Ok ...after you save for your emergency fund...then what do you do? my issue is it is hard for my to spend any extra...We have worked so hard to pay off debt and save now...it seems like I can spend but honestly I just can't! I have no problems spending on little things because I can but I'd have to say anything over say $500-800 ...scares me. I always feel poor although we really are quite comfortable. but I guess in my mind I think what if.... does anyone relate to this?

have you saved the Recommended 3- 6 months salary ??

OUr Goal is 6 months of Dhs Salary , and that is quite awhile away ....

If not I would say Just Keep on saving if you have extra. Do you have a good Retirement savings Plan going?

Unfortunately, I have never had this problem!! But if I were you I would invest more in my retirement account or other investments.

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~Happiness is a large family~

yes we finally have reached the 3-6 months of salary and about 15% going to salary. I have to say it has been a long frugal road. but so worth it. It took a lot of baby steps. After reaching our savings goals I am now able to stay at home. But now it is like a plateu...what do I save for now??? Honestly it is kinda weird...maybe I thought I'd be ready to blow money after my goals are reached ....but I just can't.

We have big goals and mini goals with regards to savings and investments. We have a set amount being invested every month and we feel that it is sufficient (more than) for retirement and saving for a big down payment on a home. With what's left we have mini goals. The one we are going to start working on is a Disneyland vacation in March. At times we don't have our mini goals and we end up just blowing it on furniture and such, or weekends away (which doesn't feel wasteful to me because we all have such a great time.)

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~Vicki~
Mama to Hailey, 4 and Ella, 2

If you don't want to Blow money I think that would be a good thing. That is what Gets People in trouble- Thinking if they have it they can spend it!

I wish I Could say the same!! I have no problems spending Money!! You Have to live it up a little bit IMO!!
BUT....There is always something to Save for too.

I don't think its Possible to OWN too much stuff Free and Clear AND save and Save and Save!!
If We had the 6 month salary saved
We would Max out our 401K Savings , then start an additional; IRA ,
We'd Buy rental properties and Earn even more money from those,
Save for the kids - for their First Driving yrs and Last Yrs of High school ( Its expensive!)
Save for their College
Save for their Futures
Save for a Vacation

Have you paid off your Mortgage? If so , save for a Home improvement or vacation home.

Save for a New Car or Pay off your existing Cars.

Also Donating Money is really Important - if you have more than enough.
I would Donate alot more if We Could.

It doesn't really matter. Just save and figure it out later or just keep it in the bank.

If you have the availability, I would do a pre-tax transfer for retirement. You can always change the percentage if you need the money.

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Thank you everyone!!!! I think DH and I need to sit down and just talk about some goals....that is exactly what we need to do. Thanks for all the ideas!

Some ideas:

1. 529 Accounts for kids' college
2. 100% annual contribution towards IRA Account
3. Move your savings account to a high interest account...ingdirect, citibank, etc...that give over 4.5% interest rates
4. Invest in mutual funds for retirement savings...reinvesting all dividends
5. Open a high interest 12 month CD and reinvest all dividends
6. Make an extra payment on your mortgage account...or put $200 extra towards it a month...this will save you thousands of dollars over the course of a typical 30 year loan

Happy saving!