extra cash

2010 Taxes are Done!

Posted by Ginna on Feb 4, 2011 | 9 comments

I love filing my taxes. I know, I am in the minority of those who feel that way, but I do. I love getting my W2s back and calculating all of my interest earned ($93 in case you’re wondering) and figuring out how much moolah I should get back from Uncle Sam. Sure, it’s all money I technically loaned to the government and I really should withhold more to earn interest, but I like getting money back each spring. It feels like a bonus.

This year, after filing federal and two states, I will be getting back $1,452. I paid about $56 to file for two states, so the total gain I am getting is about $1,390. Pretty sweet eh?

Now… what to do with this money? :)

Last year I got back $650 and the year before that I got a whomping $1,488. Both years I was super lame awesome and put both refunds towards paying off my debt. Well this year, guess what? I don’t have any debt! (Can I get a YEEEEAAH!)

Since my money is soon going to be our money, I asked J what he thinks we should do with it. He’s getting a few hundred back as well, so we decided we would use some of our refunds to buy a nice camera and then save the rest. We would love to buy a camera to capture our fabulous Mexican honeymoon, so will probably buy one soon after we get the refund.

Which brings me to my question for you fabulous readers: What kind of camera should we get?

We want something a little nicer than a simple point-and-shoot, but don’t want to spend more than $500 on it. Do you have a favorite camera you use? What brand is your favorite? Suggestions welcome!

(photo credit)

Federal Taxes Completed!

Posted by Ginna on Feb 15, 2010 | 7 comments

Ta-da! I just completed my federal taxes!

And the total is…

(drumroll, everyone)

…

$503!

I am warming up to this number, but after last year’s awesome return of $1,488 it has taken some time. Ooooh how I wish I was getting that money again! But to be honest, the 2009 MPP really needed that more than the 2010 MPP, so I’ll let it slide.

Let the tax-refund fun begin! Well… in about 10 days when it will be directly deposited to my savings account. ;) State taxes to come. They’re way more complicated, those.

Spring is coming guys! I can feel it! Spring is coming!!!

$2009+ in 2009

Posted by Ginna on Dec 15, 2009 | 7 comments

This year I had the goal to make $2,009 in extra income. Cute number, eh? ;) I definitely surpassed that by a lot! Although not all of it was earned income… for example tax refund is money I already earned in my salary from 2008. But you get the idea.

Extra Money in 2009:

$2,287 babysitting
$1,709 tax refund
$400 rent from roommate
$320 blogging
$300 monetary gifts

TOTAL = $5,016

These gifts and earned jobs have really helped me meet my goals this year. I’m so thankful for the opportunities that have come my way! Goal accomplished!

{photo credit… and btw I promise I didn’t do that to earn any of the above amounts. Tehe. Perhaps I should give it a try in 2010?}

$50 Challenge

Posted by Ginna on Sep 24, 2009 | 6 comments

One of my favorite blogs, Always the Planner, posted about Small Challenges and how they help with achieving big goals. I have a small challenge for myself that if met could make a huge difference in my savings for October.

My challenge is to only spend $50 from now until payday, which is next Wednesday, Sept 30th.

That’s actually all I have left in my bank account (spending report will be up tomorrow), but I also will be getting some extra money this weekend and I want ALL of it to go to my Emergency Fund or Car Savings. I’m thinking I’ll make a minimum of $270. That would definitely help pay for all those car repairs I need.

How do I plan to spend $50 in one week? It shouldn’t be too bad because I am babysitting tonight, Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday. So I’ll make money, but I also won’t have any social-spending temptations. Aka: my weekend’s going to be lame.

I’m thinking of this $50, about $30 will go towards gas and the rest I’ll use for quick dinners out or little expenses that may come up. Shouldn’t be too hard.

Anyone else want to join me with spending no more than $50 until payday? Come on guys, have a lame weekend with me! ;)

Drumroll Please…

Posted by Ginna on Sep 17, 2009 | 12 comments

A while ago I asked what I should do with the additional money I’ll be receiving with my new raise at the end of September. Sadly, no one chose Option F! (Refresher: that option was “Put it all in my Clothing Fund and spend it frivolously.” Rats!). A lot of you had fantastic suggestions, and of course I wanted to use all of them. Finally, after doing a little basic math, I have come to a decision.

My decisions is to ….

…

Increase 401(k) & Debt Payment!

Those who suggested the closest were: Carrie, Stacking Pennies, Erin A, Julie K, and Serendipity. Thanks to all though!

I decided to put 3% of my salary into my 401(k) each month, which is about $100 of pre-taxed dollars. (My employer already contributes 3% regardless of what I do, so 6% will be added monthly.)

About $100 of the raise will be added to my take home pay and back into my monthly budget (we’ll see for sure; could be more or less depending on taxes). This $100 will then beef up my debt payment to around $600. I decided to split it this way because I feel my savings is sufficient to hold me over during this time. I cannot wait to start SAVING that $600 instead!

Here’s my excel chart of all of my payments. May 2010 has become my new favorite future month. ;)

debt

Eight payments left until I am debt-free!

Earn More Challange!

Posted by Ginna on Sep 3, 2009 | 4 comments

I know we’re day-three into September, so this post is a bit late, but I have joined the ranks in the Earn More Challenge September! This month I am hoping to step it up and aim for an extra $300 this month. I earn an average of $165 per month in extra income, so this is a pretty lofty goal. But I’m up for the challenge.

I’ll keep an update on the sidebar for this month on the amounts I earn. My goal is to save at least half of it and spend the rest on something pretty for myself. :)

Thanks Money Funk for setting up this challenge!