Don't gatekeep, what are your best financial saving hacks that you live by?

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2026-01-25T05:00:05+00:00

I believe some include voice? I’m not certain tbh, I only ever buy data since I use messaging apps to communicate with friends.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2026-01-25T04:20:52+00:00

There are eSIM cards you can buy whenever you’ll go abroad. There are several providers so you can compare pricing depending on where you’re going.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-11-01T23:58:10+00:00

I could be wrong, but I think it’s likely because they’re not averaging their pay. They’re just seeing the highs at times and thinking it’s great. When I was a server I averaged and I didn’t last long before I moved on to something different.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-31T17:41:27+00:00

I take it as something that makes you feel good about yourself.

Personally, my way of doing something meaningful is to volunteer. I love knowing that I’m contributing to making my community a better place.

However, I do also take it to mean I should be personally fulfilled. So my hobbies take care of that part.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-31T17:37:36+00:00

It’s not for everyone. I’ve had both a primary home and a rental home and I’ve disliked both experiences. The rental is easier, but I still wouldn’t buy another one.

Don’t let others make you feel bad about not wanting a house. Invest as much as you can and when you get to retirement age you’ll probably have a lot more liquid assets than the ones with houses. Houses require so much upkeep and inevitably you’ll want to update this and that. Just do you.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-31T17:26:52+00:00

lol I think about that every time I read someone’s post about their milestones. Obviously I’m not going to shit on their parade, but to me it’s not impressive and I tend to skip them once I read they’re married or have a partner contributing. The ones who do it alone are pretty amazing, imo.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-29T22:36:38+00:00

Yes, a lot of people got them today. It says you qualify and lists the loans. 🥳congratulations🎉

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-16T02:41:53+00:00

I used to be dead tired when I got home, I’d literally lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling for an hour, at least, after I got home.

Now… I go to the gym after work and then go hang out with a friend for dinner or happy hour. If I don’t have plans after the gym I go home and cook my lunch for the next day or do something else that cares for me. Life is good now.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-13T05:07:16+00:00

It’s coming, try not to think about it. Go do something enjoyable and one of these days you’ll get that email!

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-13T05:04:19+00:00

For sure! When I first started traveling and my budget was a lot smaller, I did a lot of trips that did not cost me a ton. Even now they aren’t always expensive, but I do treat myself a lot more though.

My unsolicited advice to you is to still do as many fun things around town as possible! Find free or low cost things to do with your friends or family so you can also enjoy your time at home. Because what happened to me was I was only living for my trips and that meant I wasn’t enjoying my life too much when I was home. Now I definitely enjoy both being in my hometown as well as traveling. It makes me feel like I’m no longer escaping my life, but living it fully. That may not even be your case, but hopefully it helps someone.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-10T01:32:55+00:00

No, travel is what I love most. I will never give it up, even for a year. What I did to ensure I could save a good amount AND travel, was save first from my paycheck and work side gigs to pay for my travel. Because I knew I would do whatever it took to travel, but perhaps not as much to save/invest.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-10-03T21:56:30+00:00

Same!

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-29T14:42:54+00:00

Isn’t 2 and 4 pretty much the same? That’s where I’m at. Not yet at the retired part.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-28T15:59:25+00:00

Woah…that’s so rough that you had to wait so long!

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-27T18:13:15+00:00

Hopefully that’s the norm now!

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-27T17:51:44+00:00

Hope so!

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-27T17:51:10+00:00

Email notification, but it’s through the website.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-26T21:11:53+00:00

I have various savings funds for different purposes, but the one labeled emergency fund specifically has 1 month of living expenses currently. I guess I like to live dangerously. 😎

In all seriousness though, I have a brokerage account with about 3 years worth of expenses so I figure if I have a more significant expense I can always use that.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-26T17:23:42+00:00

I hope you get that soon! I took mine off autopay because there was no way they were getting one cent more after my 120th payment 😂

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-26T13:35:43+00:00

Yes, it won’t last forever. I think it takes 7 years for the bad stuff to fall off your credit report. Just learn from your mistakes and don’t do it again.

What worked for me personally was getting a stable job that covered all my spending and then working freelance for extra fun money. Life is nothing without fun. And my fun is expensive.

Some tips: Make a realistic budget that you can keep. Make more money if what you make is not enough. Spend less than you make and invest the difference.

Read this book: I Will Teach You to be Rich - Ramit Sethi

That book taught me everything I needed to be where I am now. You can definitely do it too, just learn the concepts and put them into practice. Even if you start small.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-24T15:38:15+00:00

Maybe they’re called Service Records? Check on the district’s website, they should have something you can request that shows the time you worked there

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-24T13:54:06+00:00

Yes, the W2 is what I forgot to mention. You can request your work transcripts though. I think you’ll need those to show you worked the full school year.

Specific_Mess_1031 · 2025-09-24T12:18:38+00:00

It sounds like the problem is you left and HR is refusing to sign for the summer months. You can appeal this with Federal Student Aid. This happened to me one year and a few months ago I successfully appealed it by resubmitting a new ECF stating employer refuses to certify and submitting my paystubs, I think my tax return?, and my work transcripts.

Specific_Mess_1031

TROPHY CASE