5 years to Freedom

Hi all. I am back. It has been almost 2 years. I quit work at my high stress job 6/16. I was in severe burnout when I quit. I just took 4 weeks to visit my Ma and national parks.. from Sequoia to Seguaro to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons and all  the ones on the way out and back from Chicago area... also Smokey Mountains. I am getting my national park passport book filled up.  I just got back from my trip last week so settling in and figuring out what I want to do. Health coaching comes to mind or working at the church or an active job. I will investigate all. I am relying on the rentals fully this month and set up an automatic draft on the 1st from the rental account to my main account of $5000. My budgetted costs shoudl be around $4700 but I lived a lot looser when I was working and also I compensated for my stress and lack of time with going out to eat ALOT. I will track my actuals these next 3 months to get a handle on things.  Rentals tracked over $9k a month in 2021, dropped to $7500/month in 2022 (due to messy evictions caused by the eviction moratorium and also city inspections started in Joliet and it felt like the guys wanted to make up for not doing inspections for almost 2 years. I got tagged with new windows for two of my buildings (the entire building!) and a sewer job). This year we look to be averaging around $8500/month. Now that I am off work, it feels good to have less stress, more free time and to eat healthier foods and to try out new things again. I did not realize how much of my life was 'on hold or deferred' due to work.  Since my last post in 2021 I have enlarged my emergency fund to almost 11 months of expenses, enlarged the rental emergency fund and bought and paid off 2 new cars. I signed up for Motley Fool and will use that to help me invest the money i save(anyone doing that?). I am also using this time off to catch up on medical appts.. all preventative checks ..and so far all is great. I am 52 now (wow.. time goes by). I used to save alot. the 'house remodel' took a lot of TIME and savings.. luckily the house value is still holding but I have not saved large sums (to invest) probably since 2020. I have set a goal of $2k a month starting in this month. In 2015 I saved $73k.. Wow. Last year I paid off 2 cars.. a 2018 Lincoln MKZ and  2018 Chevy Suburban so definately keeping the saving muscle exercised... years before that I was paying off the house remodel.  ANyway. a bunch of random thoughts right now. I will figure out what I am doing and aiming for and post here to keep myself accountable.. sortof like an online diary. VERY interested in learning how people are saving costs or doing things on the cheap now that I have time to investigate that. I will read that 'alaska plane ticket'post carefully. About 2 years ago I was seized by the idea that life is short and want to really live and enjoy life while I can. I read that 'Die with Zero' book and HIGHLY recommend it to everyone here. It really changed my perspective. It says most people die with 40-75% of their money left over.. and it recommends we want make a time bucket list vs a bucket list.. the time bucket list concept puts age and health status in there. So when we form our bucket list of things we want to do or experience we take into account health (ie CAN we do it still).. ie taking a world trip at 70 may not be possible or as fun at that age.. water skiiing, skiing, hiking etc. I am building my list and will share it here. Also thinking of a camper van for road trips next year.. anyone here have one? the market for them is coming down and now with my roadtrip experience (taking in someone else's camper van) i can see the value. Looking forward to reading al your posts and cheering each other on.

Hi guys

I am at $535k right now with investments. Goal is hit $1mm by Oct 2024. Alot depends on the market and my savings rate. I will hit $560k by year end just with contributions. Hitttig $1MM, unless I hit a real good stock, is dependent on a high savings rate.i am going into more mid caps lately.

I just turned 51.. I am feeling like I am entering phase 2 of my life and want to move and do somethign else and more so be 'coupled'.. not fun to plan for the future single. I am dating but have not found 'the one'.yet.  I hang on to those who are 'not the one' too long.

How much money is enough?

I have $535k an investments that I do not need to touch and approx $9k a month coming in from the rentals. Monthly budget is approx $4700. I will try to reduce that even further but I also have 600+k in the house in terms of equity.  if I were to sell I could easily buy something else somewhere else for less.. and have no mortgage and maybe money left over from the sale and more money each month on top of it

I think I hang on partly due to fear, partly due to a 'purpose'and partly because I feel stalled in planning.

I may be subject to the vaccine mandate and may lose my job.. not known yet so am just working and saving everything I can. I live fuly off the rentals and save/invest 70% of what I  make between the rentals and my w2 income

We may have to evict 2 people.. they lifted the eviction moratorium .. the 2 homes where that may occur I may sell and reinvest in a different house or 2 flat that I feel is more solid and more desiraable. This may cut cash flow short term but I think may the better long term move

Hope everyone is doing well. These were just some random thoughts.

I really like goals and they motivate me. Being stalled in terms of goals brings me down

Rachael

Hi guys

Some random items...

I hit $500k. This is a big milestone for me by the way. So many years had gone by where for the most part most of my money went into the rentals. I still have a job and am funded thru 2023 but am unclear the impact of covid restrictions on that.. and also not sure if I want to work that long at least there. Also have my trusty Suburban which will outlast me. I am striving to hit over $550k for the year.  I would like to hit $750k in savings before I stop so I am working hard to hit big savings milestones each month.   I turn 51 next month. I will not touch any money until at least age 62. I am wondering if I can stop workign so hard and relax some on the big savings milestones each month. I am also single  so if I get married again (which I want to do) my obligations will decrease.

I  am working on getting my financial coaching blog up next week to s build that income stream too.

Rentals continue to do well with the majority of rents reliably showing up by the 9th.

I am deferrng buying more rentals until the prices come down (after the foreclosure waivers expire) and likely in the Fall/Winter.

I had my own house appraised for sale and rental rate. Rental looks like $5000 and sale almost $1MM.. really shocking but the comps and other homes sales near by show it. I have options if I want to move which would be to sell and buy something for less or rent my house for a year or two to gather more appreciation then sell at a higher profit. My mortgage is only $2350 so if I can get rent at $5000.. even taking out 5% and a few hundred for costs (which are less likely as the house is almost new) I can expected to net over $2000  (which should pay for somewhere else) and decrease the mortgage by over $600 a month. I wonder sometimes about a housing crash as it has gone up so fast this past year or two

Have a great day everyone. Just recording to look back at later.

Hi guys.I am $7,000 away from being at $500k investments!!!  Took a long time coming as I put so much towards the rentals. the rentals are paying off though. Average monthly for the year NET is $9800. I have not been hit by any major costs though. so no roofs or big window jobs. I will want to save up for those. I am up $3000/month  on the average more than with the old property mgr even though his rate was 5% of rents and the new guy is 6.5% of rents. BIG difference. I hardly think of the rentals now when before (as some of you know) it was an ongoing nightmare

Work is going well.. asked for and got a raise of $4/hr which is $8k a year if I stay. I also get overtime at time and a half which is very lucrative. I will work until at least end of year I think then go from there.

I want to switch my investments around

What do folks recommend for taxable and tax deferred accounts that I do not expect to draw from for 10 year or more?

My goal is to reach $550k investments by year end.

I DO want to buy a 2 flat or something but am waiting for nearer to year end as folks start to drop prices.

I am putting in most of my money into investments and would like to get to #750k-$1mm before I stop saving but dont want to wait years to do so.. my plan is still in flux. Thinking of diverting some funds to individual stocks vs safer S and P 500 mutual funds.

My house is still doing well and the area I live in is doing great. hopign prices continue to go up so I can sell, take this money and buy somewhere lower cost w no mortgage or very small.

Thoughts on investing welcomed.

Rachael

Hi everyone. 

That job that I thought was so awesome was not. They switched my reporting structure between the interview and first day and I was 'semi' reporting to a micromanaging sortof toxic lady. Those who have read my blog for a while remember the last time that happened. Anyway. after lots of stress and indecision I decided life was too short and I quit after a week. Turns out my contract company knew this lady (she once worked for them) and totally understood. Anyway they found me a contract at that first higher paying company.. and I started May 10 (asked for a late start). I work at a very large energy company and make $14 more than I made before at my last job at that bank.. that is a $28k per year raise if I stay a year. This company also has no term limits so in theory I do well, and I have gotten lots of good feedback so far, then I can stay forever. They even brought up last week about me coming on time (do not think I want too right now). I also get time and a half for overtime and basically my norm is50 hours a week since I am in the midwest and everyone else is on the East Coast. I normally start at 6:30 for early east coast calls and run til 4:30.. I LOVE the job. love the people and have gotten lots of good feedback. Really a God send. never had such a great start to a job. Anyway I am back.. and want to clarify with myself about ‘financial freedom’.

I have been tracking my rentals since Jan (new property manager) and my average Net is $9300 a month. This does not include possible income taxes. I talk to my accountant tomorrow on that. His original forecast was $1500 taxes a month if I do not have a job.

My monthly  expenses are $4700..

I have only worked for 8 weeks so far so have been catching up on the real estate escrow (for the rentals, $40k) etc. I did not self-escrow last year as I was paying off house debt from the house fixup.

I just signed up for the 401k though and will put 100% of my salary in that for the next 6 weeks and after I escrow the rest of my real estate taxes (also next month).  I will be in the position to save over $10k+ a month.  I currently save $1500 a month.  I currently have $450k of investments and my goal this year is to get to $550k and overall to get to $750k. $550k may be a stretch for this year but we shall see.

I am starting to really see the fruits of my labor during the ‘paying off 6 homes in 5 years’ era.

I am seeing someone and it can turn into marriage. He wants too. I am unsure but I DO know I want to get married and it is a very fun idea to find someone to do things with, road trips, walks, exploring and enjoy life with trips and family/ friends.

I have been reading about people who retire early and their concerns and struggles and one guy I read clarify my fear.  I do not have a ‘cash fund’ for large extras…. like a car or whatever. My plan is to save $25k into such a fund just keep it at Barclays or somewhere (recommendations ) for each access. This will be in addition to my 3 month emergency fund. I am really adverse to debt.

My house continues to do well. I live in Naperville and we were hit by that tornado. I was not but not 5 minutes away homes were destroyed or heavily damaged. Naperville is in the middle of a big growth spurt. Lots of building.. homes and retail.. lots of people moving out here from Chicago. My house should appreciate nicely and give me enough to buy a house for cash somewhere else. They are building 1.1 MM (starting price) townhomes like a block away.  I do want to move either South or North West.  I am SO GRATEFUL I finished my house before Covid hit

I am going to be looking at my investments.. (currently all in either target funds w vanguard or S and P total market vanguard funds) to see if I want to re-allocate. Also looking the Motley Fool stock advisor. Any one try that?

Have a good day everyone. I am OFF today.

HI all. I am on my first day of work. So far so good. They are having me shadow someone for a week or two so will not know for sure until I am on my own. Looks like it is well within my capacity (actually lower responsibility then normal). Hoping the stress level  is less and thinking it will be. Also restarted school for a Master in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship. Excited about that. Rents continue to come in and I do not plan to work long if it takes me away from what I want to start (blog etc). My purpose of this job will be to save money. All money goes to savings or extras or give away or classes.  I am eligible for the 401k) no match of May 1. As of that time I will put in 80% and continue living off the rentals for the rest. My goal is to have $550k in savings by year end and fully fund the 401k and IRA. Is it too late to contribute to the 2020 IRA? I will ask my accountant. So far two months totally living off the rentals.

I am drafting up my personal finance blog and hope to that up and started within 2 weeks. 

I went to Florida and Tennessee on my break and loved both. Still thinking of moving from Illinois.

It was really neat not having to work and having less pressure these past several weeks. I do not ever want to go back to the life I had.

I have a 2008 suburban LTZ and thinking of gettign a newer used car.. still figuring if I want a large SUV (similar to what I have) or a mid size.. (Hyundai Palisade). sortof logical or want. I do not want something that feels old or will rust or have issues. 2020 Palisade Limited 15k miles (approx $40k), 2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali (approx 41k). Mine should sell for approx 10k. already  have some interest.

We shall see..

Rachael

Hi guys. I got a job.. this is a another contract.. no term limit. .. pays $4 more than my last job. total raise $8000 a year. Capped at 40 hours a week and their entire IT department outsourced so I am managing the vendors who are doing the projects. Managing vendors has always seemed to be lower stress than being in charge of the project and ultimately responsible for the outcome and also handling those last minute issues. problems, deadlines. Now the vendors can do that. I can set expectations, follow up, help them handle problems if needed but otherwise they do the work. I guess if you work more than 40 hours for some reason you take time off the next week to balance it.  the $10 increase job by the way disappeared and went out to government bid. They expect the rate to drastically decrease

FINGERS CROSSED the job I got is lower stress like I am thinking.

I took this job in part because I thought it was lower stress and in part to get the job search monkey off my back. Also it is with one of the largest staffing firms so if things do not work out they can move me (if I stay on good terms which I will). I can MAX out the 401k here too. My prior job limited me to only 3% of my salary. No match here but as I just turned 50 I can put in $26k and another $7k to the IRA.  Huge. I will save outside of that too.

On another front I am moving full force into my blog set up, will buy  a wholesaling course tomorrow and may resume class at Moodys (zoom). I have made contact w the church and will join a small group and talk to someone next week about how I can help the church.

I start March 15. I want to clarify all of the above other activities in these next 3 weeks so I can go into this new job with a routine and boundaries and can 'timeblock' this job up front (time to workout, time to go to class if I do that and the foundations of the blog etc set up). My eventual plan is to switch off into one of those.

This job has an office building downtown but is currently work at home. My recruiter does not see downtown Chicago returning to work until next year and I was upfront to her that I am not returning to work downtown Chicago or really at all.  She says if/when it becomes an issues we will figure it out then and maybe switch me or maybe I will move or quit. LOTS of people are moving out of Illinois and really I would not mind moving. My work (IT program mgmt) is more and more remote so I can get a job at Chicago rates maybe and live in the South.

Anyway regardless of what happens I  do not want to to go back to an all encompassing job or bad situation so if for some  crazy reason this turns into that I will leave.

This month was my first month living off the rentals.. everything else was saved. SO GLAD I switched management companies. The increase is monthly percentage I pay them is more than paid with the increased rent collection, decreased costs and lower stress and time.

Rachael

Hi there. Quick update here. I did more research and asked more questons and that $10/hr increase job is definately what I want. I am NOT in charge, assisting on one large project for the entire time. not multiple... 40 hour cap... just sounds so much less stressful. The other job is handling multiple projects and part of a high performing team. Anyway.. it turns out they want a 2nd interview on the $10 hr job.  It will be set up Monday. The person I interviewed w was the program manager.. and he was told  he could pick but apparently when he ran it by him the upper mgr , upper mgmt wanted to talk to me as well. No word yet if they are calling in  more than 1 person for 2nd interviews. I also have 2nd interview on the $2 increase job Tuesday.. If the first job comes through I will likely cancel that.

I so hoped to be 'one and done' but  to meet upper mgmt is reasonable . I wish I did not want the job so much as it makes me nervous. Do not put the cart before the horse!!

Onward!

Rachael

Hi all.

Job search update. I was set up for 3 interviews. One I did not like and subsequently did not get the job. The other two look very positive. I may get an offer today at $10 more an hour than what I made which is $20k more a year. the other one has a second interview next week and I am the top candidate... there are 2 spots and 3 people called back. That jobs pays $2 more than I was making per hour. The $10/hr job appears to be a project manager (vs program manager) where I am not the boss (hopefully?) and if that is the case may be less stress. The $2/hr job appears to be a high energy fast moving team.. may be stressful.. everyone is very engaged with everyone else and on to deadlines. so much so the onsite person who works for the same contract company was not even able to meet w me at all.. the $10/hr job is a big huge program but I am not the program manager and will be working w this guy that I seem to ahve a good repoire with... and in contrast to the other company he was able to do an almost 90 minute laid back interview.. so hard to tell on interviews.

I feel GOOD and validated that I got good feedback and did well on the job interviews and it appears I may get two offers... one at an incredible raise.

On the other hand I am hesitant about going back  to work right away. I guess I thought the job search process would take longer.. or that I would not open myself up to interviews right away.

The company these are through (contract company) is the same one I would go thru to return to my old job in 3 months so I want to remain on good terms to keep that option open

Some of my random thoughts. diary form. 

I DO want to save up an additional $150k+. I want to do that Quickly not over years.  I need income to do that.

I also want to increase my rental emergency fund quickly to $20k. . I need income to do that.

I DO find myself hesitant to spend larger sums as I have no 'job income'.. and the pay off will be longer. I do not have 'sinking funds' for the items I want to buy.. ie blog start up costs, wholesaling course and costs up front... these are only a few thousand  (lets call it $5k) so I can come up with it and pay it off at 0%.  Rentals appear to pay for all costs and I also should get unemployment of $3200 a month,.

My rentals have remained solid and look to stay that way. Wow what a change.

I DO NOT want my life to be turned over to a job.. no free time, stressed, not working out.. no life.,. 

I really DO NOt care if I am in charge at work.

I DO want to work at the church or some sort of discipleship. I have a call w the church this week on this.

I DO NOT want to 'offend' or get on bad terms w this contract company. I  am concerned suddenly bowing out of a job without a reason  may reflect poorly on me

A friend of mine suggested exploring the companies/opportunities more (how flexible it is, stressful, can I timebox it, easy to take vacation etc) and then figure out what I really want in detail .. at a highlevel it is income and flexibility. see if these jobs can do that or at least do it MORE than my last job to allow me time to accumulate some money quickly and still take vacations and build on the side the other stuff I want to do and gradually pick that up maybe vs a total stop of job income and than start something new. I was not able to multitask well  w my last job. Part of why my last job was so stressful was I allowed it to be that way (big part maybe?)  and I was in charge. I also did not really take vacations or plan balance in my life as I was so focused on paying off that house debt.  Items for sure I want are vacations and ability to fit in working out and flexibility for appts or whatever else... CALMNESS  Based on that maybe accept one of them or reject both if I feel I can not do what I want. I am only 50.. most people are working in something. I did not plan to quit work and sit at home. My thought was to find something else and eventually do very well. I am wondering if I can find a low stress job to do while I work on the other stuff.

I have been off work for a week and basically have just relaxed and thought about things..and enjoyed.. I have not made significant progress on church, blog or wholesaling. 

I will work on getting clear with what I really want to today and a question list for those jobs. If I get it I expect to hear by noon. It is 9am here now.  It is amazing how sometimes the pay is not commersurate with the stress level.. (if I am correct it appears the $2 hr raise would be more stressful then the $10/hr )

Going to work out!

Rachael

Hi everyone. I am caught between apprehension and JOY.. I rolled off my contract.. no job.. free time.. lots of thinking.

Contract ended Friday.I left on good terms so can go back in 3 months. Also have 2 job interviews lined up this week Friday. Not sure if I want to go back right away though. I want to see 'how it feels' to be off and rely on the rentals and get to know me and what is out there again. Interviews range from $2 to $10 more per hour per job ($4000 to $20000 increase per year). I am so blessed I got into the field I am in... seems like rates just keep going up. All are work at home. As you recall my goal was to increase my investments over $100 k this year. I need a job to do that. 

I am currently saving $850 a month. I will increase that with rental overage and when I get a job or other income. 

Signed up for unemployment.. $505 + $300 .. so $805 a week.. that is a LOT! I thought it was in the 400's.

True to my word.. I will only pay my bills from the rentals and all the above will go towards savings, investments, fun or costs as well as any rental overage. I am starting 'sinking' funds for windows on two of my rental properties ($$)

Rentals are 100% full. This new manager is AMAZING!!! my stress level is way down with the homes. I feel more in control.

Today was cost savings/ look at money day . I was in the Obamacare Bronze plan $550/mth.  I switched to an offmarket plan for a $200 savings, set up an auto pay to fund my IRA for this year and cut cable by $40.. every little bit helps. I have some rugs etc to sell to clear out house and other stuff to give away. Now that I am at home I want to get a handle on my eating.. less eating out (not as healthy! and I feel less energetic), Also moved my HSA to Fidelity which is no cost. $100 saving a year.

I was looking and my real large cost is this crazy big house. taxes are over $12k a year. so that means over $1000 of my monthly mortgage is taxes.. I will sell this at some point but the building and development here is out of this world so figuring to stay a few years to cash in on any price appreciation

I have a 2008 chevy suburban with 176k miles. still looks good.. runs like a champ .. new engine at 125k.. a newer suburban would be nice but want to wait and see on gas prices and the getting a newer one and the associated huge cost does not seem exciting to me right now. I am still thinking mine will sell for $10k.

I am starting a financial blog and getting into wholesaling. Steps for the blog are 1. get pictures, 2. contract to build the site and structure 3. start!! 

Wholesaling. steps.. .investigate courses.. looking at Alex Martinez or Blair Halver course, buy one, learn and act.

Onward. Hope everyone is doing well out there. Keep moving forward.

Rachael

Hi everyone.

Quick question. We all talk about networth on here.. and many of us have a very good networth. Much of my networth is tied up in income producing real estate and comparatively less in cash investments.  I feel 'less secure' with this model and am focusing now on quickly beefing up my investment/savings side. My goal is $750k. but if I set this goal I feel I am stepping back on the treadmill that I want so much to get off of.

Do other people feel the same?

What amount in savings/investments makes people feel financially secure.

I know it is technically related to how much our expected costs are, life expectancy. .but I am wondering if people on here struggle even when those appear to be covered?.. those who have used the FIRECALC and come up with no lines ending in zero.

How do you make that emotional decision that you are 'ok'?

I am rolling off my contract here 1/29 with no job lined up and honestly I want to take some time off and feel excited but also apprehensive to do so. 

Maybe not such a quick question but I welcome thoughts and opinions.

Rachael

Hi everyone. My current contract is up 1/29.I did a few interviews before the Xmas break and found out yesterday that neither of those turned out. I am being put in for 2 more jobs today. Hope to hear if I am called for an interview next week. Both jobs are 'ok' and pay more than what I make now. All are contract jobs which pay per hour vs salary. In IT you can make more money that way as you always work at least 8 hours a day but some days you work more and if you are on contract you get paid for it. I am considering however going full time somewhere on salary and taking a lower stress, lower responsibility job. To do that would potentially offer me less stress, more freedom, better sense of community/belonging at work, health insurance through work and I could do something else on the side. I am going to start looking for that over the weekend. Looking for full time work requires more time and effort as application is not automatic or 1 click. but looking forward. My fastest job search cycle was 3 weeks. I am 3 weeks out from terming out at this job so I may not have a job when I term out but that is ok. I am looking forward to taking some time. Also the job I am at you can return to in 3 months (if they have work) So I am feeling excited about the possibilities of taking some time off for me and maybe taking a full time job with less stress and having a different focus in my life. My switch to the new property manager is going outstanding. Rents are solid and come in every month by the 10th like clockwork. I will fully depend on the rents as of next month but track them every month. This month I would have had over $8k for January taking out money for insurance, tax escrow and the limited # of bills I now pay

Hi all

Writing to keep myself accountable.

Current net worth for year attached

Next years goals

1. 500k total investments between taxable and tax deferred

2. fully fund IRAs for 2020/2021

3. Contribute max to regular or solo 401k (dependent on job)

3. Practice financial freedom. Fully live off rentals from Feb 2021. All earned monies go towards savings, giving or fun.

Towards this end I am looking at decreasing monthly costs first

1. health insurance is $540/mth (ouch, I am looking at how I can reduce this by $200, hopefully news next week)

2. cut costs of supplements  $240 a year

3. cut lawn care costs by $200 a year 

4. will cut HSA fees by 100 a year (did not know it was that high) by moving it to Fidelity

5. will cut monthly chiro membership, will save over $600/yr

6. will look into reducing cable boxes and using Roku and Infinity add on to still get Comcast on those TVs for free (potential savings, $180 year)

7. will look at eating out costs

* I increase my auto investments amount by the amount of the cut once it is made and official

and then rental income

1. will look at rental variable costs (utilities, taxes, and maintenance). see if we can do better

2. will look at vacancy rates, see if we can do better

and my income

1. line up a contract for after January (preferably 1099 for tax advantages)

2. look into other income sources to switch too or just to have. (ideas wholesaling real estate, blog, consulting or selling something in my own business)

and not losing track of the big picture

1. Make an impact on people. Share my  faith and blessings with others.

2. Make a bucket list of items I want to buy or do or help people with and work my way through it.  

PS  For those who are struggling or get discouraged. I just looked back at my first entry, October 2013, I had just bought the first 6 homes and  was recovering from basically losing everything. It really is very emotional to read this and think back. I was so full of excitement, fear and hope back then and so naive but I hung in there and I MADE IT.  You can too.

This was a quote from my very first post

" I  am concentrating on real estate as my avenue to freedom.. looking at 'monthly income' vs savings. I want to have enough monthly income in 5 years (see my goals) to feel 'safe' and like I have choices. I am in good shape and health so do not feel I will quit working but will certainly enjoy any job I do more knowing I do not 'have to' work. "

HI all

Above is my house fix up debt payoff. goals to actuals. I am so grateful for this group. I am looking forward to setting goals and  investing more. My past 6 years most of my money (though not all) went towards the rentals and this crazy house fix up.  I DID continue investing automatically every month through out but not as much.  Still figuring my goals but here are some updates.

1 I paid off ALL the house fix up debt and I did not have to sell any properties to do so.  Crazy insane year.  Finally that house fix up period is over and I now have an almost brand new house that will I think appreciate quite a bit in the next 2 years.. if the new tear downs and builds mean anything. I think I will keep the house at least 2 years to take advantage of that. We shall see. 

2. My contract at work ends 1/31/21. I have 3 potential job opportunities winding their way through the process. I do not expect much news until after the near year. I DO plan to go back to work at least for a few  months to build up my savings (see my new sidebar). The job market is slower for sure but still a few things out there.

3. After January 2021 I will transition to FULLY relying on the rentals  for all my regular costs and budgetted extras so anything I make  in a job will go towards savings/investments minus some fun things and helping people. I want to use my money on experiences and helping people vs buying things. 

4. I think I feel safer having $750k in investments to feel financially free  (so I am $370k short right now) but I do not want to fall into the trap of continually movnig the goal posts for myself. I  will reevaluate that as I go. I am already starting to relax a little bit with money. I have taken several small and midsized road trips this year and am loosening up on spending. I go to North Carolina skiing and hiking next week. I do not want to waste money though so I try to be frugal where I can and still live a bit. I awnt to give away more too.  I somehow came up with $100k (see graphic.. note I did not escrow for real estates taxes last year so the months skipped of rental monies or super low rental monies reflect those monies going for taxes)  between April and now to pay off the house fix up debt. if I can do that again it can really help this goal of $750k but how much of my life do I want to give up for that.. not alot. so it will depend on this new contract. One job I interviewed for sounds SUPER awesome and fun (and pays the most)  .. the others sounds average.. not as exciting or fun. we will see. (and pay less).

5. I feel grateful to still have great health and a car that is nowhere near it's end .I love my chevy Suburban!  

6. I will evaluate this year if my new property manager is savings me money or costs slightly more for more peace of mind. In either case I am beyond thrilled with switching and the peace of mind it brings.

7. I want to lower my house costs  and move eventually. I do not see this house as a long term house.

Keep going forward everyone. Momentum is key. Even doing one thing towards your goals a day or week keeps you on track.

I am teaching a David Ramsey financial freedom course next month via Zoom. I will get it set up on the web and post it here in case anyone wants to come.

The Christmas Star  was here!! 

Hi everyone,

I keep trying to update my settings and it does not work. Where can I get help? Rachael

This is the error. Line 13 is the blog description. I did not try to change that but when I got this error I deleted the description and it still gave me an error.I did not try to modify the header.

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