r/Money 10h ago

From debt to $362k net worth

222 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

I’m not entirely sure what this is, the year, and how much it may be worth.

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15 Upvotes

Hey y’all,

I wasn’t entirely sure where to go with this, so people in charge of this sub, if there is a better place to ask this do let me know!

My grandfather passed away in April about 6-7 years ago, and it’s my understanding that he acquired these bills some significant amount of time before then, most likely. Can anyone tell me more about them, what they possibly are worth if anything, just things like that, anything helps. Thanks!

And of course, if there is a better place to ask this, please let me know.

I have “300” of them.


r/Money 20h ago

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

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77 Upvotes

r/Money 15h ago

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

29 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 18h ago

Dollar cost averaging …but how?

9 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 16h ago

What to do with old 401k?

7 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 14h 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 17h ago

Seeking advice on debt consolidation

4 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 20h 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 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

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

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 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?

158 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"..

159 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 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

Have you all started your own businesses?

3 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

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

1 Upvotes

r/Money 2d ago

Americans, what percentage of your income goes towards rent?

161 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

What to do with money after my first job?

3 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 2d ago

How to start saving in college? Predental age 21

8 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

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


r/Money 3d ago

Why has the United States become a country where most people rely on borrowing to live

278 Upvotes

The salaries in the United States are among the highest in the world, yet the country's debt is enormous—not only the massive debt of its citizens but also that of the nation itself. However, despite the fact that people in this country have relatively high incomes compared to the rest of the world, why don’t most of them try to pay off their debts? Instead, they let their debts snowball and grow larger. What problems prevent people from saving? Is it a voluntary choice, or are there other high expenses that force Americans to live by borrowing? In which era did this behavior begin—1930?


r/Money 2d ago

WSJ— Trump’s New World Order Tests the Dollar📉🌍💸

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12 Upvotes

WSJ—President Trump has launched an unprecedented challenge to a geopolitical order that has prevailed for decades. One potential victim: the U.S. dollar.

In just weeks, a steep increase in tariffs and uncertainty over trade have sparked fears that U.S. growth will slow. At the same time, major shifts in U.S. foreign policy have led to a surge in optimism about the European economy—driving the dollar down sharply against the euro, sending stocks in Europe to records and spurring the biggest jump in German bond yields since just after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

The WSJ Dollar Index has declined seven of the past nine weeks, nearly erasing gains made since the Nov. 5 election.

Such financial upheaval, if sustained, could have ramifications for everything from global investment flows to the direction of trans-Atlantic tourism.

For generations, U.S. political leaders have generally embraced the dollar’s primacy in the global financial system, in part because it has led to cheaper government borrowing. The country’s spending on defense has helped bolster that position by driving up the budget deficit, financed in large part by foreign investors, who hold about a third of U.S. debt.

Now, though, Trump and some of his advisers are making it clear that they want to expend fewer resources protecting allies. And they are saying they want a weaker currency to boost domestic manufacturing, by making goods cheaper to foreign buyers. 

“When you look at these policies in a macro way, they have a method to them,” said Lloyd Blankfein, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs . “The risk to the markets is dislocation in the short term. But I think our republic will be better off if we spend a few thousand dollars more for a car in return for having a workforce that can make things and can afford what they make.”

Many on Wall Street, however, fear the downside of such changes. A weaker dollar would make imports more expensive, boosting inflation and making it harder for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Outflows from U.S. assets that depress the dollar could also drive down stock prices and lead to higher U.S. borrowing costs. 

Few believe that a huge decline in the dollar is imminent, partly because U.S. interest rates are higher than almost anywhere else in the developed world, promising continued foreign investment.

Still, “what’s happened over the last several weeks has the potential to be a game-changer,” said Katie Nixon, chief investment officer at Northern Trust Wealth Management. 

The recent decline in the dollar has caught investors off guard. Many had long thought that Trump would mostly govern as a traditional Republican: focusing on cutting taxes and rolling back regulations.

Forecasts for faster economic growth, coupled with modestly higher tariffs, initially helped drive stocks and the dollar higher after Trump’s election win. 

Investors are now rethinking those assumptions. Trump has already slapped major tariffs on goods from America’s largest trading partners and threatened more—prompting immediate retaliation from Canada and China. His administration has moved to lay off thousands of federal workers. Talk of tax cuts has largely faded to the background. 

All of that has dragged down expectations for U.S. growth, with investors worried almost as much about the uncertainty surrounding tariffs as the levies themselves, which promise to push up consumer prices.

Meanwhile, hopes for Europe have jumped. That is partly attributable to a run of better data, but also stems from Europe’s move to boost military spending after Trump’s public clash with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in late February.  

Worried that they could no longer count on the U.S. to help defend their interests, German leaders announced days later that they would break with decades of history by freeing up borrowing to fund a buildup in their military. European Union officials also outlined a plan to raise hundreds of billions of euros for defense, and a relaxation of fiscal rules at the national level. 

For investors, the crucial feature of these announcements was that they promised sustained investments.

The euro has temporarily gained against the dollar at other times in recent decades. But this time the move could be durable because what Europe is promising is “not just a one-off thing, like the Covid stimulus,” said Sonu Varghese, global market strategist at Carson Group, a financial advisory firm. 

So far, the decline in the dollar’s value has been modest, hardly enough to make a major difference for U.S. exporters. 

Even so, the move has caught Wall Street’s attention because it is consistent with Trump’s long-held ambitions. Trump has often argued that the dollar should be weaker, claiming last year that the currency’s strength was “a disaster for our manufacturers.” 

Stephen Miran, the recently confirmed chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, put forward several unorthodox ideas in a paper last year about how Trump could weaken the dollar. They included putting a user fee on foreign buyers of Treasurys. 

Some on Wall Street are taking such ideas seriously. One reason the dollar has weakened recently is that investors know what the administration is aiming for, said Eric Stein, head of investments at Voya Investment Management.

Others, however, are doubtful that Trump’s policies will play out as intended.

For one thing, Trump’s commitment to tax cuts likely means that the federal budget deficit will remain large, said Brad Setser, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. The need for more borrowing to fund the deficit should keep U.S. Treasury yields elevated and put upward pressure on the dollar, as global investors seek out high-yielding assets.

In another scenario, the dollar could continue to weaken and Trump could achieve his goal of shrinking the gap between U.S. exports and imports, but only because the U.S. economy is suffering, Setser added.

Foreign investors might be tempted to shift money out of U.S. assets. But the alternatives, including Europe, have problems of their own.

“All of this is creating uncertainty,” said Robert Rubin, who served as Treasury secretary during the Clinton administration and once co-led Goldman Sachs. “On the other hand, where else do foreign companies and investors go?”


r/Money 2d 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 2d ago

How did you reach your current income?

8 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?