592.07)
5/31 : (629.70)
6/30 : 1,206.77

7/31 : 2,703.97

Moved in the right direction again this month. Debt fell by $780.00. Investments added $1900.00. I did have to take a good chunk out of my emergency fund though this month. Seems like multiple people had a spendy month. Hoping to go frugal the month of august (Hoping DW helps out) and @haypug16 look for me on your challenge!

Going in the correct direction and I am going to try to push and graduate out of this thread this year (might be a long shot but gives me something to strive for).

mckaylabaloney

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #935 on: August 01, 2018, 09:22:51 AM »
1/1/2018: $(170,956.12)
2/1/2018: $(166,849.63)
3/1/2018: $(161,395.88)
4/1/2018: $(156,590.44)
5/1/2018: $(152,997.61)
6/1/2018: $(149,175.48)
7/1/2018: $(143,748.22)
8/1/2018: $(138,734.38)

A surprisingly good month given how much I spent (3/4 weekends I was out of town for vacations or reunion weekends with various friend groups) -- much of it attributable to some good movement in the markets. I don't currently have any travel planned for August, so I'm looking forward to a more frugal month. 

Also, my student loans are finally under $200K!! $198,597.98 is still a horrifyingly huge amount, but I'm celebrating this milestone nonetheless.

Imma

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #936 on: August 01, 2018, 10:56:54 AM »
1/1/2018: $(170,956.12)
2/1/2018: $(166,849.63)
3/1/2018: $(161,395.88)
4/1/2018: $(156,590.44)
5/1/2018: $(152,997.61)
6/1/2018: $(149,175.48)
7/1/2018: $(143,748.22)
8/1/2018: $(138,734.38)

A surprisingly good month given how much I spent (3/4 weekends I was out of town for vacations or reunion weekends with various friend groups) -- much of it attributable to some good movement in the markets. I don't currently have any travel planned for August, so I'm looking forward to a more frugal month. 

Also, my student loans are finally under $200K!! $198,597.98 is still a horrifyingly huge amount, but I'm celebrating this milestone nonetheless.

Congrats on the progress!! That's 5k in the right direction! And student loans under 200k is defnitely a milestone worth celebrating. Of course it's still a massive amount of debt, but that's why it's important to stay motivated and celebrate small milestones.

haypug16

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #937 on: August 01, 2018, 02:51:50 PM »
So I just realized that I have been included a savings account that is meant for paying off a Home Improvement into my Net-Worth. The account will be zeroed out this month so $2.5k of my NW will go away. I really thought I had excluded it since I knew it was ear marked for a bill I needed to pay by September (0% loan) oh well. Good thing I'm doing this Uber Frugal August thing.

Spruit

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #938 on: August 06, 2018, 06:15:23 AM »
NW numbers:
Dec (2-12-17): 4171
Dec (22-12-17): 5937
Jan (1-1-18): 4398
Feb (5-2-18): 5067
Feb (23-2-18): 6445
March (30-3-18): 6032
May (29-5-2018): 7682
June (30-6-2018): 8000
July (6-8-2018): 8997

Just 3 euros short of hitting that 9k! I could probably find it in my purse / car / house somewhere, but that feels like cheating.

I've changed jobs between July and August, so the part of my salary that's saved up by my employer + overtime was paid out in July by my previous employer. All in all, almost twice as much money coming in this July compared to the months before.
I also had an irregular bill (tuition reimbursement that had to be paid back, ~500 euros), so I had extra income and extra costs line up nicely.

Not completely relevant to this thread, but I'm also very happy that we came in under budget for our two week trip (to Switzerland, which is known to be expensive). I was afraid we'd be over a bit, but my "internal accountant" had not taken the exchange rate from Franks to Euros fully into account. This means we have some joint vacation savings left over for another time.

Manchester

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #939 on: August 15, 2018, 03:15:12 AM »
Nice one @Spruit

You're so close to graduating!

Manchester

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #940 on: August 15, 2018, 03:16:58 AM »
So I just realized that I have been included a savings account that is meant for paying off a Home Improvement into my Net-Worth. The account will be zeroed out this month so $2.5k of my NW will go away. I really thought I had excluded it since I knew it was ear marked for a bill I needed to pay by September (0% loan) oh well. Good thing I'm doing this Uber Frugal August thing.

On the bright side it will be nice to have your company in this thread for a little while longer!  You'll smash your target soon enough. 

How's this uber frugal August going?  Have you noticed a difference in your numbers?

zeli2033

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #941 on: August 15, 2018, 08:23:06 AM »
Excited to keep seeing progress for everyone here - keep it up!!!

Mid-Month August Update

12/11/17: (47,400)
12/26/17: (42,469)
12/29/17: (39,190)
1/31/18: (28,165)
2/15/18: (26,399)
2/28/18: (21,735)
3/16/18: (19,339)
3/30/18: (16,099)
4/15/18: (13,183)
4/30/18: (11,771)
5/31/18: (6,744)
6/16/18: (3,153)
6/30/18: (1,596)
7/13/18: 394
7/31/18: 4,624
8/15/18: 7,093

Assets [401ks, IRAs, HSA, Cash]: $62,545
Student Loan/CCs: (55,452)

Amending my graduation projection from end of September to by mid-September paycheck!

haypug16

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #942 on: August 15, 2018, 09:02:20 AM »
So I just realized that I have been included a savings account that is meant for paying off a Home Improvement into my Net-Worth. The account will be zeroed out this month so $2.5k of my NW will go away. I really thought I had excluded it since I knew it was ear marked for a bill I needed to pay by September (0% loan) oh well. Good thing I'm doing this Uber Frugal August thing.

On the bright side it will be nice to have your company in this thread for a little while longer!  You'll smash your target soon enough. 

How's this uber frugal August going?  Have you noticed a difference in your numbers?

Frugal August is going very well. It should be my lowest spend month of the year (last year it was by far my highest)

Mid-August 2018 Update
3/31/2017 (52,848.85)
4/30/2017 (48,076.67)
5/31/2017 (47,110.22)
6/30/2017 (46,540.28)
7/31/2017 (44,354.10)
8/31/2017 (47,236.39)
9/30/2017 (42,436.10)
10/31/2017 (33,346.78)
11/30/2017 $(28,911.53)
12/31/2017 $(24,424.13)
1/31/2018 $(20,454.43)
2/28/2018 $(18,221.63)
3/31/2018 $(14,916.69)
4/30/2018 $(9,800.88)
5/31/2018 $(7,375.85)
6/30/2018 $(5,735.59)
7/31/2018 $(7,109.58)
8/15/2018 $(9,871.98) Decrease of $2,762.40

The decrease was expected, this is from the savings account I had earmarked to pay off a home improvement project, it should never really have been included. So it's a reduction of Assets as apposed to an increase in Debt. I am OK with that but wish I had thought to take it out earlier or better yet never included it. I'm hoping to end the month around where I ended July, hitting zero mid-Fall, and $10K in early 2019

fluffmuffin

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #943 on: August 17, 2018, 10:50:34 AM »
7/13/2017: $2,238.41
8/1/2017: $2,771.40
8/16/2017: $3,071.40
9/1/2017: $3,202.61
9/15/2017: $3,502.63
10/2/2017: $3,807.67
10/16/2017: $4,021.00
11/1/2017: $4,121.00
11/16/2017: $4,208.73
12/1/2017: $4,267.73
12/15/2017: $4,532.82
12/30/2017: $4,864.78
1/16/2018: $8,114.78
2/2/2018: $8,424.59
2/19/2018: $8,431.24
3/30/2018: $8,614.89
4/16/2018: $8,742.36
5/1/2018: $8,905.80
5/16/2018: $9,005.80
6/14/2018: $9,020.38
7/1/2018: $9,112.55
7/16/2018: $9,421.18
8/1/2018: $9,545.20

8/15/2018: $9,545.20

SOMEHOW managed to squeak the $350 I needed out of the budget for the rest of the month. I kind of don't believe it but I've checked YNAB multiple times and all of my recurring expenses are taken care of, I have a liveable grocery budget, and money for my friend's visit? IDK. I feel like it's lying to me but we'll see.

Spruit

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #944 on: August 17, 2018, 02:49:17 PM »
I'm sure the numbers don't lie, but I know the feeling. Nice work!

DieHard_772

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #945 on: August 21, 2018, 03:34:20 PM »
7/13/2017: $2,238.41
8/1/2017: $2,771.40
8/16/2017: $3,071.40
9/1/2017: $3,202.61
9/15/2017: $3,502.63
10/2/2017: $3,807.67
10/16/2017: $4,021.00
11/1/2017: $4,121.00
11/16/2017: $4,208.73
12/1/2017: $4,267.73
12/15/2017: $4,532.82
12/30/2017: $4,864.78
1/16/2018: $8,114.78
2/2/2018: $8,424.59
2/19/2018: $8,431.24
3/30/2018: $8,614.89
4/16/2018: $8,742.36
5/1/2018: $8,905.80
5/16/2018: $9,005.80
6/14/2018: $9,020.38
7/1/2018: $9,112.55
7/16/2018: $9,421.18
8/1/2018: $9,545.20

8/15/2018: $9,545.20

SOMEHOW managed to squeak the $350 I needed out of the budget for the rest of the month. I kind of don't believe it but I've checked YNAB multiple times and all of my recurring expenses are taken care of, I have a liveable grocery budget, and money for my friend's visit? IDK. I feel like it's lying to me but we'll see.

 @fluffmuffin, that's awesome... the fact that it feels incredible, as in, unbelievable, is a testament to you and the work you are putting into this.  Way to go.

Manchester

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #946 on: August 24, 2018, 03:38:17 AM »
Hi Everyone,

My numbers are correct as of 22/08/2018, I'm just posting a couple days late!


Important thing to note is it's another £1k+ month.  If I keep going at this rate I should smash my target of graduating this thread on 22/12/2018.   My current account, savings and pension pot are all up.  I've withdrawn quite a bit of money from Matched Betting so that has reduced, but it probably explains why my current account is higher than normal (I made roughly £200 profit from it last month).

 
   

LittleWanderer

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #947 on: August 24, 2018, 08:42:40 AM »
So I apologize for disappearing and not updating.  I left my avatar the same, but I decided to change my forum name to be more anonymous.  I used my old handle on other places on the web and I decided that was a bad idea. 

Anyway, remember when I said things couldn't get worse after my dog died and we finally finished moving?  Well, things got worse.  My boyfriend of 4 years decided to break up with me.  We had an extremely happy relationship.  I really wanted to spend my life with him.  He decided he wanted to be alone and forge his own path through the world without me and without anymore.  He just wants to be totally alone.  I don't understand it at all.  This is not a 20 something year old needing to find himself.  The man is in his 50s.  But, hey, I still have my job?  (Uhhh, knock on wood?) 

I didn't visit here for a while after that.  Coming here just reminded me that my dreams were shattered and I was now a single person with one income.  But it's time to start again. 

I'm currently crashing at my parent's house.  I will move into a 1 bedroom apartment on Sept 1st.  (And will be paying $300/mo more in rent than I was paying before with the boyfriend.  Ouch.)  I feel like I'm just bleeding money right now.  I found a nice used couch on Craigslist.  Now I need to find a coffee table.  I just bought a vacuum, a toaster, garbage bins, a bathroom scale, etc.  I'll need to make a major Target run to stock up on TP, paper towels, toothpaste, etc.  Stupid little stuff that just adds up.  I also flew out to Washington and went backpacking with a friend for a week.  But I needed to do that.  I don't regret spending that money. 

So I'm here again.  The ol' e-fund actually went up a little through all this, due to August being a 3 paycheck month and I didn't have to pay rent anywhere either. 

Anyway, that's my update.   Emergency fund: $5398
« Last Edit: August 24, 2018, 08:47:55 AM by LittleWanderer »

Spruit

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #948 on: August 24, 2018, 09:17:04 AM »
Glad to hear from you, life really has given you lemons it seems :(
I hope that emergency fund serves its purpose and helps you through this transition.

Dicey

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Re: Saving to $10K
« Reply #949 on: August 24, 2018, 07:34:45 PM »
So I apologize for disappearing and not updating.  I left my avatar the same, but I decided to change my forum name to be more anonymous.  I used my old handle on other places on the web and I decided that was a bad idea. 

Anyway, remember when I said things couldn't get worse after my dog died and we finally finished moving?  Well, things got worse.  My boyfriend of 4 years decided to break up with me.  We had an extremely happy relationship.  I really wanted to spend my life with him.  He decided he wanted to be alone and forge his own path through the world without me and without anymore.  He just wants to be totally alone.  I don't understand it at all.  This is not a 20 something year old needing to find himself.  The man is in his 50s.  But, hey, I still have my job?  (Uhhh, knock on wood?) 

I didn't visit here for a while after that.  Coming here just reminded me that my dreams were shattered and I was now a single person with one income.  But it's time to start again. 

I'm currently crashing at my parent's house.  I will move into a 1 bedroom apartment on Sept 1st.  (And will be paying $300/mo more in rent than I was paying before with the boyfriend.  Ouch.)  I feel like I'm just bleeding money right now.  I found a nice used couch on Craigslist.  Now I need to find a coffee table.  I just bought a vacuum, a toaster, garbage bins, a bathroom scale, etc.  I'll need to make a major Target run to stock up on TP, paper towels, toothpaste, etc.  Stupid little stuff that just adds up.  I also flew out to Washington and went backpacking with a friend for a week.  But I needed to do that.  I don't regret spending that money. 

So I'm here again.  The ol' e-fund actually went up a little through all this, due to August being a 3 paycheck month and I didn't have to pay rent anywhere either. 

Anyway, that's my update.   Emergency fund: $5398

Oh boy. At least he waited until your dog was gone to heaven? ? ? You're buying so much stuff. Did he keep everything?

Unless something drastic happens (car accident, job loss, break up) I don't see what else can go wrong financially.  (Knock on wood?)  So relentless forward motion.
Okay honey, you're speaking my language. This is a path I know well. I dated my ass off and didn't find my prince until I was 54. I think, based on the quote above, that some part of you might have seen this coming, even if you didn't fully realize it. Here it is in a nutshell: He's gone for now, maybe forever. Assume the latter and get every part of him in your rearview mirror asap. He wasn't your prince after all. I promise you, your happy ending is out there. I didn't find mine until I was ancient. It was worth every bump, bruise and utterly devastating heartbreak I experienced to get to where I am now. Your good man will come, I promise. Hang in there and welcome back.