I had a post the other day that I personally messed up and didn't save correctly.  *sigh*  I always do a cut and paste, but then I inadvertently cut and paste another post.  

So I tried to do a meaningful update and that is what happened.

Starting in the right here and right now...  This was the chaos of today.

Not shown:  2 bikes, 2 guitars, a big fan, a desktop computer/monitor, other furniture and infinite bags.  I have no idea how MM fit all that in his car.  He will make another trip for his bed, and to spend some time wrapping up things and cleaning up his space.  It sounds we might send a second car to grab the last of his things.  (He can fit his bed in his car but it's probably all that will fit.)

Side note:  MM's laptop made it through 5 years of heavy use and lots of travel on a bike (I think it just got very beat up re: constant travel).  Phew!  I thought MM(22) was cutting it a little close when the screen started going black towards the end.  Didn't want him to miss a final or something important, but he had backup plans and it worked enough through the end.

The chaos is compounded with the kids planning a big backpacking trip this week.  So there's also backpacking supplies strewn about.  They are currently taking stock of what we have (not much), what they've borrowed, and what they still need to buy.

I also share this picture because this is just how I expect life to be this summer.  The house is full.  Not that the entire year hasn't already been chaos, but now it's just different chaos.

Chaos aside, it is exciting that DL(22) is done with college! 

Edited to add:

Three days later and still haven't posted this...  I just happen to be taking stock of MM's finances.

MM(22) graduates college with a ~$25,000 net worth.

+$15,000 Cash

+$10,000 ROTH IRA

Give or take a few thousand dollars.  His ROTH might be up a few thousand more this week.  

& I personally view $10K of that as a (well needed) car replacement fund.  Not sure he agrees, but is what we have talked about over the years.  He has a 23yo car, so he needs a plan.

MH & I are going to plan an extravagant dinner out (just the two of us) to celebrate the next chapter.  It will be a good time to talk about our financial expectations for MM, which we need to figure out and then communicate to him at some point.  I think we are both good with letting things ride for the rest of 2026.  I think that's the only thing we've really said out loud to each other.  Free room/board for the rest of 2026, while he figures out the next steps.  But I don't think either of us is interested in supporting our kids past college.  But it's also kind of moot right now.  The house is already full of people, so what's one more?