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Sep 30, 2021    |       3 comments

A mini vacation

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I bet you read that and thought…oh, here she goes again, spending money instead of getting out of debt. But no, that’s not it this time. I’m just taking some well-deserved time off work! And I’m so excited. It’s going to be a staycation filled with days reading library books in my hammock out back, working on house projects with the music blasting through the house, cooking recipes that I’ve wanted to try forever. A whole week doing whatever I want too!

My favorite place to spend down time on cooler days is relaxing in my hammock. This isn’t mine but the vibe is the same.

You see, Gymnast is going to Texas for fall break. And Princess and Beauty don’t have fall break. So I will have the house to myself for an entire week. So exciting. And you know I have a list a mile long of stuff I want to do around here.

Since one of the perks of my new corporate job is unlimited paid time off, I decided this was a week I wanted to take advantage of that. Sleeping in, the only mess I have to clean up in my own. I am so freaking excited.

I’ve got a stockpile of library books. Have a plan for house stuff I want to get done (and most of it has a budget around it now where needed – more on that later.)

My staycation starts next week. I’m doing 3 half days and then taking all day Thursday and Friday off. I just couldn’t take the whole week, it’s not in me to ignore work for that long.

Tell me, because I know a lot of people have experience with staycations since COVID, what do I need to come out of a staycation feeling refreshed and that I didn’t waste my time off work. Best tips for a child free staycation?

Sep 24, 2021    |       6 comments

Pot of Gold – Saving for Retirement is Daunting

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Pot of Gold - Saving for Retirement is Daunting

My money class met for the second time and it was daunting but good. Week 1, everyone was to do their no shame, no guilt budget based on what they spend today. And then we were to do our future budget, like where do we want to be.

For the second week, we talked about the “pot of gold” as they refer to the savings for retirement. Essentially, they provided another worksheet that walked you through creating a target number to save for retirement. It was a daunting number – in the millions for most people. And then they discussed what you need to do to reach that “pot of gold”.

It’s not luck of the Irish. It’s hard work, strategic thinking and smart savings and investing. I’m getting there!

It was a very grounded discussion (remember, this is targeting people like me who are entrepreneurs growing a business). The conversation was centered around what you need to live, what you need to set aside for taxes, and what you need to contribute to your pot of gold to get there.

And for this class, they indicate that your pot of gold should be enough for you to pull down 3% for 30 years. I am not sure where they got those numbers but I’m guessing it’s based on lifespan after retirement?

Anyways, it made total sense to me and really met me in a headspace where I’m comfortable. I’ve always kind of lived by “how much do I need to make?” Ok, let’s hustle and build to get there. I just settled for too little, was too comfortable with debt and frankly needed this training a LONG time ago.

It was great.

I didn’t get to attend the 3rd session at the end of last week (work got in the way) but plan on watching the replay soon. I’ve got a lot of work to do to build my “pot of gold”. This class is amazing though. Real numbers, a strategy that works with the way I think. I’m so glad I’m doing this.

P.s. if you have some spare time, consider checking out Leisure Freak.  He has a great series of postings on early retirement called “retire early and often” – brilliant.

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