Hello All! I have been reading your blog entries and all things "savings advice" for a few months now. After resisting the urge to comment, I decided to take the next step in my personal finance journey and "join the club". I hope I bring value to the group and offer motivation while gaining inspiration as well. To bring you into my world: Divorced six years ago. Although it was amicable, I ensured she and the children were "set for life". This left me a bit undervalued. Through a laser focus on debt elimination with simultaneous savings, this is where I stand as of 6/29/17:

Credit Card #1 Debt - $0 (although I have internet, cell phone, Netflix and a monthly St. Jude's Contribution applied monthly for efficiency and cash reward points). This balance of ~$175.00/mo is paid in full every two weeks.

Credit Card #2 Debt - $0 (although all other living expenses such as entertainment, food, auto insurance (every 6 months) and misc expenses are applied. The second card offers a healthier cash reward program than credit card #1, but I have not considered transferring auto payments to this card - lazy). This balance of ~$325.00/mo is paid in full every two weeks.

Auto Payment - $250/mo - 2014 Chevy Cruz. Paid via monthly employer stipend. Nets ~$200.00/mo income via unused stipend.

Mortgage - $950.00/mo (taxes and insurance escrowed) leaving a $96K balance on a $108K mortgage as of June, 2017. The benefits of living in a beautiful city without the "fluff" of inflated property values. (See Mortgage Payoff Challenge).

Home Utilities - Paid in Full every month ~$100.00/mo for electric as I have a private well and septic system at no charge for water/sewer.

Refuse - I split the $25.00/mo cost with the ex wife as we both only use about two bags per week mainly due to the kids.

Savings #1 - Capital One 360 MMA - $50K. I will add $5K to this via Savings #2 at every $10K balance as accrued via operating account deposit(s).

Roth IRA - Tax Year 2017 fully funded at $5,500.00.

As you can see, I am working to not only diversify savings but keep my expenses as low as possible. I know many will ask about an employer funded retirement account, however, I keep that out of site and out of mind. My thought is that it'll be like one big Christmas present with the time comes....God willing!