Not completely unusual. Plus, you’re planning medium term goals so you’ve still calculated a defensive strategy. I had a friend who actually carried around an accountant’s ledger and documented every purchase, expense down to the penny. Now THAT seems obsessive.

Good point on filling up the tax-exempt accounts. I’m planning on writing an article (#3 in the queue) about squeezing some extra return out of early contributions.

To be honest I’m unusual among money bloggers in that I don’t plan or budget much at all in the short term.

I have medium range goals (such as filling up my tax-exempt accounts every year) but in the short term I try to let cash pile up to create a buffer, then try to get it invested ASAP.

i.e. My default assumption is most of my cash will be saved!

This has been much harder in the past 18 months admittedly, with the downturn. But I know if I budgeted too often I’d lose interest.

I should stress that once a year or so I do go through my expenses and see what can be cut out, and I’m also instinctively pretty frugal.

Oh, and this is possible because I’m single. Again, with a family I’d have to budget I’m sure.