I feel like we were just here celebrating $150,000 net worth. It was only 3 months ago. Money is compounding stupid fast it seems. As of today I have $177,746 in net worth thanks to my last paycheck and the stock market hitting a new all time high. $175,000 seemed impossible when I started seriously saving and investing 3 years ago. I kind of can’t believe it. Going from leaving college with $5,000 to my name to now doesn’t even seem real. Having 25% or 1/4 of my retirement net worth goal at the beginning of the year and now having 33% or 1/3 is crazy. I feel incredibly grateful that I was able to learn the power of saving and investing early and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring. My goal for the end of 2017 is to have $200,000 in net worth. If the market holds steady that seems doable. I’m half way to my goal of investing $60,000 this year and simply investing the rest will push me past that $200,000 goal. That number also doesn’t feel real. Oh well: Let’s do this.
Sugar Makes Me Ill
Of all the weird things about me the one that seem to provoke the strongest reaction is that I don’t like sugar, sweets or really carbs. Yes that includes chocolate (cue the shocked gasps)! I’ve always been like that. My Mom is the complete opposite and routinely asks “Are you my child?” She loves sweets and intentionally doesn’t keep them in the house because of that reason. She is also a general carb lover (not just sugar) which I kind of understand, but the carbs I love are delicious because of the fat on them (hello buttery croissants!) Continue reading “Sugar Makes Me Ill”
A $30 Phone and That New Gadget Feeling
When I find a product or company that I love I’m all about representing it. If someone asks for my advice, I tell them. When my partner’s brother and wife asked about our cheap phone plans I recommended Republic Wireless. However, apparently there is a large difference in service that we receive in the middle of a metropolis and that they receive in their 2,000 person rural town. I was sad to learn that they had infinite problems with the service and later their phones. In the end they moved and I feel like I failed them :(. However, I now have an additional data point to add to my recommendation. They might be my only friends that live in a rural area, but it’s good to know the limitations of companies I recommend. Continue reading “A $30 Phone and That New Gadget Feeling”
FOMO, Outside and Retirement
In my last post about possibly becoming a recluse as a result of working from home I finished with a question: Why do I worry I’m not going outside enough? This question really baffles me. In NYC and Seattle I have a weird feeling when I’m inside during my free time that I should be outside, doing literally anything, even though I absolutely LOVE being at home. I love reading a book, sipping my tea and watching the hummingbird that moved into the tree outside our window. But I have this nagging feeling so at times I give into it and go outside to interact with people and do ‘something’…and life is instantly worse 🙂 . So what is this feeling? Continue reading “FOMO, Outside and Retirement”
Is My Job Turning Me Into A Recluse?
There is one aspect of my work life that has been exacerbated by moving into consulting: always being on call. When I worked at ad agencies it was expected that you were always available. That’s why employers buy or pay for their employee’s cell and data plans. They are paying for your constant availability and ability to be reached. Consulting has been an interesting change. On one hand we have a lot more power than ad agencies: my company specifically has and is completely comfortable with firing clients they do not enjoy working with. Ad agencies would never dare :). However, one of the reasons we’re paid so well is the fact that we are supposed to be always available. Continue reading “Is My Job Turning Me Into A Recluse?”
Hedonic Adaptation
Just a normal Tuesday morning
Hedonic adaptation still baffles me. The fact that no matter what happens in our lives: great or horrible, our happiness level quickly stabilizes and in my case returns to neutral. I’ve been working from home for 6 months and I’m sad to say this has happened. Continue reading “Hedonic Adaptation”
Literal Blood Money
WARNING: If you don’t want to hear about blood you will not like this story 🙂
I’ve been known to do a few weird things to save money. The most recent one involved bleeding all over our living room. I was perusing the website for my new health insurance (through my job) and noticed something awesome: they offer $100 if I get a blood test and health assessment. To combat my laziness they even send it right to your home. Hmm! Not only did I want the money, but I was also was curious. I have very small veins (there’s your weird fact for the day!) and people literally can’t take my blood. Even the…blood professionals…is that what they’re called? I haven’t had my blood successfully taken since I was in high school and as a result I have no idea what’s going on in there. Continue reading “Literal Blood Money”
401K and Roth IRA Challenge Complete!
World record! I maxed my 401K and Roth IRA in 4 months. The last time I took up the max your 401K challenge it took me 6 months. Improvement! It’s crazy what two years, a cross-country move and a 52% increase in salary can do. Now to the next challenge: Pouring as much money as possible into my taxable account. Let’s do this!