21 in 2021 Challenge: Save 21% of your income in 2021

February 2021 Check-In - Much higher savings rate than normal because I put 50% of my tax return into savings

Take-home Income (pay and tax return): $5004
:heart_eyes_cat:401K: $280
:heart_eyes_cat:Savings: $1200
:heart_eyes_cat:Additional car payment: $175

Savings Rate: 33%

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Also higher than expected because of federal tax return and medical grant. I put negatives where I had to drain sinking funds due to emergencies (roof leak/replacement, emergency vet visit, nail in tire, etc)

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March 2021 Checkin

upped my 401K at work to 21%

Income (Post-Tax)

  • Day Job #1 after 401K: $2,386.59
  • Oh My Dollar: $547.22
  • Bank Interest: $.52
  • Stimulus: $1,400
  • Tax Refunds: $43.79

Total Post-Tax Income All Sources: $4,378.12 (wtf)

  • Cash Savings: $2,000.13
  • Traditional 401K: $906.50

Total Savings: $2,906.63

Post Tax Percentage: 66% of post tax

Percentage Out of Gross Pre-Tax: ?? figure out later

YTD Cash: $4,956
YTD Retirement: $2,331.01

YTD Total: $7,287.01

YTD Percentage out of Gross Income: ?? come back later…40%?

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This month’s income was higher than normal because of the state tax return and stimulus checks. I put negatives where I had to drain sinking funds due to emergencies (surgery for the dog this month). Next month we are draining that whole home maintenance fund for the roof replacement and some additional delayed maintenance work that we are taking care of. But counting it for now!

Total for the year:
image

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Crazy and busy month. Somehow it’s already April. A lot went into the “other” category in March–first daycare FSA reimbursement, small annuity from my grandparents’ estate, state tax return, and of course, EIP3. I put some in Larva’s savings, stimulated the economy a bit, and stashed the rest in my IRA. Had to pull some out of reserve savings to fill it, but I’ll get that replaced by the end of the year.

March:

Salary: $4,515
Match: $113
Other: $4,209 :open_mouth:
Total Income: $8,837

Reserve: -$4,000
403b: $339
IRA: $6,000
Total Savings: $2,339

March Savings: 26%
2021 Savings: 25%
2021 Total: $5,517

April will be far more typical, possibly another chunk of daycare FSA.

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March numbers:

Pre tax income $8755
Total saved $7060

81.7%!

Includes stimulus check and a very large tax refund, will not happen again. LOL

YTD:
Income $13,555
Saved $8352
61.7%

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March is the month I get my annual bonus, and it happened to also be one of the magical two months of the year when I get three bi-weekly paychecks instead of two. Also stimulus. Both income and savings rate are WAY higher than they typically would be because the stars aligned for Money March :smile_cat:

INCOME:
Day Job : $4074
Bonus from Day Job: $3197
Stimulus: $1400
Total: $8,671

SAVINGS:
Cash Savings: $4300
401K: $791
Extra Car Payment: $175
Total: $5,266

March Savings Rate: 61%

YTD Income: $17,093
YTD Savings: $7,731
YTD Savings Rate: 45%

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March!

Total pre-tax income: $4189.85 (thanks to stimulus)

Debt payoff: $852
Straightforward savings: $910
Total “savings”: $1762

Savings rate: ~42%

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Income post tax:

Day job take-home: $2192.56
Stimulus: $1400
Swim Team: $1040

Total income: $4632.56

Cash savings: $1522.00
Trad IRA: $200
Car fund: $351.71
Bike Fund: $245.08

Total savings: $2318.79

Post tax percentage: 50% savings

I don’t count my 401k as income or savings for this challenge because it confuses me. But I also put in 6% and my employer puts in 4%, so about $310/month.

YTD Cash Savings: $3924.08
YTD Car Savings: $691.00
YTD Bike Savings: $462
YTD IRA: $1150.00
YTD Total: $6227.08

YTD % savings- 53%

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April!

Pre tax income $3000
Total saved $725

24.2%

Savings will start going down next month because I have been saving the amount that would be a car payment for a few years. Now that I have the car, they will probably want me to pay for it! lol That amount now will go into payments rather than savings. I will still hit my goals though, plus I will have a new car!

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WTF, how is it May?

Some extra expenses this month without corresponding extra income, but that’s all accounted for with the sinking fund, which isn’t part of the savings numbers. But there was enough margin in the budget (and probably some residual stimulus) to accumulate beyond what I like to keep in checking that was sent to savings. So a better month than expected.

April:

Salary: $4,515
Match: $113
Total Income: $4,628

Reserve: $1,500
403b: $339
Total Savings: $1,839

April Savings: 40%
2021 Savings: 27%
2021 Total: $7,356

Next month daycare FSA chunk, but also I really need new shoes.

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Did April even happen? I think I missed it

APRIL
SAVINGS:
Cash Savings: $1155
401K: $306
Extra Car Payment: $125
Total: $1586
INCOME:
Day Job : $2749
Total: $2749

April Savings Rate: 57%

YTD Income: $19,842
YTD Savings: $9317
YTD Savings Rate: 46%

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May!

Pre tax income $2400
Total saved $500

20.9%

June:

Pre tax income $15,000
Total saved $9,000

60% I got a big commission check this month.

YTD:

Pre tax income $33,955
Total saved $18,577

54.8% I’m super pleased with this. I don’t make enough in normal weekly pay to save a whole lot, but I tend to save the majority of commission checks and tax refunds.

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I’m not sure how it is August already, but here are July numbers.

Pre tax income $3000
Total saved $625

20.9%.

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Y’all, here’s the ABSOLUTELY chaotic sticker that I just sent to print that you received for this challenge

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There’s some big Scrooge McDuck energy here and I am so here for it.

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One kitty has so much money that it only feels ennui, and one has so much that it’s vibrating with energy/fury!

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Stickers are here and I’ll be doing shipping out of some this weekend! If you’ve already hit the challenge and want your sticker, please submit this form:

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@anomalily so I did this and I’m filling out the form. My salary is $35,000 and year to date I’ve made $9,307 in student loan payments. Also some 401k contributions were made.

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