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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
...($1,250 @ 3/31/24)
...$350/month, plus snowflakes
(Snowflakes: credit card rewards and dividends)
...Topping off with snowballs

[ ]$2,025 to mortgage
...($0 @ 3/31/24)
...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 @ 3/31/24)
...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

Skillet Chicken Dijon A+

February 1st, 2013 at 04:08 am

Spondulicks/Paulette posted some recipes that looked tasty. I printed them out and put them with our recipes but never said anything to dh. I would have said, "These look good, we should try some time." But he interpreted as, "I want you to make these now."

So, I came home to skillet chicken dijon. YUM!.

I had to share because though my dh is a very skilled cook (& I am not half bad), my 7yo exclaimed, "This chicken is so juicy!" HE later exclaimed, "This is so well done!" Meaning, done well.

So, thanks Paulette - the 7yo approves. We all thought it was tasty. Reminds me we should probably make our citrus chicken - has been a while. Another juicy chicken recipe.

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Today was deadline day and I just squeaked by. 1099s and W-2s are done for all my clients. Don't have the tax forms/software updates to do any tax returns. But no matter since I have the weekend off.

I finished the kids' returns a couple of weeks ago - may be able to file tomorrow. They had some capital gains so I always have to file when they sell investments. I am hoping we get our software updated tomorrow so I can file those and be done.

Last I looked my tax due dropped by $300 and I have *no idea why.* I think the software had just assumed tax rates (pre-12/31), which seemed to be about spot on. So, I am not quite sure what changed. But can't remember if I mentioned, looks like we will only owe $600 instead of $900. Woohoo. {I did change my withholding to more breakeven, but it's hard to say. We got some big refunds for 2010 with all the medical bills. But I don't want to potentially owe more than $1k next year with lower mortgage interest, less medical deductions, and such. Deductions can be somewhat unpredictable. I can always pre-pay some property taxes or make a tax donation though to help manage less deductions the next couple of years. But I also think it is good to get used to more withholding}.

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I can relate with Thrifty Ray. Dh really wanted to go away for a weekend, but this week has been brutal. I spent the evening cleaning house and grumbling under my breath a bit. I will need a vacation after this week. Cleaning house because in-laws will be staying with the kids here. Which has taken most the fun out of it for me. I don't generally clean house before we vacation, otherwise.

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We haven't spent enough money this month apparently. Taking cat to vet tomorrow - she has been sick. Was going to wait until next week. She has been messing all over the house which also means many hours cleaning up. Considering I usually don't spend much time cleaning and I HATE cleaning, has made me grumpy.

But, the weather looks to be GORGEOUS this weekend. Holing up inside and being totally lazy will probably be supplemented with some fresh air/sun/hiking, after all.

I have been on a "good weather" vacation streak FOR SURE!!

Posted in Just Thinking | 7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Skillet Chicken Dijon A+”

mjrube94 Says:
February 1st, 2013 at 04:36 am 1359693419
1359693419

I'm just the opposite. I have to have the house cleaned and every speck of laundry done before I go away. I hate coming home after a relaxing vacation to housework! Have a great time!
MonkeyMama Says:
February 1st, 2013 at 04:39 am 1359693577
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@mjrube - I just generally never do housework - I wouldn't do it when I got home either. LOL.
MonkeyMama Says:
February 1st, 2013 at 04:44 am 1359693849
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P.S. I suppose the month is over, but my credit card cycle closes on the 4th, so this will be a "January" vet bill. My fiscal February starts next Monday.
PauletteGoddard Says:
February 1st, 2013 at 06:47 am 1359701232
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Yay! Now I will have to try the Skillet Dijon Chicken. BTW, I have secured our lodging in Sacramento, in the lettered streets of downtown.
creditcardfree Says:
February 1st, 2013 at 01:56 pm 1359726984
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Sounds yummy! I hope your cat is going to be okay.
FrugalTexan75 Says:
February 1st, 2013 at 09:33 pm 1359754395
1359754395

I hope your cat is okay!
Looking Forward Says:
February 1st, 2013 at 10:42 pm 1359758521
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Hope the vet can make kitty feel better.
Enjoy your time away. I bet you'll be glad you went once you finally get there.

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Skillet Chicken Dijon A+

7 Responses to “Skillet Chicken Dijon A+”

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