Bloom Where You Are Planted

Cash is up.
Debt is down.
Investments are down.
Home value estimate is up.

Assets:
Cash Accounts 9,767.42
Roth IRA 26,852.48
Traditional IRAs 184,453.13
House 232,000.00
Car 12,800.00
Total Assets 465,873.03

Liabilities:
Mortgage 168,550.00
Car Loan 11,076.32
Total Liabilities 179,626.32

Net Worth 286,246.71

My ninth scheduled car payment has posted. I have updated the spreadsheet on my "My Car Note" page, but you won't be able to see it unless/until the loading picture problem is fixed.

This month extra principal payments included $180 from my part-time job, and $31.13 from credit card rewards.

Fifteen payments have now been eliminated from the end, leaving 48 payments to go.

This was my lowest extra principal month so far, which is a real drag. But still I did manage to eliminate a payment. If I can keep up this pace, I will be done with the loan in 2 more years. I actually hope it will be paid in full sooner.

I like my neighborhood so much better now!

I think they must have moved out last weekend when I was in Redding. Today painters are painting the interior of the house, so I Googled and yep, escrow closed this past Wednesday. Yay!

I have made my scheduled mortgage payment, along with an extra $6.04. My new balance is $168,550.00.

Chips to date: $1,753.57

Interest savings this month: $6.33

Interest savings to date: $100.13

Eventually, the interest savings on the chips I have already made will compound to $3,810.60, provided I own this house until the mortgage is paid in full. Which I won't.

I decided to add a page for my mortgage amortization. I didn't post the entire thing, just my progress from the beginning and then the very end. The cells highlighted in green mean those payments have already happened. The cells highlighted in pink at the end mean those payments will never happen, they have been eliminated. I so enjoy highlighting cells in pink.

Cash is up.
Debt is down.
Investments are up.
Home value estimate is down.

My eighth scheduled car payment has posted. I have updated the spreadsheet on my "My Car Note" page, if you care to take a peek.

This month extra principal payments included $160 from my part-time job, and $56.44 from credit card rewards.

Fourteen payments have now been eliminated from the end, leaving 50 payments to go.

I have made my scheduled mortgage payment, along with an extra $7.07. I enjoyed another $25 credit from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Visa. My new balance is $168,850.00.

Chips to date: $1,747.53

Interest savings this month: $6.29

Interest savings to date: $93.80

Eventually, the interest savings on the chips I have already made will compound to $3,798.50, provided I own this house until the mortgage is paid in full. Which I won't.

Gosh, these entries are boring. I want something more exciting to happen.

Cash is down.
Debt is down.
Investments are down.
Home value estimate is down.

Well, BF and the interested buyer have agreed on a price and entered into a contract. The escrow is supposed to be 30 days. So, we will see.

MrsM180 and I had a fabulous time in Seattle. We spent one night with my dear friend from childhood, two nights at my aunt & uncle's house, and spent the last day with my niece and her boyfriend. My birth mother lives near her sister and we spent time with her too. We had great visits with everyone and enjoyed some of the local sites. So good to re-connect with loved ones. Vashon Island is certainly lovely. Here is a pic I snapped standing at a window in the guest bedroom at my aunt's place.



And oh happy day, what joyous news! Our creepy neighbor has a "for sale" sign in the yard! Yay!!! Does life get any better than that? Oh please, someone, make an offer.

BF received an offer on his house yesterday for 1.02m. He slept on it and decided today to counter with 1.1m. The signed counter offer will be sent to the buyer's realtor tomorrow.

Keep your fingers crossed.

My seventh scheduled car payment has posted. I have updated the spreadsheet on my "My Car Note" page, if you care to take a peek.

This month extra principal payments included $160 from my part-time job, $61.44 from credit card rewards, $25.00 from a wallet sweep, and $.75 from HauserNet.

Thirteen payments have now been eliminated from the end, leaving 52 payments to go.

And I have reached an exciting milestone. The loan started at 16,099.00. So the one-fourth point is reached when the balance slips under 12,074.25. That point is now in the rear view mirror.

I did a little CC rewards audit, to check that every penny redeemed thus far in 2015 has been applied to debt. They all have, all 30,851 of them. Some automatically to my mortgage, the rest to my car loan.

This past weekend went by in a blur, but it was such fun.

On Friday, BF and I went to a concert. Brian Setzer (of Stray Cats fame) opened for George Thorogood. What a fun show! It was outdoors and the temperature was definitely warmer than I would have liked, but still so fun. Everyone in the crowd was dancing and having a great time. George Thorogood is lithe like a cat, he moves like Mick Jagger. And at age 65, he still has that deep, gravelly, booming voice. BF bought these tickets. After, we spent the night at BF's Davis house (concert was in Lincoln, in Sacramento area). BF bought dinner, too.

Saturday morning we had a nice breakfast at our favorite breakfast spot in Davis (I paid), then headed home. We spent a leisurely afternoon watching Netflix, walking the dogs, puttering in the yard a bit.

Sunday, I got up early, picked up my mom, and we headed to the Alameda County Fair. We met relatives there and just had a great day. Didn't spend too much, we all bring a picnic lunch. Still, $10 to park and $12 to walk in the gates. One of my cousins has a new baby, about 9 months old. What a cutie-pie! I just love when I get to hold and cuddle a baby. It was late by the time I got home.

This week I want to get a pedicure so my toes look cute, and get my eyebrows threaded. MrsM180 and I are heading to Seattle this Friday afternoon.

I dipped into EF and paid my credit card bill in full this month. Even though the interest rate is currently 0%, the very idea of carrying credit card debt again makes me feel ill. I just don't wanna.

My budget is getting leaner. Child support has ended (good-bye $433 per month). My PITI payment has jumped to $1194.16, an increase of $113.52.

I am still paying J's car expenses for now. He had a job interview last week but did not get the job. He is still looking.

BF is accruing rent, but not actually paying it yet. No offers on the house yet either. BF did decide that we need lawn service as he doesn't have time to fiddle with it, and he is paying for that.

So, I have no choice but to re-jigger (is that a word?) my numbers.

I've gotten a bit lax about tracking my spending. I know it's been over, (waaaay over) and I just don't want to look! But as of June 1, I am back to tracking each dollar.

I'm not going to be able to pay my credit card bill in full this month. There have just been too many big expenses in the past few months. Big dental bills for both J and I (I have no dental insurance, J's new dental insurance is not accepted at our dentist), prom, senior trip, big car repair, and ouch-y high car insurance, all on top of everything else. They have ganged up and made a formidable enemy! I will be able to get away with paying no interest, which is a small comfort.

So, how am I adjusting my budget? Much as I hate to do it, I have eliminated the $50 extra car loan principal payment. I have trimmed CurveBall to $300, which is not enough. Further, I'm going to have to use it for credit card debt repayment for a bit.

I have trimmed my grocery budget from $550 to $500, which I'm not entirely certain I can do. That's groceries for me, J, two dogs, and general household supplies. MrsM180 and hubby buy their own groceries, and BF picks up some groceries. However, we really don't have a hands-off policy on general items. We tend to make enough dinner for everyone, regardless of who bought the groceries. And when it comes to milk, salad dressing, bread, we just share. When it comes to specialty items, we tend to ask the purchaser if it is OK to have some, but people mostly say "yes". I'm not going to tell someone who is hungry that they can't have my granola bar, or whatever.

So in short, I'm not real tickled, but it is what it is. For now, this is what it is.

I have made my scheduled mortgage payment, along with an extra $8.13. My new balance is $169,175.00.

Chips to date: $1,715.46

Interest savings this month: $6.15

Interest savings to date: $87.51

Eventually, the interest savings on the chips I have already made will compound to $3,734.69, provided I own this house until the mortgage is paid in full. Which I won't.

Cash is up.
Debt is down.
Investments are up.
Home value estimate is up.

At long, long last...there is an open house tomorrow at BF's house! I thought this day would never come.

Here's a video the realtor commissioned. It's on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/5hyYuC4gC6w

There is nothing else to do but wait for an offer. Hopefully, it will be a short wait.

My sixth scheduled car payment has posted. I have updated the spreadsheet on my "My Car Note" page, if you care to take a peek.

This month extra principal payments included $300 from my part-time job, $67.11 from credit card rewards, $50.00 from re-directed E fund deposit, and $22.00 from two wallet sweeps.

Twelve payments have now been eliminated from the end, leaving 54 payments to go.

Here is my son, heading out to pick up his prom date.



I've been having a spendy month already. Between prom, bad news from the dentist, and another expensive repair for J's car, I am trying to pinch my remaining pennies. This month I received what I expect is my last child support check. My car insurance premium is due June 2, to the tune of $1587 (6 months). So lots of dollars lining up to leave my wallet as quickly as they can. I believe I will make it through with no debt, but CurveBall is going to be back to square one. Again. These expenses are what CurveBall is for, but I still hate to see it happen. Of course I put them all on a rewards card, but will rely on CurveBall to pay the bill.

I have decided to stop my $50 monthly contribution to E Fund and send it to my car loan instead. E Fund is fat enough for now, I want out from under that car loan.

At long last, BF's house is about to hit the market! A drone will be making a video this week, as soon as the link is live I will share it so you can take a tour, if you like. There is an open house this coming Sunday. I am told the asking price is 1.2m. Should I make an offer?

So last weekend as I was enjoying my last naked hot tub weekend in that beautiful pool room, BF was saying that what he would really like for his next house is to recreate that one, on a smaller and more modest scale. Instead of the pool room being in the house, it could be a covered patio. Instead of a pool and hot tub, just a hot tub with perhaps a water feature. Lots of plants, big clear windows on the house so that the view can be enjoyed from the living spaces. I thought about it briefly, and realized, I would just love that. So we talked about if we found an older home with a large lot and the house was shaped and laid out right, we could make it happen.

BF says he can't believe the day is finally here. You and me both pal, I thought. Goodness, it has been a long time coming.

I have made my scheduled mortgage payment, along with an extra $9.28. I have received yet another $25.00 credit from WFHM Rewards Visa. My new balance is $169,475.00.

Chips to date: $1,707.33

Interest savings this month: $6.10

Interest savings to date: $81.36

Eventually, the interest savings on the chips I have already made will compound to $3,718.54, provided I own this house until the mortgage is paid in full. Which I won't. :P

Cash is up.
Debt is down.
Investments are up.
Home value estimate is up.

That's what we like to see.

My fifth scheduled car payment has posted. I have updated the spreadsheet on my "My Car Note" page, if you care to take a peek.

This month extra principal payments included $500 from my seasonal overtime pay, $30.00 from two wallet sweeps, and $3.92 from credit card rewards.

Notice nothing applied from my part-time job this month. That's because I haven't been paid yet for the work I did in March.

Nine payments have now been eliminated from the end, leaving 58 payments to go.

I love to browse on realtor.com. I have spotted several condos in Reno which might suit me fine.

Here is one:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/959-Flatcar...

This place is in Sparks. Sparks is just east of Reno and the two cities have grown into each other. It is a 2 br. 2 bath with 1088 sq. ft. and has a 1 car garage. The asking price is 95k. If I were to purchase it at 95k with 20% down and took a 15 year mortgage, my PI payments would be $526 (according to the calculator on realtor.com). The HOA dues are another $195. There is still property taxes and insurance to pay. But still, total housing should be under 1k per month, with a big drop when the mortgage is paid in full.

If I can land a job paying at least $15 an hour, something like this should be doable. Not a lot of wiggle room, but worth it I think at my age to be done with the mortgage in 15 years. If I have to stop saving for retirement, the money already saved will continue to grow, and I should still end up in OK shape.

Hopefully, I will be able to earn more than that and will continue to save. I am trying to be realistic. I am approaching age 50 and will not have any business contacts in the area. I have to be prepared for the possibility of a significantly lower income.

At this point, I am planning to move with BF. If we are sharing living space, we will also share expenses. That will provide a bit of budgetary wiggle room too. However, I only want a mortgage I can afford completely on my own.

In other news, tax season is mercifully over. Between my overtime and my bonus, I cleared an extra 4k. I have sent off 1k to my traditional IRA, $500 extra to my car loan, $300 extra to emergency fund, and $200 extra to Roth. The other 2k I needed for expenses. J's car got new brakes and a major tune up (120k miles), and I paid the IRS $987. Additionally, my annual matching of $1632 was sent off to my Simple IRA. Looking forward to seeing those account balances rise a bit on 4/30. Of course, will just have to see if Mr. Market cooperates.

Mrs. M180 and I are planning a 3 day weekend in Seattle. We were able to get airfare for $156 each. We will stay one night with my childhood friend (who stayed with me last September), and two nights on Vashon Island visiting my birth mother, her sister, and the sister's new husband. On the final day, we are hoping to spend some time with my niece who lives in Tacoma. She is only 5 years younger than me, so is actually more like my baby sister.

I have made my scheduled mortgage payment, along with an extra $10.34. My new balance is $169,800.00. I'm pretty excited to be under 170k!

Chips to date: $1,673.05

Interest savings this month: $5.95

Interest savings to date: $75.26

Eventually, the interest savings on the chips I have already made will compound to $3,649.73, provided I own this house until the mortgage is paid in full.

Cash is up.
Debt is down.
Investments are down.
Home value estimate is up.

My fourth scheduled car payment has posted. I have updated the spreadsheet on my "My Car Note" page, if you care to take a peek.

This month extra principal payments included $160 from my part-time job, $37.50 from credit card rewards, $20.00 from a payday loan, $10.00 from a wallet sweep, and $3.00 from Hausernet.

Seven payments have now been eliminated from the end, leaving 61 payments to go.

Well, once again the nut trees are all in bloom and I cough day and night. Cough until I am dizzy, cough until I vomit, then cough some more. Last year in spring I coughed for only one month and I was euphoric. (Last year was my first spring on allergy shots.) This year it has been almost two months already and the cough is still here. So I don't know if this spring is worse or the shots become less effective over time or what.

Once the cough is finally gone, I will have several months without it until it is time to harvest the nut trees, then the cough will be back.

I am ready to leave this nonsense behind and plan my exit. I intend to list my house for sale next spring come what may. Once it is sold, I will move into an apartment and then begin my long-distance job hunt. If I have to accept a lesser job with a lesser salary, that is what I am going to do.

I am planning to relocate to Reno, Nevada. The high elevation and dry air are exactly what my allergy doctor says I need. The relative proximity is great as I will still be able to visit with my mother. (About a 4 hour drive from Reno to my mom's house). There will be some adjustments, but I choose to look at it as a grand adventure.

BF intends to move with me. Everything is very good between us. He has a part-time job here in my town now. His bridge loan did fund but I was not repaid as the proceeds were much less than planned. He was required to pay 12 months interest up front, which was sprung on him at the last minute. That came out of his proceeds and did not leave him with much. (The first six months is non-refundable, the second six months is). However, the contractor and all sub-contractors were paid in full to date, so the contractor is moving ahead with the last few things. Fingers crossed that the house goes on MLS shortly.

I have made my scheduled mortgage payment, along with an extra $11.45. I received another $25 credit from WF Home Rewards Visa. My new balance is $170,100.00. An exciting milestone is on the horizon.

Chips to date: $1,662.71

Interest savings this month: $5.80

Interest savings to date: $69.31

Eventually, the interest savings on the chips I have already made will compound to $3,578.75, provided I own this house until the mortgage is paid in full.

Cash is up.
Debt is down.
Investments are up.
Home value estimate is up.

My third scheduled car payment has posted. I have updated the spreadsheet on my "My Car Note" page, if you care to take a peek.

This month extra principal payments included $160 from my part-time job, $50 checking account opening bonus from Discover, $26.72 from credit card rewards, and $4.00 from Hausernet.

Six payments have now been eliminated from the end, leaving 63 payments to go.