In my teens and 20′s I had checking accounts at several banks. At my longest-term job I signed up with the associated credit union. Over time I noticed that my credit union charged lower fees for overdrafts and such, had … Continue reading
I paid off my CC debt in June 2004 and paid off the car shortly after. I quit my job again in 2006 to move back to TX to be closer to my niece and nephew(s). (Then one, now two.) Less-than-optimally … Continue reading
I hadn’t checked on my money in a little while. It’s a really nice feeling when I have investments, no debt and the market is going up. You know, compared to when I had $20k-$30k debt and the market was … Continue reading
When building an emergency fund I wondered where I should put the money. It needs to be very stable and have little or no possibility of losing value. I looked into high-interest savings accounts like Emigrant Direct, ING Direct and … Continue reading
I was mildly surprised today to see my Vanguard balance 35% lower. Mildly because I finally ordered a rollover of my 401(k) yesterday, and the 401(k) balance seems to have (temporarily I presume) disappeared today. But the new rollover IRA … Continue reading
I bought a PenFed 3-yr 5% CD a few days ago. Today is payday, so I go looking again: the APY is 4.75% for 3 years and 4.95% for 5. Guess I’ll think about it for a day or two, … Continue reading
Is it just me, or does money find a way to be spent? I go through all the trouble of getting out of debt, and then my car breaks down. I catch up. It breaks down again (within 2 months). … Continue reading
The first $10,000 or $12,000 was lazy procrastination and “oh, I’ll pay it off later; I want to buy this now.” The rest got ran up after I changed jobs, had the new company fold and took a couple of … Continue reading
I’ve been contributing 15% of my gross salary to my 401(k) for most of the time since I was 21. (I’m 32 now.) In the past I’ve been fairly naughty about spending too much and running up debt, so the … Continue reading
I’m single and 32, have a comfortable amount in my 401(k) (although it’s only half as comfortable as it was about 3 years ago…you know what I mean) but also have credit card debt. I don’t have a retirement date … Continue reading