The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Share Your Badassity => Topic started by: merlin7676 on February 18, 2016, 08:54:00 AM
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I've always been a frugal person and a minimalist to begin with but I think there is always room for improvement even if it hurts.
Paid off student load, one CC, one more to go...moved it over to a 1 year 0% interest if paid in full in November so have until 11/16 to pay it off. Originally slated to be paid off in Oct 2016....been throwing $800 a month at it plus the odd $10-30 here and there..moved that pay off date to Sept, then July, and now June. Depending on work bonus (should be $666) and tax refund (never get much since I have my tax withholdings set to just stay above having to pay) should be able to push to May.
Getting rid of my car in September (see why below). Currently I have to commute 33 miles one way to work. Monthly bus pass will be $100 vs $199 for car payment, $130 yearly car tabs, car insurance, gas, and needs new tires. So will be sacrificing money for time since will take significantly longer to take bus to and from work....plus have to walk a mile each way from bus stop to work bld (exchanging time for exercise).
Moving in September so will only be 16.1 miles to work. Husband and his best friend own a condo and rent out. Lease ends in September at which point all 3 of us will live there...so save $$$ by dividing housing expenses 3 ways. Only one car space so also would have to rent out another space if car was kept.
So potential savings after CC and car are gone and we move is about $1000/month (depending on several factors but this is a "ballpark" figure). First 3 months are to create a $3k emergency savings fund (currently only $550) then 1K for 5 months to max out IRA (currently it's only $140/pay check), then bump up 401K. Can't max it out but will put the 1K towards that after IRA.
I'm pumped!! :)
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That's awesome.
I would take a moderately longer bus ride over a commute any day. I could read, work on my blog, or do other productive things instead of focusing on driving. I hate the act of driving. Riding isn't a biggie for me.
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great job! ditto on the riding rather than driving. I'd much rather chill with a book than be rigid over my steering wheel and bored to tears.