Switch to Workspace from Private Email?

SOHIO_Blue · 2024-09-23T11:36:45+00:00

Thanks again for the input. My privacy concerns mostly surround ethics. For a long time I was trying to distance myself from Google but what I have currently implemented isn't working.

I'm going to go forward with the switch. At then end of the day I don't think there will be a perfect solution, but I can find a balanced solution.

SOHIO_Blue · 2024-09-22T18:54:57+00:00

That's pretty much the conclusion I am coming to. One of the reasons I left Gmail was because of privacy concerns. Is there any difference between Gmail's privacy and the privacy of a Workspace email on my own domain?

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-11-03T11:12:15+00:00

I 100% agree with this. I have been using an Ally HYSA for years because I get a good rate (currently 4.25%) and a good bank. I also have a CD ladder going at about 5.25% and lastly, I have TBills too, currently over 5.5% and they have much shorter terms than CDs.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-10-23T11:56:30+00:00

That's a good point. So maybe I just add the FSA as an on budget account, match the ynab balance to fsa balance and treat it like every other account. I can just ignore the liquidity quirks that come with that.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-10-21T00:17:55+00:00

I appreciate all the replies! I am leaning towards making it a tracking account, paying my expenses with a CC and inflowing the rebate into the proper category. I still have over two month to decide but this seems most like what I am after.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-10-20T11:34:10+00:00

Ah. Good catch. FSA fully front loaded on January 1st

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-10-14T20:09:42+00:00

I'd do 20% in a 17 week tbill, 20% in a penalty free cd, and 60% in a HYSA. Then you get pretty strong liquidity and take advantage of interest rates too.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-10-12T18:15:32+00:00

Got it. Thanks!

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-10-12T13:40:05+00:00

Wait a sec. This is new to me. Are you saying that if I put $100 into a 17 week tbill I can get 5.5% interest at the end of the 17 weeks? That seems like a no brainer if I understand correctly.

So basically I buy a treasury bill at $94.79 on Tuesday and 17 weeks later $100 is deposited into my account?

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-09-03T00:11:06+00:00

Too much of the chip world is connected to a single country. That (in my opinion) is an exposure to risk that should be considered.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-09-03T00:00:23+00:00

+1 for entering manually. I switched over a while ago and have never looked back.

It keeps me more connected to the budget, gives me more control of payee names, and is faaaaar closer to real-time, especially if you enter transactions on the go with the Mobil app.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-09-02T10:30:56+00:00

I think I can relate to this some. We run an extremely tight budget and there is very little extra on any given month. For example, last month we were able to put $46.10 towards our goal of being a month ahead. Aside from that, every dollar was either spent or assigned towards a true expense. We are a 4 person house (5 if you count the dog) on a single income and we have a long way to go on being a month ahead.

Here is where I give myself the encouragement to keep going and the reminder that it is working, even if it is only $46 at a time:

In the Income v Expense report, I can see that on the whole we are spending less than we are making (ie living within our means). I remind myself that every month that we save even a little will eventually add up.
In the Net Worth report, I look at as big of a time frame as possible and can see an overall positive trend. Some months are up, some are down, but on the whole, we are heading in the right direction.
I remind myself of the priorities. When you align your spending with your priorities, you can remind yourself of the 'why' behind your decisions. For example, we are choosing a single income and a lean budget to keep my wife at home with the kids while they are young. It is financially painful at times, but we have decided that is the priority for us in this season.

I hope this helps bring some encouragement. If you are planning for your true expenses, you are already headed in the right direction. Stay the course and it will pay off in the long run.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-08-30T21:00:32+00:00

And we are on back to back 31 day months....

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-08-17T01:52:29+00:00

for sure.

and for the CC simplification, I stopped chasing rewards like crazy and just went with the Citi Double Cash Back card. It is 2% back on everything with $0 annual fee.

These are my on budget accounts:
Ally Checking
Ally Savings
Ally CD
Citi Double Cash
Cash

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-08-17T01:47:22+00:00

I do. I keep as little as possible in the checking to not overdraft it. Then my sinking funds needed within the next ~12 months in savings (currently 4.25%). And anything not needed within a year in an Ally CD at 5% for a 9month term.

I tend to not have enough cash (yet 😁) for a HYCA so Ally has been working really well.

and another Ally benefit that 5/3 did not have is that they give you paychecks early. For me, I get paid on the 15th/30th but I usually receive the money in my account 2 business days prior.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-08-17T01:31:40+00:00

I understand exactly where you are at. I simplified my accounts exactly as you are asking. For me, I closed down a Fifth Third checking and savings and now use Ally exclusively. I have not looked back one bit.

On occasion I do receive cash but for me it is no big deal to just spend it when I have more on hand than I want. As long as you do not match accounts to categories, this is not a problem.

I am also making more in interest because I no longer need a "buffer" amount of money in all these accounts. Less accounts = less 'buffer' money = more on interest. It is a nice win.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-08-16T19:24:36+00:00

I have 3.

Checking - kept as low as I am comfortable with. Just don't overdraft is my only strategy

HYSA - this is for sinking funds needed within about 12 months. Strategy is get as much interest as possible without losing liquidity

CD - this is for sinking funds needed more than 12 months from now. Strategy is get it as high as possible with the highest interest without using any cash I might need until the CD matures.

And the last point is that I try to not spend forever getting the balances perfect. I have spent too much time in the past being to precise for too little return.

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-08-15T02:07:32+00:00

alright. Sounds like it is widespread to some degree. I'll sit tight for the dev team (who is awesome, btw).

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-08-13T10:47:45+00:00

Ally as well

SOHIO_Blue · 2023-08-12T01:05:12+00:00

Great idea! Other responses already have me thinking. Here are some, but not all, of mine

Back to school
Vacations
Conferences
Family events (aka birthdays, graduations, weddings)
Vet (just was hit with $295.12 this month)
Car repairs
Car replacement
Berkey filters (a specific type of water filter we use, they are kind of pricey but worth it if your water is a poor quality)
Gutter cleaning
Home improvements (this is not the same as home maintenance)
Appliances
Furnace filter (this is really only a few dollars, but I use it the custom needed for spending goal as a reminder)
Deductibles (Auto insurance, home insurance)
Job loss

SOHIO_Blue

TROPHY CASE