2013 Goals - Post Bonus Update

(1) Max out 401k(s) -        $7644 (22%)   (goal is $35,000)
(2) Max out IRA(s) -         $4508 (41%)    (goal is $11,000)
(3) Add to e/r fund -          $2400 (24%)   (goal is $10,000)
(4) Pay down mortgage -   $830 (17%)     (goal is $5,000)
(5) Trading account fund - $50  (1%)        (goal is $5,000)
(6) House projects -          $600 (20%)      (goal is $3,000)

Total:  $16,032 (23%)

With Mr. Sam's added bonus monies, we are currently $109 ahead of where we should be for the year.  Whoo-Hoo!!  I doubt it will last, but I enjoy being ahead.

Kids, Money and Chores

As a kid, I regularly baby-sat and also did pet-sitting to earn money. My brother mowed our neighbors lawns and also has a paper route to, again, earn money.



These days, you don't see kids doing these kinds of tasks as often as when I was a kid. This NYT article mentions that many of these types of tasks have been professionalized. And I recognize that is generally true, I have a professional dog walker, I've also at times used a lawn service, etc.



My across the street neighbors' child recently gave Snarfle a bath. Mary is in 5th grade and she is the second of four children. In the past she has come over with her sisters and all three of them have washed the dog. This time it was Mary on her own. She did a good job, washed Snarfle twice, dried him off, and brushed him for about 20 minutes. I had no idea what to pay her, so I gave her a $10 which was the smallest bill that I had. I think in the past, I've paid each of them $5 or I've given them a $20 to split.



My next door neighbor also watches Snarfle for us when we go away. As I mentioned before, we have a dog walker but we can't leave Snarfle on his own for a week, with or without the dog walker coming in twice a day. I can't put Snarfle into the doggy camp because he is just too old for it. So our next door neighbor who is an animal lover and has 4 dogs of his own, feeds and waters Snarfle and brings him over to his house at night or when he thinks he might be lonely. Our neighbor won't take money from me for watching Snarfle, but he will take it from Mr. Sam if Mr. Sam forces it on him and walks away.

I want to give him money for this service because one I can't really return the favor to even things up and two I know he could use the money. It is a dilemma, we really rely on this neighbor but it is difficult for us to reciprocate or pay him (since he resists taking money from us)

3/50 Program

This past weekend, I spent $53.00 and $57.00, respectively, at two of my local "Mom and Pop" or independent retail shops in my local down town shopping district.

The $57.00 was for dog food (a very large bag) and dog treats for Mr. Snarfle. We normally spend about $100.00 a month for Snarfle, @$40 in dog food and @$60 for the dog walker.

The $53.00 was spent on two birthday gifts.

And on Friday night we went our with friends (again in our local down town area) and spent $40.00 or so on drinks and snackeroos.

So, without diverting any money from our budget we participated in the 3/50 Program.

The point of the 3/50 Program:

Think about which three independently owned businesses you’d miss most if they were gone. Stop in and say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.

If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.

Now, I am not suggesting or encouraging mindless spending by mentioning this program. In fact the money we spent last weekend was money we were going to spend regardless of where we spent it. The point is, if you are spending budgeted money, consider diverting that money to support your local independent retailers.

Snarfle

Snarfle was back at the vet this morning for a second round of treatment for a skin infection. We have also started him on arthritis medication as he has been favoring his back right hip the last month or so.

Our old dog is starting to show signs of being an old dog.

Snarfle

Snarfle just had his yearly check up - $232 vet bill. Very happy to report that a year after his cancer surgery for fibrosarcoma he appears to be cancer free. I say "appears" because the report is based only on manipulation of the surgery site (back right paw). But its good news regardless.

Snarfle is 11 and a half and I expect his care to start getting more expensive. The vet suggested that Snarfle start taking Phycox for his arthritis. Phycox is $35 a month, plus the cost of monthly dog food and treats, plus the cost of vet care (estimating $1000 a year) and I'm thinking that I ought to open an ING Snarfle escrow account.

Gold Plated Lab

Snarfle went to the vet this past weekend to be checked out by Dr. G. for his thirsty behavior. The short answer, Snarfle does have a urinary tract infection (hmmm..... wonder which lady dogs he has been sniffing) which would explain his need to pee every 2 minutes. The question about kidney function is still open and we are waiting for the blood work results to come back from the lab.

Total damage $325.

Thirsty Dog

Snarfle, our 11 year old yellow lab, has been drinking water and peeing up a storm the last couple of weeks. I called one of my good friends, SM, who has adopted and fostered many old dogs and asked her what she thought about Snarfle's thirst. She confirmed what I suspected - kidney issues.

So, Snarfle is off to the vet tomorrow for a check up. SM said that there are special foods for kidney disease. Hope to hear good news from the vet tomorrow.