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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.

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

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

Emergency Room, Of Course

September 9th, 2012 at 02:22 pm

We had first game of soccer season and BM seemed pretty bored and disinterested. He told me after, "I am so tired." Then he started that barky/croupy cough thing that should be long outgrown by now.

I thought, "Only my kid develops pneumonia in the middle of a soccer game!". His MO is to absolutely never get sick. But when he does it is always extreme and out of nowhere. The plus side is he is always good as new, lightning fast.

So yeah, since he is 9, I thought he sounded more pneumonia-like. Tried to make him slow down and rest (ha!).

This morning was near-exact repeat of our 911/ambulance ride when he was 4. Except no 911. High fever, huge tonsils, wheezy breathing, croupy cough. Last time we both panicked. All I know was he couldn't hardly breathe. This time he was taking long labored wheezy breaths so I sent him outside (cool air) and found probably long-expired asthma treatment. Didn't seem to help at all so woke up the fam & jumped in the car. (forgot his shoes- ha!). The oNLY reason no 911 is because he was extraordinarily calm, which made me calm. BTDT, also helped. Him being calm saved us $1000-ish. Can't say I could do the same. I am a pretty calm person, but probably not if I could barely breathe!!

Thank goodness for our phones!! Dh just texted me is just a virus. He will probably be good as new/at school tomorrow. I appreciate I had any warning he was sick, this time. Last time paramedics and doctors asked how long he had been sick. Um, he just woke up like that?!? This was better. I literally thought yesterday, " How com every time BM is sick he ends up in the ER?". I had a feeling. Though didn't expect quite this!!

Update: He was discharged with a new nebulizer. Which will probably never be needed again. Well, I mean, before it expires.

Posted in Just Thinking | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “Emergency Room, Of Course ”

KiwiJo09 Says:
September 9th, 2012 at 03:31 pm 1347204672
1347204672

Glad to hear he's doing okay! That sounds so scary!!!
snafu Says:
September 9th, 2012 at 03:38 pm 1347205120
1347205120

Happy DS [BM] is ok and ER visit had an excellent outcome. It helps a lot when everyone remains calm. Apparently DS needs swift intervention at onset of croupy cough. Perhaps check with your pharmacist for first three actions. Good news that it was a virus rather than on going asthma attack. Did tonsillitis play a role? Does your GP recommend keeping or removing tonsils?
Swimgirl Says:
September 9th, 2012 at 04:46 pm 1347209173
1347209173

I'm so glad you were all calm and that he's okay. I'd be thinking about saving that $1000 all day!
That's exactly what I had this week (though I did have an inhaler that wasn't expired!) The virus hit others in my family gradually (more like a cold) and for a short time. It hit me hard and fast!

Hope he's feeling great in the morning!
Homebody Says:
September 9th, 2012 at 07:23 pm 1347218587
1347218587

My daughter had exercise induced asthma, I have real asthma and staying calm is the best thing to do. She was diagnosed when she was about 7 and ran off the field and sat on my lap and said, "It hurts to breathe". Luckily having asthma I recognized it and she always used an inhaler before practice and games. Never had any problems except with exercise.

So glad everyone stayed calm, I know that is the best from personal experience! Enjoy being a soccer mom!
Looking Forward Says:
September 9th, 2012 at 09:33 pm 1347226397
1347226397

I'm so glad he was calm and that he'll be okie-dokie.
PNW Mom Says:
September 9th, 2012 at 10:19 pm 1347229197
1347229197

Glad to hear he is ok!
FrugalTexan75 Says:
September 9th, 2012 at 11:22 pm 1347232977
1347232977

I'll echo everyone else, and say - glad BM is ok!
Laura@DTS Says:
September 19th, 2012 at 01:37 pm 1348061840
1348061840

I can see he is a smart and brave kid. He did a great job being calm. I can imagine how much effort he did in reminding himself to be calm. I am glad he is feeling better. I would have panicked as well.

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Monkey Mama*s Monkey Money Blog

Over Prepare, Then Go With The Flow

Emergency Room, Of Course

8 Responses to “Emergency Room, Of Course ”

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