Hubby and I have had quite the adventure in real estate over the years. What started as a simple rent-versus-buy decision in 2001 eventually helped us build wealth and create financial stability for our family. Grab some coffee, tea, whatever you’ve got, and buckle up, Gladys. Let’s talk real estate. House #1: Sterling, Virginia Hubby…
All posts in July 2026
🚪 Should You Consider the Mega Backdoor Roth? Here’s How It Works
Several readers have asked me to explain the Mega Backdoor Roth strategy. I haven’t personally used it because most of my retirement savings went into my Traditional and Roth Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts, and I later rolled my Roth TSP into a Roth IRA. When I worked for the federal government, employees had access…
📆 How My Federal Retirement Actually Unfolded
When I announced my retirement from the federal government, several people asked me what the process was actually like. Not just the paperwork, but everything that came with it. How long did it take? When did my pension start? What surprised me? And what did those first few months really look like? If you’re considering…
☀️ The Vacation Fund Changed Everything
For years, I thought the hardest part about vacation was getting time off work. Or finding the perfect place to go. It wasn’t. The hardest part was coming home. Coming home to the credit card bill after a week that was supposed to be relaxing. The stress started before we even got home. Every dinner.…