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Though I'm fairly new to investing, this for me is not a good thing. I'm not in a position to buy anything at these low prices. I do believe things will bounce back but when? 
Eggs, which many were complaining about id now $9 a dozen, and car prices are increasing, by 12%  
These are scary times 
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DH got a very large raise and a very large bonus. 20% bonus and a 35% raise.  Quite a shocker.  His first year at the startup he got 15% raise (2022).  Then the next year it was 2% (2023).  Then the next year it was 2% (2024).  He got small bonuses as well more like 10%.  I think in 2021 when they started the company he was really, really underpaid and low even for the area. 
This sort of brings him more in line with the area. He's not making...
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Like the down turn in the market back in 2008 or so, I'm going to do the same now even if it feels really kind of scary.  I'm getting older and hoping to start phased retirement this year. I didn't watch the balances in 2008 but now I am, I've appreciated the new high but now I've lost more than $50k in the last two weeks. I'm also going to add some additional funds into my Roth. I hope I'm investing in a down turn. 
We also bought new ebikes this year. We purchased...
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TSP $1,297,598
IRA $378,475
Brokerage $9,539
Total Investments $1,685,612
Savings $10,139
Home Equity $140,000
Feb 2025 Net Worth $1,835,751
Jan 2025 Net Worth $1,866,262
Monthly Loss/Gain -$30,511
Checking $6,698
Car $11,000
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Here in Central Illinois it isn't exactly warm, but it isn't freezing either. When we don't have the usual gloomy winter days, it makes me think spring is around the corner and I'm getting excited.
We have this lovely sunporch on the back of the house. Although it is early to be planting a vegetable garden, I'm getting excited about doing so. Scratching around here, I found a metal pan and asked DH if I could use it to plant some seeds in it and have it on the porch. The porch...
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Today was the first time I heard the term, "Doom Spending." It is consumers spending more than they normally would for fear of rising prices due to the tariff threat. CNBC had an article about it and it said it was more than just stocking up, but people buying things they cannot afford because they fear the prices are going up. The issue is some of these people are already deep in debt and instead of working on paying down their debt, they are increasing it.
Things are uncertain...
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My goal is to pay an extra $100 a month for my new car’s principal. This was a challenge, long story short to pay the principal I had to call the bank directly. This will be a regular occurrence because this is the only way to do so. The good thing is I will only do this once a month. 
 
As the tariffs go into effect and retailers announce they’ll be increasing their prices, I picked up a few items in preparation for hurricane season (e.g. paper towels,...
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Debts
Mortgage -$109,506.22 (-$494.13)Land Loan -$5,796.95 (-$406.96)
Savings
Roth IRAs +$41,273 (+$3,967)401K +$79,116 (+$3,096)Emergency Fund +$25,224 (+$12)Animal Fund +$2,517 (+$614)HSA +$3,883 (+$639)
Overall: +$9,229.09 (This is for January - February)
We got a large tax refund in February. We used this to add $3k to retirement, $1k to the HSA, fund some buffer funds for future spending, and save for vacation.
I am currently in cardiac rehab, which I think is helping...
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Remember how I just said I received a $1 an hour raise?  It has only been a few weeks. Well, I have just received an additional $2 an hour raise.  It was completely unexpected and I am delighted.  It isn't just the money; it is nice to be appreciated.
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Thank you MonkeyMama, who I'm sure is very busy during tax season right now, for diverting some of that precious little time she has just to link a recipe for me.
I've only attempted corned beef one other time in my life, and for some reason, I completely bombed it.  But then, perhaps some of you SA residents might recall, you're also talking to a guy who neglected to take the absorbent pad out of meat packets. So... yeah.
That was many years ago though.  This time...
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I saw a meme that said something like, "I've tried the 10 day trial and I'd like to cancel my subscription" re: the year 2025.  That pretty much sums it up.  
January was a whirlwind of out of town trips.  One big last minute emergency trip, a weekend caring for my parents (my Dad had a medical procedure) and then we did 4 trips to San Francisco (annual Sketchfest).  I was more assertive about number of shows and picky about venues this year, but of course...
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I was very much planning not to spend anything yesterday, to throw my support into the blackout, because I feel strongly that our voices must be heard!
However....
I opened my oven door, and it fell apart! Literally. And the panel which held the outer glass window separated and crashed onto my tile floor, shattering and spreading glass shards everywhere. It was not pretty.
So I called an appliance repairman from a local company, and he was able to come right away -- so of course...
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Well, despite Musk and Trump's best efforts to capsize the economy, we only lost $2700 of net worth. It would've been closer to $4K but our regular mortage principal payments and NT's small contribution to his 401(k) offset it a bit.
Tomorrow I turn 51, so my next CoastFIRE calculation will be at that age, but for now, we're on track with Coasting with an $82K surplus of where we need to be.
No other financial news, really. NT still waiting to see if his high-paying dream job...
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Recipe for Tabs...
https://www.familyfreshmeals.com/crockpot-corned-beef-and-cabbage/
We personally don't cook cabbage in the crockpot, with the corned beef.   We roast the cabbage seperately.  
Beer is the secret ingredient.  I saw apple juice or non alcoholic beer mentioned as a beer substitute in the reviews.
 
 
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Tomorrow is Blackout Friday, and I’m going to do my best to participate. Will some people shop the day before or after? Of course—but this is about the message. What’s happening in this country right now is beyond frustrating. Government spending is out of control in some areas, while other critical needs are ignored. And firing people recklessly, without proper review, is not the answer.
 
On a personal note, I’m proud that I’ve been able to...
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This is the message today when I check my credit score on one of my credit card sites.  It actually shows the esteemed 850/850 score.
This validates that my aggressive debt payoff plan is working.
I'll have to figure which of the three credit agencies this is from. 850 is obviously the high score; the other two are currently 840 and 821.
In other news, I went for my annual thyroid ultrasound yesterday.  I think this is my 7th year of doing this.  Anyways,...
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A friend shared this with me. Since many of you are commenting about how you are not happy with the current administration. As we know, money talks.
 
 
Hi,
 
The People's Union is calling for an Economic Blackout on February 28 to protest the Administration's attack on diversity in our country.
 
Here's a Newsweek article:
https://www.newsweek.com/will-nationwide-economic-blackout-work-2030187
 
Here's a summary of actions to NOT do on February...
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A friend shared this with me. Since many of you are commenting about how you are not happy with the current administration. As we know, money talks.
 
 
Hi,
 
The People's Union is calling for an Economic Blackout on February 28 to protest the Administration's attack on diversity in our country.
 
Here's a Newsweek article:
https://www.newsweek.com/will-nationwide-economic-blackout-work-2030187
 
Here's a summary of actions to NOT do on February...
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If you were to look at most aspects of my life, I think I can convince most people that I am rather frugal.  It's when you finally look into the skeleton closet that is my food budget, that is when you finally understand why women scream in terror while covering the eyes of their children.
The topic of my food budget has come up before, but frankly, I have been very reluctant to talk about it.  However, I suppose nothing will ever get better if I don't ever talk about...
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After nearly 300,000 miles, my old car has been really reliable, but the repairs have become more frequent. 
 
Though I initially planned to hold off, I decided it was time to purchase a newer (but still used) vehicle. I met with my accountant—who happens to be very frugal—and after reviewing my finances,sharing with him my thoughts on a new car,  he gave his blessing. Lol. I was actually surprised, he hates debt, but told me it was time...
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