My poor boss...

[nyxst]

It is raise season at my work. Boss brought me in for my annual pat on the back :) and I got my raise. They give us back pay to the beginning of the year, so I will get a chunky little extra paycheck. Boss needed to know of I wanted my deductions taken out of my chunky little paycheck for my Simple IRA. I said "yes, take the 10% out like usual, but I will be changing the percentage soon." To which my boss (61 years old and hating that he still has to work for a long while and always talking about what he SHOULD be out doing instead of working...)  replied " yup, I knew that 10% was going to be too much for you... I tried to tell you!"... My reply.... "Actually, I need to up it to 20%....."    Silence..... And I hid my grin just long enough for his exit :)  He'd probably have a heart issue if he found out that's not the only pocket I'm stuffing full of future early freedom :)

[Cheddar Stacker]

I love it, chunky little paycheck. It's amazing how little some people are able to save. And really, 10% is what is recommended to be able to retire at a normal age, so I don't understand why it doesn't seem plausible.

Congrats on the raise, and for being more badass than your boss.

[payitoff]

wooot! that was a double whammy, he must be sleepless tonight staring at the ceiling thinking "what have i been doing wrong"

congratulations!

[BlueMR2]

It's amazing how little some people are able to save.

This year I've been getting a dose of what those people must feel like.  After always having been able to save 50% or so of my take home (after 401k, etc), this is the third month in a row where planned extra expenses have managed to combine forces with mini-disasters, resulting in break-even...  It hurts a LOT to just break-even when you're used to saving.  Glad we were ready for it though.  When I hear about people with only $1000 buffer, this would put them under.  I'm already in for $5500 worth of disasters this year and we're looking at another couple thousand potentially now depending on what they find with the wife's car...

[Shor]

It's amazing how little some people are able to save.

This year I've been getting a dose of what those people must feel like.  After always having been able to save 50% or so of my take home (after 401k, etc), this is the third month in a row where planned extra expenses have managed to combine forces with mini-disasters, resulting in break-even...  It hurts a LOT to just break-even when you're used to saving.  Glad we were ready for it though.  When I hear about people with only $1000 buffer, this would put them under.  I'm already in for $5500 worth of disasters this year and we're looking at another couple thousand potentially now depending on what they find with the wife's car...

Agreed sir! I also have had a few bad expenses crop up, and all of them car-related... my fault for being so car-dependent + lazy in the morning.
 
Not as bad as your cost, but there's that tinge of failure when you can't put your usual contribution in for the month..
The cushion surely saves you from a harsh landing. Let's you pay off that CC at the end of the month and not have to float it to the next month.. Yikes!

[ketchup]

I get a 50% match on up to 6% ( = I put in 6%, they put in 3%).  We all got our quarterly bonuses a month or so back.  I noticed there wasn't a 401(k) deduction on the stub for my bonus.  When I asked about it (assuming it was an error), I was told they do it that way by default "because people usually want to see the most possible net for their bonuses" and to let them know ahead of time next time if I want any of it put into my 401(k).  I think I'll request my entire next bonus be put in, just to make a point.

[nyxst]

I am just starting out here still, but I really did feel good about myself :) and, a little bit guilty.... I guess because my boss spends a good amount of time on the subject of not being retired yet. I refuse to be in that position.... I don't make a ton, but I have no intention of working after 50... 55 at the latest, depending on how my kid manage :) My chunky check will be completing my 2013 Roth ira funding :) I love the feeling of that!

[Exflyboy]

I doubt your boss gets it.. He probably just thinks your crazy for not drawing so much of your paycheck..:)

Frank