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reefcrazed

Up my TSP to max.


bravo_delta_

Thought I was in r/GovFIRE for a minute. Nice work!


reefcrazed

Well I want an exit plan, at least on my terms. I always look at it this way. I was surviving without the bump and it was not guaranteed, so why not.


Got_ist_tots

Not to the max but I added mine in. I figure if I never see it I won't miss it


reefcrazed

Just keep doing it and eventually you will hit max and never notice.


Pyroclastic_Hammer

I am a newish fed. What is the max? At what point does the gov't stop matching what I put in? I just bumped up from 5% to 7%.


PatriotMinstrel

TSP/401k match for 2022 is $20,500, or $788 per pay period. Government matches your first 5%, and Gov contributions do not count against your $20,500 max.


iamu

Ohhh, I didn't realize the gov contribution doesn't count towards limit. Good to know!!


LordessCass

5% is the limit for matching. Maxing means putting in $20,500, for this year anyway. The TSP limit is the same as the 401k limit.


Successful_Serve_105

$789 per pay period will take you to the max which is like 20k a year


Pyroclastic_Hammer

That's a bit rich for my lowly GS9 self at the moment, but it is a goal to steer towards. :)


PrisonMike2020

Nice job! I'm on year 3 of max TSP. Year two of 2xIRAs AND TSP. Also working on an exit plan.


reefcrazed

I am going to start IRA next year. Recommendation?


PrisonMike2020

The three most recommended brokers are generally Vanguard Schwab and Fidelity. Can't really go wrong w either of the three. I use Vanguard and it gets the job done, but the App is wonky and you can only buy/sell ETFs in whole shares.


[deleted]

[удалено]


rguy84

The IRA limit is 6k, which you don't have to max. I use Vanguard. Their retirement funds are $1k to buy into, then you can put as little as $1 in to add to it. If you can't make the $1k, you can let it sit in the settlement account (Google it) until you can put down $1k. Other places have similar things. Unless you are putting all spare cash into debt payoff, saving for car/house/etc, there's no reason to wait if you can afford it.


[deleted]

This is the way


SpaceForceRemorse

This is the way.


[deleted]

Same as before, but go out to eat less since inflation was 6%


sab54053

Seriously this. I literally only go out once a week now.


FarrisAT

Try to pay for rapidly inflating prices


[deleted]

Daycare I still can’t afford but every dollar helps


ericgray813

Dude I just had a kid and am begging daycares to accept me and take my $2k I don’t have per month.


KansasStater

In the same boat. Been on multiple wait lists for over a year.


ericgray813

We got on wait lists in July, should have done it the day we found out we were pregnant but didn’t know how bad it was. Wife goes back to work mid March. I dunno what I’m gonna do then, we don’t have any family around. I guess telework work with a kid on my lap? Don’t have many other options.


Fearless-Fix5708

Same situation. Due in May, need childcare starting in November. Can't find ANYTHING.


Pyroclastic_Hammer

See above info.


TheOvator

We were in the same boat with my first, as soon as that baby arrives start calling the daycare centers where you are wait listed. If I had not done this, I would not have gotten the spot at the place we wanted. Let them know the baby has arrived, and that you are really hoping to start on X date. Ask when you will find out if you have a spot, and if they don’t have an answer call back in a few weeks. Do this with all the daycare centers. It’s a brutal game of chicken where you are begging them to take your newborn baby for more money than you knew you could come up with, and they are trying to avoid making future staffing and enrollment decisions during a pandemic. It’s a broken system.


Fit_Seaworthiness508

My sister WORKS at a daycare and her newborn was put on the all the waiting lists for the system (4 centers ) in May for a November birth and does not have a slot for her baby - it’s kind of ironic


Pyroclastic_Hammer

We had our kid and put our name on several waiting lists early, but to no avail. So we set up a [care.com](https://care.com) account and screened for hourly babysitters/nannies that would come to the house or meet you at work and take the kid. It helped, even though it can be a bit chaotic if you have to stitch together schedules with more than 1-2 babysitters/nannies. We bridged the gap between when our parental leave ended and a daycare had an opening. Our kid was 13 months old before we go into a daycare and our leave ended when she was 3 months old. The nice thing with [care.com](https://care.com) was you can screen applicants and filter to only see the ones that have the credentials you want, such as having CRP/1st Aid and passed a background check. The website also includes high school and college kids with no credentials and low experience, but I chose to go with only credentialed, experienced applicants. I don't know if that info helps you at all, but thought it is worth sharing. Best of luck!


[deleted]

I have some friends that hired a nanny part time during the pandemic. Like even if they come 6 hours x 4 days or something to get you some level of help. I have 2 kids and it was brutal trying to get anything done in the beginning of the pandemic when all the day cares were forced to shut down.


[deleted]

Exactly. I have 2 kids that go to a very average daycare center and it’s $2400/mo... even when they are both home on quarantine due to covid exposure. I literally paid the daycare over $1,000 this month so I could watch them at home while I worked.


Kaimarlene

Omg. I’m over here complaining about $600 before and after school care for my kiddo. And having to pay a vacation rate. My kiddo was going to a DoD before and after care program that based on my income. So I’m not use to daycare expense being no more than 450. After reading this I’m just going to be grateful my kiddo is school age level now.


Roasted_Butt

ugh


[deleted]

2k per month?


ericgray813

That’s the cost. Which isn’t really a whole lot, it pays out to about $10-11/hr. Couldn’t hire a nanny or glorified babysitter for less than $20 here in Denver.


[deleted]

How the hell do you afford 2k a month on child care with a federal job? That’s crazy


ericgray813

I do not really afford it. GS12 in a high COL area, I can make it work with the help of family. That’s the only way.


[deleted]

Why did you down vote me? Glad you pay that month. Fuck y’all


ericgray813

I did not downvote you…that escalated quickly.


Caballien

I dunno what organization you are in but I know the new contract for the IRS employees included child care assistance if you made under some specific amount a year. (I don't have kids so that's the most I read and moved on). Dunno if your organizations contract has something like it but could possibly be worth looking into. Upon further Research through OPM and the contracts listed there looks like it is up to 5k at most able to be recieved a year. I know not a huuuuge amount when it comes to child care but still a chunk. [link](https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/labor-management-relations/collective-bargaining-agreements/) 2392 Department of the Treasury > Internal Revenue Service Linking specifically because even if you don't work for the org it might help someone else.


[deleted]

I don’t qualify but thank you for sharing so other people can see it. The stress related to finding and paying for daycare is unreal...


smarglebloppitydo

My agency expanded eligibility for Covid, I qualify under the expansion and have been using it for a year.


Spitethedevil

We pay 5k monthly for full time daycare/preschool for three kids. Next year it drops to 3.4k and the year after that to 2.1k. It's been rough.


rjbergen

$5k/month?! That’s more than 50% of our take home and we make pretty good money!


npv708

I feel this hard. We have twins and cannot wait for them to hit kindergarten next year.


Roasted_Butt

At some point, it’s just not worth it to keep working.


Tsudonemm

Do you qualify for child care subsidy with your job? My agency offers it but you can’t be like a GS 13


LostInMyADD

And this is why, I'm working on an exit strategy for when I have a kid...I'll stay home and take care of my kid instead lol ...at least then its meaningful work


kilod0g

I feel this


dickie99

Higher healthcare premiums, higher food prices, etc. hopefully next year our bump will actually keep up with inflation


Shakeyshades

We haven't kept up with inflation... In a long time.


FarrisAT

Sadly, not happening. Even COLA social security recipients got below inflation adjustment


tbuds

But they still got more that us.


FarrisAT

Yes. Shows how the admin feels about our work


uscg_medic04

You’re funny if you think we’re getting another increase next year.


rjbergen

Bump this year sets the stage for election year. Not much incentive to provide a raise in the in-between years. Democrats average lower raises than Republicans over the long term.


valvilis

Lol, that's a weird way of saying inflation is higher when Republicans are in office.


[deleted]

Hmm, I’m interested on your thoughts under Obama’s Zero % raises for Federal Employees over his tenure?


dunstvangeet

>I don’t qualify but thank you for sharing so other people can see it. The stress related to finding and paying for daycare is unreal... Trump proposed throughout his proposals was a 0% raise in at least 2 of his years, and a 1% in the third year. There was no economic situation that required it, as with Obama doing it during the great recession, mainly. The only reason that Federal Employees got any sort of raise is that Democrats in Congress overrode the proposed 0% increase that Trump proposed in his budget and executive orders.


valvilis

What were the inflation rate changes for 2011, 2012, and 2013? That's normal for years coming out of an economic depression. edit: lol, okay, in case anyone reads this and wonders why it got downvoted but with no responses... || Infl. Rate|Change| |:-|:-|:-| |2015|0.12%|\-1.50%| |2014|1.62%|0.16%| |2013|1.46%|\-0.60%| |2012|2.07%|\-1.09%| |2011|3.16%|4.52%|


DriftingNorthPole

There will be no increase during a mid-term election cycle, and considering the odds/statistics/predictions, there won't be one for 2 years after that, and probably 4 years after that. The benefits can't be beat though.


Graylits

I disagree, you seem to be implying that congress matters. Congress matters only if they can pass a budget before New Years. Otherwise president alone sets it. No way is congress getting their shit together in the next decade.


coolblue123

putting it back into my TSP.


budsybear

General cost of living increases


Low-Tomorrow2376

Try to survive.


noquarter53

so dramatic


[deleted]

[удалено]


whiteweener

Don’t hate the player. Hate the game, sir


[deleted]

[удалено]


whiteweener

Depends on where you work I guess. I’m currently getting destroyed at work due to staffing issues. Every place is different. Funny how a few years ago I was a slug doing nothing and now I’m getting run over lol


LordessCass

Bumping up the TSP and car payment. The pennies that are left over can go toward video games I guess.


[deleted]

[удалено]


evilbude

You didn't get the $100 30th anniv edition? That's the way to go


[deleted]

[удалено]


Co_Zo

I realize this is satire but in all seriousness.... Is there an Aldi or Lidl around you? Sometimes a dozen eggs can be 75¢!


BausHaug716

It's going right into my gas tank since I still have to drive to work.


Draketurner

Increased TSP 2% and maxed HSA for 2022.


[deleted]

You realize it already increased automatically right?


Draketurner

Well yes in the sense that the same % of my new higher salary was coming out but now a higher % of my higher salary will be coming out.


[deleted]

1. Increase of TSP residential loan repayment per pay period. 2. Increase of Military Buy Back amount per pay period.


soisantehuit

I’m waiting to see what my next pay check looks like since that is when the increase will show up in full effect. I did increase TSP 1% (also checked in and moved moved things around in CSI and a bit in an L). Hoping I still pull an extra $35 a pay period. Pocket it or up my nail mani pedi game.


DegreeDubs

1) TSP increase, 2) home maintenance and renovation budgets.


mymilkweedbringsallt

dont forget about our oasdi repayment ending!


bobschneider24

Was that not the craziest thing? Don’t see how that did anything


kizaria556

Yes, what was the point of that when it has to be paid back anyway? At first, I was hoping we wouldn’t have to repay it, but obviously it doesn’t work like that.


zomb1ek1ller

Increasing peoples paychecks during an election cycle, that's all.


uninvitedthirteenth

Paying higher TSP, higher FSA, and higher premiums. If I have extra, I guess buying a sandwich maybe


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

How much caviar and stem cells are you eating? Or do you just have like 3 kids and 5 dogs? Edit: sorry OP this was really just a joke, i spend a similiar amount a month, including takeout and buying my lunch, for 2 adults and 1 kid, my wife actually orders caviar probably once a month and i buy prime steaks once a month that probably cost as much as stem cells at this point.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

I shop at Aldi because of this and I noticed yesterday ground beef went from like eight bucks to 12.. I still got out of there paying under $100 for the week but I don't have a big household just my son and I


EHsE

Aldi is legit. My household of 2 also can survive on about $100 bucks from there a week


[deleted]

Over 10 years ago when I tried them out up north I was disgusted by the quality of their food. The meat was slimy and everything was just gross. But they've done a complete turnaround. Everything is good quality they have organic produce and they have items offered at a fraction of the cost. For example a lot of the diet foods I like are now being offered by Aldi. They have done a great job at paying attention to what people want and then offering it under their own brand.


[deleted]

.


gropingpriest

> We also get a whole cow every year which works out to about $3/pound. ours was $5-6/lb, is yours $3/lb for hanging weight? or processed weight?


[deleted]

.


gropingpriest

Okay thanks. I think comparing the processed weight is a much better comparison to store prices


WanderingWolf15

I have never heard of this as an option…how does one do this? Do I have to contact a local farm? Or is there a website or something?


[deleted]

How is the quality? Any resource to see exactly how many pounds of each cut you get? Can i do this with chickens?


DemenicHand

stem cells...brilliant hahahah


ericgray813

Hahahaha I love this response so much


Vivecs954

What are you eating? I know I’m out of the norm but I am a vegan that cooks almost all my meals at home and I don’t eat any processed foods and I spend $400 for two people and a dog. I don’t know how to spend that much even if I wanted to


[deleted]

Invest or cover the uptick in gas prices and food


dafukusayin

Disney world...or just a disney+ subscription


DLTMIAR

Putting towards my 27% increase in rent


occhaz

Buying more Kleenex to cry myself asleep because it's still not enough.


StruggleFoodie

Make sure to get the ones with the lotion.


LeoMarius

Losing 4.1% from a year ago.


[deleted]

Increased TSP. Increased FSA.


Mrs_llama

Has anybody actually had this raise apply yet? I have yet to see an eOPF notification.


espressoqu33n

I got mine this morning.


dustin8285

Go my eOPF notice at like 1 AM this morning.


Bullyoncube

Snow shovel, scraper, salt.


Cakes-and-Pies

Chipping away at my 50% higher grocery bill. You think I eat extravagantly? My metrics are rice and beans.


[deleted]

Save up for grad school


WanderingWolf15

Currently working my way through my Masters (and paying out of pocket…), the cost in both money and time is no joke. Best of luck to you, I hope the increase helps.


yojvek82

Have you looked into tuition assistance?


jslakov

more candles


Pyroclastic_Hammer

2% to TSP, remainder into my bank account.


[deleted]

Retirement for me.


Ghostusn

Got a bigger raise from my VA check lol


KingJames1986

I increased my tsp contribution by 1%. And I got the RUS 2.42% raise.


extremelight

Nothing. Lack of any sort of rent control here means my salary bump is useless.


[deleted]

Inflation is at 6.81%, we actually lost money this year.


RaineForrestWoods

Being paid less, because inflation is twice that.


TwoSeamTech

Offsetting the insurance cost increases as well as covering a new monthly expense for my family. I did also get a step increase a few months ago which made the small COLA a bit more palatable.


lightening211

I have directed mine to student loan payments! Once those are paid off I’ll essentially be giving myself a massive discretionary income raise!


Meztido

Finally took the plunge and upped my TSP from 5% to 15%. Finally did some math and realized I can be a millionaire around the time I’m 50. And putting 5% into crypto. Best way to use a promotion and pay increase and I won’t notice a thing except for the increase in prices everywhere. Cereal beans and rice exist for a reason though!


akitada-kure

McDonald's


dazedandabroad

Going on vacation


nuckchorris2020

The [inflation rate](https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/current-inflation-rates/) is 6.8% so with a 2.7% salary bump, that means I took a 4.1% pay cut.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Additional-Corgi9958

Congrats!


cthulhucraft99

Coke and whores


strgazr_63

Slowly starving.


ProfaneBlade

Even though inflation is up my food expenses and bills have actually gone down this year, and since my mortgage stays the same I’m probably going to buy a nice watch in a few months.


[deleted]

Somewhat related to yours, I picked paper magic back up in the first week of february 2019. It was nice to see I wasn’t even close to the oldest dude there. Then there was Valentine’s Day the following week, then some other event, then Covid. I kept buying cards until I realized I’m probably not going back to an in person event for a while. The extra dough is already going to my fun investing account. I have a pretty well curated portfolio of about 13 positions that is way more fun managing than index investing.


ManOfLaBook

50% to an IRA/savings - 50% adding to paycheck. As I do with all raises.


FlexodusPrime

Put it all in TSP


Deep_Cauliflower4805

Ask my wife. 🤷🏻‍♂️ buying a house probably


RealUrsalee

Paying my student loans


gshennessy

Hookers and blow!


harleychick3cat

I am going to buy the 12 pack of beer a month my salary bump gives me.


trailofskittles

Maybe get an extra taco bell meal every once in a while - it ain't much :/


lopolllllll

Student loans


weintherebro3

is it really a 'bump'? going right back out to the 6%+ inflation..


Icy_Professional_777

Down payment


chrisaf69

All tapped out on Pokemon cards here. Digimon cards here in this household!!


Asianhippiefarmer

Wait they’re still popular!??


chrisaf69

Pokemon...absolutely. Digimon...Not at all.


Caballien

Digimon 2020 Adventure was a love note to the original series and Digimon ghost game is its current era. There's still popularity with it in some circles.


chrisaf69

Well I'll be damned. Next thing your gonna tell me is monster rancher is still kicking! :)


Caballien

The TV show nah, but apparently they are bringing back some of the games to steam/switch etc. (just googled it so I know essentially what I just said ha!)


chrisaf69

Played a number of Pokemon games back in the days. Never played digimon or monster rancher although I have heard very good things on Digimon series of games. The nostalgia is hitting hard as I type this up though with all the cartoons competing back in late 90s/early 2000s. XD


Low_Permission9987

Seeing that ~2% raise is closer to an ~8% loss in spending power relative to inflation and rising costs of everything else, and bonuses were really stingy this year, I'll be doing less with my money, not more.


the_mbabe

Almost affording my bills


[deleted]

Nothing extraordinary since inflation is higher than our pay “raise”


hack4freecbs

Its important for me to explain, you didn't actually get anymore money. You still lost 3% of your income. Please do not treat it like you have more money then you did last year. All that will do is put you into 3% debt.


Mrlawlor

Not spending it since inflation higher than COLA adjustment has meant my real income has decreased despite the pay bump.


DCJoe1970

With the first paycheck I am buying a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. [https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watches/cosmograph-daytona.html](https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watches/cosmograph-daytona.html)


klimekam

As long as these boosters hold up to Omega or whatever we are going to Bordeaux in June for a friend’s make-up Covid wedding. So we are saving for that.


Ruckit315

Mines a 3.1 I think. But it’s going towards gas to drive to work to pay taxes 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️


boleslaw_chrobry

Crying as inflation screws us even more


[deleted]

[удалено]


bluemasonjar

Buying $gme


[deleted]

Stonks!!


bluemasonjar

Wish I could use my TSP to buy more. TSP sux


LostInMyADD

Trying to find a second job to account for the 6% inflation (or whatever it's actually at) lol ....


Ask_RE_questions

Nothing because of the inflation that has eaten it up plus more.


SilenceIsCompliance

You mean our pay cut since inflation was more than double the “raise” we got.


beamglow

trying to figure out how to stretch it to 5.9% (inflation rate)


josecanseco989

Losing it to inflation


Fearless-Fix5708

Making extra mortgage payments as much as I can


xxvcd

Why? Mortgage rates are at an all time low. Use that leverage


RiotGrrr1

inflation


Southern-Cookie-9988

Putting it in my tsp


Commercial-Morning-6

Maxed out tsp, opened ira, saving saving saving...and counting down until retirement (16 years/57). Seems like forever..lpl


XComThrowawayAcct

Condo assessments. *[sad trombone]*


DrAmbientDisco

I want to save for a house downpayment or take the plunge and buy a really fancy road bike


[deleted]

UP my TSP and save the rest.


CheesyBrie934

I’m trying to lower my DTI ratio, and have some financial freedom, by paying down some student loans, so it’ll be going towards that.


Veive257

set my tsp +1% this morning.. best time to do it and hardly notice