It has been over a month since baby arrived, and I’m slowly getting a handle on things… Attempting to get some sort of order and schedule to my days. So, even though it’s nearing 3 weeks late, I’ll post my financial goals update for April.
Goal #1 – Emergency Fund
Human Emergency Fund: $0
Pet Emergency Fund: $4290 (+$125)
I’m sure that this doesn’t come as a surprise, but the human emergency fund didn’t get any increases this month… unfortunately, I sort of see that being a trend for the next few months. I did contribute to the pet emergency fund a little, because I knew there would be pet expenses this month (vet appointments were scheduled), but hopefully we can save some pet expenses now that I am off work, since we don’t need to take the pooch to doggy daycare while we are at work anymore…
Goal #2 – Maternity Leave Fund
Another thing that will likely not come as a surprise is that rather than adding to this fund, we actually took from it for various baby related expenses this month… And since I’m on maternity leave now, we won’t be adding to this fund any more either… So… This goal is no more… and it was definitely not a success. Ah well, we will survive somehow, and I’ll just go back to work when we need it.
Goal #3 – Monthly Spending
This was a two part goal… the first was to review 2 budget categories each month to see how we could decrease our spending… the second was to keep each month below the average of the same month the 2 years previous…
- I once again did not review any budget categories in March… Was a little side-tracked… But I still want to do this, so it will be on the list for the future… Though to be honest, I don’t think I’ll get to it in April either…
- March spending has been low for the past couple years because March seems to be the month we go on extended vacations (one year was our honeymoon, the other was spring break in Hawaii), and travel spending comes out of our planned spending categories, rather than the regular spending categories.
March 2016 total spending was about $5600.
March 2017 total spending was about $6800.
The average of those two would give me $6200.
So what was March 2018’s total spending? About $6220.
Crazy, eh?!? It was totally bang on! And we didn’t even go anywhere on vacation! Of course, some of the big expenses were made from the baby fund, and we were gifted lots of food when baby arrived, so we probably did better because of that.
Goal #4 – Save for California Road Trip
So the budget is set for this trip at $5400. I haven’t actually made up a plan for saving that money yet, but we did have to fork out about $750 already for our accommodation at the wedding location. And that’s for only 3 nights… Yikes! That leaves us with $1350 for the remaining 11 nights. I’m happy that I put that category a little higher than required for exclusively campsite accommodations.
So, with that part paid for already, we only have $4650 left to save in the next 5 months. $930 per month. Not sure where that will come from… I guess I better get to work on the first part of goal #3 and see where I can squeeze out some money.
Goal #5 – Maintain Net Worth
By some magical fluke, our net worth has gone up slightly since last month… I won’t go in to too much detail, because the only difference is an increase in cash savings, everything else is pretty much the same…
How did your finances fair in March?
Great job, Jena!! Anything you get accomplished, after taking care of a new baby is bonus!!
Just relax. Well, try anyway!
Hugs and cuddles to the baby!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Yes, it is definitely harder to get things done these days! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
All parents understand!
LikeLiked by 1 person
With your family member, savings will come in the form of hugs and snuggles! Enjoy the rest of your leave!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Yes, hugs and snuggles are worth a lot! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our finances fared pretty well in March in some ways–we came in under budget for our regular daily spending. We had some larger medical bills and had to dip into our emergency fund to pay those–so that was kind of stinky. You write that you didn’t contribute anything to the human emergency fund, and you have a 0 by it. Does this mean you have $0 in your human emergency fund? Do you have other emergency funds like for your cars, house, etc. We had $1.67 in our total emergency fund for about a month, so I’m curious if you’re in the same boat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Medical bills are totally what an emergency fund is for!
And yes, currently our human emergency fund is $0. We have a few rainy day funds for some categories, like about $250 for car maintenance or repairs, so we could steal from those if needed in a real emergency. And I suppose if we really needed it, we could take from the pet emergency fund…
LikeLike
Hi Jena, I think you are doing good with keeping track of your finance goals lite that… with the baby and all… I’m amazed you can even find the time in between all the hugs and snuggles 😆 with such a cutie pie who can find the time 😃
Oh… and.. I just wanted you to know… I’ll be visiting your beautiful end of the world in just a short time 🙂 I’m so looking forward to checking Victoria out 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh a visitor! I’m a little biased, but I think Victoria and the area around here are awesome!
Keeping track of our finances is especially required right now because of our decrease in income with me being off work with the baby, so as much as I’d love to ignore the spreadsheets and just snuggle, we do need to make sure we can keep up with the expenses. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice job balancing this with a new baby! My brain was ina fog for way too long after a newborn entered my universe
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m still clearing out the fog… LOL!
LikeLike