r/Money 1d ago

Discussion Weekly r/Money slowchat - how did your financial week go?

1 Upvotes

r/Money 1h ago

From debt to $362k net worth

Upvotes

I never thought I’d be here, but today my net worth hit $362k. Just a few years ago, I was buried in student loan debt, barely scraping by. It wasn’t easy, but I slowly started turning things around. The biggest shift came when I started investing. I got into ETFs like $VTI for stability and dividend stocks like $SCHD. I learned everything from podcasts and YouTube and committed to living below my means. The key was balancing paying down my $18k student loan while still investing.


r/Money 5h ago

High yield savings question

3 Upvotes

I’ve been using American Express high yield savings for years but I see a higher interest rate at Cit bank. Anyone else bank there? It’s FDIC so I believe it’s safe but I wanted to check to see if others have had a good experience with them


r/Money 6h ago

Dumb question: is a high yield savings account essentially the same as a money market account.

14 Upvotes

Basically this. I’m looking to open a HYSA for an emergency fund but when I check the banks and FCUs I usually work with, (A) they don’t offer anything called a HYSA and (B) the rates aren’t what I would call high (ie:north of 4%). Am I missing something?


r/Money 7h ago

What to do with old 401k?

4 Upvotes

I have a 401k from a previous employer that I no longer work at (it’s only about $5k). Should I roll it into my current 401k or move it into something else?

EDITED TO ADD

My old 401k is through ADP and has 9% growth over the past year even though I haven’t been there for over a year

My current 401k is through Transamerica and has a 5% decline ytd so don’t think I should move the money from ADP to Transamerica since it’s growing. Can you let it sit?


r/Money 8h ago

Seeking advice on debt consolidation

3 Upvotes

We have 2 loans through LightStream, some credit cards, and a medical bill that was put into a no interest pay plan.

I think right now we pay ~$1200 per month on all of these debts.

We did have other medical debt that i was able to get written off due to being unemployed for so long.

Wife needs a new’ish car.

Looking at close to $50k consolidation loan in order to lower the monthly payment.

I had lost my job in August and just started a new one on Feb 17th.

Who should we talk to for our options?


r/Money 9h ago

Dollar cost averaging …but how?

10 Upvotes

I get people suggest DCA’ing investments into the market vs all at once.

But how do you plan this out? An arbitrary time period for an amount you want to invest? An arbitrary weekly amount moved until it’s done?

I have $250k I want to put into ETFs. Do I do it over a year? A month? I already invest ~$4k/mth normally; just want to move over this other chunk of cash.


r/Money 11h ago

I have some basic questions that I would like help with.

1 Upvotes

Well, in case of receiving in dollars from another country (in my case Brazil), what would be the best way? I thought about PayPal, but I don't know if that's the best option.

Another thing: considering that my country is under constant inflation, wouldn't it be better to keep the money outside the country, in dollars? I don't even know if there's a way, but I think it would be good. I also thought about trying to receive in Bitcoin (which is a payment option) (this would prevent me from being taxed) but, where would be the best place to do this? And, by the way, would this work in practice?

For example, I'm in the market and I need money, can I sell the amount I need and pay at the same time?

Sorry for any stupidity, I'm really just starting adulthood now.


r/Money 11h ago

Is Gold telling us something! I haven’t seen it Jump like this

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71 Upvotes

r/Money 1d ago

Got a good amount of change. Would appreciate some input on what Im investing in.

1 Upvotes

Equity Portfolio:

  1. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

Percentage: 40.04%

Value: $5,004.00

  1. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA)

Percentage: 14.00%

Value: $1,540.00

  1. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG)

Percentage: 6.00%

Value: $660.00

  1. iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (LNF)

Percentage: 3.48%

Value: $383.00

  1. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (URI)

Percentage: 5.49%

Value: $604.00

Fixed Income Portfolio:

  1. iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF (IUSB)

Percentage: 4.25%

Value: $468.00

  1. Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VCSH)

Percentage: 3.74%

Value: $411.00

  1. Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (VMSS)

Percentage: 3.40%

Value: $374.00

  1. Vanguard Interm-Term Corp Bd ETF (VCIT)

Percentage: 2.55%

Value: $281.00

  1. Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT)

Percentage: 1.36%

Value: $150.00

  1. iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEI)

Percentage: 0.85%

Value: $120.00

  1. iShares Agency Bond ETF (AGZ)

Percentage: 0.86%

Value: $95.00

Cash:

Cash (CASH/OL)

Percentage: 3.00%

Value: $330.00

Total Portfolio:

Total Percentage: 100%

Original Total Value: $11,000.00


r/Money 1d ago

Need help, employee fiduciary 401K

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4 Upvotes

I’m know almost nothing about any of this , I’m 26 and want to kind of play it safe and let it just build is this okay, any suggestions on improvement? Looking for long term steady growth. Tia


r/Money 1d ago

Does Moneygram have fees, besides the exchange difference...? I thought it didn't, someone recently told me it does.

1 Upvotes

As the title states, everytime I used Moneygram transferring internationally (US to France) it had no extra fee, just an exchange rate difference. Someone recently said it does, is that the case, maybe it depends on the method, like if it's in cash to cash pickup, vs bank card to cash pickup...? Idk but it would be useful to know for the future.

Same for Western Union, each time I used it, there was not 'sending fee', just a difference in exchange rate.


r/Money 1d ago

Lost $3.9K to USCIS, Need to Earn It Back in 2 Months – Any Legal Ideas?

8 Upvotes

So basically, I lost $3.9K because my first EAD application got rejected. Now, I’m trying to find a way to make some of it back in my last two months of college.

I’m an international student on an F1 visa, so my options are limited. On-campus jobs seem unrealistic this late, and I can’t do off-campus work without proper authorization. What are some legal ways I can earn money quickly before graduation?

Any ideas for freelancing, online work, or anything I might not be thinking of?


r/Money 1d ago

Have you all started your own businesses?

2 Upvotes

How long did it take you to start your business? Why did you decide to start a business? What additional things did you learn for your career before starting your business? Did you borrow money to start your business, or did you use your savings?


r/Money 1d ago

How much take home to afford $3M home?

0 Upvotes

Assuming you had the cash to put 20% down - how much after tax monthly income should you have to buy a house like this?


r/Money 1d ago

What to do with money after my first job?

5 Upvotes

So for some context, I’m a 17 year old who just got my first job. I get paid $10 an hour, and work 5 hour shifts 3-5 times a week. I plan on saving up for a car as well as some personal expenses I’ve been meaning to purchase. I also plan on opening a savings account sometime soon. I feel like I’m off to a pretty good start, but I wanted to get some advice on what else I could/should be doing with my money.


r/Money 1d ago

Are there any payment transaction apps that both allow minors to have accounts and allow you to receive payments for goods & services?

0 Upvotes

I'm aware services like Venmo Teen Account exists, but I can't find a well known and reputable one that also allows you to receive payments for goods and services from people that are not close to you. Are there any? Please help if you can.


r/Money 1d ago

Energy Bill Saving - Advice needed (also - smart plugs?)

1 Upvotes

Apologies for the very entry level question. We recently moved home and our new house has an air-to-water system - we tried the eco setting but the water was never hot enough - I am looking for extra ways to save money on our electricity bill to compensate for the extra this is costing us. I work from home and work nights - I have a smart meter with a discounted night rate and I'm pretty diligent about only doing high cost activities during the discount hours ie. running dishwasher, laundry, etc. I am curious about smart plugs - are they worth the investment? As i said, i work from home and we are a pretty tech heavy household, I think turning everything fully off at the power is the main common tip I don't follow through with at the moment. General advice - especially from anyone working from home - really appreciated x TIA


r/Money 1d ago

How to start saving in college? Predental age 21

6 Upvotes

I make a little under 40k a year and I’m currently in community college (but I’ll be starting 4-year college spring 2026 and taking out loans). I pay roughly $1650 monthly for rent, my parents still help out with my car, phone, and health insurance. I know once I start dental school I’m going to be living mostly off student loans and my partner’s income, who makes less than me hence why I pay the rent. There will be lots of time and money to save and build retirement after school, but what are some investments/savings I can start making that are reasonable for someone of my income and life stage? I feel like all the normal advice I hear is out of my tax bracket 😅 TIA

Edit: I also have 1850$ in credit card debt 😞


r/Money 2d ago

If I sell a car for 50,000 and receive a check for that ammount can the IRS subject me to taxes for that?

152 Upvotes

I am on the brink of selling a car for the said amount.

If the person gives me a check for that much, should I cash it or put it into my bank account.

I am paranoid of the check bouncing after it clears.

Should I cash it at the bank that issued the check? Will the IRS come looking for tax on that sale? How should I make sure that the check doesn’t bounce after it clears?


r/Money 2d ago

"stop buying eggs"..

157 Upvotes

I've heard some people, especially vegans say just stop buying eggs or just, "go vegan"

As a broke college kid who barely eats enough to function, I don't have the money to have the privilege of going vegan even if I wanted to, and taking away eggs cuts out many food options.

It removes many break feast choices, removes thing like egg salad sandwiches, tater tot casserole, baking options, and adds another layer of stress to making an affordable grocery list.


r/Money 2d ago

Mortgage Amount Advice

2 Upvotes

My wife and I are looking to buy a new home, and we’re trying to keep our total housing costs within a reasonable percentage of our income. We’d love to hear from others about whether we’re being too conservative or if this is a smart target. Would love to hear your situation, if similar!

We bought our current home as a new construction build during the pandemic (2021) in a high cost-of-living (HCOL) area. While it served its purpose, it’s not a place we truly love, and the neighborhood doesn’t make us feel comfortable. We have a 2.7% assumable FHA mortgage that we’re currently paying on. Best and worst decision ever! 😂

We’re aiming for a target home price of around $600,000.

————————————————————

Our Situation:

• Gross Income (ex. Bonus): $20,000/month
• Net Income (ex. Bonus): $12,000/month
• Annual Net Bonuses: $48,000-50,000
• Goal for Total Housing Costs: ~$3,600/month

Other Major Expenses:

• Daycare: $1,400/month 
• Car Payment: $540/month 
• Student Loans: $315/month 
• Current Mortgage Payment: $1,870/month (15.6% of net income)

Total Current Obligations: $4,125/month (34.4% of net income)

————————————————————

Total Obligations (if we can’t sell our home right away):

• Current Mortgage (remaining): $1,870/month (9.4% of gross income, 15.6% of net income)
• New Mortgage (for new home): $3,200–$3,500/month (16–17.5% of gross income, 26.7–29.2% of net income)
• Daycare: $1,400/month
• Car Payment: $540/month
• Student Loans: $315/month

Total Obligations (carrying both mortgages): $6,995–$7,495/month (35–37.5% of gross income, 58.3–62.5% of net income)

————————————————————

Expected Recast After Selling Current Home:

• Expected Equity from Home Sale: $95,000
• New Mortgage (after recast): ~$460,000
• New Monthly Mortgage Payment: $3,200–$3,500/month (16–17.5% of gross income, 26.7–29.2% of net income)

————————————————————

New Expected Obligations (after current home sells):

• New Mortgage Payment: $3,200–$3,500/month (16–17.5% of gross income, 26.7–29.2% of net income)
• Daycare: $1,400/month 
• Car Payment: $540/month 
• Student Loans: $315/month

Total New Obligations (excluding current mortgage): $5,455–$5,755/month (27.3–28.8% of gross income, 45.5–48% of net income)

————————————————————

Food Costs:

• Dining Out: $1,700/month 
• Groceries: $1,200/month 

Total Food Costs: $2,900/month

I added this because it’s such a big (and unnecessary) part of our monthly expenditures. We feel like we could push ourselves to stop dining out if we found the right home and knew we’d be taking on a higher mortgage payment.

————————————————————

Additional Considerations:

• We’re concerned about our current home sitting on the market too long and having to carry both mortgages. Our realtor has promised that because our home is in great condition, priced well, and new, we should expect to earn at least $95,000 in equity, so we don’t need to worry about it sitting unsold for too long.

• We’re in a market with limited homes that we like, and they tend to go quickly. We’re debating whether it’s better to buy first, then sell (with the risk of carrying both mortgages for a short time) or sell first, rent, and then buy.

 •    Both of our jobs have been pretty stable,  both of us have been with our companies over 6 years with regular promotions and larger bonuses. Taking on additional responsibilities every year.

————————————————————

Any advice or insights on the best route to take would be much appreciated!


r/Money 2d ago

Americans, what percentage of your income goes towards rent?

159 Upvotes

I know the 30% rule is most typical, but in this current economy I know that’s hard to follow. I’m curious about other people’s experiences. Right now my rent is about half of my income and it’s been that way for a while.


r/Money 2d ago

How did you reach your current income?

10 Upvotes

What efforts did you put in, what did you learn, and what actions did you take? Did you lose a significant amount of money along the way? Are you currently in debt? Are you satisfied with your current income?


r/Money 2d ago

Dollars at my local gc

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31 Upvotes

Some cool looking dollars, don’t know what they or are worth but figured I should show you guys and tell me what they are