In the PF world we often refer to "snowflakes." Those little amounts of unexpected funds that you can put toward your debt snowball. This month, it's really snowing in my house! I was actually able to carry over $90 from my August budget that I didn't spend. Then my check was $194 bigger than I budgeted for (thanks extra work days!). I got an insurance refund of $23.38. I sold a book on Amazon, which earned $15.31. My grandma paid me back for some things I bought her, and I had budgeted for part of it, so I ended up with $26.14 more than I expected. And that's only three days into September! I should also have another mid-month check for one of my extra work days, so that will be another $200 or so.
I know I have some dental work coming, so I want to save some of it for that (around $110). I also bought new workout clothes when I shopped this weekend, which wasn't originally part of my plan. So, I spent about $100 extra on clothes shopping. But, that still leaves me with a good amount to put towards the extra Roth money I need to come up with by December. I must say, it's more tempting to spend that money, since it's sitting there for a while. Usually when I get snowflakes, I would put them straight onto my credit card bill or my car loan. Leaving them in my account makes me think of all the things I want to buy. BUT, I know I still have my student loan and my emergency fund to build, even after my Roth is funded. So, savings it will be.
Have you "found" any extra money in your budget lately? What do you do with it?
Gotta love those snowflakes. I made just under $30 by taking bottles in to recycle. I used $20 of it to pay for drycleaning DS1's suit so it's ready for hockey.
ReplyDeleteWe made $10 selling some modeling paints, $45 selling speakers and $11 selling books to Half Price Books! That's all going to credit card debt though.
ReplyDeleteYes I've made some extra money and it's been nice! I've just been saving it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't found extra money in my budget recently, hence why I am down. Next month SHOULD be better.
ReplyDeleteI decided I didn't need to collect state quarters any more ($390)!
ReplyDeleteWhen we have extra $$ it usually goes towards savings, or if there's something we actually *NEED* it goes towards that.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, this is great news!
ReplyDeleteI tend to feel the same way you're describing--I know the $$ will best be utilized for savings or debt payoff (which is what I ultimately send it to most often), but I do sometimes find myself wanting to spend rather than save, etc.
I think it's all about balance and you seem to have that down. If temptation is growing too much, perhaps some mini goals that you can tangibly keep track of?