Hello Mustachians-
I am a recent convert to Mustaschianism, having been turned on to the blog by a friend in January. Since then, I've cut my overall spending by about two-thirds -- refinanced my student loans from over seven percent to under five percent, started riding my bike for my everyday travel around town, and stopped buying pointless, random clothes I wear once and give to charity. I will also be moving soon to a cheaper apartment that better suits my needs.
My question is this: With my expenses whittled down (admittedly, there are still several hundred dollars of expenses that can be cut out -- I'm working on it, trust me!), what should I do with my extra cash? I make a very good salary, but I am in an industry where I could lose my job at any point in the next six months, with little to no warning. I lay out below what my current financial picture is, and humbly ask for the input of the broader community.
Monthly Expenses
Rent: $925 (down from $1435)
Internet: $70 (comes with basic cable and HBO -- its actually MORE EXPENSIVE to go without due to Comcast's idiotic pricing structure)
Other Utilities: $35
Mobile Phone: $45 (on Google Fi, so it varies -- sometimes a bit lower, sometimes a bit higher)
Groceries: $250
Totally Cuttable Useless Crap That I Should Be Punched In The Face For Spending On: $350
Student Loan: $2000 (minimum payment is about $1300)
Dry Cleaning: $25 (I wear a suit to work)
Insurance: $100 (I've shopped around for better rates, but no one is offering a better one because i am a horrendous driver)
Giving: $300
Retirement: $458.33 (IRA funding)
Other Savings: $300
Current Assets/Liabilities
Vanguard IRA: $15185
Betterment Emergency Fund: $15919 (in a mostly bond portfolio -- a taxable account)
Other Savings: $2000 (split between Capital One and Chase, the latter of which I have only so I can easily deposit cash)
Student Loan: $106,000 (down from about $245,000 two years ago!!!)
My income is about $11,000 a month, so even with my absurdly bad spending, I have about $6100 left per month. I was paying off my student loans agressively (to the tune of an extra $5000 a month), but my job has become less secure. Should I just keep it all in cash savings? Invest it in a taxable account (Betterment or otherwise)? I've driven myself crazy with what to do with it, and I need someone to punch me in the face and tell me what I'm doing wrong.