I haven't posted much, but I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone on this subreddit for the helpful discussions and informative debates!
I started reading PF junior year of highschool, and slowly began to realize the importance that starting early with financial stability would have on my life. I printed out the 'PRIME DIRECTIVE' and inspected it almost daily to remind myself of my goals. Guess what happened..
- I cut costs, ate out little, lived with roommates
- I went to a state college for cheap
- I applied and got dozens of scholarships (always check for those small-town ones that are <$500, they are usually easier to get and a few of them add up to a lot together)
- I graduated with ZERO debt. That's Zero with a 'Z'
- I got a good job
- I used some savings to celebrate with a little Euro-backpacking action
After about a year of working and managing the new expenses of adulthood and trying to get on track I've reached the bottom of the chart.
- I'm only 23
- I've maxed 401(k) and HSA contributions
- I'm sitting pretty on a healthy Emergency Fund
- Each paycheck is automatically divided and portioned out to different accounts for short-term goals, long-term goals, investments, and expenses
It is incredibly liberating to no longer worry about the present and the past coming after me through debt. I get to look to the future: "Should I get married? Should I buy a house? A dog? A car?" All I have to do is type a number into my spreadsheet and see exactly when those goals can be achieved, since I'm already automatically putting savings into accounts for these.
So, for those that have helped guide me, whether you knew you were or not, I thank you. To those that are just starting out, you won't believe the weight that can be lifted off of you and the things that you can accomplish when you get on the right track.
P.S. For example, I always wanted one of those super powerful laser pointers as a kid. The kind that can pop balloons and light candles. But that is not a useful purchase, it serves no other purpose than to goof off for a bit and hurt myself accidentally.... but, I ordered one... not 'because I can', rather 'because I get to'
Submitted May 02, 2018 at 09:59AM by Davydog1313 https://ift.tt/2jlrFeV