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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.

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

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."}

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

My Pages

What a (Bad) Day!

February 20th, 2013 at 03:14 pm

We ended taking up my kitty back into the vet for an ultrasound yesterday. Though we were told she might have intestinal cancer, I suppose I was in denial. I read it was rare, and figured it was just as likely they she ate something she shouldn't have (the kids are always lying rubberbands around no matter how much we nag them). & she is always coughing up strange things - no idea where she finds these things. Lots of kid stuff laying around I suppose. She is 100% indoors.

Anyway, I appreciate the ultrasound technology as it was easy and less costly. The vet told us usually (historically) they'd just operate. & our cat is older and not sure she is really up to that. I mean, who wants to be operated on if you don't have to?

She was diagnosed with non-treatable lymphoma and given weeks to live. Frown

So, I had a very heavy heart yesterday. I am surprised how hard it hit me. She is 15 and I know very logically her health has gone downhill over the years, and that her time is nearing. But, it is still tough when it comes down to it.

I haven't talked to the kids about it at all. They were there for the news, and dh took them to San Jose to spend the week with Grandma. I think the older one is taking it hard. I don't think either is overly attached to the cat, but he is just more sensitive. We will talk about it when they return.

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

On the plus side, I think this is as easy as it gets. We were gearing up for some tough choices. Being told, "There is nothing you can do" doesn't leave much in the tough choice department. Not that we won't have some tough decisions - will see how she progresses. She is old enough that we won't pursue other opinions or anything, is all. I thought it was very likely she'd be going in for surgery, so dodged that bullet as well.

As the writing has been on the wall, we have been gearing up for this a bit. This is the only pet we have ever had as adults. I told my spouse that since we always had outdoor cats, they usually just disappeared. Don't remember putting any pets down. But if we did, the parents dealt with all that stuff, know what I mean? So this feels very much an induction into adulthood, that is for sure. & I have been kind of wary as I didn't really know what to expect. But, on the flip side, I think we've had enough medical crap lately that we probably know all the questions to ask. When I had my thyroid surgery the surgeon was overly impressed with my questions. Well, dh had *just* had brain surgery. I told him, "You have no idea." I suppose we are up for asking all the right questions. We have some experience to pull from that we wouldn't as younger pet owners.

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

I suppose that alone would make for a rough day, but cancer always has to appear in 3s or 4s or 5s, it seems.

I met with an elderly tax client yesterday and he matter of factly told me he had liver cancer and would not be here next year. Shook my hand and left. Frown

So, that was my day.

F___ Cancer!

Posted in Just Thinking | 17 Comments »

17 Responses to “What a (Bad) Day!”

PNW Mom Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 04:00 pm 1361376057
1361376057

What a sad day! So sorry about your kitty...mine is 14 and he is like my 3rd child...hugs
laura Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 04:01 pm 1361376088
1361376088

Heavy day. We found out a 4th grade boy at our school has stage 4 leukemia. We've all been a little nicer to one another. So sorry about your kitty; no doubt a wonderful friend to you all.
ceejay74 Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 04:16 pm 1361376999
1361376999

Ugh, so sorry. I've had two co-workers and a friend from college go through cancer and chemo in the past year. I hate that feeling that it's coming at you from all directions. And ((hugs)) enjoy your time with your kitty. That's not a bad age for a cat, so at least she's had a good long life.
JulieA Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 04:50 pm 1361379023
1361379023

So sorry to hear that. It is always a difficult time to lose a pet.
North Georgia Gal Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 04:59 pm 1361379583
1361379583

So Sorry about your cat. I know that you have given this kitty the best life possible but it must be difficult to lose her.
rachel021406 Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 05:34 pm 1361381651
1361381651

Sounds like your kitty has had 15 years of unconditional love. What a great life you have given her. So sorry for this hard time.
Ima saver Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 06:17 pm 1361384261
1361384261

I lost my baby lst year at age 11, so I know how you feel. You have given her a good life.
twest Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 07:36 pm 1361388988
1361388988

Sorry about your baby!
snafu Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 08:26 pm 1361392006
1361392006

Taking another point of view, you've enjoyed kitty for 15 years and kitty has been loved and cared for beyond average lifespan. I know you will make her as comfortable as possible as long as possible so long as you aren't seeing suffering.. If it is the 1st loss for your children, they will take time to adjust and sadly learn about loss.
LuckyRobin Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:07 pm 1361398071
1361398071

I hope the rest of her life is peaceful and easy.
mjrube94 Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:06 pm 1361401605
1361401605

I'm so sorry for you! Enjoy every minute with your cat!
Looking Forward Says:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:54 pm 1361404454
1361404454

I am so sorry for you, your family and your kitty. ((hugs))
Feel free to email me if you have any questions or whatever.
FrugalTexan75 Says:
February 21st, 2013 at 02:19 am 1361413172
1361413172

So sorry to hear about your kitty. She was lucky to have such a good home and life with your family.
Thrifty Ray Says:
February 21st, 2013 at 05:46 am 1361425585
1361425585

I agree....F...Cancer. I am so sorry for the double bad news. I love my cat and my dog, and have lost several dear to my heart pets over the years- so I understand the heartache involved. {{{hugs}}} to you these next few weeks.
MonkeyMama Says:
February 21st, 2013 at 02:31 pm 1361457113
1361457113

@Looking Forward - I might do that.
MissAngel Says:
February 21st, 2013 at 06:18 pm 1361470690
1361470690

So sorry to hear about your fuzz-baby! My two have just turned 10 and I know it will be difficult when I have to make a decision about them.
scfr Says:
March 3rd, 2013 at 01:40 am 1362274843
1362274843

Yup - cancer really sucks. So very sorry to hear about your kitty, and about your client too.

It will be very hard. And you will do fine. She is lucky to have someone as caring and responsible as you making the big decisions for her.

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Monkey Mama*s Monkey Money Blog

Over Prepare, Then Go With The Flow

What a (Bad) Day!

17 Responses to “What a (Bad) Day!”

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