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Feeling uneasy

June 17th, 2015 at 07:22 pm

Ever since last night I've been feeling unaccountably anxious. I even had insomnia for part of the night. I wonder if that's a typical reaction of suddenly getting rid of a former source of anxiety that you'd gotten used to having around?

Or it could be this volunteer task I've taken on. I agreed to prepare and deliver meals 5 days this month to a local volunteer organization I admire. There needs to be enough for 20 people who will be canvassing neighborhoods and then coming back to the offices to eat.

I'm providing food today and tomorrow, plus Wednesday and Thursday of next week and Tuesday of the following week.

As I was shopping for ingredients on Monday, it occurred to me that the amount of food I'd be making would make it very difficult for one person to transport by bus. (AS had agreed to deliver for me.) So for today, our downstairs neighbor is going to hire a car or get an Uber and help her. Tomorrow I think I'll work from home and use a carshare to take it over there.

For the other three days, I'm thinking I'll ask if they can pick up the food. I wasn't thinking it through how bulky and heavy a big meal for 20 people would be.

So maybe that's why I'm nervous, all the logistics and planning being more than I counted on. Or maybe it's work; I've got a lot of projects in the air but not too much to work on this week, which might be making me antsy.

Anyway, whatever it is, I know it will pass. I just hate being uneasy; I have no appetite and don't feel very focused.

So, I'll talk about the rest of the windfall from my dad:

It came to just over $80,000(!). As posted earlier, I used about $38,000 to pay off my non-home debt, leaving $42,000. I'm donating 10% of it: $5000 to an environmental nonprofit in that area, and $1000 each for me, NT and AS to donate as we please. (I'm using some of my money to buy groceries for the meals mentioned above.) That leaves $34,000.

My tax guy said he would get back to me with calculations on what to send to the IRS, MN and WV. For now, I've earmarked $18,000 for taxes, but I realize that could change.

I've set aside $1,500 to consult with lawyer, accountant and insurance agent about the pros, cons and possible ramifications of selling part of the duplex to my friends. I may also submit a rough plan to convert our 2-car garage into an accessory dwelling unit. (I don't think we'll be approved because of small lot-to-home size ratio and not enough parking spots, but I'd like to at least try.)

That leaves about $15,000. If I don't need to send any more than I calculate to the federal and state revenue departments, I've decide to use it to speed up the renovations we want to do on our home. It would make us so happy to be able to make some of the desired changes this summer and fall.

Speaking of which, we walked our contractor around (the one who did such good, reasonably priced and speedy work on the condo) and showed him a bunch of the things on our wish list. He helped us prioritize our top few projects, and his main assistant will be coming over Thursday to present estimates on one or more of them.

(Maybe it's the feeling of rapid change -- finally getting to renovate after a year of being stuck -- that's making me feel queasy? No idea.)

13 Responses to “Feeling uneasy”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1434566045

    It is sometimes hard to pinpoint anxiety. It could be it is a combination of them all, and that one by itself would be fine to handle. Take care!

  2. CB in the City Says:
    1434568126

    I'm sure it's adjusting to your windfall. It's like becoming suddenly famous! Having your biggest dream come true can actually cause anxiety because it's such a game-changer in your life. You'll be fine when you adjust to the new normal.

  3. laura/deacon's wife Says:
    1434570057


    Enjoy the freedom this financial windfall brings! I think the queasiness will pass as you transition to the new money mode. Smile

  4. BuckyBadger Says:
    1434571011

    What will you be doing with the increased cash flow? If you're not considering putting a chunk of the lump sum into your retirement investments, will the lack of so many debt payments allow you to put retirement into overdrive? Not all of it, of course - no need to be more austere than necessary - but it would be nice to retire earlier than you otherwise would be able to. And being able to get that money in early give you longer to ride the benefits!

    Congratulations! I hope your mind settles down to appreciate it soon!

  5. Petunia 100 Says:
    1434571911

    I like the idea of speeding up retirement savings. You just never know what life may throw at you. If one of the 3 of you becomes unable to earn in the future, that can really derail retirement plans. If you hit those accounts hard while you can, income disruption down the road will be less of a big deal.

    I think you are so used to fretting about consumer debt, your brain just hasn't gotten used to the idea that you can stop yet.

  6. scottish girl Says:
    1434573266

    Maybe it's you just trying to adjust to the new way of life. I don't know what I'd do if I was debt-free tomorrow. I haven't given it much thought cause it's a long way off. I hope you can enjoy it soon.

  7. ceejay74 Says:
    1434573527

    Thanks guys. I'm sure I'll feel better soon!

    To answer the retirement question, yes! I have lots of plans. Big Grin First off, 10% of AS's freelance income goes into an SEP, and I've finally caught up on that.

    Then, I now have about a $2K per month surplus (varies with some variable expenses) not counting AS's income, which besides covering her retirement and taxes is for home improvements and fun. I want to use it to add as much to the Roths as I can, since I suspended our $450 per month for about a year. My goal (a bit ambitious) is to max it out for all of us. I know I'll max AS's for sure this year and then work on mine, hitting NT's last if I manage to max mine. For 2016, I'll put $1375 per month in the budget to make sure we do max it out from then on.

    Also, if I max out the Roths this year (or starting in 2016 if I don't), I'm raising my and NT's 401(k) contributions to make them 10% including match.

    If I manage to do all that in 2016 and find that I'm lagging on my goal, to reach $486,000 in retirement assets by 2019, then I'll consider bumping us all up to 12% on retirement contributions outside of Roths.

    Once we look like we're comfortably on the way to the goal I set, I'll start setting money aside for the kids' future, add charitable contributions back in as a regular budget item, and maybe reintroduce housecleaning as a nice luxury if all that looks good.

  8. Petunia 100 Says:
    1434585854

    Do you plan to accelerate mortgage payments or just let it get paid as scheduled? Just nosey. Smile

  9. ceejay74 Says:
    1434586013

    It's last priority right now, but I imagine if things keep going well financially, I'm going to get impatient and start paying extra. Smile I do want to be debt free by retirement age, which is 24 years away, so I'll need to accelerate at some point, since I just got a 30-year mortgage. Smile

  10. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1434587610

    You've had a major life change - coming into a huge sum of money AND being rid of all consumer debt. I would guess it will take awhile for it all to really truly sink in that it is really true.

  11. Looking Forward Says:
    1434648597

    Sometimes exciting things can make me a bit edgy too. (Like I don't want to make a mistake and screw up a good thing??)
    Congratulations on the money and getting some major debt wiped out. Big Grin Whoot!!

  12. cptacek Says:
    1434663607

    If you have a bad feeling in your gut about something, follow it! Whenever I don't, I get into big trouble.

  13. LivingAlmostLarge Says:
    1435104975

    Good luck! Sounds like great planning.

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