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April 2018 Update

April 3rd, 2018 at 04:00 pm

Just a quick update and snapshot in time:

Mortgage:

$ 136,859.02 March 2018
- $385.79 Regular Principal
- $150.00 Additional Principal
____________
$ 136,323.23 Ending April 2018

EF:

$ 8,000.00 February 2018
+ $1,000.00 March 2018
____________
$ 9,000.00 Ending March 2018

New Vehicle Fund (NVF):

$ 12,363.00 February 2018
+ $898.00 March 2018
____________
$ 13,261.00 Ending March 2018

January 2018 Update

January 9th, 2018 at 03:59 pm

Things are moving right along on auto pilot.

Mortgage:

$ 138,453.73 December 2017
- $379.47 Regular Principal
- $150.00 Additional Principal
____________
$ 137,924.26 January 2018

Now I want to see the balance in the $120K's!

EF:

$ 7,000.00 December 2017
+ $1,000.00 January 2018
____________
$ 8,000.00 January 2018

New Vehicle Fund (NVF):

$ 7,830.00 November 2017
+ $830.00 December 2017
____________
$ 8,660.00 December 2017

Retirement:

Currently have $400/ mo. contributions toward ROTH IRAs, split $200/$200 for DW and I. We may increase that by $50 each this year.

I may also increase my 457 contributions from 5% to 10%. This may happen mid year when I should settle on a wage renegotiation, +$6-8K/ yr. I'll have to double check to see if DW maximizes her employee match (6%), if not we will reevaluate that as well to seek maximum benefit.

November 2017 Update

November 2nd, 2017 at 01:22 pm

It has been 8 months since my last update, things have just been on auto pilot recently!

Mortgage:

$ 139,506.43 October 2017
- $375.31 Regular Principal
- $150.00 Additional Principal
____________
$138,981.12 November 2017


EF:

$7,000.00

Been maintaining since July 2017, we diverted some funds to pay for our yearly (at least it seems that way) visit to FL, which we took end of September. This fund increases by approximately $1,000/ month, given maintaining our current wages and cash flow.

NVF (New Vehicle Fund):

$7,000.00

I have been saving for a new vehicle. There is nothing wrong with my current 10 year old Honda that I basically maintain myself, just find myself requiring the use of a truck more often than not. Has 106K miles and just put new tires on it. I just paid for mounting and balancing and an alignment at the dealer and gave them my customer supplied tires. I was able to research best price and model of tire for my needs. My next vehicle is probably a mid-size truck, so I began saving Jan 2017, those are not cheap. Just seeing how close I can come to either an outright cash deal or 50-60% down with a 36 month note on the remainder and keep some additional cash liquid. I would not be trading my fun to drive simple driver oriented Honda Civic Si 4 door Sedan, it would see garage duty and nice weather cruising. Ford and Jeep are supposed to be releasing new products to the segment in the next 8-12 months or so. This fund increases by approximately $832/ month, given maintaining our current wages and cash flow.

Other:

I cashed out 6 weeks of time at work in September, I put it all in my personal saving account. In 2018, I will be cashing out another 4 weeks and just banking it there as well. The first of the year, in January, I will be receiving a yearly longevity check, which will also boost that account. I have no plans for this money, but I do have a non-frugal automotive hobby as I am an automotive enthusiast.

March 2017 Mortgage and EF

March 3rd, 2017 at 07:26 pm

Mortgage:

$ 143,635.00 February 2017
- $358.96 Regular Principal
- $150.00 Additional Principal
____________
$143,126.04 March 2017

This was last payment that included PMI on our FHA loan! The April payment is already adjusted by the mortgage servicer!

EF:

$ 5,000 February 2017
+ 1,000 Added
_______
$ 6,000 March 2017

Mortgage, FE, 2016 Taxes

February 2nd, 2017 at 05:12 pm

Mortgage:

$ 144,141.96 January 2017
- $356.96 Regular Principal
- $150.00 Additional Principal
____________
$143,635.00 February 2017

Finally 78% LTV! Monthly Mortgage Insurance cancellation in the works!

EF:

$ 4,000 January 2017
+ 1,000 Added
_______
$ 5,000 February 2017

2016 Taxes:

Ouch, did our taxes, but did not finalize, we owe Feds $1,800 and NYS $200. We have moved into another tax bracket and will adjust withholding as we both currently claim Fed M-0 and NYS M-0. Yeah, so we will split the additional withholding amount request between DW and I for 2017 pay check as we make very similar wages. I don't have a problem as March 2017 DW gets an "Extra" paycheck and will pay utilizing those funds, and should cover 90% and will make the difference up with cash flow. Bummer, but oh well, as that "Extra" check could have went toward something else.

Updates!

January 26th, 2017 at 04:53 pm

It has been about 4 months or so since my last update, which have mostly been mortgage pre-payment updates, but some things have changed and thought I would share.

The mortgage pre-payment is still moving forward, but the $700 extra (for a total $1,000 off principal each payment) has been reduced to $150 (for a total of $500 off principal each payment). That was done in anticipation of the Holidays and potentially replacing my vehicle in the near future, as well as increasing our cash on hand to possibly move to a larger home sometime in the next 3-5 years. You may be asking why put additional to the mortgage? Mortgage payoff is pretty much what we would realize after a sale, if sold in the next couple of months. Mortgage regulations state, that I have read anyway, require 30% equity in order consider the rents on the current home to be considered income for a new mortgage loan application. Even if we don't rent, I still would like to have options.

Finally received a promotion at work, so 25% increase in base yearly pay is nice, but not effective until Jan 30, 2017, few days left. The management package, no longer union employee, is nice and savings on health insurance alone is a nice net in the pay check. The ability to cash out 2 weeks vacation and 2 weeks compensatory time are nice, which I will be doing for additional monies realized. Nice to see a decent "raise" after going without from 2009 to 2015.

I was done paying into the NYS retirement account (414H) back in July 2016, have since been diverting that to NYS Deferred Compensation 403B plan, and increased it from 3% (414H) to 5% (403B). I will most likely increase that after I see a couple checks to know the effect of the promotion and where we want to be.

The Vanguard ROTH IRA is doing great, just need to look into increasing, which was about 50% funded for both DW and I in 2016.

DW also signed up for her company 401K 6% match, for a total of 12%, she was able to get the match after 2 years of employment. She is up for a 5% raise in the next couple months.

Mortgage Payment - August 2016

August 2nd, 2016 at 01:00 pm

$ 147,710.17 July 2016
- $342.83 Regular Principal
- $700.00 Additional Principal
____________
$146,667.34 August 2016

Mortgage Payment - July 2016

July 5th, 2016 at 01:28 pm

$148,748.89 June 2016
- $338.72 Regular Principal
- $700.00 Additional Principal
____________
$147,710.17 July 2016

Mortgage Payment - June 2016

June 2nd, 2016 at 04:10 pm

$149,783.52 May 2016
- $334.63 Regular Principal
- $700.00 Additional Principal
____________
$148,748.89 June 2016

Mortgage Payment - May 2016

May 2nd, 2016 at 03:20 pm

$150,814.07 April 2016
- $330.55 Regular Principal
- $700.00 Additional Principal
____________
$149,783.52 May 2016

Milestone! Finally in the $140K's!

Mortgage Payment - April 2016

April 4th, 2016 at 01:16 pm

$151,840.55 March 2016
- $326.48 Regular Principal
- $700.00 Additional Principal
____________
$150,814.07 April 2016

Mortgage Payment - March 2016

March 2nd, 2016 at 12:53 pm

$152,862.99 February 2016
- $322.44 Regular Principal
- $700.00 Additional Principal
____________
$151,840.55 March 2016

Mortgage Payment - February 2016

February 2nd, 2016 at 01:11 pm

$153,881.40 January 2016
- $318.41 Regular Principal
- $700.00 Additional Principal
____________
$152,862.99 February 2016

Mortgage Payment - January 2016

January 4th, 2016 at 02:40 pm

$154,895.79 December 2015
- $314.39 Regular Principal
- $700.00 Additional Principal
____________
$153,881.40 January 2016

Mortgage Payment - December 2015

December 2nd, 2015 at 05:55 pm

$155,806.58 November 2015
- $310.79 Regular Principal
- $600.00 Additional Principal
____________
$154,895.79 December 2015

5 Years In!

November 25th, 2015 at 08:42 pm

About 10 days ago my wife and I purchased our first home 5 years ago, currently worth less than we paid and still owe, probably by a substantial amount, but oh well. Let me get to the numbers. We haven't always put extra money to the mortgage during those 5 years, but have consistently (and will continue assuming we remain gainfully employed) for the past 24 months.

Original Amortization to Date:
Interest: $40,534.31
Principal: $15,116.89

Current Amortization to Date:
Interest: $40,158.02
Principal: $22,908.18

I am not sure what I was thinking, but I was expecting more shaved off in total interest, which amounts to a savings of $376.29. Principal paid is, obviously more reflective, of an additional $7,791.29 that would have been added to today's balance if we hadn't paid any extra.

Pretty interesting to see, but this year is the first we paid more in Principal than in Interest, albeit forced. Feels good in a way, next year will be better!

Mortgage Payment - November 2015

November 2nd, 2015 at 01:20 pm

$156,713.77 October 2015
- $307.19 Regular Principal
- $600.00 Additional Principal
____________
$155,806.58 November 2015

Mortgage Payment - October 2015

October 1st, 2015 at 02:02 pm

$157,617.39 September 2015
- $303.62 Regular Principal
- $600.00 Additional Principal
____________
$156,713.77 October 2015

Mortgage Payment

September 2nd, 2015 at 02:06 pm

$158,517.45 August 2015
- $300.06 Regular Principal
- $600.00 Additional Principal
____________
$157,617.39 September 2015

April 2015 Mortgage Payment and EF

April 2nd, 2015 at 03:18 pm

Mortgage:

$161,235.37 March 2015
- $289.30 Regular Principal
- $250.00 Additional Principal
____________
$160,696.07 April 2015

EF:

$3,000 Beginning Balance
+$4,000 DW Base Retro Pay
_______
$7,000 Ending Balance

DW will be receiving more retro next pay check, they split her base pay retro from her additional certification pay retro.

Also updated Retirement numbers on side bar for Q1 2015.

Long time?! DW Promotion and Retro Pay!

March 26th, 2015 at 04:24 pm

Apparently it has been a year since my last entry. I've been on frequently, just not blogging I guess, however, commented on a few other blogs.

My blog is usually straight and to the point, so this will be no different!

1. Wells Fargo (WF) Mortgage and Escrow. I FINALLY got them to pay our land taxes in a one-time yearly pay-in-full, now I don't have to hunt them down to get reimbursed for the installment fee.

2. Mortgage is due to be under $160K in June 2015 (with current additional payments), I may make it sooner, but trying to get rid of PMI. The loan documents state 5 years or 20% equity from original appraisal, whichever is longer. The use of DW's new promotion may actually make those criteria happen at the same time this December (read options below). I can't stand WF.

3. Retro pay (retro to Jan 4, 2015), will be close to $7K net. We should see that check in a week or two. That will just sit in the EF, which has been drawn down recently for medical expenses and some updates to the home (fence in 2014).

4. The raise that is doubling her salary,

Option 1. Mentioned above with removing PMI ($75/ mo), no, not really that bad, but 20%+ equity sound nice.

Option 2. Save to purchase land in the boonies, looking at about $70K for a 3.5 acre parcel. Expensive here in NY, and not much nice parcels left in this area. Pricey.

Option 3. Bank it all.

5. Retirement will be increased with any of the above. May be able to max both ROTH's out this year.

6. May need to look at opening some 401K's, the tax deduction may be needed to keep tax liability down and it will probably double from last year.

Problem, I am indecisive, DW trusts me and I include her in all large decisions, but my head spins thinking about the options, as we both want them all.

Some decisions to be made!

Mortgage Mini Milestone

April 3rd, 2014 at 01:03 pm

I call is mini because it only changes the thousands digit. We are below $167K!

I have been adding at least $100 each month to principal so far this year as to meet one of our financial goals, which was at least $50 additional/ month.

The $100 allows the thousands digit to change every 3 months instead of every 4, so we knock a month off the entire length of loan (if we were to keep it) every 3 months given it's current location in the amortization schedule.

Random Updates

March 5th, 2014 at 01:13 pm

I'll keep this short, my posts are usually to the point, so this one won't be any different!

1. Our new appliances. We received 3/4 of them, the fridge should be delivered today, if not, I feel sorry for the store that will have to deal with DW! We have been told many conflicting things regarding the fridge delivery and she has had enough!

2. The "NYS Surcharge" that showed up on an in-patient hospital bill late last year, well that reimbursement finally came to fruition. HR initially said it was our responsibility, well that is not what my contract states at work; $0 out-of-pocket for in-patient. I submitted all my evidence to the legal department here at work, and finally the employer was directed to reimburse me. $389 to the new appliances!

3. $100 to mortgage principal for 3/2014 payment! Still above my goal by double each month. $380 extra so far this year.

4. Sold our old fridge for $100 and posting old microwave for $125 on craigslist. Our out-of-pocket expense on these new appliances are low compared to their final price after taxes!

5. Got both NYS and Fed tax refunds.

6. Noticed the price of the new fridge and stove (already was delivered) went even lower on-line, we got the store to honor those new prices. $124 came back!

7. DW has an interview on Thursday that sounds really promising. I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but both our ROTH's could be fully funded this year and exceed our EF funding goal. If she does as her income would grow at least twice. Cool to think about.

8. I'm not a big fan of Zillow "Zestimates", I take it with a grain of salt, but I do look at the trend of our "zestimate" and compare it to local actual trends of home values and sales, adjust for bedroom count, baths, lot size, location etc. I estimate we could sell easily for $159K-162K. "Zestimate" shows a value of $154K and has started to level out around that number nicely. We owe $167.2K, still a bummer. $8K under is a lot better than almost $30K we were looking at 2 years ago. I'd rather be in a position we could liquidate if needed and not owe anything at closing, even if we lost money from original purchase price and/or updates.

Ah well, that's it for now!

Escrow Frustration, It Has To Go!

February 18th, 2014 at 01:33 am

I've blogged before regarding how our mortgage escrow company pays our City property tax in Quarterly Installments, but the City charges an installment fee to utilize that method. I usually have to go through hoops to get them to reimburse me as it is not our problem or choice they do so. Well, yet again, 4th year in a row they continue to do their "normal" practice. I called them up and it wasn't pretty needless to say, I've had enough. They finally blamed it on the "tax authority" and gave me the contact info as according to them, the "tax authority" requests the taxes be paid in such manor. Well, it is our money in that account, not theirs, I say how the money is spent!

Anyway, I'm tired of it, the mortgage will be going quickly as humanly possible. We had already made a goal of at least $50/mo. toward the mortgage for 2014, we want to escrow ourselves, I am tired watching their every move like a hawk.

Extra payments so far this year:
Jan = $115.00
Feb = $165.00
Mar = $310+$750(tax refund)+$300(CU Cash Rewards)

It's that time again...

January 21st, 2014 at 07:56 pm

...the time of year I get a letter ready to send to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Escrow Division. Our property is split, City and Town, our taxes are as follows:

City Property Tax
City School Tax
Town Property Tax
Town School Tax

How they are paid out of escrow:

City Property Tax - Quarterly Installments
City School Tax - Bi-Annually Payments
Town Property Tax - Paid in Full
Town School Tax - Paid in Full

The only one I have an issue with every year is the City Property Tax disbursement, as the City charges an installment fee to pay in such manner. The first year they gave me no problems, the second and third years they gave me a bunch of bull, but in the end, I've always gotten it back. In my opinion, I should not have to ask every year; either they pay in full or they automatically refund my money!

This year it will be $33.06.

Mortgage and Auto Loan Get a Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2014 at 02:56 pm

Sent $115.00 extra to mortgage principal and $275 extra to auto loan principal!

Both 'thousand place' digits changed, even though it was intentional! Haha!

Sitting at:

Mortgage - $167,998.42
Auto Loan - $1,994.11

In addition, the 'ten thousand' digit changed on our total debt, which is just the two added together, also intentional, which is why I took advantage of this whole "unique" situation!

Total Debt - $169,992.53

Happy New Year!

2014 Goals

December 24th, 2013 at 06:01 pm

It's that time again; 2014 Goals!

Debt Service:

1. Auto Loan paid off by June 2014. This will actually happen by itself with regular payments, which will be 18 months early on our 48 month loan. Once it gets down below $1,000 I may reevaluate with a lump sum payoff. Right now, it costing us less than $6/ mo. in interest.

2. Mortgage principal only payments. Sending $50/ mo. additional principal only payments for 2014. I have automatic payments set-up from our savings account.

Retirement/ Savings:

1. ROTH IRA (ME), fund $50/ mo. I have automatic contributions set-up from our savings account.

2. ROTH IRA (DW), fund $50/ mo. I have automatic contributions set-up from our savings account.

3. Emergency Fund to $10,000.

Home Improvements:

1. Fence for rear yard. DIY project. $1,500-2,500 depending on materials used.

I made the goals a little more accessible this year. I had hoped to have the auto loan paid off six months ago, but other things came up and DW switched job to a much less stressful one, but at the expense of less wages.

Here's to 2014! Smile

Wells Fargo Question

December 23rd, 2013 at 08:20 pm

I figured I would ask here in the Blog section before I asked in the Forum section, but those of you who have Wells Fargo Mortgages or Mortgages Serviced by Wells Fargo, are you able to set up automatic additional principal payments further than 1 month out? I only have the option to set up one month ahead, which is kind of annoying if you ask me. I wanted to set-up the whole year, so as to set it and forget it, but no avail. They probably are doing that hoping I would forget so they can make more money on interest! Haha!

Just a Quick Update

October 29th, 2013 at 02:20 pm

Our Auto Loan had a minor milestone of under the $3K mark! I did add $55 to principal only for that to happen. I get an "extra" paycheck extremely early in 2014, January to be exact, so a good chunk will most likely be going to the Auto Loan. Once it is down around $1300 is probably when a lump sum pay off will occur.

The Mortgage also had a minor milestone of under the $169K mark this month. Not much progress there at all besides regular payments. There is a home for sale a street over that is very similar in size and style to ours that is listed for $169K, so I will keep an eye on final sale price once and if it sells. I expect high $150's low $160's.

The reduction of Verizon services is already paying off, the first bill saw a savings of $61, so that works for me.

DW changed jobs, less hourly pay, less hours until January 1 and much less stress. After that, a raise and back to 30-35 hours instead of the current 25.5 hours. So the dept shovel has been reduced a bit, for the short term. However, the new job at the Dental office does provide opportunity for a monthly bonus of $500-$5,000, so in reality, the effective pay could be significantly more than her previous employer. There is also a yearly bonus on top. I just had to rework our budget schedule as she now gets paid weekly and not bi-weekly.

Auto Loan Under $5K!

June 24th, 2013 at 04:11 pm

The auto loan this morning was at about $5,150.00, but I couldn't stand to see it that close to being under $5,000 so (as I already had planned), I transferred an additional $175.00 to the principle and brought the balance down to $4,979.69!

So, in June, two 'milestones' were reached:

1. Mortgage Under $170,000

2. Auto Loan Under $5,000

In other news...

I got into my vehicle this morning and while on my way to work I noticed my clutch pedal having a lot of free play in it, as if there was no hydraulic pressure. I limped it to work, checked the clutch fluid reservoir and the reservoir was empty. I checked and I hope it is just a loose fitting where the clutch line connects to the clutch master cylinder (I can't see that connection unless a few parts are removed [these cab-forward designs on all these new cars make it so difficult to see parts of such), as the other end of the line connecting to the clutch slave cylinder is dry. Inside under the clutch pedal is dry, which hopefully rules out my brand new clutch master cylinder I had installed a few months ago along with the clutch. I put some fluid in it and attempted to pump it a few times and I noticed some fluid that is running down the line and dripping on the ground. I hope it is just a simple clutch line being loose, but it is at the side I can't get to myself. I have an appointment on Wednesday to bring it to the shop, but we may drop it off tonight as I don't want to really to push it.

I will say, I love my 2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan, but they just don't make them like they use to in the 1980's and 1990's. Bummer.


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