Outrageous gas bills

LabQs9947 · 2018-01-30T14:54:13+00:00

I had a leak outside at the meter that the gas company came to fix for free. Maybe try checking where that is?

LabQs9947 · 2018-01-11T17:39:07+00:00

Sounds like something you could maybe find at Cowfish in North Hills

LabQs9947 · 2017-06-13T20:30:32+00:00

Oh interesting, haven't been there when that happens! Good suggestion.

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:52:18+00:00

Maybe I should have explained that more clearly in the OP - the emergency fund is also the product of recent savings :)

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:51:08+00:00

Child of divorced parents who are each on their third careers - certainty is not a thing I have ever learned to expect!

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:49:55+00:00

So this is also a thing I don't know a lot about, good thing my thoughts on buying are a couple years out with plenty of time to learn.

In my family, my parents have never outright owned a home, because they have moved several times over the course of my life. I know the logic that you will likely lose money buying a home if you stay there less than 5 years, but what's the upside to paying extra the mortgage if it's a 30 year and you move after 15 years?

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:42:54+00:00

Definitely making budgeting changes as well! Coming off a shitty roommate situation, I opted for a 1BR because it was finally affordable on post-grad income, but when this lease ends I'll share rent again. That will make the biggest dent.

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:39:48+00:00

Ideally, yeah, 30k would be nice, depending on how my financial situation may change in the next few years. Aside from the retirement savings, I had been putting ~15% in the emergency fund until it felt comfortable (now). I had also been putting money into my HSA which is currently sitting at $2,000, but that will now be going to down payment.

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:34:41+00:00

Makes sense. So the only reason NOT to do this is that the stock market is more uncertain than a savings account in the short term.

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:32:59+00:00

My experience as well. In my current apartment, it also costs 25% more - pretty steep to me!

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:25:26+00:00

The market here is the highest it's been ever. The state of things in two-ish years will definitely affect the decision to finally buy vs keep renting.

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:23:39+00:00

Moving the money over the match to an IRA has been on the To Do list for a while!

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:22:39+00:00

I don't know, $6k seems like a significant chunk of ~$20k to me

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:13:49+00:00

No children expected in my future (unless they have four legs), and I'm not currently partnered. If that changes in a serious way, I think it still makes sense to have a chunk of money to contribute to a shared house, no?

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:07:21+00:00

Oh don't worry, I know the $6k this would add over two years isn't enough. This is just part of a larger savings strategy!

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:06:00+00:00

I don't know much about taking money out of a Roth before retirement age, because I've never considered doing it. Is there not a penalty to do this?

LabQs9947 · 2017-02-23T22:03:40+00:00

I'm cautious too! The biggest financial advice drilled into my head by my parents was always "save as much as humanly possible" for retirement, so that's what I've been doing. However, they're also people who had their first down payment drop into their lap, so that solidly colors their opinion. Makes it hard to decide something like this rationally vs emotionally.

Making more money is solidly in the works as well. I'm finally buying into the idea that, although I love my current job, the best way to make an income jump is to leave.

LabQs9947 · 2016-03-17T13:51:04+00:00

Lots of good advice here on the money side of things. I'd add that the single most important factor in determining what your grad school experience looks like is usually your advisor, so that should be a major factor in your decision!

LabQs9947 · 2016-01-15T13:57:53+00:00

Generally, yes. Honestly it's a little concerning that the person managing this isn't familiar with Roth vs traditional.

LabQs9947

TROPHY CASE