Hello!
I'm a 22 year old aspiring CPA located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I've been lurking for a few months now and decided it's finally time to contribute!
Growing up, my parents had extremely mismanaged finances. We went dumpster diving, ate the McDonald's dollar menu daily, could never afford to play school sports, etc.. Our family went on two modest vacations growing up--the only two times I ever left the state of Oklahoma until I turned 18. We mostly stayed within a 30 mile radius of our house. I thought I was so neglected growing up, I was so resentful. I wanted nice name-brand clothes and to do and see things that my friends had done. So, naturally, I got a job the week I turned 16 and spent every penny (plus some) from the time I was 16 till about a year and a half ago. I bought expensive clothes, purses, shoes, food, and vacations. Eventually, I realized that having expensive things wouldn't make me any happier and thus begins my journey to FI.
I paid off about $8,000 worth of credit card debt in February working full-time as a bookkeeper (and going to school full-time) with a modest hourly wage. My next financial goal is the $5,000 I have remaining on my car loan. I intend to have that paid off before the end of the year. I just started contributing 3% of my pay (my employer's match) into my 401k. I have a little over $1,000 in an emergency fund. Things are looking up and I'm happier than I've ever been.
I graduate in December with a BS in accounting and $22,000 in student loan debt. After I graduate, I need 15 more hours before I can sit for my CPA exam, so I'll probably be a student for another half year after I graduate. Hoping to have my student loan paid off within two years after I pay off my car loan. Also hoping to land a well-paying job soon!
I currently rent an apartment in Tulsa with my boyfriend and the best dog in the world. My boyfriend grew up more on the opposite end of the spectrum: his parents had a lot of money and were very generous with their spending. That money stopped whenever he turned 18 (long story). His lifestyle, however, didn't decrease when the money stopped. We're now both in pretty much the same financial situation. He is a little more reluctant to be frugal, but we're making progress.
I'm determined to get out of debt and have a significant savings so that I can travel and relocate to a different part of the US with better weather and less natural disasters. (Really sick of the tornadoes and earthquakes.)
I realize now that I was being a spoiled melodramatic brat and I now understand the importance of being frugal. I had to learn an expensive lesson to get here, but I'm glad I learned my lesson at 22 rather than later down the road when my mistakes will be much harder to fix.
Nice to meet everyone!