The best/worst thing you EVER did $$$

[xstarsxstripesx]

ladies, all you have been doing is helping!!!
I think I am going to take these tips and make a pretty poster for my room...so that I can always see them, and keep them in mind.

then it will be the center piece over the fireplace when i get my own place.
;] haha jk jk...

[Nada.Leona]

The worst thing I ever did -- let a man take advantage of my empathetic nature and sponge off me for six years while he went to school and played video games. Simply put, don't let other people take advantage of you, even if you love them. You are the only you you have and you have to take care of you, first.

The best thing I ever did -- (besides leaving that man ) was probably buy a deep freezer and a copy of "The Complete Tightwad Gazette", which is probably the closest thing to the Frugal Bible in print. I am a big fan of the freezer -- chances are if it isn't freezable, it's probably not coming into the house.

[MamaBear209]

worst mistakes I can think of is engaging in the stock market without careful study and monitoring. I'm glad I got out of it after a few losses

but I've always been on saving mode since I was in 4th grade, based on experience the power of compounded interests has worked for me. You will not go wrong if you save, save, save. Try your best to get a good education, it helps a lot to have a better paying job and have the option to retire early once you have saved enough to live comfortably in your retirement.

online banks are very competitive now, they give high rates of interests, check them out. if anyone is interested on a sign-up bonus when they open an acct, PM me and I'll tell you how.

the one who said to live below your means is wise. it pays to live low profile mode. its a lot easier to live a low maintenance lifestyle rather than a high maintenance one with nothing to show for it later on when you need it most.

the American mentality of instant gratification should be trashed. one should instead rely on delayed gratification when you have cash to pay for it, or better yet, think many times before making a purchase if your really NEED it and not just WANT. There is a great difference.

those who learn valuable money lessons while they're young come out successful and have options to retire early because they can.

[tigo]

Best move- bought a house and started a 401 when I got my first real job at 21.
Worst move- married not one but three husbands who thought money grew on trees. I left each marriage in worse shape than when I met the men. Now- if he isn't frugal we won't even date.

[mnmarty03]

I'm still young myself (will be 22 at the end of March) and I'm just finishing up college but I have a little advice as well...

If you're heading off to college, and get an invitation in the mail for a credit card from 1 Financial Bank USA - take it. They invite young people going to college to get credit cards, with the specific point of helping them to build credit. I got mine w/a starting balance of $250 about four years ago and now my credit limit is 11,000 - even though i'll never use nearly that much. I have a low interest rate of about 3% which will continue on after I graduate as well and if my card has less than $250.00 on it, then I have no interest. It's been a great company to work with and is my only credit card. Of course they're still a credit card company, so you have to be careful and smart with it. If you don't get an invite though, I don't know how you can get one - I think it's by invite only.

Also, live below your means. Don't get caught up in the partying scene - at least not too much. And don't try to keep up with your friends. You'll have friends who spend all sorts of money on movies/games/food/etc - stay true to yourself. If you are off to college get the cheaper meal plan if you can. If you want to eat in the dining center for a year for the experience/simplicity of it, that is understandable - I did the same thing and it was nice to have that my first year of school. But those plans (at least at my school) cost about $6.00 per meal and I never eat that much food. I paid about $300 per month on dining center food my first year of college, now I pay about $70 per month on food (or less) - and I could eat even cheaper if need be. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of just going in and having a hot meal ready for me, but the financial savings are worth it. That's hundreds of dollars less in loans I need each year...

Let's see, what else. Don't use CC too much and save as much as you can. Work part time if you're at college - even if you think you don't have time. If you get money back from your loans, do not spend it. Give it back to the loan company. It'll be worth it in the end, trust me. If you feel you have to spend it - then only spend a small portion and send the rest back. I have friends who are thousands in debt and always take their extra loan money and spend it on pizza and other such stuff. I cringe when I think about how much money in interest they're going to have - especially since they're going on to grad school.

And that's about it. The most important thing is reminding yourself that you don't have to keep up with you're friends who will most likely spend money they don't have. I find this hard myself too, but then I remind myself of my goals and that makes it easier.

[FrugalWitch]

Never ever get married without:
1. a copy of his credit report
2. knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are both on the same page regarding spending.

Screw romance, get the important facts first.

[Nada.Leona]

Never ever get married without:
1. a copy of his credit report
2. knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are both on the same page regarding spending.

Screw romance, get the important facts first.

Brilliant!

[McD]

I'm not much older than you but I wish I had started when I was your age:

My advice to you:

Budget and live below your means.

Start saving money, even if it's just a small amount.

Use credit cards sparingly, i.e. only what you can pay off when the bill comes.

Don't fall for consumerism--i want it cant wait gotta charge it

Talk to your spouse or bf, but always go with what your gut is telling you.

[cara-lynne]

what a bunch of awesome information...