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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.

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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

Home Maintenance Update

April 7th, 2011 at 07:51 pm

Oy vey.

Dh called me to tell me that neighbor handyman patched one leak in our gutter and may cost $20-ish. (Big whoop, huh???)

But, this made me pretty grumpy. We have multiple leaks and issues all around the house. Apparently a ton of dirt had piled up in there so he was cleaning it out and patching it up.

I said, "Well, what about leak a, b, and c? & maybe he should go around and look for other problem areas."

I know the average person is just cheap, but I'd rather clean out the gutters than have further issues. Seems to me some preventitive maintenance is in order.

I was just so annoyed when I got off the phone with him.

Guess he talked to him more about it and he looked everything over. Not sure if he would have otherwise, but after I griped at him a bit... Found pretty much three major problem areas that will be simple to fix. He didn't want to even charge us, but dh insisted (& will round up, of course). He will finish it tomorrow, so will see what the final damage is.

This leaves some minor leaks that dh hadn't noticed that I had. Kind of funny because he noticed ones that I hadn't. So, next time it rains we will just do a once over and make notes of all the patches we need. I don't know how thoroughly he checked everything in the end, but I suppose we will have all the leaky areas double checked eventually.

In the end, was really nice because to just call him over to look everything over is no biggie (he can walk). Not like calling some professional who has to drive many miles and run back and forth.

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This repair/maintenance ended up being so minor that I am thinking of buying that screen door I have been wanting forever on our front door. I know just the man to help us install it, too. Big Grin

Will think about it...

Posted in Just Thinking | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “Home Maintenance Update”

FrugalTexan75 Says:
April 7th, 2011 at 11:01 pm 1302217265
1302217265

Glad it turned out to be pretty easy peasy to take care of ... with money left over for extras
MonkeyMama Says:
April 7th, 2011 at 11:55 pm 1302220540
1302220540

I told dh I would like to price doors next weekend, but only if I get the overtime bonus I expect. Will see!
Looking Forward Says:
April 7th, 2011 at 11:57 pm 1302220660
1302220660

I saw a screen/security door in the Lowes ad for $68. Plus whatever lock and handle you pick out.
MonkeyMama Says:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:36 am 1302223018
1302223018

Unfortunately won't be simple - will need to custom order a door. I'm expecting to pay a few hundred dollars - which is why I have put this purchase off so long...

That said, when we bought our new home 10 years ago it was impossible to find anything. Lately I have had an easier time finding drapes, etc., so I presume these extra large type doors are becoming more common. Fingers crossed.

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Monkey Mama*s Monkey Money Blog

Over Prepare, Then Go With The Flow

Home Maintenance Update

5 Responses to “Home Maintenance Update”

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