I am trying to save six months living expenses in case the family runs into hard times.  I wanted to save it in a savings account and be done with it.  I just realized that between my savings (half) and 401K (half) that I have it.  My question is this...based on the statements above, would you consider that goal met and move on to the next one? And why did you answer that way?  Thanks.
124996
No. Your six month saving goal is not met.\n\nWhy? \nEmergency funds need to be held in the appropriate account. A demand account, savings, where you can get at it at will without having to wait for it. \n\nShould you have an emergency, then you can get at it - immediately - as emergencies usually do not give notice.\n\nGood Luck!
394345
it does not matter how you save..just save..and save..in 2 years a lot of things can change..so start saving now and you will be prepared to buy a house or if you change your mind ..at least you have money ..and no debt..\nsave now and worry about the details later..enjoy your life while you are saving...\n2 years is away.. is not now...
642586
Sometimes there is a waiting period until you can get the company's matching portion.  When you reach it you are "vested" in the program, and can take what they contributed plus your contributions when you leave.  \n\nYou should put in all 15%.  It is a great deal.  When you leave that job or get fired or whatever you can move your 401K to a new job or just let it sit there.  When you change accounts that is called "rollover".  \n\nSome places let you choose how to invest the 401K money.  Like where I work we can put it in stock fund, small capitalization fund, international fund, etc.  If you are young and have a choice, just put it in the stock market.  That has a good record over history.  \n\nYes, there are fees but you probably cannot control them through the employer's 401K.  They are usually pretty low.  Someone is managing that money and they have to have a salary, too, to keep records and send you statements etc.  \n\nSome programs have loan programs where you can borrow from the 401K program.  If you quit the job before the loan is paid back, though, it is all due immediately.  Sometimes they require you to show proof of hardship or medical expenses or real estate purchases but sometimes not.  When you pay back the loan, there will be interest (but you're paying it to yourself).  You must consider that if you borrow from it that money won't be in the account growing and earning for you.  Bad idea to borrow from it.  \n\nI have typed enough.
191130
I would give it to my parents to save up for their retirement my dad works in construction and he has no 401k or any kind of plan for retirement when he can no linger work that's it for them they are just gonna live on social security checks which we know is not enough to live on...I know that 50gs is not enough to live on for a long time but its a start better than nothing.
412778
Hubby just passed 18 years in the Army.  We're so looking forward to retirement.  It's been a good life, but we're ready to move on.  He's now a Drill Sergeant and it should take him to 6 months out from retirement.  We just hope and pray that nothing comes up that forces us to stay longer.  However, after this much time, he'll do his duty if he has to stay.  \n\nWe want to find out what other people call "normal".  We're ready!!\n\nCongrats on your service.  Good luck with retirement and your future.  Please stay safe and get home!!
495406
If you suspended making your contributions, your existing assets are still invested.  Whether they grew or not depends on how they're invested.  If it was in a money fund then it grew modestly, if it was in stocks for all of 2006 then you probably got a nice return.  Surely your 401k generates account statements--check your year-end 2005 value and compare to today to see how much total return you made.
86552
I don't know if there is a specific percentage that you should have, but it's never too early to start investing and saving for retirement through an account like an IRA or 401k, which are often available through your place of employment.\n\nI think it is important to consider the expense of living for a considerable amount of time with little to no income during retirement.  Other things to figure are inflation rates, longevity, and the quality of life you would like to maintain in retirement.\n\nI suggest you find a financial consultant to discuss your retirement plans.  They deal with planning people's investments day in and day out and may be able to better assist your in your inquiry.
202998
I heard if you put 1 mil in a savings account, you get a much higher interest rate, like 10%.  So I would put it in the bank and live off the interest.
431556
It's not easy is it?  Can have a great couple of months followed by a real dry period.  The way I work it is take my highest four months of expenses including my quarterly taxes.  On my good months I stock away four months of expenses.  So when I do get into a low selling period I'm good to go.  Keep a serperate account for the fun things in life and don't touch that other account unless no money is coming in to the house hold.
368202
Go over your finances and determine if you can sustain your current lifestyle until the (advancement) comes your way.  Or, determine if you are willing to reduce your standard of living for a while.  If either of the two are doable for you, congratulations!  Not many people these days are doing what they love.
37854
You work and earn $50k, and owe, according to your estimate, $15k in taxes. \n\nIf I asked you today if you would do a job for me that would take you several months to complete, for $50k and you could then get paid in one of two ways:\n1)$35k right when you are done, or \n2)$30k four years from now, plus 80% of what interest is earned between now and then (20% are the taxes on that portion)\n\nWhich would you choose?\n\nYou would be foolish to choose option 2. Obviously the circumstances that got you there are not the same, but indeed you would be choosing the equivalent. Think long and hard before you take a 10% penalty without flinching.
110203
You should be able to roll over a 401k into an IRA without a problem.  Those Prudential people just don't want to lose your business.  Your money guy at the new place should be able to take care of all this for you.  And if he can't, find a new money guy.\n\n(Unless you bought some sort of annuity with it.  I can't tell if you did.)
558499
I have Principal 401K.  i think returns all depends on what your employers matches and of course each company has different guidelines.  My employer only matches up to 3%percent after a full year of employment.  The general rule is the more you put in the more you get later.  Given that i haven't been working for a year, it's more reasonable for me to put my savings into an Emigrant direct savings account which gives me a 4.25% yield.
254348
unless you are planning on living in a cardboard box, or are filthy rich, you better be saving!!! minimum to set aside is 10% of your income, but that is bare bones minimum. don't count on the government of any country to help you, and if they do, it will be subsistance level only, don't expect to be warm and well fed. you have only yourselves to count on. I certainly hope your children will take care of you, but that mostly depends on how you raise them. are you raising them to believe that family is important, and that old people are to be respected and honored? are you raising them to be responsible adults and to have respect for others and themselves? even so, they could have tragedies in their own lives that prevent them from being there. and when you consider that people are living longer than ever, how do you think you are going to pay for your food, housing, medicine for all those years after retirement if you don't have some set aside? I bet if you go into a senior center or retirement home in any country, you will find plenty of people going without medicine, food, and other important things because their social security or government benefits just aren't enough. contact a financial advisor or do some research yourself and start saving and investing now.
7834
If you cannot see yourself achieving thiese goals, then why stress yourself out to do so? Life has no timelines. No rush to do things before a certain point. Why not plan a few years in advance? Try graduating first. Now, as far as buying a home, thats not a bad idea, my boyfriend and I are still in college and bought a duplex (home as well as investment). Get married after graduating is not a bad idea, depending on how old you are, it might be better to wait. I would wait until working for at least a year or so for the baby so you can have sick leave and vacation built up,  as well as money saved hopefully. Why rush? Why not make it a happy experience? I want a baby badly too, but why make myself miserable and poor by having it now?
532844
If you compound the interest (add the interest earned back into the principle) once a year, you get 6%. If you stop every three months, add the interest into the principle and start again, you'll have more money at the end of the year by accruing interest on the interest earned-to-date. \n\nSay 6% per year, works out to 1.5% for one quarter. Instead of investing $100 for a year, you invested $100 for one quarter and made $1.50. Then next quarter, you invest $101.50, by the third quarter you have $104.57, and at the end of the year you have $106.14. Because you invested the interest earned too. In finance, money*time = more money, so it's better to get your earnings ASAP instead of at the end of the year (e.g. daily compounding).
274896
I say $50,000 as well because we do it.  It's a joint income household and we manage to not only save at least $10,000 a year but also have plenty to live and play on.  It's all about keeping that money monster under control :o)