Introduce Yourself

[LuxLiving]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Welcome FrugalFish, PetMom and rduell!!!

FrugalFish, we also only have our mortgage. It's a great feeling to being SO CLOSE to debt free, isn't it? Lots of good help here on the forums and journals/blogs.

PetMom, although we're aren't in the mighty state of Texas, we had some of those killer electric bills too! Went on average pay plan and that works. Now I've put us on our own average pay plan where I save back the average in a sub-savings account. This way WE earn the interest instead of the utility companies.

rduell, there are several other of us librarian types hanging about here. I have been a church librarian for *mufflemum* years. Really I started at age two. Yeah, honor bright and no, you can't see my fingers crossed behind my back. We also have 5 chillens, but only two still at home. EEEK - One may be a failure to launch type! he's 20 and if I can get 18 yr old launched maybe I can send the 20 yr. old with him???? PURRTY PLEASE???

Welcome everyone!

[LuxLiving]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Wow, nancy58 - great job paying all that down so quickly! Welcome to savingadvice.com!

[ajsave]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Hello Everyone,

I'm a 20-something, single, never married newbie here trying to learn the ins and outs of saving. I have never really been much of a saver but then again I've never really had enough money to. Right now, I am attending graduate school so I have been borrowing money to finance my education. I'm not in the best position to save a lot of money at this time but I hope to learn a lot from the boards so that when I am, I'll know where to start.

Looking forward to paying off these student loans in the future, and owning a nice home. Let the savings begin!

[ren]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Unmarried, late twenties, decent job, trying not to let money slip through my fingers anymore.

Not so much to say, I'm sorry!

[Bookie]

Re: Introduce Yourself

" . . . trying not to let money slip through my fingers anymore." That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Welcome to the forums. Lots of friendly people trying to do exactly what you describe.

[ShoppingInsider]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Hi, everyone, just discovered this forum and cool to see so many people from so many places.

I live smack-dab in the middle of the US, youngest kid is in college and an old mutt keeps me company while I do online "stuff" from home. (My family never HAS figured out what I do.)

Have had websites since 1999, selling various books I've written (just released one on about saving time, money & hassle when shopping online, also sell a book on business cards and one on making fishing lures) and selling on eBay a bit, too.

Always looking for new tips, especially since hubby wants to retire early and that means making dollars stretch a bit more....

Diana

[tinapbeana]

Re: Introduce Yourself

welcome diana: nice to have you here!

[Langlo Family]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Hello everyone!

My name is Marty. I am 22 years old and I am married and recently had the joy of adding our 3 month old daughter to our lives. Being a parent is the greatest thing I have ever done. My wife and I made some bad moves financial wise when we were in college. We have some credit card debt that we are trying to get paid off. We want to buy a house ASAP. We also would like to start saving money for our future as well as our daughter's. And of course the more kids that will be coming. I have been viewing the posts for almost a month now and have been amazed with how much I don't know. Thank you so much everyone for posting all the tips. It really does help. Does anyone have any advice for someone in my shoes? Thanks.

Marty

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Welcome Marty!! Do we have advise??? oboy. I am sure you will receive lots of great ideas here!! For someone in your shoes....I would start first, with a congratulations on your new daughter..there simply is no comparable joy to that of a child....and a second congrats for seriously contemplating your financial life. If you start at your young age...you will certainly reap the benefits down the road. Set goals and focus...you have the benefit of compounding interest to look forward to!!!

[SuzeOFan]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Hi Marty,

Congratulations on your new little joy! And welcome to the forum!
Great place to get some good financial direction.

When we first got married, we rented the cheapest 3 room studio apartment we could find in the burbs. My husband and I both worked. I was a nurse working per diem and took every extra shift they offered me. Many double shifts. They loved me because I never said no. And like you we were scrimping and tucking away every last penny in hopes of buying a new home asap. As luck would have it - and none too soon!

We got pregnant one month after we got married and moved into our first home (a duplex) two weeks after our son was born. We fixed up the upstairs and rented that out to another young couple which helped us tremendously. They actually paid more than we did towards the mortgage!

My advice? Save like crazy in a high interest CD or savings or whatever (you'll get plenty of advice from the people here in that area) Live in the cheapest digs you can find without living in a slum. Forget the new cars. Or new anything! Cars are the worst investment. And when you are finally able to, get yourselves each a Roth IRA from Vanguard. I wish I had known then what I know now about investing! Time is on your side! God bless you and good luck!

[ShoppingInsider]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Welcome!

I'd strongly suggest you read anything written by Dave Ramsey such as Financial Peace or The Total Money Makeover. EXCELLENT advice about getting and staying out of debt. If you can listen to his radio show he's funny AND helpful. (More info at DaveRamsey.com)

As someone a little further along in life than you are (my oldest is your age), I'd encourage you to live below your means and resist society's focus on always having more/better/newer/bigger. As you're learning, that's NOT where joy in life is found!

I applaud your maturity in focusing NOW on your future. Good luck, and blessings to you all!

Diana

[fairy74]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Don't I feel dumb, I just realized there was an introduce yourself link he, he so I did this in the totally wrong order....Where are my manners.

31 (almost 32) year old female attorney (criminal/juvenile), live in the central coast of CA, from Seattle originally. Have a darling hubby of 3 years, 2 darling puppies (16 yrs and 2 years) Also have an ugly law school loan that I am trying to get rid of asap and am working on the great American novel (ha, ha)

Enjoy saving money, frugal shopping, being outside, almost every sport ever created and being in the library (wow does that sound nerdy or what ) To compensate I enjoy stupid movies and hokey greeting cards

[syracusa]

Re: Introduce Yourself

33 yo female, social science researcher, married, one baby boy (1yo).
Dislike debt, consumerism and money when used as an end in itself as opposed to a means to a meaningful life shared with loved ones.
I am typically against spending on inanimate merchandise (or bad merchandise) and pro spending on aspects that build true quality of life. This includes being with family and close friends, traveling, seeing, questioning, educating yourself so that you won't remain stupid and vacuous in mind or in spirit; and of course giving to charity of choice or simply helping a poor person/family directly.

[tinapbeana]

Re: Introduce Yourself

welcome to the site!

[Broken Arrow]

Re: Introduce Yourself

Wedding... loans?