Why in politics?…because politics seems to be about addressing the financial independence. We use catch phrases to entice people.
But I want to know….is what YOU as an American have done out of personal responsibility to plan out your future?
EDIT:
Shy Girl,
First I congradulate you on the Credit Card thingy…But just a suggestion….
Credit Cards are not bad if you have discipline which sounds like you do…
They give you Credit History and if you get the right kind…you can get reward points every time you use it. So for someone who is discipline they pay of their card immediately and get points to be cashed in for airfare, gas, other stuff…I mean I pay all my bills except mortgage with the Credit Card. Its same thing as cash cause I pay it off immediately indirectly with money I have in my account.
Just a suggestion
Last year…I got 0 Visa Gift Card and Barnes and Noble Card.
and I didn’t pay anything extra…
Just a suggestion
EDIT:
You should all look into
Roth IRA
and 529 Savings Plan …especially if you are going to have kids…
Just think if you have an 18 year savings plan…then your kid will be in better shape for school.
EDIT:
Also Shy Girl,
At the end of the year…your Credit Card Company normally sends you a break down of you what you spend your money own…i.e airfare, medical, restaurants etc
Its all itemized…
its a good way to see you spending habits and budget future expeditures. It is also a good way to measure your money saving abilities.
EDIT:
I have no quarrel with you…but your response begs me to ask the question….
What is the alternative…..do nothing?
EDIT:
And Attgurl…
I am disappointed that we didn’t drill in Alaska, and that we didn’t pursue Nuclear energy….all because of fear…
and that we are pursuing ethanol out corn which makes no sense..
all these actions above were because we were rash….and thought we could feel good about ourselves…
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
My goodness you are a little corporate toady aren’t you. Just spewing the same corporate media crap that is out there.
I’d like to know why the corporations are getting off the hook with you and the media these days. They have done nothing but waste, squander and manipulate the market for their own benefit and then the corporate politicians in the W.H, Congress and Senate bail them out. What about their freaking responsibility to the shareholder and the borrower and the community? they have all the power then raise prices, gas, food and other necessary items and have the audacisity to tell the consumer to buy more yet at the same time have personal responsibility to save for retirement while they rob that same consumer blind. And, you buy it hook line and sinker. The system is rigged sweetheart. The middle class is falling apart because of the economic ponzi scheme that is being dumped on us all. WAKE UP. Our 401k’s, our insurance policies are being manipulated to take you for a financial ride. If you think you are remotely secure no matter what you have or despite the fact that you may not have credit card debt, you’re delusional.
BY the way if you think I’m angry, I am. and so should you be. You’re all being manipulated. I have no credit card debt, I have a 401k and stocks, I save and live simply. But I’m also noticing the price of gas and food and other necessary items are eating into that savings. Wake up people. You think you’re safe? You’re far from it. And, it’s not terrorists that are the enemy in this case.
Edit: what does drilling in alaska and nukes have to do with your question about personal responsibility and finances? Wow, do you ever have a disconnect going there. But since you brought it up: Bush and the GOP had 6 years to open up Alaska and didn’t. It was voted down in the GOP Congress and Senate. There isn’t enough oil to make it profitable. Nukes are way too expensive to build and far too costly to maintain in terms of storing the spent plutonium. Do you want that in your back yard? I didn’t think so. there are far better ways and more efficient ways to get energy than either one of these. WHere do you get your information? The back of bubble gum wrappers?
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
I save my money and I don’t spend more than I make. It’s not exactly rocket science.
The government is not responsible for the financial independence of YOU as an American.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
Mainly we invest . . . I’m not sure what your asking . . . we invest in stocks and rental property . . .
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
I don’t have a single credit card, and I owe no money save for my monthly bills – i.e., rent, electric, gas, water, cable, phone, etc.
I am in literally no debt.
It’s fabulous.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
Basically what I have always done was rather then living with in my means I’ve lived a little less then that. You never know what could happen and history has shown us that. So if I can afford a 52 inch t.v. I go and buy a 37 inch.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
We save money every month in a high interest savings account. We participate in 401K for my husband’s and my companies. We bought our daughter a pre-paid college education plan so we won’t have to pay college expenses later (and you get a huge discount!). We don’t use credit cards at all. And we don’t spend more than we make.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
I don’t have any credit card debt.
I have a home that will be paid for by the time I retire.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
The best thing I’ve done is to have a written plan as to how I spend and save my money. Now, I’m much better at controlling frivolous and impulse spending.
As a result, I’ve been able to eliminate all consumer debt…starting with credit cards, then student loans, then car payments. Now working on the mortgage. It takes discipline and sacrifice, but having no debt except for a mortgage has been exceptionally freeing. I can now buy things, and pay cash for them, because I’m no longer socked with pouring money into paying off interest.
The 2nd best thing I’ve done is build up a 6 months (of expenses) emergency fund. Now, I no longer fret when unexpected expenses come my way.
debt free = true financial freedom
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
I make the maximum contribution each month to my 401k that my company will match (8% of gross salary). I direct deposit 2% of my post tax money into a money market savings account that is really just a liquid emergency fund, plus 1% into a Roth IRA. 2% of my post tax dollars are put into an investment portfolio run by an independent brokerage firm. Those numbers will change when my wife finishes college, we’ve already decided at minimum that she’ll do the max matching 401k. Anything else is just turning down free money. But we’ll start putting a lot more of her salary into our investment portfolio, and diversifying our risk threshold. That’s money we have access to, and can split into different accounts for things like college when we have kids.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:03 am
Paid off and got rid of my credit cards a few years ago!
And paid off my house.