That's how you made less, right? Are 401K contributions pre-tax? Now I forget
No, I actually made less total (only about $500 less) before taxes/etc, because in 2012 I got a signing bonus for my new job. I hadn't realized it was enough to make up the difference between my old job and the new one! But I also had a much small AGI overall because of how much (pre-tax) I put in my 401k. I didn't start putting money in my 401k until maybe 25? And was only putting the matching (3% or whatever) until recently--last year I bumped it up to 12% of my salary (figuring plus 3% matched by company is 15!). I worry I will want to retire and not have any money to do it with. Figuring social security will be bust by that age (plus they keep upping when I could get it--I don't want to work until 70!)
Thanks for reminding me to contribute to my Roth IRA, Natter.
See, and that's something I have never done, make an IRA! I feel like for all that I'm OK at not spending more than I make, I'm actually really bad at the whole money thing in general.
I failed at contributing to a 401k for most of my 20s. I did contract work for a while and I don't think it was an option, so I think I ignored it when I finally was given the option because I didn't really know what to do.
Oh, younger self. Why.
These days, I built up my emergency savings account and started doing a small monthly contribution, I max out my generous 401k match and contribution limit, and I max out my Roth IRA contribution limit. Because I can right now and I have a lot of catching up to do.
I know there's more investing I could do, but I don't like a lot of risk. I don't even like gambling in Vegas.
Oh, younger self. Why.
Amen. I also feel like if I were a real adult I would have a will, and visit like, a financial planner or something. But I will take "doing my taxes in January".
Oh, jeez. I'm still waiting on one of my W-2s, and I haven't even made a household budget yet. Money, bah.
ION, I totally dressed wrong today. I went for a walk and wore my coat: too hot. Still on the warm side sitting in the office after my walk (without my coat) so I thought I'd eat lunch outside without my coat. Too cold.
I'm still waiting on one of my W-2s
Yeah, I'm still waiting on a 1099; are those on the same January 31 deadline as W-2s?
My problem with retirement is that it feels like I have SO MUCH money saved, but yeah, no. I've been increasing my contribution with my salary, though, so I guess it'll all work out.
Yeah, and I guess part of it is also somehow the fact that I've been saving for 10 years but still have THIRTY to go doesn't really hit me. Like, if I keep saving like I have been the past year (rather than the eight or nine years before that), I'll have plenty. Because 30 years is a long-ass time (OMG how can I work 30 more years??)
Oh yeah, also that -- good news/bad news, I am not yet halfway through my career!
I have H's 401k I need to roll into mine, and like $30 in my state employee retirement account that just amuses me. I think it's doubled since I've had it, which would be awesome if it was more than $15 to start with. Once I decided that if I end up broke and homeless that's okay this stuff stresses me out maybe less than it should, in the sense that I don't do anything about it.
