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…]
Earlier in the month, I thought it would be fun to celebrate summertime money wins. I reached out to the community, and I was floored by the number of people who had money wins to share. Then, a reader reached out to me to let me know that the money wins post was actually linked … [Read more…]
We’re halfway through the year! I’m not sure if I should be looking for congratulations or condolences. There’s nothing quite like the calendar flip to July to make me think long and hard about what I’ve done with my year…and what I have left to do. First up is an exploration of my goals for … [Read more…]
There’s no such thing as stupid questions. But I’m pretty sure I’m about to ask one. When should I pay off my mortgage? We’ve been homeowners for a while now. In fact, we were just awkwardly introducing ourselves to new neighbors down the street (I later found part of a stick in my hair, don’t … [Read more…]
Aging is not a death sentence. It is, in fact, the exact opposite. Each birthday is another opportunity to grow, and it’s not just about becoming long in the tooth. People travel forward on their journeys, even if especially if their journeys aren’t straight lines. Of course, our thoughts and views change. What doesn’t get … [Read more…]
I used to confess this money secret pretty regularly, but I haven’t made mention of it for a while. I don’t track our net worth. Famously. Infamously. Stupidly. While it’s a rationale that’s probably complicated enough to merit a whole post, the short answer is that net worth doesn’t mean much to us right now. … [Read more…]
It’s here! It’s here! My goal post for the quarter. You know the obligatory post that every blogger writes because readers are their bestest accountability buddies? Ok, OK. The post that every blogger writes because people love to snoop and we want to indulge you? OK, FINE. It’s the post that should, in theory, be … [Read more…]
Happy April! The birds are chirping. The sun is staying out later. And it’s snowed, it’s rained, and it’s been 50 and sunny…all in the past week. Welcome to springtime in Chicago! With the arrival of spring (and the other three seasons that also sporadically burst onto the scene), I thought it was finally fitting … [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…]
The maturity date on my mortgage is 2042. 2042. 2 0 4 2. It’s a pretty depressing number if you let that fully sink in. My kid will be done with college. My teaching career will be coming to a close. My car will most assuredly fly a la The Jetsons. 2042 is a long … [Read more…]