June 2018 highlights:
- Halfway point of 2018! The 2Q certainly treated us better than the 1Q from a NW progress perspective. Monthly savings goals met & portfolio performance has improved.
- It is getting really hot & humid down here in SE TX ... this is the first summer since we secured our future LCOL home (not in SE TX), and I am already missing their weather. More motivation to stick with the plan! While we continue to rent down here, we are aggressively paying down our future LCOL home mortgage (4.125%); we do not plan to carry a mortgage into FIRE.
- Summer gardening is a challenge here, but we are somehow keeping the kale & chard greens + herbs going. The fig tree that we inherited at our new rental house is KILLING IT - I bet I've harvested over 200 fresh figs so far, and they keep coming. It's been fun to snack & cook with these, and we've given a bunch of them away to friends. The citrus trees (meyer lemon & kumquat) are producing green fruit, so that promises to be a fun harvest in the fall.
- Despite the heat, I've been pretty consistent with my eating & exercise program this year. I turn the big 40 later this summer, and hope to be back in a healthy, sustainable place. I went through a back injury a couple years ago, and its been a long journey. Very thankful
- Taking some steps to 'stretch' myself during July ... I am doing a public speaking/teaching event, and also pursuing a certification related to my potential future side-gig. I'm not an experienced public speaker, however the prep has been intense & rewarding. I'm nervous but also looking forward to both, as these are not things I'd normally do!
- Our ideal countdown target is now @ 21 months (Apr-2020) ... have a great July 4th week everyone!
EOY 2015: 56.2%
EOY 2016: 70.6%
EOY 2017: 78.6%
JAN 2018: 78.8%
FEB 2018: 77.3%
MAR 2018: 77.6%
APR 2018: 80.3%
MAY 2018: 81.9%
JUN 2018: 83.3%
FIREby2021