Community Forums

Wundertaker · 12-16-2017, 07:17 PM

Just a quick question... Do you actively "use" any type of Budgeting Tools for your Full Time RV'ing Lifestyle? "If" you do, do you use a paper and pencil method OR some kind of Computer program?

My wife and I are nearing retirement and want to have a good start from a budget standpoint...open to any suggestions. Thank you...

Old-Biscuit · 12-16-2017, 08:20 PM

Debt free
Spend only what you actually have
Save at least 10% every 'payday'
Have an 'emergency fund'

Same 'budget' we used before FTng and same budget we use now after FTng

FTng doesn't 'change' how one saves/spends their monies.
Still have to have 'income' sufficiently enough to cover 'out going'
Just like when living in a S&B

No secret budget
Just do what you did when you had a house

Cypressloser · 12-16-2017, 08:40 PM

I used to farm, there was always a budget on paper, mostly unreadable for normal minded people, and later on the computer but the actual budget was in my head. It did change constantly but the thing was I couldn't spend what I didn't have and I couldn't spend next year's fertilizer money on a new tractor either. We are retired now, the budget is less complex and it is not on the computer anymore but there still is one. Even if you scribble some numbers on a napkin it is a budget.

Sue46 · 12-17-2017, 04:52 AM

We use Quicken. Put eerything we spend in that and easy to get reports out.

Acheron2010 · 12-17-2017, 05:19 AM

Two years before I retired I calculated my retirement take-home pay, and made lifestyle adjustments to actually live off that number.
I tracked my daily expenses manually, and would enter the data weekly into Quicken and do trend analysis to determine if I was living within my means.

Leave a bit of a cushion for savings. Taxes bit me good, so it is worth while doing research on where you want to live to maximize your savings.

In December, I review my year's spending and develop my financial goals for the following year.

Some things that really helped -
I paid off all loans. Getting debt free is really a great feeling.
I took care of all personal health, especially teeth and eyes. While covered by a company health plan, I got all the major dental work done, and LASIK surgery for the eyes (best decision I ever made).
I developed hobbies I could use in retirement.
I moved to a state without income tax and a much lower cost of living.

deaton · 12-17-2017, 06:19 AM

We’re not full time. But retired several years now. We use Quicken. Good Program. Relatively cheap, integrates seamlessly to most bank and cc accounts. Reports flow automatically. Have used it for years.

Wundertaker · 12-17-2017, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

I used to farm, there was always a budget on paper, mostly unreadable for normal minded people, and later on the computer but the actual budget was in my head. It did change constantly but the thing was I couldn't spend what I didn't have and I couldn't spend next year's fertilizer money on a new tractor either. We are retired now, the budget is less complex and it is not on the computer anymore but there still is one. Even if you scribble some numbers on a napkin it is a budget.

Awesome...thank you....I really love your part of your Country...Calgary....Banff...awesome folks...Thank You

Wundertaker · 12-17-2017, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acheron2010

Two years before I retired I calculated my retirement take-home pay, and made lifestyle adjustments to actually live off that number.
I tracked my daily expenses manually, and would enter the data weekly into Quicken and do trend analysis to determine if I was living within my means.

Leave a bit of a cushion for savings. Taxes bit me good, so it is worth while doing research on where you want to live to maximize your savings.

In December, I review my year's spending and develop my financial goals for the following year.

Some things that really helped -
I paid off all loans. Getting debt free is really a great feeling.
I took care of all personal health, especially teeth and eyes. While covered by a company health plan, I got all the major dental work done, and LASIK surgery for the eyes (best decision I ever made).
I developed hobbies I could use in retirement.
I moved to a state without income tax and a much lower cost of living.

Pretty much how I was thinking of doing it too...daily by paper and monthly by laptop...seems to make sense in my simple mind

Triker56 · 12-17-2017, 08:27 AM

X2 Quicken

Wundertaker · 12-17-2017, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triker56

X2 Quicken

Thanx Mr Triker...

Wundertaker · 12-17-2017, 11:38 AM

Those of you using Quicken.....Is there a Monthly Fee to use them?

Fiesta48 · 12-17-2017, 01:15 PM

Excel spreadsheet. Combines monthly, yearly, bank acc'ts. Kept me out of trouble for 15 years, with reminders. Very flexible. Have over 200 sheets, like could I justify buying a large DP? YES! Retirement budget. Was able to retire at 55 with help of spreadsheets.

Acheron2010 · 12-17-2017, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wundertaker

Those of you using Quicken.....Is there a Monthly Fee to use them?

No monthly fee to use Quicken. The only aggravating thing is they constantly prompt you to "upgrade" to the latest version.
I am still using 2016's Windows version. It does everything I want. Some features like bill pay and mobile device use I do not. Just the basics.

deaton · 12-17-2017, 01:25 PM

No monthly fee.

They come out with a new version every year. Actually several new versions, since there are various levels of the software. Most folks can use the basic level which typically goes for about $30 - $40.

If you have lots of investments to track, you can step up to a more capable version for a few bucks more. The top tier level is about $70 and lets you track rental income and stuff like that.

They support old versions for several years after they are released. I update every 3 or 4 years. It doesn’t change that much. Not like Turbo Tax where you have to buy the new version every year thanks to the government changing the details.