Also, use your credit card and pay it off each month. It will really help your credit score when you get to the point when you want to buy something. Just my two cents.

Oh, I do that now that I have a real credit card. The last payment on the other credit card was $1.50. In 2003. But it was totally on time!

Also, I'm buying both those books you recommended.

...from the Amazon Marketplace, because it saves a few bucks. I CAN'T HELP IT.

I won't be able to touch any of my savings for...let's see...another 27 years. That's the downside. The upside is how much my money will have compounded by the time I finally can. Yes, Virginia, there really is retirement.

ING also has 5.2% 12 month CDs.

Also, Ginger, I did *not* know that about the Roth IRAs. Thanks for the info!

PC I want to thank you for starting this conversation about money. I'm terrible about my money and have been barely scraping by pay check to pay check with no savings. (Although I hav eput some in everytime I check my checking balance the money is right there and I tend to spend it). After reading all this I think I'll open a savings account with ING and check into the automatic transfer thing now that I have a raise.

I know the one thing I need to do is start investing independent of my 401(k). While it is doing quite well, it's all with Fidelity. And while Fidelity is a pretty damn good set of funds to be in, it's only one company of funds and feels like I'm putting all my eggs in one basket. I need to branch out more, but that would require being more disciplined in my savings than I am right now. At least with the 401(k) it's "out of sight, out of mind" savings that I can rely on.

eta: pronouns.

You're welcome, askye! I'm glad someone else got something out of this.

Hm. Hold on a second, I think I found the catch! Bank of America sez:

When you transfer funds to or from accounts you own at other financial institutions, these transfers cannot be reversed. There are daily and monthly limits to the transactions, depending on the delivery type you choose. You will be charged a fee for outbound transfers: $3 for three-business-day processing or $10 for next-business-day processing.

So it's...not as convenient, technically, but the eightfold jump in interest is worth it. It might be worth it to keep a small chunk in the BOA savings for easy access?

It might be worth it to keep a small chunk in the BOA savings for easy access?

That's what I do.

Right now, I'm unemployed. And not panicking. It is such an amazing relief to have cleared my debts and put aside a cushion.

Bear in mind, I don't want to spend the damned cushion--I like having it there--it lets me think about a new car (which I don't need) and a house (oh, god, please).

But being able to breathe while I look for jobs, and knowing I can breathe for a little while more? So entirely worth it.

Gah, DH just called to tell me that he has a company benefit that would allow us to purchase a new car from Ford for just $500 over invoice.

We don't need a new car.

Why tell me?