Saving to $10K

[cari8285]

November 2019
Credit card: $521.24
Car loan: $7,868.05
401K: $604.75

Net worth: -7,784.54

December 2019
Credit card: $208.72
Car loan: $7,719.02
401K: $1,072.31

Net worth: -6855.43 (+929.11)

January 2020
Credit card: 0.00
Car loan: $7,567.96
401K: $1,411.37

Net worth: -6,156.59 (+698.84)

February 2020
Credit card: 0.00
Car loan: $6,917.34
401K: $1,564.01
HSA: $240.18

Net worth: -5113.15 (+1043.44)

[Imma]

That's a sad story @Moonwaves :( of course I don't know what happened but I just can't understand people like your father's wife.

Luckily renting is quite secure in Germany so as long as you've got a reliable landlord renting is a good option too. Funny, people from NL often buy homes just across the border with Germany because homes are much cheaper there, but of course we're talking about big family homes in the countryside, not small homes in urban areas. I guess it's the same as in Ireland, there are affordable homes but not in places you want to live :)

We  (I have a partner but we're in a bit of an unvonventional relationship, and we have separate finances) were very lucky to be able to buy through a rejuvenation project from our housing autjority, so we were able  to buy our house at a discount provided we maintain it and sell it back to them if we ever leave. We bought for 80k. We'd never thought we would be homeowners but it happened and it's been good for us.

[TyGuy]

Hi, my first post here! Opened our vanguard accounts this week so I'm keen to get to our first 10k invested. I'm not counting pension savings and cash for this.

So as of 1/2/2020 £3000 in vanguard, mainly from moving some cash savings.

Welcome to the thread, opening your first investment account is a big step in the right direction, happy saving!!

[TyGuy]

Student Loans:

01/12/19: $43,762.76
02/01/19: $42,561.06 (-$1,201.70)
03/04/19: $41,418.69 (-$1,139.41)
07/05/19: $37,901.63 (-$3,517.06)
08/10/19: $36,673.79 (-$1,227.84)
09/01/19: $35,289.89 (-$1,383.90)
10/02/19: $33,624.85 (-$1,665.04)
11/04/19: $31,707.48 (-$1,917.37)
12/08/19: $30,043.85 (-$1,663.63)
01/03/20: $28,335.39 (-$1,708.46)
02/05/20: $26,652.37 (-$1,683.02)


Net Worth per Personal Capital:

03/04/19: -$30,065
07/05/19: -$21,711 ($8,294)
08/10/19: -$18,173 ($3,538)
09/01/19: -$12,615 ($5,558)
10/02/19: -$10,089 ($2,526)
11/04/19: -$6,559 ($3,530)
12/08/19: -$1,673 ($4,886)
12/22/19: $237 ($1,910) (First day of having a positive net worth)
01/03/20: $1,447 ($1,210)
02/02/20: $5,209 ($3,762)

Another successful month, my net worth is quickly approaching 10K! I am amazed at how fast my net worth has grown the past year!

[Trifle]

Great month @TyGuy !  Remind me what the first numbers are?  Student loans?

[TyGuy]

@Trifele yes, the first set of numbers are my student loan debt, thanks for noticing (I edited the above post)!

[jdhansen]

Progress continues, we hope to be at zero or maybe in the positive when March arrives.  Just depends on when that tax refund hits.  If it takes a little while longer, we should still be starting our positive climb by April, which is still 2 months sooner than we thought we would do it.  Fingers crossed nothing messes up the plan.

11/15/2019   $ -5671.56
12/18/2019   $ -4174.34
01/18/2020   $ -4162.83
02/13/2020   $ -2575.99

[mactastic]

Sept 2019:
Starting Debt: $60,811.05   
Starting savings:  $46,123.39   
Where it stands: (-14,687.66)
Targeted student loan balance: $5463

January 2020:
Total debt: $54,424.86
Total savings: $51,759.52
Where it stands: (-2,665.24)
Targeted student loan balance: $4050

February 2020:
Total debt: $51,755.95
Total savings: $55,711.19
Where it stands: +$3,955.24
Targeted student loan balance: $3,208

WOO HOO! Across the zero line into the positives! We didn't actually payoff 2700 dollars of debt last month, but when I went to check the balances and interest rates, they were lower than expected, so I adjusted my spreadsheet to reflect more accurate numbers. I won't actually do it, but it's comforting to know that if we absolutely had to, we could pay off the entirety of our debt and still have (a little) something.

Sending good vibes to all y'all!

[Gingersnaps]

Monthly update, markets are down but bonus is in. Quite good having my risk tolerance tested so early, I'm very fine with it - I figure alternatively the money I've invested would be deflating as cash or being frittered away on nothing so I'm still in a positive position :)

1/2/20 - £3000
1/3/20 - £4268.37

Welcome aboard @Gingersnaps!  This is one of the best threads on the whole forum.  In your other post I think you said you want to RE in 15 years?  You've probably read this classic post, the Shockingly Simple Math -- https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-simple-math-behind-early-retirement/ -- and know that with a ~55% savings rate that goal is within your grasp.  Ready, set, GO!   

Thank you for the welcome! Such a great post, I'm going to do some playing about with calculators on saving rates. We're currently at 45% but that excludes bonuses so I can recalculate when theyre all in next month. We'll also put April payrises straight in which will help. 15 years gives us a good starting goal but let's see how that progresses.

[Gingersnaps]

Gosh do you have to the verification forever, I'm struggling!?

Huge congratulations on getting to positive net worth @mactastic must be a great feeling

Sounds like March could be your month @jdhansen

Thanks for the welcome @TyGuy you have some great numbers!

[Dicey]

@Gingersnaps, the verification is a fairly new thing. As this forum has grown, it's become the target of unwelcome spam bots and trolls, so it's become necessary. This is a great community and totally worth the additional barriers to entry..
___________

I'm glad to see some recent activity on this thread. I've been wondering how you are all coping with the market dips of late. Just remember, the market is on sale! You're buying more shares for a lower price. It's a good thing, particularly when you're in the early stages of accumulation. Hang In there!

[mckaylabaloney]

1/1/2018: $(170,956.12)
2/1/2018: $(166,849.63)
3/1/2018: $(161,395.88)
4/1/2018: $(156,590.44)
5/1/2018: $(152,997.61)
6/1/2018: $(149,175.48)
7/1/2018: $(143,748.22)
8/1/2018: $(138,734.38)
9/1/2018: $(135,043.66)
10/1/2018: $(131,441.14)
11/1/2018: $(133,372.50)
12/1/2018: $(128,081.25)
1/1/2019: $(80,750.78)
2/1/2019: $(73,422.02)
3/1/2019: $(60,122.64)
4/1/2019: $(54,342.22)
5/1/2019: $(48,858.05)
6/1/2019: $(49,269.97)
7/1/2019: $(29,802.87)
8/1/2019: $(25,751.08)
...
1/1/2020: $(4,873.13)
2/1/2020: $(4,647.56)
3/1/2020: $398.59

Oh my goodness! Helloooooo to a positive net worth for the first time in my adult life!!! I can hardly believe it, especially when I look at the numbers I started with just a few years ago.

The only reason that I moved forward this month, despite the terrible last week in the markets, is that last week I also got a final profit-sharing payment that my prior job still owed me. It was worth almost exactly the amount my investment accounts dipped last week. And I was glad that it was paid out during a week when the markets were plummeting. It's way more fun to watch the numbers go up, obviously, but I know it's great to be in a position to take advantage of market dips and keep investing. If the market recovers to some degree this month, and my tax return hits my account, I may even graduate from this thread on April 1! We'll see!

[Dicey]

Wow, @mckaylabaloney, that is amazing progress! Congratulations!!!

[TyGuy]

Student Loans:

01/12/19: $43,762.76
02/01/19: $42,561.06 (-$1,201.70)
03/04/19: $41,418.69 (-$1,139.41)
07/05/19: $37,901.63 (-$3,517.06)
08/10/19: $36,673.79 (-$1,227.84)
09/01/19: $35,289.89 (-$1,383.90)
10/02/19: $33,624.85 (-$1,665.04)
11/04/19: $31,707.48 (-$1,917.37)
12/08/19: $30,043.85 (-$1,663.63)
01/03/20: $28,335.39 (-$1,708.46)
02/05/20: $26,652.37 (-$1,683.02)
03/03/20: $24,941.42 (-$1,710.95)


Net Worth per Personal Capital:

03/04/19: -$30,065
07/05/19: -$21,711 ($8,294)
08/10/19: -$18,173 ($3,538)
09/01/19: -$12,615 ($5,558)
10/02/19: -$10,089 ($2,526)
11/04/19: -$6,559 ($3,530)
12/08/19: -$1,673 ($4,886)
12/22/19: $237 ($1,910) (First day of having a positive net worth)
01/03/20: $1,447 ($1,210)
02/02/20: $5,209 ($3,762)
03/03/20: $5,821 ($612)

Market losses lead to minimal increase in net worth this past month. March looks promising as I will be receiving my tax return and markets begin the month low.

[Yasha]

I can’t recall my last update here, but we have returned from the USA with our savings (relatively) unscathed. So glad to have found MMM and the FIRE community which meant we had cash to pay for the trip instead of taking a loan, and will again pay cash for the next wedding in November (Mr just got asked to be the best man, so we’ll be going for sure). Wish I had known a little more about travel hacking before we took this trip, but have signed up for some bonuses and such to ease the pinch of the second trip.

Exciting news in that my “investing” bucket/sinking fund has now hit $500 and I’m ready to make my first trade on selfwealth while everything is on sale. Not bad for being an account with no dedicated input from my regular pay check, purely filled from “rounding up” to the nearest dollar, Airtasker payments and money found/interest payments.

$7500 ($2k efund, 5k saving for down payment, $500 ready to invest).

[jdhansen]

Lots of drama out there glad we were able to pull into the positive side of things.  DW got a bonus and we have really tightened down the budget.

Here is where we stand
11/15/2019   $ -5671.56
12/18/2019   $ -4174.34
01/18/2020   $ -4162.83
02/13/2020   $ -2575.99
03/18/2020   $ 6748.74

It will be interesting to see how all this virus business shakes out, but we are sticking to the plan and we will see everyone on the other side.

[Dicey]

Hi all, I'm betting that a lot of you have never experienced such a crazy market before. I can remember how I used to agonize over my investments, positive that anything I bought would immediately tank. Also, when my accounts were small, the balance decreases were devastating. I felt like the dollars were being ripped out of my wallet.

You've heard all of these before, but I thought I'd reiterate a few points:
1. The market always comes back over time. Always.
2. Market dips are buying opportunities. If you can't increase your contributions, at least try to stay in at your current rate. Don't pull back.
3. Stop looking at your balances. Really. Don't look.
4. Selling is the guaranteed way to make temporary losses permanent.

I wish everyone the best of luck and good health during this difficult period. It will get better.

[Trifle]

+1. Great reminders, @Dicey. 

I well remember the 2008 crisis, when it felt like the financial world was ending.  I remember getting my work bonus in February of 2009 (when the market was near its bottom).  I agonized -- and then invested the whole thing.  It felt scary, like I might just be throwing it all away.  But the market came back fine.

Keep calm and save on everyone!  :)

ETA:  Congrats @jdhansen for crossing into positive territory!!  That is huge!!

[Dicey]

In mid-2008, I decided to really push to reach FIRE. As in hair-on-fire emergency saving. Due to a combination of HCOLA, and not huge salary, I was a steady saver, but this was the first time I ever even came close to maxing out my 401k. When the market recovered, it really boosted me toward the finish line. I am so grateful to my 2008 self for bravely pushing forward when the markets were so volatile.

Things may look a lot worse before they get better, but odds are, everyone's gonna be just fine.

[Imma]

Just one lesson I'd like to add from 2008: maintain a healthy E-fund! If you have low income/low savings you're more vulnerable to job loss than others further along the FIRE journey. Resist the temptation to throw all your money in the stock market because stocks are on sale. Just stick to the investment plan and save a bit extra in the EF if your job feels insecure.

[Manchester]

@Trifele & @Dicey

Just wanted to say thanks for your posts.  Whilst I was stuck in this thread, and towards the beginning of my FIRE journey to date, posts like yours were a continuing source of encouragement. 

In 2017, when markets were booming, I was at my lowest point financially.  I was stressed constantly about money.  I've not even travelled too far in the grand scheme of things, and I still have decades ahead of me before FI.  But having built up my EF, started investing and changed my lifestyle to a more modest, minimalist approach, I'm no longer stressed.  I lost 10% of my net worth this month and in all honesty, I've not lost a wink of sleep. 

Had I not found this forum, held myself accountable and been encouraged, god knows what my finances or my mental health would look like.

[jdhansen]

@Trifele & @Dicey

I want to echo Manchester's comments.  I have made it a point to ignore my accounts since this started and my DW and I just keep sticking to the budget plan.  Easier that way, but man it is hard to avoid the constant news about it.

Guessing this is a major opportunity for us if we stay the course, low cost of entry will pay off years from now when we are ready to hang it up.

[Trifle]

@Manchester -- spot on!  As Mustachians we have the tools and the mindset to weather this type of crisis. 

Right on @jdhansen -- even though the market dip is nauseating it really is a great opportunity, just like 2008 was for us older folks.

Hope everyone is doing ok!  If you've lost your job, hang in there.  Like @Manchester pointed out, this is where the emergency fund and the Mustachian lifestyle skills come into play.  If you still have a job, keep saving and investing like @jdhansen.  We'll get through this!   

 

[Trifle]

Just one lesson I'd like to add from 2008: maintain a healthy E-fund! If you have low income/low savings you're more vulnerable to job loss than others further along the FIRE journey. Resist the temptation to throw all your money in the stock market because stocks are on sale. Just stick to the investment plan and save a bit extra in the EF if your job feels insecure.

Yes!  The current market situation is Exhibit A on why you need to have a healthy emergency fund first.  :)

[Rimu05]

I accidentally deleted my previous post... Oh well, update

Student loan - ($24,871.7)
Credit card debt - 5500

Savings - $900
Checking - $200
401K - 26,696.66.55
Roth IRA - 810

Total - (1,590)

Ok, time to check in again. I upped my savings due to market fears. My 401k hit 30,000 about a month ago and then the market went to shit and so did my positive net worth. I dropped all the way back to 24,000.
Student loan - ($24,307.7)
Credit card debt - 6100

Savings - $3500
Checking - $200
401K - 24,615
Roth IRA - 910

Total - (1,283)

[mactastic]

Sept 2019:
Starting Debt: $60,811.05   
Starting savings:  $46,123.39   
Where it stands: (-14,687.66)
Targeted student loan balance: $5463

March 2020:
Total debt: $50,408.55
Total savings: $55,421.30
Where it stands: +$5,012.75
Targeted student loan balance: $2,632

Slow and steady progress. The combination of being newly pregnant and COVID has led to us concentrating much more on savings for the moment, and I'm constantly doing mental calculations of budget scenarios. My husband's job is pretty rock solid (essential), but I'm bracing for my hours to be reduced, at least temporarily. Appreciating the fact that we have a lengthy runway if sh*t hits the fan and sending lots of love to y'all, whatever your situation may be!

[TyGuy]

I accidentally deleted my previous post... Oh well, update

Student loan - ($24,871.7)
Credit card debt - 5500

Savings - $900
Checking - $200
401K - 26,696.66.55
Roth IRA - 810

Total - (1,590)

Ok, time to check in again. I upped my savings due to market fears. My 401k hit 30,000 about a month ago and then the market went to shit and so did my positive net worth. I dropped all the way back to 24,000.
Student loan - ($24,307.7)
Credit card debt - 6100

Savings - $3500
Checking - $200
401K - 24,615
Roth IRA - 910

Total - (1,283)

The market will eventually return and your 401K will be stronger than ever, hang in there! Have you ever considered putting a chunk of you savings towards the CC debt (I know you stated you are trying to increase your savings due to the market downturn, but the freed up CC credit could be used if an emergency arises and in the meantime you would be saving the interest that would be collected by the CC companies). Just some food for thought. Happy saving!

[Gingersnaps]

Investment update:
1/2/20 - £3000
1/3/20 - £4268.37
1/4/20 - £7309.86

More bonus money added this month, if we keep our jobs (crazy to have to say that) and continue as planned we should now hit 50% savings rate for the year. Also bumped up the emergency fund this month and holding a planned mortgage overpayment in cash too just in case.

Nice to see numbers moving in the right direction @mactastic and @Rimu05

[Dicey]

I accidentally deleted my previous post... Oh well, update

Student loan - ($24,871.7)
Credit card debt - 5500

Savings - $900
Checking - $200
401K - 26,696.66.55
Roth IRA - 810

Total - (1,590)

Ok, time to check in again. I upped my savings due to market fears. My 401k hit 30,000 about a month ago and then the market went to shit and so did my positive net worth. I dropped all the way back to 24,000.
Student loan - ($24,307.7)
Credit card debt - 6100

Savings - $3500
Checking - $200
401K - 24,615
Roth IRA - 910

Total - (1,283)

The market will eventually return and your 401K will be stronger than ever, hang in there! Have you ever considered putting a chunk of you savings towards the CC debt (I know you stated you are trying to increase your savings due to the market downturn, but the freed up CC credit could be used if an emergency arises and in the meantime you would be saving the interest that would be collected by the CC companies). Just some food for thought. Happy saving!

Normally, I might agree with this suggestion, but not now. A better idea might be to call and see if you can get the interest rates reduced or look for a good balance transfer option. Keeping your cash is the best security right now. And congratulations on your progress and your pregnancy!

[TyGuy]

I accidentally deleted my previous post... Oh well, update

Student loan - ($24,871.7)
Credit card debt - 5500

Savings - $900
Checking - $200
401K - 26,696.66.55
Roth IRA - 810

Total - (1,590)

Ok, time to check in again. I upped my savings due to market fears. My 401k hit 30,000 about a month ago and then the market went to shit and so did my positive net worth. I dropped all the way back to 24,000.
Student loan - ($24,307.7)
Credit card debt - 6100

Savings - $3500
Checking - $200
401K - 24,615
Roth IRA - 910

Total - (1,283)

The market will eventually return and your 401K will be stronger than ever, hang in there! Have you ever considered putting a chunk of you savings towards the CC debt (I know you stated you are trying to increase your savings due to the market downturn, but the freed up CC credit could be used if an emergency arises and in the meantime you would be saving the interest that would be collected by the CC companies). Just some food for thought. Happy saving!

Normally, I might agree with this suggestion, but not now. A better idea might be to call and see if you can get the interest rates reduced or look for a good balance transfer option. Keeping your cash is the best security right now. And congratulations on your progress and your pregnancy!

A reduced interest rate of low/no interest balance transfer would definitely be ideal, great suggestion @Dicey
(Also, I am assuming the interest rate on the CC debt currently stands at a high rate?)

[mckaylabaloney]

1/1/2018: $(170,956.12)
2/1/2018: $(166,849.63)
3/1/2018: $(161,395.88)
4/1/2018: $(156,590.44)
5/1/2018: $(152,997.61)
6/1/2018: $(149,175.48)
7/1/2018: $(143,748.22)
8/1/2018: $(138,734.38)
9/1/2018: $(135,043.66)
10/1/2018: $(131,441.14)
11/1/2018: $(133,372.50)
12/1/2018: $(128,081.25)
1/1/2019: $(80,750.78)
2/1/2019: $(73,422.02)
3/1/2019: $(60,122.64)
4/1/2019: $(54,342.22)
5/1/2019: $(48,858.05)
6/1/2019: $(49,269.97)
7/1/2019: $(29,802.87)
8/1/2019: $(25,751.08)
...
1/1/2020: $(4,873.13)
2/1/2020: $(4,647.56)
3/1/2020: $398.59
4/1/2020: $(9,003.54)

Well, that wasn't actually quite as bad as I expected! Haven't really looked at my investments since everything started going down, so I was steeling myself for worse.

What a month, huh? I am very grateful to have work that I can, in theory, continue to do from home indefinitely. That said, I don't think my job is necessarily recession-proof, especially since I'm the most junior attorney in my practice group (so the first to go if it comes to that) -- so I've decided to stop paying extra on my student loans for now in favor of trying to beef up my emergency fund. The interest rate on my savings account is 1.5% and the rate on my loans is 1.9%, so it's only a minimal difference anyway, especially in the short term.

I hope all of you and your loved ones are well.

[Rimu05]

I accidentally deleted my previous post... Oh well, update

Student loan - ($24,871.7)
Credit card debt - 5500

Savings - $900
Checking - $200
401K - 26,696.66.55
Roth IRA - 810

Total - (1,590)

Ok, time to check in again. I upped my savings due to market fears. My 401k hit 30,000 about a month ago and then the market went to shit and so did my positive net worth. I dropped all the way back to 24,000.
Student loan - ($24,307.7)
Credit card debt - 6100

Savings - $3500
Checking - $200
401K - 24,615
Roth IRA - 910

Total - (1,283)

The market will eventually return and your 401K will be stronger than ever, hang in there! Have you ever considered putting a chunk of you savings towards the CC debt (I know you stated you are trying to increase your savings due to the market downturn, but the freed up CC credit could be used if an emergency arises and in the meantime you would be saving the interest that would be collected by the CC companies). Just some food for thought. Happy saving!

I wasn’t planning on paying the chunk in savings to credit card debt yet but I may actually do it this month. IF we do get the government stimulus which is hopefully 1200, then I actually will have no credit card debt left this month after my paychecks. I am lucky to be in a department where we are actually super short staffed and are still hiring. My goal before all the Corona stuff was to have no credit card debt by May and spend the rest of the year socking away every cent to savings. Also, while there are things I don’t like about my apartment complex such as no walking trails. I will probably renew my lease to avoid incurring moving expenses. For the most part, maintenance is great and the apartment is super quiet.

[TyGuy]

Student Loans:

01/12/19: $43,762.76
02/01/19: $42,561.06 (-$1,201.70)
03/04/19: $41,418.69 (-$1,139.41)
07/05/19: $37,901.63 (-$3,517.06)
08/10/19: $36,673.79 (-$1,227.84)
09/01/19: $35,289.89 (-$1,383.90)
10/02/19: $33,624.85 (-$1,665.04)
11/04/19: $31,707.48 (-$1,917.37)
12/08/19: $30,043.85 (-$1,663.63)
01/03/20: $28,335.39 (-$1,708.46)
02/05/20: $26,652.37 (-$1,683.02)
03/03/20: $24,941.42 (-$1,710.95)
04/03/20: $23,233.85 (-$1,707.57)

Net Worth per Personal Capital:

03/04/19: -$30,065
07/05/19: -$21,711 ($8,294)
08/10/19: -$18,173 ($3,538)
09/01/19: -$12,615 ($5,558)
10/02/19: -$10,089 ($2,526)
11/04/19: -$6,559 ($3,530)
12/08/19: -$1,673 ($4,886)
12/22/19: $237 ($1,910) (First day of having a positive net worth)
01/03/20: $1,447 ($1,210)
02/02/20: $5,209 ($3,762)
03/03/20: $5,821 ($612)
04/03/20: $5,001 (-$820)


My tax return helped soften the blow of the market downturn this past month and I am optimistic moving forward as I will be surpassing the halfway point on my student loan repayment this coming month and my loans are now collecting 0% interest until this pandemic is over (one silver lining in this difficulty time).  Keep fighting the good fight, all!

[Peaksandvalleys]

Just getting started on the journey, 27, recently married and graduated with our doctorates. Now to dig out from our hole... This is going to take awhile, luckily our earning potential will increase greatly with time after residency. Contributing to this thread to hold us accountable and quell the impatience that comes with a massive debt burden.

Student loans:
1/2020 (-214579.43)
2/2020 (-211582.61)
3/2020 (-207301.61)

Net Worth:
1/2020 (-205328.66)
2/2020 (-199646.97)
3/2020 (-191659.76)

[Trifle]

Welcome @Peaksandvalleys!  Lots of us on these boards started way in the hole, so you are in good company.  I think the biggest danger for professionals in that situation is avoiding lifestyle creep.  I learned to ignore comments from spendy co-workers about our smaller house, or the older cars we were driving.  I thought about my student loans a lot and didn't push them to the back of my mind.  I got great satisfaction from throwing chunks of money at them, and watching them melt away.  After I killed the student loans I kept it fixed in my mind that a high income did not make me rich.  And I kept telling myself I was working and saving for something more important than a fancier house or a car -- freedom.

You've totally got this!

[Peaksandvalleys]

Thanks @Trifele !  Looking at just shy of 4 years to get back to zero net worth with our current savings rate, hoping we can accelerate that timeline. Goal is to come out of training ~3 years from now with no loans (may not be possible) and a positive net worth, already feeling the satisfaction of throwing a few thousand at the debt every month.
I appreciate the kind words of encouragement and caution against lifestyle creep, I am sure the pressure grows over time. Focusing on keeping up with the Mustaches instead of the Joneses

[Trifle]

...
Focusing on keeping up with the Mustaches instead of the Joneses

haha @Peaksandvalleys -- love that!

[mckaylabaloney]

Hi @Peaksandvalleys! As you can see from my last post, I totally understand your situation -- I graduated from law school in 2014 with about $225,000 of debt. For reasons relating to my school's loan repayment assistance program, I basically made no progress on my loans until the end of 2017, but since then I have paid off about $90k and am now in a position to pay the rest off in the next 2-3 years, depending on the COVID situation. Happy to offer any advice or just cheer you on! You'll be back to zero before you know it.

[Rimu05]

I accidentally deleted my previous post... Oh well, update

Student loan - ($24,871.7)
Credit card debt - 5500

Savings - $900
Checking - $200
401K - 26,696.66.55
Roth IRA - 810

Total - (1,590)

Ok, time to check in again. I upped my savings due to market fears. My 401k hit 30,000 about a month ago and then the market went to shit and so did my positive net worth. I dropped all the way back to 24,000.
Student loan - ($24,307.7)
Credit card debt - 6100

Savings - $3500
Checking - $200
401K - 24,615
Roth IRA - 910

Total - (1,283)

My savings climbed to 6200 due to mid month paycheck and stimulus. I also surprisingly am getting a tax return this year of $600. I normally get about $200.

I am planning to pay my credit card off this month. I know it’s not advisable in these times, but I just can’t with the credit debt.

[cazio]

10/2/18 - $(2742.60)
10/29/18 - $(1899.81)
11/25/18 - $(1660.04)
12/31/18 - $245
3/14/19 - $(5,212)
3/31/19 - $(882.10)
4/25/19 - $(16,545.33)
5/29/19 - $(14,275.68)
6/28/19 - $(13,578)
7/26/19 - $(12,692)
8/23/19 - $(11,219)
10/4/19 - $(12,227.77)
11/30/19 - $(15,648)
12/27/19 - $(12,288)
1/27/20 - $(17,036)
4/17/20- $(14,394.54)

I'm back! The past fe months were such a financial rollercoaster even before the pandemic, but I finally had time to sit down and hash everything out. I was playing the "ignoring/hiding from my finances will make me feel better" game. COVID has destroyed the film industry for the foreseeable future, so this year may also bring a career change (which I would not oppose - I read an article about how film plans to reopen and they essentially admitted that they'll gladly put profits over crew).

I've been very fortunate that unemployment has been coming through for me, and that my expenses are so low I'll actually be making enough money to save during this time. I hope to come out of this with a novel manuscript and a solid financial foundation to stand on for the economic aftermath.

[jeroly]

I hope to come out of this with a novel manuscript and a solid financial foundation to stand on for the economic aftermath.

It would be great if you can replace this novel coronavirus with a novel manuscript!

:-)

[jdhansen]

Hope everyone is continuing to do well and hang in there through all the sheltering in-home and other restrictions.

Things continue to increase for us, while we stay on track with our goal.

Here is where we stand
11/15/2019   $ -5671.56
12/18/2019   $ -4174.34
01/18/2020   $ -4162.83
02/13/2020   $ -2575.99
03/18/2020   $ 6748.74
04/17/2020   $ 8657.13

[DieHard_772]

Hope everyone is continuing to do well and hang in there through all the sheltering in-home and other restrictions.

Things continue to increase for us, while we stay on track with our goal.

Here is where we stand
11/15/2019   $ -5671.56
12/18/2019   $ -4174.34
01/18/2020   $ -4162.83
02/13/2020   $ -2575.99
03/18/2020   $ 6748.74
04/17/2020   $ 8657.13

Great work @jdhansen that is fantastic progress

[jdhansen]

Hope everyone is continuing to do well and hang in there through all the sheltering in-home and other restrictions.

Things continue to increase for us, while we stay on track with our goal.

Here is where we stand
11/15/2019   $ -5671.56
12/18/2019   $ -4174.34
01/18/2020   $ -4162.83
02/13/2020   $ -2575.99
03/18/2020   $ 6748.74
04/17/2020   $ 8657.13

Great work @jdhansen that is fantastic progress

Thanks @DieHard_772 , while COVID-19 might be terrible, not being able to go out and about has definitely helped boost or savings rate.

[DieHard_772]

Hope everyone is continuing to do well and hang in there through all the sheltering in-home and other restrictions.

Things continue to increase for us, while we stay on track with our goal.

Here is where we stand
11/15/2019   $ -5671.56
12/18/2019   $ -4174.34
01/18/2020   $ -4162.83
02/13/2020   $ -2575.99
03/18/2020   $ 6748.74
04/17/2020   $ 8657.13

Great work @jdhansen that is fantastic progress

Thanks @DieHard_772 , while COVID-19 might be terrible, not being able to go out and about has definitely helped boost or savings rate.

@jdhansen that is awesome to hear! There can be perks to every situation

[Rimu05]

I accidentally deleted my previous post... Oh well, update

Student loan - ($24,871.7)
Credit card debt - 5500

Savings - $900
Checking - $200
401K - 26,696.66.55
Roth IRA - 810

Total - (1,590)

Ok, time to check in again. I upped my savings due to market fears. My 401k hit 30,000 about a month ago and then the market went to shit and so did my positive net worth. I dropped all the way back to 24,000.
Student loan - ($24,307.7)
Credit card debt - 6100

Savings - $3500
Checking - $200
401K - 24,615
Roth IRA - 910

Total - (1,283)

I decided to get rid of my credit card debt against better judgement but I couldn’t keep looking at it anymore. I do work in a job that is still hiring and we are super understaffed so I remain somewhat confident, I won’t lose it soon. I am back to a positive net worth now. I have upped my 401k contribution which I lowered three months ago to concentrate on debt payment.

Student loan - ($24,307.94)


Savings - $500
Checking - $300
401K - 27,837
Roth IRA - 963

Total -  5,339

I may actually graduate from this thread this year which is crazy to me.

[mactastic]

Sept 2019:
Starting Debt: $60,811.05   
Starting savings:  $46,123.39   
Where it stands: (-14,687.66)
Targeted student loan balance: $5463

Apr 2020:
Current Debt: $48,986
Current savings: $52,570
Where it stands: $3,674
Targeted student loan balance: $1782

Took a bit of a hit in the savings department, but debt continues to decrease steadily. Stimulus hits tomorrow, and that'll be split between baby fund, the student loan we're targeting, topping off the amount we need to buy my parents' car this summer and helping those less lucky than we've been.

Feeling lucky to be able to take advantage of this zero percent interest period on the student loans! At the beginning of the year, paying this particular loan off this year felt like a stretch, can't believe we'll be able to accomplish it before the halfway point!  After that one's wrapped up, we plan to just throw as much as we can at the biggest loan that remains while there's still no interest.

Hope everyone's hanging in there during this crazy time!!

[Trifle]

Great job @Rimu05 and @mactastic!  Steady on!

[Imma]

Yes you are doing fantastic @mactastic and @Rimu05 ! I can totally understand wanting to get rid of credit card debt. We are at the start of an uncertain economic time. This is a great time to take advantage of 0% interest, stimulus, lower expenses due to quarantaine etc to get your financial situation sorted before things may get worse.

[Gingersnaps]

Investment update:
1/2/20 - £3000
1/3/20 - £4268.37
1/4/20 - £7309.86
1/5/20 - £8939.68

The market has bounced back, yesterday we were at a positive number though it's slipped back today. My husband got another bonus for retention so that's it's for the year now, probably steady and slow from here. Just grateful to have jobs tbh.
Still bumping up the emergency fund just in case too.