Hey all,
I've been lurking around the forums a little bit lately. I found out about the website from a few members over at YNAB. I've been using their software for 5 1/2 years now. I started with a summer job while in college (at 18) and was living off my credit card in anticipation of the paycheck I would be receiving before my credit card due date. The software has been instrumental in getting me to where I am now. That along with a bit of hard work!
Since starting to use YNAB, I built a buffer (not touching my income until the 1st of the next month), broke that credit card cycle, graduated college with my bachelor's and MBA with no debt, and accumulated 35k in my retirement accounts and 50k in my checking and investment accounts.
I am now 24, working at a big 4 public accounting firm, and working my way towards advancing my career and saving for the rest of my life. The salary is currently respectable for a recent college graduate (it's been about a year), and the salary will grow exponentially. My goal is to stick it out until manager, thus opening several doors at private companies for more lucrative positions. Leaving public accounting too early can limit your further career growth.
I've been with my significant other for 2.5 years, and live with her currently. She has a good job herself, however, she has some student loans (20k) and a car loan (20k). We will undoubtably get married some day in the near future. She wants it to be sooner rather than later, and I'm not in a huge hurry. She's overall pretty reasonable with her spending, and is 100% independent. However, eventually we will be combining financnes and I would really like to see her expedite the debt payments. Mainly, things like too much starbucks are why I feel that way.
Anyways, I can't say I am 100% on board with MMM. We both own cars, and can't imagine not having a vehicle. However, I have always driven a fuel efficient honda civic (with the exception of building a hot rod in high school with all my summer earnings - of which i still own) and don't plan on buying a house until I have at least 20% down and know where my career will be located, so that I can live near my work. I travel to different locations (sometimes 4-5 hours away for work now, and a car is required.)
Anyways, I will probably be around as time allows and may be posting here and there. I've been pretty active over on YNAB for the last 5 years, so some of you may recognize me from there. That is all for now!
