I am inspired by this thought...
“Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than
believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. Do more than forgive:
forget. Do more than dream: work.”
William Arthur Ward
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
2013 Year End Financial Wrap Up
I know, I know another financial posting and I already did a December Money Matters but I thought it would be fun and informational to do a year end wrap up as well...again, more for me then you! Cause I like ciphering and numbers and all that sort of thing! But who knows you might also enjoy it as well. So here we go!
I wish it was a true "quarter" break down but it's not, at least no this year So a year end wrap will be for September through December. While we officially went on retiree status (and pay) on 1 July the wedding was in July which totally skewed expenses! Then in August I just didn't get on board quick enough with day to day tracking to make it official. I guess we were still in transition and settling in to truly no commitments and fully realizing we are done and we are really doing this! I think I was just trying to get organized and breath (yep, those are myexcuses reasons and I'm sticking with it)!
So it looks like this...
Spent vs Budgeted (Over or Under)
RV Parking $2025.00 / $2500.00 (U)
Groceries $1233.52 / $1000.00 (O)
Eating Out $474.27 / $220 (O)
CRV Fuel $405.70 / $600.00 (U)
CRV Upkeep $405.70 / $600.00 (U)
Clothing $37.89 / $300.00 (U)
Household $121.10 / $120.00 (O)
Entertainment $33.00 / $100.00 (U)
Charitable $180.00 / $200.00 (U)
The above does not include any of the "set expenses" as those are well, uh, set! And therefore not much room to wiggle (save)!
Some of our monthly set expenses are our Tithe($350) Medical Ins ($45.64) MiRV Life Ins ($20.90) RV Ins ($75)
It doesn't include our savings, since for 2013 we did not budget for savings, GASP, I know! However, that changed for 2014, it's in there baby!! Which makes me happy, happy, happy! There were a few other tweaks that I have already mentioned in other Money Matters postings...the highlights are that I increased Groceries, Eating Out and Entertainment. By necessity we had to raise Med Ins (premiums went up) and add Co-Pays as a line item since we have those now too! Oh and other BIG news is that we got a raise for 2014 in our retirement pay. Yes, I know a raise!!!! We will see $12.72 more per month! That's $152.64 that will see our savings account without even flinching!
In our investment outlook, well, it was good! Our ROTH IRAs increased in value and so did the TSP account. Sad thing is that we can no longer contribute to our IRAs since we no longer have "earned income". Our regular investments made small gains as well. We ended the year with more cash in savings then ever before. In fact I will be looking for higher yield accounts since we are keeping easily accessible cash on hand. I am also considering sticking some of that cash in the IRAs since we didn't max out contributions for 2013, definitely giving that serious thought!So many things to consider and think over, oy vey!
Well, there you have it the 2013 Wrap Up!
I wish it was a true "quarter" break down but it's not, at least no this year So a year end wrap will be for September through December. While we officially went on retiree status (and pay) on 1 July the wedding was in July which totally skewed expenses! Then in August I just didn't get on board quick enough with day to day tracking to make it official. I guess we were still in transition and settling in to truly no commitments and fully realizing we are done and we are really doing this! I think I was just trying to get organized and breath (yep, those are my
So it looks like this...
Spent vs Budgeted (Over or Under)
RV Parking $2025.00 / $2500.00 (U)
Groceries $1233.52 / $1000.00 (O)
Eating Out $474.27 / $220 (O)
CRV Fuel $405.70 / $600.00 (U)
CRV Upkeep $405.70 / $600.00 (U)
Clothing $37.89 / $300.00 (U)
Household $121.10 / $120.00 (O)
Entertainment $33.00 / $100.00 (U)
Charitable $180.00 / $200.00 (U)
The above does not include any of the "set expenses" as those are well, uh, set! And therefore not much room to wiggle (save)!
Some of our monthly set expenses are our Tithe($350) Medical Ins ($45.64) MiRV Life Ins ($20.90) RV Ins ($75)
It doesn't include our savings, since for 2013 we did not budget for savings, GASP, I know! However, that changed for 2014, it's in there baby!! Which makes me happy, happy, happy! There were a few other tweaks that I have already mentioned in other Money Matters postings...the highlights are that I increased Groceries, Eating Out and Entertainment. By necessity we had to raise Med Ins (premiums went up) and add Co-Pays as a line item since we have those now too! Oh and other BIG news is that we got a raise for 2014 in our retirement pay. Yes, I know a raise!!!! We will see $12.72 more per month! That's $152.64 that will see our savings account without even flinching!
In our investment outlook, well, it was good! Our ROTH IRAs increased in value and so did the TSP account. Sad thing is that we can no longer contribute to our IRAs since we no longer have "earned income". Our regular investments made small gains as well. We ended the year with more cash in savings then ever before. In fact I will be looking for higher yield accounts since we are keeping easily accessible cash on hand. I am also considering sticking some of that cash in the IRAs since we didn't max out contributions for 2013, definitely giving that serious thought!So many things to consider and think over, oy vey!
Well, there you have it the 2013 Wrap Up!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Wednesday Words - Keane
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present."
~Bil Keane
I want to be more conscious in my daily life to live in the present, therefore, this quote sort of spoke to me... maybe it will do the same to you.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Rocket Launch!
It was picture perfect!
The customer was happy, happy, happy and so gracious. It is always neat to be with those who are so vested in the launch. This was more of an exception though as the Thiacom CEO was such a gracious woman who was truly thankful and spoke so eloquently about the challenges of making it happen.
Thank you again to Rocket Boy who hooked us up with VIP passes again where we enjoyed a great view with nice amenities! Fun evening!!! And made even better we got to see him one more time before he headed back to the West coast. Looking forward to seeing him in February for another yet another launch!
To continued success Space X!!
The customer was happy, happy, happy and so gracious. It is always neat to be with those who are so vested in the launch. This was more of an exception though as the Thiacom CEO was such a gracious woman who was truly thankful and spoke so eloquently about the challenges of making it happen.
Thank you again to Rocket Boy who hooked us up with VIP passes again where we enjoyed a great view with nice amenities! Fun evening!!! And made even better we got to see him one more time before he headed back to the West coast. Looking forward to seeing him in February for another yet another launch!
To continued success Space X!!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
December Money Matters
Another month, another wrap up...
Still looking good, IMO, as we manage life on the "retirement" income. I am sooooo pleased that we are able to make this work, it's just awesomeness!
Most areas were on budget, money went into savings. I have taken the time to go ahead and make some changes to some of the categories for the 2014 budget. I can tell you that things are going to be leaner in a few categories by choice (gifts/Christmas). Such a world of excess we live in, we will be scaling back. It's so NOT about buying gifts and not that we have ever been extravagant but even-so we have decided it will be less from us for next year. We are also looking at a raise, yes, I know, we will have $12.72 more funds in 2014. Doesn't sound like much you say? Maybe not, but it's $152.64 a year more and we will definitely not be turning it down!
We have also talked about life after living in Sunny...that day will come and we need to at least be thinking of an exit strategy no matter when that day is! In addition we have also talked over upgrading Sunny. Both are realities we must put some thinking into! Much, much more thought then I want to think about today, however, it must be done. Soon, soon, we will think harder on it! But honestly, we shall just have to wait and see on so many things before making any real decisions but we just want to make sure we do have a plan. We definitely do not want to be without a plan so we will continue to think it through and see what transpires!
We did NOT move this month! Woohoo!!! So we socked away that fuel money for the future!
Over on groceries, AGAIN, but I have raised that category for 2014 so hoping to see that stay within budget soon!
Food Out was also over, so this category is getting upped for 2014 as well.
Nothing else was over budget...
It was actually a really slow month expense wise with the exception of Christmas.I did transfer the money out of our Christmas Club account for that.
Speaking of Christmas I was a little taken aback when I saw the final numbers...we didn't even do that much. We had 14 on our list and that didn't include MiRV and I. Our total was $642.39 for Christmas spending, which did include MiRV and I. Sooooo I have definitely tweaked this category for next year. And honestly I even scaled it back this year; so next year will be even more lean! Just sayin'! It's just the way it needs to be.
Also the payment of personal property taxes was this month (OUCH) but again this came out of savings since we save all year long. Next year we may not have this expense as we continue to explore the option of changing our residency.
Our breakdown for December:
RV Slot Fee $500.00
RV Upkeep/Maint $3.97
Groceries $307.83
Food Out $60.58
CRV Fuel$137.95
Health Ins $45.64
Gifts $41.16
Household $16.33
Entertainment $9.00
Tithe $350.00
That's it, that's the monthly looksey, a bit of our bucks did make it to savings. We are doing well, thank you Lord! Excitedly looking, watching and praying about what the New Year will hold for us!
Still looking good, IMO, as we manage life on the "retirement" income. I am sooooo pleased that we are able to make this work, it's just awesomeness!
Most areas were on budget, money went into savings. I have taken the time to go ahead and make some changes to some of the categories for the 2014 budget. I can tell you that things are going to be leaner in a few categories by choice (gifts/Christmas). Such a world of excess we live in, we will be scaling back. It's so NOT about buying gifts and not that we have ever been extravagant but even-so we have decided it will be less from us for next year. We are also looking at a raise, yes, I know, we will have $12.72 more funds in 2014. Doesn't sound like much you say? Maybe not, but it's $152.64 a year more and we will definitely not be turning it down!
We have also talked about life after living in Sunny...that day will come and we need to at least be thinking of an exit strategy no matter when that day is! In addition we have also talked over upgrading Sunny. Both are realities we must put some thinking into! Much, much more thought then I want to think about today, however, it must be done. Soon, soon, we will think harder on it! But honestly, we shall just have to wait and see on so many things before making any real decisions but we just want to make sure we do have a plan. We definitely do not want to be without a plan so we will continue to think it through and see what transpires!
We did NOT move this month! Woohoo!!! So we socked away that fuel money for the future!
Over on groceries, AGAIN, but I have raised that category for 2014 so hoping to see that stay within budget soon!
Food Out was also over, so this category is getting upped for 2014 as well.
Nothing else was over budget...
It was actually a really slow month expense wise with the exception of Christmas.I did transfer the money out of our Christmas Club account for that.
Speaking of Christmas I was a little taken aback when I saw the final numbers...we didn't even do that much. We had 14 on our list and that didn't include MiRV and I. Our total was $642.39 for Christmas spending, which did include MiRV and I. Sooooo I have definitely tweaked this category for next year. And honestly I even scaled it back this year; so next year will be even more lean! Just sayin'! It's just the way it needs to be.
Also the payment of personal property taxes was this month (OUCH) but again this came out of savings since we save all year long. Next year we may not have this expense as we continue to explore the option of changing our residency.
Our breakdown for December:
RV Slot Fee $500.00
RV Upkeep/Maint $3.97
Groceries $307.83
Food Out $60.58
CRV Fuel$137.95
Health Ins $45.64
Gifts $41.16
Household $16.33
Entertainment $9.00
Tithe $350.00
That's it, that's the monthly looksey, a bit of our bucks did make it to savings. We are doing well, thank you Lord! Excitedly looking, watching and praying about what the New Year will hold for us!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Shameless Blog Push
Much to my surprise MiRV is blogging again. He has over the years without much regularity but this time he seems gung ho, so gung ho in fact he is now manning not one but T.W.O. blogs. I know right? But who am I to discourage this new found creative energy!
Psst...he is reading books! Which is totally not something he does by choice. It's all good. Anyway...if you are interested take a click on over and check him out. He is listed in my blogroll too!
There is one on our RV life, aptly named MiRV which is what I call him on this blog. You never know what topic you will find on there, it's not just all about RVing that's for sure!
Then he is also blogging to address his love of surfing. This one is Surfing Safari :)
So there you have it, just a shameless plug for my love! Have a great day on this day 2 of 2014!
Psst...he is reading books! Which is totally not something he does by choice. It's all good. Anyway...if you are interested take a click on over and check him out. He is listed in my blogroll too!
There is one on our RV life, aptly named MiRV which is what I call him on this blog. You never know what topic you will find on there, it's not just all about RVing that's for sure!
Then he is also blogging to address his love of surfing. This one is Surfing Safari :)
So there you have it, just a shameless plug for my love! Have a great day on this day 2 of 2014!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Wednesday Words - Paisley
We've wrapped up another year. I think this was one of our biggest to date. Soooooo many changes and challenges! I mean we retired from the United States Air Force after a looooong time! That was H.U.G.E. in our world. We also saw our daughter graduate college AND get married, whoa, that was REALLY, REALLY B.I.G. too! Not really sure what the future holds, but we know who holds it and we are dreaming BIG for 2014.
Not gonna list any resolutions, not much into that, don't think we ever have been. Just plan to keep on keeping on. We will continue on our journey in the RV. Plan to keep on being debt free. Spend time exploring and make memories. Nothing too fancy, nothing too far out there, just living the simple life. That's our plan. Course we know plans change and we are open to that so stay tuned and we'll see how it goes together!
I like the words Brad Paisley said.
Not gonna list any resolutions, not much into that, don't think we ever have been. Just plan to keep on keeping on. We will continue on our journey in the RV. Plan to keep on being debt free. Spend time exploring and make memories. Nothing too fancy, nothing too far out there, just living the simple life. That's our plan. Course we know plans change and we are open to that so stay tuned and we'll see how it goes together!
I like the words Brad Paisley said.
"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one."
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