There’s Extra Money in my Bank Account & It’s Making Me Smile! | brokeGIRLrich
A few days ago, I wrote about the frugality snowball.
I was thinking about it because I was trying to figure out how to cram the end of my 2015 savings goals into my budget, despite the fact that I don’t totally know how much money I’ll make in December.
The funny thing was, that I sort of started to automatically do these little frugal things to push my dollars further.
I brought a bag lunch to rehearsals every day except for the very last one (because Melt is delicious and I spent all week thinking about how badly I wanted it).
During tech week, the only meals I ate for several days were dinner since the hotel had free breakfast and I could make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from those supplies for lunch (to be fair, that was more because lunch was the best time to catch up on paperwork uninterrupted, but it also saved me about $100 during tech week).
Even now, I hit up Walmart once and spent $10 stocking up on tuna, soup and canned raviolis. When my credit card bill creeps up higher than I want it to be, I just eat hotel food and anything from that stash.
Because of these few frugal methods that have just snowballed into how I live my life, I have all my bills paid AND I’m only $1,400 short of hitting every single savings goal I set for this year. And I honestly didn’t expect to be able to manage all of them.
Not only that, but this week, I found I have extra money sitting my bank account.
Let me tell you – there are few better feelings in the world than the moments when you realize you actually have more money than you need in that moment.
And if you can couple it with the restraint to not just run out and spend it – things are looking pretty sunny.
Anyway, the point of this list is to tell you that at the bottom of your snowball of frugality is a giant ray of light – that moment when you check out your bank account, have paid all your bills, caught up on all your savings, maxed out your IRA AND there’s still money sitting there.
Nice job. The feeling of having money and watching it grow is one of the best feelings in life. I always try to tell folks to try and grow their accounts and notice that the satisfaction is greater than that of spending money. Way to go.
Lance @ Healthy Wealthy Income recently posted…It is Okay to Break Up Over Money
Cute picture, Mel. And way to go with the extra money in your account! I agree — no better feeling. After last month’s abysmal savings, I’m looking forward to socking away a decent chunk of change for October!
Kate @ Cashville Skyline recently posted…My Seventh Net Worth Overshare
Good luck! It’s crazy how much things go up and down each month – especially with variable income. Sometime no amount of frugality can counteract making next to nothing and other times frugality + higher income can blow goals out of the water.
Great read! Isn’t it something to have more money than month?
Congrats on a great job!!
WOW, I’m seriously impressed! Congrats!
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…The Quarter Life Crisis: The Millennial Call to Action
Yup, had that happen to me with last month’s goal…feels so good, right?! I don’t know if I’ll be able to make this month’s goal. :/
Sylvia @ Miss PF recently posted…Seven for Sunday (#8)
Aw. Financial life is definitely more of a roller coaster than I ever would’ve expected before I started paying attention. I felt unsure about my goals all summer – so hopefully yours will work out too!
I love it when my earnings for the month are higher than I expect them to be. It’s definitely a good feeling to have more in your account than you need.
Cat@BudgetBlonde recently posted…4 Financial Mistakes I’ve Made and What I Learned From Them
Absolutely. I’ve had unusually high blog income last month and this month too, which no doubt is where the surplus came from, but it’s still really exciting!
And this makes me smile!!! It’s like stepping on the scale and seeing the results of a weight loss effort. Nothing feels better! Congrats!
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…Money Talk with the Money Queen
That’s probably the most accurate analogy I’ve seen yet. ;o)
Awesome job. Bet it feels great!
Definitely does!
That is such a great feeling!! Congrats!
Tonya@Budget and the Beach recently posted…Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Congrats on that! I really love that feeling too! 🙂
Kate @ Money Propeller recently posted…Tips For Traveling Businesspeople
Congratulations on this bonus. My problem when I come upon extra money is to spend it immediately on something fun. It’s a chore to put it away for a rainy day.
Yeah, it definitely takes some self discipline to not run out and blow it.
Extra money really is the best, isn’t it? Way to go on your savings goals! If we have a couple of really good money months *and* I get a bonus again this year, I think we’ll actually hit our goal for my husband’s dental implant costs. Fingers crossed!
Abigail @ipickuppennies recently posted…Baby got cash: A financial ode to Sir Mix-a-Lot
Awesome! It makes all those pb&j sandwich lunches worthwhile 🙂 I do the same thing when I’m travelling for work. Then I only have to pay for dinner.
Tre recently posted…Net Worth Update – Q3 2015
Woohoo!
That is how we operate too. We set savings targets and then just naturally adjust our lifestyle if we are behind them.
Anne recently posted…The Silver Linings in My Stressful Work Week
I love it when I earn more than what is required in my budget. Nice job! 🙂
Kayla @ Shoeaholicnomore recently posted…How Type A People Can Have a Plan, But Not Be So Rigid
It’s great when frugality becomes a habit/lifestyle and doesn’t feel like a drag. Glad you’re reaping the benefits!
Gary @ Super Saving Tips recently posted…Black Friday Shopping Tips to Save You Time & Money
Congratulations! It always feels good when you surpass a goal! Keep up the good work.
RAnn recently posted…How to Pick Lending Club Notes
Thanks, it definitely does!
Great job, Mel! I love when that happens! And wish it were perpetually sustainable on my end… Zero sum budgets have pros and psychological cons.
Femme Frugality recently posted…Frugal Ways to Not Drive Drunk This Halloween
Congratulations! It is indeed an amazing feeling to see your account stocked up with money particularly after paying your bills.
It goes to show if you are determined to learn about personal finance and commit to the process, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.
Well done and keep it up.
Esther@Moneynuggets recently posted…Divorce and Finances: How to Deal with Money Worries on Divorce
That’s great Mel! I’m really impressed with how you’ve stuck to your saving goals all year and how living frugally like this has spurred you on to achieve what you wanted to.
Hayley @ Disease Called Debt recently posted…Financially Savvy Saturdays #114