How Much ya makin'?

I agree in principal. It's not how much you make but how you spend it and how much you save.

We are all working because we HAVE to. If we had enough money to live our lives and pay our debts, who would work? You must save as much as possible to pay for retirement. The later you start the harder it is to gain a cushion. You must save for the day when you can no longer work!!!

However, it does matter how much you make! If I plan to retire at 60 by working for 30 years, I'll need $xxx to afford my lifestyle, pay my bills, and medical - all assumptions because no one knows if they'll even be around in 30 years, much less what expenses they will have!

Now, if I can save $xxx every week to come up with the $xxx I'll need to survive on at 60 - IF I make twice that each week, couldn't I retire sooner? Sure, depending on one's lifestyle and financial status. The more you can make and the quicker you can make it will determine when and how you'll pay for life once you are done with the working world.

So, what you make isn't as important as how much you save BUT by saving more sooner (by making more!) you will be able to afford more later in life

 

I agree with you completely, not just in principle.

We both have the same goals. We just have a differant method of reaching it. Our methods involve time, and the use of said time.

I completely understand your reasoning. Although it's not for me.

Just call me the turtle...slow and steady. Ready to sit in my rocking chair at the end of the day, telling my grandkids...You ain't gonna believe this...stories.

 

I make a 1,000 a week before tax delivering fuel
in arizona,mostly local but some out of town.I'am
on salary right now but it'll change to hourly in
july,then i'll make 16.50/hour plus OT after 40
hours,after 2 months i'll go to 17.50/hour with
OT after 40 hours.I've been running 55-60 hours
per week for the last 3 months or so,These are
the longest hours i've ever worked but it's
mostly driving so it's not too bad.

 

So an OTR driver would make (might make) around $800-1000 per week? Did I read that right? Is that good/bad? How much less would a new driver make (on average)? I know that changes with the company.

I'm actually looking forward to getting out. Solitude doesn't bother me, yet I'm not too sure of what my expenses would be. I would much rather cook for myself, so I would have that much of a temptation of stopping into every greasy spoon that pops up at the end of the night. A microwave, fridge, and (if allowed) a camping stove. All of my entertainment I can get off the radio with baseball games.

 

"The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". Just because the other job pays more does not make it a better job. Some jobs in my opinion aren't worth doing for any amount of pay. Make sure the other things are as good as the money, or at least that you are capable of dealing with them.

 

Well if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe that is where the septic tank is!

 

own our own company make 2.35 per mile pluse fuel surcharge and 50 dollar drop charge after one stop and on the return its a flat rate of 600 bux per load

 

Hello...I think you BOTH have a good point.
Without telling the whole story...Cliffnotes; lack of planning in my youth + messy divorce = 0 retirement.
Wonderful fiance Alex, otr 17 years previous to 'us', had to start at the bottom due to being off the road for so long. He just started with Marten. I will start school in August and join him in October. The plan is to save half of our net earnings, pay off a medium amount of debt with half of what is left, and use the rest for expenses and current ongoing bills. Also, we will put in the max matched amt into 401k. Okay, as you see, this is mainly all concept at this point. I am doing the classic counting of eggs before they are in the basket.Though he oversees the majority of the financial picture, he isn't into the mundane aspects of it such as the balancing of the bank register...I have to be careful with little purchases that nickle and dime us way worse than the bigger, better planned purchases. At least I am honest. Going into this (ad)venture, we have clearly outlined goals to make this work to our benefit. Yes, I am looking at fridge, micro, crockpot, etc etc. All ways to save. Again, a great concept . What I am fishing for I guess is a tool that will help us BOTH be accountable to our goals. Strict budgeting is the ticket, right? We BOTH need to take strict budgeting 101...lol...he is a sucker for truckstop trinkets for me, bless his :smt049 . I looked at Microsoft Money, it is looks okay...some people say Quicken is a good pgm. I am an intermediate techie type and a "pgm" would be better for me than little envelopes and a notebook... Regardless of all my good, practical intentions, alot of this is uncharted territory for me. Any helpful hints or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated ??? Sounds like a few of you out there know what you are doing!
Thanks for letting me ramble...Alex just asked me if I am writing a book.

Cari

 

Are you in the Hickory, PA area?