[USER]

Hello everyone, Over the past 7 months, I’ve made a conscious effort to become more proactive with my finances, and I know it’s not much but here is the progress I’ve made.

Here’s a snapshot:
(65k yearly income as of right now)

Starting Balances (August 20, 2024):
• TSP: $14,283.81
• Vanguard: $3,553.53
• HYSA: $12,500.00
• Total: $30,337.33

Current Balances (February 20, 2025):
• TSP: $15,427.66
• Vanguard: $8,491.55
• HYSA: $19,081.81
• Total: $43,001.02

This growth doesn’t include my day-to-day cash flow (approximately $1,700/month) or my small emergency fund of $2,500, which I keep for unexpected expenses like car repairs.

I’d love to hear any suggestions on ways to increase or maximize my money further. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Christine]

Invest $15k of that HYSA into Vanguard funds. It’s after tax money, so if you need it, sell some shares.

There’s no tax consequence because you already payed taxes on in.

There’s tax on only the gains so you leave that in.

[Jonathan]

Is there a reason there is so much in the HYSA? If not I would possibly look at reducing that and investing the rest.

Just remember personal finance is personal and do what is best for you.

[Jeremy]

2nd beefing up the emergency fund. If that total increase was due to savings/deposits that will be easy.

If the increase was due to fund growth it will take more time.

But a healthy E-fund is a big help to increasing net worth.

[Tom]

Retired guy here.
I applaud your approach based on stability.

We were both sole proprietors and kept 2 years cash on hand yet retired with double commas in our portfolio.

Only you know what allows you to sleep well.
Intentionality is a powerful thing.

[Robert]

The TSP has two options- the usual 401k, or the Roth 401k. If you weren’t doing the Roth 401(k), I would switch my account over to the Roth.

(Back when I started contributing to the TSP; there was no Roth option; and my tax hit would be horrendous if I converted now.)

Since I’m planning to retire in the spring/summer/fall of 2030, all my TSP contributions are now going into the Roth.

[Author]

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