Struggling to be debt free

  My firm gives year-end bonuses based on hours billed. My bonus, after taxes, was just under $12,000. It was $18,000 pre-tax.  Here's how I split up the money:  1. $1,500 to gift/donate  2. $3,000 extra payment to the mortgage  3. $2,500 saved to set up CD laddering 4. $1,000 to savings account  5. $3,000 to spend on improvements at my mom's house (she needs a new hot water heater and that will likely be her birthday present from me).  6. $1,000 to invest Did you receive a year-end bonus? What do you plan to send the money on? Does anyone receive bonuses in February?

I got a Holiday bonus check at work yesterday!!! I was totally shocked and so excited!!  I plan to write a super nice thank card to both of the partners and send it out today. I think this is the largest bonus I have ever received, I grossed almost $5,200 and I am taking home almost $4,000 ($3900 and some change). I plan to give some to my mom and sister, put some in my car replacement fund, put some into my retirement fund, give some to charity and finish replacing the EF used to purchase the new HVAC. I am incredibly thankful for the bonus and I want to pay it forward!

Last year at work was rough, to say the least.  However, at the very end of the year my firm issued bonuses! I received a $1000 bonus- after taxes.  After a little wavering, I finally decided to put the money into my emergency fund. (I first considered putting the money into my Roth IRA- but decided the extra cash on hand would be the better option). While this bonus was much less than what we have received in the past, it was very much appreciated! Now I only have to put $1,500 in my Emergency Fund to reach my goal of raising it up to $17,500 by the end of the year.