Goals

Getting Ready For 2010

December 14, 2009

As preparation for 2010, I’ve spent some time updating automated contributions to various retirement, education, and cash savings accounts.  Here’s the breakdown –

My Retirement Accounts –

403(b) – Monthly amount = $1375

A percentage of pre-tax income is deducted from each monthly paycheck.

Roth IRA – Monthly amount = $312.50

My goal is to make the maximum allowable contribution for 2010.  For my situation, that’s $5000.

My Wife’s Retirement Accounts –

Roth IRA – Monthly amount = $312.50

My wifes’ goal is to make the maximum allowable contribution for 2010.  For her situation, that’s $5000.  She also makes pre-tax contributions to her pension plan.

Education Savings Accounts –

ESA 1 – Monthly amount = $125

The annual contribution limit for my oldest daughter is $2000.  

ESA 2 – Monthly amount = $125

The annual contribution limit for my son is $2000.

ESA 3 – Monthly amount = $125

The annual contribution limit for my youngest daughter is $2000.

Cash Savings Account –

Automobile Replacement – Monthly amount = $500

At some point, we will need to replace one of our automobiles.

Future Home Purchase – Monthly amount = $500

At some point, we hope to pay cash for a new home (or use available savings for healthy down-payment).

Summary –

The total of all monthly contributions, excluding my wife’s contributions to her pension, is $3375, which represents a very substantial portion of our household income.  It’s important to note, some contributions, those to Roth IRA and Education Savings Accounts, are calculated for a 16-month contribution timetable, running January of 2010 until tax-filing deadline April 2011.

As we continue to live debt-free, my wife and I have come to realize just how important it is to save, save, save – and then save some more.  We set lofty goals for ourselves, including the contribution goals that you see above.

8 thoughts on “Getting Ready For 2010”

  2. SingleGuyMoney – I budget for them, each month, and put the money in a savings account. I also have a standard “emergency fund” from which I could pull money, should I need it sooner than regular budget would allow. What about you?

  4. Hello,

    I see you’re contributing $312.50 monthly to your Roth. However, $5000/12 = $416 per month.

    What you may be doing (and what warrants further discussion), is making 2010 Roth contributions before April 15, 2011; thus giving yourself 16 months to get in $5000. Indeed 16*$312.50 = $5000.

    However, I’ve thought about this, and I’m not sure it’s the best idea. In your case, you’re depositing $625 per Roth (half for 2010 and half for 2011) in the first four months of the year, and $325.50 in the other eight. Thus, you’re systematically oversampling the market in the first four months, and biasing your dollar-cost-averaging towards Jan-April.

    Is this intentional (part of your strategy) or a minor oversight?

    Thanks!

  5. What happens if you contribute monthly to a ROTH IRA but than find out during tax time of the next year that you made to much to contribute, what happens?

  7. @Boyan I suppose you are correct. Keep in mind, I’m still making contributions to my 2009 IRAs, and will do so for the next 5 months. (Dec – April)

    @Matt I’m 99% sure that I won’t make too much to make maximum contributions. If I WERE to get close, I’d just hold back on the contributions from say January to April…

    @mbhunter It’s good to be back! I keep a 12 month emergency fund in my savings account…

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