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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: wealthviahealth on June 12, 2020, 09:15:35 AM

Title: A Year with no expenses, keeping full income. What would you accomplish?
Post by: wealthviahealth on June 12, 2020, 09:15:35 AM
I have an opportunity to live rent/major expense free for the next year which is an incredibly fortunate opportunity I had previously not imagined.  Im moving across the country to a much cheaper location and will temporarily bunk up with the fam as I look into buying a home or finding my next location to rent. For the last 6 years I have had total monthly expenses of around $3000 living in such high COL areas and I am trying to conceptualize what this opportunity could actually allow for. 
I would love to know what others who have been in such a situation have been able to accomplish financially/personally/professionally.
I have no debt, ahead of savings/investments for my age, and will now be in a location where home ownership could make sense.

Title: Re: A Year with no expenses, keeping full income. What would you accomplish?
Post by: nereo on June 12, 2020, 09:19:09 AM
I've been in similar situations in the past where I worked in a field station that included room & board, so my total expenses for the year would be just a couple $k

Pretty boring, but I used the opportunity to really boost my investments, starting with my IRA and then taxable savings (a 401/403 was not available to me). My salary wasn't great but the uber-low expenses still allowed me to sock away a few thousand each month.  I didn't really have a plan for the money at the time, but eventually the money saved was converted to a downpayment for our first home.
Title: Re: A Year with no expenses, keeping full income. What would you accomplish?
Post by: MudPuppy on June 12, 2020, 09:21:25 AM
I could pay off about half my house, which would seriously advance my FI(re?) goal.
Title: Re: A Year with no expenses, keeping full income. What would you accomplish?
Post by: NorCal on June 16, 2020, 12:35:52 PM
I had a financially similar situation, but the context was very different.  I was deployed to Iraq twice, and got to save nearly all my income (tax free as well) for the time.

Between the savings and the GI Bill, I was able to build up enough of a stache that I was able to get my MBA and come out the other end with a positive net worth.  It was a great investment, and could be something to consider if you're at a life stage where further education would be valuable.
Title: Re: A Year with no expenses, keeping full income. What would you accomplish?
Post by: LifeHappens on June 17, 2020, 10:08:57 AM
It might be worth your time to lay out a full case study. If we knew your expected rate of savings each month, your current stash, which tax-deferred investment vehicles available to you and the likely cost of a home in your area we could give more specific advice.

Just based on what you shared, I would max out all tax-deferred investment options first then start saving for a down payment in a high interest savings account.