Budget challenge?

[achase123]

I know they post on mm about this but a lot of us are really trying to budget. I thought if we could hold eachother accountable and post goals it might be helpful?

Like for May my goal is to lower my grocery bill to $200.

I also want to clear out all of my cc debt by July of 2016 which requires socking around $700 a month to it

Who's up for sharing goals/ideas/tips?

[Emerald1486]

I'm up for it!

[pantsoffdanceoff]

Yes! I need to determine what my goal will be.

[idahome]

I'm definitely up for it! I need to figure out what I want my goal to be, but I definitely need to do something. I love the posts on MM that talk about how you did with weekend spending. Maybe we could do one of those here and then have goal check in posts?

[bl]

I am definitely up for something, because I have had really bad habits the last month or so and if I don't stop I will get myself in trouble.

[tiffany81]

achase123 - I love the idea of checking in. MM was the reason I found this board and now that I'm a single mom, I feel so much more pressure to be money smart.

My goals for this year are to get rid of my student loans (done as of last month!!), pay off my credit card debt (have a few months to go), and get a 3-month emergency fund in place.

I think I'd feel so much more secure if I knew I had a financial safety net. In order to get my goals accomplished, I'm trying to reduce some spending. Lowering my grocery budget and eating out budget would be a huge help.

[achase123]

Yes! I can make a note to check in each Tuesday and see how we're all doing. I like this idea a lot. BF and I have silly challenges going and text about money saving ideas too. I grabbed extra plastic bags at the grocery store yesterday which also work as bathrm garbage bags. I was proud of this cheapskate move so I had to tell him.

Also if we get good tips we should post here and cheer one another on.

Another goal I have is the emergency reserves.

[redshoejune]

I like the idea. I worry about money every day and don't know where to start.

[mcc]

I'll be saving money with the Dentist moving in so my goals are to set up an e-fund and set aside enough to open up some kind of investment account by the end of the year.

[pandora]

I'm in but would have to decide on the goal(s).

[achase123]

Apr 21, 2015 19:06:22 GMT -5 mcc said:

I'll be saving money with the Dentist moving in so my goals are to set up an e-fund and set aside enough to open up some kind of investment account by the end of the year.

You should consider a Roth

[abcdefu]

I'm totally in! I have A LOT of debt, mostly medical and student loans. My goal right now is to try and pay down as much as I can by saving and paying the minimum in other budget categories. Unfortunately, I make too much for government assistance for my med bills, but not enough to pay the bills in full! Thank you for starting this!

[achase123]

Apr 21, 2015 21:22:17 GMT -5 @stpete said:

Apr 21, 2015 19:06:22 GMT -5 mcc said:

I'll be saving money with the Dentist moving in so my goals are to set up an e-fund and set aside enough to open up some kind of investment account by the end of the year.

Are you an IC or an employee? Does your employer already have a savings plan? achase123 is the finance expert but if you can max out their plan first you should do that. If you are an IC maybe achase knows if you can set something up similar for yourself if you apply for an EIN. 

This depends on whether pre tax or after tax dollars are most important to you. If you have no employer match then it just boils down to if you need the tax deduction now or if you'd rather go with the after tax contribution of a Roth. The Roth contribution also has income limits and the traditional deduction ability is phased out above certain income levels if you're eligible for a company retirement plan You can text me if you want to weigh options!

[mcc]

Apr 22, 2015 0:56:31 GMT -5 achase123 said:

Apr 21, 2015 21:22:17 GMT -5 @stpete said:

Are you an IC or an employee? Does your employer already have a savings plan? achase123 is the finance expert but if you can max out their plan first you should do that. If you are an IC maybe achase knows if you can set something up similar for yourself if you apply for an EIN. 

This depends on whether pre tax or after tax dollars are most important to you. If you have no employer match then it just boils down to if you need the tax deduction now or if you'd rather go with the after tax contribution of a Roth. The Roth contribution also has income limits and the traditional deduction ability is phased out above certain income levels if you're eligible for a company retirement plan You can text me if you want to weigh options!

I'm an employee @stpete but work for a startup that doesn't have a savings plan. I briefly discussed this with achase before so I'll definitely pick her brain again. I was thinking of starting a Roth. I want to open another bank account to keep things separate - I think Capital One has no limit accounts - so that I can put a little bit in every month to build up my e-fund and investment fund before deciding. I need to look into that next month once my expenses are cut in half.

[sweetchix]

Count me in! Although I can't budget to save my life But I'll give it a try.

[riverpestie]

My cat's vet bills exceeded $4,300, so I am definitely up for this challenge, too!

[Deleted]

Saw this and thought about our attempts to be more budget friendly.

www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/expensive-things-that-just-arent-worth-the-money?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DIY+423&utm_content=DIY+423+CID_673dafa2484a543cc7d64573d05d4c01&utm_source=BuzzFeed%20Newsletters&utm_term=Beauty%20products%20shouldnt%20cost%20this%20much#.flDD3W2gB

[abcdefu]

I was doing so well this week UNTIL I bought a heated mattress pad and towels...lots of towels! OOPS!

FTR, the heated mattress pad was regularly $140 and I got it for $73.00 and towels were 25% off and are a total necessity! Right?

[pandora]

Apr 22, 2015 9:13:55 GMT -5 riverpestie said:

My cat's vet bills exceeded $4,300, so I am definitely up for this challenge, too!

I am being slammed by mine and they are purposely doing this, I think to make $$$ off of me. Last time, the Vet said to me in a bitchy manner "Well, you need to support your Vet somehow" when I said I wasn't working and needed to do what I could to save without sacrificing their health.

I am considering going to one of the free places and wait in line for hours to have them be seen (problem is my back and putting them through the stress of having dogs barking all around them). I only want to continue them on their meds which are keeping them alive and feeling well but the Vet is P.O.d that I'm getting all meds and IVs online so she's milking the office visits. $550+ every 2 months, wtf. That's on top of the meds and SubQ fluids and accessories that I'm buying online which are crazy expensive when added up. And their Rx food. Ugh.

I'm sorry for hijacking. Guess this hit a hot spot in my heart and I need to figure something out. Someone mentioned putting my babies who are acting perfectly normal down.   I would not eat first.

[pandora]

Sorry for the rant.

I have established one of my areas to work on to cut costs.

[winecat]

Apr 25, 2015 17:49:02 GMT -5 pandora said:

Apr 22, 2015 9:13:55 GMT -5 riverpestie said:

My cat's vet bills exceeded $4,300, so I am definitely up for this challenge, too!

I am being slammed by mine and they are purposely doing this, I think to make $$$ off of me. Last time, the Vet said to me in a bitchy manner "Well, you need to support your Vet somehow" when I said I wasn't working and needed to do what I could to save without sacrificing their health.

I am considering going to one of the free places and wait in line for hours to have them be seen (problem is my back and putting them through the stress of having dogs barking all around them). I only want to continue them on their meds which are keeping them alive and feeling well but the Vet is P.O.d that I'm getting all meds and IVs online so she's milking the office visits. $550+ every 2 months, wtf. That's on top of the meds and SubQ fluids and accessories that I'm buying online which are crazy expensive when added up. And their Rx food. Ugh.

I'm sorry for hijacking. Guess this hit a hot spot in my heart and I need to figure something out. Someone mentioned putting my babies who are acting perfectly normal down.   I would not eat first.

I wish you lived here.  I found a great, reasonably priced vet.  She's the first one I found that doesn't milk you for tests, visits, etc..  My mom went to a low cost place that had a sliding scale based on income.  Her dog was seen by appointment.  It wasn't free but it was pretty decently priced.  I hope you can find another option.  

[pandora]

Apr 25, 2015 18:07:27 GMT -5 winecat said:

Apr 25, 2015 17:49:02 GMT -5 pandora said:

I am being slammed by mine and they are purposely doing this, I think to make $$$ off of me. Last time, the Vet said to me in a bitchy manner "Well, you need to support your Vet somehow" when I said I wasn't working and needed to do what I could to save without sacrificing their health.

I am considering going to one of the free places and wait in line for hours to have them be seen (problem is my back and putting them through the stress of having dogs barking all around them). I only want to continue them on their meds which are keeping them alive and feeling well but the Vet is P.O.d that I'm getting all meds and IVs online so she's milking the office visits. $550+ every 2 months, wtf. That's on top of the meds and SubQ fluids and accessories that I'm buying online which are crazy expensive when added up. And their Rx food. Ugh.

I'm sorry for hijacking. Guess this hit a hot spot in my heart and I need to figure something out. Someone mentioned putting my babies who are acting perfectly normal down.   I would not eat first.

I wish you lived here.  I found a great, reasonably priced vet.  She's the first one I found that doesn't milk you for tests, visits, etc..  My mom went to a low cost place that had a sliding scale based on income.  Her dog was seen by appointment.  It wasn't free but it was pretty decently priced.  I hope you can find another option.  

Thanks.

I'm not willing to sacrifice their care so I am combing the webz for other options. The city COL is killing me and this Vet's greediness - even though this place is listed as one of the reasonable places in the area - yeah, right.


I just want to keep them comfortable until it's their time and they're making it so difficult for me to even fill the meds. WTF

And now the SubQ fluids are by Rx only. God help me, this is going to be another fight to get an Rx from them.

[Deleted]

I wish I had unlimited money

[winecat]

Apr 25, 2015 18:19:58 GMT -5 pandora said:

Apr 25, 2015 18:07:27 GMT -5 winecat said:

I wish you lived here.  I found a great, reasonably priced vet.  She's the first one I found that doesn't milk you for tests, visits, etc..  My mom went to a low cost place that had a sliding scale based on income.  Her dog was seen by appointment.  It wasn't free but it was pretty decently priced.  I hope you can find another option.  

Thanks.

I'm not willing to sacrifice their care so I am combing the webz for other options. The city COL is killing me and this Vet's greediness - even though this place is listed as one of the reasonable places in the area - yeah, right.


I just want to keep them comfortable until it's their time and they're making it so difficult for me to even fill the meds. WTF

And now the SubQ fluids are by Rx only. God help me, this is going to be another fight to get an Rx from them.

It's unconscionable that your vet is making it difficult/impossible for you to care for your pets how you can.  

[pandora]

Apr 25, 2015 19:15:44 GMT -5 winecat said:

Apr 25, 2015 18:19:58 GMT -5 pandora said:

Thanks.

I'm not willing to sacrifice their care so I am combing the webz for other options. The city COL is killing me and this Vet's greediness - even though this place is listed as one of the reasonable places in the area - yeah, right.


I just want to keep them comfortable until it's their time and they're making it so difficult for me to even fill the meds. WTF

And now the SubQ fluids are by Rx only. God help me, this is going to be another fight to get an Rx from them.

It's unconscionable that your vet is making it difficult/impossible for you to care for your pets how you can.  

Absolutely agree. Many people would give up. I just can't. I usually order in bulk for the SubQ IV bags and I'm positive that they are going to milk that too. If i order in bulk, you don't pay shipping which is astronomical since it's all heavy bags of fluids.

I just noticed that they said I have to bring them in every 3 months before. Nope now it's 6 weeks that I have to have them back for full blood tests ($550+) to refill anything. I called the Rx online company and they only filled 6 weeks for ONE of the meds so now i have to chase down the other med as well as the IV bags. I hate them right now.

I'm going down to a free clinic (exams only are free) Monday morning but maybe I can get the Rxs. They open at noon. I'm going to be there at 8am. Wait, they still didn't give me the records for their history. Frack. Have surgery Tues, guess I'll see if I can go down Wed am if I can manage. Argh!!!

[winecat]

Apr 25, 2015 19:45:01 GMT -5 pandora said:

Apr 25, 2015 19:15:44 GMT -5 winecat said:

It's unconscionable that your vet is making it difficult/impossible for you to care for your pets how you can.  

Absolutely agree. Many people would give up. I just can't. I usually order in bulk for the SubQ IV bags and I'm positive that they are going to milk that too. If i order in bulk, you don't pay shipping which is astronomical since it's all heavy bags of fluids.

I just noticed that they said I have to bring them in every 3 months before. Nope now it's 6 weeks that I have to have them back for full blood tests ($550+) to refill anything. I called the Rx online company and they only filled 6 weeks for ONE of the meds so now i have to chase down the other med as well as the IV bags. I hate them right now.

I'm going down to a free clinic (exams only are free) Monday morning but maybe I can get the Rxs. They open at noon. I'm going to be there at 8am. Wait, they still didn't give me the records for their history. Frack. Have surgery Tues, guess I'll see if I can go down Wed am if I can manage. Argh!!!

 They are being horrible!!  


I had my dog on a med that wasn't great for his liver but he needed it because of his arthritis. The vet made me get blood work once a year at the beginning to make sure everything was okay and then as time went on, I had to get it done every 6 months.  I randomly started talking to a guy who was out walking his dog.  His vet made him get blood work done every 6 weeks when she was on the same med!  Not cool.  They were totally screwing with him.

[pandora]

Apr 25, 2015 21:36:03 GMT -5 winecat said:

Apr 25, 2015 19:45:01 GMT -5 pandora said:

Absolutely agree. Many people would give up. I just can't. I usually order in bulk for the SubQ IV bags and I'm positive that they are going to milk that too. If i order in bulk, you don't pay shipping which is astronomical since it's all heavy bags of fluids.

I just noticed that they said I have to bring them in every 3 months before. Nope now it's 6 weeks that I have to have them back for full blood tests ($550+) to refill anything. I called the Rx online company and they only filled 6 weeks for ONE of the meds so now i have to chase down the other med as well as the IV bags. I hate them right now.

I'm going down to a free clinic (exams only are free) Monday morning but maybe I can get the Rxs. They open at noon. I'm going to be there at 8am. Wait, they still didn't give me the records for their history. Frack. Have surgery Tues, guess I'll see if I can go down Wed am if I can manage. Argh!!!

 They are being horrible!!  


I had my dog on a med that wasn't great for his liver but he needed it because of his arthritis. The vet made me get blood work once a year at the beginning to make sure everything was okay and then as time went on, I had to get it done every 6 months.  I randomly started talking to a guy who was out walking his dog.  His vet made him get blood work done every 6 weeks when she was on the same med!  Not cool.  They were totally screwing with him.

Yup, milking for more money. I'm on a mission Monday morning to start calling around. I got some good advice from some boards of folks who have pets with the same illnesses so we'll see. I'm grabbing the blood test results Monday and going from there. I'm going to call them first to be sure that they put in the Rx for the other meds that they conveniently forget to do. Then, once I know the Rx is at the pharmacy, I'm going there for paperwork. I'm done. I'm also going to give a scathing review online with all of what the owner is doing. This claims to be one of the affordable places - BS. She used to be then copped attitude when she learned that I was buying online to save money. Complete 180 from there.

I'm hearing that so many vets are helping their patients to save money since they know how expensive all of this is.

On a mission!! No way am I sacrificing their health b/c these a-holes are reaming me with bills that should be spent on their expensive meds.