April 5 expenses:
$13 Scholastic book order through school
$62.14 groceries, including stocking up on $22 worth of half-price Easter hams.
$45 Target, on two pairs of kids shoes, tea, and a light bulb for the fridge
$14 at Lowes (Gift card) for mulch and two Easter flowers for mom and sister.
DS1 turned 4 on Sunday. (!!! Where did the time go?) We had a huge party. Honestly, I expected 10 people to show up, but we had closer to 50. It was a babies running in the yard in sunshine extravaganza. It was great. We always say no gifts, but people bring them anyway. Thankfully, some friends know us well enough to contribute to the college savings accounts, so I'm depositing $45 extra today into the college fund. Yay!
I also have a $10.99 Staples refund check that will go to the car loan today. chip chip chip!
I transferred $874 to hubby's Roth Ira for 2011, so we at least contributed 1000 for 2011. I really need to ramp up savings into that account, but with preschool bills and a fat mortgage, it seems impossible.
As for the freelance stuff. If you remember, I'm trying to branch out more to higher-paying pubs. Last month, I did two test assignments. One, I didn't get, but one I did! Just found out I'm not a regular yesterday. Looks like I'll be getting two assignments a quarter from a computer security trade magazine. Yay! The pay for one story is equal to two stories for my regular gig. It's nice to land something new!
My wire service has been using me more as well. Last year, I wrote two stories for them all year, this year I'm on my third so far, and they've asked me for more ideas. This is all good!
Now, I just need to find time to finish that novel. It's really bugging me that it isn't finished.
Now it turns out the littlest, who is 2.5, has a 101 fever and a cold. He doesn't want to leave the sofa, so I've wrapped him up, turned on the humidifier, and put on some cartoons for him. Poor little guy. I can tell he isn't feeling well. If he doesn't improve by tomorrow, off to the doctor he goes.
April Expenses, sick baby, freelance update.
April 5th, 2012 at 01:58 pm
April 5th, 2012 at 08:56 pm 1333659406
April 5th, 2012 at 10:32 pm 1333665154
Even if you want to earmark it for college, or tap it down the road for non-retirement, it is WAY better off in a ROTH than anywhere else. For example, 529 plans are just so restrictive. I'd personally put college money in a ROTH before a 529, if I had a ROTH available. {I am currently using my ROTH for retirement, but in the past have made very large retirement contributions, knowing the ROTH can easily be used for other things. When we were maxing out other retirement plans in addition, etc.}.
Are all of your investments tax sheltered, or can you shift some taxable accounts over into the ROTHs?
April 5th, 2012 at 11:51 pm 1333669892
I would like to use it as a back-up college savings /retirement account.
April 6th, 2012 at 12:18 am 1333671481
April 6th, 2012 at 02:17 am 1333678640