I have been saving for retirement since I was 18. My first job offered a 3% match so I took it, and now my wife and I save the max Roth IRA plus her 5% match 401k.
I started saving when I got my first job out of college, at 21. I know I'm ahead of my peers and it makes me excited to see just how big that account balance will grow!
I started actively saving for retirement when I turned 30. Before then, I was a bit arrogant about it. I ran a small business and I thought the business was my retirement plan. I remember I was dating a girl who showed me how foolish that was. Looking back, I am surprised it took me that long. I have always prided myself on my financial literacy, but youth and arrogance got in the way of sound financial decisions.
I started saving for retirement at 26, when I joined a company with a matching benefits program. Alas, the program didn't last -- but I rolled the savings over into a new retirement account, and now put in a set amount monthly. It was a great way to start saving -- the barriers to beginning were low, and there was enough support that I didn't feel intimidated about picking funds.
I was a waitress for 12 years. I waited tables in high school, college, and then in the summer after getting a teaching dregree.I can spot mediocre service a mile a way,and I refuse to pay for it. The comments about how the wait staff was poorly trained is silly. It does not take formal training to know how to wait tables. Smile, be pleasant, carry extra napkins and straws in apron, be prompt and attentive. Even if my server is excellent (which does not happen often unfortunately), I rarely tip 20%. I reserve 20% for fine dining establishments such as the ever rare super special trip to Ruth's Chris. Outback, Red Lobster, that caliber restaurant--15%. Mediocre service with no discernable reason (i.e. understaffed during busy time) 10%. Poor service--Less than and I will speak to manager. I do not consider myself a cheapskate and I sleep well at night. I actually had a waitress text on her cell phone while taking my order, never refilled drinks, and when our order was incorrect did a poor job of fixing it. I did not tip and spoke to her manager. She seemed oblivious, but her excuse was that she and her boyfriend (the bartender) were having a spat. I am not tipping for that! I have bad days, but I still have a job that must be done for me to get paid.
Persistence is key, but honestly it is harder than what you can sum up in a blog post. That's what I'm trying to do but it is definitely an uphill battle!
Also, I don't think your JOB has to be your passion. You can do your job and be passionate in other areas of your life. I'm doing my blog because I'm passionate about frugal living and what I've accomplished, but I'm not quitting my day job (actually a night job). I'm also passionate about traveling and about my family!
I usually give my hair to Locks of Love when it gets long, but I did watch a program on tv recently where the lady shaved her long haired cat and used the hair to make purses...first she spun it into yarn and then made purses...it was interesting to say the least.
Ugh, I hate ants so much...never had a problem with them till I moved to Texas and now it's all out warfare! Thanks for the tips! I find that mostly keeping the food and dirty dishes from lying around works the most in the house but the yard is another issue entirely.
The last couple of Amtrak trains I've been on had electric sockets for charging laptops and other such devices, but I don't know if they've all got them now or not.
That may not be a bad thing! Some companies require you to sign up for their emails at least 3-4 weeks in advance of your big day. So while you do have a solid 3 1/2 months, it gives you time to sign up and take full advantage of all the great deals.
remembering the train trip i took in Germany about 45 years ago, i have chosen to take the train from Chicago to Portland OR. since this will be a two day journey i am wondering if i will be able to charge my electronic en route? i have purchased a coach ticket.
When I said it has "low toxicity" to humans I meant that it isn't acutely toxic in low doses (people use it in laundry, after all), although it IS toxic for young children and pets if they eat it. That's why I recommended that if you have young children or pets, that you don't use it. Thanks for the clarification. If you DO have a toddler or pet who is likely to ingest it, don't use Borax in the house.
It sounds like you're diluting your efforts. Stop paying a little extra toward everything and concentrate on one thing. Either pay the minimums on your cards and build up something of an emergency fund (my preference) OR pay the minimums on all but ONE card. Most people recommend either your smallest balance or highest interest.
This is exactly where I am. I want to pay off my car and student loan. I want to save a down payment and buy a house. I want to increase retirement savings. I want to increase my emergency fund. I want to donate to charity and help out my grandparents. I want to go on some sort of vacation at least every other year.
The finances and costs/benefits are black and white. The benefit of now vs. later is a bit more difficult to balance. And once you throw in personal priorities and the more nebulous emotional costs/benefits, everything turns into a murky mess of indecision.
These are all great tips and really timely for me. We've been considering buying an ice cream maker and making our own but I think we'll try some of the simpler versions first. My kids will be over the moon and I'm sure they will fall in love with homemade ice cream as quickly as they did homemade pizza!
Important: Borax IS toxic to children and animals. (Google it) Please do NOT use it, plain or mixed.
I have black ants (which don't bite) outside. To keep them and most crawling insects outside, I sprinkle a line of plain salt along door and window tracks. Vacuum and re-sprinkle every month or so.
I was never into partying or ringtones, so I am not giving up anything in those areas. All the other suggestions are useful things to consider, especially renting. Now is a good time to buy real estate, provided that you do your homework and purchase in the right location. If you choose to buy real estate in the current market, you should have plenty of money in an emergency savings, though. I don't think real estate prices will stay low for more than a few years from now.
Jessica, I used to be a vegetarian - now I am a Vegan. I agree with you the veggie burgers are yummy. However the cost is not yummy. For what you pay for the meal you can buy a whole box at the supermarket. But, you pay for convenience, and when on a road trip is is nice to know that you have some options at a place that other people will like as well.
This is a difficult topic. I think moderation needs to be exercised with all eating. You can eat to much "healthy" food as well. I am a vegan and very into health, eating and exercise so I am also on the bandwagon against the fast food industry. Although I do need my occasional sweet tea. :)
I have been saving for retirement since I was 18. My first job offered a 3% match so I took it, and now my wife and I save the max Roth IRA plus her 5% match 401k.
I started a Roth IRA when I was 19 and added a TSP starting at age 23.
I started saving when I got my first job out of college, at 21. I know I'm ahead of my peers and it makes me excited to see just how big that account balance will grow!
I started funding my 401k on the first day of my first job. I only contributed 6% back then, now I contribute the max, but I never missed the money.
I started actively saving for retirement when I turned 30. Before then, I was a bit arrogant about it. I ran a small business and I thought the business was my retirement plan. I remember I was dating a girl who showed me how foolish that was. Looking back, I am surprised it took me that long. I have always prided myself on my financial literacy, but youth and arrogance got in the way of sound financial decisions.
Started saving/(paying myself in the future) for re-fire-ment(mentoring others) with my first job!
I started saving for retirement at 26, when I joined a company with a matching benefits program. Alas, the program didn't last -- but I rolled the savings over into a new retirement account, and now put in a set amount monthly. It was a great way to start saving -- the barriers to beginning were low, and there was enough support that I didn't feel intimidated about picking funds.
I was a waitress for 12 years. I waited tables in high school, college, and then in the summer after getting a teaching dregree.I can spot mediocre service a mile a way,and I refuse to pay for it. The comments about how the wait staff was poorly trained is silly. It does not take formal training to know how to wait tables. Smile, be pleasant, carry extra napkins and straws in apron, be prompt and attentive. Even if my server is excellent (which does not happen often unfortunately), I rarely tip 20%. I reserve 20% for fine dining establishments such as the ever rare super special trip to Ruth's Chris. Outback, Red Lobster, that caliber restaurant--15%. Mediocre service with no discernable reason (i.e. understaffed during busy time) 10%. Poor service--Less than and I will speak to manager. I do not consider myself a cheapskate and I sleep well at night. I actually had a waitress text on her cell phone while taking my order, never refilled drinks, and when our order was incorrect did a poor job of fixing it. I did not tip and spoke to her manager. She seemed oblivious, but her excuse was that she and her boyfriend (the bartender) were having a spat. I am not tipping for that! I have bad days, but I still have a job that must be done for me to get paid.
We finally have an emergency fund! Now we are working on having 3 months salary saved, too.
Choose carefully because most of these "freebies" are unhealthy and will shorten your life. You to have fewer birthdays.
Persistence is key, but honestly it is harder than what you can sum up in a blog post. That's what I'm trying to do but it is definitely an uphill battle!
Also, I don't think your JOB has to be your passion. You can do your job and be passionate in other areas of your life. I'm doing my blog because I'm passionate about frugal living and what I've accomplished, but I'm not quitting my day job (actually a night job). I'm also passionate about traveling and about my family!
I usually give my hair to Locks of Love when it gets long, but I did watch a program on tv recently where the lady shaved her long haired cat and used the hair to make purses...first she spun it into yarn and then made purses...it was interesting to say the least.
Ugh, I hate ants so much...never had a problem with them till I moved to Texas and now it's all out warfare! Thanks for the tips! I find that mostly keeping the food and dirty dishes from lying around works the most in the house but the yard is another issue entirely.
The last couple of Amtrak trains I've been on had electric sockets for charging laptops and other such devices, but I don't know if they've all got them now or not.
That may not be a bad thing! Some companies require you to sign up for their emails at least 3-4 weeks in advance of your big day. So while you do have a solid 3 1/2 months, it gives you time to sign up and take full advantage of all the great deals.
remembering the train trip i took in Germany about 45 years ago, i have chosen to take the train from Chicago to Portland OR. since this will be a two day journey i am wondering if i will be able to charge my electronic en route? i have purchased a coach ticket.
When I said it has "low toxicity" to humans I meant that it isn't acutely toxic in low doses (people use it in laundry, after all), although it IS toxic for young children and pets if they eat it. That's why I recommended that if you have young children or pets, that you don't use it. Thanks for the clarification. If you DO have a toddler or pet who is likely to ingest it, don't use Borax in the house.
It sounds like you're diluting your efforts. Stop paying a little extra toward everything and concentrate on one thing. Either pay the minimums on your cards and build up something of an emergency fund (my preference) OR pay the minimums on all but ONE card. Most people recommend either your smallest balance or highest interest.
This is exactly where I am. I want to pay off my car and student loan. I want to save a down payment and buy a house. I want to increase retirement savings. I want to increase my emergency fund. I want to donate to charity and help out my grandparents. I want to go on some sort of vacation at least every other year.
The finances and costs/benefits are black and white. The benefit of now vs. later is a bit more difficult to balance. And once you throw in personal priorities and the more nebulous emotional costs/benefits, everything turns into a murky mess of indecision.
These are all great tips and really timely for me. We've been considering buying an ice cream maker and making our own but I think we'll try some of the simpler versions first. My kids will be over the moon and I'm sure they will fall in love with homemade ice cream as quickly as they did homemade pizza!
Important: Borax IS toxic to children and animals. (Google it) Please do NOT use it, plain or mixed.
I have black ants (which don't bite) outside. To keep them and most crawling insects outside, I sprinkle a line of plain salt along door and window tracks. Vacuum and re-sprinkle every month or so.
Love Wisebread. Hope this helps somebody else.
I was never into partying or ringtones, so I am not giving up anything in those areas. All the other suggestions are useful things to consider, especially renting. Now is a good time to buy real estate, provided that you do your homework and purchase in the right location. If you choose to buy real estate in the current market, you should have plenty of money in an emergency savings, though. I don't think real estate prices will stay low for more than a few years from now.
I can't wait to sign up for all of these! Too bad my birthday is in October...
Jessica, I used to be a vegetarian - now I am a Vegan. I agree with you the veggie burgers are yummy. However the cost is not yummy. For what you pay for the meal you can buy a whole box at the supermarket. But, you pay for convenience, and when on a road trip is is nice to know that you have some options at a place that other people will like as well.
This is a difficult topic. I think moderation needs to be exercised with all eating. You can eat to much "healthy" food as well. I am a vegan and very into health, eating and exercise so I am also on the bandwagon against the fast food industry. Although I do need my occasional sweet tea. :)
Fifi @ Fififrugality.blogspot.com