First "Check" of the Month Year

January 2024

Reader, Happy New Year! This month year, I'll be focusing on growing the Envestor Community, preparing to retire from the Army, and developing my upcoming business plan/launch (you're subscribed, so you'll be the first to know about this).

I also want to complete the following:

1. Take my family on 1 great beach vacation.
2. Go on 12 awesome dates with my wife.
3. Guest on 12 (or more) podcast episodes (What's your favorite podcast?).
4. Write 20 new blog articles.
5. Create 1 new guide.
6. Add 500 new subscribers to the Envestor Newsletter (so share this, please!).
7. Publish 6 more Enlisted Confessions and/or Success Stories (I need your help with this one!).
8. Complete 1 physical challenge (race, weightlifting, etc.). Any ideas?
9. Complete the Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) designation.
10. Visit as many Smithsonian Exhibits/Museums as we can (I think we can hit 10 this year).
11. Submit my retirement packet!

What are your goals for this year? How can I help you achieve those goals?

Upcoming Events This Month

If you haven't already, make a plan for your annual pay raise. I'm splitting mine between extra grocery money, our giving fund, and my retirement transition fund.

This is a great time to bump up your TSP contributions or other savings by 1-2% if you haven't already. You may have heard me talk about the "save more later" plan (like on this podcast episode), but it's worth repeating.

Even if you can't contribute as much as you want now, you can bump up contributions each pay raise. This increases your savings rate without decreasing your monthly take-home pay.

Also, check out my first magazine feature in Military Families Magazine (my article is on page 30)!

​

What I'm Reading Right Now

A good friend of mine sent me a new book for Christmas, The Greatness Mindset: Unlock The Power Of Your Mind And Live Your Best Life Today. I'm curious to see what lessons I can learn and apply from this book.

I'm at the point where I've read so many self-help books that not many surprise me with anything new. However, I usually learn something from each and every one of them. That's why I keep reading, I love to learn! It's already had some great self-reflection exercises for me. I'm excited to finish it!

What I'm Doing This Month

I've got a pretty packed January. I'm prepping my retirement packet, finalizing my annual NCOER, interviewing some folks for possible collaborations, and trying to keep up with my writing.
​
Speaking of my writing, you may have noticed that I haven't put out much lately. There's a reason for that. I have kind of come to a crossroads on how I want to proceed with content. I chose a path that is actually a lot more work, but I think will be more helpful in the end.

Because of that, I took a little step back in my blog writing and I've committed to writing more full, detailed articles and other projects that I enjoy writing the most like my DCFSA article or my Hidden Benefits of the Roth TSP and Roth IRA article. Believe it or not, I actually cut thousands (yes, thousands) of words from those articles to simplify and compress them down.

​
​I'm working on articles covering Continuation Pay and another covering vehicle buying and selling.

Please send me any questions, tips, tricks, failures, and successes you've had!

Latest Blog Posts

Action Items for January 2024

Reader, If you haven't already, make sure you're planning out all your big expenses for the year, resetting your budget, and tracking your progress. You can find free templates on my resources page on the website.

Here's some due outs for January to get you started:

1. Recalculate your net worth.
2. Reset/revisit your budget.
3. Bump up annual savings and investments.
4. Rebalance your investment accounts as needed.
5. Have an annual Money Day (here's my article on this).

​
​I love feedback! So, hit reply and let me know how I can help you. What are your goals for this year?

I read every email and really enjoy all your positive feedback!
​
​Let's all live the life we were meant to live - without worrying about money.

Thanks so much for being a part of the Envestor Community!

​
Enlisted + Investor = Envestor :)