Since its Thanksgiving week and since I will be doing some cooking for Thanksgiving dinner I was checking out the Publix web site to figure out their hours this week.
In looking at the Publix web site, I discovered that they have some helpful recipe tools and, more importantly, a grocery list tool. The grocery list tool can be personalized to your specific store and as you add items to the list it populates the location within the store so you don't have to wander around aimlessly. And, you can also add items from the weekly sale list and/or populate your grocery list from their recipe tools. You can also set up a standard grocery list of items that you buy regularly.
Since I am trying to do better on my cooking at home goal, I decided to sign up for a Publix profile. I am not a fan of having corporations track me and mine my data, but in order to save my grocery list I needed a profile. So I used my junk e-mail address (the one I use for shopping on-line) and when it asked for all my data I used my standard fake information which only includes my real zip code.
Once I had my Publix profile set up, I started adding items from my Thanksgiving recipe (I'm making one casserole dish for our group dinner) as well as regular items that I'll need to pick up since I'll have guests in town. The grocery list doesn't have each and every brand which is a bummer as it would be great if I could specify in my list the particular brands that I use (it does have a notes section where you can add that information).
Since we will have guests to cook for on Friday, I also tried out Publix's Simple Meals Recipe tool which is divided among different categories like "main dish" and "celebrations", etc. I clicked on main dish which has different categories like "beef", "vegetarian", "seafood (salmon)" and "seafood (shellfish)". I was already planning on salmon, so I clicked on a recipe that sounded easy and good and then it is one easy step to populate your grocery list with all the necessary items (you can delete those items that are already in your pantry). You can also save the recipes to your profile as well.
I plan to go shopping Tuesday evening, so I'll continue to work on my list between now and then and I'll report back on whether this tool is helpful or not. What do you do to make grocery shopping less painful?
Monday, November 19, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
2012 Savings Goal - Mid November Update
(1) Max out 401k(s) - $32,036 (94%)(goal is $34,000)
(2) Max out IRA(s) - $7,829 (78%)(goal is $10,000)
(3) Add to e/r fund - $8,800 (88%)(goal is $10,000)
(4) Pay down mortgage - $2490 (50%)(goal is $5,000)
(4)(a) Savings for goal (4) - $830
(5) House projects - $1,200 (26%)(goal is $5,000)
(6) Trading account fund - $50 (1%)(goal is $5,000)
Total - $53,335 (76%)
I plan to update our 2012 goals every two weeks or so until the end of the year to help me stay focused. At present, we are about $7,700 behind on our goals.
While I don't think we will be able to meet our 2012 goal of saving $69,000 I am hoping (and planning) to completed goals 1-4 and to surpass the amount we saved last year which was $60,060.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
IRS and Paranoia
Ever since we were audited in 2010, each of the last two years we have received additional correspondence from the IRS after our taxes were completed and our payment submitted.
So, this year, when we received correspondence saying we owe additional taxes I am officially paranoid. I've done some research and I can't find anything to support my position that once you've been audited your future tax returns receive additional scrutiny. But, thanks to Jim R. as he found a CNNMoney.com article indicating that if you have been audited in the past you're on the audit hit list for at least a few years.
We are, of course, not claiming the deduction that got us in trouble before, and not (in my opinion) being aggressive in our tax avoidance efforts. We are, also, paying a CPA to prepare our taxes. We are paying our taxes on time although we have sought an extension the last few years.
In researching the form we received this year, a CP14, I understand that it is a form indicating an underpayment of taxes not based on a math error. Often times, individuals receive a CP14 if their tax payment was not received at all. I know for certain that the IRS received our tax payment because (1) I have a copy of the cancelled check and (2) the amount that is show due on the CP14 is less than a hundred dollars and we paid a ton more in taxes than that.
More than likely, I'll just pay the amount the IRS is claiming that is due because I am terrified of the IRS and do not want to end up being audited again. But, since I understand (based on my own research) that these CP14 notices are computer generated and are often wrong I've asked my CPA to review and advise. I also understand from my research that a GAO study found that 47% of this type of correspondence to taxpayers was incorrect and the IRS just collects and keeps the money.
So, this year, when we received correspondence saying we owe additional taxes I am officially paranoid. I've done some research and I can't find anything to support my position that once you've been audited your future tax returns receive additional scrutiny. But, thanks to Jim R. as he found a CNNMoney.com article indicating that if you have been audited in the past you're on the audit hit list for at least a few years.
We are, of course, not claiming the deduction that got us in trouble before, and not (in my opinion) being aggressive in our tax avoidance efforts. We are, also, paying a CPA to prepare our taxes. We are paying our taxes on time although we have sought an extension the last few years.
In researching the form we received this year, a CP14, I understand that it is a form indicating an underpayment of taxes not based on a math error. Often times, individuals receive a CP14 if their tax payment was not received at all. I know for certain that the IRS received our tax payment because (1) I have a copy of the cancelled check and (2) the amount that is show due on the CP14 is less than a hundred dollars and we paid a ton more in taxes than that.
More than likely, I'll just pay the amount the IRS is claiming that is due because I am terrified of the IRS and do not want to end up being audited again. But, since I understand (based on my own research) that these CP14 notices are computer generated and are often wrong I've asked my CPA to review and advise. I also understand from my research that a GAO study found that 47% of this type of correspondence to taxpayers was incorrect and the IRS just collects and keeps the money.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Cooking Baby Steps - Part II
I have started researching the best (but not super expensive) cooking tools and I found this helpful list from Consumer Reports.
I actually already have one of the tools on the list. The KitchanAid mixer. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer KSM150PS - Contour Silver - KitchenAid (Google Affiliate Ad) And, while I don't use the mixer on a daily or even monthly basis, it does work very well.
My plan is to take this list and compare it against what I've already got and work on improving our stock of kitchen tools. At present, our biggest issue is cookware and knives, although I could also use some better baking sheets.
I actually already have one of the tools on the list. The KitchanAid mixer. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer KSM150PS - Contour Silver - KitchenAid (Google Affiliate Ad) And, while I don't use the mixer on a daily or even monthly basis, it does work very well.
My plan is to take this list and compare it against what I've already got and work on improving our stock of kitchen tools. At present, our biggest issue is cookware and knives, although I could also use some better baking sheets.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Holiday Budget Planning
Since Thanksgiving is early this year (next week!), the time to get your holiday plan in order is quickly running out.
For us, our holiday plan will generally be the same as last year.
We have our holiday savings account, which we fund each pay period and keep at ING so we earn a little interest. The great part of setting up a holiday budget and plan, each year it is quick and easy work to adjust and replicate. For a lot of people, the word budget has a negative connotation, for us budget really means plan.
First, I have already ordered our holiday cards, this is an expensive part of our holiday plan since we send out about 80 cards. All together, with the printing of the cards and the postage this is going to run about $200. Another trick for holiday cards is to get your holiday addresses into an Excel spreadsheet so its easy to adjust the list from year to year.
Second, while we have a general agreement not to exchange gifts with the adults in our family (except for one or two holdouts) the past few years I have sent holiday wreathes which also supports a charity. Sending the wreathes runs about $200. I'm thinking of mixing this up this year as we visited a winery on our travels this past year and I was thinking of sending wine. This is something I need to investigate and figure out my plan.
Third, the kiddos in the family. I'm upping the budget for the kids this year. My nephew is in college now I'm increasing his holiday gift from $50 to $100 in cash. Of course, I need to do the same for his sister who is in high school (total $200). $50 in cash to the little ones and a little something gift (total $150). $50 each to college fund (total $200). So, this category is going from $250 last year to $550. That is a big increase in our holiday budget so we'll need to make an adjustment to our automatic savings plan for the holiday account for next year.
Fourth, I am budgeting $100 for work related gifts. This is an increase from last year,but I also missed my assistant's birthday so need to make that up.
Fifth, $100 for misc. expenses, baking supplies, hostess gifts, etc.
Sixth, $50 for stocking stuffers for my husband and dog.
This year we are again taking a trip over the New Year's weekend (this is budgeted in our travel fund) as such we won't be doing gifts to each other. We haven't done holiday gifts for each other in years.
Finally, $100 to sponsor a need child's Christmas.
Overall, our holiday budget will increase this year by @ $300. Since we already have saved $1000 (plus we have a bit of interest) the increase in our budget is manageable. I was surprised to hear that the amount we are planning to spend greatly exceeds the norm.
How about you, do you have a spending plan for the holidays, how much are you spending, is it going up or down or staying the same?
For us, our holiday plan will generally be the same as last year.
We have our holiday savings account, which we fund each pay period and keep at ING so we earn a little interest. The great part of setting up a holiday budget and plan, each year it is quick and easy work to adjust and replicate. For a lot of people, the word budget has a negative connotation, for us budget really means plan.
First, I have already ordered our holiday cards, this is an expensive part of our holiday plan since we send out about 80 cards. All together, with the printing of the cards and the postage this is going to run about $200. Another trick for holiday cards is to get your holiday addresses into an Excel spreadsheet so its easy to adjust the list from year to year.
Second, while we have a general agreement not to exchange gifts with the adults in our family (except for one or two holdouts) the past few years I have sent holiday wreathes which also supports a charity. Sending the wreathes runs about $200. I'm thinking of mixing this up this year as we visited a winery on our travels this past year and I was thinking of sending wine. This is something I need to investigate and figure out my plan.
Third, the kiddos in the family. I'm upping the budget for the kids this year. My nephew is in college now I'm increasing his holiday gift from $50 to $100 in cash. Of course, I need to do the same for his sister who is in high school (total $200). $50 in cash to the little ones and a little something gift (total $150). $50 each to college fund (total $200). So, this category is going from $250 last year to $550. That is a big increase in our holiday budget so we'll need to make an adjustment to our automatic savings plan for the holiday account for next year.
Fourth, I am budgeting $100 for work related gifts. This is an increase from last year,but I also missed my assistant's birthday so need to make that up.
Fifth, $100 for misc. expenses, baking supplies, hostess gifts, etc.
Sixth, $50 for stocking stuffers for my husband and dog.
This year we are again taking a trip over the New Year's weekend (this is budgeted in our travel fund) as such we won't be doing gifts to each other. We haven't done holiday gifts for each other in years.
Finally, $100 to sponsor a need child's Christmas.
Overall, our holiday budget will increase this year by @ $300. Since we already have saved $1000 (plus we have a bit of interest) the increase in our budget is manageable. I was surprised to hear that the amount we are planning to spend greatly exceeds the norm.
How about you, do you have a spending plan for the holidays, how much are you spending, is it going up or down or staying the same?
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Cooking Baby Steps
One of my general financial goals for 2012 was to reduce the amount of eating out and ordering in that I do. Clearly eating out and ordering in is more expensive than eating at home or bringing my lunch. Also, eating out during the work week cuts into my productive work time. And finally, eating out and ordering in normally means that I am eating more calories than I would like.
Although we have reduced our eating out, overall I have not been particularly successful on this goal. I have a variety of excuses. First and most importantly, I really do not like to cook. Second, I hate the grocery store. Third, I work a lot and by the time I get home I want to relax not cook dinner and certainly not prep lunch for the next day.
But, recently I made an effort to improve my cooking skills by attending a healthy cooking class. A few things that I figured out from this class. First, we need to invest in a few better pots and pans and a few better quality knives. We also probably need a new set of measuring spoons. Second, I need to reorganize the kitchen. Our kitchen is not particularly large and doesn't really have a whole lot of storage (not surprising since we live in a 1920s home). But, taking a look at what I do have in my kitchen, I noticed that a lot of the space is dedicated to antique glassware, cocktail serving dishes, vases, large serving dishes, our fine china, etc. While I don't like to cook, I do like to party so I have lots of fun party/serving/cocktail supplies. I need to work on getting the special occasion things out of the way and organizing the kitchen so that more of the space is dedicated to cooking tools.
So, I'm going to work on getting our kitchen better organized and I'm going to do some cooking equipment shopping this holiday season. I'll let you know how I do.
Although we have reduced our eating out, overall I have not been particularly successful on this goal. I have a variety of excuses. First and most importantly, I really do not like to cook. Second, I hate the grocery store. Third, I work a lot and by the time I get home I want to relax not cook dinner and certainly not prep lunch for the next day.
But, recently I made an effort to improve my cooking skills by attending a healthy cooking class. A few things that I figured out from this class. First, we need to invest in a few better pots and pans and a few better quality knives. We also probably need a new set of measuring spoons. Second, I need to reorganize the kitchen. Our kitchen is not particularly large and doesn't really have a whole lot of storage (not surprising since we live in a 1920s home). But, taking a look at what I do have in my kitchen, I noticed that a lot of the space is dedicated to antique glassware, cocktail serving dishes, vases, large serving dishes, our fine china, etc. While I don't like to cook, I do like to party so I have lots of fun party/serving/cocktail supplies. I need to work on getting the special occasion things out of the way and organizing the kitchen so that more of the space is dedicated to cooking tools.
So, I'm going to work on getting our kitchen better organized and I'm going to do some cooking equipment shopping this holiday season. I'll let you know how I do.
Monday, November 5, 2012
2012 Savings Goals - November Update
(1) Max out 401k(s) - $31,379 (92%)(goal is $34,000)
(2) Max out IRA(s) - $5,829 (58%)(goal is $10,000)
(3) Add to e/r fund - $8,400 (84%)(goal is $10,000)
(4) Pay down mortgage - $2490 (50%)(goal is $5,000)
(4)(a) Savings for goal (4) - $415
(5) House projects - $1,200 (24%)(goal is $5,000)
(6) Trading account fund - $50 (1%)(goal is $5,000)
Total - $49,763 (72%)
I've added a sub goal to our list, since at present, I'm allocating our mortgage paydown money to savings until I figure out how to prepay our new mortgage.
At present, we are approximately $9,900 behind on our 2012 goals and the gap is approaching $10,000.
What can I say about our current savings deficit and the fact that it continues to grow?
I can tell you that (1) we've spent thousands on certifications for Mr. Sam this year (to improve career opportunities); (2) I can tell you we spent thousands on refinancing our primary dwelling and (3) thousands on fixing our our primary dwelling for the appraisal for the refi; and (4) recently a few thousands on some projects at Rental # 3.
But, I can also tell you that in the face of the above we have failed to change our lifestyle in any significant manner. We continue to eat out more than we should. I just booked a girls weekend in South Beach, Miami and, of course, I just bought some fabulous art.
So, with two months to go, including the expensive holiday season, it seems doubtful that we will reach our $69,000 number. Rather, at this point, while I'm not amending our goals, I'm hoping to meet and surpass last year's savings number which was $60,060.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Happy Days - Part III
Earlier I posted about my recent raise and retroactive pay, related to my raise, and how I wanted to spend those monies. I decided that I would put 2/3 of my retroactive pay towards the art that I've been stalking since Memorial Day and the rest would be put towards our 2012 IRAs or other 2012 savings goals.
Well, I am pleased to report that I have more than enough in my ING savings account to purchase the art work and I've already e-mailed the artist and made the purchase.
And, yes, I put the other 1/3 of my retroactive pay into our 2012 IRAs.
Well, I am pleased to report that I have more than enough in my ING savings account to purchase the art work and I've already e-mailed the artist and made the purchase.
And, yes, I put the other 1/3 of my retroactive pay into our 2012 IRAs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)