Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

As open enrollment nears for many health insurance plans, I thought this would be a great time to give you an update on Medi-Share, the health sharing ministry that we are using in place of traditional health insurance. Health insurance has been a long winding road for us over the last few years. LET THAT PARAGRAPH SOAK IN!!

2017 100

2017 Health Insurance September Insurance 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 11, 2019

I won’t rehash our entire health insurance story here, because I have written extensively about it and INCLUDED OUR NUMBERS, so to start from the beginning, read: Why We Left Traditional Health Insurance. Why We Chose Medi-Share, an affordable solution to traditional health insurance. . # 2 – DONE!! It was routine for us.

Financial Goals 100

Financial Goals Goals 2019 Health Insurance 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 9, 2015

Our home-owner’s insurance, auto insurance, and local real-estate taxes (for our home and our business property) are due, and on top of that, we also owed the Federal government this year. We were no longer required to send an escrow payment to the bank for our real estate taxes and home owners insurance.

Bills 100

Bills Real Estate Insurance Taxes 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 10, 2014

Do you go into panic mode when your car insurance bill arrives? Our homeowners insurance and property taxes are not tied in with our mortgage so we receive those bills and are responsible for paying them instead of the bank that owns the mortgage. Our personal escrow fund includes: home owners insurance – due yearly.

Finance 100

Finance Property Taxes Organic Organization 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 28, 2016

We received a letter from our health insurance company, Aetna, a few weeks ago that they are leaving the Affordable Care Act exchange at the end of this year. So we are now in the market for new health insurance. I started researching some health cost sharing ministries this week to see if that avenue would make sense.

Crock Pots and Slow Cookers 100

Crock Pots and Slow Cookers Frugal Health Insurance Fridays 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 12, 2015

When was the last time you shopped around for home owner’s or auto insurance? Bills to review: home owners insurance. auto insurance. life insurance. Use spring as a reminder to review your bills to see if you’re paying too much. Ask close friends and family for their recommendations. mortgage interest rates.

Finance 100

Finance Cleaning Financial Goals Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 25, 2019

I happily gave it to him, we transferred the title, and I immediately called my insurance agent to take the Civic off our policy. We were refunded the unused portion of our auto insurance and put the $100 towards our Christmas savings. We also sold our beloved pop-up camper.

2019 100

2019 October Club Christmas 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 1, 2017

We Shopped for New Home Owners/Auto Insurance. I had not shopped around for home owners and auto insurance quotes in YEARS. In April, we saved quite a bit of money by comparison shopping, and choosing thrift first. The big hitters this month saved us about $500. That’s money that stayed in our accounts. Shame on ME!

April 100

April 2017 Washer and Dryer Daughter 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

In October , I found the money from an insurance refund and from the sale of our pop-up camper. In July, I found $20 bill on the beach while camping, and other $80 came out of our monthly budget. In August & September, I found the money within our monthly budget. In November, I found the money within our budget.

2019 130

2019 November Club Christmas 130

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 23, 2011

The website strives to educate individuals in making wise choices about credit and debt, investing, education, real estate, insurance, spending, and more." Their "mission is to develop a community of people who try to make financially sound decisions. The site is a wealth of information and I encourage you to go check it out.

Menu Planning 127

Menu Planning Menu Plans Breakfast Real Estate 127

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 22, 2011

The website strives to educate individuals in making wise choices about credit and debt, investing, education, real estate, insurance, spending, and more." Their "mission is to develop a community of people who try to make financially sound decisions. The site is a wealth of information and I encourage you to go check it out.

Entertainment 100

Entertainment Crafts Craft Real Estate 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 23, 2015

We have Aflac supplemental insurance and I received our yearly $40 wellness benefit. I haven’t redeemed points in a long time and I had $300 worth of points that I redeemed for Discover gift cards. I used that $300 gift cards to buy groceries and took $300 of January’s grocery money and put it towards a loan.

Debt 100

Debt January Money Financial Goals 100

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 29, 2020

Personal Escrow – Use this spreadsheet to plan for your high yearly expenses, such as property taxes, association fees, insurance, etc. Actual Spending Log – Use this spreadsheet to enter your actual income and spending for each month. This is a 12-month spreadsheet.

Budgeting 130

Budgeting Budget Family Property Taxes 130

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 10, 2023

Both our CD and high-interest savings account are FDIC-insured and are at banks that we trust. The amount of interest earned will depend on the account balance, but if you have cash sitting in accounts earning zero, start shopping around for other options ASAP. Ask and ye shall receive!

Frugal 100

Frugal June Flights CD 100

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 9, 2018

Personal Escrow – Use this spreadsheet to plan for your high yearly expenses, such property taxes, association fees, insurance, etc. Actual Spending Log – Use this spreadsheet to enter your actual income and spending for each month. This is a 12 month spreadsheet.

Budgeting 160

Budgeting Budget Family Property Taxes 160

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

Health insurance is a struggle for many people, and for us it became a big source of anxiety at the end of 2015 when our insurance company went out of business. We scrambled to research new plans, but after 11 years with the same company we were out of the loop regarding the insurance landscape at that time.

Health Insurance 113

Health Insurance Insurance 2017 Bills 113

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 17, 2011

Any bills for big purchases like jewelry, appliances, computers, etc, should be kept permanently for insurance and warranty purposes. Insurance - sub-files would be Auto, Health, Home-Owners, Life, etc. Permanent home improvement bills should also be kept while you still own your home.

Home Improvement 153

Home Improvement Taxes Credit Cards Bills 153

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Major Category: Insurance - My sub-files are Auto, Health, Health Savings Account, Home-Owners, Life. Although, I don't bother keeping month end statements any more, because our banks have that information on line for the last 5 years.

Paper 147

Paper Organic Organization Home Improvement 147

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 19, 2022

Shop around for the best price for our big expenses, such as auto and home insurance, medical needs, and mortgage. Home, auto, kids, dog, medical, vacation, blah blah blah…it all adds up and it all needs to fit into our budget. Organize paperwork for tax preparation.

Office 130

Office Family Finance Kids and Family 130

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 22, 2020

We have thought about moving to a larger home with more space, but a smaller home means lower utility bills, homeowners’ insurance premiums, maintenance, and property taxes. We weren’t in the market to leave our traditional health insurance plan until the monthly premiums became more than our home mortgage back in November 2016.

Debt 130

Debt Health Insurance Insurance Budgeting 130

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 11, 2020

I’ve shared before that April is the most expensive month of the year for us because our homeowners/auto insurance and property taxes are all due, along with any federal or state taxes that we might owe. Fortunately, we won’t be driving much.

Budgeting 246

Budgeting Budget Family Debt 246

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 16, 2017

Back in October 2003, I left a corporate career as a department store buyer with a nice reliable paycheck and benefits– including health insurance –to join my husband in the land of self-employment. Family Balance Sheet , the website, turns 9 in October 2017, but Family Balance Sheet, the spreadsheet, turns 14.

Family 100

Family Financial Goals Debt Calculators 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 9, 2014

Fixed categories are things like your mortgage/rent, insurance premiums, and car payments. A fixed budget category doesn’t change from month to month and there is really nothing you can do to alter the amount.

Budgeting 100

Budgeting Budget Finance Organic 100

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 22, 2015

We combined our auto insurance policies since we had just got married which saved us a good chunk of money. I cancelled our cable and switched over to Netflix. I cancelled my gym membership because I rarely used it. I called up my cell phone company and asked for a better deal.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Finance Finds 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 17, 2018

I won’t rehash our health insurance story here, because I have written extensively about it and INCLUDED OUR NUMBERS. Read our Health Insurance Story: . What We Left Traditional Health Insurance. Why We Chose Medi-Share, an affordable solution to traditional health insurance. This will take us most of the year.

Financial Goals 113

Financial Goals Goals 2018 Debt 113

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 17, 2017

Health insurance is a touchy subject and everyone has a different point of view depending on their own life experience. For us, health insurance became a thorn in our side many years ago when I left a corporate job with benefits for a life of self-employment. We were basically buying catastrophic insurance. Sleepless Nights.

Health Insurance 164

Health Insurance Insurance Health Bills 164

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 1, 2021

Are you paying too much for home/auto insurance, cable, internet, cell? It sounds dreadful, but it is possible to reduce your grocery bill without making everyone in your family miserable. Related Reading: How to Save Money on Groceries. 3 – Reduce your monthly utility bills.

Emergency Fund 130

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 130

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 8, 2018

Necessary expenses could be: – Home: Mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, taxes, necessary repairs. – Transportation: loan payments, fuel, insurance, service/repairs, necessary parking/tolls. More budgeting resources: How to Budget and Save for Large Yearly Expenses, such as taxes, home owners and auto insurances.

Budgeting 133

Budgeting Budget Financial Goals Goals 133

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Are you paying too much for home/auto insurance, cable, internet? Read 11 Simple Menu Planning Tips to learn how to reduce your grocery bill without making everyone in your family miserable. 3 – Reduce your monthly utility bills. Collect your bills and start shopping around for new vendors.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finds Friends And Family Sale 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 20, 2014

Only you can determine what is a priority and what is a luxury in your life and when you have more spending than money, than you need to cut out some luxuries to insure your priorities are covered. Categories could include, but are not limited to: rent/mortgage. dining out – Try to separate your groceries from your dining out.

Finance 100

Finance Organic Organization Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Finances: Bill Payment Schedule, Budget Printable, Insurance Policy Information. This kit includes the following: Cover Pages & Binder Spines. Schedules & Chores: To Do List & Time Schedule, Daily & Weekly Chore Schedules, Monthly Zone Chores.

Organic 100

Organic Organization Menu Planning Menu Plans 100

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 8, 2014

Categories could include, but are not limited to: rent/mortgage. dining out – Try to separate your groceries from your dining out. utilities – gas/electric, water, sewer, internet, phone, cable. entertainment. car service. household maintenance. gym membership. charity/tithe. haircuts/personal hygiene.

Finance 113

Finance Money Organic Organization 113

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 31, 2014

Be sure to scan all of your purchases’ barcodes with your phone app to find offers and load them to your account before you check out to insure you receive the discount. Signing up, browsing for offers, loading offers to my account, checking for offers in the store, and finally scanning my barcode at check out was all very easy.

Sweepstakes 211

Sweepstakes Target Diet coke Money 211

Family Balance Sheet

MARCH 4, 2015

When I did this I ended cutting my cable bill in half, rewrote my car and house insurance saving me $300 per year, stopped the coffee runs, and just about eliminated my dry cleaning bill. Track your spending for a month and then see how much money you’re blowing. With some small changes you could save hundreds.

Debt 100

Debt Credit Cards Debt Free Student 100

Family Balance Sheet

JULY 9, 2015

She cut her cable bill in half, rewrote her car and house insurance saving her $300, stopped the coffee runs, eliminated her dry cleaning bill. There is so much valuable information in the numbers, especially when you analyze your income and expenses. Maureen saved hundreds by tracking her spending to see where she was blowing money.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Budgeting Budget 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 12, 2016

Re-examine and shop around for car insurance every so often – I saved $1200 this past year for the same coverage. Stop eating out – it’s so much better for your wallet and your waistline to cook at home. Consignment stores and auctions are a great way to buy clothes and furniture at low prices.

Credit Cards 100

Credit Cards Debt Debt Free Student 100

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 11, 2014

If I can make it as a single mom who was laid off, dumped, told my daughter might need surgery as I was losing health insurance and my dog had cancer, I promise God will provide you the strength and focus to get through it too. Know who will propel you towards your goal and run from those that will pull you away from it.

Debt Free 235

Debt Free Debt Mom Goals 235