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What Do You Count as Snowflakes?

December 8th, 2013 at 07:20 pm

I know many of us here practice the concept of capturing what we call snowflakes. Snowflakes are normally considered the amounts of money you may get back from returning items, rebates, coming in under budget, etc... In order to determine what my 2014 snowflake goal will be I'm curious what everyone considers snowflakes to be.

Historically I haven't counted any increases in my military retirement pay or VA payment as snowflakes but now I'm thinking why not count them? It's always said "the more we make, the more we tend to spend". While I was in the military, the one thing I practiced was whenever I got promoted or a raise, I took that increase and saved it because I was use to living without it anyway. That way when I reached higher ranks, I was still living off of what I made earlier in my career.

I say all of this to ask you whether you think pay raises or cost of living adjustments of any sort should be considered as snowflakes?

9 Responses to “What Do You Count as Snowflakes?”

  1. wowitsawonderfullife Says:
    1386533777

    My snowflakes include surveys, any returns, free grocery amounts when I redeem coupons or points, loose change, whatever turns up.

  2. Rachael777 Says:
    1386533929

    I do not think pay raises count as snowflakes.. snowflakes seem to be sortof 'found money'.. your saving increase is great but it is a regular monthly income that you do not have to do anything for monty to month. just my two cents (or what I understand it to be)..I DO congratulate you on saving that.. everything counts..

  3. Rachael777 Says:
    1386533938

    I do not think pay raises count as snowflakes.. snowflakes seem to be sortof 'found money'.. your saving increase is great but it is a regular monthly income that you do not have to do anything for monty to month. just my two cents (or what I understand it to be)..I DO congratulate you on saving that.. everything counts..

  4. MonkeyMama Says:
    1386535628

    Sure, why not? I think that's the thing - the vast majority of people would just fritter away those "snowflakes".

    I don't think it really matters - savings is the end goal. (It kind of annoys me to over-think these things - kind of defeats the purpose?)

  5. MonkeyMama Says:
    1386535664

    I think just whatever motivates you personally is what is important.

  6. HouseHopeful Says:
    1386538165

    I think its whatever that you set for yourself. I personally include found/saved money and not necessarily traditional income. To me, its about being creative in adding to the Christmas budget. Ultimately, its to each their own and I say go for it, however you may choose to do it is up to you Smile

  7. creditcardfree Says:
    1386542596

    I think it sure can count! I know I saved DH's raise last year, but it all went to Roth IRAs, so I didn't technically count it as a snowflake. Remember that maximum IRA contributions went up, so I had to find that money somewhere!! To me, snowflakes are found money, like rebates, credit card offers, coupons, gift money, coins, earnings on things you sell that you might have otherwise given away. I really don't think there is a right or wrong. Smile

  8. beawealthywarrior Says:
    1386545107

    Thanks for the input everyone! I enjoy seeing how others do things. I think I've decided to put all income increases towards my mortgage and not count them towards my 2014 snowflake goal. I will set another goal to have my mortgage at a certain amount by end of 2014 so any increases will help me get there. All snowflakes will be saved for Christmas($750)and a celebratory trip to the Bahamas in 2015. That's when I'm shooting to be done with the mortgage!! Now I need to decide what amount my goals will be. Thanks again for the input!

  9. Banker Gurl Says:
    1387301657

    Late to the convo, but I enjoy this topic very much! "Found money" is my favorite kind! My snowflakes would be all money you find in the dryer, bottom of your purse, in the pocket of an old coat, under the seat of your car, etc. All coin, birthday money, Christmas money, all rebates, rummage sale money, recycling money, extra jobs, side jobs, overtime money, bonuses, selling anything online. Taking money out of the ATM for a movie/bar night and anything left from that when you get home.

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