tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post7330550627309411706..comments2024-03-17T04:14:05.997-05:00Comments on Sam, Coffee, Money, & Thyme: How Much Do I Need?SAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-89765262753543543392016-02-11T07:44:54.725-06:002016-02-11T07:44:54.725-06:00I hear you on the house renovations. We have a lon...I hear you on the house renovations. We have a long list of projects-necessities for past damage, and wear and tear, bu they are all pricey like bathrooms and driveways and decks. We've not had the added school expenses until college, and am fortunate that we live in one of the top school districts in the state, so all my kids have had excellent educations without tuition. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-17221033259435348762016-02-11T07:41:51.666-06:002016-02-11T07:41:51.666-06:00I think I will feel that way as well. I though wan...I think I will feel that way as well. I though wan tot provide my daughter the opportunities we were able to provide the older, so I think focus on her high school and college years, and then setting a reduced age target will be my best option.It might mean our traveling is more hostel than hotel, backpacks rather than bell hops-I'm cool with that! SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-56246815241621028092016-02-11T03:38:48.874-06:002016-02-11T03:38:48.874-06:00A great question. I often underuse products and th...A great question. I often underuse products and things come out OK.<br />We are saving money this year with me homeschooling, after the kids were at private school.<br />So early retirement may be an option if we want it.<br />Just have to renovate the house first...holes in the roof is the next target! Quite important :-)<br />Xo Jazzy Jack Jazzy Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09082508866581606775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-4145423411693983152016-02-11T02:20:38.590-06:002016-02-11T02:20:38.590-06:00We don't have a mortgage anymore which is a ma...We don't have a mortgage anymore which is a massive help but as I only get a small pension from working and won't get a state pension until I'm 67 (if then) I'm very mindful of our outgoings. There were certain expensive unnecessary behaviours of mine which I have now curtailed so to be honest I have not missed my salary. I do still help my kids if they need it but I can honestly say it's been the best decision scary at first when work has been such a big part of life but worth every reduced penny. Wendy @ The contented Cavernhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12997397522566070661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-86037379666235479802016-02-10T16:35:06.160-06:002016-02-10T16:35:06.160-06:00It's those darn expensive kids. I think if it...It's those darn expensive kids. I think if it was just me, or just the two of us, we would have much different income needs, and would be living the vagabond life I imagine having in my retirement with a tiny little home base, but the world for living our lives. That is why I enjoy your blog so much-the fashion is great, but the spirit of living life on your terms is so appealing. We also have the health insurance conundrum-for a basic policy for the two of us will be 10's of thousands a year, so we would have to plan for that as well if we retire early.SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-62281397401517945152016-02-10T16:21:16.121-06:002016-02-10T16:21:16.121-06:0010 years ago when I decided to quit full-time empl...10 years ago when I decided to quit full-time employment and work for myself I had to reconsider everything, cut back, buy less and make it last longer and question every outgoing. It certainly sounds like you're on a right track and paying off the mortgage is a massive help. xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-10316742817476165482016-02-10T11:50:57.003-06:002016-02-10T11:50:57.003-06:00About 13 years ago, we had intentions of relocatin...About 13 years ago, we had intentions of relocating to a bigger house in a nicer area. While we still would have been in affordable range based on the recommended mortgage guidelines, we had absolute sticker shock when we saw just the amount per month for taxes and insurance. We decided to put the amount of savings that was going to be on top of the sale of our current house-minus the remaining mortgage, into paying off our mortgage in full. That took another 18 months, but we have been mortgage free since 2006. Then it was kids one in college, then kid two, then the economy tanked, DH laid off, and we are so grateful we did not buy the new house. We got back on our feet within a year or so, but then have increased our retirement savings so I think it might be doable, unless we have another huge crash. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-14520139444837274442016-02-10T09:50:34.244-06:002016-02-10T09:50:34.244-06:00I often over eat and over everything. LOL I think ...I often over eat and over everything. LOL I think that we are creatures of habit and that is our biggest problem. I want to simplify everything but at times, I don't know where to start. Maybe food. <br />Den is 42 and I'm 44 so we have a long way to go. I don't have a job but I write everyday. I would love for my writing income to replace his and he would be able to retire early. The owner of the company that he works for is older and her nephews will get the company if anything happens to her. And that is where it gets scary. If they get rid of the company, my hubs will prob be out of a job. SO we try and pay for everything ASAP and not carry any debt but the mortgage which we are paying down rapidly. Sonya Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985227040902078422noreply@blogger.com