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Dad had no plans for Easter, but I already knew that cooking for him is impractical because I'd need to start something in the oven, go pick him up (30 minutes, there and back at least) and then return home, get him up the stairs with his walker, finish cooking dinner, and then bring him back home. It was just too much, and right when I felt I could finally sit down and relax after dessert last time, Dad announced he was ready to go home.
This year I'm trying something different....
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If I had to summarize my first quarter of 2024 in a short phrase, it would be "work intensive."  I'm taking 5 days off (Wed through Sunday) this weekend, but most of my weekends so far this year have consisted of Saturdays off, then doing grocery shopping and laundry Sunday mornings and working the rest of Sunday.
But Q1 is the busiest quarter of the year, so things go back to a more "normal" schedule for Q2 and Q3.  "Normal" is still quite uneven, as the company president...
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My kids both received substantial middle class grants from our State this year, re: attending in-state public Universities.
I've tried to look this up (how to ballpark or estimate) in the past, but it's so complicated and depends on so many factors.  Primarily, how many students are eligible.  Because then funds are divided among eligible students.
So my mind was just blown when I figured it out.  🤯  I just had to dig a little deeper.
Side note: ...
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Have not checked in lately.
Currently my retirement is above 200,000.00.  Hoping it stays that way.
I have paid pff my Helco.  At this time my only debt is my mortage of 48,264.44.
Current net worth is 279,384.55 



 



 
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I had my initial home design appointment. The two things that were hardest to decide on were the countertops (granite vs. quartz) and the brick selection.
I probably would have gone with the quartz upgrade if any of the quartz selections appealed to me, but they didn't. I looked online and found some quartz options that were attractive, but the ones this builder has selected were not the better options. So I went with a very popular granite selection that is called a white granite,...
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Today is Good Friday and the markets are closed. I can update my investments, but will have to wait until Monday to add my savings & cash, and calculate my total monthly gain.
TSP $1,141,985
IRA $333,541
Brokerage $102,440
Investments $1,577,966
Savings $34,816
March 2024 Net Worth $1,612,782
Monthly Gain Loss $53,939
Checking $19,155
My brokerage account is earmarked for my downpayment on my home, which is scheduled to be completed 6 months from now. I'm glad to have...
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WHELP… our stolen car saga is mostly over. Now all that’s left is getting a new vehicle.
Our car was found 11 days after it was stolen. The whole car was trashed, inside and out. It looks like they played bumper cars with our car and I feel badly for all the cars they must have hit!
Last week we received a toll violation from FasTrack because we didn’t pay the toll. We had already called and told FasTrack our car was stolen and deactivated the account for the...
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Public service announcement.  It turns out you can make mistakes for social security.  My mom found out the hard way.  For the past 10 years my mom has said "oh it doesn't matter that I collected social security at age 62.  I have enough and I'll get your dad's when he passes."  So my dad passed this month (see prior note) and my mom immediately told SS so she could get his social security.
Turns out she can't.  Or rather turns out it's not worth...
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I haven't been keeping up with blogging recently because a very good friend of mine died this past Monday. It was not unexpected, but it is still hard to accept. I'm working my way through it.
As far as finances go, I've spent all of my grocery budget, and 91% of my variables. I'm just kind of hanging on till the end of the month. On Easter, though, I'll probably be providing a meal for my family, so there will be some spending and I will probably not come in under budget.
The...
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Exciting news! Yesterday I signed a purchase agreement to build a new home. I'm very excited & looking forward to the process. It's a bit overwhelming considering all the choices that I'll have to make, but it's exactly what I hoped for so I'm fortunate to have this opportunity. I can't wait to share the updates & progress as I embark on this journey. Stay tuned!
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I wanted to repost this because have had a lot of questions in recent years about things addressed in the past.  
Our Big Picture feelings about college, per 2017 post:
https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2017/03/29/college_211895/
 
Of course, I could see how it would be interesting to update how things have shaped up, 7 years later. 
We both agree that we expect the kids to work significantly during high school and college, that our own financial health...
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This debt update is based on our most recent credit card statement which posted on 3/16/24. I do this mid-month because our credit card closes on the 15th. I can't wait until we are credit card debt free!
As always, we are not paying off our debt as fast as I would like, but I am happy to say that our debt decreased again; not by much this month, but I’m trying to take my wins where I can get them.
Here is our current credit card debt total:
       ...
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PSA: A while back I was informed that my account here had been hacked, so consider this as a good time to change and strengthen your password.
Not too long ago, I'd been contemplating scouting around for a 4th volunteer opportunity, but now, like a race horse settling into a comfortable gallop, I am finding more things to do with the two groups I'm involved with, so I'll just pace myself and see how things progress.
This week I'm helping the founder of the litter group staff...
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This is why I'm trying to negotiate a $5k raise.

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Repost for record
Let's see, the company I worked for since 2012 laid off my manager, the person who introduced me to the job, and I had to step up to take over some of her works.  She did not handle it well.  Then in 2020, the owner sold the company to a bigger firm.  I was offered $10k bonus to stay on for 2 additional years, which I took.
After the acquisition, I had a few months of nice and easy work where I was kept busy for only a couple of hours a day because...
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I have finally started on my bathroom remodel, after putting it off for quite some time. I'm going to do it in stages. The first stage is the tub/shower area. I'm having Bath Fitter install new walls. I have backed off from the idea of removing the tub. The total cost will be in the neighborhood of $5600. (Would have been $10,000 to remove the tub and install a new shower). I put $1500 down. Work will begin in approximately three weeks. The next stage will probably be a new toilet...
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Does anyone use any budgeting apps/tools as I am looking at using one but have no idea what I should be looking for...am sick of the way I am doing it and want it set out better...if anyone has nay good ones they have tried let me know...or if you have had some that havent been good let me know as well
 
Thanks
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In the dynamic landscape of financial advisory services, where competition is fierce and client acquisition is paramount, the role of marketing cannot be overstated. While traditional marketing strategies focus primarily on attracting new clients, midstream marketing emerges as a powerful tool for financial advisors to nurture existing client relationships and drive sustainable growth. In this article, we delve into the concept of midstream marketing and explore its significance,...
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I've revised MM's estimated college costs, below.  I also kept the old numbers (to the right), for reference.
 
MM's expected net college costs:
$42,000 Tuition/fees** (4 Years)
+$10,000 5th Year Tuition/Fees 
-12,000  Tax credits  (-10,000)
-21,000  CA middle class grants (-13,000)
-  6,000  Scholarship
---------
$13,000 Net cost  ($23,000)
**I added in MM's $1K summer school class
 
I won't believe it...
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It's a fun weekend of taxes and FASFA.  It would feel good to get these things done, but just cleaning up my own stuff before tackling everyone else's taxes.  The calendar is pretty empty this month and so wanted to get these chores done, but I don't have any of the in-laws' tax stuff.  So that will spill into April and be a little hectic.  
MM(20) has his "Martha Stewart" girlfriend back. She has way too much time on her hands (without school and work)...
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