I’m 48 and planning to retire next year, having made my savings strategy a top priority for financial stability. Over the years, I’ve successfully accumulated $1.6 million in my retirement savings account. I’ve consistently contributed to a high-yield savings account and built a robust emergency fund. This disciplined approach has provided me with peace of mind, knowing I have a strong financial cushion to support my retirement.
That’s amazing!!! You have definitely been very disciplined to be set to retire at 49. I’m impressed! I hope you enjoy the heck out of it when you get there ☺️
You guys are absolutely crushing it! You've found the sweet spot in budgeting, not always as exciting but you're so consistent with hitting your goals!
Thank you, Charity! I feel like it took us a long time to find a budget that really worked as far as balancing living and debt payoff, but I do think we’ve finally figured it out 😃
flawless!!! i hope there is a Katie of the House television series someday. you have the absolute best budgeting videos on youtube. i follow your format exactly minus the school tuition since i dont have small children. im excited about u paying off fedloan 5 as if its one of my debts. you are definitely keeping me motivated!!!!! thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Strong month Katie 💪 I hit my 3 month emergency fund goal this month 🎉 so for the year I have paid off my car (1.5 yrs early) and have my emergency fund minimum saved. Can't wait to see what the new year will bring for you, me and everyone watching 😊
Oh, Michele, that’s amazing news! Congratulations on getting 3 months saved 😄 that’s huge! And paying off the car early is amazing as well. You are on a roll!
Wow! Just a few more days and Fedloan 5 will be history. You did a great job staying focused and it’s really paid off. The Highlander won’t take long now. We’re about to join you on the auto loan payoff journey; it’s time to replace our 90K mile Ford. I really don’t want a car loan but I can do better keeping the funds invested, so it’s another debt payoff plan ahead!
I’m counting down the days until Fedloan 5 is gone, Laura! Ahh I’m sorry that you will have an auto loan again 😫 if you get more with the money invested though, I totally understand!
Sometimes a negative number isnt a bad thing in the actuals, congratulations on the Fed loan 5! You will have an early Christmas present! I cant remember what the old, Mohela assigned minimum was on Fed loan 5 but i do remember it wasnt any $20 or $30 per month. Getting Fed loan 5 paid off will be a boon to your emergency fund too.
@KatieoftheHouse Round $290 to $300 and that's $900 less needed for a 3 month ahead buffer, $3600 less for a 12 month buffer. Although you have a higher income 'yada-yada ... these are big enough numbers to feel.
If you meal plan, begin in the larder (fridge, freezer, pantry shelf stable) and write-in a meal or two from the larder. Then bring foods from the pantry per tge meal plan put onto the kitchen counter; bring freezer foods to the refridgerator freezer. Write a tickler on the todo list to bring frozen food out of tge freezer in time for it to be thawed and used per the meal plan. - Even if you meal plan on an ad-hoc basis, do the same a day before or the morning of.
@KatieoftheHouse i like a set of grids 8 wide by 4 down. The 8th column is only 1 word wide and for writing any needed groceries. The 4th row is 3 (small print lines) tall and for any required prep work for future days. For me, taking things out of the freezer in time has always been my number 1 meal plan killer. So, if I need some meat, spaghetti sauce, etc... for use on Wednesday "take XYZ out" will be at the bottom of Sunday's or Monday's meals in that 4th row. More often than not, the single word grocery list is not for regular groceries but say I need a special sauce like say enchilada sauce which is critical to making enchiladas it goes on that right most, 8th column. I like 2 week's worth of grids available to me at the onset in large part because I do a lot of batch cooking. More often than not I do more of a major cook every other day from which the "left overs" (pre-planned) are used in a future meal; usually "reconstituted" into a completely different tasting meal (if im on my game). Further, I try to skip a day. For example if I cook enough chicken to be used in a second meal on day 1, I try not to reconstitute the left overs until day 3. This is where that second week's worth of grids comes in. It is not often used until the end of the current week unless Ive come across a great sale or deal sometime during the week and then need to start using that food up. (I do use the refridgerator freezer to hold food, guaranteed hold food, and stock up on food but I do also try to eat as much fresh too.) For ourselves currently I usually have some sort of soup-stew or crockpot concoction about once per week to use up all the dds-n-ends refridgerator contents. I usually write my meal plan in pencil. But, if there has been a change in the plan, I wite what we actually ate in ink; over top or scrunched in. I save my meal plans to look over for ideas mostly, to see if we're aiming for repeating the same 10 meals, or if there are some trends in the missed meals despite the plans. (A 3 hour cook just isn't going to happen on a late and busy night home despite what's been written down.) I have learned to give myself permissions. It begins with having a mostly empty set of grids at the beginning of the week. This is all the more so when some stores break thier ad on Sunday and others in Wednesday; I fill in after I've looked and shopped each set of ads or twice a week. For a while there at a couple of stores I could pretty much guarantee which store would have what type of food (meat ,dairy, produce, bread) on mark down on which days but not what nor how much or at how good of a deal. During this time, the meal plan wasn't written more than a day ahead until after I came home; I was getting a lot of things at 25% to 75% off but a majority of what i brought home from clearance at 50% off. Almost always, I picked a meal of emphasis and that was the meal I planned more diligently on. For about 2 years it was breakfast because getting out the door was chaotic "heaven". For 2-3 years it was lunches because we had 3 who couldn't go to a work place type lunch due to thier shift and/ or the lunches were pretty pricey; we actually shopped and cooked for lunches and ate left overs for dinners as needed. After picking a meal of emphasis (with the baby sitting it may actually be an after school snack), then I often begins with just a few meals per week if possible and its been a while. Mid week and as I'm going along, I fill in a few more. It truly helps when I write down what we actually ate as opposed to what was planned or unplanned. BTW - Give yourself permission to not feel intimidated nor shamed for having a lot of blank or empty grids. This goes a LONG way towards a happy meal plan.
Just a couple of comments. First, I hope you recognize that you two have a really great income, and while now you are paying debt off that utilizes most of it, soon, that will be done and you are going to have to decide how else to apply it. I hope that you two discuss it now, as it will be on you before you know it. Second, of all the expenses that I saw, the one I think you could reduc without changing anything. is yoour phone,. Look at the Google phone plan, and looke at cricket. I bet you could reduce it by about 30% without ANY real impact to how use the phone. Third, and last, how are you going to celebrate this soom to be occuriring milestone. Do NOT let it go by without you two marking it. Even if you go to another SteakHouse. I would suggest some weekend celebration with the children so they can particpate and learn a lesson on perserverence.
We have definitely been making lans for “after debt.” 😄 it’s so much fun to dream and plan for that “extra” money. And we’ll definitely do something fun for the 19 year milestone, maybe not a trip like we were hoping, but a date night at the very least ☺️
They lowered gas prices before the election to make some people think things are good. But they can’t control groceries/candy. (Crazy expensive) The economy is not stellar these days and a lot more people wanting free candy.
I’m 48 and planning to retire next year, having made my savings strategy a top priority for financial stability. Over the years, I’ve successfully accumulated $1.6 million in my retirement savings account. I’ve consistently contributed to a high-yield savings account and built a robust emergency fund. This disciplined approach has provided me with peace of mind, knowing I have a strong financial cushion to support my retirement.
That’s amazing!!! You have definitely been very disciplined to be set to retire at 49. I’m impressed! I hope you enjoy the heck out of it when you get there ☺️
Aw that is awesome to have lots of kids for Halloween!! Great budget! 💗💗
It really makes it more fun! 🤩
Great job as always and Yay for a date night!!
It was so nice! We need to do it more often ☺️
Almost $500 from YT and babysitting. Outstanding hustle!
Thank you! I am so thankful for both of those, and they’ve really made a huge difference ☺️
Katie! This is amazing and I'm so proud of you!
Thank you, Allison! 🥰
Crushing this debt. I predict you'll find a way to get all of this paid off next year. So excited every tine you pay off a student loan.
All of it?! That’s a big pile of debt! 😆 we’ll see! I definitely want the Highlander gone, and I want to pay off at least 50K in total next year 😄
You guys are absolutely crushing it! You've found the sweet spot in budgeting, not always as exciting but you're so consistent with hitting your goals!
Thank you, Charity! I feel like it took us a long time to find a budget that really worked as far as balancing living and debt payoff, but I do think we’ve finally figured it out 😃
Excited to see the next debt update 🎉
Hopefully next week! 😄
GM Katie, yall had a great month!
We sure did! I’m so glad we made so much progress on Fedloan 5 😄
flawless!!! i hope there is a Katie of the House television series someday. you have the absolute best budgeting videos on youtube. i follow your format exactly minus the school tuition since i dont have small children. im excited about u paying off fedloan 5 as if its one of my debts. you are definitely keeping me motivated!!!!! thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are always so kind and just make my day with your comments! Thank you so much for that. I’m so glad you find my videos helpful ☺️☺️
Great job and nice update!!
Thank you, Jay!
Wow! Almost 60% to debt payoff and savings. Incredible job you guys! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Thank you!! 😄
Strong month Katie 💪
I hit my 3 month emergency fund goal this month 🎉 so for the year I have paid off my car (1.5 yrs early) and have my emergency fund minimum saved. Can't wait to see what the new year will bring for you, me and everyone watching 😊
Oh, Michele, that’s amazing news! Congratulations on getting 3 months saved 😄 that’s huge! And paying off the car early is amazing as well. You are on a roll!
Y’all have had an amazing year. Fed Loan #5 will be gone. Great job on babysitting & UA-cam pay. 😊❤😊
Thank you, Cat! Those aide hustles are helping so much!
Morning Katie! Your neighborhood sounds fun!! Yay, Fedloan 5 will be gone really soon! Great closeout!! 💜🌻🌷
I love our neighborhood. If it wasn’t for the HOA, it would be perfect 😂
Pretty impressive.... major discipline....
Thank you! We’ve definitely improved over time ☺️
Wohoo!! Can't wait for the weekly transfer video next week, it's so exciting! You guys are doing so well! October really was a good month as well
Thanks, Sara!! I’m so looking forward to Marc’s check this week! I’m hoping to be done with Fedloan 5 🙌🏼😄
Wow! Just a few more days and Fedloan 5 will be history. You did a great job staying focused and it’s really paid off. The Highlander won’t take long now. We’re about to join you on the auto loan payoff journey; it’s time to replace our 90K mile Ford. I really don’t want a car loan but I can do better keeping the funds invested, so it’s another debt payoff plan ahead!
I’m counting down the days until Fedloan 5 is gone, Laura!
Ahh I’m sorry that you will have an auto loan again 😫 if you get more with the money invested though, I totally understand!
You are moving along so nicely on the debt payoff!!!🎉
Thank you! We’re definitely trying 😃
Hey Katie!!! ❤😊
Y'all are doing amazing (both with savings & debt payoff)! 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you, Hailey!! We’re trying 😅
Sometimes a negative number isnt a bad thing in the actuals, congratulations on the Fed loan 5! You will have an early Christmas present!
I cant remember what the old, Mohela assigned minimum was on Fed loan 5 but i do remember it wasnt any $20 or $30 per month. Getting Fed loan 5 paid off will be a boon to your emergency fund too.
The minimum for Fedloan 5 was $290! So not a tiny number 😅 it will be nice to not have that anymore for sure.
@KatieoftheHouse Round $290 to $300 and that's $900 less needed for a 3 month ahead buffer, $3600 less for a 12 month buffer. Although you have a higher income 'yada-yada ... these are big enough numbers to feel.
October was a great month. Thanks for sharing!
It definitely was! Thanks for watching, Rachael ☺️
October was a good month!!!
Yes, ma’am! October was good to us ☺️
Amazing process, listening from work ❤❤❤
Have a great day, Shannon!
Great Video
Thanks, Heather!
If you meal plan, begin in the larder (fridge, freezer, pantry shelf stable) and write-in a meal or two from the larder. Then bring foods from the pantry per tge meal plan put onto the kitchen counter; bring freezer foods to the refridgerator freezer. Write a tickler on the todo list to bring frozen food out of tge freezer in time for it to be thawed and used per the meal plan. - Even if you meal plan on an ad-hoc basis, do the same a day before or the morning of.
I really do need to be better about meal planning, Terry! I know it does save me a lot when I do it.
@KatieoftheHouse i like a set of grids 8 wide by 4 down. The 8th column is only 1 word wide and for writing any needed groceries. The 4th row is 3 (small print lines) tall and for any required prep work for future days. For me, taking things out of the freezer in time has always been my number 1 meal plan killer. So, if I need some meat, spaghetti sauce, etc... for use on Wednesday "take XYZ out" will be at the bottom of Sunday's or Monday's meals in that 4th row. More often than not, the single word grocery list is not for regular groceries but say I need a special sauce like say enchilada sauce which is critical to making enchiladas it goes on that right most, 8th column.
I like 2 week's worth of grids available to me at the onset in large part because I do a lot of batch cooking. More often than not I do more of a major cook every other day from which the "left overs" (pre-planned) are used in a future meal; usually "reconstituted" into a completely different tasting meal (if im on my game). Further, I try to skip a day. For example if I cook enough chicken to be used in a second meal on day 1, I try not to reconstitute the left overs until day 3. This is where that second week's worth of grids comes in. It is not often used until the end of the current week unless Ive come across a great sale or deal sometime during the week and then need to start using that food up. (I do use the refridgerator freezer to hold food, guaranteed hold food, and stock up on food but I do also try to eat as much fresh too.) For ourselves currently I usually have some sort of soup-stew or crockpot concoction about once per week to use up all the dds-n-ends refridgerator contents. I usually write my meal plan in pencil. But, if there has been a change in the plan, I wite what we actually ate in ink; over top or scrunched in. I save my meal plans to look over for ideas mostly, to see if we're aiming for repeating the same 10 meals, or if there are some trends in the missed meals despite the plans. (A 3 hour cook just isn't going to happen on a late and busy night home despite what's been written down.)
I have learned to give myself permissions. It begins with having a mostly empty set of grids at the beginning of the week. This is all the more so when some stores break thier ad on Sunday and others in Wednesday; I fill in after I've looked and shopped each set of ads or twice a week. For a while there at a couple of stores I could pretty much guarantee which store would have what type of food (meat ,dairy, produce, bread) on mark down on which days but not what nor how much or at how good of a deal. During this time, the meal plan wasn't written more than a day ahead until after I came home; I was getting a lot of things at 25% to 75% off but a majority of what i brought home from clearance at 50% off.
Almost always, I picked a meal of emphasis and that was the meal I planned more diligently on. For about 2 years it was breakfast because getting out the door was chaotic "heaven". For 2-3 years it was lunches because we had 3 who couldn't go to a work place type lunch due to thier shift and/ or the lunches were pretty pricey; we actually shopped and cooked for lunches and ate left overs for dinners as needed. After picking a meal of emphasis (with the baby sitting it may actually be an after school snack), then I often begins with just a few meals per week if possible and its been a while. Mid week and as I'm going along, I fill in a few more. It truly helps when I write down what we actually ate as opposed to what was planned or unplanned. BTW - Give yourself permission to not feel intimidated nor shamed for having a lot of blank or empty grids. This goes a LONG way towards a happy meal plan.
Fed loan 5 ... so close! Celebration on the way! 🎉
Thank you, Bethany! I CANNOT wait until Friday when Marc gets paid 😄
Just a couple of comments. First, I hope you recognize that you two have a really great income, and while now you are paying debt off that utilizes most of it, soon, that will be done and you are going to have to decide how else to apply it. I hope that you two discuss it now, as it will be on you before you know it. Second, of all the expenses that I saw, the one I think you could reduc without changing anything. is yoour phone,. Look at the Google phone plan, and looke at cricket. I bet you could reduce it by about 30% without ANY real impact to how use the phone. Third, and last, how are you going to celebrate this soom to be occuriring milestone. Do NOT let it go by without you two marking it. Even if you go to another SteakHouse. I would suggest some weekend celebration with the children so they can particpate and learn a lesson on perserverence.
We have definitely been making lans for “after debt.” 😄 it’s so much fun to dream and plan for that “extra” money.
And we’ll definitely do something fun for the 19 year milestone, maybe not a trip like we were hoping, but a date night at the very least ☺️
lol well you could have a lot more streaming services. We have about 4-5 😩
It’s hard not to get them all! It feels like you’re missing out or something 😅😂
I would only get a new xbox if halo 7 is exclusive to it. Yes. I'm single.
I have no idea if it is or not 😂 and nerdy guys are the best! I hope you find someone if that’s what you want ☺️
They lowered gas prices before the election to make some people think things are good. But they can’t control groceries/candy. (Crazy expensive) The economy is not stellar these days and a lot more people wanting free candy.
Yep, the economy definitely has not been stellar for a while in my opinion either, Niki!