just something that i need to get off my chest

[TaraLee4]

I understand it. Sort of.

I'm a dependable person, i'm an assistant manager at a coffee shop. I pay my bills on time, i've set up a retirement fund, and i'm trying to save money to buy a house. By day, i work, by night i'm a college student, just trying to get ahead in life. i save my money but i don't deprive myself of things that i want (like WDW!). I've paid off my car, and my cat hasn't died yet (the plants are another story) I'm getting married next september. So what's the problem?

I'm 19.

Which is fine and dandy. mostly. I get how most people my age aren't like me. I understand people and their hesitations towards me, be it approving me for a loan or wondering if i can really handle my job.

and usually everything is fine too, until people find out how old i am. I've made it a habit not to bring it up, but occationally it comes up. I'm respected in my job and life achievements until people find out how old i am, then they think i'm lying!!

i don't get it! i was raised to be aware of these things and to be proactive in my financial situation. If my retirement is offered to me by my job, why shouldn't i take it, even if i'm young? eventually i'm not going to be young anymore!

People tell me i shouldn't be like this, that i should be a 'normal' 19-year-old. what's normal, i'd like to know, because i was raised as this being normal. if being normal is depending on my mother to put me through school while i spend every night going to a different party, i'm not really interested.

am i all alone in the apparently-matured-way-too-early club?

*sigh* today was just one more day that i had to deal with an ingorant comment. thanks for letting me vent!

 

[Ted and Holly]

Focusing on just the financial portion... Putting money into a retirement account at age 19 is financially one of the best things you can do. The more time your money is there, the more money it is making.

I think you are very lucky to be that way and I only wish I was taught to be like that when I was your age.

Don't let people get you down.

Ted

 

[Cindy B]

You're not the only one.

I was out of the house by 17, had my own apartment paid my bills, had a great credit history and a great job. I was also engaged by 18-19. These skills enabled me to buy a house at 21. Before the house, I got married at age 20.

And yes, I can't tell you how many comments I got that I got married because I was pregnant and not because I loved my DH! That got a bit irritating after a while.

Its been 16 years now, and I think some people have finally figured out that it isn't just "shacking up".


I got a ton of comments when I was younger. In fact, I still get some occasionally with other moms within my kids elementary school... these comments are "you're certainly young to have an almost middle schooler", or if I say I've been married 15 years I can see them doing mental math in their head so I just set them straight by saying "I'm 35".


Sigh! you aren't the only one that still gets it. Thankfully, since I've been back at school getting my bachelors, some students are older than me!

 

[tmt martins]

I've had a paying jod since I was 13 .I put myself through a trade school working the graveyard shift at McDees for a year.

My mom couldn't afford to help but to give me a roof over my head and food on the table.

At 19 I scored a job with a major company and just hit 21 years with them (started 401 when hired). I live for the day yes my bills are paid and my 401 is still going but other then that I enjoy my life for now not tomorrow.

My family lives with my mom still ( I don't think her life would be as good if she didn't have our money coming in ) But thats because we all get along great. We're treating her and Step-dad to SSR at the end of the month and nothing makes me happier then to be able to pay for her.

Don't let anyone tell you how to live your life as long as it's not on a distuctive path and your seems to be going fine.

 

[figment52]

Congratulations to your parents - they raised a very responsible young woman.

 

[Hannathy]

Be proud of yourself you are doing it the right way! Just a bit OT but my DH and myself were like you early on when others were going to the caribean, partying etc well fast forward 20 years and when a major employeer in our town had massive cuts of proffessional level people including my DH we were able to live for 1 yr till he found what he wanted, at the exact same level of living as before off our savings. We did not have to sell our house as did 2 families on our street,and others who had to pull their kids out of schools, activities, take the first job that they could get, etc. and didn't use every penny.It will pay off in the end.

 

[N.Bailey]

I can't remember all the specifics, but when I was young, I was told if you invest such an amount (I think it was $2000 a year) from age 18 to like 25 AND never added another cent after age 25, you'd be in a better financial position at retirement than someone who started investing the same amount at age 25 (I believe that's the age anyway) and contributed this $2000 per year until they retired.

I never ran the numbers and I know so many variables would come into the equation, but it sure got me thinking at a young age. It sounds to me like you're ahead of the game. I don't think you'll regret your decisions at any point in your life.

 

[SillyMe]

Be very proud of yourself for being responsible!

 

[GeorgeG]

You're doing just fine. Don't change.

Being "mature" doesn't always mean being old. It simply means taking responsibility for yourself and 19 is certainly not too young to do that.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

DH and I are 26 and 24. We have been married for three years, we both went to college on full scholarships (I have a bachelors, DH has a bachelors, masters, and half a PhD--he quit to get a 'real' job), and our only car was a graduation gift from DH's parents. Our only debt is our upcoming Disney trip, which will be paid off completely before we go. We both have good jobs, and the only reason we are still in an apartment is that we plan on moving back to Florida in the next couple of years. We don't drink, we don't go clubbing...all this in the party capital of Texas. We may be a little unconventional, but I love our life!

Just remember that people who make ignorant comments about you are just jealous!

 

[Nicolepa]

I can't remember all the specifics, but when I was young, I was told if you invest such an amount (I think it was $2000 a year) from age 18 to like 25 AND never added another cent after age 25, you'd be in a better financial position at retirement than someone who started investing the same amount at age 25 (I believe that's the age anyway) and contributed this $2000 per year until they retired.

I never ran the numbers and I know so many variables would come into the equation, but it sure got me thinking at a young age. It sounds to me like you're ahead of the game. I don't think you'll regret your decisions at any point in your life.

I just finished reading a book that talked about this. I don't remember the exact numbers but the gist was if you invest $2000 a year from 18-21 ($6K total) you will have 1 million at retirement. If you start around 25 and invest for 8 years ($16K) you will have about $800K, if you start at 30 and put $2K in every year till retirement you will have even less (I want to say 400K, but I can't remember for sure. )

 

[Nicolepa]

I just finished reading a book that talked about this. I don't remember the exact numbers but the gist was if you invest $2000 a year from 18-21 ($6K total) you will have 1 million at retirement. If you start around 25 and invest for 8 years ($16K) you will have about $800K, if you start at 30 and put $2K in every year till retirement you will have even less (I want to say 400K, but I can't remember for sure. )

I just finished reading a book that talked about this. I don't remember the exact numbers but the gist was if you invest $2000 a year from 18-21 ($6K total) you will have 1 million at retirement. If you start around 25 and invest for 8 years ($16K) you will have about $800K, if you start at 30 and put $2K in every year till retirement you will have even less (I want to say 400K, but I can't remember for sure. )