After more than a year, Mr. Sam is finally eligible for his 401k. And it even comes with a match. Hooray!
To start, since we are having a year of financial set backs and struggles we have set the contribution amount at a reasonable number. We will, hopefully increase it as we work it into our budget.
Musings about personal finance, real estate investing, life in South Florida, historic house projects, Snarfle the dog and anything else that strikes my fancy.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
Fidelity Faux Paux
So, yesterday I spent some time on our finances, paying bills, updating our savings chart, updating our net worth numbers, etc.
I was on the Fidelity site to determine if some of my recent limit orders had gone through (trying not to let my IRA money sit idle in cash). I'm a big fan of Fidelity and, in fact, I've been a Fidelity customer for many years. I generally have nothing but good to say about them.
But, of course you knew a but was coming, I'm puzzled by something that I just noticed. When I pull up a statement online (and same for paper, because I checked), my name is nowhere on the statement. The statement is addressed to my husband (alone). It lists our various accounts, mine are listed first, I assume because they are older accounts but it doesn't reference ownership. These are not joint accounts, these are accounts that are individually owned by each of us (we do have a joint trading account) and in fact were established prior to marriage.
Am I bothered by this, yes. And, I'll tell you why. While I very much agree that the money on this statement is "ours", if you look at the numbers, I own, individually, the bulk of the money in these accounts. And that is simply because I've been saving for retirement for a longer period of time. The statement should be addressed to both of us and the accounts ought to be listed by ownership.
I was on the Fidelity site to determine if some of my recent limit orders had gone through (trying not to let my IRA money sit idle in cash). I'm a big fan of Fidelity and, in fact, I've been a Fidelity customer for many years. I generally have nothing but good to say about them.
But, of course you knew a but was coming, I'm puzzled by something that I just noticed. When I pull up a statement online (and same for paper, because I checked), my name is nowhere on the statement. The statement is addressed to my husband (alone). It lists our various accounts, mine are listed first, I assume because they are older accounts but it doesn't reference ownership. These are not joint accounts, these are accounts that are individually owned by each of us (we do have a joint trading account) and in fact were established prior to marriage.
Am I bothered by this, yes. And, I'll tell you why. While I very much agree that the money on this statement is "ours", if you look at the numbers, I own, individually, the bulk of the money in these accounts. And that is simply because I've been saving for retirement for a longer period of time. The statement should be addressed to both of us and the accounts ought to be listed by ownership.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
July Update - 2014 Savings Goals
(1) Max out 401k(s) - $9,436 27% (goal is $35,000)
(2) Max out IRA(s) - $9,343 85% (goal is $11,000)
(3) Add to e/r fund - $5,600 56% (goal is $10,000)
(4) Roof project - $5,000 100% (goal is $5,000)
(5) Vehicle replacement - $5,000 100% (goal is $5,000)
(6) House projects - $200 7% (goal is $3,000)
Total: $34,579 50% (Goal is $69,000)
At present, we are about $3900 behind on our goals.
(2) Max out IRA(s) - $9,343 85% (goal is $11,000)
(3) Add to e/r fund - $5,600 56% (goal is $10,000)
(4) Roof project - $5,000 100% (goal is $5,000)
(5) Vehicle replacement - $5,000 100% (goal is $5,000)
(6) House projects - $200 7% (goal is $3,000)
Total: $34,579 50% (Goal is $69,000)
At present, we are about $3900 behind on our goals.