Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Retirement Goals - Update


Early this year I did some financial planning and was thrilled to discover I will be able to retire on time.  Up until then I was hopeful about that, but not certain.  Now I am certain.  In fact, I have an actual retirement date.  

August 31, 2029.  

Thirteen years from today!

Soft and pretty pink chenille pillow

Quilted throw pillow


Thirteen years may seem like a long time yet, to some, but I happen to know just how quickly that time will pass.  You see, my youngest will be 13 on her next birthday and I feel like it was only yesterday she was this cute little baby.  It goes by really, really fast!

Pretty handmade doilies with vintage buttons


I could retire at age 62, if I choose, but financially it makes more sense, as long as my health holds out, to wait until I'm 65.  Mainly it is because of health insurance.  My employer provides health insurance for me and if I retire at 62 I will not be Medicare eligible yet.  Rather than pay for private insurance it makes more sense for me to keep working and keep my health benefits while further padding my retirement accounts.

Love these lamps!

My first piece of furniture - acquired and redone

I have a lot of plans and many goals to accomplish between now and then.  I'm sure this will come as no surprise, but I have a lot of lists written out to help get me their too.  Some of those items are checked off and others are waiting to be.  I have been plenty busy working on those things too.

Love this rooster tea towel.  Super fun project.

I named him Roger

My plan is to eliminate debt and build up my savings account so I will be ready to purchase a house in the next three years.  Then I will be working to pay that house off in ten years, before I retire.  The house I currently own will then go up for sale and the proceeds of that sale will be rolled into my savings to further pad my retirement funds.


Pillowcases

...more pillowcases

... and more pillowcases

In the meantime I have a monthly budget set up to work on smaller projects to help me furnish and set up my future home.  You’ve already seen quite a bit of what I've been working on.  It has been super fun and keeps me motivated.


Once the house is purchased I will be working on it to get it retirement ready.  Updates, painting, furnishings, whatever it needs to make a comfortable home for an active retired lady.  I'm sure there will be a whole new set of lists to help me make sure it all goes according to plan. 

A warm and cozy quilt

Another in the works

I am really excited for my future and I hope and pray it all works as I hope it does.  Not always do things go according to plan but I'm hopeful and optimistic.  Of course, whatever is meant to be will be as I know I am bound by His plan and not necessarily my own.  And that will be okay too. 

Vintage Pyrex

Pretties from my collection

Love, love, love this dessert set

In the meantime I will just keep on keeping on.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

My Grocery Budget - August Update


This month was another big stock up month for me.  I stocked up the pantry, added more meat items to the freezer and bought lunchmeat, bread, chips and other items for school lunches.  I took advantage of a lot of sales, loss leader items, coupons and scoured the markdown bins to keep my spending as low as possible.


Produce and dairy made up the remainder of my shopping and as you can see I bought a lot of produce this month.  Fresh fruits and veggies just taste good this time of year when the heat is on.  We enjoyed a lot of salads and veggies with homemade dips and dressings.


Needless to say I went way over my $150.oo budget, nearly twice my budget, and perhaps I should feel a little bad about it, but I really don't.  I got so many great buys and now that we are well stocked for winter I will have no worries, especially when the heat bills sky rocket and any extra money to put towards them will be greatly appreciated.

Stock up items from the dollar store



My non-food items included cat litter, facial tissues, a few toiletries and four bottles of laundry detergent.  I purchased the detergent on sale and with coupons paid just $1.00 apiece for them!  I only spent $20.57 of my $25.00 budget. 




So here is the list of food I bought.  The items highlighted in red are my stock up items:

Groceries

 $$$







All Bran

        4.49


Oatmeal

      14.97
Cash & Carry

Ground beef - 10#

      23.64
Cash & Carry

Cheddar - 5#

        9.45
Cash & Carry

Coconut

        5.79
Cash & Carry

Steak

        7.15
Markdown

Steak

        4.11
Markdown

Grapes

        2.12
Sale

Lettuce

        0.99


Apples

        1.78


Onions

        0.64


Garlic

        0.44


Lettuce

        1.19


Cabbage

        1.29


Bananas

        1.36


Veggie tray

        4.99
Store Coupon

Chow mein noodles

        1.89


Vegetable oil (2)

        4.58


Milk - 1/2 gal (2)

        1.58
Store Coupon

Cereal (3)

        5.64
Sale

Cereal

        2.49


Lettuce

        0.99


Spinach

        1.99


Bananas

        1.49


Lemon

        0.89


Milk - 1 gal

        1.89
Sale

Blueberries

        2.19
Sale

Cheese puffs (2)

        1.00
Markdown

Candy (4)

        2.00
Sale

Chicken

        7.76
Sale

Chicken

        8.13
Sale

Steak

        4.25
Markdown

Steak

        5.09
Markdown

Stew meat

        2.75
Markdown

Stew meat

        2.87
Markdown

Grapes

        2.28
Sale

Tomatoes (2)

        0.51
Sale

Carrots

1.29
Sale

Beans

        2.00
Dollar Store

Hot dogs

        1.98
Sale

Hot dog buns

        0.99


Taco seasoning (3)

        1.00
Sale

Tomatoes (3)

        0.74


Onions (3)

        0.93
Sale

Lettuce (2)

        1.98
Sale

Mushrooms

        0.99
Markdown

Veggie tray

        3.99
Markdown

Cauliflower

        1.49
Markdown

Broccoli

        1.26
Sale

Bananas

        0.78


Almonds

        3.50
Sale

Milk - 1/2 gal (2)

        1.58
Sale

Orange juice

        0.79
Sale

Cream cheese (2)

        1.76
Store Coupon

Sour cream (2)

        1.76
Store Coupon

Turkey breast

        7.16
Markdown

Turkey breast

        7.16
Markdown

Peaches (5)

        5.00
Dollar Store

Pears (5)

        5.00
Dollar Store

Fruit Cocktail

        1.00
Dollar Store

Rice - 10#

        5.00
Dollar Store

Tortilla chips (2)

        2.00
Sale

Whole wheat bread (4)

        3.00
Markdown

English muffins (4)

        3.00
Markdown

Hotdog buns - 16 ct

        2.00
Markdown

Hamburger buns - 12 ct

        0.98
Markdown

Bagels - mini

        1.69
Markdown

Bagels

 FREE


Donuts

        1.49


Pasta (10)

        6.90
Store Coupon

Olives (6)

        5.28
Sale

Cheese - sliced (3)

        2.91
Store Coupon

Peanut butter (2)

        1.98
Store Coupon

Tuna (10)

        4.90
Store Coupon

Wieners (4)

        3.16
Sale

Smoked sausage

        3.99
Sale

Ham (3)

        5.37
Markdown

Chips - 32 ct (2)

      17.98
Sale






Total

 $  272.42



$272.42 ÷ 31 days ÷3 people = $2.93 per person per day!



Did you stock up on anything this month?  Any super deals?

This budget month runs from August 1 through August 31.



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