Money tips...

[mizanation]

it's all good, man. i appreciate people catching errors.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by Augusto86

When does it stop being acceptable to live from paycheck to paycheck?

I'm 21 and have a year of university left, and I rarely have more than $500 in the bank, with usually $100 or so due in bills/debts at the end of the month?

you're 21 and in college. what you want to do is avoid creating too much debt, not worrying about savings, although if you can build up savings, that's gravy. i was more or less in the same boat as you are in my junior year, although i was able to snag some paid fellowships in the low 4 figure range to create some good spending money for my senior year and grad student year....

 

[style from the heartland]

Two entertainment budgeting tips:

One--take your spouse/friend w/ you to the theatre/museum; purchase one of the school fundraiser books. It likely has a 2-for-1 coupon in it. I am about to go to the Ballet here at Christmastime and pay $35/2 tickets, instead of full price.

Also--have a favorite TV series you want to catch up on? Rather than renting DVD's from Blockbuster, or trying to stockpile them on your DVR (VCR if you are old school)--buy them on sale at Best Buy or Target, watch the discs, re-sell them as used--"like new" on Amazon.

I have done this a few times with recent series. Boston Legal, Seinfeld. Each time, I re-sell for the price paid. Admittedly, I do bear cost of Amazon commission, but ends up being like a very low cost rental, and you can hold them for months at your leisure.

 

[LesterSnodgrass]

Keep fixed costs to half of take home pay, if you are able. That includes rent/mortgage, transportation, student loans, bills. You have to be mathematically able to save, if you are to do so. And max out your pre-tax savings (401K). At the very least, max out your company match.

The best way, imo, is to dump your flashy car. You can get laid with your shoes and your charm much easier than your Porsche.