Am I not "grown up" because maiking money isn't the most important thing to me?
487504
As long as you can pay your bills and your rent, what more do you need?  All the rest is just extra crap.  Material things don't last.  Nothing lasts.
364620
It sounds like you have everything you need for now, so maybe you could look to the future... retirement account perhaps?\n\nSounds boring, but if you start investing now, you will either have a lot of money when you retire, or you can retire early.  If I didn't need anything immediately right now, like a car or a tv or something for my house, knowing I could retire earlier would be nice.
195380
its almost too mature,you should have more free time for yourself,its not too healthy to always work.you are only 18 yrs old.that person should get off of there lazy ass and work instead of sponging off you.i admire your responsibility though.
742466
When I was a lot younger I used to spend all of my money except for a small cushion (anywhere from $100 to $1,000) that I kept in my checking account.\n\nAs I grew older, I began to realize that one day I was going to retire and that was going to require some serious cash because I wouldn't be in a position where I would be able to just go out and earn it if I needed more money.\n\nAnd so I began to save ...  I started small at first with no change in my lifestyle. As that grew, I began to feel more secure and that affected the decisions I made with spending.  The more secure I felt financially, my desire to spend money on just plain "stuff" began to evaporate.  It was a very liberating feeling.  \n\nSaving money can be an enjoyable game.  For instance, I buy frozen weight watchers and lean cuisine entrees in bulk when they go on sale for 1/3 or 1/2 off.  I keep them in the freezer in the office and I have one for lunch every single day with the exception of birthday or celebration lunches.  I keep crystal light or other drink mixes at work and use the water from the cooler.  My total lunch cost averages around $2 a day, when before it was unthinkable that I would spend less than $6 or $7 on lunch every day.  The first time I noticed how quickly that savings added up was after the first 3 weeks or so when I went to make my regular Friday ATM withdrawal and realized that I didn't need more cash because I still had $60 in my wallet.   \n\nYou have to live below your means in order to save.  Most people don't.   Many people realize too late that the time to save money was when they were still making it ... not when they become disabled or are senior citizens.\n\nI honestly think that money management and basic investing should be taught in high school because far too many people these days are growing up in households where extreme credit card debt and poor money management skills are the norm.  If no one teaches them, they will learn the hard way and we all pay when that happens.
60956
Its not how much money you actually have, its all about your assets. Try picking up a personal finance book. It can get you on the road to wealth. One of my favorite authors is David Bach. He writes several books on this subject. No one can answer for you how much money you need or want. All anyone can say is what they feel THEY need to be wealthy. Besides a dollar amount of 50 million today will not be worth nearly as much as 30 years from now. Good luck on your values ladder. you'll understand when you read the book.
565225
My dear, lighten up on yourself.  You are still young and not responsible for things that you could be.  Imagine yourself, strapped with children, working all day long, having to pay for groceries, rent, gasoline in your car and not making ends meet.  Would you consider that a better life?\n\nTake care of your young life now.  Get out there and explore the library, go to the movies with your friends, roller skate in the park.  These are the things that you should fill your life with right now.
231648
I personally do not need the money not that I am rich but my husband and myself make enough to pay the bills and feed the kids and what more can one really ask for. My parents on the other hand are having a hard time finacially since my dad retired. I have been trying to help but with 3 kids of my own I cant always help them as much as i would like.So I guess I am asking for them.
124636
I am also a 27 year old female, and I've learned some harsh lessons about financial realities.  I'll share with you what worked for me.\n\nI have a binder full of lined paper.  On the first page of the binder I have a budget.  You may ask yourself, how does one create a budget?  \n\nThe way I did it was to first list the things I have a fixed amount I need to spend per month: Rent, Car payments, Magazine subscriptions, Car insurance.  Then I figured out how much I would need PER PAYCHECK to save for this (don't say per month - if you do this, you're setting yourself up for failure).  I need $400 per paycheck for rent, $200 for car, $50 for insurance, $5 for registration, etc.  ANYTHING you spend money on goes down on paper.\n\nNext, I put down the things I need, but that aren't fixed.  For instance, groceries, gas, car repair, health (SO very important to have a large reserve, as I recently found out).  I guess how much I'm going to spend on this per month.  Don't forget, that a budget is ALWAYS evolving.  You get raises, bonuses, and (hopefully not) pay cuts all the time, so be prepared.\n\nFinally, you need to have some money to yourself.  I seperated these into clothes, gifts, massage, and books for myself, but you can always change that around.  Put a fixed amount per check into these funds.\n\nHere's the most important part: RECORD what you're spending on the other sheets of paper.  If you buy a pair of shoes, that goes in the clothes budget.  If you buy a gallon of milk, that goes in the groceries budget.  I guarantee you'll be shocked by some of the purchases you make. (I was spending $500 on groceries for two people in a month - that's absurd.  I now REALLY watch what a shop for, and I make sure I'm not throwing things away because they got old - I use everything!)\n\nOk, now we're ready to set aside some money to save!  Generally people say to save 10% of your gross income.  With the above method, the car repair and health funds are sort of "oh no" accounts that you're not going to be touching unless you have a situation, so I count that as part of the 10%.  Aside from this, calculate 10% of your net income ($800 = $80) and have it direct deposited into a different account.  This should not be accessable by check OR atm card!!!!  Once you have about $2,000, you should be able to move it into a money market (some people call money markets "High Yield Savings Accounts") without having to pay any fees.  You'll earn about 2%-4%, depending on the rates at the time.\n\nDon't forget that you'll want to fund some sort of retirement account out of this!  Make sure you try to set asside the maximum possible into retirement accounts so you don't regret your misspent youth.  I'll let you know that I've done calucualtions that say I need 2 million (caluculating for inflation) dollars to retire at age 65.  Yes, that is $2,000,000.  I urge you to look for a program called "Smart Women Finish Rich" in your area.  You'll learn TONS from it, and hopefully be inspired to start saving money.
1180859
Yeah, sometimes. I'm 21, married, a dad, going to school and working full time. I have tons of debt piled up already b/c of student loans, but I'm studying to be an accountant, so I don't think I'll have a problem paying them back. Money, or the lack there of, is really the only thing that worries me. I hate being in debt though, so I think I'll manage.
243896
why depent on the rents. why not be independent and buy it yourself. Even if you're not old enough to work, you could still find chores around the house or neighborhood to do. I'm sure you can find someone who needs help. i'm not saying this to be mean, but you'll feel proud of yourself like you've accomplished something you really wanted. Start taking the money you earn, and save it. In no time i'm sure you'll have the phone you want. And you'll feel much better about it, because you know that you worked for it, and payed for it yourself.
702403
What a great question!  I think that because this generation is used to instant gratification... If you aren't good enough to figure out a video game then you find cheats... Also you see the various young celebrities of the week or rap stars who seem to be no one last week and this week rolling in money...Also if you ever need some info then just hop on the Internet!  Instant answers!  (not that the latter is necessarily a bad thing).\n\n It is sad because there is no such thing as easy money.  Legally, at least... And many are setting themselves up for a life long struggle to find it.  Best to stay in school, work hard and invest well...  It will work out better that way!  Believe me, I know... I have a 57 year old brother who will have to work until his dying day because all his life he tried to beat the odds...
1023689
I still like cupcakes(considered kiddie) and coloring books + crayons and animated movies.I'm over 21.I'm big enough to do what I want basically,go where I want,deal with most situations.There are some things I have no experience with,so I'm immature there-I guess-you learn as you go along.I feel  very adult-but still I like cute, younger clothes/music.Younger by a decade.
99085
right time to grow together.  many factors in your life may answer that better.  do you have $ saved? family supports? another income? then perhaps is the right time.
860897
i would recommend not telling him about the state of your finances, think about it, you are losing sleep over this, how much pressure do you want to put on him at the age of 12, he will worry bout you, bout money and also feel guilty that he asked for an expensive pressie
444183
Nope, I'm not rich and I don't plan on being rich. Money is the root of all that is evil and wrong with the world.
328538
whut? \n\nhow old are you and what do you like to do.  It'd be good to find a career doing something you enjoy doing.  Figure out your priorities-- making more money or having more time, for example.
371136
Most people are taking a shot in the dark like im about to do, because you never told us your age and/or your interests. \n\nFirst off, if your nowhere near driving age then id  buy a really nice LCD TV(30-40 inches sounds nice), and even then you should have a couple thousand to play around with. \n\nIf your gettin close to, or over 16 years of age then drop that load into a savings account if your not driving yet, or if you are driving that would not only be a NICE downpayment for a car it could buy you a car all the way depending on how expensive you want to get.  If your happy with your current car and over 16 keep it in a savings account because you will need cash for an apartment/home, college, ect...\n\nIf you dont like my previos suggestions heres a list of other stuff to blow it on :P\n\nMP3 Player(go buy the best Ipod on the market hehe)\nPSP\nXbox 360\nPortable Dvd player\nDvd recorder\nSurround sound\nStereo\nTickets to your favorite Pro Ball game or Concert Tickets\nBuy a puppy :P\nI'm a guy, but it seems like chicks do spend a lot on shoes\n\nOr you could invest your money in the stock market, CD's (not music >.<, go to your bank to find out more), U.S. Savings Bonds, ect...