Actually my LG’s experience la. Cause he is in charge of saving (paying all bills plus tracking the finance sheets) at home and I am in charge of spending (finding the deals and going shopping).

1. Buy home early. We made a profit from our previous home. BTW I was very good at valuing houses. When we put the previous home on sale, I predicted a price of $25,000 higher than the estimate from my LG and the first 2 sales agents we interviewed. I went on and found 2 more agents and the home was sold at the exact price I predicted.

2. Combined income. No need to explain la. I really wanted to quit job and stay at home after maternity leave. After crunching the numbers - $20,000+ every year ($15000 contribution plus company match plus extra % company benefit to retirement account) going to 401k is a lot. And it is better to contribute more now for money to grow than contribute at 50-60 year old.

3. Cut down impulsive spending, especially major purchase should be planned first. I do shop a lot for fashion cause that‘s my passion. But when it comes to buy a car or a computer or a furniture, I ask do I need it rather than do I want it. If I do need it, I shop for the best deal on big purchase. That can be another topic.

4. For me, don’t play with stock. I know a lot people made a fortune from stock market. Unfortunately I don’t have the gift and the luck. Whatever I buy will drop price soon and whatever I sell will go higher. Once I know it after I paid my lesson now I have the discipline not to buy it except for my 401k or retirement account.

5. The one who is more displined with money should be in charge of money and do budgeting. Can not address more about the important to have a fiancical excel table to track income and spending. Once you put number together, you will be more motivated on saving and more rational on spending.

6. Since I haven't seen topic on Roth IRA, I included it here. Good way of saving. Will check the board before I type more about it.

[此贴子已经被icyscorpio于2006-6-7 23:48:11编辑过]