Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Dec 19, 2017 7:18:16 GMT -5
Like others here, the beginning of 2017 was a mess for us. My wife was finishing up the radiation treatment after the chemo treatments in 2016, so it started out poorly. It has been progressing upward since then for us. Hopefully some of you will see this healthy progression going into 2018. We ushered in another grandchild so it was darn good for us!
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Dec 19, 2017 7:39:03 GMT -5
We had a fairly spendy but good year. DDs wedding, a new AC system, 2 trips to visit DS. As much cash flew out the door, more came in via 401k balances, so there is that comfort. But my goal for 2018 is re-building cash.
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flamingo
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Post by flamingo on Dec 19, 2017 8:52:14 GMT -5
2017 has had it's ups and downs. I started a new job in January and I love it (though some of my coworkers not so much). I like where DH and I are living, though I miss Chicago. But we've both adjusted better than I anticipated. My DH and I are struggling a bit, and I'm hoping that things will improve in the new year. I'm working on myself, so at least I can say I'm doing everything possible. My 93 year old grandfather is still alive and kicking, having survived a fall and a broken hip back in February. My 92 year old grandmother survived heart surgery. It's been nice to have this holiday season with them. My dad had back surgery which helped his pain tremendously, but then a month later was diagnosed with cancer. His prognosis is good, he'll be having surgery in January and then whatever other treatment the oncologist thinks he needs. His brother had this same diagnosis 5 years ago and same treatment plan, and he's thriving, so I'm hopeful for the same outcome for dad. My sister is a hot mess, but I've distanced myself from her and am in a much better place mentally than I was last year. I'm excited and hopeful to see what 2018 brings!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2017 9:09:21 GMT -5
2017 was definitely not one of my favorites, but so far we have survived. I started off the year by breaking my wrist at the end of January and had surgery to put in a plate/screws. For some reason, it seemed to take forever to recover. I guess it's the old bones. I wasn't released until May. I spent most of the summer appealing decisions that the insurance company and IRS had made. I won on both counts, but it made for a long summer. DH had an abscessed tooth at the end of May and had an emergency extraction. His teeth were in such bad condition that he had a total tooth extraction the day after Memorial Day. He was sick all summer. We finally found out it was a serious c. diff infection right as school was starting back the first week in August. Then we found out he had internal bleeding, which had me miss a week of school. It was a rocky start that had me contemplating retiring. Not really . . . just wondering if I was going to be able to balance everything. The rest of the fall has been ok, but we discovered a few weeks ago that DH's heart is only working at 25% capacity. He has congestive heart failure, and it was at 35%. So they have scheduled him for a heart valve replacement procedure on Dec. 27. I'm not sure if they are actually replacing it then or what. It is very confusing, but we go for a follow-up to the appointment where they decided this on Dec. 21. So health issues were our downfall this year. I think that's just part of getting older. But it still sux, as my students would say.
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Dec 19, 2017 10:47:25 GMT -5
2017 was a year of contradictions, I felt it would be great and in some ways it was. I got a new job (promotion) with a $20,000 increase, then my wife got a new job with a $30,000 decrease, not quite balancing out in the end, but we’re OK.
Son goes to college next year, but my dad will be moving in with us, so a new set of challenges. Overall, 2017 went very fast and I still hold out hope for a better 2018.
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souldoubt
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Post by souldoubt on Dec 19, 2017 11:01:34 GMT -5
2017 was good - got married, maxed my 401K for the first time and family/friends are healthy and relatively happy. 2018 we're thinking about selling our place and getting into a house, going on a delayed honeymoon and trying to start a family later in the year.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Dec 19, 2017 11:15:57 GMT -5
2017 was a year of contradictions, I felt it would be great and in some ways it was. I got a new job (promotion) with a $20,000 increase, then my wife got a new job with a $30,000 decrease, not quite balancing out in the end, but we’re OK. Son goes to college next year, but my dad will be moving in with us, so a new set of challenges. Overall, 2017 went very fast and I still hold out hope for a better 2018. I remember that thread - I'm glad you are okay with all that. Is she any happier/less stressed? 2017 sucked in a lot of ways. I was underemployed for half of it (my fault) and working a shit job with bad commute and hours the second half (I guess also my fault?). Lost a good friend or so I thought... and maybe realizing that wanting to be a good friend doesn't always translates into actually being a good friend. DS broke another bone at school and is still struggling to fit in well and make/keep good friends. X trying to get with me again. Increasing debt. Finding out my mom got demoted at work for absolutely no reason. Generally hating my life. The good things: making some new girlfriends, finally realizing what I want to do career-wise and taking the steps to do it (not as many steps as you might think), cutting out some of the noise and making DS and myself a priority. DS, my mom, and I went to Hersey Park over the summer and we had a great time. DS's smile and laugh will always be my favorite things in the world. Realizing that there is more room to grow and be who I want to be than I thought. In 2018 I will be getting a bigger place (and hopefully a better job). Looking forward to more adventures with DS and my friends. I'm ready.
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swamp
Community Leader
THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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2017
Dec 19, 2017 11:17:43 GMT -5
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Post by swamp on Dec 19, 2017 11:17:43 GMT -5
Meh.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Dec 19, 2017 11:39:51 GMT -5
The Bad:
1. I spent 5 months studying my butt off for the certified health physicist exam and I didn't pass it. I didn't bomb it, so I can take it again next year, but it was still a disappointment.
2. I'm still single, despite my continued efforts to change that.
The Good:
I got to go on vacation to Europe, which was awesome. I went to Greece and Italy, so that was a blessing.
Other than those things, pretty much a standard year. In 2018 I'll start studying for the CHP exam again because I'm a stubborn bastard.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2017 12:04:40 GMT -5
I spent 5 months studying my butt off for the certified health physicist exam and I didn't pass it. I didn't bomb it, so I can take it again next year, but it was still a disappointment. My deepest sympathies- having gone through actuarial exams and flunked a few along the way, I can honestly say I feel your pain. Sometimes the winners are the ones who are most persistent.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2017 12:14:50 GMT -5
I don't think I had any bad! Holy crap. Not a single divorce, dead dog or major illness/injury in the family. Stock market was on fire, and I took the kids on an Alaskan cruise which was just awesome! (now I'm really worried about 2018 balancing things out).
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Dec 19, 2017 13:07:41 GMT -5
It was a pretty good year here. We bought a house we love, in an area we love. Celebrated DS' first birthday. We're expecting a baby girl. Welcomed a new nephew. SIL got married. Pretty much everyone's family is now "complete". Celebrated birthdays and holidays with all of the family together for the first time in many years.
There's been some bad too. MIL's husband was recently diagnosed with cancer, and new BIL just lost his grandfather.
As a whole things seem to be going too well and I'm kinda scared for 2018. The company DH works for just completed a merger. He's overdue for a deployment with the National Guard. I'm going to be working from home with a newborn and a two year old. Should be challenging. Hopefully we're prepared enough.
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snapdragon
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Post by snapdragon on Dec 19, 2017 13:16:59 GMT -5
It's been a roller coaster ride the last few years:
2014 - Dad had a widow maker heart attack but survived. He's doing really well now. 2015 - K ( stepmom ) passed away in June. 2016 - October had to put my cat to rest. 2017 - My Mom passed in June. But I went to a destination wedding in the Caribbean and met some really nice people.
2018 - I really am hoping that things will be better all around. I am attempting to simplify and enjoy time with people more.
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pooks
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2017
Dec 19, 2017 13:32:53 GMT -5
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Post by pooks on Dec 19, 2017 13:32:53 GMT -5
2017. The good news was we successfully completed conservation fund raising that DH and I worked pretty hard on. We went on a month long vacation (CA, OR, WA, WI, and MD). At home, we did lots of biking, went to concerts, and saw some shows. Lots of family also came to visit us. And we got a second adorable grand daughter. So a good year overall.
Financially we had a contradictory year. On one hand the stock market went up and we met savings goals, so a really good year net worth wise. On the other hand, we felt absolutely broke all year, because we were so cash flow poor.
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dee27
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2017
Dec 19, 2017 14:11:04 GMT -5
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Post by dee27 on Dec 19, 2017 14:11:04 GMT -5
dee27 - I'm sorry for the loss of your DGD. 2017 flew by. My only real concerns are DH's health. Thank you
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Jake 48
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keeping the faith
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Post by Jake 48 on Dec 19, 2017 18:20:40 GMT -5
2017 sucked, for those of you that suffered loss or health issues, my prayers for you and your families going forward, Good karma for all my peeps in 2018, God bless and be safe
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2017 18:40:46 GMT -5
Work has been pretty awesome, strategically challenged a couple people/processes and it gave me enough street cred for them to assign an additional department to report to me in 2018.
Personally got divorced but they was more pain in 2016, it was just a matter of doing it this year. In July I moved to a ridiculously awesome place 5 mins from work which is downtown and I can walk to pretty much everything, I love it. I’ve been able to reconnect with several friends that were on the “restricted” list so that has been great as well.
2017 was a net plus by a mile.
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Dec 19, 2017 18:41:43 GMT -5
2017 was a varied year.
A long-time friend passed so we had a couple of short trips to Texas. Each of us have a new car. Other friends celebrated 50 years of marriage. We took a 10 day trip to Southern Ireland and sang in everything from small churches to St Patrick's Cathedral ...... and we also sang in an Irish Pub.
Medically we are doing OK, still chugging along. DH is losing his short term memory so that is a huge concern. Hopefully he will decide to tell his Dr about it and we can get some help. Major wish for the New Year.
Now I have to fix dinner .......... LOL
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Dec 19, 2017 23:12:13 GMT -5
kittensaver – I’m sorry about DH’s diagnosis. I hope your DH recovers quickly. wvugurl26 – I’m sorry about 2 of your cousins being murdered. I hope justice is served in your family’s favor. Phoenix84 – Good luck on taking the certified health physicist exam. While I haven’t taken that exam, I have taken another professional exam and I remember what it feels like when you think you’ve passed, find out you hadn’t, then have to study again. Here’s hoping you pass it on the 2nd try like I passed my professional exam.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Dec 19, 2017 23:14:22 GMT -5
For us, 2017 had it its ups and downs: - Started the year with news of a miscarriage shortly before the new year started and was still physically recovering from the D&C.
- Moved out of my mom’s house and bought our newly built house.
- I started a new job just as we moved into the newly built house.
- The day before DD’s birthday, I found out I miscarried again.
- DH is still job hunting but keeping himself busy by selling items on eBay while doing the soul-sucking job hunting. (He’s READY to work.)
- DD started 1st grade and loves it. She’s also scored very well on a state standardized test, been accepted to the school’s gifted and talented program, and offered to apply to the county’s magnet program for next school year.
We are hoping that 2018 is much better! - DH getting gainful employment much sooner than later and he’s going stir crazy. (He’s READY to work.)
- Me getting pregnant and carrying a healthy baby to full-term.
- DD doing well in general and school, whether at her current school (that we do like) or the magnet program (if accepted).
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Dec 20, 2017 2:12:46 GMT -5
I'm sorry for those having a rough year. 2017 has been a good year for us. Our 2nd full year in retirement. Lots of travel (3 overseas trips). A bath remodel and a new car. And still our net worth is up. Our kids are doing well. We are healthy. And now a happy surprise that I can't share yet.
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mamasita99
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Post by mamasita99 on Dec 20, 2017 7:18:41 GMT -5
I've read all the comments, and my thoughts are with all of you who have had a difficult year, through loss or health issues.
2017? Professionally, I passed my behavior analyst exam first time. I have a new job now, outside of public education, which is exciting, but also scary. I'm used to the "safety net" of the system. But now I have so many more opportunities with my career.
DD1 graduated from high school and is slowly breaking into adulthood. She has a starter job, her drivers license, and is starting school at the local community college in January.
DD2 started high school, and so far has straight A's.
Regarding my relationship with my spouse, this has been one of the toughest. I wish there was a book that could tell you when to hang on and when to cut your losses...
Still optimistic for the future, with good things for all. Wishing all of you and blessed 2018!
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tractor
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Post by tractor on Dec 20, 2017 7:46:00 GMT -5
2017 was a year of contradictions, I felt it would be great and in some ways it was. I got a new job (promotion) with a $20,000 increase, then my wife got a new job with a $30,000 decrease, not quite balancing out in the end, but we’re OK. Son goes to college next year, but my dad will be moving in with us, so a new set of challenges. Overall, 2017 went very fast and I still hold out hope for a better 2018. I remember that thread - I'm glad you are okay with all that. Is she any happier/less stressed? 2017 sucked in a lot of ways. I was underemployed for half of it (my fault) and working a shit job with bad commute and hours the second half (I guess also my fault?). Lost a good friend or so I thought... and maybe realizing that wanting to be a good friend doesn't always translates into actually being a good friend. DS broke another bone at school and is still struggling to fit in well and make/keep good friends. X trying to get with me again. Increasing debt. Finding out my mom got demoted at work for absolutely no reason. Generally hating my life. The good things: making some new girlfriends, finally realizing what I want to do career-wise and taking the steps to do it (not as many steps as you might think), cutting out some of the noise and making DS and myself a priority. DS, my mom, and I went to Hersey Park over the summer and we had a great time. DS's smile and laugh will always be my favorite things in the world. Realizing that there is more room to grow and be who I want to be than I thought. In 2018 I will be getting a bigger place (and hopefully a better job). Looking forward to more adventures with DS and my friends. I'm ready. Jena, I should start another thread with an update. In short she seems less stressed, still works 14-16 hour days and has transferred her extra stress to me to figure things out financially. So far the benefits of her transfer appear to be minimal.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 20, 2017 7:53:03 GMT -5
I remember that thread - I'm glad you are okay with all that. Is she any happier/less stressed? 2017 sucked in a lot of ways. I was underemployed for half of it (my fault) and working a shit job with bad commute and hours the second half (I guess also my fault?). Lost a good friend or so I thought... and maybe realizing that wanting to be a good friend doesn't always translates into actually being a good friend. DS broke another bone at school and is still struggling to fit in well and make/keep good friends. X trying to get with me again. Increasing debt. Finding out my mom got demoted at work for absolutely no reason. Generally hating my life. The good things: making some new girlfriends, finally realizing what I want to do career-wise and taking the steps to do it (not as many steps as you might think), cutting out some of the noise and making DS and myself a priority. DS, my mom, and I went to Hersey Park over the summer and we had a great time. DS's smile and laugh will always be my favorite things in the world. Realizing that there is more room to grow and be who I want to be than I thought. In 2018 I will be getting a bigger place (and hopefully a better job). Looking forward to more adventures with DS and my friends. I'm ready. Jena, I should start another thread with an update. In short she seems less stressed, still works 14-16 hour days and has transferred her extra stress to me to figure things out financially. So far the benefits of her transfer appear to be minimal. That comes as no surprise. I’m sorry.
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NoNamePerson
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Is There Anybody OUT There?
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Post by NoNamePerson on Dec 20, 2017 8:06:00 GMT -5
I've read all the comments, and my thoughts are with all of you who have had a difficult year, through loss or health issues. 2017? Professionally, I passed my behavior analyst exam first time. I have a new job now, outside of public education, which is exciting, but also scary. I'm used to the "safety net" of the system. But now I have so many more opportunities with my career. DD1 graduated from high school and is slowly breaking into adulthood. She has a starter job, her drivers license, and is starting school at the local community college in January. DD2 started high school, and so far has straight A's. Regarding my relationship with my spouse, this has been one of the toughest. I wish there was a book that could tell you when to hang on and when to cut your losses...
Still optimistic for the future, with good things for all. Wishing all of you and blessed 2018! You will wake up one day and just know if it's time to go. Because that is basically the question right now. Good luck with your decision.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Dec 20, 2017 9:39:19 GMT -5
I'm sorry for those having a rough year. 2017 has been a good year for us. Our 2nd full year in retirement. Lots of travel (3 overseas trips). A bath remodel and a new car. And still our net worth is up. Our kids are doing well. We are healthy. And now a happy surprise that I can't share yet. A BABY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Dec 20, 2017 11:27:48 GMT -5
2017 sucked ass. It was a continuation of the suck that started in June 2016, and it got worse in 2017. But the good news is we hit the bottom and we're on the upswing now. The start of 2018 will be rough, but starting in late May/early June 2018, things will be better.
And there was some good news in there - C's BFF and his wife had a baby girl January 2017, and are now expecting another one at the end of June 2018. My BFF and her wife did embryo adoption this year, and BFF is pregnant as of Thanksgiving. Their baby is expected in late July (C-section, 36-38 weeks, her OB doesn't want to risk her going into labor).
Financially, 2017 wasn't great either. Lots of legal fees in this process, and while we started 2016 with the mortgage as our only debt, I've now got quite a bit in credit card debt (all at 0% promotional APRs, but still) that I need to get paid off. And savings was decimated. However, my 2017 raise did take me to 6 figures, which is nice, and I can get everything paid off before the promotional rates end. 2018 will likely only have one small raise in Sept, but there's a plan then for another small raise January 2019. (And while that seems like a ways away for calendar year, I work for the state which does it's budgeting in 2 year chunks, July-June, so that's part of my current budget biennium.)
Also on the plus side, we're all still alive. We did lose two rats in 2017 (January and July), but the dogs are in good health, and we're all still kicking. And given everything that we've gone through in the last 18 months, that's not nothing.
Edited: Because I do know the difference between to, too, and two. I just don't always proofread super well.
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bobosensei
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Post by bobosensei on Dec 26, 2017 16:22:37 GMT -5
2017 was stressful. In January I separated from exDH and moved into a new home alone, in March/April things got really stressful for me at work, in May my divorce was final. I had a health scare in October. Had to have my cervix biopsied then found out I needed additional diagnostic testing just before Thanksgiving. I had to seriously consider the possibility that I might not have kids.
I started dating over the summer, and I've met a really great guy. In September I got a promotion so I don't work for the horrible boss anymore, and I've had a break these last couple of months while I train for my new job. My health is better. The procedure I had in November showed no cancer, and the removal of the cells examined means the issue shouldn't come back. I lost about 20 pounds and overall I'm happier. I'm looking forward to 2018.
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swasat
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Post by swasat on Dec 26, 2017 16:49:16 GMT -5
Financially and career wise 2017 turned out to be a GREAT year for both DH and I. I got a big raise during the yearly evaluation in spring 2017. DH switched jobs, got a huge pay bump and we moved part and parcel to another city/state, courtesy his new employer. My company requested me to telecommute for them and I happily obliged! Extended family....it was a very meh (in fact bad) year. SIL passed away from stage 4 cancer in December 2017. I finally realized some relations are not worth keeping even if they are are closely related folks. The pain associated with the effort involved is just not worth it. Still reeling from all that fallout. Overall I am in a much happier state of mind but the feeling of being taken advantage of and being unwanted...is just horrible Time is a big healer, or so I hope. I am really looking forward to 2018. New place, new beginnings, new friendships and new horizons. Here's to all of us on YMAM May 2018 bring good fortune and happiness to everyone
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Dec 26, 2017 17:15:13 GMT -5
Compared to 2016 and like Zib, having to learn to be a widow, 2017 wasn't too bad. I've joined a church I like, have a volunteer job I love, have no bills, no debt, no mortgage and my financial life is stable and quite good. It does get terribly lonely at times but over all that's getting better too.
I'm hoping 2018 is as smooth a ride as 2017.
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