Wants and Needs List for the Coming Months
I'm going to have to be very conservative financially the rest of the year beyond needs and my super want, my three week+ trip in November. I've committed to that by purchasing the flight.
There's day to day living now, bills, expenses that can't be avoided. There's a few social obligations to join that while not needs, are part of my life so in a sense, yes, are essential but just couched in my monthly budget. The list not yet with a budgeted dollar attached are below. The first three are musts. Four is a high want as it will be a healthy hobby and supplement our food budget. Five also as a longer term investment in keeping overall grocery budget lower, so could say it's a need too.
- Repayment of property tax rebate overage
- Replace side mirror on my small SUV
- Black dirt ( to fill dog holes and low dips), grass seed, and fertilizer for back yard
- Black dirt/ garden soil for raised beds, Vegetable seeds and starters
- 5 c chest freezer ( the size I got my daughter is perfect)
- 2nd battery for mower so can be done in one outing without recharging
- Enclosed wood fire place or chimenea
- Edging bricks for rock garden area in back
- More hostas for north side of house and mail box
- Piano tuning
- Faux brick and installation for fireplace
- New mattress for the four beds* with full or queen frame to replace one of the twins (my mattress being replaced may be pushed into the need category sooner than later).
- New flooring ( carpet, hardwood, LVP, not decided) for upper bedrooms and hallway
Quite frankly none are extravagant wants, and I wouldn't argue too hard with myself that all are needs, but don't have to be done this year. I'll use April as a tightening of each line item in my budget if possible and redirect more to a new sinking fund line in one of my savings accounts. I've got some ideas on where to shave some dollars and where to increase intake.I'm planning to tuck away little rewards and spare dollars to have a bit more "fun money" to pad what I set aside. I don't want to forgo experiences once I'm traveling, within reason.
That will involve playing savings games with myself, like using earned gift cards for things, then putting equivalent cash aside, or grocery challenges. I'm hoping once I'm not working and can really purge again, I can sell some things. I'll be doing research too. Where are the best prices on the things that need to be bought? Where might free options come from- I thought of Kim with the edging, thinking free bricks might be a solution. Who's splitting their hostas, plus I'll thin my own from five years ago. I look to your blogs, your comments, your ideas for help and inspiration.
You may already know this, but hostas can be divided and can be propagated.
ReplyDeleteAre you on Facebook? I am a member of our neighborhood Buy-Nothing group. Great place to get your hostas, landscape rock etc. (If you divide your existing hostas each into 3, do you have enough?) You might even be able to get a free freezer to last a few years! The soil prep is a must for max harvest. We only get to do that initial prep once! For me, my bed would be a priority. Without great sleep, it's challenging to have a great day. IDK if you have it there, we love Doctor's Choice by Denver Mattress.
ReplyDeleteGreat goal list! Without one, we flounder ;-)
I"d definitely keep an eye out (or, even post "In Search Of" on Buy Nothing for the hostas & bricks. I like the idea of keeping a garden, especially this spring/summer where you will have more ideas. We grow a lot of herbs, but always use a basil starter from Trader Joes. They hold up super well & you get a lot for the price - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteSam, where are you going in your three week trip in November? That sounds fantastic and I am so happy you are going places and seeing things you want to see! Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteI’ve been saving for new carpet for 3 years. What I do find is that every year unexpected things come up and that is where the money goes to. ( unexpected major car repair, new storm door, hearing aides, cap for tooth, are among last years surprises)so always have an extra stash of money. I try not to take anything out of my savings and use the monthly $$. Like you, I am single and no, “ second persons income / social security / pension “ to go toward these things. I can live on my yearly income and try to put &1,000.00 away each month, but it’s that single income that can be a killer. Married people don’t understand. That second income / money could go to these things extra needs no some more fun things to do and vacations which I have to forgo. You can do this….best of luck.
ReplyDeleteSam, I think you are going to be surprised at how much less you will be spending once you retire from your job, and have the time to really analyze your spending day to day. In my case, I found, literally thousands of 'new' dollars by spreading out or dropping services, consolidating services, switching carriers, raising deductibles, switching cell phone service, taking advantage of restaurant deals offered during (prior) working hours, and enjoying the return to cooking at home for pleasure. It took a full post-retirement year of tracking to identify every item that comprised our financial life, because some items only renewed or had to be dealt with annually.
ReplyDeleteFinding less expensive ways to do the same thing has become a fun challenge, one which I continue even 14 years after retiring. I think you are going to do great!
All my full headboard and footboards, with the exception of one, came from thrift shops. One kid has a matched, hard rock maple bed, desk, dresser and nightstand, total cost just over $100. DD had an oak headboard, footboard, dresser and vanity, and that was cheap too. ($35/ per piece) She eventually bought herself a white platform bed and matching desk when we moved here, and the vanity and dresser were re-donated. (I can’t stand that platform bed look, but oh well.) Were you nearby, I would pull the beautiful carved oak headboard, footboard and rails out from under the bed in guest room where it is now stored, and offer it to you!
ReplyDeleteSecond what the person said about realizing how much easier it is to keep expenses in check once you retire. I was stone cold scared all those years ago when I left the work force and we became a one income household. In reality, while our income dropped, we realized over the first year or so that our expenses dropped at a higher percentage. Having time during the day to let yourself ponder things and problem solve really matters. I am so excited for you!
-Meg B.
I agree with others, expenses do go down in retirement. I'd be living more cheaply if I weren't spending some on enjoying myself and a few small wants. I think these are special types of needs, for mental health. Some totally unsolicited advice: replace your mattress soon. Good sleep is priceless!
ReplyDeleteSam, the above people are right! Your expenses will go down when you retire, ours sure did by a long shot. By several thousand a month. We have more time to explore and do and think. I batch cook a lot with loss leaders, plan dinners out for the most part and well yes, the Husband and I are both scavengers. We have never paid for landscaping materials. WE have major landscaping to do at our new house, but between Sissy's yard and our yard, none of us will be paying for hardscape or labor. We will just be eating an elephant. ( Kay) Sissy's Sister.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of savings games. I've thought about trying that with myself, just to make it a bit of fun and hopefully as addictive as trying to find a bargain.
ReplyDeleteMy freezer was probably the best purchase I ever made. I cherry pick grocery stores weekly and anything we are not going to use right away gets frozen. It is also great for cooking batches and freezing in whatever size portions works for you.
ReplyDeleteOnce we get back from our trip, I plan on having dinner guests at least 2 times a month just to have company while using some of the freezer inventory.
I've just checked and ferns grow well (and wild) in your part of the world, our garden is full of them. I dig them up every couple of years, divide the root ball so I've got double the plants for free (and friends always appreciate them as gifts!) They look fantastic alongside hostas but are slug resistant.
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