What is your money goal this month?

[Tree0164]

We ate out way way too much in October (more than once a week) so we are now limiting it to just 2 times this month.

What is your saving or money goal for November?

[terry1156]

With the coming of winter and heating prices higher than last year, my goal is to keep my monthly winter heating bills the same as last year. Itwill be a tough one since we have maximized a lot of savings in the past, but a worthy goal to shoot for.

[jaksilee]

Like Terry I will be trying to keep my heat set low 24hrs....I use to turn it up while I was home...but this winter I'm just trying to wear more clothing! I also am trying to cut my food bill while cooking more at home and making sure I take my lunch to work every day!

[vendigirl]

I'm trying to cut down on the power bill. My gas (furnace and water heater) bill is fairly low at $91 a month. My power bill has been creeping up over $120 lately. UGH!
Incidentally, where do you all have your thermostats set? I think 17 celsius (62 f) is as low as we can go with the baby and a toddler in the house, but I'd like to know where others keep theirs set. I read a site yesterday that recommended 13 celsius (56 f) and that seems impossible to me!

[asrai]

13 degrees??? You'd have to wear a coat and hat inside. (Which I might do if I were single but with kids in the house it's not possible). I try to get just below 20. That's the lowest I can manage since our bedrooms are in the basment (fourplex)

[vendigirl]

Okay. I thought 13 degrees seemed crazy. Maybe if we lived in a much warmer climate? I usually have the thermostat at 17. I have the thermostat set to go up to 19 for an hour at 6 am and at 6 pm when the kids are getting into the bath and bed. It is generally kinda chilly in the house, but nothing that socks and hoodies can't fix.

[Tree0164]

I would also like to turn my heat down as well. I keep it at 66 degrees but with small kids, I get worried about them being too cold. We put caulking on our windows this past weekend.

I am very skeptical of electric space heaters as you hear about a lot of fires with them. So we will be warming up with layers, wearning slippers aroudn the house.

[PennyPincher]

As basic as it sounds, my goal is to spend less than I earn this month. October was brutal for me as everything hit at once. Fortunately, it was also the month I began tracking every penny spent, and I feel empowered to begin saving again.

[terry1156]

Originally Posted by PennyPincher

As basic as it sounds, my goal is to spend less than I earn this month.

I think that basic goals are one aspect of saving that are underestimated. It's those basics that lay the foundation to all the other savings. I think people often try to meet lofty goals and forget about the basics.

[vendigirl]

Originally Posted by terry1156

I think that basic goals are one aspect of saving that are underestimated. It's those basics that lay the foundation to all the other savings. I think people often try to meet lofty goals and forget about the basics.

It's ironic that I was writing about that in my journal today. I find it frustrating and boring having to do the little every day things. I get a much bigger rush out of saving a large amount- like yesterday I shaved $60 off my homeowner's insurance policy. That's way more fun than doing the menial things even though the menial every day tasks save far more over the long term. I wish I had a good way of tracking those savings as a means of staying motivated.

[asrai]

Yeah that's my plan too. To spend less than we make. I don't think it's going to happen, we'll likely end up taking some of out of savings. Again. I hate doing this. But with work cutting down my hours drastically (half of what i"ve been used to the last 2 months) and Christmas shopping pulling at me.

I get so caught up in saving that I think I'm at the opposite end. Sometimes I'm tripping over dollars to save pennies. For example: I'll drive all around town to find "Fells Naptha" soap so I can make my own laundry soap. Did I actually save money? I'm not sure with gas prices being so high.

My goals: To spend less on groceries this month. I usually spend about $120. I'm going to try to go with $100 and see what happens.

[Ima saver]

Well what is your money goal this month. Mine, for Jan and Feb. have been to get a really good start on my financial challenge and I think I have done that. Now, for March, I don't know.

[Lostsoul33]

Right now I'm quite happy with the way things are going. My bills are getting paid, my credit card debt is getting lower, my grocery bill is lower than ever and I'm even putting a bit away in savings. As long as I can continue on that path, I will be happy.

[Amy752]

My goal is to make & save $400 for my challenge (purely through ways other than our regular paychecks) and put more money towards our CC's.

[frugalfarmwife]

The goal this month is to keep on keeping on, there's not much more that I can cut out. I'd like to also put a little extra into savings.

kj

[Bluezy]

I'm hoping that full-time employment will allow me make up my $3900 needed for my 2005 IRA contribution, as well as my $4000 2006 contribution and $3500 HSA for 2006.

I've been alerted the CJ's biological contributor has decided to pay arrears and maintenance after all. Guilt I suppose. If this rumour holds true I will be able to fund CJ's 529 to the max as well.

[PrincessPerky]

February 2006 goal is frugal family. I want to keep in touch more and still do it cheaply, so homeamde cards by the kids, phone call son weekends (when it is free) and looking into that cheaper stamps thing.

[Ima saver]

I am working on cutting down my electric bill. Water bill is $20 minimum a month and I never go over that unless I have to water the lawn a lot. I use a telephone card for in state long distance. I make no long distance calls, but my husband does. we use lightyear and my bill is very reasonable. Even tho I budget $240 a month for credit card payment, I am trying not to charge anything.

[jmjj215]

I want to hit a new record for the business in February. For March, I'd like to do it again.