GS1's birthday party last night was fun. I ordered a skirt steak sandwich meal, which cost $15, and I took home half to eat today. He was pleased with my $50 gift, but he got $100 from my ex. Such is my life, always outdone. I keep reminding myself it is not a competition, though to my ex, everything is a competition.

In addition to the half-sandwich, I also took home some grilled veggies, which I will probably use in a stirfry or fried rice.

Variables are at 43%.

Did...
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Today is pay day, and I can’t wait to Stuff my cash envelopes.

I’ve created the budget for this pay period; however, my cash envelopes are pretty healthy so I’m sure I’ll be returning some cash back to the bank and adding the extra to the EF. I’m staying focus. Refunding my EF, tackling the CC the student loans, in that order.

I woke up at 3 am, checked my accounts and the direct deposits hit. I paid the following
$951.10 mortgage
$200 extra on CC10 💳
$50...
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Stanley wrote this book after extensive study of the American wealthy. At first, he thought he would be studying America’s upper class, but starting with his very first set of interviews, he realized that the truly wealthy do not live the lifestyle that one might imagine. This book works its way through many aspects of the lifestyle of the wealthy and contrasts it with the lifestyle of the high consumer. Private schools, car shopping, inheritance, neighborhoods, and marriage...
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Tons of sales picked up and an order I had been adding items too for months and they finally picked up! Just that order was $123.00! Total Sales for the week were $361.00!!

Sale #1446 (LW) $20.00
Rubbermaid Egg Holder (Joint with my FIL) - We paid $1.07
Sold for $5.00
Profit = $3.93

NDSU Fleece Blanket (Joint with my FIL) - We paid $5.36
Sold for $15.00
Profit = $9.64

Sale #1447 (JSB) $20.00
NDSU Fleece Blanket (Joint with my FIL) - We paid $5.36
Sold for...
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For me, this was the deciding factor in how big a priority paying off the 5th wheel loan needs to be.

If I were to retire NOW, I calculate that I could draw $1,456 per month from my nest egg. Here is how that budget would look:



Everything I need, but not much fun. Without the 5th wheel loan payment, I could increase those sinking fund contributions and have more discretionary dollars. In short, my financial situation would be greatly improved.

Plus, I intend to cancel...
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I have been mulling over how I want to prioritize paying down my 5th wheel loan. Do I not fund my Roth? Do I cut my sinking funds? Do I cut my 457 plan contribution?

I have decided the answers are yes, yes, and no.

I calculate that in 24 months or sooner, I can get the balance down to where I can pay in full from savings. This is what I am going to do.

I have cut both my travel sinking fund and car replacement sinking fund contributions to $0. I have trimmed both...
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My bumper damage was much worse than I thought. The estimate I got was $1700, so of course I decided to go through insurance. I will have to pay a $500 deductible.

To my surprise, I learned that the other party had opened a liability claim against me. I was shocked, since to me it was clearly a case of two people backing into each other accidentally. I suspect she saw white hair and decided to take advantage of the situation. I talked to my claims agent and gave a statement....
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It's actually been a long time since I took a staycation. I always mean to but it just hasn't happened for years. I had a bunch of PTO I had to use up or lose at the end of the year so I took some random days off. The way my schedule works, I only need to take off on a Thursday to get 5 days off in a row so that's what I did this week.

Today was day 1. Slept late. Like really late for me - 9:20, which was great because for some reason I was really exhausted yesterday. Did some...
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Today was my last day at the bus company. So weird! Some people stopped by especially to say bye ... others not so much. Oh well. I got to say bye to those I really wanted to.

I *think* I left it to where the new supervisor and whoever is the new me will be able to be successful. The new supervisor has my email and permission to email me if needed.

Something seriously funny - I was on my afternoon break and had just finished my Lara bar when an important trick hit me that...
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April was when we realized we were going to sell our house and buy a new one. It took a lot out of us to sell a camper and a very old truck (1935) and then pack up everything to put the house on the market. The house was on the market just before July 4th and and after multiple offers, we accepted a bid. Inspection and then just a bit before close, it fell through. It was back on the market at the end of August and the close was September but it was canceled. Then it was back on...
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Guess what? I may have an opportunity to pick up another consulting gig. It’s a smaller company, and I will be their virtual HR practitioner. Because it’s a smaller company, and I won’t have to go in, I’d charge $200 a month. I pray I get it. That would mean an extra $1,000 a month total.

Other news, I’ve told my sister to stop calling me about things that are on sale, well she called today about QVC’s special value, a Roomba 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️. I just told...
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I had another hearing test and it was determined it was borderline. So they suggested hearing aids. Because of my insurance covering it 100% I am rushing forward with it before it probably changes January 1st. Typical because who knows what is going to be covered. I am hoping to finish this by the end of the year.

I will admit it's a bit annoying that medical plans always change every year. That you only know what will be that year but next year who knows?
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I haven't touched my Google budget since before my son was born (late March). I've pretty much switched to YNAB full-time. While I'm really happy with the progress, I also still see a ton of leaks in our budget, but I'm having trouble buckling down to get there.

The Good:
- Paid off a bunch of debt!: Without looking at the details, I'd guess 4-5 credit cards and got off the float on the ones that I still do use.
- Will continue to pay off debt: Just made the final payment...
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My reimbursement was placed in my bank account yesterday -- $880. It almost feels like payday!

I had to go out yesterday and scrape my car and move it to the other side of the street. They are going to sweep leaves today. I don't know how successful they will be, as the leaves are frozen to the street and covered with snow. Oh well, their problem.

Since I've done the work of scraping the car I will get out and run errands today. I'll go to the gym, get a few groceries,...
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I am hoping that we will be debt free by the end of the year..that means we can save for a newer car and then a house deposit next year...I didn't reach my goals for this year but going to do a blog next year on saving for a house and car...maybe a $10,000 blog and $20,000 for a house...does anyone else do this to help them stay on track and be accountable?...I know everyone here are in different places with their debts and finances but does blogging make you stay more accountable??

Although...
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I am hoping that we will be debt free by the end of the year..that means we can save for a newer car and then a house deposit next year...I didn't reach my goals for this year but going to do a blog next year on saving for a house and car...maybe a $10,000 blog and $20,000 for a house...does anyone else do this to help them stay on track and be accountable?...I know everyone here are in different places with their debts and finances but does blogging make you stay more accountable??

Although...
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I am hoping that we will be debt free by the end of the year..that means we can save for a newer car and then a house deposit next year...I didn't reach my goals for this year but going to do a blog next year on saving for a house and car...maybe a $10,000 blog and $20,000 for a house...does anyone else do this to help them stay on track and be accountable?...I know everyone here are in different places with their debts and finances but does blogging make you stay more accountable??

Although...
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I happened to check our car insurance policy to ensure that a car that was totaled was removed from our policy. The policy showed that we still owed over $500. Sure enough, it had not removed. My husband called and we now have a payment of just $149. I think we are going to try to be a one car family now that my husband is retiring in a couple of months. I work in town and if he needs the car, he'll just have to take to work and pick me up.


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Took a look at the budget and I’m now able to bump my IRA contribution by an additional $25, it’s not much but hey it’s better than were I was, $0. This will bring the monthly contributions to $100.

I’ve also decided that any additional income, such as the consulting gig, I’ll take 10% of that earnings and add it to the IRA. The remaining will still go to the goal of savings six months of expenses for emergencies, once completed I’ll then tackling the CC and student...
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I know I need to make some subtractions to this total, but I haven't balanced it out yet so just going to keep tracking deposits until I get the subtractions figured out.

Current Balance $18,080.00
+$130.00 FB Sales
+$40.00 Mortgage Savings
+$50.00 MO Payday to Our Savings (11/8)
Balance $18,300.00

Local Savings $6450.00
GC Savings $1390.00
Capital 360 Savings (US) $5315.00
Capital 360 Savings (Mom Loan Payback Account)$2795.00
Capital 360 Savings (Rental Deposit...
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