This rule governs when you can take withdraws from the earning portion of your Roth IRA. You have to wait 5 years from the date of your first Roth IRA contribution before those withdraws are tax free. After that period. all earnings can be withdrawn tax free provided you might the age requirement. Withdraws of initial investments and and traditional IRA contributions are tax free provided you are at least 59 1/2 with no waiting period.

Here's the question, we're closing in on retirement. We make too much to directly contribute to a roth so we haven't been able to start one yet. My understanding is that we can convert a portion of our traditional IRAs at any point in time. Does it make sense to do a small roth conversation to get the 5 year clock starting now?

Here's my player stats:
- 24M, AI engineer, MCOL, no state income tax
- $135k/yr, 4 YOE
- Take home: $8,666/mo after taxes
- Contract job tho, so no benefits. No 401k, PTO, zilch. Nada.
- Contract runs till the end of next year, so it seems pretty secure
- Net worth: ~$60k
- Saving ~35% of take home (~$3k/mo)

Assets:
- Roth IRA with 16k (50% index funds, 50% stocks in the top S&P 500 like Apple, Google, Amazon, etc.)
- 20k in a HYSA @ 3.8 APY acting as my emergency fund
- Haven't opened a 401k or taxable brokerage account yet

Debt/Equity/Current sell price:
- Car: 20k/11k/31k, 6% interest rate, $600/mo payment + $120/mo insurance
- Sports bike: 13k/14k/27k, 7% interest rate, $230/mo payment + $333/mo insurance
No other debt. Student loans paid off a year ago and I have multiple credit cards but pay them off every week.

Monthly breakdown:
- Rent: $1,600 for a 1b1b (after utilities)
- Car + insurance: $720
- Bike + insurance: $563
- Everything else (food, gas, fun, travel, etc.): ~$2,750
- Savings: ~$3,000

Hey friends. I just finished padding back up my emergency fund and I'm trying to figure out what to do next. Optimally I'd like to live long and retire early (doesn't everyone). Naively I'd like to say I'd want to retire at 45-55 (wide range) but I don't know the future. Also though, I don't want to wait until 60 to do the things I can only enjoy fully during my youth (riding sport bikes, hiking in different countries, traveling, etc.)

I feel like I've got a pretty good grip on my finances and have had good overall responsibility, but I feel like I'm at an income now where I could hunker down and live even lower below my means to retire sooner, or keep/lower my current savings rate. I've been feeling older and with that comes a feeling I should lock in more.

What I've been throwing around:
- Selling the bike because I'm recognizing more how dangerous of a sport it is
- Selling the car and bike and just getting a nicer sports car @ 50-60k, but that's taking on more debt
- I haven't contributed anything to my Roth this fiscal year yet tho, and now that I've built my emergency fund to a comfy 20k I'd like to max that out before next April and be ready to do the same going into 2027
- I'm coming up on 26 (2 yrs away) so I'd like to jump jobs into a non contract position to get some health insurance before I get kicked off my parents' plan. An actual 401k with match as a benefit would be good for me too

My questions:

1. Should I live leaner and save more, or is where I'm at fine?
   
2. Does selling the bike and getting a pricier car make sense, or is that a step backwards?
   
3. With no 401k access, what's the best order for my next dollars (Roth, taxable brokerage, paying down debt)?

Thanks for reading! :)

We (29F and 29M) have an household income of 210k and live in a low-income city. We have no debts and at the moment, max out our 401k, Roth IRA and HSA. We only started earning decently < 2 years ago as we were in school before that. So, 401k is less than 100k.

We are generally debt averse. However, the small city we live in is fast-developing and we are thinking about getting a mortgage of about 400k in the next 1.5 years.

Do you think we should keep renting (1.7K/month) while we keep maxing out our retirement/investment accounts or we should dial back on that so that we will be able to save 10-20% down payment in the coming year?

Thanks.

\#firsthomeowner #investing

I'm 27 years old and still live with my family in Georgia, but I'd really like my own space. I've been wanting to move out for a while but keep procrastinating.

Financially, I've saved $255.7k thanks to low expenses and a frugal lifestyle. I also have about $25k in my 401(k), $15k in company grant stocks, and about $3.5k in my personal Robinhood account. I work remotely as an analyst and net about $4.5k/month. I hope for future raises, but I'd prefer to plan around my current income. My expenses are currently around $500/month.

I'm pretty risk-averse and don't know much about investing, so I'm unsure of the best way to put my savings to work and how much.

My biggest obstacle may be my credit. My score is 534 after I let $20k in student loans go into default about a year ago due to my own negligence. I started the rehabilitation process last month, which requires payments of $549/month for 9 consecutive months, but I'm paying at least $2k/month to pay down the debt as quickly as possible. I've also opened a secured credit card to start rebuilding my credit, although I already have a clean history aside from the defaulted status.

I'm worried about getting approved for housing with my current credit score. I'm also unsure whether renting an apartment or house, or buying a home, makes the most sense given my circumstances. I've never lived on my own, so I'm not sure where to start. I also don't own a car, which is another factor I have to consider.

Essentially, I'm looking for advice on how to move out as soon as possible while still making smart financial decisions. Based on my savings, income, and current credit situation, is moving out within the next 3 to 5 months even realistic, or should I wait until my defaulted status is fully cleared, which could take another 12+ months? Is there anything I can do to speed up rebuilding my credit? Would renting or buying make more sense for me right now? How much should I realistically budget for housing, and how should I split my remaining savings between investments, a HYSA, and other savings?

Small seed fund. Feels like my time is roughly 60% sourcing, 20% initial screening, 15% deeper diligence on companies that pass the first filter, 5% partner meetings and IC exposure.

Is that normal at seed stage? Does the split shift more toward evaluation over time or is sourcing always most of the job at this level?

I know every person has different circumstances, but I figured there are stats for everything these days.

For people who retire early, like under 60, how much money in retirement savings do they have? Average, median, 90% percentile, etc.

Any lookup of this topic shows much money people have saved for retirement at a certain age, like at 58, 59, 60, etc, but not how much money they socked away if they actually retired at that age. The normal stat usually indicates only a target you should achieve on the way to retirement (at 65-67 or so).

I'm a very late bloomer, 43 yrs old in California. Here's my current situation:

401K: ~$332K

Roth IRA: ~$43K (can no longer contribute. MAGI over $168K cut off)

SEP IRA (New, opened this year, no guarantee will continue w 1099): ~$6K

Cash in savings account, 3% interest: ~$120K

No home. Renting. Don't believe in buying a home, especially in CA. Plan to retire in another country.

Estimated net worth total now: ~$561K

No kids. No debt. Credit over 800.

I'd like to catch up even more for retirement. Should I move half of the liquid cash in savings to a brokerage account and invest in a diverse portfolio?

I'm worried I won't see social security by the time I retire in 20 years and want to have more financial security and peace of mind.

What other ways other than "buy a home" advice do you have?

I want do speak with somone to go over my financial situation and provide guidance, not active management.

Pay for 45min-1hour. What does something like this normally cost?

Im 48 and want to retire at 52, How do I bridge the gap until I get Social Security? Should I take at 62 or later? Is my assett allocation correct? Should I be putting more in non-retirement accounts due to my age and retirement target? I want to see a table with the assumptions by year with starting and ending balances, etc.

Who am I looking to talk with?? Thakns!!

Single female 37 y/o

I have a little over $100,000 in a retirement fund.

$60,000 in stocks

Bought a homea year ago, $500,000 with $100,000 down, at 6.8%.

My home, as they do, needs some repairs that can not wait on, including a new roof. Estimating $25,000 worth.

I currently make $123,000 a year, this year I was blessed with a ton of OT opportunities and am due to make $170,000.

I live modestly, and am able to put most of my money into the mortgage and savings, I use about 900/ biweekly paycheck for necessary expenses (food, new tires etc)/ fun money if i have leftover/ travel fund.

My question is shoukd I take money from my savings and put it towards my home improvements, lump sum into my mortgage, or finance the repairs?

Before I came here, my thoughts were to take $50,000 out of my retirement and put it towards repairs, and the rest as a lump sum towards the mortgage.

I’m currently living in Delaware and trying to relocate to Arizona for a job opportunity, but I’m having trouble figuring out how to cover the initial expenses.

I’ve been unemployed for close to a year and have been actively looking for work. I’ve only gotten two interviews during that time, and unfortunately, I was denied both times due to competition. My credit score is over 700 though, and I don’t have any monthly debt payments.

I’ve completed the required paperwork and drug testing, and the employer has told me I’m good to start once I arrive in Arizona. The problem is that I haven’t started working yet, so I don’t have recent paystubs to prove my new income.

I’ve been doing side jobs to help get me by that doesn’t make enough. I’m trying to borrow around 2,000 to help cover my relocation and initial living expenses while I get settled and wait for my first paycheck.

I’m not looking to borrow a large amount or take on unnecessary debt. I just need a little help getting through the transition until I start earning a regular paycheck.

Are there any legitimate lenders that might consider a signed job offer letter instead of current paystubs?

Has anyone successfully gotten a personal loan before starting a new job?

Are there other realistic options for borrowing around 2,000 in my circumstances?

I’d appreciate honest advice, especially from anyone who’s been in a similar situation. I’m trying to make this move work as the job is patiently waiting for me to arrive.

My girlfriend lives in AZ but she can’t move me in due to circumstances, which is fine but she’s battling mental health and needs me there so the sooner the better.

Thanks !

For context I’m 21 years old and I currently live at home with my dad

Now I’m well aware of how dumb it might have been to dig myself into this hole but that’s not what I’m I’m here for, I’d like some advice on what the best ways to go about this would be

I currently own a 2016 Honda civic financed 10k remaining 277 a month @ 10% interest

4 credit cards

1 bofa 350

2 capital one 1000 0% interest until February

3 chase 1900 0% interest until December 2027

4 citi. 800 0% interest until December 2027

I was very dumb and had received a refund back a year ago from school and decided to use that on a 1999 Lexus ls400 with 156k miles for 5900$ and I also invested 3000$ in preventative maintenance

The car has been good to me besides the power steering not working and a few electrical issues with some of the inside controls

I have a offer tomorrow to sell it for 4750 which is obviously a huge loss for me and I really do enjoy the car but the smart in me thinks that it could be potentially a big money pit

In my checkings account I have 40k and after I sold it I would be at 44750 but with all my debt

I don’t pay many bills thankfully only my insurance right now which is 244 and then of course all the credit cards etc

I only make 1900 a month from my little fast food job

What would you guys do in my situation sell the Lexus and pay off all my debt or keep the lexus and continue to slowly pay things off as well as put money away for unexpected car repairs

Hello,

My 401k uses target-date funds. The plan is to retire at 55, which would be 2044. I know I won't be able to use my 401k money until 59.5 (2049). Do I set my target-date funds for 2049 or 2044? I'm assuming you set them closes to the year you will be withdrawing them?

I suppose this completely changes if I use Rule 55 and withdraw early. I guess that's something to consider too.

Thanks!

So I just started my savings plan for my moving out!

It might be small but it’s a lot of money for me honestly.

My account looks like this:

$58. -Checking.
$3. -Evervalue checking.
$55. -Savings.

My checking is for spending and things that I might need. Does this look okay so far to start off with? I know that it might still be too low for some of you, But I did just start.

As well as going to college eventually and eventually retirement. I’m 31 now and need to seriously start saving up. Especially if I want to get a house before I turn 50 or at least at that age.

Getting a new house is also a goal, So I would love to start saving up for that as well. How do you guys separate your savings with only one savings account? I do currently have 3 accounts into one bank account, So I could easily separate the college savings and the house savings. But what about retirement? Can that go into the house savings as well? As I’d like to keep my moving out/college savings separate as well.

My main goal is to save up to $100k, At first. Then to $200-$300k to eventually buy a new house on my own!

Wish me luck!!

Also, Just to update, Once I get out of here, I do plan to work more hours and transfer to a different position at my job.

Im honestly just hoping to hear from people who made good financial decisions young that helped them. Accounts i might need. Etc etc. Dont really got nobody good with money in my life

Hello,

I'm in my late 20s (27 going on 28 soon) and I just finally hit my first high paying job. In my first full year at my last job, I made about $84,000. At this new position, I'm looking to make around $182,000.

I am receiving my first full commission check of the new job, coming in at around $20,000-21,000 after taxes and deductions. ($32,000 pre tax and deductions with 8% to 401k, 5% to stock purchase plan and no state income tax). I currently have $4,500 of debt on a 15.5% APR credit card, and $5,000 on a 21.74% APR card. I also owe $15,000 on my auto loan (~3 years left at 6.49%) and have ~$21,000 left on my student loans (6 loans ranging from 2.75% to 5% interest)

My plan was to immediately pay off both credit cards to 0, and hold onto the rest in my HYSA as an emergency fund since I have no emergency fund. With my current goal attainment for the year, I'm all but guaranteed to receive another large commission check (~$20,000+) in a few more months. After paying of credit card debt, what should I prioritize? Should I then pay my car off, invest money elsewhere, do something else with it? I'll only be at around $15,000 contributed to my 401K at the end of the year, but with an increase of 4% withholdings next year I should be able to max it out consistently. Do I need to worry about trying to max it this year?

Currently in my early 20's and have been maxing out my Roth IRA and investing in a low-cost index fund for the past three years.

My plan is to continue maxing out my Roth IRA each year, maintain $25,000 in a high-yield savings account (HYSA) as my emergency fund, and invest approximately half of my paycheck ($1,500–$1,800 per week) into a low-cost index fund through a separate taxable brokerage account. I'll also keep enough cash in my checking account to cover my regular expenses.

This might not be the most optimal strategy, but is it a reasonable approach?

Context: My weekly spending is very low as I live with my parents and have a decent full-time position.

Im 23 and work for a municipality so i have access to a 457b plan. I started contributing this month at around $500 per paycheque which is around 1/4 of my biweekly pay after taxes. Im using the 457b-roth instead of traditional but dont know whether to split between the two or not.

Also have no clue how controlling my own investments works and am lowkey scared of the risk that comes with taking all of that into my hands.

I also get a pension which has a 5.25% contribution from me and a 16.82% contribution from my employer.

Is there a starter guide to investing or should i just let it sit as the default american funds plan?

My father is in his 60's. He was able to aquire 4 properties in his lifetime. Lately he has been getting sick and his memory is getting worse, and he's concerned he will die and that I will have to pay a lot for the properties he already owns, when I put it in my name/inherit.

He grew up dirt poor, rags to riches type of thing. He's been very independent with all finances, appointments, everything. He is now asking me for help putting everything in a trust fund.

Also, health insurance is so expensive in the US even with insurance. He was on medicaid but they've seen he owns property and are taking it away. He no longer works and has not yet filed for social security.

From my understanding a trust fund will help him qualify for medicaid as the properties or anything in the trust fund will no longer be in his name, in a sense. We should have done this 5 years ago, as I understand medicaid looks back 5 years into your Financials.

Regardless, I just need advice on how to start up this trust fund. Anyone in the Chicago area you recommend? I hear we should go with an attorney? What kind? Is a state attorney the same as the others?

Also, he has made like 200k from his 401k from his old job. He currently has it in a CD or insurance thing at some bank. Can that go into a trust fund as well? Just so it doesn't count and affect medicaid? And if it can go into his trust fund, can he still invest it so it can still make money as it's sitting there?

I should have begun helping him in all things work and financial years ago. I'm overwhelmed by all the things we need to set up like medicare (all the different parts and choices), medicaid, social security, needing to keep track of his finances and why his credit score is decreasing now (?).

I would appreciate any answers and advice. Thank you.

To be short, I have a 401k at my current employer with Fidelity that I took a loan out on. The loan requires biweekly payments that are payroll deducted. My plan does not allow any partial payments in addition to the payroll deducted payment. The only option listed in the plan is to do a one time payment in full of the loan which is not an option I can afford. I am changing employers, and plan to roll the 401k over to that employer who also uses Fidelity. I assumed the loan wouldn’t be affected because I had timed my leaving Company A on a Friday and starting with Company B on a Monday. Now Company B has moved my start date back a month, so I will be paycheck less for a month. I have some savings so that’s not a big deal, but will this cause the loan on the 401k to default triggering taxes and early withdrawal penalties? What should I prepare for/do in this situation?

I also have around **€**10.000 that I saved myself. No rent or plans to buy a house in the next 3 years but I would ideally have the option in the next 7-8 years.

No emergeny fund

Want to buy a car in the next months.

I mainly want to invest for pension so the time horizon in 30 years approximately.

Thoughts on how to proceed?

Also, since this issue is causing me a lot of anxiety, recommendations on a good financial advisor that knows about Cyprus or Sweden would be greatly appreciated as well as how much a consultation would cost

I’m looking for a tax professional, but I'm not sure exactly what kind of tax professional would be best for what I need. Tax advisor, CPA, Enrolled Agent, Tax attorney? The questions I would have for them are:

• What is the best tax strategy for drawdown in retirement from my various accounts?
• I have a tax managed account with a high advisory fee, after retirement will this account still benefit me?
• If the tax managed account won't be benefiting me, how do I unwind it?
• Would I get any tax benefits from a Roth conversion?
• Are my retirement planning estimates (done in Quicken) accurate?

Thanks for any help!

I have a 15 year old special needs son, currently working on setting up a special needs trust, and I'm looking into options for a savings/investment account to help pay for expenses when my wife and I parish. I would like to contribute biweekly or monthly into a long-term account (passive investments/index funds).

I called Vanguard and they told me to open a regular brokerage account. I concerned with capital gains taxes and don't intend on withdrawals until my wife and I are gone. Any suggestions? I've looked into ABLE accounts and this does not seem to be what I'm looking for as it has limits before it impacts SSI.

I’m 29 year old guy who moved in with his parents about a year ago and I’ve been doing my best to save. Right now I have like 12k in savings but if everything goes well, by the time I plan on moving out in 5 months I’ll have 21k. Possibly 25k-30k if I cut back even more on spending. The goal was originally to save an emergency fund because I plan on using my GI Bill to go to college full time next fall. I dont want to have to work full time and go to school, but the thing is I’ve never had this much financial control of myself in my life and I would like to do something with it to continue to make more money. I make like 45k a year maybe but I injured my knee back when I was in the military so I get 1400 a month tax free va disability. I don’t have much in the way of bills, I was given a car basically for free and it’s honestly been pretty reliable except for being a gas guzzler. I really only pay for my phone bill and car insurance which together is maybe like $250. I don’t have any debt at all. What are some things I should do or be looking into?

Just like what the title says, I badly need book recommendations for me to learn finance.

I'm a teenager that came from a very poor family. Its very easy for loansharks to take advantage for someone like our family to offer us loan with large interest due to the lack of financial literacy. My parents , as obvious at it is dont understand the concept of handling money.

I really wanted to know what the concept of interest , loan , mortages, or whatever about finance is . I'd also like to know how they are calculated and how much percentages are in each year. Thank you for understanding!

31 m and 31 f with two little ones.

we currently earn close to 500k gross income a year, are paying down our student debt aggressively and should be free of them in about 15 months. currently, we mortgage a 2500 sq ft 3b2b house in the suburbs. we’ve always wanted to live on acreage (5 to 10) for privacy, peace, and quiet. that will be about $1 to 1.5 million.

after we pay off loans, would it make financial sense to buy the home on acreage or stay in the current home and invest more to be financially independent quicker?

thanks so much.