Struggling to be debt free

  My firm gives year-end bonuses based on hours billed. My bonus, after taxes, was just under $12,000. It was $18,000 pre-tax.  Here's how I split up the money:  1. $1,500 to gift/donate  2. $3,000 extra payment to the mortgage  3. $2,500 saved to set up CD laddering 4. $1,000 to savings account  5. $3,000 to spend on improvements at my mom's house (she needs a new hot water heater and that will likely be her birthday present from me).  6. $1,000 to invest Did you receive a year-end bonus? What do you plan to send the money on? Does anyone receive bonuses in February?

  1. Pay mortgage down to under $120k. I currently owe just over $135k I am paying an extra $500 a month on my mortgage. I also hope to get a bigger year end bonus and apply a portion of that to the mortgage this year.  I am down to $113,023 remaining! 2. Increase contribution to 401k to 10% from 8% I currently am contributing 8% of my $168k salary. I expect a 5% raise to $176k. I will increase my 401k contribution to 10% of my new salary.  My raise was to $175K. I increased my 401k contributions to 10%. 3. Increase savings account (Marcus) to $50k (started at approximately $40k).  I've always had anxiety over job loss. I hope to keep a $50k savings account for my emergency fund and household expenses.  My savings account is at $51,174.  4. Max out Back door Roth Contributions Complete! 5. Lose 30lbs I lost about 6lbs and gained it all back.! 6. Read 12 books I stopped counting and now I can't find the list I had of completed books. I may start listening to...

  I love setting goals for myself. It helps keep me motivated and on track (kinda of). Here are my goals for 2026. Let's GOOOOO!!!  1. Roth IRA . I want to max out my contributions to my Roth IRA this year. The contribution limit was raised to $7,500 for 2026 and I want to make sure I hit that limit. Future me will thank me later.  2. 401k. I want to increase my contribution to my 401k. I am currently contributing 10% of my $175k salary. I plan to increase that amount to 11% or 12% this year depending on the amount of my raise.  3. Income . I want to increase my salary to $200k this year. However, I would be satisfied with a raise to $187,500. Performance reviews are in April and I have been compiling my list of achievements. I plan to include reference to motions won, case closure rate, settlements for less than X number of dollars, new business brought in, etc. I have a feeling this will be a tough ask, not because I am underperforming but more because my boss is c...

  Here's where the numbers stand. Savings $11,863 Ally Savings Account (The roof and the hot water heater has been replaced!) $51,024  Marcus Savings Account   $97,317  Retirement- Roth IRA  128,221 Taxable Brokerage (Retirement) $24,700 Former Employer 401k $40,700 Current Employer 401k $15,000 Private Investment  $5,000 Private Investment  $23,862  Bank Account  Home- $423,500 per zillow Assets               Total (not including home): $397,687               Total (including home): $821,187 Liabilities- Mortgage $116,233                                  Total (not including mortgage): $0                     Total (including mortgage): -$116,233           Total Net Worth(not includ...

  1. Pay mortgage down to under $120k. I currently owe just over $135k I am paying an extra $500 a month on my mortgage. I also hope to get a bigger year end bonus and apply a portion of that to the mortgage this year.  I am now down to $124,000 and something (need to find the exact number) on my mortgage. 2. Increase contribution to 401k to 10% from 8% I currently am contributing 8% of my $168k salary. I expect a 5% raise to $176k. I will increase my 401k contribution to 10% of my new salary.  My raise was to $175K. I increased my 401k contributions to 10%. 3. Increase savings account (Marcus) to $50k, currently at approximately $40k  I've always had anxiety over job loss. I hope to keep a $50k savings account for my emergency fund and household expenses.  My savings account is over $50k now. 4. Max out Back door Roth Contributions Complete! 5. Lose 30lbs Ugh! 6. Read 12 books I need to get a count on books read. 7. Take one trip Done! My friend paid for everyt...

   Here's where the numbers stand. Savings $5,172 Ally Savings Account (The roof and the hot water heater has been replaced!) $50,411 Marcus Savings Account   $93,196 Retirement- Roth IRA  111,558 Taxable Brokerage (Retirement) $23,234 Former Employer 401k $24,982.23 Current Employer 401k $15,000 Private Investment  $5,000 Private Investment  $25,697 Bank Account  Home- $434,300 per zillow               Total (not including home): $354,250               Total (including home): $788,550 Liabilities- Mortgage $126,197                                  Total (not including mortgage): $0                     Total (including mortgage): -$126,197           Total Net Worth(not including mortgage/home...