Author Topic: New Member in need of a little guidance please  (Read 2340 times)

Severian9

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New Member in need of a little guidance please
« on: September 09, 2018, 05:12:14 PM »
I have never really properly invested in the past and I am looking to change that.

I received $20k as inheritance from my grandmother.  I am looking to invest it.

I already have ok emergency fund.
I have no 401k and the company I am with doesn't offer one
I have no IRA.
I have no credit card debt.
I have one car note and am currently upside down on with gap insurance. I owe approximately $16-$17k on, but I wasn't sure if it was worth paying down on the off chance it was ever totaled in a wreck.
I have a mortgage also at $160k

I was considering just going straight to betterment with the $20k, but wanted to get some advice on the best way to proceed and make money compound the quickest with the above information taken into account.

Thank you very much for the help.

leighb

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Re: New Member in need of a little guidance please
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2018, 05:17:30 PM »
What's your car loan interest rate?

Severian9

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Re: New Member in need of a little guidance please
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2018, 05:38:16 PM »
What's your car loan interest rate?

0%

I didn't even remember until I just looked at the paperwork

Freedomin5

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Re: New Member in need of a little guidance please
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2018, 05:59:53 PM »
Check out the investment order thread:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/investor-alley/investment-order/msg1333153/#msg1333153

That’s the order most people follow here to minimize taxes and maximize savings and returns.

ObviouslyNotAGolfer

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Re: New Member in need of a little guidance please
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2018, 07:42:23 PM »
A few thoughts:

You don't mention how old you are, but regardless, it seems you have no retirement savings (?) Starting one should be a priority, especially since you have no debt and some emergency funds. You should at least start an IRA--the annual contribution limit is pretty low, but the earlier you get started the better! A Roth IRA may be a good choice in addition. Get the Boglehead's Guide to Investing and read the whole thing--a highly acclaimed, no-nonsense guide to investing for a wide range of goals (retirement, income, kid's college, etc.)

In addition, scrutinize all your monthly and recurring expensese and be ruthless for things to cut. If you really enjoy your coffee or whatnot, allow yourself to continue enjoying it! But look at things like cable TV, gym memberships and the like and ask whether you're really getting your money's worth out of them. If not, then cut, cut, cut! Seaking of cutting, fire your gardner, buy a push mower (some of us hate noise!!!), get some exercise, and cut your own grass. Better yet, landscape with rocks and low-maintenance plants. Look for better deals on insurance, internet service, and the like. See what you can get away with not buying or using less of. Save the remainder.

Automating your savings is a painless, surefire method of building wealth. Most employers will be willing to funnel part of your check into whatever acct you specify.








BicycleB

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Re: New Member in need of a little guidance please
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2018, 10:44:20 AM »
Investing is good, but sustainable progress is better. It comes from living below your means and making efficient choices.

Is "gap insurance" insurance that pays your car payment if you lose your job? I had a friend who had that once. If your situation is like his, the thing to do is use the $20k to transform your car habits.

If you need gap insurance, your car is too expensive and your emergency fund too small. Sell the expensive car entirely. Thanks to the $20k, this process can be made relatively simple. Buy a reliable used car, from a private seller (say, Craigslist) but vetted separately by a mechanic, for $4k to $8k cash.  The remaining money should give you enough to have a larger emergency fund, which will pay for any repairs on the "new" used vehicle.

Then you invest the monthly amount you've been paying on your car note. Invest the money that you used to spend on gap insurance, because you don't need the gap insurance any more. Get liability insurance rather than comprehensive, again investing the savings. Your long term cost and typical monthly cost are now much lower, which means you have become a sustainable investor!
« Last Edit: September 10, 2018, 10:49:44 AM by BicycleB »

Dragonswan

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Re: New Member in need of a little guidance please
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2018, 07:50:48 AM »
First, since this is an inheritance it is tax free. Open a Roth IRA and stick $5500 in it for this year (if you're not over the salary limit). 

Second, as I understand it, gap insurance pays the difference between what your car is worth and what is owed if you ever total it in an accident.  So between that and the 0% interest you might as well pay the loan at the regular rate and length.

Third, after the Roth, go over to the investment order thread to find out what to do with the rest of the money.

patchyfacialhair

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Re: New Member in need of a little guidance please
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2018, 04:23:51 PM »
Post a case study with full detail if you want actual advice other than the general, but reliable, advice in the Investment Order link.

In general, spend less than you earn, and invest that money in index funds. Use the windfall to advance your journey (so in your case, probably fully fund an IRA unless you make too much, then put the rest in taxable)