A Big Step for Me!

[Elyse]

Hey guys!  My emergency fund is finally fully funded!

I just finished off paying my student loans, then used January to top off the emergency fund. 
I've been working only 6 months, and I cut back even more than I'm comfortable with in order to pay them off.

Now, time to increase my 401k (we have an awesome match), start my Roth IRA, and start an account with Vanguard.

After reading about everyone else's badassity, I'm happy to start my own journey. 

It has felt hopeless as I ate the cheapest, nasty food every day.  Now, I plan on getting the good stuff from my farmer's market.  And I don't have to feel guilty for being healthy.

Thanks for reading!

[Paulie]

Great! Congratulations!

[YK-Phil]

Congratulations.

But don't assume that the cheapest food is always nasty. I'd love to shop at the farmers market but I can't afford the inflated prices we have in my city. But whatever I buy, most of the time at discount even fruits and veggies, is always wholesome, fresh, real food, and both my wife and I are always amazed at what I prepare for her (I cook all the time when I am home during my two-week stay after being away at work for three weeks).

[SunshineGirl]

Congratulations!

[Elyse]

Thanks guys!

@ykphil :
I tried a lot of the cheap options, and they didn't come out too well. I'm in a fairly small town, so there aren't that many options.  I'm not doubting there are great super cheap food. My food budget this month (brand new budget since the debt is over!) is sitting right about $250 a month. I know that is a lot, but I really love supporting the local farmers. I also have people over rather regularly, so lots of food.

I'll make a way to cut this down one day, but right now I just want to decompress from those loans for a month or two.

Then back to saving aggressively! 

 No buying anything crazy or tossing out money.  Just letting myself buy fresh food for once.