I would tell my younger self to attend an in-state school. I would also tell myself to stay at a good paying job with benefits no matter how much I hated it and to never take withdrawals from retirement accounts.
I am not a fan of chain restaurants but the new local joints are not cheap in comparison. It's shocking to go to a local eatery and find for example, a normal ice cream size dish of one scoop mac n cheese and a handful of bbq pork on top for $7. And it comes with nothing else. No drink, no other side, nothing. Then there is the place with $3 pretzels and the $3 doughnuts that are smaller than even Dunkin'. I don't know about other cities but our town isn't cheap at all. We can go spend $50 at a local place or $30 at a chain. I don't need all of the guilt trip BS. The fact is it's simple economics. Having a local place that's as expensive or more than a chain makes us able to go there less. A lot of local places aren't any better than chains (why do you think the chains are successful?) and they often cost much more. (Don't get me started on how crappy it seems EVERY local diner is).
I would tell my younger self not to be afraid to try new things and take chances, even to fail multiple times. Youth is very forgiving and gives you many opportunities to start over and try again.
Can't enter the drawing because not US resident, but I'd like to share my advice: learn how to negotiate. The Camp negotiation system changed my life, alas, a bit late. I would have met Jim Camp in my 20s instead of my 40s.
Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Take advantage of every opportunity while you have no commitments because there is rarely a later. Consider any mistakes that you make the cost of learning and do it while the risks are low.
I would tell my younger self not to cash out retirement accounts in the hopes of paying off credit card debt. The debt never got paid off completely, and now I'm woefully behind in retirement savings. That money could have stayed put. It's my biggest financial regret.
We bought our house when we were in our early 30's. I wish we would have known more about our rights as new homeowners. The previous owner not only failed to report serious issues in the disclosure, she also acted to cover up septic issues. We found out later that every time she had a showing she was calling one local company to empty the tank (she gave us the name of the other company for when we'd need service). She did more to cover up the issues and it took us time to discover what she'd done and fix it. We didn't know that we could have sued her for this until many years later.
My questions are what kind of account do I need to acquire interest over time on my balance and also I wonder about the finer details of the first time home buyer bond.
I'm so conflicted! I am *probably* going to emigrate to Canada next year but am 35 and way behind in retirement savings (but no debt and vested in a pension plan). I've saved up a good chunk but feel I am ready to do some investing. Where do I start?? I feel like I'm paralyzed, both by options and by lack of understanding. Help!
Wait to get married until your late 20's (at earliest)!
I would tell my younger self to attend an in-state school. I would also tell myself to stay at a good paying job with benefits no matter how much I hated it and to never take withdrawals from retirement accounts.
Been Consistency is the key to manage business well. As well as having good communication skills
I am not a fan of chain restaurants but the new local joints are not cheap in comparison. It's shocking to go to a local eatery and find for example, a normal ice cream size dish of one scoop mac n cheese and a handful of bbq pork on top for $7. And it comes with nothing else. No drink, no other side, nothing. Then there is the place with $3 pretzels and the $3 doughnuts that are smaller than even Dunkin'. I don't know about other cities but our town isn't cheap at all. We can go spend $50 at a local place or $30 at a chain. I don't need all of the guilt trip BS. The fact is it's simple economics. Having a local place that's as expensive or more than a chain makes us able to go there less. A lot of local places aren't any better than chains (why do you think the chains are successful?) and they often cost much more. (Don't get me started on how crappy it seems EVERY local diner is).
Watch your spending and start saving for retirement now.
I would tell my younger self not to be afraid to try new things and take chances, even to fail multiple times. Youth is very forgiving and gives you many opportunities to start over and try again.
Plus the dollar stores, (at least around us), take coupons. So for name brands this is a huge win.
I took out a high interest loan, and it took me years to pay it back. Never again!
I would have told myself not to buy during the real estate market bubble.
Can't enter the drawing because not US resident, but I'd like to share my advice: learn how to negotiate. The Camp negotiation system changed my life, alas, a bit late. I would have met Jim Camp in my 20s instead of my 40s.
I would tell myself to save as much money as possible
Go to college !
At junior high/high school age: you love math and there's something called an actuary that uses it. Check it out!
Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Take advantage of every opportunity while you have no commitments because there is rarely a later. Consider any mistakes that you make the cost of learning and do it while the risks are low.
Always spend less than you earn.
I would tell my younger self not to cash out retirement accounts in the hopes of paying off credit card debt. The debt never got paid off completely, and now I'm woefully behind in retirement savings. That money could have stayed put. It's my biggest financial regret.
We bought our house when we were in our early 30's. I wish we would have known more about our rights as new homeowners. The previous owner not only failed to report serious issues in the disclosure, she also acted to cover up septic issues. We found out later that every time she had a showing she was calling one local company to empty the tank (she gave us the name of the other company for when we'd need service). She did more to cover up the issues and it took us time to discover what she'd done and fix it. We didn't know that we could have sued her for this until many years later.
What's a "safe" amount to save for my son's college education?
Im on SSI. How do I save while paying off debt? Im living check to check.
How many different stocks should I own?
My questions are what kind of account do I need to acquire interest over time on my balance and also I wonder about the finer details of the first time home buyer bond.
Whats the best rout to go, pay more on principal of mortgage loan or pay off credit cards?
How do you start saving money when life keeps throwing you curve balls causing you to live paycheck to paycheck?
I'm so conflicted! I am *probably* going to emigrate to Canada next year but am 35 and way behind in retirement savings (but no debt and vested in a pension plan). I've saved up a good chunk but feel I am ready to do some investing. Where do I start?? I feel like I'm paralyzed, both by options and by lack of understanding. Help!
How much should I be saving each month? Thanks for the chance! :)