DISQUS

Consumerism Commentary: Monthly Update – February

  • Robin · 4 years ago
    This is a nice rolloup. Did you come up with the format yourself is Excel or do you use some other software to gather data and figure out the overall monthly based on payments, etc? I need to set this sort of thing up for myself. Why so much less into the 401K?
  • Flexo · 4 years ago
    The layout is based on a report from Quicken but it's done in Excel. I export a report from Quicken and copy and paste the values into the Excel format.

    I reduced the 401(k) because I can't make a higher contribution and meet all my expenses. The next step is to find a job where I can be paid enough to max out the 401(k).
  • Jonathan · 4 years ago
    How do you to set up those sub-accounts at ING? I tried a couple days ago and couldn't find the link for the life of me. TIA,

    Jonathan@MyMoneyBlog
  • Flexo · 4 years ago
    Hi Jonathan,

    at ING Direct, just open another savings account. You can open multiple accounts under the same login id/customer information. They just call them accounts instead of sub-accounts. Technically, they are sub-accounts because FDIC considers your total in savings when it comes to coverage.
  • Ed · 4 years ago
    Have you prepared a similar spreadsheet to track monthly expenses and savings?
  • Flexo · 4 years ago
    Good idea, Ed. Posted.
  • HELOC · 4 years ago
    Hi -

    Noticed that you're using the Upromise credit card. I used to use this card but switched to the 2% Fidelity 529 card for college savings. I think I did a pretty thorough comparison and made the right choice, but am curious if I missed anything. The main drawback of the Fidelity card is that you have to use their 529 products - but I'm OK with that.

    BTW - I don't work for Fidelity. I do have 4 kids though and maximizing college savings is important to me.

    Thanks
    Tim
  • Flexo · 4 years ago
    I use the Upromise credit card, but I do not invest in a 529. I have the rebate returned directly to me.