WEEKLY TRANSFERS || I AM THE PROBLEM || INVESTING VERSUS DEBT PAYOFF 

Just try just the match for a couple months and see how you feel. 2 months is a smidget for an entire investing career.

We are our own biggest critics & biggest setbacks. I think you could back down on investing to just the employer match. You got this! You're already doing a wonderful job & (if it means anything) I'm very proud of y'all! ❤😊

I agree with the folks saying I wouldn't cut back on retirement again. You're going to lose a big chunk to taxes anyway if you cut that back. I'd also pause the extra debt repayment, do minimums only and get the emergency fund into a better place. It probably wouldn't take that long and would be a huge peace of mind. Once the EF was pretty healthy, then I'd get back to the extra debt repayments.

In your previous video, I put a comment that I think you’ll be out of debt April 2026. I think you’re going at a fabulous rate. I would not change a thing. Keep doing what you’re doing. Every 23 years prices double. The biggest thing I would do after you pay off debt, I would open a brokerage account and start investing their. That way you have money to draw on in case Mark wants to get out before 62 or 67.

It's always hard to know what to do. Another thing you might keep in mind is that if you slow investing for a bit and pay off the debt - that is also going to protect you to some degree if you had a job loss or something catastrophic happen because you would have fewer $$ that need to go out to debt each month. You guys are doing so amazing and will be in great shape for retirement. Aim for retiring early!!!! You'll have enough to cover your insurance premiums! I retired at 58. It's the best thing ever. Totally worth paying our own insurance premiums to have free time to travel and do a whole lot of nothing or lots of family time, hiking, reading, crafts.

I'm here listening while working! I love the thumbnail! Lol ❤❤❤

You’re doing awesome. If it were me, I would pause investing until debt is paid off, unless early retirement was your goal

As Dave Ramsey says - you wouldn’t borrow $100k with interest to invest it - investing instead of paying off debt is the equivalent of borrowing money to invest it! keep going!!!

You are doing great!!! Get that debt knocked out as quickly as possible. You can’t believe how much better you will be able to breathe once it’s gone.

You know your answer. Clean up your debt and you’ll have lots of time to do whatever you want!

Katie, I am now watching your second half of the video. Oh, I would love to talk, and give you "rich uncle" advice, and share my personal situation that I don't feel comfortable sharing in a YT comment. So if you can ever look at the other way, and want to share how to do a video conference, let me know. In the mean time. I understand your feelings. Like you , I did start investing in my 20s. But I did stop making new investments in my 50s. And I think you know where we are. My #1 comment to you, is take a deep breath. You ARE doing great. And there is NO one answer or way to live your life. Yes, I think reducing debt earlier is a very good and smart way to go. But completely sacrificing and not enjoying life could have its own problems. Also, will you be OK if in your 60s you have a portfolio MUCH bigger than your peers? Remember the majority of Americans retire living mostly on Social Security. (Which is just ONE reason why it wont go away. It might change, but not go away). You and Marc, need to discuss your dreams and make sure you are on the same page. I think you are, but if he is not as focused on investing now, and wants to spend more, discuss what you can do. Again, let me know if I can help, or you want to discuss more one on one.

I get the impression that numbers would be helpful for you. How much money could you have extra if you were to go down to the match? (Don’t forget, your taxes will go up as a result.) how many months would you need to go down to the match to be able to pay off your debts earlier? If it ends up being a relatively short time, then sure, pay off the debts more quickly. But if it doesn’t move the needle much I personally wouldn’t change anything

I love your little dashboard for your video it is so relatable that you are mostly fighting yourself. No matter what anyone says you have to be comfortable with your decision and if you are not then you are more likely to fail. (just discovered this recently lol) That being said I think if you only do employer match y'all would be doing amazing. If you leave everything the way you have it right now, I think at the rate you are flying thru this debt you will be done in no time. so, neither would necessary be wrong just don't let up is my advice. I am so Cheering you on you got this. We managed this month to get everything paid on time and put about 250 extra to debt so I am really happy.

I like the middle ground approach you are taking right now. Dollar cost averaging and paying down debt slowly. Its a painfull process. I remember you saying that when you lowered the percentage you really didn’t see much change in his take home pay so id probably leave well enough alone and keep chugging on. You’re doing great. In other news i found a new car that i will be picking up on Saturday. I don’t know if you remember but around the time you bought your highlander i was still debating with myself if i wanted to pay cash or do 20/3/8 like the money guy recommends. I’ve decided to pay cash and it hurts lol just making the wire transfer to myself and seeing the money drop in my hysa was painful. But I’m happy with my decision ive let this torture me long enough. Im getting a 2024 audi q5.

You know me, I am always for getting debt free. I would do the match and pay that debt off and get emergency fund up. You are assuming that you will all make it to retirement. Life happens and you may need money in your 40's and 50's. My sister died at 43. She was sick 7 years before that. Getting debt paid off sets you up for less stress if someone gets sick or hurt before retirement. With equity in your home and the money you already have in retirement funds is really great. For goodness sakes become debt free! It is so wonderful. I didn't realize how much it hung over my head until it was totally gone.🌞

I wouldn’t completely pause it but I would consider lowering it and the extra go strictly to debt pay off. I only say this because you have over $300k already invested and it sounds good to pay off debt in 2 years. Once you pay off debt you might be able to invest more on a taxable brokerage and definitely enjoy the extra money with the family. Great update.

Absolutely go down to the match and get to town on that debt -- you are fine for retirmement.

Debt payoff! Being free gives you so many options.

2 million is a fantastic number! And that’s if you didn’t put another penny into it?!? Wow, what an accomplishment! 🎉 I’d definitely cut back to employer match and focus on the debt payoff/building up your emergency fund for the next 2-ish years, then you can put TONS towards investing and enjoying your life!!! Recently I was feeling down about “not investing more when I was in my 20s,” and my financial advisor told me to be thankful I still invested some because compounding growth will still do it’s thing!! That will be the case for your 300k if you pause for a few years. I’ve been watching you since summer of 2021 and it has been so cool to see your growth- in knowledge and income. I started seriously budgeting (was budgeting before but not serious) in Jan 2021, and you’ve been my online “budget buddy” whether you know it or not. 😂 it so funny how things you talk about are things I am feeling currently too. So thank you for sharing your thoughts and videos. Love the thumbnail!

I would cut investing down to the match. It would be really hard for me to cut off 100% especially w/ giving up free $$ through the match. Y’all have set yourselves up for success. Awesome transfers😊 As I’m writing this I’m waiting @ the dentist for a abscess🤦‍♀️ so I’m not making any transfers until I see bill😂

I would cut the investing for 2 years

Investing is hard for me to fully understand. For me, I would rather work on paying off my mortgage/bills first than invest that same money. Because your money has to sit for a long time to grow, paying off your bills and then investing makes more sense to me. Hey, what do I know?

I have the same struggles as you! I go back and forth on debt payoff or invest/save at least 10 times a month! We have 1 more debt to payoff (aside from our mortgage) so we are set on paying it off in the next few months and then we will max out retirement contributions afterwards.

hi Katie, im def getting dejavu from this video. We (longtime viewers) already know u can stop investing so aggressively and put more towards debt to get it paid off sooner and be absolutely fine! i think u should reduce the retirement and work on your E fund goal and then work on paying more towards debt pay off. At least having the e fund bulked up will give u some peace of mind regarding if something happening and not needing to dive into investments.

Happy Thursday!! Always go with ur gut feeling on what u want to do! Great idea!! 💗💗

I get this way too lol, I think folks who are interested in personal finance can often times stress ourselves out over money and what’s important. I’m struggling with that thought with building up my emergency fund higher or putting more money into the brokerage account.

Hi Katie, I’m going to throw out an alternate to what many are suggesting. My suggestion is to continue as you are until fed loan 5 is gone and you have gotten rid of 6 figure debt. At that point do your calculations as I’m sure you will for when you would knock out the last $99,999. My guess is you will be soooo motivated to get it gone that the loss of 1 1/2 years of investment cutback will be so short you won’t have time to worry. I see a 2026 Christmas as a debt free Christmas.

You are doing great, but I would prioritize the EF😊 before investing so much.

Hi again, I am back in MA,. We sold this house, (crossing my fingers), and will be moving FT to MD in Mid October. Hopefully in the near future I will sell the other MD home too. And by November this craziness will be over Just came back from California (saw my sister and PINK.) Next week off to Aruba. (I told you my life is crazy right now). But come November/December things should settle down for me. I will tell you selling, packing and moving after living in the same house for over 40+ years has been an experience. As far as you guys, not much new to comment, but keep up as you are doing. Again I do hope you will plan for sometime in the future for you to enjoy yourself, be it with the kids, or just with Marc. Maybe next week I will be writing to you in Aruba. Jon

I feel this. We need to pay off debt but I really want to put more towards our brokerage account. I know it’s probably more wise to payoff debt but investing is more fun lol. It’s a constant struggle. You’re doing great!

I think if you take a more middle of the road approach you would feel better. Putting into Marc’s 403b is tax-favored, so it’s probably best to continue to invest in his 403b. But I would also talk with Marc more about early retirement. He works so hard, and I don’t want you to miss out on special times with your children, especially as they become teens and into their 20s. Also, if you want to keep investing, you two are in a great place to invest in the future for your kids through 529s or other accounts. That would set them up for success into adulthood

Good self talks !!! Boy Katie you and I are so similar ! We never stopped cut Mr Bills retirement investments the whole time we were in debt ! It’s the one thing we really couldn’t do that Dave recommended … 1000 dollar EF done no problem ! Stop retirement WHATtttttttt ! Katie get the debt gone … 1 to 2 years ! You’re going to do it ! Snowball it ! It’s going to jump sooooo fast once you get fed loan 5 gone !!!! Glenda

You will be really happy that you continued to invest consistently. You could cut back a little. Mark may want to take some time off of work. Enjoy your thirties and forties as much as possible.

Have you put everything into a debt payoff calculator? Try that and see what’s the absolute fastest you can pay off the debt! That might push you over the edge to finally do it.

If you back down your 403B contribution, you have to be absolutely firm that every cent over what the "usual" paycheck would be goes straight to debt. No waiting until the end of the month, or using that extra income for this or that just this one time or you will get used to having it and that is dangerous. I do this anytime I get a raise as well, keep living on the old salary and sweep every cent over it from a new salary to savings.

Hello Katie, I do not usually comment but I can totally rely on what you say about cutting back on retirement for other financial purposes even though I know that we are on track for it. I do not really have debt. But still. I have major home renovations to do and instead of saving for it I kept investing (since we cannot do both in a efficient way) and now I have to use an emergency fund I've just finished to build to finance this renovation. Your video really comfort me in cutting back to rebuild my emergency fund as soon as possible. It is hard because I am an "investor shopaholic" I guess. I just wanted to share my thoughts, I really like your content and seeing your journey and the great job done. I do understand your difficulties to do so. But sometimes we've got to to what we've got to do. And somehow it is a good problem to have. Good luck for your choice. When it comes to me I need to stick to mine.

I would not cut back. You are paying your debt really fast anyway.

Love the thumbnail ❤❤❤

Hi Katie, Ahha, that is a hard question to answer. Personally, I would continue to invest! You already have a debt payoff plan.

We went down to 1% because it was matched twice. when we paid off all the debt we just went to the full match so we could save an emergency fund and now we are maxing out!

This is just my thoughts ❤ look how much money you lose each month in interest you have to pay on the debt. If you get the debt paid off you have so much more for investments, or even be able to help With your boys school when it’s college time for them. Don’t take anything I say personally because I’m just giving my thoughts, have a wonderful day

Absolutely I would cut it back. I should be more scared than you...that's for sure. 😂😂😂 You are in a great position. You will have more investing power to get aggressive in the future when your debt is paid off.

You guys are doing great! Yes to a bigger paycheck! I’m on the same struggle. I want to invest more but I want to pay my car off. Always use the match. Always. Did you see a big difference with the adjustments earlier in the year? Also the tax advantage? I’m with you, going back and forth but I see both sides. I would reduce the investing a bit and see how you feel. I too am wishy washy! lol!

While time matters so does consistency. As long as you’re consistent it will still grow. Pretty sure I’ve heard to just go with the employer match/maximum contribution limit. If it was me I’d just do the match, use most of any extra for debt and sinking funds because the funds will help prepare/prevent the need to go back into any debt. I transferred $510 and paid off an online payday advance! Yay! I also transferred $5 to HYSA to start a month ahead fund/emergency fund

Throw everything at the debt. 😊 Rip that bandaid off!

Amazing thumbnail! Forgot to comment 🤦🏼‍♀️ I wouldn't pause the investment completely, but if you are doubting I would do calculations to see what you would actually get out after taxes just to see if it's worth it. Cause I remember you saying that you didn't really see a difference when you lowered the contributions last time. Our transfers until Thursday were €4.28 change to vacation and €15.23 cashback to the Window Replacement Fund.

I am going down to 2% on my 403b Roth for the rest of the year so that I have money to pay off rental maintenance expenses. I have already put 9k in the ROTH this year and I am at a 49% savings rate at this point in the year.

Relax. You are doing great! Stay consistent take your time and you will win. Continue building your savings and investments along the way. Your savings will cover you because there will be some bumps in the road. Like you stated keep investing because the time in market matters. I think you shouldn’t worry and stay consistent with your habits because over time it will pay off. Doing anything too fast like rushing to pay off the debt is only a quick dopamine fix. Win this the easy way don’t work to hard!

I have slowed down on investing only till I’m debt free (except the house). Then I will be able to throw so much money in investments after that. You got this either way, but if you want to be debt free in 2 years, then go for it!!!

As you add to your Emergency Fund, hone down with a written list of what you want it to cover. Add rough generalized dollar amounts in nice even numbers. But also and equally importantly add a column or few covering how liquid you need the monies to be for each item to be covered. Do this on computer or in pencil because the items to be covered and all other info is probably going to be subject to change.

Loved the thumbnail Katie! You are doing all the right things! It sounds like you need the peace of mind of a significant emergency fund. I say build that up, keep the match at Marks work and work on debt. It’s hard to balance the debt vs savings, I think that is normal. You can always switch things up, pay more in debt and the less in Emergency fund. Then switch! 😂 You are so self aware of your financial situation. Don’t be discouraged! Give yourself credit! You will be fine!

I say cut everything and pay off the debt ASAP. It’s a heavy chain and wears you down. We cut everything and paid off 100K as fast as we could and now we can invest whatever we want. It’s a brief pause. No big deal.

Personally, I don't think prioritizing debt payoff over savings and investing is a good idea. If you are going to reduce your investments, put it towards the emergency fund to get that built up to what you need. IMO, emergency funds should always be priority over debt. You don't know what is going to happen and having that cushion is very important. I also wouldn't reduce investment payments to pay off debt. Sure, if you don't add anymore to retirement you say you'll be fine, but what if you want to retire early? What if something happens and you are forced to retire early? You are already putting so much extra to debt payoff, I think keeping a balanced approach to debt and investments and savings is important.

Personally I wouldn’t guess or make other peoples’ guesses my game plan. I’d run the numbers on a debt payoff calculator and I’d run the numbers on an investment calculator for what you’re currently investing and the lower percentage you’re thinking of switching to. Once you have all the factual numbers, you’ll be able to make a plan for what you want to do. Also, if your emergency fund is lacking, that should get a boost too and be part of the equation for where extra money should/could be going. Sometimes having the actual numbers can help remove some of the emotion out of trying to decide where to send funds because you’ll be able to see the whole picture for what the future could hold and different possibilities to get where you want to be.

Thank you for the shout out!! I am so excited for you to stomp down that next fed loan! It is scary not to invest to the max, but I bet it will feel amazing to have that first month without any debt payments! 🎉😊

Remember financial calculators are not a guarantee of the future. I would keep investing. If you can pay of the debt in 4 years and be debt free its worth it to keep investing. If you were not serious about the debt I would say to pause and pay it down but you seem very serious. Keep the Faith.

I'm with you regarding paying down debt vs investing as well. I've decreased the amount I invest in my overall Brokerage account and it definitely has me in my feelings lol. You are not alone. Investing is a big thing for me as I'm playing catch up in my mind.

Definitely hold off investing and pay off that debt!! You’re doing great!

If I were you, I'd give myself a firm timeliness to pause the retirement investing. Say 6 mo ths to a year, no more than a year. I'd put everything into your debts plus your normal payments and then start investing after that timeliness regardless of where you are in your debt payoff journey. It's very easy to stop investing, remember the magic of daily compounding interest. Do what you feel is right, just place hard deadlines. Good luck!

Haven’t watched yet but the thumbnail alone made me laugh 😂 too relatable

OMG, I love that thumbnail. Wow, yay, that is an awesome Fed Loan payment. I know you are going to make it. I love the conversation you are having with yourself with us. You demonstrate in this video that each situation is very different and even that people that are doing amazing (like you and your family) there is a constant struggle knowing if you are doing the right thing.

I would normally say just invest up to match but 2% match would mean only 4% of his income to that is dollar cost averaging into the market. I would do whatever nets 7-10% of income into the 401k.

If you are thinking long-term, look at the projected impact on your net worth. This probably suggests investing over debt reduction (depending on interest rates/taxes/etc). I get antsy every so often and want to pay off the mortgage faster and my wife has to remind me that I had decided it was better to keep it and that I need to stick with our decision. I guess you need a wife to tell you to stick with your plan.

It's always a struggle of where your money should go. Our perspective is to never leave money on the table, so if Mark gets match from his employer we would put in the minimum amount to get the match and no more. Then we would focus on building up an emergency fund just enough to cover a major incident happening that would require you to use credit cards to fund, like a furnace going or needing a new roof. Once you have enough to cover an incident like that. Once that is at that level, $10k, $15k, whatever the amount you both feel is necessary, then we would put all the rest against the highest % debt item. Once that debt is paid off, your family will immediately get a raise of whatever the % is that you are paying on that debt. Then you can focus to build up that Emergency fund more and started piling in on investments. Obviously, this is all personal and you and your family need to do what you think is right for you. This is how we started our fire journey to building wealth and it has worked.

Hi Katie, I would contribute the amount to get the employer match and stamp out all the debt. Then go up to 15% and get the house paid off. Then you can invest in other things as well. You are doing great! I am glad you are seeing to lower your retirement contribution and paying more debt. It is so much easier to pay off debt, and with no house payment it is awesome! You can do so much more to enjoy life. Just hustle for a few years, and to quote Dave Ramsey, "Live like no one, and give like no one!" You are doing a great job! Your husband must be so proud of you!

hey Katie! the back and forth between investing and paying off debt is so relatable. i have that same conversation with myself on a regular basis. i’ve had covid these past two weeks, so i sadly couldn’t focus on transfers this week. i did get a raise when i came back to work, so i’m excited for the opportunity to save and invest more money! :)

I definitely think slowing investing to just the match might be a great option and focus on the Debt Payoff and your Emergency fund. It is a difficult decision! We are trying to balance our investing, saving, and then specifically saving for our kids 529s, plus we have 2 teens on their way to driving age (so more cars). I'd love a video of you figuring out your Emergency Savings goal, if you haven't already done that? Also, I enjoy watching when couples budget together. Would your husband ever join you for a video? I'd love to hear his perspective! I try to balance with my husband since I love this stuff.

💕💕💕