Aligned and Up To The Minute


Last night was a bit of a bug a bear. We've had quite a few issues at the boys' job with Managers making inappropriate come-ons to them both. And last night another Manager can't seem to keep her hands to herself. They've both asked her to stop, and finally Mom got on the horn. She will not be happy to see them next time they work, but oh well, into each Mother's life comes a few times when she has to advocate for her kids! Next stop my attorney's office if need be. My kids are not to be trifled with. GRRRR!

Yesterday got FrugalSon's October budget aligned. Yes, aligned. I'm not sure of a better word for it. I wrestled all the money into it's proper spot. He's easy to work with as he can be completely satisfied with no cash to walk around with and is happy to let me massage his money for his future good.

Yes, he did give himself a $20.00 allowance this month plus 5.00 for a haircut. He gets to eat free at work, has gas money in the checkbook, so he's pretty good w/little to no dollars and even when he gets cash out he just sticks it in his wallet and there it generally stays.

He paid his 139.00 November truck payment (yes early) to Mom & Dad and had enough money that he could of made a second one, but I'm really wanting to ramp his Emergency Fund back up, so that got a flat 100.00 this month. And although they could be combined, at this juncture I've just started him a separate account called Money Market Savings. We use Jesse's budget software, "You Need A Budget", and hence are operating in October on the money earned in September.

I just dislike that all three of us - me and both boys' money sits in our checking for a month idle. We are all opening these MM savings accounts so we can get enough cash in a wad to each open ourselves a Money Market account to earn some interest on that money all month and then transfer it on the first in order to pay the bills.

I used to move their money the day it cleared the bank, but that was in the days before YNAB. Okay, I'm willing to operate a month behind on the paychecks but I still want that money to work and earn some interest. Anyway, FrugalSon's MM Savings got 13.45 in September and 26.49 for October.

I moved all his money yesterday to his various savings sub-accounts. All that is left for him this month is to go buy an I-bond. Yes, lousy interest right now, but he was able to buy a small CD this month and still there is enough to do the I-bond. It's a habit I'd like him to get into doing and thus we'll just keep plugging a little into that budget slot and pray that the interest rate will come back up soon.

He was also able to put 45.00 back in his Truck Battery Savings Account which fills up the need for that as he now has 50.00 in there and it can just sit earning money until he has to replace his battery. Next big push is to fill his Truck Tire Replacement Fund which is on the low side being $9.50. He puts back 35.00 a month & has roughly 250.00 currently put back in Truck Maintenance Fund and just got his oil changed last month. Needs to buy an air filter this week though.

Paid his room and board and tithe. Made his Roth IRA Contribution. He has a 403b taken out at one of his jobs. In addition various amounts got put away for Long Term Savings, Short Term Savings, Clothes, House Down Payment, Education, Vacation, Gifts, Truck Replacement, Truck Tag, Medical/Dental/Vision Co-Pay, and Miscellaneous.

Left in checking is enough for his gas purchases for the month of October plus his little buffer. Income from his October paychecks will go into checking and wait for November til they can go to work! Still have yet to check w/our local bank to see what the minimum for opening a MM account is and the minimum balance they require to keep from incurring a fee.

Put that on Mom's to-do list!

Another bear to wrestle. I'm up for it!!