Latestart's Personal Finance Blog

Not my best month. September is always stressful at work. This year was right on target. The new HR director and I are just not getting along. Since I process payroll this is not good. Well new month tomorrow hope to find a new attitude.

Debt is going down slowly but it is going down. Well not much else to say.

I promised that i would blog at least once a month.

Nothing really new.

Work is stressful I am still able to go into the office where I more productive.

Only making a little over the minimum payments on debt as I am trying conserve cash.

It feels like fall outside today which is pleasant change.

Not much going on. Still plugging along. Work has been stressful. There is so much uncertainty due to Covid. A new HR Director started about a month ago.She is struggling to get up to speed. I process payroll so things have not been as smooth as it could be.

Still making minimum payments on debt. Trying to conserve cash.

I have to start looking at the positive side of things.

I am still employed.


Had major plumbing issues this past month. My DF covered most of the the cost.

I am currently going into the office 4 days a week so that makes me happy.


Not much more to say.

Had a medical procedure at the beginning of the month. Results were not exactly what I wanted but could have been worse.

Set up a spot to work at in basement. So it is getting a little better. I also go into the office about 2 days a week.

Debt is going down slowly.

Still working form home. Still not liking working from home. Since I really do not have a desk, I am working my kitchen table. When I work at the office I felt cut off from people since I work in my own office. Now I really feel cut off. I also feel I am not as productive working form home.

Since there is so much uncertainty, I put my stimulus money into my savings account. My planned vacation was cancelled.

Still plugging along.

Working from home.
I do not miss my commute however I really do not like working from home.

I am not sending extra to my debt for the foreseeable future. I am trying to conserve cash in the event of a job loss.

Stay well everyone.

One of my goals this year was to blog at least once a month. Today is the last day of the month so I need to post an update.

Hitting daily step goals this year so far.
Have not really lost any weight.
Debt is not going down as fast as I would like.

In June of 2010 the company I lost my job due to the company closing. I started at my present job in December of 2010. Took a 10 % pay cut but I was employed with good health insurance. I like my job unfortunately there have been no raises since January 2015. On the plus side the employee contribution to the health insurance has increased much over the last few years.
On 1/1/2011 I had 97,382.42 in debt. This was mortgage, credit card and home equity. Today this debt is down to 70,911.37. I no longer have a credit card balance. In April of 2018 I took out a new loan for my new to me vehicle in the amount of 12161.00. I now owe 8737.69.

I have always been behind in my retirement savings. I do not have exact numbers for what my balance was in 2010. I want to say it was around 60000.00. Today I have a total of about 145000.00.

While I do not blog often I do read.

Wins in 2019
1. Exceed step goal.
2. Lost around 15 pounds

Loss in 2019
1. Did not pay down as much debt as I would like.
2. Did not get rid of enough clutter,

Goals for 2020
1. 4 million steps. (Have over 4.3 million steps in 2019.) Stretch goal of 4.5 million steps.
2. Pay down at least 4000.00 of debt. Note my debt consists of car and mortgage. Credit Card is paid off monthly.
3. Blog more often at least once a month.
4. Lose another 10 pounds.

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.