About Me

Not So Mighty Merch

I know that where I am now is not where I want to be (in credit card debt and medical debt). I vaguely now where I want to be (running a small business (franchise or real estate), having more quality time with my family, and less stress or maybe different stress).

So, this is a journey from here to there. Wherever there is. Hence the title and my confusing ramblings.

I am embarrassed to say: I make more then I should and still live paycheck to paycheck, I am older and should be more mature, I am educated (MBA in Finance) and should know better, I have worked for investment houses and am unable to manage mine.

I think you get the general idea.

*********************************
Goals 2009
*********************************

3. Contribute $12,000 to Son 1 529
4. Contribute $6,000 to Son 2 529
5. Extra $36,000 to mortgage
7. Educate myself more on Real Estate
8. Educate myself more on foundations

DONE
1. Invest $16,500 in 401(k)
2. EF Fully Funded
. a. 1st Month - $5,000
. b. 2nd Month - $5,000
. c. 3rd Month - $5,000
6. Rebalance portfolio

ON HOLD
2. EF Fully Funded
. d. 4th Month - $5,000
. e. 5th Month - $5,000
. f. 6th Month - $5,000

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Emergency Fund and Mortgage
*********************************

1st Month - $5,000
01/31/2008 - $796 ($4,204 saved)
02/17/2008 - $0 ($5,000 saved)

2nd Month - $5,000
02/24/2008 - $3,881 ($1,119 saved)
03/31/2008 - $3,881 ($1,119 saved)
04/08/2008 - $0 ($5,000 saved)

3rd Month - $5,000
04/08/2008 - $0 ($5,000 saved)

4th Month - $5,000
5th Month - $5,000
6th Month - $5,000

Mortgage (4.5% interest rate)
01/31/2009 - $340,948 ($477 paid)
02/28/2009 - $340,469 ($479 paid)
03/31/2009 - $339,988 ($481 paid)
04/30/2009 - $339,504 ($484 paid)
05/31/2009 - $353,000 - Refinanced
06/30/2009 - $351,623 ($1,376 paid)
07/31/2009 - $350,241 ($1,382 paid)
08/31/2009 - $348,854 ($1,387 paid)
09/30/2009 - $347,462 ($1,392 paid)
10/31/2009 - $346,064 ($1,397 paid)

*********************************
Savings and Investing
*********************************

Invest $16,500 in 401 (k)
01/31/2009 - $2,529 invested
02/28/2009 - $4,550 invested
03/31/2009 - $6,411 invested
04/30/2009 - $8,273 invested
05/31/2009 - $10,600 invested
06/30/2009 - $12,461 invested
07/31/2009 - $14,788 invested
08/31/2009 - $16,500 invested

My Pages

Freedom - Oh Freedom!!!

December 19th, 2008 at 06:05 am

Mirror: People walkin' around everyday
Playin' games and takin' scores
Tryin' to make other people lose their minds
Well be careful you don't lose yours!

Me: Huh?!?

Mirror: Oh freedom (freedom)
freedom (freedom)
Oh freedom
Yeah freedom (yeah)

Oh freedom (freedom)
freedom (freedom) freedom
Oh freedom
Yeah freedom (yeah) freedom!!
Hey - think about it
You! think about it

Me: One more time!!!!!

Mirror: Oh freedom (freedom)
freedom (freedom)
Oh freedom
Yeah freedom (yeah)

Oh freedom (freedom)
freedom (freedom) freedom
Oh freedom
Yeah freedom (yeah) freedom!!
Hey - think about it
You! think about it

And with that, I am debt free except for my mortgage.

Source: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qE41YPdPuis or

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=J0y2dDlFmLg&feature=related

Posted in Goals | 18 Comments »

18 Responses to “Freedom - Oh Freedom!!!”

kdmoffett25 Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 06:12 am

Way to go!!!!
Broken Arrow Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 06:12 am

Alright! Congrats!
Caoineag Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 06:27 am

Congrats!
NJDebbie Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 06:32 am

I looked at your sidebar and I think you did a magnificent job at slashing your debt. Congratulations, you are an inspiration. I wouldn't be surprised if you paid off your mortgage soon.
creditcardfree Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 06:53 am

Wheee!!! That is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your journey with all of us. You had set backs, but still stayed the course. Admirable and inspirational all rolled into one!!
Petunia Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 07:10 am

Congratulations! What a great accomplishment!
monkeymama Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 07:14 am

That is quite awesome! Congrats!

With all you have been paying down, think of what you can do to your savings now. !!
scfr Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 07:36 am

Ahhhhh!!!!! Way to go Merch! Awesome job!
Aleta Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 07:37 am

Congratulation! What a way to start the New Year. Makes goals a whole lot more assessible now with freed up money.
Ima saver Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 07:54 am

good for you!!
North Georgia Gal Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 08:25 am

Congratulations! What a relief you must feel!!!
ceejay74 Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 08:34 am

Woo hoo! Amazing!! I hope you stick around and continue to root for the rest of us who are still chugging along.
mom-sense Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 09:40 am

Wa-hoo! Congratulations! You remain a beacon of inspiration to those of us who are just now getting determination!
Koppur Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 09:54 am

Whoo-hoo!! Congrats!!
Be safe with the storm this weekend!
ceejay74 Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 10:26 am

PS: You should celebrate by updating your bio in the side bar. A lot has changed since you first joined SA!
merch Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 10:41 am

Thank you, everyone. It has been a long rewarding and tiring year. I'll probably blog about it later. I sent the electronic payment out this morning for $13,407.34, but who's counting?

My wife doesn't know yet. So, I'll pick up a little bubbly at the store on the way home. As kids are playing in the snow, maybe we'll toast to a Merry Christmas while listening to Aretha Franklin.

And, good point, ceejay.
shiela Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 02:16 pm

That's great! Congrats! So happy for you.
baselle Says:
December 19th, 2008 at 09:38 pm

Impressive! Congratulations for being one of the few people who were fiscally successful in 2008.

Not So Mighty Merch

Where I am now is not where I want to be. So this is my journey from here to there.

Freedom - Oh Freedom!!!

18 Responses to “Freedom - Oh Freedom!!!”

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