Category: Finance

How I Spend $125 A Month On Groceries

by A Purple Life, posted in Food, Musings, Spending

After publishing my 2018 spending a few people have asked me what exactly I buy and eat to hit that spending level. Obviously groceries is only one part of the food equation with eating out on the other end, but I wanted to try to explain what it is I buy and eat in case it could help others decrease their grocery bill. Continue reading “How I Spend $125 A Month On Groceries” →

My First 401(k) Match, An Updated Salary and Inching Closer to Early Retirement

by A Purple Life, posted in Finance, Investing, Jobs
Visiting the Oregon Coast for the first time on my 29th birthday. A great place to contemplate 401(k) matches!

It finally happened – 7 years out of college and I am finally getting my first 401k match! I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long (yes, I have weird dreams – deal with it). While working at all of my previous jobs, I never qualified for the 401(k) match (if they even had one). If they did have one, you were not eligible for it until you had been there 4 or so years, which is basically unheard of in ad agencies. Well played HR. Well played. Continue reading “My First 401(k) Match, An Updated Salary and Inching Closer to Early Retirement” →

That Time I Laughed In A Financial Advisor’s Face

by A Purple Life, posted in Finance, Investing, Jobs
It was an accident, I swear! As I mentioned in my post detailing my work history in advertising, I had a mentor that I was introduced to through my cousin. Despite us originally meeting to discuss if I should try a new career after the hell that was my first job, she referred me to two other positions later in my career – both of which I was offered and accepted. In the first position I didn’t work directly with this mentor (let’s call her Grace). In the second I did. It was during this job that I had the fateful encounter…And how this happened is also strange and convoluted. Buckle up.

Continue reading “That Time I Laughed In A Financial Advisor’s Face” →

Half A Million Together and Keeping Finances Separate

by A Purple Life, posted in Early Retirement, Finance, Net Worth Update, Relationships, Spending

We finally did it! After saving intentionally for almost 4 years we reached a new milestone: my partner and I have amassed half a million dollars together. I can hardly believe it. This is a special number for me because it’s the amount I need to retire. Now I know what you’re thinking: Why doesn’t he just give you his portion so you can retire now? I’ve wondered the same thing! 🙂 Continue reading “Half A Million Together and Keeping Finances Separate” →