Final Update on 2025 Goals!

 

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 audiobooks. 

7. Take one trip

Done! My friend paid for everything as a birthday gift to me! We later went on another trip for her birthday.  

8. Exercise and move more.

I definitely moved more than last year, but did not keep track of any metrics. Oh well. 

2026 Goals!

 

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 cheap. 

4. Savings. I want to increase my savings (general savings and emergency fund) to a total of approximately $75,000. This is for emergencies like job loss, repairs/replacement and general savings like home improvements, window replacements, etc. I believe I am at approximately $65k right now. 

5. Mortgage. I want to pay the mortgage down to under $90k this year. I'm excited with the prospect of getting the mortgage down under 6 figures. I might actually have a shot at having the mortgage paid off in 15 years! 

6. Health. I want to get healthy. This means gain muscle mass, loss weight, eat healthier, exercise consistently, get outside in the sunshine and spend less time in front of my computer. 

7. Mind. I want to engage my mind outside of work more. This means reading books, engaging in new hobbies, physical movement to improve mood, enjoying life more and a better work life balance. 

8. Travel. I want to take at least 4 trips this year. This will also go towards my other goals of trying to enjoy life more and having a more balanced life. 

9. Work. I want to bring in more clients so I can get more origination fees. I want to win more motions, be more efficient, be more organized, and become an extremely well-respected lawyer among my peers and Judges. 

10. Spending. I want to focus on spending less money on online shopping. This has become a bad habit since Covid and I want to break myself of it! 

What are your 2026 goals? Do you make goals? Does making goals help you stay motivated or on track? 

With love, Michelle. 

Net Worth Update November 2025

 

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 including mortgage/home):  $397,687                                
        Total Net Worth(including mortgage/home): 704,954

Net worth, not including mortgage/home, increased by $43,437 from July 2025 (last net worth update)
Net worth, including mortgage/home, increased by $42,601 from July 2025 (last net worth update)

Notes- home value increased by approximately $10,800. 

           mortgage paid down by approximately $9,964k 

Update on 2025 Goals

 

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 everything! 

8. Exercise and move more.

Definitely better than last year!

Net Worth Update July 2025

  

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):  $354,250                                  
        Total Net Worth(including mortgage/home): $662,353

Net worth, not including mortgage/home, increased by $10,693 from January 2025 (last net worth update)
Net worth, including mortgage/home, increased by $25,889 from January 2025 (last net worth update)

Notes- home value increased by approximately $6k. 

           mortgage paid down by approximately $9k 

Taxes!

 

It's that time of year, again. Last year, I owed a little over $1,200 in taxes. So, I was given the fabulous opportunity to pay the government $1,149, each quarter for all of 2024. I was fairly certain that I would not owe over $1,000 for 2024, as I had the benefit of my 401K contributions to reduce my taxable income. 

However, in my field, due to bonuses, etc., I went ahead and made the 2024 estimated tax payments. So, now I will be getting approximately $4,000 back. It's irritating, but I'd rather get the money back than pay penalties. 

2025 Goals

Look at me! Two posts in one month!!!  Here are my goals for 2025.

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 getter a bigger year end bonus and apply a portion of that to the mortgage this year. 

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. 

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. 

4. Max out Back door Roth Contributions

5. Lose 30lbs

6. Read 12 books

7. Take one trip

8. Exercise and move more.

What are your goals for 2025?

Net Worth Update January 2025

 

Here's where the numbers stand.

Savings
$19,132 Ally Savings Account (Saved for Roof Replacement)

$40,817 Marcus Savings Account 

 $85,892 Retirement- Roth IRA
 106,141 Taxable Brokerage (Retirement)

$22,779 Former Employer 401k

$16,435 Current Employer 401k

$15,000 Private Investment 

$5,000 Private Investment 

$32,361 Bank Account 


Home-
$428,100 per zillow

              Total (not including home): $343,557
              Total (including home): $771, 657

Liabilities-
Mortgage $135,193


             
                   Total (not including mortgage): $0
                    Total (including mortgage): -$135,193
 


        Total Net Worth(not including mortgage/home):  $343,557                                   
        Total Net Worth(including mortgage/home): $636,464

Net worth, not including mortgage/home, increased by $71,971 from April 2024 (last net worth update)
Net worth, including mortgage/home, increased by $71,942 from April 2024 (last net worth update)

Notes- home value decreased by almost $10k.