Thought Question - money habits?

1. Increase my 401K contributions
2. Put half of the remaining into savings
3. Use the other half to fund spay/neuters in a high kill area of Virginia.

Save for a house first. I could use some new clothing and things like that. Plus I just found out they are discontinuing my china pattern next year so I'd really want to get that now. (That is important to me. I've always dreamed of a pretty dining room with nice elegant china, and now I have half a set!)

I actually did recently get quite a decent size raise. I'm planning on paying off some debt initially, then I'm going to up my 401K contribution. I'm only 29 and I'm trying to save into my 401K as much as I can - we can't count on Social Security to be there when we retire, can we?!

Pay off debts, when that's finished put it aside in savings until I have a good nest egg so to speak to live off for a few months if I were to loose my job. Then I'd move to a place where I can have a cat safe fenced in garden so Nikita could go outside and be safe.

Stick it in my savings accounts to gain interest

This has actually happened to me within the last couple of months due to a change in jobs with higher pay and more hours, my take home pay is over £500 more a month than it was previously

I actually don't know what to do with myself now, I'm used to living on a very low income, I seem to have a psychological inability to spend money on myself, and so I'm not spending most of that money, although I am using some of it to get my debts paid off and I aim to be debt free (besides the mortgage) within the next 3 years. I am putting some aside for a rainy day but I don't have any investments or anything like that, it's more a case of sticking what I have left at the end of each week under the mattress

holy shnikeys that's a humongous raise!!! I'll be getting something akin to that, as soon as my garnishment is paid off I'll be taking home $600 more a month but anyway, if I got that big of a raise, I think I'd buy myself a couple nice things, like a new washer/dryer set and an elliptical machine, then start socking away at least half of it for savings

I'd pay off all my debts and work on the house. (and of course, spoil the kitties)

Is that gross or net? Makes a difference...

At this point, every cent extra would go to my dentists. After they get paid off, I'd start paying down credit card debts. I'd rather pay credit card debts first, but my teeth don't give a darn about my priorities.

Hmm...either put it in savings or use it to help pay off our mortgage and/or cars, which would lower our interest a little.

Originally Posted by Epona

I seem to have a psychological inability to spend money on myself

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I wish I had that problem!

I'd pay bills and get my credit cards paid off. And invest more in my 401k.

I would definitely get a new car and use it to make the monthly payment. Mine is a heap of junk.

Any time I get a raise and/or bonus, it goes towards debt.

Debt is sort of a revolving door for me and the hubs, it's neverending and always there... so any extra moola goes towards the big D.

Originally Posted by Sissy's Mommy

I actually did recently get quite a decent size raise.

I'm planning on paying off some debt initially, then I'm going to up my 401K contribution. I'm only 29 and I'm trying to save into my 401K as much as I can - we can't count on Social Security to be there when we retire, can we?!

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You know I find that funny. I'm 29 and just started a 401k this year. For the last 7 years I have been told, encouraged, etc, by many people that I need to start one up. However I never had the extra money to stash away. I just did it this year as 1) I was finally eligible -had to wait a year after starting and 2) I finally remembered - OK so I've been here 2 years and just started on 4 months ago.

Hmm - $200 into the savings account, and the rest to split between me and kids for treats during the month, I think I don't get to treat us all as much as I would like to

I don't think I would do anything special. I would pay my bills and not have to worry about them!

Pay off our bills (which aren't bad) and put the rest in savings for a house.