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About Me:

Monkey Mama

Just a 46-year-old mom of 2 in Northern California. My kids are Monkey Monkey(MM) and Drama Llama (DL). I am married to Monkey Hubby (MH).

We were a one-income family for 13 years. In late 2015 my spouse returned to work (minimum wage/part-time/seasonal). Something recent on his resume just buys us more options for the long run. The main benefit of this job is that he just works while the kids are in school. As always, we are saving 100% of his income.

{2023 Update: I expect that MH will retire from this job when kids are done with college and/or home is paid off. I think he likes the idea of finding more interesting or full-time work, with kids both adults now. But practically, might just stick out the *good* and very flexible job as long as possible. The very part-time job is allowing him to pursue his film passions. We are only about 5-ish years away from financial independence. Would be very different if we "needed" the money or he thought he might have decades of working years ahead of him.}

We saved a lot while we were very young and also moved to a lower cost-of-living area, to make life much simpler. We still live in California though (in one of the most expensive regions of the U.S.). *Simple* and *inexpensive* is relative.

Likewise, we have never had debt aside from our mortgage.** My blog is a testament to how much simpler life is without debt; how we have that much more money to both save and enjoy!

**Caveat: I have no problem whatsoever with credit cards paid off monthly, or low-risk credit arbitrage (for example, 0%-interest debt while earning 5% on FDIC-insured cash). These are the kinds of debt we have had. Just not interested in high-interest debt, using debt to buy beyond means, and not interested in the hassle that comes with loans and payments. With age and means, the latter (hassle) is our biggest debt avoidance motivation.

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2024 Goals

[ ]Small monthly Charitable Contribution
...($35 @ 1/31/24)
...Trying to be more mindful about how the little amounts add up and are helpful.
...This is not an all inclusive list of charitable giving but it is a new habit I want to add in addition to other donations of time, goods and money

[ ]Pay cash for college
...This is so much a given, to me. But I realize not everyone can read my mind, and so will memorialize in my goal list.
...#1 We don't do Debt
...#2 The student loan system is a scammy and corrupt mess.
...Seriously, wouldn't touch these student loan servicers with a ten foot pole.
MM YEAR 1 ✔
MM YEAR 2 ✔
MM YEAR 3 ✔
MM YEAR 4

DL YEAR 1 ✔
DL YEAR 2

[ ]$10,000 to savings
...($4,529 @ 3/31/24)
...$1,000/month, plus interest
...Topping off with snowballs

[ ]$7,500 to investments
...($1,750 @ 4/30/24)
...$350/month, plus snowflakes
(Snowflakes: credit card rewards and dividends)
...Topping off with snowballs

[ ]$2,025 to mortgage
...($0 @ 4/30/24)
...Topping off with snowballs and/or excess cash
...Keeps us on track with $10K principal paydown per year

[/]9% of household income to work retirement plans
...(9% @ 3/31/24)
...This is the minimum for the match; I'd otherwise rather fund IRAs.
...Note: Total retirement savings rate is 20% (with IRAs)

Goal savings rate = 25% of gross salary, plus funding IRAs from other sources.

[ ]$14,000 to IRAs 2024 (MAX)
...($0 @ 4/30/24)
...Will fund with MH's income
...Will not fund until the year is over. This is for tax and planning reasons. I won't know what mix of Traditional/ROTH IRA we literally can contribute until we do our 2024 taxes. In addition to that, can make a more informed decision based on our financial and tax situation for the entire year.

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**Long-Term Goals**

[X]$500,000 in retirement accounts by age 45.

Current big picture goal:

[ ]$1 Mil in retirement accounts by age 52.

Stretch Goal: Achieve by age 50

Have decided to pretty much stay the course. Keep saving 20%+ to retirement. This means taking 401K match & maxing out IRAs.

NOTE: WE HAVE NEVER CONTRIBUTED LESS THAN 10% TO RETIREMENT. NO EXCEPTIONS.

If we can't achieve at least 10%, then something else has to give. I share because it's infinitely easier to save for retirement if you start early. Let the investments do the hard work for you.

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Debt: $85,000 mortgage
{Home Purchase Price $290,000}

Ongoing goal is to *never borrow money again.*

Took on a $230k mortgage in 2001 and have not added to that.

-------------------------

Net Worth: Increase net worth by $600,000 in the next 10 years. This is my "financial independence" goal.

2017: +$ 70,000 (partial year)
2018: +$ 51,000
2019: +$105,000
2020: +$104,000
2021: +$215,000
2022: <$ 65,000>
2022: +$ 85,000
TOTAL: +$565,000

This is in line with prior goal, saving 100% of our expenses every year.

{Our expenses are far more consistent than our income. Also, helps to prevent "living up to income."}

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My Pages

Mixed Financial News - Dentist

October 6th, 2010 at 06:32 pm

Starting with the good news, BM's dental quote of $1800 has been downgraded to $650. $1150 lower than expected. Yipee!!!!!

(Now that I think about it, I suppose that lowers my tax refund estimate by about $250 - but that's okay. I am still ahead by about $900 then). Phew!!!

They decided they can't do the retainer thing for another year since he doesn't have one of his permanent molars yet. (I don't know if they just missed that part last time, or what).

That is one expense I am estatic to delay.

-----------------------------------------

The dental news is mixed. My forever dentist is retiring. I knew it would happen some day, but am really bummed.

I tried a couple of dentists when we moved here - very HIGHLY recommended - and they were total scam dentists.

I told dh he could be the guniea pig this time. I just so do not look forward to the new dentist search. Dh said "Now we can have a local dentist." Pfffft. I will take any dentist within 200 or so miles, if they are honest and reasonable. I wouldn't hold my breath if I Was dh. Wink

Anyway, I have no idea what to do!

I think we can find an honest dentist. But, what I worry about is finding a CONSERVATIVE dentist.

For one, I Was told a decade ago that I needed all my fillings replaced. I understand a new dentist may be cautious and want to start from scratch. My fillings are ancient, yes. But, I REALLY do not see the point to drill and do work when it doesn't need to be done. So, I think this will be my biggest challenge.

Recommendations sound nice, but my conclusion is that the average person is really gullible when it comes to dental work. As evidenced by glowing reviews for dentists who wanted to charge me LOTS of money for clearly unnecessary work.

I'd also prefer a more experienced dentist, though one that is not retiring this decade either.

Picky picky picky, huh? Big Grin Dh has a dentist friend about 150 miles away. HE helped us sort these scammy dentists out so I know he is our type dentist. We can ask again if he recommends anyone a little closer, I suppose.

Either way, I expect our dental bills to go up. We are used to the "forever patient discounts" and the super conservative dentist. *sigh*

The first dentist who doesn't want to replace all my fillings, will be the obvious winner. Worried it will be a long time to find said dentist. (My current dentist is the one I've had since I Was 4?)

Posted in Just Thinking | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “Mixed Financial News - Dentist”

Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
October 7th, 2010 at 12:47 am 1286412438
1286412438

I once fell for that "need to replace all your fillings" line. I even had one tooth done. Don't remember why I only had one done. It might have been because our income was only $16K at the time. Poverty saved me. Here I am 30 years later and I still have those same fillings .

But I know what you mean. I think I once had the perfect dentist. He died.
Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
October 7th, 2010 at 12:48 am 1286412513
1286412513

Oh dear. Oh dear. : That was supposed to be a really sad face!

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Mixed Financial News - Dentist

2 Responses to “Mixed Financial News - Dentist”

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