FIRE

A lot’s happened this month! Our house was befallen with strep throat, Beck turned two, Warren had his first sleepover at his grandma’s house, many school events and birthday parties, and lots of running around.

I also got into couponing at CVS and Walgreens and upgraded my extra phone to the new Pixel 9 Pro—it’s really zippy!

I also got through lingering expenses that put me directly on the path to clearing up my credit card debt, and then into saving. It’s going to take some time, but it’s finally here, so my complete financial focus is on resolving this debt so I can save and invest.

I imagine this is how I’ll close out 2024 and ring in 2025. And it that’s the case, I’m thrilled. It’s now Q4. I’m ready to make some progress and get to the New Year!

October 2024 Freedom update

Read More

I’m currently at 67.2% of my $500,000 goal. My previous net worth peak was $363,002, and this month I’m at $335,872. I’m tired of being at this level, though I’ve been mostly at the mercy of the stock market. I’m to the point where I’ll do whatever it takes to get over the $400,000 hump and into the home stretch to $500,000.

I’ve been working nights and weekends to freelance, pay down credit cards, and get my savings built up.

Something about turning 40 last week lit a fire under my butt. I’m over the halfway mark and ready to push through this last 30% or so that’s left.

You think I can do it by August 2025? That would divide to about $14,000 a month for the next 12 months. That sounds like a lot, but then again, I’m up nearly $17,000 this month alone. But a lot of it is the stock market, which I can’t control. So now I’m working on producing as much as I can—which I can control—to clear this hurdle that’s been in the works for a few years now.

I’m proud of my goal and progress so far, and now I’m beyond ready for the final phase.

September 2024 Freedom update

Read More

August 2024. This date has been in my mind for a long time as the original goal date to accumulate a $500,000 net worth. Now it’s here—and my net worth is still hovering around the $300,000 mark. ‍

This date was set because of my 40th birthday, coming up in a couple of weeks. Back then, I didn’t know I would move, buy and sell two houses, be a digital nomad for a stretch, or have three kiddos. And who could’ve predicted a pandemic in the middle of everything?

Despite many ups and downs (this month AND in the last few years), I’m in good spirits.

I have a lot to report and process this month, so let’s get crack-a-lackin’.

August 2024 Freedom update

Read More

What a month already! A week ago, I was laid off from my job. It was my second layoff in as many years, just when I was starting to feel like I was doing well in the position. Oh well—it lasted a year. So that was how June ended.

It was a particularly nasty layoff: the kind you hear so much about on LinkedIn these days. I was shocked/sad/mad for about a day, then decided to move on. Easy come, easy go.

While I look for the next thing, I decided to go full force into creating a points, miles, and travel rewards community packed with info, courses, events, and more. I announced Points Hub on Friday. As of today (Monday), many members joined with a Pro Lifetime membership, which showed me how crucial this resource will be for so many people.

I’m still applying to full-time jobs on the side. I’m also making outlines for courses, adding info, and building the community at Points Hub. It’s just getting started, but already a blast. Come on in!

Also, spoiler alert, this is kind of an anti-update because, uh… no income at the moment. But this journey has its own life, so let’s see what’s up.

July 2024 Freedom update

Read More

Now that the dust has settled on the house sale, I can more fully take “stock” of my financial situation. I’ve been stressed about it for a few weeks, but ready to lay it out in gleaming detail.

Turns out, months of two housing payments, moving a house full of stuff across two states, and the birth of a child will really put a dent in your short-term financial goals.

I put a lot of expenses onto two 0% APR credit cards, figuring I’d use the money from the sale to pay them down. Well, I barely touched them before the money was gone from other things (which I detailed in the last two updates).

But it’s good! I have a few months to figure out how I want to approach everything and in the meanwhile, I’ve completely retooled my midyear goals now that we’re halfway through 2024.

June 2024 Freedom update

Read More

I’ve been semi-avoiding writing this update to detail this month’s huge losses, but eat the frog, as they say.

The Oklahoma house sold, April 2024 was the first losing month for the S&P 500 after five positive months in a row, and the house sale money was gone in a poof.

I used the money to pay down debt, start on my 2024 Roth IRA, and build up my savings a bit. But, to further illustrate the losses, I invested ~$4,000 but my investments are only up $435 for the month.

I also might’ve been overestimating my old home’s value and didn’t include transaction fees against my net worth in previous updates. But now the house is gone, and so too are the mortgage and equity estimate from my net worth calculations.

Now that I’m renting again, maybe this is a more “pure” version of calculating net worth. All that to say, it was a rough month—and I am down nearly $53,000.

May 2024 Freedom update

Read More

The Oklahoma house is closing on Friday after being on the market only 6 days. I’m thrilled, sad, nervous, etc.

Thrilled to no longer make two housing payments, sad because a ton of bad stuff happened to us in that house, nervous because I don’t want any last-minute surprises, and etc. because.

I’ve been using my credit cards to get us through this patch and very much looking forward to paying them off with the money I get from the sale.

But I also discovered a tax lien sale and have a few properties on a watch list. The auctions are in late April. So, I’m going to hold the money for a few weeks and see what I can do there. If nothing, then I’ll eradicate all my credit card balances.

And if so… well, I still have until October with my 0% APR rates. Either way, not too worried and seeing a lot of upside and potential.

One thing is certain: My net worth will see BIG gyrations this month. I am more at peace with it now, yet I remain hopeful.

For one thing, I didn’t factor in the $20,000 it would cost to sell the house… ‍

April 2024 Freedom update

Read More

Bye, Oklahoma! A lot happened there—like, a LOT—and I’m glad to say goodbye to that place. As of this month, we’ve officially moved for a better school district and to get a fresh start. I first moved to Oklahoma City in October 2021.

Our old house is listed for sale as of March 1.

Considering August 2024—seven more months—is the goal date to save $500,000, that could push me ahead, move the dial back, or be uneventful. I already got the estimated proceeds of how much I’ll get if it sells for the listing price.

Also, until it sells, I’ll pay rent for our new place plus mortgage on the old place. We’re renting now which feels… different after owning my house (and before that, a condo). So far, it’s been freeing not dealing with the stuff of ownership.

I’d like to buy again eventually—but, one thing at a time. Anything could happen this month (this year, this lifetime). But in this moment, I’m at yet another net worth high (and will never tire of typing that).

March 2024 Freedom update

Read More

I’m creating my own nail-biter over here. This is the third month in a row of a new net worth high. That feels dang good on its own: At nearly $350K, I’m 70% of the way toward my $500K goal.

But the goal is to hit $500K by August 2024. That’s in 7 months! Being $150K short means I’ll have to increase my net worth by over $21,000 each month on average until then to achieve it.

That’s… a lot. Is it realistic?

I mean, probably not.

Is it also incredible? Heck yeah! I continue to be amazed at how compound interest truly has a life of its own.

I’ve had plenty of months with gains and losses of that size. But to have 7 winning months in a row? I’m my own underdog. It’s unlikely but it would be soooo cool if it happened.

Even if it doesn’t, I think I’ll get pretty close. Either way, 2024 is already shaping up to be an incredible year.

February 2024 Freedom update

Read More

Like last month, this one finds me at yet another new net worth high. But unlike last month, it also finds us with a brand new baby girl. That’s right – we are now a party of five and have spent the last week getting to know our sweet new baby!

Even with all the expenses associated with delivery, my overall net worth continued to tick upward to over $342,000.

I’m excited and so tired. We’re currently on an adventure and making new memories in a new place. Here’s how it’s playing out as I start 2024.

January 2024 Freedom update

Read More

I’m at a new net worth high. In fact, a year ago in December 2022, I was also at a new high: $266K. Must be the so-called “Santa Claus Rally.”

This month I’m at $334K.  That’s $68,000 higher than this time last year and $166,000 left to go to hit my $500,000 goal.

If I can increase my net worth by $18,000 over each of the next nine months, I’ll hit the goal. Is that possible? Well, this month I’m up nearly $30,000 so… if the trend keeps up I just might make it.

But I also know how quick it can turn, so don’t want to take mental possession of it yet.

That was a lot of numbers. Here’s one more: I’m 67% of the way there.

Whether I hit the goal by the end of August 2024 as planned/hoped for or not, I’m gonna go ahead and give myself some grace. I’m doing so good.

December 2023 Freedom update

Read More

Somehow I’m back at 61% of my $500,000 savings goal and up nearly $19,000 this month. Not gonna lie, last month was devastating being down so much.

So while I love restoring growth, I know better than to get attached or assign mental possession to it. It could just as easily slide down again (and it has). In my case, it will.

Because we have a lot of expenses coming up in the next few months. The only thing that could provide levity is for the stock market to keep going in this upward trend, which… is it? 

There’s been a lot of positive economic news lately (in the world at large), and my 401k has nearly recovered all the losses from earlier in the year. This month, my other investment accounts rose back to their October 2023 levels. If the market continues to improve, it could seriously make up for (and exceed?) my upcoming expenses.

And if the housing market improves, I could add to my home equity. Again, trying to stay level, but there it is: that hope that things will start to turn around.

Either way, I’m staying on track, adding cash to accounts when I can, cutting expenses wherever possible, and steadily paying down debt—all at the same time. As I have someone managed to do for years.

November 2023 Freedom update

Read More