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Well, I am retired a while now. I work part time and I still find myself saving. I have been told that many people who get their nest egg together have difficulty switching from saving and getting out of debt to spending that nest egg in retirement.I know how to save and be frugal but now that I have arrived at my goal I just don't know how tp spend money. I am obsessed with saving and investing. I think my wife considers me nuts.  My Subaru is 13 years old and I am going...
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Well it's been a week since we moved and it has to be the worst move that I have ever been involved with (and there have been a few)...first we had everything organised and it should have been a smooth move. First the movers were 5 hours late..suppose to be there at 8am...almost 9 so I call the company and they called the movers they had truck (8 tonne)  trouble so should be there by 10....no show at 10 so I call again, they say the truck needs to go back to base and they...
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October 2
NSD
**103F Degrees**
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MM(21) was really dragging his feet transferring money from his savings to his checking account.  But I saw today that he transferred $1,800 over.  Probably leaves him with $1,000-ish that he will insist can last him through the school year (after he pays for that engagement ring).  I need to check in with him about getting his rental deposit back.  I haven't...
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I am sure everyone has heard of the devastation hurricane Helene has caused.  One such place is Asheville, NC, which I have been to several time before.  I saw the videos in horror of the eateries and businesses that I fondly remember visiting when I was there.  The level of damage is just insane.
I was affected by the hurricane as well, though nowhere near anything like that.  I think I lost power for like about 90 minutes, and that's it.
While I don't consider...
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Here's my most recent bill. People all over the state are up in arms right now because the Public Benefits charge, which allowed people to not pay their bills during covid, shot up. It also covers the cost of new EV stations? I believe these higher charges for the rest of us will last for 10 months. People are furious.
Anyone in my state would think this bill is great. I have seen people in my town's FB page post bills of $900 for a month! But then upon closer inquiry, you learn...
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Total Investments $1,629,864
Savings $20,931
Home Equity $138,700
September 2024 Net Worth $1,789,495
August 2024 Net Worth $1,760,970
Monthly Gain/Loss $28,525
September was so very expensive: moving, new home, new furniture, a lot of home supplies & services purchased. I'm looking forward to settling into a more normal or routine schedule as far as expenses goes.
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Just curious if anyone else has been stocking up with the fear of the longshoreman's strike warning and then the actual strike coming about?
I always try to keep a few things on hand. I haven't been hoarding, but each time something comes on the news, my stomach clenches and hopes it isn't like the fiasco during the Pandemic as people go crazy and go for a hoarding frenzy. The media keeps claiming prices will go up and there will be shortages which makes me worry people will go...
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I still don't have my $12k from an IRA CD that matured on Sept 12. I'm down to about $400 in my checking account.
Had another stressful conversation on the phone with them just now. Two weeks ago, they promised to "expedite" the distribution, but here I am, still waiting for their snail mail check to arrive because banks don't operate in the 21st century. Apparently they don't believe in direct deposit of funds (they consider that a transfer, not a distribution), nor even email...
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October 1
$   7  Patreon (MH)
$105 Groceries
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Ugh!  The other shoe dropped.  Had major work drama in May.  I think that some of my coworkers thought I was being overly dramatic but I knew my assistant would likely quit after that.  She gave her very short notice today.  (What is up with these very short notices??)  At least when awesome admin left (her spouse gave no...
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I was thinking about detailing daily expenses in October.  It's always a good way to dive back into blogging.  I looked back and I guess it's a common month for my to share more expense details.  
Last week I would have said that where my head is at is that we are relaxing more financially and trying to find a new balance.  
Then I paid all the October bills.  *Sigh*  & was informed of another massive health insurance increase for 2025. ...
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Housing
784


Gifts/Charity
514


Utilities
226


Groceries
167


Medical/Health
99


Entertainment
67


Eating Out/Takeout
66


Phone
49


Fees & Services
45


Household Supplies
32


Clothing
27


Furn/Equip/Décor
20


Laundry
20


Personal
9



Grand Total                 2125
The large total in gifts includes $400 in donations to my grandsons' college funds.
As...
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The big news this month is we heard from our auto insurance providers. Between the basic car coverage we share with our neighbors and the liability/umbrella stuff we have on our own, they are accepting our claim. (As a recap, NT struck a pedestrian and she incurred considerable medical bills and sued us.) It's still in process but it sounds like we don't have to worry about a giant damages bill. (I'm guessing premiums will go up, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it....
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Holiday Party Drama
For the past decade, I've been the primary host of our annual holiday party. While my ex and I have shared hosting duties, I've always borne the brunt of the financial burden. I've covered food, prizes, and other expenses, while he's contributed minimally. 
 
This year, I've finally had enough. I've made it clear that he needs to foot the bill if he wants to continue the tradition. Unsurprisingly, he's remained silent.
 
I’ve shared...
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I was not born in America, but have lived here for nearly all of my life.  I have always figured I would travel back to my native country some day, you know, just to visit my birth place, and see if I should even expat there some day due to the much lower cost of living.Unsurprisingly, between work, marriage, divorce, kids, and the overall cost of traveling internationally, I just never really gotten around to it.However, because I currently can't legally drive, and am between...
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Moving is expensive, so very expensive!
The actual move cost just under $6k, then there's the new furbiture, window treatments, appliances, home supplies, etc. I love my new home & have no regrets, but I am taking a break on my cash savings in order to recoup cash flow.
Also, absolutely do not use 3 Brothers Moving & Storage. They are a moving broker & you will do so much better hiring a local company. They bring in people from out of state which is super expensive....
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Patient Saver and I "met" on this blog back in 2006, the year we both started our blogs.  We connected here due to similar attitudes, similar ages, similar things happening in our work lives (layoffs and transitions).
The first time we met in person was in 2011, when I was driving home from a relative's wedding in Massachusetts.  We met at a highway rest stop, had lunch, and took a walk where she showed me some of her town.
There have been a few visits over the years--I...
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There's a song from "Mame" that talks about opening a new window, opening a new door.
Well, not sure if it was a window or door in my life, but something wonderful has happened. I have married this wonderful man who treats me incredibly well. And our life together has been pretty miraculous. 
Fortunately he and I are on the same page as far as saving money, being frugal, and investing. I now have the opportunity to have the pleasure of loving his children and grandchildren. 
Our...
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So we are busy packing up everything (and yes there is a lot) as we are moving on friday...decided that we would pay movers, they were cheaper than a lot of others so hopefully they will be okay and take care of everything...we are only moving like 25 minutes from where we live now...hubby still isnt sure if he wants them to move his tools or not so we will see how we go (he is fussy about his tools and who touches them) and on saturday my daughter does her first IVf transfer....
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I was just double checking MM's bank account before sending him rent money for October.  There was a random $500 deposit from his college that confused me for a beat, but I eventually realized that it must be a scholarship.  What!?  I figured maybe MM(21) didn't know about it.  But he did know and just never bothered to tell me.   It's a $1,500 scholarship for the year ($500 per quarter).
Talk about a nice surprise!  It's all money in MM(21)'s...
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Just a side note and I haven't ever shared a photo of my family but this time I sort of have too.  My DK1 for her girl scout silver award started a community garden.  On Sunday it was the official grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony.  Anyway I just wanted to share how proud I am of her and amazed by what she accomplished.  
 

The garden is 5 beds and looks amazing.  It's being grown for people to take from the pantry and for monthly community...
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