Post by: arebelspy on January 25, 2013, 12:06:16 PM
If you have a bigger accomplishment, feel free to start your own thread in the Share Your Badassity (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/) section of the forums, but for small milestones, things you just want to share with someone, but don't really have anyone to share it with (besides maybe your partner), toss em out there so we can celebrate with you!
Post by: jdoolin on January 25, 2013, 12:49:25 PM
I got approved for a rewards credit card. It was the Amazon Rewards card that gives you 3 points for amazon purchases, 2 for gas stations (cool), restaurants (won't get much from me there) and office supplies (again, probably not much) and then 1 point for anything else. My limit is also much higher than I anticipated.
Not a really big deal in and of itself, but it was a minor triumph for me.
See, back in 2003 I got married to someone I shouldn't have (we were never a good match to begin with). Combine a fairly low salary with someone who flaked out and stopped going to work, a typical overspending consumption attitude (both of us), with high interest credit cards and loans (for an Apple laptop and an engagement ring I had no business purchasing) and a person who felt very little control in her life, and used shopping and spending as a way to feel it. It's a recipe for not only divorce, but financial DISASTER. **
By the time the divorce was final, my credit was awful and I we both had quite a bit of debt. I entered a Consumer Credit Counseling and debt consolidation program and in just under 5 years had paid everything off.
I avoided applying for credit cards or loans even after I was finished (I would obviously have not been approved while in counseling). My credit score was something I just didn't even bother thinking about.
Enter MMM in July of last year. By August, my wife and I had made big changes and big plans. I was no longer afraid of my credit score or finances in general. I checked out my score and it was in the Medium range. But with our plans to finally purchase a home, we knew I would need to increase my score to get the best interest rate. So I planned to get a credit card.
I just happened to be on Amazon purchasing a polypropylene shirt for winter outdoor badassity when I saw the offer for the card and thought, "What the hell?" I applied and got it (and that $50 amazon credit).
I will now use this card Mustachian style, increase my credit and even accumulate some rewards.
** Despite the relationship and financial disaster, we divorced on peaceable terms and I hold no ill feelings toward her. I hope she finds the happiness that I still feel she deserves
Post by: tmac on January 25, 2013, 01:10:40 PM
I have three minor victories to share today:
1) I had to deposit some checks at the bank and rather than use the snow and ice as an excuse to drive the three blocks, I walked.
2) In related transportation news: We currently have 3 vehicles, 2 of which have big dumb stupid loans. This morning, I put the most sellable one out on the front lawn with for-sale signs, and posted free ads at Cars.com and Craigslist. After it sells, we'll use the proceeds (should be several thousand) to pay down the second loan, which we'll then be able to finish paying off within a year.
3) I've finished getting our personal budget set up on YNAB and first the first time feel like I have a grasp of where our variable income is going. Next step: Get the business budget set up, to help that income become less variable.
Post by: marty998 on January 25, 2013, 02:30:09 PM
Expected the fall in October bill because the July bill is always high - in winter the water flowing through the pipes is much colder and needs more gas to be heated.
Did not expect the fall in the January bill but thinking about it we did have a heatwave which meant many days the cold water was coming out of the taps warm. So many heat records fell it became a bit of a joke when the weather girls on TV were saying "it's only going to be 39c today".
Post by: ketchup on January 25, 2013, 02:55:48 PM
Switched to Platinumtel from T-mobile prepaid. Was spending $30/month, spent $5 ($10 worth of credit, bought on a special) in first month on Platinumtel.
Did some DIY maintenance on my car. Proved the "free brake check" guys of questionable moral standing wrong. No, I didn't need $800 of brake work done. I will do free brake work myself, at my leisure. June, perhaps.
Helped find super cheap (relatively speaking) flights for my girlfriend and her sister when they had urgent family business halfway across the country. (We were able to find flights for $730 round trip for the two of them, Chicago to Phoenix and back, with all of 3 hours notice before the plane took off.)
Started contributing to my 401(k) at the start of the year, maxing out the employer match. Plan on opening a Roth later this year.
Post by: Xtal on January 25, 2013, 08:31:12 PM
Post by: jdoolin on January 27, 2013, 02:59:34 PM
I got a 6.5% raise at my job!
Nice raise, congrats!
Hey, I just remembered something else that may be appropriate for this thread.
Shortly after I started reading MMM's blog in early July, I started pursuing a new job/career opportunity that practically fell in my lap. At the time I was happy where I was as a software developer and the new job (a college instructor) didn't pay more, but the schedule was unbeatable. So I opted to go for it.
Feeling VERY confident and optimistic about my future, primarily due to the influence of MMM's articles, I went into my interview more confident than I ever have. It was with a panel of 6 interviewers. I answered questions confidently, always had a smile, spoke with authority and even made some jokes. As luck would have it, my year and a half as a LINE COOK even impressed and surprised one of the interviewers, who happened to be the head of the culinary department. They asked me to prepare a 15 minute teaching demo about a feature of Windows 7. They were impressed that I wasn't going to use Powerpoint. The laptop they provided was Windows XP. I mentioned this to them and they began to see if they could find a replacement, until I said, "That's OK, I can work with it. No biggie."
But my favorite part was the typical interview question:
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
Without even thinking and as confidently as could be, I answered, "About 5 years from retirement."
The looks I got were priceless. Raised eyebrows, laughs, big smiles, heads nodding and even a few "Wow, sounds good to me"s.
I got the offer the next day. I accepted, and the job ROCKS. :-)
[EDIT]: I'm now teaching my second semester of an Excel course. I'm using it as a front to teach a little Personal Finance (teaching "across the curriculum", as my wife puts it).
Post by: Self-employed-swami on January 27, 2013, 04:52:06 PM
:D
Post by: tmac on January 27, 2013, 05:26:27 PM
I just paid off the last thousand dollars on my HELOC that isn't borrowed for investments.
:D
Nice! I love that feeling.
My victories this week are so minor that if I told non-mustachians about it, they'd think I was nuts to be so pleased with myself.
1) I checked my power bill online today. It will be $24 lower than usual when it arrives and the only change was that I only used the clothes dryer once this month. The rest of the time (at a load per day), I hung the laundry to dry on a makeshift clothesline in the back room.
2) I just finished lining all of the downstairs windows in our ancient house with plastic film. I got a 10' x 100' of inexpensive film at Lowe's and have enough to do all the windows in my house and still have a lot left over for other uses (tarps, drop cloths, etc.). The rooms are significantly less drafty than they had been. I'll do the upstairs rooms this week.
3) Food costs are way down this month -- from ~$1600 (!) to $740.
a) It looks like I'm going to close out the month with a grocery spend of $450 -- down from the previous average of $800 for our family of five. I did one big grocery shop on the first of January (Costco and Aldi, mainly) and since then have only bought a few supplemental things.
b) We had been spending in the area of $800 a month on restaurants as well, before getting serious about our finances a couple of months back. January will be our lowest spend in many years -- $290.
Next on the list: Switch around our cell phone plans for the family (3) and our employees (2 more) to save at least $100/month. The bill at the moment is $450 a month and it kills me to pay it. It's almost as much as our office rent.
Post by: jdoolin on January 27, 2013, 05:33:34 PM
Keep up the good work!
Post by: Self-employed-swami on January 27, 2013, 05:41:11 PM
Post by: Emerald on January 28, 2013, 11:11:10 AM
2) I increased my TSP contributions another 2%.
3) I've freed up extra money to put towards my mortgage (only debt). I'm currently on track to pay it off in around 10 years.
Post by: Orvell on January 28, 2013, 11:25:46 AM
Bring on the little victories, for it is them that win the war. :)
1. Finally eligible for my company's 401K and am putting in 10%
2. So far keeping my expenses under 1K/mo and thus hitting and sometimes exceeding 50% savings. (Up from last quarter, when I started keeping track, which averaged around 48%)
3. I also lined my old, single pane apt. windows with cling film (or as I like to call them, window condoms)
4. Even with feeding my girlfriend a few dinners and a breakfast or two, I'm projecting $100 this month for food. That might rise a few bucks, time will tell.
It's fun to see everyone's small victories. Keep 'em coming! :D
Post by: James on January 28, 2013, 12:30:57 PM
Post by: Phoebe on January 28, 2013, 01:21:36 PM
Post by: SunshineGirl on January 28, 2013, 01:24:58 PM
Our shovel-happy 12-year-old son has already dug one of three tree holes. He'll also dig the line for irrigation.
It feels really good to have a DIY project after many years of hiring things out. It's because of this site that I steered us toward this route.
Post by: frpeebles on January 28, 2013, 09:44:13 PM
(http://imageshack.us/a/img90/7271/0123132352.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/90/0123132352.jpg/)
I've also cut $200/mo out of the bills between gas, electric and car insurance.
Also: Hi. First post.
Post by: kolorado on January 29, 2013, 08:46:51 AM
Victories this month:
-Menu planned every single day and spent only $290 on food for my family of 5
-reduced the heat settings to 64* during the day and 60* at night so we are now back at pre-kid levels(I have to remind the kids to put on their socks and sweatshirts constantly though or they turn into human icicles)
-sold over $100 worth of books, dvd's and games online
-spent only $14 in my Home/Health/Grooming budget category which is super hard for me as the category includes kitchen gadgets/tools/decor and that stuff is tempting and pricy
-Am currently taking three online classes on Finance, Personal Finance and Nutrition for Health and Disease Prevention. All have fairly obvious financial implications and benefits. :)
-Am regrowing a new head of celery from a stump. It may be small savings but it's so neat that it works!
Post by: jpo on January 29, 2013, 08:52:52 AM
Post by: The Taminator on January 29, 2013, 09:08:29 AM
Post by: Self-employed-swami on January 29, 2013, 09:52:17 AM
93 MPG up from 23MPG for my work commute.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img90/7271/0123132352.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/90/0123132352.jpg/)
I've also cut $200/mo out of the bills between gas, electric and car insurance.
Also: Hi. First post.
How did you do this?!
Post by: atlantalee on January 29, 2013, 10:39:45 AM
Just found MMM in December and have made several steps in the right direction:
- Haven't had a drink in January.
- Made it almost two weeks without going out to eat.
- Bought a really nice $1000 bike on Craigslist for $640. Should last a lifetime. Started biking on the weekends and didn't refill my tank for over two weeks. I might make it out of January with spending only $45 on gas.
- Cut cable.
- Increased 401k contribution from 6% to 10%.
- Transferred funds from high-yield savings to a Vanguard account and increased biweekly contributions to Betterment account.
Post by: tkaraszewski on January 29, 2013, 10:49:42 AM
93 MPG up from 23MPG for my work commute.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img90/7271/0123132352.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/90/0123132352.jpg/)
I've also cut $200/mo out of the bills between gas, electric and car insurance.
Also: Hi. First post.
Hah, beat you!
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8427755298_84902f89c0.jpg)
But really this isn't as frugal as it looks when you consider the cost of the car.
Post by: tkaraszewski on January 29, 2013, 12:44:30 PM
Edit: frpeebles car is a 1st gen Honda insight, mine is a chevy volt.
Post by: frpeebles on January 29, 2013, 12:50:13 PM
How did you do this?!Moderate careful driving/efficient car.
Hah, beat you!
[image]
But really this isn't as frugal as it looks when you consider the cost of the car.
Mine was pretty inexpensive. Right in line with MMM's $5k suggestion. The goal is 100mpg but there are three different speed zones on the highway section of the commute and I don't hold up traffic and I don't draft.
Is this a Tesla? If so, I hate you. But there's an oil light! I'm so confused!
First gen Insight. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Insight
Post by: jpluncford21 on January 29, 2013, 12:54:49 PM
Post by: Vahla on January 29, 2013, 03:44:29 PM
[EDIT]: I'm now teaching my second semester of an Excel course. I'm using it as a front to teach a little Personal Finance (teaching "across the curriculum", as my wife puts it).Everything thing your post was awesome but this is the best part!
Post by: tmac on January 29, 2013, 03:51:21 PM
Post by: Iron Mike Sharpe on January 30, 2013, 11:52:28 AM
I had also come to the realization last year that I was nowhere near preparing myself to retire or even retire early. I had been playing around with spreadsheets to see how I could get to retirement sooner. I came up with a minimum figure to save each year to allow me to retire in 15 years when my mortgage is paid off. My mortgage, insurance, taxes and utilities for this townhouse should fall into this new budget I have.
One cool thing about this place is that the previous owner had been very anal retentive regarding the upkeep. While the place is only 8 years old, they had put in awesome new hardwood floors (both my agent and the inspection guy said they would love to have those floors in their houses), upgraded the 1/2 bath with custom tile and a pedestal sink, and installed better cabinets. They had added a lot of insulation in the attic too. The current owner was around during the inspection and said they added one round of insulation and it reduced energy costs by 25% and then added a second round that decreased them by an additional 9%. My inspector showed my photos of the attic and there appeared to be ski slope sized mounds of insulation. He said the current owner had gone way overboard up there, but if I went up there with a rake and evened things out a little better I could probably decrease energy costs slightly more. He said normally he can find at least one small thing wrong in every house he looks at like a leaky faucet or a stuck window, but he found nothing wrong in this house. Score!
While I am not within biking range of work still (12 miles each way, but it is via a highway and crosses a major river with no bike path), at least I am cutting 4 miles each way from my commute. And it is a less congested route so less stop and go driving.
Also am moving from a city with a 1% city income tax to one without. And it is a lower crime city so auto insurance will drop big time too.
And it appears that I overbudgeted for furnishing my house by a few thousand which I can then add the money I don't spend into my home maintenance/repair budget and my savings budget for a replacement car.
Currently driving an inefficient Grand Prix (at 23/MPH or so). Want to buy a used Prius. I think my plan of attack should be to keep driving the Grand Prix while it runs fine. Once I start having to put expensive repairs into it, then make the switch.
Post by: kendallf on January 30, 2013, 01:23:52 PM
I work on all of our cars; I haven't paid anyone for repairs in the last 20 years other than a couple of specialized things like alignments and a trans rebuild or two. My family just takes it for granted; cars break, Daddy fixes it, we keep driving. :-)
About 2 years ago, I replaced all of the accessories on it (alt, A/C compressor, PS pump) with used parts from a lower mile car due to what turned out to be a bad crank pulley; I kept all of the old parts in the attic. Went up there today, pulled down the old greasy alternator, checked it at the parts store just to be sure it was working, and R&R'ed it.
My daughter came home just as I was finishing, looked at it kind of matter of factly, then got in it and drove off to gym. Heh.
Post by: Bill76 on February 01, 2013, 08:32:38 AM
Post by: frugalman on February 01, 2013, 08:55:54 AM
If you can contact MMM directly, we so NEED the ability to reply to a reply, so a particular reply can be a thread in and of itself. On the forums as well as on MMM's main posts.
A nice to have, along these lines, would be a +1 like for replies..
Thanks for all you do, Arebelspy!
P.S. I paid off my mortgage in December. I own my main home free and clear, and owe $90k on my second home (a vacation home that may become our primary residence in a year or two) so that is my recent celebration.
Post by: arebelspy on February 01, 2013, 09:15:41 AM
If you can contact MMM directly, we so NEED the ability to reply to a reply, so a particular reply can be a thread in and of itself. On the forums as well as on MMM's main posts.
A nice to have, along these lines, would be a +1 like for replies..
All that sort of stuff is limited by the capabilities of the forum software. The best way to do the former is to just start a new thread and quote the post you were replying to (and link back to it) when starting your new discussion.
Post by: kisserofsinners on February 01, 2013, 02:13:14 PM
Post by: sheepstache on February 04, 2013, 06:31:01 PM
Post by: sheepstache on February 04, 2013, 07:17:11 PM
I got back a whole answer about how she took advantage of the market being up to cash out enough of her 401k to pay off her mortgage and the rest of her expenses until she's old enough for SS and pension will be covered by the remaining 401k and her side hustle. Oh and she got long-term-care insurance in case she gets Alzheimer's like her mother.
Considering I'm an only child and my spouse is an only child, this was incredibly good news to find out that she's taken care of. So its not badassity because I had nothing to do with it, but it is cause for celebration.
Post by: chatsc on February 06, 2013, 06:26:42 AM
Post by: ladycygnus on February 06, 2013, 04:45:19 PM
Post by: chatsc on February 07, 2013, 06:00:15 AM
Post by: mustachecat on February 07, 2013, 06:31:42 AM
Post by: martynthewolf on February 07, 2013, 06:32:39 AM
Post by: tmac on February 07, 2013, 10:31:02 AM
Post by: kendallf on February 07, 2013, 08:05:37 PM
Mint.com just saved me money again; I learned about it from MMM and so far it's saved me somewhere over $250/month!
I have been keeping our landline phone, mostly so I have a number to give for bills/purchases, and I have had it on Vonage for several years. Mint flagged this and had an affiliated offer for another VoIP product. That got me comparing online; I ended up going with another product (NetTalk), so Mint didn't get the affiliate sale, but I'm still grateful for the prod to check out other options.
My Vonage account, with taxes and fees, was $37/mo; the NetTalk will be ~$30/year ($53 initial hardware purchase that included a year's service). It all adds up!
Post by: HelloHuey on February 14, 2013, 07:07:53 AM
So happy to be able to find constructive ways of making money and giving other people reasonable deals at the same time!
Post by: jdoolin on February 15, 2013, 01:14:37 PM
I stopped at a store and still had the helmet on, and some guy says, "Did you ride a bike today? That's your bike out there?"
Me: "Yes sir."
Guy: "Are you crazy?"
Me: "No, I'm just a badass."
It actually got a few laughs from a few passers by. :-)
Post by: Emerald on February 15, 2013, 06:45:57 PM
Post by: icefr on February 15, 2013, 08:05:37 PM
Post by: norvilion on February 18, 2013, 11:54:33 AM
It almost looks like the person who had the car before me had never changed them in the car's life o_o;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg)
Post by: frpeebles on February 19, 2013, 01:06:01 AM
Post by: Nancy on February 19, 2013, 06:33:57 PM
Post by: tmac on February 19, 2013, 07:23:11 PM
Post by: startingover on February 19, 2013, 08:19:18 PM
Post by: jenstill on February 22, 2013, 08:19:36 AM
Post by: Zaga on February 22, 2013, 08:56:32 AM
Last week, even with paying over $200 of mom's bills (we've taken over her utilities) we stayed within our weekly budget!
I've also been making my own bread weekly and it's great.
Finally this year should be a banner year for adding to our retirement funds, doing better than ever so far!
Post by: arebelspy on February 22, 2013, 09:08:55 AM
Love this thread!
Last week, even with paying over $200 of mom's bills (we've taken over her utilities) we stayed within our weekly budget!
I've also been making my own bread weekly and it's great.
Finally this year should be a banner year for adding to our retirement funds, doing better than ever so far!
Awesome!
Also, mini-celebration for you personally. Happy Birthday!
Post by: Zaga on February 22, 2013, 09:14:27 AM
Post by: Nords on February 23, 2013, 07:02:24 PM
Unfortunately I had to learn that because I couldn't access either website for nearly 24 hours. Fortunately Bluehost can actually spell "tracert" and was able to prove that it was Hawaiian Telcom's DNS problem. After an argument with Hawaiian Telcom's
I initially tweeted and e-mailed Bluehost. It never in my life would have occurred to me to phone them up. However when a fellow blogger suggested doing so, Bluehost had a live human on the phone within 90 seconds. Dealing with Hawaiian Telcom was a little different-- two separate phone calls, both on hold for 15+ minutes, they finally called back 12 hours later. And then they argued with me.
It's been a while since I've had to unleash my inner geek, but long ago I made a promise to only use those powers for good. Hopefully Hawaiian Telcom really did fix the problem and I'll really be able to post this!
Post by: mm31 on February 23, 2013, 10:20:37 PM
Next up: our cell phone bill! I've been looking at ting since my cell phone usage is minimal
Post by: sheepstache on February 24, 2013, 01:09:47 PM
After hemming and hawing a long time, checked in with Eastern Mountain Sports about a rain shell I bought 3 years ago that has been disintegrating in the lining. I "exchanged" it for a 40% discount on the next model up which they say won't have that problem. Of course, could just be slick salesmanship since the next model up is twice as much but that means I effectively got back 80% of my purchase price for the original coat, so I'm going to be optimistic and focus on that. And the fact that my coat doesn't make me look like a homeless person anymore.
Opened brokerage account at Vanguard (now that I'm Voyager and don't have to pay yearly fee) to purchase my first etf.
Post by: Parkertom on February 24, 2013, 04:12:26 PM
Post by: ScienceRules on February 25, 2013, 06:39:13 AM
Post by: jpluncford21 on February 25, 2013, 06:51:09 AM
Post by: JessicaRed on February 26, 2013, 04:17:11 PM
Pretty freaking thrilled to see that I could retire by 40! Just wish I'd known of this MMM philosophy earlier!
Post by: startingover on February 26, 2013, 05:45:05 PM
Post by: Nords on February 26, 2013, 10:41:37 PM
I got my first manuscript accepted!Congratulations, and now the real fun starts!
Post by: ScienceRules on February 27, 2013, 04:21:17 AM
I got my first manuscript accepted!Congratulations, and now the real fun starts!
Thanks Nords and StartingOver! Yup, back to the lab...
Post by: jpo on February 27, 2013, 10:38:44 AM
Post by: daymare on March 03, 2013, 04:30:02 PM
Post by: Khao on March 03, 2013, 05:39:43 PM
Post by: c on March 03, 2013, 07:00:07 PM
Post by: jeepbraah on March 04, 2013, 09:12:14 AM
Post by: bigchrisb on March 04, 2013, 10:03:48 PM
Post by: nancylee on March 08, 2013, 07:57:49 AM
Just paid of my one credit card, had almost $500 on it!!!
In two weeks, I am paying off my other credit card. My husband is paying off his motorcycle next month, then we are going to "snowball" that money to our ATV (we use it for plowing, not for fun, we have a very long driveway, we live in very rural NY) and that will be paid by Jan 2014. Then the extra from the motorcycle and ATV we are going to put towards my car. We have a boat we owe $$ on, we are putting it for sale this spring.
My goal is to be debt free in 3 years, and mortgage free in 5 years. This, from being one who never thought about debt as prison up until a few weeks ago.
Yay!!!
Nancy from NY
Post by: teacherman on March 08, 2013, 03:04:35 PM
Post by: startingover on March 09, 2013, 01:52:43 PM
Post by: mm31 on March 11, 2013, 01:06:09 AM
Post by: aclarridge on March 11, 2013, 08:47:08 AM
Hi all,
Just paid of my one credit card, had almost $500 on it!!!
In two weeks, I am paying off my other credit card. My husband is paying off his motorcycle next month, then we are going to "snowball" that money to our ATV (we use it for plowing, not for fun, we have a very long driveway, we live in very rural NY) and that will be paid by Jan 2014. Then the extra from the motorcycle and ATV we are going to put towards my car. We have a boat we owe $$ on, we are putting it for sale this spring.
My goal is to be debt free in 3 years, and mortgage free in 5 years. This, from being one who never thought about debt as prison up until a few weeks ago.
Yay!!!
Nancy from NY
Just looking through these and this sounded most impressive! Keep it up and don't rest on your laurels :)
Awesome work everybody else as well!
Mini-celebration for me - switched my wife off her phone plan to pay-as-you-go like mine, we should be running at about $10-15/month now each.
Also, weaseled my way into getting my work to pay for my gym membership (well, really just took advantage of their wellness program) which should save me about $1000 in gym fees and some fitness equipment I'll buy this year.
Post by: wepner on March 13, 2013, 04:14:32 AM
I've still got work to do but I'm saving more of my money every month so I'm feeling good about e direction things are going.
Post by: jenstill on March 14, 2013, 05:33:56 AM
I've also begun planning to do some work over the (short) summer that should pay off next winter like adding insulation, replacing a couple of old windows, and hopefully installing a pellet stove. After reading through the DIY threads, I feel sure I can do most, if not all, of this myself and am excited to get started!
Post by: maryofdoom on March 15, 2013, 08:56:21 AM
Up next: destroying our cell phone bill.
Post by: snshijuptr on March 16, 2013, 04:47:58 PM
Next steps: Get jobs and move in with my parents while we save to put 20% down on a home.
Post by: Jon_Snow on March 18, 2013, 07:24:22 PM
Also, my wife and I have agreed that I am going to "retire" from my current job during the Spring of 2014... so I am now in a 1 year countdown to a new life and to becoming a new man. Melodramatic? Perhaps, but I am serious about making positive changes to not only myself, but my marriage, my family, and the world at large. My job has been my primary focus in my life the last 23 years, and I am ready to change this.
One. More. Year.
Post by: snshijuptr on March 19, 2013, 12:19:06 PM
Post by: startingover on March 19, 2013, 12:54:03 PM
Post by: Mama Minou on March 19, 2013, 09:10:42 PM
I've paid off 13% of my remaining mortgage since January 1.
Post by: Dancin Mustachian on March 20, 2013, 02:21:50 AM
In other news, my husband and I are ahead enough on our budget that we have the first third of April's bills in the bank. That's by date, not amount, so it's actually most of it. By the end of March we might even have all of April's bills, if not all of the budget ready to go.
YNAB + MMM= Fuck Yeah!
Post by: lifejoy on March 20, 2013, 08:55:15 PM
Post by: clarkai on March 20, 2013, 09:03:28 PM
Post by: boy_bye on March 21, 2013, 10:05:03 AM
i can't wait to be a renter again! yippee!
also, i made my niece a teepee and, at her birthday party when i gave it to her, got an order for another. that's $100 for doing some fun and easy sewing on a saturday afternoon. maybe i can start a small
Post by: kdms on March 21, 2013, 11:29:49 AM
Way to go Jon_Snow and snshijuptr! My Man and I are working on our retirement too. We will get there! As far as learning to cook new things, snshijuptr, I am baking bread and learning how to make bagels and syrian bread. We live down the street from a butcher and bought a ton of ground deer meat. (it's half the cost of hamburger) I'm learning how to cook it in a bunch of different ways. Chili is getting old, and we are tired of that. Today I'm making meatballs with sauce. Does anybody have any recipes for ground?
Lasagna? Sausage patties? Meat pie/tourtiere/meatloaf? It's the only red meat we eat here, and we've found it to be pretty versatile. Anything you use ground beef for I'm pretty sure you can also use venison (there might be exceptions)...just remember the much lower fat content and compensate accordingly, either by adding something (like pork) to increase the fat content, or cooking it for less time so it doesn't dry out. Or here's a thought...mix it with spices and a binding agent of some sort (egg, maybe?), flatten it out, and dry it into jerky for snacks? Google will be your best friend for recipes. :)
Post by: jdoolin on March 23, 2013, 02:01:23 PM
Now we're going to furiously save a 20% downpayment for a home. Should take about 8 months to save enough for what we're looking for.
Post by: Zaga on March 23, 2013, 03:02:15 PM
1. I made homemade buns while making my weekly bread, they are great!
2. Our reclining love-seat was broken on the one side, it would recline but not un-recline. We turned it over today, found the problem, and bought the $0.70 part and fixed it. Much better than getting DH a new recliner! He's now happily sitting on the couch with his doggy watching a movie.
Post by: LizzyBee on March 23, 2013, 05:21:36 PM
1. Cancel Netflix (savings $8/mo)
2. Reduce our car insurance coverage (savings of $50/mo)
3. Reduce our healthcare coverage and start an HSA (savings of $50/mo which accounts for the additional $100/mo towards the HSA)
4. Switch phone plans in August when our contract expires (savings of $75/mo)
5. Negotiate for better rates for internet (savings of $15/mo)
6. Reduce our personal spending allowances from $300 each to $200 each
That's a total of $398 a month! The biggest success was getting my husband excited about all of these changes. He's even proposed a few more like reducing the amount of coffee he drinks from his fancy espresso machine.
Post by: Jon_Snow on March 23, 2013, 05:34:33 PM
Post by: mm31 on March 25, 2013, 01:14:57 PM
Post by: AccidentalMiser on March 25, 2013, 01:27:52 PM
Post by: kdms on March 25, 2013, 01:36:42 PM
Post by: frugalman on March 26, 2013, 02:40:45 PM
Also did a little DIY this past weekend, moved a light fixture, hung a mirror, hung a wall cabinet in our cabin's master bathroom. It felt good to DIY, this is definitely not my strong suit, but just bringing the tool bag and some patience and it eventually got done. I'm proud of me!
Post by: mm31 on March 26, 2013, 10:46:22 PM
Post by: KatieSSS on March 27, 2013, 10:08:12 AM
Post by: Emerald on March 28, 2013, 12:33:13 PM
Post by: happy on March 29, 2013, 01:14:14 AM
And crossed under a 10k level on the mortgage ahead of projections! Yay!
Bank interest per month on my mortgage is now less than one of my fortnightly repayments! Yay!
Doing my little mustachian victory dance :)
Post by: marty998 on March 29, 2013, 06:02:10 AM
Post by: jpo on March 29, 2013, 07:07:47 AM
Post by: happy on March 29, 2013, 05:44:16 PM
Yeah Marty I agree it doesn't "mean" anything....just another of my arbitrarily decided subgoals I created in order to get that warm fuzzy feeling.......I do like the fact that of my regular mortgage repayments I'm paying more down than the bank is sucking back off me.
Post by: chardog on March 30, 2013, 09:21:16 PM
I decided to bike commute over 20 years ago. Over 50,000 miles and many other mustachian decisions later the MMM community helped me determine that it was time to ER.
The MMM community are kindred spirits I did not know of until recently. The site and forum have helped confirm my past, current and future choices. The future is indeed bright. Lots of wonderful experiences planned for hiking, biking, kayaking, snowboarding, etc. Plab to visit Arkansas, Oregon, Alaska and Wyoming this summer.
If any fellow members of the MMM community find yourselves in Austin, I would be happy to join you for a bike ride (on or off road)
Post by: Adventine on March 31, 2013, 01:52:16 AM
Today, my expenses/net worth spreadsheet hit a magical number. A symbolic milestone that 2009 Me hardly dared consider possible. It just seemed so far away. It seemed like I would have to make some superhuman sacrifices to get to that number.
Fast forward to 2013 Me, with a savings rate of 60% and about 10 years away from FIRE. Still not completely free from self-doubt or fear.
But I've definitely got a lot more confidence in the future and in my ability to shape my life according to my desires.
Post by: chardog on March 31, 2013, 09:44:34 AM
Tomorrow, April 1, 2013, will mark four years since I started working full time. In 2009, I didn't have a cent to my name. I didn't have a bank account. I didn't even know how to open a bank account!
Today, my expenses/net worth spreadsheet hit a magical number. A symbolic milestone that 2009 Me hardly dared consider possible. It just seemed so far away. It seemed like I would have to make some superhuman sacrifices to get to that number.
Fast forward to 2013 Me, with a savings rate of 60% and about 10 years away from FIRE. Still not completely free from self-doubt or fear.
But I've definitely got a lot more confidence in the future and in my ability to shape my life according to my desires.
So badass that you are figuring this out at an (I assume) young age.
Post by: chardog on March 31, 2013, 09:46:45 AM
Tomorrow, April 1, 2013, will mark four years since I started working full time. In 2009, I didn't have a cent to my name. I didn't have a bank account. I didn't even know how to open a bank account!
Today, my expenses/net worth spreadsheet hit a magical number. A symbolic milestone that 2009 Me hardly dared consider possible. It just seemed so far away. It seemed like I would have to make some superhuman sacrifices to get to that number.
Fast forward to 2013 Me, with a savings rate of 60% and about 10 years away from FIRE. Still not completely free from self-doubt or fear.
But I've definitely got a lot more confidence in the future and in my ability to shape my life according to my desires.
So badass that you are figuring this out at an (I assume) young age.
April No Fool day! :)
Post by: maryofdoom on March 31, 2013, 10:09:40 AM
One fully-funded Roth IRA for 2013, coming right up!
Post by: Adventine on March 31, 2013, 08:39:38 PM
Tomorrow, April 1, 2013, will mark four years since I started working full time. In 2009, I didn't have a cent to my name. I didn't have a bank account. I didn't even know how to open a bank account!
Today, my expenses/net worth spreadsheet hit a magical number. A symbolic milestone that 2009 Me hardly dared consider possible. It just seemed so far away. It seemed like I would have to make some superhuman sacrifices to get to that number.
Fast forward to 2013 Me, with a savings rate of 60% and about 10 years away from FIRE. Still not completely free from self-doubt or fear.
But I've definitely got a lot more confidence in the future and in my ability to shape my life according to my desires.
So badass that you are figuring this out at an (I assume) young age.
April No Fool day! :)
Just turned 24. Thank you :)
Post by: clutchy on March 31, 2013, 09:20:22 PM
1. Got a free toilet iphone from my mother in law; fixed it.
2. renewed our cell contract, sold iphone 5 for a handy $350 net, basically just reduces our contract cost.
3. Implemented a substantial savings plan that puts 42% of my income into savings investments automatically and ALL overtime gets booked to investments savings. Last check was 57% saved.
4. testing a new budget with the wife. This one is pretty shaky since March was the first month. It appears to be slowing spending but it's not there yet.
5. committed to fully funding my Roth every year. Wrote the check for 2012 just this last week.
6. Passed, so far, 3 out of the 4 sections for my CPA license.(should be studying instead of typing...)
Post by: WestCoastGirl on April 04, 2013, 01:25:36 AM
1. I switched jobs from a 1hr commute each way to a >7km cycle, landed my dream job & I make ~15% more while working fewer hours
2. Reduced iphone bill from $65 to $30.
3. Emptied savings to pay off my student loan in full today (I still owe my parents some money, but with no interest)
4. Switched RRSP to low cost index funds via a discount broker
5. Started handcycling to work with a rental & now trying to diy modify my bike to make commuting permanent
6. New rule for social drinking/gatherings - one beer or one appy (not both & never dinner)
7. Finally using craiglist for selling, not buying.
Post by: Jenga on April 04, 2013, 07:51:19 AM
Now I can concentrate on Saving! :D
Post by: daymare on April 04, 2013, 09:55:01 AM
1) Switched from my Verizon contract to a no-contract MVNO. Prior bill was $100/month on a 2-year contract (which work paid for), current bill will be $30/month for WAY more minutes/texts than I need, and enough data to get by. I'm really excited to have more freedom and the ability to go to an even lower/cheaper plan (ie, $12/month or pay-as-you-go) if I so desire.
2) Got in to grad school! Going to a top program to do my PhD, and have really reasonable stipend of 31K. The best part is I'm committed to continuing to max out my Roth, and I think I can totally do it!
3) Am taking a few months off before school starts to enjoy life, good weather, and write a book.
Post by: BlueBird on April 04, 2013, 04:49:55 PM
Our victory this week was paying off a credit card (0% interest) that we had to use for an emergency. I'm so excited about it that I've been doing a lot of dancing around the house and jazz hands....
Post by: KatieSSS on April 05, 2013, 11:58:18 AM
1) Learned how to make home-made hand lotion with an avocado
2) Bought hair conditioner for 30 cents!
Post by: kkbmustang on April 07, 2013, 09:34:39 AM
Post by: artistache on April 11, 2013, 05:05:00 AM
Post by: SMMcP on April 12, 2013, 04:39:58 PM
Post by: SMMcP on April 12, 2013, 04:41:52 PM
I just sold a headboard on Craigslist in less than 24 hours. I bought it 3 years ago on a wicked sale for $150. I just sold it for $150.
Zero cost of ownership for 3 years - that is great!
Post by: olivia on April 13, 2013, 09:23:43 AM
Post by: arebelspy on April 13, 2013, 09:26:55 AM
Post by: Another Reader on April 13, 2013, 10:08:17 AM
Post by: arebelspy on April 13, 2013, 10:23:25 AM
Sounds like the short sale from hell. But you got it at the 2011 price, so it was worth the wait!
Yeah, it was an ordeal. We didn't get it at the original price, unfortunately, because the bank does their own appraisals (BPOs) and counters, but we did end up with a really good deal regardless that I'm quite happy with.
Post by: Rural on April 13, 2013, 05:45:55 PM
The rep today waived that fee ($5, but still) and told me we still weren't getting the best deal, which is $44.99 instead of $59.99 for "best effort" DSL. It's still a ripoff, but it's the only high-speed internet available to us (one benefit of living in the boondocks; you're grateful when you can get something other than dial-up). She waived the new change of service fee, too.
So I saved $15 a month or $180 a year today. Furthermore, my husband's comment was, "Good, send an extra $15 a month to the mortgage." I won when I married him, too.
Post by: kendallf on April 17, 2013, 05:12:56 AM
Last night I sat myself down and gave myself a couple of face punches: I'm not debt free. I have cash set aside but it's reserved for the house renovations I'm doing. I have running, driving vehicles for every member of my family. I have two other project cars, bought before my MMM awakening, that have to be completed. We're moving in a few months and I have to find room for the previously noted non-mobile project cars..why on earth would I add another?
It all sounds so absolutely stupid to have even considered the purchase when I write these things down. Rationalization is a powerful thing though, and I can spout a range of justifications that were running through my mind. Enough. I hope that I've exercised my frugality muscle and gotten it a bit stronger.
Post by: Mazzinator on April 18, 2013, 08:20:34 PM
Made my own laudry detergent.
Cut the going out to eat budget..again..(i know, this shouldn't even exist..but dh is slowly coming around..)
Didn't buy any meat..trying fish instead..
Upped the debt repayment to 23% gross
Changed withholding allowances.
Learned more about the IBR plan for possibly changing SL to this plan.
Moved $10k of SL to 0% CC with 0 fees. Maybe moving $10k more???
I need all the celebrating i can get at this point ;-)
Post by: misstache on April 19, 2013, 11:01:15 PM
So I went home and made some real lunch instead!
Yay!
Post by: SMMcP on April 20, 2013, 04:16:47 PM
Post by: Dancin Mustachian on April 20, 2013, 08:56:24 PM
Used our tax return to get a deep freeze and buy a quarter cow from a local grass-fed rancher co-op.
Also put some toward a CSA for our veggies.
Working on dropping our weekly grocery trips down to an eventual (hopeful) total of $25 a week. This will put us under the $300 a month mark for all of our food for 3 people.
We're also working on switching our phones. I'm estimating a change from $190 a month to less than $50 a month. It's tricky, because we don't have 4g here, so we can't do freedompop. (and all VoIP)
Post by: Ms. Doodles on April 21, 2013, 12:30:49 AM
Post by: frugalman on April 21, 2013, 06:54:19 AM
P.S. our iPhones are now on Air voice, service is excellent and we have gotten used to not using cellular data. Total cost is $20 a month, thanks MMM and I. P. Daley.
Post by: chatsc on April 22, 2013, 11:47:52 AM
a lovely free morning. well, actually we are up 25 cents.
Post by: jexy103 on April 23, 2013, 01:14:15 PM
DH and I both opened and maxed out our Roth IRAs for 2012 last week!
Last night I received the PIN for my new 401(k) at work and went in to change the default allocations (which was 100% bonds).
And I also received our first "Mock Bill" last night for our new housing complex. They pay the electricity, but if you use too much, they charge you for the 'excessive' portion, and if you don't use a lot (compared to everyone else), they'll credit you a portion of the savings. Last night's Mock Bill showed that we would have received a $50.86 credit! Our 3-month grace period will be up at the end of April, so we should receive a credit in June for May's low electricity usage. At $50/mo, that's $600 a year back in our pockets!
Post by: Coolbreeze on April 23, 2013, 03:59:38 PM
Stash primarily 401 around 350k..just chillin. Considering bailing out pretty soon in favor of part time work. Works lots of overtime.lol
Post by: boy_bye on April 23, 2013, 05:32:27 PM
Post by: marty998 on April 24, 2013, 06:06:57 AM
Post by: yolfer on April 24, 2013, 03:00:49 PM
My bike and I finally (pant pant) made it up the giant hill (huff puff) to my house. It wasn't pretty, but we made it.
Awesome! I remember that feeling when I first started commuting.
Post by: FiveSigmas on April 24, 2013, 08:47:11 PM
My bike and I finally (pant pant) made it up the giant hill (huff puff) to my house. It wasn't pretty, but we made it.
Fantastic! You must feel on top of the world (maybe in more ways than one!).
Post by: dfields on April 24, 2013, 09:02:54 PM
Also this last weekend I rode a bike for the first time in 5 years. Did some errands, still working up to commuting with it.
Post by: boy_bye on April 25, 2013, 04:57:26 AM
And thanks for the encouragement, yolfer and FiveSigmas. I am feeling pretty proud and a little sore :)
Post by: frugalman on April 25, 2013, 06:43:21 AM
Post by: FriendlyLibrarian on April 27, 2013, 06:32:36 AM
According to mint.com, my husband and I now have positive net worth. Yay! We do still have debt that we're tackling; student loans are evil, evil I say! BUT, we have enough assets to cover our debt, if in some horrible situation we need to liquidate everything.
Post by: bigchrisb on April 28, 2013, 09:28:26 PM
Post by: happy on April 29, 2013, 02:43:36 AM
Post by: dbm on April 29, 2013, 06:40:08 AM
The first 5k is the hardest. Once you get past that it's onto 10k's and a half marathon!
Keep up the good work!
Post by: frugalman on April 29, 2013, 11:02:17 AM
Post by: kkbmustang on April 29, 2013, 02:21:26 PM
Post by: icefr on April 30, 2013, 04:43:39 PM
The total assets they are displaying is now over $100,000!!! :D
Somehow, this is more exciting than hitting $200,000 in net worth a few months ago because this is all in monetary assets.
Woo!!
Post by: Mazzinator on April 30, 2013, 07:49:19 PM
So, when he did this, I started his TSP and now it's maxed..what's even better??? By my best calculation, his net pay should only be reduced by about $400/month..to MAX it out..geez, we are idiots!!!
I debated, over several days, of maxing the TSP vs using that to pay down debt vs Roth ira... Either way, it's soooo much better than letting the big gov hold it for us!!!
Post by: Wyobraska on May 01, 2013, 04:30:55 PM
I just wanted to let everyone know that I opened up my first taxable Vanguard account today. I already had my Roth IRA thru Vanguard, so adding a second account was a breeze.
I'm currently maxing out my Roth, and was putting $750 a month in a no interest savings account. After finding MMM's blog and doing some reading, I decided my savings account just wasn't cutting it. So I took a chunk of the money in savings and decided to open a new account with Vangaurd. I chose to invest in the Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund -- VASGX. I started with the default $3000 investment, so I wouldn't deplete my emergency savings. Going forward, I'll still put $250 to my savings account for my emergency OH SHIT fund, but the other $500 a month will go into the investment account.
Once my car is paid off, I intend to divert all of those funds to this account as well, but at that time I'll probably add in an REIT in addition to the VASGX fund.
Nice to meet everyone!
- Wyobraska
Post by: matchewed on May 01, 2013, 05:09:11 PM
/little dance
/little love
/getting down tonight
Post by: MrSaturday on May 03, 2013, 01:09:54 PM
I'm still a long way from being ready to retire early since I'm aiming for more like a 3.2-3.5% withdrawal rate and planning for higher expenses when I've got more time for travel and hobbies, but I feel like I finally have FU money and that makes me feel a lot more free when I'm grinding away at the desk job.
Post by: FI@2022Jem on May 03, 2013, 04:27:00 PM
Post by: MrSaturday on May 03, 2013, 05:48:52 PM
Mr.Saturday- That is so exciting! Any plans to celebrate this occasion or just business as usual? (and by celebrate I obviously don't mean drop a ton of money ;)
I'm just having a beer or two. I figure the market will bounce around and I'll cross this threshold a few more times before I can really consider myself FI.
Post by: brewer12345 on May 06, 2013, 07:26:07 PM
Post by: Nords on May 06, 2013, 07:41:27 PM
All of this means that is the market takes a moderate sized dump at an inconvenient time I should still be within spitting distance of my target. If things go better than expected from here, maybe I won't have to hustle for much income when I pull the plug.Woo-hoo!
Do you feel the urge to hedge with buying more puts, or have you been doing that all along as part of the plan?
I think it'll sink in real hard on your next thrilling business trip...
Post by: brewer12345 on May 06, 2013, 07:46:28 PM
I'd like to make it through the first quarter in order to have a little more runway and max out some benefits, but if the market keeps cruising upwards the rest of the year i will very likely be celebrating the new year by quitting.
Post by: arebelspy on May 06, 2013, 07:47:13 PM
As of market close today I hit my target number (plus another 10k) to bail on the day job. This is the total net I was hoping to hit as of April 1 of next year and in the meantime DW will dump in another approximately $85k. All of this means that is the market takes a moderate sized dump at an inconvenient time I should still be within spitting distance of my target. If things go better than expected from here, maybe I won't have to hustle for much income when I pull the plug. I am still in a bit of shock and it does not quite feel real. I am hoping it sinks in and makes the next 10 or 11 months of horse pucky more tolerable.
Congrats! I've seen a little bit of your journey at E-R.org, and I'm excited for you. You made it! :D
Post by: brewer12345 on May 06, 2013, 07:49:27 PM
As of market close today I hit my target number (plus another 10k) to bail on the day job. This is the total net I was hoping to hit as of April 1 of next year and in the meantime DW will dump in another approximately $85k. All of this means that is the market takes a moderate sized dump at an inconvenient time I should still be within spitting distance of my target. If things go better than expected from here, maybe I won't have to hustle for much income when I pull the plug. I am still in a bit of shock and it does not quite feel real. I am hoping it sinks in and makes the next 10 or 11 months of horse pucky more tolerable.
Congrats! I've seen a little bit of your journey at E-R.org, and I'm excited for you. You made it! :D
I hope so. At this point, even if I am somewhat short of my target I will pull the plug unless the wheels are really coming off the economic bus.
Post by: adam on May 07, 2013, 02:02:41 PM
My wife has a job! She's still part time on call in name, but she's back to 40hrs/week, and they should be working on making her into a permanent full time employee. She will have to take a small pay cut for that, but we decided it was worth it for the security.
For the last two months we have effectively been living off of my salary alone, so seeing that, she basically agreed that we should bank all of her paychecks and continue to live a little less large. Getting her buy in has always been the difficult part, so hopefully this sticks.
And now that means we should have an additional $2500/month to go straight to debt/savings!
Oh, and its looking more and more like the furlough is never going to happen. So that's good news too.
Post by: ketchup on May 07, 2013, 06:48:55 PM
Post by: Nords on May 07, 2013, 11:26:19 PM
I am actually short a very small amount of puts on a name I like. This is a market where you can lose your shirt buying puts, so I have not. Instead, I have been selling covered calls and just outright flinging shares out the window as the individual names I own spike or hit my valuation target.All of that is great to hear, especially since it matches my own confirmation bias...
I'd like to make it through the first quarter in order to have a little more runway and max out some benefits, but if the market keeps cruising upwards the rest of the year i will very likely be celebrating the new year by quitting.
You'll be keeping the kids in squirrel pot pie and giving your spouse that secure domestic base from which she can unleash her own high-powered career. It's all good.
Post by: frugalman on May 08, 2013, 07:25:58 AM
Post by: grantmeaname on May 08, 2013, 08:16:40 AM
Hopefully the next 74 $10,000s are faster than the first!
Post by: Emerald on May 08, 2013, 08:45:11 AM
Post by: boy_bye on May 08, 2013, 08:49:20 AM
my celebration is that we are finally closing on our house sale tomorrow!!! there are not enough exclamation points in the ether for me to express how effing happy i am about this!!!!
Post by: icefr on May 08, 2013, 12:23:34 PM
As of yesterday's market close I hit admiral shares territory for my Roth IRA! That's a puny stash compared to most here, but now I've got that sweet, sweet .05% expense ratio on my partial ownership of every public US corporation!
Hopefully the next 74 $10,000s are faster than the first!
Woo! I was so happy when I bought my first Admiral shares fund last year in taxable. I think I might hit Admiral shares finally in Roth IRA with my 2013 contribution - I have it in two funds and this will only be my 4th year contributing, so it's taking longer than I'd like.
Post by: jrs on May 08, 2013, 12:43:38 PM
...I wanted to share a small celebration somewhere, so...
My wife has a job! ... And now that means we should have an additional $2500/month to go straight to debt/savings!
That's so fantastic! Congrats!
Post by: Wyobraska on May 09, 2013, 09:57:35 AM
I'm excited about the future now... as the mortgage and car loans continue to go down, and my investments continue to go up, that number will just keep growing. Next goal is a net worth of +$1000, which I am hoping to hit next month.
Post by: chatsc on May 09, 2013, 11:18:50 AM
You guys are right, it is addictive...
Post by: EK on May 09, 2013, 04:56:40 PM
Post by: KMB on May 17, 2013, 10:58:16 AM
Post by: aj_yooper on May 17, 2013, 11:28:47 AM
I used points from my credit cards for planned trips to Las Vegas and San Francisco; thank you Fidelity 2% AE.
Post by: footenote on May 17, 2013, 12:03:49 PM
Today was my last day at my (last!) turned-out-to-be-crappy corporate day job. We will continue to work on getting the house ready for sale. And I'm trolling for fun consulting oppo's to keep me busy (and my husband sane) for the next year-to-whenever-ish.
It's so worth frugality in your 20s, 30s, and 40s to be able to do whatever you want by my age (55 - or sooner if you're Ultra-Mustachian!). Every time one of you celebrates a first-time net worth of $1,000 or $10,000 or $100,000, I treasure memories of reaching those sweet milestones. Good on ya and keep going!
Post by: Rural on May 17, 2013, 07:14:36 PM
Meanwhile, my husband landed his dream job today, only five miles from our new house. That may not seem close to many of you, but consider that we're 35 miles from the nearest (very small) city. He's been angling for this job (teaching at his very small alma mater) for seven years; had to wait for one of his own high school teachers to retire, and he's been out of school for twenty-five years.
He may never agree to retire now. He definitely won't RE. We'll have to rethink some plans, but in a very happy way.
And now that that's settled, as soon as we can both get to the bank at once, we're paying off the mortgage.
Post by: boy_bye on May 17, 2013, 07:25:34 PM
Today is National Ride Your Bike to Work Day - so I did! First time and it feels pretty good. The ride is about 4.5 miles each way. I'm looking forward to the ride home!
Woo hoo! That is awesome, keep going!
Post by: sol on May 18, 2013, 02:35:08 PM
Use this thread to post your mini-accomplishments so we can celebrate with you!
Our mini-accomplishment for the day is hitting a half million in invested assets.
I've been patiently watching Mint's total value calculation skyrocket with the recent market run, and today we ticked over into semi-millionaire territory. It's a fake victory, since it doesn't include property values or debts, or college saving, or pensions, and much of it is locked up in tax shelters, but it's still a psychological landmark for us.
A landmark that I don't feel like I can share with anyone in my real life. How sad is that?
Post by: arebelspy on May 18, 2013, 02:43:05 PM
Post by: sol on May 18, 2013, 02:48:55 PM
Congrats sol! Most people never reach that mark, to hit it by your mid-30s is quite a feat! Definitely worthy of a mini-celebration.
Having two professional incomes helps.
Tonight we're celebrating in rich-as-hell-people style by dining out at Jimmy John's. And I'm getting the chips AND the drink with my sandwich. Because that's how I roll, now that I'm joining the 1%.
Post by: footenote on May 18, 2013, 03:25:30 PM
Post by: happy on May 18, 2013, 04:15:21 PM
Post by: Zaga on May 18, 2013, 05:12:19 PM
Post by: arebelspy on May 18, 2013, 06:41:04 PM
Way to go, congratulations Sol. Would that be the large or small serving of chips? (I thought Americans only ate "fries"?)
He doesn't mean that kind of chips. To you what he means is crisps.
Post by: happy on May 19, 2013, 12:32:40 AM
Post by: maryofdoom on May 19, 2013, 11:03:46 AM
I finished my MBA today, woot!
Hooray for you! That's awesome.
And for another celebration from me: I got a check in the mail on Thursday for editing work I did back in March. That's $245 I didn't have before!
Post by: Zaga on May 19, 2013, 05:20:14 PM
Thank you, it's been 3 very long years to get this done. Now to relaxing, if I remember how!I finished my MBA today, woot!
Hooray for you! That's awesome.
And for another celebration from me: I got a check in the mail on Thursday for editing work I did back in March. That's $245 I didn't have before!
Post by: footenote on May 19, 2013, 05:34:19 PM
Post by: adam on May 22, 2013, 06:36:33 AM
In the month of May I sent $3655 to this card (including this payoff). In April I sent $3290. In March I sent $1700, and etc, etc. Its taken longer than I was hoping but now we are done. On to the next card!
edit: Updated my spreadsheets and I have another milestone. My net worth just went positive. $714! lol. Wife's mortgage went slightly positive about a month ago, mine is still $30k in the hole. Still, I'll take that as a win.
edit2: 16 months to pay off all but student loans & mortgages, 28 months to pay off all but mortgages.
Post by: kkbmustang on May 22, 2013, 09:41:58 PM
Post by: Rural on May 23, 2013, 02:08:43 PM
Post by: meadow lark on May 23, 2013, 02:11:48 PM
Post by: KMMK on May 23, 2013, 02:32:45 PM
I didn't think I'd ever be able to save that much, so I'm happy I'm now able to do it easily.
Post by: yolfer on May 23, 2013, 02:49:06 PM
I loved the little notice I got when I logged into Vanguard: "Would you like to convert this account to Admiral" Why yes, I would!
Post by: thatgirljj on May 24, 2013, 08:07:58 AM
Doesn't sound like a huge accomplishment, but here's the backstory: I am a fairly weak bike rider, I am short and have had bad experience with adult size bikes, so have mostly ridden crappy children's bikes.. I live in a walkable area so I use my car for midrange trips (and work) and mostly walk for everyday errands. However, we're moving soon (renting out our old place YAY!) to an area that is not so walkable. My son will be starting kindergarten in the fall and his school is about 1 mile away and then most of my shopping/errands/community resources would be within 0.5-1mile of his school. This is a very bikeable situation, but clownlike in a car. My goal is to improve my bike skills enough by August to be able to do his school commute with him on the back of a Yuba Boda Boda (which fits riders even a couple inches shorter than me). So yesterday, after probably 2 years without riding, I pulled my crappy children's beach cruiser out of the garage and wheeled around the block. Small step, but on my way.
-jj
Post by: meadow lark on May 24, 2013, 06:55:59 PM
Post by: farmstache on May 25, 2013, 10:12:57 AM
I rode my bike yesterday.
Doesn't sound like a huge accomplishment, but here's the backstory: I am a fairly weak bike rider, I am short and have had bad experience with adult size bikes, so have mostly ridden crappy children's bikes.. I live in a walkable area so I use my car for midrange trips (and work) and mostly walk for everyday errands. However, we're moving soon (renting out our old place YAY!) to an area that is not so walkable. My son will be starting kindergarten in the fall and his school is about 1 mile away and then most of my shopping/errands/community resources would be within 0.5-1mile of his school. This is a very bikeable situation, but clownlike in a car. My goal is to improve my bike skills enough by August to be able to do his school commute with him on the back of a Yuba Boda Boda (which fits riders even a couple inches shorter than me). So yesterday, after probably 2 years without riding, I pulled my crappy children's beach cruiser out of the garage and wheeled around the block. Small step, but on my way.
-jj
Feel you on the shortness, jj! I always had a wheel 24 bike, but when I started riding to work I felt I needed a few things I couldn't fit into the frame or wheels (mostly the fenders and rack, very hard to find here for this size). DH gave me a wheel 26 (used and pretty good) with a reduced frame (admittedly, the rack isn't parallel to the ground), and we sawed the end of the seat pipe, so I could set it lower. It works fine, and all parts are easier to find than for the child-sized bike I had before.
Congrats on your achievement! Wishing you good luck!
Post by: marty998 on May 26, 2013, 04:54:21 AM
Thanks dad for showing me how to fix it without calling the NRMA.
Post by: grantmeaname on May 26, 2013, 11:46:13 AM
Post by: arebelspy on May 26, 2013, 04:52:56 PM
I just went through and did our household's budget recap for the first five months of the year. So far we've averaged $518 per person per month for food, brewing ingredients, household consumables, utilities, and rent! Like sol, we're celebrating in rich-as-hell people style: cheeseburgers, red wine, and maybe a board game!
I tip my hat to you and your roommates. Truly inspirational.
Post by: cbear on May 26, 2013, 07:50:23 PM
The $28 I spent at food Lion was also the only money we spent this entire weekend. We worked on our garden, read books, watched the new Arrested Development on Netflix, had a bonfire, did some photography, bbq'd, went on another bike ride.
We also decided that we can't afford an overseas trip this summer while paying down debt. We'll do it next year. This year, we'll have a stay-cation. I decided to make it even more exciting by calling it a practice-retirement!
Post by: kdms on May 27, 2013, 11:41:13 AM
Who knew that a $1.67 bag of Doritos (and the subsequent self-induced guilt trip for spending the money) could save over $4800 in interest? :)
Post by: Mozactly on May 28, 2013, 06:05:59 AM
Huge accomplishment for me, as I'm in bad shape, and frightened to ride on busy roads.
But we are moving soon to a town with more hills and I decided I had to get in shape for it now, in a place I'm at least familiar with.
I'm going to bike it again tomorrow morning!
Post by: vieja on May 30, 2013, 08:29:37 AM
Post by: arebelspy on May 30, 2013, 08:47:09 AM
We sold our paid for house yesterday. Next week when the check clears the bank, we'll use the proceeds from the house to pay off our business and be 100% debt free doubling out income in the process.
That's awesome! I'd love to hear more details (about the business, how you paid for the house free and clear, etc.) if you're willing to start a separate thread. :)
Post by: vieja on May 30, 2013, 10:38:42 AM
We sold our paid for house yesterday. Next week when the check clears the bank, we'll use the proceeds from the house to pay off our business and be 100% debt free doubling out income in the process.
That's awesome! I'd love to hear more details (about the business, how you paid for the house free and clear, etc.) if you're willing to start a separate thread. :)
Ok Arebelspy-I'm going to try.
Post by: kanejedward on May 30, 2013, 02:04:08 PM
So glad to have found the common sense Mustachianisms offered here. Truly motivated to go forward and try to reach the 50% savings rate. I know it will take time to get there but I already eliminated eating out (entire month of May) and just cancelled $100 p/month satellite tv service that was just rotting my brain anyway. Feels good.........:)
Post by: kkbmustang on May 30, 2013, 05:13:36 PM
Post by: Kriegsspiel on May 30, 2013, 06:43:02 PM
Post by: kkbmustang on May 30, 2013, 06:45:17 PM
Cool, it feels really good once it's gone :) If you don't have any luck, I sold mine to the Carmax in Plano for a fair price.
That's where I'm headed if I haven't gotten any traction in a week. The longer I hold onto it, the more irritated I get.
Post by: chatsc on May 30, 2013, 07:01:25 PM
can i get it to 140$? the sky is the limit...
Post by: Dr. Doom on June 03, 2013, 06:53:19 AM
Read MMM's article about Republic Wireless and it kicked me in the cajones. I wasn't treating this problem like the emergency that it is. And I was being unreasonably scared by the concept of the "contract termination fee" when in fact I just needed to get the numbers and see what works.
I called <evil service provider> and found the termination fee on 5 remaining months is $150. And it turns out, that number is absolutely nothing in comparison to the outrageous amount I've been overpaying on service every single month
So over the past weekend I
-sold my iphone for $290
-picked up a very good used droid for $140 (thanks, craigslist)
-broke my contract (cost: 150)
-am in the process of signing up with Ting on a $25/mo plan which actually reflects my real-life usage patterns on calls/texts/data.
The whole contract-termination/phone shuffle ended up being pretty close to a wash, and I'm saving $55/mo now
Awesome.
Post by: Mozactly on June 04, 2013, 06:27:48 AM
Post by: jfer_rose on June 06, 2013, 11:25:01 AM
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/jfer's-journal/ (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/jfer's-journal/)
Wow, I just crunched some numbers using data from Mint, and it looks like in the last 12 months I managed to save 54% of my take home pay. Pretty great considering I only discovered MMM in late April, as in just over a month ago. I hope I can trust the Mint numbers-- I have run into problems on Mint from time to time. Hopefully I can improve my savings rate-- maybe I will aim for 60%. Oh wait, maybe I should aim even higher-- I'm due to get a 3% raise, including backpay from April, any week now!
Post by: kkbmustang on June 06, 2013, 03:20:32 PM
Cool, it feels really good once it's gone :) If you don't have any luck, I sold mine to the Carmax in Plano for a fair price.
That's where I'm headed if I haven't gotten any traction in a week. The longer I hold onto it, the more irritated I get.
I sold my car today. I'm was in mourning until I cancelled the car insurance that went with it. I'm still a little bummed at the impending logistical issues of being a one car family, but I'm sure I'll get over it.
Post by: mostlyeels on June 07, 2013, 08:01:25 PM
- started taking lunch to work instead of buying it, saved $300/month (and discovered a love for cooking)
- stopped paying for extras I never used on my healthcare plan ($40/month saved); this was really facepunch-land for me
- cut down on the take-away coffee at work ($50-70/month ... but I'm still addicted to coffee, I just make do with the instant at work)
- switched Internet and phone providers ($20/month)
- stopped eating so many snacks at work ($40/month ... yeah really!) -- eating lots of fruit and home-made cakes instead now (so still a lot of sugar :)
Finally, last week I found I'd been buying a more expensive bus ticket. It only saved me $21/month, but somehow it feels great!
Post by: smalllife on June 10, 2013, 04:27:35 PM
One less pre-processed staple gone from my kitchen! :-)
Post by: Fletch on June 10, 2013, 04:56:36 PM
Post by: rightstuff on June 11, 2013, 09:42:41 AM
Can't begin to describe the relief at our house now that we've given our Big Bank the middle finger salute!
And now just reading deeper into Boglehead theory and J.L. Collins to maximize our Vanguard experience.
Post by: Mozactly on June 12, 2013, 08:56:28 AM
- I went one full week without driving my car. During that week I walked to a dentist appointment, a reporting assignment and other errands around town.
- I scored a free washer/dryer and refrigerator for our new house (all we had to do was pick it up).
- made a $775 payment one student loan and plan to pay another $1,300 this month (about half my take home pay).
- have been getting more comfortable on my bike, riding 10 miles one day. I haven't used it for running errands yet. But plan to start soon for the stuff that's too far to walk to.
- little things: made iced coffee out of the half pot that remained after I had my mother-in-law over. Normally would have just poured it down the drain. I made my own sherbet from fresh picked strawberries. I worked out a complicated car pool arrangement for today, when I had to run errands with my husband in the morning, rather than have him drive me home to pick up my own car.
Feeling good! Hope I can keep it up.
Post by: adesertsky on June 13, 2013, 08:20:39 PM
Next Step is to increase my tax advantaged retirement savings and build an emergency fund. Once the fund is in place, I will open my first investment account for FIRE and start making extra mortgage principal payments. WooHoo! Thank you, strangers. Your insights and expertise have really helped. Fun stuff!
Post by: Cottonwood28 on June 15, 2013, 09:37:47 PM
Post by: Mozactly on June 17, 2013, 07:15:32 AM
Yesterday I listed my gas-guzzling Jeep for sale and cancelled my gym membership. I realized the more I rode my bike, the less I needed both.
I do plan to buy a new car (cash, with more than double the gas mileage) for work commuting. But I plan to ride the bike as much as possible to cut down on that expense and help keep the car running longer.
Post by: TrulyStashin on June 17, 2013, 09:35:58 AM
Had a yard sale/ sold stuff on Craigslist netting about $400.
Used the proceeds to buy a bike.
Gave up my parking spot and started a drive/ bike to work scheme, saving $192/ mo (parking = $130/ tolls = $12/ gym = $50).
Cut my internet/ landline bill from $67/ mo to $40.30 (savings $27/ mo)
Switched from Verizon to Ting, saving about $50 a month (for now, once my son is moved over total savings should be $100).
Reduced my water heater's temperature, saving $5 mo.
Sold my 2001 Maxima (MPG 25) and bought my mom's 2007 Prius for a gas savings of $120/ mo.
Installed "coyote rollers" on fence to keep dog from climbing out, saving $100/ mo on dog sitter fees.
Reduced eating out budget by $100/ mo (leaving just enough to fund work-required lunch networking)
Cut my electric bill by $8/ mo by leaving the Green Power upcharge plan
Total monthly savings so far - $602/ mo
More coming soon as I have a car for sale and will move my son to Ting and kill the remaining gym fees that he swears he can't live without (going slowly with him). Anticipated additional future savings = $688/ mo. I am so eager to get there!
Post by: 1e7ksi on June 17, 2013, 07:43:33 PM
Post by: pachnik on June 18, 2013, 12:27:21 PM
Buying only 1 coffee at a coffee shop per week. (This had been an almost daily habit). Saving $27/month.
Buying a newspaper 3 times per week rather than 6 times per week. Saving $18./month.
Cut off caller's ID from phone. Just a bare land line now.
Talked to my husband about stopping cable after the hockey playoffs (I am in Canada).
Car insurance is due next month and I will see what I can do to make it cheaper.
Going out for a walk without my purse so I can't just pick up a "treat" at Starbucks on my way. Savings approx. $20/mt.
Put 1 of 2 designer purses that I rarely use up for sale on Craigslist and I am going to put the $ towards a bike.
Small changes but it is a start.
Post by: artistache on June 18, 2013, 05:20:24 PM
Post by: boy_bye on June 18, 2013, 05:40:05 PM
Post by: Cottonwood28 on June 21, 2013, 10:00:57 PM
*negotiated price down on internet and trash bill
*signed up for the summer saver program with gas & electric earning us $150 credit
*Husband got a promotion and 14% raise so salary is $45,000 now
*got accounts in order, rolled over old 401k's
*uped Husbands 401k to 27% from 7%
*on track to max both Roth's with money previously sitting in a sad savings account
And realized we are worth $100,000 in cash and retirement investments!
Post by: mom-n-teacher on June 21, 2013, 11:00:31 PM
Since I am really, really not mechanically inclined, I have been putting up with our downstairs toilet not working since last fall, assuming there was nothing I could do about it except spend a bunch of money having a handyman come out and fix it. My husband isn't the best DIYer, either, but he could have fixed this...if he weren't working a contract on the other side of the country. But after the last few weeks of being inspired by the MMM website, I decided that damn it, I am not going to be helpless! I bought a repair kit yesterday and today, my teenage son and I took the toilet apart and FIXED IT!!! It took the entire day, literally (the instructions might as well have been written in Klingon), for what should have been a 30-minute job, and it is dripping a tiny bit (about one drop every 5 minutes) from each bolt underneath the tank, but that's okay. I'm sure Hubby can tighten those in under a minute when he is home next. My son is afraid he will crack the porcelain if he tightens them any more, and I'm not quite strong enough to do it.
But YAY! I'm a DIYer now!!!
Post by: arebelspy on June 21, 2013, 11:13:05 PM
This is my first post!
Since I am really, really not mechanically inclined, I have been putting up with our downstairs toilet not working since last fall, assuming there was nothing I could do about it except spend a bunch of money having a handyman come out and fix it. My husband isn't the best DIYer, either, but he could have fixed this...if he weren't working a contract on the other side of the country. But after the last few weeks of being inspired by the MMM website, I decided that damn it, I am not going to be helpless! I bought a repair kit yesterday and today, my teenage son and I took the toilet apart and FIXED IT!!! It took the entire day, literally (the instructions might as well have been written in Klingon), for what should have been a 30-minute job, and it is dripping a tiny bit (about one drop every 5 minutes) from each bolt underneath the tank, but that's okay. I'm sure Hubby can tighten those in under a minute when he is home next. My son is afraid he will crack the porcelain if he tightens them any more, and I'm not quite strong enough to do it.
But YAY! I'm a DIYer now!!!
That's awesome, way to go!
Taking that first step is huge.
Post by: captainawesome on June 22, 2013, 07:21:28 AM
Post by: yolfer on June 24, 2013, 05:00:01 PM
That was a great accomplishment, but it's not why I'm posting. My real reason to celebrate here is that previously, I'd have said "Let's go out to a big, fancy dinner to celebrate my run!" but instead I went home and made myself a "celebratory smoothie" with extra banana (my favorite smoothie ingredient).
It sounds so silly to write that, but I realized it was the celebratory attitude that really mattered, not what I did to celebrate (or how much it cost). I drank the HECK out of that smoothie!
Post by: imustachemystash on June 24, 2013, 05:03:46 PM
Post by: Tempe on June 24, 2013, 07:27:04 PM
Cheaper than a pizza, filled me and her up with 2 servings, and my boyfriend filled up on the rest vs 13$ for a pizza that would not have been enough for us all, so it would have been 20$ or more to feed us.
Post by: arebelspy on June 25, 2013, 10:12:24 AM
I ran a half-marathon over the weekend. And I biked to/from the marathon. The ride home was pretty tough, so I took a bus up the final hill.
That was a great accomplishment, but it's not why I'm posting. My real reason to celebrate here is that previously, I'd have said "Let's go out to a big, fancy dinner to celebrate my run!" but instead I went home and made myself a "celebratory smoothie" with extra banana (my favorite smoothie ingredient).
It sounds so silly to write that, but I realized it was the celebratory attitude that really mattered, not what I did to celebrate (or how much it cost). I drank the HECK out of that smoothie!
Nice! The wife and I did a big hiking/camping trip this weekend, and when we got home we were so exhausted and celebratory we got some KFC. Not nearly badass enough to celebrate at home. (Plus our willpower was super fatigued at that point, not to mention our legs, so we pointed that out and said f it, let's go out anyways.)
Post by: yolfer on June 25, 2013, 03:11:06 PM
Great job Yolfer! Was it the Rock and Roll? That's pretty badass to bike to and from the marathon. I hope the smoothie was delicious.
It was the RnR! And the smoothie was AMAZING!
Post by: yolfer on June 25, 2013, 03:13:35 PM
I ran a half-marathon over the weekend. And I biked to/from the marathon. The ride home was pretty tough, so I took a bus up the final hill.
That was a great accomplishment, but it's not why I'm posting. My real reason to celebrate here is that previously, I'd have said "Let's go out to a big, fancy dinner to celebrate my run!" but instead I went home and made myself a "celebratory smoothie" with extra banana (my favorite smoothie ingredient).
It sounds so silly to write that, but I realized it was the celebratory attitude that really mattered, not what I did to celebrate (or how much it cost). I drank the HECK out of that smoothie!
Nice! The wife and I did a big hiking/camping trip this weekend, and when we got home we were so exhausted and celebratory we got some KFC. Not nearly badass enough to celebrate at home. (Plus our willpower was super fatigued at that point, not to mention our legs, so we pointed that out and said f it, let's go out anyways.)
I've read that willpower is like a muscle not only that it needs to be exercised, but also that it becomes fatigued like a muscle. So you guys were not only working out your literal body muscles while hiking, but you were also draining the reserves on your willpower muscle. That's why I exercise first thing in the morning, because I know my willpower won't be strong enough in the evening (which is usually when I counteract my exercise with rich desserts)
Post by: arebelspy on June 25, 2013, 03:40:38 PM
Post by: chatsc on June 25, 2013, 05:46:13 PM
Before I left this evening, my husb suggested that i buy a fancy coffee and a magazine while i was there, to cheer up as I have been a little under the weather this week. I couldn't even bring myself to waste money like that. I actually thought "but that money could go towards our mortgage."
Post by: smalllife on June 26, 2013, 05:32:51 AM
Post by: plainjane on June 26, 2013, 06:34:37 AM
I swear, it wasn't $10 the last time I looked at a bill, but I overpaid a year ago (missed a decimal point paying online), and hadn't been looking at that bill because there was nothing owed. Stupid a second AND third time on this issue. But I'm not going to beat myself up over it, and instead am going to be happy that I've fixed it moving forward.
Post by: happy on June 29, 2013, 04:47:51 PM
Post by: marty998 on July 03, 2013, 03:59:40 AM
I love July though, big fat juicy bank dividends!
Post by: happy on July 03, 2013, 06:34:41 AM
Post by: MandyM on July 17, 2013, 09:23:18 AM
The house was always in my plans, the biking is completely the result of reading this blog. It will definitely be the most tranformative change. Thanks MMM and the MMM community for not only convincing me of the benefits, but showing me it was possible. I read a lot of bike comments that helped me pick a good safe route, clued me in to some safety issues, and put together a list of accessories I'll need.
Post by: TrulyStashin on July 17, 2013, 09:53:40 AM
Earlier this month I moved into a smaller house that is closer to work. Today I biked to the office for the first time. Its only 3 miles, but I am officially out of shape as it was a tough ride. Getting a work out is part of the point though, so bring on the sweat!
The house was always in my plans, the biking is completely the result of reading this blog. It will definitely be the most tranformative change. Thanks MMM and the MMM community for not only convincing me of the benefits, but showing me it was possible. I read a lot of bike comments that helped me pick a good safe route, clued me in to some safety issues, and put together a list of accessories I'll need.
Hurray! You'll quickly find that the bike ride is one of the best parts of your day. I'm experiencing my city in ways that I didn't even know were possible. Today, during my bike ride over the James River, I heard the roar of the rapids and a yellow butterfly flew along beside me for a bit.
What a great way to start my day!
Post by: MandyM on July 18, 2013, 07:43:26 AM
Earlier this month I moved into a smaller house that is closer to work. Today I biked to the office for the first time. Its only 3 miles, but I am officially out of shape as it was a tough ride. Getting a work out is part of the point though, so bring on the sweat!
The house was always in my plans, the biking is completely the result of reading this blog. It will definitely be the most tranformative change. Thanks MMM and the MMM community for not only convincing me of the benefits, but showing me it was possible. I read a lot of bike comments that helped me pick a good safe route, clued me in to some safety issues, and put together a list of accessories I'll need.
Hurray! You'll quickly find that the bike ride is one of the best parts of your day. I'm experiencing my city in ways that I didn't even know were possible. Today, during my bike ride over the James River, I heard the roar of the rapids and a yellow butterfly flew along beside me for a bit.
What a great way to start my day!
Thanks TrulyStashin!
Another announcement is that I think I can move up the date that I go PT. Plus, I went and calculated how many work days I have until that day (calendar days less weekends, holidays, and all vacation days)...280 working days. That is a do-able number. I'm hoping to convince my company to let me work 3-4 days a week for a few years. I really think that reduction will vastly improve my life. It might stretch out my time to FI, but at least I'll enjoy the ride.
Post by: viverl on July 18, 2013, 08:04:01 AM
Post by: rubybeth on July 19, 2013, 07:28:05 AM
Post by: Dibbels81 on July 19, 2013, 02:09:43 PM
Post by: TKE Super Dave on July 20, 2013, 03:01:46 PM
Post by: icefr on July 20, 2013, 05:37:42 PM
Part of me wants to take some cash out of my savings account and pay down the balance to < $200,000 and then re-building my savings account... But that would be silly with how much that still is. I'll probably do that when it is < $1,000 to go though.
Post by: kgm on July 21, 2013, 05:11:46 PM
Anyway, this weekend I replaced, by myself, the rear turn signals on my motorcycle. 'Course they only needed replacing because of cosmetic damage done by a learning motorcyclist. So glad I'm over that phase. Waited to do the work til I was confident in my bike handling skills, plus the shocks have worn in over the last 4k miles, and I can almost flat foot now; much more able to 'catch' the bike now!
And, we installed a hitch and the wiring on our 2003 Honda Si. At 165K miles we figure this car has at least 40K of use life, so it was worth the investment for the hitch. Plus we just purchased a used teardrop that we will use for a major cross country trip after I retire in January. (DH retired this December. Those graph lines officially crossed last summer!!). So although we've spent money our cost of ownership on the trailer will decrease every camping trip we take. Plus having the comfort of a real bed will mean significantly less desire/need to add in periodic hotels. (At age 48 this is significant; for us camping mattresses are best left to the under 40 crowd.)
And now that we are demystifying vehicle maintenance, we'll be better able to troubleshoot for ourselves and do more routine tasks. I will say, that having two metric socket sets that were both missing the 10mm added significant time and frustration to the shadow repair. Will be replacing that tool ASAP, and probably replacing the bolts that some mechanic thoughtlessly (carelessly) stripped so I couldn't use a phillips head screw driver. But I have to say I was ridiculously gleeful at my minor accomplishment. And much more confident in general about even attempting anything mechanical. It is very satisfying to move from consumer of services to just doin' it myself.
Post by: Russ on July 22, 2013, 10:43:40 AM
Post by: matchewed on July 22, 2013, 10:56:31 AM
Post by: KulshanGirl on July 22, 2013, 11:10:30 AM
My net worth is just over $150K this morning. =D I must admit that it was thanks to Zillow that it went over, but still! I'm making pretty good progress on the investment side too. I'm a seventh-of-a-millionaire, sort of! Next milestone will be hitting $100K without counting the home equity. That one is even bigger.
Woot!
Post by: arebelspy on July 22, 2013, 11:43:04 AM
Post by: NunyaBidness on July 25, 2013, 10:12:06 AM
My formula is Save/ Total Income
Post by: TrulyStashin on July 25, 2013, 02:41:02 PM
Now the BIG NEWS! I have finally cleared the decks of my biggest financial mistake ever. A most-unMustachian decision, made one year ago and finally un-done today.
I SOLD THE BMW!!! Hurray!!! That damn thing was such an albatross around my neck and now it is gone, gone, gone. [happy dance]
With that, I'll now have another $600 / mo. (payment + insurance) back in my wallet.
By September, I'm on track to live on just 39% of my take home pay. In April, I used 70% of take home for living. 180 degree turn around, BABY!!!
Post by: NinetyFour on July 28, 2013, 08:25:07 AM
Thanks for MMM for the Clown Car post earlier this year. It really got my attention. I have walked/biked to my job for 15 years, but there were other instances when I would think I "need" to drive. Not any more!
Post by: Jon_Snow on July 28, 2013, 09:28:07 AM
I am getting close to saying goodbye to the rat race forever.
Post by: kevin78 on July 29, 2013, 05:31:08 PM
I've been searching for a place that I could afford for the last 6 months. Seemed hopeless until I spotted the place on the map. Immediately went there and filled out the rental app. A couple weeks later my wish has been granted, to be able to easily bike to work.
And I get to ditch having a roommate which I am particularly happy about. And it will still be a net cost savings.
Post by: NinetyFour on July 30, 2013, 10:53:25 AM
Post by: Silvie on July 30, 2013, 01:33:22 PM
I called my cable company and asked them to give me a better deal (TV + Internet). I now have a new package for $6 less per month than before. It only cost me 1 phone call!
The other thing is I finally discovered the Dutch equivalent of Craigslist and I bought a Wii fitness game for $17 rather than $50 on Amazon. I plan on using this for my workout at home, avoiding membership fees for my local gym.
In addition to this, I started working from home just 2 weeks ago (before I found this blog). Although commuting costs are fully covered by employers here in the Netherlands, it does save me a lot of time (3 hours per day) and money I used to spend on food, magazines and books at the train station!
Post by: NunyaBidness on July 31, 2013, 01:24:37 PM
I saved 95% of this weeks check (not including 401k) which I expect to hit next week as well.
My formula is Save/ Total Income
Saved 91% this week. Will not be able to hit these numbers for the rest of the month as I am "saving" (paying off) my cruise in October 2013
Post by: Gundy on August 01, 2013, 10:03:48 AM
I feel like this is a good time to post a mini-celebration, even if these events have happened over the course of the last 8 months.
Dec 12- Refinanced my house. Savings = 500/mo
May- Refinanced a rental condo that me and my sister co-own. Savings = 200/mo
- Convinced SO to downsize our joint storage unit and sell extra stuff on CL. Savings = 50/mo
- Convinced SO to forgo cable. Signed up for Hulu and Netflix. Savings = 80/mo
June- Convinced soon to be wife that we might as well have our actual marriage 5 months before our "real" wedding. Since I am military, this adds 400/mo to my income via BAH and she saves on doctors visits.
July- Finished paying off my unmustachian car purchase. Savings = 300/mo
I've also been working the full court press with the SO on the virtues of cooking from home and not going out. She has always understood the benefit of saving money, but the concept of retiring early or being FI is a little foreign to her. Even still, she has embraced some of these changes and has been extremely positive throughout. The other day we went out to a movie and I suggested splitting a water and she balked at the ridiculous cost. We ended up getting a large sprite, but her comment made me really proud nonetheless :)
So far this year our cashflow has improved by aproximately 1,500/mo. And that isn't even adding up all of the home cooked meals we have transitioned too. We still have a long way to go on the mustachian spectrum, but it is amazing how small changes add up quickly.
Post by: grantmeaname on August 01, 2013, 11:22:25 AM
...Wow! You've got to head over to the $500,000 savings goal thread and chip in your totals!
Post by: kendallf on August 01, 2013, 03:47:11 PM
Next big goal will be moving, getting this house ready to rent, and seeing our first rental check. That will be a big day.. probably not until winter.
Post by: Gundy on August 02, 2013, 07:59:06 AM
...Wow! You've got to head over to the $500,000 savings goal thread and chip in your totals!
Good idea!
Post by: NinetyFour on August 02, 2013, 12:15:57 PM
1) My refi will happen next week. My rate (on $240k) will go from 6.75% (youch!) to 4.375%. Sill higher than I would like, but a huge improvement.
2) I had been stashing cash, in case I needed it for closing the refi, but it turns out I don't. So I just took $6500 and stashed it in a Vanguard Roth IRA. Yay! I'm sure those 6500 green dollar bills will work a lot harder there than they had in my savings acct.
Next, I will open an account with Capitol One 360 (recommended by MMM) to stash my EF.
Woo hoo!!!
Post by: SunshineGirl on August 03, 2013, 09:28:15 AM
2) I had been stashing cash, in case I needed it for closing the refi, but it turns out I don't. So I just took $6500 and stashed it in a Vanguard Roth IRA. Yay! I'm sure those 6500 green dollar bills will work a lot harder there than they had in my savings acct.
Woo hoo!!!
Woo hoo indeed. I'm assuming you're over 50, and therefore allowed to contribute that much to your Roth?
Post by: MoneyCat on August 03, 2013, 10:03:43 AM
Post by: Freedom2016 on August 03, 2013, 10:17:29 AM
I also, for the first time, tracked down the current value of all of our investments (which I was only loosely tracking in Quicken) and was pleased to discover that they're worth almost $258,000. (About 30k more than I thought...)
Post by: Russ on August 07, 2013, 08:06:47 PM
Post by: wing117 on August 08, 2013, 05:53:05 AM
Post by: SunshineGirl on August 08, 2013, 08:58:36 AM
Much smaller than a lot of folks in this thread, but I maxed out my IRA for the year last week for the first time ever!
That's huge, wing117 - congratulations!
Post by: NinetyFour on August 08, 2013, 05:59:04 PM
Yes, SunshineGirl, I am over 50. I am 2X2X13.
Post by: The knitter on August 12, 2013, 06:52:15 AM
Feeling great right now!!!!
Post by: arebelspy on August 12, 2013, 07:03:54 AM
Just made my final payment on my Student Loan!
Feeling great right now!!!!
Well done!
Post by: pachnik on August 12, 2013, 07:10:44 AM
Just made my final payment on my Student Loan!
Feeling great right now!!!!
Congratulations many times over! It must feel great to have that monkey off your back and to have bought a little bit more freedom.
Post by: The knitter on August 13, 2013, 04:01:14 PM
It does feel good to get a little more freedom. I'm moving forward now, instead of trying to get to the starting line from behind.
Post by: Hatawa on August 13, 2013, 11:12:32 PM
Post by: martynthewolf on August 14, 2013, 05:24:21 AM
Lets just say I'm extremely happy right now.
Post by: arebelspy on August 14, 2013, 07:32:14 AM
Errrm... I just got a promotion that I completely wasn't expecting.
Lets just say I'm extremely happy right now.
Dynamite! :D
Well deserved, I'm sure.
Post by: martynthewolf on August 14, 2013, 07:45:40 AM
Errrm... I just got a promotion that I completely wasn't expecting.
Lets just say I'm extremely happy right now.
Dynamite! :D
Well deserved, I'm sure.
Cheers arebelspy It's still sinking in. Going to make staching so much easier now :)
Post by: arebelspy on August 14, 2013, 12:38:36 PM
Post by: martynthewolf on August 14, 2013, 01:01:13 PM
Have you already run the calculations on what this will do to your projected net worth, time to FIRE, etc. etc.? ;)
I hadn't run those numbers seriously, before the promotion :-| I guess I should get on and do it. I must admit I'm not sure I'm after RE but definitely FI.
Post by: SavingMon(k)ey on August 15, 2013, 09:10:08 PM
1) Stopped a cash bleeding wound of $38/mo by cancelling the pool membership. I love swimming, but for the past few months have been unable to do so because of a shoulder injury. Also, a year ago I moved much further away from the pool, so even when/if my shoulder gets better, I may have to find another place to swim (not too many around here that have lap swimming lanes)
2) (I already shared this one on another post, but I'll list it here for good measure) Canceled cable, which saves us about $70/mo. This was in the works already, before I found MMM, but it took a bit of getting used to the idea.
3) Resisted temptation of eating take out two nights ago, instead made a simple dinner at home even though I was dead tiring from packing for our move next week.
4) Hasn't quite happened yet, but we're closing on a house tomorrow! Woohoo! No more stupid rent checks going to nowhere.
I'll keep working at it.
Post by: KatieSSS on August 19, 2013, 12:59:45 PM
The celebration here is my mindset. It really DOES seem easy now to put money towards my debt. Somehow, money seems to be appearing out of nowhere like never before!
Post by: Silvie on August 19, 2013, 01:08:04 PM
After the mortgage on the studio was paid off, I still had 14k left which I transferred directly to my dad's bank account, making him a happier man and reducing my debt from 34k to 20k. Yay!
Post by: SavingMon(k)ey on August 19, 2013, 02:03:04 PM
1) Stopped another cash bleeding wound by cancelling the milk delivery. We will be saving about $190/yr. I also switched from 1% to skim which is my SO's favorite and probably better for me, so now we can buy cheaper gallons instead of half gallons of each.
2) SO has been generally on board with all the small changes, and I would say she's got pretty much the right mindset. Reading here on the forum, I feel really lucky about this.
3) I've been riding my bike for more errands and combining more trips when I find no way around using the car.
4) I have made a total of about $800 selling things I no longer need on Craigslist and Amazon this year.
Onward! I am currently monitoring my cell data use to decide on a cheaper plan that will fit my needs. And other changes.
Post by: NinetyFour on August 20, 2013, 10:16:18 AM
Post by: maryofdoom on August 21, 2013, 07:19:06 AM
Here is a link to a picture of my accomplishment: http://twitpic.com/d9fze6 (http://twitpic.com/d9fze6)
Oh, and just to make this slightly financially relevant, I won a premium prize of $
Post by: boy_bye on August 28, 2013, 03:36:50 PM
This has little to do with the stated topic of this forum, but this is the thread for celebrations, and I have one to share: my sampler won Best of Show in the county fair this week!
Here is a link to a picture of my accomplishment: http://twitpic.com/d9fze6 (http://twitpic.com/d9fze6)
Oh, and just to make this slightly financially relevant, I won a premium prize of $10. GO ME.
Mary, that is awesome! Wow, must've taken you so long to do that! It looks amazing! Congrats :)
Post by: Basenji on August 29, 2013, 06:31:03 AM
Post by: olivia on August 29, 2013, 06:53:27 AM
Post by: NinetyFour on August 30, 2013, 06:28:54 AM
I finally closed on my refinance last week! My interest rate came down from 6.75% (ouch!) to 4.375%. (I missed out on the even lower rates because of mortgage broker/lender delays, but oh well.) It is a 30 year loan, but I am hoping to pay it off in 10!
Post by: dorkus619 on August 30, 2013, 09:09:10 AM
Last week I bought a used bike for $50. I spend the week cleaning and fixing it up and TODAY I RODE MY BICYCLE TO WORK! Woohoo!
Thanks to MMM and everyone here for tips, help, and inspiration
Post by: rubybeth on September 02, 2013, 01:06:52 PM
Post by: zendenise on September 06, 2013, 10:53:41 AM
Post by: NinetyFour on September 06, 2013, 11:06:34 AM
My recent accomplishments:
1) got my internet bill down from $55 to $30 per month
2) switched to Ting (had to buy a phone (used) but still will come ahead)--and I LOVE Ting's customer service! This will probably lower my phone bill from $50 to $30 per month
3) moved an inherited IRA from a local bank (where is was earning a pitiful amount on interest) to my TIAA Brokerage account
4) opened checking and savings accounts with Capitol One (will get a $50 bonus plus way better interest rates)
5) paid for repairs (instead of replacements) of two pairs of shoes
6) have done NO CLOWN CAR DRIVING since late May!!
7) spent less than $200 on groceries last month (had only done that one other month so far this year, but am hoping to repeat it this month!)
Loving the mustachian lifestyle!
Post by: sununderwood on September 07, 2013, 10:26:40 AM
$33 a month for a 23 year old in one of most expensive states to insure? Costs me $16.50 a month cause I split it with my beau in our one car family? I'll take that! ;)
Post by: Will on September 08, 2013, 10:09:14 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on September 09, 2013, 04:46:13 AM
Post by: SavingMon(k)ey on September 09, 2013, 02:28:59 PM
Post by: anotherAlias on September 10, 2013, 09:39:28 AM
Looking at it that way, now all my savings are going towards EARLY retirement.
Post by: smalllife on September 10, 2013, 10:56:55 AM
I was futzing around with Firecalc today and realized that even if I didn't add another penny to my retirement accounts, the current balance will grow to sufficiently cover a traditional retirement at 67yo.
Looking at it that way, now all my savings are going towards EARLY retirement.
That's awesome!
I realized a little while ago that if all I did was max out my Roth IRA, my "traditional" retirement would be completely funded. It makes the light at the end of the tunnel a little brighter.
Post by: iamsoners on September 10, 2013, 01:14:28 PM
Insurance: Cobra for my insurance plus putting the kiddo on my husband's work insurance cost about $960 for the first two months of his life. I got the kid and myself an independent plan for $180/month. This was, obviously, huge--making it so that we're in the black every month just on my husband's salary, as opposed to losing money each month if we stayed with those plans. The plan will end at the end of the year when Obamacare comes in, so I'm quite anxious to see the rates--I'm expecting an increase in cost but the new plans will also cover maternity, which this doesn't, so that's helpful.
Mortgage Payment: We re-roofed and re-wired the house when we bought it last April--I contacted the insurance company and they dropped our annual premium nearly $160. We were also sent a tax re-assesment notice from the city right after we bought with a value $25k above what we paid--I submitted our closing docs and the yearly tax liability dropped by about $440. Contacted the mortgage company and they'll take all of that into account and our new payment will be about $50/mo less. Yay! (I have some temptation to plow the savings back into the mortgage but I'm learning to trust my head, which says the numbers are better elsewhere, over my emotions which say it'd be nice to have it paid off).
Up next are cell phone (hoping to drop $25/mo now and another $25 in a few months when hubs can switch) and utilities (energy audit has been done, just need to do the work! Hoping we can find at least $25/mo in savings here).
...and the baby's crying, which reminds me--biggest celebration--I have a kid now and he's wonderful and it's been a wild, wonderful journey so far!
Post by: wing117 on September 13, 2013, 06:23:23 AM
My celebration for this week:
I'm taking my first week-long vacation in over 5 years! My uncle is coming down and we will be hiking different mountains around NC, taking a winery trip and may do some fishing. I couldn't be more excited!
Oh, and I also just broke 700 miles on my bike, having started cycling in June! I'm healthier, much more fit, happier, have less stress, sleep better at night, really hate driving these days and eat better naturally (and have gone from 160 to 133 pounds).
Post by: dorkus619 on September 13, 2013, 09:19:05 AM
And your vacation sounds very fun and fulfilling (and well deserved)
Post by: MelodysMustache on September 14, 2013, 01:33:14 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on September 14, 2013, 03:08:17 PM
Post by: smalllife on September 17, 2013, 05:28:37 AM
Post by: Jwesleym on September 17, 2013, 10:29:16 PM
Post by: blake201 on September 18, 2013, 10:12:20 AM
Here are my recent wins in the past two months (just started on all this two months ago) and before this we were spending more than we earned each month, dipping into our savings and accumulating debt. This is for me and husband and a three-year-old living in Brooklyn:
- Reduced food bill from $1200 a month ($900 for groceries and $300 for eating out or buying lunch) to $625 a month ($600 groceries and $25 eating out) by cooking pretty much everything from scratch, meal planning and avoiding waste. Working on getting it down to $450 or $500 a month (we live in NYC and have to buy special food-allergy-free foods, so any lower might be pretty difficult for us).
- Cut cell phone bill from $95 a month for two flip phones to $39 a month for two refurbished smart phones (via Ting).
- Switched mostly from subway to bikeshare commuting, estimating I will save $70-$90 a month.
- Cut internet bill by $15/mo. by threatening to cancel and by purchasing a modem myself on eBay.
- Reduced family clothing budget from $200/mo. average spending to $50 or less budget. Asked all my friends with older daughters (not planning to have more) if they had any clothes that might fit my daughter... and got bags of great clothes and shoes they were about to donate (no back to school shopping!) Finally got my husband to agree to a "second-hand clothes only" rule once I showed him how nice they could be.
- Biggest win... went from negative net income of $500-$1,000 each month to a positive net income and increasing savings...
Post by: NinetyFour on September 18, 2013, 10:16:48 AM
Post by: blake201 on September 18, 2013, 09:12:31 PM
Wow, blake201, those are amazing changes in just two months! Very impressive!
Thank you! Although now I'm almost more EMBARASSED by how lavishly we were living while thinking "hey, we've cut our expenses to the bone and are still broke!"
Post by: viverl on September 19, 2013, 03:57:54 AM
I am currently on my last two days at work No.1 ( 40h/week) where I have to go by train, bus and bike every day for about 2.3h/day. My calculated Real Hourly Wage (http://mustachecalc.com/#/) was €6.77.
In October I will start my new job 5 km from my doorstep, which has 30h/week with a commute of approx. 1h of going by bike. The Real Hourly Wage will be about €15.20!
I am so giddy to finally leave this place!
Post by: slackface on September 19, 2013, 05:26:15 AM
Yesterday I received amazing news, which helps me save even more! After 15 months of working really hard at my most current job, I got a much delayed annual review which was not only glowing, but rewarded me with an unprecedented (for me!) 25 percent raise! This puts an extra $1200 into my monthly savings goals. It was hard work earning that, and it came really unexpectedly. I feel like this will make me want to save even more aggressively!
Post by: livetogive on September 19, 2013, 03:07:30 PM
We're still 15+ years away from FIRE but I'm incredibly excited to be planning on retirement in our 40s.
So, thanks!!!
Post by: RNwastash on September 19, 2013, 11:29:33 PM
Post by: ChiStache on September 20, 2013, 02:22:18 PM
Thought I would feel relieved, but I just feel stupid that it took this long and cost so much. Albert Einstein said it best: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it ... he who doesn't ... pays it.”
Post by: arebelspy on September 20, 2013, 05:12:55 PM
Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinally done paying for law school. About $200,000 in debt eliminated.
WOW! Well done. Think how fast that 'stache will grow now!
Post by: Freckles on September 21, 2013, 09:00:26 PM
The celebratory part is that we made the choice not to go because we can't afford it, instead of just charging it all as we would have done in the past. This is a direct result of finding MMM a few weeks ago. Old me would have said, "But we have to go! It's her wedding! Our whole family will be there! It will be so fun! Our kids should get to see their relatives! It will be memories of a lifetime! This is the stuff that matters!" And on and on. I actually really love and enjoy my extended family (and weddings), always have a great time with them, and do value my kids knowing their relatives. But, we didn't have an extra $2000 so we didn't go. And it sucks, but it kind of doesn't right? Yea me?
Post by: arebelspy on September 21, 2013, 09:57:08 PM
So I'm actually feeling pretty sad but maybe if you guys help me celebrate my choice, I'll feel better about it? This is small beans stuff; I'm just learning the ways of the mustachian, but here it is. Tonight my whole family from all over the country is together in Arizona for my cousin's wedding. I'm sure they're dancing up a storm and having a ball right now, as I type. My little family is not there, were just at home in Oregon having a typical Saturday night.
The celebratory part is that we made the choice not to go because we can't afford it, instead of just charging it all as we would have done in the past. This is a direct result of finding MMM a few weeks ago. Old me would have said, "But we have to go! It's her wedding! Our whole family will be there! It will be so fun! Our kids should get to see their relatives! It will be memories of a lifetime! This is the stuff that matters!" And on and on. I actually really love and enjoy my extended family (and weddings), always have a great time with them, and do value my kids knowing their relatives. But, we didn't have an extra $2000 so we didn't go. And it sucks, but it kind of doesn't right? Yeah me?
What sucks isn't that you didn't go, it's that you didn't have the money to go.
Because you couldn't afford it, you made the right choice.
Imagine how much you'll be able to enjoy things like that when you are in a financial position to have the freedom to afford things like that.
It sucks, but well done making the tough choice.
Post by: dorkus619 on September 23, 2013, 09:48:25 AM
I am currently on my last two days at work No.1 ( 40h/week) where I have to go by train, bus and bike every day for about 2.3h/day. My calculated Real Hourly Wage (http://mustachecalc.com/#/) was €6.77.Hey thanks for sharing that link, I hadn't seen that before. The geek in me loves that stuff.
And congrats on the new job!
Post by: dorkus619 on September 23, 2013, 11:25:36 AM
And I checked my tire pressure. It was all wrong, so I corrected that. I'm anxious to see the difference that makes.
Post by: zinnie on September 23, 2013, 01:50:10 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on September 23, 2013, 01:50:54 PM
Post by: zinnie on September 23, 2013, 02:47:40 PM
That's great news--and a really nice number! Congrats!Thanks :)
Post by: Mazzinator on September 27, 2013, 12:38:06 PM
Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinally done paying for law school. About $200,000 in debt eliminated.
Thought I would feel relieved, but I just feel stupid that it took this long and cost so much. Albert Einstein said it best: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it ... he who doesn't ... pays it.”
This is awesome!! Congrats! My dh went to law school and we had combined $150k in SLs. Down to about $88k...i also feel stupid stupid stupid for taking so long. Somebody facepunch me!!!
As a celebration..we gave away our Kuerig (it was a gift to us) and we got a french press (also a gift, but it was $6) those K-cups are so freakin expensive.. It's about a $30/month savings!!!
Post by: ChiStache on September 27, 2013, 02:54:14 PM
Quote
As a celebration..we gave away our Kuerig (it was a gift to us) and we got a french press (also a gift, but it was $6) those K-cups are so freakin expensive.. It's about a $30/month savings!!!
That's awesome. I love that you "celebrated," by saving MORE money.
As an update: Since paying off our loans, I've been kind of blown away by the impact that each payday has on our net worth. I'm feeling much more secure and optimistic about the whole financial picture now. Just refinanced to a 15-year mortgage at 3.25%; maxing my husband's 403(b); and about to open IRAs and a taxable account at Vanguard. *Insert Rocky theme song here* LET'S DO THIS!!!
Post by: 2527 on September 29, 2013, 10:58:37 AM
Post by: KatieSSS on September 30, 2013, 01:08:22 PM
As an update: Since paying off our loans, I've been kind of blown away by the impact that each payday has on our net worth. I'm feeling much more secure and optimistic about the whole financial picture now. Just refinanced to a 15-year mortgage at 3.25%; maxing my husband's 403(b); and about to open IRAs and a taxable account at Vanguard. *Insert Rocky theme song here* LET'S DO THIS!!!
Wow - I'm so impressed! This is exactly what I dream for, watching that net worth go up so much faster once debt is gone! Just a few more months and I should be there....
Post by: tomatoprincess on September 30, 2013, 07:25:33 PM
Post by: ajmers on September 30, 2013, 09:04:49 PM
I started my new job 2 weeks ago! This is exciting for a few reasons:
-I've gotten to bike to work a few days, and will again this week. Gas costs were down from $160 to $130 this month.
-There's free lunch at work every day, and I was never very good at bringing lunch, so that's about $25 a week worth of expenses gone. Not so Mustachian really, but it'll help the bottom line!
-Some of my coworkers go to Starbucks every day, but after the first day I didn't see the point of that! There's free coffee in the kitchen!
-Other, unrelated celebration is that I just hit the 80% mark in paying off my car and barring more unforeseen expenses I should be throwing triple payments at it for the rest of the year.
Post by: gimp on October 01, 2013, 11:42:44 AM
1.
I guess this is fairly impressive. I'm a college kid and I am doing a co-op program; five years of college which include 8 normal semesters and 18 (or in my case 20) months of work. So after two years of normal college, the last years are six months at school and six months at work.
I earn enough from six months of work to pay all of my living expenses (including rent, and some spending money) for the whole year. And tuition for six months. And for my car. In short, 100% independence from my parents. Lots of people manage to do this way earlier than I did (at age 20) but supporting that from only six months' work is not super easy.
2.
I mentioned on an online forum that I eat $30/month (by choice, so I can save the money for more important things). I listed what I buy and a sample list of recipes big enough to rarely repeat dinner for a month. I was quite detailed, though I made sure to say that this worked for me, and may not for other people. I mentioned that even double my spending - making a grocery list that would work for 99% of the population - was still way cheaper than most people live.
I got a lot of disbelief, which is fine, and some choice words. But I also got a lot of thanks, which was nice. But the reason I'm bragging about this is due to the people who took it deeper. Some people asked me for help with their budget, so I would take their zip code and look at the grocery stores in their area and point out food that was just as cheap as I pay, that they had no idea existed. And some people went a step further, by taking my list to the store and seeing if I was lying - and in the end, found that some food was more expensive, some cheaper, and the overall guideline doable. I'm bragging because some people cut their grocery bill in half, and that's awesome.
Post by: JessieImproved on October 02, 2013, 09:53:17 AM
Also, I've gotten really good at hitting the local thrift store on "half price days" for clothing (Monday=menswear, Tuesday=kids, Thursday=women). Also working on a minimalist wardrobe for myself.
Post by: jly224 on October 02, 2013, 03:29:20 PM
Post by: grantmeaname on October 02, 2013, 03:39:53 PM
Post by: maryofdoom on October 03, 2013, 07:22:36 AM
Sure, it's only one data point, and sure, it won't be really real until it stays over $100k for a few weeks in a row, but still. Seeing that the spreadsheet now shows six figures instead of five is quite satisfying.
Post by: avonlea on October 03, 2013, 08:45:00 AM
Post by: jly224 on October 03, 2013, 02:29:33 PM
Post by: Mustache Fatty on October 03, 2013, 02:37:41 PM
Post by: anotherAlias on October 04, 2013, 04:54:47 AM
It took me 10 yrs to save up 100k. Now just two years later, I'm anxiously waiting to hit the 200k mark (should be in the next couple months). I'm so glad we have this forum to share the excitement. My IRL friends wouldn't get it.
Post by: The knitter on October 04, 2013, 02:44:27 PM
Just wanted to add my little piece.
I just doubled my contribution to my Roth IRA. It's a small dollar increase (from $75 to $150 a month), but it's twice as much as I was putting in before. My goal is to increase up to the full contribution.
Post by: Jessie on October 07, 2013, 07:37:01 PM
On a bigger scale, since I have gathered at least a few months worth of savings after graduating in 2010, and been wanting to be reunited with my boyfriend (he has been in Massachusetts with a new job while I was still in Virginia, where we had been living before, with the intention of me coming to Massachusetts when I found a new job) I decided it was worth taking the risk of giving notice and leaving with no job lined up, when my boss offered for me to continue to work for them remotely while looking for a new job!! So, beginning this weekend, I will be back to living with him and our two cats : ) I guess good things happen when you have options!
Post by: NV Teacher on October 07, 2013, 09:08:12 PM
Post by: Scrooge McDuck on October 08, 2013, 01:43:06 AM
We hit $300K in networth this month!!
wow that's amazing. It must be easy now that you're getting the compounding growth off that each year.
Post by: RobertBirnie on October 08, 2013, 10:10:58 AM
Last month I passed $0 net worth for the first time since high school! Yaaaay!!!! I've wanted to share that so much you have no idea. In the real world its pretty hard to share personal finances with others so I told my wife (who said "oh hum") and I told my sister, but thats the only ones I felt like i could share it with.
My wife and I have been clawing our way back from student debt. We still owe $40k but also have $40k in retirement accounts.
Post by: ajmers on October 09, 2013, 11:16:02 PM
I'm in 3 weddings in the next year and all three brides either chose or let us choose dresses for $40 or under that are appropriate for work or other occasions. I love friends who are considerate of their wedding party's budget!!
Post by: icefr on October 12, 2013, 03:58:52 PM
Post by: ender on October 12, 2013, 04:02:48 PM
All of my Vanguard accounts added up together now total over $100,000!! (That includes my 401(k), my Roth IRA, and my taxable account.) I was so excited about the milestone that I even took a screenshot!
Nice!
My next financial goal is $100k net worth, including my cash savings/emergency fund, then $100k in strictly investments. Going to be some months yet but love to see others get there (even if you beat me there :P).
Post by: wing117 on October 13, 2013, 05:43:39 PM
A couple small victories that I'm completely excited about:
I waited a month before posting this to make sure I could keep to it: My savings rate just skyrocketed from 44% to 54%! I'm officially living on less than one paycheck.
I'll have my car paid off next month (3 years early) which will bump my savings rate up again to 62%!
On January 1st 2014 I'll be able to max out my contributions immediately.
I also now have 12 months of expenses in investments/savings.
Post by: adam on October 15, 2013, 10:55:22 AM
And on top of that, zillow has been telling me the values of our two houses have been increasing (I'd really like to believe this, but still find it hard). So our net worth has gone up to almost $60k.
AND we got our renter to sign up for another year and raised the rent from $1200 to $1300 without complaint (we kinda cut her a deal that first year).
Post by: Mr.Macinstache on October 15, 2013, 11:11:49 AM
Post by: Mitch76 on October 15, 2013, 02:38:48 PM
1). After talking about following a budget for years, we've finally started one, via YNAB. It's gonna be fascinating seeing where our cash goes each month, and ultimately deciding where it goes. Gonna use the envelope system.
2). Cancelled my PS4 preorder with a couple of games, saving myself £450.
3). Cancelled a kettlebell and Olympic lifting 2 day workshop in London next month, which with hotels, travelling and food probably would have cost ~£1000.
4). Started cooking all food from scratch, planning meals in advance, thus avoiding 'having to eat out' due to no food in the house.
5). Started cycling to work on the days I don't have to drop my toddler off at childcare, 2 to 3 days a week. I only live 2.5 miles from work, so no excuse really.
6). Have been extra vigilant in turning off lights, tv's etc. around the house when not in use. Have also changed energy provider to a cheaper provider.
7). Changed bank account, (first time since college, 15 years ago) to Santander 123, which gives cashback for all utility bills, plus got the Santander credit card, which gives cashback for diesel.
8). Have sold over £800 of unwanted stuff on eBay (old phones, iPods, ps3 games, watches).
I feel these are all positive first steps to financial independence. Can't wait to get there.
Post by: ozzage on October 15, 2013, 03:12:11 PM
The Santander 123 account (and c/c) are great. And 3% on up to 20%!! I find with YNAB (YNAB + MMM an absolute winning combination!) that I end up with a lot of money in my current account so it's the perfect home for it.
Post by: imbros on October 15, 2013, 03:50:53 PM
- Sold my old flip phone for a good price (but got a new smart one with an inexpensive prepaid plan. This might be my only luxury)
I expect to hit 6 digits in Income generating assets by the end of this year.
Post by: ScienceRules on October 15, 2013, 06:48:17 PM
Post by: maryofdoom on October 16, 2013, 06:38:07 PM
I passed my PhD qualifying exam! Which is exciting itself, but I also get a $50 a month raise because of it. Yay!
Hooray! As the child of two people with advanced degrees, and the sister of three others who are at various stages on their journey, this really is an excellent accomplishment. Good for you!
This is seriously my favorite thread in these forums. Yay for everyone!
Post by: anotherAlias on October 17, 2013, 06:43:31 AM
So let's see...$200K at a 4% SWR is $8000/yr income in retirement. Which is about 30% of my annual expenses. Just 70% more to go!
Post by: arebelspy on October 17, 2013, 07:30:47 AM
I'm so excited I'm about to burst because I have no one IRL to tell. Today I hit the $200K (in liquid assets) mark for the first time. That's about 2months earlier than my spreadsheet projected and less than 2 years after hitting the 100k mark :)
So let's see...$200K at a 4% SWR is $8000/yr income in retirement. Which is about 30% of my annual expenses. Just 70% more to go!
Nice! About 6 years or so to FI then? :D
Post by: anotherAlias on October 17, 2013, 09:21:08 AM
Probably a closer to 8yrs. I'm currently renting but expect to buy a house before FIRE. So that will cut into the liquid assets a bit.I'm so excited I'm about to burst because I have no one IRL to tell. Today I hit the $200K (in liquid assets) mark for the first time. That's about 2months earlier than my spreadsheet projected and less than 2 years after hitting the 100k mark :)
So let's see...$200K at a 4% SWR is $8000/yr income in retirement. Which is about 30% of my annual expenses. Just 70% more to go!
Nice! About 6 years or so to FI then? :D
Post by: arebelspy on October 17, 2013, 09:41:49 AM
Probably a closer to 8yrs. I'm currently renting but expect to buy a house before FIRE. So that will cut into the liquid assets a bit.
You just aren't optimistic enough yet. I bet my guess is closer than yours. You can do it :D
Post by: smalllife on October 17, 2013, 01:38:23 PM
Post by: brighteye on October 18, 2013, 02:27:25 AM
I hated the debt, although I was fortunate: the loan was interest free so I did a repayment once a year for the last 5 years and the amount was the same every time.
Now my savings rate will jump even higher to about 60%.
Post by: dorkus619 on October 18, 2013, 11:06:30 AM
#2. I opened my first Vanguard account. I was limited with allocation choices bc of minimum investments being 3k for most and 1k for few. BUT soon I will be up to 3k and have more flexibility in my allocations.
Post by: grantmeaname on October 23, 2013, 02:08:16 PM
Post by: arebelspy on October 23, 2013, 06:23:50 PM
I just got a job offer in London! That'll be a hit to the savings rate, but what a terrific opportunity!
Congrats! Is that for after graduation?
Post by: avonlea on October 23, 2013, 06:27:15 PM
I just got a job offer in London! That'll be a hit to the savings rate, but what a terrific opportunity!
Yeah, no kidding! Congratulations, grantmeaname! Have you decided to accept?
Post by: grantmeaname on October 23, 2013, 07:25:25 PM
Congrats! Is that for after graduation?It's for this summer, but in public accounting interns don't really know enough to be very productive and so they only offer internships to people they're serious about hiring. So if everything goes well it comes with a job offer at the end!
Yeah, no kidding! Congratulations, grantmeaname! Have you decided to accept?It took me three tenths of a second to make up my mind! A little less room to save in the budget when my cost of living doubles, maybe, but in the long term it's well worth it. And what fun!
Post by: pachnik on October 23, 2013, 07:38:42 PM
Post by: arebelspy on October 23, 2013, 09:43:52 PM
It took me three tenths of a second to make up my mind! A little less room to save in the budget when my cost of living doubles, maybe, but in the long term it's well worth it. And what fun!
Sure, but your savings rate will become ridiculous once you graduate and start making gobs of money, so a lower savings rate for a few months due to an opportunity like that is no big deal at all.
Post by: ichangedmyname on October 23, 2013, 11:05:39 PM
Post by: arebelspy on October 23, 2013, 11:35:47 PM
I just wanted to do a celebration dance because my networth is over $10k and I only started saving when I got a job in January this year :D
Well done. It'll snowball before you know it. :)
Post by: Silvie on October 24, 2013, 02:16:37 AM
I just got a job offer in London! That'll be a hit to the savings rate, but what a terrific opportunity!
Sweet! I got a job offer in Barcelona. It's a temporary job for 6 months. I will probably be able to do some freelance translation work (my current job) on the side, so this should be good for my savings rate :)
Post by: avonlea on October 24, 2013, 06:25:38 AM
It took me three tenths of a second to make up my mind!
3/10 of a second longer than it would have taken me. ;)
That's so awesome!...A little less room to save in the budget when my cost of living doubles, maybe, but in the long term it's well worth it. And what fun!
Sure, but your savings rate will become ridiculous once you graduate and start making gobs of money, so a lower savings rate for a few months due to an opportunity like that is no big deal at all.
+1
Have a blast in London, grantmeaname!
Post by: dragoncar on October 25, 2013, 03:27:06 PM
Post by: avonlea on October 25, 2013, 03:39:19 PM
Hit $500k today. Semi-millionaire woot woot
Wow, dragoncar! Congrats!
Post by: Russ on October 26, 2013, 04:17:35 PM
Post by: pachnik on October 27, 2013, 04:35:28 PM
Used them maybe half a dozen times in the last 10 years?
Post by: kkbmustang on October 27, 2013, 09:53:36 PM
I just got a job offer in London! That'll be a hit to the savings rate, but what a terrific opportunity!
Congrats x 1,000,000! Totally amazing opportunity! If you PM me with what firm/company, I'll put you in touch with my contacts there. So excited for you!
Post by: KatieSSS on October 29, 2013, 12:44:43 PM
Post by: Another Reader on October 29, 2013, 12:59:14 PM
Post by: KatieSSS on October 29, 2013, 02:09:29 PM
Congrats Katie SSS! Those student loans are G-O-N-E!!!
Exactly! This is the best part. The backpay I get for October should equal a serious payment towards those loans!
Post by: decibelle on October 31, 2013, 08:45:12 PM
Post by: avonlea on November 01, 2013, 02:15:32 PM
Great job, everyone! I'd like to share that Watchmaker and I are two months into living the Mustachian lifestyle. We have increased payments on our mortgage, car, and student loans. In addition, we have cut down our food (restaurant + groceries) from $1400 down to $700 in September and October. We still need a lot of work but this feels good.
Those are some big changes. Way to go, decibelle and Watchmaker!
Post by: onFIRE on November 02, 2013, 11:15:40 PM
Post by: ichangedmyname on November 03, 2013, 12:06:19 PM
Post by: ajmers on November 05, 2013, 11:27:19 AM
Post by: decibelle on November 05, 2013, 01:02:12 PM
I feel like this!
Love this! :)
Post by: kkbmustang on November 05, 2013, 09:33:48 PM
Post by: rocksinmyhead on November 07, 2013, 09:58:05 AM
So I'm super excited about this! I would start a real thread for it but since it actually happened last month I think I found these forums too late!
Last month I passed $0 net worth for the first time since high school! Yaaaay!!!! I've wanted to share that so much you have no idea. In the real world its pretty hard to share personal finances with others so I told my wife (who said "oh hum") and I told my sister, but thats the only ones I felt like i could share it with.
My wife and I have been clawing our way back from student debt. We still owe $40k but also have $40k in retirement accounts.
I am so excited for this to happen to me!!! I am less than $5,000 away now. The bulk of my negatives/positives are also student loan debt and a 401k.
My minor mustachian excitement for the week is that yesterday I bought a plane ticket for my boyfriend to fly up to see my family for Thanksgiving (I'll be driving up a few days earlier since I get more vacation days and that way we can bring our dog)... for $2.50. Woohoo rewards credit cards!!
Also, a few weeks ago we got a sweet bonus at work and I paid off my second student loan. Still have 5 (!) to go but I rolled what I was overpaying on the paid off loan into the next highest interest one, which means I'm now paying over $1,000 a month on that one and it will be gone by next December (but actually earlier, because I'll most likely get a bonus in February too and throw that at it). Getting closer...
Post by: Bruinguy on November 07, 2013, 11:21:27 PM
Thanks to the site for helping me wake up and realize my $320/mo. gas bill was not required spending!
Post by: bpobst on November 09, 2013, 08:31:23 AM
December 2012:
Car loan ~$15,000 (~6%)
Student Loan 1 ~$20,000 (0%, something to do with my father in law being in the Air Force)
Student Loan 2 ~$15,000 (~6%)
Roth IRA - $0
My 401(k) - ~$5,500
Cash - ~$3,000
What we did:
1. I reqeusted and received a transfer to a location where my wife could get a job in March. She had been working twenty hours a week at Petsmart...Now she has a full time Architecture job
2. Used windfall from 2011 taxes to create an emergency fund.
3. We were paying down my car as much as possible.
4. At some point around August we realized we did not need it and sold it. That is that large NW increase.
5. Held on to the extra cash and saved more until October and opened up two Roth IRAs for $6,000 or $3,000 for both of us.
6. Set up auto deposits for $300 a month for both of us into the Roth IRA going forward.
7. Are now putting a minimum of $1,500 towards the student loan #2. Plus any extra, which there should be.
November 2013:
Car loan is GONE
Student Loan 1 is at $18,100
Student Loan 2 is at $13,385
Roth IRA - $6,000
My 401(k) - $11,500
Emergency Fund - $3,000
Cash - $5,000 (temporarily high, I like to keep it around $3,000 so before the end of the month I will be putting the extra towards loans)
Your Net Worth
DATES ASSETS DEBTS NET
December 2012 $8,658.71 -$49,652.35 -$40,993.64
January 2013 $9,412.62 -$47,886.17 -$38,473.55
February 2013 $9,714.07 -$49,822.31 -$40,108.24
March 2013 $11,045.20 -$48,605.19 -$37,559.99
April 2013 $14,748.66 -$47,485.29 -$32,736.63
May 2013 $15,444.46 -$46,775.57 -$31,331.11
June 2013 $16,733.84 -$48,274.20 -$31,540.36
July 2013 $15,228.44 -$44,758.15 -$29,529.71
August 2013 $16,409.72 -$42,430.02 -$26,020.30
September 2013 $21,942.55 -$33,316.56 -$11,374.01
October 2013 $24,449.88 -$32,853.07 -$8,403.19
November 2013 $25,276.35 -$32,075.62 -$6,799.27
So this celebration is more just us having a great past twelve months. I should be back in January (or February depending on how much we end up spending on Christmas travel) to celebrate $0 net worth!
Post by: NinetyFour on November 09, 2013, 08:36:32 AM
Post by: avonlea on November 10, 2013, 02:42:00 PM
Post by: grantmeaname on November 10, 2013, 02:48:01 PM
Post by: avonlea on November 10, 2013, 03:12:09 PM
Alright! Are you going to trim a little bit and hit 50% for bragging rights?
Yeah! I think that's a great goal for 2014. With college accounts included, total savings of 60%?! I'm hyped!
Post by: NinetyFour on November 10, 2013, 05:48:53 PM
The bike ride to the rink is only 1.5 miles (one way), but I found that it's a good way to get the legs moving and the body warmed up before a hockey game. Also, I loved the feeling of badassness and self-sufficiency when hauling the gear by pedaling.
The weekend, I was in a tournament, which meant two trips to the rink on Saturday, and another this morning. (Then after all the hockey, I dumped the hockey gear at home, took a much needed shower, and headed to work--on my bike, of course!)
One of the best parts was biking past my parked car about 10 times this weekend!!
Oh, I did the math (using 50 cents per mile), and it looks like it will take around 260 trips to the rink before the BOB trailer has paid for itself!! Yikes. But I will make that many trips during this season and next season. Plus, I hope to use the trailer in other ways as well.
Post by: JessieImproved on November 10, 2013, 07:39:19 PM
Post by: Strawberrykiwi75 on November 12, 2013, 01:13:06 AM
Getting my job at the bank and graduating my training program with a 99% final grade
Saving 60% of my take home pay
Renegotiated a new salary today, with an increase of 2.5% I've elected for it all to go to one of my superannuation schemes
Post by: happy on November 12, 2013, 04:24:48 AM
Mine is purchasing a second hand Prius ( due to the demolition of my SUV) is saving me at least $250 a month on petrol compared to the old gas guzzler.
Post by: wing117 on November 12, 2013, 06:44:17 AM
Paid off the car 3 years ahead of schedule today, saving me ~$2,000 in interest!
Removed car payment, reduced insurance and S.O. was able to pick up her portion of the rent again after securing a steady job - $600/mo additional savings combined!
Had the lowest electric bill, and lowest kWh/day usage ever this billing period! (18.75 kWh/day)
I'm now at 68% savings rate!
2014 is Tax Optimization Year for me. :)
Post by: KatieSSS on November 14, 2013, 02:08:45 PM
You all know what that means - I'm throwing it all at my debt and will be DEBT FREE even sooner! Hooray! Right now I'm at about $2,700. Shave off $1,000 and I'll be at $1,700. Factor in my automatic payment of $275 later this month and I'm down to about $1,450. That will be a breeze to pay off before the new year!
Post by: NinetyFour on November 14, 2013, 05:18:40 PM
Post by: kkbmustang on November 14, 2013, 06:54:32 PM
Congratulations, three excellent things to celebrate.
Mine is purchasing a second hand Prius ( due to the demolition of my SUV) is saving me at least $250 a month on petrol compared to the old gas guzzler.
I hope you love your Prius as much as I love mine!
Post by: kkbmustang on November 14, 2013, 06:55:58 PM
Totally wasn't expecting this - but I got a bonus of $1,100! It will be a little less after taxes, but still! I didn't think I'd be included in the bonuses since I got the position reclassification that came with a pay raise.
You all know what that means - I'm throwing it all at my debt and will be DEBT FREE even sooner! Hooray! Right now I'm at about $2,700. Shave off $1,000 and I'll be at $1,700. Factor in my automatic payment of $275 later this month and I'm down to about $1,450. That will be a breeze to pay off before the new year!
Woo hoo!
Post by: dorkus619 on November 15, 2013, 08:17:47 AM
I recently bought a BOB bike trailer, with the goal of schlepping my hockey gear to and from the ice rink via bicycle....
This was exactly the motivation I need. My trip to the roller rink is 1.5 miles also! My BF and I have been trying to build a luggage rack to carry my roller derby gear on my bike. I still think I will go with a rack, unless I find a cheap used trailer. BUT it's not a safe area + my practices are at night, so I feel safer driving for now until it stays light later. Then I will cycle to derby practices as much as possible!
MY recent celebrations are:
I PAID MY FINAL VERIZON BILL. Early Termination fees were costly, but the ROI worked out to switch, using IP Daley's calc (http://"http://www.techmeshugana.com/tools/wirelessroi.html"). First 2.5 months of Ting are basically free because of referrral/Termination Fee Help. YAY.
Also I just got back from a cushy business trip to Palm Springs CA where I had lots of fun, good food, met new people, talked about color trends!, and realized that whole city is totally unmustachian, and ridiculously unsustainable.
Post by: NinetyFour on November 15, 2013, 09:42:52 AM
Post by: dorkus619 on November 15, 2013, 10:12:45 AM
One danger is that many of the hockey players drink beers in the parking lot after the game and then, of course, hop in their cars and trucks to drive home. I'm hoping that the inebriated ones live in the other direction from where I am headed!Does your trailer hold people? haha Maybe you could tow them home.
But seriously, that's terrible that they drink and drive. eeps
Post by: NinetyFour on November 15, 2013, 11:18:13 AM
Post by: cheeselover91 on November 20, 2013, 10:52:55 AM
Going home I'll just take the bike trail the first mile with only 1 fallen tree. Then backroads. I'm sure this will make things a lot easier.
I was a little concerned about getting cold and had about 3 layers everywhere, but with the combined strength/cardio of the bike trail I got too hot and took off one pair of gloves and my under-helmet stocking cap. My feet did get a little cold, but not unbearably so. Might stick some toe warmers down there when the temperature drops.
Post by: jrhampt on November 21, 2013, 08:48:09 AM
Post by: NinetyFour on November 21, 2013, 09:07:01 AM
My income should also increase during the next couple of years, and I hope I will have the discipline to put all of the extra money towards debt, and not inflate my lifestyle!
Post by: earlybird on November 25, 2013, 06:12:49 PM
Post by: arebelspy on November 25, 2013, 07:02:39 PM
Today I turned in my resignation at work. My last day is 4 weeks from today, 12/23. I am retiring at age 49 after working since I was age 14. It was quite funny to see the expressions on my coworkers' faces. Some were in total disbelief that I was retiring and not just quitting to find a new job. Others were happy for me but still didn't quite understand. Me, I am just quietly ecstatic! Yay Me!!!
Hell yeah! Way to go!
Post by: happy on November 25, 2013, 11:04:13 PM
Post by: earlybird on November 26, 2013, 05:36:48 PM
Post by: footenote on November 26, 2013, 05:47:50 PM
Today I turned in my resignation at work. My last day is 4 weeks from today, 12/23. I am retiring at age 49 after working since I was age 14. It was quite funny to see the expressions on my coworkers' faces. Some were in total disbelief that I was retiring and not just quitting to find a new job. Others were happy for me but still didn't quite understand. Me, I am just quietly ecstatic! Yay Me!!!Early Bird gets the Early Retirement ... Goodies! You are badass - congratulations and keep us posted. : ))
Post by: Strawberrykiwi75 on November 27, 2013, 11:57:48 PM
Today I turned in my resignation at work. My last day is 4 weeks from today, 12/23. I am retiring at age 49 after working since I was age 14. It was quite funny to see the expressions on my coworkers' faces. Some were in total disbelief that I was retiring and not just quitting to find a new job. Others were happy for me but still didn't quite understand. Me, I am just quietly ecstatic! Yay Me!!!
AMAZING!! Congratulations, that fantastic!
Post by: zinethstache on November 28, 2013, 11:33:44 PM
Post by: JessieImproved on December 02, 2013, 11:52:09 AM
Post by: ajmers on December 03, 2013, 08:55:25 AM
Post by: RobertBirnie on December 06, 2013, 12:12:59 PM
Post by: Emerald on December 06, 2013, 01:00:33 PM
Post by: bjmoore on December 08, 2013, 01:06:19 PM
Two months ago my wife and I finished off our last car and credit card payments and went completely debt-free! We have been on a 12-month plan to eliminate debt, and finished in 8 months. We own our home, so we are now saving big bucks for early retirement.
This month, I kept on the full-court pressure by making some painful cuts that acknowledge the wastefulness of our former selves:
- Switched from Verizon to Page Plus for a savings of over $100 per month
- Cut our cable for a savings of over $100 per month
- Cut out unnecessary services like dog daycare and home cleaning service for savings of over $275 a month
- Got rid of our storage unit for a savings of $90 per month
We also challenged ourselves (former couple-time-per-week restaurant eaters) to cook at home every day this week and met our goal.
Next month will begin the month-long bike to work challenge (why did I decide to start that in January!!)
With these simple changes, I hope to be saving about 50% of my current take-home salary!
Wish us luck!
Post by: CU Tiger on December 09, 2013, 01:33:34 PM
I realize that a lot of that is because the markets have done well this year, and all those shares I bought at lower prices are worth more...but seeing that number is still nice.
We also save a LOT out of my husband's salary, when you add it all up I think we save 40%. Once February rolls around and we have the house paid off, we are going for >50% savings.
Post by: KatieSSS on December 13, 2013, 09:16:46 AM
Happy dance!
Post by: arebelspy on December 13, 2013, 09:26:52 AM
I am debt free as of this morning :) Worth a post in the celebrations thread!
Happy dance!
Huzzah!
Post by: grantmeaname on December 13, 2013, 09:28:52 AM
Post by: KatieSSS on December 13, 2013, 10:02:10 AM
Alright! What's next?
Getting my e-fund up to 6 months of expenses, then up my retirement contributions. After that, not entirely sure! I'm going to start looking into home ownership. Pros/cons, etc. And evaluate if that is what I really want.
Post by: maryofdoom on December 16, 2013, 08:56:58 AM
So my job got reclassified from being exempt (and work-from-home-able) to non-exempt (and an hour commute away, each way). As this situation is mostly intolerable, I started applying for new jobs, with proximity to home and interesting work being the main criteria - and I just found out, I got an awesome new job, doing awesome new things, at an awesome place that's ten minutes away from my house! I will go from a 20-mile, hour-long commute, with parking to pay for at the end as an extra kick in the pants, to a ten-minute, single-traffic-light, completely bikeable commute!
I'll be talking with my new boss later today to figure out details like salary, and benefits, and all of that, but I am quite honestly most stoked about working only ten minutes away. HOORAY!!!
Post by: arebelspy on December 16, 2013, 10:47:30 AM
OMG YOU GUYS.
So my job got reclassified from being exempt (and work-from-home-able) to non-exempt (and an hour commute away, each way). As this situation is mostly intolerable, I started applying for new jobs, with proximity to home and interesting work being the main criteria - and I just found out, I got an awesome new job, doing awesome new things, at an awesome place that's ten minutes away from my house! I will go from a 20-mile, hour-long commute, with parking to pay for at the end as an extra kick in the pants, to a ten-minute, single-traffic-light, completely bikeable commute!
I'll be talking with my new boss later today to figure out details like salary, and benefits, and all of that, but I am quite honestly most stoked about working only ten minutes away. HOORAY!!!
Nice!
That's awesome, way to go!
Post by: Rural on December 17, 2013, 03:42:32 AM
OMG YOU GUYS.
So my job got reclassified from being exempt (and work-from-home-able) to non-exempt (and an hour commute away, each way). As this situation is mostly intolerable, I started applying for new jobs, with proximity to home and interesting work being the main criteria - and I just found out, I got an awesome new job, doing awesome new things, at an awesome place that's ten minutes away from my house! I will go from a 20-mile, hour-long commute, with parking to pay for at the end as an extra kick in the pants, to a ten-minute, single-traffic-light, completely bikeable commute!
I'll be talking with my new boss later today to figure out details like salary, and benefits, and all of that, but I am quite honestly most stoked about working only ten minutes away. HOORAY!!!
Congratulations!
Post by: toodleoo on December 18, 2013, 07:09:44 PM
Post by: anotherAlias on December 20, 2013, 04:09:25 AM
Post by: JessieImproved on December 20, 2013, 04:52:45 AM
After several years of cost of living raises, I was pleasantly surprised to get a 6% raise for next year.
Congrats on the raise! DH just got a 7% raise (and a promotion)!
But my BIG accomplishment this month is over 6k in savings! I maxed out my IRA and about 60% of DH's IRA! I project we'll max out his IRA in January, and after that it's tackling our second mortgage@9% until the tax year rolls around (and we can contribute to IRAs again).
Post by: grantmeaname on December 20, 2013, 05:09:14 AM
Post by: JessieImproved on December 20, 2013, 05:15:39 AM
You can contribute to 2013 or 2014 IRAs for the first four months of 2014.
Well I just learned something today. Luckily Vanguard tells you how much you have left to contribute, so I probably would have been pleasantly surprised when I went in there in January.
Post by: fecklesslayabout on December 20, 2013, 06:34:25 AM
Post by: Russ on December 20, 2013, 06:08:27 PM
Post by: Mitch76 on December 21, 2013, 06:10:10 AM
Post by: arebelspy on December 21, 2013, 06:48:02 AM
I had a goal of saving up a £50k stash by the end of this this year, and I've just made it! It's taken us 21 months (since paying off our mortgage, which was our previous big goal). My next target is hitting £100k by my 40th birthday, which is 27 months away - not as easy as it appears as I've recently had to take a 25% pay cut, plus we've got a second baby on the way, but I'm starting to flex my newly acquired frugality muscles so we should do well :)
Well done. :D
I'd bet you'll make your next one too. You can do it if it's important to you, and clearly this goal was.
Post by: ajmers on December 22, 2013, 10:12:55 AM
Post by: dorkus619 on December 23, 2013, 11:16:04 AM
In November I put an extra $300 towards the Principal. In December I put $615! I'm hoping to keep up with $600-700/month extra (on top of the $931 payment). Which is A LOT for my paycheck.
Post by: captainawesome on January 03, 2014, 05:56:58 AM
Post by: SunshineGirl on January 03, 2014, 08:59:58 AM
Post by: arebelspy on January 03, 2014, 10:58:43 AM
Post by: bateloomer on January 03, 2014, 11:53:11 AM
\Congratulations, three excellent things to celebrate.
Mine is purchasing a second hand Prius ( due to the demolition of my SUV) is saving me at least $250 a month on petrol compared to the old gas guzzler.
I hope you love your Prius as much as I love mine!
That's how much I save in gas now too. I spent $1500 on gas to drive 20k last year.
Yes - buy a Hybrid used!
Post by: MMMdude on January 05, 2014, 02:34:24 PM
Post by: arebelspy on January 05, 2014, 03:12:57 PM
So in updating my year end net worth calcs, I realize that with the value of my paid off home I am now a millionaire. Doesn't really do much for me - perhaps makes me abit depressed as I am only half way there. I don't think I will consider ER until I have $2mil net worth which would be about $400k in home and rest in investments. I think many on here are unrealistic about what they may need...especially when it is a virtual lock that we will go through another 2008 meltdown at some point. For those planning on retiring with 600, 700k etc, how can you possibly survive losing 40% of such a portfolio?
That's a discussion for another thread.
Congrats on joining the 7-figure club! :)
Post by: Able was I ERE on January 06, 2014, 04:38:29 AM
Post by: limeandpepper on January 06, 2014, 07:23:45 AM
Post by: jjquantz on January 14, 2014, 12:10:48 PM
Requested a pay cut / hours reduction at my day job (to 80%/4 days a week), but still plan to have a savings rate of >50%.
Similar situation here. Thanks to having sufficient resources at hand, I have asked to reduce my status in the office to 60%/3 days a week over the next 3 months. Even better, my wife was the one who urged this after I updated her on our financial status.
Post by: rocksinmyhead on January 15, 2014, 09:15:25 AM
Post by: NinetyFour on January 15, 2014, 09:18:15 AM
Post by: gazzamatic on January 15, 2014, 01:51:24 PM
Way to go oscarsmom, that's a very significant milestone!
Post by: sol on January 16, 2014, 06:07:19 PM
I've officially gone two weeks without starting the car. Been going bike only to work! Now the only issue is that my car seems to have a slow drain on the battery, its now dead and I need to find time to jump it with the wife's car. :D
I know I'm over a month late on this comment, but I think having your car battery die from lack of use is a significant milestone. When that first happened to my car, it was like a little light bulb went off over my head. You mean I could turn that useless hunk of metal into thousands of dollars, and not have to worry about driving it periodically just to keep the tires from getting lopsided?
Sold it the next month, pocketed the money and never looked back. I lived carless for about a year until I got married and I've never felt so free.
If you drive less than once a week and live in a major city, you can almost assuredly save money on transport by getting a zipcar membership and paying for occasional bus rides or even taxis. Ditch that boat anchor.
Post by: fat bruce lee on January 16, 2014, 07:33:59 PM
Post by: FunkyStickman on January 16, 2014, 07:49:58 PM
Even if she doesn't want it, I can flip it for twice the money without blinking. Unbelievable.
Post by: horsepoor on January 18, 2014, 08:42:31 AM
Switched from Verizon to Republic - $45/month savings
Will be dumping my gym membership $18/month savings
Shopped new car insurance $25ish/month savings
Signed up for Mint and put the app on my phone. On track to stay well below the $400 food budget I set for January, while it looks like I spent more like $700+ in December. Have only spent $21 eating out this month.
Will have my credit card, which was at $3500 last month, paid in full next week. Well ahead of when the 0% APR expires. About half of the payoff is from an unexpected bonus at work, but the old me would have used at least part of it to splurge on STUFF instead of addressing the debt.
Looked at how to game my other credit cards and picked up a card with 5% cash back on gas and groceries for first 6 months. Will probably get the Sapphire card with the $400 bonus and use it to pay for our planned landscaping project (repay the balance immediately, of course). Figured out a better way to use the rewards on my Discover Card, which I do not carry a balance on, but take advantage of the rotating 5% rewards categories (e.g. $45 in cash back is good for a $50 Lowe's gift card; I'd been squandering over 10% of the rewards by using them as credit on my Amazon purchases).
Increased my TSP withholding from 5% to 10%. Just happens that the stock market pushed it into the 6-figure range in the last month or so too, which is so nice to see, if way late to the party.
Sold about $800 worth of crap on Amazon, Ebay and Craigslist, and finally filed the papers to get the miniscule retirement payout my mother left me. Paid for my Craigslist weight set out of that, and on the lookout for a rowing machine, but being strict about paying for it only with "found" money, not my paycheck.
Post by: arebelspy on January 18, 2014, 09:27:50 AM
Post by: soccerluvof4 on January 18, 2014, 11:06:24 AM
Post by: Victorious Secret on January 18, 2014, 11:52:19 AM
Post by: sol on January 18, 2014, 03:23:51 PM
One way of looking at this milestone: we're FI if we move into a van!
Another way: from here on out, we only have to work long enough to buy a house.
My preferred way: we're like halfway there, assuming the market doesn't crash. Which it will. So maybe less than halfway. Maybe better to just not think about it too much just yet.
Post by: soccerluvof4 on January 22, 2014, 01:33:02 PM
We have along ways to go with more savings as opposed to increased income worries as we have two paid for homes, toys etc... I already sold a couple of snowmobiles to help pay for a must do renovation to our Master Bathroom without touching Savings/Investments. Decided to sell my cabin in the woods since 4 hours away and I only get there now once a year and its paid for so invest money in something that makes me money since will be at least 10 years before I could enjoy it again at its full capacity with 4 kids in sports.
So monies saved, monies earned and a lot of solid decisions made!
Keep getting rid of the waste to not have to worry about so much clutter!
Post by: NinetyFour on January 22, 2014, 03:54:39 PM
Post by: soccerluvof4 on January 24, 2014, 02:20:34 PM
Post by: soccerluvof4 on January 30, 2014, 12:53:22 PM
Post by: jordanread on January 30, 2014, 04:43:04 PM
However, things are going well, just not as well as they could be if I was a better person :-).
My little milestones:
- Got motivated enough to quit my current job, and got a new one more in line with Market Rates...82% increase in income
- Got a 401(k) for the first time. No employer contribution, but I'm vesting 10%
- Stock Options in my new company ($2500)
- Convinced GF to cancel Comcast, and increase internet speed, reducing cost by 40% (can't convince her to fully cut the cord, but I have a plan for that)
Post by: Mortgage Free Mike on February 06, 2014, 08:56:03 AM
- Saved $87/year on my auto insurance by taking a defensive driving course. The discount will last for 3 years.
- Saved $75/month by dumping Verizon for Republic Wireless. So far, I'm loving my Moto X phone and I don't miss my iPhone one bit.
- Saved $20/month on internet just by asking AT&T's loyalty department if they could help me out.
Post by: Murph on February 06, 2014, 01:38:21 PM
Today is my last day at a job that I've been commuting to for the last 7 months. It was 84 miles each way in moderate to heavy traffic and I did it 3 days a week. I worked from home the other two. My new job is a mere 5 miles away.
Here is what the switch is costing me:
- $10k per year in salary + $5k bonus
- Stock options of $20k estimated after-tax value that would have been realized sometime in 2015
Here is what the switch is saving me:
- My sanity and stress levels
- 48 hours of my life per month (2 hours each way * 24 trips per month)
- 2,016 miles on my car per month (84 mi * 24 trips per month)
- 67 gallons of gas per month (84 mi / 30 mpg * 24 trips per month)
- $240.53 in gas costs per month (67 gal * $3.59 per gal)
Though I may regret the financial consequences in the near future, I am truly happy knowing that the horrible commute is no longer part of my life. I can be a lot more productive when I'm not spending 48 hours per month in a car.
Post by: arebelspy on February 06, 2014, 02:19:17 PM
Post by: train_writer on February 07, 2014, 08:25:30 AM
- Getting my driving license means I save money on lessons (Europe..) and will save money at work, because using the business cars comes with food allowance (crazy, because I used to use transit which did not include that allowance)
- 250 euros raise! Which means I will have my goal of FU-money saved up & invested in April*.
*5 years of expenses for the 2 of us
- The garden delivered carrots and beetroots in this warm winter :D
Post by: nicknageli on February 07, 2014, 08:29:51 AM
- 250 euros raise! Which means I will have my goal of FU-money saved up & invested in April*.
*5 years of expenses for the 2 of us
"FU-money" (http://www.vwvortex.com/Anthony/Smilies/thumbup.gif)
Post by: Jomar on February 07, 2014, 11:29:03 AM
Post by: windawake on February 07, 2014, 01:07:58 PM
Post by: SCBMMM on February 09, 2014, 04:01:53 PM
happy because....
getting rid of the dumb cable once and for all last week.. land line that I never used gone as well..(company pays for cell phone so no phone bill at all!)
have about two more months to go on house then done with the mortgage.... pretty much debt free after that.. wow.. feels strange to say that..
Post by: SunshineGirl on February 10, 2014, 08:51:35 AM
New to this site and love this thread..
happy because....
getting rid of the dumb cable once and for all last week.. land line that I never used gone as well..(company pays for cell phone so no phone bill at all!)
have about two more months to go on house then done with the mortgage.... pretty much debt free after that.. wow.. feels strange to say that..
EXCITING!!
Post by: skyst3alth on February 14, 2014, 08:30:40 AM
This time last year I was $30k in debt between CC's, car loan and student loans and was only saving 6% in my 401k at work spending the rest on god knows what.
Squashed all that debt (still have one student loan - $4,900 but at 1.75% so i'll hang onto it for now). Emergency fund is fully funded, 401k is set to be fully funded, just maxed my Roth IRA for the year, opened a HSA account through work, and i'm still finding tons of money to throw into taxable accounts. Looks like i'm now saving ~65% of my income and it really wasn't even that hard.
Goal is $100k net worth by the end of the year and looks to be totally doable.
Life is lookin' real good. Thanks MMM!
Post by: rocksinmyhead on February 14, 2014, 09:23:26 AM
Post by: horsepoor on February 14, 2014, 10:29:37 AM
Post by: nicknageli on February 14, 2014, 10:50:19 AM
Looks like i'm now saving ~65% of my income and it really wasn't even that hard.
Goal is $100k net worth by the end of the year and looks to be totally doable.
Life is lookin' real good. Thanks MMM!
Very cool. (http://www.vwvortex.com/Anthony/Smilies/thumbup.gif)
Post by: RMD on February 17, 2014, 07:51:54 PM
Ran some numbers this morning and retirement and investment accounts now total (a touch) more that $250,000. Surprise!
Post by: DaKini on February 18, 2014, 02:12:50 AM
I am proud that i now can announce a "mini" milestone myself.
Yesterday my wife showed up behind me sitting at our computer while i just finished typing in our current bills and receipts.
That gave me the opportunity to show her some overall picture reports (some nice graphs etc) and was able to concisely show her our results of the past 8 months where is started tracking expenses and optimizing our fincancial life.
I was quite impressed myself as i did not evaluate this "bigger picture" for quite a while.
- We were able to save 50% income the last few months despite my wife staying at home with the kids and despite we had some unusual expenses (a new car seat for our son for example that was needed to meet law requirements)
- We constantly and consistently dropped our average monthly expenses about 800-1000€ per month (holy s+++t! that equals about 10k additional savings per year!)
- We will most probably cross our 100k € NW milestone (in "active financial assets", so car etc. is excluded) in april or march this year (whooohow, that is just ONE or TWO paychecks away!!!)
The most exciting and important two insights where, however:
- It was all accomplished by "small baby steps" (saving some monthly 10€ there and here, avoiding some restaurants visits, bringing food to work, do more fresh cooking instead of convinience food, optimising spending in minor points, nothing big at all when viewed isolated).
- It did not hurt at all, we were both dazzled that we have cut back so much spending without any noticeable loss of life quality.
Holy cow, im quite impressed and very euphoric! What big difference such small steps yould yield... Its really impressing to see such changes in only 8 months time!
Post by: happy on February 18, 2014, 04:41:10 AM
When I started within a few months of gentle change, I was at 50% savings, and another 6 or 7 months down the track I realised I could cut my part -time work hours further, by 28%, and semi-retire and still save 50%.
My reason for celebrating is that I just invoked FU money for the first time in my 55 years. I'd organised 5 weeks long service leave and at the last minute one of the big bosses didn't approve it and I had a choice, either come back to work or take leave without pay. Pretty quickly I decided the time off was more important, and even though I am now 5 weeks with no income, I can manage, and even thrive. So I politely said LWOP please, but in my head it was "Yeah, I've got FU money, and I am so using it". Of course I still have expenses, so there will be a cost, but since my financial house was in order I knew exactly what I could do and how to do it. I also have been thinking about interval working.. thats tricky in my job, so this gave me the chance to try it out, since I will still have the leave for another time.
Post by: Silvie on February 18, 2014, 01:47:55 PM
I doubled my income. I moved to Spain for a temporary job, a full-time position. Before, I was a freelancer in Holland and I'm trying to keep freelancing here in Spain.
Because of this, I was able to pay off 2,000 euros of a 20,000 personal loan from my dad. 10% in only 5 weeks since I moved to Spain! My savings rate is much higher now too. I didn't calculate it yet, but it's at least 60%, as I divide my salary from my full-time jobs equally between paying off my debt and savings, and do the same for a large amount of my freelance income, after I've paid for housing, utilities, etc.
Post by: jordanread on February 20, 2014, 10:18:33 AM
Post by: Elaine on February 20, 2014, 10:53:09 AM
Post by: ichangedmyname on February 23, 2014, 12:58:51 PM
Post by: sheepstache on February 23, 2014, 07:14:37 PM
Requested a pay cut / hours reduction at my day job (to 80%/4 days a week), but still plan to have a savings rate of >50%.
Can never get over how much I like guy's username.
My first taxable account, which I started at the end of 2012, is now Admiral shares!
Post by: FiveSigmas on February 23, 2014, 11:01:27 PM
My first taxable account, which I started at the end of 2012, is now Admiral shares!
And I always get a kick out of your Avatar. It's particularly fitting for this post. Yusss!
Post by: Zaga on February 27, 2014, 06:08:54 PM
Post by: nicknageli on February 27, 2014, 07:30:06 PM
Today we reached $200K in retirement accounts. $100K was reached in January of 2012, so that's just 2 years and 1 month to double, wow!
(http://www.vwvortex.com/Anthony/Smilies/thumbup.gif)
Post by: Stackfault on February 27, 2014, 08:55:29 PM
I think it's like growing a tree: not much to see on a monthly basis but over time...wow!
Stick with it Mustachians!
Post by: JuSp02 on February 28, 2014, 09:46:21 PM
Post by: arebelspy on March 01, 2014, 08:03:23 AM
We hit two major milestones this month!! We reached $100,000 in assets (only counting cash, retirement accounts, and mutual/index funds). At the same time, we finally broke into the negative five figures for our net worth (our student loans are ridiculous). We're still a long ways from zero net worth, but we're getting there.
Awesome! :D
Those are two great milestones.
Post by: Cherry Lane on March 01, 2014, 08:22:06 AM
1. I'll fully own my house in 10 years (or less, though at that low rate I don't think I want to prepay much)
2. Compared to my previous loan, I'll save
(correction: mathy error. oops! still a nice amount)
Post by: NinetyFour on March 01, 2014, 09:04:57 AM
My celebration for today is that my cash plus investments (retirement funds, Roth, inherited IRA) have exceeded $300,000 this week!
Also, since 9/14/13 (when I first started keeping track of all this), my cash plus investments amount has increased $41,000 and my total debt has decreased $13,000. Yay--both going in the correct direction!
Post by: jordanread on March 01, 2014, 04:01:55 PM
My celebration is that I have a new daily driver. Haven't sold the 16MPG jeep yet, but just picked up an 88 Sentra, that gets 33MPG!! Engine is in top shape, and only have about $300 to get it to where it'll last another 5 years. $800 total!!
Plus, and this is a big one, finally got the SO on board with reducing our very unmustachain fleet of gas guzzlers. We're going to sell the jeep, and the pathfinder, and then share the new Sentra.
Post by: gripped on March 03, 2014, 06:49:44 PM
My accomplishment:
I got a 2nd roommate and now all 3 bedrooms are filled in my house!! That means an extra $450/ month going directly to the stache!
Post by: Silvie on March 04, 2014, 04:02:26 AM
Wow, that's more than a mini-accomplishment silvie!
Thanks! I'm doing a little happy dance now because my dad just told me he is going to give me 8,500 euros :D Now I "only" have 8,500 left on the loan.
Your accomplishment is quite a big deal too, gripped! Congrats!
Post by: RMD on March 05, 2014, 06:55:53 AM
Post by: ichangedmyname on March 06, 2014, 03:40:55 PM
I just had my annual review and got a 3% increase. That's almost $700 a year. I am quite happy.
Post by: arebelspy on March 06, 2014, 04:24:00 PM
Congrats everyone.
I just had my annual review and got a 3% increase. That's almost $700 a year. I am quite happy.
Nice! That's a lot of bacon. :)
Post by: ichangedmyname on March 07, 2014, 09:00:03 AM
Congrats everyone.
I just had my annual review and got a 3% increase. That's almost $700 a year. I am quite happy.
Nice! That's a lot of bacon. :)
I know! I'm thinking once it kicks in to increase my 401k contribution by 3%
Post by: KulshanGirl on March 08, 2014, 07:27:32 AM
After almost exactly one year of learning, saving, and looking, I've finally ditched the gas-guzzler Volvo and bought a fine used mustache-mobile. I had a short list of cars, and a long list of musts so it took a while. Now driving a shiny 2006 Scion XA!
106K miles, priced well, one owner (a pilot who only used it to commute to SeaTac, so all highway miles), added option of front and rear side airbags. All service records... taken care of by a meticulous guy. (pilot!) It looks and runs like a new car. He even wrote me up a reminder sheet of what I should do for the next 30k miles or so and filled the tank for me. :) I am thrilled!
It's a definite change from the Volvo tankwagon. Camping will be like tetris in there. :) Also, I'm going to take it in and have them install the hitch mount so I can put my bike rack on there.
Anyone in the market for a 1998 Volvo XC Wagon?
Post by: grantmeaname on March 08, 2014, 07:43:55 AM
Post by: Grateful Stache on March 10, 2014, 08:06:34 PM
I convinced HR to drop a crappy 457 plan (2.5% total fees and a tax-deferred annuity) for a plan that has 0.3% fees and no annuity.
Once I start contributing heavily, I'll totally feel like a badass!
Post by: windawake on March 13, 2014, 07:52:13 AM
Post by: ZeroGBuff on March 15, 2014, 09:53:11 PM
My mortgage company recently sent me an estimate of how my payment will adjust when it switches to an ARM in about six months. Interest rate is dropping to 2.875%, which, combined with my overpayments every month, results in $60,000 savings over the remainder of the loan (if I quit pre-paying, which I won't). Granted, 90% of that is from the interest rate dropping, but I'm still excited. My monthly payment will drop over 30%, making a significant dent in my monthly expenses. Now I just have to decide how much of that I want to allocate to paying it off versus my Vanguard account....
Post by: CU Tiger on March 16, 2014, 04:54:02 PM
The slightly longer story is that we bought in September 2000 on a 20 year old note, refinanced in 2002 to a 15 year mortage, refinanced in 2004 for a very low rate...and paid it off at the end of February, meaning that in less than 15 years from the original 2000 purchase date, we own our house free and clear.
We haven't had any other debt for years and years, so as of no, all our money "are belong to us"!
It feels good.
Post by: ichangedmyname on March 21, 2014, 09:12:39 AM
I just wanted to do a celebration dance because my networth is over $10k and I only started saving when I got a job in January this year :D
My goal for 2014 is to double my networth from last year and I'm already halfway there!
Post by: hernandz on March 21, 2014, 12:22:46 PM
I've also managed to wipe out the credit card debt last year. The medical debt is on target for elimination by this summer. Then the Mister and I will talk about whether we tackle the car debt or the house debt next. We have cash saved for a new driveway, which we'll get started on as soon as the weather permits.
Before I came here, I used to think that living up to our means was doing great, and now I see us actually living below our means. Thanks, everyone, for the inspiration.
Post by: B L I S S on March 22, 2014, 07:01:04 AM
It's been that way since I was able to form independent thoughts.
With that said, I've introduced two of my female friends to Mint.
In other news, two of my female friends have recently become addicted to Mint ;)
What good is getting there if you came alone?
Post by: lexie2000 on March 22, 2014, 07:48:37 AM
My happiness stems from the joy of improving the lives of my friends.
It's been that way since I was able to form independent thoughts.
With that said, I've introduced two of my female friends to Mint.
In other news, two of my female friends have recently become addicted to Mint ;)
What good is getting there if you came alone?
Good for you. So glad you have partners in crime.
The most Mustachian/frugal people that I've "known" over the years (besides my mom) have been on money forums.
Post by: Loud Noises on March 22, 2014, 06:26:07 PM
Post by: arebelspy on March 22, 2014, 06:37:12 PM
I just got myself a 40% raise! Woohoo! There will be no lifestyle inflation with this one, I can guarantee it.
Wow, that's HUGE! That'll boost your savings rate quickly. Way to go. :)
Post by: B L I S S on March 22, 2014, 07:53:24 PM
I just got myself a 40% raise! Woohoo! There will be no lifestyle inflation with this one, I can guarantee it.
Wow. Did you just become COO..
Good for you. So glad you have partners in crime.
The most Mustachian/frugal people that I've "known" over the years (besides my mom) have been on money forums.
Yes it is great, though still, no one is as extreme as I am.
I am still viewed upon as being a bit obsessive
Post by: Loud Noises on March 26, 2014, 07:46:37 AM
I just got myself a 40% raise! Woohoo! There will be no lifestyle inflation with this one, I can guarantee it.
Wow. Did you just become COO..
No it's more like a new job altogether than a raise... but overall it equates to a recognition of what I actually bring to the table and is fair compensation for that. I've done a lot of investing in myself and my career in the past year and a situation like this is exactly why!
Post by: maryofdoom on March 28, 2014, 08:42:36 PM
I've been scarce around here because my new job is AMAZING. Not only did I get a raise, I am only six miles away from my office - and the work is challenging, interesting, and offers me a ton of autonomy and the power to make decisions that I think are best. That's something that is super important to me and I'm glad that I am both recognizing that about myself and in a position where I get to make the most of that.
And also, my freelance editing business is BLOWING UP. I recently edited and formatted a book, which was published on the National Institute of Health's website; and I have a thesis, a journal paper, and a theoretical physics paper all in the queue. At $50 per hour, I stand to make another $650 in this next week. If only these deadlines weren't so short...
Post by: arebelspy on March 28, 2014, 09:49:59 PM
This thread is officially the best thread. :)
I've been scarce around here because my new job is AMAZING. Not only did I get a raise, I am only six miles away from my office - and the work is challenging, interesting, and offers me a ton of autonomy and the power to make decisions that I think are best. That's something that is super important to me and I'm glad that I am both recognizing that about myself and in a position where I get to make the most of that.
And also, my freelance editing business is BLOWING UP. I recently edited and formatted a book, which was published on the National Institute of Health's website; and I have a thesis, a journal paper, and a theoretical physics paper all in the queue. At $50 per hour, I stand to make another $650 in this next week. If only these deadlines weren't so short...
That's so awesome! Make sure not to burn out. :)
Way to go. :D
Post by: ichangedmyname on March 29, 2014, 11:59:53 PM
I just got myself a 40% raise! Woohoo! There will be no lifestyle inflation with this one, I can guarantee it.
AWESOME!
My celebration today is I just realized that since January 2014, my 401k account has increased by 35% :D
Post by: happyfeet on April 01, 2014, 10:42:24 AM
Life sure does fly by.
Edit! And in MMM form any savings go into FI funds.
Post by: dorkus619 on April 02, 2014, 08:49:41 PM
My celebration is that I finally made a blog that I plan to share with the world! I am hoping to keep it going and eventually to start making some side hustle money with websites. I also started a website i plan to monetize - once I figure out what I'm doing! ha.
Everyone keep up the great work! :D
p.s. blog url - www.simplybex.com
Post by: jordanread on April 02, 2014, 09:03:06 PM
Completely agree that this is the best thread!
My celebration is that I finally made a blog that I plan to share with the world! I am hoping to keep it going and eventually to start making some side hustle money with websites. I also started a website i plan to monetize - once I figure out what I'm doing! ha.
Everyone keep up the great work! :D
p.s. blog url - www.simplybex.com
Once you are up and running, don't forget get yourself added to the MMM Reader Blogroll (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/mustachianism-around-the-web/the-mmm-readers'-blogroll/)
Post by: RNwastash on April 02, 2014, 11:18:31 PM
Post by: jordanread on April 03, 2014, 07:04:14 AM
Post by: dorkus619 on April 07, 2014, 07:49:17 AM
Completely agree that this is the best thread!
My celebration is that I finally made a blog that I plan to share with the world! I am hoping to keep it going and eventually to start making some side hustle money with websites. I also started a website i plan to monetize - once I figure out what I'm doing! ha.
Everyone keep up the great work! :D
p.s. blog url - www.simplybex.com
Once you are up and running, don't forget get yourself added to the MMM Reader Blogroll (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/mustachianism-around-the-web/the-mmm-readers'-blogroll/)
Thanks for the info & invite! :)
Post by: countdown on April 07, 2014, 09:06:47 AM
Note: includes 457/IRAs, rental deposit, vacation accrual, mid-term savings; subtracts any cc debt ($0) and amount owed through term of car lease (through 6/30/2014). Doesn't include FSA money, checking account money for cash-flow expenses, or line item for cost to purchase new-to-me car in May/June.
Post by: aetherie on April 07, 2014, 11:07:45 AM
Now that I have a job lined up for after graduation (also worth celebrating) I can think of that money as long-term savings. Feels good.
Post by: jordanread on April 08, 2014, 01:43:10 PM
Post by: europe on April 10, 2014, 12:36:15 PM
My next goal is to hit € 50k of savings (should be next month) and afterwards straight forward to 100k. :)
Cheers from Austria!
Post by: LucyBIT on April 16, 2014, 04:12:57 PM
- Two months ago I paid off one of my student loans in full, a first for me. I did a happy dance but kind of wanted the website to burst into flashing gifs of fireworks and joy ;-)
- I convinced Fiance to pay off his small CC debt with cash he just had lying around. Score!
- My aunt is retiring to Costa Rica and she gave me her nearly-new, barely-used mountain bike. It's really hard for me to shell out several hundred dollars for anything, even if I know it's a worthwhile investment, so I'd been bogged down in comparison shopping etc. but now all I need is a bike pump and I can stop riding the bus to work!
Post by: renaite on April 18, 2014, 07:20:06 PM
- Two months ago I paid off one of my student loans in full, a first for me. I did a happy dance but kind of wanted the website to burst into flashing gifs of fireworks and joy ;-)
Congratulations, LucyBIT! I cannot for the life of me figure out inserting an image, but here's to make up for your student loan site's lack of proper fanfare: http://puka23.deviantart.com/art/Party-Hard-Unicorn-165441334 (http://puka23.deviantart.com/art/Party-Hard-Unicorn-165441334)
Post by: LucyBIT on April 19, 2014, 08:25:08 PM
Post by: Freedom2016 on April 20, 2014, 01:15:10 AM
Date Net Worth
12/31/11 $142,963
12/31/12 $210,200
06/30/13 $240,656
04/19/14 $579,639
My tracking went off the rails mid-year last year - I got lazy with Quicken and we eventually switched to Mint, so record keeping is back on track now. In fact I just downloaded a trial of YNAB tonight because I find the Mint budgeting tool to be less than useful, and I want to get our spending more under control.
But pretty cool that our net worth has more than doubled in less than a year!
Post by: Credaholic on April 23, 2014, 05:48:40 PM
Our other "accomplishment" this month was hitting a new tax bracket. I've been singing "mo' money, mo' problems" ever since, but as much as I hate the tax bill, I guess we had a good year overall?!
Post by: Jazzpolice on April 23, 2014, 07:47:08 PM
Cable: GONE & not missing it one bit with getting Roku & Hulu+ for $8/month
Cell phone: Switched from Sprint $150/month to Ting averaging 30ish/month
Spouse was taking high end "vitamins" called Juice Plus: Convinced him to break free: Savings of $350 every 4 months.
Weekend Newspaper: GONE.. Savings of $20/month (cancelled out of principal since they increased the priced by $5 without even letting us know)
Eating out only once a week instead of mindlessly as we used to before. Due to my frugal nature, we eat mostly lunches out and order water to keep costs down. Man, it feels so good to make these little changes and know it'll pay off in the end. Just seeing my older coworkers complain about money makes me find more ways to cut costs.
Since I have a strong aversion to debt…we have no other loans or debt other than a small amount left on the mortgage which I'm overpaying monthly to eliminate and it may not make sense to many to prepay the 4.75% but those of us who want to be in the "free and clear" love to have absolutely zero debt. So good to celebrate our achievements even in a forum filled with other Mustachians even if we are all technically strangers because I haven't found any friends/coworkers to "get it".
Post by: smalllife on April 24, 2014, 05:31:21 AM
Post by: Mrs. Frugalwoods on April 24, 2014, 02:21:50 PM
Our Frugalwoods family small victories this month:
-Not eating out at all. Not for a single meal--not even coffee!
-Meal planning carefully, yielding our absolute lowest grocery bills EVER (while still eating fruits & veg)
-Becoming a volunteer at my yoga studio to get free classes
I love that we keep finding new ways to save and enjoy life! Frugal on!
Post by: Moonwaves on April 26, 2014, 05:39:59 AM
Post by: PaulD on April 28, 2014, 10:20:25 AM
It's official - on the day of the test I knew a lot of stuff about personal finance. Some of it is even useful!
Post by: PindyStache on April 28, 2014, 02:11:46 PM
Post by: mrcheese on April 28, 2014, 11:10:33 PM
Post by: HappierAtHome on April 28, 2014, 11:22:17 PM
I have no more consumer debt as of yesterday. I don't think it has quite hit me yet - I've been carrying a credit card balance for around 10 years now - and now its all gone, never to return :)
YAY! This is awesome! Go you :-)
Post by: arebelspy on April 29, 2014, 09:12:43 AM
I think DH finally "gets" it! I've been talking about ER for a while now (found MMM about a year ago and had hoped to retire sooner than 'normal' for years) and I couldn't tell until last weekend if he was agreeing with me or doing the "smile-and-nod-and-slowly-back-away" you do with crazy people.
Last weekend we started talking about our retirement house and what we'd do when we retire and we're really on the same page. We're still a good 7 years from retiring but now that I know he's on board we can really start aggressively working towards ER.
On a different note: I did my first electrical repair this weekend. I rewired a bad light fixture and didn't zap myself and it even works!
Spouse on board is HUGE! Awesome. :)
Post by: prudence on May 01, 2014, 09:45:58 AM
Post by: pthomasson88 on May 02, 2014, 08:40:03 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on May 02, 2014, 08:45:51 PM
In February of this year I discovered Mustachianism and made a spreadsheet I called "The Race to FI". It's a 7 year plan. First widdle bitty baby step; pay off a $5600 high interest consumer loan as fast as possible. I eliminated $2000 of wasteful monthly spending in March and sold my useless possessions on ebay and craigslist. Today, May 2nd, just two months later the loan is PAID! This crazy stuff works! Today at work, for the first time in 13 years at this job, I set my 401k contribution to max me out for the year! In 7 years I am going to re-read this post and remember when it all began.
Nice work! Welcome to mustache land!!
Post by: Jon_Snow on May 03, 2014, 02:31:51 PM
Monthly dividends are now rolling in to the tune of $4000 monthly. Our expenses total around 2k or so. So I think I am good to go. I have recently let my family know of my intentions give my employer notice this summer - with the intention of being ER'ed by the late Fall of this year. My family is quite surprised to say the least - but once I explained how I could do this (without getting into my exact financial numbers) they were very supportive - but still quite perplexed. :)
I have been working for this for the last ten years - long before I knew of MMM - and the fact that the plan is almost realized seems surreal.
Post by: happy on May 03, 2014, 07:30:21 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on May 03, 2014, 08:19:55 PM
Post by: Wile E. Coyote on May 03, 2014, 08:46:01 PM
Post by: Lukim on May 03, 2014, 08:55:15 PM
Good news, houses just finished (actually not even finished but close to finished) and a corporate has agreed to rent both houses for 2 years.
That is a burden lifted!!
Post by: okonumiyaki on May 04, 2014, 10:11:51 PM
I've had a planning spreadsheet since 2006. Interesting to look back.
Net assets have increased 94%. However, am 10% below where I expected to be. Returns are below expectations (2008!) , but saving has been above expectations.
My wife is not yet fully on board, though she has tentatively agreed I can quit this year (she stopped part time work 2 years ago) - though she sees it more as a sabbatic than early retirement.
She has to be on board really - as I want to move to her home country (Indonesia). Almost had an agreement last year (to quit and get involved with her family's business) but a last minute falling out between her & her father ended that! So now would be looking to move to another part of Indonesia, and not be involved.
Post by: Punchingat50 on May 05, 2014, 04:15:34 PM
Post by: Lukim on May 05, 2014, 05:36:56 PM
Lots of cheap places to live in Indonesia but Bali and Jakarta are probably not amongst them.
I am living and working in Asia as an expat but the 2 houses we just built are not in Asia.
Post by: okonumiyaki on May 05, 2014, 09:22:08 PM
Post by: S0VERE1GN on May 06, 2014, 06:04:15 AM
A few years ago my wife and I were having a baby, lived in a crummy railroad flat, had over 10 grand in Credit card debt, and we were both only working part time.
Now we both have excellent careers, only the student loan debt remains as our "bad" debt, and we're closing on what I think will be our forever house.
Not to mention we've dropped our expenses so much now that even though both of us work, we're essentially a one income household. Small victories build up to huge wins!
Post by: HairyUpperLip on May 06, 2014, 11:27:23 AM
The last time I posted here in the "celebrations" thread, I think we had just refinanced our mortgage to a 2.7%, one year term. Since then, we have paid it off in full and now we have really hit our saving/investing stride. We are now saving 85% of our income, which is in excess of 10k per month.
Monthly dividends are now rolling in to the tune of $4000 monthly. Our expenses total around 2k or so. So I think I am good to go. I have recently let my family know of my intentions give my employer notice this summer - with the intention of being ER'ed by the late Fall of this year. My family is quite surprised to say the least - but once I explained how I could do this (without getting into my exact financial numbers) they were very supportive - but still quite perplexed. :)
I have been working for this for the last ten years - long before I knew of MMM - and the fact that the plan is almost realized seems surreal.
Lol - this deserves it's own thread. Place share about the story. Very good job man!
Post by: Jon_Snow on May 06, 2014, 02:49:16 PM
Post by: HairyUpperLip on May 06, 2014, 03:47:18 PM
I don't think I've started my own thread in all my years of hangin' out on various forums. Perhaps I should, as I have a pretty cool story to tell. I intend to start a blog a some point, so I may wait until then. Thanks for the interest!
pm me the link when you create it!
Post by: Heather in Ottawa on May 08, 2014, 08:27:54 PM
Post by: Nancy on May 09, 2014, 02:04:58 PM
Post by: HairyUpperLip on May 10, 2014, 05:35:15 PM
Post by: Nancy on May 11, 2014, 05:23:14 PM
great job nancy!Thanks! I'm pretty excited.
Post by: FrugalInTraining on May 12, 2014, 09:41:24 PM
I paid off my student loans!!!
Congrats. Me, too! Your story is a bit more impressive, but I'm glad to cross that bill off my list. Now to some CC debt currently snoozing at 0%.
Onward!!
Post by: Nancy on May 13, 2014, 08:56:17 AM
I paid off my student loans!!!
Congrats. Me, too! Your story is a bit more impressive, but I'm glad to cross that bill off my list. Now to some CC debt currently snoozing at 0%.
Onward!!
Congratulations! Keep knocking them out!
Post by: CU Tiger on May 16, 2014, 07:13:14 PM
So tonight we got online and made the following changes:
Increased the amount that goes into short term emergency fund by $50 per month.
Increased the amount that goes into our two Roth IRAs by $190 per month (+50 per month in mine, +$140 per month is his, since he is now in his 50th year and can add the "catch up" amount)
Increased the amount into our after tax investments from $100 to $400 per month
A couple of months ago I also increased the amount that goes into my 401K to 25% of my salary. It didn't hurt...much.
None of these amounts is huge. We will do more later, but right now we are also saving for some important and much needed home repairs, including weatherproofing the house and repairing a leaking chimney. But it feels amazing to be saving this money to The Bank of Us, rather than sending it to The Bank of America!
Post by: FiveSigmas on May 16, 2014, 08:16:13 PM
Post by: HairyUpperLip on May 19, 2014, 07:53:01 AM
The last time I posted here in the "celebrations" thread, I think we had just refinanced our mortgage to a 2.7%, one year term. Since then, we have paid it off in full and now we have really hit our saving/investing stride. We are now saving 85% of our income, which is in excess of 10k per month.
Monthly dividends are now rolling in to the tune of $4000 monthly. Our expenses total around 2k or so. So I think I am good to go. I have recently let my family know of my intentions give my employer notice this summer - with the intention of being ER'ed by the late Fall of this year. My family is quite surprised to say the least - but once I explained how I could do this (without getting into my exact financial numbers) they were very supportive - but still quite perplexed. :)
I have been working for this for the last ten years - long before I knew of MMM - and the fact that the plan is almost realized seems surreal.
Man, I'm really waiting for you to post a full story. :)
Post by: aetherie on May 19, 2014, 12:46:52 PM
And my full-time, high-paying, in-my-field job starts on June 2. I feel very lucky.
Post by: SunshineGirl on May 19, 2014, 01:18:39 PM
I graduated from college yesterday!
And my full-time, high-paying, in-my-field job starts on June 2. I feel very lucky.
Congratulations!!!
Post by: plainjane on May 24, 2014, 03:09:57 PM
And this morning I was playing with a retirement calculator and discovered that even with conservative assumptions around growth we don't need to save anything additional if we wanted to retire at 60. We just need to cover our expenditures until then. This means that any money added from now on is truly for ER. Exceptionally motivating.
Post by: minimos on May 24, 2014, 03:14:42 PM
Post by: Reepekg on May 24, 2014, 09:28:54 PM
(http://hd.wallpaperswide.com/thumbs/300_rise_of_an_empire_movie-t2.jpg)
Post by: pjm-7 on May 26, 2014, 06:35:32 PM
Post by: arebelspy on May 26, 2014, 11:40:18 PM
I gave my notice to retire this past Friday. Totally debt free (mortgage paid was paid off in March). Plan to spend the summer tending my garden and taking care of animals.
Congrats! That's worth celebrating. :)
Post by: Emerald on May 27, 2014, 07:15:53 AM
Post by: mrfilthyrich on May 28, 2014, 06:26:13 PM
Post by: Snowwabbit on May 29, 2014, 01:47:28 AM
Post by: hernandz on May 29, 2014, 10:31:45 AM
A minor celebration for me... May was my first month of ynab and reading MMM. Thought I'd do a comparison between spending in May '13 and May '14. At first glance spending the same, if not a little more - Instant disappointment! But hang on, look a little closer and I see my frivolous spending (coffee, lunch, whatevs) has dropped 70%! My spending is so high because I've paid off $2500 of debt, crazy stuff for me, so thanks MMM community :-)
I think that is worthy of a major celebration. The first step is the hardest, after all. Congrats on paying all that debt.
Post by: Jon_Snow on May 29, 2014, 08:10:08 PM
I gave my notice to retire this past Friday. Totally debt free (mortgage paid was paid off in March). Plan to spend the summer tending my garden and taking care of animals.
Awesome! I hope to be giving my notice in July... want to get a massive garden started and perhaps get some animals of my own to take care of - I have been animal-less for too many years.
ER is so close now... and my wife seems just as excited as I am!
Post by: Credaholic on May 31, 2014, 08:41:30 AM
Post by: grantmeaname on May 31, 2014, 12:19:36 PM
Post by: lark on May 31, 2014, 05:06:59 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on May 31, 2014, 05:07:49 PM
Post by: catccc on June 01, 2014, 06:54:06 AM
Finished paying off my student loans this week (90k in 18months!) and opened my first Vanguard account. Super excited to see my 'stache start taking off :)
90K in 18 months, that's awesome. Think about how quickly your stash will grow diverting those payments to investments instead!!! Congrats!
Post by: erae on June 03, 2014, 12:47:26 PM
Post by: MrSporty on June 04, 2014, 01:11:40 AM
My boss called me in for a meeting and wondered if I had became ill, if there was any problem in my home, with my children, etc.
I just replied I wanted more spare time and said I was fully motivated to do a good job on the days I'm in the office. Also that my finances allowed it.
To say the least he was surprised - most of my coworkers still work full-time, and many of them are in their 50's and even 60's. I'm turning 40 next month. :-)
Worth mentioning is my boss' plans for the summer holiday - a luxury 2-week trip to Africa costing $40.000 (!!). Admittedly it will be a nice experience, but a damn expensive one!
Post by: ichangedmyname on June 04, 2014, 09:04:42 PM
I did a mid year review and I am celebrating the increase of my net worth. I like where the graph is going :D
Post by: anotherAlias on June 06, 2014, 06:32:10 PM
Post by: Jon_Snow on June 07, 2014, 03:48:05 PM
Early retirement will commence on October 1st, 2014, in my 42nd year. Haven't yet been able to convince my wife to join me. She is not convinced that we can both quit our jobs, despite the math saying otherwise. She does seem to love her job, I'll give her that - that not something I experienced in almost 25 years in my own career.
Post by: Daisy on June 09, 2014, 09:05:06 PM
My wife and I had a great discussion last night about my ER status. Up until now, the target date of my ER has been "sometime late in 2014". We have now agreed that after a nice July holiday on Vancouver Island, celebrating our anniversary, I will give my employer my official notice on my return to the city.
Early retirement will commence on October 1st, 2014, in my 42nd year. Haven't yet been able to convince my wife to join me. She is not convinced that we can both quit our jobs, despite the math saying otherwise. She does seem to love her job, I'll give her that - that not something I experienced in almost 25 years in my own career.
That is awesome! You turned your OMY into an NMY (No More Years).
Sorry for the corny humor - that's all I could come up with on such short notice. :-)
Post by: HappierAtHome on June 09, 2014, 09:56:10 PM
My wife and I had a great discussion last night about my ER status. Up until now, the target date of my ER has been "sometime late in 2014". We have now agreed that after a nice July holiday on Vancouver Island, celebrating our anniversary, I will give my employer my official notice on my return to the city.
Early retirement will commence on October 1st, 2014, in my 42nd year. Haven't yet been able to convince my wife to join me. She is not convinced that we can both quit our jobs, despite the math saying otherwise. She does seem to love her job, I'll give her that - that not something I experienced in almost 25 years in my own career.
Wow, ER is so close for you now!! Congratulations :-)
Post by: socalwkr on June 10, 2014, 08:44:32 PM
Post by: rocksinmyhead on June 11, 2014, 08:36:32 AM
Finished paying off my student loans this week (90k in 18months!) and opened my first Vanguard account. Super excited to see my 'stache start taking off :)
90K in 18 months, that's awesome. Think about how quickly your stash will grow diverting those payments to investments instead!!! Congrats!
that is AMAZING!! I should have my student loan celebration post coming up within the next month or so, but I will only have paid off $70k in 25 months... I thought I was awesome but you are blowing my mind!
congrats Jon_Snow on your impending retirement!!! super exciting!
and my own celebration for today... I just passed $50k net worth! HOLLA! a lot of it is due to an up market (almost $40k in my 401k) and the fact that my company's stock is also on the up (a few k in ESPP) but still! I love that we have this board where we can tell people exciting things that we can't really tell people in our real lives :)
Post by: Nords on June 14, 2014, 07:48:55 PM
- Our daughter graduated from college on her Navy ROTC scholarship, commissioned as an ensign, and joined the surface warfare community (nuclear training to follow in two years). She raced out of Houston to report aboard her first ship in Norfolk and has just finished the transit across the Atlantic to their new homeport in Rota, Spain. It turned out that the Navy pays part of their nuclear bonus money up front, so she's going to have no trouble maximizing her contributions to her Thrift Savings Plan and her Roth IRA. We're pretty sure that we've launched this one from the nest with no boomerangs.
- My spouse and I spent most of a year planning for the college graduation/commissioning week. You parents know what I'm talking about-- it's not the actual event but rather it's dealing with the logistics & personalities. After weeks of researching, planning, rehearsing, and exploring the contingencies we were able to sit back on our assets and enjoy quality family time.
- As an added extra bonus, spouse's parents were not able to make the trip. The graduation ceremony was streamed live on the Internet so they were happy. Spouse and I weren't dealing with difficult people all week long so we were very happy.
- We just packed out our daughter's possessions from our house. (The military gives recruits a free household goods shipment from their home of record.) Four crates left the premises: two bedrooms, half of the kitchen, and several other pieces of furniture. We've also emptied our study of its furniture so we'll be spending the next few weeks on three rooms' worth of painting, electrical upgrades, recarpeting, and refurnishing (Craigslist). I'm liking this empty-nester lifestyle.
- Neighborhood love: a half-dozen of our neighbors stopped by during the packout to exclaim "OMG please tell us you're not moving!!!" It's nice to know that you're appreciated...
- The USAA article appears to have driven a number of new readers to the blog. My Twitter followers jumped 5% last week, Facebook "Likes" are up, and blog unique visits are rising. There's even a little bump in book sales.
Post by: arebelspy on June 14, 2014, 08:17:23 PM
- As an added extra bonus, spouse's parents were not able to make the trip. The graduation ceremony was streamed live on the Internet so they were happy. Spouse and I weren't dealing with difficult people all week long so we were very happy.
(https://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/7bce0a4ecf1973838066b4f2f17fed05/tumblr_inline_n2npw6vwH61qaa10h.gif)
Post by: jordanread on June 15, 2014, 08:55:36 PM
A bonus, she used bikebum as something that happens the day after a long ride. :-P
Post by: ketchup on June 15, 2014, 09:01:26 PM
Post by: Malaysia41 on June 17, 2014, 05:45:23 AM
You know who kept us on track when going to bed in 32degC/90degF heat? Our 8 year old son. He'd say, "No dad you CAN'T turn on the air conditioning, what about the power bill?"
On a few nights my husband still squeezed in some air con on the sly for a few hours at a time when it was unbearable. When we had friends over for a homemade pizza dinner (byo topping), we turned the air con on as well. Other than that, we went air-con free.
The latest energy bill arrived last week. After looking at the bill, we took our son out to a Burger King (his favorite) to celebrate and shower high praise and plentiful compliments upon him for his inspiring leadership: our latest bill was RM344 ($107).
We still have work to do - can install more screens and a few more fans. But ... progress not perfection right?
Post by: mrcheese on June 18, 2014, 02:50:21 AM
I also got to ride in the glass elevators in the new BHP building today - it was as awesome as it looks from the outside - so I can cross that off my bucket list too :)
Post by: Lifestyle Deflation on June 18, 2014, 08:42:06 PM
Post by: Tempe on June 18, 2014, 10:21:40 PM
Post by: MrsSmitty on June 19, 2014, 07:58:11 AM
Post by: CatM13 on June 19, 2014, 11:24:18 AM
Post by: iris lily on June 19, 2014, 12:01:46 PM
I got married on June 7th and just calculated our now combined household net worth. $259K! Great way to start our new life together!
I went from $15,000 to $100,000+ net worth the day I got married. It's a good ploy. :)
I am so happy to read these posts where MMMers are knocking out that student debt. Ugh that stuff would scare the crap outta me, good for you guys for staring it down and beating it!
Post by: arebelspy on June 19, 2014, 12:35:40 PM
I official only have the mortgage left to pay for! Paid all of our other outstanding debt off this week. :)
Whoo! Debt free is awesome. :)
Post by: dragoncar on June 19, 2014, 01:12:16 PM
I got married on June 7th and just calculated our now combined household net worth. $259K! Great way to start our new life together!
I went from $15,000 to $100,000+ net worth the day I got married. It's a good ploy. :)
I am so happy to read these posts where MMMers are knocking out that student debt. Ugh that stuff would scare the crap outta me, good for you guys for staring it down and beating it!
My per-capita net worth was just cut in half :-( But just crossed a multiple of $100k, so I've got that going for me, which is nice!
Post by: jordanread on June 20, 2014, 02:30:32 PM
Today she asked me what I thought about getting a clothesline so we don't use the dryer. It's only to off-set the cost of the A/C (which I still haven't installed this year) she said. When I discussed it last year, she kind of dismissed it. *big dopey grin*
A few weeks back I told her about Ottawa's (I think) thread on Mustachian Saturdays, and how cool it was he made his own sunscreen and chap stick. She didn't seem that interested, and didn't even read the thread. This afternoon, she mentions that she was looking at ways to make our own lotion.
This is happening. I think I got her finally to believe that we're only a few years away. YES!!!!
Post by: arebelspy on June 20, 2014, 03:02:45 PM
It's happening. Slowly but surely, without very much pressure at all from me. My SO is becoming a Mustachian...all on her own (kind of).
Today she asked me what I thought about getting a clothesline so we don't use the dryer. It's only to off-set the cost of the A/C (which I still haven't installed this year) she said. When I discussed it last year, she kind of dismissed it. *big dopey grin*
A few weeks back I told her about Ottawa's (I think) thread on Mustachian Saturdays, and how cool it was he made his own sunscreen and chap stick. She didn't seem that interested, and didn't even read the thread. This afternoon, she mentions that she was looking at ways to make our own lotion.
This is happening. I think I got her finally to believe that we're only a few years away. YES!!!!
Nice! That's so huge. Two people working together make such rapid progress.
Post by: jordanread on June 20, 2014, 03:06:17 PM
It's happening. Slowly but surely, without very much pressure at all from me. My SO is becoming a Mustachian...all on her own (kind of).
Today she asked me what I thought about getting a clothesline so we don't use the dryer. It's only to off-set the cost of the A/C (which I still haven't installed this year) she said. When I discussed it last year, she kind of dismissed it. *big dopey grin*
A few weeks back I told her about Ottawa's (I think) thread on Mustachian Saturdays, and how cool it was he made his own sunscreen and chap stick. She didn't seem that interested, and didn't even read the thread. This afternoon, she mentions that she was looking at ways to make our own lotion.
This is happening. I think I got her finally to believe that we're only a few years away. YES!!!!
Nice! That's so huge. Two people working together make such rapid progress.
Ain't that the truth. That was one of the secrets to getting her on board with the whole FIRE thing. I initially said I only needed to work until I was 36, and she could retire next year. She looked at the numbers, and started to realize I wasn't just giving her shit. Then she started thinking about retirement. Decided she'd get bored and will continue to work until we can both retire. Brought it down by 1.5 years. And that's not including cutting anything extra, like she has been doing! I'm so freaking stoked!!
Post by: Credaholic on June 20, 2014, 07:58:24 PM
Last month our energy bill was 805 ringgit or USD $251! We all studied the bill and decided on a plan: install window screens, buy fans and strategically position near windows, and turn off the air conditioning for good.
You know who kept us on track when going to bed in 32degC/90degF heat? Our 8 year old son. He'd say, "No dad you CAN'T turn on the air conditioning, what about the power bill?"
On a few nights my husband still squeezed in some air con on the sly for a few hours at a time when it was unbearable. When we had friends over for a homemade pizza dinner (byo topping), we turned the air con on as well. Other than that, we went air-con free.
The latest energy bill arrived last week. After looking at the bill, we took our son out to a Burger King (his favorite) to celebrate and shower high praise and plentiful compliments upon him for his inspiring leadership: our latest bill was RM344 ($107).
We still have work to do - can install more screens and a few more fans. But ... progress not perfection right?
Love this story, your son sounds awesome!
Post by: 1967mama on June 21, 2014, 03:05:33 AM
Post by: Zamboni on June 22, 2014, 06:46:02 AM
Post by: ichangedmyname on June 22, 2014, 11:38:44 AM
My 401k broke $5k today and it was barely over $1k at the start of the year. :D
Post by: smalllife on June 25, 2014, 09:20:38 AM
Post by: Daniel on June 25, 2014, 09:45:29 AM
Post by: HairyUpperLip on June 25, 2014, 02:30:13 PM
Post by: Daniel on June 25, 2014, 04:34:30 PM
Damn - free bus rides. That's awesome
The secret is to marry someone who works for the bus company...gotta love those non-traditional benefits.
Post by: OptimizeOptimism on June 25, 2014, 11:07:28 PM
I love reading everyone else's accomplishments too! It makes me feel like celebrating just for finding such an inspiring community of people!
Post by: inmotion on June 26, 2014, 12:38:21 PM
About to cross the 9000k mark on my commuter bike... at 41 it feels good to be able to ride hard still and enjoy every minute of it!
Have a great Thursday!
IM
Post by: anotherAlias on June 26, 2014, 07:44:19 PM
Post by: arebelspy on June 26, 2014, 11:48:12 PM
I got an unexpected 5.5% raise this week. This was after an unusually large year end raise of 6%. That's the biggest yearly increase I've ever gotten without switching jobs.
Wow, double digit increase in one year, well done! They must like you. :)
Post by: Mr Dumpster Stache on June 27, 2014, 08:02:39 AM
Post by: MandyM on June 27, 2014, 11:28:04 AM
Post by: jordanread on June 27, 2014, 11:54:17 AM
I rode my bike to work every day this week!
Way to go!!
Post by: 1967mama on June 28, 2014, 06:09:18 PM
Post by: arebelspy on June 29, 2014, 10:13:47 AM
Our January to June spending was about 25% lower this year than last year.
Nice!
Now the fun part: calculate how big your stache would have had to be for the old spending level (25 times your Jan-June 2013 spending x 2, since it's only six months versus 25 times this year's Jan-June 2014 spending x 2) and see how much less money you need saved to support your new spending. Then calculate how many YEARS of work you saved by not needing to build up that unnecessary money. :D
Post by: jordanread on June 30, 2014, 10:58:04 AM
Guys, it's happening. My talk of saving and investing money is getting through to my husband.
My husband opened a Roth IRA with Vanguard yesterday, putting in the initial investment and set up monthly automatic investments! BUT IT GETS EVEN BETTER, he also signed up for the savings plan at his part time job (it's invested into a Target Retirement fund) because "I mind as well try to put away more, even if I don't make very much at this job."
I love hearing things like this. I'm going through the same thing with my SO, and it's awesome as they get on board.
Post by: G-dog on June 30, 2014, 05:50:21 PM
Items I am celebrating:
- earlier this year I became debt-free
- in April, I started a personal Vanguard account to stop sitting on cash and start investing (besides the work 401K, CDs, etc.)
- I just started a Roth IRA on Vanguard -- I had always believed that our AGI was too high, either the limit moved up (possible), or I could have done this earlier and didn't (stupid/stupid/stupid)
- I am ALMOST to $1MM in investments & cash (not including the house, which honestly isn't worth that much...) -- about another $75K to go.... I hope to post a celebration at meeting the million level by the end of 2014!
- earlier this year I started recording all my spending
- I also have a "work days" remaining countdown file for my current job I will retire from in April 2015 (a promise to myself that I will leave that job!)
Post by: so.mpls on July 01, 2014, 10:25:20 AM
Post by: KatieSSS on July 01, 2014, 01:45:07 PM
--Maxed out Roth IRA for the first time ever
--Sold my car and put the $3k directly towards savings
--Got emergency fund up to 6 months of expenses
--Increased my work-retirement contributions to 20% (up from 10%)
It is amazing what I've been able to do now that I'm debt free!
Oh, and my investment numbers are just shy of $50,000. Two years ago at this time I had that much in DEBT. :)
Post by: arebelspy on July 01, 2014, 01:53:49 PM
Celebrating a few things that happened in June:
--Maxed out Roth IRA for the first time ever
--Sold my car and put the $3k directly towards savings
--Got emergency fund up to 6 months of expenses
--Increased my work-retirement contributions to 20% (up from 10%)
It is amazing what I've been able to do now that I'm debt free!
Oh, and my investment numbers are just shy of $50,000. Two years ago at this time I had that much in DEBT. :)
That's quite the two year turn-around, and the fact that you're still making progress as evidenced by your awesome June is amazing. Way to go! :)
Post by: KatieSSS on July 01, 2014, 02:07:20 PM
Celebrating a few things that happened in June:
--Maxed out Roth IRA for the first time ever
--Sold my car and put the $3k directly towards savings
--Got emergency fund up to 6 months of expenses
--Increased my work-retirement contributions to 20% (up from 10%)
It is amazing what I've been able to do now that I'm debt free!
Oh, and my investment numbers are just shy of $50,000. Two years ago at this time I had that much in DEBT. :)
That's quite the two year turn-around, and the fact that you're still making progress as evidenced by your awesome June is amazing. Way to go! :)
Thanks! Seeing the progress is half the fun, too!
Post by: JD_ on July 02, 2014, 10:35:29 AM
I was expecting 3%. It's not huge, but I'm happy. Now the fun part of deciding how to use it (extra mortgage payment, 401k, or Roth IRA).
Great topic, lots of good reads in this thread.
-JD
Post by: MandyM on July 02, 2014, 12:32:45 PM
I got a 5.9% raise at work :)
I was expecting 3%. It's not huge, but I'm happy. Now the fun part of deciding how to use it (extra mortgage payment, 401k, or Roth IRA).
Great topic, lots of good reads in this thread.
-JD
Congrats! I'm waiting to hear what kind of raise I'm getting and I'd be pretty happy with 5.9%.
Post by: JD_ on July 02, 2014, 05:21:56 PM
JD
Post by: G-dog on July 02, 2014, 05:55:28 PM
I got a 5.9% raise at work :)
I was expecting 3%. It's not huge, but I'm happy. Now the fun part of deciding how to use it (extra mortgage payment, 401k, or Roth IRA).
Great topic, lots of good reads in this thread.
-JD
Congratulations! I think that is way above average - my work has just been keeping up with ~ COL. You are rocking' it!
Post by: NinetyFour on July 03, 2014, 06:44:14 AM
In the past 9.5 months, my Net Worth has increased by $104,764.99.
And my Net Worth has, for the first time, surpassed $400,000.
$400,879.11 to be exact!!
Post by: G-dog on July 03, 2014, 02:30:34 PM
Just updated the spreadsheets.
In the past 9.5 months, my Net Worth has increased by $104,764.99.
And my Net Worth has, for the first time, surpassed $400,000.
$400,879.11 to be exact!!
WOW! Excellent! That is amazing - congratulations.
Post by: Grid on July 03, 2014, 10:05:43 PM
Just updated the spreadsheets.
In the past 9.5 months, my Net Worth has increased by $104,764.99.
And my Net Worth has, for the first time, surpassed $400,000.
$400,879.11 to be exact!!
Well that's a stunning set of figures. I just got on here to celebrate that I biked my first trip to a social gathering today. 7 miles round-trip. Riding back on the city streets was amazing - almost no cars.
Post by: EK on July 05, 2014, 07:40:37 PM
Post by: iris lily on July 05, 2014, 10:31:44 PM
Woo hooo!! I just sent the final payment to my student loan!!! Now I get to decide what to do with all the extra money I'm going to have to play with when I NEVER HAVE TO PAY MY LOANS AGAIN!!! The loan has been a part of my entire adult life up until now, it will almost feel strange to make a budget without a line for my loan!!That is a major accomplishment, good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: rax on July 06, 2014, 02:53:24 AM
This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here, huge success.
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.
Post by: NinetyFour on July 06, 2014, 07:49:51 AM
Post by: pachnik on July 06, 2014, 07:59:31 AM
My husband is doing better financially just by I guess me doing things in a more MMM way. I really changed once I got here. He has changed too. For example, just before we left for our vacation he signed up for his work's RRSP plan. It isn't a huge amount but it gets the habit of saving started. Plus, while we are on vacation he's looking at ways to save $ on eating out.
Keep 'em coming on this thread, folks.
Post by: NinetyFour on July 06, 2014, 08:13:06 AM
That's great that your husband is getting on board and learning from you!
Enjoy the rest of your time in Montreal, and safe travels back home.
Post by: Malaysia41 on July 07, 2014, 06:38:36 AM
Woo hooo!! I just sent the final payment to my student loan!!! Now I get to decide what to do with all the extra money I'm going to have to play with when I NEVER HAVE TO PAY MY LOANS AGAIN!!! The loan has been a part of my entire adult life up until now, it will almost feel strange to make a budget without a line for my loan!!By 'play' you mean, invest? :).
Post by: EK on July 07, 2014, 06:47:26 AM
Woo hooo!! I just sent the final payment to my student loan!!! Now I get to decide what to do with all the extra money I'm going to have to play with when I NEVER HAVE TO PAY MY LOANS AGAIN!!! The loan has been a part of my entire adult life up until now, it will almost feel strange to make a budget without a line for my loan!!By 'play' you mean, invest? :).
Of course! What else!?
Post by: KatieSSS on July 07, 2014, 11:29:07 AM
Woo hooo!! I just sent the final payment to my student loan!!! Now I get to decide what to do with all the extra money I'm going to have to play with when I NEVER HAVE TO PAY MY LOANS AGAIN!!! The loan has been a part of my entire adult life up until now, it will almost feel strange to make a budget without a line for my loan!!By 'play' you mean, invest? :).
Of course! What else!?
Congrats, EK! I know exactly how you feel and it is amazing. Bask in the glory :)
Then make a plan to put your dollars to work earning you more money. You'll see your net worth skyrocket and you'll barely have to lift a finger.
Post by: ketchup on July 07, 2014, 12:08:40 PM
Yesterday I managed to explain it all to a friend. With graphs, saving rates, interest rates and all. And he got it.We do what we must, because we can.
This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here, huge success.
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.
Post by: jordanread on July 07, 2014, 03:45:03 PM
Yesterday I managed to explain it all to a friend. With graphs, saving rates, interest rates and all. And he got it.
This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here, huge success.
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.
I'd be very interested in seeing those graphs and what not. I have a relatively solid method which is just a spreadsheet, but it lets me figure out if they understand it or don't. Was this person resistant to the idea and you turned them, or neutral, or what? I love hearing stories like this, and details would be awesome.
Post by: JoJoP on July 07, 2014, 05:34:43 PM
My husband is doing better financially just by I guess me doing things in a more MMM way. I really changed once I got here. He has changed too. For example, just before we left for our vacation he signed up for his work's RRSP plan. It isn't a huge amount but it gets the habit of saving started. Plus, while we are on vacation he's looking at ways to save $ on eating out.It's a great feeling when the husband gets on board, isn't it? Mine just opened up retirement accounts too. :)
Keep 'em coming on this thread, folks.
Great! It's so good that your husbands see that prudent living now will pay off in spades for the future. Congrats on leading your family down such a terrific path.
Post by: Heather in Ottawa on July 08, 2014, 08:51:17 PM
Here's mine: I turned our 5 year old gas-guzzling Jeep into a new Honda Fit and $500 today. Yes, new cars deserve a facepunch, but there were a few reasons we went new:
-a clean bill of automotive health (husband, especially, doesn't trust the type of person who might own an entry-level compact hatchback to take good care of it),
-silly tax rules that favour dealers over private sale (basically a 13% advantage to dealers),
-some good customer incentives on right now as the redesigned 2015s are about to arrive.
-Plus, we're now at that point (house paid for, saving like mad) where we can indulge in a few luxuries... No hair on fire here.
I'm looking forward to:
-chopping our gasoline bill in half (we mostly ride bikes, but the new car will still save about $600 per year in fuel costs),
-avoiding the repair bills that might have been looming on the Jeep (my husband used to drive it to work, we did some big roadtrips, and it had 118000 kms),
-fitting it in the garage much more easily to keep it protected from weather, and generally taking good care of it. This car will be with us a long time!
We've grown much more frugal since buying the Jeep, which no longer suited us. Thanks to MMM and forum people for providing a little extra push in deciding to get free of that excessive Jeep!
Post by: chasesfish on July 10, 2014, 04:41:54 AM
Post by: grantmeaname on July 10, 2014, 04:42:48 AM
Post by: minimos on July 10, 2014, 07:06:14 AM
This follows our household net worth crossing into positive territory for the first time last month.
Feeling like these were two huge accomplishments !
Post by: Debshep2006 on July 10, 2014, 11:22:48 AM
Thank you for being supportative. I just arrived to this website 6 months ago and after setting a goal of eliminating all of my credit card and student loans, totalling $55,000. I am proud to say that I am over 60% of the way there and have put over $35,000 dollars to debt. My goal is by Feb 2015. My student loan and 3 credit cards were eliminated. I have only one credit card left to go. I am cash/debt card only for the last 6 months which has been one of the biggest mind shifting tools to help me.
thanks for letting me share. It is difficult to tell anybody else.
Post by: arebelspy on July 10, 2014, 11:27:30 AM
Hello All
Thank you for being supportative. I just arrived to this website 6 months ago and after setting a goal of eliminating all of my credit card and student loans, totalling $55,000. I am proud to say that I am over 60% of the way there and have put over $35,000 dollars to debt. My goal is by Feb 2015. My student loan and 3 credit cards were eliminated. I have only one credit card left to go. I am cash/debt card only for the last 6 months which has been one of the biggest mind shifting tools to help me.
thanks for letting me share. It is difficult to tell anybody else.
Congrats Deb, that's great progress! You'll be debt free before you know it, and then it's onto bigger and better goals!
Post by: NinetyFour on July 10, 2014, 12:12:13 PM
Hello All
Thank you for being supportative. I just arrived to this website 6 months ago and after setting a goal of eliminating all of my credit card and student loans, totalling $55,000. I am proud to say that I am over 60% of the way there and have put over $35,000 dollars to debt. My goal is by Feb 2015. My student loan and 3 credit cards were eliminated. I have only one credit card left to go. I am cash/debt card only for the last 6 months which has been one of the biggest mind shifting tools to help me.
thanks for letting me share. It is difficult to tell anybody else.
That is awesome work, Debshep2006!! Must be great to see that debt number shrinking so significantly!
Post by: Tempe on July 10, 2014, 07:20:59 PM
Guys, it's happening. My talk of saving and investing money is getting through to my husband.Congrats! When my bf started a new job I asked to see in his log in what info there was on the 401k. I read about it and then went over it with him, he got excited with the 6% matching of various percentages. I think by this point he has gotten a free 1-2k from it all in the last year. He also started looking at some compound interest calculators and got excited about that. I wish I could get into the 15% off the company stock there his work has going on.
My husband opened a Roth IRA with Vanguard yesterday, putting in the initial investment and set up monthly automatic investments! BUT IT GETS EVEN BETTER, he also signed up for the savings plan at his part time job (it's invested into a Target Retirement fund) because "I mind as well try to put away more, even if I don't make very much at this job."
Post by: Daisy on July 10, 2014, 10:53:13 PM
So I'm feeling pretty good about this as I have a signed contract and a backup offer.
Once I sell this baby, I can pay off the existing mortgage, the HELOC I took out on the equity to buy my new place mortgage-free (thanks for the idea MMM!), and one step closer to the FIRE. Actually, one foot in FIRE Land and and the other foot in OMY City.
Post by: NinetyFour on July 11, 2014, 12:22:01 AM
Post by: rocksinmyhead on July 11, 2014, 07:07:58 AM
Woo hooo!! I just sent the final payment to my student loan!!! Now I get to decide what to do with all the extra money I'm going to have to play with when I NEVER HAVE TO PAY MY LOANS AGAIN!!! The loan has been a part of my entire adult life up until now, it will almost feel strange to make a budget without a line for my loan!!
I just did this today!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! When I finished grad school and started my job in 2012 I had ~$70k in student loans. Really I should probably have been able to pay them off faster since I make really good money, but I am working on becoming more mustachian, and I'm just so glad they're done!! I can't wait to put my money to work in more efficient ways! (okay, and probably save up for a unmustachian-but-modest-by-normal-standards wedding)
Post by: NinetyFour on July 11, 2014, 09:45:26 AM
Woo hooo!! I just sent the final payment to my student loan!!! Now I get to decide what to do with all the extra money I'm going to have to play with when I NEVER HAVE TO PAY MY LOANS AGAIN!!! The loan has been a part of my entire adult life up until now, it will almost feel strange to make a budget without a line for my loan!!
I just did this today!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! When I finished grad school and started my job in 2012 I had ~$70k in student loans. Really I should probably have been able to pay them off faster since I make really good money, but I am working on becoming more mustachian, and I'm just so glad they're done!! I can't wait to put my money to work in more efficient ways! (okay, and probably save up for a unmustachian-but-modest-by-normal-standards wedding)
Great job, rocks!! Huge accomplishment!
Post by: NinetyFour on July 11, 2014, 09:47:06 AM
I logged into Mint today and saw that our net worth is over $200,000 (doesn't include house or vehicles). I knew it would happen with this paycheck, but it still feels good. Also, I threw an extra $3000 into Vanguard. :)
Nice milestone, karaishere! I bet the next one will be easier and quicker!
Post by: arebelspy on July 11, 2014, 11:08:33 AM
I just did this today!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! When I finished grad school and started my job in 2012 I had ~$70k in student loans. Really I should probably have been able to pay them off faster since I make really good money, but I am working on becoming more mustachian, and I'm just so glad they're done!! I can't wait to put my money to work in more efficient ways! (okay, and probably save up for a unmustachian-but-modest-by-normal-standards wedding)
Nice! 70k in two years is awesome. :)
I logged into Mint today and saw that our net worth is over $200,000 (doesn't include house or vehicles). I knew it would happen with this paycheck, but it still feels good. Also, I threw an extra $3000 into Vanguard. :)
Congrats on being a seperlima-millionaire! (1/5th) :D
Post by: zinethstache on July 11, 2014, 01:40:32 PM
DH and I just closed on our third rental. This one was a big deal for us as it is a 4 plex. We now have 3 rentals, all multi's. Our NW is now just under 900k. I figure it will be next year before we will hit that first tier 1m.
Passive income pays all living and now some discretionary spending. 66% of our current cushy budget is paid for by our rental income. We started on our journey 3 years ago, We took most of the first year to learn and plan, but did make a purchase that December. Last year we acquired #2 in April. We were trying for #3 as early as last September, but boy is the market tough. We had a short sale go sour when the property was vandalized, I just knew as the months went by it was at risk of that... and wham, it happened, putting us back into shopping mode.
Our goal is 5k net rental income/mo. ok that is my conservative goal, DH is dreaming big and wants 10k. I don't want that much work, how is that retired living and it certainly isn't flying below the radar with that kind of cashflow. We should hit 5k in 2 ish more multi's. Depends on size/cost/mortgage interest etc. I don't think our monthly spend goal in FI will be much smaller than what we live on now. Because once I am no longer working for the man, we will have to cover medical costs, which will put us right back up to what we spend now -thank you ACA. I am still ok with that and feel we are on track for us to be fully retired by 50. DH retired in 2011 and he's the rental property investor, plotter and schemer. My role is to have us save, save, save every penny I earn for the next purchase. We are 46 now, so that's 4 years to hit our goal, I think it is reasonable and very achievable.
We live in a high COLA and I work in IT with a nice salary to support us as we transition to our new life... We have some major challenges we face but are working through them one issue at a time....
I feel like I just shouted that in all caps, thank you for reading:)
Post by: CU Tiger on July 12, 2014, 08:28:07 AM
Post by: Todd on July 14, 2014, 03:46:09 PM
A HUGE reason that we could do this is because we've been sitting on cash - (why, I don't know) - rather than flushing this student debt down the toilet.
After getting some empowerment from MMM, we pulled the trigger and made these awful debts disappear forever.
Thanks,
Todd
Post by: Jon_Snow on July 14, 2014, 07:36:07 PM
Whatever I want. Starting in 7 weeks, at 42 years old, I will become one of the FIRE'd. :)
Post by: Suit on July 14, 2014, 07:38:39 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on July 14, 2014, 07:58:01 PM
And what WILL you do all day?? :)
Post by: HappierAtHome on July 14, 2014, 08:15:31 PM
Well, today was the day... I officially gave notice to my employer. My knees were weak and my heart pounding as I ascended the stairs to where my bosses reside in our office. I started with some lame small talk, but sensed I should just get on with it. I told them I was leaving the company. Everyone took it remarkably well. I think I had dropped enough hints over the years that it wasn't a big surprise. No attempts to convince me to stay. But there was the repeated, perplexed question: "What are you going to do all day?"
Whatever I want. Starting in 7 weeks, at 42 years old, I will become one of the FIRE'd. :)
THIS IS HUGE!! Congrats!
Post by: rocksinmyhead on July 14, 2014, 08:16:48 PM
Congrats on being a seperlima-millionaire! (1/5th) :D
now I'm also celebrating having learned a new word today! LOL.
and congrats to everyone else! zinethstache, sounds like you guys are doing awesome... so exciting!!! Jon_Snow, you've been talking about this for a while and it sounds like your ER lifestyle is going to be awesome, so pumped for you that you have pulled the trigger and put it in motion!!!!!! "what are you going to do all day"... bahahahaha.
you are all so motivational :)
Post by: Daisy on July 14, 2014, 08:28:46 PM
But there was the repeated, perplexed question: "What are you going to do all day?"
Whatever I want. Starting in 7 weeks, at 42 years old, I will become one of the FIRE'd. :)
You will start your blog, of course! You'll have to somehow find time to squeeze in writing on your blog in between your amazing kayak excursions. Can't wait to read it!
Congrats!
Post by: Jon_Snow on July 15, 2014, 04:30:20 PM
Today was my first day back at work since informing the corporation of my imminent departure. Very odd to be on the job site - I feel as though I have already mentally checked out. Going to be the slowest 2 months of my life. And my leaving doesn't seem to made the rounds yet - but I know the avalanche of reaction and puzzlement is going to start very soon. Suggestions that I will be a "kept man" are really going to irritate me I suspect.
I was wondering this morning now that my FIRE'ism is close to a reality, would I be hanging around on these forums as much. After all, Mustachianism seems like to vehicle to GET FIRE'd. But having considered the question more, I think I will hang around here to ensure I STAY FIRE'd. Having to go back to work would be a real bummer. ;)
Post by: FiveSigmas on July 16, 2014, 12:33:03 AM
I was wondering this morning now that my FIRE'ism is close to a reality, would I be hanging around on these forums as much. After all, Mustachianism seems like to vehicle to GET FIRE'd. But having considered the question more, I think I will hang around here to ensure I STAY FIRE'd. Having to go back to work would be a real bummer. ;)
Please do -- I'd love to hear more about your experiences in the times to come and how they compare/contrast with FrankH, Nords, and others. Anyway, congrats on pulling the trigger!
Post by: HairyUpperLip on July 16, 2014, 12:40:18 PM
Well, today was the day... I officially gave notice to my employer. My knees were weak and my heart pounding as I ascended the stairs to where my bosses reside in our office. I started with some lame small talk, but sensed I should just get on with it. I told them I was leaving the company. Everyone took it remarkably well. I think I had dropped enough hints over the years that it wasn't a big surprise. No attempts to convince me to stay. But there was the repeated, perplexed question: "What are you going to do all day?"
Whatever I want. Starting in 7 weeks, at 42 years old, I will become one of the FIRE'd. :)
Congratulations good sir.
Post by: carozy on July 18, 2014, 03:13:00 PM
Today I scheduled my last debt payment! Yay! No more debt! :)
Now I will concentrate on building up a cash cushion, buy a laptop, and then it's all about investing.
Post by: Middlesbrough on July 19, 2014, 01:54:58 AM
Today, I figured out my tax budget for the year and how to maximize my situation! Whoot! Whoot!
Post by: marty998 on July 20, 2014, 02:12:46 AM
In honor of Phoebe and marty's accomplishments, I started a mini-celebrations thread here: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/celebrations-thread/
I thought it was 2 years ago, but actually it wasn't, it was only 18 months. At the time I said to myself, ok, lets try and go up by $60k a year.
I think I just hit $500k last week! I wonder if Phoebe is still around? She must be close to $1m at the rate she was going....
Apartment: $495k
Loan less cash offset: ($80k)
Net shares: $35k
Super: $54k
Total $504k
wowee :0
Post by: happy on July 21, 2014, 03:17:17 AM
Phoebes not blogging ATM - last post in April. Not sure if she's still posting/reading.
Post by: G-dog on July 21, 2014, 05:00:13 PM
Post by: sekritdino on July 21, 2014, 08:31:07 PM
I have about $11,200 left on my other loan. The total for the two was about $37k. It's a lot, but definitely worth it, since I got it going back to school for a computer science degree and now I'm making about $115k per year, right out of college.
Post by: 1967mama on July 28, 2014, 11:07:11 AM
Post by: ender on July 29, 2014, 06:14:06 AM
No more deductions but taxes and a nominal amount for my yearly purchase of 5 days vacation :D
Post by: Basenji on August 01, 2014, 05:47:57 AM
Post by: pachnik on August 01, 2014, 07:38:44 AM
Post by: arebelspy on August 05, 2014, 11:48:36 PM
Well, today was the day... I officially gave notice to my employer. My knees were weak and my heart pounding as I ascended the stairs to where my bosses reside in our office. I started with some lame small talk, but sensed I should just get on with it. I told them I was leaving the company. Everyone took it remarkably well. I think I had dropped enough hints over the years that it wasn't a big surprise. No attempts to convince me to stay. But there was the repeated, perplexed question: "What are you going to do all day?"
Whatever I want. Starting in 7 weeks, at 42 years old, I will become one of the FIRE'd. :)
Congrats! What an awesome feeling.
This thread started when I posted in another poster's thread (Phoebe) about both of us reaching $300k at around the same time and ARS said ok lets have a sticky for everyone's achievements.In honor of Phoebe and marty's accomplishments, I started a mini-celebrations thread here: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/celebrations-thread/
I thought it was 2 years ago, but actually it wasn't, it was only 18 months. At the time I said to myself, ok, lets try and go up by $60k a year.
I think I just hit $500k last week! I wonder if Phoebe is still around? She must be close to $1m at the rate she was going....
Apartment: $495k
Loan less cash offset: ($80k)
Net shares: $35k
Super: $54k
Total $504k
wowee :0
Well done! Semi-Millionaire is an awesome accomplishment. :)
I too hope Phoebe is doing well.
Post by: grantmeaname on August 07, 2014, 12:40:37 AM
I just got a job offer in London! That'll be a hit to the savings rate, but what a terrific opportunity!
And so it did! I'll be starting my career in London, perhaps this time next year! Yesterday was a good day!Congrats! Is that for after graduation?if everything goes well it comes with a job offer at the end!
Post by: arebelspy on August 08, 2014, 08:09:25 AM
And so it did! I'll be starting my career in London, perhaps this time next year! Yesterday was a good day!
Whoo! You must have impressed somebody.
Post by: Daisy on August 11, 2014, 08:20:15 PM
I finally got a decent offer on the house I am selling! We have a signed contract and will close in a month. There was a competing contract at a much lower price that came in a little after. They just agreed to the higher price the current signed offer agreed to...in case stuff falls through before the closing.
So I'm feeling pretty good about this as I have a signed contract and a backup offer.
Once I sell this baby, I can pay off the existing mortgage, the HELOC I took out on the equity to buy my new place mortgage-free (thanks for the idea MMM!), and one step closer to the FIRE. Actually, one foot in FIRE Land and and the other foot in OMY City.
I feel a little weird quoting myself, but I wanted to post an update on the situation. My sale is closed and the keys have been turned over.
I AM MORTGAGE FREE!!! Yippee!!! I am so happy. The sky is the limit now. Bring on the super savings. Bring on the threats of layoffs. I've got FU money, am technically FI, and ready to face whatever life brings my way now.
Thanks to everyone on this forum and MMM for giving me the encouragement and the extra set of tools I needed to make this happen.
Post by: arebelspy on August 11, 2014, 08:36:36 PM
Post by: Daisy on August 11, 2014, 10:29:31 PM
Congrats! What a great feeling. :)
Thanks! Your comment has just now inspired me to adopt a FIRE theme song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILWSp0m9G2U
I may or may not have recreated the studio dance scene in my home just now...
Post by: kittystache on August 14, 2014, 12:22:10 PM
I discovered the blog a couple of months ago and it has inspired some MAJOR changes in my house with more to come. Why is this a big deal? Because my husband and I are both well-employed and fall for the whole - "We can afford it" thing or "Time for money" thing hands down. But what I am finding is that making these changes is really propelling us to get our values in order, communicate more and allow for better quality of life! Money does not buy happiness. Badassity breeds happiness and Happiness breeds happiness.
Now ER and FI is a real goal that we can both work towards. MMM has improved our marriage and family life!
Our recent changes:
- No more cable. Duh! Don't make fun of us for having cable. We are new here remember? We have been asleep. We were on auto-pilot here - at $100 a month (Bought a Roku - is definitely awesome-er) I was punching myself in the face with that stupid bill. WE NEVER EVEN WATCHED IT!!!
- Starting bicycle commuting - almost everywhere. We bicycled to a kiddy b-day party last weekend in perfect weather. It was 14 miles round trip and we were the talk of the party. People acted like we were from another planet. It was awesome! Kids had fun - we had fun.
- Starting bicycle commuting to work - 6 miles round trip. I lost weight. People have noticed that I look "better". Healthier and happier maybe? I feel better and best of all, I feel like a kid going to elementary school. I forgot how much fun traveling somewhere can be.
- Fired the cleaners. OUR HOUSE IS ACTUALLY CLEANER NOW We have made everyone a bit more responsible for housecleaning. The funny thing is - We don't feel it at all. I mean AT ALL. When you outsource everything, you just get lazy. So the house was always messy - even though we had twice a week cleaning. OMG what a freaking realization!!!!
- My husband is doing yard work and other handyperson jobs for the first time ever. I was raised in a DIY family - he was not. This is new. While I have always (10+ years) advocated for DIY at times, he has mostly talked me out of it with the Time for Money argument. This, and fact that that I got really tired of doing these things by myself. The issue was that were not actually making money with the extra time. We were just sitting around not learning new skills.
- We have made some serious investment changes, we are branching out into real estate and have added another $10k a year in income.
- I am taking my lunch to work. Healthier, happier, lost weight... see above. Has improved self-esteem and health and marriage. Children have FUN cooking with me. Children are making their own lunches.
Post by: NinetyFour on August 14, 2014, 01:44:48 PM
Post by: arebelspy on August 14, 2014, 07:27:53 PM
Post by: iris lily on August 14, 2014, 09:21:54 PM
Post by: JoJoP on August 16, 2014, 09:30:07 AM
New Mustacian here!Great and inspiring first post! Congrats! It is amazing how not kowtowing to the man leads to a happier life! It's all about deciding what works best for each of us-- and doing it, not just robotically setting out on the path that most people follow... the lemming mentality.
Money does not buy happiness. Badassity breeds happiness and Happiness breeds happiness.
Now ER and FI is a real goal that we can both work towards. MMM has improved our marriage and family life!
Our recent changes:!
It's funny how in the 60"s "dropping out and turning on" and "doing your own thing" was such a mass movement, and in the 70's "looking out for number 1" was the MO of society. But there just has not been a huge cultural movement to "do your own thing" financially-- and turn off the cable tv or bike to work, etc. It sometimes seems that since so many people are just a train wreck financially, there is a stigma to being financially independent. [/list]
Post by: kittystache on August 18, 2014, 08:26:09 AM
My co-worker has a new BMW (lease!!) got her son a new car (also a BMW lease!!!) has a second home in Florida (occupied 2 months out of 12 - and NEVER rented out) and people view her and her hubby as successful because they can "afford" all that!! Wow. Talk about conspicuous consumption. They are successful because the tap never turns off on their wallet spigot. I think that she is emptying her own wallet - it is the height of stupidity. She could stop that nonsense, quit her job TODAY and travel the world with her husband with just a few changes. But instead she comes into a mediocre corporate job every single day.
This is especially heinous as she has a severely disabled daughter, who is an adult, and she worries about wanting to leave money for her care when she is gone. Then why the crazy wallet tap? I just don't get it. It is like there is no connection between all of this stuff in her head.
Post by: bleumanchu on August 18, 2014, 05:23:53 PM
I biked to work today for the first time. My commute is only 4-5 miles each way, so the savings if I biked every single day would only be about $600 annually, but it’s still a nice little change. (I have to drive off-site just often enough, and I don’t live anywhere near a Zipcar or the like so I can’t actually get rid of the car altogether).
Other changes:
- DW and I moved in July. Our rent decreased by $400/month, and my commute went from 30.8 miles round trip to the above cited 4-5 miles.
- I’ve massively accelerated my student loan payments, and have paid over $34,000 towards my loans since May 1st. Still a long way to go (medical school, out of state), but I anticipate having them paid off by late 2016.
- DW agreed to trade in her gas hogging luxury SUV for a much more fuel efficient wagon. We traded in her old car and pocketed almost $8000 cash in the process.
- We were already maxing out our 401Ks, but I’ve started setting aside money to do a traditional IRA to Roth IRA conversion (“backdoor Roth”)--many thanks to the White Coat Investor site for plugging me into this.
- I picked up a side gig that looks like it may end up equating to about a 5-6% raise in gross income for me for a fairly all amount of time and extra work.
- I’ve also become hyper-aware of our spending, and have drastically cut back on unnecessary expenditures. We're currently trying to get a handle on our grocery budget--too embarrassed to share what our monthly expenditures are, but let's just say there is room for improvement.
Still a work in progress, but we’re gathering steam! Thanks to everybody in this community for the information and inspiration.
Sent from my mobile using Tapatalk
Post by: kittystache on August 19, 2014, 05:31:11 AM
I had over $100k in student loans 5 years ago and paid them off within a year. We lived on basically 1 income and all of my salary went to those loans. When it was done, it felt great. Our grocery bill is also embarrassing, trying to find ways to deal with that!
Post by: boy_bye on August 19, 2014, 05:38:27 AM
today i go and set my 401K contributions to 35% so that it'll be maxed out this year.
now we save for the future instead of paying back the past! amazing!!!
Post by: rax on August 19, 2014, 06:49:38 AM
Yesterday I managed to explain it all to a friend. With graphs, saving rates, interest rates and all. And he got it.
This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here, huge success.
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.
I'd be very interested in seeing those graphs and what not. I have a relatively solid method which is just a spreadsheet, but it lets me figure out if they understand it or don't. Was this person resistant to the idea and you turned them, or neutral, or what? I love hearing stories like this, and details would be awesome.
I have really nothing, just tried to make him understand a small set of key ideas using a pen and a piece of paper as support.
The first one of these ideas was that "the rewards for saving grow exponentially but they are hardly noticeable unless you stay north of 50%". At this point I used the paper to illustrate what happens over time when you save 10%, 20%, 50%, 66%, 75%, 80%, 90% and 95% of your income. Notice that this is just a simplification of The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement, a post from MMM that absolutely blew my mind at the time.
Once he was hooked we moved towards the concepts of annuity and SWR, then used the pen and paper to do some back of the napkin calculations to find out his "number" and how long would it take him to reach it using different variations for expenses, interest and savings rate.
IIRC the thing with what he struggled the most was thinking of his savings in terms of "years of expenses saved" and understand statements like "with a 4% interest rate you need 25 years of expenses to retire" instead of thinking in absolute numbers, but he eventually got it.
When we met again after a few days he told me he had been having trouble sleeping at night, thinking about all the implications of what I taught him :)
Have to admit though that he was actually interested in what I was up to and approached the whole thing with an open mind. Unfortunately you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
Post by: WESTOFTHEHUDSON on August 19, 2014, 09:53:52 PM
We made money on the transaction and just made a sweet $4,500 extra payment on the mortgage.
I am grateful to the Mustachian ways for helping me convert my husband that we did not need a new car with a payment and warranty.
Post by: Verdo on August 22, 2014, 07:50:44 AM
Only debt left is the mortgage!
Post by: Emerald on August 25, 2014, 06:03:02 AM
Post by: Silvie on August 25, 2014, 07:13:58 AM
Just made my last payment this morning on my school loan.
Only debt left is the mortgage!
This. Except it was a personal loan from my dad. Have been paying him back for almost 2 years (30,000 euros). This morning I paid the last 1000. Yaaaay!!!
Post by: G-dog on August 25, 2014, 04:58:45 PM
I'm been on a fixing kick lately, so in celebration of my new skills, I've repaired: my flat rear tire on my bike, my leaking washing machine door, and my kitchen aid mixer! Next up, I'll see if I can tune up my sewing machine (which is from like 1998). :)
I want to move in this direction too, do some minor repairs in the house, etc. I am still a bit scared I'll screw things up and have to pay to fix my fix! But I will get there!
Post by: Joggernot on August 25, 2014, 07:39:50 PM
Quote
I e-mailed my old walking buddy from IT and asked if he had switched from putting his money into a regular 457 (like a 401k) and was now putting it into the Roth 457. He didn't see the logic in it (he's the one who's net worth is over $2M now, from hard work and saving, but is still worried about running out of money). So, I put together a little spreadsheet showing that since he is hoping to retire to Hawaii, the 8% income tax he'd pay, along with the decrease in SS & other benefits he'd have from having a high income, makes it a no-brainer to use the Roth now. He was really surprised, and had thought he'd be in a lower tax bracket when he retired. So then he sent me this logic:
When he retires, he hopes to have a pension of $6k/month. His wife has a pension from XYZ Co. which will be about 2K per month. They plan on holding off on SS until age 70, at which point they both will get 3K/month (they both make a little over 100k now). So, adding up 6+2+3+3 = $14,000/month. That's before any withdrawals from their retirement savings. I told him he didn't have to worry about eating cat food when he was older. It'll be a little tight between age 57 and 70, but I think they'll manage.
Post by: peppermint on August 26, 2014, 03:23:47 PM
Post by: G-dog on August 26, 2014, 06:38:18 PM
Wow! It is exhilarating!
Post by: V on August 28, 2014, 07:58:08 AM
Post by: Dicey on August 28, 2014, 09:25:40 AM
I'm been on a fixing kick lately, so in celebration of my new skills, I've repaired: my flat rear tire on my bike, my leaking washing machine door, and my kitchen aid mixer! Next up, I'll see if I can tune up my sewing machine (which is from like 1998). :)
I finally broke out the pre-1998 sewing machine this week after not touching it for years. I wasn't sure if I was threading it correctly, so I *gasp* checked the manual. I was surprised to see how helpful it is. I know, what a shock. There are a ton of trouble shooting tips, because most older machines are fairly simple and tend to have similar problems. If you don't have the actual manual, you can find it on line. Your other repair victories (Oh, a rear tire, extra credit for that one!) indicate you have the skill set to handle this. Also, small screwdrivers are a must. If you still have the small box that came with the machine, there may be some in it. Good luck!
Post by: Sarita on August 30, 2014, 02:48:27 PM
Finally resolved to change over to P+ today, and then (thanks friends!) read here that they will be shifting to allow for 'modern' phones in a few months. So looked at Verizon to see what was currently available, and called Verizon and was able to lower my monthly rate from $103 to $38 for no contract, 1.75 GB, unlimited talk and text.
May still switch to P+ at some point, but was chagrinned to see once again how much you can lower your costs by simply calling the company.
Post by: 1967mama on August 31, 2014, 05:54:36 PM
Post by: G-dog on September 01, 2014, 10:32:52 AM
Post by: Squirrel away on September 01, 2014, 10:53:30 AM
- I cancelled Amazon Prime as £79 is too much money.
- We reduced our grocery budget by half.:)
- We have reduced our mobile phone contracts to £7 a month each.
- Our Net Worth is now over £500k.
Post by: iris lily on September 01, 2014, 10:55:40 AM
I finally broke out the pre-1998 sewing machine this week after not touching it for years. I wasn't sure if I was threading it correctly, so I *gasp* checked the manual. I was surprised to see how helpful it is. I know, what a shock. There are a ton of trouble shooting tips, because most older machines are fairly simple and tend to have similar problems. If you don't have the actual manual, you can find it on line. ..
I know! Some years ago I was having continual trouble with getting my sewing machine to sew a straight line, so I symbolically cleared my head of everything I thought I know about threading it. Then I sat down and read the manual, slowly, carefully, and followed instructions to the letter in threading the bobbin and in threading the needle. Voila, it then worked perfectly!
Also, I bought new bobbins on Ebay, ones that were not bent.
I've got a Singer Featherweight machine from the 1950's and when you treat it right, it does good work.
Post by: bdoubleu on September 04, 2014, 10:56:58 PM
Then smugly (working on this, maybe it would be a celebration post of its own!) laughed to ourselves about bro/sis-in-law, who just moved themselves (and a literal shit-ton of junk - with our advice of "this is a perfect time to get rid of shit you don't need!) to a new house, in which the basement full of said junk proceeded to flood. And they're trying to salvage all that they can, even though all the stuff down there was stuff they hadn't used for 5+ years (think, random holiday decorations, a ping pong table(?), boxes of clothes (boxes got wet = a million dryer loads of clothes), etc.
Post by: givemesunshine on September 08, 2014, 06:42:13 PM
I have a couple of things I want to celebrate - but can't share with anyone in real life, too many people who think being interested and educated about money is dull and boring! At the beginning of the year I got a long overdue promotion and am now finally earning a fair wage. I couldn't celebrate this too much either except with my family (overseas) as it may have led to some resentment from workmates who are less qualified/experienced but think they also deserve higher pay. Hard to have kept that to myself - so I'm telling you all! The increased income has meant I have paid off my student loans (yay!), increased my superannuation (pension) contributions, savings rate (to 33% from 12.5%, which is a huge increase) and my net worth has increased $47K in 12 months - and I have reached 6 figures!
I have a long way to go - I only rent at the moment and property is expensive where I live - but I am being very concious of my spending and hope to see my resources continue to grow.
Thanks all for a great forum - and for somewhere to celebrate, it's hard keeping it all to myself!
Post by: arebelspy on September 08, 2014, 08:37:05 PM
Hi all,
I have a couple of things I want to celebrate - but can't share with anyone in real life, too many people who think being interested and educated about money is dull and boring! At the beginning of the year I got a long overdue promotion and am now finally earning a fair wage. I couldn't celebrate this too much either except with my family (overseas) as it may have led to some resentment from workmates who are less qualified/experienced but think they also deserve higher pay. Hard to have kept that to myself - so I'm telling you all! The increased income has meant I have paid off my student loans (yay!), increased my superannuation (pension) contributions, savings rate (to 33% from 12.5%, which is a huge increase) and my net worth has increased $47K in 12 months - and I have reached 6 figures!
I have a long way to go - I only rent at the moment and property is expensive where I live - but I am being very concious of my spending and hope to see my resources continue to grow.
Thanks all for a great forum - and for somewhere to celebrate, it's hard keeping it all to myself!
Those are some awesome milestones zinny! Way to go!
Post by: happy on September 09, 2014, 03:47:09 AM
Post by: givemesunshine on September 09, 2014, 03:47:16 PM
Post by: Public Hermit on September 10, 2014, 09:06:03 AM
I just made a $4,900 student loan payment, or more than 50% of my entire student loan balance.
Just a few more months and my student loans will be paid off. I am projecting by late January 2015.
Post by: Sister C on September 13, 2014, 07:11:04 PM
My mini-celebration is posting my wedding dress for sale online. It's the first thing I've ever sold online-- before this I have always donated/swapped/gifted.
Post by: Napalok1 on September 19, 2014, 04:16:24 PM
Post by: Napalok1 on September 19, 2014, 04:21:03 PM
Post by: iris lily on September 19, 2014, 11:31:55 PM
I Forgot to say I received a ten thousand dollar a year raise. To fight Hedonistic adaptation I downsized from an apartment to a rooming house, sold my car and got a bicycle. My co-workers and fellow tenants think I'm on my last legs. They have no idea I'm on my way to freedom. No debts, IRA Defined Pension Plan, Savings account , Brokerage account and Annuity.
Now that is badass! Get a huge salary increase, decrease your consumption/ Great formula for FIRE.
Post by: Helvegen on September 22, 2014, 11:58:00 AM
Post by: Joggernot on September 23, 2014, 02:34:36 PM
This is a small town so none of the stores in town carried a timer switch; Lowes in the next town over didn't have any either, so ended up going to Amazon to purchase two timer switches.
They arrived and I was able to install them myself, even though I don't like working with electricity and normally have someone do it for me. Only problem came when the original wire wasn't long enough to let me just install the timer, so I had to go to the hardware store (on electric golf cart) and buy 2 feet of wire (lots extra) to finish the installations.
They work perfectly and look good, too. Now the timer will turn the fan off even if the guests forget. Probably just a mini-celebration.
Post by: jordanread on September 23, 2014, 04:06:01 PM
We had guests two weeks ago and one thing we learned was that the guests turned on the fan in the bathroom with every visit and forgot to turn it off. We'd come home from showing them around town and notice that the fan was still on.
This is a small town so none of the stores in town carried a timer switch; Lowes in the next town over didn't have any either, so ended up going to Amazon to purchase two timer switches.
They arrived and I was able to install them myself, even though I don't like working with electricity and normally have someone do it for me. Only problem came when the original wire wasn't long enough to let me just install the timer, so I had to go to the hardware store (on electric golf cart) and buy 2 feet of wire (lots extra) to finish the installations.
They work perfectly and look good, too. Now the timer will turn the fan off even if the guests forget. Probably just a mini-celebration.
I had just found out about these, and they seem awesome. Good for you!! And electricity is not that scary, as long as you don't get electrocuted.
Post by: 10dollarsatatime on September 27, 2014, 09:47:30 PM
Post by: Hannah on September 29, 2014, 10:50:36 AM
Actually, we are getting 1.25 rentals out of the deal because we will convert our current home into the full rental, and the new place will be our primary home with the basement rented out!
The double bonus is that we will get to ditch the car completely since our commutes will be entirely on side roads or bike paths!
Post by: arebelspy on September 29, 2014, 12:39:20 PM
Offer accepted to purchase our first rental house!
Actually, we are getting 1.25 rentals out of the deal because we will convert our current home into the full rental, and the new place will be our primary home with the basement rented out!
The double bonus is that we will get to ditch the car completely since our commutes will be entirely on side roads or bike paths!
Nice, congrats!
Post by: orbix on September 30, 2014, 12:20:00 AM
Post by: dr72 on September 30, 2014, 12:30:59 PM
The best part of this continuing journey was the feeling I had last week. My boss let me know that upper management was probably going to "change their minds" and change the requirements and experience required for my job and that I had something like 3-9 months before they would let me go. It was the first time I've been in that situation where I wasn't in a panic, wasn't worried, and didn't immediately feel like throwing up. I felt .. fine! We've simplified our life, reduced our expenses, and are relatively debt free which means I don't need to panic and I can take the time find a job on my terms and not scramble for just "anything".
Thanks for all the posters in this forum, as a lurker and someone who rarely posts, this forum is very helpful and inspiring.
Post by: arebelspy on September 30, 2014, 12:57:42 PM
This seems like the best thread for this post. I found this blog at some point last year and read all the posts and started to really think about what we spent money on and what we actually needed. We've come a long way since, and by the end of this year will be debt free except for student loans and a mortgage, which is a huge improvement but we're still not close to being real Mustachian's like so many of you.
The best part of this continuing journey was the feeling I had last week. My boss let me know that upper management was probably going to "change their minds" and change the requirements and experience required for my job and that I had something like 3-9 months before they would let me go. It was the first time I've been in that situation where I wasn't in a panic, wasn't worried, and didn't immediately feel like throwing up. I felt .. fine! We've simplified our life, reduced our expenses, and are relatively debt free which means I don't need to panic and I can take the time find a job on my terms and not scramble for just "anything".
Thanks for all the posters in this forum, as a lurker and someone who rarely posts, this forum is very helpful and inspiring.
What a freeing feeling. Congratulations! :D
Post by: MrsSmitty on October 02, 2014, 06:37:48 AM
Post by: beaster on October 03, 2014, 05:53:42 AM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: APowers on October 04, 2014, 10:30:08 AM
It's really low, even for us (normal is $150-200/mo), so I was amazed when we tallied up all the receipts the other night. And included in that $84 is $13 of guacamole that was totally a splurge, which makes "actual" food costs closer to $71.
Post by: Misstachian on October 04, 2014, 08:24:09 PM
That one half-sentence improved my already generous offer by $5000, and I plan to accept tomorrow.
I read all the time but post rarely and I'm so grateful for all the expertise and cheerleading that goes on here. I knew I'd feel like a really wimpy mustachian if I didn't at least ask and I'm glad I did!
Post by: FiveSigmas on October 04, 2014, 11:53:23 PM
I'm non-confrontational by nature but I screwed up my courage at the last minute (thanks in no small part to reading these boards daily and knowing I really, really should) and asked if there was "any movement in the starting salary, since this is the big career jump and I hope to be there many years."
That one half-sentence improved my already generous offer by $5000, and I plan to accept tomorrow.
I loved this part. Congratulations on the new job!
Post by: NinetyFour on October 05, 2014, 05:48:43 AM
Post by: Phoebe on October 06, 2014, 01:28:01 PM
Well, today was the day... I officially gave notice to my employer. My knees were weak and my heart pounding as I ascended the stairs to where my bosses reside in our office. I started with some lame small talk, but sensed I should just get on with it. I told them I was leaving the company. Everyone took it remarkably well. I think I had dropped enough hints over the years that it wasn't a big surprise. No attempts to convince me to stay. But there was the repeated, perplexed question: "What are you going to do all day?"
Whatever I want. Starting in 7 weeks, at 42 years old, I will become one of the FIRE'd. :)
Congrats! What an awesome feeling.This thread started when I posted in another poster's thread (Phoebe) about both of us reaching $300k at around the same time and ARS said ok lets have a sticky for everyone's achievements.In honor of Phoebe and marty's accomplishments, I started a mini-celebrations thread here: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/celebrations-thread/
I thought it was 2 years ago, but actually it wasn't, it was only 18 months. At the time I said to myself, ok, lets try and go up by $60k a year.
I think I just hit $500k last week! I wonder if Phoebe is still around? She must be close to $1m at the rate she was going....
Apartment: $495k
Loan less cash offset: ($80k)
Net shares: $35k
Super: $54k
Total $504k
wowee :0
Well done! Semi-Millionaire is an awesome accomplishment. :)
I too hope Phoebe is doing well.
Hi guys! I've been reading the forums but haven't logged in for months and missed this little shout out! I'm still here, just poking around on the sly :) I'm not up to $1M yet, I think I'm around $653K today - after last year's market run I was hoping I'd be farther along, but this year is a bit slower for gains. I'd really like to get to $700K this year, and with any luck $1M around March 2016, but I'm in sales so that's very dependent on commissions and how the market as a whole does. Congratulations on your $500K accomplishment!!! That's huge!!! And thanks for the kind thoughts!
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on October 06, 2014, 05:32:50 PM
Also increased my 401k contribution to 25% from 20% this past week.
Just joined this forum last week and I have a lot of new found motivation to exit the rat race as soon as possible!
Post by: Fatmouse on October 11, 2014, 08:27:27 PM
We did it today, and he asked a bunch of questions and was really interested! So, first celebration, husband has come around to learning about investments. Second celebration, we will save hundreds per year in fees and probably increase returns for something that took us 30 minutes.
Well, 30 minutes if you don't count all of my reading/ podcast learning time learning about personal finance. But that's priceless anyway. :)
Post by: Cookie on October 12, 2014, 08:18:18 PM
Post by: Hannah on October 13, 2014, 05:48:53 AM
My celebration today: I am two months married, and I have been nicely suggesting to my husband for a while that he change his 401k investments to low cost index funds.
We did it today, and he asked a bunch of questions and was really interested! So, first celebration, husband has come around to learning about investments. Second celebration, we will save hundreds per year in fees and probably increase returns for something that took us 30 minutes.
Well, 30 minutes if you don't count all of my reading/ podcast learning time learning about personal finance. But that's priceless anyway. :)
Getting on the same team with your husband is the really priceless action! Congratulations on your marriage and your personal finances!
Post by: rocksinmyhead on October 13, 2014, 07:01:55 AM
Just hit $100k net worth last month!!
Also increased my 401k contribution to 25% from 20% this past week.
Just joined this forum last week and I have a lot of new found motivation to exit the rat race as soon as possible!
Congrats!! $100k is an exciting milestone for sure!
My celebration today: I am two months married, and I have been nicely suggesting to my husband for a while that he change his 401k investments to low cost index funds.
We did it today, and he asked a bunch of questions and was really interested! So, first celebration, husband has come around to learning about investments. Second celebration, we will save hundreds per year in fees and probably increase returns for something that took us 30 minutes.
Well, 30 minutes if you don't count all of my reading/ podcast learning time learning about personal finance. But that's priceless anyway. :)
Getting on the same team with your husband is the really priceless action! Congratulations on your marriage and your personal finances!
Agreed, this is awesome :)
Post by: fallstoclimb on October 14, 2014, 12:13:45 PM
The best part is raising my retirement contribution made me SO HAPPY. I was refreshing the pay stub website obsessively trying to get the exact amount of the raise, so I could make the TSP change. I suspect within a couple of paychecks I'll go in and bump it to the max-out pace, just because.
Post by: Gin1984 on October 21, 2014, 11:47:36 AM
Post by: shitzmagee on October 21, 2014, 04:40:18 PM
Plus I also got a tough workout that I wasn't quite prepared for (monster hills popped out of nowhere...) AND I learned that I need a lot more practice with using gears efficiently.
Post by: Pooperman on October 24, 2014, 07:11:13 AM
1) Got a small bonus ($400) by switching to the HDHP instead of the EPO I had when I joined the company (for 2 months). Employer gives a set amount towards insurance, the HDHP is about $700/yr less than the EPO (which is ~ what the employer will pay for without me contributing). I got $400 of that, and next year they will contribute towards the HSA and make it policy.
2) I got an IRA after finding MMM, and I will fully fund it using my e-fund (it's a Roth).
3) Maxing the HSA I got after finding MMM.
4) I am moving. Just signed the lease on the shiny old apartment (really good deal for the area, rent controlled, etc). $951/mo rent. Moving + deposit + first month's rent is expensive, however (~$3k). My mustache is currently sad about this, but I'm happy.
5) I have access to a 401(k) now, but I don't make enough to max it yet (:()
Post by: looking for FI on October 27, 2014, 05:57:38 AM
Post by: arebelspy on October 27, 2014, 07:04:18 AM
Just started reading the blog last month. We dropped our spending from 9,840 last month to 6,420 this month. We still have many things we can improve but I can honestly say I don't feel like we have made sacrifices just different choices. Looking forward to dropping that number even further next month. :-)
Wow, that's a huge drop!
That amount saved, instead of spent, over 10 years at 8% interest will be about $625,000!
PLUS spending that much less means you need to save $1,026,000 LESS for retirement at a 4% SWR (e.g. you'd have had to save 1MM more to support that extra spending that you won't need to save now).
It's amazing how big of a difference changing spending habits can make.
Well done! :)
Post by: looking for FI on October 27, 2014, 10:53:50 AM
Post by: E_Ransom on October 29, 2014, 01:57:25 PM
I lose a fancy meal once a week hobnobbing with the movers and shakers of the city, as well as the social prestige it brings. But I don't have to pay $145 every three months on community service that I much prefer to do with my own hands. I plan to still help out where I can. But the money basically going to buying me a fine meal... back into the wallet she goes.
Post by: Neustache on October 31, 2014, 06:21:30 AM
packing lunches for daughter/cheaper lunches for hubby 306
Switching from TW to 'free' google fiber 744
Better rates on rental insurance 700
Better rate on primary insurance 200
Switched to Geico for cars 588
Cell phone switch 384
Got rid of Netflix 96
giving myself hair cuts/no more coloring 240
DH doing own haircuts 120
For a grand total of : $3378.
Goal next year: $2388 by doing the following: Getting rid of PMI, travel hacking to decrease our spendy travel ways, lower utilities and less paper towel/disposable usage.
Knowing I decreased our expenses by 3K a year almost makes the 10K+ foundation work we are about to pay for hurt a little less. Gah.
Post by: jordanread on October 31, 2014, 06:26:36 AM
Switching from TW to 'free' google fiber 744
Oh man, I want Google Fiber so bad!!! I'm jealous. Congrats on your accomplishments!!
Post by: Neustache on October 31, 2014, 06:29:03 AM
Post by: erae on November 02, 2014, 02:55:36 PM
Post by: plainjane on November 03, 2014, 06:18:12 AM
I'm hoping the first 100,000 is the hardest :)
Congratulations on the achievement. I do think the first $100k of net worth is the hardest. Because most of us had to make real changes/tradeoffs to get there, but once you've done it, those habits are in place, so you can let inertia take you a big part of the way. You may have still more lifestyle choices to make, but you are already thinking about them and what makes sense for your goals.
Post by: rocksinmyhead on November 03, 2014, 06:59:44 AM
Post by: powersuitrecall on November 03, 2014, 10:49:26 AM
- Meal planning
That's it :) It's not nearly as low as it could go, but it's a start.
Post by: Prairie Gal on November 03, 2014, 06:28:37 PM
I am very proud to be able to say that I now do not owe anything to anyone. I an totally debt free!
Post by: Jon_Snow on November 03, 2014, 06:35:58 PM
Post by: tmac on November 03, 2014, 06:49:38 PM
My own celebration: I just initiated the transfer that will pay off our last car loan. Thank god. So tired of that damn thing. Never again.
Post by: arebelspy on November 03, 2014, 06:49:54 PM
Post by: HairyUpperLip on November 03, 2014, 07:31:37 PM
salary = 96500
401k before = 5%
401k now = 20%
Next step... High deductible plan and HSA. :)
Post by: OptimizeOptimism on November 04, 2014, 07:08:38 AM
Last week I also put together a spreadsheet to outline my plan to front load maxing out my 401k next year. :)
Post by: 1967mama on November 05, 2014, 02:00:30 PM
Post by: G-dog on November 05, 2014, 05:01:29 PM
Today I made the final payment on my home equity line of credit. My husband died 23 months ago, and we owed $93,000 on the heloc on that day. I am over the moon that I was able to accomplish this goal. Two years ago things looked very bleak, but I put my head down and with laser focus got it done.I am so sorry about the loss of your husband. That can really knock folks off balance, making your accomplishment even MORE impressive. Congratulations on being debt free!
I am very proud to be able to say that I now do not owe anything to anyone. I an totally debt free!
Post by: G-dog on November 05, 2014, 05:06:28 PM
Not a lot, but it still makes me happy!
Post by: jordanread on November 05, 2014, 08:53:32 PM
I finally took a lot of change I had been collecting long ago and deposited it in the bank - about $280 in change. I also got check in a class action suit - $30, so almost $300 to the bank!How much did that change weigh?
Not a lot, but it still makes me happy!
Post by: dusty on November 05, 2014, 11:46:23 PM
I have now completed 14 years service, (mixture of Reserve and regular) but this only counts as 10 years of effective service for superannuation purposes.
Anyway, I have my plan and it feels good to tick of this milestone knowing there is a light at the end of my proffesional career. No plodding along aimlessly to 50, 60 or even 65 years of age for me.
cheers
Post by: G-dog on November 06, 2014, 05:48:56 PM
I finally took a lot of change I had been collecting long ago and deposited it in the bank - about $280 in change. I also got check in a class action suit - $30, so almost $300 to the bank!How much did that change weigh?
Not a lot, but it still makes me happy!
I wondered that too! I was wondering how well weight would predict the cash total. I didn't weigh it, but I would guess it was 10-15 pounds. One bucket was quarters, I bet I can find something online re: weight/coin.
Post by: G-dog on November 06, 2014, 05:53:46 PM
I finally took a lot of change I had been collecting long ago and deposited it in the bank - about $280 in change. I also got check in a class action suit - $30, so almost $300 to the bank!How much did that change weigh?
Not a lot, but it still makes me happy!
I wondered that too! I was wondering how well weight would predict the cash total. I didn't weigh it, but I would guess it was 10-15 pounds. One bucket was quarters, I bet I can find something online re: weight/coin.
Back from the Internet $100 in quarters would weigh 5 lb, I had $190 in quarters, so that's almost 10 pounds there. So closer to 15-17 lbs. with the coin mix.
Post by: Gin1984 on November 09, 2014, 04:35:14 PM
Post by: Kriegsspiel on November 10, 2014, 03:20:51 PM
Post by: G-dog on November 10, 2014, 07:22:24 PM
I deadlifted 500 lbs this weekend. I'm not a gifted puller; it took me a long time to crack the 500 lb barrier.
Whoa! Congratulations, I can't even imagine what this is like! That is serious.
Post by: marty998 on November 12, 2014, 03:14:26 AM
Post by: Neustache on November 12, 2014, 05:59:42 AM
Hubby had a review, they told him to expect to be on a management track. It's nice thinking he can say "no" to that in the future if that's not what he wants to do. But it was also really nice to know they consider him someone capable of moving down the career track.
Post by: NinetyFour on November 12, 2014, 08:24:07 AM
My celebration for today is that my cash plus investments (retirement funds, Roth, inherited IRA) have exceeded $300,000 this week!
And more reason to celebrate: my cash plus investments, as of 11/4/14, exceeded $350,000.
Post by: arebelspy on November 12, 2014, 10:34:40 AM
My celebration for today is that my cash plus investments (retirement funds, Roth, inherited IRA) have exceeded $300,000 this week!
And more reason to celebrate: my cash plus investments, as of 11/4/14, exceeded $350,000.
Dang, 50k in 8 months is pretty darn good!
Post by: NinetyFour on November 12, 2014, 12:35:29 PM
My celebration for today is that my cash plus investments (retirement funds, Roth, inherited IRA) have exceeded $300,000 this week!
And more reason to celebrate: my cash plus investments, as of 11/4/14, exceeded $350,000.
Dang, 50k in 8 months is pretty darn good!
Thanks!
I haven't calculated my savings rate for a while, but for Jan - Aug of 2014, it was 79%. Amazing what a high savings rate can do for one's account balances!
Post by: 10dollarsatatime on November 12, 2014, 02:44:50 PM
Post by: TrulyStashin on November 13, 2014, 01:07:01 PM
I'm very excited about this as my contributions since 2010 when I opened it have totaled only about $13k. I've picked all the stocks and it feels great to use my brain this way. In June, 2013, I held my breath as I watched it creep close and then overrun $20k.
Today, it crossed the $30k line. Snoopy dance!!!!
Total, I have $74k in retirement assets. I know that's WAY behind, compared to many here, but it's a huge achievement for me. I'm looking forward to crossing the $100k line, maybe in 2015.
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on November 18, 2014, 08:29:30 AM
I realized that being in my late 20's I have plenty of time for a career change so I started looking right around the time I joined here, I found a position I was VERY interested in, applied, and have been interviewing for the past month. Yesterday I received an email requesting a background check release waiver, professional references, and proof of employment/salary. I don't want to get too excited prematurely but all of my close friends and parents believe that I am about to receive an offer.
After doing some homework even on the low end of the pay scale it should be a 25% increase to my current pay within the first year. With much more room for growth than my current career.
I will update when(if) I get an official offer -_-
Post by: Gin1984 on November 18, 2014, 12:32:50 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on November 18, 2014, 02:40:54 PM
Post by: DeSteeg on November 19, 2014, 02:16:31 PM
Pretty darn excited about the future! :D
Post by: NinetyFour on November 19, 2014, 02:27:18 PM
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on November 22, 2014, 06:17:06 AM
*Happy dance*
Post by: Dee18 on November 22, 2014, 07:55:25 PM
Post by: BZB on November 23, 2014, 05:56:36 AM
This store is filled with tempting items, especially around Christmas. I normally would have bought many things, as "stocking stuffers" but instead I left the store with only the one thing I wanted. Just looking at all the stuff was enough for me.
Another example is I can go to Target and just buy the one thing I came there for.
This change means more to me than reaching a savings goal.
Post by: pachnik on November 23, 2014, 08:58:06 AM
I am celebrating a change in mindset. I went to Cost Plus World Market the other day to buy an advent calendar for little BZB, the kind with chocolates.+1 to this, BZB. This is excellent -especially at this time of year when the stores are jammed with things. And besides, keep this up and you will reach savings goals. :)
This store is filled with tempting items, especially around Christmas. I normally would have bought many things, as "stocking stuffers" but instead I left the store with only the one thing I wanted. Just looking at all the stuff was enough for me.
Another example is I can go to Target and just buy the one thing I came there for.
This change means more to me than reaching a savings goal.
Post by: MandyM on November 25, 2014, 08:44:31 AM
Post by: Credaholic on November 25, 2014, 12:58:55 PM
My daughter received her first college acceptance letter yesterday, with a $110,000 scholarship offer, bringing the annual tuition down to $ 5,000....well within our 529 budget!
Congrats to you and your daughter!! She's clearly on the road to great things, would love to hear your secret :)
Post by: G-dog on November 25, 2014, 06:38:55 PM
Boy, am I happy and thankful:
That I started saving/investing like my parents taught me as soon as possible (even though I had no idea what I was doing!)
That when I finally started my 401k at my current employer, I went all in for max contribution (even though I didn't know anything about allocating, fees, etc.)
That my current employer had Vanguard managing the 401k (see gpfees comment above)
That I found MMM about one year ago (better late than never) - which was the wake up call and kick in the pants I needed to learn more, start my personal investment account and stop holding so much cash
Thanks to everyone that posts great tips, offered suggestions or answered questions, and challenged my assumptions.
Post by: NinetyFour on November 25, 2014, 06:43:23 PM
Post by: G-dog on November 25, 2014, 06:59:30 PM
Congrats!! That's awesome!!
Thanks! I get kind of giddy thinking about it! And can't share this with anyone at work ( my sharing will be in the form of a resignation notice). After the giddy, I want a face punch for being a sukka for too long and for not educating myself or taking more control earlier.
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on November 30, 2014, 07:20:22 AM
Small victory =)
Post by: rocksinmyhead on December 01, 2014, 08:05:56 AM
As of December I will be able to switch to a HDHP with HSA account vs the PPO I have had for the past 5 years.
Small victory =)
Me too! I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to but I found out a couple weeks ago that my preferred birth control will still be covered at zero cost so I went for it. Should be a good financial move for me, and I'll take all the tax-sheltered savings I can get!
Post by: Ferrisbueller on December 01, 2014, 08:21:39 AM
Great to hear all the success stories on here.
With my Nov pension contribution family net worth passed $750,000 for the first time. Bout half is home equity but still I feel like a quiet celebration. I've ignored wife's fantastic defined benefit pension.
I estimate $1M net worth in 3 years , just before I reach my 47th birthday, according to my spreadsheet and conservative assumptions.
Happy Christmas to One and All !
FB
Post by: Gin1984 on December 02, 2014, 11:17:33 AM
Hi allCongrats!
Great to hear all the success stories on here.
With my Nov pension contribution family net worth passed $750,000 for the first time. Bout half is home equity but still I feel like a quiet celebration. I've ignored wife's fantastic defined benefit pension.
I estimate $1M net worth in 3 years , just before I reach my 47th birthday, according to my spreadsheet and conservative assumptions.
Happy Christmas to One and All !
FB
Post by: wberkgal on December 02, 2014, 12:19:17 PM
Post by: Annie-Blake on December 02, 2014, 07:54:25 PM
-finally after never having one, we have a budget..it has taken 2 months to get it right...very happy
-now that we have a budget, we have big financial goals to work towards. We are on track to pay off our mortgage in 6 years. Our interest rate is 5.2% (this is a good rate for Australia and very low for us!) and our balance is $292,000 (average house price in my city is around $480,000)
feeling refreshed and happy. Thanks MMM for your advice, you have really inspired me and put us on the right track.
Post by: jordanread on December 03, 2014, 06:32:03 AM
I finally completely retired yesterday. Turned in laptop and badge! Whoo-hoo! Thank you MMM and forum for giving me confidence that this is the right path. I'm so excited about our future path.
OUTSTANDING!! Congratulations. You should definitely start a journal in that section so we can see how it goes.
Post by: RMD on December 03, 2014, 02:05:58 PM
Post by: 1967mama on December 03, 2014, 02:32:17 PM
Edited for typo
Post by: SporeSpawn on December 04, 2014, 11:12:43 AM
This one's still quite tentative, but Alameda goes by a "top five" selection process, meaning they choose from among the top five candidates (not necessarily in any order). I made number 4.
What happens now is entirely up to the department itself. Likely, a new string of interviews will take place (which is going to be rough since it'd mean having to travel the full length of the country to attend... with no guarantee for hiring, but, hey, them's the breaks). The department may go ahead and choose from among the list anyway without further interviews.
It goes without saying, I am on pins and needles. These next few weeks will be hard. But however things go, it's a sign that my resume and interviewing experience are doing their job.
Post by: Gin1984 on December 04, 2014, 01:00:43 PM
Post by: Ferrisbueller on December 07, 2014, 10:44:54 AM
I hope it's Bombay Sapphire
Post by: YTProphet on December 08, 2014, 11:37:17 AM
Post by: arebelspy on December 08, 2014, 12:03:40 PM
I got offered a new job that comes with a $25,000 raise! Woot woot! And it will allow me to change my commute from 30 miles to 3 miles!
Nice! Double win!
Post by: rocksinmyhead on December 09, 2014, 06:46:49 AM
It's been 2 weeks since I started reading the forum and a little bit over one since I registered, in this two weeks I've done the following:
1) Raise my 401k contribution from 5% to 10% - will like to get up to 25% by the end of 2015. also started a ROTH at 2% to see how it goes and then add to it.
2) Canceled my cable service and built a $6.49 antenna that gets about 13 channels. Savings of $118mo.
3) Googled, Bing'd and called around for the best available car/home insurance. I was paying a total of $2719(Safeco Ins.) yearly for this and it's now down to $1227(Grange Ins) - so savings of over $1.5k yearly. (2 cars and a home)
4) Haven't eaten out for lunch last week, nor yesterday and today. I was usually spending over $8 per lunch, so that's another $60+ saved.
5) Only ordered chinese takeout once last week for dinner, as opposed to grabing food on the go or delivery, like we usually did 3-4 times a week. All other meals were done with food which we already had, just took the initiative to use. Savings of $65 or so.
6) Decided I'm switching from my current wireless carrier(ATT) to Cricket Wireless come late January for a savings of $38mo. From a $73mo 2yr contract to $35mo no contract package. Trying to get my DW to switch from iPhones to Android, so she can also switch over and take advantage of the FREE HTC Desire 510 phone currently advertise - via a VISA mir card.
It seems like I've done a lot but I feel like I'm still behind the 8 ball. My DW and I have 4 debts at the moment, her 2 student loans, her car and our home. I'm thinking I'll have one the student loans payed off by March, the second one by July and her car by this time next year. I also want to start putting more money into the home principal in order to bring down the debt.
2015 seems like will be a great year for us as we chop down our debt to only our home and continue building our financial nestegg.
THANKS MMM!!!!!!!
Amazing progress!!! Even if it feels like you're behind now, getting down to only mortgage debt in a year's time will be absolutely amazing!
Post by: Wile E. Coyote on December 09, 2014, 08:15:35 PM
Post by: Knapptyme on December 14, 2014, 10:03:00 PM
Installed fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, toilet, rewired switches, patched holes, fixed flooring, fixed leaky faucets, fixed closets, and more. Everything except the garbage disposal and the toilet came from Craigslist or I already had it. I'm tired, but it's a good feeling.
Post by: FiveSigmas on December 15, 2014, 12:59:28 AM
Recently purchased our first rental property and am going through fixing stuff that I haven't done before. It's exciting and empowering.
Installed fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, toilet, rewired switches, patched holes, fixed flooring, fixed leaky faucets, fixed closets, and more. Everything except the garbage disposal and the toilet came from Craigslist or I already had it. I'm tired, but it's a good feeling.
That's fantastic! Congrats and good luck with the rental.
Post by: Rosewhipped on December 16, 2014, 07:31:48 PM
Also tonight I made dinner. Tacos! Which were delicious. That's a baby step for me, but I minced the garlic AND the onions. Also made some guacamole with 2 avocados we had.
Post by: rocksinmyhead on December 19, 2014, 08:17:28 AM
Post by: lostamonkey on December 20, 2014, 07:10:42 PM
-I replaced my first headlight myself. Before I would just go to a garage and pay to have it replaced.
-My internet provider jacked up their prices so I canceled my service. I will be getting a cheaper provider in a little while.
Post by: halftimer on December 21, 2014, 05:40:42 PM
-sold vehicle with high gas and maintenance costs and picked up reliable little hatchback. We plan to use it less and less in the months to come
-returned from an overseas trip with zero debt hangover and even some extra foreign currency in our pocket which I exchanged at the bank
-changed banking and internet plans to free up $300 in annual cash flow
Post by: veloman on December 21, 2014, 07:49:23 PM
Post by: Knapptyme on December 21, 2014, 09:55:55 PM
-I went to the library to take out books for my upcoming vacation. I used to just buy books at the airport and read them once.
-I replaced my first headlight myself. Before I would just go to a garage and pay to have it replaced.
-My internet provider jacked up their prices so I canceled my service. I will be getting a cheaper provider in a little while.
These are great little steps. I especially like the audacity to up and cancel internet service.
Post by: lostamonkey on December 22, 2014, 09:11:52 AM
I am no longer in university but I live across the street across from a university building so I have access to their free wifi if I cross the street. There are nice private closed off cubicles with a window and power outlets in the university building so I can just use the internet there for a while.-I went to the library to take out books for my upcoming vacation. I used to just buy books at the airport and read them once.
-I replaced my first headlight myself. Before I would just go to a garage and pay to have it replaced.
-My internet provider jacked up their prices so I canceled my service. I will be getting a cheaper provider in a little while.
These are great little steps. I especially like the audacity to up and cancel internet service.
Post by: Quetzal on December 23, 2014, 10:22:40 PM
Post by: arebelspy on December 24, 2014, 11:43:26 AM
I just wrote checks to charity totaling 3x our previous annual donations. Thanks to MMM, I know we can afford it.
Inspiring! Thank you.
Post by: PDX2Retire on December 26, 2014, 04:01:29 PM
It is surreal to realize I can do almost anything I want to do now. I want to learn electronics and my sweetie got me an Arduino and RaspberryPi for Christmas. I want to learn to repair our bikes so I'm signing up to work at the community cycling center where they train you to be a bench mechanic. I'm going to volunteer at the elementary school six blocks away as a reading coach.
I asked friends via Facebook what ideas they had for me and have been flooded with ideas ranging from practical to whimsical.
My partner won't be able to retire for probably another 10 years. She totally thinks I've joined a cult (yup!) and is supportive but also a bit fearful. She's worried that by quitting work I won't have options if something in my life or the world goes terribly wrong. Sure. I've thought of that. I'm a six on the Enneagram - of course I've thought about all that could go wrong! But my financial advisor and FIREcalc confirm I have the funds so here I go!
I can hardly wipe the smile from my face. I am off work today. It's a Friday. But because I was off yesterday I keep thinking that was Saturday and today is Sunday and I have to go to work tomorrow. And that brings me down a bit. THEN I realize it's only Friday. And in just a few more days every tomorrow will feel like a Saturday. Wow.
Good luck to everyone here who is looking at their life and making changes to make it a better life. You are inspirational.
Post by: frugalfighterpilot on January 01, 2015, 02:13:05 AM
The lady on the other end of the phone was literally speechless .
Post by: G-dog on January 01, 2015, 07:27:41 AM
I just wrote checks to charity totaling 3x our previous annual donations. Thanks to MMM, I know we can afford it.
Excellent! Feels great to help the groups you care about.
Post by: G-dog on January 01, 2015, 07:31:39 AM
Turned in my resignation on 12/1. My last day is 12/31. I start the new year with a new life plan.
It is surreal to realize I can do almost anything I want to do now. I want to learn electronics and my sweetie got me an Arduino and RaspberryPi for Christmas. I want to learn to repair our bikes so I'm signing up to work at the community cycling center where they train you to be a bench mechanic. I'm going to volunteer at the elementary school six blocks away as a reading coach.
I asked friends via Facebook what ideas they had for me and have been flooded with ideas ranging from practical to whimsical.
My partner won't be able to retire for probably another 10 years. She totally thinks I've joined a cult (yup!) and is supportive but also a bit fearful. She's worried that by quitting work I won't have options if something in my life or the world goes terribly wrong. Sure. I've thought of that. I'm a six on the Enneagram - of course I've thought about all that could go wrong! But my financial advisor and FIREcalc confirm I have the funds so here I go!
I can hardly wipe the smile from my face. I am off work today. It's a Friday. But because I was off yesterday I keep thinking that was Saturday and today is Sunday and I have to go to work tomorrow. And that brings me down a bit. THEN I realize it's only Friday. And in just a few more days every tomorrow will feel like a Saturday. Wow.
Good luck to everyone here who is looking at their life and making changes to make it a better life. You are inspirational.
Congratulations! You've got some great activities planned. I'd love to hear some updates as you tackle these and more (I may steal an idea or two!).
Post by: rocksinmyhead on January 02, 2015, 10:00:06 AM
Post by: NinetyFour on January 02, 2015, 10:10:13 AM
Post by: jomsviking on January 02, 2015, 12:44:02 PM
Post by: shusherstache on January 02, 2015, 01:00:12 PM
Post by: Prairie Gal on January 04, 2015, 09:22:04 AM
Paid off my house! Woohoo! More money to invest each month — I'm hoping to not need it for anything else.
Congrats! More money for the stash. I remember that awesome feeling.
Post by: Jon_Snow on January 04, 2015, 12:16:24 PM
Turned in my resignation on 12/1. My last day is 12/31. I start the new year with a new life plan.
It is surreal to realize I can do almost anything I want to do now. I want to learn electronics and my sweetie got me an Arduino and RaspberryPi for Christmas. I want to learn to repair our bikes so I'm signing up to work at the community cycling center where they train you to be a bench mechanic. I'm going to volunteer at the elementary school six blocks away as a reading coach.
I asked friends via Facebook what ideas they had for me and have been flooded with ideas ranging from practical to whimsical.
My partner won't be able to retire for probably another 10 years. She totally thinks I've joined a cult (yup!) and is supportive but also a bit fearful. She's worried that by quitting work I won't have options if something in my life or the world goes terribly wrong. Sure. I've thought of that. I'm a six on the Enneagram - of course I've thought about all that could go wrong! But my financial advisor and FIREcalc confirm I have the funds so here I go!
I can hardly wipe the smile from my face. I am off work today. It's a Friday. But because I was off yesterday I keep thinking that was Saturday and today is Sunday and I have to go to work tomorrow. And that brings me down a bit. THEN I realize it's only Friday. And in just a few more days every tomorrow will feel like a Saturday. Wow.
Good luck to everyone here who is looking at their life and making changes to make it a better life. You are inspirational.
Wow! A lot of similarities to my own ER (4 months ago) in your post. It is incredible to have your own life open up in front of you... the possibilities to do ANYTHING. I frequently find myself with a grin on my face for no reason at all other than I am FREE. Congrats... and I hope you hang around encourage those that are following us... it's what I try to do around here.
Post by: Adventine on January 06, 2015, 12:34:43 AM
Post by: cashstasherat23 on January 06, 2015, 12:32:29 PM
Anyway, I got an offer in the mail for $300 for opening a checking account at Chase when you connect direct deposit-I did just that, had my first direct deposit on 12/31, and the $300 posted to my account today. Huzzah! That free $300 will pay for my vacation to Quebec with my boyfriend next week!
Post by: brooklynmoney on January 06, 2015, 08:19:41 PM
Post by: Ethernet on January 06, 2015, 08:53:15 PM
Post by: Bardo on January 12, 2015, 12:46:41 PM
Post by: Moonwaves on January 13, 2015, 06:31:45 AM
Post by: MsPeacock on January 14, 2015, 05:56:08 PM
Post by: ontheroaderic on January 24, 2015, 01:55:19 PM
Now in to "Phase Two - In Which we Destroy the Student Loans."
Post by: trailrated on January 28, 2015, 01:17:22 PM
Post by: Adventine on January 28, 2015, 08:46:25 PM
WITH THIS POST I JUST EVOLVED INTO A SENIOR MUSTACHIAN!CONGRATS! I just evolved too! I feel so ~accomplished~
Post by: trailrated on January 29, 2015, 09:18:32 AM
WITH THIS POST I JUST EVOLVED INTO A SENIOR MUSTACHIAN!CONGRATS! I just evolved too! I feel so ~accomplished~
Cheers! I'm going to find some lumpia to celebrate :)
Post by: chicagomeg on January 29, 2015, 09:24:16 AM
Of course, I've already done the math and calculated that with my pay from this internship, we should have just enough to make our 2015 Roth contributions. (My husband's paycheck is being eaten up by my tuition payments.) So, the stash wins too! Hurray!
Post by: Adventine on January 29, 2015, 12:08:02 PM
WITH THIS POST I JUST EVOLVED INTO A SENIOR MUSTACHIAN!CONGRATS! I just evolved too! I feel so ~accomplished~
Cheers! I'm going to find some lumpia to celebrate :)
Fresh lumpia is the best, man. The best.
Post by: trailrated on January 29, 2015, 12:22:35 PM
WITH THIS POST I JUST EVOLVED INTO A SENIOR MUSTACHIAN!CONGRATS! I just evolved too! I feel so ~accomplished~
Cheers! I'm going to find some lumpia to celebrate :)
Fresh lumpia is the best, man. The best.
Could not agree more, my step-mother is filipino and when her mother would make them for me and my brother we would go crazy! What part of the philippines are you from?
Post by: Pooperman on January 29, 2015, 12:44:32 PM
WITH THIS POST I JUST EVOLVED INTO A SENIOR MUSTACHIAN!
Jumpin in on this with my own senority!
Post by: trailrated on January 29, 2015, 02:21:03 PM
WITH THIS POST I JUST EVOLVED INTO A SENIOR MUSTACHIAN!
Jumpin in on this with my own senority!
KICK ASS!
Post by: Adventine on January 29, 2015, 10:28:08 PM
I'm from Manila! I think I'll make homemade lumpia as my next Mustachian project :pWITH THIS POST I JUST EVOLVED INTO A SENIOR MUSTACHIAN!CONGRATS! I just evolved too! I feel so ~accomplished~
Cheers! I'm going to find some lumpia to celebrate :)
Fresh lumpia is the best, man. The best.
Could not agree more, my step-mother is filipino and when her mother would make them for me and my brother we would go crazy! What part of the philippines are you from?
Also, congrats, Pooperman!
Post by: okonumiyaki on February 02, 2015, 01:26:07 AM
Could not agree more, my step-mother is filipino and when her mother would make them for me and my brother we would go crazy! What part of the philippines are you from?
Heh - they are called lumpia in Indonesia as well, guess it is a common austronesian word (i.e dog in javanese is asu, vs aso in tagalog)
Post by: 1967mama on February 02, 2015, 01:44:54 AM
Post by: plainjane on February 02, 2015, 06:27:40 AM
Post by: SCUBAstache on February 02, 2015, 09:12:11 AM
Post by: DagobertDuck on February 02, 2015, 09:59:59 AM
Got € 80 for it (just scrap value, it was an oldie)
Already saved plm € 350 (maybe a bit less, maybe more) because it was due for maintenance, roadworthiness check, oil change etc.
Monthly savings for just insurance and taxes: € 54
It feels good to be carfree so far!
Though I must admit it can be convenient sometimes, I never really *loved* owning a car. I hated spending money on gas and I couldn't stand not having the space, tools and skills to wrench on my own car and thus having to pay someone to do it for me. (I do wrench on my own bicycles)
I already used to commute by bike and we have pretty good public transport, so I haven't missed my car yet.
Post by: Pooperman on February 02, 2015, 10:16:11 AM
Post by: NinetyFour on February 02, 2015, 10:36:06 AM
Post by: Happyback on February 02, 2015, 08:35:18 PM
I gathered all the "left over" amounts in various spending categories (where I had been frugal all year, and stayed under budget), and tossed $17K towards the mortgage on a rental!
Felt like A BOSS.
C-
Post by: Neustache on February 03, 2015, 06:25:52 AM
Post by: MrScottStache on February 08, 2015, 08:50:54 AM
I also got the thrill of seeing my total net worth cross the 1M mark for the first time.
Post by: horsepoor on February 09, 2015, 02:25:10 PM
Post by: HairyUpperLip on February 09, 2015, 03:05:55 PM
This past week i figured out that my savings rate for 2014 was 60%. Not bad for a single guy with a too big condo.
I also got the thrill of seeing my total net worth cross the 1M mark for the first time.
Congrats for both! Nice man!
Post by: daymare on February 12, 2015, 08:43:11 PM
But the best feeling is that when I think about this year ... we're at 118K already (having put in 12K) and have lofty plans to put in a bunch more. So I think we're really, really likely to get past 150K. Most optimistically, we want to invest another 18 (max his 401k) +10 (max out our Roths) +10 (taxable)=38K. So holy shit we could increase our NW by 50K, or 50%. It feels like things are really coming together! We never had money problems, but I finally feel like I have this Mustachianism thing mastered, and it feels sooo good. :)
Our income is so low right now and it's going to go up a crazy amount, I know we are totally on track to be FI by 40 :)
Post by: couponvan on February 13, 2015, 10:49:56 AM
Today is the 4 year anniversary of my return to work PT. When my youngest went to full-day Kindergarten I decided to do something with the time the kids were in school. It feels so good to see my efforts paying off!!
(DH is maxing out his 401(k) too, which I don't think he'd have been able to do with me staying home.)
Post by: powskier on February 17, 2015, 11:40:54 AM
Increased monthly principal payment by almost $700, this is just standard payment.....
Eliminated $120/month in PMI.
Post by: couponvan on February 18, 2015, 09:38:56 AM
Knocked 10 years and 100k in interest off of home loan buy refinancing down to a 15 y @ 3%. ( 7K in fees for those wondering)
Increased monthly principal payment by almost $700, this is just standard payment.....
Eliminated $120/month in PMI.
Congrats! I'm kicking myself for not doing this 15 years ago when we bought our first home! You will not regret it!
Post by: Rural on February 21, 2015, 06:12:17 AM
Post by: Moonwaves on February 23, 2015, 03:52:01 AM
Post by: ADKMike on February 23, 2015, 11:43:12 AM
Post by: cashstasherat23 on February 27, 2015, 10:17:36 AM
Post by: hernandz on February 28, 2015, 11:11:00 AM
I just increased my contributions to my Thrift Savings Plan from 6% to 50%.That is frelling awesome and very bad-ass.
Mine are baby steps in comparison, but I have just increased my 401k contribution to 17% from 16% last year and 15% the year before, so I'm really happy that streak is continuing. Really hope I can finish my degree this year -- So far, $0 in student loans.
Post by: Travis on March 03, 2015, 11:20:29 AM
Post by: 10dollarsatatime on March 03, 2015, 05:44:45 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on March 03, 2015, 06:46:18 PM
Then today, while walking home from work, I found a quarter on the street. So now my Net Worth is $501,477.98. Woo hoo!!
Post by: misschedda on March 04, 2015, 07:59:02 AM
Post by: aetherie on March 04, 2015, 08:39:34 AM
Post by: Pooperman on March 04, 2015, 08:57:34 AM
I got engaged!!!
Congrats! Any idea when you'll be getting married? SO and I got engaged in January with the wedding in October. Nice to see another Mustachian couple tying the knot!
Post by: ReadyAimFired on March 04, 2015, 01:56:48 PM
-A few days after Christmas, asked my girlfriend to marry me! She said yes...woo hoo! She is very mustachian
-Got a raise at work
-Put said raise toward deferred compensation (457 roth) which went from 25% to 28%
-Joined a Bible study at work
This makes my total saving rate in investment accounts ---- 41%
This does not include my monthly savings for dream retirement home which would make my total savings rate----56% woo hoo!!!!!!!
Post by: misschedda on March 05, 2015, 05:51:42 AM
I got engaged!!!
Congrats! Any idea when you'll be getting married? SO and I got engaged in January with the wedding in October. Nice to see another Mustachian couple tying the knot!
Thanks Pooperman and aetherie! We're thinking Fall 2016, so we've got a whole year more of planning than you do Pooperman.
Post by: lovesasa on March 07, 2015, 11:34:17 PM
I was 17 when I started college with student loans. It was a bumpy ride, I dropped out for a bit, and ended up graduating late in December 2012. Today I am 25 and have ~$8.5K left in loans (out of an original ~$32K). I plan on paying off my last 'high interest' loan as soon as my most recent deposit clears the bank ($3,199 @5.8%). Then I will be left with only $5,276 in loans at ~4.25%, which I could pay off now if I liquidated my emergency fund. (Instead, I'm thinking of moving that $5K to a Mango account @ ~5% effective interest, and just using future savings to pay down the last two loans). It feels great to know I have the option of being 100% debt free!
I know I have a long ways to go, but I'm feeling really proud of myself. Only 3 years ago I was a college dropout working 60 hours a week at minimum wage. Back then I never would have believed that I would make it this far, let alone be considering future FI.
Post by: G-dog on March 08, 2015, 07:25:10 AM
Post by: Mistah Cash Lion on March 15, 2015, 12:34:29 AM
This month I calculated my net worth to be positive for the first time in my adult life!!!
I was 17 when I started college with student loans. It was a bumpy ride, I dropped out for a bit, and ended up graduating late in December 2012. Today I am 25 and have ~$8.5K left in loans (out of an original ~$32K). I plan on paying off my last 'high interest' loan as soon as my most recent deposit clears the bank ($3,199 @5.8%). Then I will be left with only $5,276 in loans at ~4.25%, which I could pay off now if I liquidated my emergency fund. (Instead, I'm thinking of moving that $5K to a Mango account @ ~5% effective interest, and just using future savings to pay down the last two loans). It feels great to know I have the option of being 100% debt free!
I know I have a long ways to go, but I'm feeling really proud of myself. Only 3 years ago I was a college dropout working 60 hours a week at minimum wage. Back then I never would have believed that I would make it this far, let alone be considering future FI.
Way to go!! Keep up the good work. You're killing it.
Im grateful for an 18% raise in January. $14 to $16.50/hr. No where near what I need to reach my goals, but appreciating the wins as they come!
Post by: Smevans on March 15, 2015, 10:39:41 AM
Hoping to be 100% debt free (including mortgage) before I am 30. A year and a half to go.
Post by: yandz on March 22, 2015, 08:25:50 PM
Post by: Sibley on March 23, 2015, 12:11:33 PM
Post by: benjamingrx on March 23, 2015, 05:02:36 PM
$11k cash in my pocket today = $11k straight to the retirement accounts tomorrow!!!
Woohoo!
Post by: jordy913 on March 24, 2015, 02:49:30 PM
- Upped my 401K contribution and Roth IRA (via backdoor) to the max
- Cancelled my Birchbox and PopSugar Must Have subscription boxes <-- What was I thinking?!
- Cancelled my gym membership and committed to exercising outdoors
- Got YNAB and set up a budget
- Set up an account on Personal Capital
- Haven't bought any new clothes
- Stopped buying stupid s**t on Amazon all the time
- Generally adopted a mindset of "Do I REALLY need that? Prob not"
It's really liberating! Next stop is to cut the cable cord, but it's March Madness and my DH is asking to wait until the tournament is over. I guess I can hold out until then :0
Post by: nereo on March 24, 2015, 03:07:52 PM
- Upped my 401K contribution and Roth IRA (via backdoor) to the max
- Cancelled my Birchbox and PopSugar Must Have subscription boxes <-- What was I thinking?!
- Cancelled my gym membership and committed to exercising outdoors
- Got YNAB and set up a budget
- Set up an account on Personal Capital
- Haven't bought any new clothes
- Stopped buying stupid s**t on Amazon all the time
- Generally adopted a mindset of "Do I REALLY need that? Prob not"
Congrats. The first and last one will be particularly helpful in reaching FI.
Post by: Write Thyme on March 28, 2015, 02:32:03 PM
I know for this board these things are nothing, but for us they're huge. Baby steps. :)
Post by: mrcheese on March 31, 2015, 12:25:54 AM
It was a promotion where the stores were giving away free croissants if you entered the draw - I entered the draw just to get my freebie and actually won a prize. Sweet.
Post by: Sunnymo on April 01, 2015, 03:33:51 AM
Mustache level upgrade!
Post by: marty998 on April 01, 2015, 03:45:50 AM
I think I'm over $600k n/w. Motoring along now :)
Post by: nereo on April 01, 2015, 09:24:19 AM
1790th post!! (ok sorry j/k)Awesome job marty998. Now it becomes mostly up to Mr Market. Keep it up.
I think I'm over $600k n/w. Motoring along now :)
Oh, and speaking your 1790th post... I'm thinking we need at least one category above the 500 postings for "Senior Mustachian". Something to 'honor' those rare few like Dragoncar, thegoblinchief and others who have been around and posted so much. Only I can't think of what that level should be called. Suggestions?
Post by: arebelspy on April 01, 2015, 10:09:03 AM
1790th post!! (ok sorry j/k)Awesome job marty998. Now it becomes mostly up to Mr Market. Keep it up.
I think I'm over $600k n/w. Motoring along now :)
Oh, and speaking your 1790th post... I'm thinking we need at least one category above the 500 postings for "Senior Mustachian". Something to 'honor' those rare few like Dragoncar, thegoblinchief and others who have been around and posted so much. Only I can't think of what that level should be called. Suggestions?
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/mustache-levels/
Post by: MrsSmitty on April 02, 2015, 06:46:55 AM
Post by: Pooperman on April 02, 2015, 07:11:36 AM
Two big wins to share. In March, for the first time ever, we got our savings rate over 50%. 52% to be exact. Granted that was due partly to reduced spending but mostly to a bonus coming in. But still! Our average is about 47% so it feels good to finally get over that milestone. Second big win: I realized that with the raise I'm going to be getting in the next few months (just a cost of living increase of 1-3%) I'm going to have to reduce the % I put toward my 401K as I'm already maxing it out. Woo! So the raise is going to feel even bigger because I'll end up with more of it in my take home pay. Neat!
Yay! Fiancee and I have only been over 50% once since we moved in October (it was also 52%, and also from my bonus).
Post by: KMMK on April 02, 2015, 07:27:01 PM
Post by: marty998 on April 02, 2015, 07:50:08 PM
In the first quarter of 2015 my investment gains were larger than my expenses, for the first time.
now that is something to smile about
Post by: arebelspy on April 04, 2015, 10:56:47 PM
I have more money than month!
...
It's all taking a little luck, a lot of hard work anda lo of frugality.
Well done! Keep it up, especially the attitude/mindset! :)
Post by: Quinny on April 05, 2015, 07:13:00 PM
Hubby fixed a leaky faucet.
I've got homemade yogurt incubating.
Eating a dinner of fresh lettuce picked from the backyard garden.
Listed two things on Craigslist.
Our mini vacation, although ended, cost us nothing more than the price of food. Left a lovely dinner in the fridge for our very generous hosts.
Oh, and perhaps most exciting, I won ynab for free by doing an online class! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!
Post by: kreyc on April 05, 2015, 11:41:00 PM
- finished school (side-benefit of no more semester payments)
- paid off high-interest student loans (2 remaining)
- positive net worth still climbing
Post by: Erica/NWEdible on April 07, 2015, 07:14:59 PM
Post by: Cherry Lane on April 07, 2015, 07:28:49 PM
FI hit.
That's a mini-accomplishment? (see post #1, below) I'd love to know what you think a major one is! Fantastic news, at any rate.
Use this thread to post your mini-accomplishments so we can celebrate with you!
Post by: arebelspy on April 07, 2015, 07:34:53 PM
FI hit.
(http://ifavor123.com/ifavor/store/catalog/IPT035.gif)
Congrats Erica! Well deserved. :)
Post by: 1967mama on April 07, 2015, 07:55:22 PM
FI hit.
Two little words with such significance! Way to go, Erica!
Post by: Quinny on April 07, 2015, 07:56:52 PM
Post by: Neustache on April 08, 2015, 05:24:54 AM
Post by: happy on April 08, 2015, 07:27:51 AM
Post by: nereo on April 08, 2015, 01:38:59 PM
FI hit.Congrats Erica! BTW I really enjoy your blog - I just hope someday to have half your skill.
Post by: Erica/NWEdible on April 08, 2015, 04:55:26 PM
We hit FI a couple weeks ago. I didn't want to make a thread about it or whatever but I did kinda want to have a teeny "YAY!" moment with you guys. There are very, very few people in "real life" I can tell about this point, and even my blog isn't an appropriate venue to discuss this kind of thing, so thanks for being the right peeps to celebrate with.
We were pushing pretty hard b/c my husband is a contractor and his gig expires in Fall - so we wanted to make any further work optional after that point. If he gets brought back for another couple years at his current (excellent) corporate contract gig, he'll likely do it for the additional $$$ buffer, but at this point the FU money is in place. My blog and the activities it chronicles (Urban Homesteading, cooking, preserving, etc.), is an integral part of our post-FI strategy. We pretty much plan to grow stuff, raise kids, write as much as we can, and eat really well. Maybe not life-changing goals, but satisfying to us.
Thanks for your kind words, guys!
XOXO
--Erica
Post by: arebelspy on April 08, 2015, 06:16:25 PM
My blog and the activities it chronicles (Urban Homesteading, cooking, preserving, etc.), is an integral part of our post-FI strategy. We pretty much plan to grow stuff, raise kids, write as much as we can, and eat really well. Maybe not life-changing goals, but satisfying to us.
I'd love to hear more details on this, in the thread here if it's not germane to your blog.
Post by: BEAST33 on April 09, 2015, 06:27:40 PM
Post by: Erica/NWEdible on April 10, 2015, 08:37:26 PM
Sure. I'm not a doomsday prepper or anything, but I think that our food supply is increasingly fragile, basically. I think that water pressure in California and increasingly frequent extreme weather events in staple-crop regions are going to put strong upward price pressures on America's historically cheap food supply. I don't see any kind of massive price spike happening immediately, except maybe in beef and dairy, but suspect we'll be looking at an economic environment where people who want to eat non-subsidized food crops (most fruits and vegetables, humanely raised meat, etc.) are going to have to pay a lot more for the opportunity to do so.My blog and the activities it chronicles (Urban Homesteading, cooking, preserving, etc.), is an integral part of our post-FI strategy. We pretty much plan to grow stuff, raise kids, write as much as we can, and eat really well. Maybe not life-changing goals, but satisfying to us.
I'd love to hear more details on this, in the thread here if it's not germane to your blog.
Having a large (by urban standards) garden, tree and berry fruit, and more self-sustaining meat and egg options gives my family a nice buffer against what I expect will be consistent price creep in food. It helps make us more "anti-fragile" to buzzword this. The solar panels we installed last year are also in this category - an initial investment will help us offset ongoing expenses for years going forward and help provide a buffer against unexpected fluctuations in energy prices.
My blog is both a feel-good thing (I really love sharing info as I can with like-minded people), a slight side-hustle, and a way to make many of our expenditures legitimate business expenses or things that can be had in trade with vendors (people send bloggers a lot of stuff, which can be kinda nice. New gardening books for free! Yay!)
In short, it might be fair to say that while I find our lifestyle extremely fulfilling on a day-to-day basis for a whole host of reasons, I also appreciate it as a reassuring insurance policy as we slide into the possibility of ER. I like having fuck you money AND fuck you food. :) Does that make sense?
Post by: arebelspy on April 10, 2015, 10:24:19 PM
Post by: Rural on April 11, 2015, 06:22:59 PM
FI hit.
Woohoo!
Post by: Dexterous on April 14, 2015, 11:17:14 PM
I just paid off $28K in credit card and loan debt. It's almost a surreal feeling to see zero balances on everything. Now to get rid of my clown cars (jeep and Tahoe) for some cash cars. Soon I'll be in good shape to start saving and not living pay check to pay check. Thanks to MMM for inspiring me to live a better life and to be debt free....it truly is a great feeling.
Well done! You'll be amazed at how fast you can save/invest when you have no debt and efficient vehicles.
Post by: BEAST33 on April 15, 2015, 05:17:16 PM
I just paid off $28K in credit card and loan debt. It's almost a surreal feeling to see zero balances on everything. Now to get rid of my clown cars (jeep and Tahoe) for some cash cars. Soon I'll be in good shape to start saving and not living pay check to pay check. Thanks to MMM for inspiring me to live a better life and to be debt free....it truly is a great feeling.
Well done! You'll be amazed at how fast you can save/invest when you have no debt and efficient vehicles.
Thanks Dexterous! Good news - I received an offer today for $42K for the jeep. An owner of a very large dealership wants it for himself. How ironic is that haha!! Now I just gotta have the same luck getting out from the Tahoe.
Post by: PharmaStache on April 15, 2015, 07:50:37 PM
Post by: Le Poisson on April 17, 2015, 07:05:10 AM
Got both my minis to school/daycare this morning and myself to work on a bike. I'd been putting this off for months trying to work out the logistics, but not only did everyone get everywhere on time, I got to the office 20 minutes early.
House to 7 yr old's school - 3.1 km (1.9 miles) - arrived right when the bell went off!!
School to daycare - 1.5 km (0.9 miles) - Crazy busy road - went on the sidewalk all the way.
Daycare to work - 1.8 km (1.1 miles) - Another busy road through an industrial area glad I didn't have any kids with me!
The 7 yr old was able to ride his own bike and the little guy went in the trailer. This summer we want to do some longer bike rides in Algonquin Park, so this helps us tune up for that. I know this is nothing compared to some of you guys on your bikes, but getting this down is pretty cool for me.
Post by: KMMK on April 17, 2015, 08:49:19 AM
Reached 100k in our retirement accounts (TFSA and RRSP) today! Found MMM about 6 months ago and have been aggressively saving ever since. Even more fun than hitting a goal number is setting our next goal!
Nice job! It only gets easier in my experience.
Post by: radtek2112 on April 17, 2015, 02:29:56 PM
Post by: PharmaStache on April 17, 2015, 02:52:32 PM
Finally rid of Edward Jones!!! All accounts with them are closed and moved to Vanguard. This should save a LOT of money in fees and other bullshit charges. This feels like a big weight off. I like the control I have now too. I don't feel like I have to discuss my decisions with someone.
Awesome job! I know for myself it felt like such a huge annoying thing to do, but it feel awesome once you've done it.
Post by: AmbitiousCanuck on April 18, 2015, 09:47:21 AM
Edit: I should mention that this is only counting liquid assets (Cash + Investments).
Post by: TheRabbit on April 19, 2015, 05:24:47 AM
I had "The Talk" with my husband over a year ago, and slowly but surely he was starting to see the light. Just this weekend, he said he agrees that FI is possible in a shorter amount of time than he assumed AND he sees that not buy things = depriving yourself.
The turning point was when after asking him to "just give it a half-hearted try" for 9 months to humor me, I showed him how we easily paid off over $15,000 in credit card debt and saved $10,000 for emergencies.
Whoot! Big victory for us. FI here we come!
Post by: katstache92 on April 21, 2015, 06:34:31 AM
I'm glad this thread is here because I am so excited and really wanted to tell someone this but I don't think it's wise to spread it around at work.
Post by: nereo on April 21, 2015, 07:49:42 AM
I just hit 50k in investments for the first time! I know that's small potatoes around here, but I'm on my way up!
Congrats! Everything compounds - $100k will come up faster than you expected, and then it's on to $200k before you know it.
Post by: Rheagar on April 21, 2015, 12:03:51 PM
So I called the cable company today and cancelled our service. We had been paying ~130 a month for cable and internet (I know, I know...), and our 1 year promo period just ended and it was now going to be ~200 a month!!! When I called I not only cancelled our cable service, I got twice the internet speed for 2/3 the cost of what I would have been paying, and also got an additional gig of cell data/month added to our plan at no cost (not a big deal since we never go over our limit but still).
So all told we will be saving ~87 bucks a month compared to what we've been paying, and a whopping 157 bucks a month if we just continued in our current situation.
I did spend a good chunk of change to get an OTA antenna and DVR (Channel Master DVR+, anyone else use one?) so that we can still record and pause/rewind shows on OTA channels. I figure that combined with our Fire TV stick and Netflix subscription will be way more than sufficient. I'm pretty pumped that we finally pulled the trigger!
Post by: Jon_Snow on April 21, 2015, 02:03:04 PM
Welcome to the forums!
Post by: Rural on April 21, 2015, 06:27:40 PM
Post by: grantmeaname on April 21, 2015, 07:14:29 PM
Post by: arebelspy on April 21, 2015, 08:34:46 PM
Tenure.
Nice! Congrats. :)
Post by: RetiredAt63 on April 22, 2015, 05:02:49 PM
Feels good.
Post by: Money Badger on April 23, 2015, 08:36:43 PM
At the same time, I'm itching to downsize and find a smaller piece of dirt of my own where my wife and I can garden again and be without a mortgage as our kids go off to college next year + last one 2 years after that. Every day is a step closer (and some days are leaps) towards FIRE and FIGE (Financially Independent, Gardening Everyday"!
Post by: Public Hermit on April 24, 2015, 08:50:33 AM
Post by: Le Poisson on April 24, 2015, 12:59:17 PM
Paid off my student loans!
Thats such an awesome feeling! Congrats!
Post by: Roundabouts on April 25, 2015, 06:06:00 PM
This is incredibly small, but I'm happy about it.
Got both my minis to school/daycare this morning and myself to work on a bike. I'd been putting this off for months trying to work out the logistics, but not only did everyone get everywhere on time, I got to the office 20 minutes early.
Good effort, enjoy the accomplishment! Pretty soon it'll become second nature!
Post by: Veosaber on April 26, 2015, 10:51:46 AM
I passed the $50,000.00 net worth landmark!
It has taken two years out of school starting with nothing and paying off my car to get this far. Onwards and upwards!
Post by: nereo on April 27, 2015, 08:22:17 AM
I passed the $50,000.00 net worth landmark!Welcome Veosaber! Congrats on having a positive net worth (NW) so early in your career.
It has taken two years out of school starting with nothing and paying off my car to get this far. Onwards and upwards!
Kept it up - the next $50k will be a little bit easier, and then the next $50k easier still, and then....
Post by: protostache on April 30, 2015, 11:01:05 AM
Post by: notoriusjt2 on May 01, 2015, 02:09:22 PM
Post by: choppingwood on May 02, 2015, 09:31:46 PM
Wife and I paid off $13k worth of student loans this year alone. While it feels empty sending someone that much money and not having anything to show for it, its a huge relief not to have to pay that crap every month.
Having an education is something to show for it....
Great that you are making progress paying off the loans.
Post by: Marus on May 04, 2015, 09:15:49 AM
I finally got a bike trailer and used it to get groceries. Now I'm trying to think up cool camping or kayaking trips I can go on with it. It's exciting to think about getting around without a car.
Post by: lovesasa on May 05, 2015, 02:58:30 AM
- Got a 13.8% raise starting in July*
- Decreased to 4 days a week*
- Got a tutoring student for Saturdays starting next school year (a friend is moving and asked me to take over)
- Opened my first investment account (unfortunately after having to withdraw my contributions to my Roth IRA)
- May have found a new apartment that will be a little more than HALF of what I'm paying now
- I was under budget for April despite some unexpected large-ish expenses!
*All I had to do was put in my notice to leave at the end of the school year and not react to a counter offer for 2 weeks while I decided... My non-existent negotiating skills for the win?
(Edited for a typo)
Post by: nereo on May 05, 2015, 09:40:34 AM
A few mini wins...It's amazing what kind of bargaining power you gain when you don't need to stay. Or to put it another way: "He/She who can walk away holds all the cards."
- Got a 13.8% raise starting in July*
- Decreased to 4 days a week*
- Got a tutoring student for Saturdays starting next school year (a friend is moving and asked me to take over)
- Opened my first investment account (unfortunately after having to withdraw my contributions to my Roth IRA)
- May have found a new apartment that will be a little more than HALF of what I'm paying now
- I was under budget for April despite some unexpected large-ish expenses!
*All I had to do was put in my notice to leave at the end of the school year and not react to a counter offer for 2 weeks while I decided... My non-existent negotiating skills for the win?
(Edited for a typo)
Post by: Pooperman on May 05, 2015, 10:14:20 AM
A few mini wins...It's amazing what kind of bargaining power you gain when you don't need to stay. Or to put it another way: "He/She who can walk away holds all the cards."
- Got a 13.8% raise starting in July*
- Decreased to 4 days a week*
- Got a tutoring student for Saturdays starting next school year (a friend is moving and asked me to take over)
- Opened my first investment account (unfortunately after having to withdraw my contributions to my Roth IRA)
- May have found a new apartment that will be a little more than HALF of what I'm paying now
- I was under budget for April despite some unexpected large-ish expenses!
*All I had to do was put in my notice to leave at the end of the school year and not react to a counter offer for 2 weeks while I decided... My non-existent negotiating skills for the win?
(Edited for a typo)
Very true! I was put forward for a new position by a recruiter. It was something I was very interested in, but they screwed up the interview process. Salary originally was 70-75 (still above what I get now), but due to the screw up and telling the recruiter that I wasn't sure if I should work for a place that would screw up interviews like that, the salary will now be 80-85. They are very interested in me and the final interview is tomorrow. Will report back as winning the position will be a celebration! Also, it comes with less stress than what I do now. Double win.
Post by: lovesasa on May 05, 2015, 10:29:35 AM
A few mini wins...It's amazing what kind of bargaining power you gain when you don't need to stay. Or to put it another way: "He/She who can walk away holds all the cards."
- Got a 13.8% raise starting in July*
- Decreased to 4 days a week*
- Got a tutoring student for Saturdays starting next school year (a friend is moving and asked me to take over)
- Opened my first investment account (unfortunately after having to withdraw my contributions to my Roth IRA)
- May have found a new apartment that will be a little more than HALF of what I'm paying now
- I was under budget for April despite some unexpected large-ish expenses!
*All I had to do was put in my notice to leave at the end of the school year and not react to a counter offer for 2 weeks while I decided... My non-existent negotiating skills for the win?
(Edited for a typo)
Very true! I was put forward for a new position by a recruiter. It was something I was very interested in, but they screwed up the interview process. Salary originally was 70-75 (still above what I get now), but due to the screw up and telling the recruiter that I wasn't sure if I should work for a place that would screw up interviews like that, the salary will now be 80-85. They are very interested in me and the final interview is tomorrow. Will report back as winning the position will be a celebration! Also, it comes with less stress than what I do now. Double win.
I always hear these things, but it's amazing to see it in action! After two weeks of thinking I was actually willing to accept just the 4 days a week with no raise, but my boss added the raise herself. I probably could have gotten a bit more if I were better at this "negotiating" thing but I was mostly in shock... 80% time for the same pay is already a decent "raise" per hour and then she added the raise I was going to ask for before I thought about leaving.
Ironically, this has definitely indoctrinated me to the power of having "FU" money, which makes me all the more eager to stay and save more... So I can really be free to walk away, when I'm ready to.
That's great that you were able to get an even higher offer for what sounds like a job you're excited about! They must really want you. Good luck in the next step! Definitely let us know how it goes. :) Do you mind if I ask what field you're in?
Post by: Pooperman on May 05, 2015, 10:34:33 AM
A few mini wins...It's amazing what kind of bargaining power you gain when you don't need to stay. Or to put it another way: "He/She who can walk away holds all the cards."
- Got a 13.8% raise starting in July*
- Decreased to 4 days a week*
- Got a tutoring student for Saturdays starting next school year (a friend is moving and asked me to take over)
- Opened my first investment account (unfortunately after having to withdraw my contributions to my Roth IRA)
- May have found a new apartment that will be a little more than HALF of what I'm paying now
- I was under budget for April despite some unexpected large-ish expenses!
*All I had to do was put in my notice to leave at the end of the school year and not react to a counter offer for 2 weeks while I decided... My non-existent negotiating skills for the win?
(Edited for a typo)
Very true! I was put forward for a new position by a recruiter. It was something I was very interested in, but they screwed up the interview process. Salary originally was 70-75 (still above what I get now), but due to the screw up and telling the recruiter that I wasn't sure if I should work for a place that would screw up interviews like that, the salary will now be 80-85. They are very interested in me and the final interview is tomorrow. Will report back as winning the position will be a celebration! Also, it comes with less stress than what I do now. Double win.
I always hear these things, but it's amazing to see it in action! After two weeks of thinking I was actually willing to accept just the 4 days a week with no raise, but my boss added the raise herself. I probably could have gotten a bit more if I were better at this "negotiating" thing but I was mostly in shock... 80% time for the same pay is already a decent "raise" per hour and then she added the raise I was going to ask for before I thought about leaving.
Ironically, this has definitely indoctrinated me to the power of having "FU" money, which makes me all the more eager to stay and save more... So I can really be free to walk away, when I'm ready to.
That's great that you were able to get an even higher offer for what sounds like a job you're excited about! They must really want you. Good luck in the next step! Definitely let us know how it goes. :) Do you mind if I ask what field you're in?
Currently IT consulting (Salesforce Business Analyst), transitioning to (Sr.) IT Admin (also Salesforce).
Post by: arebelspy on May 05, 2015, 11:25:11 AM
It was quite gratifying.
Post by: nereo on May 05, 2015, 11:33:48 AM
I had some success this past weekend at a longtime hobby of mine, something I'll rarely, if ever, be able to do once I'm FIREing and traveling around the world.ok cryptic... what's your "longtime hobby" that you won't be able to do once FIRE & traveling?
It was quite gratifying.
Post by: arebelspy on May 05, 2015, 11:37:14 AM
I had some success this past weekend at a longtime hobby of mine, something I'll rarely, if ever, be able to do once I'm FIREing and traveling around the world.ok cryptic... what's your "longtime hobby" that you won't be able to do once FIRE & traveling?
It was quite gratifying.
Juggling geese. Baby geese - goslings.
(https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.11653817.1580/fc,550x550,heather_grey.2.jpg)
Post by: nereo on May 05, 2015, 11:55:45 AM
I tried juggling kittens once, but it turns out they are little more than teeth and fangs...
Juggling geese. Baby geese - goslings.
Post by: Rheagar on May 05, 2015, 01:09:55 PM
Post by: iamlittlehedgehog on May 06, 2015, 02:16:08 PM
Post by: Pooperman on May 12, 2015, 12:43:47 PM
Post by: nereo on May 12, 2015, 02:30:38 PM
New job!Given this is the "Celebrations Thread" and not the "Crappy Things That Have Happened To Me" thread I take it you like your new job... congrats, what is it?
Post by: 1967mama on May 12, 2015, 02:53:06 PM
Post by: Pooperman on May 12, 2015, 04:28:02 PM
New job!Given this is the "Celebrations Thread" and not the "Crappy Things That Have Happened To Me" thread I take it you like your new job... congrats, what is it?
Well I got a new job and I'm happy about that since that is the one I wanted for about a year now. I start in June and have my notice today. Comes with a 25% raise which brings my total salary to double what it was for my first job. In two years! Salesforce admin/systems analyst is the position.
Post by: chicagomeg on May 12, 2015, 07:55:47 PM
New job!Given this is the "Celebrations Thread" and not the "Crappy Things That Have Happened To Me" thread I take it you like your new job... congrats, what is it?
Well I got a new job and I'm happy about that since that is the one I wanted for about a year now. I start in June and have my notice today. Comes with a 25% raise which brings my total salary to double what it was for my first job. In two years! Salesforce admin/systems analyst is the position.
And you got to make the 1000th post in the celebrations thread, that must be good luck! Congrats!
Post by: Ferrisbueller on May 14, 2015, 04:53:57 PM
I did have a bonus day lunch - KFC $11
Post by: jdgj on May 16, 2015, 09:32:01 AM
Then the normal paycheck came in, and I decided. Fuck You Loan!
So, no used car loan anymore. Attempted to sign into the website to double-check (the bank account shows the debit card payment), and apparently it's an error to have an account paid off on their website. I'm not going to complain!
I am going to do a little bit more maintenance & repair on the car, and then sell it to get a more-Mustachian car. I still cannot bring myself to actively choose a manual gearbox, but I have gotten some more practice this year.
One loan done! 2 more to go.
Post by: protostache on May 17, 2015, 07:42:46 AM
I was wrestling back and forth between paying off the used car loan in June or now.
Then the normal paycheck came in, and I decided. Fuck You Loan!
So, no used car loan anymore. Attempted to sign into the website to double-check (the bank account shows the debit card payment), and apparently it's an error to have an account paid off on their website. I'm not going to complain!
I am going to do a little bit more maintenance & repair on the car, and then sell it to get a more-Mustachian car. I still cannot bring myself to actively choose a manual gearbox, but I have gotten some more practice this year.
One loan done! 2 more to go.
Yay for paying off cars! As of last month ours are paid off too and it's such a relief to be down to just the mortgage.
As for current celebrations, DW switched her accounts over to joint and mine should finally be done processing the paperwork tomorrow. I feel like this means we're operating much more like a team instead of a partnership (a la the recent thread by the same name), which makes me sort of irrationally happy. As a result of the combo we just opened our first taxable account and pushed our investment balance over $100k for the first time.
Post by: jdgj on May 17, 2015, 07:35:59 PM
I was wrestling back and forth between paying off the used car loan in June or now.
Then the normal paycheck came in, and I decided. Fuck You Loan!
So, no used car loan anymore. Attempted to sign into the website to double-check (the bank account shows the debit card payment), and apparently it's an error to have an account paid off on their website. I'm not going to complain!
I am going to do a little bit more maintenance & repair on the car, and then sell it to get a more-Mustachian car. I still cannot bring myself to actively choose a manual gearbox, but I have gotten some more practice this year.
One loan done! 2 more to go.
Yay for paying off cars! As of last month ours are paid off too and it's such a relief to be down to just the mortgage.
As for current celebrations, DW switched her accounts over to joint and mine should finally be done processing the paperwork tomorrow. I feel like this means we're operating much more like a team instead of a partnership (a la the recent thread by the same name), which makes me sort of irrationally happy. As a result of the combo we just opened our first taxable account and pushed our investment balance over $100k for the first time.
Yay for six figures! I am way off the mark on investing. I am still in the get out of debt phase, so moving into the investment stage will take a little time (hopefully not too much longer though, maybe a year or 2).
Post by: Rheagar on May 18, 2015, 06:48:45 AM
Post by: CongoKid on May 18, 2015, 11:22:31 AM
Post by: protostache on May 18, 2015, 02:53:44 PM
Just received and accepted a promotion and pay raise for a move to a city with a cost of living 50% less expensive than my current post. Live on the Indian Ocean and bump your savings rate to 65%, I'll take it!
65% is amazing! What service are you in, if you don't mind me asking?
Post by: ender on May 18, 2015, 09:10:49 PM
As for current celebrations, DW switched her accounts over to joint and mine should finally be done processing the paperwork tomorrow. I feel like this means we're operating much more like a team instead of a partnership (a la the recent thread by the same name), which makes me sort of irrationally happy. As a result of the combo we just opened our first taxable account and pushed our investment balance over $100k for the first time.
That's such a great feeling :)
Post by: CongoKid on May 21, 2015, 01:02:02 AM
Just received and accepted a promotion and pay raise for a move to a city with a cost of living 50% less expensive than my current post. Live on the Indian Ocean and bump your savings rate to 65%, I'll take it!
65% is amazing! What service are you in, if you don't mind me asking?
Thanks Protostache....I'm in the international non-profit sector where a lot of costs are covered by the organization (e.g., housing, utilities) so it's much easier to get a higher savings rate. I'm trying to take advantage of this for the years i'll be overseas.
Post by: link_417 on May 30, 2015, 12:25:13 PM
I reached $0.00 NW last year and have been trying to reach my first goal of $5k NW before the halfway point of the year. I kept fluctuating up and down around $4k and thought I would never break $5k, but last night I realized I forgot about the HSA my employer funds -- an extra $1.2k :) I'm shooting for $10k by the end of the year.
Post by: protostache on June 01, 2015, 10:21:31 AM
(https://photos-2.dropbox.com/t/2/AADrVfJFfC165azUC4QrvnaBOC1FziGZ0NC8CS-LHkyo_g/12/5193213/png/32x32/1/_/1/2/Screenshot%202015-06-01%2012.05.07.png/CP37vAIgASACIAMgBCAFIAYgBygBKAI/OOnv-CfsXKOY21H7gajeaLIGAdktVr7bk1Tqyl-olYs?size=1024x768&size_mode=2)
A few notes:
- The green investment bars start at the start of my Vanguard history. I rolled a previous 401k into a new vanguard account and also at some point rolled a Roth IRA into it, but I don't have any history of what those accounts were invested in.
- The initial debts where $20k car, $20k student loan, and $4k credit card.
- The asset dip in mid 2010 is when I paid off the car in one chunk. The student loan got paid off quickly in 2011.
- In 2013 and 2014 we spent large chunks of savings on family-emergency-related travel, paying cash for our wedding, and putting a down payment on our house (mortgage and home equity not included in this chart).
- The new debt in 2013 was my new car, which is now completely paid off.
Post by: Mikhial on June 05, 2015, 06:13:14 AM
I was roommates with a couple a few years back. That's something I never plan to do again. No matter what, you will be out-numbered so it can make life hard. Anyway, I ended up moving out at the end of the lease, but they stayed and renewed.
As much as I tried, I was not able to get the to give me my portion of the security deposit. They had another couple moving in but it didn't seem "fair" to the new couple to have to pay a deposit. So I was stuck with a deposit on a house I didn't even live in. A year later at the end of the renewal, I tried to get my deposit back. Nope, they're going to renew again.
Last April was the 2nd year after my lease ended. I had already written the money off long ago but I wanted to give one last try. I emailed with no response. A few days later I FaceBook messaged and didn't get a response. Few days later I texted and got nothing. Few days after that I left a voice message.
I figured I could do everything I could and was about to give up. Then a day or two later I got an email saying he wanted to work out an agreement! It took to installments, but I just got my second $200 PayPal transfer last night. That was a happy little surprise :)
Post by: K-Dogg on June 05, 2015, 02:12:11 PM
I never carried debt before entering university at 23, even though I was a bit of a spendy pants. I was fortunate to have always held down a well paying job. Once school started, I was only working 4 months a year in the summer and my spending habits didn’t change.
Here’s my debt breakdown:
National Student Loan - $15,955
Provincial Student Loan - $18,490
Car Loan - $6,200
Visa - $9000USD
Mastercard - $15,000
Credit Line - $3000
When I found MMM about 6 months ago, I was already well on my way to paying off my debt. But this site, the blog posts, forums and contributors have been so encouraging.
Looking forward, this will be the year I make my first investment. Something I had never given any serious thought to before. Hope to see you all around the forums. I am officially no longer only a lurker!
Post by: KMMK on June 05, 2015, 02:15:59 PM
My name is K-dogg, and my hair is no longer on fire. I’m a 29 year old Canadian female. Over the past 20 months I have paid off 67k in debt.
I never carried debt before entering university at 23, even though I was a bit of a spendy pants. I was fortunate to have always held down a well paying job. Once school started, I was only working 4 months a year in the summer and my spending habits didn’t change.
Here’s my debt breakdown:
National Student Loan - $15,955
Provincial Student Loan - $18,490
Car Loan - $6,200
Visa - $9000USD
Mastercard - $15,000
Credit Line - $3000
When I found MMM about 6 months ago, I was already well on my way to paying off my debt. But this site, the blog posts, forums and contributors have been so encouraging.
Looking forward, this will be the year I make my first investment. Something I had never given any serious thought to before. Hope to see you all around the forums. I am officially no longer only a lurker!
Wow, good for you! If you can pay off that amount of debt that quickly you should have no trouble accumulating a nice net worth.
Post by: K-Dogg on June 05, 2015, 03:39:11 PM
Post by: Cougar on June 06, 2015, 01:29:10 PM
checked investments and realized i was 15k further ahead than i had thought. great feeling and had to push my year end goals up and pushed my fire date to 18 MONTHS !
Post by: Cougar on June 06, 2015, 01:31:13 PM
Reached my first mini-goal of $5k net worth!
I reached $0.00 NW last year and have been trying to reach my first goal of $5k NW before the halfway point of the year. I kept fluctuating up and down around $4k and thought I would never break $5k, but last night I realized I forgot about the HSA my employer funds -- an extra $1.2k :) I'm shooting for $10k by the end of the year.
congrats 1.2k !
i bet you make 10k this year. once you start serius saving it always piles up faster than you think in my experience.
Post by: link_417 on June 06, 2015, 08:07:48 PM
Reached my first mini-goal of $5k net worth!
I reached $0.00 NW last year and have been trying to reach my first goal of $5k NW before the halfway point of the year. I kept fluctuating up and down around $4k and thought I would never break $5k, but last night I realized I forgot about the HSA my employer funds -- an extra $1.2k :) I'm shooting for $10k by the end of the year.
congrats 1.2k !
i bet you make 10k this year. once you start serius saving it always piles up faster than you think in my experience.
Thanks, Cougar! I have a bunch of expenses coming up because of this move but once I'm settled, it'll be full speed ahead :D
Post by: iamlittlehedgehog on June 08, 2015, 09:06:31 AM
We can't brag about this to anyone other than my Mustachian family but it feels good and finally feels like we have some momentum to paying off our debt!
Post by: protostache on June 08, 2015, 10:08:51 AM
We payed off our first credit card in 8 weeks! We slammed about $150 on it a week and just closed it. Plan on having a card cutting ceremony tonight :)
We can't brag about this to anyone other than my Mustachian family but it feels good and finally feels like we have some momentum to paying off our debt!
Congrats! That's awesome.
Did you actually close the account yet? It's usually best practice to leave the account open with zero balance, since average age of accounts is a large component of your credit score.
Post by: iamlittlehedgehog on June 08, 2015, 10:28:46 AM
We payed off our first credit card in 8 weeks! We slammed about $150 on it a week and just closed it. Plan on having a card cutting ceremony tonight :)
We can't brag about this to anyone other than my Mustachian family but it feels good and finally feels like we have some momentum to paying off our debt!
Congrats! That's awesome.
Did you actually close the account yet? It's usually best practice to leave the account open with zero balance, since average age of accounts is a large component of your credit score.
Thank you! Hopefully we can knock it the next one this quickly too :)
We went ahead and closed it. It is actually my DH's CC and his credit score is high enough it can take a hit and we have no credit dependent purchases anytime soon, and this was a pretty low limit card (maybe 2k?) so the impact on our total utilization ratio is pretty minor. We intend to keep my card open then later down the line open one with better benefits. This card had almost zero rewards and we only opened it because our 12 year old moodle slipped a disc and had emergency vet bills (we are working on an emergency fund too)
Post by: Cougar on June 08, 2015, 08:15:01 PM
We payed off our first credit card in 8 weeks! We slammed about $150 on it a week and just closed it. Plan on having a card cutting ceremony tonight :)
We can't brag about this to anyone other than my Mustachian family but it feels good and finally feels like we have some momentum to paying off our debt!
Congrats! That's awesome.
Did you actually close the account yet? It's usually best practice to leave the account open with zero balance, since average age of accounts is a large component of your credit score.
congrats and this is what i do. i have cards sitting in my file cabinet that i never use. i actually got a letter from one tell me if i dont use it in 2 months theyre going to close it for me.
Post by: Sister C on June 13, 2015, 11:41:15 AM
Post by: Rural on June 13, 2015, 12:32:02 PM
Post by: G-dog on June 13, 2015, 12:36:10 PM
Got next year's contract, and it includes a small raise, apparently some of it a very competitive merit raise. (Some is promotion-related, as I just got tenure and promotion to associate professor.)
Congratulations on getting tenure! It's a big hurdle Prof. Rural
And congrats on the raise.
Post by: Rural on June 14, 2015, 07:42:59 AM
Got next year's contract, and it includes a small raise, apparently some of it a very competitive merit raise. (Some is promotion-related, as I just got tenure and promotion to associate professor.)
Congratulations on getting tenure! It's a big hurdle Prof. Rural
And congrats on the raise.
Thanks, G-Dog. The tenure's been awhile so ATM I'm more excited about the raise, but tenure also means I'm not automatically fired for not getting it, so it's a Good Thing!
Post by: OttoVonBisquick on June 14, 2015, 10:25:11 PM
1) Went to a Goodwill store to find pants (which I did, $5!) and walked away with pants, a breadmaker, and a clothes iron (for said pants after a wrinkly wash) all for $15!
2) Really paid attention to price, and bought a ton of food (maybe 1.5 or 2 weeks worth) for $55
3) Researched up and am practicing hypermiling (engine braking, mainly), to look forward to higher-than-40-MPG-as-usual mileage
4) Just realized that by taking the train every day to work (for free!) I save SO MUCH on gas and future repairs!
5) I posted for the first (now 6) times today! I am already deeply excited about this forum community, and really am looking forward to meeting everyone here.
Post by: 1967mama on June 15, 2015, 03:37:51 AM
Nice job on the food shopping! (and other celebrations too)
Post by: LucyBIT on June 15, 2015, 02:04:34 PM
Post by: Carlsky on June 17, 2015, 07:29:25 AM
Post by: Le Poisson on June 17, 2015, 08:09:40 AM
On Wednesday June 10th, my wife and I paid off our line of credit. Our only debt now is the mortgage on our house. By the end of the year we will have our emergency fund fully funded.
So Jealous. The line of credit is such a weight for us. Its kindof a big deal around our house that we are pre-paying our kids summer daycamps without dipping into it this year - only 2 more weeks to pre-pay and then we can redirect all the childcare money to paying down the LoC. In the fall our youngest begins full-day school so our childcare will be down to after-school care for a half-hour each day. That will allow a much more aggressive pay-down.
Good for you on tackling that debt!
Post by: TheBanker on June 17, 2015, 12:32:20 PM
I graduated college in 2013 with ~$25K in student loans and CC's and $22K auto loan. Still have some loans to pay down (at 3.15%) but have been adding to my vanguard accts since finding this site.
I turned in an old expense report yesterday and logged onto mint to find the good news!
Post by: secondcor521 on June 18, 2015, 08:49:56 AM
I fully funded my Roth pipeline as of last week.
RE target (tentative, may contract OMY disease) is 2/19/16.
Post by: arebelspy on June 18, 2015, 09:07:01 AM
My WR-if-I-were-to-RE-today dropped below 3% yesterday.
I fully funded my Roth pipeline as of last week.
RE target (tentative, may contract OMY disease) is 2/19/16.
Congrats! I hope you catch OLY disease. :)
Post by: Cougar on June 18, 2015, 09:17:10 AM
Just got back a bigger tax refund than I was expecting. It dropped my fire date by 2 months, I'm now less than 20 months away !
Post by: secondcor521 on June 18, 2015, 01:12:52 PM
My WR-if-I-were-to-RE-today dropped below 3% yesterday.
I fully funded my Roth pipeline as of last week.
RE target (tentative, may contract OMY disease) is 2/19/16.
Congrats! I hope you catch OLY disease. :)
Thanks, ARS! My countdown says 246 days left, so OLY will be hard :-).
Options vest on 2/4, will give 2 week notice on 2/5. That's the current plan anyway; I may tweak it a little.
Post by: happy on June 18, 2015, 04:14:58 PM
Post by: Rural on June 18, 2015, 06:14:10 PM
Post by: arebelspy on June 18, 2015, 07:22:50 PM
Finally achieved a 60% savings rate :). Its been a goal ever since I hit 50% 3 years ago.
You must be happy.
Post by: happy on June 19, 2015, 04:54:39 PM
Post by: Sibley on June 25, 2015, 11:46:46 AM
Post by: arebelspy on June 25, 2015, 02:01:45 PM
Just a small achievement, but I'm really proud of it. I've been biking to work from the train station, about 1.5 miles. Except the last couple blocks are up a hill. This hill is murder, and I always have to walk part way up. My goal was to make it up the hill by the end of summer. Yesterday, I managed to make it up the hill on the bike!
That's huge! Your badassity muscles are bulging!
Post by: Rural on June 26, 2015, 07:15:22 PM
Post by: Amesenator on June 27, 2015, 04:25:34 PM
Post by: Credaholic on July 01, 2015, 01:39:01 PM
Paid off my Prius! It wasn't a big loan or a high interest rate, so I just slowly made monthly payments and as of last month it is mine all mine :) I celebrated with new tires which it desperately needed, and decided not to get the small scuff on the back bumper from being rear ended fixed (pocketed the insurance money instead.) Planning to drive it til it dies, and not worrying about what it looks like while I do.
Got word that husband's 401K match is returning! He's been rallying for this for years after it was taken away in 2009 (along with a 10% salary decrease across the board thanks to the economic crisis.) Although the company has been in good shape again for a long time now and his salary is well above where he was even before the pay cut, they still hadn't brought the match back and I can't wait for it to kick in.
Although we took on extra house debt (trying to remind myself that this is our only debt!) to finish building the house we're in the middle of, I'm happy that it appraised incredibly high and that our total house debt is only 50% of appraisal. I'm hoping that we'll actually use less of the credit line than we have available, and that our interest rate will be decreased when the house is done. We'll see if I'm posting those celebrations here in 6 months...
Post by: Cougar on July 01, 2015, 02:18:26 PM
I'm not thrilled with where we're at in this moment, so I think I need to celebrate the things we do have to celebrate:
Paid off my Prius! It wasn't a big loan or a high interest rate, so I just slowly made monthly payments and as of last month it is mine all mine :) I celebrated with new tires which it desperately needed, and decided not to get the small scuff on the back bumper from being rear ended fixed (pocketed the insurance money instead.) Planning to drive it til it dies, and not worrying about what it looks like while I do.
Got word that husband's 401K match is returning! He's been rallying for this for years after it was taken away in 2009 (along with a 10% salary decrease across the board thanks to the economic crisis.) Although the company has been in good shape again for a long time now and his salary is well above where he was even before the pay cut, they still hadn't brought the match back and I can't wait for it to kick in.
Although we took on extra house debt (trying to remind myself that this is our only debt!) to finish building the house we're in the middle of, I'm happy that it appraised incredibly high and that our total house debt is only 50% of appraisal. I'm hoping that we'll actually use less of the credit line than we have available, and that our interest rate will be decreased when the house is done. We'll see if I'm posting those celebrations here in 6 months...
congrats.
now you have to compund those, like put that prius payment in your 401k or an etf.
if it is as it sounds like that youre not yet where you want to be, you cant let up. you'll know when you get to where you want to be, you'll feel more at ease when your stash is big enough that you feel you can handle anything coming at you.
Post by: Erica/NWEdible on July 08, 2015, 01:37:44 PM
Post by: Tortoise Banker on July 08, 2015, 02:21:17 PM
Post by: Rural on July 08, 2015, 06:57:31 PM
So....I'm holding a freshly minted copy of my book in my hands. After a year+ of blood, sweat, tears and liver-compromising levels of alcohol consumption, it's actually here. And, I think it might actually be really good. I don't even fucking know how I feel right now. This is the strangest celebration feeling I've ever felt. Yay?
Yes, yay. Congratulations! Now where can I buy one?
Post by: yourusernamehere on July 08, 2015, 07:36:57 PM
So....I'm holding a freshly minted copy of my book in my hands. After a year+ of blood, sweat, tears and liver-compromising levels of alcohol consumption, it's actually here. And, I think it might actually be really good. I don't even fucking know how I feel right now. This is the strangest celebration feeling I've ever felt. Yay?
Yes, yay. Congratulations! Now where can I buy one?
Seconded!
Post by: Cougar on July 08, 2015, 07:52:39 PM
congrats !So....I'm holding a freshly minted copy of my book in my hands. After a year+ of blood, sweat, tears and liver-compromising levels of alcohol consumption, it's actually here. And, I think it might actually be really good. I don't even fucking know how I feel right now. This is the strangest celebration feeling I've ever felt. Yay?
Yes, yay. Congratulations! Now where can I buy one?
Seconded!
i have been told by women it was tougher to write a book than have a baby, so all sorts of respect for your book; be very proud.
Post by: arebelspy on July 08, 2015, 09:34:39 PM
So....I'm holding a freshly minted copy of my book in my hands. After a year+ of blood, sweat, tears and liver-compromising levels of alcohol consumption, it's actually here. And, I think it might actually be really good. I don't even fucking know how I feel right now. This is the strangest celebration feeling I've ever felt. Yay?
Wow, way to go!!
Post by: Erica/NWEdible on July 09, 2015, 07:23:00 AM
Yes, yay. Congratulations! Now where can I buy one?Hah! Thanks. You can pre-order on amazon now (http://amzn.to/1KXeWqx), or it will be available "wherever books are sold" on September 29. Apparently it's currently the #1 new release in Seasonal Cooking on Amazon. Holy crap.
congrats !I'd agree with that. I've had two babies, both without pain meds, and writing this book was harder. I also gained more weight writing this book than I did pregnant with my son. :D
i have been told by women it was tougher to write a book than have a baby, so all sorts of respect for your book; be very proud.
Wow, way to go!!Thank you ARS. How's your wife's book going? Is she on to the second one?
Post by: arebelspy on July 09, 2015, 10:01:43 AM
Wow, way to go!!Thank you ARS. How's your wife's book going? Is she on to the second one?
Yup! She's got several close to release. :)
Post by: arebelspy on July 09, 2015, 10:02:17 AM
Wow, way to go!!Thank you ARS. How's your wife's book going? Is she on to the second one?
Yup! She's got several close to release. :)
Post by: Erica/NWEdible on July 09, 2015, 12:30:16 PM
Wow, way to go!!Thank you ARS. How's your wife's book going? Is she on to the second one?
Yup! She's got several close to release. :)
So cool! Please offer my congratulations. That's a huge accomplishment.
Post by: Daisy on July 09, 2015, 08:46:00 PM
congrats !I'd agree with that. I've had two babies, both without pain meds, and writing this book was harder. I also gained more weight writing this book than I did pregnant with my son. :D
i have been told by women it was tougher to write a book than have a baby, so all sorts of respect for your book; be very proud.
At least you get to have a drink while giving birth to your book though. ;-)
I've neither had a baby nor written a book. I would have thought having a baby was worse...but what do I know?
Congratulations on the book. I see you were a trained chef. How I wish I lived close by and could attend one of those meetups...
Post by: Rural on July 10, 2015, 08:09:20 AM
Yes, yay. Congratulations! Now where can I buy one?Hah! Thanks. You can pre-order on amazon now (http://amzn.to/1KXeWqx (http://amzn.to/1KXeWqx)), or it will be available "wherever books are sold" on September 29. Apparently it's currently the #1 new release in Seasonal Cooking on Amazon. Holy crap.
Preorder placed. Added a bearing I need to repair my dryer to get free shipping and used gift cards from doing focus groups, so you'll get paid (a very small amount) for my focus groups. Ah, brave new world.
Post by: Credaholic on July 10, 2015, 11:34:51 AM
So....I'm holding a freshly minted copy of my book in my hands. After a year+ of blood, sweat, tears and liver-compromising levels of alcohol consumption, it's actually here. And, I think it might actually be really good. I don't even fucking know how I feel right now. This is the strangest celebration feeling I've ever felt. Yay?
Yay indeed! And sometimes sassy ;-)
Post by: HoosierGirl on July 10, 2015, 11:43:16 AM
I've also changed to a reduced parking pass which costs .48 cents a week as opposed to 8.65. (Savings of 8.17)
Finally, I've brought my bike to work to commute the daily 3.0 mile (1.5 each way) from the outer lot on campus to my building. So, I've bike 15 miles on my commute and another 7 miles just for fun. I hope to build stamina and in a few weeks so I can extend the commute to 5.0 miles per day and hopefully lose some weight in the process.
Total savings this week from very easy peasy changes is $78.37 and if I can keep it up It will net me $313.48 this month or projected out to $3,761 a year.
I haven't cut the cable yet but plan to this weekend which will give me another $100/month savings and will boost my yearly savings to $4,961! It so amazing to think that 2 small, very low effort changes can save me almost $5 grand a year. I'm on my way...
Post by: Erica/NWEdible on July 10, 2015, 02:53:50 PM
Preorder placed. Added a bearing I need to repair my dryer to get free shipping and used gift cards from doing focus groups, so you'll get paid (a very small amount) for my focus groups. Ah, brave new world.Hey, thank you! According to my publishers, pre-orders are even BETTER than normal orders, because Amazon takes # of preorders and orders 3x that many for on-hand stock, and sitting on that stocks then gives them an incentive to promote the book. This has been such a crazy education. Please know I super appreciate your order!
Yay indeed! And sometimes sassy ;-)
That's exactly how my publisher is selling the book - "occasionally sassy advice." I think it's the polite way of saying, "mouthy broad." ;)
Edit: words.
Post by: Freckles on July 10, 2015, 05:39:04 PM
Post by: Mrs.LC on July 11, 2015, 10:38:33 PM
Post by: aetherie on July 13, 2015, 09:11:51 AM
Post by: Erica/NWEdible on July 13, 2015, 08:31:33 PM
Congratulations on the book Erica! Hope it does well for you.
Thank you Mrs. LC!
Congratulations, Erica! I'm sure it's a wonderful book and I'm going to pre-order it, too. I'm glad to learn it triple-helps you.
I also placed a pre-order :)
Thank you so much Freckles and Aetherie! I'm blown away/humbled/grateful for the # of pre-orders from the MMM community. I don't want anyone screwing up their financial goals to impulse buy my book, but I'm so thankful for the support. <3
Post by: Rural on July 14, 2015, 04:18:53 AM
Congratulations on the book Erica! Hope it does well for you.
Thank you Mrs. LC!Congratulations, Erica! I'm sure it's a wonderful book and I'm going to pre-order it, too. I'm glad to learn it triple-helps you.I also placed a pre-order :)
Thank you so much Freckles and Aetherie! I'm blown away/humbled/grateful for the # of pre-orders from the MMM community. I don't want anyone screwing up their financial goals to impulse buy my book, but I'm so thankful for the support. <3
No guilt on that front; it'll save me more than I spend because I'll pick up one or two good ideas and implement them for years. Plus at some point a new recipe will be more interesting than going out.
Post by: aetherie on July 14, 2015, 05:23:05 AM
Thank you so much Freckles and Aetherie! I'm blown away/humbled/grateful for the # of pre-orders from the MMM community. I don't want anyone screwing up their financial goals to impulse buy my book, but I'm so thankful for the support. <3
I used a gift card, so my financial goals will not be screwed up! (Not that $19 would do that anyway.) I expect this will be the best impulse buy I make all year.
Post by: Basenji on July 14, 2015, 06:11:49 AM
Post by: PARedbeard on July 14, 2015, 09:44:45 AM
Post by: Cookie78 on July 15, 2015, 10:07:21 AM
Congrats Erica!
Congrats everyone else!
Today I calculated my net worth at 500,000! I get such a rush from every purchase I make towards buying my freedom, much more than any rush I get buying things/stuff/crap I don't need, like I used to get.
Post by: jordanread on July 15, 2015, 12:46:12 PM
Just found MMM not quite 2 weeks ago and I put some of the principles in practice this week. I've brought my breakfast & lunch to work all week, so I've saved $15.00 on breakfast and $50 on lunch. I gave up my $1 unsweetened tea from McDs so that saved another $5.20. So just taking 5 minutes each morning produced $70.20 in savings!
I've also changed to a reduced parking pass which costs .48 cents a week as opposed to 8.65. (Savings of 8.17)
Finally, I've brought my bike to work to commute the daily 3.0 mile (1.5 each way) from the outer lot on campus to my building. So, I've bike 15 miles on my commute and another 7 miles just for fun. I hope to build stamina and in a few weeks so I can extend the commute to 5.0 miles per day and hopefully lose some weight in the process.
Total savings this week from very easy peasy changes is $78.37 and if I can keep it up It will net me $313.48 this month or projected out to $3,761 a year.
I haven't cut the cable yet but plan to this weekend which will give me another $100/month savings and will boost my yearly savings to $4,961! It so amazing to think that 2 small, very low effort changes can save me almost $5 grand a year. I'm on my way...
If you need some advice and motivation, check out the cycling challenges we do every month in my signature. Happy Cycling!!!
Post by: Zaga on July 15, 2015, 02:54:20 PM
Why have I never discovered this thread before?!Mine just hit $200K today! $0 was 3.5 years ago for us. I'm so looking forward to the $500K milestone!
Congrats Erica!
Congrats everyone else!
Today I calculated my net worth at 500,000! I get such a rush from every purchase I make towards buying my freedom, much more than any rush I get buying things/stuff/crap I don't need, like I used to get.
Post by: Cougar on July 16, 2015, 11:20:56 AM
Mine just hit $200K today! $0 was 3.5 years ago for us. I'm so looking forward to the $500K milestone!
now thats impressive !
you gotta let us know how you did that, i'd like to do that.
Post by: Zaga on July 16, 2015, 12:35:28 PM
Slow and stead, one month at a time. I started out reading Dave Ramsey just after I got married in 2007. DH was totally not interested so I just made suggestions and we gradually implemented them. When we got married we were hugely in debt with less than $20K in retirement funds between us.Mine just hit $200K today! $0 was 3.5 years ago for us. I'm so looking forward to the $500K milestone!
now thats impressive !
you gotta let us know how you did that, i'd like to do that.
DH saw how wonderful it would be to have savings, so we started putting a bit in savings. This eventually became our 3 month emergency fund.
We had several small annoying debts - 2 cars, 2 credit cards. Paid these off in a year, $18K total.
He had a debt that was $100K and in collections. (Today this is our final debt remaining.) This took over a year to get it back in good standing, I never want to have to avoid the phone because of collection calls again!
Once we were there we started investing at least 15% of our gross income ala Dave Ramsey. At that point I was just not super comfortable with Dave's investing advice so I started reading investment books from the library until I stumbled on a Boglehead book. That was a good day!
Since then we've just invested monthly and paid down debt monthly. Boring stuff. Auto withdrawals to your 401-K are your friend! So are automatic payments to your loans! Each year since 2009 we've added at least $21K to our retirement accounts and paid down debt by an average of $6,700. During this time we've also used and replenished out emergency fund several times, purchased 2 inexpensive cars with cash, and cashflowed many home improvement projects.
So yeah, it's not exciting, it's just doing the right things day after day, month after month, and year after year.
Post by: ender on July 18, 2015, 08:14:42 AM
It was rather depressing seeing 75% of my paycheck go into a 401k a few times recently only to have the market drop about the same (silly Greece!) but I think we might have solidly gone over that hump.
All new savings this year are cash savings and "repayment" to ourselves (we "borrowed" money from the rest of 2015 to pre fund IRAs/401k/tithe etc) so our cash savings will increase rather rapidly for the rest of the year.
Post by: Lindy Hop on July 23, 2015, 11:32:40 AM
Post by: kendallf on July 23, 2015, 09:58:49 PM
I gave myself a huge pay cut today, as I bumped up my TSP contributions to try and max it out again this year. I have been putting a lot of money into my house renovation and we had some heavy medical expenses this year, so I dropped the contributions down to the match for a while, but now they're back up.. $1k a paycheck for the rest of the year. :-o
Also, I just used credit card points to pay for most of a round trip flight to Michigan later in the fall, where I'm going to ride the DALMAC ride from Lansing to Sault Ste Marie and spend a couple of days with my daughter, who is at MSU. Cycling, cheap flights, travel and new sights, and daughter time. Great stuff!
Post by: Tortoise Banker on July 24, 2015, 04:13:57 PM
Yup. Maybe I should change my handle to Tortoise. But you know slow and steady wins the race…..the changes I've made are well entrenched and sustainable
Join the club!
Post by: happy on July 24, 2015, 08:31:47 PM
Post by: 10dollarsatatime on July 27, 2015, 08:24:18 PM
Post by: Zaga on July 28, 2015, 06:04:17 AM
Just submitted my very last student loan payment. It should finalize on my birthday. So... Happy birthday to me! No more student loan payments!Congrats! I can't wait to join you!
Post by: iamlittlehedgehog on July 30, 2015, 06:34:58 AM
Just submitted my very last student loan payment. It should finalize on my birthday. So... Happy birthday to me! No more student loan payments!
That is so great! It's gotta feel like a breath of fresh air!
Post by: DaKini on July 30, 2015, 02:26:36 PM
Usually we get around 34% in average over the last 2 years - and this in germany with two kids and only a single income :)
Post by: iamlittlehedgehog on August 04, 2015, 08:51:34 AM
We payed off our first credit card in 8 weeks! We slammed about $150 on it a week and just closed it. Plan on having a card cutting ceremony tonight :)
We can't brag about this to anyone other than my Mustachian family but it feels good and finally feels like we have some momentum to paying off our debt!
Congrats! That's awesome.
Did you actually close the account yet? It's usually best practice to leave the account open with zero balance, since average age of accounts is a large component of your credit score.
Thank you! Hopefully we can knock it the next one this quickly too :)
We went ahead and closed it. It is actually my DH's CC and his credit score is high enough it can take a hit and we have no credit dependent purchases anytime soon, and this was a pretty low limit card (maybe 2k?) so the impact on our total utilization ratio is pretty minor. We intend to keep my card open then later down the line open one with better benefits. This card had almost zero rewards and we only opened it because our 12 year old moodle slipped a disc and had emergency vet bills (we are working on an emergency fund too)
WE HAVE PAID OFF THE LAST CREDIT CARD *happy dance*
2 months ahead of schedule. We'll be leaving this one open because it has decent perks. In total we paid off somewhere around 3k of credit card debt in 3.5 months (which is huge for us, we don't have a very high take home pay)
Next goal: paying off the Honda Fit by the end of February, we have about 4k left on it.
Post by: stacheasaurus on August 04, 2015, 01:43:45 PM
Post by: iamlittlehedgehog on August 04, 2015, 02:08:08 PM
Just reached $0 NW (thanks student loans... blech)!! I'm out of the hole, everything's looking up from here
Woot! It's all uphill from here!
Post by: couponvan on August 06, 2015, 07:03:58 PM
Just reached $0 NW (thanks student loans... blech)!! I'm out of the hole, everything's looking up from here
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I love hearing about people reaching $0. Next stop $1K, $10K, and beyond!!
Post by: bittheory on August 07, 2015, 02:41:38 PM
I also freelance occasionally on the side, and with every check I receive, I challenged myself to contribute half of it into Vanguard and my daughter's 529 plan, then save half for year end taxes. I've been good about doing it so far, and have saved almost $2K for my daughter's education this year alone and it's only August.
Post by: Check2400 on August 07, 2015, 04:49:46 PM
Woo multiple income streams!
Post by: chemgeek on August 11, 2015, 07:26:02 AM
This time last year ( Aug 12 actually) I posted my case study. Since then, we've paid off all my student loans (over $17,000), saved another $25,000 for a house downpayment, added $14,000 to my husband's 401k, 2500 into my IRA. That means we "saved" about $61,000 over the last year. We started at 72k net worth and we just passed the 150k mark. Keeping our eyes on the prize month to month has sometimes been difficult, but seeing what we did over a whole year is really awesome and motivating. Onto year 2!
Post by: SavingMon(k)ey on August 11, 2015, 07:41:30 AM
Post by: Basenji on August 11, 2015, 07:53:52 AM
I can't really share this with real live people so I wanted to post here :)Well done!
This time last year ( Aug 12 actually) I posted my case study. Since then, we've paid off all my student loans (over $17,000), saved another $25,000 for a house downpayment, added $14,000 to my husband's 401k, 2500 into my IRA. That means we "saved" about $61,000 over the last year. We started at 72k net worth and we just passed the 150k mark. Keeping our eyes on the prize month to month has sometimes been difficult, but seeing what we did over a whole year is really awesome and motivating. Onto year 2!
Post by: onehair on August 12, 2015, 12:03:38 PM
Post by: JD_ on August 14, 2015, 11:32:59 AM
Now the tough decision time comes. I'm going to talk to my boss and boss' boss today to see if they would be willing to match the offer to keep me here. Wish me luck!
-JD
Post by: flan on August 18, 2015, 10:21:53 PM
Eliminating one recurring expense at a time...
Post by: FiveSigmas on August 19, 2015, 12:16:39 AM
This is only a mini-celebration, as I'd actually rented it out in years past, but when my last tenant left I found demand to be waning*, and due to laziness I just let the spot sit dormant.
* A double-whammy: an influx of young, carless folks in the building meant a smaller potential clientele and more competition on the supply side. Darn my mustachian brethren!
Post by: Tortoise Banker on August 19, 2015, 05:04:14 PM
Post by: grantmeaname on August 20, 2015, 03:10:03 PM
Post by: plainjane on August 21, 2015, 06:05:29 AM
Post by: cautiouspessimist on August 24, 2015, 11:24:32 AM
My visa finally went through and I finally left for London. I put a deposit down for a beautiful, cheap flat today, and I start my ridiculously awesome job and badass bike commute Monday! Everything's coming up Millhouse!
Well, that all sounds fantastic. Don't forget to update us!
Post by: BDWW on August 27, 2015, 05:24:10 PM
Trying to up my bike commute to 3 days a week, at 2 currently, but it's a bit hard to be motivated on Monday mornings :).
Post by: Katagal on August 28, 2015, 02:56:53 PM
Thanks again MMM and your wonderful contributors!
Post by: Kingsmen on August 29, 2015, 11:29:31 PM
1) Paid off a $6000 student loan charging 6.8%
2) Paid off my Honda Civic ($8900 at 3.9% interest)
I must say, it feels good to not have to worry about these monthly expenses and all the interest I would have paid had I made minimum payments for the life of the loans.
Congratulations to all the Mustachians making milestones every day!!!
Post by: Bill76 on August 31, 2015, 07:02:28 AM
Once we close (October), I'll pay off the last of our non-mortgage debts and watch the 'stache grow even faster! We could've paid those debts off sooner, but I didn't want to liquidate our Vanguard funds to do it. :)
Post by: fitfrugalfab on August 31, 2015, 07:37:04 AM
Post by: TooManyGuitars on August 31, 2015, 05:15:49 PM
Post by: Dollar Slice on August 31, 2015, 05:45:38 PM
I fully expect some sort of billing shenanigans involving losing a credit I didn't know I had, but it will definitely be at least a little cheaper. :-)
Post by: Matilda on September 05, 2015, 12:49:01 PM
Post by: MsChewieBear on September 08, 2015, 08:19:15 PM
1. Paid off a $710 loan balance. It had a $286/month payment, so that opens up a lot of room in our budget.
2. Paid off a $150 credit card balance.
3. Added $410 to our emergency fund.
Post by: happy on September 09, 2015, 06:06:09 AM
Post by: MsChewieBear on September 09, 2015, 10:53:08 AM
I also opened a Roth IRA account for myself and one for my husband. He's leaving his current job at the end of September, so he'll be able to roll his 401(k) right over. I'm self-employed, so I thought a Roth IRA was the best type of account out of all my options.
Post by: Le Poisson on September 09, 2015, 12:21:25 PM
We managed to get rid of a line of credit and a Visa Card earlier this year, and now are down to fighting dragons - no more gremlins to chase. Just make sure to roll those payment onto your bigger debts to knochk them down. Once the payment amount gets absorbed into the family budget you never get it back!
Are you already on YNAB? It will make a big difference.
Post by: JLee on September 11, 2015, 12:43:41 PM
Post by: aetherie on September 11, 2015, 12:51:16 PM
Post by: Neustache on September 11, 2015, 02:15:56 PM
Post by: Feminine Mustique on September 13, 2015, 06:34:57 AM
Post by: xdragoox on September 13, 2015, 07:07:39 AM
This site never ceases to amaze me with it's positive encouragement and inspiration.
My little accomplishment is that I just paid off an CC with a $4,260 balance on Sept 1st.
The ultra-low promotional 1.9% APR was scheduled to automatically rise up to 23.90% after 09/01.
I also paid off another Credit Card that had a balance of $3,275 a few month ago back in May.
That's two down, one more to go.
Thank you my fellow Mustachians!
Post by: happy on September 13, 2015, 03:25:48 PM
Post by: FiveSigmas on September 14, 2015, 12:44:33 AM
I quit my job last week and signed a new offer for a 59% raise plus profit sharing, so likely closer to 70% in reality. Twice the vacation time, 1/3ish health care costs, plus other perks. I'm thrilled. :D
Way to go JLee! Had you been feeling out for the new position long, or did the opportunity just spring up?
Post by: Pinch of salt on September 14, 2015, 09:34:53 AM
Post by: JLee on September 14, 2015, 09:46:16 AM
I quit my job last week and signed a new offer for a 59% raise plus profit sharing, so likely closer to 70% in reality. Twice the vacation time, 1/3ish health care costs, plus other perks. I'm thrilled. :D
Way to go JLee! Had you been feeling out for the new position long, or did the opportunity just spring up?
I got set up by a good friend who's been trying to get me an offer for the last 7 months and it finally pulled through. :D
Post by: FiveSigmas on September 14, 2015, 11:25:35 PM
I quit my job last week and signed a new offer for a 59% raise plus profit sharing, so likely closer to 70% in reality. Twice the vacation time, 1/3ish health care costs, plus other perks. I'm thrilled. :D
Way to go JLee! Had you been feeling out for the new position long, or did the opportunity just spring up?
I got set up by a good friend who's been trying to get me an offer for the last 7 months and it finally pulled through. :D
Nice. Friends kick ass :-)
Post by: Squirrel away on September 15, 2015, 03:23:09 AM
I just, well a few weeks ago, bought a flat (what we call them here in the UK)! It's a new build and very energy efficient as most new builds are these days due to government requirements. No more smelly other people's food, bastard flatmates or covering myself up to look decent around my home (and actually feeling welcome in my home!) Wooooot!
Congrats.:)
Post by: Lindy Hop on September 15, 2015, 08:17:00 AM
Post by: FoundPeace on September 15, 2015, 10:41:28 AM
Post by: JLee on September 15, 2015, 11:02:21 AM
I've been biking home from work for a few months now, and I finally conquered my toughest hill. When I first started it took me 18 minutes, and yesterday I shattered all of my records and made it in 9.5 min!
That's fantastic! Congrats!
Post by: Pinch of salt on September 15, 2015, 12:21:04 PM
Post by: Urchina on September 16, 2015, 12:30:31 AM
1. I biked to work (as I do twice a week) and home again. I packed a lunch and cleaned out a bunch of the little bits and bobs left in the fridge. Refrigerator Velcro Salad to the rescue again! (It was delicious).
2. While getting ready to take a munchkin to soccer practice, I realized we were almost out of bread. This makes making lunches at our house difficult. So... I pulled out the food processor and in less than 10 minutes had two batches of bread dough mixed, kneaded and rising. I baked them tonight after dinner (dinner was a baked meal, so the oven only got heated up once) and avoided a trip to the grocery store, which I guarantee would have had me buying more than just a loaf of bread! Plus, this bread is waaay yummier.
3. Today was payday and one of us got a bonus (hint: it's not the one that works in the public sector) ;), plus I got a reimbursement check for some travel expenses, so we got to stick a solid chunk in our taxable Vanguard account as well as one of our 529 accounts. Whoo-hoo!
4. While on my Vanguard account summary page, checked one of my deferred comp accounts and realized that my dividends for that account have doubled as I plow more money in. That's awesome! I don't expect this to continue (I'm pretty sure exponential dividend growth is only something you see when you are investing at the low end of the curve, and I just opened this particular account six months ago), but it's motivating for now!
5. I also signed up for the Vanguard automatic investing. We'd been putting spare money into the taxable account, but we consistently max out our deferred comp / IRAs, so I decided to start funneling money to the taxable account on a regular basis. We've got low-cost index funds in there, of course (Hello, VTMSX! can't wait to start dating the Admiral version of you soon!)
6. I redid my SRA for the 403b, to max it out.
7. Redid my SRA for my other deferred comp plan (a 457) for 2016 and will max that out as well.
8. Set a goal of saving 50% of our take-home pay for the rest of 2015 and for all of 2016. We're at 43% now. I'd like to get us up to 60% within the next five years.
Looking forward to contributing to this page more in the future!
Post by: asauer on September 23, 2015, 08:06:50 AM
So....I'm holding a freshly minted copy of my book in my hands. After a year+ of blood, sweat, tears and liver-compromising levels of alcohol consumption, it's actually here. And, I think it might actually be really good. I don't even fucking know how I feel right now. This is the strangest celebration feeling I've ever felt. Yay?
Congrats! I felt the same way when my book was published- well, it was more like "I never want to see this fucking thing again". Especially after editors have been going through it with a hacksaw. A few margaritas cured that feeling though : )
Post by: zephyr911 on September 24, 2015, 10:06:51 AM
We finally went from $140+ on AT&T family plan to two lines on Republic @ $55. Am expecting to get substantial refunds on data (1GB each) and may reduce the base plan once I see the results.
Also, parked biked to work today from the halfway point (my transitional strategy, as it's 10+, I need to build muscles, and the first half is sketchy - shoulderless highway or backroads and bushwacking). Tomorrow, a new bridge opens up that could give me a shorter and safer route (<9mi).
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on September 25, 2015, 07:01:45 AM
Post by: Cookie78 on September 28, 2015, 12:04:25 PM
It's my birthday on sunday, and my gift that I gave myself is depositing the last 6,000$ needed to max out my TFSA. Now that that's done, I can max out my RRSP before the end of the year. Yay!
Awesome!! Congrats!
I just did some math this morning and discovered I may be able to max both mine out by the end of this year too. It's a stretch, and it might be a little tight, but worth trying. :) Amazing to me since originally my goal was to max them both out by next year. Considering for 10 years I contributed a whopping 200/month towards investments I had a long way to go to catch up. :)
Post by: Urchina on October 04, 2015, 11:43:41 PM
Sooo excited! I knew we were above 40%, but couldn't prove it and still don't really believe it. Our nuclear explosion of cash is even larger than we thought it was!
Now I need to reset our savings goals. I'd like to have it up to 60% next year, and shoot for 75% within three years.
Still, riding the 50% wave is pretty cool!
Post by: Pooperman on October 05, 2015, 03:52:03 AM
Networth > $50k
:D
Post by: onehair on October 05, 2015, 09:25:41 AM
Post by: cautiouspessimist on October 06, 2015, 07:12:04 AM
Post by: PathtoFIRE on October 08, 2015, 09:46:55 AM
*includes home equity and 529s, does not account for transaction costs of liquidating home equity, 529s, or retirement accounts, I expect to celebrate the more-real-to-me milestone of retirement/bank account only $1MM in early 2017
Post by: JLee on October 09, 2015, 07:17:18 AM
$1,000,290 !!!*
*includes home equity and 529s, does not account for transaction costs of liquidating home equity, 529s, or retirement accounts, I expect to celebrate the more-real-to-me milestone of retirement/bank account only $1MM in early 2017
Awesome!! Congratulations! You've reached my ideal target number, too :D
Post by: MelodysMustache on October 11, 2015, 01:11:38 PM
If I wanted to make my hobbies my profession, I could. If I wanted to write the great American novel (assuming I have the skill), I could. If I wanted to simply spend my days reading, knitting, gardening, and hiking, I could.
For now, I choose to continue working. I enjoy my profession, I enjoy travel, and my family is here in this high COL area. But for the first time in my life working is a choice. My daughter is grown and gone, my son is still in college and living with me for now. They each have their own money thanks to their late grandparents. I am not in a hurry to upend my life and retire early quite yet, but I could. What an amazing place to be in!
Post by: StackingStache on October 12, 2015, 10:35:59 AM
-Paid off all credit card debit
-Cut the cable
-Slashed the cell phone bill down
-Slashed the car insurance down
-Bringing food to work
Now I'm watching my money stack up...
Thanks MMM!
Post by: aetherie on October 12, 2015, 04:45:20 PM
Post by: AmandaS1989 on October 13, 2015, 08:48:14 AM
1. Finally got my career in accounting started with my job as a staff accountant that I started this past May. It might have taken 3 years after I graduated but I finally did it!
2. Paid off two credit cards so far! Will be three once the balance transfer from my 25% interest goes through to the 0% interest card! Then it will be three to go!
3. Paid off my car this past February-9 months early! That loan was 20% interest ugh
4. Finally started saving for retirement with my 401k. I contribute 4% since my employer matches 100% up to 4% of my income. I also started a Roth IRA with Betterment.
5. Started a savings account-currently have $1000 in it!
So a lot to celebrate but a lot to work on as well. I have around 63K in student loans and after I get my tax refund this Spring I will be paying off a student loan, saving me $106 a month to put towards other loans, and will also pay off the remaining balance on my Note 4 so I can cut the $92.12 a month cord to Verizon and sign up with PlatinumTel for just $30/month. I'm also looking to have those last three CCs paid off by May 2016.
Then I can re-fi my SLs that are 6% and above and save some money!
Post by: G-dog on October 13, 2015, 09:33:43 AM
Hello everyone. I'm a brand-new Mustachian-in-training who found the MMM blog last month. Boy I was a real consumer sukka before. I was already starting to wise-up a bit and now I am on track to get my finances in order. I've had a few reasons to celebrate this year including:Great work! Keep it up, and when you feel like you are not progressing fast enough remember - the days are long but the years are short. There may be days when you feel like you are not yet where you want to be, but keep at it because over time you will get there. And in the end, it will happen faster than it seems at times.
1. Finally got my career in accounting started with my job as a staff accountant that I started this past May. It might have taken 3 years after I graduated but I finally did it!
2. Paid off two credit cards so far! Will be three once the balance transfer from my 25% interest goes through to the 0% interest card! Then it will be three to go!
3. Paid off my car this past February-9 months early! That loan was 20% interest ugh
4. Finally started saving for retirement with my 401k. I contribute 4% since my employer matches 100% up to 4% of my income. I also started a Roth IRA with Betterment.
5. Started a savings account-currently have $1000 in it!
So a lot to celebrate but a lot to work on as well. I have around 63K in student loans and after I get my tax refund this Spring I will be paying off a student loan, saving me $106 a month to put towards other loans, and will also pay off the remaining balance on my Note 4 so I can cut the $92.12 a month cord to Verizon and sign up with PlatinumTel for just $30/month. I'm also looking to have those last three CCs paid off by May 2016.
Then I can re-fi my SLs that are 6% and above and save some money!
Post by: AmandaS1989 on October 13, 2015, 09:45:23 AM
Patience is one of my biggest problems. I want this debt gone now! But I know if I keep plugging at it, it will come down. I'm hoping next May I'll get a raise at my one-year review. Fingers crossed! But for now, I'm just gonna put as much as I can towards this debt.
Post by: Jojje on October 20, 2015, 08:49:46 AM
Post by: Szilveszter Hansen on October 20, 2015, 09:06:23 AM
First month with a savings rate over 50%. Heard of MMM in May this year and I'm amazed how much we have changed our spending habits since then!
This is quite the accomplishment considering the draconian tax rate of Sweden. I would consider MMM tactics almost impossible in a scandinavian society. But with the implication that you do not (or should not, rather) need any savings besides the occasional holiday, because you will be taken care of by the government. But alas, who knows how long that society will last at this point? Best save a nest egg for darker times to come.
In haste,
Szilveszter
Post by: Jojje on October 20, 2015, 10:09:58 AM
First month with a savings rate over 50%. Heard of MMM in May this year and I'm amazed how much we have changed our spending habits since then!
This is quite the accomplishment considering the draconian tax rate of Sweden. I would consider MMM tactics almost impossible in a scandinavian society. But with the implication that you do not (or should not, rather) need any savings besides the occasional holiday, because you will be taken care of by the government. But alas, who knows how long that society will last at this point? Best save a nest egg for darker times to come.
In haste,
Szilveszter
Thanks, yes the tax rate at our income bracket is above 40% and if you take the total tax paid (me plus my employer) you end up at 55%. However daycare and health care is virtually free so there are benefits as well. Having small kids this is really good.
I do not trust the pension system to survive.
Post by: RapidLionInvasion on October 20, 2015, 02:59:22 PM
I want to celebrate how MMM has inspired me and lightened up my views of the future, which are completely accurate because I am an unexperienced 17 year old (lol).
While I have ambitions, it just occured to me after discovering this blog that the adults around me my whole life were quite the bummers. It may have unconsciously washed into my head that I too, if I was sane and normal and wasn't some hippie, must slave away for 45 years, perhaps unhappily, and possibly much longer until I am free to pursue my passions with a broken back and false teeth in some Golden Years (this term has always struck me as being ironic).
But what's this? People have actually managed to retire at 30? Its possible to attain freedom to do what you want to do while your body is still intact and you arent forced to keep the money flowing to eat and pay off debts?
Thank you, for helping me become an optimist!
And thank you, for a forum that is actually active!
Next year, I will be in college and the beginning of my financial responsibilities will begin, and I hope this forum can help and be with me through my uncertainties and inexperiences.
Hoorah for the forum!
Post by: AmandaS1989 on October 20, 2015, 03:12:58 PM
Post by: Bill76 on October 22, 2015, 08:52:33 AM
If my back of the envelope math is correct, we'll have a small loss on the rental come tax time because it was vacant for a few months, and the sale should net close to zero for tax purposes. With that, my landlording experiment is over for now.
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on October 26, 2015, 12:12:58 PM
Post by: Sibley on October 26, 2015, 06:10:11 PM
Post by: CU Tiger on October 28, 2015, 05:23:50 PM
Our house is paid for, we own our cars free and clear, we have no credit card or other debt...our paychecks more than cover all our bills, even with a substantial savings rate. We have to figure out what to do with this money, what a great challenge to have.
Not only am I happy about this infusion of cash, I'm delighted for my husband, he's feeling pretty good right now. I married a good one.
Post by: couponvan on October 28, 2015, 05:42:55 PM
Achievement get:
Networth > $50k
:D
WOO HOO!!!!
Post by: couponvan on October 28, 2015, 05:52:37 PM
My credit card debt is under $2000! Goal is to have it gone by the end of 2015, then rolling that payment onto student loans.
Fantastic! Once that horrid credit card debt is gone, things go up quite quickly. The worst thing ever was DH's Ben Bridges credit card that he purchased my engagement ring with - at 29% interest. (I'd already said "yes" before I knew what he'd done.) I paid that sucker off the next month with a 401(k) loan which was PAINFUL combined with law school payments for him. We literally ate rice and beans for a few months since of course the ring was un-returnable! You are on the right track....
Post by: lostamonkey on October 28, 2015, 07:38:16 PM
Last year my husband was promoted to CIO of his company with a tiny raise involved, but he was promised "a substantial bonus." Well, today, the substantial bonus letter came and it is (wait for it!) $10,000.
Our house is paid for, we own our cars free and clear, we have no credit card or other debt...our paychecks more than cover all our bills, even with a substantial savings rate. We have to figure out what to do with this money, what a great challenge to have.
Not only am I happy about this infusion of cash, I'm delighted for my husband, he's feeling pretty good right now. I married a good one.
Congrats, I would transfer it straight to my Vanguard investment account if I was you.
I ended up reaching my 2015 net worth goal today. It was a surprise. I track all my accounts on Excel and adjust to actual every so often. I adjusted to actual today and realized that I had achieved my goal. Hopefully the goal is still achieved at the end of the year. I have realized that net worth goals are stupid because the short term swings in the stock market have such a large impact on whether you reach your goal.
Post by: CU Tiger on October 30, 2015, 08:53:09 PM
Last year my husband was promoted to CIO of his company with a tiny raise involved, but he was promised "a substantial bonus." Well, today, the substantial bonus letter came and it is (wait for it!) $10,000.
Our house is paid for, we own our cars free and clear, we have no credit card or other debt...our paychecks more than cover all our bills, even with a substantial savings rate. We have to figure out what to do with this money, what a great challenge to have.
Not only am I happy about this infusion of cash, I'm delighted for my husband, he's feeling pretty good right now. I married a good one.
Congrats, I would transfer it straight to my Vanguard investment account if I was you.
I ended up reaching my 2015 net worth goal today. It was a surprise. I track all my accounts on Excel and adjust to actual every so often. I adjusted to actual today and realized that I had achieved my goal. Hopefully the goal is still achieved at the end of the year. I have realized that net worth goals are stupid because the short term swings in the stock market have such a large impact on whether you reach your goal.
Yeah, we wound up tossing it into the Vanguard account. We have reached the point where we have so much insane luxury that we do not want to spend any more money than what we usually spend. It is a rich, full life!
Post by: ajmers on November 05, 2015, 08:26:19 PM
Post by: JZinCO on November 06, 2015, 02:46:41 PM
Because of course it isn't free with registration and insurance. If I had a free place to park it until my living situation changed and I absolutely would have needed it, sure that would work. But when I am already trying to downsize from 2 to 1 vehicles....
It was either a dumb decision or a mustachian celebration.
Post by: Financial Ascensionist on November 08, 2015, 11:22:17 AM
Obviously, October was an exceptionally generous month on the stock market and I don't expect next month to go as well, but passing this milestone, even if was just for a moment, feels extremely liberating. Realistically, I expect to need another three to six months to achieve a stable level of financial independence, at which point I will probably indulge in a slightly more decadent celebration than posting to share my joy. In the meantime, I will proudly keep a stupid grin on my face.
Life is great!
Post by: tenns9 on November 08, 2015, 11:15:22 PM
We now have an awesome problem of not knowing what to do with all our extra money. We were making $2,000-$3,000 payments/mo on our house for quite some time (it varies because of my commission). I will increase all my investments in my 401k, Roth, and IRA, but I'm more interested in possibly having a couple rental properties as well, I just don't know where to start with that.
Post by: Zaga on November 09, 2015, 09:38:23 AM
Post by: powersuitrecall on November 10, 2015, 07:42:22 AM
Today our milestone was maxing out one of our TFSA accounts!
Earlier this year, we refinance our mortgage with a 3 year amortization, even though we could have paid it off in 1. Easing up on the mortgage allowed us to put more towards out tax advantaged investment accounts.
Our plan is to, in about 2 years, achieve the ultimate trifecta of investment goals:
- Maximize both TFSA accounts
- Maximize RRSP accounts (which will come with some juicy immediate tax savings)
- Pay off the mortgage.
We are right on schedule!!!
Post by: PARedbeard on November 10, 2015, 08:06:40 AM
Post by: AmandaS1989 on November 10, 2015, 08:09:01 AM
Post by: Chaplin on November 24, 2015, 11:02:14 PM
Our plan is to, in about 2 years, achieve the ultimate trifecta of investment goals:
- Maximize both TFSA accounts
- Maximize RRSP accounts (which will come with some juicy immediate tax savings)
- Pay off the mortgage.
We are right on schedule!!!
Nice! I'm not there yet, but a level-up from those goals is to make the current year's full RRSP and TFSA contributions on January 1. Allowances can be made if you need to feed some portion in more slower to get the maximum match from an employer.
Post by: marblejane on December 01, 2015, 07:57:31 PM
Post by: Neustache on December 01, 2015, 08:05:28 PM
Post by: ooeei on December 03, 2015, 07:22:23 AM
... For about an hour
I'm still counting it!
Post by: stealthystache on December 09, 2015, 07:59:01 PM
Here's our personal "hurrah!": after the bank that holds our house note turned us down for a refi at a lower rate, we took some of our cash that we had offered the bank to sweeten the deal, and instead bought a HUD auction house free and clear, and are now preparing to sell our overpriced (oversized, over heated/cooled, etc.) house and live mortgage free! Just got the keys yesterday and I can smell the freedom.
...take that greedy bank! (and slightly stupid past self)
Post by: arebelspy on December 10, 2015, 12:48:33 AM
Post by: StacheInAFlash on December 10, 2015, 08:58:32 AM
January 1st this year starts with all that excess money going to the retirement accounts! I'm so excited to finally get to max those out next year!
Post by: arebelspy on December 10, 2015, 12:29:27 PM
Post by: zinethstache on December 10, 2015, 01:55:58 PM
First a huge congrats to @ajmers for a 40% increase in pay at a new job! That is awesome!
And next, congrats on you all for paying off your mortgages too! We plan to sell our primary residence this summer and get rental #5. We will have to live there until I pull the plug on my RE plans, next Jan (2017).
I'd always hoped to be mortgage free and instead I will have 5 mortgages with passive income enough to be FI, who've thunk it.
(other than our mortgages we are debt free)
Post by: aetherie on December 11, 2015, 12:26:34 PM
Post by: Sibley on December 15, 2015, 08:51:38 AM
Post by: arebelspy on December 15, 2015, 08:59:26 AM
With the most recent payment on the CC, I'm officially done paying off past balances. It's current activity only now!
(http://i.giphy.com/xTiTnz33weTH3K8Uvu.gif)
Post by: stealthystache on December 15, 2015, 08:16:10 PM
Post by: smalllife on December 16, 2015, 06:52:41 AM
I also did some calculations and we are about 5 years from rice and beans FI, 7 from my definition of FI (husband's a bit higher for travel). Trying to focus on the light, not how long the tunnel is ...
I ALSO - it's a big month for me - talked myself into reducing our mortgage payment. The money will go to paying off the family loan which enabled the house in the first place (win-win for all, long story), low interest but family puts it on top of the priority list. However, when that is paid off I will be investing the surplus in a taxable "mortgage" investment account. It's taken me two years to talk myself into it: although it helps that with the principal we've paid down on both loans we can sell the house, pay off my parents, and still come out ahead as of a couple of months ago.
Ooh ooh - AND my husband is *this* close to being able to max out his 401k ... maaaaybe 2016, 2017 at the latest depending on how graduation/job hunt plays out.
It's been a good year :-)
Post by: PARedbeard on December 16, 2015, 10:29:19 AM
Post by: smalllife on December 17, 2015, 05:12:24 AM
That sounds like quite the year, indeed, smallife!Thanks! It feels a bit surreal to start seeing things take off!
Post by: PARedbeard on December 17, 2015, 08:39:08 AM
Post by: stealthystache on December 18, 2015, 02:56:05 PM
Oh man, this feels good!
Post by: zephyr911 on December 21, 2015, 10:41:00 AM
While I didn't *technically* hit the max, I'm declaring it (literally) close enough for government work. And I'm about to drop all $5500 for my 2015 IRA as well, so (ignoring the $8 as a rounding error) I've maxed all tax-deferred accounts for the first time.
It took me over a year to get SR high enough to even make it possible, and the huge processing delays mean that I kept adjusting by the wrong amount. But I think I've gotten it dialed in now. The election to drop back from nearly $1000/PP to the required $692 is should apply to my first 2016 check and all others thereafter.
I'm liking the new normal.
Post by: JrDoctor on December 22, 2015, 01:15:28 AM
Post by: nixjasr on December 22, 2015, 03:35:56 PM
It was a cobblestone cellar two years ago. We did most of the work ourselves, and learned a ton along the way.
Coolest part: guests from Hawaii bring you chocolate-covered Macadamia nuts as a gift!!!
Post by: onlykelsey on December 22, 2015, 03:48:21 PM
This year I managed to grow my net worth from 198K to approximately 325K (depending on the market the next week and a half). If I can do that for two more years, I'm safe enough, right? Unfortunately a lot of it (70K) is equity in my illiquid ~610K condo, but that balance should shift towards about 50/50 in the next two years, and my savings rate should pick up now that I've had and paid for my wedding (hopefully a one-time 2015 expense).
I'm pretty excited that I paid for my own degrees (private BA, public MA and JD) and own my house by the end of my 20s, having not come from money or parental support. I suspect part of the stress in the next few years will be accepting a less stressful path forward, figuring out children, and starting to reimagine a life where I'm not working 80 hours a week. Not a bad problem to have, but one I don't have much experience with.
(I just realized I posted in the wrong place when I saw this thread light up. I will erase my other post. Sorry all!)
Post by: halseyskates33 on December 22, 2015, 04:05:25 PM
Little bit every day!
Post by: zephyr911 on December 24, 2015, 08:40:55 PM
It is small, but I was pretty happy with after making a days worth of calls to have a debt adjusted to 1k lower due to an accounting error on their part.That is not small! You just earned over $100 an hour to... talk! xD
Little bit every day!
Post by: JZinCO on December 26, 2015, 10:54:38 PM
My cousin goes to a private high school where tuition is over $23K. Cousin said something to denigrate public schools and my dad responded, saying 'Your father went to public high school and college which led to a career where he can pay for your private school.."
Zing.
Post by: onlykelsey on December 28, 2015, 08:15:54 AM
'Your father went to public high school and college which led to a career where he can pay for your private school.."
Zing.
Hahahah, that is awesome. I've read that graduates of private school do better, but only if you don't control for parents' background, income, marital status, etc. meaning, if you have parents that can send you to private school, you're winning, regardless of whether you actually go.
Post by: San Dawg Stubble on December 29, 2015, 09:23:23 AM
End of 2012:
- $15,000 student loans
- $15,000 other loans
- $22,000 credit card
- $15,000 total investments
= $37,000 in debt
2013/2014 (most importantly): bought a house, got married, had a baby!!!
End of 2015:
- no debt (except mortgage)
- two masters degrees
- $200,000 in home equity (thank you San Diego real estate market)
- $130,000 in investments/savings
- new job paying 30% more
- planning to max all retirement accounts in 2016, plus some investment accounts to get over a 50% SR
- mint says net worth is just shy of $350,000
(No, the wifey is not a sugar momma, but she is my inspiration to save more and spend less money, so I can spend more time with my family)
Happy New Years!!!
Post by: JZinCO on December 29, 2015, 10:41:57 AM
I think I'll recap as well.
In 2015 I,
-Cut avg monthly spending from 1700 to 1100
-Started a new position with a 40% raise
-Moved back to the city where my gf is (meant less financial and relational costs)
-Funded my roth IRA for the 1st time; put 18% of gross income in retirement accounts
-Funded my emergency fund
-Upped my networth from ~5K to over 35K
-Paid off the last 4K in student loans
-Spent half the year caretaking for a friend's house with a rent of only 300/mo
-Started a taxable acct with 3K
-Fully funded a cash reserve for large purchases (with no short term purchases to foresee)
-Started a side business (for which I will not see any income in 2015)
-Decided that while I would love to buy a house, the appreciation over the past few years (incl. 13% this year) in my city has deterred me. So I have not begun savings for a house.
-Also the gf finished her phd and now makes well more than me so that's awesome for her and takes away a source of stress
So all in all, I finally started getting serious about retirement and have built a reserve of cash as a safety net
In 2016 I will:
-Use my increased cash flow (plus end contributing to my cash reserves and taxable acct) to put 50% of gross income in retirement accounts
-Earn 14% more gross income by moving to a different position at my employer (starting Feb 1)
-Earn 10% more gross income from contracts near completion as of this month and take on new contracts (the side business may become how I decide to save for a down payment, not sure yet).
Post by: zephyr911 on December 30, 2015, 11:51:02 AM
It's $2379/yr, or $91.50 per check, $92.42 if the 1% global raise goes through for 2016. Even after taxes, that means $1800+ to invest. \m/ ^_^ \m/
The final note at the bottom says "thank you for your hard work and dedication"... xD
Post by: JLee on December 30, 2015, 11:52:01 AM
Well, it's slow as hell in the office this week and I took off half the day so I could do a Tuesday night thing in Birmingham, 100 miles away. I just got in, sat down and started checking email, and found a couple of personnel system notifications, so I pulled up the site. AND I JUST GOT AN EARLY STEP RAISE. 9 months ahead of the automatic one. This means my boss was happy enough to voluntarily fill out the paperwork to request it for me after my annual eval (Oct).That's awesome! Congrats!
It's $2379/yr, or $91.50 per check, $92.42 if the 1% global raise goes through for 2016. Even after taxes, that means $1800+ to invest. \m/ ^_^ \m/
The final note at the bottom says "thank you for your hard work and dedication"... xD
Post by: jj_k80 on December 30, 2015, 02:40:26 PM
Post by: aetherie on December 30, 2015, 03:54:17 PM
After 3+ years of resume box-checking, I landed a really nice job for 2016. Commute is cut in half, slightly less hours, better training, and my income will basically double. The timing could not be better, as my other celebration is my firstborn being due in February!
Congratulations! Both on the job and on the baby!!
Post by: Tortoise Banker on December 30, 2015, 04:57:47 PM
After 3+ years of resume box-checking, I landed a really nice job for 2016. Commute is cut in half, slightly less hours, better training, and my income will basically double. The timing could not be better, as my other celebration is my firstborn being due in February!
That's wonderful. Congratulations, and BIGGER congratulations on the near arrival of your child!
Post by: SuperSaver on December 31, 2015, 01:37:43 PM
I finished paying off all of my private student loans before June 1, 2015 and am aggressively paying off our Yaris we bought November 25, 2014 (it'll be paid off before March 1, 2016).
I'm quite proud as this was the first year my fiance and I both had full time jobs with benefits the entire year (we both got our jobs mid 2014).
We are 25 and after 3 years of aggressively paying down debt the end is in sight!!!
Post by: onlykelsey on December 31, 2015, 01:43:24 PM
Post by: stealthystache on January 01, 2016, 04:33:39 AM
Paid off $18,000 in debt in 2015. Surpassing my goal of $15k in 2015.
I finished paying off all of my private student loans before June 1, 2015 and am aggressively paying off our Yaris we bought November 25, 2014 (it'll be paid off before March 1, 2016).
I'm quite proud as this was the first year my fiance and I both had full time jobs with benefits the entire year (we both got our jobs mid 2014).
We are 25 and after 3 years of aggressively paying down debt the end is in sight!!!
Dang! you guys are off to a great start! 2016 should be a banger of a year for you :)
Post by: JZinCO on January 01, 2016, 12:42:10 PM
Also my invested assets are > my cash savings which is a new first now.
Post by: GettingThere on January 02, 2016, 07:28:41 AM
1) Networth increased 125K in 12 months, even with poor stock market performance
2) Paid off my house in 2015 (worth around 225K)
3) Zero other debt
4) Worked only around 900 hours and made 120K after taxes
5) Should be FI in about 5 years at age 43
Currently in Mexico for 1 month to escape canadian winter !
Post by: Chrissy on January 03, 2016, 02:04:21 PM
Post by: OmahaSteph on January 04, 2016, 08:30:21 AM
Post by: Le North Dreamer on January 04, 2016, 01:32:19 PM
My First celebration Thread, recap of Year 2015. Note this is all canadian dollars, which may as well be canadian rupees now, but my expenses are in CAD$ so I guess it does not matter that much :
1) Networth increased 125K in 12 months, even with poor stock market performance
2) Paid off my house in 2015 (worth around 225K)
3) Zero other debt
4) Worked only around 900 hours and made 120K after taxes
5) Should be FI in about 5 years at age 43
Currently in Mexico for 1 month to escape canadian winter !
What do you do for a living GettingThere? I'm also Canadian and working 900 hrs to get 120k after taxes looks awesome...
Post by: Le North Dreamer on January 04, 2016, 01:38:52 PM
- Discovered this awesome blog and forum. One of the greatest communities I've seen so far on the vast internets.
- Acquired first rental property. So far so good.
- joint NW (SO and I) is now over 60k (started the year in the red zone).
- Got rid of credit margin debts.
- Didn't carry any credit card debt over the year and never planning to do so in the future.
- Started Index investing and everything goes as planned.
2016 will be exiting as I track this NW and our financial objectives. SO is in the boat too so it makes it a bit easier to focus on our goal, FIRE in 10 years!
Post by: JLee on January 06, 2016, 11:16:26 AM
My First celebration Thread, recap of Year 2015. Note this is all canadian dollars, which may as well be canadian rupees now, but my expenses are in CAD$ so I guess it does not matter that much :
1) Networth increased 125K in 12 months, even with poor stock market performance
2) Paid off my house in 2015 (worth around 225K)
3) Zero other debt
4) Worked only around 900 hours and made 120K after taxes
5) Should be FI in about 5 years at age 43
Currently in Mexico for 1 month to escape canadian winter !
What do you do for a living GettingThere? I'm also Canadian and working 900 hrs to get 120k after taxes looks awesome...
I'd be thrilled to work 900 hours for $120k CAD and I'm in the US.. :P
Post by: FausseBourgeoise on January 09, 2016, 12:05:46 AM
Post by: GettingThere on January 09, 2016, 02:09:21 AM
What do you do for a living GettingThere? I'm also Canadian and working 900 hrs to get 120k after taxes looks awesome...
I'm a CPA and have my own tax return & consulting company. I work about 600 hours during the 10 weeks tax season and the rest of the year I have an employee that does consulting work. I supervise her and do client relationships, which is about 5-10 hours a week.
Post by: stealthystache on January 09, 2016, 06:16:47 AM
I paid off my loans before graduation day, and took on extra work for the first half of the year which will add a security net for when there may be less work next year.
That is sooooo smart, FB! Congrats on graduation and being off on a great financial start. :)
Post by: stealthystache on January 09, 2016, 06:25:20 AM
Not only do I get the benefit of more cash, less stuff means a cleaner/more organized house, less emotional burden, & fewer things to pack and move when we downsize this year. Each of these small steps carries me forward to my goal (and I get to be happier, too :)
Post by: cautiouspessimist on January 10, 2016, 10:20:46 AM
Although not a big accomplishment, I'm counting every bit as a celebration. I'm going through the house continuing the purge of excess possessions, have already gotten rid of much on freecycle and given to Goodwill, and the rest I've sold. This week I put another $1500 in the bank from these sales (and some other bits), all ready to be invested.
Not only do I get the benefit of more cash, less stuff means a cleaner/more organized house, less emotional burden, & fewer things to pack and move when we downsize this year. Each of these small steps carries me forward to my goal (and I get to be happier, too :)
I vote it counts as a celebration as well. This has been one of my main focuses the last few months, and I'm doing terrible at it! Part of the problem is that a lot of the stuff that is taking up space is valuable (but only in well defined niches), and thus needs to be posted on ebay/etc, which is a good amount of work that I have had a hard time getting myself to do. So congrats on getting that stuff done!
Post by: Sonos on January 12, 2016, 10:32:24 PM
*Have been steadily increasing the amount of breakfasts I eat at home (instead of the local coffee shop on the way to work) and will have eaten breakfast at home all week this week!
*Sold my wedding dress (which I had already bought used). Not only does that decrease my total cost outlays for the dress by 65%, but it also means that someone else gets to enjoy the dress (it's a fabulous dress!).
*The startup I worked at several years ago was acquired and I get one last (maybe two) payouts. No idea how much it will be, but any amount is awesome! If anything, it might pay for repairing our sidewalk this week or maybe for our new water heater :) Had no idea this last payment was coming, so it was a pleasant surprise! I'll find out how much next week :)
Post by: PhysicianOnFIRE on January 18, 2016, 02:03:14 PM
Had the market tank just in time for me to put lots of $ into 457(b), 401(k), 529s and backdoor Roth.
Earned my first 50 cents blogging (thank you purchaser of book from Amazon.com, when I only linked to a song). 400 more books sold and I'll break even!
Post by: del84 on January 18, 2016, 04:24:24 PM
House value: $1,286,000.00
Savings: $57,000.00
Super (401k): $175,000.00
Mortgage: -$493,000.00
Net worth: $1,025,000.00
Next milestone target is to pay off house, projected in 5-6 years time.
Post by: stealthystache on January 20, 2016, 09:05:32 PM
Just realised my wife and I hit a nice milestone at the end of 2015. Broke million dollar net worth target (Australian dollars).
House value: $1,286,000.00
Savings: $57,000.00
Super (401k): $175,000.00
Mortgage: -$493,000.00
Net worth: $1,025,000.00
Next milestone target is to pay off house, projected in 5-6 years time.
Nicely done - keep it up! :) I'm also looking forward to the time when my Mortgage line reads "0"
Post by: Northwestie on January 25, 2016, 11:13:35 AM
--Finally got a Will and the Health Directives finalized, I know - should have done this long ago
--Passed $1.2M in retirement savings (excluding house)
--Found this site!
--Seriously started looking at the retirement date
Post by: JLee on January 26, 2016, 07:59:22 PM
--Paid off the mortgage early. Bought the house for $210k in '96 and now worth $610k
--Finally got a Will and the Health Directives finalized, I know - should have done this long ago
--Passed $1.2M in retirement savings (excluding house)
--Found this site!
--Seriously started looking at the retirement date
With ~$1.8mil net worth you could sell your house, buy another one in a LCOL area and retire. Congratulations!
Post by: stacyboy68 on January 27, 2016, 02:11:49 PM
Switched over to Republic Wireless
Cut cable
Got some new bikes and a trailer
Opened FI savings accounts...
Jeff
Post by: stealthystache on January 28, 2016, 05:39:45 AM
Just began the journey and happy to be aboard..
Switched over to Republic Wireless
Cut cable
Got some new bikes and a trailer
Opened FI savings accounts...
Jeff
Welcome stacyboy68 - you'll find a ton of good info here and even more support. Kudos on so many adjustments early on!
Post by: Northwestie on January 28, 2016, 10:45:35 AM
--Paid off the mortgage early. Bought the house for $210k in '96 and now worth $610k
--Finally got a Will and the Health Directives finalized, I know - should have done this long ago
--Passed $1.2M in retirement savings (excluding house)
--Found this site!
--Seriously started looking at the retirement date
With ~$1.8mil net worth you could sell your house, buy another one in a LCOL area and retire. Congratulations!
Certainly possible but we like where we live. Never say never though. May rent it out for a bit and travel.
Post by: JLee on January 28, 2016, 09:32:28 PM
Post by: onlykelsey on January 29, 2016, 04:14:25 AM
Quote
Not really a celebration for me...but on another forum I'm on, someone posted a thread about 'talk me out of buying a truck'. I think I convinced him to up/max his 401k with the extra money he said he had. :P
Nice!
on a related note, I think I convinced my sister (who came in to ~150K 18 months ago and has 0K left) that she should start building a "f off" fund a la https://thebillfold.com/a-story-of-a-fuck-off-fund-648401263659#.h0qgv5aab . I think she thinks that fund should be 500 dollars (or approximately one day of expense), but it's something!
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on January 29, 2016, 07:49:34 AM
Post by: onlykelsey on January 29, 2016, 08:11:57 AM
Quote
Just accepted a new job offer last night! In terms of salary, it is only a 7% increase, but the job is 37,5 h a week instead of 40 h, I get an extra week vacation, and I get employer matching in a RVER (equivalent of a 401k). Also, it cuts my commute time from an 18 minute drive to a 10 minute drive or 25 minute bike ride. And most importantly, I'm SUPER excited about the new work. Yay!
That is awesome!
Post by: Le Poisson on January 29, 2016, 08:47:45 AM
Just accepted a new job offer last night! In terms of salary, it is only a 7% increase, but the job is 37,5 h a week instead of 40 h, I get an extra week vacation, and I get employer matching in a RVER (equivalent of a 401k). Also, it cuts my commute time from an 18 minute drive to a 10 minute drive or 25 minute bike ride. And most importantly, I'm SUPER excited about the new work. Yay!
Two thumbs up!!
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on January 29, 2016, 09:30:12 AM
I forgot an important tidbit - they're looking for a new office, and number 1 priority is bike parking and showers, because 75% of employees come to work on bikes.
Post by: Dicey on January 30, 2016, 02:03:03 PM
Thanks so much for the virtual high fives!Sounds badass. How many of them are Mustachians? Sounds like you're in good company indeed.
I forgot an important tidbit - they're looking for a new office, and number 1 priority is bike parking and showers, because 75% of employees come to work on bikes.
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on February 01, 2016, 08:01:32 AM
Thanks so much for the virtual high fives!Sounds badass. How many of them are Mustachians? Sounds like you're in good company indeed.
I forgot an important tidbit - they're looking for a new office, and number 1 priority is bike parking and showers, because 75% of employees come to work on bikes.
I don't know if the motivation for the biking is Mustachian, or rather simply liking sports. Based on the Audi SUV of the president of the company, I'm guessing its a sports thing. It's a 15-person-team/4-year-old-tech-start-up that has done very well for itself, and the entire team is made up of 25 to 40 year old outdoor fanatics (myself included). Regardless of the why, I'll be enjoying the benefits!
Post by: sw1tch on February 01, 2016, 09:09:52 AM
Post by: onehair on February 01, 2016, 12:07:52 PM
Post by: couponvan on February 01, 2016, 12:35:40 PM
Successfully used the co-pay assistance coupon on our prescription medication to fully cover our mandatory $6,000 HDHP out-of-pocket for 2016. Woo hoo!!!
$102 is going to be our monthly average cost for family of 5, 100% BCBS PPO in 2016.
$264 monthly premium
3 (2 $20 copays for DH's prescription with co-pay assistance averaged over 12 months. Monthly prescription cost is $4,000, with copay of up to $12,000 per year.)
(82) Annual credit for DH opting out of medical coverage with his employer
(83) $1,000 my company's contribution to the Health Savings Account
$102 effective monthly cost
Plus, I signed up for the max $5,750 allowed HSA family contribution again. (I sign up every year just in case they change the rules on the coupon deal and I have to pay the $6,000 deductible myself.) By the end of this year, our kids' braces will be fully funded with pre-tax HSA accounts for when they need them.
Now I need to figure out 2015's contributions on Turbo Tax because I don't think my employer reported them correctly on my W-2, or I didn't report them correctly in Turbo Tax.....But that is another forum topic! :-)
Post by: TooManyGuitars on February 02, 2016, 10:55:34 PM
The money saved (~$1200/mo) is already channeled into savings. 2016 should see our net worth increase substantially!
Post by: stealthystache on February 03, 2016, 07:41:56 AM
*cut the weekly food budget by more than $100 (more than $400 in savings each month). Still room for improvement here, though
*cut the cell bill by about $100/month
*sold more excess crap around the house
*took all this money saved plus other savings and invested in an REIT - first time doing this!
Now I'm working on rolling some old 401k's with high fees into Vanguard. Have the account set up, now it's just paperwork and $ transfer.
Extra good news? We got a smallish refund from our mortgage tax escrow (off to savings you go!). And...Just found out my SO will be getting a bonus from work. Don't know what it will be until next month, but they had the highest profits in their company history, so hoping that will trickle down to us nicely.
Still prepping current house for sale this spring (to dump the mortgage). BTW, the walk score in our new neighborhood is 76! Oh yeah!
Sometimes all the hard work seems so slow, and then BAM! All the good hits at once!
Post by: Parizade on February 06, 2016, 11:49:11 AM
Whoot! That will pay for my camping trip to Valley of Fire this spring.
Post by: gliderpilot567 on February 10, 2016, 05:07:03 PM
In the summer of 2014, we were drowning. All the credit cards were maxed, payments on them and various other loans were sucking down all my income, and at the end of the month I felt like a piece of shit because I couldn't afford to buy a banana for my kids. It looked like not only would we never be rich, but we'd be on the treadmill forever. Eventually somehow I realized the only way out was to pay off the debt.
Sold a bunch of stuff. Canceled many money-sinks like cable, magazine subscriptions, clubs, etc. Sold more stuff. Wife got a job. I worked a little bit extra outside my main job. Sold even more stuff. Paid off over $110k in debt over the last year and a half. Late in 2015, I started to be amazed how rapidly the cash began to build up in the bank account now that there were so many fewer payments. Accelerated debt payoff.
Refi'd 19k of student loans, approved for 2.1% by SoFi. Once that refi is finalized, we will slow-roll finishing paying those. Only remaining debt is 8k on a car at 3.75%, and our mortgage which is at the same interest rate. Car loan will be gone by May; I'm prioritizing cash into 2015 IRA contributions until April (3k of 11k invested so far). I know we weren't debt free just yet but knowing that we will be soon I wanted to cheat and start investing sooner, ha ha.
By the end of the year I want us to have put 22k into IRAs (5.5 each for 2015 and 2016 for myself and wife) plus 18k into my TSP. She has a 403b that she puts into up to the match, but is planning on quitting to be a SAHM again before the end of the summer.
Back when we decided to get serious about destroying our debt and becoming rich, I told my wife that by the end of 2017 we would have $50k saved/invested. She didn't believe me and said that was impossible. Ha, we're on track to blow that figure away by then. Looking at years after that I get dizzy thinking about the numbers, when just a short time ago it looked like we were up the creek.
Still revising our goals now that I've gotten smarter about finance and investing (been reading and studying everything I could over the last year) and have realized what we're capable of. Hoping to fire in late 2025 with my military pension (expected to be 50k in todays dollars) plus a stash of at least $500k. I think we can do even better than that.
Holy fucking shit. We are gonna win.
Post by: NinetyFour on February 10, 2016, 05:35:18 PM
Post by: Basenji on February 11, 2016, 05:35:08 AM
Holy fucking shit. We are gonna win.Awesome! That's inspiring, good for you..
Post by: arebelspy on February 11, 2016, 07:47:47 AM
Turned the fucking corner.
In the summer of 2014, we were drowning. All the credit cards were maxed, payments on them and various other loans were sucking down all my income, and at the end of the month I felt like a piece of shit because I couldn't afford to buy a banana for my kids. It looked like not only would we never be rich, but we'd be on the treadmill forever. Eventually somehow I realized the only way out was to pay off the debt.
Sold a bunch of stuff. Canceled many money-sinks like cable, magazine subscriptions, clubs, etc. Sold more stuff. Wife got a job. I worked a little bit extra outside my main job. Sold even more stuff. Paid off over $110k in debt over the last year and a half. Late in 2015, I started to be amazed how rapidly the cash began to build up in the bank account now that there were so many fewer payments. Accelerated debt payoff.
Refi'd 19k of student loans, approved for 2.1% by SoFi. Once that refi is finalized, we will slow-roll finishing paying those. Only remaining debt is 8k on a car at 3.75%, and our mortgage which is at the same interest rate. Car loan will be gone by May; I'm prioritizing cash into 2015 IRA contributions until April (3k of 11k invested so far). I know we weren't debt free just yet but knowing that we will be soon I wanted to cheat and start investing sooner, ha ha.
By the end of the year I want us to have put 22k into IRAs (5.5 each for 2015 and 2016 for myself and wife) plus 18k into my TSP. She has a 403b that she puts into up to the match, but is planning on quitting to be a SAHM again before the end of the summer.
Back when we decided to get serious about destroying our debt and becoming rich, I told my wife that by the end of 2017 we would have $50k saved/invested. She didn't believe me and said that was impossible. Ha, we're on track to blow that figure away by then. Looking at years after that I get dizzy thinking about the numbers, when just a short time ago it looked like we were up the creek.
Still revising our goals now that I've gotten smarter about finance and investing (been reading and studying everything I could over the last year) and have realized what we're capable of. Hoping to fire in late 2025 with my military pension (expected to be 50k in todays dollars) plus a stash of at least $500k. I think we can do even better than that.
Holy fucking shit. We are gonna win.
Wow, that's a great story!
Well done taking charge!
Post by: DagobertDuck on February 11, 2016, 03:27:06 PM
Post by: Parizade on February 19, 2016, 11:03:55 AM
Post by: AmandaS1989 on February 19, 2016, 02:55:44 PM
got an $8000 bonus today, WHOOT!
That is awesome! Any special plans for that sweet sweet cash?
Post by: Parizade on February 19, 2016, 02:57:54 PM
got an $8000 bonus today, WHOOT!
That is awesome! Any special plans for that sweet sweet cash?
Throwin' it on the FIRE baby!
Post by: AmandaS1989 on February 19, 2016, 02:59:26 PM
got an $8000 bonus today, WHOOT!
That is awesome! Any special plans for that sweet sweet cash?
Throwin' it on the FIRE baby!
So basically its for freedom right? ;)
Post by: Parizade on February 19, 2016, 03:02:30 PM
got an $8000 bonus today, WHOOT!
That is awesome! Any special plans for that sweet sweet cash?
Throwin' it on the FIRE baby!
So basically its for freedom right? ;)
I'm getting close enough to smell the fresh air now, it's intoxicating!
Post by: gliderpilot567 on February 19, 2016, 03:18:26 PM
Today I logged into my homeowners insurance. I checked my deductible and saw it was $2700 which is 1% of my home value. I had changed it to that from $1k last year when we were clawing our way out of the hole. Looking at the deductible amount, I thought, hell, that's too low, I can pay that easy with cash on hand! So I raised it to $5000. I could take it as high as $10k, but I'll do that once we've moved a few more rungs up the ladder. Saved a couple hundred a year.
Post by: EcoCanuck on February 20, 2016, 01:28:37 AM
Minor: I turned down a car from my company where I would have had to have paid for insurance, gas and parking and instead have joined their commuter bus program. Now I get to save, nap a bit in the car/read/socialize every day.
Major: We just reached our 2 year savings goal! With a new job I started we are on track to save what we saved in 2 years in 1 year, doubling our substantial savings. Improved our savings rate from 60% to low 70’s. This won’t be maintainable due to some impending life events but should settle to a strong 60%.
EcoCanuck
Post by: stealthystache on February 22, 2016, 08:34:49 AM
The 300+ cash in coins went immediately to investments, and the more valuable ones we'll find the value on and sell. They're some really old silver dollars and should bring in another several hundred.
Every little bit is a step closer to freedom - seems to be my theme!
Post by: onehair on February 23, 2016, 10:44:23 AM
The book in question is only $12 used so no facepunches? Please?
Post by: del84 on February 23, 2016, 04:15:52 PM
I had refinanced my mortgage back in December 2015. This brought my interest rate down from 4.39% to 3.99% (Australia). They also offered $2,000 cashback incentive for the refinance and it only cost about $900 to change, so I also essentially got paid $1,100 to go to a lower interest rate. At the time this was about the lowest interest rate going.
This month, the bank just increased the rate by 0.2% making it 4.19% (other banks will no doubt follow suit soon), but on their website they were offering 4.09% to attract new customers. I complained to the bank saying I had only been with them less than 2 months and i'm no longer getting a "new customer" rate, so they dropped my rate back down to 4.09%.
Post by: FrogStash on February 24, 2016, 01:48:02 PM
I accidentally ran across my first MMM article just over a year ago and it has changed my life. I only wish I found it sooner.
Post by: stealthystache on February 24, 2016, 09:20:14 PM
Had a couple recent celebrations.
I had refinanced my mortgage back in December 2015. This brought my interest rate down from 4.39% to 3.99% (Australia). They also offered $2,000 cashback incentive for the refinance and it only cost about $900 to change, so I also essentially got paid $1,100 to go to a lower interest rate. At the time this was about the lowest interest rate going.
This month, the bank just increased the rate by 0.2% making it 4.19% (other banks will no doubt follow suit soon), but on their website they were offering 4.09% to attract new customers. I complained to the bank saying I had only been with them less than 2 months and i'm no longer getting a "new customer" rate, so they dropped my rate back down to 4.09%.
Very clever! Folks don't realize many things are negotiable...even a bank's definition of a "new customer".
Post by: Mongoose on March 01, 2016, 03:33:42 PM
- We have gained 8-9 more months to rebuild our lives without running out of money (as of November 2015, we were on target to be bankrupt March 2016. A lot of hustling, optimizing and selling excess stuff has moved that date back to December 2016 or later). My current biggest triumph.
- We paid off all but one debt completely last fall and are still paying more than the minimums on our remaining credit card debt. Ok, it's not as great as paying it off but every dollar over the minimum is fantastic.
Post by: ElGrillo on March 04, 2016, 07:44:09 PM
My plan for now is to put $100 each month into the safety net account, and $20 into the IRA. Once I have a better paying job after I graduate, I'll be saving and investing a lot more than that.
Post by: Joggernot on March 05, 2016, 06:54:12 AM
Since I found MMM a couple of weeks ago, I've read as much as I could handle on all of the advice he and other bloggers offer. Following MMM's advice, I opened up a Betterment account and this week put in my first $100 into a "safety net" account, and $250 into a Roth IRA. I'm still in college and I don't make a lot of money yet, but this is a big deal for me!Nicely done! Starting and a plan are 90% of the effort. Follow-through comes next and all those temptations...:)
My plan for now is to put $100 each month into the safety net account, and $20 into the IRA. Once I have a better paying job after I graduate, I'll be saving and investing a lot more than that.
Post by: PARedbeard on March 07, 2016, 11:47:29 AM
Post by: onehair on March 10, 2016, 09:36:20 AM
Post by: Sibley on March 12, 2016, 07:38:00 PM
Post by: GoConfidently on March 13, 2016, 06:55:55 PM
Post by: onlykelsey on March 13, 2016, 07:28:23 PM
Post by: bittheory on March 14, 2016, 01:09:48 PM
Just started working in earnest in January to get my financial life in order. I was feeling burned out this month. I've been working hard at reducing debt, but it feels like I have so far to go and I'm wading through quicksand to get there. So I took a peek at my spreadsheets today. Since January 1, I've paid off $7500 in debt (that's about 62% of my take home pay). I had no idea it was so much! On top of that, if I can keep up this pace I'll be debt free in 1 year instead of 18 months. Small victories :)
A massive victory. Seriously impressive. After you're debt free, you'll be FIRE'd in no time at a pace like that.
Post by: viverl on March 15, 2016, 11:28:36 AM
I was able to pay back my student loans in one month and now I am free :-D
(Please note, I am not from the US and my country does not try to cripple me into debt for a lifetime, it was "only" 10.000 €)
I am so happy!
Post by: happy on March 15, 2016, 06:05:51 PM
Post by: couponvan on March 16, 2016, 08:04:55 PM
My net worth just broke $30k!!!
Go Sibley!!!! Congrats!!
Post by: JLee on March 17, 2016, 09:18:41 AM
Post by: Lifestyle Deflation on March 17, 2016, 04:30:47 PM
I actually almost hit $100k last year (got up to 97k or so), but then I liquidated a bunch of stock for a house down payment, which brought the stash back down to under 40k. So it feels good to finally be "back."
They say the first 100k is the hardest, let's hope that is true!
Post by: onlykelsey on March 17, 2016, 04:42:14 PM
I am literally grinning like a crazy person in my empty office, despite having been in the office 17-22 hours a day every day all week, and having worked 8+ hours each of hte last three Saturdays and Sundays.
Post by: McGeens on March 18, 2016, 04:21:14 AM
This has freed us up to max out our superannuation (retirement) for the first time this financial year.
And today I made my first ever stock purchase. It was quite intimidating, and I had to ring up the helpline for some remedial training- lol! But it all worked and I'm still the proud owner of a $5k parcel of VAS :-) the start of a beautiful relationship, I hope!
Definitely couldn't and wouldn't have done any of this without MMM and this wonderful forum- thanks everyone!!
Post by: couponvan on March 18, 2016, 10:11:20 AM
We went over $1.2M net worth (includes house) too.
Off to rerun time to FIRE spreadsheet. We have quite unmustachian spending levels for those who say "quit today"....
Post by: Jojje on March 18, 2016, 10:42:34 AM
Post by: PARedbeard on March 21, 2016, 08:12:29 AM
Post by: coin on March 22, 2016, 10:41:32 PM
I'm now earning 10k per annum more for the same job, and when I told the prospective employer they quickly offered me another 2k on top of my works offer as well as some nice extras. I won't take it because the extra money doesn't make the commute worthwhile, but I am very pleased with how this has all panned out.
I'm a little in shock, I'm wondering when I'll wake up from this wonderful dream. I'll email payroll today to ensure a little of that bonus money gets sent to my superannuation.
Post by: FiveSigmas on March 24, 2016, 10:31:30 PM
My stash gave me the confidence to look for a new job. I got two offers in as many weeks. I tried to quit on Friday since once of the offers was pretty decent, but my work gave me a generous counteroffer to stay.
I'm now earning 10k per annum more for the same job, and when I told the prospective employer they quickly offered me another 2k on top of my works offer as well as some nice extras. I won't take it because the extra money doesn't make the commute worthwhile, but I am very pleased with how this has all panned out.
I'm a little in shock, I'm wondering when I'll wake up from this wonderful dream. I'll email payroll today to ensure a little of that bonus money gets sent to my superannuation.
Rock on! Great job, coin!
Post by: jms493 on March 25, 2016, 02:12:07 PM
Anyway...our next focus is we are replenishing our savings at the rate of around $4500 a month.
(http://replygif.net/i/680.gif)
Post by: marty998 on March 28, 2016, 02:58:10 PM
I ended up getting 2 business shirts (original price $70 each) + 2 ties (original price $30 each) for $107 all up. Then went to another store for another shirt $100 reduced to $30!
My stash gave me the confidence to look for a new job. I got two offers in as many weeks. I tried to quit on Friday since once of the offers was pretty decent, but my work gave me a generous counteroffer to stay.
I'm now earning 10k per annum more for the same job, and when I told the prospective employer they quickly offered me another 2k on top of my works offer as well as some nice extras. I won't take it because the extra money doesn't make the commute worthwhile, but I am very pleased with how this has all panned out.
I'm a little in shock, I'm wondering when I'll wake up from this wonderful dream. I'll email payroll today to ensure a little of that bonus money gets sent to my superannuation.
Rock on! Great job, coin!
Good stuff. well done. Employer has backed themselves into a corner here now... counter-offers set an ugly precedent, especially if other staff find out about it.
Post by: Cookie78 on March 30, 2016, 08:16:37 AM
Also, as an added bonus, I signed a lease last night and as of May 1 all my rentals will be full and I don't have to deal with finding new tenants for awhile! Lots of positive changes on that front lately, but I'll be glad when things stabilize a bit.
Post by: Inaya on April 01, 2016, 12:51:59 PM
Another celebration is that, for the first time ever, my investment accounts are in the green!
I'm starting to wonder if it might be possible to hit the $100k mark by the end of the year.
Post by: cautiouspessimist on April 01, 2016, 02:44:01 PM
Post by: Squirrel away on April 02, 2016, 02:56:07 AM
Post by: LeRainDrop on April 02, 2016, 12:10:14 PM
This doesn't have a whole lot to do with MMM, but today the most toxic person I've ever worked for (in my grown up law career, at least) moved off the project I've been working for her on. I don't think she's an evil person, but she had me seriously contemplating whether I could get anesthesia and break my own arm to avoid continuing the project, and the poor junior employee under me has called me incoherently sobbing more or less monthly since we started working for her.
I am literally grinning like a crazy person in my empty office, despite having been in the office 17-22 hours a day every day all week, and having worked 8+ hours each of hte last three Saturdays and Sundays.
As a fellow biglaw associate who has also worked for a totally crazy, toxic partner-lady, I can totally relate to you and the hell that work environment causes. (I was actually THRILLED a couple years ago when I found out I had to have gallbladder surgery and would get a month of FMLA!) This news warrants a HUGE celebration! Congrats for getting her out of your life! Doesn't it feel unreal?
Post by: Check2400 on April 06, 2016, 08:40:49 AM
63 months ago I made my first payment of $1500.00 towards my law school debt. My debt was almost exactly $120,000.
Just over five years later I'm completely and 100% done.
It makes me sick to think I paid $40,000 a year for three years to not make money or keep savings, and an additional 5 years to get to even ground, but I'm excited to see what the next 8 years of earnings that I can actually keep will do for the net worth.
Glad I found this site to know what to do with the money now that I don't have a debt to pay down!
Post by: NinetyFour on April 06, 2016, 08:55:02 AM
Post by: onlykelsey on April 06, 2016, 09:00:23 AM
This doesn't have a whole lot to do with MMM, but today the most toxic person I've ever worked for (in my grown up law career, at least) moved off the project I've been working for her on. I don't think she's an evil person, but she had me seriously contemplating whether I could get anesthesia and break my own arm to avoid continuing the project, and the poor junior employee under me has called me incoherently sobbing more or less monthly since we started working for her.
I am literally grinning like a crazy person in my empty office, despite having been in the office 17-22 hours a day every day all week, and having worked 8+ hours each of hte last three Saturdays and Sundays.
As a fellow biglaw associate who has also worked for a totally crazy, toxic partner-lady, I can totally relate to you and the hell that work environment causes. (I was actually THRILLED a couple years ago when I found out I had to have gallbladder surgery and would get a month of FMLA!) This news warrants a HUGE celebration! Congrats for getting her out of your life! Doesn't it feel unreal?
I am so excited. I think my husband is also excited that I'm not looking up ways to break my own arm.
Post by: GoConfidently on April 20, 2016, 04:06:47 PM
Post by: FiveSigmas on April 20, 2016, 10:24:17 PM
Happy dancing today. One of my goals this year was to increase my income by putting myself out there and actually selling some of the art I make. It's been a struggle to feel like I'm ready and I'm horrible at self promotion, but I've really been trying and it is finally starting to pay off. I made close to $1000 this month! And even though I know this month was an anomaly and opportunities like the one I had won't always work out this way, it was a huge boost to my confidence 😀
That's excellent! Way to go GC!
Post by: .x. on April 24, 2016, 06:10:11 PM
Happy dancing today. ... a huge boost to my confidence 😀
So great that you got to see movement towards your goal through steps you initiated. :) Confidence boosts are good for the immune system, too!
Post by: GoConfidently on May 03, 2016, 10:33:30 AM
Happy dancing today. ... a huge boost to my confidence 😀
So great that you got to see movement towards your goal through steps you initiated. :) Confidence boosts are good for the immune system, too!
Thanks! It does feel great, especially today since I just made another $300. It's a good art month :)
Post by: katie on May 03, 2016, 06:22:11 PM
Post by: .x. on May 03, 2016, 06:31:45 PM
Post by: HairyUpperLip on May 04, 2016, 09:30:35 AM
We paid off our mortgage today and are officially debt free with a net worth of near $1M and are mid-30's! We sold our two rental houses this year and are working to simplify our lives.
Nice, great job!
Did the rentals not provide good cash flow?
Post by: aperture on May 04, 2016, 09:33:30 AM
We paid off our mortgage today and are officially debt free with a net worth of near $1M and are mid-30's! We sold our two rental houses this year and are working to simplify our lives.
Wow - congrats, that is fantastic.
Best wishes on your next adventure. -ap
Post by: couponvan on May 04, 2016, 05:04:50 PM
We paid off our mortgage today and are officially debt free with a net worth of near $1M and are mid-30's! We sold our two rental houses this year and are working to simplify our lives.
Congratulations - working to simplify...love it!
Post by: BeautifulDay on May 04, 2016, 10:07:27 PM
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on May 09, 2016, 07:43:37 AM
My partner and I have wanted to buy land close to a body of water (preferably a river and preferably several acres) on the outskirts of Québec City. We currently live in a small loft downtown, which is great for commuting (bike), but we have no outdoor space and we're both dirt-rats. He likes to fish and hunt, I like to garden and watch him fish, and we both like to have peace and quiet in the woods.
Anywhoo, we are in no rush to buy, and land like this that isn't too far from the city (no longer than 20 minute commute maximum, 10 to 15 ideal), is VERY expensive. We look online on occasion and found a nice one this weekend that we went to visit. The celebration in all this is that as we were talking about it, we were both happy and grateful with each other that we could discuss the option putting down 100k in cash for a land and use a mortgage to build the house, instead of stressing out with "how would we pay for this dream?". We even high-fived and thanked each other for having the same attitude. For context, I'm 29 but have only been working for 3 years (studies), and he is starting his PhD this week and has also always been in school. Hence, over 100k in liquidity is a celebration for us that we're proud of.
Thanks for reading and being an awesomely non-judgmental and supportive group!
Post by: Orvell on May 09, 2016, 07:49:14 AM
Happy dancing today. One of my goals this year was to increase my income by putting myself out there and actually selling some of the art I make. It's been a struggle to feel like I'm ready and I'm horrible at self promotion, but I've really been trying and it is finally starting to pay off. I made close to $1000 this month! And even though I know this month was an anomaly and opportunities like the one I had won't always work out this way, it was a huge boost to my confidence 😀Late reply, but that's *FANTASTIC*
I'm starting this journey too, but very slowly, and ... it's terrifying. So major kudos to you. :)))
Post by: GoConfidently on May 09, 2016, 05:36:40 PM
Happy dancing today. One of my goals this year was to increase my income by putting myself out there and actually selling some of the art I make. It's been a struggle to feel like I'm ready and I'm horrible at self promotion, but I've really been trying and it is finally starting to pay off. I made close to $1000 this month! And even though I know this month was an anomaly and opportunities like the one I had won't always work out this way, it was a huge boost to my confidence 😀Late reply, but that's *FANTASTIC*
I'm starting this journey too, but very slowly, and ... it's terrifying. So major kudos to you. :)))
Thank you! It's hard, but worth it. Good luck to you! Keep us posted and we can root for each other.
Post by: chloe1733 on May 09, 2016, 05:57:56 PM
Our remaining mortgage principal is down to the five figure range -- under 100k left!
If we keep paying at our current rate, we'll pay it off completely before the end of 2018, but assuming we do a few lump deposits during that time, it'll be even sooner than that. Woot!
Post by: Kaybee on May 15, 2016, 10:06:26 AM
Post by: couponvan on May 18, 2016, 09:32:38 AM
Post by: jordanread on May 18, 2016, 10:39:40 AM
Hosted the first Chicago MMM meetup yesterday. 30+ met up. :-) I just want to celebrate that!! (All previous meetups on the forum had fizzled.)
And I heard it was a blast!! Way to go.
Post by: couponvan on May 18, 2016, 12:36:24 PM
Hosted the first Chicago MMM meetup yesterday. 30+ met up. :-) I just want to celebrate that!! (All previous meetups on the forum had fizzled.)
And I heard it was a blast!! Way to go.
The funny thing is - I was so worried people were going to either 1) not show or 2) complain it wasn't mustachian enough.
Post by: Neustache on May 18, 2016, 06:31:26 PM
Post by: couponvan on May 18, 2016, 07:36:29 PM
Couponvan: maybe you need to come to KC to get our meet-up finally figured out. LOL.Too funny. Here's my advice, and I don't know if it really works or I was just lucky. Assign yourself as the "host" - set a date well in advance, pick a place and time near public transportation, and DON'T change anything - no matter how many people comment they cannot make it or your venue isn't what they would do. (I had never seen where we met up in person, and it probably wasn't the most mustachian bar, but I knew I could find it and it was likely to still be in business.) Encourage anyone that balks to plan a future date and be the host if they cannot make the current one. That's how we got an August meeting on the calendar already! I'd say if there is at least 1 other person showing up you are still good. :-) I went expecting maybe 4-5 people.
Post by: Sibley on May 23, 2016, 07:45:51 PM
Couponvan: maybe you need to come to KC to get our meet-up finally figured out. LOL.Too funny. Here's my advice, and I don't know if it really works or I was just lucky. Assign yourself as the "host" - set a date well in advance, pick a place and time near public transportation, and DON'T change anything - no matter how many people comment they cannot make it or your venue isn't what they would do. (I had never seen where we met up in person, and it probably wasn't the most mustachian bar, but I knew I could find it and it was likely to still be in business.) Encourage anyone that balks to plan a future date and be the host if they cannot make the current one. That's how we got an August meeting on the calendar already! I'd say if there is at least 1 other person showing up you are still good. :-) I went expecting maybe 4-5 people.
Ok, I've gotta go find that August date! I had a good time :)
As for my little celebration, I bought a new to me GPS device off Ebay, and it arrived today. So it's currently updating (free lifetime map updates), and then once I have a free hour I'll take my stupid smartphone and my old dumb phone in and move back to the dumb phone. All problems have an implemented solution or a known solution for the future, and I'm very happy to cut my cell phone bill in half (if not more).
Post by: HPstache on May 24, 2016, 12:15:18 AM
Post by: NinetyFour on May 24, 2016, 03:51:58 AM
I passed the Washington state professional engineering exam for which I studied 4 months. I am so happy to have it done with!
Awesome--congrats!!
Post by: couponvan on May 24, 2016, 04:44:14 AM
I passed the Washington state professional engineering exam for which I studied 4 months. I am so happy to have it done with!
That is impressive!
Post by: couponvan on May 24, 2016, 04:49:54 AM
Couponvan: maybe you need to come to KC to get our meet-up finally figured out. LOL.Too funny. Here's my advice, and I don't know if it really works or I was just lucky. Assign yourself as the "host" - set a date well in advance, pick a place and time near public transportation, and DON'T change anything - no matter how many people comment they cannot make it or your venue isn't what they would do. (I had never seen where we met up in person, and it probably wasn't the most mustachian bar, but I knew I could find it and it was likely to still be in business.) Encourage anyone that balks to plan a future date and be the host if they cannot make the current one. That's how we got an August meeting on the calendar already! I'd say if there is at least 1 other person showing up you are still good. :-) I went expecting maybe 4-5 people.
Ok, I've gotta go find that August date! I had a good time :)
As for my little celebration, I bought a new to me GPS device off Ebay, and it arrived today. So it's currently updating (free lifetime map updates), and then once I have a free hour I'll take my stupid smartphone and my old dumb phone in and move back to the dumb phone. All problems have an implemented solution or a known solution for the future, and I'm very happy to cut my cell phone bill in half (if not more).
You know - i wonder whether more people might go back to less smart phones paired with a tablet. The need for data plans is much less now that so many places have wifi. Maps and the camera are the ones I use the most.
Post by: Joggernot on May 24, 2016, 06:05:51 AM
I passed the Washington state professional engineering exam for which I studied 4 months. I am so happy to have it done with!Nicely done! What is your discipline? Electrical, Civil, ?
Post by: HPstache on May 24, 2016, 10:20:41 AM
I passed the Washington state professional engineering exam for which I studied 4 months. I am so happy to have it done with!Nicely done! What is your discipline? Electrical, Civil, ?
Mechanical. I took the Machine Design & Materials for my PM depth exam. The test was 8 hours long, it took 7 weeks to grade and all the letter says is, "Pass"... talk about anti-climactic! I am hoping this results in a raise... I am now qualified to be an "Engineer III" at my company which is a pretty decent bump in pay.
Post by: Joggernot on May 24, 2016, 11:07:10 AM
Post by: EcoCanuck on May 25, 2016, 01:00:11 AM
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on June 06, 2016, 01:48:26 PM
Post by: seathink on June 07, 2016, 01:12:19 PM
Post by: Check2400 on June 09, 2016, 01:23:42 PM
I went in today to get a breakdown of what is going on, and they never removed the escrow draw for my first insurance company. So I'll be getting a 1500 check and a reduction in my rental mortgage of around $80 a month!
Post by: onlykelsey on June 09, 2016, 01:30:57 PM
When I moved into my wife's place, we combined our insurance and I rented out my house. The numbers on my mortgage just seemed to be too high.
I went in today to get a breakdown of what is going on, and they never removed the escrow draw for my first insurance company. So I'll be getting a 1500 check and a reduction in my rental mortgage of around $80 a month!
Nice!
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on June 14, 2016, 08:43:27 AM
Time to go shopping... for the proper taxable investment vehicle.
Post by: fidreamer on June 14, 2016, 04:32:54 PM
Post by: Bicycle_B on June 14, 2016, 05:00:17 PM
Happy dancing today. One of my goals this year was to increase my income by putting myself out there and actually selling some of the art I make. It's been a struggle to feel like I'm ready and I'm horrible at self promotion, but I've really been trying and it is finally starting to pay off. I made close to $1000 this month! And even though I know this month was an anomaly and opportunities like the one I had won't always work out this way, it was a huge boost to my confidence 😀
The point of FI is to be happy, free...confident. By expanding your world, you're achieving the goal long before you reach mere FI. Great stuff!!!!!
Post by: Zaga on June 16, 2016, 04:32:51 PM
The previous 3 years we only managed to do that 5 total months, so this is quite the improvement!
Post by: onlykelsey on June 17, 2016, 08:17:14 AM
Post by: PARedbeard on June 21, 2016, 11:55:30 AM
Post by: BeautifulDay on June 23, 2016, 09:54:13 PM
Car payment is done! The only debt left in my life is a low-interest mortgage!
Way to go PAR! That is my major goal. I'm right behind you.
Post by: Mongoose on June 25, 2016, 06:15:42 AM
Post by: erae on June 29, 2016, 04:34:09 AM
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on June 29, 2016, 07:14:46 AM
Post by: couponvan on June 29, 2016, 10:49:50 AM
Debt free except for the house (with some savings this time so it will "take")!
Woo hoo!
Post by: sun and sand on June 29, 2016, 06:26:27 PM
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on June 30, 2016, 10:31:27 AM
Post by: Le North Dreamer on June 30, 2016, 02:29:38 PM
Lots of happiness as we set out our FIRE plans a year ago. Still a lot of work to do on the frugality side, but we are slowly getting there!!
Cheers to all the achievements mentioned on this thread!
Post by: Cookie78 on July 01, 2016, 08:48:22 PM
Now, to work on RRSP. Should be able to max that in 3-4 months. :)
Post by: Pooperman on July 03, 2016, 05:01:00 PM
Post by: Slinky on July 12, 2016, 03:25:14 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on July 13, 2016, 07:30:38 AM
cash + investments hit $450K
total assets hit $800K
and Net Worth hit $600K
Woo Hoo!!! :) :) :)
Post by: onehair on July 13, 2016, 11:43:19 AM
Post by: ghsebldr on July 13, 2016, 05:03:42 PM
Gotta love those double points on everything. Pretty sure the $95 fee starting in the second year has been paid for by now too.
Some of my vendors aren't thrilled with my new payment scheme but they won't be near us on the beach anyway.
Post by: golfreak12 on July 14, 2016, 09:51:09 AM
Just paid off our first Hawaii trip for this coming fall. 100% points gained with my new Venture card. Received card March 22nd. Booked trip early June and had the points to pay for the Hawaiian Air with upgraded seats and the Airbnb condo on the 21st floor of the Illikai.
Gotta love those double points on everything. Pretty sure the $95 fee starting in the second year has been paid for by now too.
Some of my vendors aren't thrilled with my new payment scheme but they won't be near us on the beach anyway.
Nice. We will be cerebrating our 5th year anniversary and we will also be going to our first Hawaii trip.
Mine will mostly be paid for. Will use points for our plane tickets.
I have 2 free nights from my Hyatt CC and my wife also has 2 free nights. Thats 4 nights and we will only be paying for 2 or 3 nights depending on how long we will go for.
Post by: torbisen on July 18, 2016, 03:34:39 PM
The thing is that i have kids 7 and 9 years old, and they really like their surroundings, school and house / big garden. I realize that if me and my wife were alone, we could have sold it all in two years and started to just go around the world living cheap places, but i will not take my kids out of their school with all their friends and so. I also enjoy my work very much as a rescue helicopter pilot, but it really have some backsides. i am away from family 120days a year, and it is increasing a little bit also. But if i quit, i will not get it back, so i am still staying in there. But all in all i feel good off, and that i could choose to go fully Mustachian in a really short time if i would like to. I use all the basic tricks and know how to do it, but its a balancing act beeing 4 people in the family and all and agree on how far we are gonna take it. Bicycling to work is my big contribution to stay with one care, cycling 60miles to work today ;-). Then i stay for a week and cycle back. Just feeling happy today, and in conroll. LOVE the website ;-)
Post by: Investmenthunting on July 18, 2016, 04:22:11 PM
Post by: arebelspy on July 18, 2016, 05:04:40 PM
I'm officially debt free.
Woo!
(http://www.budgetlovingmilitarywife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Debt-Free-2016.jpg)
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on July 19, 2016, 07:44:41 AM
Post by: Archivist on July 22, 2016, 04:10:11 PM
Post by: torbisen on July 25, 2016, 03:40:26 PM
Post by: couponvan on July 26, 2016, 05:50:12 PM
Just found out ( i am not counting my money everyday or month, just acting a little mustachian and hoping for the best, checking now and then) That my family is only 80000$ off of beeing debt free. Means that our 470.000$ House 350.000$ Rental apartment and 54000$ Tesla actually is fully ours in just 18month keeping up the savingrate ;-). Thats a good start.I say troll...but I will bite....SELL THE TESLA. $80K-54K= $26K. Buy a used Prius or Chevy Volt if you want to save the world on electricity. Be done in 4-6 months and have another year of your life back.
Post by: torbisen on July 27, 2016, 12:34:21 PM
Post by: aetherie on July 27, 2016, 12:41:11 PM
I did not find my first post here, so i made two for beeing a Troll. Trolls are actually Norwegian, so that suits fine since i am from Norway.
I like you. You can stay.
Post by: marty998 on July 28, 2016, 03:50:55 PM
Tax refund, 5 fortnightly pay periods and annual bonus coming in the next 2 months should send it up towards $825,000 by the end of September.
Post by: mustachepungoeshere on July 29, 2016, 02:27:24 AM
The old net asset ticker just clocked $800,000 for me yesterday... woohoo!
Tax refund, 5 fortnightly pay periods and annual bonus coming in the next 2 months should send it up towards $825,000 by the end of September.
[/quote
Awesome, awesome achievement!
How the hell are you single? :P
Post by: couponvan on July 29, 2016, 12:15:57 PM
I did not find my first post here, so i made two for beeing a Troll. Trolls are actually Norwegian, so that suits fine since i am from Norway.
I like you. You can stay.
Agreed. You will take punches for that car along the way though!
In all fairness, DH just received his framed "Thank you for purchasing a Tesla" not from Mr. Musk....He's $1K down on the new cheaper version coming out next year.
Celebration thread comment....Annual bonus of posted in my checking account this morning!! Promptly sent in a mortgage payment and am heading off to pay the insurance bills ahead. Extra cash in our house equals extra spending, so I try to move it out quickly.
Post by: torbisen on August 04, 2016, 02:02:50 PM
Post by: kylemoney on August 13, 2016, 04:27:15 PM
Post by: marty998 on August 14, 2016, 06:39:06 AM
DW and I just hit our yearly net income goal after this past Friday's paycheck and it's only August. woop!
Sounds like you need a bigger and better goal :)
Post by: BeautifulDay on August 14, 2016, 12:58:09 PM
Post by: Inaya on August 15, 2016, 10:57:34 AM
Assets hit $100k. (Only counting accounts, no physical assets sine we don't have a house or other large physical assets)
Congrats! Hoping to join the 100 Club by the end of the year myself.
Post by: Slinky on August 15, 2016, 03:28:11 PM
Assets hit $100k. (Only counting accounts, no physical assets sine we don't have a house or other large physical assets)
Congrats! Hoping to join the 100 Club by the end of the year myself.
Me too! I'm looking at my retirement accounts and the total just crossed the $90k mark as of this morning's contribution.
Post by: Samba82 on August 26, 2016, 04:43:55 AM
Biked in the rain and snow for the first time today. It wasn't planned, but I didn't care. It was about 32-34F, so hovering right above freezing, and a little breezy.
I stopped at a store and still had the helmet on, and some guy says, "Did you ride a bike today? That's your bike out there?"
Me: "Yes sir."
Guy: "Are you crazy?"
Me: "No, I'm just a badass."
It actually got a few laughs from a few passers by. :-)
This is _epic_.
I just cleared my last non-mortgage debt this month and started my next step, which is to build an income replacement fund to cover six months' income.
This is after a major personal finance wake-up call in October 2015, when I discovered MMM (and through MMM, YNAB and Dave Ramsey). Fortunately I wasn't in too deep to make a quick turnaround, and I'm way better off now than this time last year.
Post by: Slinky on August 26, 2016, 02:29:16 PM
Quote
I just cleared my last non-mortgage debt this month and started my next step, which is to build an income replacement fund to cover six months' income.
Congrats!
Post by: torbisen on August 31, 2016, 01:19:50 AM
Income: 10482$ ( 540$ over budget actually)
Spendings: 4427$ (about 20$ over budget)
Listing up the "unusual things" here.
And the month included a trip to the wet with a cat @300$,
Dentist for my wife @ 100$
Bike repair for my wifes bike @ 161$. (yes i know it could been cheaper but had to change the crank which required some special tools if i should have done it myself..)
Also the kids went to soccer school for 110$ and i went through to parties with some old beer i had in the basement (not drinking much).
Food budget which is pretty high at 990$ was kept, just. We are buying a lot ecological which is extremely expensive here in Norway. The family also went on a mountain lodge trip which cost 90$ for the lodge :). The nice thing is that it has been a happy month for us. We find this very meaningful and the things we do ( lodging for free again this weekend) makes us happy.
Savings rate of 58% is incredible for me to have achieved!! 6055$
Post by: mires on September 06, 2016, 08:04:14 PM
1. Reduced my phone bill by $6 to just $29 per month now
2. Got approved for Chase Freedom cash back card (my only CC)
3. Joined the MMM forum!
Post by: Inaya on September 06, 2016, 08:52:10 PM
3 small things for me this weekGreat job, and welcome!
1. Reduced my phone bill by $6 to just $29 per month now
2. Got approved for Chase Freedom cash back card (my only CC)
3. Joined the MMM forum!
Post by: mires on September 06, 2016, 09:24:05 PM
3 small things for me this weekGreat job, and welcome!
1. Reduced my phone bill by $6 to just $29 per month now
2. Got approved for Chase Freedom cash back card (my only CC)
3. Joined the MMM forum!
Thanks! It's great to find such a great group of like minded people.
Post by: golfreak12 on September 06, 2016, 10:15:42 PM
Sad new is that we probably will sell the house by the end of the year and will move back to the old house thats being rented right now.
Its for her sake. For the next 2 years, she would have to drive 1 hr each way 5 days a week if we stay here.
Post by: Saskatchewstachian on September 13, 2016, 11:42:41 AM
I have had a TFSA in the past but it was always kept in cash in prep for a house downpayment. Now that the house is bought and we have some money saved up we have been 'stashing it away for the last 3 month (26k in 3 months) and this will be the first month we're getting dividend payment. Since i'm new to the market I've never received any so i'm quite excited about the "free" money!
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on September 14, 2016, 06:42:44 AM
Post by: mousebandit on September 14, 2016, 02:48:37 PM
MouseBandit
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on September 16, 2016, 07:46:41 AM
So, smaller paychecks for the next months, but more money in the end. Woot woot!
Post by: Ariane524 on September 17, 2016, 07:16:00 AM
I'm technically not a newcomer as I joined about a year (?) ago, and have a couple of previous posts. But as I now have good news to share, I figured it was a good time to introduce myself.
First, some background. I hit the triple whammy of going for a PhD (at least it was in science), getting pregnant in the last year of my dissertation, and graduating straight into the unemployment line. Even better, it was the end of summer, which here in the DC area means a lot of employers were dithering over hiring decisions, and I was denied unemployment because my last five years of paychecks were considered "student wages." Fun times.
I was unemployed for a total of 5 mos and part-timing for another 3 mos before landing my current position-- during which time our expenses went up with diapers, formula, etc (we had a preemie so certain options were off the table) and my whopping student loans coming due. We ate a lot of boxed dinner, maxed a lot of credit cards, borrowed from friends and family to keep at least SOME of the bills paid, and went delinquent on the rest because there was nothing else we could do. At the end of May, I finally began drawing a real paycheck-- 40% of which promptly went back out the door to daycare expenses. BUT-- we were still technically ahead, by a narrow margin. And so we got to work.
It's mid-September now and I'm happy to report that ALL our bills are current, we have a tiny bit in savings, and a tiny bit in investment accounts. For the first time in a year, I made an entire grocery run during which I bought NO boxed dinners. Even better, we carved a few hundred dollars out of the monthly budget to set aside for moving expenses in a year, to get us into a cheaper place where we can realize those savings long-term. Longer-term, if we stick to the plan, we will effectively get a $20K/year "pay raise" when our daughter starts Kindergarten and we no longer have to pay for daycare. We're probably not going to FIRE any time soon, as we're both late bloomers, but we now have a budget, and some savings, and a plan. It's the little things.
Speaking of which, I can tell you that most of my professional wardrobe comes from the Salvation Army and that my '99 Malibu is still running (thanks to my car-savvy husband and a $20 coolant hose)-- so we are not only saving, but building the habits that will let us keep our money moving in the right direction.
If you've read this far, thanks-- and my name is Ariane, and I have a little peach fuzz. ;)
Post by: arebelspy on September 17, 2016, 08:54:59 AM
Post by: thunderball on September 17, 2016, 04:16:26 PM
Post by: Le Poisson on September 19, 2016, 06:07:15 AM
Maxed both my Roth and 401K for the year. First time for the 401K - feels pretty damn good!
Ability Unlocked: Savings Saviour!
Post by: MrRealEstate on September 20, 2016, 05:50:03 AM
Increased my retirement contributions to 49% to catch up with the 10% I had throughout most of the year to max out the 18k/year limit.
Post by: Fomerly known as something on September 21, 2016, 05:10:37 AM
Post by: marty998 on September 29, 2016, 06:57:17 AM
The old net asset ticker just clocked $800,000 for me yesterday... woohoo!
Tax refund, 5 fortnightly pay periods and annual bonus coming in the next 2 months should send it up towards $825,000 by the end of September.
Smashed it. $852k today. I put the value of the properties up by a little bit in line, but just under market growth as per usual.
Have $2k in super contributions due to be paid in next Tuesday and $1000 in Company shares to be granted shortly as well.
Everything is coming up Milhouse!
:D
Post by: Moonwaves on September 29, 2016, 09:48:38 AM
Post by: doug111 on September 30, 2016, 12:31:48 AM
Use this thread to post your mini-accomplishments so we can celebrate with you!Here I go !!! Here is my mini accomplishment !!! I paid off my $115,000 30 year mortgage in ONLY 23 short months !!! It feels good to be finally debt free !!! Thanks for listening !!!
If you have a bigger accomplishment, feel free to start your own thread in the Share Your Badassity (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/) section of the forums, but for small milestones, things you just want to share with someone, but don't really have anyone to share it with (besides maybe your partner), toss em out there so we can celebrate with you!
Post by: torbisen on September 30, 2016, 02:30:14 PM
Post by: golfreak12 on October 01, 2016, 10:03:39 PM
Hello all,
I'm technically not a newcomer as I joined about a year (?) ago, and have a couple of previous posts. But as I now have good news to share, I figured it was a good time to introduce myself.
First, some background. I hit the triple whammy of going for a PhD (at least it was in science), getting pregnant in the last year of my dissertation, and graduating straight into the unemployment line. Even better, it was the end of summer, which here in the DC area means a lot of employers were dithering over hiring decisions, and I was denied unemployment because my last five years of paychecks were considered "student wages." Fun times.
I was unemployed for a total of 5 mos and part-timing for another 3 mos before landing my current position-- during which time our expenses went up with diapers, formula, etc (we had a preemie so certain options were off the table) and my whopping student loans coming due. We ate a lot of boxed dinner, maxed a lot of credit cards, borrowed from friends and family to keep at least SOME of the bills paid, and went delinquent on the rest because there was nothing else we could do. At the end of May, I finally began drawing a real paycheck-- 40% of which promptly went back out the door to daycare expenses. BUT-- we were still technically ahead, by a narrow margin. And so we got to work.
It's mid-September now and I'm happy to report that ALL our bills are current, we have a tiny bit in savings, and a tiny bit in investment accounts. For the first time in a year, I made an entire grocery run during which I bought NO boxed dinners. Even better, we carved a few hundred dollars out of the monthly budget to set aside for moving expenses in a year, to get us into a cheaper place where we can realize those savings long-term. Longer-term, if we stick to the plan, we will effectively get a $20K/year "pay raise" when our daughter starts Kindergarten and we no longer have to pay for daycare. We're probably not going to FIRE any time soon, as we're both late bloomers, but we now have a budget, and some savings, and a plan. It's the little things.
Speaking of which, I can tell you that most of my professional wardrobe comes from the Salvation Army and that my '99 Malibu is still running (thanks to my car-savvy husband and a $20 coolant hose)-- so we are not only saving, but building the habits that will let us keep our money moving in the right direction.
If you've read this far, thanks-- and my name is Ariane, and I have a little peach fuzz. ;)
Congrats !!! I love hearing people making their way back to financial success.
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on October 04, 2016, 06:50:11 AM
Post by: Slinky on October 04, 2016, 10:15:48 AM
I turned 30 last week. And yesterday, I officially became an adult (in my book) by opening my first non-tax advantaged investing account with Questrade. Have yet to make the small 4k deposit into it that I want to do, but still, I'm very happy with this present to myself.
Congrats and happy birthday!
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on October 04, 2016, 11:49:35 AM
I turned 30 last week. And yesterday, I officially became an adult (in my book) by opening my first non-tax advantaged investing account with Questrade. Have yet to make the small 4k deposit into it that I want to do, but still, I'm very happy with this present to myself.
Congrats and happy birthday!
Thank-you!
Post by: Cookie78 on October 05, 2016, 09:27:13 AM
Want to save up 5500 for TFSA by the end of the year, and have a couple other savings goals for post-FIRE plans (like buying a camper).
Planning on opening my first non-tax-advantaged investment account early in the new year. :)
Post by: pachnik on October 05, 2016, 10:50:37 AM
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on October 08, 2016, 04:20:28 PM
The results are SO MUCH better than when I first made my spreadsheet a year and a half ago. And the assumptions I used about income and savings are even more conservative. Can't believe it!
Post by: torbisen on October 11, 2016, 01:34:32 PM
Use this thread to post your mini-accomplishments so we can celebrate with you!Here I go !!! Here is my mini accomplishment !!! I paid off my $115,000 30 year mortgage in ONLY 23 short months !!! It feels good to be finally debt free !!! Thanks for listening !!!
If you have a bigger accomplishment, feel free to start your own thread in the Share Your Badassity (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/) section of the forums, but for small milestones, things you just want to share with someone, but don't really have anyone to share it with (besides maybe your partner), toss em out there so we can celebrate with you!
WOW Congrats :-)
Post by: MrSwayze on October 22, 2016, 06:43:43 PM
Post by: Saskatchewstachian on October 26, 2016, 06:43:59 AM
Last week I accepted a roll out of our company "graduate program" which means a position change and a raise meaning a additional....... 23k/yr!!!!!!
Considering we had a 40% savings rate up until now, this new raise should really bump it up!
Post by: Adge on October 26, 2016, 09:28:30 AM
Post by: mustachepungoeshere on October 26, 2016, 08:24:37 PM
Paid off the last of my student debt ($15k total).
Started a new job, earning an extra $9k a year.
Post by: happy on October 28, 2016, 05:15:47 AM
Its been a while since I posted on this thread. But today's the day, my mortgage is 99k, i.e. below 100k. Its been a milestone I've been looking forward to. Started MMM 4 years and 10 months ago with 371k in debt, now <100k. Its all happening!
Post by: HappierAtHome on October 28, 2016, 05:42:22 AM
Congratulations everyone.
Its been a while since I posted on this thread. But today's the day, my mortgage is 99k, i.e. below 100k. Its been a milestone I've been looking forward to. Started MMM 4 years and 10 months ago with 371k in debt, now <100k. Its all happening!
Yaaaaay!!
Post by: arebelspy on October 28, 2016, 07:51:21 AM
Started MMM 4 years and 10 months ago with 371k in debt, now <100k. Its all happening!
Nice! You must be happy.
...I'll be here all week.
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on October 28, 2016, 08:11:36 AM
Post by: onlykelsey on October 28, 2016, 08:14:17 AM
Woo hoo! I've just reached my coast rate for 60 years old. Meaning, if I don't contribute another dollar to my retirement accounts I can still retire at 60 with my planned post-retirement withdrawal rate! And that's if the market performs with only an average 5% return. I'm of course still contributing but my coast rate a few years back would have had me working until nearly 70, so that's a vast improvement!
Congrats! How do you calculate that? Just take current saving, assume 5% growth and 4% withdrawal?
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on October 28, 2016, 10:39:04 AM
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on November 01, 2016, 08:12:54 AM
Post by: Orvell on November 01, 2016, 09:03:21 AM
I'm incredibly relieved. :)
Post by: arebelspy on November 01, 2016, 09:13:09 AM
My cat's heart murmur is innocent!!!
I'm incredibly relieved. :)
YAY!
Post by: dougules on November 01, 2016, 09:25:56 AM
My cat's heart murmur is innocent!!!
I'm incredibly relieved. :)
That's good to hear.
On an unrelated note, October was our second lowest spending month in the two years that we've been tracking.
Post by: Migrator Soul on November 01, 2016, 12:15:14 PM
Post by: plainjane on November 02, 2016, 06:52:10 AM
I have finally been selected, confirmed, and cut orders for a fairly competitive and selective assignment in the White House.
Wow! Congratulations.
Post by: Migrator Soul on November 02, 2016, 07:11:24 AM
I have finally been selected, confirmed, and cut orders for a fairly competitive and selective assignment in the White House.
Wow! Congratulations.
Thanks! I have more or less known it is going to happen for quite some time, however, it isn't real until you are cut orders. I am pretty stoked.
Post by: nereo on November 02, 2016, 05:15:19 PM
Level up!
Post by: Inaya on November 14, 2016, 11:13:50 AM
15.2k in Roth IRA
33.6k in 401k
8.5k in HSA
26.1k in taxable investments
15k cash emergency fund (currently sitting in my husband's Chase account for the $200 opening bonus, then I will do the same when his waiting period is up)
1.7k misc cash
I'm on year 2 of accruing $50k+/year.
Post by: dougules on November 15, 2016, 03:01:18 PM
Woo, just hit net worth of $100k ahead of schedule!
15.2k in Roth IRA
33.6k in 401k
8.5k in HSA
26.1k in taxable investments
15k cash emergency fund (currently sitting in my husband's Chase account for the $200 opening bonus, then I will do the same when his waiting period is up)
1.7k misc cash
I'm on year 2 of accruing $50k+/year.
Nice. You've got the snowball rolling now.
Post by: hucktard on November 22, 2016, 10:20:39 AM
Post by: Slinky on November 22, 2016, 11:28:48 AM
Made it into 6 figures! Yeah!
Post by: KMMK on November 22, 2016, 02:39:03 PM
Post by: Le Poisson on November 22, 2016, 03:02:17 PM
Post by: rachellynn99 on November 27, 2016, 11:50:25 AM
Post by: Cannot Wait! on November 27, 2016, 07:49:17 PM
"My investment portfolio made 6$"
OMG! She was listening! 😆
Post by: Le Poisson on November 27, 2016, 09:49:42 PM
Today is my official first day of MMM stuff, but my husband and I made a decision NOT to go out to eat after church today. We have went out for probably 5 years, either with my parents, another family or just our family. The kids were a bit confused, but we had a very nice lunch, using deer meat my 10 year old daughter harvested about 2 weeks ago, salsa I had canned from our garden, and various others yummies that made nice tacos. So day 1 ( or at least half of it) has been a success.
This is a big step! in 6 months you'll have a conversation along the lines of "Remember when we used to go out after church? Why did we do that!?!?!"
Have fun with it - get the kids planning lunch before you head to church, do some picnics, take lunch to shutin. No reason not to make it an important part of your weekend routine!
Post by: rachellynn99 on November 28, 2016, 06:44:42 AM
Today is my official first day of MMM stuff, but my husband and I made a decision NOT to go out to eat after church today. We have went out for probably 5 years, either with my parents, another family or just our family. The kids were a bit confused, but we had a very nice lunch, using deer meat my 10 year old daughter harvested about 2 weeks ago, salsa I had canned from our garden, and various others yummies that made nice tacos. So day 1 ( or at least half of it) has been a success.
This is a big step! in 6 months you'll have a conversation along the lines of "Remember when we used to go out after church? Why did we do that!?!?!"
Thanks for your encouragement. It actually is a bit shocking how much money has been spent through the years, just on that one meal per week. For a semi nice sit down meal for the 5 of us it would easily be $50. We are planning a chili lunch next week for ourselves and another couple at our home. We have the stuff for chili, they are bringing a dessert and crackers.
Have fun with it - get the kids planning lunch before you head to church, do some picnics, take lunch to shutin. No reason not to make it an important part of your weekend routine!
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on November 28, 2016, 10:33:29 AM
Of course the market'll change that by tomorrow but I'm counting it! I'll be back to that with my next check even with a bit of a downturn.
Post by: Archivist on November 29, 2016, 12:00:43 PM
Post by: zephyr911 on December 01, 2016, 03:01:49 PM
But the real celebration today is, we just decided DW can quit FT work and go freelance whenever she wants. She will probably do it in mid-Jan. Ultimately this could delay me for a few months, but it's a rounding error in the grand scheme. She's been miserable and I even encouraged her to do this a couple of times recently... I'm incredibly happy to be able to support this move, and look forward to joining her as a PT guy in 6-8mos.
Post by: Cannot Wait! on December 01, 2016, 03:05:04 PM
I'm going to make my final student loan payment this week, and just to make it poetic, I'm going to do it on my birthday, which is this Thursday. That's 40k paid down over 13 months! I can't wait to be debt free and able to see past this hurdle.
Awesome! And Happy Birthday!
Post by: givemesunshine on December 01, 2016, 11:00:15 PM
Post by: driftwood on December 02, 2016, 06:06:57 AM
Since then - out of debt, maxed IRAs this year and last year, investing in taxable accounts, and while not really on the path to FIRE any time soon what I've learned here will give us freedom to pursue things we are passionate about doing while still being able to spend time with our kids during their younger years.
Post by: dougules on December 02, 2016, 09:48:16 AM
Just passed two years of bike commuting... which lines up with me finding MMM about two years ago.
Since then - out of debt, maxed IRAs this year and last year, investing in taxable accounts, and while not really on the path to FIRE any time soon what I've learned here will give us freedom to pursue things we are passionate about doing while still being able to spend time with our kids during their younger years.
I miss bike commuting. I used to at my last job, but I still haven't psyched myself up to getting up earlier and braving white-knuckle traffic for the 8 mile commute here.
Post by: chloe1733 on December 06, 2016, 08:08:46 PM
At our current rate, we'll pay off the house in a little less than two years, and the student loans shortly after that. Very excited :)
Post by: onlykelsey on December 07, 2016, 04:54:55 AM
As of today, our total debt (75% is our mortgage, 25% is student loans at a very low rate) is now under 100k!!! We carry no credit card debt or car payments.
At our current rate, we'll pay off the house in a little less than two years, and the student loans shortly after that. Very excited :)
Congrats. where do you live that student loan interest rates are cheaper than mortgage interest rates?
Post by: Dollar Slice on December 09, 2016, 08:58:14 AM
Post by: multi-vitamin on December 11, 2016, 01:37:47 PM
Post by: Slinky on December 12, 2016, 10:41:50 AM
Just paid off my car! Now I can focus on building my emergency fund up to 6 months.
High five!
Post by: Mossy 757 on December 12, 2016, 02:02:13 PM
(http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/facebook/000/125/331/feels-good-man-goat-squint-12883904505.jpg)
Post by: happy on December 14, 2016, 03:11:26 AM
Post by: torbisen on December 17, 2016, 08:49:26 AM
Post by: greengardens on December 17, 2016, 07:01:00 PM
Post by: FrogStash on December 29, 2016, 08:09:17 AM
NW grew by more than 100k in 2016 which is roughly a 40% increase. I know this growth rate isn't likely to continue but wow, we are really on a roll.
March will mark 2 years since finding MMM and the change in my attitude and happiness at work and at home is almost as noticeable as the change in the spreadsheet! Thanks for taking the time to write this stuff down Pete!
Post by: Le Poisson on December 29, 2016, 08:22:38 AM
Post by: zephyr911 on December 30, 2016, 01:13:36 PM
#nailedit
(see bottom right)
Post by: arebelspy on December 31, 2016, 03:42:15 AM
NAILED IT.
#nailedit
(see bottom right)
Bottom right is awesome. Top left is awesomer. :)
Post by: Cherry Lane on December 31, 2016, 08:19:52 PM
NAILED IT.
#nailedit
(see bottom right)
Nice! Did you manage that manually or let DFAS do it for you?
Post by: Cherry Lane on December 31, 2016, 08:23:55 PM
Didn't have to replace a roof this year and didn't spend 2 weeks in Ecuador, so that helped.
Post by: Cherry Lane on January 01, 2017, 05:53:25 PM
I retired* today!
*from my "side-hustle" job; I still have the full-time job for another 15 months or so.
It is probably more correct to say I transferred from the Ready Reserve to the Retired Reserve. At least I think I did. My retirement flag arrived in the mail a few days ago, and my notice of eligibility for retired pay at age 60 arrived a few days before that, but I haven't seen any actual paperwork saying I'm retired yet. I'm still calling myself retired!
Post by: dr72 on January 02, 2017, 03:43:56 PM
This seems like the best thread for this post. I found this blog at some point last year and read all the posts and started to really think about what we spent money on and what we actually needed. We've come a long way since, and by the end of this year will be debt free except for student loans and a mortgage, which is a huge improvement but we're still not close to being real Mustachian's like so many of you.
The best part of this continuing journey was the feeling I had last week. My boss let me know that upper management was probably going to "change their minds" and change the requirements and experience required for my job and that I had something like 3-9 months before they would let me go. It was the first time I've been in that situation where I wasn't in a panic, wasn't worried, and didn't immediately feel like throwing up. I felt .. fine! We've simplified our life, reduced our expenses, and are relatively debt free which means I don't need to panic and I can take the time find a job on my terms and not scramble for just "anything".
Thanks for all the posters in this forum, as a lurker and someone who rarely posts, this forum is very helpful and inspiring.
Decided to post an update now that 2017 is here.
My last day at that job was 12/31/2014. In the past two years we've continued to make progress in fits and starts towards a FIRE goal. We essentially lost half our income with my job loss and yet two years later I sit here saving almost 3x as much money a month, despite making some decidedly non-mustachian decisions. The biggest changes to me seemed minor at the time but compound over time. Drop cable tv, get OTA. End up watching a lot less TV. Drop lawn service, doing more yardwork. Making informed decisions on our choices, on everything from insurance to food to clothing. Trading services with a contractor to do work at my house for a much reduced rate in exchange for business and accounting help. Taking side jobs. Walking more and spending more time with the kids. From prepared meals 4-5x a week due to both working to prepared meals ... once a month? Becoming a better cook. I don't agree with everything MMM advocates but I think everyone can learn something that will help them.
My hope is people see this and realize there is a path between the status quo and the complete lifestyle of MMM and that as you move along that spectrum you'll probably find increased happiness and freedom. There's no one "right" stopping point, but if I can encourage you to at least try it, I think you'll find, like me, that you'll discover what's more important in life.
Post by: NinetyFour on January 02, 2017, 06:46:29 PM
Post by: zephyr911 on January 03, 2017, 01:33:48 PM
Nice! Did you manage that manually or let DFAS do it for you?I had to set it at one biweekly amount at the end of last year, then drop it by a few bucks to the amount seen there, to hit exactly. Otherwise I'd have gone over and had to do a form to get the excess back.
Bottom right is awesome. Top left is awesomer. :)I try to raise it a little each year. I'm actually opting out of CFC this year but only after working out more direct (and flexible) arrangements to support the same causes. :)
Post by: Cherry Lane on January 03, 2017, 01:46:35 PM
Nice! Did you manage that manually or let DFAS do it for you?I had to set it at one biweekly amount at the end of last year, then drop it by a few bucks to the amount seen there, to hit exactly. Otherwise I'd have gone over and had to do a form to get the excess back.
See, I have mine set at $693 biweekly. Then the last pay period only $675 was deducted, because DFAS won't actually let you go over. No manual intervention is required.
Post by: Check2400 on January 03, 2017, 03:29:52 PM
But the real celebration is that I get to go over and throw down the gauntlet in the Race from 100 to 250K.
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/race-from-100-to-250k/
Who wants to join me in the class of 2017?
Post by: Izybat on January 03, 2017, 05:26:08 PM
Post by: letthelightin on January 03, 2017, 07:44:09 PM
I set a stretch goal to hit 200k total net worth by the end of the year, and we crossed that point in November!
In December, we purchased a new-to-us car, paid for with cash (I never imagined we'd be able to do that!).
A few days after buying the car, we discovered a (very unexpected) leak in our roof, and were facing a $5k+ repair bill. Thanks to YNAB and MMM, we were able to get through it with cash we had saved up- we didn't have to go into debt or cut back on any of our normal savings/retirement contributions for the month. The best part of the whole situation was the relief/surprise in DH's face when I was able to reassure him that we would have no problem covering the roof repair, and that we could still get Christmas gifts for our kids (instead of just a big red bow on the roof of the house, ha!). He knows we have "enough" money, but is generally disinterested in personal finance, and just prefers I handle it all.
Although December was a terrible month for our finances, it definitely had its upsides. DH finally got his first real taste of the freedom and security our frugality is providing. Our net worth did reach my stretch goal, even if it was immediately sucked back down again. And it was thrilling to see that while we were spewing a firehouse of cash on one side, our retirement accounts just kept marching onward and upward in the background.
I am so thankful for everything I have learned from this forum! 2016 was a great year for us.
Post by: onlykelsey on January 04, 2017, 05:00:52 AM
DH finally got his first real taste of the freedom and security our frugality is providing.
Congrats, that's big in your journey to getting him on board.
Sometimes I wish my husband understood how much work I was doing in the background to make our security and stability possible. I think historically family has bailed him out, so he doesn't have a real appreciation for safety nets.
Post by: Dollar Slice on January 04, 2017, 08:33:24 AM
I can't tell anyone I know IRL so I have to celebrate it here...
Post by: NinetyFour on January 04, 2017, 09:27:30 AM
As of end-of-day mutual fund prices yesterday - my NW is officially past a quarter of a million dollars :-) All of it in liquid assets.
I can't tell anyone I know IRL so I have to celebrate it here...
Woo hoo!! Yay!!
Post by: G-dog on January 04, 2017, 09:32:01 AM
As of end-of-day mutual fund prices yesterday - my NW is officially past a quarter of a million dollars :-) All of it in liquid assets.
I can't tell anyone I know IRL so I have to celebrate it here...
So cool! Woohoo!
You can share at an MMM meetup too!
Post by: Dollar Slice on January 04, 2017, 10:19:46 AM
You can share at an MMM meetup too!
I've never actually been to a meetup, unless you count hanging out with MonkeyJenga one-on-one. Maybe I can get her to come over and do an Angry Life Cheerleader routine in person for the occasion. ;-)
Post by: G-dog on January 04, 2017, 12:03:32 PM
Thanks!You can share at an MMM meetup too!
I've never actually been to a meetup, unless you count hanging out with MonkeyJenga one-on-one. Maybe I can get her to come over and do an Angry Life Cheerleader routine in person for the occasion. ;-)
That works too!
Maybe at one of the concerts you go to, when it's so Lou's that no one can hear anything (asuuming this happens) you can scream:
"I HAVE A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS BITCHES!"
Post by: zephyr911 on January 04, 2017, 12:20:06 PM
See, I have mine set at $693 biweekly. Then the last pay period only $675 was deducted, because DFAS won't actually let you go over. No manual intervention is required.Right, $693. That's where I was. I changed it in early Dec just in time for the last check to hit, because everything I've read as an Army employee said it was possible to over-contribute.
I came very, very close to the max last year, but this was my first time being lined up in this exact situation, so I bumped it down at just the right time. Chances are I'm gone this year or I might devise an experiment next time around (try to go over by $1, etc).
Post by: Saskatchewstachian on January 04, 2017, 03:46:51 PM
I've bought index funds before and have a little 'stash growing but have never been able to invest 10k or more all at once! Great feeling to be able to tuck that much away in one fell swoop :)
Post by: NinetyFour on January 04, 2017, 06:43:09 PM
Post by: Counting_Down on January 05, 2017, 01:56:44 PM
When I started my MMM journey I was single and originally pinned my FIRE number at 650K (I was a baby and didn't understand that was LIQUID/INVESTED DOLLARS) not just NW. Well, even though me turned to us, and we negotiated a new FI target, its cool to have passed my original goal officially (twice if you include the NW target, then the updated stash target).
Happy new year!
Post by: FirePaddle on January 06, 2017, 01:28:45 PM
It's not our final number, but it's close, and it's just a very neat milestone to be so close to reaching. We're already discussing with our employers about going less than full time soon, so we can have more time to do things we truly enjoy.
Post by: OutlierinMA on January 07, 2017, 09:40:54 AM
The best part of the whole situation was the relief/surprise in DH's face when I was able to reassure him that we would have no problem covering the roof repair, and that we could still get Christmas gifts for our kids (instead of just a big red bow on the roof of the house, ha!).This to me is the best part of mustachianism; I remember my first root canal about 10 years ago, and I had plenty of cash savings and remember clearly how relieved I was that the root canal was not a financial emergency.
I have a major event to share. I stopped working October 15 (having given the boss 2 months notice!), but feeling guilty for leaving, the week before I left I agreed to come back a few days a week February through April for tax season. I immediately regretted it, but was too much of a wimp to take it back. Before Xmas I let them know I may not return, but again was too big of a wimp to be final, even though I knew it was stressing me out to have this hanging over me. Anyway, I finally let them know yesterday. (YAY!!)
As if I didn't feel guilty enough for quitting, now I feel guilty for stringing them along, though that wasn't the intent. In fact, until I emailed yesterday I was considering working the two days a week just to avoid actually quitting. My stomach is actually in knots right now.
In spite of my ongoing guilt I am very happy to be officially retired! Such a relief. I am wondering, has anyone else had this kind of guilt around quitting?
I don't know why I feel so obligated to my employer, who has fired plenty of folks without too much concern over the years. By giving them two months notice in August I forced them to get serious about hiring replacements, after years of telling them I'd like to cut back, but not being able to do so due to staffing issues. So I know my guilt isn't rational.
Really needed to share about this, thanks for "listening".
Post by: Izybat on January 07, 2017, 01:01:37 PM
Post by: RNwastash on January 10, 2017, 12:33:07 PM
Post by: couponvan on January 11, 2017, 02:15:40 PM
I officially went part time at work!! My husband and I decided that we can still max out our 403b's and make extra payments on our mortgage and still go on frugal vacations while I work part time. My quality of life has improved since my trial part time basis for the last month. Yay!!
Congratulations! I think PT is the best of both worlds.
Post by: ysette9 on January 12, 2017, 09:25:48 PM
Post by: Dicey on January 14, 2017, 02:15:13 AM
Congratulations! Unfortunately, Donald doesn't need to be good for the country for him to be good for the stock market. This is great news for the stock market, because there's no way in hell he's going to be good for the country.Oh, MJ, I hear you.
Post by: katstache92 on January 17, 2017, 09:45:54 AM
I feel a little giddy typing that.
Post by: arebelspy on January 17, 2017, 11:35:11 PM
Yesterday was my six-figure day! I finally crossed over the 100k mark in investments!!
I feel a little giddy typing that.
Congrats! :D
Post by: chaskavitch on January 18, 2017, 01:10:22 PM
Also, my tIRA at Vanguard just got above $10,000, so I qualify for Admiral pricing. Now all of my accounts are super inexpensive! Yay VTSAX! This was the last one lingering down below that value because it was a rollover from a PERA account from grad school, and I was only putting money into the Roth IRA and ignoring the traditional.
Post by: Sonos on January 19, 2017, 06:06:05 PM
With the tax deductions from the 401k contributions plus the employer match, it's like he'll be getting a $10,000 bonus :D
I already knew about the advantages of contributing to the 401k, but somehow thinking about it as a $10,000 bonus really makes it more awesome. Perhaps the word "bonus" is more exciting/visceral than "match" and "deduction."
Post by: Rural on January 20, 2017, 09:45:51 PM
Post by: PJ on January 23, 2017, 02:20:01 PM
Regardless of timing, they're in. I should be getting a decent amount back (reimbursements for items purchased, as well as mileage.) It'll go straight to my CC, of course!
Post by: Inaya on January 23, 2017, 02:34:10 PM
Post by: Izybat on January 23, 2017, 04:51:27 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on January 23, 2017, 06:14:57 PM
Just got notice in the mail that one of our debts has officially bitten the dust!
Woo hoo!! Great work!
Post by: PJ on January 24, 2017, 12:56:32 AM
Boss set up a one-on-one meeting out of the blue. I thought I was going to be on notice for my work quality slipping (due to school work and medical issues). Turns out I got a promotion! Time to see if I can actually prevent lifestyle creep!
Congrats!
Two celebrations in one day for me ... well, 3 actually! One I posted this afternoon, and two I'm adding this evening.
Sat down with the team at work to discuss our budget for the coming year. I'm paid slightly above our scale, so the recommended cost of living increases don't automatically get applied to my salary. Leadership has to support the raise, and submit a request. Which, I found out tonight, they did. Since I get paid stipend plus separate housing allowance, I took the opportunity to mention that my rent also went up this past year. They agreed to include that small increase in my housing allowance too. Utilities are more expensive these days too, but I didn't push my luck - our budget for the organization is pretty tight, and I worry about equity issues with our other employees. (We allocated some improvements for them too though.)
Post by: happy on January 25, 2017, 04:47:33 AM
Post by: PJ on January 25, 2017, 12:32:51 PM
Howdy PJ, nice to see you post again ( or maybe you are just hanging out on different threads to me these days...anyway Hi!). And congrats on the raise and getting stuff done.
waves
Hi happy! I am only recently back again, so don't worry, you weren't missing out. I've dipped my toe in a couple of places over the last couple weeks, mostly in Throwing Down the Gauntlet section - Uber Frugal January/February and Eat All the Food threads.
It's nice to "see" you again too!
Post by: FirePaddle on January 25, 2017, 04:34:46 PM
Post by: MommyCake on February 06, 2017, 10:00:36 AM
(I know some here say credit score is irrelevant, but I will need a mortgage for another investment property next year)
Post by: Slinky on February 13, 2017, 03:52:06 PM
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on February 14, 2017, 10:55:30 AM
Goal for next tax year is to max it out.
This also brought my projections much closer to 100% at my target date (FireCALC 96.8%, Fidelity 100% and my spreadsheet 99%).
Post by: chaskavitch on February 14, 2017, 03:13:43 PM
We got rid of our cable TV last month, which will save us about $70/mo. All we ever did was complain about commercials anyway, so it's a doubly good thing.
Also, my tIRA at Vanguard just got above $10,000, so I qualify for Admiral pricing. Now all of my accounts are super inexpensive! Yay VTSAX! This was the last one lingering down below that value because it was a rollover from a PERA account from grad school, and I was only putting money into the Roth IRA and ignoring the traditional.
This is a good year for us so far! Last week I got a promotion that comes with a 13% raise, so I'm going to up my 401k contributions from 14% to 17% (at least, maybe more if DH doesn't mind). AND DH got a new job today, with a $10,000 raise, a chance for a 10% bonus every year (historically 5%), and a 401k option that will match 4% after a year.
Post by: MommyCake on February 15, 2017, 03:17:14 AM
I feel relieved, and nervous.
Post by: happy on February 15, 2017, 06:07:51 AM
Post by: Cherry Lane on February 15, 2017, 04:00:54 PM
As for me, it turns out "the market" gave me a lovely Valentine's gift yesterday: a second comma. Maybe I'll go buy some discounted chocolates today to celebrate.
Post by: MommyCake on February 16, 2017, 12:34:36 PM
My boss offered me better hours and a better location with a promise of no OT if I stay. I said yes. I am kind of regretting it, but I think it will be better for everyone if I stay on at least until this hiring freeze is over.
Post by: happy on February 16, 2017, 09:39:47 PM
Post by: thedigitalone on February 17, 2017, 10:35:14 AM
I "woke up" back in October of 2015 when I realized that the lifestyle we were living was incredibly wasteful, we were overspending and accruing debt and for no reason.
I shut down my self-employed business that was under performing and went back to a full-time job, we refinanced the mortgage into a 3% 15 year term and aggressively started paying down our debts. It took 16 months but we did it, the cars, credit cards, everything is paid off! Now I can accelerate paying off the mortgage and start our post-tax investing (we've been maxing the 401k's along the way) with the funds we've been paying off the debt with.
I started lurking here about 9 months ago, it has been very helpful in maintaining the mindset, I don't know that I would have had the willpower to pull this off without the constant reminders of the goal and reading about everyone else's successes along the way.
Post by: soccerluvof4 on February 17, 2017, 01:43:33 PM
Post by: PJ on February 18, 2017, 03:27:35 PM
Special congrats to thedigitalone for being debt free other than a mortgage
Other than our mortgage, we're officially debt free as of this morning.
...
I started lurking here about 9 months ago, it has been very helpful in maintaining the mindset, I don't know that I would have had the willpower to pull this off without the constant reminders of the goal and reading about everyone else's successes along the way.
Also, I agree with happy! MommyCake, you got to have your cake and eat it too!
Well it does sound like you got what you needed - i.e. better hours, better location and no OT. Thats the power of FU money.
Post by: HPstache on February 18, 2017, 10:40:42 PM
Post by: greengardens on February 19, 2017, 11:08:49 AM
Post by: AccidentalMiser on February 19, 2017, 03:15:18 PM
FI, here we come!
Post by: facepalm on February 19, 2017, 06:34:02 PM
Our net worth hit $100,000 this week and I paid off my student loans! (still have DH's loans though)That is awesome! Crossing the $100K mark is a huge accomplishment.
My celebration: I just finished setting up max contributions to both my 403(b) and 457(b) (as a state employee I qualify for both). Will also be able to max out the ROTH IRA this year too.
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on February 23, 2017, 12:10:10 PM
Post by: chaskavitch on February 26, 2017, 07:50:39 AM
Our offer was just accepted on a fantastic piece of 26-acre land 15 minutes outside the city. Yay! We'll be building over the next 3 years :)
Woo, that's awesome! That's our eventual goal, having some land but also access to people :) Have fun building your own house!
Post by: Zaga on February 26, 2017, 01:18:42 PM
DH has been at his current job since April of 2015, and I thought I had read that in addition to the 3% 401-K match there would also be a 3% company contribution, but until today we had not seen any evidence of this. Nor is it in any of the paperwork I've read since he was hired.
Well today I checked his 401-K and it was larger than expected, the 3% contribution for 2016 went in this week! (I have no idea what happened to 2015, maybe you have to work there the entire year to get it?)
Post by: Trifle on February 27, 2017, 04:40:19 AM
So, so happy.
Post by: NinetyFour on February 27, 2017, 07:03:05 AM
Post by: Izybat on February 27, 2017, 03:55:21 PM
Post by: Trifle on March 01, 2017, 06:59:46 AM
Post by: marielle on March 01, 2017, 07:17:47 AM
March net worth: -$12,000
Change of $14,670 in 7 months, on a $55k/$60k salary. (received an increase halfway through)
Could be better but not bad considering other expenses I've had and no 401k. I spent ~$2500 on car maintenance, $700+ on new bike and accessories, and who knows how much on moving costs and furniture.
Post by: plainjane on March 01, 2017, 08:44:28 AM
August net worth: -$26,670
March net worth: -$12,000
Change of $14,670 in 7 months, on a $55k/$60k salary. (received an increase halfway through)
That is huge. You are more than halfway there, and then all the habits and skills you have developed are going to stand you in great stead. Soon the power of compound interest will be in your favour instead of holding you back.
Post by: marielle on March 01, 2017, 09:32:38 AM
August net worth: -$26,670
March net worth: -$12,000
Change of $14,670 in 7 months, on a $55k/$60k salary. (received an increase halfway through)
That is huge. You are more than halfway there, and then all the habits and skills you have developed are going to stand you in great stead. Soon the power of compound interest will be in your favour instead of holding you back.
I never really had "bad habits"...I was always broke and living off of a few thousand a year (after rent) so I just continued the trend into the workforce. I don't really know what to spend on to be honest, except travel but credit card signup bonuses take care of that as well! Only $16k in student loans left...
Post by: sw1tch on March 01, 2017, 01:31:15 PM
This is huge and almost surreal. It's crazy to think of where I was at just a couple of years ago and am really considering going FIRE or part-time FIRE later this year. That Big Move counter just might become a FIRE one...
Post by: Trifle on March 03, 2017, 04:37:27 AM
Post by: Izybat on March 03, 2017, 03:42:54 PM
Post by: marty998 on March 03, 2017, 07:10:33 PM
Post by: jengod on March 03, 2017, 07:14:47 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Etlav5 on March 03, 2017, 08:45:36 PM
I handed in my resignation letter yesterday. I have been telling my boss I can't work unplanned OT because I have to get my baby from daycare. He keeps making me work late anyway and said yesterday that it would not change. My passive income exceeds my expenses, so I pulled up my already-drafted-and-waiting letter and emailed it in.
I feel relieved, and nervous.
What a great FU money story.
Post by: KMMK on March 04, 2017, 09:55:04 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on March 05, 2017, 04:53:16 AM
DH got his tax refund and became debt-free (except mortgage) for the first time in 10 years today. I'm very glad he had mostly fixed his financial situation before we met.
AWESOME!!!
Post by: chaskavitch on March 05, 2017, 06:29:16 AM
We got rid of our cable TV last month, which will save us about $70/mo. All we ever did was complain about commercials anyway, so it's a doubly good thing.
Also, my tIRA at Vanguard just got above $10,000, so I qualify for Admiral pricing. Now all of my accounts are super inexpensive! Yay VTSAX! This was the last one lingering down below that value because it was a rollover from a PERA account from grad school, and I was only putting money into the Roth IRA and ignoring the traditional.
This is a good year for us so far! Last week I got a promotion that comes with a 13% raise, so I'm going to up my 401k contributions from 14% to 17% (at least, maybe more if DH doesn't mind). AND DH got a new job today, with a $10,000 raise, a chance for a 10% bonus every year (historically 5%), and a 401k option that will match 4% after a year.
Zetus lapetus, this is a REALLY good year. We just reached $100,000 in our retirement accounts :) And DH opened his 401k - he was originally going to start off at 5% to ensure his 4% match (3% match at 100%, then 50% up to 4% total), but he upped it to 7%, then 8%, then said "aw, screw it, let's just start at 10%." Yay!
Post by: sw1tch on March 06, 2017, 07:01:47 AM
Congratulations, Sw1tch!! This is awesome!
Thank you!
Here's my rough numbers at the beginning of each year:
2015: 236,000 (included estimated house value at beginning of year but sold it mid-year 2015)
2016: 338,000
2017: 474,000
Current: 515,000
Definitely worth celebrating! I just wish I had started sooner, but as I always say: better late than never.
Post by: Izybat on March 13, 2017, 05:10:24 PM
Post by: bigchrisb on March 13, 2017, 06:28:36 PM
My net invested assets (non-house, non-super) went over $250,000 the past week.
Nice one Marty! Next goal $500k?
As for me, I paid off a balance transfer credit card this month. With the mortgage fully offset, means I now have no lumpy payments each month. My income is now split just between current living costs and padding the stash.
Post by: annastashia on March 18, 2017, 12:29:29 AM
Post by: Trifle on March 18, 2017, 03:34:22 AM
My husband just got a job offer that includes a 10k sign-on bonus and a 59% pay increase!
Izybat that is awesome!! There should be a "Mega Celebrations" thread for something like that!
Post by: Trifle on March 18, 2017, 03:35:46 AM
Hi, new to the forum but a lurking Mutstachian for almost a year now. Just wanted to say hello and share my joy and relief at having fully paid off one CC, with 1.5k left on the other. Inspired by MrMoneyMustache's articles! Woohoo!
Welcome Annastashia! And great, great job slaying that CC. Onward!!
Post by: DieHard_772 on March 18, 2017, 12:36:13 PM
--I changed the pipe below our sink, thus making the sink work again so we can use it.
We RENT, and I haven't usually done things like that, but wanted to give it a try. Perhaps a little rehearsal
for one day owning?
--HSA up around $750, in its third month. Woo hoo!
--My wife started investing about six months ago. She had stayed away from it since 2008, breakthrough!
--My sister is getting into Mr Money Mustache. This is awesome!
Post by: annastashia on March 18, 2017, 09:06:01 PM
Hi, new to the forum but a lurking Mutstachian for almost a year now. Just wanted to say hello and share my joy and relief at having fully paid off one CC, with 1.5k left on the other. Inspired by MrMoneyMustache's articles! Woohoo!
Welcome Annastashia! And great, great job slaying that CC. Onward!!
Thank you!
Post by: Trifle on March 19, 2017, 08:06:34 AM
Modest gains, but fun:
--I changed the pipe below our sink, thus making the sink work again so we can use it.
We RENT, and I haven't usually done things like that, but wanted to give it a try. Perhaps a little rehearsal
for one day owning?
--HSA up around $750, in its third month. Woo hoo!
--My wife started investing about six months ago. She had stayed away from it since 2008, breakthrough!
--My sister is getting into Mr Money Mustache. This is awesome!
Those are some great gains DieHard! Love that your sister is into it. I let my brother know about MMM some years back, and he went all-in and actually FIREd two years ago! He's loving life these days.
Post by: morethanconquerors on March 19, 2017, 11:58:42 AM
Post by: Trifle on March 20, 2017, 04:43:37 AM
Made my FINAL student loan payment last Thursday!!! Paid off $44,000 in less than 2.5 years.
Welcome aboard morethanconquerors! That is quite a first post. Congratulations! I remember my last student loan payment too. It's a huge milestone!
Post by: HappierAtHome on March 20, 2017, 06:33:35 AM
My net invested assets (non-house, non-super) went over $250,000 the past week.
Congrats Marty!!
Post by: Dicey on March 20, 2017, 08:13:53 AM
+ 44k!Made my FINAL student loan payment last Thursday!!! Paid off $44,000 in less than 2.5 years.
Welcome aboard morethanconquerors! That is quite a first post. Congratulations! I remember my last student loan payment too. It's a huge milestone!
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on March 20, 2017, 11:38:57 AM
Post by: DieHard_772 on March 20, 2017, 04:28:52 PM
Made my FINAL student loan payment last Thursday!!! Paid off $44,000 in less than 2.5 years.
Holy $#@ that is awesome...
Congrats
Post by: Zaga on March 21, 2017, 04:51:23 PM
Post by: Sibley on March 22, 2017, 08:11:09 AM
Put offer in!
Offer accepted!
Home inspection scheduled.
Mortgage stuff started.
Insurance quotes in process.
I'm really excited - and the house is $134k, 4 bed, 2 bath, 1750 sq ft (planning on parents moving in with me soonish, and this house will work for that). I LOVE this house :)
Post by: Freckles on March 22, 2017, 09:33:36 AM
I may be baffled by those numbers, but, congratulations!
Post by: Sibley on March 22, 2017, 11:43:52 AM
A four bedroom, two bath house for $134K? Surely not in Chicago?
I may be baffled by those numbers, but, congratulations!
Northwest Indiana. Same job, different commuter train. Plus MUCH lower taxes and overall COL, and the state has an actual budget.
Post by: Freckles on March 22, 2017, 12:39:00 PM
Post by: MoMan on March 27, 2017, 08:55:38 AM
A week ago, I finally mustered up enough motivation to tear into my car's dashboard to fix my car stereo. I knew it was an easy fix, but to get to the stereo that I installed a few years ago, you have to remove a bunch of interior trim. But a couple of hours spent on a nice Sunday was worth it: I was hating my daily commute even more than usual without music or radio. Score.
That same Sunday, I was daydreaming aloud to my wife about my favorite distraction: retirement. I mentioned my plan to ride my bike a lot, and she called me out: "Why do you need to wait until retirement?" Dammit, she's always right. So last Monday after work I got back on and rode 10 miles. I followed that up and repeated it Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Friday the weather didn't cooperate). Must make it part of my routine once again. And I think I'm there.
Tuesday evening, I finally listed our 1994 ski boat on Craigslist. I really lowballed it, which had the consequence of generating a LOT of interest fast. Once I had about 8 people who wanted it, I took the ad down. Anyway, I sold it Saturday!! Yes! What a total fucking relief. I'm more excited about ending the damned monthly storage facepunch fee ($100/mo) than I am about collecting on the sale. Still, its $1,000 towards our taxes. (Actually $900--we went out to celebrate Saturday night). Now I need to list my older sailboat and my old windsurfing equipment. I'm on a roll!
And yesterday I was pretty productive: made yet another delicious batch of breakfast burritos. I make about 60 of them at a time. Wrap in foil and freeze. When I wake up, toss one in the toaster oven while I go for my morning walk. By the time I get back, shower and make my lunch for the day, the burrito is ready to eat. I probably spend 90 minutes or so every 2 months. And I'm guessing they cost about a buck each to make.
Oh, I also cleaned our storage room yesterday. Wife was super impressed.
Plus, last Friday was bonus day! I'll probably use some of it for a car repair and let the rest of it sit in savings as CYA cash. We have a bigger emergency fund, but the savings is quicker to access if I'm about to be overdrawn (I don't keep much cash in my checking account).
So that's it. Today's Monday and I'm feeling pretty good about myself.
Post by: beach2133 on March 31, 2017, 01:06:59 PM
90.93 payments of $1500!
81.56 payments of $1650!
Post by: thunderball on April 01, 2017, 04:01:02 PM
Having fewer programming choices feels oddly liberating!
Post by: Cherry Lane on April 01, 2017, 04:07:55 PM
Turned in the cable box this morning. Finally we are internet-only and will save ~$1,000 per year.
Having fewer programming choices feels oddly liberating!
Good for you! I haven't been able to bring myself to do this yet. It's only been on the list for ~1.5 years.
Post by: Trifle on April 03, 2017, 02:54:12 AM
Turned in the cable box this morning. Finally we are internet-only and will save ~$1,000 per year.
Having fewer programming choices feels oddly liberating!
Good for you Thunderball! Between the $ savings and the freedom from advertising, you will not regret it.
Post by: Chairman on April 03, 2017, 08:17:02 AM
Post by: Fearthebait on April 04, 2017, 01:10:54 PM
Post by: jordanread on April 04, 2017, 01:32:25 PM
Just hit 1000 miles on my car that I have owned for 3 1/2 months. Down from my previous 800 miles per month that I used to drive. I usually will backpack to work and plan out all my errands to happen once per week, if not once bi-weekly. Once my bike/Grocery trailer is ready, I can cut another 6-8 miles per week off my vehicle mileage.
Well done!
Post by: Dollar Slice on April 07, 2017, 10:51:33 AM
Post by: Izybat on April 13, 2017, 06:52:40 PM
Post by: happy on April 14, 2017, 09:18:23 PM
Post by: Rural on April 15, 2017, 07:05:24 AM
Post by: Cherry Lane on April 15, 2017, 03:32:18 PM
Turned down a promotion that would have increased compensation by about 25% and made my life a misery. No regrets, no angst. I wouldn't have minded the money, but we don't need it.
Yes! Prioritizing happiness over income. Good for you!
Post by: Chairman on April 16, 2017, 09:14:15 AM
Post by: SingleMomDebt on April 16, 2017, 10:27:50 AM
Networth hit the $50K mark
Post by: damnedbee on April 21, 2017, 01:01:28 PM
Post by: Saskatchewstachian on April 21, 2017, 01:55:33 PM
But the debt is gone now and NEVER coming back for a vehicle purchase. :)
Post by: marielle on April 21, 2017, 01:59:12 PM
Paid off my last debt this month (apart from mortgage)!!!! It was a facepunch worthy car that I bought when I got my first big kid job. Had a 30k loan on it at 0% but was only making 75k at the time, ouch.
But the debt is gone now and NEVER coming back for a vehicle purchase. :)
Don't feel too bad, a guy a work makes $12/hour and bought a used truck that will end up costing him $33k. The interest rate is 8.5% because he was 19 and had no credit. He ended up having to get another loan for tires.
Congrats on paying off debt!
Post by: BeautifulDay on April 21, 2017, 06:15:48 PM
Post by: Trifle on April 21, 2017, 07:24:58 PM
So this month we bought a house with 20% down. The same week our car broke down requiring a $1000 repair. We were able to pay all of that and still have a little left over in the emergency fund. It's amazing what you can do when you live below your means! Gotta replenish that emergency fund some, but we will do that in a matter of months. Used to think it would take years to save a few months expenses. Loving our new approach to finances.
That is awesome BeautifulDay. Congratulations!
Post by: pachnik on April 21, 2017, 07:48:53 PM
Debt fell under the $70K mark
Networth hit the $50K mark
Wow! Well done!
Post by: Abooki on April 21, 2017, 08:24:01 PM
Discovered FIRE in late Dec thanks to my bf and drove in this January. And I can't imagine life without this mentality and now this community.
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on April 25, 2017, 10:02:57 AM
Post by: starjay on April 26, 2017, 09:35:23 AM
Just paid off my last credit card payment. $6462 with $2700 payment to student loan debt monster(55630$now 52930$) making it $9162 in 3 months
Discovered FIRE in late Dec thanks to my bf and drove in this January. And I can't imagine life without this mentality and now this community.
Whoo-hoo! Well done!
Post by: Saskatchewstachian on April 27, 2017, 08:28:30 AM
Post by: Abooki on April 27, 2017, 11:22:51 AM
Just paid off my last credit card payment. $6462 with $2700 payment to student loan debt monster(55630$now 52930$) making it $9162 in 3 months
Discovered FIRE in late Dec thanks to my bf and drove in this January. And I can't imagine life without this mentality and now this community.
Whoo-hoo! Well done!
Thank you :)
Post by: Abooki on May 01, 2017, 12:48:41 PM
Passed the 100k in home equity this month! Bought the house 16 months ago so it feels like great progress! Normal payments had it sitting at ~$99,400 in equity so I put in the extra $600 just so I didn't have to wait until next month to see six digits.
Post by: ToughMother on May 06, 2017, 06:51:51 AM
We started tracking and aggressively working on this, here are our benchmarks:
4/3/14 $430k (start)
9/19/14 $500k
11/6/14 $550k
5/9/15 $600k
4/13/16 $650k
9/7/16 $700k
5/6/17 $750k
We also paid cash for major house remodeling ($48k) and started to pay for a wedding between oct 2016 and this month (with another $20K wedding costs to come between now and october). Neither of us make a ton, but we're rocking it.
MMM mentality to the rescue! (BTW, truly a rescue for me -- I was out of the workforce for 8 years due to meningitis and recovery. I'm grateful I never went bankrupt even though I dealt with huge medical bills, no income, no family support. So working now and being able to put money away is a big deal even though age-wise, I'm way behind many of you.)
Post by: NinetyFour on May 07, 2017, 09:21:47 AM
Came here to celebrate. Just hit $750K net worth today (and see the note below for why this is an especially huge deal for ol' ToughMother!)
We started tracking and aggressively working on this, here are our benchmarks:
4/3/14 $430k (start)
9/19/14 $500k
11/6/14 $550k
5/9/15 $600k
4/13/16 $650k
9/7/16 $700k
5/6/17 $750k
We also paid cash for major house remodeling ($48k) and started to pay for a wedding between oct 2016 and this month (with another $20K wedding costs to come between now and october). Neither of us make a ton, but we're rocking it.
MMM mentality to the rescue! (BTW, truly a rescue for me -- I was out of the workforce for 8 years due to meningitis and recovery. I'm grateful I never went bankrupt even though I dealt with huge medical bills, no income, no family support. So working now and being able to put money away is a big deal even though age-wise, I'm way behind many of you.)
Nice work, ToughMother!! Very happy for you.
That's a hell of an expensive wedding...yikes!
Post by: dougules on May 08, 2017, 11:04:11 AM
Came here to celebrate. Just hit $750K net worth today (and see the note below for why this is an especially huge deal for ol' ToughMother!)
We started tracking and aggressively working on this, here are our benchmarks:
4/3/14 $430k (start)
9/19/14 $500k
11/6/14 $550k
5/9/15 $600k
4/13/16 $650k
9/7/16 $700k
5/6/17 $750k
We also paid cash for major house remodeling ($48k) and started to pay for a wedding between oct 2016 and this month (with another $20K wedding costs to come between now and october). Neither of us make a ton, but we're rocking it.
MMM mentality to the rescue! (BTW, truly a rescue for me -- I was out of the workforce for 8 years due to meningitis and recovery. I'm grateful I never went bankrupt even though I dealt with huge medical bills, no income, no family support. So working now and being able to put money away is a big deal even though age-wise, I'm way behind many of you.)
Congrats. You're still way ahead of the average Joe/Jane.
Post by: ToughMother on May 13, 2017, 07:33:27 AM
author=dougules link=topic=3488.msg1544451#msg1544451 date=1494263051
Quote
Congrats. You're still way ahead of the average Joe/Jane.
Thanks a mil (3/4 that is), dougules!!! Appreciate the support from fellow/ette Badasses!
Post by: ToughMother on May 13, 2017, 07:41:03 AM
Nice work, ToughMother!! Very happy for you.
That's a hell of an expensive wedding...yikes!
Hi NinetyFour and thanks for the kudos. I know you are on a similar trajectory. I know you carefully spend in your areas of great joy like camping and hiking. We do too but we're more homebodies and love the outdoors too (minus the camping part). So we spend our hard-earned money on the things that make us happy like our house and our wedding with dear friends and family from all over the country.
There will be fabulous food, music, flowers, dancing, bonfire, and mountains to enjoy together with friends and family from our whole lives. We're getting many great deals for the shindig we're putting on and couldn't be happier to spend the money that we saved for this experience. Could we have done a quicky wedding for <$100? Of course. But this is an experience that we're both looking forward to (followed by a trip to Italy the next year once we save up again). Everything cash!!
Post by: Pooperman on May 13, 2017, 09:32:22 AM
Post by: Inaya on May 15, 2017, 02:33:15 PM
We will pass the $100k mark on Monday morning when I get paid. Took us just under 3 years to go from no savings and a car (worth about $8k at the time) to attaining a six-figure net worth.Congrats! That's a big milestone!
Post by: Pooperman on May 15, 2017, 03:54:49 PM
We will pass the $100k mark on Monday morning when I get paid. Took us just under 3 years to go from no savings and a car (worth about $8k at the time) to attaining a six-figure net worth.Congrats! That's a big milestone!
Thanks! Looks like $100,500 roughly as of day's end due to the markets. Very happy to finally cross that line. Investments lag behind at about $60k, but they'll catch up in another year or two.
Post by: Secretly Saving on May 15, 2017, 04:55:18 PM
On top of that, also thrilled to be refinancing a rental property with the same basic deal (down to from 30 yr to a 15 yr, decent drop in the rate etc) and due to property value increases, we are also now able own another rental out right by the end of the deal.
Yippee!
Post by: Izybat on May 16, 2017, 06:39:30 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on May 16, 2017, 07:17:26 PM
Nice work, ToughMother!! Very happy for you.
That's a hell of an expensive wedding...yikes!
Hi NinetyFour and thanks for the kudos. I know you are on a similar trajectory. I know you carefully spend in your areas of great joy like camping and hiking. We do too but we're more homebodies and love the outdoors too (minus the camping part). So we spend our hard-earned money on the things that make us happy like our house and our wedding with dear friends and family from all over the country.
There will be fabulous food, music, flowers, dancing, bonfire, and mountains to enjoy together with friends and family from our whole lives. We're getting many great deals for the shindig we're putting on and couldn't be happier to spend the money that we saved for this experience. Could we have done a quicky wedding for <$100? Of course. But this is an experience that we're both looking forward to (followed by a trip to Italy the next year once we save up again). Everything cash!!
Oh, I didn't realize it was YOUR wedding! Congratulations!! Sounds like it will be a wonderful event, and yes, by all means, if you want to spend money on that and it will make you happy and you can afford it, then go for it!! I hope that your wedding and your marriage are everything you are hoping for! :)
Post by: Pooperman on May 16, 2017, 07:39:39 PM
I just tallied it up and realized that my various 401Ks/TSPs/IRAs total up to over $100,000! I was expecting to hit it this year, but not until later. I can't believe I missed it until now.
Very nice!
Post by: Cookie78 on May 25, 2017, 05:38:45 AM
Post by: Sibley on May 26, 2017, 05:57:20 AM
Post by: NESailor on June 02, 2017, 01:12:28 PM
I bought a house! Closed on Monday, get possession today.
Congrats!
Post by: NESailor on June 02, 2017, 01:14:54 PM
Post by: dreadmoose on June 02, 2017, 01:20:24 PM
Sold my car yesterday! Used the profits to max my RRSP!
Congratulations! That's a huge one I've been toying with but talk myself out of every time eventually (one truck household, wife uses it way more and it's in great condition right now).
Post by: Rural on June 02, 2017, 08:30:43 PM
Post by: Freckles on June 02, 2017, 10:59:48 PM
Post by: dougules on June 03, 2017, 02:11:52 PM
Post by: Izybat on June 03, 2017, 03:40:09 PM
Holy Fuck! We're millionaires.
Congrats! That's seriously amazing. I can't wait to say that myself (though that is a long way off for us).
Post by: dougules on June 03, 2017, 04:52:40 PM
Holy Fuck! We're millionaires.
Congrats! That's seriously amazing. I can't wait to say that myself (though that is a long way off for us).
I thought it was for us, too. It came a lot quicker than I expected.
Post by: ToughMother on June 04, 2017, 05:45:01 PM
Holy Fuck! We're millionaires.
Holy Fuck indeed!!! A million congratulations!!! (Take us all to mustache school!)
Post by: MinnieAG on June 09, 2017, 09:20:36 AM
Post by: dougules on June 09, 2017, 10:49:25 AM
At 22 years old I reached a six figure net worth this week!!
Congrats. If you don't mind me asking, how did you get there so early?
Post by: CloserToFree on June 13, 2017, 09:04:08 AM
Post by: MinnieAG on June 19, 2017, 08:11:15 PM
At 22 years old I reached a six figure net worth this week!!
Congrats. If you don't mind me asking, how did you get there so early?
Not at all! A number of factors have fast-tracked my progress.
I graduated with my bachelor's degree in 2015 (with zero debt/student loans thanks to my parents). By this point, I had already saved up a good chunk of change from various jobs/internships as well as savings bonds received from grandparents growing up (~$15k). I got married that January, and my husband (25) had saved up roughly $30k between his Roth IRA and 401k. I landed a job in sales straight out of school, earning $60k + commission + phone + car (including gas and insurance... this really adds up!). We sold my car when I was given a company car and invested that money (~$10k). We invest nearly all of my salary, and a large chunk of my husband's $110k salary. It is certainly in our favor that our investments over the last year and a half have returns of 20%+... obviously this won't be the case every year.
We try to live conservatively as DINKs in preparation for the future. Within the next couple of years, we'd like to start a family, and I have the goal of staying home with our children. By not relying on my salary whatsoever, we will hopefully feel a bit more prepared if we become a one-salary household! :)
Post by: jengod on June 24, 2017, 12:48:53 AM
Post by: Trifle on June 24, 2017, 05:04:33 AM
This is a bit of an unusual celebration for this thread, but we are now the proud owners of a cargo bicycle. It has four seats for passengers and lots of room for cargo. Hoping to take the kids to activities in it, as well as going to pick up the chicken feed without having to "park." It was very expensive for a bicycle, but it was my 40th birthday present and it's much cheaper than almost any car.
Congratulations Jengod! That is awesome. And happy birthday!
Post by: espyfamoffour on June 28, 2017, 03:34:38 PM
- Convinced spouse to downsize home last year, and she admitted it's been easier to adjust than she thought. 175k in home equity with a very manageable mtg that I'm hoping to pay down asap. Sold it as a 2-3 year tryout, so she's already looking at RE again, but I'm hoping another year or 2 of lower taxes and financial flexibility helps her reconsider
- hit 200k+ in investments earlier this year (195 pre tax, 25k taxable)
- Committing max to 401k
- 2nd car debt done in 2018, no debt other than mtg!
- Wife going from .5 to .6 position for a healthy bump in salary (covers cost of increased child care)
All reasons to celebrate...woo hoo!
Post by: cloudsail on June 28, 2017, 05:48:25 PM
(Side note: I still vividly remember walking on my college campus with my friends and fantasizing about when one of us might make a million bucks. At the time, I thought it would take much longer than it did, but I also thought that I would feel much richer than I do. LOL)
Post by: wannabe-stache on July 10, 2017, 12:32:20 PM
Use this thread to post your mini-accomplishments so we can celebrate with you!
If you have a bigger accomplishment, feel free to start your own thread in the Share Your Badassity (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/) section of the forums, but for small milestones, things you just want to share with someone, but don't really have anyone to share it with (besides maybe your partner), toss em out there so we can celebrate with you!
This is kind of a "hello" to the MMM community and a general celebration post as well.
For years, i have asked "where did it go" after seeing our tax returns come in with pretty high AGI (both DW and I make good wages). We are pretty good savers, always maxing out 401K, but we spent so much money without thinking about the value. I probably have 20 bottles of wine in my house that cost us more than $150 per bottle just because we "could afford it".
I came across FI concepts 2 months ago and it really opened my eyes. In the last two months we have:
- moved all $ into low cost funds (50% was basically in cash and the others were sporadically invested in ETFs)
- Sold $1000s of stuff that was sitting around the house that we didn't need (bike racks, a guitar, TVs, etc)
- canceled cable
- started shopping at costco/target instead of running to the high priced grocery next door
- started budgeting and tracking everything in excel
- sold my 10mpg BMW X5 yesterday and bought a used CR-V that gets 34 mpg highway. i was grinning from ear to ear as i watched the MPG meter driving home yesterday.
- started taking the train to work and jogging home (around 5 miles but i am a runner so that's not a long distance)
- cancelled 2 $160/month equinox memberships
- cut out countless other expenses
- got a free breadmaker and make our own bread (still not coming out right)
- we determined that even with all the "mistakes" we made, and even though we are expecting our first child in 10 days, we can both definitely retire very comfortably in 10 years max. if we followed the strict 4% SWR and cut back our expenses we could probably retire right now, in fact.
- the best part is that we are sharing with friends and family, to a limited extent. they think i have absolutely lost my mind.
Just wanted to say thanks to no one, and everyone, in particular. The best way to capture the feeling is "liberating".
Post by: dougules on July 10, 2017, 12:52:52 PM
Use this thread to post your mini-accomplishments so we can celebrate with you!
If you have a bigger accomplishment, feel free to start your own thread in the Share Your Badassity (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/) section of the forums, but for small milestones, things you just want to share with someone, but don't really have anyone to share it with (besides maybe your partner), toss em out there so we can celebrate with you!
This is kind of a "hello" to the MMM community and a general celebration post as well.
For years, i have asked "where did it go" after seeing our tax returns come in with pretty high AGI (both DW and I make good wages). We are pretty good savers, always maxing out 401K, but we spent so much money without thinking about the value. I probably have 20 bottles of wine in my house that cost us more than $150 per bottle just because we "could afford it".
I came across FI concepts 2 months ago and it really opened my eyes. In the last two months we have:
- moved all $ into low cost funds (50% was basically in cash and the others were sporadically invested in ETFs)
- Sold $1000s of stuff that was sitting around the house that we didn't need (bike racks, a guitar, TVs, etc)
- canceled cable
- started shopping at costco/target instead of running to the high priced grocery next door
- started budgeting and tracking everything in excel
- sold my 10mpg BMW X5 yesterday and bought a used CR-V that gets 34 mpg highway. i was grinning from ear to ear as i watched the MPG meter driving home yesterday.
- started taking the train to work and jogging home (around 5 miles but i am a runner so that's not a long distance)
- cancelled 2 $160/month equinox memberships
- cut out countless other expenses
- got a free breadmaker and make our own bread (still not coming out right)
- we determined that even with all the "mistakes" we made, and even though we are expecting our first child in 10 days, we can both definitely retire very comfortably in 10 years max. if we followed the strict 4% SWR and cut back our expenses we could probably retire right now, in fact.
- the best part is that we are sharing with friends and family, to a limited extent. they think i have absolutely lost my mind.
Just wanted to say thanks to no one, and everyone, in particular. The best way to capture the feeling is "liberating".
Congrats. You should add
- got excited about doing it
Post by: Izybat on July 11, 2017, 04:07:14 AM
We've managed to pay off all three of our credit cards in the last 7 months (probably close to $20,000). I can't believe it. Now, the only thing remaining is a car loan (I'm not counting the mortgage).
Post by: Trifle on July 11, 2017, 04:16:45 AM
Welcome Wannabe-Stache! Congrats on the turnaround -- and congrats on your soon-to-be first child!
Post by: 1967mama on July 11, 2017, 06:31:17 AM
Post by: plainjane on July 11, 2017, 07:21:42 AM
- we determined that even with all the "mistakes" we made, and even though we are expecting our first child in 10 days, we can both definitely retire very comfortably in 10 years max. if we followed the strict 4% SWR and cut back our expenses we could probably retire right now, in fact.
[...]
Just wanted to say thanks to no one, and everyone, in particular. The best way to capture the feeling is "liberating".
Congratulations on the new addition!
Post by: Check2400 on July 11, 2017, 10:26:36 AM
Weird to think that if I include my much smaller (~25K) taxable accounts, I could not save another dime and retire at 'normal'
retirement age a millionaire.
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on July 12, 2017, 03:53:27 PM
I hadn't updated SO's investment property value for two years, and the adjustment last night pushed our networth to over $1million.
That is bananas.
(That includes our house, FIRE isn't a goal for him (yet), and I won't do anything until I'm sure my individual numbers will stand on their own, but if all the shit hit the fan at once we would probably be FI and that's kind of blowing my mind.)
Post by: Exflyboy on July 13, 2017, 10:48:37 AM
For the first time in 14+ years (even longer for my husband)... We have no credit card debt!!!!!!
We've managed to pay off all three of our credit cards in the last 7 months (probably close to $20,000). I can't believe it. Now, the only thing remaining is a car loan (I'm not counting the mortgage).
Soon you will be able to do the "debt free scream"....:)
Congrats so far.
Post by: caseyzee on July 14, 2017, 01:39:38 PM
I know most people say it's no big deal, but I swear I have tears of joy and I'm just so grateful to be where I am. I'm a lucky, lucky person.
Disclaimer - I am old, especially for this site. I'm 51. I calculate my net worth quarterly, and just crossed over with the last check in.
I'm so grateful because I truly feel like I've had some challenges. My Mom had a stroke when I was 26. She was only 52. And my siblings and I supported her for the next 20 years through ever more complex living arrangements - starting at assisted living and graduating to a full scale nursing home. Yeah, that shit's not cheap. But, you deal with the life you have, I guess, and she had as good a 20 years as you can have in those circumstances.
10 years ago I had a pair of twins, and I've always been the sole parent. Their birth coincided with the stock market downturn and with childcare costs, I had to reduce my 401k contributions down to just 5%. I still regret that one. Really regret it. But, I try to shovel as much as I can in now.
I'm fairly spendy, due mostly to time constraints I think. I don't shop at a grocery store unless it is between work and home. I spend money on pre chopped mirepoix, rather than chopping myself, again to save time, yada, yada.
I'm at about 22% home equity, the rest retirement type savings. Unfortunately, I don't see myself being able to retire until my house is paid off. I've got 8.5 more years to go. I live in a fairly HCOL area and my 1080 squares costs me just over $3000 a month for PITI. I work in a dying industry and I hope to ride this train til the end, but it's possible we won't make it for those 8.5 years. If that happens, I'll explore moving to a LCOL area and calling it a day, healthcare willing.
Post by: Sibley on July 14, 2017, 08:00:18 PM
I love having friends near me :)
Post by: Exflyboy on July 14, 2017, 11:34:24 PM
I'm a millionaire!
I know most people say it's no big deal, but I swear I have tears of joy and I'm just so grateful to be where I am. I'm a lucky, lucky person.
Disclaimer - I am old, especially for this site. I'm 51. I calculate my net worth quarterly, and just crossed over with the last check in.
I'm so grateful because I truly feel like I've had some challenges. My Mom had a stroke when I was 26. She was only 52. And my siblings and I supported her for the next 20 years through ever more complex living arrangements - starting at assisted living and graduating to a full scale nursing home. Yeah, that shit's not cheap. But, you deal with the life you have, I guess, and she had as good a 20 years as you can have in those circumstances.
10 years ago I had a pair of twins, and I've always been the sole parent. Their birth coincided with the stock market downturn and with childcare costs, I had to reduce my 401k contributions down to just 5%. I still regret that one. Really regret it. But, I try to shovel as much as I can in now.
I'm fairly spendy, due mostly to time constraints I think. I don't shop at a grocery store unless it is between work and home. I spend money on pre chopped mirepoix, rather than chopping myself, again to save time, yada, yada.
I'm at about 22% home equity, the rest retirement type savings. Unfortunately, I don't see myself being able to retire until my house is paid off. I've got 8.5 more years to go. I live in a fairly HCOL area and my 1080 squares costs me just over $3000 a month for PITI. I work in a dying industry and I hope to ride this train til the end, but it's possible we won't make it for those 8.5 years. If that happens, I'll explore moving to a LCOL area and calling it a day, healthcare willing.
You have done superbly well.. 99% of the population will never be in your position.. Very well done!
Post by: HPstache on July 15, 2017, 07:54:50 AM
Post by: MoMan on July 17, 2017, 07:37:44 AM
Alas, it is temporary: 2 weeks ago I was informed that two of my older root canals were failing and must be replaced with implants. Total bill: $12k before insurance (which may cover up to $2.5k). But that is just the reason we all strive to maintain proper emergency savings, so now I will reluctantly dip into my HSA for the first time ever.
Also, for reference to younger folks who might feel $1M is unobtainable:
I am 52 years old. My savings rate is currently about 37%. Base salary $68k. No kids, no dependents and my only debt is $10k left on the mortgage. Many of you are likely in a better position than I was at your age.
--M
Post by: Exflyboy on July 17, 2017, 10:29:11 AM
It's official! I added up my investable assets and the total this morning crossed the one-million mark. That is one digit more (with the penny decimal places) than my puny, handheld calculator will display.
Alas, it is temporary: 2 weeks ago I was informed that two of my older root canals were failing and must be replaced with implants. Total bill: $12k before insurance (which may cover up to $2.5k). But that is just the reason we all strive to maintain proper emergency savings, so now I will reluctantly dip into my HSA for the first time ever.
Also, for reference to younger folks who might feel $1M is unobtainable:
I am 52 years old. My savings rate is currently about 37%. Base salary $68k. No kids, no dependents and my only debt is $10k left on the mortgage. Many of you are likely in a better position than I was at your age.
--M
Congrats on the $1M...Have you thought of taking a trip abroad for the implants?.. lots of references should be available for great foreign dentists in Thailand, Mexico etc.
Post by: caseyzee on July 17, 2017, 11:09:46 AM
Quote
You have done superbly well.. 99% of the population will never be in your position.. Very well done!
Thank you! I really appreciate where I am, it feels like a relief.
Post by: MoMan on July 17, 2017, 02:02:38 PM
Have you thought of taking a trip abroad for the implants?
The deed is already done and the credit card already charged.
Post by: Inaya on July 19, 2017, 12:47:39 PM
Post by: couponvan on July 19, 2017, 05:50:36 PM
Ok, this is dumb, but for me it counts. I finally live somewhere where I can post on FB that I could use a 2nd pair of hands for 5 minutes on a Saturday to help me do something really easy, and I got a response within 10 minutes from a friend, she's coming tomorrow. And another friend posted 5 minutes later that if it falls through, he'll turn up.I am happy for you - friends nearby make a huge difference.
I love having friends near me :)
Post by: caseyzee on July 20, 2017, 06:44:17 AM
Quote
I received notice that I just got my first patent! It is work related, but still pretty cool!
This is the coolest thing ever. This was on my bucket list when I was a young engineer, but I never made it happen. Good for you!
Post by: DarkandStormy on July 21, 2017, 12:58:34 PM
Post by: dougules on July 21, 2017, 03:09:50 PM
Hit $100k stash! (It may be back to $99.9k after the markets close this afternoon.)
Great! You'll be surprised how fast the next $100k will go. (And let's hope your stash goes back down so your next purchase is cheaper!)
Post by: GettingThere on August 04, 2017, 07:51:55 AM
If you are wondering why debts is positive, I overpaid my credit card by 7$!
Yay! already semi retired but this feels great!
Post by: DarkandStormy on August 10, 2017, 01:55:36 PM
Hit $100k stash! (It may be back to $99.9k after the markets close this afternoon.)
Great! You'll be surprised how fast the next $100k will go. (And let's hope your stash goes back down so your next purchase is cheaper!)
Back under $100k! Do I get to celebrate twice?
Post by: Zaga on August 10, 2017, 04:59:58 PM
Hell yeah you do!Hit $100k stash! (It may be back to $99.9k after the markets close this afternoon.)
Great! You'll be surprised how fast the next $100k will go. (And let's hope your stash goes back down so your next purchase is cheaper!)
Back under $100k! Do I get to celebrate twice?
Post by: bigchrisb on August 10, 2017, 09:24:31 PM
Post by: Snow on August 11, 2017, 12:53:48 AM
Gave notice to my employer, 7 weeks to go. FIRE is getting real! Very exciting!
Congrats! On to a brave new life!
I just made a spreadsheet to keep track of my net worth. It looks barren with only today's data entries, but it's a start!
Post by: hred17 on August 14, 2017, 08:55:56 AM
I will be increasing my base salary by $55k (yes, $55k!), I will receive an annual bonus up to and possibly exceeding 30% of my base with an equal amount of RSUs on top of that on a relatively quick vesting schedule, all topped off with amazing benefits.
I have been working for a terrible boss for awhile now. On top of that, the job I am in now was completely misrepresented to me (as was it's earning potential) when I was being recruited for it and I quickly realized I was overqualified and severely underpaid (and under appreciated) once I was in the role.
I am so proud of myself for knowing my worth and fighting for it. This new job and salary will be a complete game-changer for my family and our FI future. I am pretty damn happy right now! I will officially be accepting the offer today. :)
Post by: Chrissy on August 14, 2017, 12:10:07 PM
Post by: dougules on August 14, 2017, 03:43:25 PM
I am still processing the offer for a new job I received on Friday after a 3-month long interviewing process. I think I am still a bit in shock!
I will be increasing my base salary by $55k (yes, $55k!), I will receive an annual bonus up to and possibly exceeding 30% of my base with an equal amount of RSUs on top of that on a relatively quick vesting schedule, all topped off with amazing benefits.
I have been working for a terrible boss for awhile now. On top of that, the job I am in now was completely misrepresented to me (as was it's earning potential) when I was being recruited for it and I quickly realized I was overqualified and severely underpaid (and under appreciated) once I was in the role.
I am so proud of myself for knowing my worth and fighting for it. This new job and salary will be a complete game-changer for my family and our FI future. I am pretty damn happy right now! I will officially be accepting the offer today. :)
Kudos!
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on August 15, 2017, 02:28:48 PM
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on August 18, 2017, 04:33:20 PM
Post by: HappierAtHome on August 18, 2017, 09:29:17 PM
Got my tax assessment today and I have officially paid off my HECS! (Australian student loan system).
Congrats!
Post by: dragoncar on August 20, 2017, 02:10:18 AM
My net invested assets (non-house, non-super) went over $250,000 the past week.
We need a system that sets off alarm bells an balloon drops for each milestone (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/the-waiting-is-the-hardest-part/msg51585/#msg51585)
Maybe someone can start a celebrations thread!
Ps congrats Marty, the guy who started it all
Post by: Cache_Stash on August 23, 2017, 02:02:24 PM
FIRE'd
Post by: Cache_Stash on August 23, 2017, 02:03:56 PM
:)
Post by: DarkandStormy on August 24, 2017, 02:43:38 PM
Hit $100k stash! (It may be back to $99.9k after the markets close this afternoon.)
After some back and forth with market fluctuations, contributions have pushed me over $100k a bit more firmly now. If the markets drop >1% again, I'll be very close to $99.9K again though.
Post by: dreadmoose on August 24, 2017, 05:38:50 PM
100K is what I'm shooting at right now too, congratulations on making it!
Post by: MommyCake on September 08, 2017, 04:24:52 AM
I only had a 5-o-clock shadow for AGES.....
Post by: Geophine on September 10, 2017, 08:20:39 AM
I cut my weekly food budget in half by cooking for myself and bringing lunch to work
Congrats to the recently FIRE'd ppl. You are my heroes!!
Gave notice to my employer, 7 weeks to go. FIRE is getting real! Very exciting!
Analyze my signature line.
FIRE'd
Post by: Geophine on September 11, 2017, 09:22:36 AM
Post by: arebelspy on September 11, 2017, 10:43:01 PM
My net invested assets (non-house, non-super) went over $250,000 the past week.
We need a system that sets off alarm bells an balloon drops for each milestone (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/the-waiting-is-the-hardest-part/msg51585/#msg51585)
Maybe someone can start a celebrations thread!
Ps congrats Marty, the guy who started it all
Your recall is amazing.
Congrats marty!
Post by: HappierAtHome on September 11, 2017, 11:17:52 PM
Post by: arebelspy on September 12, 2017, 12:14:25 AM
Two commas.
Nice. That's a fun one. :D
Post by: Geophine on September 12, 2017, 06:25:07 AM
My work is actually offering free finance webinars for their non-finance employees!!! Free education on accounting and how to read the finances of big cooperations. So cool. And I thought this job was a road to nowhere...
a great day to you all.
Post by: HappierAtHome on September 12, 2017, 06:48:09 AM
Two commas.
Nice. That's a fun one. :D
Especially when it comes just a few months after becoming a parent, and less than a month before I turn 30! What a momentous year this will have been.
Post by: HappierAtHome on September 12, 2017, 11:45:16 AM
I realized today that my net worth has overtaken my total lifetime earnings so far!
And with that, I've hit my bare bones FI number. Just before I turn 30 too.
That just made my day. :D
That's huge!! Congratulations!
Post by: bigchrisb on September 12, 2017, 05:44:50 PM
Especially when it comes just a few months after becoming a parent, and less than a month before I turn 30! What a momentous year this will have been.
Well done, that's awesome!
Post by: arebelspy on September 12, 2017, 05:57:56 PM
I realized today that my net worth has overtaken my total lifetime earnings so far!
And with that, I've hit my bare bones FI number. Just before I turn 30 too.
That just made my day. :D
Wow, both those are huge!
The former was one of my 5 Financial Goals (https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/arebelspy's-5-financial-goals/) (number 3), and the latter was a big milestone for me, too.
Nice work! :)
Post by: CloserToFree on September 20, 2017, 06:46:11 PM
Especially when it comes just a few months after becoming a parent, and less than a month before I turn 30! What a momentous year this will have been.
Congrats Happier!! Such a huge accomplishment amidst other major life milestones!!
Post by: jengod on September 24, 2017, 02:37:17 PM
* checked an investment account and saw a transaction adding $1,700 in long-term cap gains and dividends to the account
Post by: Counting_Down on October 03, 2017, 12:18:47 PM
90d average: up $1,010.63/day (368,879.95 annualized)
6 mo average: up $804.60/day (293,679.00 annualized)
1/1/2017-date: up $950.62/day (346,976.30 annualized)
Also calculated passive income hourly rate:
Based on a rebel spy's method (1700 hrs per year for average worker): $21.76/hr
Based on my own 250 working days/yr @8 hr days: $18.50/hr
2 years to go!
Post by: shadesofgreen on October 05, 2017, 11:37:37 AM
My mom passed in early June and I have been paying for the lot fee and utilities and insurance on her MF home since out of her account. Her place finally sold and now I don't have to worry about $600+ dollars owing every month. She really didn't have a estate so I am grateful that October is good and now all I need to concern myself with is the probate and taxes next year. I was starting to sweat about having enough in the account to pay for things.
Post by: onionscelerypeppers on October 05, 2017, 12:05:56 PM
Post by: FI4good on October 07, 2017, 02:15:38 PM
Post by: semiretired31 on October 09, 2017, 09:09:48 AM
Post by: DarkandStormy on October 10, 2017, 09:18:18 AM
Post by: EconDiva on October 10, 2017, 10:50:33 AM
Turned down a promotion that would have increased compensation by about 25% and made my life a misery. No regrets, no angst. I wouldn't have minded the money, but we don't need it.
Excellent feeling knowing exactly what you want, when is 'enough', and what means the most to you in life.
Congrats!
Post by: Slinky on October 10, 2017, 12:05:50 PM
That was an unplanned transition, but it's working pretty well so far thanks to savings + living below one's means, so I still managed to send off one last contribution to my Roth IRA and max it for the year. This is the first year I'll be maxing my 401k and Roth and it feels awesome!
Post by: DaKini on October 13, 2017, 12:47:01 AM
For all crpssing the 100k, it really starts to snowball from there. I couldnt believe this around 2015 when i crossed that line.
Post by: Dollar Slice on October 13, 2017, 08:12:08 AM
And then today when my paycheck was direct deposited, my NW crossed $300k! Double hooray! My NW has increased significantly more than my total take-home pay adds up to, YTD. It feels kind of weird to work hard at a full time job and then your money is making a higher salary than you by just sitting in a Vanguard account.
Post by: semiretired31 on October 16, 2017, 02:01:49 PM
Double comma on total NW!
A ways to go on investments, so I'll be back for that one in a year or two. I know it's no different from $999k, but there's something to be said for psychological validation of your habits.
I totally get it. I was hovering around $298k in investments for like 6 weeks. Finally hit $300k and it was a nice boost (even if it didn't mean anything).
Post by: CloserToFree on October 18, 2017, 07:58:47 AM
...our investments total over $1m!!!
It's a good thing I'm working from home today, otherwise I'd be walking around the office with a huge smile on my face all day! Woohoo! This doesn't count our son's 529 plan, our home equity, or the value of our property abroad. We found MMM in 2013 and at that point had about $350k in investments, so to basically triple that in 4 years feels pretty awesome (although I know many on here have made more dramatic progress, and you all inspire me). I'm so thankful for MMM and this entire community - without it, who knows what sort of facepunch-worthy life we'd be leading right now. Thanks everyone!
Post by: dougules on October 20, 2017, 10:47:46 AM
Really excited to announce that when I did our monthly finances update this morning....
...our investments total over $1m!!!
It's a good thing I'm working from home today, otherwise I'd be walking around the office with a huge smile on my face all day! Woohoo! This doesn't count our son's 529 plan, our home equity, or the value of our property abroad. We found MMM in 2013 and at that point had about $350k in investments, so to basically triple that in 4 years feels pretty awesome (although I know many on here have made more dramatic progress, and you all inspire me). I'm so thankful for MMM and this entire community - without it, who knows what sort of facepunch-worthy life we'd be leading right now. Thanks everyone!
Congrats! We hit that a few months ago, too, and it still is not real to me. My husband ran the numbers, and when he told me the grand total I was dumbfounded and in shock for the next couple of days. It's so exciting. I wish more people could turn their finances around and get to experience it.
Post by: 99to1percent on October 27, 2017, 06:28:20 PM
We have also decided to re-launch the product and put some effort into marketing it. Hopefully, it goes well. Fingers crossed.
Post by: DieHard_772 on October 29, 2017, 01:39:03 PM
My husband ran the numbers, and when he told me the grand total I was dumbfounded and in shock for the next couple of days. It's so exciting. I wish more people could turn their finances around and get to experience it.
My wife are on our way! We are eager to experience it too.
Post by: DieHard_772 on October 29, 2017, 01:41:15 PM
Hit $100k stash! (It may be back to $99.9k after the markets close this afternoon.)
That is awesome, congratulations.
I am looking forward to us getting there as soon as we can too
Post by: katstache92 on November 01, 2017, 08:22:13 AM
Once the transfer goes through I'll also have broken through $140k. Woot!
For any other "it's going to be hard/annoying/time consuming" procrastinators out there, opening the account was super simple and way less painful than I thought it would be. Good job Vanguard.
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on November 01, 2017, 01:44:43 PM
My celebration is that my SO has pretty much finished paying off his half of our mortgage! (We use offset accounts, not sure if that is just an Australian thing, so the line is a bit fuzzy).
That money will now be funnelled into the stash. It really feels like things are picking up speed now!
Post by: HappierAtHome on November 01, 2017, 05:18:48 PM
Nice work katshache!
My celebration is that my SO has pretty much finished paying off his half of our mortgage! (We use offset accounts, not sure if that is just an Australian thing, so the line is a bit fuzzy).
That money will now be funnelled into the stash. It really feels like things are picking up speed now!
Congrats chasingthegoodlife!
Offset accounts are just an Aussie thing - and if you talk about "paying off" your mortgage confused Americans will tell you it's not the optimal choice :-P
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on November 01, 2017, 08:19:44 PM
thanks HAH. Perhaps I should say ‘we now have a fully funded emergency fund and no mortgage expense’.
Post by: Mrs. D. on November 05, 2017, 08:20:27 PM
Post by: Morning Glory on November 09, 2017, 02:21:58 PM
Post by: stealthwealth on November 09, 2017, 04:38:25 PM
My household's net worth crossed the $1M mark for the first time today - I'm 39 and my wife is a couple years younger. Our home equity is about $120k of that - I don't think it will feel real until that number is in a single account, or at least all in liquid assets. It could go back below in the morning, but tonight that milestone stands. Still a weird feeling - I don't *feel* like I'm a millionnaire, but yet...I somehow am.
Post by: LD_TAndK on November 13, 2017, 05:08:25 AM
Just finished my first year bike commuting. I biked 187/238 working days ( ~78.5%) for 2940 miles! That's almost a cross country bike trip.
Post by: dreadmoose on November 13, 2017, 04:00:12 PM
Just finished my first year bike commuting. I biked 187/238 working days ( ~78.5%) for 2940 miles! That's almost a cross country bike trip.
Congratulations, that's an amazing achievement and a long commute at ~15.7 miles per day! At 78.5% it looks like you must have biked even in inclement weather lots, nice work.
Post by: CogentCap on November 14, 2017, 08:56:25 AM
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on November 14, 2017, 12:05:01 PM
Post by: Lews Therin on November 14, 2017, 12:19:26 PM
Congratulations everyone! I just hit a milestone of my own:
Just finished my first year bike commuting. I biked 187/238 working days ( ~78.5%) for 2940 miles! That's almost a cross country bike trip.
That's impressive! I'm at 6 drives to work since August, but that streak will come to an end very soon. Do you bike in winter too?
Post by: LadyDividend on November 14, 2017, 01:16:40 PM
I just opened and funded (with $3k) my first non-tax sheltered Vanguard account.
Once the transfer goes through I'll also have broken through $140k. Woot!
Good stuff! That means that perhaps you have maxed out your tax sheltered accounts? Pretty damn inspiring!
Post by: LD_TAndK on November 15, 2017, 10:34:44 AM
That's impressive! I'm at 6 drives to work since August, but that streak will come to an end very soon. Do you bike in winter too?
I'm in Maryland so the winters are mild and I can bike. But we do get alot of rain and I skip those days. How's the biking season up there?
Post by: zephyr911 on November 21, 2017, 10:12:44 AM
1) Reached an agreement in principle to merge my two real estate startups into a bigger, stronger, faster company with $800K in assets and another $800K pending purchase in Dec/Jan. This will provide enough supplemental income to ensure I navigate the early stages of FIRE without a cash crunch, while my investments compound up to full FI.
2) Gave notice to quit my full-time govt job before Christmas. Age 39 and 5 months, time in workforce 17 years.
Post by: G-dog on November 21, 2017, 10:33:38 AM
Both happened yesterday:
1) Reached an agreement in principle to merge my two real estate startups into a bigger, stronger, faster company with $800K in assets and another $800K pending purchase in Dec/Jan. This will provide enough supplemental income to ensure I navigate the early stages of FIRE without a cash crunch, while my investments compound up to full FI.
2) Gave notice to quit my full-time govt job before Christmas. Age 39 and 5 months, time in workforce 17 years.
Ooh! Big, big, BIG! Congrats.
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on November 21, 2017, 12:20:35 PM
Post by: couponvan on November 21, 2017, 12:47:04 PM
Post by: Freedom2016 on November 21, 2017, 07:22:04 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on November 21, 2017, 07:23:00 PM
Post by: BFGirl on November 22, 2017, 07:58:35 AM
Post by: BFGirl on November 22, 2017, 08:00:44 AM
We crossed the $1 million net worth mark today! Kind of exciting. :)
Congratulations!
Post by: dougules on November 22, 2017, 11:12:00 AM
We crossed the $1 million net worth mark today! Kind of exciting. :)
Only kind of? Congrats!
Post by: couponvan on November 23, 2017, 02:25:00 PM
Mint just showed my net worth at 1.5 million :)
Congratulations - what date did you cross the $1.0M mark? Just curious if it was as much shorter for you as it was for us. I think it took 13-14 years for the first $1.0, and then only 3-4 for the next $.5...
Post by: Slinky on November 27, 2017, 10:30:02 AM
Both happened yesterday:
1) Reached an agreement in principle to merge my two real estate startups into a bigger, stronger, faster company with $800K in assets and another $800K pending purchase in Dec/Jan. This will provide enough supplemental income to ensure I navigate the early stages of FIRE without a cash crunch, while my investments compound up to full FI.
2) Gave notice to quit my full-time govt job before Christmas. Age 39 and 5 months, time in workforce 17 years.
NICE.
Post by: dougules on December 01, 2017, 11:07:44 AM
Post by: Joggernot on December 01, 2017, 04:09:49 PM
Post by: dougules on December 04, 2017, 11:29:07 AM
We were directly affected by Hurricane Harvey. Since that time I (we) have been working with contractors, insurance inspectors, adjusters, agents, FEMA, TWIA, remote document reviewers, etc. trying to get enough money to cover our losses (minus deductibles, of course). Finally, yesterday's visit to TWIA (insurance) and subsequent call to the remote document reviewer resulted in a 20% increase in the amount they originally authorized. Win!
That sounds like a nice pick-me-up after a hard time.
Post by: Trifle on December 07, 2017, 04:37:36 AM
1) We recently passed over the $1M mark for NW, and are now chugging for $1M in investments. Planning t FIRE in August of 2019 if all continues according to plan.
2) Today is 2 years in remission from my cancer. Happy cancer-versary to me. :) Feeling very well and living each day with gratitude.
Post by: NinetyFour on December 07, 2017, 06:01:30 AM
Post by: jengod on December 09, 2017, 07:58:16 PM
It's just nice to see the snowball power of long-term investing and whatnot!
Post by: FirePaddle on December 11, 2017, 05:52:58 PM
We joined the double comma club today! Our house is worth ~$220k with ~75k left on the loan, so we're feeling good about those too! I think our FIRE number is somewhere between, well, $1M and $1.4M, depending on where we live, but we're thinking about part timing it soon to ease into it. Exciting!
Well, thanks to Mr. Market and our 69% savings rate, we're now at over $1M invested + our house + our stuff! Man, it's going to be a transition moving to spending instead of saving. Plan is still to switch to part time at some point...
Post by: zephyr911 on December 12, 2017, 08:07:43 AM
We joined the double comma club today! Our house is worth ~$220k with ~75k left on the loan, so we're feeling good about those too! I think our FIRE number is somewhere between, well, $1M and $1.4M, depending on where we live, but we're thinking about part timing it soon to ease into it. Exciting!
Well, thanks to Mr. Market and our 69% savings rate, we're now at over $1M invested + our house + our stuff! Man, it's going to be a transition moving to spending instead of saving. Plan is still to switch to part time at some point...
I support the phased plan. Give yourself time to adjust. :)
Three more days till I never work a full-time job again unless I'm bored enough to go looking for one. Holy shit. Thanks MMM and community.
Post by: caseyzee on December 12, 2017, 09:23:35 AM
Quote
I support the phased plan. Give yourself time to adjust. :)
Three more days till I never work a full-time job again unless I'm bored enough to go looking for one. Holy shit. Thanks MMM and community.
Congratulations Zephyr - that is super exciting!
Quote
Quote from: FirePaddle on December 11, 2017, 05:52:58 PM
Quote from: FirePaddle on January 25, 2017, 04:34:46 PM
We joined the double comma club today! Our house is worth ~$220k with ~75k left on the loan, so we're feeling good about those too! I think our FIRE number is somewhere between, well, $1M and $1.4M, depending on where we live, but we're thinking about part timing it soon to ease into it. Exciting!
Well, thanks to Mr. Market and our 69% savings rate, we're now at over $1M invested + our house + our stuff! Man, it's going to be a transition moving to spending instead of saving. Plan is still to switch to part time at some point...
I like the phased idea too. I work in manufacturing, so that is an unlikely option for me in my current position, but I'm hopeful that by the time I ready to go, either our business has shrunk enough to support that, or I find another part time opportunity.
Post by: FirePaddle on December 12, 2017, 10:34:19 AM
QuoteI support the phased plan. Give yourself time to adjust. :)
Three more days till I never work a full-time job again unless I'm bored enough to go looking for one. Holy shit. Thanks MMM and community.
Congratulations Zephyr - that is super exciting!QuoteQuote from: FirePaddle on December 11, 2017, 05:52:58 PM
Quote from: FirePaddle on January 25, 2017, 04:34:46 PM
We joined the double comma club today! Our house is worth ~$220k with ~75k left on the loan, so we're feeling good about those too! I think our FIRE number is somewhere between, well, $1M and $1.4M, depending on where we live, but we're thinking about part timing it soon to ease into it. Exciting!
Well, thanks to Mr. Market and our 69% savings rate, we're now at over $1M invested + our house + our stuff! Man, it's going to be a transition moving to spending instead of saving. Plan is still to switch to part time at some point...
I like the phased idea too. I work in manufacturing, so that is an unlikely option for me in my current position, but I'm hopeful that by the time I ready to go, either our business has shrunk enough to support that, or I find another part time opportunity.
Yes, congrats Zephyr! That's super exciting!
Yea, to go to part time, I'll need to switch from a manager type position to something else, and I'm not exactly sure how that will work. I still have some technical skills, but nothing close to those I manage now. I might be able to still do the job I do now, but only for 3 days a week. I'd need to be much more efficient though. I do fantasize for those 4 day weekends, or not working more than working. The golden handcuffs are being felt though, but I'm at least aware they are there. I'll likely work until we get some amount of a buffer beyond 25x expenses. DW likes her job more than I do, so she'll likely work longer than me.
Post by: Exflyboy on December 13, 2017, 09:42:06 AM
Post by: diapasoun on December 13, 2017, 10:27:17 AM
Post by: dougules on December 13, 2017, 11:16:30 AM
Goodbye Roy Moore!....:)
Yay! Our state actually pulled off common decency for once.
Post by: ixtap on December 13, 2017, 04:33:05 PM
This also means that we are completely debt free, so rising interest rates will be in our favor, as long as the economy stays relatively strong.
Post by: happy on December 15, 2017, 04:15:08 AM
Post by: Cherry Lane on December 15, 2017, 08:43:48 PM
Post by: couponvan on December 15, 2017, 08:56:34 PM
I made my FI number today! 91 days before my planned RE.
Congratulations!!! When is RE? Or are you on the OMY path?
Post by: Cherry Lane on December 15, 2017, 09:05:51 PM
I made my FI number today! 91 days before my planned RE.
Congratulations!!! When is RE? Or are you on the OMY path?
Thanks! No OMY for me. RE is mid-March. I've been planning for that for 2 years, with no idea if I'd actually make FI by then.
Post by: Daisy on December 15, 2017, 09:27:04 PM
I made my FI number today! 91 days before my planned RE.
Congratulations!!! When is RE? Or are you on the OMY path?
Thanks! No OMY for me. RE is mid-March. I've been planning for that for 2 years, with no idea if I'd actually make FI by then.
Congratulations Cherry Lane! Now it's all smooth sailing until March 2018. It must feel nice!
Post by: G-dog on December 16, 2017, 05:44:06 AM
I made my FI number today! 91 days before my planned RE.
Congratulations!!! When is RE? Or are you on the OMY path?
Thanks! No OMY for me. RE is mid-March. I've been planning for that for 2 years, with no idea if I'd actually make FI by then.
Congratulations Cherry Lane! Now it's all smooth sailing until March 2018. It must feel nice!
Woohoo! Congratulations!
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on December 17, 2017, 12:51:47 PM
Post by: katstache92 on December 20, 2017, 12:50:45 PM
I just opened and funded (with $3k) my first non-tax sheltered Vanguard account.
Once the transfer goes through I'll also have broken through $140k. Woot!
Good stuff! That means that perhaps you have maxed out your tax sheltered accounts? Pretty damn inspiring!
Thank you! Yes! For the first time ever I'm saving more than my tax-sheltered max! Feels awesome.
Also, happened to check Vanguard yesterday and I'm over $150k total. I broke $100k on 1/16/17 which means that in less than a year I've saved more than 50% of what I started the year with, hooray. I know that probably won't ever really happen again, but it still makes me happy to think about.
Post by: Odiedog859 on December 20, 2017, 03:47:36 PM
We own our home ($800k value, paid $195k in 1993. This is in a very high cost of housing part of the country and is no McMansion by any means)
Plan is for retiring in June 2019. Lot's can happen between now and then but now at least don't feel hostage to working, which by itself is pretty nice. We discovered MMM late in the game but found we were had already adopted a lot of the principles. I steer people to this web site all the time.
Post by: NinetyFour on December 20, 2017, 09:04:58 PM
Post by: couponvan on December 22, 2017, 02:15:26 PM
Post by: ronsbusa3 on December 28, 2017, 02:31:55 PM
Congratulations everyone! I just hit a milestone of my own:That’s amazing. I hit 55 Days riding my bike to work (ebike) I started in July. I hope to hit 100 Days next year. Keep it up...
Just finished my first year bike commuting. I biked 187/238 working days ( ~78.5%) for 2940 miles! That's almost a cross country bike trip.
Post by: thedigitalone on January 10, 2018, 10:01:50 AM
That includes our home equity so the next goal is $1M liquid, only $393k to go. I suspect there will be a market correction before we get there, so I'd guess sometime in 2022.
-X
Post by: exige on January 11, 2018, 10:17:04 AM
Post by: asauer on January 13, 2018, 08:17:53 AM
Post by: Sibley on January 13, 2018, 02:03:07 PM
And, I remembered I have a tub of coolwhip in the fridge. I'm eating cool whip :)
Post by: simonkkkkk on January 14, 2018, 08:07:08 AM
Got the paperwork from my previous company re the pension plan. I had completely written this off because I had no idea what the rules were. I'm able to transfer the money out (rollover to IRA). So, basically, free money! Paperwork is done, just need to send it in and wait for processing.Congrats!!!!
And, I remembered I have a tub of coolwhip in the fridge. I'm eating cool whip :)
(http://goo.gl/gqqjFD)
(https://www.coinexchange.io/?r=6b25e44b)
(https://www.litebit.eu?referrer=253890)
Post by: Zamboni on January 14, 2018, 09:19:10 AM
Next goal is $1MM in market securities.
Post by: NinetyFour on January 14, 2018, 09:41:27 AM
Post by: Zamboni on January 14, 2018, 07:17:45 PM
I was not expecting this in January. The first half of this month in the market has been ridiculous.
Post by: HappierAtHome on January 14, 2018, 11:29:53 PM
I joined the double-comma club at close of trading today :)
Congrats ozbeach!
Post by: Zamboni on January 15, 2018, 05:28:37 AM
Post by: newgirl on January 15, 2018, 06:57:34 AM
Post by: couponvan on January 15, 2018, 09:24:48 AM
By selling a bunch of crap I didn't need I paid off CC#1 3 months ahead of schedule! CC#2 is in my sights now, already sent an extra $500 payment this month and planning to send another $500 with my next paycheck. I originally was aiming to have this balance paid off by September of this year but now I'm feeling invigorated and my new goal is to pay it off by the end of May. Time to find more crap to sell!Congratulations!!! You can do this!!!
Post by: couponvan on January 15, 2018, 09:31:56 AM
Post by: jakegu3 on January 16, 2018, 02:59:31 PM
I didn't want it to be about the new salary compared to what I have been making, but rather about the results I'm providing on large projects I'm working on, to see if the company values me at market value. So I phrased it that way when asking and my boss and his boss are both going to bat for me to try to make it happen.
Got the confidence to ask by reading here on the forum, so thanks!
Post by: Sister C on January 16, 2018, 06:36:45 PM
Post by: Tuskalusa on January 16, 2018, 07:05:45 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on January 16, 2018, 07:38:04 PM
Just quit my job! We ran the numbers and realized that one of us could FIRE! Weird to think that I really don’t have to work again if I don’t want to. Gonna enjoy time with the family. Thanks to the MMM community for helping me get my priorities in order!
Woo Hoo!! Congratulations!!
Post by: jengod on January 25, 2018, 11:34:02 PM
Post by: shadesofgreen on January 26, 2018, 11:38:49 AM
Crossed $200,000 mark in Fidelity account. Nice to the odometer roll over after hanging in the 190s for a while.
Congrats! I am right there with you on crossing the 200K barrier.
Post by: Riff on January 28, 2018, 03:47:58 PM
Post by: dougules on January 29, 2018, 11:49:45 AM
We just crossed $500k in our investments! Took us a long time to get here, but the little green minions are doing the heavy lifting now.
Congrats. You've got a lot of momentum up now.
Post by: chaskavitch on January 29, 2018, 12:15:20 PM
Post by: shadesofgreen on January 30, 2018, 10:22:05 AM
Woo, I just got a completely unexpected promotion to a new position in my department! It comes with almost a $10,000 raise, so I'm upping my 401k contributions :) Still not maxing, but I'm getting closer.
That is some excellent news! Congrats!
Post by: newgirl on January 30, 2018, 10:49:16 AM
This is a huge step for me as a late bloomer in financial literacy. In terms of percentages I am now saving 23% of my gross pay not including the employer contributions to either account.
Post by: chaskavitch on January 30, 2018, 11:03:37 AM
Woo, I just got a completely unexpected promotion to a new position in my department! It comes with almost a $10,000 raise, so I'm upping my 401k contributions :) Still not maxing, but I'm getting closer.
That is some excellent news! Congrats!
Thanks! I'm up to about 14k/year contributed by myself, 20k with my employer match, and I'm SUPER excited :)
YES YES YES YES! For the first time EVER, I have set my 401k contribution level and HSA contribution level to max both plans for 2018!!
This is a huge step for me as a late bloomer in financial literacy. In terms of percentages I am now saving 23% of my gross pay not including the employer contributions to either account.
Yay, congratulations!
Post by: newgirl on January 31, 2018, 01:22:48 PM
I know this is the subject of... differing opinions on this forum, but I like the metric and I'm pretty excited about it!
Post by: jakegu3 on February 08, 2018, 03:01:32 PM
Requested a large (percentage-wise) raise to try to bring my salary up to market value for my position and the work I do.
I didn't want it to be about the new salary compared to what I have been making, but rather about the results I'm providing on large projects I'm working on, to see if the company values me at market value. So I phrased it that way when asking and my boss and his boss are both going to bat for me to try to make it happen.
Got the confidence to ask by reading here on the forum, so thanks!
Nicely done jakegu3! Sounds like you phrased your request in a smart way, and that your bosses value your work. Keep us posted!
Got the good news today, they are giving me almost as much as I asked for, and after bonuses it puts me where I wanted to be. Things are looking up!
Post by: dougules on February 09, 2018, 11:04:25 AM
Requested a large (percentage-wise) raise to try to bring my salary up to market value for my position and the work I do.
I didn't want it to be about the new salary compared to what I have been making, but rather about the results I'm providing on large projects I'm working on, to see if the company values me at market value. So I phrased it that way when asking and my boss and his boss are both going to bat for me to try to make it happen.
Got the confidence to ask by reading here on the forum, so thanks!Nicely done jakegu3! Sounds like you phrased your request in a smart way, and that your bosses value your work. Keep us posted!
Got the good news today, they are giving me almost as much as I asked for, and after bonuses it puts me where I wanted to be. Things are looking up!
Congrats!
Post by: Cherry Lane on February 13, 2018, 08:47:48 PM
I made my FI number today! 91 days before my planned RE.And today I reached it again....
Post by: couponvan on February 13, 2018, 10:05:57 PM
Lol. Hope it sticks this time!I made my FI number today! 91 days before my planned RE.And today I reached it again....
Post by: dougules on February 14, 2018, 10:56:43 AM
Lol. Hope it sticks this time!I made my FI number today! 91 days before my planned RE.And today I reached it again....
Congrats #2. These last few paychecks are going a touch further with the market back down.
Post by: zeli2033 on February 18, 2018, 08:40:49 AM
DH and I just converted our Roth IRA shares to VTSAX. Finally each had the $10,000+ requirement! Definitely a small scale celebration compared to some others I’ve read here but so happy to have crossed that milestone!
Post by: marielle on February 19, 2018, 06:50:08 AM
Excited to have found this thread!
DH and I just converted our Roth IRA shares to VTSAX. Finally each had the $10,000+ requirement! Definitely a small scale celebration compared to some others I’ve read here but so happy to have crossed that milestone!
Congrats! Everyone says the first 10k is the hardest! I'll be excited to reach this too, hopefully not too long from now. I maxed a traditional and a Roth the past two years (I worked only 4 months the first year hence the Roth), so it's a little frustrating that I have that much invested and it's all still VTSMX.
Post by: Chrissy on February 20, 2018, 05:36:46 AM
I got a 4.5% raise at my job!
Congratulations!
Post by: vaskea on February 20, 2018, 09:01:35 AM
By selling a bunch of crap I didn't need I paid off CC#1 3 months ahead of schedule! CC#2 is in my sights now, already sent an extra $500 payment this month and planning to send another $500 with my next paycheck. I originally was aiming to have this balance paid off by September of this year but now I'm feeling invigorated and my new goal is to pay it off by the end of May. Time to find more crap to sell!
Congratulations
Post by: haflander on February 22, 2018, 03:57:13 PM
Now I'm shifting my focus to my only other debt, a stupid car loan. I'm about 24 months into a 60-month loan but would like to pay it off asap. I'm still making minimum payments right now but plan to change that as soon as I settle into a new budget routine after starting a new job...I haven't even been paid yet.
Post by: Trifle on February 22, 2018, 04:13:04 PM
I finished paying off my school loans! For some reference I'm 27, graduated in 2014, and took a total of about 20k. I finished paying them off in less than 4 years.
Now I'm shifting my focus to my only other debt, a stupid car loan. I'm about 24 months into a 60-month loan but would like to pay it off asap. I'm still making minimum payments right now but plan to change that as soon as I settle into a new budget routine after starting a new job...I haven't even been paid yet.
Nice job!! Onward to that car loan -- slay the beast!
Post by: Livingthedream55 on February 26, 2018, 06:48:25 AM
Savings rate (for me) gets to go even higher now! : 0 )
Post by: couponvan on February 26, 2018, 12:26:33 PM
I just paid the last college bill for my younger child. Both of my daughters went to state schools and I cash flowed the tuition for both - no loans! (DD will finish in three years thanks to AP courses from high school and a couple of online summer courses).
Savings rate (for me) gets to go even higher now! : 0 )
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
As the parent that is beginning the college cash flow gauntlet, I commend your ability to get the kids through this.
Post by: Zamboni on February 26, 2018, 06:33:02 PM
Post by: marty998 on February 27, 2018, 02:13:45 AM
If he logs in for another 13 minutes he'll have spent 200 full days online on our dear forum.
Post by: mustachepungoeshere on February 27, 2018, 02:17:12 AM
I think a few congratulations are in order for @arebelspy, the old timer seems to live here and has racked up somewhat of an anniversary :)
If he logs in for another 13 minutes he'll have spent 200 full days online on our dear forum.
Two. Hundred. Days.
Congratulations... I guess?
Post by: grantmeaname on February 27, 2018, 05:07:19 AM
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on February 27, 2018, 07:24:45 AM
Post by: grantmeaname on February 27, 2018, 08:05:41 AM
Post by: Inaya on February 27, 2018, 07:38:55 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on February 28, 2018, 07:52:41 AM
Annual review went very well today, and as a result of a raise and generous bonus, I now have a six-digit salary! I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd ever be making this much money.
YAY!!!!! :D
Post by: couponvan on March 02, 2018, 07:02:18 AM
Annual review went very well today, and as a result of a raise and generous bonus, I now have a six-digit salary! I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd ever be making this much money.
We knew you could do it! Congrats!
Post by: Trifle on March 09, 2018, 09:47:52 AM
Post by: ToughMother on March 10, 2018, 10:52:44 AM
My job over the last 1.5 years was relentless and at times, unbearable. I just gave notice and will start a much lower paying job that should be enjoyable and give me time in my life to reintroduce all the fun things I enjoy doing (e.g., softball, pottery, band) that I've given up. Also, the dog will get walked more frequently and my spouse will actually see me! Other bonuses: shorter commute, and I can take the bus for free during the academic year.
I don't have enough to be financially independent yet, but I'm able to downsize jobs, save less each year, and still hit FIRE on schedule in Feb 2021.
I'm still finishing out my current gig, but I can breathe a bit better already!
(I'll need support when I'm not saving as much -- I'm an awesome saver and not being able to do so at the level I have the last few years will be rough!)
Post by: dougules on March 12, 2018, 10:28:42 AM
Paid off the mortgage today -- woo hoo!! Feels really good to check that one off my FIRE to-do list. Getting closer!!
It feels good, doesn't it!? We paid ours off a couple years ago, and it's great to know that the house is totally ours.
Post by: Blindsquirrel on March 23, 2018, 06:56:47 PM
Post by: zeli2033 on March 27, 2018, 09:20:07 AM
Post by: Trifle on March 27, 2018, 11:10:09 AM
This is the first month I’ve made an extra payment toward my student loan debt! Finally getting the snowball started and after getting paid this Friday, total extra paid toward the loan this month will be ~$4k!
Great job @zeli2033! The day you pay off that last student loan is awesome -- you'll feel like you can fly!
Post by: zeli2033 on March 27, 2018, 11:20:20 AM
Post by: grantmeaname on April 06, 2018, 12:13:50 AM
Post by: grantmeaname on April 06, 2018, 01:04:34 AM
Post by: Gone_Hiking on April 08, 2018, 09:44:49 AM
Today’s my last day at my current job! I’m off to Paris for a week and when I start at New Job at the end of the month I’ll be making 97 percent more than I do now. My pay doesn’t suck now but soon I’ll have a whole firehose of cash pointed at my Roth 401(k)!
97% raise is awesome! Congrats!
Post by: dougules on April 19, 2018, 10:45:53 AM
crossed 900k in NW (36). getting close!
90% of another comma. I can't believe we've had one for almost a year now.
Post by: Blindsquirrel on April 20, 2018, 06:07:29 PM
Post by: grantmeaname on April 20, 2018, 07:53:51 PM
Great job! Once you have that big a stash, it is amazing how fast it can grow (and sink). I paid of my house last week and shall say Buh Bye to working this year.Hell yes! Hope your last few weeks of working fly by!
Quote
Grantmeaname, I recall you as a TOSU grad, is that correct?Yes indeed! Go bucks!
Post by: dollarchaser on April 24, 2018, 08:18:59 PM
Country living here we come!
$700/yr taxes, well instead of water bill, septic instead of sewer bill, $317 payment.
The dollars tell part of the story but we LOVE the rest. Living space is comparable, garage space/man cave will be fan-freakin-tastic. Conservation land and scenic rivers within eyesight. So excited!
The only downside is giving up my job that I don't like and almost for certain the biggest paychecks of my life. Meh, oh well.
Post by: MommyCake on April 27, 2018, 10:28:11 AM
Retirement accounts + taxable investments finally are over 50k! + Cash puts me about 100k! So happy I am finally starting to implement MMM principles and actually have a stache building.
My real estate license is active! I still have some trainings to do before I can start actually doing anything but hopefully this new career will make it easier to quit the full-time job.
Post by: VirtualProgress on May 05, 2018, 01:44:29 PM
in our local registry office.
we aren't booking/paying for big stuff yet but I've made a list of what we need to save for first & how much.
I used to be bad with savings.
Post by: TSpacagna on May 24, 2018, 11:36:47 AM
Also just refinanced my student loans- Lower rate, cut 5 years off the term, AND will be saving over $3000 in interest! Im super stoked!
Post by: grantmeaname on May 25, 2018, 02:48:06 PM
Purchased first bike (along w/ girlfriend and room mate)
I don't really need another roommate but a girlfriend could be nice. Where'd you buy yours?
Post by: Thoughtful Mule on May 26, 2018, 06:32:24 AM
Post by: TSpacagna on May 27, 2018, 01:34:20 PM
Purchased first bike (along w/ girlfriend and room mate)
I don't really need another roommate but a girlfriend could be nice. Where'd you buy yours?
Costco has EVERYTHING these days! Lol!
Post by: dougules on May 31, 2018, 11:32:02 AM
Just wired in my final mortgage payment. Feels pretty great!
Woohoo! We've had ours paid off for 2 1/2 years now, and I can't believe it's been that long.
Post by: Will on May 31, 2018, 12:51:50 PM
Post by: DeskJockey2028 on May 31, 2018, 12:57:55 PM
I'm retired now. Not exactly all that early (I am 53) but early nonetheless.
Post by: dougules on May 31, 2018, 03:40:50 PM
Still earlier than the vast majority of folks! Congrats!I'm retired now. Not exactly all that early (I am 53) but early nonetheless.
Yeah, I think the vast majority of people would say 53 is completely and definitively early retirement. You're just comparing yourself to folks on here, and this is not at all a representative sample.
Congrats!
Post by: Freckles on May 31, 2018, 09:12:29 PM
Post by: Suit on June 01, 2018, 08:04:42 AM
Post by: LilMissMinimalist on June 05, 2018, 08:39:09 AM
Post by: dougules on June 05, 2018, 10:16:18 AM
Started a new job yesterday and successfully negotiated salary for the first time in my life. Nowhere near as high as I was aiming but 3k more than my last job, free monthly transit pass ($100 value) and flights to the west coast to work out of their LA office (which is also conveniently where my boyfriend lives -- so my travel to see him will now be free!).
Congrats. I need to do that myself. Thanks for a little more motivation.
Post by: SquashingDebt on June 09, 2018, 07:53:00 AM
Won't max it out for 2018, but 22% is the contribution rate that should max it out for 2019!
My goal is to also finish my last $4200 of student loans and open and max my first Roth IRA by the end of 2018.
Post by: NinetyFour on June 09, 2018, 07:35:29 PM
Just changed my 401k contribution rate from 6% (match level) to 22%, effective in July. (I finished paying off my higher-interest student loans and am redirecting that money.)
Won't max it out for 2018, but 22% is the contribution rate that should max it out for 2019!
My goal is to also finish my last $4200 of student loans and open and max my first Roth IRA by the end of 2018.
Excellent all around!! :)
Post by: Fomerly known as something on June 12, 2018, 04:55:08 AM
Post by: chasingthegoodlife on June 15, 2018, 04:36:35 AM
I’m less than 100k away from my barebones FI number!!
Post by: BadassEm on July 15, 2018, 03:21:36 PM
Super congratulations, then!
@Sibley -- what areas do you recommend in NW Indiana that are close to the Metra train? I'm getting ready to relocate from the Houston area to Chicago and not excited about losing 5% of my income due to state income tax.
Also, what percent of your income goes to state income taxes? How are you liking Indiana?? Is there enough locally to do? Thanks in advance for your income and advice!
Post by: BadassEm on July 15, 2018, 03:23:29 PM
Post by: Sibley on July 15, 2018, 08:33:52 PM
On topic: I climbed the ladder, twice, to the 2nd story so I could lift the screen on the gutters and allow the bird to escape. I also got down without calling the fire department to come get me. This is worthy of celebration in my view.
Post by: TravelJunkyQC on July 17, 2018, 08:34:50 AM
- Me taking a small side-project for an extra 500$
- Selling our condo to my father-in-law (we bought land a while back that we're going to build our house on). We'll rent from him until we move (so we start saving an extra 600$-ish a month that we weren't before).
- Partner is working for a month up North (like, past the Arctic Circle type North) for buttloads of money.
- Will be putting 16,000$ aside just in the next 4 weeks.
It's all going to the house-build, as the tax-advantaged investment accounts are already maxed out for the year.
Post by: zeli2033 on July 22, 2018, 07:07:06 AM
Post by: NinetyFour on July 22, 2018, 04:34:44 PM
We hit a positive net worth for the first time ever! Woohoo! So appreciative and grateful that we are able to save maxes toward retirement and pay down debt at the same time. Need to type that out more since it is so easy to lose perspective and forget how truly lucky we are and how different things were just one year ago.
Congrats! Upward and onward from here!! :)
Post by: MoneyMouse on July 23, 2018, 01:15:25 PM
It's kinda dangerous I think.
I've sold an old table, a couch and two chairs. I've also bought a couch and six new chairs (to replace the hard wooden ones my mom complained about). But I've made a total of $40 after all the money's changed hands! Plus I've arranged to sell two of my old chairs for another $40! I also picked up a free nightstand to replace the one I have that's falling apart, as a bonus it was literally two minutes away from where I picked up my chairs, ha ha!
I also found a free couch that's the same IKEA model as the one I bought, so I'm picking it up tonight and I'll flip whichever one is worse for wear. I also arranged to pick up 4 more chairs - one is too trashed for me to use - and plan to try to sell those off for $5-10 a piece. It's so cool. And I feel like I've found a side hustle that I actually enjoy - I can control how long I spend picking up furniture and I get some practice in negotiating. I was considering getting a part-time job, but the feeling of freedom and control over my own time and hours that this promises is a really nice feeling in and of itself.
On a big plus side, it's inspiring me to get rid of excess stuff in my house.
I have an old XBox 360 I no longer use (PC Masterrace!) and a ton of games and an old ottoman. I'm thinking once I have all my current stuff sold off, I may try to spend about 2-3 hours a week just looking for free things to flip for a few dollars. If it turns out viable, I may see if I can cover some of my miscellaneous expenses so it frees up some extra cash to save (I'm thinking my coffees with my dad and maybe some dining out).
Post by: chaskavitch on July 24, 2018, 07:24:23 AM
Post by: dougules on July 24, 2018, 11:08:07 AM
DH just got a 15% raise for a promotion! Yay! He's super excited that he is in a "senior" position now. He works hard, and it's well deserved. We just found out we're having a second kid next year (totally planned), so it's going to be a nice cushion of savings toward our ridiculous daycare fees :)
Congrats all around!
Post by: Counting_Down on July 25, 2018, 02:05:07 PM
Post by: zeli2033 on July 25, 2018, 02:27:25 PM
Post by: sanderh on August 03, 2018, 05:06:23 PM
We hit FI today! 3 mos ahead of schedule - DH's 30th. Not done yet though, as we have a few escalating goals.Congratulations, and well deserved!
Just out of curiosity: what is DH's 30th?
Post by: SwordGuy on August 04, 2018, 08:36:31 AM
Post by: Counting_Down on August 06, 2018, 08:22:16 AM
Congratulations, and well deserved!Thanks! Partner's 30th birthday. 'DH' is used around here as shorthand for "dear husband".
Just out of curiosity: what is DH's 30th?
Congratulations!!Thanks!
Post by: BobTheBuilder on August 12, 2018, 05:19:13 AM
My Ph.D. studies are not even finished, but I landed THE job starting October this year. The studies are supposed to end regularly end of September.
I will make $80k gross instead of $42k gross. First year.
Job is SO close to home. It is a mere 6 miles. 5min walking distance home to train station, 9min train ride, 5min walking distance to work place. Instead of 1 hour commute of 40 miles one way. My car will live so much longer now!
I am the first to be hired for a new team that does autonomous driving development for a big OEM. Possibly leading the team in the future.
The first 3 months, I will only do a 4 days work week at 80% pay to finish writing my thesis.
The place is better in every aspect. Positive people working there.
I am so happy right now.
Post by: Trifle on August 12, 2018, 09:12:03 AM
Fellow seakers of FI. I won big time.
My Ph.D. studies are not even finished, but I landed THE job starting October this year. The studies are supposed to end regularly end of September.
I will make $80k gross instead of $42k gross. First year.
Job is SO close to home. It is a mere 6 miles. 5min walking distance home to train station, 9min train ride, 5min walking distance to work place. Instead of 1 hour commute of 40 miles one way. My car will live so much longer now!
I am the first to be hired for a new team that does autonomous driving development for a big OEM. Possibly leading the team in the future.
The first 3 months, I will only do a 4 days work week at 80% pay to finish writing my thesis.
The place is better in every aspect. Positive people working there.
I am so happy right now.
Congratulations Bob!! Absolutely fantastic. Just reading your post made my day!
Post by: SwordGuy on August 12, 2018, 02:41:32 PM
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on August 12, 2018, 07:41:06 PM
I negotiated an excellent compensation package from a different employer and will be taking a leap into a new job in the coming weeks.
If it wasn't for the courage derived from having FU $ , I'm not sure I would have been as aggressive in my approach to the job and negotiations.
Post by: Trifle on August 13, 2018, 03:06:45 AM
I'm glad I rediscovered this thread. Congrats to everyone's recent accomplishments and milestones!
I negotiated an excellent compensation package from a different employer and will be taking a leap into a new job in the coming weeks.
If it wasn't for the courage derived from having FU $ , I'm not sure I would have been as aggressive in my approach to the job and negotiations.
Congratulations @2Birds1Stone ! Sounds like you are definitely pulling out of 2019 then?
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on August 13, 2018, 06:20:15 AM
I'm struggling on what exactly is "enough". Will I continue to want to accumulate after my WR covers my current lifestyle? I could get there in 12-16 months if things go really well.
Post by: Trifle on August 13, 2018, 06:27:55 AM
@Trifele, eh.....Not necessarily, I know myself and it's still a very good chance I don't last much more than a year.
I'm struggling on what exactly is "enough". Will I continue to want to accumulate after my WR covers my current lifestyle? I could get there in 12-16 months if things go really well.
Awesome. Sounds like you have some nice options!
Post by: SwordGuy on August 13, 2018, 06:54:34 PM
Closing date for our first flip house is tentatively scheduled for Sept 5th. :)
Contract is now signed. :) Woot!
Post by: Trifle on August 14, 2018, 04:20:27 AM
Closing date for our first flip house is tentatively scheduled for Sept 5th. :)
Contract is now signed. :) Woot!
Congrats @SwordGuy !
Post by: BobTheBuilder on August 14, 2018, 11:00:14 AM
Fellow seakers of FI. I won big time.
My Ph.D. studies are not even finished, but I landed THE job starting October this year. The studies are supposed to end regularly end of September.
I will make $80k gross instead of $42k gross. First year.
Job is SO close to home. It is a mere 6 miles. 5min walking distance home to train station, 9min train ride, 5min walking distance to work place. Instead of 1 hour commute of 40 miles one way. My car will live so much longer now!
I am the first to be hired for a new team that does autonomous driving development for a big OEM. Possibly leading the team in the future.
The first 3 months, I will only do a 4 days work week at 80% pay to finish writing my thesis.
The place is better in every aspect. Positive people working there.
I am so happy right now.
Congratulations Bob!! Absolutely fantastic. Just reading your post made my day!
And your enthusiasm made mine, one more time. This is a great community, you all helped me pulling trough the last years with little free cash flow to spare over the (student) debt repayments.
Post by: SwordGuy on August 15, 2018, 04:27:22 PM
Or, possibly Flip #2. Still running the numbers on the flip to see if it's a better option than the good option of renting it.
Post by: zeli2033 on August 17, 2018, 08:50:54 AM
Yesterday, I completed my first ever woodworking project! It's a basic storage box, it's not pretty and IT'S ALL MINE!! It's the start to what I hope to be a future of making many more functional items.
Post by: JCGreen on August 19, 2018, 05:50:04 PM
I have saved my first $20k for retirement! And I have no debt!
I started out two years ago 18K in the hole. In the two years I have been working, I made about 75K total. I have close to a 45% savings rate. This from the power of saving automation. Now I just need to starve off life style inflation.
Post by: SwordGuy on August 19, 2018, 06:10:56 PM
WOW! These are so impressive! Mine is not as impressive but I am still proud.
I have saved my first $20k for retirement! And I have no debt!
I started out two years ago 18K in the hole. In the two years I have been working, I made about 75K total. I have close to a 45% savings rate. This from the power of saving automation. Now I just need to starve off life style inflation.
Actually, this is MORE impressive than what most of us have recently accomplished.
Why do I say that?
Because it's not easy to totally change your lifestyle, mindset, and learn all that you need to do in order to turn things around. Plus, you've got compound interest working AGAINST you not for you.
Most of us have been there, we know what you've done is the hardest step.
Post by: Trifle on August 20, 2018, 03:14:19 AM
WOW! These are so impressive! Mine is not as impressive but I am still proud.
I have saved my first $20k for retirement! And I have no debt!
I started out two years ago 18K in the hole. In the two years I have been working, I made about 75K total. I have close to a 45% savings rate. This from the power of saving automation. Now I just need to starve off life style inflation.
Actually, this is MORE impressive than what most of us have recently accomplished.
Why do I say that?
Because it's not easy to totally change your lifestyle, mindset, and learn all that you need to do in order to turn things around. Plus, you've got compound interest working AGAINST you not for you.
Most of us have been there, we know what you've done is the hardest step.
+1. The hardest part is behind you. Great job @JCGreen! Keep up the great work.
Post by: onlykelsey on August 21, 2018, 06:09:40 AM
Agreed, it will really only get easier. getting to the positive side is the hardest part. Congrats!WOW! These are so impressive! Mine is not as impressive but I am still proud.
I have saved my first $20k for retirement! And I have no debt!
I started out two years ago 18K in the hole. In the two years I have been working, I made about 75K total. I have close to a 45% savings rate. This from the power of saving automation. Now I just need to starve off life style inflation.
Actually, this is MORE impressive than what most of us have recently accomplished.
Why do I say that?
Because it's not easy to totally change your lifestyle, mindset, and learn all that you need to do in order to turn things around. Plus, you've got compound interest working AGAINST you not for you.
Most of us have been there, we know what you've done is the hardest step.
+1. The hardest part is behind you. Great job @JCGreen! Keep up the great work.
Post by: BobTheBuilder on August 22, 2018, 06:15:28 AM
WOW! These are so impressive! Mine is not as impressive but I am still proud.
I have saved my first $20k for retirement! And I have no debt!
I started out two years ago 18K in the hole. In the two years I have been working, I made about 75K total. I have close to a 45% savings rate. This from the power of saving automation. Now I just need to starve off life style inflation.
Congrats! 38k in 2 years is something to be proud of. Carry on :-)
Post by: aetherie on August 22, 2018, 06:59:12 AM
In cash.
Without drawing from savings.
That's right: somehow our ridiculously privileged lives have gotten to the point where we can cash flow a car.
Now, this only worked because it's a 3-paycheck month for both of us, but still. I thought that was worth celebrating/having a "holy sh*t" moment about.
Post by: Trifle on August 22, 2018, 08:09:47 AM
We bought a car last weekend! (a 2013 Chevy Volt for $10.5k)
In cash.
Without drawing from savings.
That's right: somehow our ridiculously privileged lives have gotten to the point where we can cash flow a car.
Now, this only worked because it's a 3-paycheck month for both of us, but still. I thought that was worth celebrating/having a "holy sh*t" moment about.
Awesome. :)
Post by: SwordGuy on August 22, 2018, 02:50:31 PM
We bought a car last weekend! (a 2013 Chevy Volt for $10.5k)
In cash.
Without drawing from savings.
That's right: somehow our ridiculously privileged lives have gotten to the point where we can cash flow a car.
Now, this only worked because it's a 3-paycheck month for both of us, but still. I thought that was worth celebrating/having a "holy sh*t" moment about.
Bravo!!!!
Post by: FreelanceToFreedom on August 23, 2018, 11:29:42 AM
Post by: sanderh on August 30, 2018, 10:55:43 PM
Post by: dougules on September 04, 2018, 10:49:14 AM
I recently asked for and received a 25% raise from one of my main clients (I'm a freelance writer). From $60 to $75 an hour! I will be negotiating with other clients as well, targeting 15-35% increases (each client has a somewhat different rate structure).
Sorry for being a little late, but congrats. I got a small raise recently, too, and it's great, isn't it?
Post by: SquashingDebt on September 06, 2018, 05:06:43 AM
- hit $50k net worth
- paid off my last student loan!!!!!!!
- am opening my first Roth IRA this weekend
Post by: zeli2033 on September 06, 2018, 06:49:19 AM
Post by: SwordGuy on September 06, 2018, 07:32:30 PM
Expect to have 4 within 1 to 3 months.
Post by: Will on September 06, 2018, 09:05:34 PM
Big week for me - between a 3-paycheck August and my annual profit-sharing check and bonus check, I:
- hit $50k net worth
- paid off my last student loan!!!!!!!
- am opening my first Roth IRA this weekend
Why Roth?
Post by: SquashingDebt on September 07, 2018, 06:17:26 AM
Big week for me - between a 3-paycheck August and my annual profit-sharing check and bonus check, I:
- hit $50k net worth
- paid off my last student loan!!!!!!!
- am opening my first Roth IRA this weekend
Why Roth?
I make too much money to fully (or at all?) deduct traditional IRA contributions.
Post by: nereo on September 07, 2018, 07:25:01 AM
I had been holding on to them because they were subsidized during my PhD and then the rates were so low (sub 2%) until the Fed started raising rates.
BUt they just broached 4% and by all accounts are heading higher so I sold some shares that I had put aside for that purpose and nixed them.
Honestly I'm of mixed feelings on this - sad to see my investment account drop by $17k but nice to have that monthly payment eliminated. It probably would have been smarter to keep them for another 9 months but the cash was there and now its done and there's no reason to look back.
Post by: I'm a red panda on September 07, 2018, 07:25:16 AM
I am so so so happy. The county did a "group buy" deal, so while we didn't DIY, we got a discount on the panels and an industrial rate on the install. I am so glad my frugalness has allowed me to splurge on something like this. The people doing the program said we were one of the few people who didn't also do the paperwork for a loan. My neighbors (all with so many fancy things that it is tough to not want to keep up with the Jones's) all declined to join the program because those who looked into it said it was "way too expensive". We have a 5 year payback period on it. For things that I can spend my money on, clean energy seems like a great one!
The treehugger in me just can't stop smiling.
The spendy-pants in me is thinking "hmmm...now I could get the Leaf..." (But that's not going to happen...)
Post by: I'm a red panda on September 07, 2018, 07:25:52 AM
Mini celebration; Student loans gone!
I had been holding on to them because they were subsidized during my PhD and then the rates were so low (sub 2%) until the Fed started raising rates.
BUt they just broached 4% and by all accounts are heading higher so I sold some shares that I had put aside for that purpose and nixed them.
Honestly I'm of mixed feelings on this - sad to see my investment account drop by $17k but nice to have that monthly payment eliminated. It probably would have been smarter to keep them for another 9 months but the cash was there and now its done and there's no reason to look back.
Congrats!!!
Post by: nereo on September 07, 2018, 10:52:36 AM
Solar panels were installed on the house yesterday!Awesome.
We are stuck renting for the foreseeable future, so we haven't been able to install solar like we'd really like. Pity, because right now the incentives in my state are pretty favorable, but set to expire.
Glad you are doing it!
Post by: SwordGuy on September 08, 2018, 07:22:09 AM
Post by: OtherJen on September 14, 2018, 06:09:56 AM
As of yesterday, husband and I have paid off just over $10,000 of home improvement/auto loan and credit card debt since last November. We have $2500 left on the low-interest auto loan, and then we'll just have the mortgage (~$56,000).
This seems unreal. I was raised to assume that people always had debt. Several of my good friends currently have scary debt. It's so freeing to learn that "normal" doesn't mean "good" or "inevitable."
Post by: SwordGuy on September 14, 2018, 07:09:18 AM
Someone suggested that I might want to share the following here, especially since I can't share it with off-line friends:
As of yesterday, husband and I have paid off just over $10,000 of home improvement/auto loan and credit card debt since last November. We have $2500 left on the low-interest auto loan, and then we'll just have the mortgage (~$56,000).
This seems unreal. I was raised to assume that people always had debt. Several of my good friends currently have scary debt. It's so freeing to learn that "normal" doesn't mean "good" or "inevitable."
@OtherJen , yeah, you!
Post by: OtherJen on September 14, 2018, 07:17:07 AM
Someone suggested that I might want to share the following here, especially since I can't share it with off-line friends:
As of yesterday, husband and I have paid off just over $10,000 of home improvement/auto loan and credit card debt since last November. We have $2500 left on the low-interest auto loan, and then we'll just have the mortgage (~$56,000).
This seems unreal. I was raised to assume that people always had debt. Several of my good friends currently have scary debt. It's so freeing to learn that "normal" doesn't mean "good" or "inevitable."
@OtherJen , yeah, you!
Thanks! Stay safe this weekend!
Post by: jengod on September 16, 2018, 03:19:21 PM
Post by: Manchester on September 21, 2018, 05:52:56 AM
A year ago I'd just got back from Vegas for my sisters wedding. In a place where money is thrown around like it means nothing, it couldn't have meant more to me. You see, I'd just returned my expensive, flashy car at work. I was paying over £500 per month to drive the thing. It went back the day before I'd left. I had a burning hole in my pocket. A new car meant a new insurance policy, a deposit. I knew my friends were speculating as to why I'd gone from a top spec Audi to a basic V/W without a bell or whistle in sight. I felt embarrassed.
Worse than this, I had no savings, no investments. I received my pay cheque and it would be gone, with nothing to show before the next. I wasn't necessarily stupid with money (other than the car, face punches are welcome on that one). I'd saved over £20k by the time I was 21. I'd invested it into a property with my childhood sweetheart. The equity we've built in the property in the past 2 and a half years was more than I earned in a year! But that doesn't help you when you have what seems like a mountain of debt snowballing in your bank account. No, I wasn't stupid, I just wanted to live like all my friends did, who earn good money but live at home with mum and dad. I had no other choice than to rack up a few thousand £'s worth of debt on my credit card. The 17.99% interest rate was nothing compared to the shame associated to asking my family for a loan.
I knew it was a ridiculous position to be in. I wasn't' earning bad money, my girlfriend had a brilliant job! The only thing preventing us from financial security was ourselves. I used excuses like 'well we had to go to Vegas, it was my sister's wedding!!' 'I have to stay at Caesar's so I'm around my family, the cheaper hotels are too far away!'. Another great one was 'Yeah the car is expensive, but when you're driving a 700 mile round trip for work it's important to be in something comfortable'. Myself and my S/O had serious arguments about money. I flat out refused to ask family for help. My pride wouldn't allow it. I clung on to a persona of a young man who'd done well for himself. I wanted people to perceive I was wealthy and doing better than my school friends. My favourite compliment was 'How on earth can you afford that car at your age'. The truth was that I couldn't.
I signed up to this forum and decided to make a change.
I started posting in the race to 10k thread. It seemed like a good place to start. My goal was to graduate by December 2018. I immediately cut back on some luxuries, we started buying own-brand foods, less nights out, no new clothes and we saw the benefits quite quickly. I was out of debt by December! I'd even found an old pension pot I'd contributed too whilst working a part time job when I was younger (see, I'm not that stupid with money). However the major issue was that I had no savings. I knew if SHTF I'd have to rack up credit card debt again and the cycle would re-start. A week before Christmas my girlfriend received a call, she'd been made redundant with no severance package. She loved the job, it felt like a real kick in the teeth and we'd been put on the back foot.
She immediately sought new work, but it took time. Over 4 months in total. She's a very strong person, but she'd had a bereavement just before Christmas as and combined with a medical issue she had a really tough start to 2018. Thankfully she'd managed to save a bit prior to being made redundant. My N/W stagnated. It's so frustrating to feel like you're living frugally, but not see the benefit. I just kept on telling myself that I'm in a better position than I would have been had I not started this.
I drifted behind my targets. The thought of graduating that 10k thread by December 2018 was fading, fast. We got to April and BANG, everything changed. My S/O received a job offer paying good money, the hard work I'd put in at work paid off and I got a pay rise + a new pension contribution scheme. My first thought was to get to 3 months worth of living expenses saved. I'd done that by June.
This past year my N/W has increased by £9,483. I have £0 owed on credit cards. My pension is 6 times the size it was this time last year. I've started a side hustle that's generated over £1k already. If SHTF today, I'd have over 6 months worth of money to live on.
I can't stress how different I feel today compared to last September. I truly know that driving a nice car and wearing nice clothes offers no form of happiness. It offers an ego boost that only the insecure rely on. I know most of the people reading this will look at my £8k N/W and laugh, some of you have probably earnt that in the last week alone, but that £8k was unimaginable a year ago. The support and focus I've received from this forum has been fundamental to reaching that. I can assure you all that I WILL hit £10k by December. From there, who knows.
That financial worry in September 2017 was worth every penny. It's led me here and from here I've learnt that I can buy happiness, just not in the same way that most people think.
Thank you so much.
Post by: NinetyFour on September 21, 2018, 06:11:41 AM
Post by: zeli2033 on September 21, 2018, 07:44:23 AM
Way to take the time and to have the perspective to celebrate the 180 degree turnaround. December graduation is right around the corner :)
Post by: Trifle on September 21, 2018, 08:26:05 AM
Post by: Glenstache on September 22, 2018, 10:26:12 AM
Post by: Trifle on September 22, 2018, 10:48:55 AM
~$5,000 cap gain + dividend posted in investment account. seems like real money!
This is great @jengod! Congrats on the nice batch of real money that your little green workers churned out!
Post by: jengod on September 22, 2018, 05:08:37 PM
~$5,000 cap gain + dividend posted in investment account. seems like real money!
This is great @jengod! Congrats on the nice batch of real money that your little green workers churned out!
They're good little guys LOL!
Post by: BeautifulDay on September 23, 2018, 07:54:44 AM
That financial worry in September 2017 was worth every penny. It's led me here and from here I've learnt that I can buy happiness, just not in the same way that most people think.Thanks for sharing your story. And congratulations on all the progress. I’m still working on the EF savings and I’m impressed with how quickly you got that in place.
Post by: zeli2033 on October 02, 2018, 09:15:46 AM
In less exciting news, we were able to make the largest student loan payment-to-date to the tune of almost $5k. And DH just got a raise and bonus that pull our projected payoff date up by 1-2 months next year, pending how a few other things shake out. Pretty exciting stuff :)
Post by: dougules on October 02, 2018, 10:51:19 AM
I FINALLY HAVE ENOUGH POSTS FOR MUSTACHE BRISTLES!!!
In less exciting news, we were able to make the largest student loan payment-to-date to the tune of almost $5k. And DH just got a raise and bonus that pull our projected payoff date up by 1-2 months next year, pending how a few other things shake out. Pretty exciting stuff :)
Congrats. You've got a little snowball rolling, and it just gets bigger from there.
Post by: IsThisAGoodUsername on October 02, 2018, 11:32:27 AM
- $3,000 sign on bonus
- +10% pay bump over current job
- I hate my current position. I'm very excited about the new job/new company
I'm sitting here grinning all day, knowing I'm about to leave this blackhole. I'm going to sign and send in my formal acceptance tonight.
Post by: NinetyFour on October 02, 2018, 11:35:22 AM
I received a job offer today:
- $3,000 sign on bonus
- +10% pay bump over current job
- I hate my current position. I'm very excited about the new job/new company
I'm sitting here grinning all day, knowing I'm about to leave this blackhole. I'm going to sign and send in my formal acceptance tonight.
AWESOME!! Very happy for you!
Post by: SwordGuy on October 02, 2018, 02:40:10 PM
I've made more enameled pieces in the last month than I've made in the last 7 years. Close to a hundred are done already and another 135 are 2/3rds done. They are all simple color samples, but they still completed pieces. Doing all this practice is dramatically improving my technical skill level. I'm really excited!
Post by: Kay-Ell on October 03, 2018, 01:01:40 PM
Post by: IsThisAGoodUsername on October 03, 2018, 01:06:11 PM
I officially adopted my daughter! She's 4 years old, and has been living with me through foster care for the past 18 months. Now we are an official, legal, and permanent family!
Congrats!
Post by: FamilyGuy on October 03, 2018, 01:25:21 PM
Was not very optimistic thinking if people would really want to rent in that area. But did put an ad though.
Ten days after, got my first tenant/roommate. He seems to be a good & genuine person. Renting that room for $500 and utilities.
Post by: Glenstache on October 03, 2018, 02:40:37 PM
I officially adopted my daughter! She's 4 years old, and has been living with me through foster care for the past 18 months. Now we are an official, legal, and permanent family!Wow. That is just really fantastic. :)
Post by: Pencil_Stash on October 03, 2018, 02:46:06 PM
While before he thought I was crazy and it was too far from the norm to work, now he's starting to see the possibilities! ^_^
Post by: NinetyFour on October 03, 2018, 02:53:47 PM
My boyfriend is coming around! He's terrible with money, but said he "felt bad for buying Subway because I didn't pack a lunch."
While before he thought I was crazy and it was too far from the norm to work, now he's starting to see the possibilities! ^_^
Excellent!! :)
Post by: zeli2033 on October 03, 2018, 03:27:44 PM
I officially adopted my daughter! She's 4 years old, and has been living with me through foster care for the past 18 months. Now we are an official, legal, and permanent family!Wow. That is just really fantastic. :)
Agreed!!! That’s awesome.
Post by: JCGreen on October 03, 2018, 10:26:12 PM
I officially adopted my daughter! She's 4 years old, and has been living with me through foster care for the past 18 months. Now we are an official, legal, and permanent family!Wow. That is just really fantastic. :)
Agreed!!! That’s awesome.
Awesome! Now just wait and see if he ends up more gurgle than you. 😀
Post by: 11ducks on October 14, 2018, 04:04:47 AM
I've saved every dollar I've made from my second job, to build a decent emergency fund. This week I passed the $5000 mark! My plan is to get it to $10k (hopefully by the end of the year). If I'm lucky the job will continue into 2019+, and i can use future earnings to boost my investments by $10k+ a year!
Post by: apkanne on October 23, 2018, 12:46:11 PM
Post by: dougules on October 23, 2018, 03:35:37 PM
Earlier this year I decided to apply to a new Project at work, I got the job, and even though it is a lateral move, i received a 10.7% raise. That is the highest i have ever gotten, and it puts me just under my salary goal i wanted to reach by 30, i am 27. Also, the salary put me at my Megacorps reported 'Med' salary for my job type, this is the first time that has happened, which melted away my feelings of being underpaid for the same work.
Nice. It's an even bigger percentage jump in your savings rate (assuming you don't change your spending).
Post by: happy on November 01, 2018, 02:52:45 PM
Post by: couponvan on November 01, 2018, 06:01:15 PM
Post by: NinetyFour on November 02, 2018, 05:20:18 AM
I am doing annual mammograms. :)
Post by: Glenstache on November 02, 2018, 10:40:11 AM
Got my biopsy back from lymph nodes this week. No cancer! 6 weeks off paid disability leave to recover and 2 extra months FMLA for good measure. For all the ladies out there - schedule those mammograms, and don’t skimp there. Cancer treatments are expensive without insurance. My bill so far is $157, for one out of network nurse. That’s worth its own celebration!!
Congrats. That is great news! I'd add in (for ladies and gents) to also get derm exams for melanoma. I picked up a few new surgery scars for lymph nodes and removals this year for that one. Catch it early!
Post by: SwordGuy on November 06, 2018, 05:29:08 PM
Post by: Dogastrophe on November 08, 2018, 12:29:48 PM
Post by: dougules on November 08, 2018, 02:23:12 PM
I just placed my first ever trade to purchase an ETF for my RRSP account!
With any luck the first of many.
Post by: Dogastrophe on November 08, 2018, 04:00:13 PM
I just placed my first ever trade to purchase an ETF for my RRSP account!
With any luck the first of many.
It will be. We are pulling all $$ out of current high mer mutual funds and going to look after on our own.
Post by: Trifle on November 08, 2018, 04:36:07 PM
Rental #3, which I spent the summer renovating, is now rented out. Hurray!
Congrats @SwordGuy -- this is great! You and @sammybiker are my heroes. I'm a groupie and wanna-be landlord.
Post by: LD_TAndK on November 13, 2018, 04:59:26 AM
| Biked | Miles | Drove | Percent Biked | |
| Year 1: | 187 | 2940 | 51 | 78.57 |
| Year 2: | 211 | 3446 | 28 | 88.28 |
| Total: | 398 | 6386 | 79 | 83.44 |
The bad is I've had several stressful and threatening encounters with drivers (and a police officer) that I've lost sleep over and made me subconsciously view all drivers as potential enemies (good for my safety but bad for my mental health).
The good is I'm in great shape, I've saved about ~200 gallons of gasoline from entering the atmosphere, I've gone from afraid to replace a chain to a competent bike mechanic and I've discovered a new hobby and am part of the local riding club.
Post by: dougules on November 13, 2018, 11:08:53 AM
Just wrapped up my second year biking to work:
Biked Miles Drove Percent Biked Year 1: 187 2940 51 78.57 Year 2: 211 3446 28 88.28 Total: 398 6386 79 83.44
The bad is I've had several stressful and threatening encounters with drivers (and a police officer) that I've lost sleep over and made me subconsciously view all drivers as potential enemies (good for my safety but bad for my mental health).
The good is I'm in great shape, I've saved about ~200 gallons of gasoline from entering the atmosphere, I've gone from afraid to replace a chain to a competent bike mechanic and I've discovered a new hobby and am part of the local riding club.
Awesome. I used to bike a lot when I worked closer to home, but I'm a bit further now on not-so-bike-friendly roads. I've biked a few times when I had to work on a Saturday, but it's a significant effort. Biking that far also aggravates an illness. FIRE should reduce my driving quite a bit. Most of the rest of my life is within a much more bikable circle.
Post by: JCGreen on November 17, 2018, 01:45:25 AM
I spent about 2 hours collection documents and talking to people. Turns out, my annual salary was just under the limit to qualify (good and bad). It didn't even matter that my HSA had enough money to fully cover the bill. I was originally just trying to get it reduced, as I thought it was a little excessive. There were a few separate bills for the ER doc and imaging consultant, but they were both about $20, so I just paid it.
Post by: Trifle on December 07, 2018, 03:23:58 AM
Cheers [raises cup of coffee] to all you other fighters out there, and your supporting family members. I would not have gotten here in one piece if it weren't for my husband, the best man in the world.
Post by: couponvan on December 07, 2018, 06:42:51 AM
Post by: Trifle on December 07, 2018, 08:09:27 AM
Congratulations @Trifele ! Having spent 1/2 of 2018 in my own battle I look forward to future celebrations too!
Thank you @couponvan! All the best to you in your journey. :)
Post by: zeli2033 on December 07, 2018, 08:47:23 AM
And @couponvan , I hope the journey continues positively for you as well.
Post by: Gone_Hiking on December 07, 2018, 05:51:39 PM
Post by: KathrinS on December 10, 2018, 01:35:33 PM
I've had quite a few recently:
- Received a £2 raise today at the main place I work at (I'm a freelance instructor, but get paid by the studio). This will make an estimated difference of £130-170 every month!
- Received my first dividends in November. So exciting!
- I opened a 'high interest' easy access savings to keep self employed taxes, a small emergency deposit, and any uninvested money in. Just got the first month of interest, and it's enough to pay my entire phone bill! Of course it will all be re-invested, but I just found it really cool that my taxes can pay for my phone bill.
Post by: Trifle on December 11, 2018, 03:31:17 AM
Post by: dougules on December 21, 2018, 07:33:39 AM
Post by: JCGreen on December 24, 2018, 10:07:54 AM
It's Vanguard dividend day. Woohoo!
Woohoo! Always a good day!
Post by: SwordGuy on December 24, 2018, 08:19:15 PM
On a financial note, we're down about $125,000 in portfolio worth since the end of last year. I'm celebrating that I know enough and have enough that I don't really need to care about it.
Post by: BeardedMustache on December 28, 2018, 12:59:07 PM
I stuck around the last two very difficult years primarily due to the 6-year vesting schedule on the 401k plan. I'm actually going to take a small step down in pay, but the toxic environment is just not worth it.
Fully vested on Jan 1, last day will be Jan 11!
Post by: Trifle on December 28, 2018, 02:36:40 PM
Posting this from work because I am giving my notice when I come back from the holiday!
I stuck around the last two very difficult years primarily due to the 6-year vesting schedule on the 401k plan. I'm actually going to take a small step down in pay, but the toxic environment is just not worth it.
Fully vested on Jan 1, last day will be Jan 11!
Congrats @BeardedMustache! Are you going to another job? May it be a better place for you.
Post by: BeardedMustache on December 28, 2018, 07:03:08 PM
Btw, take a job at a family company with caution.
Post by: Dogastrophe on January 09, 2019, 06:58:04 AM
Post by: dreadmoose on January 09, 2019, 11:15:37 AM
Just before Christmas, my wife and I broke up with our adviser and moved the bulk of our RRSPs into self directed accounts (I still have two lock in accounts that I'm in process of moving). MERs went from avg of around 2.3% to 0.08%!
Congratulations! That seems to be one of the hardest steps to take (depending on how close the adviser is, and god forbid if it's family).
Post by: dougules on January 09, 2019, 11:54:04 AM
Just before Christmas, my wife and I broke up with our adviser and moved the bulk of our RRSPs into self directed accounts (I still have two lock in accounts that I'm in process of moving). MERs went from avg of around 2.3% to 0.08%!
Congratulations! That seems to be one of the hardest steps to take (depending on how close the adviser is, and god forbid if it's family).
Yeah, but they were eating about HALF of your lunch.
Post by: Dogastrophe on January 09, 2019, 12:26:56 PM
Just before Christmas, my wife and I broke up with our adviser and moved the bulk of our RRSPs into self directed accounts (I still have two lock in accounts that I'm in process of moving). MERs went from avg of around 2.3% to 0.08%!
Congratulations! That seems to be one of the hardest steps to take (depending on how close the adviser is, and god forbid if it's family).
Yeah, but they were eating about HALF of your lunch.
I've been with this particular adviser for ~12 years (he used to look after the group rrsp plan for a past employer). Nice guy who didn't really do anything except offer a place for me to funnel my weekly contributions. Well that and make some decent money from us for doing very little work. When I told him we were going to move our $$ and why, he said he understood, thanked me for past business, and offered to assist if I ran into issues with the paperwork so it was a decent breakup.
Post by: thisisjeopardy on January 12, 2019, 02:03:40 AM
Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
Post by: haflander on January 15, 2019, 01:27:13 PM
Post by: pab88 on January 17, 2019, 06:26:33 PM
Last year was a little spendy (at least for me, new bike purchase and a bunch of bike parts), but I was able to put 80% of my 2018 after-tax salary towards paying off my mortgage.
Renting out a spare room, which took care of the bills and offset grocery purchases, helped. No car or PT commuting also helped keep expenses down.
Only downside is property market is crashing so my net equity is roughly the same as it was 12 months ago.
Gotta say it was the best year of my life so far, I wish I had moved out a few years sooner. The moustachian/stoic lifestyle is very satisfying, and I really feel grateful now for the simple things, like reading a good book, going for an early morning ride or paddle, learning about new things or spending time with my parents/family. Moving out really helps clarify who you are, and how you like to live.
Post by: Budgie on January 17, 2019, 07:58:21 PM
I just finished checking my progress over 2018, my first year in my own home/apartment....
Gotta say it was the best year of my life so far, I wish I had moved out a few years sooner. The moustachian/stoic lifestyle is very satisfying, and I really feel grateful now for the simple things, like reading a good book, going for an early morning ride or paddle, learning about new things or spending time with my parents/family. Moving out really helps clarify who you are, and how you like to live.
That's a great savings rate and you should be proud! Your post made me remember my first few years living on my own during and after college--sweet times, and yes, a lot of learning in them about how I liked to live, ways and habits that are still true thirty years later.
Post by: Izybat on January 21, 2019, 08:04:23 PM
Last year we moved long distance (for a job and family stuff), but we went from a moderate cost of living area to a HIGH cost of living area. We were able to buy a new house in our new area, but we still haven't managed to sell the old one. I kept sticking my head in the sand about our finances and coasting along, saying "I'll deal with it when we sell the old house."
At the end of December I finally dug out of the pit that our budget had become and crunched the new numbers (much higher salary, however, much higher housing costs, etc). Now, finally, after taking about 8 months off, I'm back on the forums and recommitting to doing this right. The old house will sell whenever it sells (anyone want to buy a house in upstate NY in the middle of winter?), but there is no reason I should be waiting on that.
Post by: Trifle on January 22, 2019, 03:31:47 AM
I'm celebrating a small win.
Last year we moved long distance (for a job and family stuff), but we went from a moderate cost of living area to a HIGH cost of living area. We were able to buy a new house in our new area, but we still haven't managed to sell the old one. I kept sticking my head in the sand about our finances and coasting along, saying "I'll deal with it when we sell the old house."
At the end of December I finally dug out of the pit that our budget had become and crunched the new numbers (much higher salary, however, much higher housing costs, etc). Now, finally, after taking about 8 months off, I'm back on the forums and recommitting to doing this right. The old house will sell whenever it sells (anyone want to buy a house in upstate NY in the middle of winter?), but there is no reason I should be waiting on that.
This is a BIG win, not a small one @Izybat -- well done. Sometimes our self-constructed mental obstacles are the most difficult things of all to overcome.
Post by: Raeon on January 22, 2019, 06:13:05 PM
I crunched the numbers and found that the difference to my nest egg in 10 years between selling 1 of the businesses and immediately investing the proceeds vs keeping the business and investing smaller amounts monthly was only going to be 100k after 10 years. (And that's assuming I had the self control to ALWAYS chip all of the extra profits monthly into the bucket, which isn't realistic). I realized this meant I was putting in an extra 45 hours of work a week for only 10k/year. Also, I'm fairly certain I would lose half of it to divorce within another year anyway had I continued. It was just time.
I'm feeling stupid that I didn't sell sooner. I have to say, the stress lifted from my shoulders this week is a feeling like nothing I've ever experienced. I feel like I've woken up from a bad dream. I only worked 6 hours today. It feels like I've had the whole day off... tomorrow is an actual day off. My heart wants to break in joy! It's funny how much perspective changes things. I'm absolutely thrilled to *only* work 40 hours this week. Meanwhile the larger community is desperately trying to escape even that! I'm sure in time I will adjust and want to work even less, but for now... life is f***** beautiful!
Post by: onlykelsey on January 23, 2019, 06:31:56 AM
I decided to take a setback financially to increase my quality of life. I was working 90 hours/week owning 2 businesses trying to get to FIRE.Congrats! That's a great realization to come to.
I crunched the numbers and found that the difference to my nest egg in 10 years between selling 1 of the businesses and immediately investing the proceeds vs keeping the business and investing smaller amounts monthly was only going to be 100k after 10 years. (And that's assuming I had the self control to ALWAYS chip all of the extra profits monthly into the bucket, which isn't realistic). I realized this meant I was putting in an extra 45 hours of work a week for only 10k/year. Also, I'm fairly certain I would lose half of it to divorce within another year anyway had I continued. It was just time.
I'm feeling stupid that I didn't sell sooner. I have to say, the stress lifted from my shoulders this week is a feeling like nothing I've ever experienced. I feel like I've woken up from a bad dream. I only worked 6 hours today. It feels like I've had the whole day off... tomorrow is an actual day off. My heart wants to break in joy! It's funny how much perspective changes things. I'm absolutely thrilled to *only* work 40 hours this week. Meanwhile the larger community is desperately trying to escape even that! I'm sure in time I will adjust and want to work even less, but for now... life is f***** beautiful!
Post by: SwordGuy on January 23, 2019, 07:43:37 AM
I have to say, the stress lifted from my shoulders this week is a feeling like nothing I've ever experienced. I feel like I've woken up from a bad dream.
@Raeon , I know that feeling well. I bought into a business as a junior partner for $55,000 and 4 years later sold back my share for $1. It was awesome. I was light as a feather. You made a good decision and that was your body telling you.
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on January 31, 2019, 12:45:22 PM
Now I work a bit longer to help my significant other get there quicker.
Post by: JZinCO on January 31, 2019, 01:00:59 PM
Post by: jengod on January 31, 2019, 01:20:57 PM
We had to have the electrician come by to replace a water-damaged exterior outlet, replace a bunch of busted dimmers and bring our outlets up to code, and while he’s here we’re switching out up to 32 incandescent and fluorescent bulbs for LEDs!
I bought four of the LED ceiling lights on sale at the OSH hardware during their going-out-of-business sale and picked up the rest at an electrical supply shop for contractors.
This is a somewhat heavy outlay of money now but over time it should drastically reduce our home energy use and thus power bill. I took a Permaculture Design Certificate course this summer and during the optional “solar power” module there was a lot of talk about how the first step for home energy projects is cutting electric use generally through a variety of methods.
Post by: LWYRUP on February 01, 2019, 06:07:58 AM
$300 decrease in eating out and alcohol budget between December and January. Grocery spending actually declined (may have to do with timing of Costco trips, but I did specifically try to go "pantry shopping" at various points).
Posted with gratitude to all the meal planners sharing their wisdom here and elsewhere on the internet. We are super busy during the week with little kids so we need to be organized on the weekends in order to get the system down for the week.
Post by: JZinCO on February 01, 2019, 04:08:39 PM
My time weighted income has been $50500 (or 56455 if you count side work and employer retirement contributions) annually.
Holy shit.
edit: I mean, half of those months I had >75% savings rate but I'm still questioning the numbers and finding no errors. All assets and liabilities accounted for correctly.
Post by: nurseart on February 06, 2019, 06:40:30 AM
Post by: dougules on February 06, 2019, 11:54:31 AM
Crossed the 400k mark :-D :-D
Congrats. It seems like we were there just yesterday, and now we're pushing $1.3M. It goes quick once you get rolling.
Post by: onlykelsey on February 06, 2019, 03:27:02 PM
Post by: Gone_Hiking on February 09, 2019, 11:01:15 AM
Well done!
$300 decrease in eating out and alcohol budget between December and January. Grocery spending actually declined (may have to do with timing of Costco trips, but I did specifically try to go "pantry shopping" at various points).
Posted with gratitude to all the meal planners sharing their wisdom here and elsewhere on the internet. We are super busy during the week with little kids so we need to be organized on the weekends in order to get the system down for the week.
Post by: SwordGuy on February 10, 2019, 06:49:28 AM
I'm in the middle of the 2nd one this weekend. So much fun!!!
Post by: oxide23 on February 13, 2019, 02:42:39 PM
I installed my own solar systems (pv and old school thermal hotwater - no debt), took away storm felled trees from my neighbours yards after storms to heat my house for free with the woodstove I installed, had my house insulated and sealed, did all the electrical, tiling, plumbing and carpentry work, converted all lights to LED, scrounged furniture, building supplies and bicycle parts from the dump, replaced grass with veggie garden, and I made sure that I wouldn't need a car. I do have a 1989 Saab 900 which I fix myself whenever possible; I ride my bike to work (all winter, New England). We have one child, and that's all we're going to have, so we've been working on the 529. I'm grateful I bought the smallest house I could find. 1963, 910 sf cape facing south! I want to thank the community here for all the inspiration to stay on track. I now completely control what I do and when I do it, who I work for, and what I will do. Stay focused and strong, and don't let anyone convince you that you need a bigger, better, fancier anything. DYI everything you can. Ride your bike, it's a beautiful way to save $$ and stay fit (waist 32, HR 56). I never imagined living a green, modest lifestyle would bring so much wealth. We even get to give money to our parents to help them out. What a great feeling to be able to give back to our parents! I'm now considering a career change. Why not!?
Post by: oxide23 on February 13, 2019, 02:45:07 PM
I installed my own solar systems (pv and old school thermal hotwater - no debt), took away storm felled trees from my neighbours yards after storms to heat my house for free with the woodstove I installed, had my house insulated and sealed, did all the electrical, tiling, plumbing and carpentry work, converted all lights to LED, scrounged furniture, building supplies and bicycle parts from the dump, replaced grass with veggie garden, and I made sure that I wouldn't need a car. I do have a 1989 Saab 900 which I fix myself whenever possible; I ride my bike to work (all winter, New England). We have one child, and that's all we're going to have, so we've been working on the 529. I'm grateful I bought the smallest house I could find. 1963, 910 sf cape facing south! I want to thank the community here for all the inspiration to stay on track. I now completely control what I do and when I do it, who I work for, and what I will do. Stay focused and strong, and don't let anyone convince you that you need a bigger, better, fancier anything. DYI everything you can. Ride your bike, it's a beautiful way to save $$ and stay fit (waist 32, HR 56). I never imagined living a green, modest lifestyle would bring so much wealth. We even get to give money to our parents to help them out. What a great feeling to be able to give back to our parents! I'm now considering a career change. Why not!?
Post by: grantmeaname on February 13, 2019, 03:35:06 PM
Post by: Trifle on February 14, 2019, 04:07:19 AM
Post by: okonumiyaki on February 17, 2019, 02:51:32 AM
Post by: Trifle on February 17, 2019, 04:05:30 AM
Post by: Freckles on February 17, 2019, 09:25:40 AM
My wife is cancer free, and I just handed in my notice!
Wow, that is something to celebrate! Congratulations to you both.
Post by: JanetJackson on February 19, 2019, 11:58:44 AM
Since digging my heels in harder on frugality, career, business, and finance the last 2-ish years:
>My student loans are almost gone.
>I got my savings rate to a consistent 40-50%.
>I got a 7% raise at my Day Job in year one, then got a promotion this year.
>I grew my side business and doubled my gross income from this side hustle business.
>I'm closing on a house next Thursday (750sq ft, good options to house-hack).
>Although she's had a few stumbling blocks, my amazing resilient rescue dog remains cancer-free after 2017 treatment.
Thanks for reading. <3
It's been a hard few years, so I needed to celebrate.
Gotta admit, I don't know if there's enough focus on how hard it is to live a forward-focused FI/RE (I'm neither, just a frugal person hoping to have a funded lifestyle change in a few years) life. Accomplishments are worth celebrating because they're hard.
Post by: diapasoun on February 19, 2019, 01:24:22 PM
Post by: Chrissy on February 19, 2019, 02:08:52 PM
Post by: haflander on February 19, 2019, 03:26:23 PM
Paid off my stupid car loan and then immediately updated my signature below and posted here :) Absolutely zero debt...not yet settled enough for a mortgage at this point. Paid off student loans in Feb 2018. Next up: finish funding a very healthy and conservative EF/FU fund by March due to no $ going to debt. THEN I can finally start the journey of opening a Vanguard account and investing.
Finished funding my EF/FU fund to 17500. I preferred a very big number for several different personal reasons. If only used for expenses in case of unemployment, I'd imagine I could live off this alone for 6 months or more. I'll keep this in the same online "high yield" savings account for now, currently at 2.25%. I'd also use this for any normal emergencies such as car repair, injury, vet costs. Another reason I wanted a high # is that I will consider dipping into it for bigger purchases. Paying for a used car in cash (not planned, but in case of accident), or a down payment for a house. Maybe even wedding expenses or a honeymoon, although I don't want to count chickens before they hatch (not engaged). I'd use the EF/FU fund for any of the above instead of a CC, and then pay myself back up to 17.5 instead of paying interest on a CC or other loan.
I don't ascribe to DR's snowball method, but the past year has felt very similar in terms of financial success hastening the next goal, having an exponential effect. I started this EF/FU fund with only 5k in April 2018, so sent 12k to savings alone in 10 months. Paying off the SL and car loan just left more $ available to save.
Next, I want to cash flow some important things that were previously delayed before then starting the investing journey. Car maintenance (tires, brakes, alignment) and vacations (TBD, maybe 1 domestic and 1 international).
Post by: CoffeeAndDonuts on February 19, 2019, 07:48:43 PM
Especially the Saab stuff. I've owned 5.
Drawn here myself after meeting this morning with the major shareholder of the company that we combined with. We had a couple things to chat about that could only be fairly understood if I put it all out there - namely that they needed someone in my position but that I wasn't the right person and that despite my attempts to signal as such, it may have been missed. Further, that the conditions that I'd find enjoyable long term make make me unemployable not just there but everywhere.
It was a really hard series of things to say and admit about my own interests and limitations after two decades building and selling a business. The simple grace shown by the major shareholder in calmly listening was amazing and relieving.
I feel so much weight lifted by merely having cleared the air. We've got some work figuring out how the next year goes but we're doing so in good faith.
There's no discrete change today but it's a big and necessary step nonetheless.
Thanks for listening... We're not sharing the changes in my role for another 2-4 months and the future beyond that is murkier yet but closer than ever to a change that's been a long time coming.
Post by: CoffeeAndDonuts on February 19, 2019, 07:51:27 PM
Post by: CoffeeAndDonuts on February 19, 2019, 07:46:35 PM
Post by: Glenstache on February 22, 2019, 05:52:40 PM
Post by: dougules on February 25, 2019, 11:40:56 AM
Rolled over the odometer on the combined retirement accounts today. I only made it $56 past that row of zeroes, so I expect that market fluctuations will take it back down (and up) again by my next contribution but it still feels like a good waypost on the way!
Congrats!
If it does go back down, all the better because your next purchase will be cheaper.
Post by: CindyBS on March 04, 2019, 05:08:38 PM
I had to quit my job to care for my teenage son when he got cancer in 2016. He is doing much better and has been well enough for me to return to work.
It is nice to get out of the house and not be a full time caregiver anymore. The money won't hurt either. :-) We still managed to save 1/3 of our income when he was sick, and we project FIRE will only be delayed by 2 years because of this.
Post by: zeli2033 on March 04, 2019, 05:45:33 PM
I started a new job last week after being out of work for 2.5 years!!
I had to quit my job to care for my teenage son when he got cancer in 2016. He is doing much better and has been well enough for me to return to work.
It is nice to get out of the house and not be a full time caregiver anymore. The money won't hurt either. :-) We still managed to save 1/3 of our income when he was sick, and we project FIRE will only be delayed by 2 years because of this.
Congratulations!!!! That's fantastic news after taking time away to care for your family. And how awesome to have been able to save and still be on the path to FIRE!
Post by: SwordGuy on March 04, 2019, 08:57:53 PM
Yeah!
Post by: dougules on March 05, 2019, 09:05:58 AM
I started a new job last week after being out of work for 2.5 years!!
I had to quit my job to care for my teenage son when he got cancer in 2016. He is doing much better and has been well enough for me to return to work.
It is nice to get out of the house and not be a full time caregiver anymore. The money won't hurt either. :-) We still managed to save 1/3 of our income when he was sick, and we project FIRE will only be delayed by 2 years because of this.
Good news on three fronts! I can't imagine what a relief that is.
We're finishing up the work we need to do on Rental #4 tomorrow. We'll have a carpet cleaning company come in and then rent it out. (Or, worse case, put it up for rent and contract for some new carpet before it gets occupied.)
Yeah!
Congrats.
Post by: onlykelsey on March 13, 2019, 11:24:20 AM
Post by: diapasoun on March 13, 2019, 12:03:29 PM
Sort of a bittersweet thing, but I got my separation agreement signed this week and will officially be a divorced single mom in a couple weeks! My ex is not an evil man, but I am very glad we are (about to be) not married anymore. Onward and upward!
Bittersweet indeed, but I hope that you're feeling a lot lighter and more excited about the future!
*****
Coming here to be happy about a few things at work that will be raising my profile at the company and will hopefully lead to a promo this summer when review season comes around.
Post by: rebel_quietude on March 18, 2019, 04:11:38 PM
Looking forward to seeing you and your family to pwn it like the superheroes you are.
onlykelsey - good luck starting a new, footloose and joyful chapter!
Also- after ten years of saving to my IRA and taxable brokerage, I'm finally Voyager Select client at Vanguard. It's the little victories!
Post by: onlykelsey on March 19, 2019, 07:38:56 AM
First - @CindyBS . You are a total badass. Wow, I am in awe.
Looking forward to seeing you and your family to pwn it like the superheroes you are.
onlykelsey - good luck starting a new, footloose and joyful chapter!
Also- after ten years of saving to my IRA and taxable brokerage, I'm finally Voyager Select client at Vanguard. It's the little victories!
Congrats! Had to look that up. It looks like I am currently just a "Voyager Client", and will remain one as I'm about to pull money for a down payment. Are you going to talk to one of their CFPs?
Post by: couponvan on March 20, 2019, 03:02:46 PM
(Popularly known as a SAHP since the DH is still working and we have 2 kids at home....However they are high schoolers, and don't really need me to stay at home.)
Post by: happy on March 20, 2019, 03:31:37 PM
Post by: onlykelsey on March 21, 2019, 04:16:09 AM
Sort of a bittersweet thing, but I got my separation agreement signed this week and will officially be a divorced single mom in a couple weeks! My ex is not an evil man, but I am very glad we are (about to be) not married anymore. Onward and upward!
Still waiting on the stamped paperwork, but a new celebration is that I am about to accept a job earning ~45% what I do post-tax, because at 900K and 32 I don't need to work like this anymore. I'm sure single parenting will fill up a lot of my newly free time, but I'm so, so excited for a change.
Post by: dougules on March 21, 2019, 04:25:39 PM
I wrote my letter of resignation and retirement recently too! Feels great :)
Wow. I'm jealous.
Post by: SwordGuy on March 21, 2019, 07:44:10 PM
Post by: Suelavie on March 22, 2019, 02:20:13 PM
I just began this week a super list of all the ways I can think of to reduce spending or get back some money.
More than 60 ideas, a large majority of them coming from this forum. I will attack the items of the list one by one.
Today, I recovered almost 500$ of "Boni-dollars"from Credit Cards that I finally put in my RRSP, after years of doing anything with them.
It is so exciting! (my list includes "Categories", "Action required", "Required Level of effort", "Frequency of required effort", "Level of impact on comfort", "Level of risk" and then the cool colums: "Monthly saving", "Annual Savings", "10 years Savings")
Yeah!
Post by: arebelspy on April 10, 2019, 05:36:13 PM
Post by: nereo on April 10, 2019, 05:42:34 PM
Today I hit 100 days in a row of doing my daily habits/routines that I implemented a few months back.Congrats! What are your new daily habits and routine?
Post by: Cherry Lane on April 10, 2019, 06:52:31 PM
Today I hit 100 days in a row of doing my daily habits/routines that I implemented a few months back.
Good for you! It's been a year or so since I've made a real effort at this. I should get back to it.
Post by: arebelspy on April 10, 2019, 07:42:35 PM
Today I hit 100 days in a row of doing my daily habits/routines that I implemented a few months back.Congrats! What are your new daily habits and routine?
Various things like: 10 minutes Meditation, 20-30 minutes fiction reading, 20-30 minutes nonfiction reading (books, not Internet), small workout, extra pushups, gratitude journal, some sort of "work" for the day, etc. I also have some bi-weekly and monthly habits on there. (And a few things I put in just to remind me/track, like daily multivitamin.)
I use the Android app "Loop - Habit Tracker". Totally free, open source, no ads, and very simple/usable design. I'm a fan.
Post by: MonkeyJenga on April 10, 2019, 08:08:38 PM
Today I hit 100 days in a row of doing my daily habits/routines that I implemented a few months back.Congrats! What are your new daily habits and routine?
Various things like: 10 minutes Meditation, 20-30 minutes fiction reading, 20-30 minutes nonfiction reading (books, not Internet), small workout, extra pushups, gratitude journal, some sort of "work" for the day, etc. I also have some bi-weekly and monthly habits on there. (And a few things I put in just to remind me/track, like daily multivitamin.)
I use the Android app "Loop - Habit Tracker". Totally free, open source, no ads, and very simple/usable design. I'm a fan.
Ooohh I'm gonna celebrate my fancy new phone that has room for more than 1 app at a time by trying this out myself!
Post by: MommyCake on April 29, 2019, 04:48:10 AM
In two weeks I will be starting a new, lower-paying position that I think I will love.
Post by: zeli2033 on April 30, 2019, 08:00:45 AM
We are officially debt free!
Post by: couponvan on April 30, 2019, 01:27:54 PM
Today I paid off our Student Loan Balance. It took 14 months to pay off ~63k. So grateful we found MMM!
We are officially debt free!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! It will feel good every year from now on out when people complain about their student loans while driving a fancy car sipping a Starbucks. Or at least that's how DH and I feel.
Post by: Trifle on April 30, 2019, 02:26:39 PM
@zeli2033 -- Congrats on killing the student loans! You will fly light and free after this.
:)
Post by: zeli2033 on April 30, 2019, 03:50:31 PM
Post by: dougules on April 30, 2019, 04:06:56 PM
Today I paid off our Student Loan Balance. It took 14 months to pay off ~63k. So grateful we found MMM!
We are officially debt free!
It feels good, doesn't it?
Post by: BobTheBuilder on May 04, 2019, 12:59:11 PM
Although I am still writing on this chapter, I am thrilled. That work nearly got the best of me. But so happy it was not all in vain. I can map a dynamic process with the time resolution of method a) and the dynamic range of method b), combining the strenghts and elimating the weaknesses of each method.
Post by: SwordGuy on May 04, 2019, 01:34:52 PM
I just wanted to celebrate that the physics in my last MRI experiment for my ph.d. thesis worked out exactly as I assumed, the data looks almost too good to be true.
Although I am still writing on this chapter, I am thrilled. That work nearly got the best of me. But so happy it was not all in vain. I can map a dynamic process with the time resolution of method a) and the dynamic range of method b), combining the strenghts and elimating the weaknesses of each method.
And don't forget to patent it if you can.
Post by: BobTheBuilder on May 05, 2019, 10:00:59 AM
I just wanted to celebrate that the physics in my last MRI experiment for my ph.d. thesis worked out exactly as I assumed, the data looks almost too good to be true.
Although I am still writing on this chapter, I am thrilled. That work nearly got the best of me. But so happy it was not all in vain. I can map a dynamic process with the time resolution of method a) and the dynamic range of method b), combining the strenghts and elimating the weaknesses of each method.
And don't forget to patent it if you can.
I like your thinking! And the A-Team reference!
Post by: SwordGuy on May 05, 2019, 10:12:33 AM
I just wanted to celebrate that the physics in my last MRI experiment for my ph.d. thesis worked out exactly as I assumed, the data looks almost too good to be true.
Although I am still writing on this chapter, I am thrilled. That work nearly got the best of me. But so happy it was not all in vain. I can map a dynamic process with the time resolution of method a) and the dynamic range of method b), combining the strenghts and elimating the weaknesses of each method.
And don't forget to patent it if you can.
I like your thinking! And the A-Team reference!
I'm in the Vanguard of science student career advisors. My fees are only 0.04% of your royalties. :)
Post by: okisok on June 22, 2019, 11:36:15 PM
My investment income will change, but as of now each month's income would pay my housing costs. That's an incredible feeling, to know that I could lose my job or go to part-time, and I could still have a great standard of living! I stress so much less at work, knowing I don't HAVE TO HAVE this job. But it is really nice to have, to keep beefing up my investments!
Post by: dougules on June 24, 2019, 10:20:57 AM
Went from a net worth of about $20,000 two years ago, to just rolling over to $80,000 yesterday! I found the Frugalwoods and MMM and Donna Freedman, and made a lot of lifestyle changes. Including taking a lower-paying but less stressful job. So I've managed to save more in the last two years than I did in the last ten, all while making less money!
My investment income will change, but as of now each month's income would pay my housing costs. That's an incredible feeling, to know that I could lose my job or go to part-time, and I could still have a great standard of living! I stress so much less at work, knowing I don't HAVE TO HAVE this job. But it is really nice to have, to keep beefing up my investments!
Less stress is the best thing money can buy.
Post by: Glenstache on June 24, 2019, 05:47:23 PM
Post by: hodge on June 28, 2019, 08:34:11 AM
Post by: nereo on June 28, 2019, 11:03:05 AM
With today's paycheck, I crossed the $200,000 net worth mark! Found MMM in May 2013, when I was fresh out of grad school and had negative net worth from student loans. Salary growth (higher ed) in those years went 34k, 36k, 50k, 52k, 55k, 70k, 72k. Savings rate is currently hovering around 40% -- still a lot of work to do on that front, but it feels good to be making real progress.
Good work! Now comes the boring part... just keeping on, keeping on, til you hit your FI number.
Post by: Trifle on June 29, 2019, 04:35:36 AM
With today's paycheck, I crossed the $200,000 net worth mark! Found MMM in May 2013, when I was fresh out of grad school and had negative net worth from student loans. Salary growth (higher ed) in those years went 34k, 36k, 50k, 52k, 55k, 70k, 72k. Savings rate is currently hovering around 40% -- still a lot of work to do on that front, but it feels good to be making real progress.
Good work! Now comes the boring part... just keeping on, keeping on, til you hit your FI number.
Great job @hodge! Nereo's right. This next part on the journey is weird. You may have this odd restless feeling, like you're not doing enough. That's because all the low-hanging opportunities have been grabbed. The trick at that stage is to sort of forget about the money for a while, and just live your life. The buckets are filling up; they don't need you to watch them. :)
Post by: Trifle on June 29, 2019, 04:36:57 AM
Took advantage of the low interest rates and closed on a house today. Just big enough for what we need, and zero plans to expand to anything bigger in the future. Still a bit of a tough gut check to buy in Seattle, but the price and situation works favorably relative to renting.
Fantastic @Glenstache -- congrats! Right-sizing your housing is one of the biggest moves we can make to optimize finances.
Post by: SquashingDebt on June 30, 2019, 07:58:21 PM
Post by: SwordGuy on June 30, 2019, 11:18:52 PM
Hit $100k net worth this month! Only person I told IRL was my mom, who was mildly amused when I informed her I was 1/10 a millionaire.
That's awesome! That's about when you start to notice some big gains (or losses). A 15% gain in a year is $15,000, about 1/4th of the median family income in the US. That's not chump change! And it just gets better and better over time! :)
Post by: ico on July 02, 2019, 07:08:18 AM
Post by: arebelspy on July 02, 2019, 07:18:05 AM
Took advantage of the low interest rates and closed on a house today. Just big enough for what we need, and zero plans to expand to anything bigger in the future. Still a bit of a tough gut check to buy in Seattle, but the price and situation works favorably relative to renting.
Congrats!
For myself: Took advantage of the low interest rates and closed on a house yesterday. Much bigger than what we need, and zero plans to downsize to anything smaller in the future. Still a bit of a tough gut check to buy in Seattle, and the price and situation is fairly poor relative to renting.
:)
Post by: Glenstache on July 02, 2019, 08:14:07 AM
Lol. Congrats! I will now be walking distance to Chucks Hop Shop, so may restart the MMM Seattle meetups there.Took advantage of the low interest rates and closed on a house today. Just big enough for what we need, and zero plans to expand to anything bigger in the future. Still a bit of a tough gut check to buy in Seattle, but the price and situation works favorably relative to renting.
Congrats!
For myself: Took advantage of the low interest rates and closed on a house yesterday. Much bigger than what we need, and zero plans to downsize to anything smaller in the future. Still a bit of a tough gut check to buy in Seattle, and the price and situation is fairly poor relative to renting.
:)
Post by: Mika M on July 02, 2019, 03:05:25 PM
We've been pretty excited and really wanted to break the news to someone but don't have any friends or family we can gush to about it without worrying about it getting weird and awkward (nobody we know personally is even remotely Mustachian).
We first started working on getting more frugal when I discovered MMM five years ago, with about $200k scattered in miscellaneous accounts.
And we've come this far being pretty half-assed Mustachians at that (still splurge plenty on dumb stuff like kid crap and fancy alcohol, still drive everywhere in a car that was bought new with a loan, sent our kid to a nice full time day care the whole time... but three years ago we did go down to one car (a now-paid-off mid-size sedan) - but everyone thinks we're super weird just for that... also downsized from a 1450-sq-ft townhouse to a 960-sq-ft apt condo because we're very lazy and unhandy so that's saved lots in fixed bills and time/energy/money in cleaning, maintenance, and lawn care... most people think we're even weirder for doing that.)
Our original goal was about $1.5+, but we'll see how much longer we can't stand the 9-5 slog! :)
Post by: happy on July 02, 2019, 06:25:19 PM
Post by: Trifle on July 03, 2019, 06:06:27 AM
Post by: nouveauRiche on July 03, 2019, 10:33:21 AM
Non-retirement $28,844.36
Rollover IRA $33,099.49
Roth IRA $100,688.83
Employer plans $838,793.48
Total Vanguard assets $1,001,426.16
Post by: dougules on July 03, 2019, 11:16:41 AM
My Vanguard account just went over 1,000,000 for the first time!
Non-retirement $28,844.36
Rollover IRA $33,099.49
Roth IRA $100,688.83
Employer plans $838,793.48
Total Vanguard assets $1,001,426.16
Congrats. It still boggles my mind how fast it happened to us.
Post by: nouveauRiche on July 03, 2019, 03:19:25 PM
Congrats. It still boggles my mind how fast it happened to us.
Thanks! Yeah, once you know the secret!
Post by: happy on July 03, 2019, 05:19:43 PM
My Vanguard account just went over 1,000,000 for the first time!
Non-retirement $28,844.36
Rollover IRA $33,099.49
Roth IRA $100,688.83
Employer plans $838,793.48
Total Vanguard assets $1,001,426.16
Nice one nousveauRiche!. so many millionaires on this forum!
Post by: SwordGuy on July 03, 2019, 07:05:46 PM
My Vanguard account just went over 1,000,000 for the first time!Congrats! That's something to be proud of!
Non-retirement $28,844.36
Rollover IRA $33,099.49
Roth IRA $100,688.83
Employer plans $838,793.48
Total Vanguard assets $1,001,426.16
Post by: nouveauRiche on July 03, 2019, 09:03:29 PM
My husband saw it and said "two chicks at the same time" [Office Space]
Post by: Mika M on July 04, 2019, 11:03:26 AM
My Vanguard account just went over 1,000,000 for the first time!
Non-retirement $28,844.36
Rollover IRA $33,099.49
Roth IRA $100,688.83
Employer plans $838,793.48
Total Vanguard assets $1,001,426.16
Woohoo!!
Post by: Tortoise Banker on July 05, 2019, 09:29:08 AM
Stay the course--best to all!
Post by: fuzzy math on July 05, 2019, 02:22:20 PM
Thanks happy & SwordGuy. I'm expecting it to dip back down again but it's a fun milestone.
My husband saw it and said "two chicks at the same time" [Office Space]
LOL @ the office space reference. Congrats!
Post by: lollylegs on July 05, 2019, 02:43:41 PM
we finally passed the $450,000 in investments goal this morning - feels great!
Post by: chaskavitch on July 07, 2019, 07:09:32 AM
Post by: SwordGuy on July 07, 2019, 07:57:25 AM
My 401k balance just tipped over $100k! Whether or not it dips back down under with the stock market, I'm excited it's at that point :) I've got plenty of time to put more money in there.
Congrats!
Getting from below zero to $10,000 is the most important milestone because then you've got interest working with you and a decent sized cushion to make big problems become minor annoyances.
$100,000 is the next important milestone because that's when compounding really starts to be done in sizeable amounts of money. A 10% average market return is $10,000 which isn't chump change!
Your next milestone is when your market returns are greater than your maxed out 401k! Save on!
Post by: BobTheBuilder on July 09, 2019, 02:04:50 PM
My esophagus still feels like I swallowed a Giraffe eating a thorn bush, but that could have gone worse. Still hungover from the anaesthesia. Oh and (almost) free health care.
Post by: nouveauRiche on July 09, 2019, 08:42:11 PM
Today I returned from the hospital. On Sunday, I swallowed a pointy thing that I did not see after barely chewing a delicous button mushroom fresh from the barbeque.
My esophagus still feels like I swallowed a Giraffe eating a thorn bush, but that could have gone worse. Still hungover from the anaesthesia. Oh and (almost) free health care.
Wow! Glad you are ok. That sounds awful. Hope you feel better soon.
Post by: BobTheBuilder on July 10, 2019, 02:09:35 PM
Today I returned from the hospital. On Sunday, I swallowed a pointy thing that I did not see after barely chewing a delicous button mushroom fresh from the barbeque.
My esophagus still feels like I swallowed a Giraffe eating a thorn bush, but that could have gone worse. Still hungover from the anaesthesia. Oh and (almost) free health care.
Wow! Glad you are ok. That sounds awful. Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks! Yes, sleeping helped quite a bit already. Have a good day everyone!
Post by: Glenstache on July 11, 2019, 12:44:25 PM
Today I returned from the hospital. On Sunday, I swallowed a pointy thing that I did not see after barely chewing a delicous button mushroom fresh from the barbeque.Was this one of the metal bristles from the grill brushes? Regardless, I'm glad you're okay and on the mend!
My esophagus still feels like I swallowed a Giraffe eating a thorn bush, but that could have gone worse. Still hungover from the anaesthesia. Oh and (almost) free health care.
Post by: happy on July 11, 2019, 08:12:14 PM
Post by: BobTheBuilder on July 12, 2019, 10:42:36 AM
Today I returned from the hospital. On Sunday, I swallowed a pointy thing that I did not see after barely chewing a delicous button mushroom fresh from the barbeque.Was this one of the metal bristles from the grill brushes? Regardless, I'm glad you're okay and on the mend!
My esophagus still feels like I swallowed a Giraffe eating a thorn bush, but that could have gone worse. Still hungover from the anaesthesia. Oh and (almost) free health care.
That could have been worse, but easier to find in a CT scan... It was propably a toothpick that had burned off a bit on the sides, and just the part inside the mushroom/bacon assembly was intact. So the moral of the story is to not use toothpicks if there is a slight probabilty someone very hungry might not check properly for that... Or to check your food properly in the first place. Yay still alive :-D
Post by: ItsALongStory on July 13, 2019, 02:47:53 PM
It makes both of us super stoked to kick ass for 3 more years and still get to spend many of her hopefully fit and healthy years together. She is quite a bit older than me so we have a bit of an odd age/retirement dynamic.
Initial goal is Western Europe for a few years of slow travel across Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and whatever else we fancy. I'm a euro citizen so shouldn't be overly tough to make that happen.
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Post by: BobTheBuilder on July 13, 2019, 02:55:02 PM
Different sort of celebration but my wife and I finally had an in depth discussion on plans for perpetual travel or at least an attempt at that. We came out with a very fair plan and an even more exciting timeline of 3 years where we will draw down much less at first to let my stashe grow while living off her generous pers retirement.
It makes both of us super stoked to kick ass for 3 more years and still get to spend many of her hopefully fit and healthy years together. She is quite a bit older than me so we have a bit of an odd age/retirement dynamic.
Initial goal is Western Europe for a few years of slow travel across Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and whatever else we fancy. I'm a euro citizen so shouldn't be overly tough to make that happen.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
That sounds like something to look forward to! And especially Portugal and Greece are quite affordable. Enjoy!
Post by: Mrs. D. on July 14, 2019, 10:30:45 PM
DH got a big bonus (well, big by our standards) which was enough to fully find his Roth IRA for the year. It's mid-July and we've now maxed both Roth's in addition to automated withdrawals for HSA max and 401k match. All that's left on our list of savings goals for the year is to put something in the 529's for our two kids.
For a family of 4 living on <85K gross, we are feeling pretty pleased.
Oh, and we went two entire months without an unexpected expensive home repair. That is truly a victory.
Post by: SwordGuy on July 14, 2019, 10:56:57 PM
We're under contract to purchase a home that will be used either as a half-way house for foster kids aging out of the support system or to provide below market rate lodging for college students. We haven't done this sort of thing before so we'll have to muddle thru the logistics of how to set up a charity or (even better) identify one that's already set up.
The property is a judicial sale of an estate property so we're subject to being outbid on the property over the next 10 business days. Wish us luck!
Post by: HPstache on July 15, 2019, 08:44:24 AM
Post by: Trifle on July 15, 2019, 08:55:08 AM
Post by: happy on July 15, 2019, 03:32:36 PM
Back when my wife and I started our rental property business, we made a promise to ourselves that every 5th or 6th house would be for some charitable purpose. We just felt that if we could afford to buy 5 or 6 houses we ought to be helping out our community.That sounds like such a great idea! Fingers crossed you get it.
We're under contract to purchase a home that will be used either as a half-way house for foster kids aging out of the support system or to provide below market rate lodging for college students. We haven't done this sort of thing before so we'll have to muddle thru the logistics of how to set up a charity or (even better) identify one that's already set up.
The property is a judicial sale of an estate property so we're subject to being outbid on the property over the next 10 business days. Wish us luck!
Hit 6-figures in my work 401K today! Wish I would have found Mustachianism sooner, it took waaaaay too long to get to 100K (9 years). Oh well, they say the first 100K is the hardest.
Congrats! Never mind I had about 250k in my retirement account at age 53, and around 300k mortgage debt, if I recall correctly. 7 years later I'm retired. Once you find the formula, if you just stick with it you will be amazed!
Post by: Trifle on July 19, 2019, 11:17:59 AM
I just crossed six figures in my retirement accounts!
Congrats! And congratulations to @v8rx7guy as well -- you two are neck and neck!
Post by: Glenstache on July 22, 2019, 09:26:17 AM
Good luck @SwordGuy! Fingers crossed for your cool project.
Indeed. I really like your approach. I have friends who are foster parents and it is very easy to connect the dots to what you are doing making a positive difference in people's lives.
Post by: dougules on July 23, 2019, 10:14:11 AM
I just crossed six figures in my retirement accounts!
Congrats! And congratulations to @v8rx7guy as well -- you two are neck and neck!
Congrats! I was surprised how fast things accelerated. $100K took forever then $200K was the next day basically.
Post by: Rosy on July 26, 2019, 01:10:00 PM
Back when my wife and I started our rental property business, we made a promise to ourselves that every 5th or 6th house would be for some charitable purpose. We just felt that if we could afford to buy 5 or 6 houses we ought to be helping out our community.
We're under contract to purchase a home that will be used either as a half-way house for foster kids aging out of the support system or to provide below market rate lodging for college students. We haven't done this sort of thing before so we'll have to muddle thru the logistics of how to set up a charity or (even better) identify one that's already set up.
The property is a judicial sale of an estate property so we're subject to being outbid on the property over the next 10 business days. Wish us luck!
Awesome!!! Routing for the foster kids aging out ...
Post by: SwordGuy on July 26, 2019, 01:20:21 PM
Thanks!Back when my wife and I started our rental property business, we made a promise to ourselves that every 5th or 6th house would be for some charitable purpose. We just felt that if we could afford to buy 5 or 6 houses we ought to be helping out our community.
We're under contract to purchase a home that will be used either as a half-way house for foster kids aging out of the support system or to provide below market rate lodging for college students. We haven't done this sort of thing before so we'll have to muddle thru the logistics of how to set up a charity or (even better) identify one that's already set up.
The property is a judicial sale of an estate property so we're subject to being outbid on the property over the next 10 business days. Wish us luck!
Awesome!!! Routing for the foster kids aging out ...
We have an official contract as of yesterday afternoon. Closing on the 20th!
Volunteers wanting to do some carpentourism are welcome to help us refurbish it!
Learn useful, money-saving skills!
Do a good deed! Earn good karma!
Post by: Trifle on July 27, 2019, 03:16:35 AM
Post by: SwordGuy on July 27, 2019, 11:47:15 AM
CONGRATS @SwordGuy -- that is fabulous. Do you know which way you're going to go with the property yet? (halfway house for foster kids, or affordable housing for college students?)
No, I suspect it will be the path of least resistance. Whichever group out there is most helpful will get the benefit.
Post by: nouveauRiche on August 18, 2019, 07:37:07 AM
We've been toying with the idea & looking at Leafs (Leaves?) since 2015. We had been waiting for our trusty 2001 gas-guzzler to die, but also keeping an eye Craig's list. A week ago, we saw one that is exactly what I wanted; 2012, white, SL, with all the fun options except leather.
It has 8 bars left. Max range is apparently around 50-55 miles, which is more than I generally drive in a week. We expect to replace the battery down the road (tee hee) but the range will be adequate for me even when we lose a few more bars.
Gas guzzler is still running. DH is fixing it up to sell.
Next step - solar!
https://mashable.com/article/tesla-rent-solar-program/
Post by: nouveauRiche on August 18, 2019, 11:00:10 AM
Post by: monarda on August 23, 2019, 07:57:43 PM
Nice to have an amount greater than a year's gross salary show up in one giant lump
Post by: couponvan on August 26, 2019, 07:23:35 PM
Post by: SwordGuy on August 26, 2019, 09:40:33 PM
:)
Post by: happy on August 26, 2019, 10:05:11 PM
Post by: Mrs. D. on October 01, 2019, 11:52:38 AM
Contributed to DH's 401K up to match (6% + 3%)
Maxed HSA
Maxed my Roth and DH's Roth
Saved $2500 in each kid's 529 ($5000 total)
This puts us in the 35-40% savings rate area, which is small fry for this forum but feels like an accomplishment for us!
The final hurdle is making sure we stockpile enough cash to cover the onslaught of EOY property taxes (without dipping into our EF).
Post by: marty998 on October 11, 2019, 12:42:57 AM
My NW has gone up about a million in that time. That's crazy to think about really because my real estate assets have actually gone down by $150,000 in the past two years. So when they bounce back + a stockmarket increase + general savings I should get to around $2.5 million by the time I'm 40, if not more $ or less time.
That's really exciting :)
Post by: nancyfrank232 on October 11, 2019, 01:10:25 AM
I've now been on this forum for 7 years tomorrow! Can't believe that.
My NW has gone up about a million in that time. That's crazy to think about really because my real estate assets have actually gone down by $150,000 in the past two years. So when they bounce back + a stockmarket increase + general savings I should get to around $2.5 million by the time I'm 40, if not more $ or less time.
That's really exciting :)
Congrats!
Quick question. Where are you located where real estate has declined in the last 2 years?
Post by: happy on October 11, 2019, 06:22:11 PM
Post by: couponvan on October 14, 2019, 07:55:12 PM
His profile says Sydney... :-)I've now been on this forum for 7 years tomorrow! Can't believe that.
My NW has gone up about a million in that time. That's crazy to think about really because my real estate assets have actually gone down by $150,000 in the past two years. So when they bounce back + a stockmarket increase + general savings I should get to around $2.5 million by the time I'm 40, if not more $ or less time.
That's really exciting :)
Congrats!
Quick question. Where are you located where real estate has declined in the last 2 years?
Post by: Diovin1 on November 12, 2019, 12:36:22 AM
Post by: mikedenver on November 14, 2019, 10:07:42 AM
I biked to the grocery store in freezing temperatures yesterday! One small step towards being less of a Car Clown =)
Post by: dougules on November 14, 2019, 11:04:15 AM
Every journey begins with a single step:
I biked to the grocery store in freezing temperatures yesterday! One small step towards being less of a Car Clown =)
Nice.
Post by: Alternatepriorities on November 18, 2019, 05:54:17 PM
Post by: diapasoun on November 19, 2019, 10:39:23 AM
I was running numbers today trying to predict 2019 taxes and realized that using MAAP (Mustachian Accepted Accounting Practices - ie counting debt repayment as savings) we will save more than our AGI this year...
I love this. :3 Yay for the strength rate! Yay for your financial badassity!
Post by: ItsALongStory on November 22, 2019, 07:36:59 PM
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Post by: SwordGuy on November 23, 2019, 08:44:20 AM
Finalized the immigration process and officially became a us citizen today. This was a huge step prior to making a move abroad in anticipation of temporary pause in my career in 2023/2024 or so.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Welcome!
Post by: ItsALongStory on November 23, 2019, 11:50:39 PM
Thank you!Finalized the immigration process and officially became a us citizen today. This was a huge step prior to making a move abroad in anticipation of temporary pause in my career in 2023/2024 or so.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Welcome!
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Post by: DaKini on December 04, 2019, 09:13:13 AM
Coded my first lines of c++ today. I had this on my wishlist for about 20 years now, but got distracted by life, perl, bash, tcl, java and some of that.
Its really cool to see compiled binarys running, knowing every character of the source is my own :)
Post by: dougules on December 04, 2019, 10:12:01 AM
Yay!
Coded my first lines of c++ today. I had this on my wishlist for about 20 years now, but got distracted by life, perl, bash, tcl, java and some of that.
Its really cool to see compiled binarys running, knowing every character of the source is my own :)
Cool. Are you FIREd?
Post by: dcarroll on December 05, 2019, 06:41:29 PM
Thanks happy & SwordGuy. I'm expecting it to dip back down again but it's a fun milestone.
My husband saw it and said "two chicks at the same time" [Office Space]
Ha, we just recently watched Office Space. Congratulations on your milestone!
Post by: Trifle on December 07, 2019, 04:20:22 AM
To everyone else who's been through it or helped a loved one through it, I'm sending good thoughts your way.
Post by: grantmeaname on December 07, 2019, 05:07:27 AM
Post by: ItsALongStory on December 07, 2019, 07:20:46 AM
Today is my 4 year anniversary of a serious cancer diagnosis. Currently all is well -- no evidence of disease. I'm grateful for every. single. day. and loving life.Great stuff, I cannot imagine how good it must feel to see clear scans whenever you do them.
To everyone else who's been through it or helped a loved one through it, I'm sending good thoughts your way.
My wife had stage 3 melanoma in 2010 and she is also doing great although she is starting to get some minor lymphoedema now in her left foot.
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Post by: DaKini on December 08, 2019, 11:45:16 AM
No i think about 20 years away from that...Yay!
Coded my first lines of c++ today. I had this on my wishlist for about 20 years now, but got distracted by life, perl, bash, tcl, java and some of that.
Its really cool to see compiled binarys running, knowing every character of the source is my own :)
Cool. Are you FIREd?
Post by: afuera on December 18, 2019, 07:52:46 AM
This will be the first time I'm able to hit the $56K total contribution limit due to my contributions being capped at 40%. I've been doing Pre-Tax + After Tax->RIPC for the last 3 years but this year, thanks to a combination of a raise and better than average profit sharing from my company, is the first time I was able to max it out!
Post by: trashtalk on December 18, 2019, 09:53:25 AM
I just calculated that I will hit $56,013.38 total contributions to my 401K with my final paycheck this year.
This will be the first time I'm able to hit the $56K total contribution limit due to my contributions being capped at 40%. I've been doing Pre-Tax + After Tax->RIPC for the last 3 years but this year, thanks to a combination of a raise and better than average profit sharing from my company, is the first time I was able to max it out!
Whoo!
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Post by: dougules on December 20, 2019, 11:13:22 AM
Thoroughly happy to have just started the process to refinance our primary home at a lower interest rate and to a 15 yr mortgage with under $100 in costs!
On top of that, also thrilled to be refinancing a rental property with the same basic deal (down to from 30 yr to a 15 yr, decent drop in the rate etc) and due to property value increases, we are also now able own another rental out right by the end of the deal.
Yippee!
Nice. What rate did you get if you don't mind sharing?
Post by: Extramedium on January 01, 2020, 10:50:26 PM
Every journey begins with a single step:
I biked to the grocery store in freezing temperatures yesterday! One small step towards being less of a Car Clown =)
That is fantastic; way to go! Badass.
Post by: Extramedium on January 01, 2020, 10:55:59 PM
We also have $220k of shares in a small privately held commercial REIT (two strip malls) that have yielded about $20-26k/year for the last 4-5 years, paying our mortgage and then some. So our overall net worth has been over 1M for while, but it’s still gratifying to see.
We think we’ll get another $2-300k until trying to pay down the mortgage ($116k), with goal of Fat FI(+-ER) at $2M in 7ish years. I could see myself not doing RE for awhile, as I get fulfilled from my job, but who knows how I’ll be then. Maybe drop down to part time. I really feel like we’re getting momentum! Thanks for being the people who understand this stuff.
Post by: dougules on January 02, 2020, 09:45:52 AM
Last month, we passed $1M in invested assets (combination of 401k, Roth, HSA and taxable accounts), picked up our second comma!
We also have $220k of shares in a small privately held commercial REIT (two strip malls) that have yielded about $20-26k/year for the last 4-5 years, paying our mortgage and then some. So our overall net worth has been over 1M for while, but it’s still gratifying to see.
We think we’ll get another $2-300k until trying to pay down the mortgage ($116k), with goal of Fat FI(+-ER) at $2M in 7ish years. I could see myself not doing RE for awhile, as I get fulfilled from my job, but who knows how I’ll be then. Maybe drop down to part time. I really feel like we’re getting momentum! Thanks for being the people who understand this stuff.
It's amazing, isn't it? We're in the same speedboat. I got a promotion, and we sold our rental house for a handsome profit. It really is unbelievable to watch the snowball just keep speeding up.
Post by: thedigitalone on January 02, 2020, 03:11:38 PM
I know it's just a number and doesn't change anything, but it feels more "real" than having $1M total (liquid + home equity). I'm sure the market will take a downturn and we'll dip back under at some point, but we'll just keep adding more to our stash until we reach our goal.
Post by: dougules on January 02, 2020, 03:42:22 PM
Ran our numbers today to wrap up 2019 and we crossed over $1M invested due to the market run up in December and I didn't even notice it until now.
I know it's just a number and doesn't change anything, but it feels more "real" than having $1M total (liquid + home equity). I'm sure the market will take a downturn and we'll dip back under at some point, but we'll just keep adding more to our stash until we reach our goal.
We hit it a couple years ago, and it still doesn't feel real to me. The huge market run-up also feels a little like cheating, but we're getting to the point where it would take a pretty big dip to put us back under.
Post by: EconDiva on January 06, 2020, 07:54:46 AM
Got my biopsy back from lymph nodes this week. No cancer! 6 weeks off paid disability leave to recover and 2 extra months FMLA for good measure. For all the ladies out there - schedule those mammograms, and don’t skimp there. Cancer treatments are expensive without insurance. My bill so far is $157, for one out of network nurse. That’s worth its own celebration!!
Amazing news! So happy for you!
Post by: LWYRUP on January 06, 2020, 10:08:55 AM
Today is my 4 year anniversary of a serious cancer diagnosis. Currently all is well -- no evidence of disease. I'm grateful for every. single. day. and loving life.
To everyone else who's been through it or helped a loved one through it, I'm sending good thoughts your way.
Congratulations, @Trifele!!
Post by: couponvan on January 08, 2020, 08:05:33 PM
Got my biopsy back from lymph nodes this week. No cancer! 6 weeks off paid disability leave to recover and 2 extra months FMLA for good measure. For all the ladies out there - schedule those mammograms, and don’t skimp there. Cancer treatments are expensive without insurance. My bill so far is $157, for one out of network nurse. That’s worth its own celebration!!
Amazing news! So happy for you!
Thank you! On my YOLO smoke break until at least April....so far so good!
Post by: BobTheBuilder on January 11, 2020, 10:06:35 AM
https://time.com/5754155/global-advances-2019/
Post by: dougules on January 13, 2020, 11:02:32 AM
The world got better in 2019, which is why I'd like to share this link with you:
https://time.com/5754155/global-advances-2019/
Thanks for that. It's nice to hear that a lot of things are going well given the never-ending stream of worrying news.
Post by: OtherJen on January 16, 2020, 07:00:05 AM
Post by: trashtalk on January 16, 2020, 08:40:03 AM
I work as a freelance contractor with a few companies, and one of them just offered me what amounts to a promotion, with a decent increase in my rate and the prospect of more interesting work.
Whoo!
Post by: LWYRUP on January 18, 2020, 07:15:06 AM
I also meal prepped and packed my lunch all January and haven't even snuck out for extra coffee (a bad habit, as it wasted money and put too much caffeine in my system). I've only eaten out once in January. I'm excited to see my January budget results and see how much money I saved.
We were going to buy a couch but we decided to use one from elsewhere in the house and hold off for a while. I'm sure we will get a new one eventually, but I count deferring purchases as a win, on the theory that you earn 5-10% of the purchase price every year you can hold off on the purchase and keep the money in the market. We can also have more time to research the decision properly and hopefully get a better product at a better price.
My kids also decided they didn't want to do gymanstics anymore. Not going to say that's a win, but they are little (6 and 3) and it was expensive, so I am happy to get $235 a month back in the budget. We're going to do swimming lessons instead, which are a bit cheaper and are a fixed course and not just a perpetual ongoing monthly expense.
All in all, I think January is going to come in $500 - $1,000 lower than our typical spend and I'm going to get another few hundred in income. If I can keep it up, we'll have another $1,000 in net cash flow every month.
Post by: BECABECA on January 18, 2020, 08:54:23 AM
I got a raise, small (3.5%) but the max for my government agency. It's been due, and so I will be paid retroactively from early fall.
I also meal prepped and packed my lunch all January and haven't even snuck out for extra coffee (a bad habit, as it wasted money and put too much caffeine in my system). I've only eaten out once in January. I'm excited to see my January budget results and see how much money I saved.
We were going to buy a couch but we decided to use one from elsewhere in the house and hold off for a while. I'm sure we will get a new one eventually, but I count deferring purchases as a win, on the theory that you earn 5-10% of the purchase price every year you can hold off on the purchase and keep the money in the market. We can also have more time to research the decision properly and hopefully get a better product at a better price.
My kids also decided they didn't want to do gymanstics anymore. Not going to say that's a win, but they are little (6 and 3) and it was expensive, so I am happy to get $235 a month back in the budget. We're going to do swimming lessons instead, which are a bit cheaper and are a fixed course and not just a perpetual ongoing monthly expense.
All in all, I think January is going to come in $500 - $1,000 lower than our typical spend and I'm going to get another few hundred in income. If I can keep it up, we'll have another $1,000 in net cash flow every month.
Congrats! Have you rerun your calculations to see how much sooner you’ll hit FI if you do keep it up? $1,000 extra each month invested compounds into $170k in 10 years 😁
Post by: LWYRUP on January 18, 2020, 09:20:33 AM
Not yet. We're probably a bit over 15x living expenses now but there are too many other variables (healthcare, college for kids, the fact that we've had a 10 year bull market and might face a correction) for me to pinpoint a date. Our expenses could go down a lot if we moved to a LCOL area or up if we face issues with college, healthcare or just some kid desperately wanting to do an expensive activity. (Competitive gymnastics for bigger kids, for example, can easily be $5k in my area, excluding travel costs. I don't think we'd ever let it get to that, but with three, it would only take a couple activities to start adding up.)
For now we are just in the "boring middle" where with time it's clear we'll get there comfortably before 65 but it could be 5 years or 15. Sometimes I think it's easier psychologically to just try to focus on other goals in the meantime.
Or maybe this is all me just being too lazy to really work up a detailed spreadsheet. :)
Post by: BECABECA on January 18, 2020, 09:45:56 AM
Not yet. We're probably a bit over 15x living expenses now but there are too many other variables (healthcare, college for kids, the fact that we've had a 10 year bull market and might face a correction) for me to pinpoint a date. Our expenses could go down a lot if we moved to a LCOL area or up if we face issues with college, healthcare or just some kid desperately wanting to do an expensive activity. (Competitive gymnastics for bigger kids, for example, can easily be $5k in my area, excluding travel costs. I don't think we'd ever let it get to that, but with three, it would only take a couple activities to start adding up.)
For now we are just in the "boring middle" where with time it's clear we'll get there comfortably before 65 but it could be 5 years or 15. Sometimes I think it's easier psychologically to just try to focus on other goals in the meantime.
Or maybe this is all me just being too lazy to really work up a detailed spreadsheet. :)
No need to run calculations if you’re already motivated to save and it wouldn’t improve your motivation. Keep going with what works for you!
Post by: aetherie on January 18, 2020, 12:23:27 PM
Post by: Zaga on January 18, 2020, 12:32:58 PM
As of today Mint says our net worth has two commas in it. We're millionaires!We are halfway there today, Woot woot to both of us!
Post by: Trifle on January 19, 2020, 05:56:36 AM
As of today Mint says our net worth has two commas in it. We're millionaires!We are halfway there today, Woot woot to both of us!
Congratulations to both of you!!!
Post by: Prairie Gal on January 22, 2020, 01:47:44 PM
As of today Mint says our net worth has two commas in it. We're millionaires!We are halfway there today, Woot woot to both of us!
In the halfway club too.
Post by: BobTheBuilder on February 01, 2020, 03:34:21 AM
Result: Pay goes up by 8% this month with another upgrade in 2021 already confirmed.
You only have to ask, but you have to ask :-)
Post by: Trifle on February 01, 2020, 03:35:36 AM
Post by: Zaga on February 01, 2020, 07:15:46 AM
Finally got around to doing my year end calculations for 2019, and in the six years since I found MMM, my net worth has increased by $194K. Pretty dang happy about that. I was deep in debt when I started. And that is on one income, and dropping down to part time the last two years.It lasted for like 2 days lol! But it will come again!As of today Mint says our net worth has two commas in it. We're millionaires!We are halfway there today, Woot woot to both of us!
In the halfway club too.
Post by: Gone_Hiking on February 04, 2020, 09:01:15 PM
As of today Mint says our net worth has two commas in it. We're millionaires!We are halfway there today, Woot woot to both of us!
Congratulations to both of you!!!
Woot woot!
Post by: Gone_Hiking on February 04, 2020, 09:16:21 PM
I lost a job last week. Beaten and angry, I came home, reviewed the separation paperwork, severance pay, and other details, asked DH for the cost of adding me and DS to his insurance, run a few scenarios and realized that, even with the stock market returning poor results forever, DH working just one more year and me never working again, we could maintain our current level of spending and never run out of money.
The sense of calm I feel as I start thinking of the best job hunt is something I never expected. Freaking unbelievable.
Post by: SwordGuy on February 04, 2020, 09:44:05 PM
I'm celebrating FI!!!It is a great feeling! Congrats!
I lost a job last week. Beaten and angry, I came home, reviewed the separation paperwork, severance pay, and other details, asked DH for the cost of adding me and DS to his insurance, run a few scenarios and realized that, even with the stock market returning poor results forever, DH working just one more year and me never working again, we could maintain our current level of spending and never run out of money.
The sense of calm I feel as I start thinking of the best job hunt is something I never expected. Freaking unbelievable.
Post by: SwordGuy on February 04, 2020, 09:44:47 PM
Post by: ItsALongStory on February 05, 2020, 07:07:07 AM
I'm celebrating FI!!!Congrats!
I lost a job last week. Beaten and angry, I came home, reviewed the separation paperwork, severance pay, and other details, asked DH for the cost of adding me and DS to his insurance, run a few scenarios and realized that, even with the stock market returning poor results forever, DH working just one more year and me never working again, we could maintain our current level of spending and never run out of money.
The sense of calm I feel as I start thinking of the best job hunt is something I never expected. Freaking unbelievable.
Post by: ItsALongStory on February 05, 2020, 07:07:27 AM
We moved into our Dream home yesterday. It would never have been possible without what I've learned from MMM and you all. Thanks!Must be an awesome feeling, congrats!
Post by: Gone_Hiking on February 05, 2020, 05:38:11 PM
We moved into our Dream home yesterday. It would never have been possible without what I've learned from MMM and you all. Thanks!
Congratulations. Much to celebrate lately, no?
Post by: SwordGuy on February 05, 2020, 06:20:01 PM
Absolutely!We moved into our Dream home yesterday. It would never have been possible without what I've learned from MMM and you all. Thanks!
Congratulations. Much to celebrate lately, no?
Post by: SeaG1ant on February 13, 2020, 06:24:04 AM
Post by: Suelavie on February 15, 2020, 03:15:31 PM
100K at 50 years old is not an acomplishment worth mentionning for the vast majority of the Mustachians here, but for me it is…
I began reading MMM at the beginning of 2018, having always thought that I was not wired for savings (I was not « good with numbers », « rich enough to save », not « smart enough to understand those financial things »…name it). Since forever, I was allergic to debt, but was living paycheck to paycheck, even often slipping in the Red (oh, just a little bit).
So, after the reading of a few MMM articles beginning of 2018, I suggested my husband to sit with me to do a simulation of what will be our financial situation when retired (at 65 minimum, of course). The vision was almost looking like a Stephen King’s nightmare. Well, eating Kraft Dinner 4 times a week?
September 2018, my RRSP (I am in Canada) was 40K. 18 month later, I am at 100K, even with a 7 months couple separation in 2019 (no link with the saving efforts :-) )during which savings was hard .
I have to check my banking account a few times a week because I have hard times believing the numbers. It is so weird, but so empowering at the same time. The most crazy is that we don’t even feel any sacrifice… Oh, maybe way less suchis in our belly…
My next step is to go « Index Fund » . I know, I should have done it earlier, but I still feel that I don’t know much about investment and I wish to find some ethical Portfolios (the one I was attracted to at Tangerine includes Nestlé and Barrick Gold shares… I don’t want those criminals to benefit my Green workers).
So, obviously no RE for me, but way less Kraft Dinner in sight when I will retire!
Sue
Post by: ender on February 15, 2020, 03:33:13 PM
Post by: Suelavie on February 15, 2020, 07:33:38 PM
Post by: Money Badger on February 28, 2020, 08:51:52 PM
I'm celebrating FI!!!
I lost a job last week. Beaten and angry, I came home, reviewed the separation paperwork, severance pay, and other details, asked DH for the cost of adding me and DS to his insurance, run a few scenarios and realized that, even with the stock market returning poor results forever, DH working just one more year and me never working again, we could maintain our current level of spending and never run out of money.
The sense of calm I feel as I start thinking of the best job hunt is something I never expected. Freaking unbelievable.
@Gone_Hiking, This is amazing and so awesome to now find a passion to spend your time on rather than for just a paycheck. Good luck favors the prepared!
Post by: Staunch Aim on March 05, 2020, 08:24:13 PM
That said, I'm almost 40 and I still love Kraft Dinner every once in a while.
Post by: Suelavie on March 06, 2020, 01:19:37 PM
Post by: Dicey on March 09, 2020, 02:32:45 AM
I'll echo the congrats, @Suelavie . Be proud!I have a big Costco box of them atop my garage fridge. I actually had one in my hand tonight. WThen I opened the fridge, and I realized there was still a third of a pan of scratch-made scalloped potatoes. I actually sighed as I put the KD back in the carton. At least the scalloped potatoes were good. And now they're gone. Oh, the anticipation! FWIW, I just turned 62, lol.
That said, I'm almost 40 and I still love Kraft Dinner every once in a while.
Post by: monarda on March 09, 2020, 09:50:25 AM
I'll echo the congrats, @Suelavie . Be proud!I have a big Costco box of them atop my garage fridge. I actually had one in my hand tonight. WThen I opened the fridge, and I realized there was still a third of a pan of scratch-made scalloped potatoes. I actually sighed as I put the KD back in the carton. At least the scalloped potatoes were good. And now they're gone. Oh, the anticipation! FWIW, I just turned 62, lol.
That said, I'm almost 40 and I still love Kraft Dinner every once in a while.
We're almost 60 and we have a big Costco box of them (Annie's). We reward ourselves with one (adding in a can of tuna) when we've 'earned it' i.e. done some work around the house or yard and are too beat to cook anything more complicated. We look at each other and say, "we've worked and have earned our tuna-mac".
Post by: Rural on March 11, 2020, 06:12:31 PM
Tenure.
And because I've been here forever...
Promoted to full professor.
Post by: grantmeaname on March 12, 2020, 08:05:47 AM
Post by: DarkandStormy on March 18, 2020, 05:23:49 PM
I'm celebrating FI!!!
I lost a job last week. Beaten and angry, I came home, reviewed the separation paperwork, severance pay, and other details, asked DH for the cost of adding me and DS to his insurance, run a few scenarios and realized that, even with the stock market returning poor results forever, DH working just one more year and me never working again, we could maintain our current level of spending and never run out of money.
The sense of calm I feel as I start thinking of the best job hunt is something I never expected. Freaking unbelievable.
Following up just to see how things are going for you guys given the last month.
Post by: mozar on April 09, 2020, 05:34:33 PM
Post by: dougules on April 09, 2020, 07:17:08 PM
I decided to relearn math so for the past year and a half I have been working through kahn academy. I started with arithmetic, then pre-algebra. Now I have finished algebra 1! Yay me! I feel like I'm getting the hang of it and now I am on geometry.
Nice. Sometimes it's just a matter of being interested and being taught in a way that makes sense.
Post by: mozar on April 10, 2020, 10:24:54 AM
Post by: SquashingDebt on May 01, 2020, 05:03:53 PM
Post by: SwordGuy on May 01, 2020, 05:09:46 PM
Just opened my first taxable investment account on Vanguard! Over the past 5 years I paid off $85k in student loans, built a one-year emergency fund, and slowly ramped up my investments. This year I'm maxing out my 401k and HSA and finished maxing my IRA in April, so now I get to put some money in a taxable account!
That's definitely worthy of celebrating!
Post by: Trifle on May 02, 2020, 04:16:33 AM
Just opened my first taxable investment account on Vanguard! Over the past 5 years I paid off $85k in student loans, built a one-year emergency fund, and slowly ramped up my investments. This year I'm maxing out my 401k and HSA and finished maxing my IRA in April, so now I get to put some money in a taxable account!
Well done!!!
Post by: dougules on May 02, 2020, 07:47:29 AM
Just opened my first taxable investment account on Vanguard! Over the past 5 years I paid off $85k in student loans, built a one-year emergency fund, and slowly ramped up my investments. This year I'm maxing out my 401k and HSA and finished maxing my IRA in April, so now I get to put some money in a taxable account!
That's great! Good news seems particularly nice right now.
Post by: late_savings_bloomer on June 04, 2020, 08:55:26 AM
Being in my late 30s, I have regrets over the years and opportunities lost. (e.g. had I stayed with the job I quit to go back to school, I could be retired now) So please share any piece of wisdom and hope you got.
Also, this is my first post in the forum! Hello, MMM-world!
Post by: Mrs Brightside on June 04, 2020, 10:11:04 AM
Post by: Zaga on June 04, 2020, 10:56:18 AM
This week my spouse and I finally paid our way out of STUDENT LOAN HELL!!! Zeroes across the board. Six figures of debt gone. Biggest sigh of relief ever (at least until we FIRE). Feels like the wrong time to share this with friends and family, but I think I'm safe on the MMM forum.I felt your sigh of relief all the way from here, great job!
Post by: dougules on June 04, 2020, 11:29:54 AM
This week my spouse and I finally paid our way out of STUDENT LOAN HELL!!! Zeroes across the board. Six figures of debt gone. Biggest sigh of relief ever (at least until we FIRE). Feels like the wrong time to share this with friends and family, but I think I'm safe on the MMM forum.
That is exciting. How long did it take?
Post by: Trifle on June 04, 2020, 05:05:38 PM
Three days ago, after a year of indecisiveness, I made my first -- if modest by mustachian standards (25K) -- investment.
Being in my late 30s, I have regrets over the years and opportunities lost. (e.g. had I stayed with the job I quit to go back to school, I could be retired now) So please share any piece of wisdom and hope you got.
Also, this is my first post in the forum! Hello, MMM-world!
Hello and welcome @late_savings_bloomer ! Congrats on taking the plunge. That investment is not small by a long shot. Is the plan to contribute smaller amounts regularly from now on?
Check out the Race From 10 to 100k thread -- lots of good people showing support for one another as they build the stashes: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/race-from-10-to-100k!!/2950/
Post by: Mrs Brightside on June 06, 2020, 12:10:38 AM
This week my spouse and I finally paid our way out of STUDENT LOAN HELL!!! Zeroes across the board. Six figures of debt gone. Biggest sigh of relief ever (at least until we FIRE). Feels like the wrong time to share this with friends and family, but I think I'm safe on the MMM forum.
That is exciting. How long did it take?
About 13 years if you include 5 years of grad school deferment. Yikes.
Post by: dougules on June 08, 2020, 10:36:21 AM
This week my spouse and I finally paid our way out of STUDENT LOAN HELL!!! Zeroes across the board. Six figures of debt gone. Biggest sigh of relief ever (at least until we FIRE). Feels like the wrong time to share this with friends and family, but I think I'm safe on the MMM forum.
That is exciting. How long did it take?
About 13 years if you include 5 years of grad school deferment. Yikes.
That 13 years worth of excitement built up.
Post by: LostGirl on June 10, 2020, 09:48:29 AM
Three days ago, after a year of indecisiveness, I made my first -- if modest by mustachian standards (25K) -- investment.
Being in my late 30s, I have regrets over the years and opportunities lost. (e.g. had I stayed with the job I quit to go back to school, I could be retired now) So please share any piece of wisdom and hope you got.
Also, this is my first post in the forum! Hello, MMM-world!
That is awesome! Every investment is great and $25K is nothing to sneeze at :)
Post by: LostGirl on June 10, 2020, 09:50:20 AM
This week my spouse and I finally paid our way out of STUDENT LOAN HELL!!! Zeroes across the board. Six figures of debt gone. Biggest sigh of relief ever (at least until we FIRE). Feels like the wrong time to share this with friends and family, but I think I'm safe on the MMM forum.
I was logging in to celebrate my student loan payoff as well! I'd been working on mine for slightly longer. Even though the interest rate was super low, it feels great to have that done. Congrats to you too @Mrs Brightside !
Post by: nereo on June 10, 2020, 09:52:05 AM
This week my spouse and I finally paid our way out of STUDENT LOAN HELL!!! Zeroes across the board. Six figures of debt gone. Biggest sigh of relief ever (at least until we FIRE). Feels like the wrong time to share this with friends and family, but I think I'm safe on the MMM forum.
That is exciting. How long did it take?
About 13 years if you include 5 years of grad school deferment. Yikes.
Congratulations. We had a similar journey, though the amounts were not quite as high (~$65k and 12 years, with much of that in subsidized deferral).
Post by: ItsALongStory on June 13, 2020, 02:51:37 PM
Could not be more stoked, highly recommend selling your home without a realtor. There is very little to it.
Post by: late_savings_bloomer on June 14, 2020, 11:23:29 AM
Three days ago, after a year of indecisiveness, I made my first -- if modest by mustachian standards (25K) -- investment.
Being in my late 30s, I have regrets over the years and opportunities lost. (e.g. had I stayed with the job I quit to go back to school, I could be retired now) So please share any piece of wisdom and hope you got.
Also, this is my first post in the forum! Hello, MMM-world!
Hello and welcome @late_savings_bloomer ! Congrats on taking the plunge. That investment is not small by a long shot. Is the plan to contribute smaller amounts regularly from now on?
Check out the Race From 10 to 100k thread -- lots of good people showing support for one another as they build the stashes: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/race-from-10-to-100k!!/2950/
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and encouragement @Pennycounter and @Trifele! Yes, I will invest everything I save. That lumpsum of 25K is my savings over 6 years of grad study (really 15K of savings plus my 10K of previous savings). They were just sitting in my checking account because I'm totally financially illiterate. Stumbling on MMM was the push I needed to work on my long overdue initiation into the topic.
I have a temporary 2-year job position, so I cannot plan in the long-term. All I know is that the more I save now, the better - either it will help me survive during the next search, or it will grow the stash if I land another job right away! Either way, the unstable job situation has made me a saver over the years, so I feel I can graduate a mustachian before I'm 100 years old despite the late start.
Post by: StachingforLife on June 16, 2020, 09:12:04 AM
My husband and I started on the path to FI at the beginning of this year and so far have invested 57k. I made a list of investment milestones to shoot for so I can check them off as we go. We've so far checked off 12 boxes meaning we just "completed" our first year of investing towards FI 6 months ahead of schedule! As I type this I am stroking our small but growing stache!
Post by: late_savings_bloomer on June 16, 2020, 09:48:48 AM
Tenure.
And because I've been here forever...
Promoted to full professor.
CONGRATS!!!! A baby post-doc here, looking up the steep hill of doom called Academia. I would appreciate any advice you have (academic and financial)!
Post by: Trifle on June 16, 2020, 01:48:12 PM
I finally braved joining this community :) thought I'd have my first post be a celebratory one!
My husband and I started on the path to FI at the beginning of this year and so far have invested 57k. I made a list of investment milestones to shoot for so I can check them off as we go. We've so far checked off 12 boxes meaning we just "completed" our first year of investing towards FI 6 months ahead of schedule! As I type this I am stroking our small but growing stache!
Welcome @StachingforLife ! Wow that is an impressive start to the year. Go you!
Post by: monarda on June 16, 2020, 02:19:51 PM
Tenure.
And because I've been here forever...
Promoted to full professor.
CONGRATS!!!! A baby post-doc here, looking up the steep hill of doom called Academia. I would appreciate any advice you have (academic and financial)!
Welcome @late_savings_bloomer! Fellow academic here. Started my postdoc in 1994 and now I'm an academic research scientist. There are a bunch of academics on these boards.
I'm celebrating that one of my former undergrad students just bought her first house this week! I mentored her both in science and home buying!
Post by: Sibley on June 18, 2020, 07:27:05 AM
2.75%, 0 points, 15 yr. I'm cutting off about 10 years from the term, and saving about $30k in interest. New payment is about $50 more than what I had been paying (I paid extra), so no worries about the budget.
Whooo!!!!!
Post by: grantmeaname on June 18, 2020, 08:27:04 AM
Post by: ItsALongStory on June 18, 2020, 09:18:37 AM
Post by: Sibley on June 18, 2020, 11:46:03 AM
If you're in the Chicago area and want to talk to a decent broker, pm me. I've used this guy twice now (original purchase and refi), and have no concerns about ethics, etc. He deliberately held back for about 2.5 months because he thought the rates were too high. That delay dropped it from probably around 3.5 down to the 2.75 I got.
Post by: StachingforLife on June 18, 2020, 01:26:29 PM
I finally braved joining this community :) thought I'd have my first post be a celebratory one!
My husband and I started on the path to FI at the beginning of this year and so far have invested 57k. I made a list of investment milestones to shoot for so I can check them off as we go. We've so far checked off 12 boxes meaning we just "completed" our first year of investing towards FI 6 months ahead of schedule! As I type this I am stroking our small but growing stache!
Welcome @StachingforLife ! Wow that is an impressive start to the year. Go you!
Thank you! Happy to be here :D
Post by: StachingforLife on June 18, 2020, 01:28:07 PM
I refinanced my mortgage, signed the papers yesterday. My hand fell off of course, but that's the norm.
2.75%, 0 points, 15 yr. I'm cutting off about 10 years from the term, and saving about $30k in interest. New payment is about $50 more than what I had been paying (I paid extra), so no worries about the budget.
Whooo!!!!!
That is fantastic!!
Post by: dougules on June 19, 2020, 10:07:52 AM
I finally braved joining this community :) thought I'd have my first post be a celebratory one!
My husband and I started on the path to FI at the beginning of this year and so far have invested 57k. I made a list of investment milestones to shoot for so I can check them off as we go. We've so far checked off 12 boxes meaning we just "completed" our first year of investing towards FI 6 months ahead of schedule! As I type this I am stroking our small but growing stache!
Welcome @StachingforLife ! Wow that is an impressive start to the year. Go you!
Thank you! Happy to be here :D
It snowballs on itself. You will be surprised how fast that 57k will go to $570k.
Post by: StachingforLife on June 21, 2020, 10:33:24 AM
I finally braved joining this community :) thought I'd have my first post be a celebratory one!
My husband and I started on the path to FI at the beginning of this year and so far have invested 57k. I made a list of investment milestones to shoot for so I can check them off as we go. We've so far checked off 12 boxes meaning we just "completed" our first year of investing towards FI 6 months ahead of schedule! As I type this I am stroking our small but growing stache!
Welcome @StachingforLife ! Wow that is an impressive start to the year. Go you!
Thank you! Happy to be here :D
It snowballs on itself. You will be surprised how fast that 57k will go to $570k.
I can't wait :D we're hoping to hit the 100k mark by the end of the year! I frequently play with a calculator and calculate how much money is generated from our investments that we'll have "forever" :) it's so satisfying! I wish I had started investing when I first started working. Investing is so much more fun than spending!
Post by: dougules on June 21, 2020, 10:49:13 AM
It snowballs on itself. You will be surprised how fast that 57k will go to $570k.
I can't wait :D we're hoping to hit the 100k mark by the end of the year! I frequently play with a calculator and calculate how much money is generated from our investments that we'll have "forever" :) it's so satisfying! I wish I had started investing when I first started working. Investing is so much more fun than spending!
Yes!
I wish I had started investing when I first started working, too, but hindsight is 20/20. Plus there are just so many more resources to help you learn these days. I guess I'm a little jealous on some level of folks a decade or two younger than me because of that. I can't complain, though. I never thought I'd be retiring in my 40s.
Post by: Rural on June 22, 2020, 06:19:28 AM
Tenure.
And because I've been here forever...
Promoted to full professor.
CONGRATS!!!! A baby post-doc here, looking up the steep hill of doom called Academia. I would appreciate any advice you have (academic and financial)!
Welcome! Frankly, tenure if the hard step; Full is maybe half as stressful. Landing the TT in the first place is in large part pure luck, so while you have to do the work, there's no real point stressing about application and interviews once they're done. Covid is the big question now, so again we just wait to see how many institutions make it.
Post by: nereo on June 22, 2020, 10:40:44 AM
Welcome! Frankly, tenure if the hard step; Full is maybe half as stressful. Landing the TT in the first place is in large part pure luck, so while you have to do the work, there's no real point stressing about application and interviews once they're done. Covid is the big question now, so again we just wait to see how many institutions make it.
This is the frustrating part for me. I've come to realize that there's only so much one can do to get on TT (other than apply for a crap-ton of positions). I have several friends who applied ofr >40 TT positions before getting their current job.
Post by: StachingforLife on June 22, 2020, 01:29:43 PM
It snowballs on itself. You will be surprised how fast that 57k will go to $570k.
I can't wait :D we're hoping to hit the 100k mark by the end of the year! I frequently play with a calculator and calculate how much money is generated from our investments that we'll have "forever" :) it's so satisfying! I wish I had started investing when I first started working. Investing is so much more fun than spending!
Yes!
I wish I had started investing when I first started working, too, but hindsight is 20/20. Plus there are just so many more resources to help you learn these days. I guess I'm a little jealous on some level of folks a decade or two younger than me because of that. I can't complain, though. I never thought I'd be retiring in my 40s.
I understand completely! The grass seems to always be greener in someone else's yard right? I get super jealous of kids who grew up frugal and are unintentionally going to be FIRE- like a bunch of friends of my husband's. I also get stupidly jealous of people who are farther along the journey than us. It's honestly silly though. The journey is enjoyable in itself!
That is another thing to be grateful for- all the available resources nowadays. And the increase in community :) Retiring in your 40's is f-ing incredible though! You should be so proud! You still jumped off the standard path that so many others are still on. Like my grandma -_- she's 80 and is still working and can't retire. That won't be me.
Post by: Mrs Brightside on July 01, 2020, 07:03:41 PM
...
I was logging in to celebrate my student loan payoff as well! I'd been working on mine for slightly longer. Even though the interest rate was super low, it feels great to have that done. Congrats to you too @Mrs Brightside !
Congrats @Pennycounter !!
Post by: Tortoise Banker on July 07, 2020, 03:38:52 PM
This morning, our net worth eclipsed $1,000,000 for the first time.
I am tremendously grateful for the cumulative knowledge and caring community this forum has provided my family on this journey.
TB
Post by: LWYRUP on July 07, 2020, 03:49:46 PM
I began the FI journey about 12 years ago. I had just turned 21, recovered from a battle with cancer, and graduated college. My initial move was to open an IRA, and after many days of researching, I was introduced to index investing and Bogle's Vanguard. In times of market uncertainty--my first reaction has been to come to forums like this to hear from similar minded investors and mustachians as therapy and motivation.
This morning, our net worth eclipsed $1,000,000 for the first time.
I am tremendously grateful for the cumulative knowledge and caring community this forum has provided my family on this journey.
TB
Awesome!!! How long until FIRE?
Post by: dougules on July 07, 2020, 03:57:58 PM
Post by: Tortoise Banker on July 07, 2020, 07:13:57 PM
I began the FI journey about 12 years ago. I had just turned 21, recovered from a battle with cancer, and graduated college. My initial move was to open an IRA, and after many days of researching, I was introduced to index investing and Bogle's Vanguard. In times of market uncertainty--my first reaction has been to come to forums like this to hear from similar minded investors and mustachians as therapy and motivation.
This morning, our net worth eclipsed $1,000,000 for the first time.
I am tremendously grateful for the cumulative knowledge and caring community this forum has provided my family on this journey.
TB
Awesome!!! How long until FIRE?
Thank you! I’d imagine about 7 more years at age 40.
Post by: LWYRUP on July 07, 2020, 07:24:28 PM
Post by: Buffaloski Boris on July 10, 2020, 07:40:00 PM
I began the FI journey about 12 years ago. I had just turned 21, recovered from a battle with cancer, and graduated college. My initial move was to open an IRA, and after many days of researching, I was introduced to index investing and Bogle's Vanguard. In times of market uncertainty--my first reaction has been to come to forums like this to hear from similar minded investors and mustachians as therapy and motivation.Congratulations @Tortoise Banker!! Welcome to the two comma club. 12 years? Impressive.
This morning, our net worth eclipsed $1,000,000 for the first time.
I am tremendously grateful for the cumulative knowledge and caring community this forum has provided my family on this journey.
TB
Post by: Valley of Plenty on July 13, 2020, 09:46:58 PM
Celebrated by increasing my 401k contributions by another 8% to keep the money flowing to the right places. Next year I should be able to max it out, along with an IRA. Who knows, maybe I'll even have some spare cheddar to throw into a brokerage account!
Really glad I was able to get this finished before I attend CampFI in Colorado this weekend. Would have really hurt my cred as a Mustachian to not be able to say I'm free of consumer debt.
Post by: Buffaloski Boris on July 14, 2020, 06:15:08 AM
Just sent out the final payment for the auto loan left over from my days before becoming a Mustachian. With that, I am now officially debt free!
Celebrated by increasing my 401k contributions by another 8% to keep the money flowing to the right places. Next year I should be able to max it out, along with an IRA. Who knows, maybe I'll even have some spare cheddar to throw into a brokerage account!
Really glad I was able to get this finished before I attend CampFI in Colorado this weekend. Would have really hurt my cred as a Mustachian to not be able to say I'm free of consumer debt.
Congratulations! You just made a creditor sad. Heh heh heh.
Post by: midweststache on July 15, 2020, 08:28:24 AM
After 14 months with an auto loan that I *loathed*, I paid off the loan balance this morning! YAY!
(I didn't feel like I could share this with anyone but my husband, who obviously knows, so I'm doing a little forum happy dance and sharing with you all!)
Post by: Trifle on July 15, 2020, 05:18:25 PM
Post by: Buffaloski Boris on July 25, 2020, 08:49:30 AM
We bought a used minivan last May (2019), in anticipation of our second child. We put 1/3 down and took out a loan for the remaining 2/3 at a fairly reasonable interest rate (5%). (My maternity leave was unpaid and we wanted extra liquidity in anticipation of time off work (a job I've since left for a *much* better role) and other budget adjustments that come with babies.)
After 14 months with an auto loan that I *loathed*, I paid off the loan balance this morning! YAY!
(I didn't feel like I could share this with anyone but my husband, who obviously knows, so I'm doing a little forum happy dance and sharing with you all!)
Very cool. It warms my heart to know that there is just a little less debt slavery out there today.
Post by: SquashingDebt on August 12, 2020, 06:26:05 AM
Post by: SwordGuy on August 12, 2020, 07:48:29 AM
Happened to notice today that I hit $100k in investments! $68.5k in my 401k, $18.5k in my Roth IRA, and $13k in my (started in 2020) taxable account. That's a fun milestone!Way to go!
That's the threshold where it really starts to compound into "real money"! Historical average US market return is 10% (7% minus average inflation), so that's $10k. $10k is a lot of money. It's enough for a new roof. Or a new HVAC. Or a new used car without a car payment. (And hopefully it will be used for compound growth instead!)
Post by: maisymouser on August 13, 2020, 01:56:49 PM
Post by: LWYRUP on August 13, 2020, 02:26:19 PM
Went from not having enough on hand to fund my IRA in January to having maxxed it out this week!Excellent!
Post by: Exflyboy on August 13, 2020, 04:01:18 PM
Happened to notice today that I hit $100k in investments! $68.5k in my 401k, $18.5k in my Roth IRA, and $13k in my (started in 2020) taxable account. That's a fun milestone!Way to go!
That's the threshold where it really starts to compound into "real money"! Historical average US market return is 10% (7% minus average inflation), so that's $10k. $10k is a lot of money. It's enough for a new roof. Or a new HVAC. Or a new used car without a car payment. (And hopefully it will be used for compound growth instead!)
Exactly!.. Hit 1 million and thats $100k per year for doing absolutely nothing..:)
Post by: Buffaloski Boris on August 13, 2020, 06:02:25 PM
Went from not having enough on hand to fund my IRA in January to having maxxed it out this week!That’s some serious awesomeness. Congratulations!
Post by: catlady on August 24, 2020, 06:28:27 PM
Post by: SwordGuy on August 24, 2020, 06:45:14 PM
Just sold our old home and we'll be knocking $112k off our mortgage when the check clears.
Escrow has over $7100 in it and when that shows up we'll put that on the mortgage, too.
In about a month our mortgage balance will have dropped 75% from the original balance last January.
Post by: Buffaloski Boris on August 24, 2020, 08:04:14 PM
Sold a flip house and knocked $50k off our mortgage.
Just sold our old home and we'll be knocking $112k off our mortgage when the check clears.
Escrow has over $7100 in it and when that shows up we'll put that on the mortgage, too.
In about a month our mortgage balance will have dropped 75% from the original balance last January.
Sweet!!! One more paid off house coming up.
Post by: Buffaloski Boris on August 24, 2020, 08:07:51 PM
We just payed off our car \o/ 14K down. I am soooooooooo happy, now to rebuild our emergency fund and next year max at least the TFSA <3 Hopefully we learned our lesson and we will never again spend so much money on a car (32K :( )Very nice! Congratulations! Isn’t killing debt fun?
Post by: catlady on August 25, 2020, 04:04:05 AM
We just payed off our car \o/ 14K down. I am soooooooooo happy, now to rebuild our emergency fund and next year max at least the TFSA <3 Hopefully we learned our lesson and we will never again spend so much money on a car (32K :( )Very nice! Congratulations! Isn’t killing debt fun?
Omg so awesome!
Post by: ixtap on August 25, 2020, 07:01:26 AM
Post by: FrogStash on August 25, 2020, 03:04:52 PM
I know the numbers and finance behind the mortgage vs investment debate and can confidently say that we made the right decision based on our emotional and psychological well-being. The weight lifted from our lives by knowing that the house is paid for is worth more than the opportunity cost of the invested dollars to us both.
In a month or two I suspect I'll be back to share "two-comma" related news!
Cheers!
Post by: Buffaloski Boris on August 25, 2020, 05:28:43 PM
I found MMM in 2014 at which time I convinced Mrs. FrogStash to follow me on a path to FIRE. Last week we took a huge step along that path by putting the money from our side hustle into PAYING OFF OUR MORTGAGE!
I know the numbers and finance behind the mortgage vs investment debate and can confidently say that we made the right decision based on our emotional and psychological well-being. The weight lifted from our lives by knowing that the house is paid for is worth more than the opportunity cost of the invested dollars to us both.
In a month or two I suspect I'll be back to share "two-comma" related news!
Cheers!
Oh that’s too sweet. Congratulations on helping make another banker cry.
Post by: SwordGuy on August 26, 2020, 02:47:26 PM
And we'll be at 22% in a few weeks when the escrow account gets refunded. :)
Post by: Trifle on August 27, 2020, 02:53:25 AM
I found MMM in 2014 at which time I convinced Mrs. FrogStash to follow me on a path to FIRE. Last week we took a huge step along that path by putting the money from our side hustle into PAYING OFF OUR MORTGAGE!
I know the numbers and finance behind the mortgage vs investment debate and can confidently say that we made the right decision based on our emotional and psychological well-being. The weight lifted from our lives by knowing that the house is paid for is worth more than the opportunity cost of the invested dollars to us both.
In a month or two I suspect I'll be back to share "two-comma" related news!
Cheers!
Fantastic! Congratulations @FrogStash!
Post by: Trifle on August 27, 2020, 02:54:37 AM
Bought a new home last January. Sold our old home last Friday, new home mortgage is now only 26% of what it started out at.
And we'll be at 22% in a few weeks when the escrow account gets refunded. :)
Nicely done @SwordGuy!
Post by: christogram on August 27, 2020, 02:25:00 PM
Took apart the dryer and found out a $8 belt had snapped. 30 minutes later and we have working dryer again!
Post by: Alternatepriorities on August 27, 2020, 02:53:15 PM
The dryer stopped tumbling last night and I feared having to spend the money to replace it. (I know, I know, I should be upgrading to drying racks.) It seems low-end appliances are out of stock around here and the idea of spending $800 on a dryer that does the same thing as a $500 dryer seemed wrong.
Took apart the dryer and found out a $8 belt had snapped. 30 minutes later and we have working dryer again!
Well done.
I had a similar experience with a window fan and a fuse the other day. Even though the store would have allowed me to return it still, it feels good knowing all that plastic didn't end up in the dump because of a few cent fuse!
Post by: Buffaloski Boris on August 27, 2020, 04:39:00 PM
Bought a new home last January. Sold our old home last Friday, new home mortgage is now only 26% of what it started out at.
And we'll be at 22% in a few weeks when the escrow account gets refunded. :)
Very sweet. Congratulations!
Post by: Die_Wealthy on August 28, 2020, 08:15:43 AM
3 years ago I was 27k in debt, living in a halfway house, eating canned tuna and white rice for dinner because I literally couldn't afford anything else. 1 year after that I had my own place, met the girl of my dreams, and was making some headway on the debt but mostly felt utterly hopeless about my financial situation. Then I stumbled onto MMM and and it changed EVERYTHING. His blog gave me the knowledge and hope to turn my finances around. I started biking to work, bringing lunch, and treated personal finance like a fun new hobby/obsession.
As of today I am officially DEBT FREE
I am so thankful to have stumbled onto MMM and discovered the FIRE community. I've dreamt about this day for so long!
Post by: Chrissy on August 28, 2020, 08:35:41 AM
Post by: Glenstache on August 28, 2020, 09:45:29 AM
Just made a new account because I need somewhere to share thisHeck yeah! Great milestone. Next stop emergency fund and a growing stache!
3 years ago I was 27k in debt, living in a halfway house, eating canned tuna and white rice for dinner because I literally couldn't afford anything else. 1 year after that I had my own place, met the girl of my dreams, and was making some headway on the debt but mostly felt utterly hopeless about my financial situation. Then I stumbled onto MMM and and it changed EVERYTHING. His blog gave me the knowledge and hope to turn my finances around. I started biking to work, bringing lunch, and treated personal finance like a fun new hobby/obsession.
As of today I am officially DEBT FREE
I am so thankful to have stumbled onto MMM and discovered the FIRE community. I've dreamt about this day for so long!
Post by: Trifle on August 28, 2020, 10:37:09 AM
Just made a new account because I need somewhere to share this
3 years ago I was 27k in debt, living in a halfway house, eating canned tuna and white rice for dinner because I literally couldn't afford anything else. 1 year after that I had my own place, met the girl of my dreams, and was making some headway on the debt but mostly felt utterly hopeless about my financial situation. Then I stumbled onto MMM and and it changed EVERYTHING. His blog gave me the knowledge and hope to turn my finances around. I started biking to work, bringing lunch, and treated personal finance like a fun new hobby/obsession.
As of today I am officially DEBT FREE
I am so thankful to have stumbled onto MMM and discovered the FIRE community. I've dreamt about this day for so long!
RIGHT ON!!! Keep up the good work!
Post by: Die_Wealthy on August 28, 2020, 12:28:16 PM
Post by: Alternatepriorities on August 28, 2020, 04:35:27 PM
The dryer stopped tumbling last night and I feared having to spend the money to replace it. (I know, I know, I should be upgrading to drying racks.) It seems low-end appliances are out of stock around here and the idea of spending $800 on a dryer that does the same thing as a $500 dryer seemed wrong.
Took apart the dryer and found out a $8 belt had snapped. 30 minutes later and we have working dryer again!
Well done.
I had a similar experience with a window fan and a fuse the other day. Even though the store would have allowed me to return it still, it feels good knowing all that plastic didn't end up in the dump because of a few cent fuse!
Today I did the same thing with a vitamix I picked up on craigs list years ago. Replaced the potentiometer it uses for speed control. Less than $30 and 5-10 minutes work for good as new. I can't believe I put up with the jerky speed control so long...
Post by: FrogStash on August 31, 2020, 01:52:21 PM
The dryer stopped tumbling last night and I feared having to spend the money to replace it. (I know, I know, I should be upgrading to drying racks.) It seems low-end appliances are out of stock around here and the idea of spending $800 on a dryer that does the same thing as a $500 dryer seemed wrong.
Took apart the dryer and found out a $8 belt had snapped. 30 minutes later and we have working dryer again!
Good for you. I've done that repair as well. It sucks when an appliance breaks, but now you have the confidence to know you can handle it. Cheers!
Post by: mozar on September 09, 2020, 06:17:10 PM
It's electric and it stopped turning on. I read online that it was probably the bridge rectifier so ordered a new one. Received it and opened up my lawnmower. I realized that the wire was disconnected from the terminal connector. I couldn't find the right wire connector at home depot or online so I went to a lawnmower repair shop. The mechanic there was so impressed he gave the the right part for free!!
Took off the insulation of the wire, fed it through the new connector and crimped it. Worked like a charm. Go baby go! Next I'm ripping out half of the grass in my yard and replacing it with ground cover because I hate mowing. Lol.
Post by: Chrissy on September 09, 2020, 07:48:23 PM
Post by: maisymouser on September 10, 2020, 06:24:36 AM
I'm crap at fixing anything that involves wires. Probably something I need to work on.
Post by: mozar on September 10, 2020, 11:34:38 AM
Quote
What kind of ground cover?Creeping thyme and creeping phlox. Zone 7!
Post by: couponvan on September 10, 2020, 03:21:15 PM
QuoteWhat kind of ground cover?Creeping thyme and creeping phlox. Zone 7!
I had pretty good luck with my creeping thyme seeds this year. I started them in paper pots and then once they germinated for a bit I planted them spaced apart. They are my garden bed edging, so I added about 25’ worth for $5 of seeds vs $6 per pot at the store.
Post by: grantmeaname on October 12, 2020, 03:55:23 PM
Wow, 2020 must be awful if nobody on the forum has had anything worth celebrating for 33 days...
Post by: SwordGuy on October 12, 2020, 05:00:50 PM
Our annual expenses just dropped about $55K, which means our SWR is around negative 1%.
Post by: nereo on October 13, 2020, 07:14:59 PM
We sold our old home and have paid off the mortgage on our new one, plus sold excess properties we bought to help others out. We're now debt free. (And yes, paying off the mortgage was the right choice for where we are financially.)
Our annual expenses just dropped about $55K, which means our SWR is around negative 1%.
What? How is that possible? A negative WR means you have to put money *into* your account every year in order to meet expenses, no?
Or are you just counting this year with the sale of your excess properties?
Post by: ixtap on October 13, 2020, 07:16:48 PM
We sold our old home and have paid off the mortgage on our new one, plus sold excess properties we bought to help others out. We're now debt free. (And yes, paying off the mortgage was the right choice for where we are financially.)
Our annual expenses just dropped about $55K, which means our SWR is around negative 1%.
What? How is that possible? A negative WR means you have to put money *into* your account every year in order to meet expenses, no?
Or are you just counting this year with the sale of your excess properties?
You could have a negative withdrawal rate with pensions, SS and similar income...
Post by: SwordGuy on October 13, 2020, 07:37:12 PM
We sold our old home and have paid off the mortgage on our new one, plus sold excess properties we bought to help others out. We're now debt free. (And yes, paying off the mortgage was the right choice for where we are financially.)
Our annual expenses just dropped about $55K, which means our SWR is around negative 1%.
What? How is that possible? A negative WR means you have to put money *into* your account every year in order to meet expenses, no?
Or are you just counting this year with the sale of your excess properties?
You could have a negative withdrawal rate with pensions, SS and similar income...
We have a budget surplus from our non-stock passive income sources that will be about 1% of our current stock/bond portfolio. So, we can invest that budget surplus.
Is that cool or what?
Post by: nereo on October 13, 2020, 09:47:00 PM
We sold our old home and have paid off the mortgage on our new one, plus sold excess properties we bought to help others out. We're now debt free. (And yes, paying off the mortgage was the right choice for where we are financially.)
Our annual expenses just dropped about $55K, which means our SWR is around negative 1%.
What? How is that possible? A negative WR means you have to put money *into* your account every year in order to meet expenses, no?
Or are you just counting this year with the sale of your excess properties?
You could have a negative withdrawal rate with pensions, SS and similar income...
We have a budget surplus from our non-stock passive income sources that will be about 1% of our current stock/bond portfolio. So, we can invest that budget surplus.
Is that cool or what?
That is pretty awesome. I was just.... confused. Dividing by a negative number and all...
Post by: dougules on October 15, 2020, 10:54:32 AM
My wife and I are quarter-millionaires today!
Wow, 2020 must be awful if nobody on the forum has had anything worth celebrating for 33 days...
Nice, the other three quarters will probably go quickly.
2020 has been a bit of an annus horribilis. Hopefully 2021 will go better.
Post by: grantmeaname on October 15, 2020, 11:24:47 AM
Post by: dougules on October 15, 2020, 12:32:14 PM
Yeah, my year included a $10k+ mistake and a $4k mistake made during the headache from the first one, on top of all the general pandemic suck...
My year has included lots of forced home repairs after years of my old house being low maintenance. I'm hoping 2021 will be boring.
Post by: Misstachian on October 18, 2020, 08:37:57 PM
I feel a bit stunned. It doesn’t actually change anything, but it does feel different to me. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.
Post by: Trifle on October 19, 2020, 03:49:22 AM
We just hit 2 commas for the first time! (And that with too much cash on hand and still being way too spendy and with me going part time a few years ago to spend more time with our kids.)
I feel a bit stunned. It doesn’t actually change anything, but it does feel different to me. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.
Congratulations @Misstachian! That's a great milestone. :)
Post by: monarda on October 19, 2020, 07:55:17 PM
We just hit 2 commas for the first time! (And that with too much cash on hand and still being way too spendy and with me going part time a few years ago to spend more time with our kids.)
I feel a bit stunned. It doesn’t actually change anything, but it does feel different to me. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.
Congratulations, Misstachian!!!!
I know what you mean about feeling stunned. I felt the same way earlier this year when we first saw our two commas. Then one went away, and now back again (I think) to stay.
Post by: Mjolnir on October 25, 2020, 02:21:21 AM
Celebrating 1 small and 1 huge achievement this year:
Small achievement:
Recently reached EUR 100.000 invested assets (not counting pension plans)
This is about 5 x yearly expenses for me, so i'm quite happy that I reached this point before my 32nd birthday. On my current path, I would reach FIRE between age 45-50, which is a decent age to start chilling a bit more.
Huge achievement:
Together with my wife, we have created a human being, who is currently sleeping on me.
Words fail to express how badass this little guy is...
Post by: SwordGuy on October 25, 2020, 09:33:33 PM
Back in Marchpril, that vague time from 1-March to 30-April, we made 25% of our rental units available for free to medical personnel so they would have a place to stay where they wouldn't infect their families with Covid.
(Ok, 25% sounds mighty impressive, it's one out of our four rental homes. :) )
I stopped by to check on our two guests this afternoon. Both of them had contracted Covid and had recovered.
I'm glad they recovered and I'm really glad they didn't infect the rest of their families too. The latter is our contribution to public health. Those spouses and kids and their friends and other loved ones didn't get infected. Maybe one of them would have gone on to be a super-spreader or some of them could have died.
Sometimes it's the little decisions that matter.
And I'm celebrating that we made the right one.
I've got one more item to celebrate. In my blog on this forum, at a reader's request, I made a list of various directed charity things I had done to help people I knew needed help. Sometimes it cost me money, sometimes it saved me money. I did it to give people an idea of things they could do to help other people out, that might make a good impact on their lives, which often don't have to cost you anything. A blog reader posted something that they had done to help out a friend that they otherwise wouldn't have thought of doing. Made my day.
Post by: Alternatepriorities on October 26, 2020, 05:29:06 PM
Back in Marchpril, that vague time from 1-March to 30-April, we made 25% of our rental units available for free to medical personnel so they would have a place to stay where they wouldn't infect their families with Covid.
This is awesome. Well done & thank you! Definitely worth celebrating.
Post by: asauer on October 28, 2020, 08:16:38 AM
Post by: nereo on October 28, 2020, 02:12:34 PM
Celebrating today! Both my kids' college funds are DONE! So, we're going to back down contributions to an amount that will just smooth any market bumps. I'm going to love saving that extra $500/ month!
Congratulations!
How did you determine when each kid's college fund was DONE? Asking because we are debating how much to put into our own, young daughter's college fund, and I'm always interested in hearing what others determined and how.
Post by: Trifle on October 29, 2020, 12:45:17 AM
Hi,
Celebrating 1 small and 1 huge achievement this year:
Small achievement:
Recently reached EUR 100.000 invested assets (not counting pension plans)
This is about 5 x yearly expenses for me, so i'm quite happy that I reached this point before my 32nd birthday. On my current path, I would reach FIRE between age 45-50, which is a decent age to start chilling a bit more.
Huge achievement:
Together with my wife, we have created a human being, who is currently sleeping on me.
Words fail to express how badass this little guy is...
Congratulations @Mjolnir! :)
Post by: catlady on November 10, 2020, 08:32:23 PM
Post by: dougules on November 12, 2020, 10:50:48 AM
I got 20% salary bump!!! Payed for it with my goodnight sleep and I feel burned out but oh well... 🙈
It's great you got a bump! Is there anything you could do about the burnout, though?
Post by: catlady on November 13, 2020, 03:30:41 PM
I got 20% salary bump!!! Payed for it with my goodnight sleep and I feel burned out but oh well... 🙈
It's great you got a bump! Is there anything you could do about the burnout, though?
Thanks! Nothing much to do. I need to put some boundaries and start enforcing them.
Post by: beach2133 on November 16, 2020, 12:42:41 PM
Post by: dougules on November 17, 2020, 07:32:55 AM
Hit 2 commas of investable assets over the weekend!
Congrats! How does it feel?
Post by: beach2133 on November 18, 2020, 08:26:09 AM
Hit 2 commas of investable assets over the weekend!
Congrats! How does it feel?
A little anti-climactic. One of those things I've been thinking about and tracking to for a long time and now that it's happened I think I need to shift my focus to a new goal. The chase is more fulfilling. Psychologically, i get way more satisfaction in paying off debt than hitting these milestones.
Post by: dougules on November 19, 2020, 11:04:15 AM
Hit 2 commas of investable assets over the weekend!
Congrats! How does it feel?
A little anti-climactic. One of those things I've been thinking about and tracking to for a long time and now that it's happened I think I need to shift my focus to a new goal. The chase is more fulfilling. Psychologically, i get way more satisfaction in paying off debt than hitting these milestones.
Yeah, it was for us, too. It kind of feels like driving across Kansas and hitting the Colorado state line. It's exciting because you're getting somewhere, but the Rockies are still a few hours out. Then the ocean is going to take a while longer.
Post by: beach2133 on November 19, 2020, 03:47:15 PM
Hit 2 commas of investable assets over the weekend!
Congrats! How does it feel?
A little anti-climactic. One of those things I've been thinking about and tracking to for a long time and now that it's happened I think I need to shift my focus to a new goal. The chase is more fulfilling. Psychologically, i get way more satisfaction in paying off debt than hitting these milestones.
Yeah, it was for us, too. It kind of feels like driving across Kansas and hitting the Colorado state line. It's exciting because you're getting somewhere, but the Rockies are still a few hours out. Then the ocean is going to take a while longer.
Very apt analogy. Thanks for commenting!
Post by: nereo on November 20, 2020, 08:35:39 AM
Hit 2 commas of investable assets over the weekend!
Congrats! How does it feel?
A little anti-climactic. One of those things I've been thinking about and tracking to for a long time and now that it's happened I think I need to shift my focus to a new goal. The chase is more fulfilling. Psychologically, i get way more satisfaction in paying off debt than hitting these milestones.
Yeah, it was for us, too. It kind of feels like driving across Kansas and hitting the Colorado state line. It's exciting because you're getting somewhere, but the Rockies are still a few hours out. Then the ocean is going to take a while longer.
Interesting. When we hit the one come club some time ago it felt the same. Actually, it came with a market run up so it didn’t even feel legitimate in some ways. Of course it’s only increased since but we only feel “rich” when we reflect on our debt-laden peers. Mostly we still feel comfortable financially but certainly not affluent
Post by: ixtap on November 20, 2020, 09:07:50 AM
Hit 2 commas of investable assets over the weekend!
Congrats! How does it feel?
A little anti-climactic. One of those things I've been thinking about and tracking to for a long time and now that it's happened I think I need to shift my focus to a new goal. The chase is more fulfilling. Psychologically, i get way more satisfaction in paying off debt than hitting these milestones.
Yeah, it was for us, too. It kind of feels like driving across Kansas and hitting the Colorado state line. It's exciting because you're getting somewhere, but the Rockies are still a few hours out. Then the ocean is going to take a while longer.
Interesting. When we hit the one come club some time ago it felt the same. Actually, it came with a market run up so it didn’t even feel legitimate in some ways. Of course it’s only increased since but we only feel “rich” when we reflect on our debt-laden peers. Mostly we still feel comfortable financially but certainly not affluent
Due to last year's run up, coupled with only taking a snap shot every six months, we blew right past the two commas to our additional buffer to consider ourselves FI. We did get silly grins for a bit, but meh. And we signed a new lease a few months later, rather than quitting.
Post by: dougules on November 20, 2020, 10:23:42 AM
Due to last year's run up, coupled with only taking a snap shot every six months, we blew right past the two commas to our additional buffer to consider ourselves FI. We did get silly grins for a bit, but meh. And we signed a new lease a few months later, rather than quitting.
Signed a new lease? For a business?
Post by: ixtap on November 20, 2020, 10:30:14 AM
Due to last year's run up, coupled with only taking a snap shot every six months, we blew right past the two commas to our additional buffer to consider ourselves FI. We did get silly grins for a bit, but meh. And we signed a new lease a few months later, rather than quitting.
Signed a new lease? For a business?
No, but it is a two year lease on a condo within a mile of DH's office. Not that he has seen the inside of his office since we signed that lease... He just wasn't ready to walk away and it turns out with the pandemic that was the right decision.
Post by: dougules on November 20, 2020, 11:01:32 AM
Due to last year's run up, coupled with only taking a snap shot every six months, we blew right past the two commas to our additional buffer to consider ourselves FI. We did get silly grins for a bit, but meh. And we signed a new lease a few months later, rather than quitting.
Signed a new lease? For a business?
No, but it is a two year lease on a condo within a mile of DH's office. Not that he has seen the inside of his office since we signed that lease... He just wasn't ready to walk away and it turns out with the pandemic that was the right decision.
Do you think he will RE when the world is back in a good place? I think I might be prone to OMY when the time comes. We're actually already to the point at which a lot of folks here would be pushing the eject button.
Post by: SwordGuy on November 20, 2020, 11:24:41 AM
We're actually already to the point at which a lot of folks here would be pushing the eject button.
We pushed the eject button 2 1/2 years ago and it's awesome.
Post by: ixtap on November 20, 2020, 11:56:00 AM
Due to last year's run up, coupled with only taking a snap shot every six months, we blew right past the two commas to our additional buffer to consider ourselves FI. We did get silly grins for a bit, but meh. And we signed a new lease a few months later, rather than quitting.
Signed a new lease? For a business?
No, but it is a two year lease on a condo within a mile of DH's office. Not that he has seen the inside of his office since we signed that lease... He just wasn't ready to walk away and it turns out with the pandemic that was the right decision.
Do you think he will RE when the world is back in a good place? I think I might be prone to OMY when the time comes. We're actually already to the point at which a lot of folks here would be pushing the eject button.
On really good days, he talks about stringing together unpaid leave for as long as Megacorp will allow (ie, 6 months off, 12 months at work, another 4 months off...).
On bad days, he talks about quitting as soon as we can get the vaccine... actually, this morning, he was already talking about all the things he could do if he didn't have to go to work today. He has been in a spectacularly crappy mood this week. Or, maybe I really am just a horrible monster that should have known better than to offer to do the dishes...
Post by: Trifle on December 07, 2020, 04:13:26 AM
Post by: rebel_quietude on December 07, 2020, 05:23:37 AM
Post by: SwordGuy on December 07, 2020, 07:14:28 AM
Today is my five-year anniversary since being diagnosed with cancer. I've been looking forward to this day so much. Clean bill of health so far, knock on wood. Happy cancer-versary to me!
That is truly something to celebrate! Hooray!
Post by: Trifle on December 07, 2020, 09:51:20 AM
Post by: MonkeyJenga on December 07, 2020, 09:54:46 AM
Today is my five-year anniversary since being diagnosed with cancer. I've been looking forward to this day so much. Clean bill of health so far, knock on wood. Happy cancer-versary to me!
Amazing! Happy cancer-versary!
Post by: SquashingDebt on December 11, 2020, 06:52:28 AM
Yesterday, I realized that this month is my third 3-paycheck month of the year, which means I get 27 paychecks this year instead of the usual 26. Fun! We get paid on Thursdays, so I got my first paycheck on January 2nd and I'll get my last on December 31.
Post by: ixtap on December 11, 2020, 07:49:18 AM
This is a very small reason for celebration, but hey, I'll take what I can get this year:
Yesterday, I realized that this month is my third 3-paycheck month of the year, which means I get 27 paychecks this year instead of the usual 26. Fun! We get paid on Thursdays, so I got my first paycheck on January 2nd and I'll get my last on December 31.
We aren't sure if Megacorp will be paying early or on the first business day of the year. With 401k currently set to start taking 65% with the first paycheck in January, those couple of days represent a big difference in cash flow!
Post by: DrinkCoffeeStackMoney on December 15, 2020, 02:43:45 PM
Today is my five-year anniversary since being diagnosed with cancer. I've been looking forward to this day so much. Clean bill of health so far, knock on wood. Happy cancer-versary to me!
That is fantastic! Congratulations!
I lost my Dad and an Aunt to cancer so any time I hear of someone beating it I love it!!
Post by: nereo on December 15, 2020, 05:39:06 PM
Life. A great reason to celebrate, and a great reminder that most of what we worry about is ancillary.Today is my five-year anniversary since being diagnosed with cancer. I've been looking forward to this day so much. Clean bill of health so far, knock on wood. Happy cancer-versary to me!
That is fantastic! Congratulations!
I lost my Dad and an Aunt to cancer so any time I hear of someone beating it I love it!!
Glad to hear you have a clean bill of health 5 years in @Trifele
Post by: Trifle on December 16, 2020, 07:05:30 AM
So sorry about your dad and aunt @DrinkCoffeeAndStackMoney. Cancer sucks.
Post by: Optimiser on December 16, 2020, 09:06:22 AM
Post by: Trifle on December 16, 2020, 09:18:46 AM
I found out yesterday that I passed my last section of the CPA exam, and signed papers to close on my house (I'm the seller)!
That is a huge deal @Optimiser!! Congratulations!
Post by: 2Birds1Stone on December 16, 2020, 09:27:11 AM
Post by: couponvan on December 16, 2020, 01:32:51 PM
Post by: SwordGuy on December 19, 2020, 09:21:46 AM
We were able to donate $1,000 to a local food bank. We'll be donating $1,000 a month for the foreseeable future from now on (but to various charitable causes, not just the food bank.) Could never have done this if not for MMM.
We got to do my favorite part of being a landlord. Assuming the tenants have taken care of the property and paid their rent (reasonably) on time, we gift them with a 1/2 month's rent rounded up to the nearest $50. So we sent out 3 checks for $450 to our tenants.
Post by: DaveSch on December 19, 2020, 06:07:03 PM
I just turned 70.5 years old in October. That means it is QCD time! (Qualified Charitable Distribution). I did a test run by sending some money to the same food bank.
I've made a list of mostly local charities and plan on having my IRA custodian make checks out to the qualified charities each month or so.
As the Covid starts going away, I'll turn my attention to some other charities too. But for now, it's the Food Bank.
I realized that I would not likely ever spend any of my IRA on myself. This will be more beneficial when it is RMD time for me.
Post by: Mrs. D. on December 22, 2020, 11:43:21 AM
Post by: Glenstache on December 22, 2020, 12:24:05 PM
Post by: Trifle on December 23, 2020, 04:26:36 AM
DH and I have put 50K into savings this year! Roughly 50% savings rate. First time we've accomplished this.
Congratulations! What a nice present to give yourself. Well done.
Post by: Trifle on December 23, 2020, 04:27:30 AM
I finally made the call to sell a piece of vacation property I had in the mountains and was underutilized (and not a candidate for rental). Ended up having a very easy transaction selling to a neighbor using a RE attorney. Had the money in an investment account within 24 hours of clearing escrow. While I did have a lot of personal investment in the property, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders not having to maintain it and having it sit idle.
Nice job. It feels so good to simplify. And now all those little green workers are on the job for you!
Post by: dougules on December 26, 2020, 07:17:23 PM
Holy Fuck! We're millionaires.
Congrats! That's seriously amazing. I can't wait to say that myself (though that is a long way off for us).
We just hit $2M net worth. I can't believe how fast it went.
Post by: Alternatepriorities on December 26, 2020, 08:16:22 PM
Holy Fuck! We're millionaires.
Congrats! That's seriously amazing. I can't wait to say that myself (though that is a long way off for us).
We just hit $2M net worth. I can't believe how fast it went.
The first million really is the hardest part... congratulations and thanks for the encouragement!
Post by: dougules on December 27, 2020, 11:07:01 PM
Holy Fuck! We're millionaires.
Congrats! That's seriously amazing. I can't wait to say that myself (though that is a long way off for us).
We just hit $2M net worth. I can't believe how fast it went.
The first million really is the hardest part... congratulations and thanks for the encouragement!
I just wish I could get to see the look on friends' and coworkers' faces if I said that. Just getting to $1M net worth is unfathomable to some of them, less yet $2M.
Post by: Huffduf41 on December 30, 2020, 07:15:32 AM
Crazy how much easier the second one was....
Post by: Fomerly known as something on December 31, 2020, 04:25:15 PM
Post by: caseyzee on January 04, 2021, 01:42:45 PM
I'm a millionaire!
I know most people say it's no big deal, but I swear I have tears of joy and I'm just so grateful to be where I am. I'm a lucky, lucky person.
Disclaimer - I am old, especially for this site. I'm 51. I calculate my net worth quarterly, and just crossed over with the last check in.
I'm so grateful because I truly feel like I've had some challenges. My Mom had a stroke when I was 26. She was only 52. And my siblings and I supported her for the next 20 years through ever more complex living arrangements - starting at assisted living and graduating to a full scale nursing home. Yeah, that shit's not cheap. But, you deal with the life you have, I guess, and she had as good a 20 years as you can have in those circumstances.
10 years ago I had a pair of twins, and I've always been the sole parent. Their birth coincided with the stock market downturn and with childcare costs, I had to reduce my 401k contributions down to just 5%. I still regret that one. Really regret it. But, I try to shovel as much as I can in now.
I'm fairly spendy, due mostly to time constraints I think. I don't shop at a grocery store unless it is between work and home. I spend money on pre chopped mirepoix, rather than chopping myself, again to save time, yada, yada.
I'm at about 22% home equity, the rest retirement type savings. Unfortunately, I don't see myself being able to retire until my house is paid off. I've got 8.5 more years to go. I live in a fairly HCOL area and my 1080 squares costs me just over $3000 a month for PITI. I work in a dying industry and I hope to ride this train til the end, but it's possible we won't make it for those 8.5 years. If that happens, I'll explore moving to a LCOL area and calling it a day, healthcare willing.
Well, now I'm a two-millionaire! I calculate quarterly, just passed over for the Jan 1st check up. So, that took about 3.5 years. Home equity sits at 23%. Still need a clear path to continuous health care to retire, but still super excited and still in awe about where I am.
Post by: dougules on January 04, 2021, 02:23:26 PM
Post by: taco_sushi on January 04, 2021, 10:39:37 PM
Thanks to this community support, I’ve been reading quietly for a while. :)
Next goal is to reconfigure my assets so its more liquid investment, continue my side hustle that I started in 2020, save another 450k in investable assets to FIRE (or sell our 2 rental properties).
Post by: Scubanewbie on January 12, 2021, 07:39:16 PM
Post by: dougules on January 13, 2021, 02:49:13 PM
Hit two commas invested and $1.5m net worth! I only calc it annually so maybe up or down since then but finished 2020 over the threshold and hoping the next one in a few years to FI.
Welcome to the club!
Post by: Glenstache on January 14, 2021, 12:31:43 PM
Post by: Alternatepriorities on January 14, 2021, 12:59:40 PM
Side note: It is amusing to have spam targeting earning as much as $5 online in a thread with multiple people celebrating the 2 comma club.Yeah, I won't even open a new credit card for less than $250 these days...
Also, I love how they play conversion games in a money app just like so many of the actual games. Nothing says "legitimate way to make money" like obscuring the value of of the production... /end snark
Post by: Tortoise Banker on January 21, 2021, 02:14:55 PM
Post by: marty998 on January 22, 2021, 02:39:54 AM
Seems that investments are not the only thing that compounds haha.
Post by: grantmeaname on January 22, 2021, 05:55:53 AM
Post by: Alternatepriorities on January 22, 2021, 07:14:20 PM
It seems fitting as our NW left the club this week for greener pastures and I have no doubt this forum expedited that move. Thank you!
If any of you are visiting Alaska this summer and wants a cup of coffee or an insider tour, I have some spare time!
Post by: Trifle on January 23, 2021, 03:00:45 AM
Post by: SwordGuy on January 26, 2021, 09:41:29 PM
She got Covid and was put in the ICU, now she's in a rehab facility complaining about the nurses, facility, food, etc.
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
Sounds like she's going to pull thru.
Post by: Glenstache on January 27, 2021, 10:34:58 AM
I've never felt so happy that a lady-friend of mine is complaining about how she's being treated, but I'm ecstatic.Great news. A friend of mine just finsihed a 3 week bout of covid that had him on the edge of hospitalization (and would have been had there been capacity where he lives). His comment to me yesterday was that it is good to be able to breathe again. He was also likely one of the unlucky souls who was on his second round as he likely had covid in July as well. I'll be celebrating once I get vaccinated, that's for sure!
She got Covid and was put in the ICU, now she's in a rehab facility complaining about the nurses, facility, food, etc.
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
Sounds like she's going to pull thru.
Post by: Alternatepriorities on January 27, 2021, 11:46:41 AM
I've never felt so happy that a lady-friend of mine is complaining about how she's being treated, but I'm ecstatic.Great news. A friend of mine just finsihed a 3 week bout of covid that had him on the edge of hospitalization (and would have been had there been capacity where he lives). His comment to me yesterday was that it is good to be able to breathe again. He was also likely one of the unlucky souls who was on his second round as he likely had covid in July as well. I'll be celebrating once I get vaccinated, that's for sure!
She got Covid and was put in the ICU, now she's in a rehab facility complaining about the nurses, facility, food, etc.
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
Sounds like she's going to pull thru.
DW's great aunt is 92. She had flu like symptoms so she got tested and found out it was Covid. She was fully recovered two days after the test. This really is the damnedest virus.
Post by: nereo on January 27, 2021, 02:55:48 PM
I've never felt so happy that a lady-friend of mine is complaining about how she's being treated, but I'm ecstatic.It took me a couple reads to understand this post.
She got Covid and was put in the ICU, now she's in a rehab facility complaining about the nurses, facility, food, etc.
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
Sounds like she's going to pull thru.
My grandmother was the quintessential grump. But we learned that as long as she was complaining she was in relatively good health and spirits. It was only when she stopped making such comments (“...oh, everything is ok I guess”) that we worried.
Post by: SwordGuy on January 27, 2021, 03:21:15 PM
I've never felt so happy that a lady-friend of mine is complaining about how she's being treated, but I'm ecstatic.It took me a couple reads to understand this post.
She got Covid and was put in the ICU, now she's in a rehab facility complaining about the nurses, facility, food, etc.
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
Sounds like she's going to pull thru.
My grandmother was the quintessential grump. But we learned that as long as she was complaining she was in relatively good health and spirits. It was only when she stopped making such comments (“...oh, everything is ok I guess”) that we worried.
Exactly how I meant it!
Post by: chaskavitch on January 30, 2021, 04:17:38 PM
Edit - Thanks @dreadmoose for pointing out that sadly, I am not a billionaire.
Post by: dreadmoose on January 30, 2021, 04:19:48 PM
Even with the stock market shenanigans the last few days, as of our end of month accounting we've tipped over into three commas! I know it will go back down, but it's the first time I've seen it :)
3 commas... you're a billionaire?
Congrats if it's true... though I wonder if any billionaires are hanging out on MMM forums. Also major congrats if it's millionaire and I'm missing something.
Post by: chaskavitch on January 30, 2021, 04:56:50 PM
Even with the stock market shenanigans the last few days, as of our end of month accounting we've tipped over into three commas! I know it will go back down, but it's the first time I've seen it :)
3 commas... you're a billionaire?
Congrats if it's true... though I wonder if any billionaires are hanging out on MMM forums. Also major congrats if it's millionaire and I'm missing something.
Hahahaha. No. I'll fix that. I was too excited to correctly proofread, I guess!
Post by: couponvan on February 01, 2021, 02:15:11 PM
Well....it has been a GameStop month.Even with the stock market shenanigans the last few days, as of our end of month accounting we've tipped over into three commas! I know it will go back down, but it's the first time I've seen it :)
3 commas... you're a billionaire?
Congrats if it's true... though I wonder if any billionaires are hanging out on MMM forums. Also major congrats if it's millionaire and I'm missing something.
Hahahaha. No. I'll fix that. I was too excited to correctly proofread, I guess!
Post by: Alternatepriorities on February 01, 2021, 02:50:20 PM
I what the biggest gains and losses will be when the dust settles from thisWell....it has been a GameStop month.Even with the stock market shenanigans the last few days, as of our end of month accounting we've tipped over into three commas! I know it will go back down, but it's the first time I've seen it :)
3 commas... you're a billionaire?
Congrats if it's true... though I wonder if any billionaires are hanging out on MMM forums. Also major congrats if it's millionaire and I'm missing something.
Hahahaha. No. I'll fix that. I was too excited to correctly proofread, I guess!
Post by: chaskavitch on February 11, 2021, 05:18:24 PM
Post by: Sibley on February 17, 2021, 08:05:09 AM
Post by: Glenstache on February 17, 2021, 09:05:08 AM
I accepted a job offer!!!! Whoo! My commute is going to drop significantly. It's less money (different field, different pay range), but I'm really excited for the work itself. The people so far seem great. And I will be getting out of my dysfunctional current employer :)Congrats. Sounds like a good improvement in the day-to-day!
Post by: caseyzee on February 17, 2021, 01:18:52 PM
Quote
I'm also excited because this year I'm going to get to max out my 401k! I've had it all planned out in my budgeting spreadsheet with expected raises, etc., for a few years, and I'm super excited to finally be here :)
That is exciting! Good work!
Post by: Sibley on February 18, 2021, 03:28:09 PM
I accepted a job offer!!!! Whoo! My commute is going to drop significantly. It's less money (different field, different pay range), but I'm really excited for the work itself. The people so far seem great. And I will be getting out of my dysfunctional current employer :)
Just gave notice!!!! :) I'm out 3/5, then start new job 4/5. Have to help parents move in there, but otherwise I'm getting a nice break.
Post by: MudPuppy on February 20, 2021, 05:14:34 AM
Post by: Trifle on February 20, 2021, 05:40:43 AM
Post by: stealthwealth on June 04, 2021, 02:37:55 PM
Post by: SwordGuy on June 04, 2021, 03:26:32 PM
"I recommend it to everyone..."
Post by: Trifle on June 04, 2021, 05:55:39 PM
I celebrated my 3rd full year of retirement last weekend. It's been wonderful.
"I recommend it to everyone..."
Nice @SwordGuy !!! :)
Post by: Dicey on June 05, 2021, 06:12:32 AM
I celebrated my 3rd full year of retirement last weekend. It's been wonderful.I'm well into Year 9 and here to attest that the feeling doesn't wear off. Even when things aren't wonderful, the being retired part still is. Congratulations, SG!
"I recommend it to everyone..."
Post by: Alternatepriorities on June 06, 2021, 11:10:05 PM
I celebrated my 3rd full year of retirement last weekend. It's been wonderful.I'm well into Year 9 and here to attest that the feeling doesn't wear off. Even when things aren't wonderful, the being retired part still is. Congratulations, SG!
"I recommend it to everyone..."
That’s excellent news! Congratulations to both of you. I’m only 6 weeks in but I already can’t figure out how I had time work...
Post by: Sibley on June 09, 2021, 07:52:41 PM
I will get them out of my house!!!
Post by: dougules on June 10, 2021, 08:31:56 AM
Parents have an accepted offer on a house. Close 6/30. The house needs work, so they won't be moving immediately, but still. They have a house. Hallelujah.
I will get them out of my house!!!
Congrats to them! (and you too!)
Post by: Morning Glory on June 16, 2021, 02:01:07 PM
Post by: dougules on June 16, 2021, 02:35:08 PM
I got my calculator out today: Based on prior year spending and with new projected expenses as a renter, I will be FI as soon as my house sale closes next week!!!! Tentative plan is to RE or at least do a mini-retirement in December when my contract ends.
That's a great surprise.
Let the folks in the "2021 FIRE Cohort" thread know to put you on the 2021 list.
Post by: countdown on June 19, 2021, 04:21:11 PM
Post by: dougules on June 21, 2021, 03:26:40 PM
I had a hiatus from stache building from 2016 - 2019 due to family crises and shift in priorities. I was basically following a glide path strategy in what was supposed to be a low stress job and bucolic area. Well, it turns out that every job is stressful and living in a small town didn't work for us. After switching back to a high paid job in a metro area, last year we paid off the car and maxed retirement plans again for the first time since 2015. This year, we finally started 529 plans and are maxing retirement plans again. I hit a quarter million in investments for the first last week, not counting vested pension, non vested pension or home equity. Before moving and going glide path, I was set to FIRE next year in 2022. Now, I'm 6 yrs out, but we're on track, are in a school district that is great for my neurodiverse kiddo, and I'm fairly happy at my job. Lot's to celebrate!
This is worth a million bucks in and of itself. Congrats on being back where you're happy and back on track!
Post by: couponvan on June 25, 2021, 01:25:41 PM
Parents have an accepted offer on a house. Close 6/30. The house needs work, so they won't be moving immediately, but still. They have a house. Hallelujah.
I will get them out of my house!!!
Been there, done that. My sincerest congratulations on surviving living with parents and not having it damage your relationship for at least awhile.
Post by: Glenstache on June 28, 2021, 11:10:25 AM
Post by: SwordGuy on June 28, 2021, 11:22:01 AM
It is a relatively routine milestone, but I turned over the odometer on my investment accounts, so to speak, at the end of last week. It is satisfying to see that leftmost digit change. It also has me on track to reach FI a few years ahead of schedule and it is starting to get close enough to seem real instead of a far-distant goal. This is the result of both being pretty lucky in life and years of consistent investing and mustachianism. I feel very grateful and this group has been a big part of keeping me on target and consistent.
Exactly the circumstances how most who have reached or will reach the FIRE goal got there! Luck and smart, hard work and savings.
The luck might just be "We are healthy and no one injured us." but people who can't say that know how very important that much luck is.
Congrats to you on your smart, hard work and your consistent savings!
Post by: afuera on August 16, 2021, 07:47:36 AM
Well, after this most recent paycheck, I am at just over $500K just two months before my 30th birthday and I am absolutely tickled about it :)
Post by: dougules on August 16, 2021, 11:30:53 AM
I had a mini-goal of reaching $500K in my 401K before my 30th birthday. I wasn't really tracking it but my brain just subconsciously likes all the nice round numbers.
Well, after this most recent paycheck, I am at just over $500K just two months before my 30th birthday and I am absolutely tickled about it :)
Congrats. You'll be shocked how fast it goes after this (unless the market doesn't do well in which case you'll be buying a lot of shares on sale.)
Post by: caseyzee on August 17, 2021, 06:28:14 AM
Quote
I had a mini-goal of reaching $500K in my 401K before my 30th birthday. I wasn't really tracking it but my brain just subconsciously likes all the nice round numbers.
Well, after this most recent paycheck, I am at just over $500K just two months before my 30th birthday and I am absolutely tickled about it :)
That is great progress! Congratulations!
Post by: trashtalk on August 18, 2021, 05:38:42 PM
I am giddy with a relief after a week of “scanxiety” following our ortho consult, and feeling extremely delighted by evidence-based American medicine right at the moment.
Post by: pasadenafr on August 18, 2021, 05:47:25 PM
This is not financial but after a big fancy MRI this morning, my 5yo has been cleared of “concern for soft-tissue mass” (rare pediatric tumor) and just needs to see a rheumatologist.
I am giddy with a relief after a week of “scanxiety” following our ortho consult, and feeling extremely delighted by evidence-based American medicine right at the moment.
Oh this is such good news! Yay for your baby and for you!
Post by: pasadenafr on August 18, 2021, 05:52:39 PM
I'LL TAKE IT AND WATCH MY STASH GROW AND GLOW!
Post by: trashtalk on August 18, 2021, 06:01:23 PM
Got a bigger than expected yearly bonus. Or at least, bigger than I had dared expecting in my magical FI spreadsheet (a few thousands more). Also got a ridiculously low merit increase, but OH WELL.Yaaay! Big leaps toward freeeeeedooommm!
I'LL TAKE IT AND WATCH MY STASH GROW AND GLOW!
Post by: SquashingDebt on September 01, 2021, 01:11:50 PM
Post by: trashtalk on September 01, 2021, 02:20:56 PM
My company just announced an extra bonus because of high profits. All full-time employees are getting $10k. Great for me, but I'm mostly thrilled about all my coworkers who make $15-$17/hour, where this represents a huge increase in their yearly income. I think it's going to make a lot of families more comfortable this winter!That’s wonderful!! Good job, company.
Post by: Sibley on September 02, 2021, 06:03:12 PM
Post by: couponvan on September 02, 2021, 07:44:15 PM
My parents moved out of my house and into their new house today. YAY!!!!! I have my house back! (mom has been driving me batty)
Congratulations! As someone who had their in laws stay for 1.5 years, you have my sympathy and sincere felicitations!!
Post by: ColonelPotter on November 03, 2021, 08:12:57 PM
Post by: dougules on November 03, 2021, 11:23:36 PM
Just got my first comma in my 401k.
You've got the snowball rolling. It will probably accelerate faster than you expect.
Post by: Extramedium on November 09, 2021, 08:32:42 AM
Just got my first comma in my 401k.
You've got the snowball rolling. It will probably accelerate faster than you expect.
Absolutely. Way to go, ColonelPotter! This is how it begins. I've found the most important things are consistently, automatically contributing, and letting it stay put. Next thing you know, you've doubled, then doubled again, and so on. It's amazing once you start seeing it.
Post by: EarlyInJourney on November 12, 2021, 01:47:47 PM
Congratulations! On Oct. 6, 2021, the Department of Education announced a change to the Public Service Loan
Forgiveness (PSLF) program rules for a limited time that allows you to get credit for payments you've made on loans that
wouldn't normally qualify for PSLF. As a result of this limited PSLF waiver (StudentAid.gov/pslfwaiver), we conducted
another review of your Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) & Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification &
Application (PSLF Form) and payment history. We have determined that you have successfully made the required 120
monthly payments in order to have all or a portion of your loans listed below forgiven.
It's not every day your net worth goes up by $52K (the amount forgiven)! Also surreal that this is the first time that I've been debt-free since I was 17 years old...
Well, I think my wife and I might have to indulge in a (light) facepunch-worthy celebration this weekend... I'm thinking sushi!
Post by: Trifle on November 12, 2021, 03:46:14 PM
I just got the following notification from FedLoan, who services my grad school loans:
Congratulations! On Oct. 6, 2021, the Department of Education announced a change to the Public Service Loan
Forgiveness (PSLF) program rules for a limited time that allows you to get credit for payments you've made on loans that
wouldn't normally qualify for PSLF. As a result of this limited PSLF waiver (StudentAid.gov/pslfwaiver), we conducted
another review of your Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) & Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification &
Application (PSLF Form) and payment history. We have determined that you have successfully made the required 120
monthly payments in order to have all or a portion of your loans listed below forgiven.
It's not every day your net worth goes up by $52K (the amount forgiven)! Also surreal that this is the first time that I've been debt-free since I was 17 years old...
Well, I think my wife and I might have to indulge in a (light) facepunch-worthy celebration this weekend... I'm thinking sushi!
Holy shit @EarlyInJourney! That is huge! Massive congratulations!!! Activate that celebration mode and have a good time.
Post by: Extramedium on November 14, 2021, 10:35:36 AM
I just got the following notification from FedLoan, who services my grad school loans:
Congratulations! On Oct. 6, 2021, the Department of Education announced a change to the Public Service Loan
Forgiveness (PSLF) program rules for a limited time that allows you to get credit for payments you've made on loans that
wouldn't normally qualify for PSLF. As a result of this limited PSLF waiver (StudentAid.gov/pslfwaiver), we conducted
another review of your Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) & Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF) Certification &
Application (PSLF Form) and payment history. We have determined that you have successfully made the required 120
monthly payments in order to have all or a portion of your loans listed below forgiven.
It's not every day your net worth goes up by $52K (the amount forgiven)! Also surreal that this is the first time that I've been debt-free since I was 17 years old...
Well, I think my wife and I might have to indulge in a (light) facepunch-worthy celebration this weekend... I'm thinking sushi!
Fantastic news!!! Go get yourself something special at the sushi place (or again, if you already have!). If you can't have little celebrations occasionally for symbolic victories, the long slog feels a lot longer. No guilt (this time).
Post by: monarda on November 14, 2021, 12:22:48 PM
Post by: EarlyInJourney on November 15, 2021, 03:24:34 PM
@monarda - I did apply for the forgiveness about a month ago, and was expecting it, but I thought it would be a much longer, drawn-out process. I am pleasantly surprised by the (relative) speed!
A little background - I'm not sure exactly how the "limited PSLF waiver" played into this - I consolidated everything I could into a qualifying fed loan 10+ years ago, and did make 120 qualifying payments over that time, just finishing up in October, so it wasn't a surprise. I guess the waiver counted some earlier payments I had made before consolidating, and I qualified that way??? I'm not nitpicking - forgiven is forgiven is forgiven. And yes, the sushi tasted especially good!
Post by: Sibley on November 27, 2021, 04:52:19 PM
The weather stripping on my 2 exterior doors is replaced! (We had to juryrig to actually get a decent airseal, but we did it.)
People, if you're going to DIY, please do it right so that it's not necessary to juryrig the damn weather stripping.
Post by: CTEC_Stache on December 14, 2021, 07:49:47 AM
Help me celebrate!
Post by: SailingOnASmallSailboat on December 14, 2021, 09:04:17 AM
I have spent the last four years in grad school, the first two in a Master's program and the last two in a post-bacc non degree seeking licensure program. I just got hired with my current employer for a new job with the new license and I am completing the program officially on Thursday. It has been a lot of work, but it has all been worth it as the new job comes with a 20%+ pay increase!
Help me celebrate!
Whooooooooo congratulations!! Here's to a new job, no official schooling (at least for a while), and a nice raise!
Post by: Fire2025 on December 14, 2021, 09:54:57 AM
I have spent the last four years in grad school, the first two in a Master's program and the last two in a post-bacc non degree seeking licensure program. I just got hired with my current employer for a new job with the new license and I am completing the program officially on Thursday. It has been a lot of work, but it has all been worth it as the new job comes with a 20%+ pay increase!
Help me celebrate!
Whooooooooo congratulations!! Here's to a new job, no official schooling (at least for a while), and a nice raise!
WooHoo!!!! Congratulations!!!!
Post by: Crease on January 12, 2022, 12:17:33 PM
Post by: SquashingDebt on January 28, 2022, 01:24:36 PM
Post by: Trifle on January 28, 2022, 01:49:01 PM
Secured a nice bonus for 2021. Topped off my 401(k) contribution for the year and threw the rest at my student loans. Proud of myself for taking the Mustachian approach.
Sweet! Nice job
Post by: Trifle on January 28, 2022, 01:49:43 PM
My fiancé refinanced his mortgage (finally) and signed the papers this morning. Hooray for more than halving the interest rate!
Excellent! That will save you some dollars. Congrats!
Post by: pasadenafr on April 07, 2022, 05:21:18 PM
OK so I know, I know, car loans are bad. This one was even worse -
- Bought a brand new car at the end of January 2020. Yep. Followed by a month of international travel, and immediately after that... 2 years of lockdowns. I think my brand new baby has about 2,500 miles on it lol. If you want advice on how to perfectly time your bad financial decisions, ask me!
- Traded my previous car in, which wasn't very old (8 years) and working just fine. Could have sold it for a couple $k more, too.
- So WTF did I need a new car for, uh? I didn't. I wanted one with all the security bells and whistles and bluetooth and Apple Car.
- I totally could have paid cash. I financed about 2/3 of the total price because (1) I didn't want to pull more money out of my index funds, and (2) I wanted to improve my credit score.
Shoot me all of your face punches, people, I deserve them.
So, while I have zero regrets (I really love my car and I stand by my reasons to finance it at the time - I made more in the market in those 2 years than I paid interest, even though I lost more in opportunity cost.), this thing was rubbing me the wrong way. As much as I can rationalize it, I don't like having debts.
Yesterday I TLH'd my bond fund, and was wondering what the heck to do with that money. Buy another bond fund now? keep it in cash for a while? Buy stocks to keep bonds in my 401(k) and nowhere else?
That's when I decided to finally scratch the itch and get rid of the loan, halfway through its life. Only needed to withdraw about $5k from that pool of cash. Figured it was worth it - not to mention, the loan was 3.35% and it's going to be a good while until bonds start yielding that again.
Small celebration, but BOY does it feel good. You know, like that itch in your back that you FINALLY managed to scratch.
Post by: diapasoun on April 28, 2022, 05:14:37 PM
Post by: Auger38 on May 04, 2022, 12:52:41 PM
I’ve been saving/investing steadily since then, and have far surpassed the 5% total I had put down on the house. On top of that, house values around here have basically doubled since I bought in 2019. I sold my place this past month to downsize and move into the city/10 minute local road commute to the office. Even after putting 20% down on the new place, I was left with quite a healthy sum of money.
The profit off of the sale + my investments have boosted my portfolio from:
September 2019: 17k ish
May 2022: 206k
To say I’m ecstatic is an understatement. I don’t want to cheer for a down market, but timing wise, this could not have worked out better for me.
Post by: SwordGuy on May 04, 2022, 01:41:30 PM
Situation:
We're retired for 4 years.
We have 4 types of income streams. Of them:
1) Farmland won't produce any income for this year and next year.
2) Stocks are down 13+% for the year.
As for costs:
a) Inflation is 6% or more (but not many hundreds of percent like some places) so costs are up.
b) Food is up 33% on top of that because we're hosting a refugee from Ukraine.
c) We're funding startup business costs for our guest, which will be several thousand dollars.
d) STILL waiting on our $6K IRS refund since November.
e) Charitable contributions will remain at least $12K for the year.
And you know what I'm celebrating?
Because we can help someone turn their life back around, absorb all those financial shocks, and we'll be JUST FINE.
In fact, we'll continue to prosper.
Because we'll be JUST FINE.
Post by: Trifle on May 05, 2022, 04:12:24 AM
That is a lot to celebrate @SwordGuy! Well done.
Post by: shureShote on May 05, 2022, 05:11:38 AM
I bought a house in October 2019 that’s about a 30 minute drive into the city and to the office. I basically emptied my investment account to scrounge together enough money to put 5% down. I do have a government pension/golden handcuffs, but it still probably wasn’t the smartest decision to be house poor.
I’ve been saving/investing steadily since then, and have far surpassed the 5% total I had put down on the house. On top of that, house values around here have basically doubled since I bought in 2019. I sold my place this past month to downsize and move into the city/10 minute local road commute to the office. Even after putting 20% down on the new place, I was left with quite a healthy sum of money.
The profit off of the sale + my investments have boosted my portfolio from:
September 2019: 17k ish
May 2022: 206k
To say I’m ecstatic is an understatement. I don’t want to cheer for a down market, but timing wise, this could not have worked out better for me.
Congrats, and hopefully you have put those gain dollars to work.
That's a huge upgrade to your commute life also!
Post by: thinkerGirl on May 13, 2022, 03:44:18 PM
This thread popped up again on my notifications and I realized I have something to celebrate.
Situation:
We're retired for 4 years.
We have 4 types of income streams. Of them:
1) Farmland won't produce any income for this year and next year.
2) Stocks are down 13+% for the year.
As for costs:
a) Inflation is 6% or more (but not many hundreds of percent like some places) so costs are up.
b) Food is up 33% on top of that because we're hosting a refugee from Ukraine.
c) We're funding startup business costs for our guest, which will be several thousand dollars.
d) STILL waiting on our $6K IRS refund since November.
e) Charitable contributions will remain at least $12K for the year.
And you know what I'm celebrating?
Because we can help someone turn their life back around, absorb all those financial shocks, and we'll be JUST FINE.
In fact, we'll continue to prosper.
Because we'll be JUST FINE.
Wow that's wonderful that you can help someone that much. Must be a great feeling.
Post by: okisok on May 14, 2022, 12:31:09 PM
Post by: chaskavitch on May 15, 2022, 07:35:58 AM
On Monday, I start a new job with much better benefits and a 30% pay raise. The commute is exactly the same, under 5 miles. And I'm contributing to the betterment of society (medicine) versus the red tape of the legal system. I've already mapped out my new budget and how I can increase my investments without too much lifestyle creep.
Nice! All of that sounds like a big upgrade, congratulations :)
Post by: Auger38 on May 25, 2022, 10:15:39 AM
I bought a house in October 2019 that’s about a 30 minute drive into the city and to the office. I basically emptied my investment account to scrounge together enough money to put 5% down. I do have a government pension/golden handcuffs, but it still probably wasn’t the smartest decision to be house poor.
I’ve been saving/investing steadily since then, and have far surpassed the 5% total I had put down on the house. On top of that, house values around here have basically doubled since I bought in 2019. I sold my place this past month to downsize and move into the city/10 minute local road commute to the office. Even after putting 20% down on the new place, I was left with quite a healthy sum of money.
The profit off of the sale + my investments have boosted my portfolio from:
September 2019: 17k ish
May 2022: 206k
To say I’m ecstatic is an understatement. I don’t want to cheer for a down market, but timing wise, this could not have worked out better for me.
Congrats, and hopefully you have put those gain dollars to work.
That's a huge upgrade to your commute life also!
Thank you! Bought myself a Concept 2 rower as a treat for the home gym, and the rest is going into investments.
Definitely a lot more free time!
Post by: ABK on May 31, 2022, 09:24:46 PM
Post by: SwordGuy on May 31, 2022, 09:59:09 PM
My Public Service Loan Forgiveness just came through! Just over $53K forgiven. In the last ten years of working for a public university, I paid off more than I originally borrowed and saw my balance only tick down a hair. So glad the rules were clarified last fall to include my situation - I didn't previously qualify and expected to be paying off almost 3x the original principal until I turn 70 twenty years from now.Awesome!
Post by: EarlyInJourney on June 01, 2022, 06:45:28 PM
Post by: StachingforLife on June 01, 2022, 08:17:24 PM
I remember reading one of MMM's early articles about having little green employees and mentioning VTSAX and I dreamed of having a bunch of employees of our own. At that time (2.5 years ago) we didn't even have the 3k minimum extra to invest in VTSAX. It's amazing how time flies.
Anyway, I'll probably post again in another 2 years haha!
Post by: okisok on June 11, 2022, 10:23:37 PM
My new job is going well. They pay my cell phone bill, cover any mileage expenses, and promptly reimburse charges on my personal credit card. At the end of this month I'll get my first full month paycheck and will be able to finalize the rough budget I made when I got the job.
I posted a few years ago in this thread that my net worth had gone up to $80k from $20k in a few years of following. Now I'm up to $113k and have bought a house in addition to the surgery. It really works!
Post by: Trifle on June 12, 2022, 05:33:30 AM
Post by: dignam on June 24, 2022, 02:10:47 PM
Post by: ATtiny85 on June 24, 2022, 02:32:50 PM
Was approved last week for about a 40% pay increase at my current job; i.e. getting promoted next week. This wasn't supposed to happen until September, but I was contacted by another company for basically the same position I have now. Decided to see what they offered, and it was substantially more than I was previously making. Really worked out perfectly because I do like my job and the people I work with. Great that the bosses moved up the promotion after seeing what my market value was.
Nicely played! Congrats.
Post by: grantmeaname on June 24, 2022, 03:35:05 PM
Post by: uniteorlose on July 12, 2022, 06:50:11 PM
Post by: Auger38 on July 14, 2022, 03:19:33 PM
Just knocked off three hefty credit card balances
3 all at once? Quick succession? Any method in particular you used?
That’s awesome though! Must be a huge relief! Congratulations!
Post by: Sibley on July 24, 2022, 11:59:19 AM
Post by: SwordGuy on July 24, 2022, 01:01:29 PM
1) Our Ukrainian artist friend, who's staying with us during the invasion of Ukraine, got a new kind of visa. They'll be able to stay in the US longer and will be able to apply for a work permit and other assistance.
2) We weren't expecting to receive any money this year from our farm because, as part of the transition to a new sharecrop farmer, we're leveling the farmland. It should increase the yield in years to come. Sadly, it ended up costing way more because between the time we agreed to do that and it could be arranged, the invasion of Ukraine happened and prices of key items like fuel went way up. The farmer is paying the extra costs with an interest free loan to us, to be paid off over 7 years. It's a good deal. They are very skilled at what they do and farm all the land (around 8000 acres) around our farm, so it's beneficial for them, too. This farmer pays his hands $60k a year plus benefits. In a small town in Arkansas, that's real money you can easily raise a family on. His feeling is that they will work hard for him because he pays so much better than others -- and they do.
But, I digress. I'm celebrating that in that red state that's so against them damn liberals and their socialistic policies, that FDR and the liberals set up farm credits for improving the land (which leveling is) and allowing the land to restore itself by lying fallow (which we have to do in order to level it). Yep, farm country appears to be riddled with socialist policies designed to help farmers. Who knew? So we'll get some cash from our farm this year after all!
Post by: afuera on August 15, 2022, 07:20:16 AM
The best part is that we get to move closer to family and I finally get rid of my dreaded 1+hr commute and instead will get to live within 10 mins of work! It has taken me way too long to find new job without this horrid commute and this is the last week that I have to make it!
Post by: SwordGuy on August 15, 2022, 08:04:55 AM
I accepted a job offer for a $10K raise, an extra week of vacation, and higher 401K match.
The best part is that we get to move closer to family and I finally get rid of my dreaded 1+hr commute and instead will get to live within 10 mins of work! It has taken me way too long to find new job without this horrid commute and this is the last week that I have to make it!
That's wonderful news!
Post by: Ladychips on August 15, 2022, 03:48:01 PM
I accepted a job offer for a $10K raise, an extra week of vacation, and higher 401K match.
The best part is that we get to move closer to family and I finally get rid of my dreaded 1+hr commute and instead will get to live within 10 mins of work! It has taken me way too long to find new job without this horrid commute and this is the last week that I have to make it!
Outstanding! Congratulations!!
Post by: Yanisimo on September 01, 2022, 11:43:02 PM
2. I gifted the little brother a $280 trumpet. This year he chose to play the trumpet in his middle school band class. Mom worked cleaning the homes of white collar professionals for years to afford my braces and trombone. I type on a keyboard, move the computer mouse, and talk to people to afford the same expenses at double mom's salary. I owe her a lot and am thankful for the opportunities the MMM lifestyle has provided to my family.
Post by: simonsez on October 03, 2022, 03:55:52 PM
It's my MILs bday this week. I think I'll treat the four (MIL, FIL, wife, me) of us to a dinner. Still hasn't sunk in yet, having student loan debt hanging over my head had become a normal feeling - it was all I had known as an adult. The air is just a little sweeter today!
Post by: aimlesstourist on January 06, 2023, 04:04:34 PM
Post by: Trifle on January 07, 2023, 02:26:35 AM
Post by: midweststache on June 02, 2023, 07:12:08 AM
1. We paid off our student loans. Like, they're at $0. I closed the SL account in my YNAB. I hid the "Debt" section of my YNAB. (Mortgage is in "Housing".) THEY. ARE. GONE.
2. I'm taking a promotion within my organization effective later this month; I negotiated an additional 7% in salary increase. That additional increase will allow me to max out my 403b for the first time EVER (which was the priority for me) and see an ever-so-slight increase in take-home pay.
**does a little happy dance**
Post by: Dogastrophe on June 02, 2023, 09:01:00 AM
It's been quite the week here for us. This past week:
1. We paid off our student loans. Like, they're at $0. I closed the SL account in my YNAB. I hid the "Debt" section of my YNAB. (Mortgage is in "Housing".) THEY. ARE. GONE.
2. I'm taking a promotion within my organization effective later this month; I negotiated an additional 7% in salary increase. That additional increase will allow me to max out my 403b for the first time EVER (which was the priority for me) and see an ever-so-slight increase in take-home pay.
**does a little happy dance**
Congrats!
Post by: cleverscreenname on July 05, 2023, 06:44:07 AM
Replaced my own brakes and rotors for the first time- most of that time was spent on one stubborn bolt that wouldn't loosen for anything. Finally got it moving after spending 20 minutes working at it with a breaker bar.
It almost looks like the person who had the car before me had never changed them in the car's life o_o;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg)
Good job! Did you try PB Blaster lubricant? Did you go with AutoZone's free-lifetime-replacement brake pads?
Happy Independence Day everyone!
Post by: uniwelder on July 05, 2023, 07:08:21 AM
Replaced my own brakes and rotors for the first time- most of that time was spent on one stubborn bolt that wouldn't loosen for anything. Finally got it moving after spending 20 minutes working at it with a breaker bar.
It almost looks like the person who had the car before me had never changed them in the car's life o_o;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg)
Good job! Did you try PB Blaster lubricant? Did you go with AutoZone's free-lifetime-replacement brake pads?
Happy Independence Day everyone!
This is kinda like spamming. You're posting useless crap to get yourself to the 100 post mark so you can post off-topic. Or are you actually interested in how their brakes are functioning 10 years later and whether they've utilized the lifetime warranty of the brake pads?
Post by: ixtap on July 05, 2023, 08:27:48 AM
Replaced my own brakes and rotors for the first time- most of that time was spent on one stubborn bolt that wouldn't loosen for anything. Finally got it moving after spending 20 minutes working at it with a breaker bar.
It almost looks like the person who had the car before me had never changed them in the car's life o_o;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg)
Good job! Did you try PB Blaster lubricant? Did you go with AutoZone's free-lifetime-replacement brake pads?
Happy Independence Day everyone!
This is kinda like spamming. You're posting useless crap to get yourself to the 100 post mark so you can post off-topic. Or are you actually interested in how their brakes are functioning 10 years later and whether they've utilized the lifetime warranty of the brake pads?
I don't see anything spammy about it. Zombie posts usually happen because someone is reading through old threads and responds to something of interest without noting the date.
Post by: Dicey on July 05, 2023, 09:52:58 AM
Haha it happened to me on another thread. I forgot to mention in my response that I love a good necropost.Replaced my own brakes and rotors for the first time- most of that time was spent on one stubborn bolt that wouldn't loosen for anything. Finally got it moving after spending 20 minutes working at it with a breaker bar.
It almost looks like the person who had the car before me had never changed them in the car's life o_o;
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/norvilion/OldBrakes_zpsc98951f6.jpg)
Good job! Did you try PB Blaster lubricant? Did you go with AutoZone's free-lifetime-replacement brake pads?
Happy Independence Day everyone!
This is kinda like spamming. You're posting useless crap to get yourself to the 100 post mark so you can post off-topic. Or are you actually interested in how their brakes are functioning 10 years later and whether they've utilized the lifetime warranty of the brake pads?
I don't see anything spammy about it. Zombie posts usually happen because someone is reading through old threads and responds to something of interest without noting the date.
I fully agree that it doesn't seem spammy. We also have Forum Rules and the person who seems to be flirting with them is not cleverscreenname, IMO.
Post by: cleverscreenname on July 05, 2023, 01:36:45 PM
Thank you, Ixtap. I was only 1 month behind the previous poster in June, so I didn't receive the red 120-day warning.
I think I'm being followed around here on the forum. Like, are you guys full here? Can the servers not handle just 1 more username? Which sucks, because I find welding to be a very awesome, impressive, and useful skill. I wish I could weld, and I've seen pictures of the literal ART of welding (a handmade custom exhaust on a souped up Honda forum.) Even the other members wrote "Holy perfect welds, Batman!"
All though the server crashing would seriously be a bad thing!
Post by: uniwelder on July 05, 2023, 02:24:10 PM
I DIY the majority of my family's car repairs, and I use Duralast brake pads, so yes I'm actually interested. 10 years is a perfect amount of time to find out if he has cashed in on free replacements.Sorry, but the person you were replying to has not logged in on the forum for nine years.
I think I'm being followed around here on the forum. Like, are you guys full here? Can the servers not handle just 1 more username? Which sucks, because I find welding to be a very awesome, impressive, and useful skill. I wish I could weld, and I've seen pictures of the literal ART of welding (a handmade custom exhaust on a souped up Honda forum.) Even the other members wrote "Holy perfect welds, Batman!"
I didn't start by following you around, but when posts are made to a topic someone has already contributed to, it shows up when clicking on 'show new replies to your posts', which is where I took notice. I originally tried to be helpful, twice suggesting you ask the moderators to move the off-topic discussion of electric cars to an on-topic area, but you weren't interested. In one of your first messages, you stated---
... I guess I have to get chatty and spew unhelpful dribble for awhile (100 is awfully high, I don't even have that many on TMC or Endless-Sphere, and I've been on both for over 8 years and read thousands of threads.)
If you have relevant information to discuss, I don't think anyone will hold it against you. 'Spewing unhelpful dribble' (your words) is quite annoying though.
Post by: cleverscreenname on July 05, 2023, 02:40:07 PM
If you have relevant information to discuss, I don't think anyone will hold it against you. 'Spewing unhelpful dribble' (your words) is quite annoying though.Agreed. My post was facetious and silly, but I don't have it in me to be truly annoying. "Spew unhelpful dribble" was copied from Nereo anyways. Anyways, I pledge to keep all my posts intellectual and non-annoying.
Post by: footwear on August 23, 2023, 08:36:45 AM
Our youngest just started school, no more child care payments!!
FIRE here we come XD
Post by: Trifle on August 24, 2023, 01:23:55 AM
My wife and I both own our vehicles now, no more car payments!
Our youngest just started school, no more child care payments!!
FIRE here we come XD
Congratulations @footwear! Those are some good milestones. Pedal to the metal!
Post by: footwear on August 24, 2023, 09:35:33 AM
Post by: igooglesearchthings on January 23, 2024, 10:14:26 PM
just turned 30 recently and also passed the 200k NW mark! never thought I'd get here, and taking a quick minute to smile and be happy with myself
Post by: Glenstache on January 24, 2024, 12:41:07 PM
I don't have many people to talk to this about so I figured I'd share here a milestone I just reachedCongrats on the milestone! Good job!
just turned 30 recently and also passed the 200k NW mark! never thought I'd get here, and taking a quick minute to smile and be happy with myself
Post by: SwordGuy on January 24, 2024, 01:09:00 PM
I don't have many people to talk to this about so I figured I'd share here a milestone I just reached
just turned 30 recently and also passed the 200k NW mark! never thought I'd get here, and taking a quick minute to smile and be happy with myself
Bravo!
That's a seriously important step! Yeah, you!
Post by: The Beebsta on February 05, 2024, 04:29:59 AM
I don't have many people to talk to this about so I figured I'd share here a milestone I just reachedAwesome work @igooglesearchthings. $200k at 30 is impressive!
just turned 30 recently and also passed the 200k NW mark! never thought I'd get here, and taking a quick minute to smile and be happy with myself
I came here to celebrate that my SO & I just hit a combined AUD$1m in Superannuation (Australian retirement fund). Yesterday it was soooo close at $999,965. Today, the markets were kind to me and it’s now at $1,005,438!
Post by: Trifle on February 05, 2024, 04:43:15 AM
Post by: Huffduf41 on February 08, 2024, 06:48:46 AM
(https://i.ibb.co/pd8y3Q3/A02-FC50-D-ADA0-43-EA-A1-F8-0-D9-ED6-D693-BF.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YhMZtXt)
Crazy how much easier the second one was....
The third one was a little bumpy due to inflation but rode it out and arrived.
(https://i.ibb.co/VmM1P5L/Screenshot-2024-02-08-084536.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zJPM0Dm)
Post by: elysianfields on February 25, 2024, 03:43:23 PM
Since then, we've paid all our health care expenses out of pocket and invested our HSA in index funds.
On Friday my HSA balance exceeded $100k for the first time.
Post by: Dicey on February 26, 2024, 09:35:19 AM
We switched our health insurance to a HDHP with HSA in 2015.That's worth celebrating!
Since then, we've paid all our health care expenses out of pocket and invested our HSA in index funds.
On Friday my HSA balance exceeded $100k for the first time.
Post by: midweststache on February 27, 2024, 07:44:18 AM
We switched our health insurance to a HDHP with HSA in 2015.
Since then, we've paid all our health care expenses out of pocket and invested our HSA in index funds.
On Friday my HSA balance exceeded $100k for the first time.
Congrats! That's amazing!
Post by: aimlesstourist on March 20, 2024, 07:21:05 PM
We switched our health insurance to a HDHP with HSA in 2015.
Since then, we've paid all our health care expenses out of pocket and invested our HSA in index funds.
On Friday my HSA balance exceeded $100k for the first time.
Congratulations!
Post by: aimlesstourist on March 27, 2024, 06:40:56 AM
Post by: midweststache on March 27, 2024, 07:25:47 AM
Just finished paying off my grad student loans!! Grinded for several years and was very disciplined with our household budget and money and it's now paid off. A huge worry source gone for good.
AMAZING! CONGRATS! WOO HOO! This is awesome!