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I love this edition, perhaps because my heart resonates with the desire to live fully or maybe it is the beauty of having a financial analyst present us with such an exquisite breakdown of a family budget. Either way, I hope our writer recognizes the gifts she clearly possesses to help others lead a financially stress free life by their 30s. Wow! Kids or no kids, this is the most clear sighted thinking on the subject of finances and life that I have read in long while.

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I’m new to substack and a brand new subscriber to the purse. This post motivated me to stop all things and enroll in a Roth 401k plan with my company. I don’t entirely understand everything that I selected. But this publication has prompted me to educate myself more, and prioritize moving this up on my to do list. I’m 33 and this my first true effort I’ve made in preparing for retirement. Patting my self on the back for an adulting win inspired by you. Thank you.

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Amazing, Rebecka! That makes me so happy! Truly few things better than a 401(k) plan! Not sure your circumstances, but if it's at all possible, you should find out if your employer offers a contribution match and try to contribute up to that percent (sometimes it's like 3%, sometimes more, sometimes less). It's essentially like getting a raise and not enough people take full advantage!

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My company matches 5% and I’ll be 100% vested in 7 more months!! I was experiencing a little burn out with this job at the start of this year and nearly resigned. But due to the 100% remote capabilities I made it work even during busy seasons. Now I’m so relieved I stuck it out. With the company match and what I can max out each year even as a part time employee; it has all opened my eyes to some long term goals that were not on my radar before joining this community.

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Truly, this made my week! Thank you!!

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Congratulations this is amazing

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Jun 12Liked by Lindsey Stanberry

Nearly $500 a month on gifts for family and friends. How do I befriend them 😅😂🤣

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LOL, my husband said the same thing!

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Jun 12Liked by Lindsey Stanberry

That was fun to read. I love her passion for taxes haha

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Same! I read the part about holding the CC balance in high yield savings and was like..that’s genius!

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This was an incredible read!

It makes me quite sad each time I’m confronted with the reality that having kids is a financial non-starter for a lot of people. We actually NEED universal child-care. We should all strive to create a society where raising a child wouldn’t be devastating to our financial well-being.

I am saying all this with 100 support of their decision, by the way. I’m not sure if I want kids either 😂😂.

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I feel the same way!

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Nothing specific to say (other than wow - there's someone out there who loves doing taxes!) but just wanted to send some appreciation to you for this series and to the people you interview, who pull back the curtain on their financial lives for us to get a glimpse. As you've written about before, it's a topic that's shrouded in so much mystery and assumptions, so what a gift that you and the folks you profile are contributing to changing that. Thank you!

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Ah thanks so much, Ramya! That means a lot! I really love this series, too, and I am so appreciative to the women who are willing to share! I'm also very appreciative to The Purse community for keeping the comments kind. :)

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They’re so good with their money! I applaud them for living within their means, saving and investing like crazy, and doing a moderate amount of traveling too 👏🏽

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Jun 12Liked by Lindsey Stanberry

This one is so relatable and detailed and I loved every minute of it. We have super similar goals and approaches, OP! About to spend on the big wedding too and was happy to read that you found it worth it, makes me even more excited for it.

Also thank you for your honesty on the gifts for family and friends! I spend close to this monthly as well - I'm always surprised at how it all adds up!

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Jun 12Liked by Lindsey Stanberry

Loved this perspective and her dream to become financially independent enough that she can work on her own terms.

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I live in Chicago, too! But I have given up on coin-operated laundry. I do live in a place now that has in-unit washer/dryer but in college (I know, I know!), I paid for a laundry service. It wasn't that much more expensive than the coin-operated machines in my building and it was so much more convenient. Might be something to look into! There are a few really great companies with that service in the city.

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If you would like an academic opinion, I can create the plan that optimizes your living standard. I teach economics-based financial planning and the techniques are cutting-edge. My interest is to educate the planners about the importance of these fundamentals.

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I really loved her mindset of working hard now so that they can soon scale back the stress of their jobs and ENJOY their lives. Thank you for sharing!

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Interesting choices.

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I don't know what *exactly* a financial analyst does but I trust it has a lot to do with handling... finances?? Well, it really shows!

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Loved this read and glad to have found your substack! Hope there will be more where this came from <3

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Thanks for sharing these. Always interesting to see how other people decide to live

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