- Don’t worry about me - I haven’t been poisoned by xenoestrogens. I have plenty of sex drive and plenty of sex.
- Not everyone is the same. I am more of a loner than most people. I’ve always been this way. This doesn’t have anything to do with my hormone levels or sex drive.
- For many men (and some women) the desire for sex and the desire for a serious relationship are not directly linked. Having sex drive doesn’t automatically make you want a relationship; it just makes you want to have sex.
C40's Journal
-
frugaladventurer
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:05 pm
I second furgaladventurer's advice to find another introvert. My partner and I are both introverts (he's a much more strongly expressed introvert than me). I know to give him a lot of space and am happy to do so, and it works really well for us.
I'd hate to be speed dating or going to bars hoping to hook up: all that small talk is horrendous.
I'd hate to be speed dating or going to bars hoping to hook up: all that small talk is horrendous.
-
RealPerson
- Posts: 875
- Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:33 pm
@C40 - Your spreadsheets, record keeping and discipline to stay on track are really amazing. Sounds like you have got it figured out. FI is well on track it looks like.
I do century cycling events (not races), so I know this can be expensive. Cat 3 is pretty impressive compared to me as well.
Having a family with a wife and 2 kids, my situation is quite different. Still, your story is an inspiration. Thanks.
I do century cycling events (not races), so I know this can be expensive. Cat 3 is pretty impressive compared to me as well.
Having a family with a wife and 2 kids, my situation is quite different. Still, your story is an inspiration. Thanks.
----------------------------------------------------------------
2012 GOAL Update – Non-Financial goals.
----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Transition to hobbies that are cheap or profitable
Pretty good on this one:
Stopped bicycle racing (I’m happy I did this)
Started reading a lot more (learning about history, stoic philosophy, personality types, travel/adventures, etc)
Started gardening. Learned quite a bit
Started lifting intently again
Have slowly made more shirt designs. I have quite a few ideas written down that I want to spend more time making
2 - Make significant progress on skill development
Made some progress here but not a whole lot
Got better at gardening
Learned a bit about hiking and wilderness survival
Got better at sewing
3 - Further home organization / minimalism
More to go here (I’ll always feel there is) but I’m happy with my progress.
Got rid of more stuff that I don’t need or want
Started batch cooking
4 - Good execution on fitness/health (exercise, rest, nutrition)
Did acceptable well here but not all that great. I made good strength & muscle gains but got fatter than I like. Specific goals were:
Bent Leg Deadlift - 225# x 20 reps. - only got to 12 reps. I did decide not to do 20 reps and not to go close to failure on squats or deadlifts to reduce risk of injury)
20 chin ups – Good. (I’m doing weighted chins so I’m not certain about 20, but I know I’m very close.)
Less than 10% bodyfat. (150-155lbs bodyweight) - Too fat. At 160lbs now.
5 - Create a will and asset list (carryover from last year)
Still haven’t done this. Clearly I’m not in a big hurry.. I’ll do it eventually.
2012 GOAL Update – Non-Financial goals.
----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Transition to hobbies that are cheap or profitable
Pretty good on this one:
Stopped bicycle racing (I’m happy I did this)
Started reading a lot more (learning about history, stoic philosophy, personality types, travel/adventures, etc)
Started gardening. Learned quite a bit
Started lifting intently again
Have slowly made more shirt designs. I have quite a few ideas written down that I want to spend more time making
2 - Make significant progress on skill development
Made some progress here but not a whole lot
Got better at gardening
Learned a bit about hiking and wilderness survival
Got better at sewing
3 - Further home organization / minimalism
More to go here (I’ll always feel there is) but I’m happy with my progress.
Got rid of more stuff that I don’t need or want
Started batch cooking
4 - Good execution on fitness/health (exercise, rest, nutrition)
Did acceptable well here but not all that great. I made good strength & muscle gains but got fatter than I like. Specific goals were:
Bent Leg Deadlift - 225# x 20 reps. - only got to 12 reps. I did decide not to do 20 reps and not to go close to failure on squats or deadlifts to reduce risk of injury)
20 chin ups – Good. (I’m doing weighted chins so I’m not certain about 20, but I know I’m very close.)
Less than 10% bodyfat. (150-155lbs bodyweight) - Too fat. At 160lbs now.
5 - Create a will and asset list (carryover from last year)
Still haven’t done this. Clearly I’m not in a big hurry.. I’ll do it eventually.
------------------------------------
DECEMBER 2012
------------------------------------
TOTAL INCOME: $4,964
Work paychecks: $3,200
401 Contribution: $1,636
Shirt sales, gift $, bet: $128
SPENDING: $1,400
Home expenses: $686
Food: $454
X-mas gifts: $104
Entertainment: $92
Transportation (gas): $79
Travel: $42
Sold stuff: ($56)
SAVED: $3,400
Savings rate: 68%
Extra/nonstandard spending:
$119 – Wool blanket for my bed
$108 - Travel - Dinner with my dad and brother (I lost check roulette)
$42 – Travel – Parking at airport
$104 – Christmas gifts for family
$135 – Nutritional supplements
I had a pretty nice down comforter for 10 years or so. Over time, it got thin and worn and too much of the down was coming out. So I tossed it and I’ve been using a couple of old quilts that my grandma made for my brother and I when we were children. These are worn also and are falling apart on the top ends (which I keep at the bottom instead). They’re sized for a double bed so they are a little awkward. I’ve been thinking about cutting off the bad parts and sewing the two together to make one blanket that is big enough for my (queen) bed. I don’t have a sewing machine so this would take a while by hand.
I’ve also been thinking about getting a wool blanket. I was looking online here and there for a few months. Over Christmas I saw some military style blankets at a surplus store. In the store it was obvious there were big quality differences. They had some imitation military blankets (80% wool), and they were so-so. It also had some crappy Chinese generic blankets that were rugged but had very itchy wool. I looked around online quite a bit and it seems that the real military blankets are now very hard to come by. The best I could find online was an authentic Italian officer blanket for $60 that had some very obvious wear. I also found the Faribault Mill website and this blog post and decided to go with more of a sure thing. I like the idea of buying a product that is nearly local (their factory is a couple hours from me), made in the USA, appears of high quality, etc… We’ll see how it actually is.
Christmas went well with the family. Got some useful things ( Darn tough wool socks, Levis jeans, gloves, and a PS3 game.
One weekend I spent a number of hours looking around two different malls. Really couldn’t find anything that interested me. The only thing I bought was a $4.00 book about life in ancient Rome .
----------------------------
CHARTS
----------------------------
Spending vs. 3.5% SWR
I’ll also make a post summarizing the year.
DECEMBER 2012
------------------------------------
TOTAL INCOME: $4,964
Work paychecks: $3,200
401 Contribution: $1,636
Shirt sales, gift $, bet: $128
SPENDING: $1,400
Home expenses: $686
Food: $454
X-mas gifts: $104
Entertainment: $92
Transportation (gas): $79
Travel: $42
Sold stuff: ($56)
SAVED: $3,400
Savings rate: 68%
Extra/nonstandard spending:
$119 – Wool blanket for my bed
$108 - Travel - Dinner with my dad and brother (I lost check roulette)
$42 – Travel – Parking at airport
$104 – Christmas gifts for family
$135 – Nutritional supplements
I had a pretty nice down comforter for 10 years or so. Over time, it got thin and worn and too much of the down was coming out. So I tossed it and I’ve been using a couple of old quilts that my grandma made for my brother and I when we were children. These are worn also and are falling apart on the top ends (which I keep at the bottom instead). They’re sized for a double bed so they are a little awkward. I’ve been thinking about cutting off the bad parts and sewing the two together to make one blanket that is big enough for my (queen) bed. I don’t have a sewing machine so this would take a while by hand.
I’ve also been thinking about getting a wool blanket. I was looking online here and there for a few months. Over Christmas I saw some military style blankets at a surplus store. In the store it was obvious there were big quality differences. They had some imitation military blankets (80% wool), and they were so-so. It also had some crappy Chinese generic blankets that were rugged but had very itchy wool. I looked around online quite a bit and it seems that the real military blankets are now very hard to come by. The best I could find online was an authentic Italian officer blanket for $60 that had some very obvious wear. I also found the Faribault Mill website and this blog post and decided to go with more of a sure thing. I like the idea of buying a product that is nearly local (their factory is a couple hours from me), made in the USA, appears of high quality, etc… We’ll see how it actually is.
Christmas went well with the family. Got some useful things ( Darn tough wool socks, Levis jeans, gloves, and a PS3 game.
One weekend I spent a number of hours looking around two different malls. Really couldn’t find anything that interested me. The only thing I bought was a $4.00 book about life in ancient Rome .
----------------------------
CHARTS
----------------------------
Spending vs. 3.5% SWR
I’ll also make a post summarizing the year.
Hit another milestone - $200k net wort. Yay. PARTY!!
Timeline:
- 100k - February 2011
- 150k - March 2012
- 200k - January 2013
It took me 13 months to go from 100k to 150, and 10 months from 150k to 200. We'll see how quick I can get to 250.
(The Property category has investments that don't work in the mint investment categories - it's not actually property. Well, other than some gold and silver, I guess that is sort of property)
Still working on my 2012 year-end report... I got some of my investment numbers screwed up and it was a pain in the ass try to sort it out.
Timeline:
- 100k - February 2011
- 150k - March 2012
- 200k - January 2013
It took me 13 months to go from 100k to 150, and 10 months from 150k to 200. We'll see how quick I can get to 250.
(The Property category has investments that don't work in the mint investment categories - it's not actually property. Well, other than some gold and silver, I guess that is sort of property)
Still working on my 2012 year-end report... I got some of my investment numbers screwed up and it was a pain in the ass try to sort it out.
-
jacob
- Site Admin
- Posts: 16003
- Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:38 pm
- Location: USA, Zone 5b, Koppen Dfa, Elev. 620ft, Walkscore 77
- Contact:
It'll go faster and faster due to Benford's law and because you're beginning to realize capital growth which is exponential compared to income savings growth which is linear.
That's how the rich get richer ...
Interesting things begin to happen once your networth no longer starts which the number 1 or 2.
That's how the rich get richer ...
Interesting things begin to happen once your networth no longer starts which the number 1 or 2.
Yeah. At this point, the amount I add to my investments will be very similar to 2012, and how much it changes will probably depend on a small number of things: (followed by how much they can change my savings amount)
- How much my bonus is from work (+/-5k. Company-wide bonuses don't depend on my own performance)
- How much I spend on food (+$2k at the very most)
- How much I spend on hobbies (+$2-3k at the very most)
- How many good shirt designs (maybe a few thousand at most)
- Investment gains (Could be twice as much as all the changes above)
So this year I'll spend more time learning about investing and economics.
The Benford's law thing is pretty interesting. I was thinking it might take 7-8 months to get to $250k. This chart from the Benford's law Wikipedia agrees:
My net worth started with a 1 for 23 months. So it looks like it would start with a 2 for aruond 13-14 months. That would put me at $250k in 7-8 months. Ha !
- How much my bonus is from work (+/-5k. Company-wide bonuses don't depend on my own performance)
- How much I spend on food (+$2k at the very most)
- How much I spend on hobbies (+$2-3k at the very most)
- How many good shirt designs (maybe a few thousand at most)
- Investment gains (Could be twice as much as all the changes above)
So this year I'll spend more time learning about investing and economics.
The Benford's law thing is pretty interesting. I was thinking it might take 7-8 months to get to $250k. This chart from the Benford's law Wikipedia agrees:
My net worth started with a 1 for 23 months. So it looks like it would start with a 2 for aruond 13-14 months. That would put me at $250k in 7-8 months. Ha !
------------------------------------------------------------
2012 SUMMARY
------------------------------------------------------------
1 – Many numbers are rounded for simplicity.
2 – I hope you like charts, and long posts. (click the charts for links to larger versions)
------------------------------------
INCOME
------------------------------------
(small error on this chart – work income is low)
TOTAL INCOME: $71k
Work paychecks: $50k
401 Contribution: $20k
Side Income: $1k (Look Ramit !
------------------------------------
SPENDING
------------------------------------
TOTAL SPENDING: $13,200
Home expenses: $6,800
Food: $3,700
Entertainment: $1,200
Transportation: $900
Vacations: $700
---------------------------------------------------------
MORE SPENDING DETAILS
--------------------------------------------------------
HOME:
$6,000 - Rent (includes all utilities except electric)
$300 - Electricity
$500 - Other home expenses
FOOD:
I didn’t track details.
ENTERTAINMENT:
Spent $4,700 but sold stuff for $3,500, so $1,200 total.
$1,900 - High-end gaming computer, a very nice monitor (27” IPS), mechanical keyboard (a joy to type on), Photoshop elements, Office, and a gaming headset
$650 - Gym membership, 2 years
$400 – Hiking gear (backpack, sleeping bag, pants, numerous small items)
$270 – Nexus 7 Tablet and a very nice case
$250 – Internet service (DSL)
$165 – Cell phone, 2 months (got one from work for the rest)
$100 – Four video games
$50 – TV / Movies
$35 – Booze
$900 – Other – Little things that added up I think.
The only thing I regret buying was the games. I didn't use them much. The computer I really didn't need, but it should last me quite a while. I haven't used the hiking gear much yet, but I think I will.
Things I sold:
$1,600 – Bicycle (have 2 now)
$800 – Old computer
$750 – Camera lens
TRANSPORTATION:
$400 – Gas
$358 – Insurance & Registration
$117 – Maintenance
TRAVEL:
$270 – 2,000 mile trip – to visit family
$250 – 1,000 mile trip – to visit family
$150 – 1,000 mile trip – to visit family (and football ticket)
--------------------------------------------------------
SAVINGS RATE
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SAVED: $58k
Post-tax savings: $38k
401k Contribution: $20k
SAVINGS RATE: 81% (71k income, 58k saved)
My savings goal for the year was 75%, and I’m very happy with the 81%. I thought I was at 84% before but I think I forgot to document some income. I’ve found that when I screw up my number entry it can become pretty hard to correct it and then be confident about the numbers.
---------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING
--------------------------------------------------------
My investment gains were $3,000. I screwed up the numbers and then had a hell of a time getting them right. I set up a manual calculation table but I didn’t update it after a portfolio rebalancing, so it was tough figuring out what was what. This year I’m going to improve how I track my investment returns
So my returns were not very good compared to the standard PP. My average investment worth was around $140,000 (the rest is in other places and forms). So $3k / $138k is NOT VERY GOOD!!
Some of this is because I had a bunch in PRPFX and that didn’t do so hot (4% for the year). Some is probably due to my rebalancing timing. I don’t know exactly… I’ll set up better calculation (and some charts!) this year.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NET WORTH GROWTH / ERE PROGRESS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Net Worth
Net Worth in years of spending
SWR Needed
Net worth growth vs. plan
Need a better ROI to keep up with this plan!!
As I make progress building capital and approach my imaginary (no, Calculated!)retirement date, I wonder about actual investment returns compared to expenses. So I made two types of graphs:
1 – Monthly spending vs. average monthly return/year
2 – Pie chart showing how much of my spending could’ve been covered by investment returns and hobby-job vs normal work income
Spending vs actual investment returns, 2011 and 2012:
In 2011 I had negative returns, so that doesn’t look so hot. 2012 I had a little bit but basically only enough to cover inflation (maybe what I should try to show for the red lines in these is return minus inflation)
Spending vs. actual investment returns, 2012:
And the spending source pie chart.. This first one shows my net spending only (~$13k):
This one uses my gross spending (~$16k), and thus shows sales as a source of money
Ok, that’s it. 2013 goals coming up next. And then infinity!
2012 SUMMARY
------------------------------------------------------------
1 – Many numbers are rounded for simplicity.
2 – I hope you like charts, and long posts. (click the charts for links to larger versions)
------------------------------------
INCOME
------------------------------------
(small error on this chart – work income is low)
TOTAL INCOME: $71k
Work paychecks: $50k
401 Contribution: $20k
Side Income: $1k (Look Ramit !
------------------------------------
SPENDING
------------------------------------
TOTAL SPENDING: $13,200
Home expenses: $6,800
Food: $3,700
Entertainment: $1,200
Transportation: $900
Vacations: $700
---------------------------------------------------------
MORE SPENDING DETAILS
--------------------------------------------------------
HOME:
$6,000 - Rent (includes all utilities except electric)
$300 - Electricity
$500 - Other home expenses
FOOD:
I didn’t track details.
ENTERTAINMENT:
Spent $4,700 but sold stuff for $3,500, so $1,200 total.
$1,900 - High-end gaming computer, a very nice monitor (27” IPS), mechanical keyboard (a joy to type on), Photoshop elements, Office, and a gaming headset
$650 - Gym membership, 2 years
$400 – Hiking gear (backpack, sleeping bag, pants, numerous small items)
$270 – Nexus 7 Tablet and a very nice case
$250 – Internet service (DSL)
$165 – Cell phone, 2 months (got one from work for the rest)
$100 – Four video games
$50 – TV / Movies
$35 – Booze
$900 – Other – Little things that added up I think.
The only thing I regret buying was the games. I didn't use them much. The computer I really didn't need, but it should last me quite a while. I haven't used the hiking gear much yet, but I think I will.
Things I sold:
$1,600 – Bicycle (have 2 now)
$800 – Old computer
$750 – Camera lens
TRANSPORTATION:
$400 – Gas
$358 – Insurance & Registration
$117 – Maintenance
TRAVEL:
$270 – 2,000 mile trip – to visit family
$250 – 1,000 mile trip – to visit family
$150 – 1,000 mile trip – to visit family (and football ticket)
--------------------------------------------------------
SAVINGS RATE
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SAVED: $58k
Post-tax savings: $38k
401k Contribution: $20k
SAVINGS RATE: 81% (71k income, 58k saved)
My savings goal for the year was 75%, and I’m very happy with the 81%. I thought I was at 84% before but I think I forgot to document some income. I’ve found that when I screw up my number entry it can become pretty hard to correct it and then be confident about the numbers.
---------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING
--------------------------------------------------------
My investment gains were $3,000. I screwed up the numbers and then had a hell of a time getting them right. I set up a manual calculation table but I didn’t update it after a portfolio rebalancing, so it was tough figuring out what was what. This year I’m going to improve how I track my investment returns
So my returns were not very good compared to the standard PP. My average investment worth was around $140,000 (the rest is in other places and forms). So $3k / $138k is NOT VERY GOOD!!
Some of this is because I had a bunch in PRPFX and that didn’t do so hot (4% for the year). Some is probably due to my rebalancing timing. I don’t know exactly… I’ll set up better calculation (and some charts!) this year.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NET WORTH GROWTH / ERE PROGRESS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Net Worth
Net Worth in years of spending
SWR Needed
Net worth growth vs. plan
Need a better ROI to keep up with this plan!!
As I make progress building capital and approach my imaginary (no, Calculated!)retirement date, I wonder about actual investment returns compared to expenses. So I made two types of graphs:
1 – Monthly spending vs. average monthly return/year
2 – Pie chart showing how much of my spending could’ve been covered by investment returns and hobby-job vs normal work income
Spending vs actual investment returns, 2011 and 2012:
In 2011 I had negative returns, so that doesn’t look so hot. 2012 I had a little bit but basically only enough to cover inflation (maybe what I should try to show for the red lines in these is return minus inflation)
Spending vs. actual investment returns, 2012:
And the spending source pie chart.. This first one shows my net spending only (~$13k):
This one uses my gross spending (~$16k), and thus shows sales as a source of money
Ok, that’s it. 2013 goals coming up next. And then infinity!
------------------------------------
JANUARY 2013
------------------------------------
SPENDING: $771
Home – Rent - $500
Home – Renter’s insurance - $110 (year)
Home – Electricity - $16
Food – Groceries - $91
Food – Other - $44
Entertainment: $3
Transp – Gas - $37
Transp – Insurance (6mo) - $140
Sales – ($128)
If I was averaging the insurance out over all months my spending would’ve been $550, or $680 if I don’t subtract the sales. That’s probably the lowest I’ve spent in a month since college.
I want to reduce my food spending this year. I’m going to track it in more detail – by separating grocery spending and non-grocery (fast food, restaurant, vending machine, etc.). My food spending dropped big time but some of this was just from inventory draw-down at home.
--------------------------
- Extra income: $73 (shirt sales, gift $)
- Savings Rate: 80%
I think I’ll stop showing my normal work income. It’s the same every month.
Net worth is $207k. It went up over $10k. I saved $3,900. My work pension value goes up once a year in January – this year $4,500. Price increases moved it up another $2,400.
This month I’ve been working on getting rid of some more old stuff – mainly some old trading cards. These things take a lot of time to sell! So far I’ve inventoried them all, taken and processed pictures, and I’m almost ready to start posting on Ebay in lots. At times it feels like a PITA, but others not so bad. I kind of enjoy inventorying, categorizing, etc..
2013 goals/plans coming up next.
JANUARY 2013
------------------------------------
SPENDING: $771
Home – Rent - $500
Home – Renter’s insurance - $110 (year)
Home – Electricity - $16
Food – Groceries - $91
Food – Other - $44
Entertainment: $3
Transp – Gas - $37
Transp – Insurance (6mo) - $140
Sales – ($128)
If I was averaging the insurance out over all months my spending would’ve been $550, or $680 if I don’t subtract the sales. That’s probably the lowest I’ve spent in a month since college.
I want to reduce my food spending this year. I’m going to track it in more detail – by separating grocery spending and non-grocery (fast food, restaurant, vending machine, etc.). My food spending dropped big time but some of this was just from inventory draw-down at home.
--------------------------
- Extra income: $73 (shirt sales, gift $)
- Savings Rate: 80%
I think I’ll stop showing my normal work income. It’s the same every month.
Net worth is $207k. It went up over $10k. I saved $3,900. My work pension value goes up once a year in January – this year $4,500. Price increases moved it up another $2,400.
This month I’ve been working on getting rid of some more old stuff – mainly some old trading cards. These things take a lot of time to sell! So far I’ve inventoried them all, taken and processed pictures, and I’m almost ready to start posting on Ebay in lots. At times it feels like a PITA, but others not so bad. I kind of enjoy inventorying, categorizing, etc..
2013 goals/plans coming up next.
------------------------------------------------
2013 GOALS / PLANS
------------------------------------------------
---------------
FINANCE
---------------
Spend $13,000 or less. Save $60k
Spend < $3,000 on food. Stretch goal $2,500
Reduce home cost? Options:
Move to studio in same building?
Move to apartment/rented home with roommate(s)
Buy & renovate a cheap house (+roommates?)
Home and food were my two biggest spending categories in 2012 by far, so I’d like to reduce them. The food I definitely will. I’m not sure if I’ll make any changes to the home costs, but it would be nice.
Those are really the only areas (I want) to cut. Entertainment was low because I sold a significant amount of things last year. I won’t sell as much this year so entertainment might go up. I’ve been counting the income-type money I make from hobbies as income, and not as reduction of entertainment spending.. If I did remove those $ from entertainment spending I would’ve been right at zero for 2012. I could definitely make more from shirt sales this year.
---------------
SKILLS:
---------------
Get better at tracking investments
Get better at gardening
Home renovation skills?
Get better at image editing software
Get good at lucid dreaming
Further home 5S / Minimalism / Optimization
I’ve never really been able to have lucid dreams thus far. I tried a little bit back in college and I was getting close, so I think I’ll work on it again. I spend a lot of time dreaming and what I dream about has an impact on my overall mood. So I might as well have better dreams. If anyone has advice or book/blog recommendations, I’m all ears.
---------------
WORK
---------------
Get along better with boss & coworkers
Get better at politics (or avoiding them)
I’m already very good at the technical and organizational parts of my job. Improving my relationships with people will increase my own effectiveness and also make work more enjoyable.
---------------
FITNESS
---------------
Deadlift 250# x 10+
Stay in good cardiovascular shape
Get bodyfat low in summer, keep fairly low next winter
Heat healthier. Cut junk food to nearly zero
---------------
SOCIAL
---------------
Make more local friends
2013 GOALS / PLANS
------------------------------------------------
---------------
FINANCE
---------------
Spend $13,000 or less. Save $60k
Spend < $3,000 on food. Stretch goal $2,500
Reduce home cost? Options:
Move to studio in same building?
Move to apartment/rented home with roommate(s)
Buy & renovate a cheap house (+roommates?)
Home and food were my two biggest spending categories in 2012 by far, so I’d like to reduce them. The food I definitely will. I’m not sure if I’ll make any changes to the home costs, but it would be nice.
Those are really the only areas (I want) to cut. Entertainment was low because I sold a significant amount of things last year. I won’t sell as much this year so entertainment might go up. I’ve been counting the income-type money I make from hobbies as income, and not as reduction of entertainment spending.. If I did remove those $ from entertainment spending I would’ve been right at zero for 2012. I could definitely make more from shirt sales this year.
---------------
SKILLS:
---------------
Get better at tracking investments
Get better at gardening
Home renovation skills?
Get better at image editing software
Get good at lucid dreaming
Further home 5S / Minimalism / Optimization
I’ve never really been able to have lucid dreams thus far. I tried a little bit back in college and I was getting close, so I think I’ll work on it again. I spend a lot of time dreaming and what I dream about has an impact on my overall mood. So I might as well have better dreams. If anyone has advice or book/blog recommendations, I’m all ears.
---------------
WORK
---------------
Get along better with boss & coworkers
Get better at politics (or avoiding them)
I’m already very good at the technical and organizational parts of my job. Improving my relationships with people will increase my own effectiveness and also make work more enjoyable.
---------------
FITNESS
---------------
Deadlift 250# x 10+
Stay in good cardiovascular shape
Get bodyfat low in summer, keep fairly low next winter
Heat healthier. Cut junk food to nearly zero
---------------
SOCIAL
---------------
Make more local friends
Good stuff C40! I think that the buy + renovate + get roommate is a good idea. Even if you spend 100K on a house, between saving around 4,500 a year (I took off 25% as I assume you'd have to pay taxes, HOA, etc.) and getting, say, 3,600 a year of rent (for this sum I'm pretty sure you will have your pick of quiet, nice people), you'd make 8% + any capital gains would be shielded after 2 years + its great diversification if you are a PP guy + it would mean being very close to FI 
If you are looking to buy and renovate, I'd call up MikeBOS and ask him to come over and help out with the renovations (perhaps even by agreeing to give him the rental money for a period of time ...
Just my thoughts, but I'm glad you are writing down your goals.
If you are looking to buy and renovate, I'd call up MikeBOS and ask him to come over and help out with the renovations (perhaps even by agreeing to give him the rental money for a period of time ...
Just my thoughts, but I'm glad you are writing down your goals.
-
jennypenny
- Posts: 6858
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2011 2:20 pm
I thought of you when I saw this house. It's a nice version of a Tumbleweed Whidbey (2bd, under 900 sf).
http://www.athomearkansas.com/article/l ... ittle-rock
http://www.athomearkansas.com/article/l ... ittle-rock
GPMagnus - yeah I'm still thinking about doing that. I might end up waiting until after I retire to really get into something with a lot of work. But I've also been keeping my eye open. A band-owned house in town had another price drop - from $45k down to $35k. It's a pretty nice house for that money so I was going to look at it, but I waited too long and someone else is buying it.
Jenny - thanks. Yeah 900 sq feet sounds just about perfect (plus maybe a little garage/shop/gym out back.)
Jenny - thanks. Yeah 900 sq feet sounds just about perfect (plus maybe a little garage/shop/gym out back.)
------------------------------------
FEBRUARY 2013
------------------------------------
SPENDING: $747
Home – $550
Food – Groceries - $218
Food – non grocery - $14
Entertainment: $139
New boots - $123
Transportation - $44
Sales – ($341)
Finally bought a Marcus Aurelius Denarius on ebay. I’ve been thinking about getting one for quite a while now. I think it’s pretty cool.
I sold my bicycle trainer, some PS3 games, and a book or two.
------------ CHARTS --------------
------ EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE --------
I’ve worn through my boot soles and can’t find anyone local who will re-sole them. I can send them to Red Wing but I don’t have another pair to wear in the meantime, so I bought a second pair. I bought my last pair at a small local shoe store ran by a nice little old lady. She didn’t have the styles there that I wanted to try on, but she showed me her price list. I went to the Red Wing store. Price $205. Got them for $170.
At the Red Wing store, I was surprised there by how many of the customers were not coming in to buy new shoes but rather to drop off their 5 to 10 year old shoes to get re-soled. At this store (and I assume all Red Wing store?) you could bring any Red Wings you own into the store and they will give you free laces, clean, condition, and polish the boots, and repair any type of problem for free other than worn out soles.
The old shoes are with them here. This was right after oiling them so they look all shiny.
FEBRUARY 2013
------------------------------------
SPENDING: $747
Home – $550
Food – Groceries - $218
Food – non grocery - $14
Entertainment: $139
New boots - $123
Transportation - $44
Sales – ($341)
Finally bought a Marcus Aurelius Denarius on ebay. I’ve been thinking about getting one for quite a while now. I think it’s pretty cool.
I sold my bicycle trainer, some PS3 games, and a book or two.
------------ CHARTS --------------
------ EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE --------
I’ve worn through my boot soles and can’t find anyone local who will re-sole them. I can send them to Red Wing but I don’t have another pair to wear in the meantime, so I bought a second pair. I bought my last pair at a small local shoe store ran by a nice little old lady. She didn’t have the styles there that I wanted to try on, but she showed me her price list. I went to the Red Wing store. Price $205. Got them for $170.
At the Red Wing store, I was surprised there by how many of the customers were not coming in to buy new shoes but rather to drop off their 5 to 10 year old shoes to get re-soled. At this store (and I assume all Red Wing store?) you could bring any Red Wings you own into the store and they will give you free laces, clean, condition, and polish the boots, and repair any type of problem for free other than worn out soles.
The old shoes are with them here. This was right after oiling them so they look all shiny.
Yeah.. I called one place and they said they would just send them to Red Wing for me.
Went to another and I met what is probably the most incompetent or unmotivated business owner I've ever met so far. Our conversation went as follows:
I go into his shop, which is a small, dedicated shoe repair business. I showed him the boots and asked if he can resole them. (I know this style can be resoled). He looked at them for a while and couldn't really say whether he could or not. He wouldn't exactly say no, but he inspired zero confidence about being able to actually do it.
He spent much of our conversation complaining about how all the shoes are made in China now (although the ones I brought him were made in the US)
I asked him what brand or type of boots I should buy that I could bring to him (or cobblers in general) to have re-soled. He couldn't give me a single recommendation. All he could say was to get some that have obvious multiple layers in the soles. When I asked (again) if there are a certain brand or place to go to get good shoes like this, he would just mumble or something and couldn't answer at all.
I found a cobbler that hates shoes.
Went to another and I met what is probably the most incompetent or unmotivated business owner I've ever met so far. Our conversation went as follows:
I go into his shop, which is a small, dedicated shoe repair business. I showed him the boots and asked if he can resole them. (I know this style can be resoled). He looked at them for a while and couldn't really say whether he could or not. He wouldn't exactly say no, but he inspired zero confidence about being able to actually do it.
He spent much of our conversation complaining about how all the shoes are made in China now (although the ones I brought him were made in the US)
I asked him what brand or type of boots I should buy that I could bring to him (or cobblers in general) to have re-soled. He couldn't give me a single recommendation. All he could say was to get some that have obvious multiple layers in the soles. When I asked (again) if there are a certain brand or place to go to get good shoes like this, he would just mumble or something and couldn't answer at all.
I found a cobbler that hates shoes.
Oh and the Denarius - I didn't spend a whole lot and I'm not too worried. I didn't buy it as an investment, just as something that I'd like to have around.
It's one of this style:
http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/5494.php
http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/roman/id/maur/aurel137.jpg
I suppose if I wanted I could check the weight and volume to compare to what the metal content should be... but I don't really care enough to get precise enough.
It's one of this style:
http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/5494.php
http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/roman/id/maur/aurel137.jpg
I suppose if I wanted I could check the weight and volume to compare to what the metal content should be... but I don't really care enough to get precise enough.
