FIRE Weirdness

Work, playing musical gigs, successful investment moves, finding ways to save $$, and socking away as much as possible from the full summer months have kept me really busy. None of the people I met in March returned my emails... assuming that's a bad thing. Recently I emailed someone who I really REALLY hope replies - she seems like a really good match. Up to AND INCLUDING the quote about "Weirdness" attributed (incorrectly) to Dr. Suess (actually Robert Fulghum) that really speaks to me:

We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.

And I didn't discover that quote in her profile until AFTER I messaged... but it's been several days. She could be on vacation, but that would be someone else's luck. Right?

Luck to me is when preparation meets opportunity - or with investments, putting my money on business's I know / understand, or believe are game changers. I'm invested in Medical Marijuana for that reason - as well as Facebook (smart company that treats their employees like partners), Google (smart phones - will rule the smart phone space, and they also treat their employees like partners), and Twitter (okay, I don't understand their 'business model', but I see so many interesting Tweets... and tweets are the frontline in the news of things that really matter: world events, etc). But I'm still putting the BULK of my assets in: VTI - the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF. (More on that in another post)

Comcast changed my bill amount this summer, so I called to see if I could move back to 'internet only' from their 'bundled temporary pricing'. When the changes were all more expensive than the original $69 internet only I'd signed up for in 2010 with NO increase in service level, I pulled the plug, returned their unused standard definition "cable-tv-box", and signed up for CenturyLink DSL for $39/month. (and my new wireless network is called "Suck_This,Comcast!") Savings: $46/month - $552/year.

Cellular service: In July, I did an experiment where I turned OFF 'cellular data' for my iPhone, and used mostly wifi - at home, and at work... 90+% of my usage. I found I really only turn on cellular data when I *need* it, and that's usually in the car for Google maps. July data usage: Son1-1Gb. Son3-2.Gb. Me-44Mb. Total bill (unlimited talk/text and 3G data): $124/month

Experimental switch #1: I'm moving to Airvoice Wireless and their 250 Minute plan: $10/month 250 talk minutes or 500 texts.

The plan is the hardest to find on Airvoice's website, but I've heard good things about (prices as of 8/28/2014 - as with anything, check their website for the latest rates):

For Son1 - he will pay for HIS OWN ACCOUNT, again with Airvoice. I paid for his SIM, and explained the 'how-to-use-your-device'. He said (paraphrased)

'I got by with NO data for years. I'm sure I can get by with only using data at home and wherever there's wifi.' [what a great son, right?!]

For Son3 - he's a real data hog, and that will be hard to fight, but I think he's on board. I'm buying a cell-phone-sized FreedomPop wifi-hotspot that includes 500Mb free monthly data (provided by Clearwire/Sprint).

For me - the above Airvoice plan, data only at home and work, plus 'emergency' cellular data usage in the car. I *might* get another FreedomPop hotspot for myself if it works out for Son3. Estimated costs: $350 - $300 to pay off Son3's iPhone, $29.98 for the FreedomPop Spot Photon 4G wireless hotspot. Estimated savings: $94/month - $1128/year(!). That's estimating $15/month for Son3 and I (at above rates) $30/month total vs $124/month today.

So not only did I pay off my upcoming November trip 'back east', and ALL credit card debt, but was also able to sock away more than $3800 in savings this month, AND I set the ground work to save an additional $140/month in recurring costs!

Playing in a rockin' SKA band. Spending $500/month travelling. Bike commuting to work 3x/week. Not a bad way to spend the summer!