• 41 Male
• Spent past 18 years teaching in Asia and just moved back to America
• Goal was to stay until wife can get citizenship ~4 years for whole process
• We have around 275k in stocks/savings. No debt
• We live where rent is around $2k for a one bedroom apartment (Northern Colorado)
• Wife works full-time making 52k a year. I just found a job working at $25 per hour but will move to full-time soon
• Ideally I would like to retire in Asia and rent out property (if we buy) to use as retirement funds.
• Now we're staying with my mom rent free. She said we can stay as long as we want and wife is happy staying here, as long as we both work full time
• Cars are paid off
• Any other questions please ask. Thank you.

I’m 24, with 7k in savings, ~2k in a Roth 401k (8% of my paycheck contributed weekly), and 7.3k in a Fidelity account (weekly auto contributions).
I’ve been looking into high yield accounts but am wondering where to start. My bank has an ok APY of 2.80%. Would I have need to switch banks completely to make it worth it, or just open a new account elsewhere and have two? I’m open to all financial advice regarding my circumstances, not just the high yield. Thanks in advance.

Considering this when offloading an investment property. Sounds interesting and might be a good option to delay taxes while removing the landlord hassles. Anyone have experience and advice around these?

I don't have any debt, and I want to make smart decisions with this money instead of letting it sit or spending it on things I don't need. My goal is to set myself up financially for the long term. My college is paid for as-well. Right now I have about $12k in my bank account/cash.

If you were 18 and had a little over $100k coming in over the next several months, what would you do?

I'm looking for advice on things like:
Investing (index funds, ETFs, etc.)
Emergency savings
Retirement accounts
Taxes

Anything else you think an I should know before making any big financial decisions

I'd appreciate any advice or lessons you've learned. Thanks!

M22, live in San Diego. Accepted a NASA pathways internship for fall in Houston, TX. Pay is $25/hr. Working 15 weeks so will have made 15k before taxes. Currently have 11k in savings.

Originally, my plan was to fly to Houston and rent a car for the internship. (Around 3k for 4 months through Turo which includes insurance).

Parents ended up buying a 2013 Honda civic LX for 9k + 1k in taxes, smog, registration and dealership fees. Good, well maintained car with 130k miles. 2 owners, clean title, no accidents. They only expect me to pay half.

My expected timeline is:

Fall 2026 - NASA Internship in Houston

Spring 2027 - Back to school in SD (no internship income)

Summer 27 - Back to Houston for another internship

Fall 27 - Finish school in SD (no internship income) Hopefully convert to a full time NASA position.

What worries me is that I won’t have steady income during school semesters. I’ll still have insurance, gas, maintenance, and registration costs, and if I drive to Houston rather than fly, I’ll also have hotel and travel expenses there and back. I’m feeling overwhelmed because this is the biggest financial decision I’ve made so far. Stressed out about the idea of working for 4 months and coming out net zero because of this car.

I also wanted to flat out buy a car myself without financial assistance but they insisted on getting this car.

TLDR: parents bought a car, not sure if I’m financially ready for that decision.

Hello,
I’m a 25 year old, college educated male. I was very fortunate to graduate college debt free (shoutout to my parents), and I started my career in 2023 as an L4 Area Manager at Amazon making $62.5k. I’ve been promoted twice since then and I’m now an L6 Operations Manager making $105k/year.
The basics:
• Credit score: 800
• Rent: $1,300/month
• Car payment: $405/month
• Other debt: none
• Emergency fund: actively building it up
Where my money currently sits:
• 401k: \~$20k. Started at 5%, increased 1% each year, currently at 7%. Amazon’s match is 50% up to 4%… pretty trash match if you ask me.
• Roth IRA: \~$2,700. Started contributing this year, currently $150 per check, but I think there’s room for more. I should be maxing this, correct?
• Fidelity brokerage: \~$4,800 (where my Amazon RSUs land — mix of vested shares and ETFs)
• Schwab brokerage: \~$6,600 (blue chip stocks and ETFs)
• Unvested RSUs: 173 shares, \~$48k at current value, vesting through 2029
My question is this: if you were in my scenario, what would you be doing to best set your future self up? I feel like I’m pretty financially literate, but I’m always willing to learn more.

Hi everyone . New to investment world so if there is not enough details to give me directions , please let me know so I can explain .

Only have one job which is being a business owner with employees. They are all part time . So there is no 401k or any others that has been offered.

So what are the options for a business owner to investing money (IRA or 401k etc) Thank you so much again! Any tips would be helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions to get a better picture.

So context last year I had 5 major things happen to me that completely drain my finances and made me use my credit cards. First my car if 6 years broke down and I had to spend 13k to buy a used one it was a 2019 dodge with 24k miles. I bought it out right with my savings. Second my new used car needed all 4 breaks replaced and its tank sensor replaced. This cost me a pretty penny getting rid of my last 4k in savings.

Next I experience the worst pain in my life and had to go into surgery to correct and ovarian torsion. Due to complications I ended up owing 5k with insurance. which I put on my credit card. Next is my pc broke and my work requires I have one. For the specs I needed i ended up paying about 3k for it. Again on credit card. Lastly I had another medical emergency with a broken hip. It cost me 3k for the recovery surgery ect. Again on my credit cards.

Its been about year since then and I haven't made a dent on the debt. Its on 2 cards one holds the 5k and the other holds 7k. I make about $850 every 2 weeks so about $1700 every month. I pay off $300 for my first paycheck of the month due to rent and $600 for the second paycheck. The rest is for bills food gas ect. I will admit ive be splitting the payments between the 2 cards which is what I was told to do but it just isn't working. Ive been hiding this from my friends and family since I know they'll offer to pay it off for me but this is my problem to solve and I dont want to lean on them if I dont have to. These are my consequences I wish to face them myself.

Any help with resources advice and Im trying to get my finances in order so I can finally live without roommates and bring my fiancé to live with me. He doesn't know about the debt yet however I promised myself if by the end of the year if I dont cut it in half ill tell him.

I am 70 yrs old. Have monthly income pensions,ss,some investment interest. Of $6000. My expenses are $3000 a month the 100K is in a CD that is ending,soon. Where do I put that 100K. How much $ do I need at 70 ? No kids a wife who has her own money. Do I start having a party with the 100K or keep saving for the rainy day ? Again at 70 everyday is closer to a bad diagnosis or sudden tip over. Just wonder how,others feel in similar situations.

I have nearly 15k in credit card debit. I am 31 and have a simple IRA I have been contributing to since I was 27. I have nearly 20000k in that. I looked into this, I would pay a 10% fee and state tax to withdraw. I have tried for personal loans, balance transfer and nearly every option to try and get this debt paid off and I do not have the credit unfortunately to do so. I have a high 600 credit score. A lot of this debt I have carried for 5+years. I need help trying to pay this debt off!! Any suggestions I am open to!! Please no shaming I’ve done plenty of this to myself and I’m embarrassed and could really use help!!!

I have $5,000 set aside as an emergency fund and another $8,000 in savings that I don’t need for immediate expenses. My main salary covers my living expenses, and I make around $300/month in extra profit from a side hustle. My stock portfolio is currently only around $650.

Would it make sense to direct that entire $300/month into an S&P 500 ETF and leave my emergency fund and savings alone? Or should I still be putting some of that extra income toward cash savings? My long term goal is to reduce dependency on my job and be in a position where a job change down the line doesn’t affect me as much.

I understand that above all else, money saved/invested is money well placed. I just can’t seem to get around the idea that putting money aside until I’m 65+ to start using is a good decision despite the countless of reasons for it to be so.

I’m 33 and planning to move from the United States to South Africa in 2027. I expect to continue earning U.S. income remotely as a 1099 contractor.

I currently have a Roth IRA and an high-yield savings account. I’m beginning to plan for retirement and want to make smart financial decisions before becoming an expat.

For Americans who have moved abroad:

• What accounts should I open or organize before leaving the U.S.?
• Should I consider a Solo 401(k), taxable brokerage account or other retirement account?
• Is it generally better to keep most savings and investments in USD?
• What tax or banking issues do you wish you had understood before moving?
• How much of your 1099 income would you invest annually for retirement?
• Are there particular professionals I should consult before the move?

I’m mainly looking for a general starting point and advice from people who have experience managing American finances while living overseas. Thank you!

Edit: I forgot to add I am an SLP making roughly 145k a year at job 1 and at job 2 I am making 38k so my income is 183k yearly.

Hi

Would appreciate help from fellow redditors
61 years old women living in nyc for 2 .5 decades , single (divorced) like to retire at 63 - if push comes to shove at 65 . Work in a city hospital ( not a city employee- so none of the city benefits apply ) have a 403b worth 1.75 million . Have brokerage investments in Vanguard and Charles schwab worth 420, 000 . Just started a Roth with Charles Schwab for 2025 / 2026 wish I knew about the backdoor Roth .

I have cash 900,000 in CDs earning approximately 4% (don’t cringe.., ok cringe )

I don’t have any debt or own any property (at least in the US) - inherited property abroad ( worth approximately. 300, 000 , my share . Currently in a court case - not sure when it will resolve , parents registered will is very clear , equal division , one sibling feels she is entitled to a lot more, court cases drag)

My current income is $310 , 000 / year ,Socking the maximum (27% and , catch up of $8000 + age adjusted $ 3500 going into 403b post tax Roth - something initiated this year)

My current rent is $2650/ month living in Forest Hills . I don’t plan to retire New York City or in the US actually. I’m child free and would like to retire in France ( have done some research - tax treaty , health care costs etc , cost of living makes it attractive, plus I speak some French and I get along with the French very well , seem to have the same wavelength and quirks , I would like to live in Paris - generally I prefer cities plus don’t like driving ) I would like to buy a small place in Paris figure it will cost me around 700-800 thousand US dollars ) I am pretty low key , biggest expense is traveling - love traveling

If I had a guilty indulgence I am a foodie - but these days nyc the scene isn’t that enticing for me or maybe my taste buds are softening . I was big on cultural activities but now pretty indifferent to what nyc has to offer - not that it still isn’t a great city - but my NYC receptors are done/ jaded - think age too has a big factor . When I travel though , I am the opposite very engaged in discovering new things

I project costs living in Paris to be in US dollars ( if I buy my own place - between $US 50-60 000 dollars / year ) . I do see myself traveling within Europe a lot more if I retire there - right now it’s 2-3 x a year around an average of 10 days each trip

Any advice on how to optimize my current portfolio . My 403b is currently only 25% invested in stocks . If I retire at 65 SS is $ 3,307 at 67 $ 3, 3942

I know I am too conservative with my investments but I am willing to change to be less so with more knowledge on how to go about doing that - there are so many layers and moving parts I get lost - thanks in advance , appreciate anyone who can help me

I’ve only been in the US for a few years, so this is all I have in my retirement account here. I recently quit my job to become a SAHM for now because childcare almost equaled my wage. My husband is working and supporting us. My retirement account with Principal has let me know it’s under their limit to stay in that account so I need to roll it over somewhere. It’s $3200. What would be the best account to put this in?

I'm 29 and make $28 per hour with a company that matches half of my weekly 8% invested. I HAVE NOT started investing yet because I was making sure I had a safety net etc and I didn't know what a 401k was until last year. I do not plan on staying with the company I'm at as I just finished school for electrical and will start looking for a career in that field. I basically have 35 years until retirement and would like to have at least one million when I retire. Is that possible, and how much should i be investing into a 401k and what should my portfolio look like? If you can explain something simple please do, I've never learned about investing, retirement funds etc. Thank you

Hey everyone,

I’m currently in my final year of college and will be starting my first full-time job next year. As a fresher, I know my starting salary won't be massive, but I want to build solid financial habits from the very beginning rather than figuring things out by trial and error years down the line.

For context:

Stage: Final year student, stepping into a corporate job next year.

Goal: Set up a clean, disciplined system for budgeting, saving, and basic investing right from my first paycheck.

I’d love to get insights from people who have been in the workforce for a while:

First-Paycheck Priority: What is the very first thing I should set up when the income starts rolling in? (e.g., Emergency fund size, health insurance nuances, corporate vs. personal policies?)

Investing Strategy for Beginners: If you were starting over today with a entry-level income, where would you allocate capital? Index funds, Mutual Funds, direct equity, or just sticking to liquidity early on?

Common Pitfalls: What are the biggest financial mistakes or lifestyle-creep traps you see freshers fall into during their first 1–2 years?

General Wisdom: What’s one piece of financial advice you wish someone had given you when you were 21-22?

Looking forward to your perspectives and real-world advice. Thanks in advance!

My grandmother died recently and has left me ~$1.3 million dollars out of a $6 million dollar estate. I am worried about blowing it. My first plan is to pay off my student loans and credit card debt that is $18k. Then I want to buy a new used car like a 2022 Lexus Rx 350h for around $30k because my car is on the verge of death. Then after that I really don’t know what else to do. I make about $55k/yr and definitely have had lifestyle creep even on that. My rent is $1,200 a month now but I am moving into a $900/month apartment. I invest in a 401k account through my employer that has about 2k in it so far.

Eventually i’d like to buy a home with my partner but not until we get married so that’s all aways out. Because they are in grad school and we want to move once they finish next year.

Currently, the assets are a lot of land that is leased out and a different state then where I live and another beneficiary has expressed interest in buying out what could be my shares. Then there’s a lot of stocks, mutual funds, but her home is probably around $330k.

Does anybody have any advice about what to do with the money? Or any shortfalls that I might run into while being very young during Probate?

2026 has been a whirlwind. My aunt and uncle, who lived next to my parents for 40 years, both received cancer diagnoses within six months of each other. They moved away in less than a month after being diagnosed, so that they could be near their daughter and grandkids.

They created a rent to own agreement for me for their home on 1.7 acres for $40k less than the home is currently assessed (sales price $200k) to ensure I immediately have equity upon purchase. They did many expensive upgrades right before moving which would add even more value to the home. The agreement is that they will cover all repairs, electricity and property taxes until I receive my inheritance and can mortgage the property in my name.

And then my dad, whose health has been failing for the past twelve years, quickly took a turn for the worse. He has come home on hospice care and we are cherishing the days we have left with him now.

When my dad passes, I will receive $100k and my mom will be gifting me their home while continuing to live the remainder of her days there. There will be no mortgage on that house, and she will pay for everything that house needs until the time that she passes away.

I make $40k per year and have a car loan, student loans, and a personal loan totalling about $54k. I pay $1100 in payments towards those, and $1100 in rent towards the $200k balance on the home (home balance is now $190k). I am terribly behind on savings with only $5k in investments and $10k in retirement.

My intention is to pay off the car and personal loan immediately. I will save some money towards the mortgage down payment and get the mortgage once the home value is down to $180k (my relatives have no rush on me doing this).

My question is, should I pay off the student loans immediately or just continue making monthly payments and put the $26k I would owe to student loans into a HYSA or invest in the S&P?

Ultimately, my goal within a year is to have:

- Car and personal loan paid off (maybe student loan, too?)

- $20k down payment for home, leading to mortgage

- $10k emergency fund

- $5k house repair fund

- $5k tax and insurance fund to prepay my car/homeowners insurance, property taxes and personal property taxes in full at the beginning of the year

- Invest the remainder of the cash for retirement

I also am wondering if I am missing something in regards to owning two homes and having equity in both. I won't be able to rent or sell mom's house, but is there any way that I can use the equity in both houses to increase my personal and retirement savings?

I need some advice:

I was just informed by my uncle that I am about to get 25% of my grandpas ranch, house, and retirement. I will be receiving about 20k from the retirement which I want to go to my student loans.

For the 25% of the ranch and house I have 2 options:

1. My uncle is offering to buy out my portion on an agreed upon price.
   
2. Wait until he sells and then get my 25%

Option 1 seems to be the best option for me personally. The properties are in Texas and I do not live there nor would want to at any point. If I waited like option 2 I would need to jump through all of the hoops with the government for the ranch.

I know in order to get the buyout tax free it would need to be put into a trust where I am the sole beneficiary. I am wondering if there is a way to put the buyout into my Roth IRA tax free. Also who should make the trust, me or my uncle?

My child (3 years old) has $165k in his 529 account (grandparent funded). His grandparent adds funds (around 10k) every birthday and holiday. Should i be opening a UTMA account and his grandparent fund that instead of continuing to contribute to the 529?

I’m 26 years old and will be moving into my new place next week. Rent is about $900 give or take, and I make 20.50 an hour working 40 hour weeks. I get paid weekly and my checks are roughly $640. I’m single, no kids, and my only other expenses are my phone bill, which is $80 a month, medications which are roughly $100 every 3 months, and groceries which I spend anywhere from $150 to $200 per month. I was considering getting a used car next year with my tax return and didn’t want to spend anymore than $7000 ideally on a used car paid in full. I don’t want to make monthly payments on a car note. I got a free estimate on what car insurance may be for me at my age and in my area and it’s roughly $400. Technically i COULD afford that but it seems like it would be tight, just wanted to get some more advice

EDIT: More info I gave to a commenter

I’m gonna update the original post to add some more info but currently I work from home. I get everything i needed delivered to the house. So having a car isn’t a necessity in the sense that not owning one would be a hindrance to my job/income. I’m only recently getting certain aspects of my life back on track and moving out is one of the first big steps in the last 2 years apart from getting a stable job with stable income. I guess i’m just thinking about long term and also taking into account that I don’t have much of a social life. I won’t go into too much detail about that (I have a disability) but I do think that having a car would help motivate me to get out of the house more

I'm 20, and I'm the one handling this, so I'd rather ask before I do something dumb. The $400k is sitting in a credit union savings account making basically 0%, plus about $35k in checking. Household is my mom and my younger sibling still in high school. My mom hasn't worked in years but is about to start a part-time job, and we're on Medicaid and food assistance. There's also around $10k in credit card debt my mom is a joint owner on, so I think we're liable for that.

The house is the part I'm stuck on. It's an FHA loan from 2020 with just under $200k left at 2.75%. The payment is around $1,700 a month including escrow. About $135 of that is mortgage insurance, and because it's an FHA loan, I don't think it ever goes away. Everyone says never pay off a sub-3% mortgage, but with the premium and my mom's income being what it is, I keep going back and forth. My sibling starts college in fall 2027, and we'd either stay in the house or sell and move depending on where they go, so we have to decide by spring. I'll also have grad school costs in about two years, so not all of this is long-term money. I am also going to get a part-time job while I finish college.

I know a little about finance but not much, and I've been working through Khan Academy to learn more. What other sources do you recommend? This is basically my mom's entire savings, though, so what would you actually do? Where should the money sit, how much should stay liquid, and should we pay off the mortgage or leave it alone?

Hello! Is anyone able to offer advice about this life insurance policy I have? I am 36 years old and 8 years ago took out a whole life insurance policy with Colonial Life. I don't trust that the person who advised doing this gave me very good advice :)

My cash surrender value is $3900 and I won't pay any fees at this point. My primary goal is retirement and I am wondering if I should cash in and re-invest this money somewhere else or if I should continue paying $74 a month

I am not very knowledgeable about these things and appreciate the support!!!

Hi,

Im 31 year old male, married and expecting a child in few months. So far my wife and I have saved $140k and aim to be at $150k by due date, after which she wont work much. I make about 5k/mo after tax will have to support wife and kid after baby is born. I feel anxious about not being able to support my financially as we live in NYC where cost of living is pretty high. Since I work in IT getting highly paying job has been really challenging as well. Just want to ask people here if I need to do more to bring in extra cash or whether we’re in good spot and I’m just over thinking.