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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
...($6,653 @ 4/30/24)
...$1,000/month, plus interest
...Topping off with snowballs

[ ]$7,500 to investments
...($2,220 @ 5/31/24)
...$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% @ 4/30/24)
...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.

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

**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.

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

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>
2023: +$ 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

Big Day!

January 12th, 2011 at 02:53 pm

I haven't had much time to think about my impending surgery, which I think works out just fine. I am a very "one thing a time" person. I could spend the last months worrying if I have cancer, or I can just wait and see if I do, and then worry about it. Kind of how I Feel.

Anyway, I have had a lot of questions about when I Will get biopsy results, etc. Honestly, I just want to get through this surgery and heal. I presume I won't know until I meet with my doctor next week, and that is fine with me. I don't foresee thinking much about it while I recover.

I think a big physical/emotional strength for me is being a good sleeper. I always have been. (More like - it is often hard for me to stay awake!) That said, I Was starting to feel anxious last night and expected a night of tossing and turning. Imagine my surprise when I conked out around 9pm and didn't awake until about 5:30am. I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I Saw the clock. Aaaaaaaahhhhhh. Don't think I could have slept better.

Though I am anxious about my surgery, yesterday I left behind a lot of stress at work. I don't have to think about work for a couple of weeks, and since it has been unusually stressful lately, I think that contributed to a really good night sleep.

I've had a few surgeries before so I feel rather zen about it. I could see freaking out a lot more if this was my first time under the knife.

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

I don't have to be at the hospital for a few hours. Just enough time to take the kids school and to leisurely pack a bag. Then we will go on our way. I am glad I didn't have to leave at dawn, before the kids woke up. Though beyond that would be nice to get it over with I suppose.

I am not sure if I will get to come home today, but I can only hope! I am mentally preparing myself how it is probably best to stay in the hospital if I Feel really crappy. (They said maybe 50/50 I stay over night)? That said, I am very healthy and tend to be able to come home on the sooner end from procedures, so I mostly expect I will be home tonight. Which makes me VERY happy. I can hardly think of anything worse than being stuck in the hospital overnight. If nothing else, I find it impossible to rest in that environment. All I will want is some peace and quiet! Even with two rambunctious boys at home, they sleep soundly about 9 hours a night and go to school 7 hours a day. Plus dh can take care of them and wait on me. Coming home sounds very nice!

No matter what, I should be home soon. Phew!

Posted in Just Thinking | 12 Comments »

12 Responses to “Big Day!”

LuckyRobin Says:
January 12th, 2011 at 03:03 pm 1294844605
1294844605

Good luck with your surgery. I've been reading back over your last year of entries trying to get caught up on them. What a tumultuous year or so you've had.
My English Castle Says:
January 12th, 2011 at 04:13 pm 1294848833
1294848833

Sending you all our best wishes!
Homebody Says:
January 12th, 2011 at 04:34 pm 1294850046
1294850046

Monkeymama, as a former pathology transcriptionist, it will take up to a week. Are they doing a frozen section during surgery? That way the doctor knows how much tissue to take in case there is cancer. Did I tell you my SIL had this surgery about 10 years ago and she has been fine since. You may have left already, but I am thinking of you today.
SavingsQueen Says:
January 12th, 2011 at 04:44 pm 1294850672
1294850672

Hi there, I am sitting in my office looking through the door at Ann, our long time employee. Ann is about 42 and three years ago she had a cancerous thyroid tumor removed. Her doctor said that if you have to have cancer, this is the best type to have, as generally removing the tumor is a total cure and the cancer almost never returns. As a bonus, since that surgery and going on thyroid meds, Ann has lost about 25 pounds with no extra effort. I just said a prayer for your quick healing and easy recovery. I know this is scary and I don't mean to make light of your situation, but I hope yours works out just as well as Anns did.
patientsaver Says:
January 12th, 2011 at 07:33 pm 1294860809
1294860809

Very best wishes for a speedy recovery and minimal time in the hospital!
Ima saver Says:
January 12th, 2011 at 07:44 pm 1294861460
1294861460

Best wishes from me, also. Hope you can come home tonight!!
PNW Mom Says:
January 12th, 2011 at 08:59 pm 1294865971
1294865971

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
scottish girl Says:
January 12th, 2011 at 09:24 pm 1294867472
1294867472

Best wishes from me too!
Looking Forward Says:
January 13th, 2011 at 04:22 am 1294892551
1294892551

Thinking of you and hoping you are at home and comfortable. Best wishes!
Swimgirl Says:
January 13th, 2011 at 05:04 am 1294895072
1294895072

Been thinking about you all day!
Petunia 100 Says:
January 13th, 2011 at 06:04 am 1294898698
1294898698

I hope it goes well, Monkey Mama. I had my thyroid out in January 2007. I had a large tumor, the needle biopsy was inconclusive. It turned out to be benign. I hope that yours is too.
MonkeyMama Says:
January 13th, 2011 at 09:56 pm 1294955817
1294955817

HB - they did do the frozen section but didn't expect conclusive results due to the type of mass it is. As such, he told me it will probably take 4 weeks to get any results. But the good news it was not obviously cancer or spreading, etc.

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Monkey Mama*s Monkey Money Blog

Over Prepare, Then Go With The Flow

Big Day!

12 Responses to “Big Day!”

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