Tag: MLbalance

1st Week of 2015 Check in

I’m feeling better already and it’s nice to get all of the bad food out of the house. My only treat I have is dark chocolate covered pretzel nibs which I have ½ serving as an evening snack. 

I’m trying to only have alcohol 1x a week or less and I don’t think it should be too hard. It’s helpful that T isn’t really a drinker and neither is my roommate so it’s very rare when I randomly drink weekday alcohol. I only had 2 beers this weekend and they were needed because it to 2 hours to go from Alexandria to U Street (long story that had me near meltdown). 

I’ve cooked a lot this week (but that’s pretty common for me) and I’ve been drinking water like whoa. 

I’m on track with my Body Pump workout calendar and I’m plotting out starting a ½ marathon training in Feb. I got a new Garmin for Christmas and due to the poppy weather I haven’t been able to try her out yet! I’m going to make it happen this week, even if it’s just 2 freezing miles! 

My finances are in pretty good shape and I have plans to get a new phone this week! 

How to be the most productive person in your office — and still get home by 5:30 p.m.

How to be the most productive person in your office — and still get home by 5:30 p.m.

Rule number one: To-do lists are evil. Schedule everything.

Dear Self,

I have 3 hours of work left in 2014, but I am going to post this now so I can look at it in 2015 and hopefully follow it’s sage advice! 

Love, Self

Fit Finances

I have never been great at managing my finances, although I’ve gotten much better over the last 3 years or so (coincidently soon after I was successful at shedding 40+ lbs).

However credit card debt, car loans, and school loans all weighed heavily on my shoulders and have in the past made me feel like I’m never going to get out from under it. However I’m pleased to report after looking closely at all my debt yesterday (a usual pre-New Year tradition) this is where I stand: 

  • I have $200 left on my credit card – which I plan to pay off before Jan 1. I’ve been out of CC debt a few times and thankfully I’m good now about only using it for emergencies (usually of the dog or car variety).  
  • I have ~$4,000 left on my car loan which I think can be paid off before the end of 2015
  • and in amazing news I have like ~$7,600 left in school loans which I think I can realistically be rid of in 3 years (back in 2005 I locked in a super low interest rate so I’d rather get out from all my other debt before I aggressively chop down my school debt). 

Consider this a sort of WEIGH IN for me 😛

Finding balance and the switch up

This morning was day 22 of the bodypump/hybrid workout. Like I’ve said before I am really enjoying the change up in work outs. 

Friday I worked out before I left for my reunion weekend and Sunday evening I even worked out when I got home.

I squeezed in a workout yesterday before a date and I worked out this morning before work because of a date I have this evening. 

I’m juggling 2 guys right now, both very early into things (2 dates and 3 dates). I’m very intrigued…

Budget Control

I just downloaded a 34 day trial of YNAB (You Need A Budget) which I’ve had bookmarked for YEARS. However with my teeeny raise taking effect today and my healthcare savings taking effect in July 1. I figure this is as good of a time as ever to GET CONTROL. 

I’m meeting with a TIAA-CREF rep next week to talk about my Alabama retirement money. Making moves. 

Life is a Number$ Game

As of July 1 my finances should be in better shape. I officially changed my health plan and following a biometric screening scheduled for this week and a quick health assessment survey I will save $66 a month on health insurance. Couple that with the fact that I am not re-enrolling in a flexible spending account so that is $24 a month more I’ll get back. 

Add those numbers to my raise that finally will hit starting this next pay period and I’ll be looking at $372 more a month pre-tax. 

I’m still thinking about my defunct retirement funds. I’m still leaning towards taking some of the $ and then rolling the rest of it into a new IRA. Hoping to get in a few dental consults in the next few weeks. My goal is to have a decision by July 1. 

Money Decisions

HALP! Okay not really, but opinions wanted.

As I posted last week I’m putting my big girl panties on and taking time to look at my health care options, FSA options, retirement etc. 

I’m switching to the “health aware” plan since I only go to docs for wellness visits. I’m also not re-enrolling in my FSA account since I barely touched it and now have to spend $300 bucks on random things. 

Well my current retirement stuff is in a 403b and the like. I have 3 different things rolling and in the 2 years I’ve been hear I’ve been socking away a good bit (especially with employers contributions and cash match). 

My previous job that I was at for 4 years was part of a state pension system, but you weren’t vested until 7 years of service. So when I left 2 years ago my money is basically sitting in that retirement account doing nothing and I haven’t had the energy to think about it.

I finally got around to looking at options this week –  I can roll into a 103b type account with my current “trustee” TIAA-CREF without a tax penalty. I can also roll a % of it to TIAA-CREF without a tax penalty, but any money I would get would be taxed at 20%. I also could take it lump sum and be taxed 20%. To not talk numbers per say the money in this old retirement account is less than half of what I have in my current retirement plan. I essentially have double the money in ½ the time and it’s only growing.

I am thinking about rolling 50% of the pension money into a TIAA-CREF account and cashing out the other 50% with the tax hit in order to buy veneers. I’ve wanted veneers since FOREVER. It’s upsetting that I have all these heath care options, yet the one thing I really want to get taken care are my teeth. But since it’s cosmetic regardless of the insurance I have it won’t matter. THEN there is part of me that’s like if I’m going to get hit with the tax penalty I might as well make it worth it and take it all lump sum and get veneers, pay off a big chuck of car debt, etc. 

I really need a financial advisor, but I don’t have one. I have tumblr. So advise.

I saw both of these on a friend’s blog and had to share. I love productive Sundays. It’s a great Sunday when I get enough sleep, go to church, get a good run in, go grocery shopping, do some meal prep and relax.

This week at work the students at my University are on Spring Break so that means I don’t have 10,000 meetings and can get stuff done. If I use this week right then I’ll set myself up well for the next few weeks. FOCUS!