Investing for Income

I've taken a crucial step towards financial independence.

On Tuesday, February 18, I started investing for income, not just retirement.

Every single blog or book about retiring early or being financially independent without exception talks about living off of revenue from one's investments.  And one day while glancing over our IRA statements, I noticed one fund was called "Capital World Growth and Income" and the light bulb went on.... Wait, you can have funds like these that generate income now, not just when you retire?

Which brings me to one thing I really like about our financial advisor.  He doesn't act like I'm wasting his time just because I haven't got a lot to invest. Everyone has to start somewhere.  Some of us just don't start with very much!.

So, my loyal readers, I will share all the details with you so if you are considering something similar you can see what it is like.  Spare me, however, the comments like, "You should invest in indexed stock blah blah more stuff I don't understand...."  I'm dipping a toe in.  This is my learning experience.  If I lose every last penny, well, it was cheaper than taking a class at the university.  And, yes, I'm sure there are better investments out there that involve lower fees, but I feel comfortable with this because it is similar to the mutual funds I am already familiar with.

I invested $250 in a mutual fund called "Balanced Portfolio" administered by American Funds.  This involved a chat with my advisor about my risk tolerance, filling out two pages of forms, and writing a check.  The fund is 60% stocks and 40% bonds.

There's a $10 fee to buy class A shares, plus I must have lost a little because my amount is $238.78.  Class A shares, though, mean that I can cash out in less than a year without paying a penalty.  I can add to the fund anytime I want.  There was a $250 minimum to start, but I can add $ in smaller increments.  Every quarter I get paid dividends, although right now they are set to be re-invested because they are so small.  Eventually, if the fund gets bigger, I will get a direct deposit into my checking account (or a check, not sure which) instead.  So at the end of March, June, September, and December I would have additional income.

This is going to take awhile before it amounts to anything.  But the journey of a thousand miles still begins with one step....

A Humorous Dialogue about Dance for Us Old Folks

I just learned that I'm old.
Here's how.  I was at a fundraising dinner last week, courtesy of my good friend Clem, and after an excellent meal, the dance began.  The DJ was trying to reach the demographic.  He really was.  He played "Footloose."   After a few more similar attempts to get people out on the floor, I thought I'd help him out.

ME: Perhaps people would dance if you played a waltz.
HIM: (reaching for his computer) Yeah, cool.  Do you know a title?
ME: (pause) The Blue Danube Waltz.
HIM: Dan who?
ME: Danube.  Like the river.
HIM: Oh, yeah, the river.  (He nods and turns back to the computer screen, diligently searching.)

By the time we left, it still hadn't played....

A Painting for His Birthday

I made this for The Magician for his birthday.  It’s a sturdy thrift store frame that I had gessoed over ages ago and met to use as the top for a little coffee table.  I was really nervous to give it to him because abstract is a kind of love it or hate thing.   The only reason I was gutsy enough to try it is that he had admired a board with a hole drilled in it that I keep near my easel and smear left-over paint on.  (I hate to waste paint!)  

I tried to do something similar. 

First I wrote a message in slightly puffy paint.  Then I painted, trying to balance the colors and to convey a sense of energy.  I started with lighter colors like yellow, and was quite generous with them, as they can always be easily covered up.

The final results probably would have looked better with more planning.  However, it did brighten up his office at work.

(Yes, the photo on the wall is Harry Houdini!)

Health Log Update

"I've been good for AGES and my weight went up?  See, it's been.... two days.  Oh."

That nicely summarizes how it going.

The first thing I've learn from my health log experiment is that since I am surrounded by push-a-button-instantly-get-what-I-want technology, this makes dealing with my body seem slow and frustrating.  Also, I tend to grossly exaggerate how "good" I've been in my mind, forgetting the half-a-foot tall chocolate cake tower I ate at the fundraising dinner Saturday but remembering every exhausting workout.

This is slow going.  And after a month of keeping track, I haven't lost weight, I've gained it.  I've slimmed down my waist, but not my hips.  And I'm amazed how hard it is to be consistent.

Later - My husband informs me that when muscles are sore and/or growing, they retain water and so we weigh more.  As I'm getting used to the work outs and less sore, the scale numbers are inching down.  

Looking for an Unusual Girl's Name?

In the Middle Ages, today was the feast of St. Walburga, whose intercession was sought for protection against coughs and respiratory problems.

And she'll be the only one in her class!

A 2014 Resolution

Last year I spent a lot of $$$ on stuff.  At the end of the 2013, I looked around and realized I had a ton of things...

And material things can weigh you down...

So for 2014, I've made the resolution that I won't purchase anything - for me- for the whole year.  Now I don't mean not purchasing food, necessary items, etc.  I mean anything extra that doesn't add to anything and that's a personal expense.

The goal is to use more of what I have, to get rid of things I don't use regularly, and to develop a clutter-free philosophy.

Besides, didn't you know that Minimalism is the 2014 trend? Ok, ok... maybe it isn't officially... but it would be a great idea!

Sunday Thoughts: A Tolkien Quote

 “Fantasy remains a human right; we make in our measure and in our derivative mode, because we are made; and not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a Maker.”
 --J. R. R. Tolkien “On Fairy Stories” 

So today in celebration of my Divine Birthright Of Makerness, I made this, among other things:

 (It's not done yet.  But I'm getting closer!)