That's awesome, Sarah! I'm so glad your hard work paid off for you and your family!
I'm not inclined to post every day now that they've removed the points incentive but I will keep reading updates and posting from time to time. Nothing new on my end for now, just keeping on my plan of boosting retirement avenues this year.
I kind of figured the "post every day" credit would not last for long; it actually lasted longer than I had thought it would–especially with how quick people were to simply type periods or make duplicate/non-sense threads.
I know quite a few people are probably upset with this change, but I do believe they have made the right decision to keep the forums useful.
This thread was the only one I really began to use because I got tired of trying to search through the mess. Definitely slowing the pace, but I like to think we've created our own little bubble, and I intend to keep up with this thread, too.
@ Sara Congratulations for getting your raise (and more than asked)! That's so wonderful. Thank you for sharing with us.
My Changes:
I am still working on my taxes, but it is mainly due to wanting to double/triple check everything. My last document arrived Valentine's day, and I learned that 1099-INT forms are only required to be sent out if the interest earned is above or equal to $10. (Put this in the tax forum, but I'm mentioning here, too, just in case any of you were also waiting on a 1099-INT form like I had been.)
I am really wanting to donate more to a limited-time cause that is personal for me, but currently not sure if I can afford more than I've given. So, I've decided to create a percentage system for my tax refund. I'm thinking perhaps:
That's a good allocation plan, Kristen. I'm still dragging my feet gathering documents but I promised myself I'd get it done by the end of February. I'm still bitter about last year's federal returns not being processed yet even though I did things early so I'm not really making a plan for money that I may never see 
IF I get my refund I'll most likely throw it into my Roth IRA. I'm hoping to max that out before July when I next have an opportunity to change the 401k contribution amount. I've been doing well with 15% since 1/1 and my plan was to increase 1% every open enrollment (6 months). But if I get the IRA funded then I might try 2% in July, as long as there are no other changes to my financial situation.
Just Checking in! Things are staying on track over here. I had to readjust our planned spending since our microwave (of course) decided to die with from an irreplaceable part. Super disappointing because it was Two years old and just out of warranty. I was able to make it work within the planned spending of our tax return. I saved a little less than I wanted and bought a less expensive home gym (which was the big purchase this year), but I was able to cash flow it without touching the EF. I also used my rewards credit card and some online shopping widgets and got like $120 in cash back. So I am going to put some of the cash back towards our savings and my daughters 529.
It felt really good to not have to rely on credit to cover an emergency. I hope your tax preparations are going well!
I HAVE NO CLUE
Hi, update time! I finished my taxes (I owe a small amount to State and getting back way too much for Federal). Still no update on last year's Federal return so who knows if the IRS will ever process that. I find out tonight if I won my competition and I'll report back here tomorrow.
I know how you feel, Sarah, a spring on my garage door broke and I am so lucky that I've saved for emergencies like this. I'm still going to put the expense on my credit card (for the reward points) but I have the funds ready to pay the bill in full. After working really hard for 9 months to get my finances in order, I'm finally seeing the payoff - less stress when unpredictable expenses come up!
I finished my tax return this week and it is on its way. I'm flabbergasted to hear that some people's returns from last year still have yet to process, and it makes me wonder a bit if anyone will get a return for this year (how that process will be working if there is such a backlog).
So far, I haven't really done anything to "adjust" for a tax return besides set the percentages here. I do wonder how expenses are going to look in the upcoming months (even if I do not change anything) with everything going on, but all I can do is continue on with remembering my why and adjusting if/when the time comes.
@Katie P & @Sara B: Congrats on both of you being able to see some of the payoffs of your savings habits! (Obviously no one wants anything to break down on them, but I'm glad both of you were able to float above the wave [so to speak].)
@Katie P: I'll be waiting to hear from you how the contest turned out, but know that you've done amazing no matter what the "official contest results" say. Being able to not stress (or at least have much notecable less stress) during unexpected expenses is a wonderful result.
Love this post
Thank you for the positive encouragement, Kristen! Over the course of the 8 month competition the other three families and I collectively increased our savings by $36k and reduced our debt by $32k, which is absolutely amazing! We all noted a decrease in stress as well. I still have a lot of work to do in order to bring my retirement savings into alignment with my age but I have all the tools I need to get there. Oh, and I won first place and the $10,000 prize 
The other teams will each get $2,500 so we're all pretty happy.
Hi Everyone!! Have a nice day!
OMG Congrats @Katie!! How awesome is that!
I am getting my refund back this week (according to Where's My Refund). It took a little longer than usual for it to be processed and approved. I do have a pretty simple tax return (W2, basic investments) but I did claim the solar tax credit for the install of our new system last year. I am just glad to be over and done with it! We are going to use our tax return (after saving a portion) for something 'fun' which feels nice.
Other than that, we are staying the course! Things are going fairly smoothly and no major surprises. :) Just the way I like it!
Ok so what happened to this activity ?
Joining the cause of this message board. Hello friends!
Okay
@Janna J: There was an e-mail that went out saying they felt to get better content on the forums and be more helpful for its users, SaverLife removed the "post in forum" daily. I agree that it has helped since there are less "." or random comments.
@Callie H: Welcome! We might not be as active as we were previously, but I do believe some of us still check in on this thread.
@Katie P: This is extremely late, but congratulations on the win! (And those collective numbers sound amazing! Seems like the contest was really helpful to you all.)
I am still waiting on my tax return. I think they're at least four more weeks before I can even start expecting it (I sent it through paper; yes, I know that was not recommended, but computer makes it seem more complicated than paper [for me, at least]).
Update: My emergency fund is half-way funded!
Update: My emergency fund is half-way funded!
Congrats on such a huge accomplishment, Kristen!
-Kendra, SaverLife Moderator
@Kristen Congrats on being halfway there! I'm hoping to get there in a couple months. Its been slow going, but I have about a quarter saved. For whatever reason, we've had a minor emergency every couple months these past few months. It is frustrating, but at least I don't have to pull out the credit card. I have been using it to earn points, but paying off in full each month. I have been redeeming the points and saving the balance/finishing some small home projects. My goal is to have the EF done by year end and to be fully maxed out in 401K contributions.
I am not a sports person, but I took $20 of my 'spend' money this month and entered my company's March Madness pool. I am locked in for second place (which is a prize of $190) and depending what teams win this weekend, I have a chance at being first for the big pot ($380)! I don't usually gamble too much, but I participate every year and do OK. This could be my first year winning! I'm planning on saving half of the winnings and using some to buy a share or two of an ETF in my brokerage account.
@Sara B: Though it is frustration, remember that your emergency fund is doing what it is supposed to. :)
I am not really into home projects at this time, but I have a running list of maintenance and "would like to improve," and I'm slowly crossing off the list. Most are small projects, but they require a handyman (who seem to be harder to find).
I do not know of any such proceedings in my workplace (nor do I pay attention to sports), but I hope whichever teams you picked win. From how you worded it, it sounds like a small, fun side-thought to your day.
(As we've pondered before if SaverLife "behind the scenes" people were responding to our thread, and Kendra's potential indirrect confirmation [Thank you for the congratulations, by the way!]) Here's an indirect "why" question:
Would it be possible to periodically update articles when they are based on variable topics such as "best interest rate" or statistics? I know not all information can be accurate and things can change quickly, but today's article of the day was based on 2019's data and I would expect it has changed drastically.
Or, if not that, perhaps do an article on how one can research the best rates themselves?
Or perhaps create a potential directory/glossary to the resources of generally-accepted-to-be-accurate/trusted sites that different articles have listed previously?
(As we've pondered before if SaverLife "behind the scenes" people were responding to our thread, and Kendra's potential indirrect confirmation [Thank you for the congratulations, by the way!]) Here's an indirect "why" question:
Would it be possible to periodically update articles when they are based on variable topics such as "best interest rate" or statistics? I know not all information can be accurate and things can change quickly, but today's article of the day was based on 2019's data and I would expect it has changed drastically.
Or, if not that, perhaps do an article on how one can research the best rates themselves?
Or perhaps create a potential directory/glossary to the resources of generally-accepted-to-be-accurate/trusted sites that different articles have listed previously?
These are all great suggestions, Kristen! I will share your ideas with the team.
-Kendra, SaverLife Moderator
I've delt with my taxes . I don't have to file this year due to my disability I didn't have any taxes I didn't make extra money that is taxable . I'm glad for that but need to get back in the game and pick up some part time work !
No clue
Hi! Checking in for the first time in a long time. My account won't link with Plaid anymore so, along with the reduction in earning points and how the redeeming points is so glitchy, I just haven't taken the time to log on. Glad to see everyone keeping up with their goals! I finally got my 2020 federal tax refund (yes 2020. I got my 2021 long before my 2020) a year after I submitted it. My 6 months emergency is fully funded, half funded vacation fund for next year, and two other sinking funds for gifts and medical. I'm well on my way to my goal of rental property investment, hoping to make my first purchase this year, with the larger goal of 10 doors within 10 years. This group helped keep me on track when I needed it the most last year. I'm grateful for everything we shared and helped each other with!
Does this app really do anything for you guys or are you just bored?
That's great!
@Katie That's so awesome! Hitting Goals must feel really great!!
Our EF is still a work in progress, but I did manage to snag another small pay raise, which was awesome :) We have had some expenses come up again (medical and pets) that I was able to cashflow during the month with some reduced spending. We didn't have to use our EF but it isn't growing as fast as I'd like. We are making slow and steady progress though! It is still frustrating that we've had something going on each month for the past five months though. Here's hoping the next half of the year is smoother sailing.
I did finally figure out the trick to the points store: always maintain a bank of 250 points. As long as you can hit the button for the scratcher, it will update the store with the correct amount (minus the points spend for the scratcher).
