Celebrations Thread

[dougules]

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). 

[happy]

On 6 months long service leave half pay. And maybe I won't have to go back.

[couponvan]

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!!

[NinetyFour]

So so so happy for you!!!

I am doing annual mammograms.  :)

[Glenstache]

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!

[SwordGuy]

Rental #3, which I spent the summer renovating, is now rented out.  Hurray!

[Dogastrophe]

I just placed my first ever trade to purchase an ETF for my RRSP account!

[dougules]

I just placed my first ever trade to purchase an ETF for my RRSP account!

With any luck the first of many. 

[Dogastrophe]

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.

[Trifele]

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.

[LD_TAndK]

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.

[dougules]

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. 

[JCGreen]

Hospital financial aid paid all of my bill after insurance! It was a little over $3000 from an ER visit.

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.

[Trifele]

Today marks my three year anniversary since I was diagnosed with cancer!  Still feeling great and no evidence of disease -- NED, as they say. 

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.   

[couponvan]

Congratulations @Trifele ! Having spent 1/2 of 2018 in my own battle I look forward to future  celebrations too!

[Trifele]

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.  :)

[zeli2033]

Congratulations, @Trifele !! That's a wonderful thing to celebrate.

And @couponvan , I hope the journey continues positively for you as well.

[Gone_Hiking]

@couponvan @Trifele Tremendous!

[KathrinS]

Wow, congratulations to everyone on the recent successes!

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.

[Trifele]

Congrats @KathrinS!  Those are some nice wins.  I love seeing dividends paid too -- it's when my little green workers get their paychecks.  So exciting to see that number grow over time.