Ever since my DH injured his so-called "good" shoulder, I have been contemplating what would happen if he couldn't work anymore. I realized we would be in a *very* tight spot. Yes, we have reserves which we could repurpose for daily expenses, and could cut into the stocks ... But that just feels like a short term solution with long term consequences - since the reserves and the stocks are for long term needs.
So, after a lot of thought and juggling of numbers on my part, and then the ensuing discussion with DH, we have made a mutual goal of fully funding both of our ROTH's by the end of this year. $12,000.
We already had $3555 set aside for whenever we opened DH's Roth. Then I felt comfortable putting the $1900 we had set aside for the EF. I also decided that as much as I would love to do a cattery design in the cat room/family room, that by the time we had saved enough to do it, we'd probably be down two cats. So ... I'm putting the $455 set aside for that towards our goal.
That just leaves $6,090 to reach our goal. Or, an average of $1,000/month starting in July.
We are cutting our spending money from $400 to $0. We are cutting the Date Night category from $100 to $60. Groceries will go from $300 to $200. I am also stopping the $25/mo Extra Principal. Plus, I will be stopping my extra contributions to my 457 at work - this will add approximately $140 back into the budget. There also is the $185/mo we've already been setting aside for DH.
That puts us at $890.
Which just leaves $110 to fund each month.
Our plan is to take 1/2 of whatever we make (profit) in side jobs or overtime and put it towards the goal. The other 1/2 will go towards our own spending money.
If we reach the $12,000 goal early, then we will decide what we want to do.
DH has also agreed to sell the non-functioning Honda! Not paying the title/registration for that thing will add back at least $100 which we can also put towards the goal. The sale price of the Honda though I think we'll put all into DH's car replacement category.
The purpose of all this is to get as much money put away as possible in a place that will most likely outearn the 2.5% of our current checking, and even the 5% of the Northpointe checking, but still be assessable if circumstances warrant it. (Contributions only.)
Best case scenario we won't have to touch any of it for ten or eleven years.
I'm going to be doing a new budget in YNAB to reflect all this, plus to cleanup the current budget. 
*I just thought about something - we have probably $200 in cashback rewards on our cards - that could go towards our goal too.
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June Snowflakes as of 6/17
June Snowflakes so far:
Swagbucks - $25 Walmart; $25 Paypal; $25 PP
Pact - $10
Earnhoney - $5; $5
Earnably - $10
Yoolotto - $6.75
MyPoints - $25 PP
FetchRewards - $10 in Walmart gift cards
**On Swagbucks there is a deal where you contribute $9/month for 4 months to WCF (World Wildlife Fund) and then 60 days after the 4th contribution you get 6500 SBs. So, a $29 moneymaker (plus you get a nice tote bag for grocery shopping.) Someone on the FB Swagbucks Swaggernauts group verified this offer with Swagbucks.
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Dietbet Round 5 weigh in was today - and I made it again! Now just one more month to go for the final big payout!
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On iBotta there is a current bonus called Dash for Dollars. You only have to complete ONE branded rebate by the 19th to get a $5 bonus!
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At work we are doing a meal train for the dispatcher who is going through chemo right now.
I was thinking of doing a meal of corn pudding, green beans, mashed potatoes and brownies. My DH thinks there isn't enough protein. There's cheese in the pudding, but I can't think of anything else that would go with it.
Dh suggested lasagna .. but to me that would be so much more work, and more expensive too since I already have most of what I need for the pudding meal.
Any ideas?
New Budget Plan, Snowflakes, Dietbet, Ibotta Rebate!! Meal train
June 17th, 2017 at 03:41 pm
June 17th, 2017 at 04:33 pm 1497717219
June 17th, 2017 at 04:55 pm 1497718526
The basement has a mother in law type space - which DH uses as his man cave .. plus its full of his stuff. It'd take a good $5k+ to fix it uo into something rentable. But that definitely is a possibility if needed down the road.
I really don't have a good answer to your other question. He's done this job for 23+ years now - I'm not sure what he'd be willing or able to do. (other than buy/resell stuff)
June 17th, 2017 at 05:15 pm 1497719738
June 17th, 2017 at 05:17 pm 1497719831
The Roths are a good idea.
June 17th, 2017 at 05:18 pm 1497719923
June 17th, 2017 at 05:20 pm 1497720021
I think if I just keep my meals very simple, that'll cut down the cost right there. Plus cut the time effort.
June 17th, 2017 at 06:02 pm 1497722528
June 17th, 2017 at 07:19 pm 1497727148
You sound very serious and determined about your goal. Excellent!
June 17th, 2017 at 07:57 pm 1497729430
June 17th, 2017 at 08:12 pm 1497730358
All your plans sound great!
June 18th, 2017 at 02:38 pm 1497796724
I admire your ability to snowflake. I am hopeless!
June 18th, 2017 at 05:48 pm 1497808084
CCF - Yes, we have an emergency fund. I am thinking of putting that money in my ROTH. My ROTH has been opened 5+ years, so in an emergency where none of our other existing categories covered it, we could take money back out.
Petunia - I've purchased the stuff for the meal now, but will keep your idea in mind for if there is a second time.
Just buy a couple of cheap Android phones (best for the $10 ones) and check out the FB group "Make Money with Smartphones" for ideas.
June 27th, 2017 at 04:38 pm 1498581497
June 27th, 2017 at 05:47 pm 1498585656
June 27th, 2017 at 07:04 pm 1498590293