Living a Simple Life

Thursday Thoughts: Giving Myself a Little Grace

Well, here we are… Thursday already! 🙌

I knew this short work week was going to fly by, but goodness gracious, here we are at the end of it already. I only have about 16 more hours of work standing between me and the weekend, and honestly, that feels pretty darn good!

I had made myself a to-do list yesterday, and if you’ve been following along with my blog, you’ve probably already seen it. Did I get everything on that list accomplished?

Nope. 😂

But you know what? That’s okay.

I made the list. I have goals. I know what needs to be done, and I’m giving myself permission not to beat myself up because everything didn’t magically get checked off in one day.

So, my new goal is to have that list finished sometime between now and Sunday evening. That’s much more reasonable, don’t you think?

One thing I will be doing tonight is tackling that dryer. The clothes need to come out, get folded, and actually make their way to where they belong instead of continuing to live in the dryer. 😂

I also want to get my five work outfits together for next week. That one can happen whenever I have a little time this weekend.

And I have two pen pal letters that need to be written. I really want to sit down and enjoy doing those instead of rushing through them, so I’m hoping to carve out some quiet time for that.

I also need to pick up a few groceries. I was originally thinking about placing a small grocery pickup order, but honestly, I think I’ll just run into the store and grab what we need. It shouldn’t take long, especially since I’m only planning to spend a small amount.

Sometimes the simplest plan really is the best plan.

Work Is Going Pretty Good!

Work has actually been going well, too, and that is something I’m thankful for.

My goal right now is 12 saves a day, and yesterday I got 11. I’m not going to complain about being one short! I’m right where I need to be, and more importantly, I’m not behind and having to play catch-up.

That takes a LOT of pressure off.

I’m learning that sometimes being one save short of a goal isn’t a failure. It’s just… Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or whatever day it happens to be. 😂

The important thing is that I’m staying on track.

What About Working From Home?

I tested my Starlink Wi-Fi yesterday, and I honestly think I could bring my workstation home and work from here.

But here’s the thing…

I don’t really want to.

I actually like having the structure of getting up, getting ready, and driving to work. I like leaving the house and going into the office. And I’m not 100% convinced that my internet connection would hold up under the workload we have at work with all the different programs we use.

The last thing I need is to be sitting at home fighting with my computer, internet, and five different programs while trying to save memberships. 😂

So for now, I’m going to keep driving to work.

If something changes and working from home becomes necessary, then I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

And honestly, there are bigger questions surrounding our building right now anyway.

We’ve got six air conditioners that are out, and from what I’ve heard, maintenance doesn’t want to repair them because it would put them way over budget. There are also rumors that the company may decide that the building is causing more problems than it’s worth and possibly pay the remaining three years on the lease and walk away.

Rumors are rumors, so who knows what will actually happen.

I’m just going to keep doing my job and let the powers that be figure out what they’re going to do.

A Little Financial Peace

One thing I do know is that having my car paid off has given me a different feeling about my finances.

If something happened with my job, I know I’d have to find something else, and I also know another job might not pay what I’m making now.

But I also know that Velvet is officially paid for, and that is a HUGE weight off my shoulders.

That car payment is no longer hanging over my head every month, and my plan is to put the bulk of that money into savings rather than immediately finding something else to spend it on.

That’s a pretty good feeling.

I’m not saying I have everything figured out. I definitely don’t.

But I feel like I’m building myself a little bit of a cushion, and that makes me feel more secure.

A Quick Stop After Work

After work today, I’ll be heading out to Grandpa Kendall’s to pick up Aaron’s money so I can get it to him.

I called yesterday, and I could tell he wasn’t feeling very good. I asked if he wanted me to come out after work, but he said tomorrow would be fine.

So tomorrow it is.

I also know that I need to make more time to go see him.

He’s on hospice, and that is something that weighs on my heart. Sometimes that 30-minute drive from my house feels like a lot after a long day at work. Sometimes I just don’t have it in me.

But I’m also very aware that time is something we don’t get back.

So I’m going to try to do better about making those visits happen.

I’m giving myself grace for the times I haven’t gone, but I’m also reminding myself that I can make a different choice going forward.

And maybe that’s really the theme of this Thursday.

I don’t have to do everything perfectly.

I don’t have to finish every item on my list in one day.

I don’t have to have every financial or work-related question figured out.

I just need to keep moving forward, one day at a time, and make the best choices I can with what I have.

And right now, I’m doing okay.

Actually… I’m doing pretty darn good. ❤️

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have 16 hours of work standing between me and my weekend! 😂

Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the internet. I hope y’all have a wonderful Thursday and an even better weekend.

Leave me a comment down below and tell me what’s on YOUR weekend to-do list. I’d love to hear from you!

Cheers,
Karen 🥂

Late 50’s Finance Planning

Hitting your late 50s can feel like a pivotal moment. Retirement may be closer than it seems, and there’s less runway to correct mistakes or make huge leaps in savings. But the good news is: you still have time, strategy, and the power of compounding on your side. This post shares realistic, high-impact saving tips for folks in their late 50s, backed by expert insights and trusted resources.

1. Take Full Advantage of “Catch-Up” Contributions

Once you’re 50 or older, tax law generally allows you to contribute extra (“catch-up”) to retirement accounts, above the standard limits. 

• For example, you can add extra to a 401(k), IRA, or other workplace retirement plan.
• Don’t overlook your employer’s matching contribution — that’s essentially “free money.”
• If you have multiple retirement accounts, consolidating them can make managing catch-up contributions easier.  

2. Reassess and Rebalance Your Portfolio

Your investment goals and risk tolerance should evolve as you get closer to retirement.

• Many experts advise shifting gradually to more conservative allocations while still keeping a portion invested for growth.  
• Use a “100 minus age” (or a variant) rule as a rough guide: e.g. if you’re 58, you might aim for ~42% in equities, though your individual circumstances (other income sources, risk tolerance, etc.) might push you to tweak that.
• Review your fees. Even small differences in expense ratios can compound over time and eat into your returns.

3. Prioritize Debt Reduction & Smart Borrowing

Debt is a silent savings killer. In your late 50s, the burden of debt can restrict your flexibility.

• Attack high-interest debt first (credit cards, personal loans).  
• If you still carry a mortgage, evaluate whether paying it off earlier (or refinancing for better terms) makes sense in light of interest costs and your cash flow.  
• Avoid taking new debt if possible. If you must borrow, seek the lowest possible interest rates and shortest terms.

4. Build or Strengthen Your Safety Nets

Having a cushion reduces the need to tap into investments during emergencies.

• Ensure your emergency fund can cover 3–6 months (or more, given that medical bills or unforeseen events may become more frequent).  
• If eligible, maximize contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) — triple tax advantages: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.  
• Explore or review long-term care insurance or contingency plans: premiums rise with age, so acting sooner can save you money.  

5. Estimate & Plan for Healthcare & Longevity Costs

Healthcare — especially long-term care — is one of the biggest unknowns for retirees.

• Use retirement planning tools or calculators to estimate future medical and care costs.
• Consider Medicare, supplemental (Medigap) plans, or switching to more cost-effective health plans before retirement.
• Factor in longevity: many in their late 50s may live 25+ years in retirement. Make sure your saving and withdrawal plans reflect that timeframe.

                

6. Revisit Lifestyle & Expenses: Cut, Optimize, or Downsize

Sometimes the easiest way to save is simply to spend less.

• Review recurring subscriptions, memberships, and nonessential services.
• If your children are grown and your space needs have changed, downsizing your home or selling extra vehicles can free cash and reduce maintenance, taxes, and utility costs.  
• Resist “lifestyle creep” — as your income rises, avoid letting expenses rise in lockstep. Redirect extra cash toward savings instead.  

7. Create a Withdrawal/Income Strategy Before You Retire

You don’t want to make this up on the fly after retiring.

• Work out which accounts you’ll draw from first, in what order (taxable, tax-deferred, Roth, etc.)  
• Consider delaying Social Security benefits (if possible) to increase monthly benefits.
• Explore “bucket strategies” — keep short-term needs in safer assets, medium-term in moderate-risk assets, and long-term in growth investments.
• Monitor required minimum distributions (RMDs) rules once you hit certain ages.

8. Stay Educated & Reassess Periodically

What’s right today may not hold in 5 years.

• Revisit your plan annually (or on major life changes).
• Consider working with a financial advisor, especially one who’s familiar with late-stage retirement planning.
• Read trusted personal finance sources and tools (see references below).

Conclusion

Your late 50s aren’t a time for panic — they’re a time for purpose. The steps above won’t transform your finances overnight, but they will help tighten, clarify, and strengthen your plan. Even incremental improvements compound over time.

With focus, discipline, and the right strategies, your golden years can be years of security and freedom, not worry.

Suggested References & Tools

• AARP — Personal Finance section (practical up-to-date articles)  
• John Hancock — “Eight Financial Tips for Your 50s”  
• Investopedia — “How to Supercharge Your Savings in Your 40s and 50s”  
• Vision Retirement — “How to Better Prepare for Retirement in Your 50s”  
• Western & Southern — “How to Start Saving for Retirement at 50 & Beyond”  
• Savvy Ladies — Midlife finance resources and mentoring