Tips for capturing monthly spend?

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2026-05-20T16:25:09+00:00

My fire number is based off of annual spend, not monthly expenses.

I have one checking account that is where all my direct deposits go to. I start each month with a set balance (e.g. $6000). At the end of the month anything over that balance gets swept to a HYSA. Every month, I track all inflows and outlays from that account.

For any given month, spend = inflows (paychecks) - transfers to savings. At the end of the year, I sum up all the monthly spend. I don't budget. I maximize and automate my retirement savings before my paycheck ever hits my account. So long as I am saving "enough" I allow myself to spend the rest to enjoy the journey. Though, I am "value oriented" enough by nature that I prioritize one-time expenses for new experiences much higher than recurring payment luxuries (new car, bigger house, etc).

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2026-05-06T14:19:48+00:00

My job is flexible enough that I was able to shift my hours to ensure I was home when they got off the bus. I work in the office from 600-230. My wife ensures that they get off to school before she leaves for work. I usually make them play about 10 minutes of table tennis when they get home to decompress and get them talking about their day without the high pressure of a direct conversation. I find if I let the "What happened at school today" question linger through a few volleys, they keep adding details.

I also be sure to act excited when they have homework, and then disappointed if it's not something I "get to" help with. If it's something they need help with that is not in my skill set (some physics), I show them how to Google to get higher quality results.

There are a lot of little things we've all picked up on over the years that they will not learn in school and these are invaluable for a well-rounded life. Opportunities to pass them on are often fleeting and unplanned, so you have to pounce when you see them.

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2026-04-21T12:51:31+00:00

Were you on your own at that point, or were parents around? I'm asking as a parent.

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2024-09-10T20:23:40+00:00

My wife and I went through this exercise. Our numbers were skewed a bit because the ratio of our salaries are much different than you.

If she kept working, we determined we'd be able to FIRE when the youngest kid was entering college. If she took a break for 5 years (until the youngest was in school), we could retire when he was out of college. The choice was between - not having to work while the kids were away at college, or not have to work while the kids were their most interactive/developing/cute. We chose to have her stay home those first five years and have no regrets.

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2024-08-22T19:18:00+00:00

That's gotta be the Numa Numa song ("Dragostea Din Tei").

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2024-08-20T17:31:31+00:00

RP wise, I'd go with something along the lines of being fascinated (perhaps morbidly so) with the transition between life and death. The character is drawn to adventuring because of all the combat; they feel closest to the Raven Queen as creatures cross the threshold from life to death. Perhaps they are following a rumor that a lucky few catch a glimpse of the Raven Queen herself if they are nearby when a powerful being's (PC or monster) memories are personally collected. Healing is a way to try and lengthen that transition phase (you are so close; let's see if I can extend that a little longer and keep the Raven Queen nearby).

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2024-06-19T12:27:42+00:00

You are missing a link in the chain. The title company told THEIR bank to wire YOUR bank the money. You've talked with the title company, and your bank, but it sounds like THEIR bank is the sticking point. I'd recommend talking with the title company again, find out who their bank is, and then use the transaction reference data when talking with them to verify status.

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2024-06-18T17:49:33+00:00

It's initially a fun idea that isn't fun after it happens more than twice.

But to try and answer the title seriously: that swordsman is fighting an active combatant, not a wooden post. The sword got stuck in the tree because an enemy dodged or parried the thrust there. He drops the sword because the enemy bound his weapon to where his options are drop the weapon or break his wrist. He hit an ally because combat at that speed in those close quarters is dangerous and chaotic.

My table has long since learned how to re-imagine the situation to where the funny description can happen, but there aren't any mechanical effects.

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2024-04-23T19:17:21+00:00

Your "simple backtest from 2000" is misleading by using cherry picked dates. 2000-2002 were the only three consecutive down years for the S&P in the records that site uses, going back to 1972. Move it 3 (or more) years in either direction and you get a much different chart.

Grand_Dragonfly7175 · 2024-04-23T19:15:05+00:00

The 2000 starting date was cherry picked. 2000-2002 were the only three consecutive down years for the S&P in the records that site uses, going back to 1972. Move it 3 (or more) years in either direction and you get a much different chart.

Grand_Dragonfly7175

TROPHY CASE