Current to do list:
***indicates boyfriend project, or boyfriend and his daddy project/ Contractor/Can’t do by myself.
General:
• Plummer coming Tuesday Morning
• Floors scheduled for installation the 16th (Tile in entry way, laundry room, & Bathroom) & 17th (carpet)
• Finish all changes to cabinet design for kitchen so I can order it. - Sunday at 1:00pm
Small Closet:
• Measure for a new closet mirrored door. This Weekend
• ***install new mirrored closet door (after baseboards).
Bathroom
• *** Install the countertop and new sink fixtures
• Bring extra cabinet down to Neighbor This Weekend
• Buy over the toilet storage counter
• Paint/BUY the baseboards
• ***Put in the new door trim
• ***Put in the baseboards
• Cover the nails in the baseboards
• Sand the baseboards
• Touch up paint on the baseboards
• Put in the new door stopper
Bedroom:
• ***Look at the sliding doors leading out to the patio… replace or fix.
• Custom plantation shutters.
Living Room:
• ***Install door trim
• Paint/Buy baseboards
• ***Install baseboards
• Cover the nails in the baseboards
• Sand the baseboards
• Touch up paint on the baseboards
• Find wall A/C unit and buy.
• Submit paperwork for it to be installed.
• ***Install A/C Unit
• ***Fix the sliding Glass doors/replace
• New patio screen door.
• Custom plantation shutters for the sliding glass doors.
Entry Way
• Buy decorative trim
• Paint decorative trim
• ***Install decorative trim
• ***Put new door trim on.
• ***Install baseboards
• Cover the nails in the baseboards
• Sand the baseboards
• Touch up paint on the baseboards
Dining Room
• Touch up the ceiling
• ***Install baseboards
• Cover the nails in the baseboards
• Sand the baseboards
• Touch up paint on the baseboards
Utility closet:
• Paint the closet
• Paint the shelves
• Paint ceiling
• Figure out a way to put a door up to close the washer/dry from view.
• ***Install baseboards
• Cover the nails in the baseboards
• Sand the baseboards
• Touch up paint on the baseboards
Kitchen:
• ***Remove the rest of the cabinetry that needs removal.
• Finish Painting walls This Weekend
• Buy a new microwave to have installed after cabinets.
• Order new kitchen cabinets. (wait 3-4 weeks for delivery)
• Order granite countertops and knobs for doors (after cabinets are installed).
• ***Put in new floor. (December)
• ***Install baseboards
• Cover the nails in the baseboards
• Sand the baseboards
• Touch up paint on the baseboards
MOVE ALL MY STUFF IN AND PARTY!
Friday, November 06, 2009
Its been a ride...
I'm busy!
This weekend is boyfriends sister's wedding, so this week has been devoted to getting ready for the big event.
My to- do list keeps growing, not shrinking...
and the holidays are upon us. I promise to try and blog more updates and eventually post pictures when I find my camera cord.
This weekend is boyfriends sister's wedding, so this week has been devoted to getting ready for the big event.
My to- do list keeps growing, not shrinking...
and the holidays are upon us. I promise to try and blog more updates and eventually post pictures when I find my camera cord.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
midweek remodel jazzzzzz
My hopes for the weekend in terms of my condo (taking into effect that I have to work on Sunday, so I only have Monday and Tuesday (I took Tuesday off) to work on the condo-- which means solo projects and phone calls this week... as I won't be around to solicit any friends to help me over "the typical weekend."
I'll be getting a little overtime for Sunday which will be good. =)
Stuff I got done mid-week:
I got rid of the old stove –Listed the sicker on Craigslist for free, but after a long ordeal, I ended up getting $20.00 for it and its gone from my kitchen.
***Moved electrical outlets per kitchen design. Boyfriends co-worker came over to my condo three days this week when he had some spare time and moved all three outlets for me… free of charge.
***Got 4 can lights installed. Boyfriend’s co worker also installed 4 can lights in my kitchen, complete with a dimmer switch. It took 4 trips to home depot because we kept buying the wrong bulbs, but alas, its finished!
Patched holes made when outlets were moved. We did this last night. I’m pretty darn handy… I did things boyfriend couldn’t figure out. Like cutting the free paint stirring sticks we got at the home depot and gluing them to the back of the drywall so we had something to help keep the old dry wall we shoved back in the hole in place while i covered it with spackle. Yup, go me.
Bought cover plates for moved outlets. Some of the “holes” will need cover plates because they still have electrical wires in them and if we don’t plate it, it could be a fire hazard.
I got the correct number for the Plummer who knows how to turn the boiler off, so that saves me at least $130 to have the guy come down to turn the water off. My valves are rusted and we can't turn the water off to put in the new sink and fawcetts I bought, so alas, we have to have athe valves replaced, and the water turned off, which means I should replace all my valves so I never have to worry about turning off the water and knocking out water to four buildings. yup, 4 buildings on one boiler.
I saw one granite company that I like better then home depot because I can get a dark black granite for around the same price, but then I got coupons in the mail for the company so I’ll call them this week to get better idea of how the coupon will affect pricing.
I'll be getting a little overtime for Sunday which will be good. =)
Stuff I got done mid-week:
I got rid of the old stove –Listed the sicker on Craigslist for free, but after a long ordeal, I ended up getting $20.00 for it and its gone from my kitchen.
***Moved electrical outlets per kitchen design. Boyfriends co-worker came over to my condo three days this week when he had some spare time and moved all three outlets for me… free of charge.
***Got 4 can lights installed. Boyfriend’s co worker also installed 4 can lights in my kitchen, complete with a dimmer switch. It took 4 trips to home depot because we kept buying the wrong bulbs, but alas, its finished!
Patched holes made when outlets were moved. We did this last night. I’m pretty darn handy… I did things boyfriend couldn’t figure out. Like cutting the free paint stirring sticks we got at the home depot and gluing them to the back of the drywall so we had something to help keep the old dry wall we shoved back in the hole in place while i covered it with spackle. Yup, go me.
Bought cover plates for moved outlets. Some of the “holes” will need cover plates because they still have electrical wires in them and if we don’t plate it, it could be a fire hazard.
I got the correct number for the Plummer who knows how to turn the boiler off, so that saves me at least $130 to have the guy come down to turn the water off. My valves are rusted and we can't turn the water off to put in the new sink and fawcetts I bought, so alas, we have to have athe valves replaced, and the water turned off, which means I should replace all my valves so I never have to worry about turning off the water and knocking out water to four buildings. yup, 4 buildings on one boiler.
I saw one granite company that I like better then home depot because I can get a dark black granite for around the same price, but then I got coupons in the mail for the company so I’ll call them this week to get better idea of how the coupon will affect pricing.
Retirement Perspectives
Of course, as soon as I do the three month perspective the market tanks and eats most of all of my gains… sad sad… but I’m in it for the long haul and that’s what matters. At least only one account is in the negative.
My next update will have a huge boost. My annual CalPERS statement becomes available the first week in Nov. so I’ll see a huge boost in my total retirement amounts. It will also skew the %’s of what my portfolio is made up of.
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,511 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.96 % of my portfolio
• $628.06 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary); $646.28 Worth
o Up 5.89% from inception, +$18.22
o Stable Value Money Market Accounts make up 31.40%
o Milestone 2040 makes up 68.70%
457 Account: Approximately 4.74% of my portfolio
• Employer Funded. Future Contributions Discontinued (minimal interest earned—like pennies)… I can’t wait till this makes up less the 1% of my portfolio…
o Positive $1,032.52
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 11.72% of my portfolio• $2,500.00 Invested; Worth $2,555.58
o Up 2.22% from inception. Positive $55.58
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.30%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.91%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 50.29% of my portfolio
• $11,500 Invested; Worth $10,965.60
o Down 4.64% since inception… Loss of -$534.40
o Strategic Allocation Moderate 95.40%
o Money Market Cash 5.30%
o I have 1,293.558 Shares
o For my account to break even, shares would have to be: $8.51
o currently shares are worth:$8.09
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $15,199.98. Of that I’ve only invested $14,000 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 8.57%. If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 15,660.54), my portfolio is down 2.94% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 30.29% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
• Up until 2007, Employer paid all contributions. Jan 2007- July 2009 Employee’s contributed 1%. As of August 1st, 2009, employees contribute 2%:
o 2007- $299.74
o 2008- $336.12
o 2009- $393.44
Total: $1,029.30 (October 23rd, 2009)
Account Cash Value as of 07.01.2008 $6,605.55.
• I’m ALSO buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less then a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 43 more installments.
o 2009- Total Contributions $297.54 (October 23rd, 2009)
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $21,805.53
My next update will have a huge boost. My annual CalPERS statement becomes available the first week in Nov. so I’ll see a huge boost in my total retirement amounts. It will also skew the %’s of what my portfolio is made up of.
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,511 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.96 % of my portfolio
• $628.06 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary); $646.28 Worth
o Up 5.89% from inception, +$18.22
o Stable Value Money Market Accounts make up 31.40%
o Milestone 2040 makes up 68.70%
457 Account: Approximately 4.74% of my portfolio
• Employer Funded. Future Contributions Discontinued (minimal interest earned—like pennies)… I can’t wait till this makes up less the 1% of my portfolio…
o Positive $1,032.52
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 11.72% of my portfolio• $2,500.00 Invested; Worth $2,555.58
o Up 2.22% from inception. Positive $55.58
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.30%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.91%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 50.29% of my portfolio
• $11,500 Invested; Worth $10,965.60
o Down 4.64% since inception… Loss of -$534.40
o Strategic Allocation Moderate 95.40%
o Money Market Cash 5.30%
o I have 1,293.558 Shares
o For my account to break even, shares would have to be: $8.51
o currently shares are worth:$8.09
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $15,199.98. Of that I’ve only invested $14,000 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 8.57%. If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 15,660.54), my portfolio is down 2.94% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 30.29% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
• Up until 2007, Employer paid all contributions. Jan 2007- July 2009 Employee’s contributed 1%. As of August 1st, 2009, employees contribute 2%:
o 2007- $299.74
o 2008- $336.12
o 2009- $393.44
Total: $1,029.30 (October 23rd, 2009)
Account Cash Value as of 07.01.2008 $6,605.55.
• I’m ALSO buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less then a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 43 more installments.
o 2009- Total Contributions $297.54 (October 23rd, 2009)
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $21,805.53
Friday, October 30, 2009
the DOW right now
is falling... so i'm buying $100.00 of mutual funds since its friday and I would have bought some anyway...
here's the kicker though, without considering today's purchase, if my mutual fund eventually gets up to a share price of $8.51, i'll break even... I remember when I used to buy at $13.48
Thanks goodness for dollar cost averaging. without it, i'd be looking at a longer way to go to make my money back. looks like it will be a ruff quarter... the fear of the 10,000 mark is true... we rallied to get there, but maintaining is and surpassing it I believe is not in the cards this year.
what is cool, the national savings rate went up!
from msn's market dispatch:
here's the kicker though, without considering today's purchase, if my mutual fund eventually gets up to a share price of $8.51, i'll break even... I remember when I used to buy at $13.48
Thanks goodness for dollar cost averaging. without it, i'd be looking at a longer way to go to make my money back. looks like it will be a ruff quarter... the fear of the 10,000 mark is true... we rallied to get there, but maintaining is and surpassing it I believe is not in the cards this year.
what is cool, the national savings rate went up!
from msn's market dispatch:
Americans managed to save in September, with the personal savings rate rising to 3.3% of disposable income from 2.8% in August.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
KIVA UPDATE (for Taylor from Texas)
Its been awhile since i mentioned KIVA.ORG and micro loans in a while, so here's an update on my loans. I haven't made any new ones because i've been really busy, but I plan to when things settle down. (i did withdraw the funds from my account but i plan on putting them back when i get back into it. I was worried I'd forget to log in for a few months and loose it due to inactivity.)
I've "lent" $250.00 in my KIVA history, but i've really only put $150.00 in. (i've re-loaned the money when it gets repaid. I tend to find shorter loans so more individuals get "blessed" in the long run.)
When things settle, i'll return the money i've "cashed out" and begin making new loans again with it. Normally, I use the money I get back from my 2% CC rebate checks, but since overtime over the year was scare, I didn't contribute any more dollars to be lent. Just used the existing money to re-lend out. I can't wait to get back into KIVA again. Part of me feels like its a way for me to help "teach people to fish" istead of one time donations to help fight poverty and injustice. I'm a social justice radical at heart.
My loans:
Zenaida Daing
Farming, Sta. Josefa, Agusan Del Sur, Philippines
Paying Back
0% repaid (i'm paid in full at the end of the loan.)
Elizabeth Aidoo
Food Market, Wiawso, Ghana
Paying Back
49% repaid
Mobateli Plus Group
Manufacturing, The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Paying Back
100% repaid
Paz y Amor Group
Fruits & Vegetables, Dominican Republic
Paid Back
100% repaid
Dustmatov Eralboy
Livestock, Tajikistan
Paying Back
100% repaid
Seccelambras Group
Food Production/Sales, Peru
Paid Back
100% repaid
Rashidat Mumuni
Fish Selling, Nigeria
Paying Back
100% repaid
Karla Vanessa Montiel Barahona
Housing, Nicaragua
Paid Back
100% repaid
Eal Nub
Fish Selling, Cambodia
Paying Back
87% repaid
Atim Irene's Group
Medical Clinic, Uganda
Paid Back
100% repaid
I've "lent" $250.00 in my KIVA history, but i've really only put $150.00 in. (i've re-loaned the money when it gets repaid. I tend to find shorter loans so more individuals get "blessed" in the long run.)
When things settle, i'll return the money i've "cashed out" and begin making new loans again with it. Normally, I use the money I get back from my 2% CC rebate checks, but since overtime over the year was scare, I didn't contribute any more dollars to be lent. Just used the existing money to re-lend out. I can't wait to get back into KIVA again. Part of me feels like its a way for me to help "teach people to fish" istead of one time donations to help fight poverty and injustice. I'm a social justice radical at heart.
My loans:
Zenaida Daing
Farming, Sta. Josefa, Agusan Del Sur, Philippines
Paying Back
0% repaid (i'm paid in full at the end of the loan.)
Elizabeth Aidoo
Food Market, Wiawso, Ghana
Paying Back
49% repaid
Mobateli Plus Group
Manufacturing, The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Paying Back
100% repaid
Paz y Amor Group
Fruits & Vegetables, Dominican Republic
Paid Back
100% repaid
Dustmatov Eralboy
Livestock, Tajikistan
Paying Back
100% repaid
Seccelambras Group
Food Production/Sales, Peru
Paid Back
100% repaid
Rashidat Mumuni
Fish Selling, Nigeria
Paying Back
100% repaid
Karla Vanessa Montiel Barahona
Housing, Nicaragua
Paid Back
100% repaid
Eal Nub
Fish Selling, Cambodia
Paying Back
87% repaid
Atim Irene's Group
Medical Clinic, Uganda
Paid Back
100% repaid
the weekend projects
I was painting the door to the closet, and I came out to grab a bottle of water and found my "brother" in the living room eating del taco on the floor in his work clothes. unexpectedly, I had more help then I knew I was going to get. We therefore were very productive. WOOT!
Bathroom:
• I removed the light kit in the bathroom, and scrapped it clean with a razor blade.
• Bought the paint for the bathroom.
• Painted the first coat of the walls and the ceiling.
• Gave the ceiling a second coat of paint
• Gave the second coat of paint for the walls
• ***Put Light kit back up in the bathroom.
• ***Put the mirror back up
• Look for a new counter top and sink with new fixtures.-- & Purchased
• Put all the electrical outlet covers on the wall.
• Painted the other side of the door & painted one more coat on the side that’s painted.
• Replaced the door handles with a nice happy silver color.
•
Bedroom:
• We put the smoke detector back on the ceiling (it was removed to paint the ceiling).
• ***Put the new base boards in.
• Painted and sanded 2 of them, 8 to go.
Living Room:
• Put all the outlet covers and switches back on.
• Touched up where wall meets ceiling
Entry way:
• Put all the outlet covers and switches back on.
Dining Room:
• Put all the outlet covers and switches back on.
• bought more ceiling paint and Painted the Ceiling
• outlet measurements complete. 2 moved. (a double switch is all that’s left)
Large Closet:
• Re-painted the closet door (it needed a second coat)
• Bought ceiling paint & Touched up the ceiling
• *** put in the new door frames--- Done, including sanding, repainting, and cutting some of the shelves to make them fit.
• 2 sides of the base boards are in, 4 to go and a small edge.
Kitchen:
• ***Remove popcorn ceiling in places, texture ceiling.
• Clean the kitchen walls & put primer on them.
• Removed the bar area above the counter.
• Removed another set of drawers that was in the kitchen
• Purchased a new kitchen stove
• Cut the holes for the new can lights
• Took the old light fixtures down.
• Home depot is coming out to verify the kitchen design. (install cannot happen before Dec 10th, my contractor is a busy man and since he’s doing this for very little/free I shall order and wait for him.)
This weekend I got my flooring quote from Empire… it’s a bit more then I wanted to spend, but they guarantee the work for 2 years--- any cracks chips, etc. I know I’m at lease getting my carpet done through them, possibly tile, but we shall see. Oh yeah, not doing the fake wood floors anymore. My contractor told me not to do them because in a year I’d have to rip them out and replace because they don’t hold up well to water and since they would be in the kitchen it’s not advisable. So I have my estimate done for the whole place in tile, and my bedroom and closets in carpet. I think I’m re-working the layout to try and get the living room in carpet but the design of the room is funny with how it meant up to the kitchen area. But this is what I got done this weekend.
Sadly, Roommates replacement for me told her she wasn't moving in... Which means no possibility of a partial sublease once their lease is signed... and she might have to move home with her dad.
Bathroom:
• I removed the light kit in the bathroom, and scrapped it clean with a razor blade.
• Bought the paint for the bathroom.
• Painted the first coat of the walls and the ceiling.
• Gave the ceiling a second coat of paint
• Gave the second coat of paint for the walls
• ***Put Light kit back up in the bathroom.
• ***Put the mirror back up
• Look for a new counter top and sink with new fixtures.-- & Purchased
• Put all the electrical outlet covers on the wall.
• Painted the other side of the door & painted one more coat on the side that’s painted.
• Replaced the door handles with a nice happy silver color.
•
Bedroom:
• We put the smoke detector back on the ceiling (it was removed to paint the ceiling).
• ***Put the new base boards in.
• Painted and sanded 2 of them, 8 to go.
Living Room:
• Put all the outlet covers and switches back on.
• Touched up where wall meets ceiling
Entry way:
• Put all the outlet covers and switches back on.
Dining Room:
• Put all the outlet covers and switches back on.
• bought more ceiling paint and Painted the Ceiling
• outlet measurements complete. 2 moved. (a double switch is all that’s left)
Large Closet:
• Re-painted the closet door (it needed a second coat)
• Bought ceiling paint & Touched up the ceiling
• *** put in the new door frames--- Done, including sanding, repainting, and cutting some of the shelves to make them fit.
• 2 sides of the base boards are in, 4 to go and a small edge.
Kitchen:
• ***Remove popcorn ceiling in places, texture ceiling.
• Clean the kitchen walls & put primer on them.
• Removed the bar area above the counter.
• Removed another set of drawers that was in the kitchen
• Purchased a new kitchen stove
• Cut the holes for the new can lights
• Took the old light fixtures down.
• Home depot is coming out to verify the kitchen design. (install cannot happen before Dec 10th, my contractor is a busy man and since he’s doing this for very little/free I shall order and wait for him.)
This weekend I got my flooring quote from Empire… it’s a bit more then I wanted to spend, but they guarantee the work for 2 years--- any cracks chips, etc. I know I’m at lease getting my carpet done through them, possibly tile, but we shall see. Oh yeah, not doing the fake wood floors anymore. My contractor told me not to do them because in a year I’d have to rip them out and replace because they don’t hold up well to water and since they would be in the kitchen it’s not advisable. So I have my estimate done for the whole place in tile, and my bedroom and closets in carpet. I think I’m re-working the layout to try and get the living room in carpet but the design of the room is funny with how it meant up to the kitchen area. But this is what I got done this weekend.
Sadly, Roommates replacement for me told her she wasn't moving in... Which means no possibility of a partial sublease once their lease is signed... and she might have to move home with her dad.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Retirement Perspectives 3 month overview.
About three months ago I started to track my retirement perspectives. Here’s a sort of how I’ve made progress so far on my variable account. I’ve excluded my pension because I only get statements once a year… in November…
401A Account:
Three Months ago
• 2.71% of my portfolio
• Down 3.5% since inception
• Worth $506.68/$525.32 Loss -18.64
NOW
• 3.01% of my portfolio
• Up 5.89% since inception
• Worth $665.08/$628.06 Gain $37.02
Essentially this account grew 9.39% in three months (I went from negative 3.5% to positive 5.89%). This is great progress. I also decided to make my contributions 20% money market, and 80% target date—starting with my last paycheck.
457 Account:
Three Months ago:
• 5.51% of my portfolio
• Worth $1,031.79
NOW
• 4.67% of my portfolio
• Worth $1,032.48
Well, it gained a whopping $0.69. I hate that I can’t do anything with this money. It’s stuck in some dumb account doing nothing till I quit my job but adding pennies. The only thing I can do is lower the amount this makes in my portfolio, so yeah for a 0.84% drop.
Roth IRA ING DIRECT:
Three Months ago:
• 10.89% of my portfolio
• Up 1.91% since inception
• worth $2,038.53/2,000. Gain $38.53
NOW:
• 11.55% of my portfolio
• Up 2.21% since inception
• Worth $2,555.44/$2,500.00. Gain $55.44
Since this account is made up primarily of CD’s, I won’t lose money… but it won’t get spectacular gains either… It grew 0.3% Mainly, because CD’s are getting such small returns now a days
But I look at it this way, since this is part of my Roth IRA, which I will always max out, keeping the money in CD’s prevented me from losing a lot more money last year .I have one 1,000 CD earning 4.5%... sadly, it expires in 2010…. CD’s also help to balance out my risk. I don’t like risk… but I’m a conservative investor. My pension is safe and I know I should be more radical, but I just wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
Sharebuilder Roth IRA:
Three Months ago:
• 45.63% of my portfolio
• Down 14.56% since inception.
• Worth $8,544.25/$10,000.00 Loss of -1,455.75
NOW:
• 50.94% of my portfolio
• Down 1.97% from Inception
• Worth $11,273.09/11,500.00 Loss of -226.91
My account grew 12.59% in three months. I hope that by the end of 2009, my account will no longer be negative.
Over all what did I learn? My gains are a lot larger because I continued to buy more mutual funds and cd, etc not knowing what the future held for me. Had I not, I wouldn’t have been able to let shares bought at $7.00 make profit at 8.30 to help offset the loss when I bout shares at 12 or 13 dollars. This is why I dollar cost average. I don’t have to worry about timing the market if I’m continually buying mutual funds throughout the year. Yes, I might lose out on the lowest low point… but I’d never be able to figure that out on my own... hindsight is 2020.
401A Account:
Three Months ago
• 2.71% of my portfolio
• Down 3.5% since inception
• Worth $506.68/$525.32 Loss -18.64
NOW
• 3.01% of my portfolio
• Up 5.89% since inception
• Worth $665.08/$628.06 Gain $37.02
Essentially this account grew 9.39% in three months (I went from negative 3.5% to positive 5.89%). This is great progress. I also decided to make my contributions 20% money market, and 80% target date—starting with my last paycheck.
457 Account:
Three Months ago:
• 5.51% of my portfolio
• Worth $1,031.79
NOW
• 4.67% of my portfolio
• Worth $1,032.48
Well, it gained a whopping $0.69. I hate that I can’t do anything with this money. It’s stuck in some dumb account doing nothing till I quit my job but adding pennies. The only thing I can do is lower the amount this makes in my portfolio, so yeah for a 0.84% drop.
Roth IRA ING DIRECT:
Three Months ago:
• 10.89% of my portfolio
• Up 1.91% since inception
• worth $2,038.53/2,000. Gain $38.53
NOW:
• 11.55% of my portfolio
• Up 2.21% since inception
• Worth $2,555.44/$2,500.00. Gain $55.44
Since this account is made up primarily of CD’s, I won’t lose money… but it won’t get spectacular gains either… It grew 0.3% Mainly, because CD’s are getting such small returns now a days
But I look at it this way, since this is part of my Roth IRA, which I will always max out, keeping the money in CD’s prevented me from losing a lot more money last year .I have one 1,000 CD earning 4.5%... sadly, it expires in 2010…. CD’s also help to balance out my risk. I don’t like risk… but I’m a conservative investor. My pension is safe and I know I should be more radical, but I just wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
Sharebuilder Roth IRA:
Three Months ago:
• 45.63% of my portfolio
• Down 14.56% since inception.
• Worth $8,544.25/$10,000.00 Loss of -1,455.75
NOW:
• 50.94% of my portfolio
• Down 1.97% from Inception
• Worth $11,273.09/11,500.00 Loss of -226.91
My account grew 12.59% in three months. I hope that by the end of 2009, my account will no longer be negative.
Over all what did I learn? My gains are a lot larger because I continued to buy more mutual funds and cd, etc not knowing what the future held for me. Had I not, I wouldn’t have been able to let shares bought at $7.00 make profit at 8.30 to help offset the loss when I bout shares at 12 or 13 dollars. This is why I dollar cost average. I don’t have to worry about timing the market if I’m continually buying mutual funds throughout the year. Yes, I might lose out on the lowest low point… but I’d never be able to figure that out on my own... hindsight is 2020.
Retirement Perspectives
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,518 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 3.01 % of my portfolio
• $628.06 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary); $655.08 Worth
o Up 5.89% from inception, +$37.02
o Stable Value Money Market Accounts make up 30.50
o Milestone 2040 makes up 69.50%
457 Account: Approximately 4.67% of my portfolio
• Employer Funded. Future Contributions Discontinued (minimal interest earned—like pennies)… I can’t wait till this makes up less the 1% of my portfolio…
o Positive $1,032.48
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 11.55% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested; Worth $2,555.44
o Up 2.21% from inception. Positive $55.44
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.30%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.91%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 50.94% of my portfolio
• $11,500 Invested; Worth $11,273.09
o Down 1.97% since inception… Loss of -$226.91
o Strategic Allocation Moderate 94.70%
o Money Market Cash 5.30%
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $15,526.09. Of that I’ve only invested $14,000 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 10.90%. If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 15,660.54), my portfolio is down 0.858% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 29.85% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
• Up until 2007, Employer paid all contributions. Jan 2007- July 2009 Employee’s contributed 1%. As of August 1st, 2009, employees contribute 2%:
o 2007- $299.74
o 2008- $336.12
o 2009- $393.44
Total: $1,029.30 (October 23rd, 2009)
Account Cash Value as of 07.01.2008 $6,605.55.
• I’m ALSO buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less then a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 43 more installments.
o 2009- Total Contributions $297.54 (October 23rd, 2009)
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $22,13
401 Account: Approximately 3.01 % of my portfolio
• $628.06 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary); $655.08 Worth
o Up 5.89% from inception, +$37.02
o Stable Value Money Market Accounts make up 30.50
o Milestone 2040 makes up 69.50%
457 Account: Approximately 4.67% of my portfolio
• Employer Funded. Future Contributions Discontinued (minimal interest earned—like pennies)… I can’t wait till this makes up less the 1% of my portfolio…
o Positive $1,032.48
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 11.55% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested; Worth $2,555.44
o Up 2.21% from inception. Positive $55.44
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.30%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.91%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 50.94% of my portfolio
• $11,500 Invested; Worth $11,273.09
o Down 1.97% since inception… Loss of -$226.91
o Strategic Allocation Moderate 94.70%
o Money Market Cash 5.30%
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $15,526.09. Of that I’ve only invested $14,000 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 10.90%. If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 15,660.54), my portfolio is down 0.858% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 29.85% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
• Up until 2007, Employer paid all contributions. Jan 2007- July 2009 Employee’s contributed 1%. As of August 1st, 2009, employees contribute 2%:
o 2007- $299.74
o 2008- $336.12
o 2009- $393.44
Total: $1,029.30 (October 23rd, 2009)
Account Cash Value as of 07.01.2008 $6,605.55.
• I’m ALSO buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less then a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 43 more installments.
o 2009- Total Contributions $297.54 (October 23rd, 2009)
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $22,13
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Updated to do list... Kitchen progress...
I’ve been slowly eliminating small projects that didn’t get accomplished over the weekend… and adding more things to the list to do. I think I have my complete kitchen design done. (Thanks to 2+ hours at the home depot with the design guy saying- “no, that’s not what I want. This is what I want.”)
In the end, and with my prodding and helping him with the computer program, it was complete. I kept telling him why it wasn’t working (cabinets are over lapping here—we have to add a shelf there, etc.). All I can say is that it was a good thing I drank some coffee before I went over there. I also decided to buy my knobs from home depot and not the cabinet company. It’s cheaper and the knobs are nicer.)
Anyways…
I decided I’ll be financing my kitchen remodel. To get everything finished by the time I move in, I’ll need to finance the kitchen so I have the money to pay for the floors and everything else that needs to be done on time. (I can’t do any of the floors until the kitchen is finished—and moving in with no floors is not an option.) The design guy at Home depot told me I can get 12 months no interest finance line of credit for it. I’ll make sure to have it paid off by the 12 months (I get the tax credit money in April which is mainly for my kitchen remodel. If I had that now, I could pay it all in cash.)
I’m keeping the dishwasher and washer/dryer that came with the condo. I’m also keeping my old fridge from my apartment.
In addition to the cabinets and the granite counter top (it was cheaper to get granite… no lie), I’ll be buying a built in microwave, a new garbage disposal, faucets for the sink, a new sink (I may get the sink for free if the granite company runs the same or similar promotion next month.), and a new stove.
-----
Updated to do list (***indicates boyfriend , his daddy, and/or contractor project )
Large Closet (not in any order):
• Re-paint the closet door (it needs a second coat)
• Buy ceiling paint & Touch up the ceiling
• *** put in the new door frames
• ***Put in the new base boards.
• ***New carpet
Small Closet:
• ***Install baseboards
• Buy new mirrored door and ***install it.
• ***New carpet
Bathroom
• ***Remove light kit from the wall for painting the room purposes
• Buy the paint for the bathroom (different color then the rest of the place)
• Paint the ceiling
• Paint the bathroom walls
• *** remove existing tile
• ***replace the tile with new tile
• Paint/BUY the baseboards
• ***Put in the new door frames
• ***Put in the baseboards
• Look for a new counter top and sink with new fixtures and buy it.
• *** Install the countertop and new sink fixtures
• Put all the electrical outlet covers on the wall.
• Paint the other side of the door & paint one more coat on the side that’s painted.
• Replace the door handles with a nice happy silver color.
• Buy and install a towel rod/hanger thing
• Buy and install a shower curtain rod
• Buy a toilet paper holder thing
• Put in the new door stopper
Bedroom:
• Re-paint the bedroom door (it needs a second coat)
• ***Put the smoke detector back in (removed to paint ceiling)
• ***Put the new base boards in
• ***Look at the sliding doors leading out to the patio… replace or fix.
• Put in the new door stopper.
• Measure for Custom plantation shutters, order them… ***install them
• ***New carpet.
Living Room:
• Touch up where wall meets ceiling
• Remove the carpet bit by bit... and the spike strips
• ***Install New fake wood floors
• ***Install door trim
• Paint/Buy baseboards
• ***Install baseboards
• Put all the outlets and switch covers on.
• Find wall A/C unit and buy.
• Submit paperwork for it to be installed.
• ***Install A/C Unit
• ***Fix the sliding Glass doors and screens
• Measure for Custom plantation shutters, order them… ***install them
• Buy new furniture?
Entry Way
• Buy more Ceiling paint and Paint Ceiling
• Put electrical covers on.
• Buy decorative trim
• Paint decorative trim
• ***Install decorative trim
• ***Put new door trim on.
• ***Remove tile.
• Replace old tile with fake Hardwood floors.
Dining Room
• Buy more ceiling paint and Paint Ceiling
• Paint wall adjacent to kitchen area. (decide color is other then Teepee Brown)
• Put on switch covers
• Measure to figure out where the outlets need to be moved to.
Kitchen:
• ***Remove popcorn ceiling in places, texture ceiling.
• ***Get 4 can lights installed.
• Paint the ceiling.
• Remove the rest of the cabinetry that needs removal.
• Primer and paint existing, remaining walls.
• ***Move electrical outlets per kitchen design.
• Pick out a new stove
• Get rid of the old stove
• Buy a new microwave to have installed after cabinets.
• Have contractor friend look at kitchen design and get his opinions.
• Order new kitchen cabinets. (wait 3-4 weeks for delivery)
• Order granite countertops and knobs for doors (after cabinets are installed).
• Pick out floor
• ***Finish the switches
• ***Put in new floor.
MOVE ALL MY STUFF IN AND PARTY!
In the end, and with my prodding and helping him with the computer program, it was complete. I kept telling him why it wasn’t working (cabinets are over lapping here—we have to add a shelf there, etc.). All I can say is that it was a good thing I drank some coffee before I went over there. I also decided to buy my knobs from home depot and not the cabinet company. It’s cheaper and the knobs are nicer.)
Anyways…
I decided I’ll be financing my kitchen remodel. To get everything finished by the time I move in, I’ll need to finance the kitchen so I have the money to pay for the floors and everything else that needs to be done on time. (I can’t do any of the floors until the kitchen is finished—and moving in with no floors is not an option.) The design guy at Home depot told me I can get 12 months no interest finance line of credit for it. I’ll make sure to have it paid off by the 12 months (I get the tax credit money in April which is mainly for my kitchen remodel. If I had that now, I could pay it all in cash.)
I’m keeping the dishwasher and washer/dryer that came with the condo. I’m also keeping my old fridge from my apartment.
In addition to the cabinets and the granite counter top (it was cheaper to get granite… no lie), I’ll be buying a built in microwave, a new garbage disposal, faucets for the sink, a new sink (I may get the sink for free if the granite company runs the same or similar promotion next month.), and a new stove.
-----
Updated to do list (***indicates boyfriend , his daddy, and/or contractor project )
Large Closet (not in any order):
• Re-paint the closet door (it needs a second coat)
• Buy ceiling paint & Touch up the ceiling
• *** put in the new door frames
• ***Put in the new base boards.
• ***New carpet
Small Closet:
• ***Install baseboards
• Buy new mirrored door and ***install it.
• ***New carpet
Bathroom
• ***Remove light kit from the wall for painting the room purposes
• Buy the paint for the bathroom (different color then the rest of the place)
• Paint the ceiling
• Paint the bathroom walls
• *** remove existing tile
• ***replace the tile with new tile
• Paint/BUY the baseboards
• ***Put in the new door frames
• ***Put in the baseboards
• Look for a new counter top and sink with new fixtures and buy it.
• *** Install the countertop and new sink fixtures
• Put all the electrical outlet covers on the wall.
• Paint the other side of the door & paint one more coat on the side that’s painted.
• Replace the door handles with a nice happy silver color.
• Buy and install a towel rod/hanger thing
• Buy and install a shower curtain rod
• Buy a toilet paper holder thing
• Put in the new door stopper
Bedroom:
• Re-paint the bedroom door (it needs a second coat)
• ***Put the smoke detector back in (removed to paint ceiling)
• ***Put the new base boards in
• ***Look at the sliding doors leading out to the patio… replace or fix.
• Put in the new door stopper.
• Measure for Custom plantation shutters, order them… ***install them
• ***New carpet.
Living Room:
• Touch up where wall meets ceiling
• Remove the carpet bit by bit... and the spike strips
• ***Install New fake wood floors
• ***Install door trim
• Paint/Buy baseboards
• ***Install baseboards
• Put all the outlets and switch covers on.
• Find wall A/C unit and buy.
• Submit paperwork for it to be installed.
• ***Install A/C Unit
• ***Fix the sliding Glass doors and screens
• Measure for Custom plantation shutters, order them… ***install them
• Buy new furniture?
Entry Way
• Buy more Ceiling paint and Paint Ceiling
• Put electrical covers on.
• Buy decorative trim
• Paint decorative trim
• ***Install decorative trim
• ***Put new door trim on.
• ***Remove tile.
• Replace old tile with fake Hardwood floors.
Dining Room
• Buy more ceiling paint and Paint Ceiling
• Paint wall adjacent to kitchen area. (decide color is other then Teepee Brown)
• Put on switch covers
• Measure to figure out where the outlets need to be moved to.
Kitchen:
• ***Remove popcorn ceiling in places, texture ceiling.
• ***Get 4 can lights installed.
• Paint the ceiling.
• Remove the rest of the cabinetry that needs removal.
• Primer and paint existing, remaining walls.
• ***Move electrical outlets per kitchen design.
• Pick out a new stove
• Get rid of the old stove
• Buy a new microwave to have installed after cabinets.
• Have contractor friend look at kitchen design and get his opinions.
• Order new kitchen cabinets. (wait 3-4 weeks for delivery)
• Order granite countertops and knobs for doors (after cabinets are installed).
• Pick out floor
• ***Finish the switches
• ***Put in new floor.
MOVE ALL MY STUFF IN AND PARTY!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Post weekend update
I figured how to drink coffee at work and not gag (read I didn’t get to bed last night till after 11:30pm and got up at 4:00am). No sugar added hot chocolate packet… Pour coffee over… stir… put over ice. FREE MOCA!
I bought some shinny door handles for my place and some random paint supplies: $63.24 Which brings my total spent to $8,669.62
My trip to Florida is officially cancelled since one of our friends can’t go (and she was signing us into the parks). I talked with my boyfriend, and we decided not to take a big trip. I’m going to get a new couch instead. Well enjoy it more over the short term and none of us wants to lug the black beast from my current place. The rest of the money I might use towards the condo or for a small weekend away.
Boyfriend paid last year’s taxes before the deadline while making all his CC payments. I’m proud of him.
I realized I packed my camera cord which is why I haven’t posted pictures yet, but I’m taking them don’t worry.
And now the breakdown of what we/I did this weekend on the condo:
Large Closet:
• Removed the light fixture and replaced it with the new one
• Finished painting the walls, the ceilings, the shelves, and both sides of the door and the door frame, etc. (no more paint needed in there!!)
• Door handle is now a pretty silver one.
• Baseboards are painted and waiting to be cut and installed.
Small Closet:
• Painted the ceiling and edged the wall.
• Painted the hallway and the ceiling between the two closets.
• Baseboards are painted and waiting to be cut and installed.
Bathroom:
• New tub fixtures were put in.
• The tub/shower was caulked.
• Vanity mirror was removed, scrapped, and the border was re painted to match the base boards and door frames for the whole place.
• The door jamb and one side of the door were painted.
• I decided to keep the old cabinets and just buy a new top so well hunt for that soon.
Bedroom:
• The ceiling was painted.
• Baseboards are painted and waiting to be cut and installed.
• Door jamb was painted.
• Weird cable box thingy was fixed.
Living Room:
• Walls painted
• Door that leads into the bedroom is painted
Kitchen:
In addition to everything mentioned above, my “brother” and my ex (the guy before boyfriend who’s still my friend), came over with crow bars and removed all the old hanging cabinets in my kitchen.
I got a quote for recessed lighting in the kitchen and it was really high… so Boyfriend called a friend he works with who used to be an electrician… I think I’m getting it done with him for wayyyy cheaper.
I bought some shinny door handles for my place and some random paint supplies: $63.24 Which brings my total spent to $8,669.62
My trip to Florida is officially cancelled since one of our friends can’t go (and she was signing us into the parks). I talked with my boyfriend, and we decided not to take a big trip. I’m going to get a new couch instead. Well enjoy it more over the short term and none of us wants to lug the black beast from my current place. The rest of the money I might use towards the condo or for a small weekend away.
Boyfriend paid last year’s taxes before the deadline while making all his CC payments. I’m proud of him.
I realized I packed my camera cord which is why I haven’t posted pictures yet, but I’m taking them don’t worry.
And now the breakdown of what we/I did this weekend on the condo:
Large Closet:
• Removed the light fixture and replaced it with the new one
• Finished painting the walls, the ceilings, the shelves, and both sides of the door and the door frame, etc. (no more paint needed in there!!)
• Door handle is now a pretty silver one.
• Baseboards are painted and waiting to be cut and installed.
Small Closet:
• Painted the ceiling and edged the wall.
• Painted the hallway and the ceiling between the two closets.
• Baseboards are painted and waiting to be cut and installed.
Bathroom:
• New tub fixtures were put in.
• The tub/shower was caulked.
• Vanity mirror was removed, scrapped, and the border was re painted to match the base boards and door frames for the whole place.
• The door jamb and one side of the door were painted.
• I decided to keep the old cabinets and just buy a new top so well hunt for that soon.
Bedroom:
• The ceiling was painted.
• Baseboards are painted and waiting to be cut and installed.
• Door jamb was painted.
• Weird cable box thingy was fixed.
Living Room:
• Walls painted
• Door that leads into the bedroom is painted
Kitchen:
In addition to everything mentioned above, my “brother” and my ex (the guy before boyfriend who’s still my friend), came over with crow bars and removed all the old hanging cabinets in my kitchen.
I got a quote for recessed lighting in the kitchen and it was really high… so Boyfriend called a friend he works with who used to be an electrician… I think I’m getting it done with him for wayyyy cheaper.
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