Latestart's Personal Finance Blog

Celebrated a birthday on August 12. Just plugging along. Slowly lowering debt and building up retirement.

So far things have been going well.

Debt is coming down slowly. Retirement savings going up slowly.

I have been working on losing weight. Down about 15 pounds since beginning of year. This has been from a combination of increasing exercise and healthier eating.

Not much going on. Survived the polar vortex at end of January. My work closed for a couple of days so no need to go out. This weather has been a bit different here this winter. Warmer than normal one day and colder than normal the next.

Wins for 2018
1. Hit stretch goal for debt payoff
2. Hit step goal for the year

Losses for 2018
1. Did not lose any weight
2. Emergency fund is dwindling from overspending.

Have a Happy New Year everyone.

Have not blogged in a few months. Have not had anything to say. Keeping up with bills. Debt is coming down very slowly.

I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a new to me vehicle. Old vehicle need a new oil pan and had over 160,000 miles. I was terrified it was going to became a money pit.

While I do not blog often I do read.

Thought I would bring you up to date.

In October I had a small medical procedure Everything turned out okay however I maxed out my deductible and had to divert funds to my Health Savings Account.

Life changed a bit in November. My df suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. He was hospitalized for 4 weeks and 1 day. He is doing well.

Thankfully finances are on auto pilot.

I am still working on bringing down debt. At the end of March total debt is 77472.02. Just mortgage and Helco.

I am funding a car repair/replacement fund. There is a little over 2000.00 saved.

Well that is all for now.

These were the goals I have for the year.

1. Loose weight.
2. Walk at least 3.5 millions step.
3. Reduce debt by $3200

How am I doing.

1. Not good actually gone up a bit
2. A bit ahead of pace.
3. On the correct pace.

I am still saving 4& towards retirement. I know I am behind. I really want to pay my debt down. In the past month I increased debt payoff by 31.00 dollars. I know this is not a lot but it is a start.

I am finding it difficult to blog. I feel I live a boring life. During the week go to work and attempt to get in steps. Weekends are time to relax and recharge.

There are several things I want to accomplish this year.

1. Loose weight.
2. Walk at least 3.5 millions step.
3. Reduce debt by $3200

I would love to increase my retirement savings. In 2010 I was contributing 10%. Then the company I was for closed. I was out of work for 5 1/2 months. I had been an office manager at a car dealership. I was out of work for 5 1/2 months. I am now a payroll manager at small liberal arts college. I took about a 15% pay cut. We are on the second year without raises. I actually debated lowering the % however plan on leaving it at 4%.

Once I have my car paid off I plan on saving the payment for future car repairs/replacement.

My mortgage rate is 5.125%. Helco is 2.99 variable.

I currently have 81,702 in debt. 75% is my mortgage. 24% is a Helco and 1% is my car loan.

I have a little over 100,000 in retirement. I currently contribute 4% with a 2% match.

I am in my mid 50's.

I have been reading the blogs for many years. Thought it might be time to start my own blog. I am in my mid 50's and most of the time feel like I am way behind on retirement savings.