All Entries

Recycle and reuse has been something that we've heard over and over. And then news reports come out stating that a lot of the things we were encouraged to recycle weren't really recycled. One thing I miss living out in the country was the recycling program that the small city had. I'm trying to be more creative and reuse stuff.
We both drink coffee so we go through quite a bit. I miss those metal coffee cans, but am trying to reuse the plastic ones we get. I washed one and then...
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Recently, my 10-year-old Canon laser jet printer finally stopped working, and I had to buy a new printer.  I paid more upfront for a laser printer, hoping to do better in the long run than spending increasingly ridiculous amounts of money (like $35) on those little ink cartridges.
I decided to just get a b/w printer. I don't use it often but do require it from time to time, for things like my upcoming tax return, which I do myself and so need to print out all the forms.
I...
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So I am looking at fun ways to save money each year this year I am doing the 365 day challenge...it is a fun cheap way to save over $600 this year basically it is a penny doubled each day so the highest amount is $3.65...I know for many of you that is nothing since you have amaased a million or so but for those starting over again then it is a fun easy way to do this...so does anyone else have any ideas to save extra money?? 
My DD and I go walking several times a week and...
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The bank uploaded their 1099 for 2024.  We paid $15682 in mortgage interest last year.  That works out to renting out place at $1306.83/month.  Of course our property taxes were $13014 for the year. I paid $1409 for the year.  All in all to rent our house monthly?  $2508.75/month.  Pretty sweet.  We are currently paying $1836/month in principal so our payment is hefty but that's an enforced savings of almost $2k/month to live in our house.  
When...
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I was hoping to cool it on the spending spectrum after the car purchase, but alas, my 10-year-old printer is kind of kaput. I guess it was a good run. The rollers were just not feeding the paper in anymore, and after doing some research, there is a cheap little spring in there that often is the culprit and can't be replaced.
Since I wanted to print out my bank statement and then balance my checkbook, and tax season is right around the corner, I didn't want to delay too long, so...
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For 2024, I completed all of my goals save for the savings goal. For the last few months I had to pause savings as I was spending so much money due to the new home & move.
I did not get my eye surgery this year & I am expecting to have a surgery for my fibroids so some of my FSA money will probably go towards that. I will reassess having eye surgery. I got contacts, but I am not happy with them yet.
2024 Goals:
$23,000 TSP ✅
$6,000 TSP employer match ✅
$7,000 IRA...
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The plan for us is for me to start phased retirement working 50% for the next 6 years, my spouse will apply for SS at 62 and start a small pension so we should be able to continue our lifestyle at the same amount. This will begin this summer. It's a bit early for me by about 12 years before FRA but my spouse is older and not as good shape as I am. We want to enjoy time together before health gets in the way. Everything seems to be in good shape. It's a bit wild to me. 
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After much contemplation, I've decided to decline those high stress positions.  I needed a break and the position offered by the acquiring company should give me the down time I'm looking for.  Still have the word manager in my title, so it won't look bad when I decide to pursue new opportunities, but no more managing or worrying about daily operations.  It's all technical, analytical works from now on 🎉.  Plus the retention bonus they offered was really...
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Well the end of 2024 didn't end well in our family as my BIL died on the 30 dec 2024...He has almost died a few times, he has diabetes, is blind from it, has had a quadruple bypass a few years ago nad has had dyalysis 3 x week for years now...but its summer here and he caught pneumonia and I guess his body had had enough and he didn't pull through. I don't do funerals so we won't be going but sad for my sister who was married 41 years. 
February I start my topical chemotherapy...
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TSP $1,274,564
IRA $368,934
Brokerage $8,447
Investments Sub-total $1,651,945
Savings $14,851
Home Equity $139,000
December 2024 Net Worth Total $1,805,796
November 2024 Net Worth Total $1,858,899
Monthly Loss/Gain -$53,103
Other Assets:
Car $11,000
Checking $4,071
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I'm committed to staying on track this year. No goals just commitments. 
This morning I got 75 kettlebell swings in as part of my fitness journey, the struggle has been real. Later I took  my mom grocery shopping, her car is acting up. While there I decided to pick up chicken breast and a few apples. Well mom paid. So I paid the $15 I would have paid for the items towards my debt. 
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2024 was the first year I tracked where I spent my grocery/food dollars. I generally try to minimize shopping at the more expensive stores like Stop & Shop, Big Y and Caraluzzi's, but these, unfortunately, are the closest to me. I like to stop at Whole Foods, Aldi's and Trader Joe's, but these stores are a good 15 or 20 minutes away.
I spent $4,717 on food in 2024.
Of that, I spent $1,200 at BJs. I let my membership drop this past fall. It takes so much time to shop there,...
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I wrapped up my 2024 income and expenses a little late this year. I always glean little insights by doing this analysis after tracking my numers all year long.
1st Tier Expenses ($912-$7,194)
Let's look at what I call my 1st tier expenses. These are my 10 biggest expenses ranging from $912-$7,194.
Looking at the pie chart I created, I can quickly see that property taxes make up the lion's share, at $7,194; that's a nearly 4% increase from last year.
Next up is Food. I spent...
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At the end of last year, I decided to downsize my purse. I was tired of carrying around an extra-large tote filled with too much stuff—it was killing my back.
 
I switched to a smaller purse, but my wallet didn’t fit, so I started looking for a new one. Then it hit me—I already have an extra-small wallet that I use for traveling.
 
 Instead of buying a new one, I’m using that. This year, I’m all about getting my finances in order...
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Yesterday I bought a new car.
I like it a lot. It's a 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid SUV. I almost didn't buy it because I was dealing with a salesperson who in my opinion was not a very good salesperson. I had started reaching out to several dealers via email on Saturday, just to get the ball rolling and to see what the prices were like.  Two of the dealers just tried to get me to come to the dealership, which is what I was hoping to avoid, wasting time on multiple trips...
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Glad 2024 is over.  It ended with a bang.  I ended it with a flat tire the day before we left for hawaii.  Driving to pick up pizza and i got a nail in the Tesla.  New tire November 1st, so we replaced it but $462 and 2 tows.  Thank you AAA.  UGH.
Then that afternoon when i went to pull out the suitcases I found a leak downstair and it turns out our water heater is leaking.  So we turned off our water and are dealing with it after we came back. ...
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I just switched my Zoom and Amazon payments to come straight from my checking account instead of using a credit card. This way, I’m not adding to my credit card balance, and it makes me think twice about what I’m spending on Amazon. Small changes like this can really help with staying on top of my finances!
 
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Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2025! 🎇 🎆 
I am currently in Maryland as my sister had surgery yesterday, but when I get home I will post my December 2024 Net Worth entry, as well as my 2024 Year End review.
 
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I’ve realized I need to get a handle on my impulses. I’ll pay down debt, only to rack it back up again. Just yesterday, I paid off two cards that I had been using more than I should. SMH.
 
To break this cycle, I’ve decided to remove my credit cards from my wallet and all the websites I shop on. I also took a hard look at my bank statements for the first time in a year—yes, a whole year. I use software to track my spending but hadn’t updated...
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It’s been years since I’ve needed to borrow money. Honestly, I never had the nerve to borrow from friends—only my mom, and I always paid her back. One lesson I’ve learned along the way is the importance of saving: for every dollar, aim to save 10 cents.
 
I have a friend who never borrowed money before but recently found himself in a tough spot. Over the past few months, he’s borrowed from me and always paid me back. But I’ll be honest—I’m...
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