Money I have but that has been allocated for other things has been burning a slow, smoldering hole in my pocket for some time, so I figured I’d write about it to see if that helps. I’ve been kind of lack-a-dasical on the updates on the “GREAT MORTGAGE PAYOFF” and how that’s going anyway, so what the hell.
Things have been going pretty well on the whole front, although the whole not spending money on frivolous things sure does take one heck of an emotional toll on me. Cutting out cable, as we’ve done, hasn’t actually been too bad, surprisingly, as we purchased a 15$ antenna from Fry’s Electronics, and can pick up quite a few HD Digital channels in really awesome clear quality! I still miss the hell out of The Food Network, but still not worth $80 a month for one TV show, so I survive. Internet TV is also working out really well.
Eating out is one big thing I miss, more than I thought, and while I know it’s infinitely more healthy to cook at home (not to mention cheaper), I feel like giving up that luxury to be lazy is just draining for some reason. We do go out to eat once a month, and to be fair, the two of us have both cheated occasionally. There are a few days it’s just easier for me to leave for work without packing a lunch, but it’s not adding up to 100’s of dollars a month anymore, so significant savings are coming into play anyway. I am finding out I do like to cook new things though, and I love the crock pot, it’d be nice to be able to use it more, but I have perfected cooking pork loin using it to the point it melts in your mouth. OM NOM NOM NOM. Have me make it for you if you come visit me in Phoenix.
Not buying things is killer. We’re starting to realize how much we spent on useless SHIT in the past that we don’t buy anymore. Now we have to go to a store to look at something and think about wanting it, but then passing it up for the greater good of paying off the mortgage. Again, draining, mainly, I think, because when you work for your money, the mentaility is to be able to reward yourself with trinkets, no matter how useless they seem to be. For example, a HD-Player for the Xbox 360 is $40 and movies can be had for $5 each. Normally, I’d jump all over this, but not being able too has forced me to examine the situation and realize not only do I not need it, I don’t really WANT it. I’m struggling with the concept of not actually wanting something and my brain interpreting it as “can’t have it”. I need some form of filter, I think. In being smarter financially, my mindset is making that slow but stable transition to wanting less things and more financial freedom. It’s a good stance to have. I find myself more and more wanting to be able to live worry free, financially, should anything happen.
The Emergency fund is growing, quickly. More quickly than I thought it would, to the point that we are slightly ahead of schedule in that regard. At this point, it should be topped off during the first pay period in May. I’d like to devise a pay scheme to continue to grow it, even if it means slightly delaying (by a matter of a few months, rather than a year) the Mortgage Payoff. Maybe $100 a month or something. Maybe a revolving CD. I’m getting ahead of myself.
Back on track: The mortgage has dropped significantly as well. We are now down to 126,500, which means we’ve paid off $9000 in 3 years and 3 months. The interest rate dropping from 8.5% to 4.5% doesn’t hurt either. Combined with a lower principal, that means we can pay even more towards the balance every month than we’d been doing. That’s good.
One of the things that not spending money has shown me is that there are (other) hobbies outside my door I am really quite interested in. Photography is one of them, and frankly, all arrogance aside (but never forgotten), I’m quite good at it. Hiking is pretty fun too, I didn’t realize Arizona had so much to offer in the neat category. Putting those two together seems like a match made in heaven, especially since my nature photography really lacks in skills. I’m much better at events.
Photography is an expensive love though. I’ve got my eye on a 5D Mark II Camera and a 70-200mm USM F/2.8L Lens. Roughly translated, that’s about $4000 in equipment. I have expensive taste. I just have to find a way to make some money doing this. I’m working on it. Until then, if anyone is feeling generous, I’m feeling especially accepting.
