Star Wars Day was my last day of employment. In exchange for signing an electronic legal document waiving my right to sue for wrongful termination, I was given 3 months of salary in a lump sum. On my last day, I pedaled into work and returned a pair of laptops. I sat outside and drank … Continue reading May the 4th Be With You
Category: Uncategorized
The Internet Retirement Police
Long time no post. There are plenty of financial coals in the fire lately, I just haven't found the time to sit down and document them. I will eventually get around to posting our 2022 top expense categories and a 2022 tax summary once I finish our income tax returns. Tick tock. I have remained … Continue reading The Internet Retirement Police
Money Moves (Part 3)
I intended to write this post with parts 1 and 2 but baby #5 (or #3 depending on who's counting) arrived. Mom and baby are healthy. Mom and dad are sleep deprived. I made three retirement contribution changes recently. Two in one direction and a third in the opposite direction because I'm a walking contradiction. … Continue reading Money Moves (Part 3)
Money Moves (Part 2)
This is what happens to your nice cash flow graphs when you buy a new car. 6 months prior we had put $500 down on a 2023 Honda Odyssey minivan. There wasn't much for new cars on the dealer lot. We could've bought a used Odyssey for almost the same $43,000 (before taxes and fees) … Continue reading Money Moves (Part 2)
Money Moves (Part 1)
In early August, I opened a checking and savings account at SoFI. I also closed a checking and savings account to keep things account neutral. I fell for a $300 welcome bonus for moving my paycheck direct deposit and $25 referral bonus. SoFI checked most of the boxes I need from a bank: No fees2.50% … Continue reading Money Moves (Part 1)
Career Goals
It has been a rather hectic month in the Mr. & Mrs. Dress Pockets household from a work/life balance perspective. Recovering from Covid, my boss asked me to step up and take on a bunch of additional work for the sudden departure of a colleague. Meh. Ok. I guess. In exchange, I asked for a … Continue reading Career Goals
Inflation for the Win
While inflation in food, energy, and housing costs are kicking most people in the ass, there is one small inflation silver lining for super savers: the 2023 HSA/401k/IRA contribution limits are projected to increase by record amounts. Plan2022 limit2023 limitIncreaseHSA individual (self coverage only)$3,650$3,850+$200HSA family (2 or more covered)$7,300$7,750+$450401k/403b/457b employee contributions$20,500$22,500 *Projected*+$2,000IRA$6,000$6,500 *Projected*+$500*For reference see … Continue reading Inflation for the Win
Swing and a Miss
A few years back I opened custodial UTMA accounts for each of the children and made birthday and Christmas gift deposits. Mrs. Dress Pockets and I were dabbling with minimalism and buying plastic toys in excess didn't seem like something we wanted to endorse. For the older two children I stumbled across Stockpile which provides … Continue reading Swing and a Miss
Can you hear me now?
From the Motorola pager I had for no good reason in high school to the new iPhone *I needed* every year as a young adult, I've always had a soft spot in my heart (and checkbook) for wireless devices and services. Obsessing over new wireless technologies and coverage maps consumed untold hours of my time. … Continue reading Can you hear me now?
Amateur Spreadsheet Jockey
Here is a glimpse at the Google Sheets magic that drives the pie charts in the blog sidebar. At the end of each month, I update the account balances in a dozen cells. The pie charts are dynamically updated and exported with html snippets to the blog. About the only trick to remember is that … Continue reading Amateur Spreadsheet Jockey