There’s no sense in burying the lede: Our mortgage finally dipped below six figures. Specifically, we now owe $99,884. And I can’t stop smiling. Mathematically, very little has changed. Technologically, it was just a few clicks and a single payment. Mentally? Psychologically? Emotionally? That is another story, friends. We all know that money is never … [Read more…]
I hate my mortgage. How’s that for today’s installment of Truths That Surprise No One? No amount of rationalizations have ever made my mortgage seem palatable. I know our interest rate is low. I know we bought at a great time. I know that my money could be working harder for me in the market. … [Read more…]
Normally, this money wins series is all about celebrating small victories. In past editions, I’ve shouted from the blog rooftops about everything from reversed credit card fees to rounding up paycheck pennies for charitable causes. But you know what? It’s the start of a new year, and it’s time for some major motivation. We made … [Read more…]
It’s the shortest day of the year, but we’re going to party hard. And not just because every day from here on out gets a little bit lighter and brighter for a little bit longer. Nope, we’re celebrating because the holiday money wins came pouring in this week. Why? I suspect a lot of us … [Read more…]
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s also the spendiest. Or is it? If you believe news channels or angry tweets, then maybe. It seems that most people look at this time of year as one in which we lose what little willpower we have and become total gluttons, mindlessly downing empty … [Read more…]
How much money will I have to make before I stop getting excited about free food at work? Alright, friends, I must confess. This is a trick question. I don’t think the dollar amount exists. My money win for the week is actually a look ahead. Teachers are scavengers. Truly. If you think the kids … [Read more…]
Chocolate or vanilla? Cake or ice cream? Beach or mountains? Either/or questions might have their place when it comes to icebreakers or dating profiles, but they have also become incredibly pervasive in personal finance. Pay down debt or invest? Grow your income or cut expenses? Donate time or donate money? Focus on little leaks or … [Read more…]
There are two camps in personal finance: those who pay their mortgages early and those who don’t. We are in the first camp. Rather, we were. When we found out I was expecting, we took the interwebs’ advice and stopped making extra payments toward our mortgage, funneling the money into a Baby Fund instead. Now … [Read more…]
I don’t set goals. But I do get set in my ways. Since I’m so charming, it all works out. Right? Riiiiight. For more than the past year, we have implemented the exact same approach to paying down debt and investing–do both as well as we can. And it’s working. But I also wonder if … [Read more…]
Last year, I couldn’t make up my mind when it came to our debt. At first, it seemed like we had paid off just shy of $20,000. Then, I remembered came clean about the fact that we still had a car payment. So we clocked in right around $24,000 when it was all said and done. … [Read more…]