Monkey Mama*s Monkey Money Blog

Monkey Mama*s Monkey Money Blog https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com Over Prepare, Then Go With The Flow info@savingadvice.com Monkey Mama en-us March '22 Savings https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/04/10/march-22-savings_223655/ Received $23 bank interest for the month of March.   Snowflakes to Investments: --Redeemed $46 credit card rewards (cash back) from our grocery card  --Redeemed $83 cash back on Citi card --Redeemed $6 on dining out/gas card (bought some gas for MM)   Other Snowflakes... Sun, 10 Apr 2022 14:31:51 PST Monkey Mama More Busy... https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/04/10/more-busy_223654/ Hell froze over and MH finished his movie!  We had a small premier party this week (for cast and crew).  After brainstorming and shooting down a lot of ideas, it ended up all coming together.   & I mean, I was willing to spend $1,000 on this party (particularly... Sun, 10 Apr 2022 00:04:52 PST Monkey Mama Busy Busy https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/03/13/busy-busy_223582/ Work is very busy right now.   We are hosting St Patty's day dinner so things are busy at home.  MH handles all things food but I am trying to get the house in order.  I got out of my funk last weekend and got our taxes done and also started on getting the house... Sun, 13 Mar 2022 18:31:24 PST Monkey Mama Feb '22 Savings https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/03/05/feb-22-savings_223559/ Received $25 bank interest for the month of February.   Snowflakes to Investments: --Redeemed $37 credit card rewards (cash back) from our grocery card  --Redeemed $85 cash back on Citi card --Redeemed $6 on dining out card   Other Snowflakes to Investments: +... Sat, 05 Mar 2022 17:36:36 PST Monkey Mama That Was Unexpected https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/03/02/that-was-unexpected_223547/ I received a 5% raise this year, in addition to an extra week of vacation (putting my vacation time back to what I was used to at my last job).  I was more than happy with all of the above.  Certainly better than the usual 3% COLA raise. After 20 years of January 1 raises... Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:12:15 PST Monkey Mama This & That https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/03/01/this-that_223539/ The theme has changed:  Life is chaotic and difficult, but finances are... okay? I hadn't commented lately and probably just wan't very conscious of how terrible things have been.  Because relatively, things have gone done a few notches and were a little easier.  Phew! ... Tue, 01 Mar 2022 14:29:18 PST Monkey Mama MM(18) Money Update https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/02/13/mm18-money-update_223485/ Getting through "started but not published" posts.  This is the last one.  I did a DL(16) money update about a month ago, but here is the MM(18) update. MM(18) had a one-month job lined up that would net about $3,500.  This was last August.  It fell through but... Sun, 13 Feb 2022 15:42:54 PST Monkey Mama The Electric Vehicle Recall & Fix https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/02/05/the-electric-vehicle-recall-fix_223457/ This electric vehicle recall was a roller coaster I just didn't have the time or energy to blog about.  Plus, easier to post the whole story when we have some resolution. I also don't remember a lot of the little details and roller coaster, so maybe it's for the best.   We... Sat, 05 Feb 2022 15:40:36 PST Monkey Mama Car Gas Spending https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/02/04/car-gas-spending_223451/ In 2020 we spent $115 on car gas, for the hybrid car.   It looks like we did 4 Bay Area trips before we bought the all-electric vehicle in late Summer 2020. After buying the electric car, I spent a whole whopping $6 on gas.  This was for a couple of gallons... Fri, 04 Feb 2022 01:04:07 PST Monkey Mama January '22 Savings https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/02/02/january-22-savings_223443/ Received $27 bank interest for the month of January.   Snowflakes to Investments: --Redeemed $32 credit card rewards (cash back) from our grocery card  --Redeemed $97 cash back on Citi card --Redeemed $15 on dining out card (also used for groceries)   Other Snowflakes... Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:04:13 PST Monkey Mama General Check In https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/01/23/general-check-in_223418/ We had a San Francisco weekend planned with 5 shows, this weekend.  This was canceled a while ago.  Seemed overkill at the time, but now I am not sure I would have gone.  COVID has been rampant in our zip code and circles.   Instead I am working and tending... Sun, 23 Jan 2022 19:24:39 PST Monkey Mama We Tried https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/01/22/we-tried_223411/ I've heard that it's virtually impossible to get life insurance after a brain tumor.  It's not cancer and it's not life threatening (while being watched/treated).  But the underwriters just lump all brain tumors basically under the worst category.   Anyway, the... Sat, 22 Jan 2022 15:36:06 PST Monkey Mama 2021 Goals Met https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/01/17/2021-goals-met_223392/ I am memorializing goals in my sidebar.  Unfortunately, this site is not allowing me to just cut and paste my sidebar goals.  So whatever, will just put some in another format and type it out.   Pay cash for college ✔ In the end, MM(18) followed in his... Mon, 17 Jan 2022 03:49:44 PST Monkey Mama DL(16) Money Update https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/01/16/dl16-money-update_223389/ I am going through updating the kids' Quicken accounts and so can do a snapshot of where they are at. Firstly, DL(16) is done with his allowance.  I turned it off January 1, same as I did for his brother (when he turned 16.5).  & the only reason it took that long was... Sun, 16 Jan 2022 15:53:48 PST Monkey Mama Net Worth Update 2021 https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/01/09/net-worth-update-2021_223375/ I am just going to mix in current commentary with prior year commentary. 2020:  +$104,000 2021:  +$215,000  🤯 2020:  We paid down the mortgage by $10,000, purchased a newer vehicle, and the rest was stock market contributions and gains. 2021:  We paid... Sun, 09 Jan 2022 15:55:54 PST Monkey Mama Taxes (Almost) Done https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/01/09/taxes-almost-done_223374/ Feeling productive today.  Got our taxes mostly done.  Is generally how I handle it.  Just get everything entered and then double check that tax forms match my records, as those forms come in.  Try to file before February. I really miss the professional work software... Sun, 09 Jan 2022 15:42:20 PST Monkey Mama Quick Check In https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2022/01/03/q_223351/ I am happy how 2021 shook our financially and have done some tax projections and updated my sidebar for 2022 goals (basically same as always). I will delve deeper when I have some time.  Just popped on the computer this morning to execute some rebalancing trades.  The *one*... Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:29:52 PST Monkey Mama 1 More Day! https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2021/12/31/1-more-day_223331/ Our net worth is up $200K for the year.  !! We are at the whim of the stock market.  Waiting to see how today shakes out.  Most of these gains were real estate gains.  It had been pretty stagnate here post recession but got knocked loose this year.  &... Fri, 31 Dec 2021 15:49:59 PST Monkey Mama Dec 2021 Credit Card Reward Tally https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2021/12/31/dec-2021-credit-card-reward-tally_223330/ 2021 TALLY: $800 Cash (Chase Sapphire Quadruple Dip, MH)  $30 Venmo ($10 x 3 Sign Up Bonuses) ------------ $830 TOTAL *ONE-TIME REWARDS* Ongoing rewards: +$313 AmExRewards (6% cash back groceries/streaming services) +$80 Target rewards (5% discount Target purchases; mostly... Fri, 31 Dec 2021 15:09:00 PST Monkey Mama Nov 2021 Credit Card Reward Tally https://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2021/12/24/november-2021-credit-card-reward-tally_223309/ 2021 TALLY (Preliminary): $800 Cash (Chase Sapphire Quadruple Dip, MH)  $30 Venmo ($10 x 3 Sign Up Bonuses) ------------ $830 TOTAL *ONE-TIME REWARDS* Ongoing rewards: +$313 AmExRewards (6% cash back groceries/streaming services) +$80 Target rewards (5% discount Target... Fri, 24 Dec 2021 17:54:07 PST Monkey Mama