Hello!
Short time lurker (about 2 hours). I've already done about 10 hours of reading on the site and I feel like I have learned a ton. I've been very proud to have read some of the suggested books already.
I am 29 years old and will be marrying in six weeks. I'm a software developer.
I come from 0.00, and I messed up college. I ended up getting back in; but on loans. My college debt is approximately 30,000.00. I started my career by paying off 22,000.00 in credit card debt. I now contribute to a money market account and my 401k.
I don't have a solid FI or ER goal. It all feels rather unrealistic right now. I have always enjoyed and read many financial books (you would think not with my debt problems). My minor was in Econ with a focus on banking.
So, I would rather have the more realistic goal of getting a real portfolio together; reducing my expenses where possible; and largely increasing my savings input and knowledge. I hope to participate in the community, learn; and hopefully retire wayyyy before 70.
Here are my numbers:
Assets:
401k (403B): 10,000.00
Money Market: 825.00 (Just started)
Monthly Money Flow:
150.00 - Money Market
130.00 (7%) - 403B
50.00 (2%) - Roth (not sure what is up with this)
600.00 - Rent
320.00 - Car Payment
100.00 - Car Insurance
125.00 - Gas/Maintenance
60.00 - Cell Phone
400.00 - Wedding (just until the end the year)
320.00 - Food/other.
35.00 - Insurance
250.00 - Consolidated student loan 'mortgage'
I make 62k a year before taxes. I plan to split the 400.00 between extra loan payoff and saving at the end of the year.
If I could ask a question, it would be what is the single most important thing to get done immediately? I just increased from 5 to 7 percent on my 403B; a friends says to push it to 15%? I should mention there is no matching, my employer cancelled it.
Hope to talk to many people and learn many things; thanks up front for what I have already learned.
Short time lurker (about 2 hours). I've already done about 10 hours of reading on the site and I feel like I have learned a ton. I've been very proud to have read some of the suggested books already.
I am 29 years old and will be marrying in six weeks. I'm a software developer.
I come from 0.00, and I messed up college. I ended up getting back in; but on loans. My college debt is approximately 30,000.00. I started my career by paying off 22,000.00 in credit card debt. I now contribute to a money market account and my 401k.
I don't have a solid FI or ER goal. It all feels rather unrealistic right now. I have always enjoyed and read many financial books (you would think not with my debt problems). My minor was in Econ with a focus on banking.
So, I would rather have the more realistic goal of getting a real portfolio together; reducing my expenses where possible; and largely increasing my savings input and knowledge. I hope to participate in the community, learn; and hopefully retire wayyyy before 70.
Here are my numbers:
Assets:
401k (403B): 10,000.00
Money Market: 825.00 (Just started)
Monthly Money Flow:
150.00 - Money Market
130.00 (7%) - 403B
50.00 (2%) - Roth (not sure what is up with this)
600.00 - Rent
320.00 - Car Payment
100.00 - Car Insurance
125.00 - Gas/Maintenance
60.00 - Cell Phone
400.00 - Wedding (just until the end the year)
320.00 - Food/other.
35.00 - Insurance
250.00 - Consolidated student loan 'mortgage'
I make 62k a year before taxes. I plan to split the 400.00 between extra loan payoff and saving at the end of the year.
If I could ask a question, it would be what is the single most important thing to get done immediately? I just increased from 5 to 7 percent on my 403B; a friends says to push it to 15%? I should mention there is no matching, my employer cancelled it.
Hope to talk to many people and learn many things; thanks up front for what I have already learned.