In my first post, I shared that I just started with a new company, making 35K more (base salary only) a year. With my sign-on bonus, I am paying off our 2017 Toyota Tundra, which only has 45,000 miles on it, and we owe $10,541. Waiting for that money to be desposited any day now. That monthly payment will free up some cash, to the tune of $625. Just in time for student loan payments to start back up - interest only right now is $620 a month (that's for another post, on another day).

When I took this job, I swore I would use the extra money to pay down debt and to save. Being my usual self, I got scared and only selected 5% contribution to my 401K. Even though the company matches up to 6%. Dumb. I don't know what it is - I just like more cash in my checking account, I guess?

So, yesterday, I got real brave and changed my contribution to 10%. Mind you, I've received two paychecks so far, and neither of them had benefits or pretax items deducted yet. I won't know what my real paycheck is until March 4. I think (don't quote me) that means I'll have $654 a paycheck now going into my retirement account. After taxes, my husband and I both put $200 a paycheck into our credit union savings. I'll have to delve into savings more another time.

Since I did such a good thing, I called my husband up and told him he needs to change his contriibution to 10% asap. He told me it is already at 10%. LOL. 

Finally, when I logged into my accounts this morning, I saw that my old bank (job), made a deposit into my 401K. So, I am up about another 6K. Now... I need to make some decisions about what to do with it -- do I roll it into my new 401k? Can you have two 401Ks? Or do I leave it as is? Or do I put it into an IRA. So many questions!

A long, long time ago, I had an account on SavingAdvice. I could not get the account reset, so I tried to make a new one. I was having a ton of technical issues, and gave up a few times. But, I wanted to be here again so bad... so I sent a few emails, don't think I heard back - but after trying again today, I was able to create a new blog!

This is so what I need to get back into budgeting and saving. 

Some background. I worked for a large global bank for 16 years, and just last month decided to be a bit audatious, and applied for a job at another large bank, for 35K more a year (probably could have been more, but I also get nervous and short change myself). I am now making more than I ever thought I would - and at the ripe old age of 46, need to get my life together. OUR LIFE TOGETHER. WE NEED TO GET OUR LIFE TOGETHER. There is a partner in all of this -- my husband of over 27 years. While he does like to save, I am the bigger nerd who likes to plan to save and pay down debt (which we've done several times over the years -- going for once and for all here, people!) 

Pardon the dust as I work to get everything all set up. Especially now that my pay frequency/timing has changed and I need to create a budget. We spent the last two years on auto-pilot, spending whatever we wanted. And I am afraid we are going to pay dearly for that come retirement in 20 years (if not sooner). 

So, more to come new friends!