Wrapping up January and the No(Low) Spend Challenge and February's Financial Challenge

I thought I would wrap up the month today and tally the final numbers for the No (Low) Spend Challenge.  Even though Tuesday marks the end of January, I'm going to make today the last day of the month. Payday is tomorrow, and since February is such a short month, I thought I would add two more days to it!
(Remember, you can make up your own rules for this challenge! :)!) 

My anticipated spending for today is a gasoline fill up for hubby's car and a bagel store stop for my family.  I will be utilizing $40.00 of the $100 I stashed away to cover these expenses.

So, how did I do?

$1,500 did not go into emergency savings as planned. Instead, we sent $1,500 to our HSA (Health Savings Account) to finish up 2012's $3,000 deductible for medical expenses.  My husband's company put in the other $1,500.00.  We are now covered for medical expenses for the whole year.  This is a huge relief.

I wanted to put an extra $500.00 into savings.  I didn't achieve that goal either.  However, being a 'glass half full girl', I'll just focus on the positives... I saved $310 EXTRA this month!!

I'll have more information to share in my Friday Financials post about January's financials, but for now I'd say this challenge was a success!

I am once again joining Carla for a February Low Spend challenge, however, February is bringing on it's own  set of challenges...some of them I can share...some I can't...at least not yet!

Here are the challenges I can share...

• I'll be starting my Whole Food Cooking Course on February 6th.  I'm sure I will have to revamp my pantry a bit, which may initially be a little more $$$.
• I'm also planning on taking my blog to a new level and purchasing my own website. (2012 Goal No. 8)  I'm getting help, and that will cost a bit of $$ too. (Hopefully it will pay for itself in a couple of months...).
• Valentine's Day and Date Nights.  I want them. I'll have to budget them in. (Remember, balance!)

My financial goals for February are:

• Save $500.00  for my anniversary trip to Charleston, SC.  (2012 Goal No. 2.)
• Save $3,000 in my emergency fund ($1,500 coming from tax return and to make up for January)
• Put $2,500 extra into my insurance sub account ($2,300 from tax return).  This account includes premiums for life insurance, car insurance, homeowner's insurance and our umbrella policy.  Most of these come due by April, and I wanted to pay them in full.

If I'm able to file our tax returns in early February, I'll be able to fund two of the above savings goals.  A true blessing, for sure.

Anyone else want today to be February??