When I learned that Delta had increased their bonus on their SkyMiles credit cards to 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in 3 months from 30,000 points I was initially disappointed since I had applied for and received a personal Delta credit card in December and according to their rules would not be approved if I applied again. Continue reading “Apparently I’m A Business Owner”
Last Day of Work, First Day of Funemployment
It’s official: I’ve quit my job and given my apartment notice. As of right now I have no job and will no longer be welcome in my apartment at the end of this month. We are moving across the country to a city my partner has never visited. The only place on the West Coast he has been was San Diego, CA which is the southern tip of the West Coast while Seattle is the northern tip. Continue reading “Last Day of Work, First Day of Funemployment”
A Year of Savings in 5 Months
As of right now, June 1st, I have saved the same amount that I did in all of 2014. I was shocked when I realized this earlier today because I feel as if nothing is different. I haven’t deprived myself of anything. We still order delivery, have fancy drinks and give as freely as we did last year. I am just as happy if not happier. I mostly can’t figure out where we used to spend so much money that I could save $20,000 in 5 months when last year it took me 12. Yes saving wasn’t a major goal of mine and I did not have the wise guidance of Mr. Money Mustache, Go Curry Cracker and Root of Good’s blogs, but besides changing my cell phone carrier this month (which this month is more expensive than AT&T because of the upfront costs) I haven’t consciously changed anything about my life. If anything I thought spending was increasing as a result of the impending move. I will need to do a more in-depth analysis of Mint.com to see what has changed and where I used to spend more money, but right now I am shocked and ecstatic.
I thought maxing my 401K in 6 months when I’ve never maxed it in 12 would be difficult, but it hasn’t been. With the exception of some unanticipated giving this month I haven’t even had to reallocate funds from anything else to make sure I reach my goal. And it’s currently in sight. By the end of this month I will have maxed my 401K for 2015 and saved about $1,500 that would have originally gone to New York state and city taxes. I’ll post a full analysis of that in a later post, but overall I’m just shocked with how easy this has been. It makes me even more hopeful for the future and my long term goals.
Travel Hacking: The New Frontier
I have a new obsession: travel hacking. I’m not sure how I wasn’t aware of this idea or community before, but there are a ridiculous number of travel bloggers that fly around the world, often in First Class, for almost free. They do this by using credit cards for their large bonuses of points and airline miles to receive free travel. Continue reading “Travel Hacking: The New Frontier”
401K Update: Feeling the Burn
There is about a month left on my 401K challenge and things are heating up. In a recent post I explained how I would be moving to Republic Wireless from AT&T and paying an early termination fee as well as buying a new phone. I’m currently unable to sell my iPhone unlocked because the jailbreaking community is waiting for Apple to release its latest iOS update (8.4). I paid about $300 for my new Android phone and will pay about $250 for the early termination fee while sitting on about $600 worth of iPhone potential. These unexpected expenses are making things a little tight.
And I did not help myself by increasing my 401K contribution from 55% of my salary to 60% – my paycheck this week was hilariously small. I should have enough money to pay rent on the day rent is due. Hopefully I will not have to dip into my funemployment money before then. I’m confident this will work out fine though. I’m leaving on vacation today and two days after I return my next paycheck comes in. Getting paid to vacation is the best. Let’s feel that burn and finish strong!
Republic Wireless
I finally took the plunge. After 8 years I’m walking away from the iPhone and as a result breaking the shackles that tied me to AT&T. I was planning to wait until my contract with AT&T is complete in October 2016 before breaking my contract with them to avoid any early termination fee, but as I mentioned my phone bill recently doubled from $45 a month to $90 a month without even having unlimited data. And that is a straight up ridiculous amount to pay for a phone service I barely use (I’m mostly on WiFi). So I started thinking about breaking the contract early when something wonderful happened. I received the impetus I needed. Continue reading “Republic Wireless”
Inertia: A Dangerously Powerful Force
My cell phone plan increased to $90. Through many sneaky tricks of AT&T my phone bill somehow doubled as a result of me upgrading to the latest iPhone (mistake – I know). As a result I was looking for alternatives. I knew I wanted to switch to Republic Wireless and their $5 – $40 unlimited plans, but was planning to wait until my contract was up in October 2016 and avoid the hundreds of dollars of early termination fees (thanks AT&T). Continue reading “Inertia: A Dangerously Powerful Force”
401K Update: Half Way and Going Strong
I’m half way through my “Maxing 401K in 6 Months” Challenge and I must admit I haven’t felt a difference. Despite my paychecks being half what they used to be I haven’t felt stressed or stretched. Saving in the current month for the next month’s rent has become routine. And the thrill I get seeing my 401K amount increase $1,500 every 2 weeks is something I can’t even describe. I’ve already saved $10,000 in my 401K and $11,000 overall this year and it’s the beginning of April. That’s 27.5% of my $40,000 savings a year goal which would double how much I saved last year.
The only aspect that has introduced a little bit of stress is that I went $120 over my $100 eating out budget last month. I was worried that this trend would continue, but it was a very unique month filled with a lot of laziness and inefficiency. I can do better. And even if for some reason I don’t improve I’ve been continuously running the numbers and if I keep within budget I will be able to pay all my expenses during my funemployment month of July without dipping into my savings at all and have $200 remaining. That’s much better than I expected. So a small (or not so small) increase in eating out to enjoy the delicious food of NYC before we move won’t break the bank. I’ve decided to just enjoy it.