Money Matters: Week 31

[penguin129]

Did you end up over, under, or break even for the month of July?

What are you going to do differently in August to prevent going over if it was an issue?

Do you have any extra expenses for August that you know of?

What are your savings goals for the month of August?

What purchases do you want to make (extras)?

What purchases do you need to make (outside of bills, gas, and groceries)?

GTKY- Do you have any car loans? If so, do you have plans to pay them off early, or are you just going to make the monthly payments until the end of the loan?

[brachysira]

The main thing in August is that we are taking a vacation. It was supposed to just be a mini-trip, but things keep getting added on...we are planning to stay in downtown Toronto a few nights and my H says we should just get a really nice place, whereas I think maybe some place less well-reviewed might be okay, or that maybe we could stay out of town at a much cheaper nice place in the suburbs our first night...but H is like, blah, it's not that much and I don't want to move, etc.

My H has a car loan...since before we were married and probably forever...it's low interest so we're not really in a hurry to get it paid off. I'd rather he sell it for a cheaper car but DH doesn't think he'll get more than what he owes...

[penguin129]

We were over for July by around $100. Things came up like extra paint tire repair & rotation. Then H and I decided to eat out at Applebee's after my appointment Friday even though we both knew we shouldn't have.

The plan for August is to limit eating out. No more fancy restaurants and barely any fast food. I'll still have to eat out a bit since I'm on every 2 weeks for appointments now, they fall around lunch time, and are an hour away from home. Moderation is key.

H said that we need to replace a different tire on his car. I'm not sure if we'll end up buying a pair for the front or just replace the one.

I would love to continue putting $100 in Savings this month.

H wants/needs to buy a new standard lens for his camera. The one he has isn't working anymore and we want to have a new to us one by the time the baby comes. I want to have plumbing set up for and buy a dishwasher. We agreed we would take money out of Savings for these things.

I am not sure of anything extra that is needed at this point. I guess the tires count.

We have 2 car loans. They have a low interest rate. We are currently paying the regular monthly payment with no plans to pay off early until I go back to work. We had decided it was better to take on a 2nd car loan then deplete Saving to buy the 2nd car, but agreed having it was a need especailly with me being pregnant.

[namastebiotches]

We don't keep a set budget but I do know we spent more money that I would have liked in July. I blame my surgery. It was mostly food.

Well, we have no planned hospital visits so we shouldn't have the same issue again lol

We are doing a mini roadtrip to visit our parents so although not an absolute expense, we are planning on staying/visiting in Pittsburgh on the way back to make most of the trip so $ will be spent on fun activities & one meal out.

Just to save as much as possible & not spend $ on frivolous things.

Nothing for August I don't think. We did that last month with the countertops. Well, I guess if you count the trip, then that.

I don't believe we have anything besides the norm. Oh wait, DS' birthday is coming up so some decorations & activities we have planned but that won't be much since it'll just be the three of us.

One. We obtained it last year. Our very first. We do have plans to pay it off early. Hopefully soon.. or at least knock a chunk off so that we owe much less than what it's worth.

[ashiscute]

We don't really do a budget but I feel good about our July.

August is going to be more expensive because we've got a few birthdays, our anniversary, and a wedding out of town. We're also doing a day trip to the Indianapolis childrens museum which I'm super excited about.

I also have to do some back to school shopping for the kids. DD goes back mid August and needs some supplies and shoes.

I'd like to save a little extra money so we can decide if we can finish our basement. We both want to but can't afford $10,000+ to do it. If we're not doing our basement then we'll just sit on the money and decide what we want to do next.

We do not currently have a car loan. I drive a Forester (Subaru for life btw) but I want a minivan in the near future. 5 is a tight fit in my car and we do not fit at all in my H's car. But it's hard to pull the plug on a new car when he have two cars that are paid off and not that old. Car payments are the worst.

[younglove316]

ashiscute have fun at the children's museum, let me know how it is! I've heard that's a great area and wanted to possibly do a long weekend there next year and make a stop at the museum.

[ashiscute]

Aug 2, 2016 6:33:02 GMT -5 younglove316 said:

ashiscute have fun at the children's museum, let me know how it is! I've heard that's a great area and wanted to possibly do a long weekend there next year and make a stop at the museum.

Will do! I've only been once in middle school so I'm excited. I'm actually going to meet up with a mom from my BMB as she is a member.

[nerdalert]

Did you end up over, under, or break even for the month of July?
break even

What are you going to do differently in August to prevent going over if it was an issue?
n/a

Do you have any extra expenses for August that you know of?
no

What are your savings goals for the month of August?
Not planning to save anything, just throwing as big of a chunk as we can at student loans.

What purchases do you want to make (extras)?
Nothing really that big, but I'd like to get some new fall clothes for myself. I'll probably hold off another month though.

What purchases do you need to make (outside of bills, gas, and groceries)?
This month we're trying not to spend much on anything extra so we can pay off student loans faster.

GTKY- Do you have any car loans? If so, do you have plans to pay them off early, or are you just going to make the monthly payments until the end of the loan?
No car loans

[younglove316]

We do not keep a set budget but if we did, I would probably say over. My husband got a tattoo, he had to buy new uniforms for work, and I did terrible with the grocery budget one week.

I am going to put off buying things unless they are a necessity and maybe focus more on a number to stay within.

Not that I am aware of

To get about $200 into savings

Disney Live tickets so we can take DD1

I have a bridal shower coming up so gifts for that.

We have one loan and a lease. I would love to work on paying off early but my husband drives me insane when it comes to cars and probably won't keep it until it's paid off anyways. It's so frustrating.