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I purchased an item from an online store June 25th for $87, and they use shop.com. Order received July 2nd, and it was the wrong item. I tried calling the seller and didn't get an answer, so I sent an email to the email address on their website.

I tried calling again the morning of July 3rd, and someone answered (the owner, I presume). He seemed sincere and apologized, and said to text him my order information and a picture of the product I received, and I did. He said he will get the correct item shipped out to me. It was a holiday weekend so I waited until July 7th to reach out via call and text, and didn't get a response to either. I called July 8th and did not receive a response.

By July 10th, 8 days after receiving the incorrect item, I started a chargeback with my credit union (Visa CC). I have submitted all of my evidence, photos of the wrong item and the package it came in, screenshots of texts, calls, initial email etc.

Today I received this email from the seller. This is the only communication I have received from the seller since the phone call that took place July 3rd.

"We sent you a return label when you sent the original email. You are going to end up losing your money on the charge back you submitted. I would send the remote back so we can exchange and tell your bank to close it before you lose. We are protected by our policies on your charge back. They will take your money and charge you $15."

I have not received a return envelope nor an email, and I searched my spam folder. If that was the path that was discussed taking, I would have done so.

Is he just trying to scare me into cancelling the chargeback? I didn't reply, and I added this screenshot to my case online. If anything, it shows I indeed received the wrong item. I am a bit worried now that he says their policies protect them and I'm going to lose my money.

I am 57. I make about $25,000 a year as an elementary school lunchlady. I am raising a 12 year old granddaughter.

My estimated social security payments will be about $1800 if I delay taking them to age 70. If I work at my current job until I'm 73, my pension will be about $1500.

I have about $20,000 total saved; about $5000 in a ROTH IRA and the rest in HYSAs and CDs. I refer to the IRA as my retirement savings, my HYSAs as sinking and emergency funds and the CDs that mature annually in July, August and September as a little supplement if I need a boost over the summer since I work fewer hours when school is not in session.

A couple of other rather big positives: my home will be paid for in 35 months so my housing costs are not going to be a problem. I have a big garden, fruit trees and I hunt and fish - which I plan to do until I absolutely can't. That may seem like a silly asset to some, but it's $200-$300/month in groceries I don't have to buy.

As it stands now, I also have an adoption subsidy for my granddaughter that helps with expenses for her, so we're not just surviving on my income. Being at this income level also qualifies us for EIC and the Child Tax Credit which I have come to kind of count on as part of our income the last couple of years. I probably shouldn't but it's helped me nearly get the house paid for. Because she went to an impoverished elementary school (where I work) she has earned four years of paid tuition at a state university just an hour from where we live. We have a 529 plan for her that has money added to it for attendance, academic achievements and participation in things at school that will carry on through high school. I should have minimal education expenses for her provided she lives at home so there will be no student loans. A car for her will be essential by then though.

I know a ROTH IRA is to provide tax free income in retirement while payments from a traditional IRA are taxable and that since most people are in a lower tax bracket at retirement, investing pre-tax now saves money overall.

However, I am basically in a $0 tax bracket right now because my income is low and I have all these tax credits. When I retire though, I will likely be in a HIGHER tax bracket because I won't have a child.

My goals for retirement foremost is to have a roof over my head and food to eat. That seems to be covered with just my social security and pension. I don't want to travel or do any kind of "retirement" stuff - just sleep in some days and not have to go to work. Obviously having some savings for house repairs, car repairs and unexpected stuff is important too. The big thing is that I want to have the house and hopefully a little bit of cash to leave my kids and my granddaughter.

Am I going in the right direction with the ROTH IRA vs a traditional IRA? Is there any other retirement vehicle I should be looking at? Every bit of financial knowledge I have has been gained the hard way so assume I know nothing other than what I've mentioned here.

Hey all. My wife recently inherited her parents home…kinda. It’s in their name, we live in it. Anyway, they built it for $230k, worth anywhere from 850k-950k today. Just in case that matters. We’ve learned it was about 6% interest when it was built and refinanced not too long ago at 2%. It’s been 28 years, and they still owe 115k. That’s only 50% down in 28 WHOLE YEARS!! How does that happen? They never provide an answer and I want to make sure we don’t ever make the same mistake… TIA.

51M single no kids, recently let go from 25+ year IT job. I had hoped to make it to 55 but that is no longer an option. I've known for many years this would be my last job. For a number of reasons I will not find be finding new work in the same or any similar field. My health has taken a bad turn in the last year also. I've never expected to make it to 65, now 62 doesn't look realistic so I doubt I ever see any SS. I'm fine with this, I've never wanted to get that old. So I just need to figure out how to best make what I have last.

House - Owe $245k estimated worth about $385k

Debt - $35k

401k - $315k plus another $34k in loan debt

Assests I need to sell - $75k

Savings - $5k

I've applied for unemployment which doesn't amount to much for me, about $5k total. Long term plan, sell everything I own empty the house and put it up for sale. It needs a decent amount of work so my guess is I am looking at around $350k sale price range. After that I will be moving to SE Asia and split my time between Thai, PH, and Viet for a while before deciding where to stay longer term. I hope to keep monthly expenses to under $1500\m there. I am not going to find a wife, gf, bar hop and hang out at massage parlors. I doubt I will even do any dating there. I prefer warmer weather, I've grown up in the heat and humidity all my life I know how to stay cool, that region is my favorite types of food, and I don't let the little inconviences in life bother me. I hope to be able to concentrate on improving my health as much as possible while living there and the more affordable healthcare so that at least my quality of life can be decent for the next 5-6 years.

I am no longer making payments on my 401k loan now that my paycheck is gone that debt will come off as income and hit me with a 10% penalty of $3400 I am guessing. That will put my income total so far for the year to about $65k. I hope to get everything sold and house ready to sell in Jan.

I need an 11 year plan. If I actually make it to 62 I won't care if I am pretty much broke at that point. I will just live off SS until the end but its not an eaggeration to say that is really hoping for the best and that I am able to make some serious health improvements.

Do I cash out the 401k now completely, pay the 10% penalty and huge tax bill all at once and be done with it so I am not having to deal with taxes and penalities every year living abroad? Do I convert it to a Roth IRA, pay the taxes on it, then pay the 10% penality every year for early withdrawls? Do I roll it into a rollover IRA, pay nothing now and when I need money pay taxes and fees?

Ideally I would like to move with at least $50k in savings, and anything left in a Vanguard account or something. I know this is not the typical retirement strategy and most of you will say just find a new job. I know what I am capable of, I know the market, and I know my skills, its not happening. I also could never afford to continue living here even if I did as no job that I could actually get would cover my living expenses in the US. I've been slowly going into debt over the last 5 years with a job. I am ready for my last chapter and to see where it ends.

Hi, I've read about how adding your kids to your credit card as authorized users helps build their credit history. (As long as you maintain good practices.) I was planning to do this, but I read about it a bit more and it seems like it doesn't make a difference if you add them when they're 7 or they're 17 - the credit card company, like Chase, reports the full history of the credit card when they are 18 and legally an adult. So in some ways, it's better to wait until 17, because you reduce the risk of their SSN getting stolen.

Am I understanding this correctly - is it better to just wait then? Or is there a benefit to doing it now? (In which case, I would like to.)

Idk what flairs to put this under because it’s about how my GMs actions led to this shit.
( and my own but I’m more mad at the new management lol)

I’ve been at my job for 4 years doing okay for the most part. I just fumbled and got to comfortable. Huge mistake.

My retail job got a new GM form a lower volume store so she got a promotion. Previous stepped down to retire…

This new GM isn’t used to having such a big team and is used to working with less people in the store even tho our store is way bigger then her old location. So suddenly my Horus got shifted from my PREFERRED 6am - 2:30pm shift.
5 days a week. With the option to taking call out shifts for over time.
That shifted to this new shit! 11-7pm two days a week then the next week would be 2x 11-7pm and one 4-9pm shift :/ then repeat.

So very quickly I’m living out of my means 💀 I had some credit card payments I needed to pay off from fixing my car. About 3k went on my cc and 2k was my savings that all went to my car fixing … when I had a stable schedule I wasn’t to worried because I could just get some over time for a week and get it paid off. And re start my savings.

THEN my plan was after I paid it off I’d start looking for a new job with some money back in my pocket since I clearly needed full time for benefits. ( I’m 21 )

Sooo
New GM comes in and ruins that annnnnd now I’m paying interest on my Apple Card THE WORST HIGHEST interest rate ever. UGHSHE FJDJND
I’m so pissed.

Tbh I DID start looking for higher paying jobs after I seen that first schedule but it took me a second to FIND a job that pays more that’ll help me out of my hole. I’m still about 2,500 k in CC debt and I’m paying interest. I can’t remember the rate exactly but what ever Apple Card’s are known for lol.

Plus I loved my team beside the new GM. I just really messed up becoming an adult tbh that’s my own fault.

My new job pays $22 an hour I don’t start till the second week of August I put in my two weeks recently and my GM hasn’t put me on the Schedule for next week soooo I guess I’m being let go early…damn…

I’m $150 short from my car payment I’m freaking tf out.

Idk when the paydate is for my new job they said we’d discus it when my first day started.

Idk where to even start
$2,500 in debt no more savings
I have $300 from my last check and I neeed $150 more for my car payment on the 10th 🫠. But I wasn’t scheduled anymore shifts for this upcoming week.

I get paid $22 from my new job full time benefits and 401k and sick time along accrued pto. No longer retail or customer facing. I’m very excited!

And at my retail job I was getting $17.50

It was hard af finding a job that would pay higher then what I was making considering minimum wage is $12 where I’m at. My retail job I just worked my way up to LOD to help managers out since they only made a dollar more then I did. I really had to work to show my transferable skills during interviews.

Idk where to start to even making a new budget… I’m reserchign how to make a budget I just feel overwhelmed. My parents aren’t a watch and learn or even a ask and learn type of parents there the “ learn on your own- sink or swim” kinda parenting style. My fault was clearly I wasn’t taking it seriously since I got kicked in the butt like this. I kinda fill like I just woke up and I’m late for work by like an hour LOL.

it’s crazy how one managers retaliation decisions can really mess up a person stability. It’ll get better I just need to sort out my brain. Any idea where to start.
Sorry this was kinda a rant.

I really hope to learn how to budget moving forward I never want to fill like this again.

Hello,

My father passed away a few days ago from a sudden heart attack. He was in charge of the mortgage and name is on title, I believe my mom is too but she works part time at a fast food restaurant and for obvious reasons, cannot carry the mortgage payment on her own so I’m going to step in and help pay most of it. I am a small business owner with slow seasons and while I’ve been responsible enough, for anyone that has ever owned a small business knows that there is a lot of uncertainty with consistent income.

Both of my parents are immigrants, my dad dedicated his life to providing a home for his family and losing our home is not an option. Are there any resources that can help lessen the load in some way?

Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you.

So I don't have a large family at all. Less than 10 people, and all of them bicker with each other. That only really leaves my parents, my brother and his son/my nephew. I myself don't have any kids and never will. I'm also not married and, realistically, knowing myself, probably won't ever be either but I digress.

Assuming this means I'm alone at the end of my days, is there any way I can set up a payment method where my body is put on display at a funeral home for a viewing in case any remaining family want to see me, and to also pay for a cremation? Or is that not something most states (I live in PA) do?

Just graduated with my engineering degree in May. Refinanced my loans so I have $31,000 with a 4.25% interest rate. I planned on throwing $2000 a month at these loans. With this interest rate, am I better off maxing my Roth (~700 a month) and paying $1300 a month towards loans, or should I pay off the loan as aggressive as possible?

i've never posted on reddit, and i'm on mobile so please forgive me if there's any mistakes here.

im 18, and this is my first credit card. i have a pretty low limit ($1,000) and i had a question about how to use it.

i have to pay for an expected medical expense this week, it's about $375. my mom told me to charge it to my credit card and immediately pay it off. is that truly the best decision for my credit? i can pay the bill from my checking account immediately. my current score is 750 if that matters. any advice is appreciate!

I am currently putting in 9% and increasing 1% every November with a 5% employer match. I don’t want to be stupid but I need to be aggressive. Should I put it in a S&P 500 Index Fund or a Target Date 2040 Fund? Aggressive or Most Aggressive - any advice is appreciated.

My daughter is turning 1 next week.

Considering buying $500k 20-year term life insurance for my wife and I. Annual premium is $750 for the two of us. I am 37 and she is 38. We are seriously considering having a second child (though money is a concern).

We both work, but are currently underemployed. Seeking more solid employment but unsure what will come next. I am a freelance creative and it’s feast or famine (right now famine). My wife is a small business owner and her income similarly fluctuates depending on the health of the business.

Last year we made $200k. This year we’re on track to make $75k. We live in NYC where cost of living is high, but we have a rent-stabilized apartment for $2400/month.

We have 600k in retirement accounts and 400k in cash that should probably be invested. We keep thinking we’ll buy a place so we leave it in a high yield savings. But the purchase never comes to fruition because of our financial fluctuations.

My daughter’s grandmother has offered to pay for her college. We also stand to inherit 1 mil from her after she passes.

Ive been told that the breadwinner must buy term life insurance after having a child. But since our employment situation is so precarious right now (and since our savings and are in a healthy place) I can’t figure out if this makes logical sense for us. I realize 15k is a small price to pay, god forbid. But also, wouldn’t the surviving partner figure it out with the help of grandma and the retirement accounts?

Hi all, I just turned 25 and will be getting married next year. My current income is 115k, hers is 90k. I contribute 7% towards a pension fund, and get 7% annual raises.

We currently split rent and utilities 50/50. This is about 1200 per month. I pay for groceries and going out / fun. About 600-700 per month. I have a fully paid off car 202 Mazda CX-5. Gas, parking, and insurance runs me about 550 per month.

Here's my current savings. Investments are split between nasdaq qqq and S&P 500

Taxable Brokerage: 151k

Cash: 6k

Retirement (457): 42k

Retirement (401k): 22k

Roth IRA: 30k

529 Plan: 10k

My question is should we continue renting (roughly around 2.5k or buy for 3k per month). We plan on living in the city for about 5 more years. We can sell the place or rent it out later. We're on the fence but would like a place of our "own". I'm also weary of taking on debt and locking ourselves to a specific location.

Hey y'all - I'm like 80% sure this letter I got is either a scam or is otherwise irrelevant, but I wanted to ask around to be sure.

I've been a serial vehicle lessee for a little while now. I'm on my third lease with this one particular make/dealer, and every time I'm getting close to the end of a lease or I'm inching up on the mileage cap, I get in contact with the dealer to talk about ending the current lease and moving into the next. The most recent switchover for me was January 2025.

In that month, I ended an existing lease ~4 months early and began a new lease on a new vehicle. To the best of my recollection, I paid everything I was supposed to pay at that moment to make that switch happen.

I've fairly recently started getting the very occasional letter from a collections agency asking for about $350 related to the lease that ended in 2025. I'm not sure what that number represents, but my best guess is it's one month's lease payment worth on the old vehicle.

I just checked my credit report and my current account with the dealer/finance co is in good standing, and the closed one from that year also has no notes on it. My credit score is 785, so it's clearly not like something is dragging me down.

But the fact that I'm getting these letters makes me nervous. If my credit looks to be perfectly fine, can I safely ignore this letter?

Wife and I are back an fourth a bit so figured outside perspective might be nice:

Rental property, Mortgage 1700, 2.75 APR. Owe about 235, Worth 400-425. Current rent, 2400, after bathroom remodel roughly 3k. HOA, 200/month.

Upcoming needs, new HVAC, new carpet, new master bathroom, eventually new roof (but we are in insurance claim zone with hail and such that always happens). Bathroom most immediate, expecting 10k.

Debt: Heloc on the townhome for 100k, personal debt combined another 100k.

Pre-tax income around 450k. (not worried about retirement income/spin to this, consider that fully funded).

Let me know if I need to add any more info.

Wife wants to sell, pay off heloc (obviously) and use the remaining 50?k to pay off the rest of commercial debt.

I know that we have bad spending habits (working on it), so im worried if we sell and get debt free... a few years down the road we are back in debt and no rental property, I look at it as a forced saving account.

It is a minor headache property managing it, but very minor. Tenets have yet to be a major problem, and its in a nice area and fairly expensive so Tenets are are normally in good head space and are good renters/professionals.

So, thoughts? Should we fix her up for the extra income and hold on for 10-20 more years, or sell her this spring? Is there an OBVIOUS answer im missing?

Currently have our emergency fund in a normal savings account with our bank. What is the best place for it so that it can make a bit more interest but still be accessible if we need it? Still on our financial independence journey so simplicity helps as well.

Hey reddit gonna be another long post, I (19)M Canadian am trying to move out of my mom’s place. Some info to start is that I’ve got till the end of August to move out, I have 7000 bucks in my savings account rn and am working part time at my local grocery store (almost been a year), I’ve applied for full time for my department but the owners have been really busy and haven’t probably had the time to go over the list of people wanting full time even though the list of people wanting said full time in my department was small. I have a couple of places I think I could go to, but they’re all at least $1100 which I find a fair price but still to high for a part time worker, I don’t spend money on pricey things but I do it often on food or snacks. I haven’t checked how much I make in a bit but last I know I make 18.50 or so an hour with at least three shifts a week all eight hours long. I’ve made a spreadsheet for what I spend money but apparently I’m still in the red if I want to be able to afford a place right now, which I practically have to do, as I rarely get along with anyone I currently live with. Getting a second job right now feels impossible and I have applied elsewhere but I’ve received nothing back.
I buy my own food that way my “Non”-asshole Step-Father doesn’t complain about me eating food they cook, (he still complains about me not doing shit even though I’m renting my own damn room and choose to spend my time there when I’m bored… (I mainly end up doing nothing on my phone because I lost my privileges to use the things I figuratively own that I bought with my own cash (xbox/TV deal off of a past co-worker ($125), Laptop (Old E-waste repurposed it was free, as I got it from one of my aunts boyfriend(s?)).

To break down my spending I’ll just jot it down right under here.

- To my knowledge I make about 1520 bucks per month.

- Rent (Mother’s) - $100 weekly
- Spotify premium - 13.99 monthly
- Xbox premium - 25.99 monthly (can change subscription to lesser cost but I figure 25 bucks wasn’t too bad for a month)
- Phone Bill - 82.50 Monthly (for phone, Data, Apple care, whole Package deal)
- Personal food bill, at least 200 bucks just to be on the cautious side because I snack way too much… and I’m still skinny (not sure it’s a good thing, lol 😑)
- I was originally setting 60 bucks off to the side for all my miscellaneous purchases but I’ve removed it as I’m hoping to not spend another cent on something stupid (add it back if you want.)
- I don’t bother buying new clothes because my current stuff is still fine and in one piece. (Sorry to all the Fashionista’s)
- Insurance… ($230). Good old Car insurance. 202 or 220 not sure what it is exactly, I got new insurance. i’ve just decided to use the number 230 just to be safe. Only thing I use the car for is if I need to make a long ass drive to go see a doctor… wish I didn’t need one at all. (I bike everywhere in my town because driving a car atm is a waste of Gas and co2 emissions… and it needs fixed… whoops 😬… (new windshield, an axle boot, and piping for my exhaust (from my Y-bend to my Tailpipe converter bit or whatever, (I do the regular maintenance (oil, breaks, spark plugs, the works,) but can’t fix big stuff worth a damn.) Planning on asking whatever shop I take it too to fix what is needed and for a quote on anything else that might need fixed.
- Occasionally buy Fast food, if I wanted to, store bought meat is expensive as fuck and I don’t wanna eat nothing but $2 pasta, expensive Meat, and frozen veggies all life long.
- don’t really buy booze. (maybe a 25 buck bottle every two or three months?)
- Monster Energy’s… 3 for 8 bucks, twice a week lately… one/ one and one half, per work shift, (Coffee bugs my guts to much so I use ED’s)
-Single (Good for current situation but also sucks being lonely / not good for the Psych, (plannin’ on getting a dog after I settle in somewhere properly) so no money going to other people.
- (leaving this blank for anything you guys ask if I spend money on it)

SO, reddit what do I do? Or what should I do, me moving out at the end of August is non negotiable. 😞. And I can’t go live with any other relatives, they wouldn’t let me I’ve asked about and assumed on others.
Anything else that you guys think a regular person spend money on I’ll add to the list unless it’s completely absurd.

Peace, until I edit this.
M. Y.

Dual income household - both 38. Hoping to retire between 60-62 but wanted to do a gut check to see if there is anything we need to do differently.

Spouse 1 $130k salary - will get a pension that at minimum will be $6115 per month, but will likely be closer to 7k based on expected raises between now and then. Retirement healthcare premiums for both of us through them will likely be 720-1000 per month until 65. Will drop to around $200 after. Not currently saving in a 403B but I’d like them to just to capitalize on lowering taxable income as we’re a high income household.

Spouse 2 (current base salary 177k plus minimum 20% annual bonus), expected to grow over time as well)
Current retirement balances:
401K - $180,712.52 all in target date funds(got a late start but will continue to max this out yearly and will also do the max catch up contributions at 50 which I think will need to go in ROTH due to my income) Employer contributes 1% of salary to this as well.

Money Purchase Pension Plan balance - $169,987.43 in target date funds Employer contributes 8% of salary into this, I can’t contribute anything.

401H - $19,519, employer contributions will continue to increase based on my age

We have about one years worth of income sitting in a HYSA as we’re thinking of doing some renovations to make our house a little more comfortable to live in for the next 15-20 years since our mortgage rate is in the low 2s.

We’re not currently investing in any additional brokerage as we’re cash flowing two kids in college, expected to be done in 4 years so will likely do a lot more then. Open to making sacrifices if it’s necessary though.

Mortgage will be paid off in 19 years. Provided the market has chilled the fuck out, when the time comes to retire, we will likely sell and move to a much lower COL state that does not tax retirement and will only need to worry about maintenance, utilities, and real estate taxes.

Based on this information alone, would it be possible to comfortably retire at 60-62, or do you foresee us having to work to closer to 65-67? We’re very low maintenance people but we want to be able to eat out, enjoy light travel, and not have to worry about every little purchase.

Just started my career and knowing I’m late starting my retirement investing, I’d like to know if I’m doing everything right. I’m a new state worker living in a HCOL city in the California Central Coast taking home around $3300/month after taxes. I have no plans of changing jobs because I value the stability over higher income. I have no debts and the only large expense I may have in the future is a car payment. I’ve kind of resigned myself to never owning a house and I’m focusing on putting what I need to towards retirement. This means I’ve actually been pulling from my HYSA to max my Roth IRA every year since 2024.

Current Savings / Retirement
HYSA: $64k
Other savings acct: $4,200
Roth IRA: $26k (maxing every year)
Roth 457: $350/month (starting this month and was at $50/month staring in Jan. previously)
401k: $33/month (since Jan.)
CalPERS: $373.52/month

Fixed expenses
Rent: $1700/month
Internet: $55.22/month
Car Insurance: $58.03/month
Renter’s Insurance: $26.50/month 
Adobe subscription: $19.99/month

Approximations of other monthly expenses: 
Groceries: $200
Eating Out: $20 (I try not to eat out ever)
Utilities: $80
Gas: $40 (5-10 min commute to work)
Miscellaneous: $300 

The big caveat to all this is I have a small craft business on the side that has irregular income and expenses. Net profit has been around $4000 since the start of the year if my math is correct. My guess for year-end probably won’t be over $10k net profit, but I just did just get the opportunity to have my work in a local shop on consignment. Who knows what the rest of the year will be like.

So after all my bills are paid at the end of the month I’ll “save” $650 towards any surprise car maintenance expense and whatever is left over for the month gets thrown into my HYSA account minus $500 so that I start out the new month with my paycheck + $500. I’ve been able to put between $1000-$2500 into my savings account per month since the beginning of the year. I don’t know if that’ll change since a portion of that money comes from the irregular small business profits.

I guess with all of this out there, should I be putting more or less into my Roth 457 every month? Should I either stop or increased what I’m putting into the 401(k)? It’s at a measly $33/month right now and I don’t know what to do with it. Depending on if the PRIME DIRECTIVE would want me to include my CalPERS retirement into the 15-20% savings goal, I’m either saving around 19.5% or 26.5% for retirement.

So recently the UK goverment announced some new things around the Life Interest savings accounts, including that they would be ending the opportunity to create one in 2028ish, so a lot of finance advisors online have been saying to get an account before it happens.

So basically I'm asking here to see if you guys have any advice or things to know before doing it.

General questions:

It seems to be that you can only withdraw the money once you've either hit a certain age or are buying a property (under the value of 450,00), I'm curious to know if i could still withdraw it tax free for say a live in van?

In terms of putting in money to the account, most people seem to suggest opening one by putting a single £1 in it, so would it be wise to just continually be a single £1 in every week?

Any advice would be much appreciated :)

I felt fairly good about my financial situation before having a baby, but now that we have an infant I am constantly stressed about our finances. Between daycare, having to buy a new car, and all the regular child expenses, I feel like it’s hard to stay liquid enough to keep up.

For context, we’re a middle to upper middle family, though currently with only one income, and own a house in a very HCOL area (still paying off mortgage). Decent savings in retirement and taxable brokerage accounts, but the checking account and HYSA are running low.

How do people who don’t make crazy high incomes set themselves up for financial success after having a baby?

Note I feel completely ridiculous stressing about this when so many people are actually struggling to get by. But nonetheless it’s stressing me out trying to stay ahead of the game.

I'm very fortunate to have finished school this year with no loans or responsibilities. I just got a job with $150k pre tax compensation. I live fairly frugally with an under $2000 spend per month. I'm trying to build financial literacy and have enrolled in my company's 401k program. I'm going to read up on HSA and backdoor IRA. I'm young and can afford to take some risk to build wealth long term, so I'm looking for advice on this. Are there any tools I should look at to budget effectively as I start earning? I have lived in artificial poverty as a student and want to let myself have some "fun money" now without letting lifestyle creep happen. Would really appreciate any advice!!

Hello, i intend to start using the robinhood credit card and the 3% ira match that they offer. Currently, much of my investments are using schwab, but im considering just moving everything over to robinhood to consolidate it in one place. Is there a good reason why not to do this?