I purchased unfinished hardwood chairs for my dining set a few years ago and stained them myself. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Or, I should say, it was a lot easier to make them look nice than I thought it would be. Ever since a shallac error in middle school shop class, I've been a little hesitant about my wood-finishing skills.
I started saving for retirement with a Roth IRA at 22 a year after I'd graduated college and moved from Florida to North Carolina to start my job search. I've only been saving a few months, but I am so glad I started early! I found a job and will be able to start contributing to a 401k with 100% match up to 4%.
I don't have kids yet, but I've given this a lot of thought and, when I do, I imagine that I will pay them a small allowance to teach them about money, and allow them to suplement it with bigger chores around the house (raking leaves, lawn mowing, painting, etc.).
I understand the idea of not encouraging a sense of entitlement, but I don't think regular household chores should be paid. My reasoning is that, as an adult, you have to do them and don't get paid for them. Cultivating a sense of accomplishment for a job well-done is better than creating an expectation of payment for a basic chore.
But who knows, when I have kids I may change my tune entirely. Posts like this are extremely valuable to me because they force me to reconsider and defend my convictions.
Renters insurance is quite cheap, and if you are worried about losing your posessions, it's a great thing to have.
For me, I currently rent a fully furnished home. The most valuable thing we own is our car, and after that it's my wife's wedding ring. Everything else is $100 or less. If any of it was destroyed, I wouldn't really care that much! It's not worth having renters insurance for me.
Im currently 44 years old. I started in 1989 or 1990, socking away 10% of my salary to a 403B. Now, I was making bupkis in terms of salary (around 18K in non profit entertainment field). So, I was also doing an IRA (which later became a ROTH IRA), but couldnt do the max of $5K, but I did what I could, around 2K/year.
My salary grew pretty quickly over the years, but has stayed static since the crash. Nowadays, I'm making a better salary (48K, still in non profit entertainment) and I still do the 10% to a 403B, but I also do 6% (3% of which is matched) to TIAACREF account and I am able to max out my ROTH IRA every year. So, I feel better about my retirement savings these days.
In addtion, as a result of the economic crash in 08, I have made a conscious effort to REALLY up my regular savings. Without changing my contributions to retirement, I have also created a Emergency Fund of 10K and have 28K in other 'regular' savings. Getting crappy interest, but its there and I can see it slowly growing.
I'm single, with no debt at all (house or school, or credit cards.) House is paid for (I inherited it). I feel pretty good about things. A recent trip in 2007 to Africa really changed the way that I view the world and my personal consumerism has dropped drastically. I am enjoying a simplier life now and am less of a spenddrift, putting money into savings. My only splurge is travel everyyear, but Im a planner and do quite well on the money spent here. Im hoping to retire from working full time now at 62, and to keep a part time job in the entertainment non profit field.
I have been using a Netspend visa for about 2 years now and I have had no problems whatsoever. My paycheck is deposited into my account and I can use the card to pay for whatever I need, or I can withdraw the money from an ATM. The fees are about average, so no complaints there. I can check my balance online or via text message for free. Even a call to the 800 number to check my balance is free. I can deposit cash at many locations, such as Walmart or and Western Union. Since you are provided a routing number and account number for direct deposit, I use my Netspend account to pay for auction through eBay's Paypal. I can also pay bills online that would only take checking account information and not credit/debit cards, like my electricity bill.
This card is an excellent alternative to a checking account for people like me who have direct deposit and can't get a regular checking account for whatever reason. I understand your frustration at receiving the card unsolicited, but sometimes a companies attempt at advertising isn't always what we would consider ethical. That doesn't make the company bad or malicious. The card they send is worthless and only a means of advertisement by the company. They have no personal information other than your name and address which thousands of other companies already have. You don't provide them any other information until you agree to their terms. I know identity theft is a real thing and a big concern this day and age, but lets get some facts before you panic about an advertisement.
I buy iTunes cards in the store (like Rite Aid, where they are sometimes 20% off), and sell them on eBay to (almost exclusively Europeans) at a 20-25% profit. There are three reasons they go so high:
-Exchange rates
-e-bates and other cash back purchase sites
-*MOST IMPORTANT* private sales avoid the European Union VAT (Value-Added Tax) which is usually around 20%.
I normally start bidding at below the value, because it attracts more bidders. The cards never actually SELL more than a dollar or so below list value. I would assume those sales, unless on discount from a known and trusted retailer, are fraudulent.
Thanks for your article and it's encouragement. It brings to mind a bunch of images. Our first born's early Christmas, happily playing with his grandparents gift boxes, paper and ribbons, leaving the presents aside. A neighbor kid, after ripping open tons of birthday gifts, (he was a first grandson), digging dirt in his backyard with a teaspoon a half our later. My making knight, gladiator, and superhero capes and helmets for our boys out of milk jugs and fabric. Taking the kids yard saling. Building a tree fort out of salvaged materials. All good lessons.
Started in the 80s but was laid off, then changed jobs, then cashed out the paltry amount still in the 401k rather than going homeless. Back on track now but still very worried about the future and will not be able to "retire" (whatever that means nowadays) until I'm about a hundred and eight years old. I am really looking forward to that day, tho!
personally using this for several weeks i believe that statement (about it making you sweat less) is true! i live in florida as well, and i cant get enough of this stuff!
A year ago, after starting my first job after graduating from college (I just turned 23). First I dedicated money to an emergency fund, and then it started going into a high yield savings account that I've earmarked for retirement. Since I live in China, I don't have the option of contributing to a 401K, but the extremely low cost of living here compared with how much I make (I plan to put $1,000 a month into savings next year while still eating out, traveling etc.) more than makes up for it. Soon I'm going to make my first every real investments!
I started at age 25 but I am a SAHM now. So not currently saving.
I purchased unfinished hardwood chairs for my dining set a few years ago and stained them myself. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Or, I should say, it was a lot easier to make them look nice than I thought it would be. Ever since a shallac error in middle school shop class, I've been a little hesitant about my wood-finishing skills.
I started saving for retirement about six months ago.
I started saving for retirement with a Roth IRA at 22 a year after I'd graduated college and moved from Florida to North Carolina to start my job search. I've only been saving a few months, but I am so glad I started early! I found a job and will be able to start contributing to a 401k with 100% match up to 4%.
I don't have kids yet, but I've given this a lot of thought and, when I do, I imagine that I will pay them a small allowance to teach them about money, and allow them to suplement it with bigger chores around the house (raking leaves, lawn mowing, painting, etc.).
I understand the idea of not encouraging a sense of entitlement, but I don't think regular household chores should be paid. My reasoning is that, as an adult, you have to do them and don't get paid for them. Cultivating a sense of accomplishment for a job well-done is better than creating an expectation of payment for a basic chore.
But who knows, when I have kids I may change my tune entirely. Posts like this are extremely valuable to me because they force me to reconsider and defend my convictions.
Thank you.
Renters insurance is quite cheap, and if you are worried about losing your posessions, it's a great thing to have.
For me, I currently rent a fully furnished home. The most valuable thing we own is our car, and after that it's my wife's wedding ring. Everything else is $100 or less. If any of it was destroyed, I wouldn't really care that much! It's not worth having renters insurance for me.
Im currently 44 years old. I started in 1989 or 1990, socking away 10% of my salary to a 403B. Now, I was making bupkis in terms of salary (around 18K in non profit entertainment field). So, I was also doing an IRA (which later became a ROTH IRA), but couldnt do the max of $5K, but I did what I could, around 2K/year.
My salary grew pretty quickly over the years, but has stayed static since the crash. Nowadays, I'm making a better salary (48K, still in non profit entertainment) and I still do the 10% to a 403B, but I also do 6% (3% of which is matched) to TIAACREF account and I am able to max out my ROTH IRA every year. So, I feel better about my retirement savings these days.
In addtion, as a result of the economic crash in 08, I have made a conscious effort to REALLY up my regular savings. Without changing my contributions to retirement, I have also created a Emergency Fund of 10K and have 28K in other 'regular' savings. Getting crappy interest, but its there and I can see it slowly growing.
I'm single, with no debt at all (house or school, or credit cards.) House is paid for (I inherited it). I feel pretty good about things. A recent trip in 2007 to Africa really changed the way that I view the world and my personal consumerism has dropped drastically. I am enjoying a simplier life now and am less of a spenddrift, putting money into savings. My only splurge is travel everyyear, but Im a planner and do quite well on the money spent here. Im hoping to retire from working full time now at 62, and to keep a part time job in the entertainment non profit field.
I hope I win the gift card! Love me some Amazon!
Laura in ATL
One can also ground ship clothes in advance via UPS, USPS etc.
I have been using a Netspend visa for about 2 years now and I have had no problems whatsoever. My paycheck is deposited into my account and I can use the card to pay for whatever I need, or I can withdraw the money from an ATM. The fees are about average, so no complaints there. I can check my balance online or via text message for free. Even a call to the 800 number to check my balance is free. I can deposit cash at many locations, such as Walmart or and Western Union. Since you are provided a routing number and account number for direct deposit, I use my Netspend account to pay for auction through eBay's Paypal. I can also pay bills online that would only take checking account information and not credit/debit cards, like my electricity bill.
This card is an excellent alternative to a checking account for people like me who have direct deposit and can't get a regular checking account for whatever reason. I understand your frustration at receiving the card unsolicited, but sometimes a companies attempt at advertising isn't always what we would consider ethical. That doesn't make the company bad or malicious. The card they send is worthless and only a means of advertisement by the company. They have no personal information other than your name and address which thousands of other companies already have. You don't provide them any other information until you agree to their terms. I know identity theft is a real thing and a big concern this day and age, but lets get some facts before you panic about an advertisement.
We started saving when I was 25. We've living in different countries. So, our retirement plans are little different.
Why did you have to post a negative statement on something that is meant for a happy day???
I love this article. Thank you!
I buy iTunes cards in the store (like Rite Aid, where they are sometimes 20% off), and sell them on eBay to (almost exclusively Europeans) at a 20-25% profit. There are three reasons they go so high:
-Exchange rates
-e-bates and other cash back purchase sites
-*MOST IMPORTANT* private sales avoid the European Union VAT (Value-Added Tax) which is usually around 20%.
I normally start bidding at below the value, because it attracts more bidders. The cards never actually SELL more than a dollar or so below list value. I would assume those sales, unless on discount from a known and trusted retailer, are fraudulent.
Thanks for your article and it's encouragement. It brings to mind a bunch of images. Our first born's early Christmas, happily playing with his grandparents gift boxes, paper and ribbons, leaving the presents aside. A neighbor kid, after ripping open tons of birthday gifts, (he was a first grandson), digging dirt in his backyard with a teaspoon a half our later. My making knight, gladiator, and superhero capes and helmets for our boys out of milk jugs and fabric. Taking the kids yard saling. Building a tree fort out of salvaged materials. All good lessons.
started 2 years ago at age 22! 5%, with 5% match in a TSP. Hope to open an IRA by end of next year!
Started in the 80s but was laid off, then changed jobs, then cashed out the paltry amount still in the 401k rather than going homeless. Back on track now but still very worried about the future and will not be able to "retire" (whatever that means nowadays) until I'm about a hundred and eight years old. I am really looking forward to that day, tho!
Hmmm. My browser says Gary Whitehill contains malware...
personally using this for several weeks i believe that statement (about it making you sweat less) is true! i live in florida as well, and i cant get enough of this stuff!
It depends person to person, we should maintain our cool while having financial planning.....
A year ago, after starting my first job after graduating from college (I just turned 23). First I dedicated money to an emergency fund, and then it started going into a high yield savings account that I've earmarked for retirement. Since I live in China, I don't have the option of contributing to a 401K, but the extremely low cost of living here compared with how much I make (I plan to put $1,000 a month into savings next year while still eating out, traveling etc.) more than makes up for it. Soon I'm going to make my first every real investments!
I think I was 20 when I started.
I started becoming serious about saving three years ago, at the age of 20. I save about 2/3 of my income.
tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Mama2Goosie/status/83357445874913280
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I first started saving when I got my first real job after college, at 22.