Best Financial Advice I Received and Followed

[PandaBear]

When I was finishing grad school, my aunt sat me down and taught me the "envelope system" of budgeting. I took it to heart, which enabled me to manage my money and even save on a very limited income. In the late 80's, I was taking home $800 per month as a speech therapist(making about $1000 per month. Was thrilled when I got a job in the school district and doubled my salary!!

I needed the structure this system provided and still use the concepts today. Instead of envelopes, I use many sub saving accounts at my credit union, but its the same strategy.

I had no idea about retirement savings, but learning to live well within my means was a huge lesson. All my other friends had credit card debt as the norm and were always broke.

[Huston55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gauss "When looking for a wife, look for one with at least as high as education and earning potential as you. Twice the income will make a world of difference in your life." Spoken by the father of a college friend from the dorm while we visited their home for dinner and "a gin and tonic in the living room with the boys" during a cross country road trip. I will always remember that phrase, and the associated advice. I took the advice (the candidate already fit the profile) and it has worked out very well for us. -gauss

Hmmm, what's your wife say?

Did she use the same criteria?

[gcgang]

Don't take any wooden nickels.


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[sengsational]

My Dad told me to look closely at how your girlfriend's mom operates in her relationship with her husband (if you don't like what you see, then you better think hard about continuing).

Part of that advice was to examine how happy the girlfriend's parents were with each other, and frankly, a glipse at how the girlfriend might look at a later age. But also within that advice was to look at if the prosective future in-laws were showing signs of money strife. Bad sign. Was the couple competing in how much they could spend on toys? Bad sign. I guess it's just a reminder that "the apple don't fall far from the tree".

[sengsational]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt34 Yup. A bill comes in, I sit down and write a check, put a stamp on the envelope, it goes out the next day. Works for me.

Same with me, except it's logon to my bank's billpay, type the amount and date to pay and hit enter. So best of both worlds, methinks...having the bill off my desk, but getting a little float.

Back when working, I'd let the bills pile-up during the week and pay them on the weekend. But now, I have time to keep my desk clean

[Options]

Learn how to make money while you're sleeping. I did. I have. I am.

[Totoro]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonBoyd DVDs? They still make those?

I actually still rent DVDs every so often from a rental shop.

Must be the last one in Europe.

[DektolMan]

my uncle taught me that there are two ways to make money. One is to work for it, the other was have your money make more money for you.

[Dd852]

When I was in my first "big" job, my boss pulled me aside and said "Always have a f&&k off fund". So I started!

He retired a couple years after that at 46 when he didn't get the promotion he wanted - he had some really happy years doing what he wanted before sadly dropping dead at 60.

By his words, his happy ER years, and his tragic reminder that none of us can script our own endings, he was a true inspiration to my own escape at 52.


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[davemartin88]

Early in my career, I moved in to management. When the CEO of the small (at that time) company I worked for gave me my first bonus check, he also gave me the name of his broker and suggested I call him and invest a small amount in the market. He also told me not to worry about how little I had to invest at that point, just get started. I was a bit wary of calling but ended up being treated very well and learned a lot about money. I still have an account with that broker (although it's now his son that I deal with 98% of the time).

[brett]

-take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves

-it is not what you earn, but what you keep.