I spent some time lurking around various finance/retirement blogs, then came to this forum and felt right at home. It was the thread about conversing on FIRE topics with people IRL that convinced me to finally join. I'm passionate about goals once my mind's made up, but it feels uncomfortable broaching the subject to really anyone in my life. It really seems like you all understand each other here (for the most part). So to the author, thanks!
For a background, I'm an early 30's gal with schooling/a major career change staring me in the face. My history (in a nutshell) goes from getting off to a great start in my very early 20's before facing major hurdles and job changes with a dash of unemployment. To finish it off, I'm unhappily in a low-paying job WITH NO PAY RAISES for 3 years in a business sector that has a shaky future. Hence, the career change.
It took a while to get on my feet several years ago and I made some bad decisions with the money that had been saved. Luckily, I'm not in any kind of debt and am fully aware of all the blessings in my life!
It's exciting to know that even though I may be off to a later start than originally envisioned, there is always a way to get from point A to point B.
For the meat:
$4k+ in a Roth IRA with $100 contributed monthly (also saving for school and EF)
$0k in a company 401(k) with the first matched 3% coming out of the next paycheck (yup, I know)
$50 in a DRIP with $25 contributed monthly for the next 8 months, then the $25 diverted to one of the above funds
No debt
Good credit
<$25k annual income
School for me will commence next fall with a 5-year time horizon. The first two years of it will be paid with a combination of government funds, a small stipend, and scholarships for my academic history. I will graduate with a Master's in a specific healthcare field that requires face-to-face interaction with patients/clients. Job outlooks until 2020 are much faster than average, and I'm pretty excited about it! I've had an interest in this field since encountering it by accident, literally, a few years ago. Income prospects are very good, with median pay between $70k-73k annually. In the meantime, I am terrified to leave my path of underpaid mediocrity because it feels so safe (particularly because I'm a single parent). I'm hoping that some of you can empathize with that.
Thanks to any folks who read this, and good luck in your journeys.
For a background, I'm an early 30's gal with schooling/a major career change staring me in the face. My history (in a nutshell) goes from getting off to a great start in my very early 20's before facing major hurdles and job changes with a dash of unemployment. To finish it off, I'm unhappily in a low-paying job WITH NO PAY RAISES for 3 years in a business sector that has a shaky future. Hence, the career change.
It took a while to get on my feet several years ago and I made some bad decisions with the money that had been saved. Luckily, I'm not in any kind of debt and am fully aware of all the blessings in my life!
It's exciting to know that even though I may be off to a later start than originally envisioned, there is always a way to get from point A to point B.
For the meat:
$4k+ in a Roth IRA with $100 contributed monthly (also saving for school and EF)
$0k in a company 401(k) with the first matched 3% coming out of the next paycheck (yup, I know)
$50 in a DRIP with $25 contributed monthly for the next 8 months, then the $25 diverted to one of the above funds
No debt
Good credit
<$25k annual income
School for me will commence next fall with a 5-year time horizon. The first two years of it will be paid with a combination of government funds, a small stipend, and scholarships for my academic history. I will graduate with a Master's in a specific healthcare field that requires face-to-face interaction with patients/clients. Job outlooks until 2020 are much faster than average, and I'm pretty excited about it! I've had an interest in this field since encountering it by accident, literally, a few years ago. Income prospects are very good, with median pay between $70k-73k annually. In the meantime, I am terrified to leave my path of underpaid mediocrity because it feels so safe (particularly because I'm a single parent). I'm hoping that some of you can empathize with that.
Thanks to any folks who read this, and good luck in your journeys.
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