We received a tad over $10k....you gotta love having three kids
Just bought a car so all excess money I make is going to replenish my house down payment fund. On the bright side my return was higher than normal. My medical expenses aren't enough to surpass the standard deduction, so I'm not sure why it's higher now than the last two years. Eh, fuck'it.
Look into the USDA 100% Guaranteed Loan program if you'd like to keep that money for repairs/appliances ect; depending on where you live it TX (
eligibility is based on population density for the county/town/city the property is located in), you may be able to find properties eligible for the program. Personally, I'd recommend a Mortgage Broker (
because I am one... not licensed in TX though), because they'll likely have greater access to the Guaranteed Program (
there is a USDA Direct Program as well... but it's not ideal in my opinion because of a lower income limit threshold) and the interest rates available will trend lower for a Broker that with Retail institutions. It's true 100%... as long as the property appraises for enough to cover purchase price and closing fees, the borrower comes to the table without a penny. Probably 40% of my business here in Southwest VA.
In answer to the OP... Roughly $5K. Most in Savings for our new home (if we find the right one... we've owned for 10-yrs so we're not in any hurry) and retirement. $400 for the Spring golf trip to NC; $1,000 for the DT concert in Baltimore (that's including hotel for 3-nights, gold package tickets, and car rental... not goin' to ding my own ride); $500 for next year's Mt Washington winter climb.