Comments on: Reader Stories: Starting to see financial fitness muscle! http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:44:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: MoneyStreetSmart http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3267822 MoneyStreetSmart Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:17:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3267822 Really like the car payments to yourself! Really like the car payments to yourself!

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]]> By: Darnell Jackson http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3263392 Darnell Jackson Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:45:21 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3263392 Very impressive. Its very difficult to get qualified for that type of loan these days. It's funny the banks get their credit ratings cut but they won't offer credit to anyone unless they are A rated even when they aren't. Very impressive.

Its very difficult to get qualified for that type of loan these days.

It’s funny the banks get their credit ratings cut but they won’t offer credit to anyone unless they are A rated even when they aren’t.

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]]> By: J.D. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3262152 J.D. Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:06:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3262152 Congratulations! You're much farther along than we are. We have one more student loan and our house. Good idea on putting a ton toward replacing your vehicles, so you'll be prepared when the time comes. Looks like you're headed down the right path. Enjoy it! I'll see you there in a few years. Congratulations! You’re much farther along than we are. We have one more student loan and our house. Good idea on putting a ton toward replacing your vehicles, so you’ll be prepared when the time comes. Looks like you’re headed down the right path. Enjoy it! I’ll see you there in a few years.

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]]> By: Kelly@Financial-Lessons http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3259722 Kelly@Financial-Lessons Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:06:23 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3259722 That's awesome. Having the end in sight in terms of becoming debt free is exciting and motivating. I'm guessing that you're husband and you don't have children and aren't planning on having any because you didn't mention them here and they (of course) are a major expense. Not hinting that either lifestyle choice is a better one, but it certainly seems a little easier on the finances if you don't have to worry about putting kids through college and whatnot. That’s awesome. Having the end in sight in terms of becoming debt free is exciting and motivating. I’m guessing that you’re husband and you don’t have children and aren’t planning on having any because you didn’t mention them here and they (of course) are a major expense. Not hinting that either lifestyle choice is a better one, but it certainly seems a little easier on the finances if you don’t have to worry about putting kids through college and whatnot.

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]]> By: Prabhakar M N (Satan Infernous) http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3259192 Prabhakar M N (Satan Infernous) Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:47:15 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3259192 Great going. Congratulations! Great going. Congratulations!

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]]> By: CandiR http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3259112 CandiR Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:21:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3259112 LOL: TK is editorial speak for "To Come"--it means that the person doing the mark up doesn't have the information yet, so it's a place-holder! It can slip by you so, so easily. LOL: TK is editorial speak for “To Come”–it means that the person doing the mark up doesn’t have the information yet, so it’s a place-holder!

It can slip by you so, so easily.

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]]> By: Cat http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3259102 Cat Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:19:10 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3259102 @Justus Thanks!!! I feel so close yet sooooo far away. I don't want to do the standard 10 years like everyone else and it's already been 4! Gotta ramp it up or something! @Justus Thanks!!! I feel so close yet sooooo far away. I don’t want to do the standard 10 years like everyone else and it’s already been 4! Gotta ramp it up or something!

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]]> By: Justus http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258832 Justus Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:39:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258832 Cat, paying off 20k of your student loans IS a success story! You don't need to wait until you're completely debt free to share your triumphs. Cat, paying off 20k of your student loans IS a success story! You don’t need to wait until you’re completely debt free to share your triumphs.

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]]> By: Peach http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258732 Peach Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:28:03 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258732 Saving for one month's expenses is a great move. I did that last year and I had such a feeling of accomplishment and relief. Knowing that if I had an emergency expense, I wouldn't have to use a credit card and owe even MORE money was worth all the sacrifice. Saving for one month’s expenses is a great move. I did that last year and I had such a feeling of accomplishment and relief. Knowing that if I had an emergency expense, I wouldn’t have to use a credit card and owe even MORE money was worth all the sacrifice.

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]]> By: Tushar @ Everything Finance http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258722 Tushar @ Everything Finance Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:28:01 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258722 Wow, how inspiring! You are taking all the right steps for a secure financial future. I think it's great that you've increased charitable donations by such a large sum. Unfortunately this is something that many people miss in their monthly budget. Wow, how inspiring! You are taking all the right steps for a secure financial future. I think it’s great that you’ve increased charitable donations by such a large sum. Unfortunately this is something that many people miss in their monthly budget.

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]]> By: Cat http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258592 Cat Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:48:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258592 I love reading about people who are getting their stuff together. I hope that after awhile mine will start to look more promising. I'm down to 50k of student loans from 70k and can't wait until I can make a reader story of my own. Nice job! I love reading about people who are getting their stuff together. I hope that after awhile mine will start to look more promising. I’m down to 50k of student loans from 70k and can’t wait until I can make a reader story of my own. Nice job!

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]]> By: S.Jones http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258572 S.Jones Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:16:15 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258572 I love this, very upbeat and inspiring! For someone at the beginning of a debt snowball it is nice to hear about the rewards! I love this, very upbeat and inspiring! For someone at the beginning of a debt snowball it is nice to hear about the rewards!

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]]> By: Jane Savers @ The Money Puzzle http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258512 Jane Savers @ The Money Puzzle Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:28:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258512 I think I will try and get one month of expenses together and then get back to focusing on my debt. The debt controls everything and keeps me from working toward my future. I am older than the couple profiled today and I only have myself to rely on. I will be more relaxed in my life when I don't have to worry about debt. I think I will try and get one month of expenses together and then get back to focusing on my debt. The debt controls everything and keeps me from working toward my future.

I am older than the couple profiled today and I only have myself to rely on. I will be more relaxed in my life when I don’t have to worry about debt.

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]]> By: My Financial Independence Journey http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258432 My Financial Independence Journey Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:59:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258432 Congratulations on breaking free from your debt. And welcome to the journey to financial independence. Best luck to you as you move forward. Congratulations on breaking free from your debt. And welcome to the journey to financial independence. Best luck to you as you move forward.

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]]> By: Alison Wiley http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258402 Alison Wiley Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:23:28 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258402 I like the imagery of building our financial fitness muscles over time. You had rapid gains in 2012 -- but maybe slower fitness gains in the prior years. My own financial muscles have gotten stronger as I've tamed my addiction to costly "stuff". Just posted on that, actually. Warm wishes on your continued success, EmJay. I like the imagery of building our financial fitness muscles over time. You had rapid gains in 2012 — but maybe slower fitness gains in the prior years. My own financial muscles have gotten stronger as I’ve tamed my addiction to costly “stuff”. Just posted on that, actually. Warm wishes on your continued success, EmJay.

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]]> By: Marsha http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258352 Marsha Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:03:35 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258352 The "want submit" has been there a long time--back to the days of JD. It's never been corrected. I'm assuming they just cut and paste this part each time, so nobody at GRS actually reads it. The “want submit” has been there a long time–back to the days of JD. It’s never been corrected. I’m assuming they just cut and paste this part each time, so nobody at GRS actually reads it.

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]]> By: Marmot http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258272 Marmot Sun, 27 Jan 2013 19:47:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258272 Great post! Lolz @ the TK in the subhead! :) Great post!

Lolz @ the TK in the subhead! :)

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]]> By: Beth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258172 Beth Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:43:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258172 I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that! I’m glad I’m not the only one who saw that!

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]]> By: Amber http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258122 Amber Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:01:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258122 I like the reminder to be nice. :) Great post! I like the reminder to be nice. :)

Great post!

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]]> By: Meghan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258112 Meghan Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:49:58 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258112 LeRainDrop - No, not a bit of sense. LeRainDrop – No, not a bit of sense.

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]]> By: LeRainDrop http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3258072 LeRainDrop Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:29:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3258072 Sorry, the edit button is not working again. I wanted to add a big congratulations to the OP. This is a fantastic example of how small returns can quickly lead to big returns once you start focusing on finances. It's wonderful how OP's debt snowball turned into a savings snowball. Well done! Sorry, the edit button is not working again. I wanted to add a big congratulations to the OP. This is a fantastic example of how small returns can quickly lead to big returns once you start focusing on finances. It’s wonderful how OP’s debt snowball turned into a savings snowball. Well done!

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]]> By: LeRainDrop http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257962 LeRainDrop Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:59:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257962 Do either of these sentences from the editor's introductory paragraph make sense to anyone? "This story comes to us from reader EmJay, who is what TK from where TK. . . . Want submit your own reader story?" Do either of these sentences from the editor’s introductory paragraph make sense to anyone? “This story comes to us from reader EmJay, who is what TK from where TK. . . . Want submit your own reader story?”

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]]> By: LauraElle http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257712 LauraElle Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:08:32 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257712 You now what? One month's expenses is fine for now. Have you thought about saving up one month's expenses first, THEN building the emergency fund? Once the emergency fund is established, you can resume saving your goal of one year's expenses. I think you're doing great. Keep it up. You now what? One month’s expenses is fine for now. Have you thought about saving up one month’s expenses first, THEN building the emergency fund? Once the emergency fund is established, you can resume saving your goal of one year’s expenses.

I think you’re doing great. Keep it up.

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]]> By: Diane Romano-Woodward http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257442 Diane Romano-Woodward Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:38:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257442 really interesting post, love the charitable giving. At the end of summer two of my kids will finsih college and if they get jobs I will have a good chink of money each moth to use for the next project... made e realise I need to sit down with my husband again to plan for some long term goals really interesting post, love the charitable giving. At the end of summer two of my kids will finsih college and if they get jobs I will have a good chink of money each moth to use for the next project… made e realise I need to sit down with my husband again to plan for some long term goals

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]]> By: EmJay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257422 EmJay Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:35:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257422 My husband and I are both about 30 and are planning to remain child free, so that does give us a lot more flexibility since we don't have to plan for an entire (large) category of spending. The little things do add up, and you have to watch them, but for us it seemed like we'd have one big thing, like a trip, that would bust our budget. We avoided buying anything big if we could (e.g., he got a used mountain bike for $100 rather than a new one and I delayed by plans to get a fantastic new bike until this year) and took local vacations to camp and visit family where there were fewer expenses. And the debt snowball frees up the most money. We started with my $80 student loan and just a few hundred extra dollars from a raise. Once we knocked out a few loans, it grew into a very nice sum. My husband and I are both about 30 and are planning to remain child free, so that does give us a lot more flexibility since we don’t have to plan for an entire (large) category of spending.

The little things do add up, and you have to watch them, but for us it seemed like we’d have one big thing, like a trip, that would bust our budget. We avoided buying anything big if we could (e.g., he got a used mountain bike for $100 rather than a new one and I delayed by plans to get a fantastic new bike until this year) and took local vacations to camp and visit family where there were fewer expenses.

And the debt snowball frees up the most money. We started with my $80 student loan and just a few hundred extra dollars from a raise. Once we knocked out a few loans, it grew into a very nice sum.

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]]> By: Neel V Kumar http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257412 Neel V Kumar Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:35:05 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257412 Congratulations! Recently, I managed to lose a significant amount of weight (the yelling from my primary care physician of 13 years triggered it). The first few pounds came off easy and that is what motivated me to move forward. Had those first pounds been difficult, I would have been far less motivated. Money is the same way or as JD would say "It is all psychological". Having a firm grip on one's finances *really* helps to understand and prioritize the expenses. Congratulations! Recently, I managed to lose a significant amount of weight (the yelling from my primary care physician of 13 years triggered it). The first few pounds came off easy and that is what motivated me to move forward. Had those first pounds been difficult, I would have been far less motivated.

Money is the same way or as JD would say “It is all psychological”. Having a firm grip on one’s finances *really* helps to understand and prioritize the expenses.

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]]> By: Mortgage Mutilator @ Mutilate The Mortgage http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257132 Mortgage Mutilator @ Mutilate The Mortgage Sun, 27 Jan 2013 14:17:27 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257132 Hey EmJay, Congrats on all your good work so far, especially the charitable donations! I post a LOT about analyzing and killing that mortgage debt you're speaking of in a (mostly) sane sort of way too ;-) so feel free to take a look at some of the great ways I've found to pay it down quicker. Also ecochic I look at how you can still pay things off amazingly quick even if you have kids. http://www.mutilatethemortgage.com On another note, when you're making your decision to give to charity, I'd HIGHLY suggest a visit to http://www.givewell.org. Using their information will guarantee that your money gets used as best as possible. Hey EmJay,
Congrats on all your good work so far, especially the charitable donations! I post a LOT about analyzing and killing that mortgage debt you’re speaking of in a (mostly) sane sort of way too ;-) so feel free to take a look at some of the great ways I’ve found to pay it down quicker. Also ecochic I look at how you can still pay things off amazingly quick even if you have kids.

http://www.mutilatethemortgage.com

On another note, when you’re making your decision to give to charity, I’d HIGHLY suggest a visit to http://www.givewell.org. Using their information will guarantee that your money gets used as best as possible.

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]]> By: ecochic http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257082 ecochic Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:41:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257082 Great job! I see you mentioned paying off the house by 40 and no mention of children, so I'm wondering if your financial plan considers the option of children. (I'm married, 32, and no plans for kids, so it's not a judgment, just a curiosity!) I'm also curious about the details on things you cut back on to increase your "extra" cash at the end of the month. Where did you find the greatest savings? Great job! I see you mentioned paying off the house by 40 and no mention of children, so I’m wondering if your financial plan considers the option of children. (I’m married, 32, and no plans for kids, so it’s not a judgment, just a curiosity!) I’m also curious about the details on things you cut back on to increase your “extra” cash at the end of the month. Where did you find the greatest savings?

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]]> By: Anne C. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257062 Anne C. Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:09:15 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257062 Great job -- it sounds like you're going to be getting rich quickly, not slowly at all. Congrats! Great job — it sounds like you’re going to be getting rich quickly, not slowly at all. Congrats!

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]]> By: Evangeline http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/01/27/reader-stories-starting-to-see-financial-fitness-muscle/comment-page-1/#comment-3257022 Evangeline Sun, 27 Jan 2013 12:37:04 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=160362#comment-3257022 You're the classic example of why being mindful is so important to better financial health. In the age of automatic everything, it's easy to relax and loosen up on the money reigns---which can be a recipe for disaster to many of us. Excellent post!! You’re the classic example of why being mindful is so important to better financial health. In the age of automatic everything, it’s easy to relax and loosen up on the money reigns—which can be a recipe for disaster to many of us. Excellent post!!

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