First Real Job...No Idea How to Save

[Whitechapel]

Have you gotten a copy of Total Money Makeover yet? If not, I'll reiterate that you can get it on half.com for about $2 plus shipping. It is well worth the investment.

I just ordered a like-new copy of the 2003 edition for 6 bucks and some change shipped. I had it sent to my new place...man I'm so excited to M O V E finally and get a real bed and my OWN ROOM!!!! This has been a loooooooong 4 months!

[disneysteve]

I just ordered a like-new copy of the 2003 edition for 6 bucks and some change shipped. I had it sent to my new place...man I'm so excited to M O V E finally and get a real bed and my OWN ROOM!!!! This has been a loooooooong 4 months!

Good job, and congrats on the move. Read the book. I think it will really help you clean things up and set you on the right path.

[Whitechapel]

Good job, and congrats on the move. Read the book. I think it will really help you clean things up and set you on the right path.

Thanks man, I should have it sometime early next week I hope! I'm excited to read it!

[graceful]

I just ordered a like-new copy of the 2003 edition for 6 bucks and some change shipped. I had it sent to my new place...man I'm so excited to M O V E finally and get a real bed and my OWN ROOM!!!! This has been a loooooooong 4 months!

Congrats on the move. Wishing you the best.

[bjl584]

Good work on ordering that book. It should help you start to change your thinking about money.

[Eric80]

I admire your honesty and the fact that you openly admit that you cant save, a lot of people go through life struggling because they are afraid to ask for help. Do you have debt? I know a friend of mine that had a lot of debt and went to the citizens advice bureau where they also gave her advice on how to save effectively.

[jadet]

Maybe you can directly funnel a portion of your paycheck to a different savings account and not touch it at all.

[charlieh]

Good Brain

It sounds to me like you are on the right track, and at least your actions are consistent with your thinking. Your spending journal is your key to success because you see where the money is going.
As someone who earned substantial paychecks in my twenties I must say that at this point my regrets are from spending money on food. Everywhere I went I blew money on dinners and alcohol that I can never get back. For me it is just not worth it.
At this point I would say max out your 401k. That's the first thing. That will take the cash out of your pocket and become forced savings, this after of course you pay off your credit cards. Ty to stick with having no debt.
One thing you can do is to live on cash. Get rid of the credit cards particularly when you go on nights out with friends. If you can put it on a credit car it is much easier to spend instead of taking out the cash. $100 bucks a night at the bar goes quickly as we all know, but just by eliminating that expense you could have a reasonable down payment on your first apartment in two years.
Speaking of apartment, that 635 per month on housing - is that necessary? How about moving back in with your parents until you can afford to buy? Putting up with another 2 years under your parents roof $600x24 = 15k! Right there that would also be a nice chuck of cash for a down payment on a first home.

[disneysteve]

How about an update OP? What's happening? Have you read Dave Ramsey's book? Have you successfully cut any expenses?

[bjl584]

How about an update OP? What's happening? Have you read Dave Ramsey's book? Have you successfully cut any expenses?

No activity since 11-16. Hopefully he hasn't gone away.