I reviewed my monthly budget spreadsheet for March and with a surplus of over $2,000 I decided to send $2,000 to my savings. This might be my strategy in future months as my checking account continues to grow. 

Tomorrow & Good Friday are pay days. April will be a flush month. I expect I'll be able to send more surplus to my savings.

I had a couple of conversations with my chief pathologist & co-worker that continue to make me optimistic about potential promotions. It means a lot that my superiors have confidence in me. 

I'm having some progress in physical therapy. Not as quickly as I'd like, but that's partly my fault because I should have seen the doctor sooner rather than later. I am hoping to avoid surgery. 

My mom & I discussed our Easter menu. It will be just the three of us as usual, but we still have a rather large menu planned. I'm hoping that it will be a beautiful spring weekend! 🐰🐣💐

I have applied for two promotions at my workplace. I would be happy with either one, but I am leaning towards the one that is more computer than lab. My co-worker has recommended me for the other position, however. I am honored that he thought of me & put in a good job word for me with my xxxxxxx. My xxxxxxxalso called to ask if I had applied for either position & seemed pleased when I told her that I had applied for both. Our xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx has also inquired as to whether I would be interested in other positions. So fingers crossed & prayers prayed that one of them works out. It's funny, but just the thought of the opportunity to move up has made my days better. This week in particular has been peaceful, even though I've been crazy busy. I really just want to go out on a high note with a good inspection.

I made a lot of changes when I became lab supervisor. I had to take a fragmented lab & make it a cohesive core lab. None of the changes were easy & I didn't always have the support that I thought I should have, but I'm super proud with how I persevered. I learned a lot about myself & my character. I found out that I was a lot stronger than I thought. It has given me confidence.

The promotion would come with a small raise. No raises are big in government work, but it's sufficient for me. 

I haven't done anything with the gift from my mom. I'm just sitting on it until I decide what to do. I think I'd like to fund my IRA for 2021, but maybe I should wait for a little downturn in the market.

I can't believe that it's just over one week until Easter! Time is flying by.

It's frustrating that this keeps happening.

My mom gave me an expected gift of $3,500! She said that she didn't want me to feel left out because I didn't my qualify for a 3rd stimulus. She is going to give me another $1,500 at a later time. It was such a sweet & unexpected gift. I truly am blessed. I have no plans for the money at this time.

I have all my expenses & income for the month & I only ended up in the red by about $141 not including the gift. Again, I wrote checks for my federal & state taxes totaling $1,410. I will mail them later. Happy to have an extra month to pay federal taxes!  

So close to $1.1 million in investments.

Net Worth: $1,211,800

Investments: $1,099,951

I almost mailed my payment this week, think I'll hold onto it for a little while longer! New deadline is May 15th.

Happy (early) St. Patrick's Day & may the luck of the Irish be with you! I've been reminescing on my trip to Dublin a little over 4 years ago. It was a great, but too short trip. I would like to go back & see the Irish countryside.

My goal was to have one thing done to my home each month & I've done nothing this month. I will reach out to some awning companies to get quotes. An awning is something that I've needed for 15 years now! I think it will cost less than my painting based on quotes I received a few years ago, but everything goes up in price, of course.

I really have blown through my FSA this year with my shoulder problems. It makes me all the more eager to sign up for an HSA eligible plan for next year. I have seen some progress. The worst of my symptoms will take longer to resolve of course. I had an appt with my primary care doctor today & I definitely need to get back to my lower carb eating. I'm disappointed that I have regained what I lost last summer & fall. Plus I'm not making as much progress in my Lyra classes & I attribute it to the extra weight. It makes moving around in the hoop harder!

Friday is my last paycheck of the month and I'll end it slightly in the red due to writing checks for my federal & state taxes for a total of $1,410. Next month is a 3 paycheck month. 

Net Worth: $1,209,196

Investments: $1,097,199

Getting the same error message this morning when I try to comment on blogs.

It's a non-payday Friday. My expenses seem so much lower now that I've paid off my debt. Now I only look forward to paydays because of my TSP contributions.

Did any of you listen to Chris Hogan from the Dave Ramsey show? He left the group this week. Someone had posted a blog from his ex-wife in a group a couple of months ago so I had a little clue that something was amiss. I never expected him to leave, though. I really enjoyed listening to his show. I play their recorded shows on YouTube while working. I hope Chris Hogan lands somewhere else so I can continue to follow him.

Mint has my one year gains as $430,699 so I know it must have been around this time a year ago that the market tanked. My year end 2020 gain was less than half that when everything recovered.

Net Worth: $1,201,959

I've tried to post comments on a few blogs & keep getting an error message to try again later.