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Good morning! We finally had a weekend with zero plans and it has been wonderful. A full kitchen clean was accomplished, many hours of Stardew Valley were played, the cats got some play and outdoor time in, and we got a hike in with an extended weekend using PTO. I really look forward to the day I can step down in my corporate job to enjoy more days of freedom.

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BTW, if you play Stardew Valley on Steam and I can figure out how to do a multiplayer, let's play!

What is going on this week?

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• Scheduled house maintenance
• Weruva wet cat food for finicky cats (aren't they all finicky?!)
• What going on with the Financial Independence (FI) lifestyle around the web
• Recipes FTW
• Have you saved too much for retirement? [video]
• Memes
• Editor's summary

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TO DO

When I hear about kids returning to school is my reminder that it's time to do some scheduled house maintenance as we move toward the cold season. Setting up scheduled reminders on your cell phone can help you stay on top of these tasks. Two important tasks include:

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✅ changing the HVAC filter (at minimum every 3 months) and

✅ scheduling an annual chimney sweep and inspection

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Keeping up with house maintenance tasks will definitely help in curbing long-term repairs later on.

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FINICKY CATS

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I can't be the only one that dealing with finicky felines and their wet food. One moment they love the food you bought them, only to turn their nose up at it sometime in the near future.

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When I shop for wet cat food, I literally walk down the aisles adding different varieties and brands of wet cat food. Hoping, they will like a few of them. Well, I finally found a brand with a lot of variety in flavors that my cats have yet to turn away from: Weruva cat food. It's made with high-quality ingredients. Real ingredients that deliver hydration-focused nutrition that’s rich in protein and low in fat. With cool flavors like Mackerel & Grilled Skipjack in Gravy or Tuna & Shirasu in Gravy.

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CONTENT HUB

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Reduced Expenses

The concept of needing 80% of pre-retirement income as a guideline for financial planning can create undue stress, as spending habits often change significantly in retirement. Data shows that retirees typically spend less across several categories.

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Grocery Budget Plan

Inflation with food costs continue to rise, but your grocery budget should aim for 11% of your net pay. From thrifty to liberal food budgets, these USDA monthly budget plans seem high to me. Maybe frugality has a hold on me.

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10 Easy Ways to Save Money

Most of the tips are food related, because it offers the most cost saving control. Here are 10 EASY ways to save money that can make a huge impact on your family budget and leave you with money for the things that are most important.

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Recipe discovery

Harissa Butter Beans The ingredients in this dish will tantalize the tastebuds. Curry lovers will enjoy this healthy dish with anti-inflammatory properties.

Healthy Taco Salad An easy and flavorful vegetarian taco salad, made with black beans, tomatoes, avocado, and crisp romaine with a zesty, creamy cilantro lime dressing.

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Have You Saved Too Much for Retirement?

How much do you actually need to save? What is the right number for retirement?

Grounded Life talks about what you are giving up when you are trying to save a higher amount and taking a look at the trade off.

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Memes

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​ I figured out I have less than 2 1/2 years until I qualify to use the Age of 55 rule on my retirement account. Wow! Sometimes I feel elated and other times I am freaked out to think about stepping down from the 9-5 to a life more free but without that work safety net. ​ Right now, my plan-to-action at that time is to: Take 3%-4% from my 401k/403b annually Have a digital nomad lifestyle to supplement the income Geoarbitrage maybe to an island (with piña coladas) ​ It's a weird feeling knowing I am closer to retirement than not. Have you thought about how you will take retirement? Hit reply and let me know. Until next time!