How do you think you are doing?

[PrincessPerky]

Lux on smoking, have you tried telling him how his habit effects your health? or how hard it will be when he dies first (and way to early)? I didn't quit for me, I quit so that I wouldn't harm my family, and so I would be here for them..

If I had no family, I would still smoke..guaranteed..

[nanamom]

I wish we were doing as well as some of you seem to be. My husband keeps apoligizing for the hole we were in when we got married. i'm just glad to have a positive net worth right now. At the end of the year we will be down to only one car payment (can't wait) and haven't gotton a mortgage yet so we will be able to save more towards our EF. You have inspired me to write our goals down on paper which will help.

[LuxLiving]

Remember nanamom, some of us may be way older than you! Concentrated effort and you'll get there. Isn't it lovely to see the light at the end of the car payment tunnel???? I'm tickled for you!!

Yes, writing down the goals and ticking them off - very fruitful.

[LuxLiving]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

Lux on smoking, have you tried telling him how his habit effects your health? or how hard it will be when he dies first (and way to early)? I didn't quit for me, I quit so that I wouldn't harm my family, and so I would be here for them..

If I had no family, I would still smoke..guaranteed..

He doesn't smoke in the cars or house anymore - not after my Mom reamed him good over it when I had strep throat and bronchial pneum back to back and ending up moving home w/her for 3 weeks. I wished I was dead I felt so bad. I can still remember her screaming at him..."You only want smokes for pleasure, she NEEDS oxygen to live! - Her need trumps your want Bucko!"



Uh, needless to say, my Mom doesn't smoke! But really she was mad at him leaving me to go off to work for about the fourth week in a row w/me on the couch coughing my lungs up without getting me to a doctor.

Once he picked himself up from the tongue lashing he has since gone outside with it. THANKS MOM!!!

Other than that one time they get along great! Twas years ago, but I'm pretty sure he's never forgotten it.

[Ima saver]

Yes, I find writing down your financial goals to be very helpful. I do that once a year, sor t of like a new years resolutions. I get them sitting around and when I reach a goal, I write down the date. Now, I try and make them realistic, not like I want to save a million this year when we only make $50,000. But things like max out roth, save $5000 in mutual funds, etc.

[Saving in So Cal]

I am in about the same place as Divajen. With my husband's new business, things are tighter than they have been, but I don't have the anxiety I would have in the past. Our only debt is our mortage and we have an EF, pensions, retirement funds, and a small college fund. There's room for improvement, but I am pretty happy where we are all things considered.

For those of you who are teenagers and in your early 20s, I think you are extraordinary. I wish I had know then what I know now.

On the investment front, those of you with employer-sponsored retirement plans should have access to some educational opportunities either online or in-person. Definitely take advantage of this. It will help you figure out how much of your mondy should be in allocated in what. My allocation at 40ish is 65% stocks, 25% bonds, and 10% cash.

Also, check your plan offerings against Morningstar's ratings. After the last stock market dip, I switched to only 5 star rated funds. In the process, I found out that most of my company's offerings were 3 stars or less. After the switch, I did a lot better. (I still ride the roller coaster, but the dips aren't as bad.)

Finally, a couple of times a year Kiplinger's personal finance magazines has special editions devoted to safe and simple investing. I have found these very helpful for both general knowledge and specific suggestions. I found the "keep it simple" philosophy works as well in investing as it does in other aspects of life.

[nanamom]

Lux, Thanks for the thought made me smile but in reality I am older than most (hopefully not all) and actually older than some of you put together,(although I think no more than two at a time!)