Starting as early as possible saving money is always step number one. No matter how old you are, the time to start is today. On my personal debt eliminating blog, I talk about my path to becoming debt free and all the "secrets" to succeed. Building that nest egg can not wait until you have "extra money". START TODAY!
I moved two months ago for a new job after nearly 10 months of unemployment. I was so thrilled to get an offer, and I'm so glad to be working but I hate my new home. It's in a smaller town and I feel claustrophobic. Also, my old home wouldn't sell, so I rented it. Never wanted to be a landlord. Oh, and I had to take a pay cut and pay for my own relocation. At least I have a steady paycheck now. With all the debt that I've incurred, I need it.
I have a feeling thanks to the current conditions, a good number of us youngsters will be reading this.
I just learned everything the article mentions several months ago and I already feel guilty for missing just one year (spent trying to live it up). So I missed being able to add $15k to retirements accounts with 4% match and I won't get that chance again.
Klingaman's points (sans indexing) are correct; time is a finite resource and has the greatest impact. It does suck for those with less time, but they still have time. Comment 2 definitely sums it up.
I'm 31, and just now starting to get serious with my retirement. On top of that, there is no 401K employer match available to me (I'm self employed.) That doesn't mean that I can't many of the principles in this article, however. They're still solid.. I'll just get a late start.
I'm 26, and I read this article. It's valuable to have a reminder to save for retirement. Terribly sorry that not everything can be tailored to people exactly your same age.
That is totally right, the phosphoric acid is such a strong acid that your body has to use calcium from your bones to neutralize it! Sure wish someone had told me that when I was swilling a liter a day... Then the calcium bonds with the acid to become calcium phosphate, a great building block for kidney stones.
I had the opportunity to relocate to two different locations (Maryland or Southern California) over the past few years. I turned them down. Partly this was because the money was not much better (after adjusting for cost of living differences. I live in Fort Worth, Texas where things are fairly inexpensive) and the work, while interesting for a while, was not something I wanted to do for years on end. But the main reason was that I wasn't willing to start over in terms of my life outside of work. I'm single and don't have any family I'm related to in my time zone. But what I do have is a great church and tons of friends who are my family I'm not related to. It took me a while to get into this situation and I was uncertain I could find similar relationships in either of the two places I was offered a job.
But this situation did give me a good reason to think about what it would take to get me to relocation. I came up with three main thoughts.
1. For a huge pay increase - like work for the next five years and then retire (I'm 34) huge - I'd relocate just about anywhere.
2. For a moderate pay increase (after adjusting for cost of living differences) and a very interesting job I'd move to the metro area where my sister and her family live and where I have friends from college.
3. If NASA called and said they wanted me to be an astronaut, I'd be in Houston in 24 hours.
On what planet are most employers still matching 6% for a 401K? This information sounds obsolete. Most match 2, if anything. And I agree- I too, am tired of articles on retirement that are aimed at 20 year-olds. Sure, 25 years ago I should have saved. I'll bet 90% of the people who clicked on this are 40 or over. 20-20 hindsight gets us nowhere. Address the readers actually worried about this.
As a 24 year old, I can appreciate where the author is coming from. Many twenty somethings are fresh out of college and making more money than they ever have in life. While some are more family oriented, some (myself included)are postponing home buying and starting families while they pursue careers or other interests; a consequence of this higher disposable income.
I don't know how many of my friends spend frivolously on nights out, clothing, cars, and exorbitant rents just because they don't have big financial obligations like kids or houses and many may not have these until their 30s. They're too busy living in the moment and spending beyond their means to plan for the future. If they'd just put aside a portion of that into a retirement fund, they'd be making an investment in a richer life in the future.
This article definitely inspired me to make wiser decisions with my money and I'll definitely share it with all my friends...of any age. It's never too early or too late to start saving. As they say, 30 is the new 20 and at 30 you still have a lot of time and money to contribute to a retirement fund.
I try really hard not to just throw stuff out that other people could find useful. I have a box for goodwill, and when it's full, I drop it off. I also post stuff on freecycle regularly. In addition, I shop at goodwill, on craigslist, and ask on freecycle for stuff that I'm in need of so that I can buy used rather than add to the junk collection of the world.
I'm really growing weary with articles which deal solely with or partly with saving early. Most people in their 20s are just getting going in life, having kids or buying a home. Saving is not their top priority.
So, I would like to see articles pertaining to saving when you reach your 30s. All the "save in 20s" articles is heap guilt on people when you don't or can't do it.
Tell me how much my savings are going to grow when I reach my 30s.
sorry gang. rye contains proteins that are (nearly) chemically identical to those found in wheat and barley -- the antigenic portions are exactly identical. it is true that there is less gluten in rye flour than in wheat flour.
however, that's like saying, if one is allergic to peanuts you can eat one peanut and still be ok. untrue.
further, just because there is less gluten/prolamin in rye and you APPEAR to tolerate the exposure -- you are exposing your intestinal tract to a potent antigen which will eventually cause intestinal damage and increase the severity of your immune response.
These days, a job offer. I've been unemployed since May and don't have any prospects in sight. I've already moved once with ideas in mind, but they didn't work out, so I'm moving again. Perhaps something will work out this time.
When I lost my job last year, my husband and I already knew we wanted to move. If you are serious about going, don't wait for the job offer - put the house on the market and start making plans. In this competitive market, companies are under less pressure to provide the lucrative relo packages they offered to attract talent in the past. I definitely think it was a "plus" on my file when I was being considered for a new job that the company would not be shelling out to relocate me.
I also agree that the reason relocations are down has everything to do with people who are afraid their existing home will not sell. I have 2 co-workers that are crammed into temporary housing because they cannot sell houses in their old neighborhoods. Even if you score a relocation allowance, it's only going to cover a few months of rent, and after that you're stuck with rent + mortgage.
Magicjack works the greatest percentage of time. Once in awhile it fails but for the most part, it does exactly what it says and, if you don't mind having your computer on to make a call, you can save whatever you pay for phone service per year minus $20. In my case, about $340. For $340 I can be a little inconvenienced. Figure what $340 will buy me every year. Could pay for a new computer over a 2 1/2 yr period. Sometimes my Magicjack isn't recognized and I have to replug into a USB, (but I built the computer myself and it's probably the motherboard). My sister has a brand new top-of-the-line HP computer, bought the Magicjack about 5 months ago and never has had a problem with it being recognized. I am on a pay-as-you-go cellphone plan, use it to check my messages and my minutes are not subtracted from my total. For me it is good.
Books, cd's, magazines, dvd's went to the local library. Formals, prom dresses, bridesmaids dresses went to the local community theater. Household goods went to the Habitat for Humanity store. We try to reuse jars, plastic containters, etc. for storage of small items. We don't throw it away unless we can find no possible use for it.
Having been mired in debt, and having lived debt free for almost a decade, I can say without hesitation that debt free is infinitely better.
But I think you've written a good article: once you're out of debt, it's not easy street for the rest of your life. The road's certainly smoother, but there are always problems.
Hi,
I would love some constructive criticism. I had been working for two year at a really great firm. I was hired as a clerk but the responsibilities grew with time and I was more than happy to help. I had put my life and soul into getting a promotion and was shocked to find out that although my review was amazing they were going to lay me off. They offered me to re-apply for the new position that was being created (regardless of them being aware that the responsibilities under the new position were exactly the same responsibilities that I had been fulfilling for the last two years).
I have to admit I was not very happy and taken aback by their decision. I chose to leave the firm prior to the date that they wanted me to leave because I was hurt. I had been passed over for promotion on my last two reviews because of the economy and the promise of being promoted when things got better. I told them that I was leaving because I wanted the time to prepare for the February LSAT and stayed for two additional days to help them with the transition.
Regardless, I applied to the new position and I was informed yesterday that they have extended the offer to someone else. Now the question is should I send them a Thank You note for the time and consideration? What should I say?
It wouldn't take much for me at this point. In fact, I'd relocate without a job. The area I live in has gotten crazy expensive, you still can't get any sort of work at all, and things just suck really bad here. I know the economy's bad everywhere but Florida is almost as bad as Michigan. There's two or three hobos to every major intersection, violent crime has increased, and people are just generally desperate. If someone showed me a plane ticket, I'd leave in a heart beat -- job or no job. I know my skills will get me decent work elsewhere. I'm making plans to leave this summer.
i think the main problem is that people can't get out of their houses. it can take a year to sell a house now, and who can afford to pay two house payments while it sells? with all the other expenses of moving, and the debt many people carry, unless the new job was a huge pay raise from the old one, you'd likely be taking a loss that first year, and few can afford that right now.
We have moved twice for my husband's job. The first time we moved from MS to PA, quite a change. His first engineering job was going nowhere. It was obvious that at 25 he would never make more money than he was then. His company had capped him. To top it off, his boss became intolerable - walking by desks at 8:05 a.m., monitoring lunch breaks, and micromanaging projects. We relocated to PA for more money, an opportunity for upward mobility, and a better work environment.
We didn't choose to leave PA; my husband was laid off after six years. Although, we were getting close to "the end" there (another company cap on upward mobility). We chose TN over other states because the company offered more money and upward mobility, plus excellent benefits and educational reimbursement.
I think there are a lot of reasons people should consider relocation - pay, benefits, work environment, personal development, work goals. For us, both moves were paid for by the companies, which I realize not everyone gets. I think it's too bad that so many people limit their own horizons by refusing to relocate.
I am actively trying to relocate as well! I hate where I live (the great state of NJ) and want to move out West to start a family. The problem is either my husband or I would need to a find a job that we could both live off of until the other one found something and that would cover health insurance (either provide or pay enough to purchase our own).
I would love to see a post on tips for finding a job and moving cheaply for those of us who want to relocate but feel trapped by our employment situation.
Starting as early as possible saving money is always step number one. No matter how old you are, the time to start is today. On my personal debt eliminating blog, I talk about my path to becoming debt free and all the "secrets" to succeed. Building that nest egg can not wait until you have "extra money". START TODAY!
Dollars Not Debt
I moved two months ago for a new job after nearly 10 months of unemployment. I was so thrilled to get an offer, and I'm so glad to be working but I hate my new home. It's in a smaller town and I feel claustrophobic. Also, my old home wouldn't sell, so I rented it. Never wanted to be a landlord. Oh, and I had to take a pay cut and pay for my own relocation. At least I have a steady paycheck now. With all the debt that I've incurred, I need it.
Nothing but good times ahead, right?
please help me, i would like the regional code to unblock my region 2 dvd player. that i can watch dvd's from all regions. thanks
I have a feeling thanks to the current conditions, a good number of us youngsters will be reading this.
I just learned everything the article mentions several months ago and I already feel guilty for missing just one year (spent trying to live it up). So I missed being able to add $15k to retirements accounts with 4% match and I won't get that chance again.
Klingaman's points (sans indexing) are correct; time is a finite resource and has the greatest impact. It does suck for those with less time, but they still have time. Comment 2 definitely sums it up.
I'm 31, and just now starting to get serious with my retirement. On top of that, there is no 401K employer match available to me (I'm self employed.) That doesn't mean that I can't many of the principles in this article, however. They're still solid.. I'll just get a late start.
Linsey Knerl
I'm 26, and I read this article. It's valuable to have a reminder to save for retirement. Terribly sorry that not everything can be tailored to people exactly your same age.
That is totally right, the phosphoric acid is such a strong acid that your body has to use calcium from your bones to neutralize it! Sure wish someone had told me that when I was swilling a liter a day... Then the calcium bonds with the acid to become calcium phosphate, a great building block for kidney stones.
I had the opportunity to relocate to two different locations (Maryland or Southern California) over the past few years. I turned them down. Partly this was because the money was not much better (after adjusting for cost of living differences. I live in Fort Worth, Texas where things are fairly inexpensive) and the work, while interesting for a while, was not something I wanted to do for years on end. But the main reason was that I wasn't willing to start over in terms of my life outside of work. I'm single and don't have any family I'm related to in my time zone. But what I do have is a great church and tons of friends who are my family I'm not related to. It took me a while to get into this situation and I was uncertain I could find similar relationships in either of the two places I was offered a job.
But this situation did give me a good reason to think about what it would take to get me to relocation. I came up with three main thoughts.
1. For a huge pay increase - like work for the next five years and then retire (I'm 34) huge - I'd relocate just about anywhere.
2. For a moderate pay increase (after adjusting for cost of living differences) and a very interesting job I'd move to the metro area where my sister and her family live and where I have friends from college.
3. If NASA called and said they wanted me to be an astronaut, I'd be in Houston in 24 hours.
On what planet are most employers still matching 6% for a 401K? This information sounds obsolete. Most match 2, if anything. And I agree- I too, am tired of articles on retirement that are aimed at 20 year-olds. Sure, 25 years ago I should have saved. I'll bet 90% of the people who clicked on this are 40 or over. 20-20 hindsight gets us nowhere. Address the readers actually worried about this.
As a 24 year old, I can appreciate where the author is coming from. Many twenty somethings are fresh out of college and making more money than they ever have in life. While some are more family oriented, some (myself included)are postponing home buying and starting families while they pursue careers or other interests; a consequence of this higher disposable income.
I don't know how many of my friends spend frivolously on nights out, clothing, cars, and exorbitant rents just because they don't have big financial obligations like kids or houses and many may not have these until their 30s. They're too busy living in the moment and spending beyond their means to plan for the future. If they'd just put aside a portion of that into a retirement fund, they'd be making an investment in a richer life in the future.
This article definitely inspired me to make wiser decisions with my money and I'll definitely share it with all my friends...of any age. It's never too early or too late to start saving. As they say, 30 is the new 20 and at 30 you still have a lot of time and money to contribute to a retirement fund.
I try really hard not to just throw stuff out that other people could find useful. I have a box for goodwill, and when it's full, I drop it off. I also post stuff on freecycle regularly. In addition, I shop at goodwill, on craigslist, and ask on freecycle for stuff that I'm in need of so that I can buy used rather than add to the junk collection of the world.
I'm really growing weary with articles which deal solely with or partly with saving early. Most people in their 20s are just getting going in life, having kids or buying a home. Saving is not their top priority.
So, I would like to see articles pertaining to saving when you reach your 30s. All the "save in 20s" articles is heap guilt on people when you don't or can't do it.
Tell me how much my savings are going to grow when I reach my 30s.
Hey Sonja!
Enjoyed your article! That's great! I'm sure it'll help many people with the same problem! :)
sorry gang. rye contains proteins that are (nearly) chemically identical to those found in wheat and barley -- the antigenic portions are exactly identical. it is true that there is less gluten in rye flour than in wheat flour.
however, that's like saying, if one is allergic to peanuts you can eat one peanut and still be ok. untrue.
further, just because there is less gluten/prolamin in rye and you APPEAR to tolerate the exposure -- you are exposing your intestinal tract to a potent antigen which will eventually cause intestinal damage and increase the severity of your immune response.
These days, a job offer. I've been unemployed since May and don't have any prospects in sight. I've already moved once with ideas in mind, but they didn't work out, so I'm moving again. Perhaps something will work out this time.
While I'm sorta looking for work, I'm applying to Grad School in a different state than where I currently live (OK).
The area I live in is depressed and there are so few job opportunities that there's no other alternative, I feel, than to move out of the area.
In fact, I'm looking forward to moving. I'm ready to leave at the drop of a hat. Once I get into one of those schools in CO, I'm gone.
When I lost my job last year, my husband and I already knew we wanted to move. If you are serious about going, don't wait for the job offer - put the house on the market and start making plans. In this competitive market, companies are under less pressure to provide the lucrative relo packages they offered to attract talent in the past. I definitely think it was a "plus" on my file when I was being considered for a new job that the company would not be shelling out to relocate me.
I also agree that the reason relocations are down has everything to do with people who are afraid their existing home will not sell. I have 2 co-workers that are crammed into temporary housing because they cannot sell houses in their old neighborhoods. Even if you score a relocation allowance, it's only going to cover a few months of rent, and after that you're stuck with rent + mortgage.
Magicjack works the greatest percentage of time. Once in awhile it fails but for the most part, it does exactly what it says and, if you don't mind having your computer on to make a call, you can save whatever you pay for phone service per year minus $20. In my case, about $340. For $340 I can be a little inconvenienced. Figure what $340 will buy me every year. Could pay for a new computer over a 2 1/2 yr period. Sometimes my Magicjack isn't recognized and I have to replug into a USB, (but I built the computer myself and it's probably the motherboard). My sister has a brand new top-of-the-line HP computer, bought the Magicjack about 5 months ago and never has had a problem with it being recognized. I am on a pay-as-you-go cellphone plan, use it to check my messages and my minutes are not subtracted from my total. For me it is good.
Books, cd's, magazines, dvd's went to the local library. Formals, prom dresses, bridesmaids dresses went to the local community theater. Household goods went to the Habitat for Humanity store. We try to reuse jars, plastic containters, etc. for storage of small items. We don't throw it away unless we can find no possible use for it.
Having been mired in debt, and having lived debt free for almost a decade, I can say without hesitation that debt free is infinitely better.
But I think you've written a good article: once you're out of debt, it's not easy street for the rest of your life. The road's certainly smoother, but there are always problems.
And I still stick to my budget...
Hi,
I would love some constructive criticism. I had been working for two year at a really great firm. I was hired as a clerk but the responsibilities grew with time and I was more than happy to help. I had put my life and soul into getting a promotion and was shocked to find out that although my review was amazing they were going to lay me off. They offered me to re-apply for the new position that was being created (regardless of them being aware that the responsibilities under the new position were exactly the same responsibilities that I had been fulfilling for the last two years).
I have to admit I was not very happy and taken aback by their decision. I chose to leave the firm prior to the date that they wanted me to leave because I was hurt. I had been passed over for promotion on my last two reviews because of the economy and the promise of being promoted when things got better. I told them that I was leaving because I wanted the time to prepare for the February LSAT and stayed for two additional days to help them with the transition.
Regardless, I applied to the new position and I was informed yesterday that they have extended the offer to someone else. Now the question is should I send them a Thank You note for the time and consideration? What should I say?
It wouldn't take much for me at this point. In fact, I'd relocate without a job. The area I live in has gotten crazy expensive, you still can't get any sort of work at all, and things just suck really bad here. I know the economy's bad everywhere but Florida is almost as bad as Michigan. There's two or three hobos to every major intersection, violent crime has increased, and people are just generally desperate. If someone showed me a plane ticket, I'd leave in a heart beat -- job or no job. I know my skills will get me decent work elsewhere. I'm making plans to leave this summer.
i think the main problem is that people can't get out of their houses. it can take a year to sell a house now, and who can afford to pay two house payments while it sells? with all the other expenses of moving, and the debt many people carry, unless the new job was a huge pay raise from the old one, you'd likely be taking a loss that first year, and few can afford that right now.
We have moved twice for my husband's job. The first time we moved from MS to PA, quite a change. His first engineering job was going nowhere. It was obvious that at 25 he would never make more money than he was then. His company had capped him. To top it off, his boss became intolerable - walking by desks at 8:05 a.m., monitoring lunch breaks, and micromanaging projects. We relocated to PA for more money, an opportunity for upward mobility, and a better work environment.
We didn't choose to leave PA; my husband was laid off after six years. Although, we were getting close to "the end" there (another company cap on upward mobility). We chose TN over other states because the company offered more money and upward mobility, plus excellent benefits and educational reimbursement.
I think there are a lot of reasons people should consider relocation - pay, benefits, work environment, personal development, work goals. For us, both moves were paid for by the companies, which I realize not everyone gets. I think it's too bad that so many people limit their own horizons by refusing to relocate.
I am actively trying to relocate as well! I hate where I live (the great state of NJ) and want to move out West to start a family. The problem is either my husband or I would need to a find a job that we could both live off of until the other one found something and that would cover health insurance (either provide or pay enough to purchase our own).
I would love to see a post on tips for finding a job and moving cheaply for those of us who want to relocate but feel trapped by our employment situation.