I fucking did it. I started this year with the goals to:
- Max my 401K
- Max my Traditional IRA
- Max my HSA
- Overall contribute $35,000 to investments
2015 Spending
Let’s look at the explosion that was my 2015 spending. Overall I spent about $30,000 which isn’t too bad since I was living the high life in NYC for half the year, but improvements can still be made. Removing the cost of our luxurious Fiji vacation and the costs of our cross country move would bring my 2015 spending to $21,840.
How Quickly We Forget
I was recently on vacation for Thanksgiving. I took a whopping two days off and tacked it onto the long weekend we were given for the holiday. Usually it takes me about a week to decompress from work – even not particularly stressful work (or as not particularly stressful as Ad Agencies can be anyway). In that time I have to remember how to relax and what I enjoy and by the time I do the vacation is over. Continue reading “How Quickly We Forget”
Frugality and Weight Management Part II
Something strange has happened. I was reading through my previous posts to see to help reminisce about the year and what I’ve accomplished and I read my post about “Frugality and Weight Management” and how it seemed they went hand in hand. I started laughing while reading it because I felt so differently now. Continue reading “Frugality and Weight Management Part II”
Transition Complete: NYC to Seattle
It’s been a while. A little over two months since I’ve last written. It’s been a wild ride. I am now sitting in an office completing my fifth week of work with the best client and team I’ve ever had. We are almost fully moved into our apartment. All that is left is putting paintings on the wall.
Continue reading “Transition Complete: NYC to Seattle”
FIRE Anniversary
I thought the first time I became serious about financial independence was October 2014, but I was looking at a Facebook Timehop today and was greeted with this a link to an NY Times article entitled “Why You Hate Work” and my comment “Thank you for perfectly articulating what I’ve been trying to say. Early retirement here I come!” I don’t remember posting this or what was happening at the time, but apparently exactly one year ago I declared that I would retire early. My FIRE anniversary has come early!
401K vs. NYC Taxes
As you know, I have now maxed my 401K in six months of living in NYC to decrease my large state and city tax bill before we move. But I’ve been wondering how much money in state and city taxes I have saved by maxing this before I leave and how much of federal taxes have I saved by simply maxing this account. Continue reading “401K vs. NYC Taxes”
Dividends & My More Successful Twin
I now have more money saved than my current annual salary. In essence, I have someone that is as qualified and driven as me working for me full time. I now essentially have another Purple running around working even harder than I am to make money. Over time this money-made Purple will far outpace my ability to make money. And I couldn’t be more proud of her. I think of LinkedIn as a digital resume that is constantly knocking on doors asking who wants to hire me. And now I have a monetary twin who is constantly working to make me richer. Continue reading “Dividends & My More Successful Twin”