Milestone

I have reached my $100,000 milestone between checking, savings and retirement accounts! I do not have any matching by the government, windfalls or a pot of money from deployments. I am grateful to the most highest.

GI Jane

I like late fees

Finally received my rent for Oct! The tenant went out of town to Thailand for two weeks. His brother was supposed to pay on his behalf, but he left for Dallas. My property manager collected $100 in fees and deposited the rent in my account today. I have my payment set up for automatic payments on the 10th, before it goes late. The tenant is usually on time. But it is nice to have some compensation for the inconvenience.

GI Jane

Oct madness

I just finished hosting a high- level distinguished visitor.  We went to the DMZ (again) and three other bases in four days.  I have one more big event in a couple of weeks, that really needs more working.  Before that, I get the pleasure of taking my physical training test tomorrow.  I haven’t even been on the track where the test will happen. 

I didn’t receive Oct rent yet.  The tenant went out of town to Thailand and his brother did not manage to pay it on his behalf.  Thank heavens for a very healthy size checking account.  I won’t get it until 14 Oct–hopefully my property manager will collect some late fees.  If he doesn’t I guess it will be OK, the tenant has been in the house for years.

I still have to coordinate on my trip to Hawaii in November.  It is so nice to have an office budget!  I plan on taking one of the Korean nationals with me.  I actually have to do a presentation…never done that at a conference before.

Next month, my pay should increase $300 due to  extending a year here in Korea.  One year is too short to really make any changes and learn my job.  Plus, I love my apartment–the quality of life exceeded my expectations.  The country is gorgeous–70% mountainous and so many cool places yet to be discovered.

GI Jane

Oct networth

TSP    $42,741.49

Checking $9,261.29

Roth  $38,396.41

ING  $3754.20

Total:  $94,153.39

The total is after accounting for shopping/gifts/expenses:

Bought some cool Cole Han boots from Bluefly for $253.94–hopefully they will be able to ship it overseas (for some reason I have had a hard time buying boots online).

Updated my wardrobe from my favorite store–Anthropologie to the tune of $721.85

Decided to buy a dolly from Sears (37.49), so I can haul boxes with ease.  They box up everything here when you go shopping, so you can ship it easily back home.  It’s awesome, you do not have to buy boxes and put it together at home.

 Needed some products to battle my annoying facial ingrown hairs from Folica ($66.95).  Hope it works.

Phone bill from LGDacom for $99.61.  It will be $15 lower next month.

Brother’s birthday gift: $300

Flood insurance: $277

GI Jane

Some randomness

I finally cashed out my $553 worth of I-bonds since it isn’t earning any interest.  I wanted to consolidate everything anyway. 

Had to repay $774.58 in overpayment by the government.  When I inquired why this happened, the clerk was wondering if I needed a payment plan?  What!?  No, my dear–I just need to understand what is going on. 

Sent a robe/blanket to my little brother along with $300 for his birthday.  He is working two jobs:  at a stadium and in a warehouse.  I didn’t want to emasculate him by sending $$ throughout the year.  It’s been a good year for him.  I sent him my 2 year old laptop.  I went in half for his trip to China/Japan.  And now birthday gifts worth $400.  I wish I had a big brother like me.  I can appreciate adversity, though.  It builds character.

The Dow finished at 9800…yeah.  Looking back at my posts, I was upset when it slipped to 12000.  You have to have a strong stomach.  Kinda regret moving $15k to bonds, however, now I am buying mutual funds on sale at 9800.

I am going to Hawaii in November for a conference.  Never been to Hawaii, so I want to take some leave in conjunction.  I have been wanting to go for the longest…woohoo!  Plus, I am heading home in December with a free ticket from the government. 

God is good!

GI Jane

September Net Worth update

TSP: $40,944.05

Roth: $37,109.19

ING: $1,951.93

Checking: $10,406.10

I-Bonds: $533.10

Grand total: $90,944.37

Savings plan on track

I now have about $1900 in my ing accounts.  The TSP is still going on strong.  Not as exciting as trying to knock out debt–but rather have it this way than being leveraged.  It is kinda like watching grass grow or trying to grow out my hair.  Of note, I did travel to the DMZ two days ago with some friends.  It was a very interactive tour.  We even got a chance to walk through DMZ tunnel #3.  As a history major and being currently stationed here, the trip really gave me a deep appreciation of the trials and tribulations Korean people  went through.  My friends visiting from Japan also said it put everything in context for them when they hear about Korea while living there. 

The tour was only $33–I would have paid more.

GI Jane

New purchases

I finally bought a step tansu.  I have been wanting one for a couple of years.  So glad I waited!  It was originally listed for $1450 and haggled him down to $850.  The antique cabinet was $400 and end table $240.  All I need is one or two small pieces and I am set.

GI Jane

Networth update

Roth IRA: $36,367

Thrift Savings Plan:  $38,785

I-Bonds: $530

Checking:  $9724

Total: $85,406

*I do not include equity from my rental or paid off cars.

I also created an Emergency Fund in ING with a monthly $500 automatic withdrawal.  I cannot wait to see my total reach $100,000. 

GI Jane

Gird your loins

 My vice commander said to the staff, “gird your loins,” and he was not kidding.  Several hours ago, my counterpart told me that someone leaked information we were planning on releasing in a couple of day to the press today.  Since I do not have a Blackberry, I had to drive into work to email my boss.  I was afraid of a leak–but do not want it to force my hand hastily…we will see what the big boss says.

On another note, I discovered in the zone promotion board meets in March.  That freaked me out a little bit; I was expecting it to be in June.  I have done all I can do apart from doing a good job here, since just arriving two weeks ago.  I asked my last boss to try a get me a stratification in my report.  I had been stratified in Japan, but not in my reports (sideway glance).  I need it in my reports, gosh darnnit.  It closes out in late August, so I get to see what the higher powers may be soon.  He actually balked saying that I have been stratified enough.  Ain’t that a bitch? Thankfully, or I would be up a creek right about now.  At least I asked the question…you can’t be too timid in seeking things that can make you competitive, especially with my board right around the corner.  I have had friends and met people who were passed over.  Not fun.  So, next summer will be full of suspense–I think I will be in good shape regardless, just can’t take things for granted.  Inshallah.

Well, I am excited at fully restarting my retirement savings.  It is neat to see people’s networth in the blogosphere.  I want to be at or nearer to a networth of $100,000 (without counting my rental equity) by early 2010.  I am about $17,000 away from that now.  I have never had so much in my checking account without it being obligated out to payments in my life.  I am even inspired to teach Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace at the base church (0nce I start going .  I have read a lot of criticism about Ramsey about being a snake oil salesman.  His sales pitch did turn me off over the years of me listening to him every morning while getting ready for work.  But, when it was time to sell my house in the worst market we have ever seen in years, his teaching totally coached me through in deciding and getting rid of my house.  I am not carrying around envelopes or completely abandoned credit cards (not yet).  I pay my balances in full every few days.  However, the balances are getting smaller and smaller while I move to more of a cash only basis.  Cash is king, baby!  I love a quote that I heard from him today on my podcast while he read a letter that said, (as I paraphrase) “I don’t feel the recession, I want to empty my emergency fund, finance a car and run up my credit cards… (Dave injected) don’t be part of the herd, be a lone wolf–live like no one else, so you can live like no one else.”  Amen, brother.

GI Jane