Paying off the rest of my CC debt and then setting aside about $200/month to do some fun blessing of people with that money. I really want to help out some community members that are struggling. I really want to do this anomalously. What FUN it will be to help out neighbors, and family without them knowing it is coming from me.
While I agree that we might need health care reform I would dare to say this this reform that is currently being pushed has not only caused more problems but has and will hurt the same group of people that it was meant to help. I am a husband and a father of 2, both my wife and I have good jobs, are in our early 30’s, and have been blessed that we have all been reasonably healthy, we are the typical American family.
However every 2 weeks as we go over our pay stubs it never fails to absolutely frustrate me with the amount of money that is removed from my check for state and federal taxes. See because both of us have well-paying jobs, that we worked very hard to get and maintain, we are considered the wealthy. And because of that we will receive absolutely no subsidies and are expecting to see the amount that we are currently paying for health insurance almost triple. So as you write that “free money from the federal government” or as you try and make it sound as if this subsides are something that is materialized out of thin air please understand that someone is paying for it. Not only are we paying for it in the form of taxes, the young and healthy are paying for it in the form of higher insurance rates for less insurance.
I also have an intimate knowledge of how health care is run at the federal government level, I am a former US Marine and have been though the VA system. I am eligible for full health care from the VA at a large discount for both myself and the rest of my family. And even thou I am eligible I chose to pay for our health care because I would not, unless I have no other means, put my children through that process.
As I said before I agree that there is a need for reform but when a law is passed that no one understands it is bound to cause more problems than it solves.
This is all good advice. I am in a tricky spot. I just turned 26 today actually (and therefore can no longer be covered by my parents insurance) and I just started a new job where the benefits don't kick in for 3 months. Annoying situation.
My top five priorities, in order, but not entirely distinct are:
1. Finding effective ways to stick to my budget each month
2. Saving for retirement
3. Paying for my girls' college funds
4. Paying off my mortgage
5. Saving for a new car
Paying down debt and then financial independence. Taking the long term approach by optimizing monthly expenses one at a time. Switched from costly data plan to Ting. Got a great deal on a leased Nissan Leaf which after tax credits and gas savings actually puts money in our account every month compared to the older car we are selling. And so on and so on...
I would add the English Tea Store to the list. The blueberry loose leaf and several of their blends are staples in our house and the prices aren't outrageous either. Great customer service too. :) Preparing my pot right now! (Should I have the Peach Apricot or the Angel's Dream? Or maybe French Blend.. Decisions, decisions. :) )
I love my crockpot. I am always looking for more recipes. I found this site and was excited. We have tried the nacho cheese dip and the pulled pork. Both were delicious.
One really important use for Witch Hazel is for postpartum vaginal healing. It was given to me as a foam that was to be applied to the stitched up area. It was like instant relief. I now use the Dickinson brand as a daily wash as I learned it helps tighten, improve yeast infections, and so on. And a giant bottle is about five bucks. Love this thing.
Retirment is my top financial priority. I would like to enjoy life and volunteer in my community, so I want to be able to walk away from my job knowing that I will be ok. I have a IRA, a 403B and I am also putting away money into CDs and a savings account.
Great article. One more idea is to simply hang out with people who take smart risks. If facing your fears is a priority, find people who feel the same. The more you see your friends facing their fears, the easier it is for you to face yours.
I don't think everything scary is worth doing. I usually ask myself "why do I really want to do this?" That helps me decide whether it's truly worth the risk. If it is, do it. Good luck out there, you brave souls.
I buy boneless skinless chicken thighs which are usually about 1/2 the price of boneless skinless breasts. I find they are juicier and more flavorful. Yes, they do have a little more fat but it is a close trade off. The pieces are also a little smaller- I use 2 thighs to equal one breast.
Paying off our credit card and increasing our savings and college funds four our 1 yr old twins. I've become a SAHM since the babies were born last summer and have been struggling with the culture shock of living on one salary. Savings are for a down payment on a new house (currently renting) but the biggest deal is how to KEEP the credit card balance at zero and still feed and clothe and have some kind of Christmas and birthdays, vacation (?!)... Not used to the debt and don't want to become accustomed to it!
My top financial priority is to build enough of a cushion so that we can take advantage of opportunities in life, whether that is education, investment or something else. By living below our means; budgeting for savings, retirement, and expenses; taking advantage of budget billing for utilities; and looking for opportunities to spend less on what we already buy, we can put extra money toward the mortgage and 529s and retirement so that we can be debt free, our kids can have opportunities, and we can get to some form of retirement.
One year's worth of expenses saved in emergency fund. House is paid for. 529 has enough to pay for 4 years expected cost at a state university. We also have extra money set aside for graduate school. So, our top priority is retirement savings. It has always been a top priority, it is just our number one priority now. We are on-track to retire in 10 years or less. My wife is pushing for less.
Right now it is to have enough money to pay our bills and not running out of money before our next paycheck. My goal in the future is to pay off all of our school and mortgage debt, and to be able to fix everything that needs fixed with our house and cars.
Overall, this is a good article as one begins the home-buying process, but step #3 (Know Your FICO Score) needs to be clarified. While it is true that each credit bureau has its own FICO score, these are different from "credit scores" which can easily be found through the credit bureau websites as well as other third party services.
However, mortgage companies and bank lenders do not use these credit scores to establish the financial health and ability of borrowers. They, along with credit card companies and the like, use FICO scores instead. However, getting that score is not as easy as obtaining a credit score. For example, only lenders can access the Experian FICO score, the standard score in use by most lenders (according to myFICO.com). You'll have to go to FICO directly to purchase their scores, and it's not cheap. It is ridiculous the amount of control credit companies have over our financial future and how difficult it is for us to access it, but unfortunately this is the way it is.
Paying off my mortgage
Paying off the rest of my CC debt and then setting aside about $200/month to do some fun blessing of people with that money. I really want to help out some community members that are struggling. I really want to do this anomalously. What FUN it will be to help out neighbors, and family without them knowing it is coming from me.
While I agree that we might need health care reform I would dare to say this this reform that is currently being pushed has not only caused more problems but has and will hurt the same group of people that it was meant to help. I am a husband and a father of 2, both my wife and I have good jobs, are in our early 30’s, and have been blessed that we have all been reasonably healthy, we are the typical American family.
However every 2 weeks as we go over our pay stubs it never fails to absolutely frustrate me with the amount of money that is removed from my check for state and federal taxes. See because both of us have well-paying jobs, that we worked very hard to get and maintain, we are considered the wealthy. And because of that we will receive absolutely no subsidies and are expecting to see the amount that we are currently paying for health insurance almost triple. So as you write that “free money from the federal government” or as you try and make it sound as if this subsides are something that is materialized out of thin air please understand that someone is paying for it. Not only are we paying for it in the form of taxes, the young and healthy are paying for it in the form of higher insurance rates for less insurance.
I also have an intimate knowledge of how health care is run at the federal government level, I am a former US Marine and have been though the VA system. I am eligible for full health care from the VA at a large discount for both myself and the rest of my family. And even thou I am eligible I chose to pay for our health care because I would not, unless I have no other means, put my children through that process.
As I said before I agree that there is a need for reform but when a law is passed that no one understands it is bound to cause more problems than it solves.
This is all good advice. I am in a tricky spot. I just turned 26 today actually (and therefore can no longer be covered by my parents insurance) and I just started a new job where the benefits don't kick in for 3 months. Annoying situation.
My top five priorities, in order, but not entirely distinct are:
1. Finding effective ways to stick to my budget each month
2. Saving for retirement
3. Paying for my girls' college funds
4. Paying off my mortgage
5. Saving for a new car
Paying down debt and then financial independence. Taking the long term approach by optimizing monthly expenses one at a time. Switched from costly data plan to Ting. Got a great deal on a leased Nissan Leaf which after tax credits and gas savings actually puts money in our account every month compared to the older car we are selling. And so on and so on...
I would add the English Tea Store to the list. The blueberry loose leaf and several of their blends are staples in our house and the prices aren't outrageous either. Great customer service too. :) Preparing my pot right now! (Should I have the Peach Apricot or the Angel's Dream? Or maybe French Blend.. Decisions, decisions. :) )
I love my crockpot. I am always looking for more recipes. I found this site and was excited. We have tried the nacho cheese dip and the pulled pork. Both were delicious.
One really important use for Witch Hazel is for postpartum vaginal healing. It was given to me as a foam that was to be applied to the stitched up area. It was like instant relief. I now use the Dickinson brand as a daily wash as I learned it helps tighten, improve yeast infections, and so on. And a giant bottle is about five bucks. Love this thing.
Save, save, save so I can get new windows and a new bathroom. Pay of my mortgage, all while applying for a job
Retirment is my top financial priority. I would like to enjoy life and volunteer in my community, so I want to be able to walk away from my job knowing that I will be ok. I have a IRA, a 403B and I am also putting away money into CDs and a savings account.
Great article. One more idea is to simply hang out with people who take smart risks. If facing your fears is a priority, find people who feel the same. The more you see your friends facing their fears, the easier it is for you to face yours.
I don't think everything scary is worth doing. I usually ask myself "why do I really want to do this?" That helps me decide whether it's truly worth the risk. If it is, do it. Good luck out there, you brave souls.
I buy boneless skinless chicken thighs which are usually about 1/2 the price of boneless skinless breasts. I find they are juicier and more flavorful. Yes, they do have a little more fat but it is a close trade off. The pieces are also a little smaller- I use 2 thighs to equal one breast.
my top priority is to save enough money to start a family and buy a house
Paying off our credit card and increasing our savings and college funds four our 1 yr old twins. I've become a SAHM since the babies were born last summer and have been struggling with the culture shock of living on one salary. Savings are for a down payment on a new house (currently renting) but the biggest deal is how to KEEP the credit card balance at zero and still feed and clothe and have some kind of Christmas and birthdays, vacation (?!)... Not used to the debt and don't want to become accustomed to it!
To not die poor.
My top financial priority is to build enough of a cushion so that we can take advantage of opportunities in life, whether that is education, investment or something else. By living below our means; budgeting for savings, retirement, and expenses; taking advantage of budget billing for utilities; and looking for opportunities to spend less on what we already buy, we can put extra money toward the mortgage and 529s and retirement so that we can be debt free, our kids can have opportunities, and we can get to some form of retirement.
We're saving for a down payment. Lofty goal these days!
Our top priority is to save for a house
One year's worth of expenses saved in emergency fund. House is paid for. 529 has enough to pay for 4 years expected cost at a state university. We also have extra money set aside for graduate school. So, our top priority is retirement savings. It has always been a top priority, it is just our number one priority now. We are on-track to retire in 10 years or less. My wife is pushing for less.
Right now our financial priority is lowering all expenses we can to save cash for home renovations.
Right now it is to have enough money to pay our bills and not running out of money before our next paycheck. My goal in the future is to pay off all of our school and mortgage debt, and to be able to fix everything that needs fixed with our house and cars.
To be debt-free!
Overall, this is a good article as one begins the home-buying process, but step #3 (Know Your FICO Score) needs to be clarified. While it is true that each credit bureau has its own FICO score, these are different from "credit scores" which can easily be found through the credit bureau websites as well as other third party services.
However, mortgage companies and bank lenders do not use these credit scores to establish the financial health and ability of borrowers. They, along with credit card companies and the like, use FICO scores instead. However, getting that score is not as easy as obtaining a credit score. For example, only lenders can access the Experian FICO score, the standard score in use by most lenders (according to myFICO.com). You'll have to go to FICO directly to purchase their scores, and it's not cheap. It is ridiculous the amount of control credit companies have over our financial future and how difficult it is for us to access it, but unfortunately this is the way it is.
Paying off credit cards! I recently got a new job and have been working more hours to earn more money to put toward the debt.