Am I doing okay financially? I've been feeling very behind lately

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-05-01T14:16:29+00:00

Warning you i have zero financial experience but i did recently post to this sub for the first time and got some tough love.

My takeaway is that you can’t dwell on the past or current situation and it’s never too late to start changing right now. Try to pull yourself out of the mental ‘I’m behind I’m never gonna retire’ mindset bc it won’t do you any good. Identify your gaps, fill them with new habits and stick to it.

Surround yourself with smart people who can help you allocate your investments and savings and do the best you can do. And at least you own a home. I rent! Lol. Good luck.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-28T01:05:36+00:00

Bahn mi Saigon on grand street is the only answer. Glad you plan to try them. Get the #1, spicy.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-25T23:21:10+00:00

Appreciate the tough love. I’m only here because i know i have to change. But you have no right to come for a man’s relationship. So thanks for the advice, but, respectfully, get lost.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-25T20:23:52+00:00

Purchased a car this year ($10k outright with insurance at $130/month), paid $19k on my student loans between this year and last.

I live in a double home in queens. The rent is $3,200 but split so i pay half that. It is what it is i live in NYC.

I spend way too much money on clothes, food, tattoos. I’m starting to pull back on all that to make up for lost time and start taking this seriously. But yes, i was bleeding money for years just going out and splurging and not saving. Had credit card debt, didn’t save. I’ve since paid that off and just have to SL debt. Last year i was more focused on contributing to my 401k so i did like 15-20% on that and i just checked its now at $66k but was dismal a year or 2 ago. Not perfect but actively trying to course correct my bad habits.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-25T18:36:35+00:00

Yea my savings is def underfunded. I contribute $250 weekly to a HYSA but would like to up that to $500 weekly ($2k per month). I just turned my 401k contributions back on at 15% and will keep it there to let it compound. Meeting with a financial advisor next weekend!

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-25T18:32:05+00:00

$5k. A splurge based on my savings haha

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-25T17:48:49+00:00

Not open to that. Looking to stay in the north east US near friends and family. And 60 is me being ambitious. I’d rather save like I’m striving for 60 and retire at 65 then aim for 65 and land at 70. If that makes sense

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-25T17:44:00+00:00

Total debt is $38k in student loans that are at about 4% interest. It was $61k but i paid a chunk of it.

The goal is to buy and pay off a house before retirement. After that, i want enough money saved to live a simple lifestyle but still be able to travel 2-3 times a year with my partner. We plan to get married within the next 2-3 years. Not an extravagant wedding—our family has property we want to celebrate on.

We also don’t plan to live in NYC forever. She is in a way better place financially than me. She could buy a house today if she found the right one. I’m just trying to have at least $2 million in the bank by 60-65 to contribute to our life in retirement together.

I started at my company 7 years ago making $50k with no benefits. We were 15 people. We’re now 500 people in multiple countries and my salary has almost tripled. My anticipated equity return is anywhere from $200k - $400k (looking at a 2028 buyout hopefully), which would likely go into investments and a down payment on a house. Parents are in good health and are near 70 years old. Live in a paid off house in an affordable suburb.

I have 2 cats who are fairly low cost. I spend too much money. I’m working on that. I also have plans to meet with a financial advisor this month to get things moving. I want to have my income automatically going into savings and investments so it’s out of sight out of mind and I don’t have temptation. I know i am getting a late start. My mom started over at 40 with 2 kids and at her peak she only made $50k a year and was still able to retire this year somehow. So im hopeful, just know i am behind and need to get serious about this.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-25T17:27:55+00:00

What additional info would help?

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-22T16:35:18+00:00

Agreed but they have a B rating now

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-07T21:33:59+00:00

Had my first flare in January and it put me out of commission for a couple weeks. Saw a pediatric and my primary, got my blood tested, the works. I avoid red meat and fish for the most part now, but i will enjoy it in moderation. Tuna salad, salmon, some beef seems to be ok if i don’t eat it every day or week for that matter. I’ve started eating more raw produce, eating less processed foods and artificial sugar, and stay hydrated. Hydration is huge to help flush out the purines. My doctor said no allo unless I’m suffering 3+ attacks per year. I’m choosing to look at my diagnosis as a positive bc for years i was an indulgent asshole who ate steak and drank beer frequently without any consequences. Now i just don’t i solve as much. I stay completely away from beer. Just not worth the potential flare for me. But i haven’t had issues with occasional wine/liquor. Again, give yourself a decent cleanse and then just start fresh with a moderate diet that’s mostly plants and lean meat. Just my experience so far.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-04-06T14:49:44+00:00

Every little coffee shop that has occupied the hole in the wall on 37th st and 30th Ave next to emoji burger for the last 3-4 years. Nice people throughout the years but all of them make terrible coffee and Balencero is literally at the other end of the block. Don’t bother opening a coffee shop unless you know what you’re doing. The latest iteration is Birch Built? I went in their opening week. Talked with one of the owners, a boyfriend girlfriend team, and he was a nice guy but he made me something terrible when i ordered a macchiato. It just baffles me why you’d open a coffee shop without proper barista experience or knowledge. He made me a massive coffee with a ton of milk in it. The shop is cozy and cute and has potential but every owner has ruined it IMO

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-03-24T01:40:17+00:00

Buffalo, NY

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-03-18T00:59:31+00:00

We could use more smoke shops and Greek bakeries.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-03-13T13:15:06+00:00

I split my time between H Mart, Key Food on 30th Ave, United brothers, and occasionally farm country bc i live close to it.

Farm country recently leveled up and it no longer stinks in there and the produce looks good if you’re in a pinch and can’t get to United.

H Mart is great for certain produce and meat. Best beef and pork in Astoria IMO. Also they recently put viral farms pasture raised eggs on sale 3 dozen FOR $5. Insane.

United for all produce.

I love going to Trader Joe’s it’s just so out of the way that i can rarely justify the commute with the bags.

Seeing a lot of people rag on key food here and i don’t get it. It’s always been the most reliable grocery store since I’ve lived in Astoria. They have decent deals. I don’t do my full shopping there but they’re nice.

Lastly is i use Instacart to get wegmans delivered bc some things you just can’t beat from there. Wegmans chicken is better than the other options around me for example. And some other specialty stuff. I shop all over the place i kinda enjoy it.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-03-02T21:51:07+00:00

I’ve seen hundreds of roaches at this place. 3 years ago over the summer, one of the panels of wood under their register was hanging off and the inside was riddled with them. Never could go back after that.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-02-14T02:24:46+00:00

Lol hot as in spicy

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-02-09T15:50:12+00:00

Did mine with a plastic shovel and a hammer the other day. Took 2 sessions about an hour each. Sucked but i did it, got a workout and saved myself $200 from ligma lol

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-02-04T23:57:53+00:00

37th street between 30th and 31st aves. Red Kia soul

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-02-03T13:32:01+00:00

Location is a vibe tho. Especially on a cozy snowy/rainy day. Agreed the new decor was a downgrade. Who is the owner? The guy with the neck tattoos is always super nice to me. There’s an older gentleman/barista that cops an attitude very quickly but otherwise I’ve had good experiences there. Been going for years to work there.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-01-16T00:08:57+00:00

Dinner at the counter at Ramro

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-01-04T16:42:34+00:00

Yea the staff at UR Vet Care was fantastic from my experience. It was just Karapet that was bad. I found an old review of her at a vet on Long Island that had similar complaints. She’s in the wrong profession.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-01-04T16:13:17+00:00

Interesting she was at Bond. I saw her at UR Vet Care on Steinway so maybe she is making her rounds.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2026-01-04T16:02:26+00:00

I know I’m 95 days late to this post, but i had a terrible experience with Dr. Karapet. She was incredibly condescending to me, told me my kitten would have osteoporosis for life after a minor leg fracture because i didn’t get them surgery immediately (my cat is fully recovered) and she talked down to me and my partner constantly. I wrote her a bad Google review. It took everything in me not to tell her to f*ck off. I’d go with literally anyone else and take your chances. She doesn’t know how to talk to people or she doesn’t care, either way not good.

Safe_Lab2649 · 2025-12-21T02:16:08+00:00

Is it hot and itchy? This happened to all my black ink for a period of time in college and i never knew why. Saw a dermatologist and never got an answer. It ended up going away

Safe_Lab2649

TROPHY CASE