(Offline)
I'm feeling on the depressed side because I've not ended the year with anything saved like I had hoped. I know where I went wrong too. I was too optimistic about how much we could put away and it's turned out to be a pittance. Without asking anyone to go into dollars and cents, did you manage to save this year? If you did, how did you do it? We don't exactly have wads of spare money stuffed down the back of the sofa, but I want to do better next year. Simple would be good too.
(Offline)
I've certainly got out of it. My saving was erractic and not structured. When I couldn't get to the bank to put money in our little savings account, it went into my purse. Of course it would get spent then before I did it. You're right, getting into the habit is what I need to do. Putting money in a big jar every day would be more organized than I've been all year LOL. I don't know why I'm laughing because that's sad.
(Offline)
What's done is done. :) Figure out an action plan for 2011 and you'll feel better. We can only save if we have the cash to spare!
I bet you saved in other ways too this year. Have you cut your food bills? Sliced a bit off your heating and AC costs? Watched the water usage closer? Saved with coupons and free samples? There's more than one way to save. It may not be reflected in your bank account yet but it will in the long term. :)
(Offline)
Well, when you put it like that I guess I have. :) Thanks cheapncheerful for the boost. :)
(Offline)
I've probably been saving about 10% of income so far this year. I don't believe that I really need to be saving that much, but it's what I have done for many years and this year is not much different for me than last year or the year before.
My long-term financial goals include saving/investing as much as I can each year and it begins on Jan 1 of each year and does not stop until Dec 31.
(Offline)
I wish I could say the same, micharch! 10% is a big chunk of my income. I reckon I could say I did about half of that, and that's only because we had an unexpected windfall in August (a small inheritance from an aunt). That gave my savings a good boost.
I'm in the same boat, Splash. Don't be too depressed about it. The economy's bad and nobody's had a smooth ride in 2010. When I can see savings building up, even if it's only quarters in a big jar, I feel better. I'm going to go back to saving every one dollar note I have in my purse at the day's end in a jar. It's the same principle and you don't miss them. My big jar wasn't dusted off this year but it will be for next. Do that from Jan to July and see what you have by Independence Day. It's as much about getting back into the habit of saving than anything.
The only reason a great many American families don't own an elephant is that they have never been offered an elephant for a dollar down and easy weekly payments. - Mad Magazine.