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Home > Archive: January, 2018

Archive for January, 2018

Down into the $43ks

January 31st, 2018 at 03:10 pm

Paid our mortgage today which pushed it down to $43,909.35!

Our federal tax return came in. That was fast! I will send a check to the HVAC bill as soon as my other paycheck comes in a couple days.

Making Progress & Clothes Shopping

January 30th, 2018 at 03:04 pm

We are still chugging along with our house. We have started the tile which is both scary and exciting. I am still terrified about messing it up, but so far it looks nice. Once this project is out of the way the rest of the remodel should be a cake walk comparatively.

I've actually worked enough web design this month where I think I will have $65+ left over after paying all necessaries! That doesn't sound like much but for many months I have been basically treading water, and so it is very nice to see a little extra for once. I am in dire need of clothes and shoes. I am down to two pairs of pants and my only pair of non-dress shoes are on their last leg. We may take a tiny bit of the tax refund to purchase a couple items.

Retirement Savings & Secondary Income

January 26th, 2018 at 04:16 pm

Husband's work finally has the profit sharing switched over to a Vanguard 401k. Hallelujah. We can now see that we have $12,900 in the account. He is currently contributing 3% and they are matching.

We also have $13,787 in our Roth IRAs. I don't think that is too bad considering we only make about $43k a year and have only been saving for retirement for about 4 years.

We have a total of $26,687 saved for retirement, or about 62% of our gross yearly income. I think that is about average or above for being in our mid-twenties. I am pleased with that.

My web design work is also going well this month. I am already past my monthly hours goal and still have a week to go. I think I need to raise my goal for February.

I have filed our taxes. We are getting about $650 back, which we will use to pay towards the HVAC bill.

Calming Down

January 16th, 2018 at 03:12 pm

The $1,200 HVAC bill is still looming over our heads. But I feel okay now. I am hoping to sell a couple goats which will almost cover it.

I got husband's W2 and entered the numbers. As of right now we are getting $2,000 back. But I have to enter my W2 and my 1099 for my self-employee business so I am expecting the number to drop quite a bit.

If we get $1,000 back that would be great. We will use that in conjunction with the goat money to pay the HVAC and the rest will be put towards a few remaining house items.

I called the HVAC guy and he said there was no bill due date and to just pay him when I can. He is super easy and chill. No rush. Of course I don't want it drug out forever, but at least I have some wiggle room.

House is seeing some finish work in spots. The master bath is now painted, and we hooked up the first circuit of electric and hung a few lights. It was so fun to turn the switch on and see electricity. Bathroom is still far from finished though, still needs trim, tile, vanity, another light, flooring, and the toilet. But at least it looks like a bathroom now!

Can't Get Ahead

January 5th, 2018 at 03:21 pm

We finally made some good progress on the house. That is the end of the good news.

I just now received the bill for HVAC work I got done back in May. It's over $1,000. Frown I planned/should have kept some money back for it. But I had no idea how much the cost would be, and the guy it notorious for billing delays or not billing at all. So the money ended up getting spent on other house things. I have no idea how we are going to scrounge up this money. Will probably have to pull from our meager cash reserves. Trying not to panic and just take each day at a time. We have $800 put back which is earmarked for mudding/taping. May have to delay that for now and apply the cash towards HVAC.

The guy is a family friend so I may call him and ask if he would be willing to take 2 or 3 payments. I'm doubting it though.

I have some bigger web design work coming up. I need to buckle down and really try to pump out some extra hours. My other hope is that we will get some tax return money. *fingers crossed W2s come in quickly*

Ugh. I just want this to be over! Deadlines and money are running short.