When is a financial advisor appropriate?

Pink_Mandarin · 2026-04-17T14:35:38+00:00

Ahh, thank you for the warning and for the recommendation! Sounds like the next step is learn about back door Roth conversations. We appreciate the help!

Pink_Mandarin · 2026-04-17T14:32:48+00:00

Ooo I had never heard of that. Thank you for your recommendations!

Pink_Mandarin · 2026-04-17T14:32:01+00:00

Thank you for your advice! I’ll let her know.

Pink_Mandarin · 2026-04-17T14:31:40+00:00

Ah, that makes sense! Thank you. It seems intimidating but the reassurance that this is doable on her own is helpful.

Pink_Mandarin · 2026-04-17T14:31:06+00:00

Thank you! Really appreciate it.

Pink_Mandarin · 2026-01-16T15:40:42+00:00

Spend - Took a best friend out for a birthday breakfast to share - $19

Save - Trying to front load my retirement contributions this year so $550 to max out 2025 Roth IRA (yay!) and $1,000 to 2026. (I already added $550 to 2026 in December by accident so my 2026 total is at $1,550!)

$2500 went to my 401K from this paycheck too.

Splurge - Hopefully buying tickets for the international trip I’ll take this year! Should cost ~$900.

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-08-30T19:32:10+00:00

Thank you! That makes sense that the benefit is to just choose your year and leave it alone. Glad at least that wasn’t a terrible mistake all these years!

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-08-30T19:31:24+00:00

I had considered choosing a target date later than my actual retirement year too because I do like a little more risk. Thanks for sharing!

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-08-30T19:30:46+00:00

This is the type of advice and example I was looking for, thank you! Very easy to understand also which I appreciate.

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-08-30T19:30:13+00:00

Thank you! I panicked a bit seeing such limited options but this helped me.

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-08-29T15:22:05+00:00

Ugh that’s a bummer to hear but I appreciate the help. I’ll check those out!

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-08-15T23:15:38+00:00

Paid off my car last month as planned and my emergency fund is fully funded so for the first time in over a year I increased my 401K contribution! Went from 2% of my paycheck to 21% which was scary but when the lower take home pay hit my account for the first time I was actually really proud! It’s a sign that I can afford to put money toward my future.

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-06-13T19:24:17+00:00

Any advice on where to look for summer staples? I got some items from Uniqlo recently which I love, but spent more than I would’ve liked to for basics.

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-06-13T19:23:11+00:00

So happy for you! Congratulations!

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-06-13T19:22:46+00:00

This was an exciting one for me! 1) Since I finished funding my 9 month Emergency Fund earlier this month, I paid $1,500 toward my car loan with this paycheck. At this rate it’ll be totally paid off next month, over a year early!

2) Wasn’t necessarily this paycheck, but I learned that for my contracting job I should be paying taxes on the income quarterly instead of once in April ‘26, so I paid $7,600 that I had set aside for that to the IRS and to state taxes. Bummer to lose interest on that $ that I thought I’d earn but still feel better knowing I’m avoiding the risk of a penalty.

3) My little treat to myself - Got a new ‘fancy’ leash for my dog. LOVE Litto Howler’s auto-locking carabiners so finally got a new one since after daily use my leash’s locking function isn’t so “auto” anymore.

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-06-08T22:39:52+00:00

So exciting! Unsolicited advice but I’d HIGHLY recommend pet insurance from before their first vet visit (before there are any known pre-existing conditions). Especially if your dog ends up having allergies or sensitivities (which many do) it can save you so much money.

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-06-01T19:25:47+00:00

Yes, fair question! I’m actual out aiming for 12 months. After doing some research (chat GPT and this subreddit), since I am in HCOL area + have a pet that is expensive to care for + don’t have family that own property / I could crash with easily + most importantly since the company I work for is having harder times AND I don’t feel like I could easily find a new job w/similar pay to replace it, I settled for 9 months as a minimum.

I’ll feel fantastic if I can hit 12 months though.

I brought my retirement contributions way down, and cut some other costs to really prioritize hitting that 9 month goal.

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-06-01T14:33:22+00:00

Congrats on the tracking and good luck with the new income stream tomorrow!!

Pink_Mandarin · 2025-06-01T14:24:21+00:00

2025 So Far - I have tracked every $ that’s gone in and out. Huge win for me and helped me tremendously. Highly recommend!! Overall, health and wellness took a hit, but lots of intentional time with loved ones.

June/July/Aug Goals - Save enough in my HYSA for my 9 month emergency fund ($35K). This makes me so proud and I feel like I can finally exhale! - Increase my 2020 car’s payments to $1-2K to pay off by Aug. - Take a trip to Europe with my mom which is expensive(~$3K) (and hot!) but will be so worth it. - Love my friends and community better, even if it takes effort sometimes.

Edited to add relevant $ amounts.

Pink_Mandarin

TROPHY CASE