View Single Post
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 12-12-2007, 09:51 AM
anonymous_saver anonymous_saver is offline
$ Saving Jr. College Student
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 388
Points: 2865.00
Donate
Default

First, I would hold off on selling your car. And when that car is "run into the ground", then only buy a car with cash, don't buy a $15,000 car, I think you can do this without going into any more debt.

Your phone/blackbery does sound incredibly high, can you cut this down by half?

With your stock option plan, once you get the stock, are you able to exchange it for something else? I would advise against keeping so much company stock.

I agree that you are doing good, but that you should also try to calculate how much "extras" cost. By the way, $360 for food for just yourself? That sounds very high. I know I personally spend more than most onmyself, and I spend about $180-$200/month on food. What about necessities like shampoo/conditioner, pet food/bills (if applicable), entertainment money, work clothes etc. How much "extra" money does that leave you with each month?

What rate is your personal loan at? I would put all extra money towards paying this off as soon as possible, that means temporarily stop putting money into your emergency fund until you pay it off (since you do have a decent start to an emergncy fund). Then I would use the money that you used to put towards that loan and put it towards your emergncy fund savings each month (as well as any "extra" money). Once you have 3 months of expenses saved up, I would start saving for a down payment (if it is a goal of yours to own a home). You can create subaccounts at your online bank (labeling one for "Emergency Fund" and one for "Down Payment" usually makes it easier). Then once you buy a house, I would try to raise that emergency fund to the 6-8 range.

Once you pay off your personal loan, I would actually increase your Roth IRA contribution to the maximum amount allowed. You make a very decent income and yes it would probably take you longer to buy a house, but you would be doing excellent with saving for retirement.

I'll look forward to seeing what you choose to do!

Good job!
Reply With Quote