The Victors

I created the retirement spreadsheet almost 30 years ago. Each year I add a new column with my actual cumulative balance. I have a chart showing how that tracks back to my initial projection based on balance on my birthday. I am ahead of my original target after gains this past year. The main factor is higher contribution rate than I anticipated based on better match at my current company at a higher base salary.

My budget utilizes envelopes that help control spending dips and spikes. Example: we digitally put aside $1500 for Vacations each month. One vacation might consume half of that in two weeks. I have envelopes for vacation, kid activities, around the house, and birthdays/Christmas. Everything else has a monthly limit (Food, house payment, my free spending in whatever, my wife’s, utilities, etc.).

Doing the monthly budget turned around our family finances, removing a crap ton of stress. There are more sophisticated tools now, but I feel there is benefit from the doing. Simply updating, tracking, reviewing. It makes me feel more confident that we are on track.