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re: What grade do you give your personal finance skills?

Posted on 11/24/13 at 4:38 pm to
Posted by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 11/24/13 at 4:38 pm to
quote:

Credit: 3/10 as I have no credit history
wtf
Posted by kingbob
Sorrento, LA
Member since Nov 2010
67079 posts
Posted on 11/24/13 at 4:42 pm to
no debt, no credit cards

I've never borrowed money, so I have no credit history. I've only lived within my means and paid in cash, check, or debit. It's kinda hard to have a credit history when you never borrow money. I should be able to change that soon, though.
Posted by jimbeam
University of LSU
Member since Oct 2011
75703 posts
Posted on 11/24/13 at 4:53 pm to
I know but i'm confused on how you have a '3' when you have no history
Posted by kingbob
Sorrento, LA
Member since Nov 2010
67079 posts
Posted on 11/24/13 at 4:58 pm to
better no history than bankruptcy, bill collectors, ect. I'd rather be an unknown than a known POS.
Posted by Oenophile Brah
The Edge of Sanity
Member since Jan 2013
7540 posts
Posted on 11/25/13 at 10:45 am to
quote:

Debt

A-
Just purchased a house, but that is my only debt at the moment(car purchase may be in near/mid future).

quote:

Budgeting

B-
I used to do a better job, but new lady has affected my spending habbits recently. I hope my discipline returns soon.

quote:

Long-term financial planning

B+
I hit my company match maximium for 401k, and hit my Roth every paycheck. I need to increase my income to get closer to the maximums with those accounts. Once my 2013 taxes are figured this year, I should be able to up these contributions.

quote:

Risk / Insurance

B+
My company provides excellent coverage. HI is nearly zero out of pocket for an A+ plan, I also receive a Life policy that cover 85% of mortgage principle that I add to cover the difference. No family to provide for at this time. Very little out of pocket for total debt coverage.

quote:

Investments

B+
I'm leaner right now. I cashed out 30% of holdings in my personal investment account for the down payment on the house. As stated 401k and Roth are receiving contributions 2x a month. I do have solid funds that have performed very well the past few years. 401k was over 28% YTD.

quote:

Real Estate

A
The house I purchased was a double in Uptown New Orleans at a reasonable sub 4.5% rate. It's in a highly desirable neighborhood that should see a continued rise in value. It took 2 days to rent the other side, and I received the asking amount which covers 78% of the entire mortgage payment.

Posted by Tigahs
Member since Jan 2004
22836 posts
Posted on 11/26/13 at 12:33 pm to
D

No debt
No credit history
No savings (despite making >6 figures)
Posted by Shenanigans
Spring Hill, TN
Member since Nov 2012
2394 posts
Posted on 11/26/13 at 3:22 pm to
Debt: Credit, credit cards, mortgages, auto, etc. - C. I am good with mortgage and auto but have more credit card debt than I would like. Car will be paid for in less than 1 year
Budgeting - B. I am able to make all payments on time and contribute to 401k. Once I kill the CC debt, I would bump this
Long-term financial planning - see below under investments
Risk / Insurance - B+ - great coverage on homeowners and auto that I diligently shopped around for and have life insurance set up so that my wife and son will be taken care of in the event that something were to happen to me.
Investments: 401k, 403b, stock portfolio - B. Have a diversified portfolio and contribute enought to 401k to get company match, along with an IRA from my first job. Also have some RSU's from my previous employer and other shares that I bought through ESPP. Would like to increase my 401k contributions and set up a 529 or other savings vehicle for my infant son in 2014
Real Estate - B+. I bought a great piece of property on short sale that appraised for 20% more than I paid for it in a part of town where home values continue to increase (up and coming neighborhood with great HOA close to good schools). I also had to sell my previous home due to a relocation less than a year after buying it initially but sold it for more than I paid for it and negotiated the heck out of the real estate commission so that I didn't get taken to the cleaners on it.

Overall - I feel like I'm at a B- right now due to the credit card debt, but I think 2014 is the year for me to take control of my finances in a big way. Already making a dent in the CC debt, will pay off my car, and I'm expecting a large tax refund due to birth of a child along with selling a house and paying off all of the interest associated with it given that I had only made 10 mortgage payments before selling. $4000 of PMI was also included in the payoff. Plan on using the bulk of it on the CC debt and investing the rest.
Posted by lynxcat
Member since Jan 2008
24144 posts
Posted on 12/1/13 at 3:11 pm to
Debt: Credit, credit cards, mortgages, auto, etc.

A - pay off credit card every month, rent so no mortgage. No issues on this front.

Budgeting

A - I can practically live on one paycheck a month. That is after contributing a lot to retirement.

Long-term financial planning

A - significant monies I'm 401k and Roth for my age.

Risk / Insurance

N/A - I have insurance for everything but I don't have life insurance because I dont have any current need for it. I have dental, health, LTD, legal, and vision insurance.

Investments: 401k, 403b, stock portfolio

B+ - I could do more on the personal investing side. I keep too much in checkings but that is the risk averse side of me.

Real Estate

F - own none.
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