Nicole, insent.

I'm eligible to retire (regular retirement) in September 2018. My goal is to be financially able to do so. Hubs, same except change "September 2018" to "July 2019."

Only advice I have for P-C is (1) at some point, enjoy yourself because there's no point in living like a pauper to have a little more socked away, and (2) also at some point, saving does become investing (and a short-term bond mutual fund is a good first investment if you're nervous about taking on too much risk).

at some point, enjoy yourself because there's no point in living like a pauper to have a little more socked away

The way I basically live is that I justify certain splurges by the fact that I've scrimped on everything else. I do know that I can afford to spend more than I do, so occasionally, I remind myself of that fact and do it.

also at some point, saving does become investing (and a short-term bond mutual fund is a good first investment if you're nervous about taking on too much risk).

Yeah, I need to figure out how to invest or something. Right now, it's just sitting in the ING account, which isn't bad, since it's making decent interest (4.5%).

{{{Kristin}}} Believe me, I so understand. I'm sitting in the can't-remotely-handle-money corner with JZ.

New plan - get Polter-Cow's big piles of money to AmyLiz and Tep (and Cass and MM)...

I'm AmyLiz, and I approve this plan.

P-C's on board, even! Right? RIGHT?!

libkitty, I think you should stay far far away from the avalanche danger.

Aimee and Joe, I am not surprised you decided to head to Michigan, it looked to me like you were being told something. I am sorry it has to be so instantaneous , but it makes sense. You should be able to catch up in Michigan. Good luck to you both.

P-C , good for you in managing your money. While we are doing ok, I wish we had done better in the past. Since you are ahead - look hard at your money. If after you are done paying off you loan - and you have over 6 months worth of saving,look at some sort of longer term investment . That what will keep you out of a hole when bigger expenses come along. I have some plans along those lines , when ever that day comes.

Dinner would be nice.

Cash, backflung.

Kristin, I hope you don't get the fullblown ick. I'll be watching with great interest, because I think it may have come through the interwebs. There has been altogether too much illness this winter.

On finances, I have not much saved beyond the standard retirement that I get from work, and even that is just in the default account, which is way too conservative for my age. But I tell myself that it's not so bad because I owe nothing. Granted, no house, but also no student loan or credit card debt.

And yes, I am leaning towards staying at my friend's tonight even though I'd really like to go home.

lib, please to be staying in the safe zone. You know how much AK likes to fuck with overly-optimistic people.

Had to skip. Finally home. Long-ass day. Big-ass project that will make me look really good if this comes off right. Project debuts at 10 a.m. Monday morning. Will be stressball about said project until 2 p.m. Monday, when I can reasonably go get a drink. Only about half done on said project, which means coming in to the office on Sunday. Possibly Saturday after my volunteering stint. Gronk.

On the plus side, Supernatural tonight!

cracks a beer

So, what's up? I hear it is The Adorable One's birthday today, so:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PETE!!!!

That's no longer true. It changed a few years ago (three, maybe?).

not according to 2006 Turbo Tax.

Jacket~ma and job~ma please. Job~ma you understand, I've applied for a great job. It has commuting issues, but easily surmountable (wouldn't be issues if I wasn't moving to DC) But now, you're wondering what's jacket~ma?

So, I went out with some friends. Despite 30 degree temps on Monday, it was 70 degrees today, and a warm night. The bar was having some climate control issues, and it was quite warm. I was wearing a lovely sleeveless top, so I took my jacket off and tossed it on a banquette. I hung out for a few hours. Eventually, got hungry and my feet started to hurt, so I grabbed my jacket. Basic black, checked the label -- yep, Jones New York, time to go. I was walking out with K and C, and tried to put my jacket on. WTF? I can't get my arm in the sleeve? I looked closer and SON OF A BITCH, it was size small. It wasn't quite the same style, but easily confused. I can't really be upset, I mean, I thought that hers was mine until I tried to put it on, so I'm not surprised that she did the same thing. So, I left my business card with the description jotted on it, and took the other one. Why take the other one, you ask? Because if she comes to find it, and doesn't have mine with her, she will take hers and not care about getting mine back to me (I mean, I'd do the same in her place) Now that I have hers, she'll make an effort for exchange. I mean, I'm sure that she's as pissed as I am about losing her jacket.

So, Jacket~ma that she comes back to the bar and calls me.