Back in a Tent...?

I can't believe we're back here...

December 2024

Buckle up.

Goodbye, Truck

My fabulous 8-year-old paid-off truck is dead---through no fault of hers or mine. The fault lies with Hurricane Helene, who flooded our neighborhood. We're still picking up the pieces.

The Next $100k

Compounding is your bestie.

Hooray, Roth IRA!

Hip-hip hooray! My Roth IRA hit a quarter million! It feels like such a substantial number. Sharing a deep dive of the values over the 14 years it took to get here, with a hefty dose of commentary.

Think Twice, Say Nothing?

The more I learn, the less I know—because I continue to learn just how much is out there. You don’t know what you don’t know, but you have to listen to learn.

Choose Yourself

Live your best life.

Wizards and Broomsticks

Do I want to be a wizard? Heck yes, I want to be a wizard! And money (and poor choices?) allowed me the opportunity to throw spells at enemies, explore the wizarding world, and become the magical creature I was always meant to be. #winning

Jet-setting, Spas, and Luxury

Building a frugal box makes so many aspects of money management effortless.  This weekend, I jet-setted across the country for a spa day with my stepsister.  Sounds luxurious and quite expensive, doesn't it?

Caution: Will Brake for Breaks

In the office environment, I was forced to take regular breaks from staring at my screen.  Distractions came in the form of coworkers stopping to say hello, long walks down to the campus Starbucks and in-person meetings.  A commute signaled the start and the end of the day, making it easy to shut everything off.  Working from home took away all of those automatic triggers for a mental break.  It's now on you to own your time.

Traditional vs. Roth

Which one to choose?  An extremely personal decision that boils down to tax advantages you want to gain.  Always confer with your CPA before making your decisions, but go into the meeting with full knowledge of the differences, benefits, and potential scenarios in which one (or possibly neither!) may be more advantageous.  TLDR: it is a spectrum that will change throughout your life.