Finance
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Save the annual cost of a warranty to build a fund for purchasing high-quality systems when needed.
This approach allows you to afford the best possible system rather than settling for replacements.
one person who lived it
Get a part-time job or internship during college to reduce debt and cover living expenses.
It can help keep finances in check and allow for graduating debt-free.
2 people, independently
Accumulate funds on the plasma center debit card before transferring them to your bank account to avoid transaction fees.
The card provides one free transaction per donation but charges small fees for subsequent transfers.
one person who lived it
Once you achieve excellent credit, shift your focus to other areas of finance rather than chasing a perfect score.
You will eventually realize you do not really need a higher score anymore.
one person who lived it
Invest in four-week treasury notes to maintain liquidity while earning interest.
Funds become liquid again with interest after the period, and rates can be favorable.
one person who lived it
Read extensively on personal finance topics like budgeting and investing to avoid the trap of high income without financial literacy.
Many people with six-figure incomes end up in debt or without retirement savings because they lack knowledge.
one person who lived it
Fund your retirement first rather than saving specifically for your child's college education.
Savings set aside for kids count against financial aid eligibility, whereas home equity and retirement funds typically do not.
one person who lived it
Prefer smaller, frequent raises over larger, infrequent ones, as compounding matters.
Receiving a raise equal to twice the inflation rate every two years results in less total growth than receiving the inflation rate every year, because the latter compounds year on year.
one person who lived it
Direct pay raises toward retirement accounts or repairs instead of increasing lifestyle spending to find contentment with what you already have.
It helps escape the rat race by avoiding lifestyle inflation.
one person who lived it
1 more on this
Consider that removing federal backing for student loans could allow supply and demand to regulate college costs.
one person who lived it