@Kristen, what about using Velcro on the coins, or masking tape so if something comes up that sets you back you can take some off until you're able to put them back on? Another idea would be a glass jar filled with something that represents money, like maybe m&m's, where each one represents $10 or $100 (not sure what your goals are). It wouldn't have to be something edible, could even be pretty stones or acorns you find around your neighborhood.
I use a Frixion pen that's erasable in my Rocket Book! So I can add or subtract if I need to. I just really like making visuals. I do it often with my work :)
Visualization is so important! I act like I use the crafty things to get my kids involved, which is true, but even if I didn't have kids I'd still be doing them, lol
@Katie P: I hadn't thought of masking tape. Might be a good use for the washi tape I bought (thinking it'd work for decorative edging on a box) but have since found at least the one I chose has horrible adhesive properties. But, I like the glitter/snow look.
And, oh! I hadn't thought of a physical objects-fill container idea, but that might be a good way to use the "marbles" (really just clear glass balls for decorative plant drainage) I bought at a garage sale. I'd have to figure out the calculations though, and maybe count/mark a container for when it's full my goal is reached.
Several of the goals I want to use trackers for are quite large (like reimbursing family for paying my college tuition [it's about $18,500 now], and re-establishing my emergency savings). Though perhaps the repayment is a bit large for one tracker. Might need to make bite-sized goals for that one….
@Sara B: Erasable pens! I heard of those, but didn't ever know of any that actually existed. (So tempted, but crafting supplies and similar are my "caution" spending zones. I have so much crafting supplies, yet hardly use any.
Good morning! I don't have any news to share, just keeping on track with spending goals and trying to save a buck here and there. Hope everyone is ready to have a great week!
Happy Monday!! Happy to report my car maintenance was under the amount I had budgeted for (and I had a coupon!), so I will be able to move a little more back to savings. I'm about halfway back to where I was a couple months ago before our other car emergency and still on track for my money goals. Payday is Friday and groceries are bought for the week, so we should be in for a no spend week!
Hope everyone is off to a good start today!
Last month, my phone provider had issued a "no spend" monthly challenge. Of course, it allowed for grocery spending and bills, but any extra/discretionary was discouraged. I did not officially participate, but I think just the e-mail that the challenge was going helped. @Sara P: I hope to make this week a no-spend myself. (Already had a few close temptations with eating out, though).
That's an interesting concept, @Kristen, about improving behavior based on the idea of someone watching your habits. It reminds me of an article I once read on a workplace that hung mirrors on all of the walls to increase productivity of their employees. It's true that people act "better" when they think they're being watched. Obviously you don't want to take it too far but a little accountability doesn't hurt.
Phone companies have access to banking/spending information… other than for bill pay? I haven't heard about this before. 
@Candice P: I might not have stated it. No, my phone company didn't actually have access to any bank information (other than payments for phone bill itself). However, they were encouraging their customers to participate in a no-spend challenge. I think it was based solely on the honor-system.
@Katie P: If you find that interesting, you may want to look into Habitica (a "gamified task manager" website and app that I use. It has guilds for common interests and you can either "play" your life solo or join a Party for added accountability and more fun "game-play"). I found Habitica quite helpful, though I need to update mine. They have a subscription, but the free version is just as good; the subscription just provides a few more virtual aesthetics.
New update: This month is testing my sinking funds for household upkeep…so far everything is covered, but major expenses already. (Foundation repair, brickwork, replacement TV [as old one quit]…housemate talking about potentially buying a dishwasher and replacing two windows…Learned of and treated for termites…)
@Kristen, thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into Habitica!
How does everyone deal with the feelings of using an emergency fund? Outside of being happy that I have the money set aside and don't have to resort to using credit, I'm always a little bummed to see the balance on those accounts go down when expenses come up. I took a money personality quiz and the result was that I'm a "money hoarder" so I'm not surprised with my feelings, but I don't particularly like feeling that way either.
I too feel bad/guilty/anxious? using my emergency fund @Katie P! We had our car repair that I had covered by our EF in August. I have replaced about half of the funds we used to cover it and should be pretty close to recovered by December (after allowing for Christmas spending). I have been trying to focus more on my end result goal (having the credit card paid off by Jan 1) and how being able to use that fund kept us on track overall in the big picture.
I think a lot of my fear about spending money is that I'm afraid it will run out, which is ridiculous. I've learned so much at this point that I know I can handle anything that comes up. I logged onto the social security website where it displays how much I've paid in during my lifetime. Looking back to when I was 25 years old, two kids at the time, and making $11,000 a year - how did I live off so little, not having any money in savings at any point? If I could do it then, not having any financial knowledge, then I can certainly handle anything that comes up now. I need to get out of my scarcity mindset and realize that money is just money and it doesn't control my life.
@Katie P: Don't really have much tips for feeling-responses for emergency funds being used for their purposes. I suppose it is to try and feel grateful that you have enough funds to cover the emergency and that it is being used for its intended purpose. I do not ever recall taking a money personality test, but I am probably in the same "money hoarder" position, or at least close to.
Yes, remember money is just a tool. Like other tools it can be used for good or harm, but it as a tool, it is not the master.
@Sara B: Wonderful that you were able to get a better deal than expected on your vehicular repair!
Happy Friday! I have Fridays off and set aside time to do targeted financial research; I call it Financial Fitness Friday. Today I'm looking up ways to start money conversations with children. I'm going to "interview" my four kids on the topic of money and hope to find out more about what they think. Hope everyone has a great day!
Hi All, have a great week ahead!! 
You too, Candice!
Hope Everyone has a great weekend!
Started my Monday by balancing my budget and we are still on track! Groceries are bought for the week, so it should be another low spend/no spend week. My goal this week is just to stay focused~
Hello
Hi @Elizabeth!
@Sarah, great job! You're on top of things and it's giving me motivation to stay the course as well 
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Hello, all.
Finally reached one of my short-term savings goals for a purchase. Now, not sure if I want to make the purchase…It's just a stamp booklet [20 stamps], but I feel like I'm making a huge decision. (The stamp design I want would have to be purchased online…and it seems silly to have stamps shipped when I could buy from a local post office [though not the design I have my eye on…]).
Sigh I guess this might be something to do with what Katie P brought up about anxious feelings when using savings funds.
@Elizabeth Hello!
@Kristen congrats on reaching your goal! You should treat yourself to those stamps. I would if the shipping was free and it was saving me a trip to the post office.
This week we received a credit on our energy bill which knocked it out for us for this month! I'm super pumped; its not a lot since we are on solar (we have a yearly bill but have to pay a min $10/mo), but its enough for a coffee and a treat on my day off :) We are finally getting lower temps, so my solar system is paying for itself this month. Its nice to see that meter run in reverse!
I have been managing very well so far with using my credit card as debit. I've even earned enough reward points to pay my next bill and have money left for savings. I'm glad to hear that everyone is making their financial growth and debt reduction goals a success.
Keep up the good work!!
Everyone is doing so well! I've just been staying the course, not spending on frivolous things and trying to keep the utility bills low. This month is a three paycheck month so I've been trying to plan where that will go - to retirement savings or to my son's driving lessons. He's turning 16 at the end of the month and we haven't discussed when we're going to start that. On one hand it would help him get to work and school easier but I also don't want to rush it because of how many accidents happen to younger drivers. Luckily we have a pretty good public transit system so we can wait for a while.
@Katie I miss being paid bi-weekly! Three paycheck months were the best. I got my license closer to 18; it was nice to have the extra time to practice. I also had an older sister and other friends who chauffeured me around when I needed a ride, so I was able to wait.
Glad to see everyone is doing so well!! I am keeping on track over here.
