amstalder

Amstalder is doing all of that, for her and her 'pretty little princess'. You say it like people can't multi task.

So those people without a minimum of a BS are not smart? yup Well, I guess smarts has nothing to do with landing a great job, making a truck load of cash then... huh? Oh, and an hour lunch. Well, yeah, anyone can be a prostitute

I don't think that's a shallow list at all

Who said we are in debt???? WE have ZERO debt. And we do work on a cash basis. We live in a foreign country, we HAVE to work on a cash basis. you did... "and I'm only about $300 in debt right now." you may consider it small, but it is debt. no that was me. not all 20 yr olds are the same person. Sorry for the super thread jack! I'll make it up to you I promise

+ a bijillion!

Who said we are in debt???? WE have ZERO debt. And we do work on a cash basis. We live in a foreign country, we HAVE to work on a cash basis. you did... "and I'm only about $300 in debt right now." you may consider it small, but it is debt. no that was me. not all 20 yr olds are the same person. Sorry for the super thread jack! I'll make it up to you I promise

Thank you. And on that note, I think it is time for me to bow out on this thread, and get back to my homework

huh? so. i work for myself, and am paid in green cash or checks, which is cash. not sure i get what you are trying to say. I couldn't tell you if you get paid in purple, green or orange cash. I can tell you that we choose not to use credit/debit cards on the economy for a few different reasons. Therefore, we do pull out our money each week and only use that amount like you suggested

Who said we are in debt???? WE have ZERO debt. And we do work on a cash basis. We live in a foreign country, we HAVE to work on a cash basis. you did... "and I'm only about $300 in debt right now." you may consider it small, but it is debt. no that was me. not all 20 yr olds are the same person. Sorry for the super thread jack! I'll make it up to you I promise

Who said we are in debt???? WE have ZERO debt. And we do work on a cash basis. We live in a foreign country, we HAVE to work on a cash basis. you did... "and I'm only about $300 in debt right now." you may consider it small, but it is debt. That was missbrz, not me. Sorry, I just did a major thread jack.

If you're already debt-free and putting money away for retirement and short-term savings, I think you're better off than a lot of people in their 20s. I think that for most people in their 20s, retirement seems so far away and short-term gains often take precedence (especially since younger folks tend to make more modest salaries. But it's the time value of money that's going to put you in the best position for a good retirement fund, so the earlier you start, the better. I raided my retirement fund to pay for some grad school expenses in the middle of my 20s - if I'd left that money where it was, I'd have a bigger retirement fund now, even though I was only putting aside a small percentage of a modest salary. Yeah, I'm making a lot more money now than I was back then, so it's easier to put money away, but my money has less time to work for me now than it did then. I've had a modest retirement account since my late 20s, but it's only been in the last three years that I have been able to afford to set aside the max amount every year, so I'm playing catch-up in terms of really getting my retirement account to where I want it to be. I guess the good news is that I started the catch-up in my late 30s rather than getting to my 50s and saying "Oh shit, I can't retire in 10 years after all!" I'm saving for grad school right now, and hopefully it's enough. Neither of us wants to dip into the retirement fund for school. And thank you for your response. Lately, I have spent a lot of time wondering if we should be doing more... Looks like we're good until we want a house.

Who said we are in debt???? WE have ZERO debt. And we do work on a cash basis. We live in a foreign country, we HAVE to work on a cash basis.

But so many people do ... and then complain about how much they spend on food. Well, if you're buying a latte every morning, having lunch out every day at work and getting takeout at night ... yeah it's gonna add up. Yeah, we know where our big "leak" is, but we don't consider it a leak since it's worked into our budget. We have a lot of very good places to eat around here, and we want to try them all before we leave I'm just wondering what else we could be missing financially. A lot of people mention that they wish they knew what they know now back in their 20s. I know we're young, so most likely we're missing some key "thing," I just don't know what it is.... and with that statement, i see the failure of our education system. we can teach people how to do brain surgery, but not about how to manage their money. you sound like your smart, and close to being debt free. go pick up a Dave Ramsey, Suzie Orman, or other book on how to live debt free. I was in debt in my 20s, it sucked big time. living within your means is not hard, but, in today's society it is "uncommon." so you will not get good advice from most people. if someone gives you advice on how to spend your money, ask them to see their balance sheet, or how much debt they have...you have got to know where the advice is coming from. and if your "means" is not satisfying enough, then don't go into debt...make more money! I'm not sure what statement you refer to... We know how to manage our money, and we are living well within our means. We aren't hurting for money. We have zero debt. We have a solid retirement fund. Our savings could support us for at least 6 months should the government shut down and my husband not get paid. Not long, but enough for right this moment. We contribute to both funds twice a month. No, we do not own a house, but we won't live in anywhere longer than 2-3 years for the foreseeable future, so buying is not in our interest right now. And, yeah, we could eat out less. But why? We budget for a meal out once a week. We have read quite a bit of Dave Ramsey's stuff. I was merely curious as to what else we should be considering since so many people said they wish they'd known more in their 20s.

How did I know it was your post when I saw the title? Because I never do anything?? Btw, I have my placement interview with the Red Cross tomorrow (well, today) woohoo! I fixed the issue with the remote internet connection, you should be good now. Thanks, I really appreciate it. Although, I'll have access to Pandora and NCIS on my own in a week Blah blah blah... just let me know when to pack the rig January 2013.

But so many people do ... and then complain about how much they spend on food. Well, if you're buying a latte every morning, having lunch out every day at work and getting takeout at night ... yeah it's gonna add up. Yeah, we know where our big "leak" is, but we don't consider it a leak since it's worked into our budget. We have a lot of very good places to eat around here, and we want to try them all before we leave I'm just wondering what else we could be missing financially. A lot of people mention that they wish they knew what they know now back in their 20s. I know we're young, so most likely we're missing some key "thing," I just don't know what it is....

How did I know it was your post when I saw the title? Because I never do anything?? Btw, I have my placement interview with the Red Cross tomorrow (well, today) woohoo! I fixed the issue with the remote internet connection, you should be good now. Thanks, I really appreciate it. Although, I'll have access to Pandora and NCIS on my own in a week

I don't eat out all that much, and if I do go out I try to make sure it's for a good experience, not just convenience (doesn't have to cost a lot but I'd rather go out for something I don't typically make at home). I do spend a fair amount on high-quality food for eating at home (organic and/or grass-fed meats, organic dairy, organic and/or local produce). But I consider that not only enhancing my enjoyment of the food but also an investment in my health (which has both a quality of life payoff and a financial payoff). Same reason I pay for my personal trainer. It's an investment in my health. I'm pretty smart about buying food, though - I use my freezer extensively to take advantage of deals on quality food (plus if I always have good raw ingredients available at home I'm more likely to cook than go out). Oh no, we don't eat out for convenience or eat very little fast food (I will admit to a hankering for pizza hut cheese sticks every now and then, though). I buy a lot of fresh and frozen ingredients, and try to avoid prepackaged meals.

How did I know it was your post when I saw the title? Because I never do anything?? Btw, I have my placement interview with the Red Cross tomorrow (well, today) woohoo!

40K a year is perfectly reasonable in a lot of parts of the country, especially (as you've said) if your home is paid off. Like others here, I wish I'd gotten my financial house in order a little earlier, but it's in order now and I've got no plans to let it get out of order again. I pay myself first on every paycheck - max amount goes into company retirement plan, then 20% of my net pay goes straight into a savings account so I never see it - that's my short-term "keep myself afloat" account. I don't acquire a lot of "stuff" anymore - I prefer to use my money for experiences, some of which would be considered indulgent, but they're important to me so I choose to do them as long as I can afford them - skydiving of course, travel, concerts, my personal trainer. If I can find "stuff" I need used, all the better - sometimes the time/effort it takes to try to find something used makes me realize I didn't need it in the first place. Sometimes I wonder what we are missing in terms of putting our finances in order. I feel like we're pretty solid in terms of savings and retirement funds, not having any bills. We don't own a home but we also don't plan on buying anytime soon (frankly, I'd probably be okay with renting for the rest of my life....maybe). I don't know, what else should we know? We spend on travels and food "experiences" (aka eating out, what can I say? We're foodies. But we do cook at home too), but that's about it.

And you guys make it too easy!

I don't want that, but I'll raise my hand to having had that already. It's not a good way to live. Why are you asking? Edit: oh...I see now. I didnt want to run the risk of upsetting you again by pointing out that there's very little deep thought gone it [/laugh][/laugh][/laugh] Who am i kidding I dont care if i do or not But the other list is pretty much what everyone is "looking" for in a life long relationship. not really deep or thought provoking. A better question might be, why do so many women (and some men) seemingly end up in the types of relationships listed above. I'm young, my list is allowed to be general Edit because I'm babbling tonight.

You're probably right about us twisting your words . Btw, I like that explanation of your size 8 requirement. God forbid I ever get divorced, but I'd imagine my relationship requirements would be come quite a bit more rigid as well. But seriously, I know you're lonely, but don't lie to a girl just to get to date number 2! What good are those standards if you don't stick to them?

Nothing! If you ask me. But the way our global society is running, You can say that in public and be accepted. I say that....holy mother of god! Immagine if I said "I want an active educated woman who isn't a fatass..." Do you know the number of nasty posts you would see of people, both guys and gals, calling me all kinds of names? Actually, I think that might have gone over better for you

Active and educated are bad how? Yes, the not wanting to be a mom or a mom are difficult. Also you forgot, not allergic to cats. I have two.

Thank you for starting this thread And I think you covered my list.