Student Loan Debt

[-$86,895] A Huge Debt, a Small Pay Raise, and a New Spending Plan for 2017

Posted on by Double Debt Single Woman

money-1974707_640

I finally, FINALLY, found out my new compensation numbers today, after my promotion a couple of months ago. First, a bonus.

Year End Bonus: ~$4,300

I got a 2016 annual bonus! When it hits my account in a couple of weeks, this is where it will go:

Emergency Fund: $1000

Health Maintenance: $1750

  • I expect doctor visits, diagnostic tests and treatments this year relating to some chronic health issues. I’ll be paying out of pocket (HDHP). I may also need some dental work this year. Hopefully this will be enough.

Opportunity Fund: $1250

  •  Most of this will be saved for gifts and travel to see relatives during the 2017 holidays. I didn’t get to see them during the holidays last year.

Checking Account: ~$300

  • I’m not entirely decided about what I will do with any money that remains. I’ll likely keep it in my checking account to cover unexpected or annual charges.

saving-while-in-debt

2017 Salary Increase

Guys… (Sigh)…  I tried. Read More

[-$94,900] Debt Payoff vs. Retirement Savings (Part 2)

Posted on by Double Debt Single Woman

home farm singapore retirement community

An architect’s visualization of Home Farm Image: SPARK Architects

My Hazy Retirement Goals

In my last post -Part 1– I wrote about my back and forth struggle between allocating money toward debt payoff vs retirement savings. Hmm. What are my retirement goals? I’ll have to dedicate a separate post to this another time, because I haven’t thought it through yet. I only have hazy visions.

I’d like to marry rich and retire instantly. Ha. Wouldn’t we all, right? Short of a miracle like that, I’d like to plan to keep working for another 10 years in my industry at maximum salary and maximum savings. Around the age of 50 (or whenever I get laid off and can’t find more work or get burned out beyond repair), I’d like to go into ‘working retirement’ (financial freedom) for another 10 years until Read More

[-$97,079] Debt Payoff vs. Retirement Savings (Part 1)

Posted on by Double Debt Single Woman

debt or retirement path

A Shift in Strategy

Once I killed my credit card debt and could focus on my student loan debt, my intention was to throw every spare dollar I had at it, to the exclusion of everything else. I planned to keep my retirement savings down to 5% to get my employer match. Lately, I’ve been reconsidering that position.  Read More